Dual safety construction of diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly

Abstract

This invention presents a dual-safety structure for a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly. The assembly includes a diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve connected to the gas inlet pipe and a magnetic valve connected to the downstream burner. Upon startup, the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve, through a set of miniature switching valves, adjusts the pressure between the inlet pressure and back pressure to drive the opening of a main valve assembly and regulate its opening degree. The magnetic valve, through an electromagnetic component, is magnetically attracted to the main valve assembly, enabling its secondary valve assembly to open and adjust its opening degree synchronously with the main valve assembly. Upon shutdown, the electromagnetic component of the magnetic valve is de-energized to release the magnetic linkage, allowing both the main and secondary valve assemblies to reset and double-close both valves. This effectively blocks gas flow even if one valve fails, thus improving safety.

Description

Dual safety construction of diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly Technical Field

[0001] This invention presents a dual safety structure for a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly. The diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly includes a diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and a magnetic valve. When the valve is opened or the opening degree is adjusted, the two valve bodies are linked to each other by magnetic attraction. When closed, the magnetic linkage is released, allowing the two valve bodies to reset and double-close the two valves, thereby improving safety. Prior Technology

[0002] The main methods for starting and adjusting the outlet water temperature of commercially available gas water heaters are to use various electronic components such as flow switches, temperature sensors, flow sensors, and pressure sensors to assist in controlling the opening of the gas valve and the gas flow rate, so that the burner and flame generator inside the water heater can produce different firepower levels, thereby controlling the water temperature.

[0003] Among the known technologies for regulating gas flow using gas valves, the design principle of differential pressure valves is to use the pressure difference between the intake pressure and the back pressure to control the valve opening and regulate the opening degree and gas flow. If a solenoid valve that can also control gas flow can be used, the flow control can be more precise and the safety can be improved.

[0004] However, when the differential pressure valve and the solenoid valve are installed separately in the gas passage, although they are positioned upstream and downstream of each other, their operating principles are different, so their control parts are independent, which may lead to problems such as not being able to open and adjust the opening degree synchronously.

[0005] If the differential pressure valve and the solenoid valve are linked by a mechanism design, it may be possible to achieve synchronous opening and adjustment of the opening degree. However, once the differential pressure valve and the solenoid valve are linked, it is necessary to consider how each valve can independently seal when closed. In case one of them fails or cannot seal, the other valve can still effectively seal, preventing the possibility of gas leakage. In other words, the design focus of this invention is to enable the two valves to be linked and opened synchronously and the opening degree adjusted when they are started, and to enable the two valves to seal independently when closed, so that the two valves have both synchronous adjustment and improved safety performance. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Specifically, the purpose of this invention is to provide a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly with two valves. The diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly includes a diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and a magnetic valve. When the valve is opened and the opening degree is adjusted, the two valve bodies are linked to each other by magnetic attraction. When closed, the magnetic attraction and linkage are released, so that the two valve bodies can be reset and the two valves are doubly closed. In this way, when one of them fails, the gas can still be effectively blocked, thereby improving safety.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a dual-safety structure for a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly. This diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly includes a diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and a magnetic suction valve. The diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve includes a main valve assembly connected to the gas inlet pipe and kept closed. Upon startup, a miniature switching valve assembly regulates the gas pressure of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve, causing the main valve assembly to open and adjust its opening degree. The magnetic suction valve is located downstream of the main valve assembly and includes a secondary valve assembly connected to the burner and kept in a resiliently closed state. Its characteristics are: The main valve assembly includes a magnetically attracted plate that moves synchronously when opened. The magnetically attracted valve includes an electromagnetic component capable of moving synchronously with the auxiliary valve assembly. When the main valve assembly opens, the electromagnetic component is magnetically activated and attracted to the magnetically attracted plate, enabling the auxiliary valve assembly to move synchronously with the main valve assembly to open and adjust its opening degree. When the main valve group of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve is closed, the electromagnetic component of the magnetic suction valve is de-energized to release the adsorption state between it and the magnetic plate, so that the main valve group and the auxiliary valve group can be reset and doubly sealed. In this way, the gas can still be effectively blocked when either the main valve group or the auxiliary valve group fails.

[0008] With the above structure, when the diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly is not activated, the diaphragm differential pressure regulating valve and the magnetic valve are kept closed by gas pressure and spring force, respectively. When activated, the diaphragm differential pressure regulating valve adjusts the gas pressure through a miniature switching valve assembly to displace and open the main valve assembly and adjust its opening degree. Meanwhile, the auxiliary valve assembly of the magnetic valve is magnetically attracted and moved synchronously to the main valve assembly. Thus, when the diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly is de-energized and closed, the magnetic attraction between the auxiliary valve assembly and the main valve assembly can be released, allowing the diaphragm differential pressure regulating valve and the magnetic valve to seal independently, achieving dual sealing to enhance safety.

