Gas shut-off valve

Abstract

To provide a gas cut-off valve capable of cutting off circulation of a gas when a gas appliance is inclined, even when a foreign material is included in a gas to be supplied.SOLUTION: A cut-off mechanism 34 has: a pedestal 34a; a movable element 34b disposed on the pedestal 34a and moving according to inclination of posture of a gas appliance G; and a valve element 34c placed on the movable element 34b and moving from an open position to a close position according to the movement of the movable element 34b. The pedestal 34a has an annular supporting portion 34a3 supporting the movable element 34b when the valve element 34c is placed on the open position, and a recessed foreign matter receiver 34a2 disposed at an inner peripheral side of the supporting portion 34a3. The supporting portion 34a3 has a notched opening portion 34a4 for communicating an external space and an internal space of the foreign matter receiver 34a2 in a gas inflow chamber 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas shutoff valve that shuts off the flow of gas in a gas supply passage of a gas appliance when the gas appliance is tilted to a predetermined position. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some gas appliances equipped with a combustion device such as a burner have a gas shutoff valve installed inside them to shut off the supply of gas to the combustion device in the event of the appliance falling over, etc. Known gas shutoff valves of this type include a valve housing installed in a gas supply path, which includes a gas inlet chamber, a gas outlet chamber, a valve hole connecting the internal spaces of these chambers, and a shutoff mechanism that shuts off the flow of gas through the valve hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The shutoff mechanism of the gas shutoff valve in Patent Document 1 has a base, a movable element that is placed on the base and moves in response to the tilt of the gas appliance, and a valve element that is placed on the movable element and moves in response to the movement of the movable element from an open position that opens the valve hole to a closed position that closes the valve hole. In this shutoff mechanism, when the gas appliance is tilted due to falling over or the like, the movable element moves in response to the tilt, and the valve element moves in response to the movable element's movement to close the valve hole and shut off the flow of gas. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-73172 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, fine foreign matter such as sand grains may enter the gas supply path from the supply gas piping. The foreign matter may then reach the inside of the gas shutoff valve. In this case, if the gas shutoff valve is a gas shutoff valve such as that described in Patent Document 1, the foreign matter may adhere to the inclined surface on which the moving element rolls.

[0006] If a foreign object were to adhere to the slope, the foreign object could restrict the movement of the movable element when the gas appliance tilts, which could prevent the movable element from moving smoothly even when the gas appliance is in a state where it should shut off the flow of gas, and could result in the gas appliance not being able to shut off the flow of gas.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a gas shut-off valve that can shut off the flow of gas when the gas appliance is tilted, even if the supplied gas contains foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gas shutoff valve of the present invention comprises: A gas shutoff valve that shuts off the flow of gas in a gas supply path of a gas appliance when the attitude of the gas appliance is tilted to a predetermined attitude, a valve housing interposed in the gas supply path; a gas inlet chamber provided in the valve housing, into which gas supplied to the gas appliance flows; a gas outflow chamber provided downstream of the gas inflow chamber in the valve housing, for allowing gas to flow out of the valve housing; a valve hole provided between the gas inlet chamber and the gas outlet chamber, the valve hole communicating the gas inlet chamber and the gas outlet chamber; a shutoff mechanism provided inside the gas inlet chamber to shut off the flow of gas through the valve hole, the shutoff mechanism comprises a base, a movable element disposed on the base and moving in accordance with the inclination of the attitude of the gas appliance, and a valve element placed on the movable element and moving in accordance with the movement of the movable element from an open position at which the valve hole is opened to a closed position at which the valve hole is closed, the base has an annular support portion that abuts against a lower surface of the movable element to support the movable element when the valve element is positioned at the open position, and a recessed foreign object receiver that is provided on an inner circumferential side of the support portion, The support portion has a notched opening in the gas inlet chamber that connects a space outside the foreign object receptacle with a space inside the foreign object receptacle.

[0009] As described above, the base of the gas shutoff valve of the present invention supports the moving element with an annular support portion. A foreign object receptacle is provided on the lower surface of the moving element. Within the gas inlet chamber, the space outside the foreign object receptacle is connected to the space inside the foreign object receptacle through a notched opening provided in the support portion. Therefore, gas supplied to the gas inlet chamber also flows into the foreign object receptacle through the opening.

