Valve unit

Abstract

A valve unit (10) is configured so that a filter attachment hole (46) and an orifice attachment hole (56) are provided at different locations on a first pilot flow path (42A) that guides water in a valve chamber (34) to a pressure chamber (40). A filter unit (48) is attached to the filter attachment hole (46), and an orifice unit (54) is attached to the orifice attachment hole (56).

Description

Valve Unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pilot operated valve unit.

[0002] Pilot-type valve units (two-port valves) are widely used to control the supply of water. This valve unit has a structure in which a valve chamber, which has a valve seat communicating with an outlet port, and a pressure chamber, which serves as a pilot flow path and through which water is supplied, are separated by a diaphragm. The diaphragm is driven by the differential pressure between the pressure chamber and the valve chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, the diaphragm abuts against the valve seat, closing the valve unit. The supply and discharge of pilot fluid to and from the pressure chamber is controlled by the pilot flow path and a solenoid valve provided in the pilot flow path.

[0003] The pilot flow path has an upstream section that directs water from the valve chamber to the pressure chamber and a downstream section that discharges water from the pressure chamber to an outlet port. The upstream section may be provided with an orifice that throttles the flow rate of water into the pressure chamber. The orifice regulates the flow rate of the pilot fluid, slowing the closing of the valve and thereby mitigating the impact (water hammer) that occurs when the valve closes. For this reason, orifices are widely used in valve units that employ a resin body with low strength. Furthermore, valve units used to control the supply of groundwater, agricultural water, etc. may be provided with a filter at the inlet of the upstream section to remove foreign matter and prevent clogging of the orifice (e.g., Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 56-47977 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1-224585).

[0004] In such valve units, cleaning work is required to unclog the filter and orifice in order to maintain stable operation. However, in conventional valve units, the filter and orifice are sometimes integrally assembled, or the orifice is structured so that it is not easy to remove it alone. Therefore, when cleaning only the filter, it is necessary to remove the filter together with the orifice and then disassemble the orifice from the filter, which makes cleaning difficult and fast. Furthermore, even when removing only the orifice, it is necessary to remove other components besides the orifice, which poses a problem that maintenance work on the orifice cannot be performed quickly.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] an orifice mounting hole provided downstream of the filter mounting hole; and an orifice unit detachably mounted in the orifice mounting hole to throttle the flow rate of water flowing through the first pilot flow path. The valve unit according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a valve unit comprising: a main body having an inlet flow path through which water flows in, an outlet flow path through which water flows out, a valve chamber communicating with the inlet flow path, a cylindrical valve seat protruding into the valve chamber and communicating with the outlet flow path, and a pressure chamber facing the valve chamber; a diaphragm separating the valve chamber and the pressure chamber and driven by a pressure difference between the valve chamber and the pressure chamber to open and close the valve seat; a first pilot flow path formed in the main body and directing water from the valve chamber to the pressure chamber; a second pilot flow path discharging water from the pressure chamber to the outlet flow path; and a solenoid valve opening and closing the second pilot flow path. The first pilot flow path has a filter mounting hole opening to the valve chamber, a filter unit detachably mounted in the filter mounting hole and having a filter that removes foreign matter contained in the water, an orifice mounting hole provided downstream of the filter mounting hole, and an orifice unit detachably mounted in the orifice mounting hole to throttle the flow rate of water flowing through the first pilot flow path.

[0007] In the valve unit of the above aspect, only the filter or only the orifice unit can be removed and the filter or the orifice unit can be easily cleaned, enabling quick recovery.

[0008] The above objects, features and advantages will be easily understood from the following description of the embodiments, which will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a valve unit according to an embodiment. Fig. 2A is a plan view of the valve unit of Fig. 1, and Fig. 2B is a side view of the valve unit of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 2A. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2B. Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the filter unit of Fig. 4, and Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the orifice mounting hole and orifice unit of Fig. 4.