[0009] The following further explains the implementation methods of each component:

[0010] In implementation, the main valve assembly includes a main valve stem, a main valve plug disposed on the main valve stem, and a main valve port closed by pressure from the main valve plug; the auxiliary valve assembly includes an auxiliary valve plug that moves synchronously with the electromagnetic component, an auxiliary spring that elastically abuts against the auxiliary valve plug, and an auxiliary valve port closed by pressure from the auxiliary valve plug; characterized in that: The magnetically attracted plate has a movable gap. The end of the main valve stem extends through the main valve plug and the main valve port, and is sleeved within the movable gap of the magnetically attracted plate. When the main valve stem and the main valve plug move away from the main valve port to open the valve, the main valve stem can press against the movable gap, thereby causing the magnetically attracted plate to move. This allows the magnetically attracted plate to attract the electromagnetic component, driving the secondary valve plug of the secondary valve assembly to open synchronously. When the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly is closed, the end of the main valve stem of the main valve assembly can move within the movable gap of the magnetic plate, so that the main valve stem and the main valve plug can move independently and close the valve without being restricted by the magnetic plate. The auxiliary valve assembly can independently close the auxiliary valve port by de-energizing the electromagnetic component and elastically pressing the auxiliary valve plug with the auxiliary spring. Thus, the gas can still be effectively blocked when either the main valve assembly or the auxiliary valve assembly fails.

[0011] In practice, the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve further includes a lifting diaphragm that divides its interior into an air inlet chamber and a back pressure chamber. The main valve assembly is located in the air inlet chamber, allowing the main valve stem to be driven by the lifting diaphragm and move synchronously. The miniature switching valve assembly is located in the back pressure chamber, and when started, it can adjust the back pressure of the back pressure chamber and the relative pressure of the air inlet chamber, causing the lifting diaphragm to generate different displacements, thereby driving the main valve stem and main valve plug of the main valve assembly to open the valve and adjust the opening degree.

[0012] In practice, a lever is provided between the lifting diaphragm of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and the main valve stem, so that when the lifting diaphragm is displaced, the driving force of the main valve stem can be amplified through the lever.

[0013] During implementation, the inner edge of the main valve port is provided with a stop that allows gas to flow when the main valve port is opened. The stop can block the main valve plug when the main valve plug closes the main valve port, preventing the main valve plug from deforming or falling out of the main valve port.

[0014] In practice, the back pressure chamber is provided with a pressure regulating channel connecting to the intake chamber and a mother flame channel connecting to the burner. The miniature switching valve assembly includes a normally open solenoid valve that keeps the pressure regulating channel open and a normally closed solenoid valve that keeps the mother flame channel closed. When the normally open solenoid valve and the normally closed solenoid valve are de-energized and not activated, the gas in the intake chamber continues to flow through the pressure regulating channel to the back pressure chamber and accumulate pressure, thereby pushing the lifting diaphragm to keep the main valve stem and the main valve plug closed at the main valve port.

[0015] In practice, when the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve is activated, the normally open solenoid valve is de-energized to maintain the opening of the pressure regulating channel, and the normally closed solenoid valve is energized to open the main flame channel, allowing the gas in the back pressure chamber to flow into the main flame channel to ignite the main flame of the burner. This continues until the normally open solenoid valve is energized to close the pressure regulating channel, allowing the gas in the back pressure chamber to continuously flow into the main flame channel to reduce the pressure and relatively increase the pressure in the intake chamber. This enables the lifting diaphragm to drive the main valve stem and main valve plug away from the main valve port and ignite the main flame of the burner.

[0016] During implementation, when the main burner is ignited, the normally open solenoid valve is energized to close the pressure regulating channel, and the normally closed solenoid valve is energized to open the mother flame channel. This allows the gas in the back pressure chamber to be continuously released from the mother flame channel, reducing the pressure and relatively increasing the pressure in the intake chamber. This causes the lifting diaphragm to continuously drive the main valve stem and main valve plug away from the main valve port, increasing the opening and increasing the firepower, until the normally closed solenoid valve is de-energized to close the mother flame channel, sealing the gas in the back pressure chamber and stopping the increase in opening, thereby maintaining a high flame.

[0017] During implementation, when the main flame of the burner is ignited, the normally open solenoid valve is de-energized to open the pressure regulating channel, and the normally closed solenoid valve is de-energized to close the main flame channel. This allows the gas in the intake chamber to continuously enter the back pressure chamber through the pressure regulating channel and accumulate pressure, relatively reducing the pressure in the intake chamber. This causes the lifting diaphragm to drive the main valve stem and main valve plug closer to the main valve port to reduce the opening and reduce the flame until the main valve plug continues to approach and press against the main valve port, at which point it is completely closed, extinguishing the main flame. Alternatively, before the main valve port is completely closed, the normally open solenoid valve is energized to close the pressure regulating channel, sealing the gas in the back pressure chamber and stopping the reduction of the opening, thereby maintaining a small flame.

[0018] In practice, the burner is installed inside a water heater, which includes a temperature control switch that can set the water temperature or the flame intensity. Its distinguishing feature is: The auxiliary valve assembly further includes a flow restrictor that moves synchronously with the auxiliary valve plug. The outer edge of the flow restrictor is sloped and extends to the inner edge of the auxiliary valve port, so that the gas flow rate can be adjusted by the distance between the outer edge of the flow restrictor and the inner edge of the auxiliary valve port when the auxiliary valve plug approaches or moves away from the auxiliary valve port; and The flow limiter is equipped with a synchronously displaced magnet at its end. A Hall IC is installed at a corresponding position on the outside of the magnetic valve. The Hall IC can sense and detect the displacement distance of the magnet and transmit the sensing signal to the water heater so that the water heater can automatically control the miniature switch valve assembly according to the water temperature or firepower set by the temperature adjustment switch.