[0010] As a result, even if foreign matter such as sand grains contained in the supplied gas reaches the base, the foreign matter will not remain on the top surface of the base but will pass through the opening and reach the inside of the foreign matter receiver where it will be stored, thereby preventing the foreign matter from adhering to the top surface of the base (i.e., the surface on which the mover moves).

[0011] Therefore, with the gas shutoff valve of the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter contained in the supplied gas from adhering to the upper surface of the base, thereby preventing the foreign matter from interfering with the movement of the movable element.Furthermore, when the gas appliance is tilted, the movable element can move smoothly, and the valve element placed on the movable element can also move smoothly to the closed position to close the valve hole, thereby shutting off the flow of gas.

[0012] In addition, in the gas cutoff valve of the present invention, the mover is a sphere, The surface of the base with which the movable element abuts is preferably a mortar-shaped inclined surface.

[0013] This configuration allows foreign objects to roll down the inclined surface toward the foreign object receiver and prevents foreign objects from adhering to the inclined upper surface of the base. This prevents the spherical moving element from being hindered from rolling down the inclined surface when the gas appliance is tilted, ensuring that the valve element is pushed up and closes the valve hole in accordance with the rolling of the moving element.

[0014] In addition, in the gas cutoff valve of the present invention, It is preferable that the outer periphery of the base protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the gas inlet chamber.

[0015] With this configuration, the opening can be easily formed by simply cutting out a portion of the outer periphery of the base that protrudes upward. Furthermore, the opening thus formed horizontally connects the internal space of the foreign object receptacle with the external space of the foreign object receptacle within the gas inlet chamber, making it easier to guide foreign objects into the foreign object receptacle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gas appliance equipped with a gas shutoff valve according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gas shutoff valve when the gas appliance is in a normal state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gas shutoff valve when the gas appliance is in an inclined state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure around the base of the gas cutoff valve of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a gas appliance G equipped with a gas shutoff valve 3 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Overall configuration of gas appliances] First, the overall configuration of a gas appliance G will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the gas appliance G, which may be a radiant gas stove, fan heater, gas stove, or the like, includes a burner 1, a gas supply path 2 that supplies gas supplied from a gas supply source (not shown) to the burner 1, and a gas shutoff valve 3, a safety valve 4, a main valve 5 that is opened and closed by ignition and extinguishing operations, and a flow rate adjustment valve 6, all of which are disposed in the gas supply path 2.

[0019] The gas shutoff valve 3 has a valve housing 30 (see Figures 2 and 3) with a plug 30a that protrudes to the outside of the gas appliance G. Gas from a gas supply source (not shown) is supplied to the valve housing 30 (and thus to the gas supply path 2) through this plug 30a.

[0020] The gas appliance G also includes a flame detection sensor 7, which is a thermocouple, flame rod, etc., located adjacent to the burner 1, and a controller 8 that closes the safety valve 4 in the event of a fire failure based on a signal from the flame detection sensor 7.

[0021] [Gas shutoff valve configuration] Next, the configuration of the gas shutoff valve 3 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. This gas shutoff valve 3 is for shutting off the flow of gas in the gas supply path 2 of the gas appliance G when the gas appliance G is tilted.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gas shutoff valve 3 includes a valve housing 30 interposed in the gas supply path 2 (see Figure 1), a gas inlet chamber 31 provided in the valve housing 30, a gas outlet chamber 32 provided downstream of the gas inlet chamber 31 of the valve housing 30 and above the gas inlet chamber 31, a communication section 33 provided between the gas inlet chamber 31 and the gas outlet chamber 32, and a shutoff mechanism 34 provided inside the gas inlet chamber 31.

[0023] The communication part 33 has, in its approximate center, a valve hole 33a that communicates the internal space of the gas inlet chamber 31 with the internal space of the gas outlet chamber 32. The peripheral edge of the valve hole 33a on the gas inlet chamber 31 side serves as a valve seat 33b that abuts against a valve element 34c (described later) when it moves to the closed position.

[0024] The shutoff mechanism 34 has a base 34a provided on the bottom surface of the gas inlet chamber 31, a movable element 34b placed on the base 34a and moving in accordance with the tilt of the gas appliance G's posture, and a valve body 34c placed on the movable element 34b and moving in accordance with the movement of the movable element 34b.