[0010] The valve unit 10 of this embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2A, and 2B is a two-port valve that is connected to a water supply pipe T for use. The pipe T is, for example, part of a water supply system for irrigation equipment on a farm or a piping system for watering public facilities such as parks. The valve unit 10 supplies or stops water flowing through the pipe T. Water containing foreign matter, such as groundwater or agricultural water pumped from rivers, lakes, and the like, may flow through the pipe T. The valve unit 10 can also be used to control the supply of water containing foreign matter.

[0011] The structure of the valve unit 10 will be described in detail below. For convenience in describing the valve unit 10, the terms "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction" are used. The first direction is the protruding direction of a valve seat 36 (described later) and is also referred to as the "upward direction" or "downward direction." The second direction is also referred to as the "width direction," and is a direction perpendicular to the first and third directions. The second direction coincides with the axial direction of a filter unit 48 (described later). The third direction is a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The third direction coincides with the extending direction of the central axes of the inlet port 12 and the outlet port 14. Note that in this specification, the terms "upward direction," "downward direction," and "width direction" are used to describe the positional relationship of the configuration of the valve unit 10, and the arrangement direction of the valve unit 10 is not limited to these terms.

[0012] The valve unit 10 includes a main body 16 having an inlet port 12 and an outlet port 14, and a solenoid valve 18 attached to the main body 16. The inlet port 12 and the outlet port 14 are, for example, union joints. The inlet port 12 is provided with a first union nut 12a that holds the union end of the pipe T. The outlet port 14 is also provided with a second union nut 14a that holds the union end of the pipe T. The inlet port 12 and the outlet port 14 are arranged so that their central axes are coaxially aligned.

[0013] The main body 16 has a body 20 and a bonnet 22 that covers the top of the body 20. The body 20 is formed integrally with the inlet port 12 and the outlet port 14. The body 20 further has a base 24 and a connecting portion 26. The base 24 is located between the inlet port 12 and the outlet port 14, and houses a valve chamber 34, a valve seat 36, and the like, which will be described later. The connecting portion 26 is located at the top of the base 24 and has a disk-like shape. The connecting portion 26 is formed integrally with the base 24.

[0014] The bonnet 22 is a disk-shaped member, and the outer diameter of the bonnet 22 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the connection portion 26. The bonnet 22 is connected to the upper surface of the connection portion 26 of the body 20 by a method such as screwing. The solenoid valve 18 and a flow rate adjustment screw 28 are attached to the top of the bonnet 22. The solenoid valve 18 is located closer to the outlet port 14. The flow rate adjustment screw 28 is located in the center of the bonnet 22 and protrudes in a first direction.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, the body 20 is provided with an inlet flow path 30, an outlet flow path 32, a valve chamber 34, a valve seat 36, and a portion of a pilot flow path 42. The valve chamber 34 is an empty chamber located in the center of the body 20 and has a circular shape when viewed from above (in the first direction). The valve seat 36 is formed in the center of the valve chamber 34. The valve chamber 34 is formed to surround the periphery of the valve seat 36. The valve chamber 34 extends upward in the first direction and opens at the upper end of the body 20.

[0016] The valve seat 36 is located in the center of the valve chamber 34. The valve seat 36 extends cylindrically upward in the first direction. The central axis of the valve seat 36 extends in the first direction. The valve seat 36 has an annular abutment surface 36a at its upper end that abuts against a diaphragm 38 (described below). The abutment surface 36a is formed smooth, and abutting against the diaphragm 38 liquid-tightly separates the outlet flow path 32 inside the valve seat 36 from the valve chamber 34. The upper end of the valve seat 36 is located slightly below the upper end of the body 20.

[0017] The inlet flow path 30 extends in the third direction along the central axis of the inlet port 12. The inlet flow path 30 opens to the valve chamber 34, connecting the inlet port 12 and the valve chamber 34. The outlet flow path 32 has an upstream portion 32a and a downstream portion 32b. The downstream portion 32b extends in the third direction along the central axis of the outlet port 14. The upstream portion 32a of the outlet flow path 32 is formed inside the valve seat 36. The upstream portion 32a is connected to the downstream portion 32b at a side of the valve seat 36. The upstream portion 32a is bent 90° relative to the downstream portion 32b and extends upward in the first direction inside the valve seat 36. The upstream portion 32a opens at the upper end of the valve seat 36. The downstream portion 32b of the outlet flow path 32 is isolated from the valve chamber 34 by a partition wall 32c. When the valve seat 36 is not blocking the diaphragm 38 , the outlet passage 32 communicates with the inlet passage 30 through the valve chamber 34 .