[0019] Compared to previous technologies, this invention uses two valves—a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve and a magnetic valve—to seal the valve. When opening, the magnetic attraction causes the two valves to open and adjust their opening simultaneously, overcoming the problem of asynchronous adjustment of the two valves and improving accuracy. In particular, when the valve is closed, the diaphragm-type pressure differential regulating valve and the magnetic valve are decoupled, allowing them to seal the valve independently. Even if one of them fails, it can still effectively block the gas supply, achieving a double sealing effect to improve safety.

[0020] Based on the technical means employed in this invention, the following are examples of implementation methods suitable for this invention, illustrated with diagrams: Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0021] Figure 1: A schematic diagram of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly installed in a water heater. Figure 2: A schematic diagram of the structure of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and the magnetic suction valve in this work. Figure 3: A schematic diagram of the energized adsorption and linkage of the main valve group and the auxiliary valve group in this work. Figure 4: A schematic diagram showing the state where the main valve group and the auxiliary valve group are no longer linked after adsorption. Figure 5: Schematic diagram of the auxiliary valve group independently sealing the valve when the main valve group fails. Figure 6: Schematic diagram of the main valve group independently sealing the valves when the auxiliary valve group fails. Figure 7: Schematic diagram showing how the main valve group and auxiliary valve group remain closed when the micro switch valve group is de-energized. Figure 8: A schematic diagram showing how the main flame channel is opened by energizing the normally closed solenoid valve when the water heater is turned on, thereby igniting the main flame. Figure 9: A schematic diagram showing how, after the main flame is ignited, the pressure regulating channel is closed by energizing the normally open solenoid valve, causing the main valve plug group and the auxiliary valve group to open synchronously to ignite the main flame. Figure 10: A schematic diagram showing how the main valve group and auxiliary valve group are synchronously increased in opening degree to improve firepower when the main flame is ignited, by continuously energizing the normally open and normally closed solenoid valves. Figure 11: A schematic diagram showing how the main valve group and auxiliary valve group maintain the adjusted opening degree after the firepower is increased to an appropriate level by energizing the normally open solenoid valve and de-energizing the normally closed solenoid valve. Figure 12: A schematic diagram showing how the main valve group and auxiliary valve group reduce their opening to reduce firepower when the main flame is ignited, by de-energizing the normally open solenoid valve and the normally closed solenoid valve. Figure 13: A schematic diagram showing that with the main flame ignited, the normally open and normally closed solenoid valves are continuously de-energized, causing the main valve group and auxiliary valve group to close synchronously. Figure 14: An embodiment of the main valve assembly of this invention with a stop at the main valve port. Implementation

[0022] The first figure shows the location of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly in a water heater. The diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly includes a diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 and a magnetic valve 300 connected to the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200. The upstream end of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 is connected to the gas inlet pipe 101 of the water heater 100, and the downstream end of the magnetic valve 300 is connected to the burner 102 of the water heater 100. When the water heater 100 is turned on, external gas can be released and burned from the gas inlet pipe 101 through the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 and the magnetic valve 300 in sequence, so that the flame burned by the burner 102 can heat the hot water pipe 103 of the water heater 100. The diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 is also provided with a mother flame channel for releasing a small flow of gas to ignite the mother flame of the burner 102, which will be described later.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the end of the hot water pipe 103 is equipped with a faucet 104 that can be opened, closed and adjust the water flow. The hot water pipe 103 is equipped with a water flow sensor 105 that can detect the water flow and a water flow switch 106 that triggers the water heater 100 to start operating when the faucet is opened. The water flow sensor 105 can transmit detection signals to the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve 200 and the magnetic valve 300. After the user opens the faucet 104, the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve 200 and the magnetic valve 300 can be energized to open or de-energized to close by the water flow switch 106. In practice, the water flow switch 106 and the water flow sensor 105 can be integrated into the same set of components using a Hall IC sensor. This is a conventional technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0024] Regarding the automatic control of the heat output of the water heater 100, in addition to the water flow sensor 105, the water heater 100 further includes a temperature sensor 107 and a temperature adjustment switch 108 that can set the water temperature or the heat output. The signals from the water flow sensor 105, the temperature sensor 107, and the temperature adjustment switch 108 can be provided to the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve 200, so that the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve 200 can automatically adjust the opening and heat output to maintain a constant temperature or raise or lower the water temperature in accordance with the water flow, user habits, season, or air temperature.

[0025] The second figure is a schematic diagram of the aforementioned diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 and magnetic suction valve 300. The diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 includes a lifting diaphragm 203 that divides its interior into an air inlet chamber 201 and a back pressure chamber 202. The air inlet chamber 201 is connected to an air inlet pipe 101 and is equipped with a main valve assembly 10 that can be driven by the lifting diaphragm 203. The back pressure chamber 202 is equipped with a miniature switching valve assembly 20. When the miniature switching valve assembly 20 is in operation, it can adjust the pressure of the back pressure chamber 202, thereby relatively increasing or decreasing the pressure of the air inlet chamber 201, thereby causing the lifting diaphragm 203 to rise and fall, and simultaneously driving the main valve assembly 10 to open and adjust the opening degree.