[0025] The surface of the base 34a that comes into contact with the mover 34b is formed as a mortar-shaped inclined surface 34a1.

[0026] The mover 34b is a sphere made of a hard material such as metal, and is capable of rolling inside the gas inflow chamber 31 according to the attitude of the valve housing 30 (that is, the gas appliance G to which the valve housing 30 is fixed).

[0027] Because the base 34a and the movable element 34b are configured in this manner, when the gas appliance G is tilted, the movable element 34b rolls up the inclined surface 34a1, thereby reducing the distance between the movable element 34b and the communication part 33 (i.e., the valve hole 33a) located above.

[0028] The valve body 34c is a member placed on the movable element 34b, and is movable between an open position (see Figure 2) in which the valve hole 33a is opened and a closed position (see Figure 3) in which the valve body 34c abuts against the valve seat 33b to close the valve hole 33a in accordance with the movement of the movable element 34b.

[0029] The valve body 34c has a generally upside-down T-shaped cross section and includes a disk-shaped contact portion 34c1, a rod-shaped insertion portion 34c2 standing in the center of the surface of the contact portion 34c1 facing the gas outflow chamber 32, and an annular sealing member 34c3 provided concentrically with the contact portion 34c1 on the gas outflow chamber 32 side of the contact portion 34c1.

[0030] The contact portion 34c1 contacts the movable element 34b on the surface opposite to the sealing member 34c3. The insertion portion 34c2 passes through the valve hole 33a of the communication portion 33 and extends into the gas outflow chamber 32, with its tip end slidably inserted into the sliding hole 32a provided in the gas outflow chamber 32. The sealing member 34c3 is a rubber member.

[0031] When the gas appliance G is tilted and the movable element 34b moves, the valve element 34c is pushed up by the movable element 34b and is guided by the sliding hole 32a and moves upward. When the valve element 34c moves upward and the seal member 34c3 is pressed against the valve seat 33b, the valve hole 33a is sealed and closed (see FIG. 3).

[0032] In a gas appliance G equipped with such a shutoff mechanism 34, in normal use (hereinafter referred to as the "normal state"), the movable element 34b of the shutoff mechanism 34 is located in the position shown in Figure 2 (i.e., a position where the valve body 34c is sufficiently distant from the valve seat 33b).

[0033] In its normal state, gas supplied to the gas appliance G first flows into the gas inlet chamber 31 via the plug 30a (see FIG. 1) provided in the valve housing 30. The gas that has flowed into the gas inlet chamber 31 then flows into the gas outlet chamber 32 via the valve hole 33a. The gas that has flowed into the gas outlet chamber 32 then flows out of the gas outlet chamber 32 (i.e., the valve housing 30) into the gas supply path 2.

[0034] On the other hand, when the gas appliance G is tilted due to tipping over or the like (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the "tilted state"), the movable element 34b of the shut-off mechanism 34 moves to a position as shown in Figure 3 (i.e., a position closer to the valve hole 33a than in the normal state) due to the tilt of the position.

[0035] In this tilted state, the movable element 34b moves closer to the valve hole 33a, pushing up the valve element 34c, and the seal member 34c3 of the valve element 34c abuts against the valve seat 33b, closing the valve hole 33a. As a result, the gas that has flowed into the gas inflow chamber 31 cannot pass through the valve hole 33a, and the flow of gas through the gas supply path 2 is blocked.

[0036] In this embodiment, the movable element 34b on which the valve element 34c is mounted is also movable so that the valve element 34c can move between the open position and the closed position. This is because the valve element 34c is configured to automatically return from the closed position to the open position when the gas appliance G returns to the normal position.

[0037] The valve element 34c may be configured to be automatically movable only from the open position to the closed position, and may be manually moved back from the closed position to the open position.

[0038] [Base configuration] Incidentally, a filter (not shown) is disposed on the upstream side of the gas shutoff valve 3 in the gas supply path 2, and this filter prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the gas shutoff valve 3. However, depending on the usage environment of the gas appliance G, fine foreign matter (for example, sand grains) may pass through the filter and enter the inside of the gas shutoff valve 3.

