Mixing valve

Abstract

To improve sealing performance of a valve element when a valve is closed.SOLUTION: A mixing valve 10 includes: a casing 2 having a first inflow passage 21 into which first fluid flows, a second inflow passage 22 into which second fluid at a temperature different from that of the first fluid flows, a mixing flow passage 25 for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid, and an outflow passage 26 for making the fluid of the mixing flow passage 25 flow out; a valve seat member 6 arranged in a connection portion of the second inflow passage 22 and the mixing flow passage 25; and a valve element 7 seated on and separated from the valve seat member 6. The valve seat member 6 includes a valve hole 61 communicating the second inflow passage 22 with the mixing flow passage 25, and a seat surface 62 surrounding the valve hole 61. The valve element 7 opens and closes the valve hole 61 by being moved in a direction crossing the seat surface 62 so as to be seated on and separated from the seat surface 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a mixing valve.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mixing valve that mixes cold water with hot water to adjust the temperature of the hot water. The mixing valve includes a casing, a valve body housed in the casing, and a drive unit that moves the valve body. The casing is provided with a mixing flow path for hot and cold water that extends linearly, a hot water inlet communicating with the upstream end of the mixing flow path, and a cold water inlet communicating with the middle of the mixing flow path. The valve body is provided in the mixing flow path. The valve body is formed in a cylindrical shape substantially coaxial with the mixing flow path. The internal space of the valve body communicates with the hot water inlet. The valve body has a through hole that communicates the internal space of the valve body with the cold water inlet.

[0003] The hot water flowing into the mixing flow path from the hot water inlet passes through the internal space of the valve body and flows out of the casing. The drive unit moves the valve body in the flow path direction of the mixing flow path according to the temperature of the water in the mixing flow path. The valve body moves in the flow path direction of the mixing flow path by sliding the outer peripheral surface of the valve body against the inner peripheral surface of the casing that partitions the mixing flow path.

[0004] When the valve body moves to the downstream side of the mixing flow path, the through hole of the valve body is blocked by the casing. As a result, the inflow of cold water from the cold water inlet into the mixing flow path is blocked, and only the hot water flowing in from the hot water inlet flows into the mixing flow path.

[0005] On the other hand, when the valve body moves to the upstream side of the mixing flow path, the cold water inlet and the internal space of the valve body communicate with each other through the through hole. As a result, the cold water at the cold water inlet flows into the internal space of the valve body through the through hole and is mixed with the hot water flowing through the internal space of the valve body. The mixed water generated by mixing the cold water and the hot water flows out of the casing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6748337 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Incidentally, with the aforementioned mixing valve, it is difficult to seal the space between the valve body and the inner surface of the casing when the valve is closed, and depending on the cold water pressure, it may be difficult to maintain a high level of sealing performance of the valve body that closes the cold water inlet.

[0008] The technology disclosed herein has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to improve the sealing performance of the valve body when the valve is closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The mixing valve disclosed herein comprises a casing having a first inlet passage into which a first fluid flows, a second inlet passage into which a second fluid having a temperature different from that of the first fluid flows, a mixing passage for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid, and an outlet passage for discharging the fluid from the mixing passage; a valve seat member disposed at the connection portion between the second inlet passage and the mixing passage; and a valve body that seats onto and away from the valve seat member, wherein the valve seat member has a valve hole that connects the second inlet passage and the mixing passage, and a seat surface surrounding the valve hole, and the valve body opens and closes the valve hole by moving in a direction intersecting the seat surface and seating onto and away from the seat surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The aforementioned mixing valve can improve the sealing performance of the valve body when the valve is closed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of the mixing valve. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, showing the mixing valve when it is open. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the opposing surface of the first lid. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following describes exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a front view of the mixing valve 10. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, showing the mixing valve 10 when open. The mixing valve 10 mixes a first fluid with a second fluid at a different temperature from the first fluid to produce a fluid at a desired temperature. In this example, both the first and second fluids are water. The temperature of the second fluid is lower than the temperature of the first fluid.

[0013] The mixing valve 10 is, for example, placed in a steam-heated hot water generator. A steam-heated hot water generator heats low-temperature water with steam to produce high-temperature water, and then mixes this high-temperature water with low-temperature water to produce hot water at a predetermined temperature.

[0014] The mixing valve 10 comprises a casing 2, a valve seat member 6 disposed within the casing 2, and a valve body 7 movably disposed within the casing 2 and seating toward and away from the valve seat member 6. The mixing valve 10 further comprises an actuator 8 for moving the valve body 7. The casing 2 has a first inlet passage 21 into which a first fluid flows, a second inlet passage 22 into which a second fluid flows, a mixing passage 25 into which the first inlet passage 21 and the second inlet passage 22 merge and mix the first fluid and the second fluid, and an outlet passage 26 for discharging the fluid from the mixing passage 25. The valve seat member 6 is located at the connection point between the second inlet passage 22 and the mixing passage 25. That is, the downstream end of the second inlet passage 22 and the upstream end of the mixing passage 25 are connected via the valve seat member 6. The valve seat member 6 has a valve hole 61 that connects the second inlet passage 22 and the mixing passage 25. The valve body 7 opens and closes the valve hole 61 by seating against the valve seat member 6 at the downstream end of the second inflow passage 22. The valve body 7 can change the degree of opening of the valve hole 61. This adjusts the amount of the second fluid flowing from the second inflow passage 22 to the mixing passage 25. Adjusting the inflow amount also includes making the inflow amount zero, that is, closing the valve body 7.