[0026] In practice, the back pressure chamber 202 is provided with a pressure regulating channel 204 that connects to the air intake chamber 201 and a mother flame channel 205 that connects to the burner 102. The miniature switching valve assembly 20 includes a normally open solenoid valve 21 that keeps the pressure regulating channel 204 open and a normally closed solenoid valve 22 that keeps the mother flame channel 205 closed.

[0027] When the water heater 100 is not started, the normally open solenoid valve 21 and the normally closed solenoid valve 22 are de-energized and not started, so that the gas entering the intake chamber 201 continues to flow through the pressure regulating channel 204 and the normally open solenoid valve 21 to the back pressure chamber 202. And because the normally closed solenoid valve 22 keeps the mother flame channel 205 closed, pressure accumulates in the back pressure chamber 202, thereby pushing the lifting diaphragm 203 to keep the main valve assembly 10 in a closed state.

[0028] The main valve assembly 10 includes a main valve stem 11, a main valve plug 12, and a main valve port 13 connected to the magnetic valve 300, which are synchronously displaced by the lifting diaphragm 203. When the micro switch valve assembly 20 is kept de-energized as described above, so that the back pressure chamber 202 presses the lifting diaphragm 203, the lifting diaphragm 203 can maintain a thrust on the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12, so that the main valve plug 12 continuously closes the main valve port 13.

[0029] In practice, a force multiplier lever 14 is provided between the lifting diaphragm 203 and the main valve stem 11, so that when the lifting diaphragm 203 is displaced, the driving force of the main valve stem 11 can be amplified through the force multiplier lever 14, so that the lifting diaphragm 203 can reliably transmit the force to the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12 when it is displaced.

[0030] In addition, to prevent a pressure balance from occurring between the back pressure chamber 202 and the air intake chamber 201 after the micro-switching valve assembly 20 is de-energized, which would cause the lifting diaphragm 203 to stop moving toward the main valve port 13, the main valve assembly 10 also includes a main spring 15. The main spring 15 elastically supports the main valve stem 11 or the main valve plug 12, so that the main valve plug 12 maintains a spring force to move toward the main valve port 13. If the micro-switching valve assembly 20 is de-energized and a pressure balance occurs between the back pressure chamber 202 and the air intake chamber 201, the spring force of the main spring 15 supporting the main valve plug 12 to move toward the main valve port 13 can drive the lifting diaphragm 203 to move toward the valve sealing position. At the same time, the pressure in the back pressure chamber 202 increases, changing the pressure balance state, so that the lifting diaphragm 203 continues to push the main valve plug 12 toward the main valve port 13 to seal the valve.

[0031] The aforementioned magnetic valve 300 is located downstream of the main valve port 13 of the main valve group 10, and includes a secondary valve group 30 that is connected to the burner 102 and maintains an elastically closed state. The secondary valve group 30 includes a secondary valve plug 31, a secondary spring 32 that elastically abuts the secondary valve plug 31, and a secondary valve port 33 that is elastically pressed and closed by the secondary valve plug 31. When the secondary valve plug 31 is opened and moves away from the secondary valve port 33, the gas released from the secondary valve port 33 is directed to the burner 102 so that the burner 102 can ignite the main flame to heat the hot water pipe 103.

[0032] To enable the gas flow rate to be adjusted based on the distance between the secondary valve plug 31 and the secondary valve port 33 when the secondary valve plug 31 is opened away from the secondary valve port 33, the secondary valve assembly 30 further includes a flow restrictor 34 that moves synchronously with the secondary valve plug 31. The outer edge of the flow restrictor 34 is inclined and extends to the inner edge of the secondary valve port 33. When the secondary valve assembly 30 adjusts its opening, causing the secondary valve plug 31 to move closer to or further away from the secondary valve port 33, the synchronous movement of the flow restrictor 34 changes the distance between its inclined outer edge and the inner edge of the secondary valve port 33, thereby changing the gas flow rate through the secondary valve port 33 and achieving the effect of adjusting the opening and flow rate.

[0033] The technical features of this invention are as follows: the main valve group 10 of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 includes a magnetically attracted plate 40 that is synchronously displaced when opened, and the magnetically attracted valve 300 includes an electromagnetic component 50 that can be synchronously displaced with the auxiliary valve group 30. When the water heater 100 is started, causing the main valve group 10 to open, the electromagnetic component 50 is magnetized and attracted to the magnetically attracted plate 40, so that the auxiliary valve group 30 can be linked with the main valve group 10 through the drive of the magnetically attracted plate 40 and the electromagnetic component 50, thereby causing the main valve group 10 and the auxiliary valve group 30 to synchronously displace and open and adjust the opening degree.