[0018] A pressure chamber 40 is provided in the bonnet 22. The pressure chamber 40 is a recessed empty chamber formed in the bonnet 22 and is located above the valve chamber 34 and the valve seat 36. When the pressure chamber 40 is not covered by the diaphragm 38, it opens downward from the bonnet 22. The lower end of the pressure chamber 40 is covered by the diaphragm 38. The pressure chamber 40 faces the valve chamber 34 with the diaphragm 38 sandwiched between them.

[0019] The diaphragm 38 is disposed between the body 20 and the bonnet 22. The diaphragm 38 is configured to include an elastically deformable flexible membrane made of rubber, elastomer, or the like. An outer peripheral portion 38a of the diaphragm 38 is sandwiched between the body 20 and the bonnet 22. The diaphragm 38 separates the pressure chamber 40 of the bonnet 22 from the valve chamber 34 of the body 20 in a liquid-tight and airtight manner. The diaphragm 38 elastically deforms in a first direction in response to the pressure difference between the valve chamber 34 and the pressure chamber 40.

[0020] When the pressure in the pressure chamber 40 is higher than the pressure in the outlet flow path 32, the diaphragm 38 is displaced downward in the first direction and abuts against the valve seat 36, blocking communication between the valve chamber 34 and the outlet flow path 32. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 40 becomes sufficiently lower than the pressure in the valve chamber 34, the diaphragm 38 is displaced upward in the first direction and moves away from the valve seat 36. When the diaphragm 38 moves away from the valve seat 36, the inlet flow path 30 and the outlet flow path 32 communicate via the valve chamber 34, and the valve unit 10 enters a valve open state in which water flows.

[0021] The flow rate adjustment screw 28 passes through the through-hole 22a of the bonnet 22 and protrudes toward the pressure chamber 40. The flow rate adjustment screw 28 is threadedly engaged with a threaded structure (not shown) of the through-hole 22a, and by rotating the flow rate adjustment screw 28 relative to the bonnet 22, the position of its lower end 28a can be changed in a first direction. The flow rate adjustment screw 28 abuts against an upper surface 38b of the diaphragm 38, preventing the diaphragm 38 from displacing upward. The flow rate adjustment screw 28 regulates the maximum distance between the diaphragm 38 and the valve seat 36, thereby regulating the flow rate of water passing through the valve unit 10.

[0022] A valve spring 44 is attached around the flow rate adjusting screw 28. The upper end of the valve spring 44 is fixed to the mounting seat 22b of the bonnet 22, and the lower end abuts against the upper surface 38b of the diaphragm 38. The valve spring 44 urges the diaphragm 38 downward. When no pressure difference occurs between the valve chamber 34 and the pressure chamber 40, the valve spring 44 causes the diaphragm 38 to abut against the valve seat 36, thereby closing the valve.

[0023] The pilot flow path 42 has a first pilot flow path 42A shown in Fig. 4 and a second pilot flow path 42B shown in Fig. 3. The first pilot flow path 42A is a flow path that guides water as a pilot fluid from the valve chamber 34 to the pressure chamber 40. The second pilot flow path 42B is a flow path that discharges water from the pressure chamber 40 to the outlet flow path 32.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first pilot flow path 42A is formed inside the body 20 and the bonnet 22. When viewed from the third direction, the first pilot flow path 42A is formed in a U-shape bent at a right angle, and has an upstream portion 421, an intermediate portion 422, and a downstream portion 423. The upstream portion 421 is formed in the body 20 and extends in the width direction (second direction) of the valve unit 10. In this embodiment, the upstream portion 421 is formed by a filter mounting hole 46. The filter mounting hole 46 extends in the width direction (second direction), penetrates the outer portion of the body 20, and reaches the valve chamber 34. The filter mounting hole 46 is closed by a filter unit 48, which will be described later.