[0015] The elements of the mixing valve 10 are described in detail below. The casing 2 has a main body 3, and a first cover 4 and a second cover 5 attached to the main body 3. The main body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape, more specifically, a cylindrical shape, extending in the direction of a predetermined axis X. Hereinafter, the direction in which the axis X extends will be referred to as the "first direction". The main body 3 includes a first end 3a, which is one end in the first direction, and a second end 3b, which is the end opposite to the first end 3a.

[0016] The first lid 4 is attached to the first end 3a of the main body 3 so as to close the opening at the first end 3a. The second lid 5 is attached to the second end 3b of the main body 3 so as to close the opening at the second end 3b. The main body 3, the first lid 4, and the second lid 5 are each made of a metal such as stainless steel.

[0017] The casing 2 has a first inlet port 32 that serves as the inlet of the first inlet passage 21, a second inlet port 41 that serves as the inlet of the second inlet passage 22, and an outlet port 33 that serves as the outlet of the outlet passage 26. Each of the first inlet port 32 and the outlet port 33 is disposed in the main body 3. Each of the first inlet port 32 and the outlet port 33 is disposed in the middle part of the main body 3 in the first direction, that is, the part of the main body 3 other than the first end 3a and the second end 3b. The outlet port 33 is located between the first inlet port 32 and the second end 3b in the first direction. The second inlet port 41 is disposed in the first lid 4.

[0018] In the main body 3, a valve seat member 6 is disposed so as to partition the internal space of the main body 3 into a space on the side of the first end 3a and a space on the side of the second end 3b. The mixing passage 25 is disposed on the second end 3b side with respect to the valve seat member 6. The second inlet passage 22 is disposed on the first end 3a side with respect to the valve seat member 6.

[0019] The mixing passage 25 is the space between the valve seat member 6 and the second lid 5 in the internal space of the main body 3. The mixing passage 25 is partitioned by the main body 3, the valve seat member 6, and the second lid 5. The mixing passage 25 extends in the first direction.

[0020] The first inlet passage 21 is the internal space of the first inlet port 32. That is, the first inlet passage 21 is partitioned by the first inlet port 32. The first inlet passage 21 extends in a direction intersecting the axis X, specifically, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis X. Hereinafter, the direction in which the first inlet passage 21 extends is referred to as the "second direction".

[0021] The inlet opening, which is the upstream end of the first inflow path 21, opens into the first inflow port 32. The first fluid flows into the first inflow path 21 from a pipe connected to the first inflow port 32. The downstream end of the first inflow path 21 opens into the mixing flow path 25. That is, the first inflow path 21 and the mixing flow path 25 are directly connected. The downstream end of the first inflow path 21 is disposed between the second end 3b of the main body 3 and the valve seat member 6 in the first direction. The direction in which the first fluid flows from the first inflow path 21 into the mixing flow path 25 intersects the axial center X, specifically, it is the second direction.

[0022] The outflow path 26 is the internal space of the outflow port 33. That is, the outflow path 26 is defined by the outflow port 33. The upstream end of the outflow path 26 opens into the mixing flow path 25. That is, the outflow path 26 and the mixing flow path 25 are directly connected. The upstream end of the outflow path 26 is disposed between the downstream end of the first inflow path 21 and the second end 3b of the main body 3 in the first direction. The outflow path 26 extends in a direction intersecting the axial center X, specifically, in a direction substantially orthogonal to each of the axial center X and the second direction. Hereinafter, the direction in which the outflow path 26 extends is simply referred to as the "third direction". The outlet opening, which is the downstream end of the outflow path 26, opens into the outflow port 33. The direction in which the fluid in the mixing flow path 25 flows into the outflow path 26 intersects the axial center X, specifically, it is the third direction. The fluid in the outflow path 26 flows out into a pipe connected to the outflow port 33.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. The valve seat member 6 is formed in a flat plate shape that expands in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial center X. The valve seat member 6 is formed from a metal such as stainless steel, for example. In this example, the valve seat member 6 is integrated with the main body 3.

[0024] The valve hole 61 penetrates the valve seat member 6 in the first direction. The axial center of the valve hole 61 is substantially coaxial with the axial center X. The valve hole 61 opens into each of the second inflow path 22 and the mixing flow path 25.

[0025] The second inlet passage 22 extends in a direction that is roughly consistent with the first direction. The direction in which the second fluid flows into the valve hole 61 from the second inlet passage 22 is roughly consistent with the first direction. Specifically, the second inlet passage 22 includes a valve chamber 23 in which the valve body 7 is located, and a supply passage 24 that supplies the second fluid to the valve chamber 23.