[0034] When the water heater 100 is turned off, causing the main valve group 10 of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 to close, the electromagnetic component 50 of the magnetic suction valve 300 is de-energized, releasing the adsorption state between the electromagnetic component 50 and the magnetic plate 40. Then, the secondary spring 32 can elastically abut against the secondary valve plug 31 to close the secondary valve port 33, blocking the gas supply to the burner 102. This allows the main valve group 10 and the secondary valve group 30 to reset and close respectively. In this way, even if one of the main valve group 10 or the secondary valve group 30 fails, the gas supply can still be effectively blocked, achieving the effect of double sealing to improve safety.

[0035] Figures 3 and 4 respectively illustrate the specific implementation methods of the adsorption linkage between the magnetically attracted plate 40 of the main valve assembly 10 and the electromagnetic component 50 and the auxiliary valve plug 31 for valve opening, and the valve sealing method after the adsorption state is released. As shown in the figures, in implementation, the magnetically attracted plate 40 is provided with a movable gap 41. The end of the main valve stem 11 of the main valve assembly 10 extends through the main valve plug 12 and the main valve port 13 toward the magnetically attracted plate 40 and is sleeved in the movable gap 41 of the magnetically attracted plate 40.

[0036] When the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12 are displaced away from the main valve port 13 as shown in the third figure and the valve is opened, the end of the main valve stem 11 can press against the movable gap 41 and drive the attracted magnetic plate 40 to move. At this time, since the electromagnetic component 50 is attracted to the attracted magnetic plate 40, the attracted magnetic plate 40 can drive the electromagnetic component 50 and the auxiliary valve plug 31 of the auxiliary valve group 30 away from the auxiliary valve port 33 and open the valve synchronously.

[0037] When the main valve stem 11 and main valve plug 12 reset and close the main valve port 13, the end of the main valve stem 11 can move within the movable gap 41 of the magnetic plate 40, so that the main valve stem 11 and main valve plug 12 can move independently and close the valve without being blocked by the magnetic plate 40, and are not linked with the magnetic plate 40. Moreover, when the electromagnetic component 50 is de-energized, it releases the attraction relationship with the magnetic plate 40, so that the secondary spring 32 in the secondary valve group 30 elastically abuts against the secondary valve plug 31, thereby elastically driving the secondary valve plug 31 to re-close the secondary valve port 33. In this way, when the water heater stops operating and the power is cut off, the main valve group 10 and the secondary valve group 30 can each independently close the main valve port 13 and the secondary valve port 33, and can still effectively block the gas even if one of them fails.

[0038] For example, as shown in Figure 5, if the main valve plug 12 of the main valve assembly 10 fails to completely seal the main valve port 13 for any reason, the electromagnetic component 50 will be de-energized and disconnected from the magnetic plate 40. This will prevent the positions of the main valve stem 11, the main valve plug 12, and the magnetic plate 40 from affecting the reset of the electromagnetic component 50 and the auxiliary valve assembly 30. This will allow the electromagnetic component 50 and the auxiliary valve assembly 30 to detach from the magnetic plate 40 and independently re-close the auxiliary valve port 33 by pushing against the auxiliary valve plug 31 with the auxiliary spring 32.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, if the secondary valve plug 31 fails to close the secondary valve port 33 for any reason, the end of the main valve stem 11 can move within the movable gap 41 of the magnetic plate 40, so that the main valve stem 11 will not be blocked by the magnetic plate 40 and can continue to move toward the main valve port 13, thereby resetting the main valve plug 12 to close the main valve port 13. It will not fail to seal the valve due to the obstruction of the secondary valve group 30 or the electromagnetic component 50, thus achieving the aforementioned effect of the main valve group 10 and the secondary valve group 30 moving together when opening the valve, and resetting independently and sealing the valve twice when closing the valve.

[0040] The following further explains the method by which the normally open solenoid valve 21 and normally closed solenoid valve 22 in the miniature switching valve assembly 20 of the aforementioned diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 open, close, and adjust the opening of the main valve assembly 10. As mentioned earlier, when the main valve assembly 10 is opened and its opening is adjusted, the auxiliary valve assembly 30 of the magnetic suction valve 300 will be linked to the main valve assembly 10 through the attracted magnetic plate 40 and the electromagnetic component 50. The operating state of the auxiliary valve assembly 30 will not be described again in the following description:

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, when the water heater is not started, the micro switch valve group 20 in the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve 200 is de-energized, so that the pressure regulating channel 204 connecting the back pressure chamber 202 to the air intake chamber 201 remains open due to the normally open solenoid valve 21, allowing the gas entering the air intake chamber 201 to continuously flow through the pressure regulating channel 204 to the back pressure chamber 202. Meanwhile, the mother flame channel 205 remains closed due to the normally closed solenoid valve 22, so that the pressure continuously accumulated in the back pressure chamber 202 can push the lifting diaphragm 203 toward the main valve group 10, thereby keeping the main valve group 10 in a closed state.

[0042] For the back pressure chamber 202, the gas entering the back pressure chamber 202 from the intake chamber 201 through the pressure regulating channel 204 can actually be regarded as pressurizing the back pressure chamber 202 and relatively reducing the intake pressure of the intake chamber 201; while the mother flame channel 205 leading from the back pressure chamber 202 to the mother flame can actually be regarded as depressurizing the back pressure chamber 202 and relatively increasing the intake pressure of the intake chamber 201.