[0039] If the foreign matter that has entered in this way adheres to the base 34a, the foreign matter may restrict the movement of the movable element 34b when the gas appliance G is tilted. As a result, even when the gas appliance G is in a state where it should block the flow of gas, the movable element 34b may not be able to move smoothly, and ultimately the valve element 34c placed on the movable element 34b may not be able to move smoothly to the closing position to block the valve hole 33a, and the flow of gas may not be able to be blocked.

[0040] Therefore, in the gas appliance G, the structure of the base 34a that supports the movable element 34b of the gas cutoff valve 3 is devised to prevent foreign matter adhering to the base 34a from interfering with the movement of the movable element 34b. Below, the base 34a will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0041] 2 and 4, the pedestal 34a is formed integrally with the bottom plate 31a, which is a plate-shaped member that forms the bottom surface of the gas inflow chamber 31. The pedestal 34a is located approximately in the center of the bottom plate 31a. As a result, when the bottom plate 31a is attached to the housing portion 30b that forms the valve housing 30, the pedestal 34a is located in a position facing the valve hole 33a provided in the center of the communication portion 33.

[0042] The base 34a has a cone-shaped inclined surface 34a1 with which the movable element 34b abuts, which slopes from the periphery toward the center, and a recessed foreign object receiver 34a2 is provided in the center.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, in the normal state, the mover 34b placed on the seat 34a is located at the radial center of the seat 34a, and the valve element 34c placed on the mover 34b is located at the open position (i.e., a position where the seal member 34c3 of the valve element 34c is separated from the valve seat 33b). At this time, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the lower side of the mover 34b abuts against the annular support portion 34a3, which is the upper outer peripheral portion of the inclined surface 34a1. That is, in the normal state, the mover 34b is supported by the support portion 34a3.

[0044] Here, foreign object receiver 34a2 is provided in the center of base 34a and is therefore located on the inner circumferential side of support portion 34a3. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, in a normal state, foreign object receiver 34a2 is located below mover 34b, which is located in the radial center of base 34a.

[0045] 4, the base 34a has notched openings 34a4 provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential edge thereof. The openings 34a4 are provided so as to divide the annular support portion 34a3.

[0046] 2, even in a normal state, opening 34a4 connects the space outside foreign object receptacle 34a2 with the space inside foreign object receptacle 34a2 within gas inflow chamber 31. Therefore, in a normal state, gas supplied to gas inflow chamber 31 flows through opening 34a4 into foreign object receptacle 34a2 without being blocked by movable element 34b supported by base 34a.

[0047] As explained above, in the gas appliance G, even if foreign matter such as sand contained in the supplied gas reaches the inclined surface 34a1, which is the upper surface of the base 34a, the foreign matter does not remain on the inclined surface 34a1 but passes through the opening 34a4 to the interior of the foreign matter receiver 34a2 and is stored there. This prevents the foreign matter from adhering to the inclined surface 34a1.

[0048] Therefore, foreign matter contained in the supplied gas can be prevented from adhering to the inclined surface 34a1, and the movement of the movable element 34b can be prevented from being hindered by the foreign matter. As a result, when the gas appliance G is tilted, the movable element 34b can move smoothly, and the valve element 34c placed on the movable element 34b can also move smoothly to the closing position to close the valve hole 33a, thereby blocking the flow of gas.

[0049] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, in the gas cutoff valve 3, the inclined surface 34a1, which is the upper surface of the pedestal 34a, has a cone shape that is inclined from the periphery toward the center.

[0050] Therefore, foreign matter is received by foreign matter receiver 34a2 and easily rolls down inclined surface 34a1, and adhesion of foreign matter to inclined surface 34a1 is suppressed. As a result, when gas appliance G is tilted, spherical moving element 34b is not prevented from rolling on cone-shaped inclined surface 34a1, and valve element 34c can be reliably pushed up and valve hole 33a is closed in accordance with the rolling of moving element 34b.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, in the gas cutoff valve 3, the outer peripheral portion of the seat 34a is shaped to protrude upward from the bottom plate 31a.

[0052] Therefore, opening 34a4 can be easily formed simply by cutting out a portion of the outer periphery of base 34a that protrudes upward. Furthermore, opening 34a4 thus formed horizontally connects the internal space of foreign object receptacle 34a2 with the space outside foreign object receptacle 34a2 within gas inflow chamber 31, making it easier to guide foreign objects into foreign object receptacle 34a2.