[0026] The valve chamber 23 is the space between the valve seat member 6 and the first cover 4. More specifically, the valve seat member 6 has a seat surface 62 on which the valve body 7 sits and unseats. The seat surface 62 faces toward the first end 3a of the main body 3, that is, toward the opposite side from the mixing passage 25. The seat surface 62 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the valve hole 61. More specifically, the seat surface 62 is formed in an annular shape. The seat surface 62 is a plane intersecting the axis X, more specifically, a plane approximately perpendicular to the axis X. The first cover 4 includes an opposing surface 42 facing the seat surface 62. The opposing surface 42 is a plane approximately parallel to the seat surface 62. The seat surface 62 and the opposing surface 42 are spaced apart in the first direction. The valve chamber 23 is the space between the seat surface 62 and the opposing surface 42. In other words, the seat surface 62 and the opposing surface 42 are each located in the valve chamber 23. The valve chamber 23 is partitioned by the seat surface 62, the opposing surface 42, and the inner circumferential surface of the main body 3.

[0027] The supply path 24 is demarcated by the first cover 4. The supply path 24 includes the first supply path 24a and a plurality of second supply paths 24b that branch off from the first supply path 24a. The plurality of second supply paths 24b is an example of a plurality of supply paths. In this example, the supply path 24 includes three second supply paths 24b.

[0028] The first supply channel 24a is a hole that opens to the side of the first cover 4 opposite to the opposing surface 42. That is, the inlet, which is the upstream end of the first supply channel 24a, opens to the second inflow port 41. The first supply channel 24a extends in the first direction. The second fluid flows into the first supply channel 24a from the pipe connected to the second inflow port 41.

[0029] The second supply passage 24b is located between the first supply passage 24a and the valve chamber 23 in the first direction. The second supply passage 24b is located around the axis X, spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the axis X. The upstream end of the second supply passage 24b opens to the first supply passage 24a. The second supply passage 24b extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axis X, moving further away from the axis X as it moves downstream from the upstream end of the second supply passage 24b. The downstream end of the second supply passage 24b communicates with the valve chamber 23.

[0030] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the opposing surface 42 of the first cover 4. As shown in Figure 5, the downstream ends of the multiple second supply passages 24b are not consolidated into one on the opposing surface 42 but are open separately. The downstream ends of the multiple second supply passages 24b are spaced apart in the circumferential direction around the axis X. Specifically, the downstream ends of the multiple second supply passages 24b are arranged at approximately equal intervals on concentric circles around the axis X.

[0031] The valve body 7 is positioned in the valve chamber 23 so as to face the seat surface 62 of the valve seat member 6. The valve body 7 opens and closes the valve hole 61 by seating onto and away from the seat surface 62. The valve body 7 moves in a direction intersecting the seat surface 62 to seat onto and away from the seat surface 62. More specifically, the valve body 7 moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the seat surface 62, that is, in a direction substantially coinciding with the first direction to seat onto and away from the seat surface 62. The valve body 7 has a pressure-receiving surface 75 that faces away from the seat surface 62 and receives the pressure of the second fluid.

[0032] The valve body 7 includes a base 71, a gasket 72 attached to the base 71, and a guide 73 positioned on the base 71 to guide its movement. The base 71 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X. One surface of the base 71 in the thickness direction is the pressure-receiving surface 75. The pressure-receiving surface 75 is a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis X. The pressure-receiving surface 75 receives the pressure of the second fluid supplied to the valve chamber 23 from a plurality of second supply passages 24b.

[0033] The gasket 72 is attached to the surface of the base 71 that faces the seat surface 62 of the valve seat member 6, that is, the surface opposite to the pressure-receiving surface 75. The gasket 72 is formed in an annular, more specifically circular shape, surrounding the axis X. The gasket 72 is made of a material with a lower elastic modulus than the base 71. For example, the gasket 72 is made of a synthetic resin such as a fluoropolymer.

[0034] The guide 73 is formed in the shape of a rod extending in the first direction. The guide 73 extends from the base 71 in the direction opposite to the seat surface 62. In this example, the guide 73 is integrated with the base 71. The axis of the guide 73 is approximately coaxial with the axis X. On the other hand, the first lid 4 has a guide hole 43 that opens to the opposing surface 42. The guide hole 43 extends in the first direction. The axis of the guide hole 43 is approximately coaxial with the axis X.

[0035] The guide 73 is fitted into the guide hole 43 so as to be movable in a first direction. The guide 73 slides along the guide hole 43 in the first direction. This guides the valve body 7 to move in the first direction.

[0036] The mixing valve 10 further includes a first spring 91 that biases the valve body 7 toward seating on the seat surface 62. The first spring 91 is an example of an elastic body. The first spring 91 is a coil spring. The first spring 91 is positioned around the guide 73. The first spring 91 is positioned between the pressure-receiving surface 75 of the valve body 7 and the opposing surface 42 of the first cover 4 in a compressed state in the first direction.