[0043] In addition, as mentioned above, in order to avoid a pressure balance between the back pressure chamber 202 and the air intake chamber 201, the main spring 15 can provide the elastic force to push the main valve plug 12 toward the main valve port 13 and drive the lifting diaphragm 203 toward the valve sealing position, thereby changing the pressure balance and allowing the lifting diaphragm 203 to continuously push the main valve plug 12 to seal the valve.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 and 8, when the water heater 100 is turned on, the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 is initially activated. This keeps the normally open solenoid valve 21 de-energized, allowing the pressure regulating channel 204 to open. At this time, the normally closed solenoid valve 22 is energized, opening the main flame channel 205. This allows a small amount of gas in the back pressure chamber 202 to flow from the main flame channel 205 to the burner 102, thereby igniting the main flame. The activation timing of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 can be achieved by using the aforementioned water flow switch 106 after the water tap 104 is turned on. Whether the main flame has been ignited can be determined separately by a flame detector or thermocouple; this is a common design and will not be elaborated further here.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, after the main flame is ignited, the normally open solenoid valve 21 in the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 is energized to close the pressure regulating channel 204, so that the gas in the back pressure chamber continues to flow to the main flame channel 205, thereby reducing the pressure in the back pressure chamber 202 and relatively increasing the intake pressure in the intake chamber 201. This causes the lifting diaphragm 203 to drive the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12 away from the main valve port 13, and simultaneously drives the auxiliary valve group 30 of the magnetic suction valve 300 to open, thereby igniting the main flame of the burner 102.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 10, when the main flame of the burner 102 is ignited, the normally open solenoid valve 21 is continuously energized to close the pressure regulating channel 204, and the normally closed solenoid valve 22 is continuously energized to open the mother flame channel 205. This allows the gas in the back pressure chamber 202 to be continuously released from the mother flame channel 205, thereby reducing the pressure and relatively increasing the pressure in the intake chamber 201. This allows the lifting diaphragm 203 to continuously move away from the main valve group 10, driving the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12 away from the main valve port 13, thereby simultaneously increasing the opening degree of the main valve group 10 and the auxiliary valve group 30 and increasing the firepower of the burner 102.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 and 11, when the firepower of the burner 102 is increased to the set level, the normally open solenoid valve 21 is continuously energized to close the pressure regulating channel 204, and the normally closed solenoid valve 22 is de-energized and returns to the state of closing the main flame channel 205. At this time, since both the pressure regulating channel 204 and the main flame channel 205 are blocked, the gas in the back pressure chamber 202 is sealed, and the intake pressure of the intake chamber 201 can be kept stable, so that the lifting diaphragm 203 stops displacing, and at the same time, the main valve group 10 and the auxiliary valve group 30 maintain the adjusted opening.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 and 12, when the main flame of the burner 102 is ignited, de-energizing the normally open solenoid valve 21 to open the pressure regulating channel 204 and de-energizing the normally closed solenoid valve 22 to close the main flame channel 205 allows the gas in the intake chamber 201 to continuously enter the back pressure chamber 202 through the pressure regulating channel 204, causing the pressure in the back pressure chamber 202 to accumulate and increase, relatively reducing the pressure in the intake chamber 201. This causes the lifting diaphragm 203 to move toward the main valve assembly 10, and simultaneously causes the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12 to move closer to the main valve port 13, allowing the main valve assembly 10 and the auxiliary valve assembly 30 to simultaneously reduce their opening and firepower.

[0049] Similarly, when the firepower of the burner 102 is reduced to the set value, the normally open solenoid valve 21 is energized to close the pressure regulating channel 204, and the normally closed solenoid valve 22 is de-energized to close the main flame channel 205. This can keep the pressure in the back pressure chamber 202 and the air intake chamber 201 stable, and stop the displacement of the lifting diaphragm 203 to maintain the reduced firepower. The energization of the normally open solenoid valve 21 and the de-energization of the normally closed solenoid valve 22 to maintain the low flame state can be seen in Figure 11.

[0050] As shown in Figure 13, when the normally open solenoid valve 21 and the normally closed solenoid valve 22 are simultaneously de-energized as shown in Figure 11, causing the lifting diaphragm 203 to continuously move toward the main valve assembly 10, the main valve stem 11 and the main valve plug 12 will continuously approach the main valve port 13 and reduce the opening until the main valve plug 12 presses against the main valve port 13, thus completely closing the main valve assembly 10. At the same time, the magnetic suction valve 300 is de-energized and closes the auxiliary valve assembly 30, thereby extinguishing the main flame under the dual valve-sealing state of the main valve assembly 10 of the diaphragm-type pressure differential regulating valve 200 and the electromagnetic component 50 of the magnetic suction valve 300.

[0051] As mentioned above, in order to prevent the back pressure chamber 202 and the air intake chamber 201 from becoming unbalanced after the micro switch valve assembly 20 is de-energized, which would cause the lifting diaphragm 203 to stop moving toward the main valve port 13, the main spring 15 can elastically push the main valve plug 12 toward the main valve port 13. Only a slight movement of the lifting diaphragm 203 toward the valve sealing position is needed to increase the pressure in the back pressure chamber 202 and change the pressure balance state, so that the lifting diaphragm 203 can continuously push the main valve plug 12 toward the main valve port 13 to seal the valve.