[0053] However, the gas shutoff valve of the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the shape of the upper surface of the base may be any shape as long as it has, for example, a foreign object receiver provided on a horizontal surface or the like and a support portion provided with a notched opening. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the inclined surface of the base may be formed at the same height as the bottom surface of the gas inlet chamber or at a position lower than the bottom surface. In this case, the opening may be cut out to a position lower than the support portion.

[0054] [Other embodiments] Although the illustrated embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0055] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the pedestal 34a is formed integrally with the bottom plate 31a, which is a plate-like member that forms the bottom surface of the gas inlet chamber 31. However, the pedestal of the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be any member on which a mover can be disposed. Therefore, for example, the pedestal and the bottom plate may be separate members.

[0056] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, a spherical member is used as the mover 34b. However, the mover of the present invention may be any member that moves in response to the tilt of the gas appliance. Therefore, the shape of the mover may be appropriately set depending on the shape of the base on which the mover is placed, etc.

[0057] In the above embodiment, four notch-shaped openings 34a4 are provided as shown in Fig. 4. However, the openings of the present invention are not limited to this configuration, and it is sufficient that at least one opening is provided.

[0058] 2 to 4, the notch-shaped opening 34a4 divides the annular support portion 34a3 and extends from the inner peripheral surface of the foreign object receiver 34a2 to the outer peripheral surface of the base 34a. However, the opening of the present invention is not limited to this configuration and may be any notch-shaped opening that connects the space outside the foreign object receiver with the space inside the foreign object receiver within the gas inflow chamber.

[0059] Therefore, for example, the shape of the opening may be such that it divides the inclined surface (i.e., reaches the outermost position of the movable element in the normal state), but does not reach the outermost periphery of the base, and is cut out from the foreign object receiver to halfway up the inclined surface.

[0060] 2 and 3, in the above embodiment, the foreign object receiver 34a2 is provided in the center of the base 34a. However, the foreign object receiver of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be provided on the inner periphery of the support portion. Therefore, for example, the foreign object receiver may be located at a position offset from the center of the base. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1...burner, 2...gas supply path, 3...gas shutoff valve, 4...safety valve, 5...main valve, 6...flow rate control valve, 7...flame detection sensor, 8...controller, 30...valve housing, 30a...plug, 30b...housing portion, 31...gas inlet chamber, 31a...bottom plate, 32...gas outlet chamber, 32a...sliding hole, 33...communicating portion, 33a...valve hole, 33b...valve seat, 34...shutoff mechanism, 34a...base, 34a1...inclined surface, 34a2...foreign object receiver, 34a3...support portion, 34a4...opening, 34b...movable element, 34c...valve body, 34c1...abutment portion, 34c2...insertion portion, 34c3...sealing member, G...gas appliance.

Claims

1. A gas shutoff valve that shuts off the flow of gas in a gas supply path of a gas appliance when the attitude of the gas appliance is tilted to a predetermined attitude, a valve housing interposed in the gas supply path; a gas inlet chamber provided in the valve housing, into which gas supplied to the gas appliance flows; a gas outflow chamber provided downstream of the gas inflow chamber in the valve housing, for allowing gas to flow out of the valve housing; a valve hole provided between the gas inlet chamber and the gas outlet chamber, the valve hole communicating the gas inlet chamber and the gas outlet chamber; a shutoff mechanism provided inside the gas inlet chamber to shut off the flow of gas through the valve hole, the shutoff mechanism comprises a base, a movable element disposed on the base and moving in accordance with the inclination of the attitude of the gas appliance, and a valve element placed on the movable element and moving in accordance with the movement of the movable element from an open position at which the valve hole is opened to a closed position at which the valve hole is closed, the base has an annular support portion that abuts against a lower surface of the movable element to support the movable element when the valve element is positioned at the open position, and a recessed foreign object receiver that is provided on an inner circumferential side of the support portion, A gas shut-off valve characterized in that the support portion has a notched opening within the gas inlet chamber that connects the space outside the foreign object receptacle with the space inside the foreign object receptacle.

2. The gas shutoff valve according to claim 1, the mover is a sphere, A gas cutoff valve, wherein the surface of the base with which the movable element abuts is a mortar-shaped inclined surface.

3. The gas cutoff valve according to claim 1 or 2, A gas cutoff valve, characterized in that the outer periphery of the base protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the gas inlet chamber.

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