[0037] The valve body 7 is pressed against the seat surface 62 by the biasing force of the first spring 91 and the pressure of the second fluid acting on the pressure-receiving surface 75, and thus sits on the seat surface 62. Specifically, the base 71 is pressed against the seat surface 62 via the gasket 72. This seals the space between the base 71 and the seat surface 62, and the valve hole 61 is closed by the valve body 7. In other words, the valve body 7 closes.

[0038] The valve body 7 is moved away from the seat surface 62 by the actuator 8 against the biasing force of the first spring 91 and the pressure of the second fluid acting on the pressure-receiving surface 75, thereby separating from the seat surface 62. Specifically, the gasket 72 separates from the seat surface 62, creating a gap between the base 71 and the seat surface 62 through which the second fluid flows. This opens the valve hole 61, that is, the valve body 7 opens.

[0039] The valve body 7 further has a shaft 74 connected to an actuator 8. In this example, the shaft 74 is integrated with the base 71. The shaft 74 extends from the base 71 along a first direction away from the guide 73. The axis of the shaft 74 is substantially coaxial with axis X. The shaft 74 is solid. In this disclosure, "solid" means that there are no voids inside.

[0040] The shaft 74 protrudes from the second inlet passage 22 through the valve hole 61 into the mixing passage 25. The shaft 74 includes a flange 74a positioned in the mixing passage 25. The flange 74a protrudes radially outward from the shaft 74. The flange 74a is positioned in the middle of the shaft 74 in the axial direction.

[0041] The actuator 8 moves the valve body 7 in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25, causing the valve body 7 to seat on or off the seat surface 62. In this example, the actuator 8 is a thermo-element that expands and contracts in accordance with the temperature of the fluid in the mixing channel 25. The actuator 8 is positioned in the mixing channel 25 as shown in Figure 2. The actuator 8 includes a case 81, wax filled inside the case 81 that expands and contracts in accordance with temperature changes, a rod 83 positioned relative to the case 81 that moves back and forth relative to the case 81 by the expanding and contracting wax, a holder 84 that holds the case 81, and a joint 86 fixed to the holder 84.

[0042] Case 81 is positioned between the valve seat member 6 and the second lid 5 in the first direction. The temperature of the wax inside case 81 changes according to the temperature of the fluid in the mixing channel 25.

[0043] Rod 83 protrudes from case 81 toward the second lid 5. Rod 83 moves forward and backward in a first direction relative to case 81 in response to the expansion and contraction of the wax. When the wax expands, rod 83 advances toward the second lid 5. When the wax contracts, rod 83 retracts toward case 81.

[0044] The holder 84 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in a first direction. The axis of the holder 84 is substantially coaxial with the axis X. The case 81 is fitted inside the holder 84. The holder 84 has an opening 84a that penetrates radially through the holder 84. The case 81 is exposed to the mixing channel 25 through the opening 84a. The fluid in the mixing channel 25 comes into contact with the case 81 through the opening 84a. Therefore, the temperature of the wax inside the case 81 is easily affected by the temperature of the fluid in the mixing channel 25.

[0045] The joint 86 extends in the first direction. The axis of the joint 86 is approximately coaxial with axis X. The joint 86 protrudes from the holder 84 toward the valve seat member 6.

[0046] The joint 86 includes a tip surface 87, which is the end face of the valve seat member 6, and a fitting hole 88 that opens into the tip surface 87. The fitting hole 88 extends in a first direction. The axis of the fitting hole 88 is substantially coaxial with the axis X. The tip portion of the shaft 74, which is the end face of the second cover 5, is fitted into the fitting hole 88 so as to be movable in the first direction. The shaft 74 slides along the fitting hole 88 in the first direction. This guides the valve body 7 to move in the first direction by the joint 86. The tip surface 87 faces the flange 74a of the shaft 74.

[0047] The holder 84 of the actuator 8 is supported by the main body 3 so as to be movable in a first direction. When the holder 84 moves in the first direction, the case 81 and the joint 86 also move integrally with the holder 84 in the first direction.

[0048] The mixing valve 10 further includes a second spring 92 that biases the holder 84 toward the second lid 5 in a first direction, a rod holder 95 that receives the rod 83, and a third spring 93 that biases the rod 83 toward the valve seat member 6 via the rod holder 95. The second spring 92, the rod holder 95, and the third spring 93 are each located in the mixing passage 25.

[0049] More specifically, the second spring 92 is a coil spring. The second spring 92 is positioned around the holder 84. Specifically, a step is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the main body 3, to which the end of the second spring 92 toward the valve seat member 6 makes contact. A flange protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the holder 84, to which the end of the second spring 92 toward the second lid 5 makes contact. The second spring 92 is positioned between the step on the main body 3 and the flange of the holder 84 in a compressed state in the first direction. The second spring 92 biases the flange of the holder 84 toward the second lid 5 in the first direction. As a result, the case 81 of the actuator 8 is biased toward the second lid 5 via the holder 84 by the second spring 92.

[0050] The rod holder 95 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in a first direction. More specifically, the rod holder 95 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens toward the valve seat member 6 and has a closed end opposite to the valve seat member 6. The rod holder 95 includes a flange. The flange protrudes radially outward from the rod holder 95.