[0025] The filter mounting hole 46 has, in order from the valve chamber 34 toward the outer side of the body 20, an open flow path portion 46a, a filter accommodating portion 46b, and a first thread portion 46c. The open flow path portion 46a has a flow path whose inner end opens to the valve chamber 34. The outer end of the open flow path portion 46a has an abutment seat 46d that abuts against the tip of the filter unit 48. The inner diameter of the open flow path portion 46a is the smallest among the filter mounting holes 46, and is smaller than the outer diameter of a filter 50 of the filter unit 48, which will be described later.

[0026] The filter accommodating portion 46b is located outside the open flow path portion 46a. The filter accommodating portion 46b accommodates the filter 50. The filter accommodating portion 46b has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filter 50 of the filter unit 48. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface of the filter accommodating portion 46b is spaced apart from the filter 50, forming a flow path through which water filtered by the filter 50 passes. The first screw portion 46c is located outside the filter accommodating portion 46b and has a thread that screws into a holder portion 52 of the filter unit 48.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5A, the filter unit 48 has a filter 50 and a holder portion 52. The filter 50 is a cylindrical mesh filter that is open at its tip. The base end of the filter 50 is held by the holder portion 52. As shown in Fig. 4, when the filter unit 48 is attached to the filter mounting hole 46, the tip of the filter 50 abuts against the abutment seat 46d of the open flow path portion 46a. As a result, substantially all of the water flowing from the open flow path portion 46a into the first pilot flow path 42A passes through the filter 50, and foreign matter contained in the water is removed by the filter 50.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5A, the tip of the filter 50 is open, so that when the filter unit 48 is removed from the valve unit 10, the inner surface 50a and the outer surface 50b of the filter 50 are exposed, making it easy to clean both surfaces.

[0029] The holder portion 52 is a cylindrical member that supports the filter 50. As shown in FIG. 4 , one end of the holder portion 52 protrudes outside the body 20 when attached to the valve unit 10. As shown in FIG. 5A , a knob 52a is formed at the base end of the holder portion 52 to enable removal of the filter unit 48 without using tools. A thread 52b that threadably engages with the first screw portion 46c is formed at a predetermined location on the holder portion 52. A step 52c, whose outer diameter changes, is formed at the boundary between the knob 52a and the thread 52b. A packing 52d that seals the gap between the holder portion 52 and the body 20 is attached to the step 52c. The packing 52d prevents water from leaking out of the body 20 through the filter mounting hole 46.

[0030] Intermediate portion 422 of first pilot flow path 42A extends in the first direction. A lower end of intermediate portion 422 opens into filter accommodating portion 46b. An upper end of intermediate portion 422 opens into orifice mounting hole 56 (described later) of first pilot flow path 42A. Intermediate portion 422 guides water that has passed through filter 50 to orifice mounting hole 56 of first pilot flow path 42A.

[0031] The orifice mounting hole 56 is formed adjacent to the downstream portion 423 and extends coaxially with the downstream portion 423 in the second direction. The orifice unit 54 is detachably mounted in the orifice mounting hole 56. In the valve unit 10, the orifice mounting hole 56 is arranged vertically next to the filter mounting hole 46 on the same side. This arrangement allows the orifice unit 54 and the filter unit 48 to be removed from the same side, facilitating maintenance work.

[0032] 5B , the orifice mounting hole 56 has a step 56a, a shaft accommodating portion 56b, and a second threaded portion 56c. The shaft accommodating portion 56b has an inner diameter larger than that of the downstream portion 423. The step 56a is formed at the connection between the orifice mounting hole 56 and the downstream portion 423. The step 56a has an end face perpendicular to the extension direction (second direction) of the downstream portion 423. The shaft accommodating portion 56b is positioned coaxially with the downstream portion 423 and extends in the second direction. The shaft accommodating portion 56b accommodates the shaft 62 of the orifice unit 54. The intermediate portion 422 opens at a predetermined position in the shaft accommodating portion 56b.