[0052] As for the automatic synchronous opening, adjustment of opening degree, maintenance of fire power and closing of the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve 200 and magnetic suction valve 300, they can be controlled by peripheral components such as water flow switch 106, water flow sensor 105, temperature sensor 107 and temperature regulating switch 108 set on the water heater 100 in the first figure. These conventional technical means will not be described in detail here.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 and 14, the above operation method indicates that when the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve 200 stops operating, the back pressure chamber 202 will continue to maintain pressure to push the lifting diaphragm 203, and then the lifting diaphragm 203 will push the main valve plug 12 of the main valve assembly 10 to continuously close the main valve port 13. However, the main valve plug 12 is generally made of elastic rubber to maintain airtightness when sealing the valve. In order to avoid the main valve plug 12 from deforming due to prolonged closure of the main valve port 13, or even bending and falling into the main valve port 13 due to excessive instantaneous pressure, a stop 16 for gas flow can be set on the inner edge of the main valve port 13. The stop 16 can block the main valve plug 12, so as to prevent the main valve plug 12 from deforming or falling into the main valve port 13 due to excessive pressure, thereby improving practicality and extending service life.

[0054] It is worth mentioning that, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, in addition to using a general water flow sensor 105, temperature sensor 107, and temperature control switch 108 to control the temperature of the water heater 100, in this embodiment, a synchronously displacing magnet 35 can be installed at the end of the flow restrictor 34 of the secondary valve group 30, and a Hall IC 36 can be installed at a corresponding position outside the magnetic suction valve 300. When the secondary valve group 30 adjusts its opening to displace the secondary valve plug 31, the flow restrictor 34, and the magnet 35, the Hall IC 36 can sense and detect the displacement distance of the magnet 35 and transmit the sensing signal to the water heater 100. This allows the water heater 100 to control the actuation timing of the normally open solenoid valve 21 and normally closed solenoid valve 22 of the micro switch valve group 20 in accordance with the water temperature or firepower set by the temperature control switch 108, so that the gas flow rate can be accurately matched with the water temperature or firepower set by the temperature control switch 108.

[0055] The above embodiments and drawings are merely illustrative examples of preferred embodiments of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Anything similar or identical to the purpose, structure, device, or features of this invention shall fall within the patent scope of this invention. This is hereby declared.

[0056] 100: Water heater 101: Intake pipe 102: Burner 103: Hot water pipe 104: Faucet 105: Water Flow Sensor 106: Flow switch 107: Temperature sensor 108: Temperature control switch 200: Diaphragm type differential pressure regulating valve 201: Intake Chamber 202: Back pressure chamber 203: Lifting diaphragm 204: Voltage Regulating Channel 205: Mother Fire Channel 300: Magnetic valve 10: Main valve assembly 11: Main valve stem 12: Main valve plug 13: Main valve port 14: Multiplier Lever 15: Main Spring 16: Stop component 20: Miniature switching valve assembly 21: Normally open solenoid valve 22: Normally closed solenoid valve 30: Auxiliary valve group 31: Secondary valve plug 32: Secondary spring 33: Secondary valve port 34: Current limiter 35:Magnet 36: Hall IC 40: Magnetized sheet 41: Activity Break 50: Electromagnetic components

Claims

1. A dual-safety structure for a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly, the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly comprising a diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and a magnetic suction valve; wherein, The diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve includes a main valve assembly connected to the gas inlet pipe and kept closed. Upon startup, a miniature switching valve assembly regulates the gas pressure of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve, causing the main valve assembly to open and adjust its opening degree. A magnetic valve is located downstream of the main valve assembly and includes a secondary valve assembly connected to the burner and kept in a resiliently closed state. The main valve assembly includes a magnetically attracted sheet that moves synchronously when opened. The magnetic valve includes an electromagnetic component capable of moving synchronously with the secondary valve assembly. When the main valve assembly opens, the electromagnetic component is magnetized and attracted to the magnetically attracted sheet, enabling the secondary valve assembly to move synchronously with the main valve assembly and adjust its opening degree. When the main valve assembly of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve closes, the electromagnetic component of the magnetic valve is de-energized to release its attraction to the magnetically attracted sheet, allowing both the main valve assembly and the secondary valve assembly to reset and achieve double closure. This effectively blocks gas flow even if either the main valve assembly or the secondary valve assembly fails.

2. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the main valve assembly includes a main valve stem, a main valve plug disposed on the main valve stem, and a main valve port closed by pressure from the main valve plug; the auxiliary valve assembly includes an auxiliary valve plug that moves synchronously with the electromagnetic component, an auxiliary spring that elastically abuts against the auxiliary valve plug, and an auxiliary valve port closed by pressure from the auxiliary valve plug; characterized in that: The magnetically attracted plate has a movable gap. The end of the main valve stem extends through the main valve plug and the main valve port, and is sleeved within the movable gap of the magnetically attracted plate. When the main valve stem and the main valve plug move away from the main valve port to open the valve, the main valve stem can press against the movable gap and drive the magnetically attracted plate to move. Thus, the magnetically attracted plate and the electromagnetic component attract the auxiliary valve plug of the auxiliary valve group to open the valve synchronously. When the diaphragm gas regulating valve group is closed, the end of the main valve stem of the main valve group can move within the movable gap of the magnetically attracted plate, so that the main valve stem and the main valve plug are not restricted by the magnetically attracted plate and can move and close the valve independently. The auxiliary valve group can independently close the auxiliary valve port by de-energizing the electromagnetic component and elastically pressing the auxiliary valve plug with the auxiliary spring. Thus, the gas can still be effectively blocked when either the main valve group or the auxiliary valve group fails.

3. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve further includes a lifting diaphragm that divides its interior into an intake chamber and a back pressure chamber, wherein the main valve assembly is disposed in the intake chamber, so that the main valve stem can be driven by the lifting diaphragm to move synchronously, and the micro-switching valve assembly is disposed in the back pressure chamber, which can adjust the back pressure of the back pressure chamber and the relative pressure of the intake chamber when started, so that the lifting diaphragm produces different displacements, thereby driving the main valve stem and the main valve plug of the main valve assembly to open the valve and adjust the opening degree.

4. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 3, wherein a force multiplier lever is provided between the lifting diaphragm of the diaphragm-type differential pressure regulating valve and the main valve stem, so that when the lifting diaphragm is displaced, the driving force driving the main valve stem can be amplified through the force multiplier lever.

5. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 3, wherein the inner edge of the main valve port is provided with a stop that allows gas flow when the main valve port is opened, the stop being able to block the main valve plug when the main valve plug closes the main valve port, preventing the main valve plug from deforming or falling out of the main valve port.

6. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 3, wherein the back pressure chamber is provided with a pressure regulating channel communicating with the intake chamber and a mother flame channel communicating with the burner, the miniature switching valve assembly includes a normally open solenoid valve that keeps the pressure regulating channel open and a normally closed solenoid valve that keeps the mother flame channel closed, when the normally open solenoid valve and the normally closed solenoid valve are de-energized and not activated, the gas in the intake chamber continues to flow through the pressure regulating channel to the back pressure chamber and accumulate pressure, thereby pushing the lifting diaphragm to keep the main valve stem and the main valve plug closed at the main valve port.

7. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 6, wherein when the diaphragm pressure differential regulating valve is activated, the normally open solenoid valve is de-energized to maintain the opening of the pressure regulating channel, and the normally closed solenoid valve is energized to open the main flame channel, allowing the gas in the back pressure chamber to flow into the main flame channel to ignite the main flame of the burner, until the normally open solenoid valve is energized to close the pressure regulating channel, allowing the gas in the back pressure chamber to continuously flow into the main flame channel to reduce the pressure and relatively increase the pressure in the intake chamber, thereby enabling the lifting diaphragm to drive the main valve stem and main valve plug away from the main valve port and ignite the main flame of the burner.

8. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 7, wherein when the main burner is ignited, the normally open solenoid valve is energized to close the pressure regulating channel, and the normally closed solenoid valve is energized to open the mother flame channel, enabling the gas in the back pressure chamber to be continuously released from the mother flame channel to reduce the pressure and relatively increase the pressure in the intake chamber. This causes the lifting diaphragm to continuously drive the main valve stem and main valve plug away from the main valve port to increase the opening and increase the firepower until the normally closed solenoid valve is de-energized to close the mother flame channel, so that the gas in the back pressure chamber is sealed and the increase in opening stops, thereby maintaining the high flame.

9. The dual safety structure of the diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly as described in claim 7, wherein when the main burner is ignited, the normally open solenoid valve is de-energized to open the pressure regulating channel, and the normally closed solenoid valve is de-energized to close the main burner channel, allowing the gas in the intake chamber to continuously enter the back pressure chamber through the pressure regulating channel and accumulate pressure, thereby relatively reducing the pressure in the intake chamber. This causes the lifting diaphragm to drive the main valve stem and main valve plug closer to the main valve port to reduce the opening and reduce the flame, until the main valve plug continues to approach and press against the main valve port to completely close and extinguish the main burner. Alternatively, before the main valve port is completely closed, the normally open solenoid valve is energized to close the pressure regulating channel, so that the gas in the back pressure chamber is sealed and the reduction of the opening is stopped, thereby maintaining a small flame.

10. A dual-safety structure for a diaphragm-type gas regulating valve assembly as described in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the burner is disposed within a water heater, the water heater including a temperature regulating switch capable of setting water temperature or heat output, characterized in that: the secondary valve assembly further includes a flow restrictor that displaces synchronously with the secondary valve plug, the outer edge of the flow restrictor having an incline and extending to the inner edge of the secondary valve port, such that when the secondary valve plug approaches or moves away from the secondary valve port, the gas flow rate can be adjusted by the distance between the outer edge of the flow restrictor and the inner edge of the secondary valve port; and a synchronously displaced magnet is provided at the end of the flow restrictor, a Hall effect IC is provided at a corresponding position on the outside of the magnetic valve, the Hall effect IC being capable of sensing and detecting the displacement distance of the magnet and transmitting the sensing signal to the water heater, so that the water heater can automatically control the micro-switch valve assembly according to the water temperature or heat output set by the temperature regulating switch.

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