[0051] The rod holder 95 is located in the second lid 5. Specifically, the second lid 5 has a housing hole 51 that opens toward the valve seat member 6. The housing hole 51 is a bottomed hole extending in the first direction. The rod holder 95 is housed in the housing hole 51 so as to be movable in the first direction. A rod 83 is inserted into the rod holder 95.

[0052] The third spring 93 is a coil spring. The modulus of elasticity of the third spring 93 is greater than that of the second spring 92. The third spring 93 is housed in the housing hole 51 of the second lid 5. The third spring 93 is positioned between the flange of the rod holder 95 and the bottom of the second lid 5 in a compressed state in the first direction. The third spring 93 biases the rod holder 95 toward the valve seat member 6 in the first direction. The case 81 of the actuator 8 is biased toward the valve seat member 6 by the third spring 93 via the rod 83 and the rod holder 95.

[0053] In other words, the case 81 of the actuator 8 receives a biasing force toward the second cover 5 from the second spring 92 and a biasing force toward the valve seat member 6 from the third spring 93. The case 81 is positioned so that the biasing forces of the second spring 92 and the third spring 93 are balanced.

[0054] Next, the operation of the actuator 8 will be described. When the temperature of the wax in the actuator 8 is relatively low, the wax is contracted. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the amount of protrusion of the rod 83 from the case 81 is small. At this time, the case 81 is relatively far from the valve seat member 6 toward the second cover 5. Also, the tip surface 87 of the joint 86 is spaced further toward the second cover 5 than the flange 74a of the shaft 74.

[0055] As the temperature of the wax in actuator 8 rises, the wax expands, and the rod 83 extends out of case 81. At this time, the rod 83 pushes the rod holder 95 toward the second cover 5 against the biasing force of the third spring 93. Simultaneously, the holder 84 pushes the second spring 92 toward the valve seat member 6 due to the reaction force when the rod 83 pushes the rod holder 95. As a result, the second spring 92 and the third spring 93 each contract as shown in Figure 3. Since the elastic modulus of the second spring 92 is smaller than that of the third spring 93, the amount of contraction of the second spring 92 is greater than that of the third spring 93. Therefore, case 81 moves toward the valve seat member 6 in the first direction. The case 81 moves toward the valve seat member 6 as the amount of extension of the rod 83 from case 81 increases. As case 81 moves toward the valve seat member 6, the joint 86 also moves toward the valve seat member 6. The joint 86 can move further toward the valve seat member 6 than the position where its tip surface 87 contacts the flange 74a of the shaft 74.

[0056] As the temperature of the wax in actuator 8 decreases, the wax contracts, and the rod 83 retracts toward case 81. At this time, the extension of the second spring 92 is greater than the extension of the third spring 93, and case 81 moves toward the second lid 5, as shown in Figure 2. The case 81 moves toward the second lid 5 as the amount of retraction of the rod 83 increases. As case 81 moves toward the second lid 5, the joint 86 also moves toward the second lid 5. The joint 86 can move to a position where its tip surface 87 is spaced apart from the flange 74a of the shaft 74 toward the second lid 5.

[0057] Next, the operation of the mixing valve 10 will be explained. When the valve body 7 is closed, of the first fluid that flows into the first inlet passage 21 and the second fluid that flows into the second inlet passage 22, only the first fluid flows into the mixing passage 25. The first fluid that flows into the mixing passage 25 flows out to the outside of the casing 2 via the outlet passage 26. The temperature of the fluid flowing out of the outlet passage 26 is approximately the same as the temperature of the first fluid that flows into the first inlet passage 21.

[0058] When the valve body 7 is closed, if the temperature of the first fluid is relatively low, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the tip surface 87 of the joint 86 is spaced further away from the flange 74a of the shaft 74 towards the second cover 5. Also, the valve body 7 is seated on the seat surface 62 by the biasing force of the first spring 91 and the pressure of the second fluid acting on the pressure-receiving surface 75, thereby closing the valve hole 61.

[0059] When the valve body 7 is closed, the temperature of the first fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25 rises, causing the temperature of the wax in the actuator 8 to rise, and the joint 86 moves toward the valve seat member 6. As the joint 86 moves toward the valve seat member 6, its tip surface 87 eventually comes into contact with the flange 74a of the shaft 74. Even after the tip surface 87 of the joint 86 has come into contact with the flange 74a, the joint 86 continues to move toward the valve seat member 6 as the rod 83 advances. As the joint 86 moves further toward the valve seat member 6, it presses against the flange 74a, causing the shaft 74 to move toward the valve seat member 6 against the biasing force of the first spring 91 and the pressure of the second fluid. As a result, the valve body 7 separates from the seat surface 62, and the valve hole 61 is opened. In other words, in this example, even if the temperature of the fluid in the mixing channel 25 rises when the valve body 7 is closed, the valve body 7 will not open until the tip surface 87 of the joint 86 contacts the flange 74a. The valve body 7 opens only when the temperature of the fluid in the mixing channel 25 exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0060] When the valve body 7 opens, the second fluid flows from the second inlet passage 22 through the valve hole 61 into the mixing passage 25. Specifically, the second fluid supplied to the second inlet port 41 is supplied from the first supply passage 24a through multiple second supply passages 24b to the valve chamber 23, and from the valve chamber 23 flows into the mixing passage 25 through the valve hole 61. The second fluid that flows into the mixing passage 25 is mixed with the first fluid that flows into the mixing passage 25 from the first inlet passage 21. This generates a mixed fluid of the first and second fluids. Since the temperature of the second fluid is lower than the temperature of the first fluid, the temperature of the mixed fluid generated in the mixing passage 25 is lower than the temperature of the first fluid. The mixed fluid flows out from the outlet port 33.