[0033] The second screw portion 56c is formed adjacent to the orifice mounting hole 56. The second screw portion 56c opens to the outer side of the bonnet 22. A thread groove that screws into a head 64 of the orifice unit 54, which will be described later, is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second screw portion 56c.

[0034] 4, the downstream portion 423 is formed adjacent to the orifice mounting hole 56 and extends in the second direction (width direction). The downstream portion 423 communicates with the intermediate portion 422 via the orifice mounting hole 56. The downstream portion 423 opens to the pressure chamber 40 and guides water that has passed through an orifice unit 54 (described later) to the pressure chamber 40.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5B , the orifice unit 54 includes a shaft 62 and a head 64. The head 64 has a thread 64a formed on its outer circumferential surface. An end 64b of the head 64 is exposed to the exterior of the bonnet 22. The end 64b has an engagement recess 64c that engages with a tool such as a screwdriver or hex wrench. The shaft 62 is a generally cylindrical member that protrudes from the head 64. The outer diameter of the shaft 62 is smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft accommodating portion 56b of the orifice mounting hole 56 and larger than the inner diameter of the downstream portion 423. A flow path 56d is formed between the outer circumferential portion of the shaft 62 and the inner circumferential surface of the shaft accommodating portion 56b, through which water flowing in from the intermediate portion 422 flows. The tip 62a of the shaft 62 is tapered, and a portion of the tip 62a of the shaft 62 is inserted into the downstream portion 423 and abuts against the corner of the step portion 56a. The contact portion between the tip 62 a and the step 56 a closes the flow path 56 d formed between the shaft accommodating portion 56 b and the outer periphery of the shaft 62 .

[0036] A throttle flow passage 66 is formed inside the shaft 62. The throttle flow passage 66 has a radial hole 66a that penetrates the shaft 62 in the radial direction, and an axial hole 66b that extends along the central axis of the shaft 62 and opens at the tip 62a of the shaft 62. The axial hole 66b intersects with the radial hole 66a. Water that flows in from the intermediate portion 422 flows toward the pressure chamber 40 through the radial hole 66a and the axial hole 66b.

[0037] The axial hole 66b is provided with a throttle portion 66c whose cross-sectional area is narrower than that of the remaining portions. The throttle portion 66c is formed by narrowing the cross-sectional area of ​​the axial hole 66b at a portion adjacent to the radial hole 66a compared to the remaining portions. The throttle portion 66c regulates the flow rate of water (pilot fluid) flowing into the pressure chamber 40, thereby adjusting the operating characteristics of the valve unit 10. When the orifice unit 54 is removed from the bonnet 22, foreign matter clogging the throttle portion 66c can be removed by spraying cleaning water into the radial hole 66a or the axial hole 66b. Note that the throttle portion 66c may also be provided in the radial hole 66a.

[0038] A second packing 62b is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 62 between the diameter hole 66a and the head 64. The second packing 62b seals the gap between the shaft accommodating portion 56b and the orifice unit 54 liquid-tight and air-tight, thereby preventing water from leaking out of the orifice mounting hole 56.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 , the second pilot flow path 42B has a second upstream portion 424 connecting the pressure chamber 40 and the solenoid valve 18, and a second downstream portion 425 connecting the solenoid valve 18 and the outlet flow path 32. The solenoid valve 18 opens or closes the second pilot flow path 42B in response to an electric signal. The bonnet 22 is provided with a manual operation unit 68 for manually operating the valve unit 10. By turning the manual operation unit 68, the movable iron core of the solenoid valve 18 can be forcibly lifted, even in a de-energized state in which the solenoid valve 18 is not functioning, thereby opening the second pilot flow path 42B. Therefore, the manual operation unit 68 allows the valve unit 10 to be manually opened when de-energized.

[0040] The valve unit 10 of this embodiment is configured as described above. The valve unit 10 operates as follows.

[0041] 3 and 4 , a water supply source is connected to the pipe T connected to the inlet port 12, and a target to which water is to be supplied is connected to the pipe T connected to the outlet port 14. A higher water pressure is applied to the inlet port 12 than to the outlet port 14. Water flows from the inlet port 12 into the valve chamber 34 through the inlet flow path 30. A portion of the inflowing water flows into the pressure chamber 40 through the first pilot flow path 42A. Foreign matter is removed from the water flowing into the first pilot flow path 42A by the filter unit 48, and the water flows into the pressure chamber 40 while being throttled to a predetermined flow rate by the orifice unit 54.

[0042] When the second pilot flow path 42B is closed by the solenoid valve 18, water flows into the pressure chamber 40, increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber 40, and the pressure difference between the outlet flow path 32 of the valve seat 36 and the pressure chamber 40 presses the diaphragm 38 against the valve seat 36. As a result, communication between the inlet flow path 30 and the outlet flow path 32 is blocked, and the valve unit 10 is closed.

[0043] When the solenoid valve 18 opens the second pilot flow path 42B, water in the pressure chamber 40 is discharged to the outlet flow path 32. The flow rate of water discharged from the pressure chamber 40 through the second pilot flow path 42B is greater than the flow rate of water flowing into the pressure chamber 40 through the first pilot flow path 42A. Therefore, when the solenoid valve 18 is opened, the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 40 decreases, and ultimately the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 40 becomes lower than the pressure of the valve chamber 34. As a result, the diaphragm 38 deforms upward, connecting the inlet flow path 30 and the outlet flow path 32, and the valve unit 10 opens.

[0044] In the valve unit 10 described above, if foreign matter becomes clogged in the filter unit 48 or the orifice unit 54, the flow rate of water flowing into the pressure chamber 40 decreases, lengthening the time it takes for the valve unit 10 to become blocked. In such cases, the user can remove the filter unit 48 or the orifice unit 54 from the main body 16 and perform cleaning, thereby eliminating any disruption to the operation of the valve unit 10 caused by clogging. In this case, either the filter unit 48 or the orifice unit 54 of the valve unit 10 can be removed individually. Therefore, for example, when cleaning the filter unit 48, which tends to become clogged relatively frequently, the user can efficiently perform maintenance work on the filter unit 48 by removing only the filter unit 48. Furthermore, because the valve unit 10 allows the orifice unit 54 to be removed alone without having to remove other components, cleaning of the orifice unit 54 can be efficiently performed.

[0045] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0046] (Supplementary Note 1) A valve unit (10) of the present disclosure comprises a main body (16) having an inlet flow path (30) through which water flows in, an outlet flow path (32) through which water flows out, a valve chamber (34) communicating with the inlet flow path, a cylindrical valve seat (36) protruding into the valve chamber and communicating with the outlet flow path, and a pressure chamber (40) facing the valve chamber; a diaphragm (38) separating the valve chamber and the pressure chamber and actuated by a pressure difference between the valve chamber and the pressure chamber to open and close the valve seat; a first pilot flow path (42A) formed in the main body and guiding water from the valve chamber to the pressure chamber; a second pilot flow path (42B) that discharges water into the outlet flow path, and a solenoid valve (18) that opens and closes the second pilot flow path, and the first pilot flow path has a filter mounting hole (46) that opens into the valve chest, a filter unit (48) that is detachably attached to the filter mounting hole and has a filter (50) that removes foreign matter from the water, an orifice mounting hole (56) provided downstream of the filter mounting hole, and an orifice unit (54) that is detachably attached to the orifice mounting hole and throttles the flow rate of water flowing through the first pilot flow path. The above valve unit allows the orifice unit to be removed alone for easy cleaning.

[0047] (Supplementary Note 2) In the valve unit according to Supplementary Note 1, the first pilot flow path may have an intermediate portion (422) extending in a first direction that is a protruding direction of the valve seat, and a downstream portion (423) extending in a second direction perpendicular to the intermediate portion, and the orifice mounting hole may be provided at a connection portion between the intermediate portion and the downstream portion and extend in the second direction. In the above-described valve unit, the orifice unit can be attached and detached from a side portion.