[0061] The amount of lift of the valve body 7 when the valve is open, that is, the amount by which the base 71 moves away from the seat surface 62, is adjusted by the actuator 8 according to the temperature of the mixed fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25. Specifically, when the valve is open, the valve body 7 is positioned at a location where the force pressing the valve body 7 toward the seat surface 62 due to the elastic force of the first spring 91 and the pressure of the second fluid acting on the pressure-receiving surface 75 of the valve body 7, the force biasing the holder 84 toward the second cover 5 due to the elastic force of the second spring 92, and the force pressing the valve body 7 toward the seat surface 62 due to the elastic force of the third spring 93 are balanced.

[0062] In more detail, as the temperature of the mixed fluid decreases, the amount the rod 83 extends from the case 81 decreases, and the first spring 91 and the second spring 92 each extend more than the third spring 93. The valve body 7 moves toward the seat surface 62, and the amount of lift of the valve body 7 decreases. That is, the opening of the valve hole 61 decreases, and the amount of second fluid flowing from the second inlet passage 22 into the mixing passage 25 decreases. Conversely, as the temperature of the mixed fluid increases, the amount of lift of the valve body 7 increases, and the amount of second fluid flowing from the second inlet passage 22 into the mixing passage 25 increases. In this way, the amount of second fluid flowing into the mixing passage 25 is automatically adjusted according to the temperature of the mixed fluid, thereby generating a mixed fluid at the desired temperature in the mixing passage 25.

[0063] When the valve body 7 is open, if the temperature of the mixed fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25 falls below a predetermined temperature, the valve body 7 seats on the seat surface 62 and closes the valve hole 61. This blocks the inflow of the second fluid from the second inflow passage 22 into the mixing channel 25.

[0064] In the mixing valve 10 described above, the direction of movement of the valve body 7 when it sits on and off the seat surface 62 is in a direction intersecting the seat surface 62. Therefore, the sealing performance of the valve body 7 when the valve is closed can be improved. For example, in the mixing valve shown in Patent Document 1, when the opening and closing of the valve body is switched by the valve body sliding against the seat surface, which is the inner circumferential surface of the casing, a clearance must be provided between the valve body and the seat surface when the valve is closed in order to allow the valve body to slide smoothly against the seat surface. Therefore, when the valve body is closed, it is difficult to make the valve body tightly pressed against the seat surface. However, in this disclosure, since the direction of movement of the valve body 7 is in a direction intersecting the seat surface 62, the valve body 7 can be tightly pressed against the seat surface 62 when the valve is closed, and the space between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62 can be properly sealed. Therefore, when the valve is closed, it is possible to prevent water from the second inlet passage 22 from leaking out from between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62 towards the valve hole 61.

[0065] In addition, the pressure of the second fluid in the second inlet passage 22 acts on the pressure-receiving surface 75 of the valve body 7 in a direction toward the seat surface 62. Therefore, the pressure of the second fluid acting on the pressure-receiving surface 75 presses the valve body 7 against the seat surface 62 when the valve is closed, causing a tight seal. Thus, the sealing performance of the valve body 7 can be further improved.

[0066] Furthermore, the downstream ends of the multiple second supply passages 24b are separated and open at the opposing surfaces 42 of the casing 2 that face the pressure-receiving surface 75. This allows the pressure of the second fluid to be distributed and acted upon the pressure-receiving surface 75. Consequently, the force pressing the valve body 7 toward the seat surface 62 by the second fluid is made uniform, allowing for proper sealing between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62.

[0067] In addition, the valve body 7 is biased by the first spring 91 toward seating on the seat surface 62. Therefore, the valve body 7 can be pressed against the seat surface 62 with a large force when the valve is closed, further improving the sealing performance of the valve body 7.

[0068] Furthermore, since the first inlet passage 21 and the outlet passage 26 each communicate directly with the mixing passage 25, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the mixing valve 10 can be increased. That is, as in the mixing valve disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the first fluid and the second fluid each pass through the internal space of a cylindrical valve body placed in the mixing passage, the valve body needs to be provided with two through-holes: one that connects the hot water inlet to the internal space of the valve body, and another that connects the outlet of the mixing passage to the internal space of the valve body. In this case, each of the two through-holes becomes a passage with a small cross-sectional area. As a result, the amount of hot water flowing from the hot water inlet into the mixing passage and the amount of fluid flowing out from the mixing passage to the outlet are reduced. However, since the first inlet passage 21 and the outlet passage 26 of this disclosure are directly connected to the mixing passage 25 without passing through a passage that reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, it is possible to increase the inflow rate of the first fluid flowing from the first inlet passage 21 to the mixing passage 25 and the outflow rate of the second fluid flowing from the mixing passage 25 to the outlet passage 26. Therefore, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the mixing valve 10.