[0048] (Supplementary Note 3) In the valve unit described in Supplementary Note 2, the orifice unit may have a shaft (62) having a thread formed on its outer periphery and sealing the orifice mounting hole, a radial hole (66a) penetrating the shaft in a radial direction and communicating with the intermediate portion, and an axial hole (66b) extending along a central axis of the shaft and connecting the radial hole to the downstream portion, and at least one of the radial hole and the axial hole may have a throttle portion (66c) having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first pilot flow path. In the above valve unit, clogging can be easily removed by spraying cleaning water into the radial hole or the axial hole of the orifice unit, allowing efficient cleaning work.

[0049] (Supplementary Note 4) In the valve unit according to Supplementary Note 2, the filter mounting hole may extend in the second direction, and the first pilot flow path may communicate with the valve chest via the filter mounting hole. In the above-described valve unit, the filter unit can be removed from the side in the same manner as the orifice unit, and this provides excellent workability.

[0050] (Supplementary Note 5) In the valve unit described in Supplementary Note 4, the filter unit may have a holder portion (52) having a thread groove formed on its outer periphery, and the filter may be supported by the holder portion and formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the second direction. In the above valve unit, the filter is exposed at the tip of the filter unit, making it easy to apply cleaning water to the filter and allowing for efficient cleaning work.

[0051] (Supplementary Note 6) In the valve unit described in Supplementary Note 5, the filter mounting hole may include a filter accommodating portion (46b) that accommodates the filter, and an open flow path portion (46a) that abuts against the tip of the filter and liquid-tightly separates the inner and outer peripheral portions of the cylindrical filter. The above valve unit allows the inner and outer surfaces of the filter to be easily cleaned, allowing for efficient cleaning work.

[0052] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. A valve device comprising: a main body (16) having an inlet flow path (30) through which water flows in, an outlet flow path (32) through which water flows out, a valve chamber (34) communicating with the inlet flow path, a cylindrical valve seat (36) projecting into the valve chamber and communicating with the outlet flow path, and a pressure chamber (40) facing the valve chamber; a diaphragm (38) separating the valve chamber and the pressure chamber and actuated by the pressure difference between the valve chamber and the pressure chamber to open and close the valve seat; a first pilot flow path (42A) formed in the main body and directing water from the valve chamber to the pressure chamber; a second pilot flow path (42B) discharging water from the pressure chamber to the outlet flow path; and a solenoid valve (18) opening and closing the second pilot flow path, wherein the first pilot flow path has: a filter mounting hole (46) opening into the valve chamber; and a filter unit (48) detachably attached to the filter mounting hole and having a filter (50) for removing foreign matter contained in the water. The valve unit (10) has an orifice mounting hole (56) provided downstream of the filter mounting hole, and an orifice unit (54) detachably mounted in the orifice mounting hole and throttling the flow rate of water flowing through the first pilot flow path.

2. A valve unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first pilot flow path has an intermediate section (422) extending in a first direction which is the protruding direction of the valve seat, and a downstream section (423) extending in a second direction perpendicular to the intermediate section, and the orifice mounting hole is provided at the connection between the intermediate section and the downstream section and extends in the second direction.

3. A valve unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the orifice unit comprises: a shaft (62) having a threaded groove formed on its outer periphery and sealing the orifice mounting hole; a radial hole (66a) penetrating the shaft in the radial direction and communicating with the intermediate section; and an axial hole (66b) extending along the central axis of the shaft and connecting the radial hole with the downstream section, wherein at least one of the radial hole and the axial hole has a throttle section (66c) having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first pilot flow path.

4. A valve unit according to claim 2, wherein the filter mounting hole extends in the second direction, and the first pilot flow path communicates with the valve chest via the filter mounting hole.

5. A valve unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein the filter unit has a holder portion (52) having a thread groove formed on its outer periphery, and the filter is supported by the holder portion and formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the second direction.

6. A valve unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the filter mounting hole comprises: a filter accommodating section (46b) that accommodates the filter; and an open flow path section (46a) that abuts against the tip of the filter and liquid-tightly separates the inner and outer peripheries of the cylindrical filter.

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