[0069] Furthermore, the valve body 7 has a shaft 74 that protrudes from the valve chamber 23 through the valve hole 61 into the mixing channel 25 and is connected to the actuator 8. In other words, the connecting portion of the valve body 7 that is connected to the actuator 8 is a solid shaft 74 with a smaller outer diameter compared to a cylindrical member such as the valve body in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flowing around the shaft 74 in the valve hole 61 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flowing around the shaft 74 in the mixing channel 25 can be increased. Consequently, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the mixing valve 10 can be further increased.

[0070] Other embodiments As described above, the embodiments described herein have been presented as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in the embodiments above to create new embodiments. In addition, the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, in order to illustrate the technology. Therefore, the mere presence of such non-essential components in the attached drawings and detailed description should not be immediately assumed to mean that those non-essential components are essential.

[0071] For example, the technology of this disclosure is also applicable when the second fluid supplied to the second inlet passage 22 is a fluid at a higher temperature than the first fluid supplied to the first inlet passage 21. In this case, the actuator 8 used is, for example, one that moves the valve body 7 away from the seat surface 62 when the fluid in the mixing passage 25 is at a low temperature. Furthermore, the first fluid and the second fluid may each be fluids other than water.

[0072] The shape, size, and material of the casing 2, body 3, first cover 4, second cover 5, and valve seat member 6 are not limited. Similarly, the shape and size of the first inlet passage 21, second inlet passage 22, mixing passage 25, and valve hole 61 are not limited. The number of second supply passages 24b in the second inlet passage 22 is not limited and may be two, four or more, or one.

[0073] The actuator 8 may be a non-electric actuator other than a thermoelement. Examples of non-electric actuators other than thermoelements include those that use a bimetal or shape memory alloy to move the valve body 7 in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25. The actuator 8 may also be an electric actuator. Examples of electric actuators include those that electrically detect the temperature of the fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25 using a thermistor or thermocouple, and move the valve body 7 by driving a motor based on this detection result. The actuator 8 may also move the valve body 7 by pressing it in both the opening and closing directions. The valve body 7 may also be moved manually using a handle or the like, in which case the actuator 8 can be omitted.

[0074] Each of the first spring 91, the second spring 92, and the third spring 93 may be a spring other than a coil spring. Examples of springs other than coil springs include leaf springs, disc springs, or spiral springs. Alternatively, each of the first spring 91, the second spring 92, and the third spring 93 may be replaced with an elastic body made of rubber, plastic, metal, or other elastic material. Furthermore, each of the first spring 91, the second spring 92, and the third spring 93 may be omitted depending on the actuator 8 used.

[0075] The shape, size, and material of the valve body 7 are not limited. The valve body 7 is not limited to opening and closing the valve hole 61 from the second inflow passage 22, but may also open and close the valve hole 61 from the mixing passage 25. That is, the seat surface 62 may face the mixing passage 25, and the valve body 7 may be positioned in the mixing passage 25 so as to face this seat surface 62.

[0076] The technology disclosed in this document can be summarized as follows:

[0077] [1] The mixing valve 10 comprises a casing 2 having a first inlet passage 21 into which a first fluid flows, a second inlet passage 22 into which a second fluid having a different temperature from the first fluid flows, a mixing passage 25 for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid, and an outlet passage 26 for discharging the fluid from the mixing passage 25; a valve seat member 6 disposed at the connection portion between the second inlet passage 22 and the mixing passage 25; and a valve body 7 that seats onto and away from the valve seat member 6. The valve seat member 6 has a valve hole 61 that connects the second inlet passage 22 and the mixing passage 25, and a seat surface 62 surrounding the valve hole 61. The valve body 7 opens and closes the valve hole 61 by moving in a direction intersecting the seat surface 62 and seating onto and away from the seat surface 62.

[0078] With this configuration, since the direction of movement of the valve body 7 is intersecting with the seat surface 62, there is no need to provide a clearance between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62 when the valve is closed to allow the valve body 7 to slide smoothly against the seat surface 62. Therefore, the valve body 7 can be brought into close contact with the seat surface 62 when the valve is closed, and the space between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62 can be properly sealed. Consequently, when the valve is closed, it is possible to prevent water from the second inlet passage 22 from leaking out from between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62 towards the valve hole 61, and the sealing performance of the valve body 7 can be improved.

[0079] [2] In the mixing valve 10 described in [1], the second inlet passage 22 includes a valve chamber 23 that communicates with the valve hole 61 and in which the seat surface 62 is located, the valve body 7 is located in the valve chamber 23 so as to face the seat surface 62, and the valve body 7 has a pressure-receiving surface 75 that faces away from the seat surface 62 and receives the pressure of the second fluid.

[0080] In this configuration, the pressure of the second fluid acts on the pressure-receiving surface 75 in a direction toward the seat surface 62. Therefore, the pressure of the second fluid acting on the pressure-receiving surface 75 presses the valve body 7 against the seat surface 62 when the valve is closed, causing a tight seal. Consequently, the sealing performance of the valve body 7 can be further improved.

[0081] [3] In the mixing valve 10 described in [1] or [2], the casing 2 further has an opposing surface 42 that faces the seat surface 62 and demarcates the valve chamber 23, the valve body 7 is positioned in the valve chamber 23 such that the pressure-receiving surface 75 faces the opposing surface 42, the second inlet passage 22 further includes a plurality of second supply passages 24b (supply passages) that supply the second fluid to the valve chamber 23, and the downstream ends of the plurality of second supply passages 24b each open separately on the opposing surface 42.

[0082] This configuration allows the pressure of the second fluid to be distributed and applied to the pressure-receiving surface 75. Therefore, the force pressing the valve body 7 toward the seat surface 62 by the second fluid is made uniform, and the space between the valve body 7 and the seat surface 62 can be properly sealed.

[0083] [4] The mixing valve 10 described in any one of [1] to [3] further comprises a first spring 91 (elastic body) that biases the valve body 7 toward seating on the seat surface 62.

[0084] This configuration allows the valve body 7 to be pressed more firmly against the seat surface 62 when the valve is closed, thereby further improving the sealing performance of the valve body 7.

[0085] In the mixing valve 10 described in any one of [5] [1] to [4], the first inlet passage 21 and the outlet passage 26 are in direct communication with the mixing passage 25.

[0086] With this configuration, there are no small flow channels with a small cross-sectional area, such as the through-holes in the valve body of Patent Document 1, between the first inlet passage 21 and the outlet passage 26 and the mixing flow channel 25. Therefore, the inflow rate of the first fluid flowing from the first inlet passage 21 to the mixing flow channel 25 and the outflow rate of the second fluid flowing from the mixing flow channel 25 to the outlet passage 26 can be increased. Consequently, the flow rate of the fluid circulating through the mixing valve 10 can be increased.

[0087] [6] The mixing valve 10 described in any one of [1] to [5] further comprises an actuator 8 that moves the valve body 7 in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing through the mixing channel 25, thereby seating the valve body 7 on and off the seat surface 62, and the valve body 7 further comprises a shaft 74 that protrudes from the second inflow passage 22 through the valve hole 61 into the mixing channel 25 and is connected to the actuator 8.

[0088] With this configuration, the connecting portion of the valve body 7 that connects to the actuator 8 can be a shaft 74 with a smaller outer diameter compared to one having a hollow, cylindrical shape. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flowing around the shaft 74 in the valve hole 61 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flowing around the shaft 74 in the mixing channel 25 can be increased. Consequently, the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the mixing valve 10 can be increased. [Industrial applicability]

[0089] The technology of this disclosure is useful for mixing valves that mix liquids at different temperatures. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10 Mixing valve 2 Casing 21 1st inflow channel 22 Second inflow channel 23 valve chambers 24b Supply route (2nd supply route) 25 Mixing channel 26 Outflow channel 42 Opposing surfaces 6 Valve seat member 61 valve holes 62 Seat surface 7 Valve body 74 shaft 75 Pressure-receiving surface 8 Actuators

Claims

1. A casing having a first inlet for a first fluid to flow into, a second inlet for a second fluid having a different temperature from the first fluid to flow into, a mixing channel for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid, and an outlet channel for discharging the fluid from the mixing channel, A valve seat member is positioned at the connection point between the second inflow passage and the mixing passage, The valve comprises a valve body that sits on and off the valve seat member, The valve seat member has a valve hole that connects the second inflow passage and the mixing passage, and a seat surface that surrounds the valve hole. The second inflow passage includes a valve chamber that communicates with the valve hole and in which the seat surface is located, and a plurality of supply passages that supply the second fluid to the valve chamber. The casing further has an opposing surface that faces the seat surface and partitions the valve chamber, The valve body is, The valve chamber is arranged so as to face the seat surface, It has a pressure-receiving surface that faces away from the aforementioned sheet surface and receives the pressure of the second fluid, The pressure-receiving surface is positioned in the valve chamber so as to face the opposing surface, The valve opening is opened and closed by moving in a direction intersecting the seat surface and sitting away from the seat surface. The downstream ends of the aforementioned multiple supply lines are mixing valves that are separated and open on the opposing surfaces.

2. In the mixing valve according to claim 1, A mixing valve further comprising an elastic body that biases the valve body toward seating on the seat surface.

3. In the mixing valve according to claim 1, The first inlet passage and the outlet passage are each mixing valves that communicate directly with the mixing channel.

4. In the mixing valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The system further includes an actuator that moves the valve body in accordance with the temperature of the fluid flowing through the mixing channel, thereby seating the valve body away from the seat surface. The valve body further comprises a mixing valve having a shaft that protrudes from the second inflow passage through the valve hole into the mixing passage and is connected to the actuator.

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