JP2004003655A - Hot and cold water mixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot and cold water mixing device having superior temperature control performance during hot and cold water mixture and securing durability. <P>SOLUTION: The hot and cold water mixing device comprises a hot and cold water mixing valve 71 having a valve element 76 for controlling a hot and cold water mixture ratio, a temperature sensitive coil spring 81 formed of a temperature sensitive material having a spring constant changed with a temperature for energizing the valve element 76 in the direction of reducing the rate of hot water with the temperature rise of a hot and cold water mixture flowing out of the mixing valve 71, a bias coil spring 79 for energizing the valve element 76 in the opposite direction, energizing force control means 82 for controlling the energizing force of at least one of the two coil springs, and shearing strain restricting means 87 for restricting the shearing strain of the temperature sensitive coil spring 81 to be 1% or less with the valve element 76 at a position of fully opening hot water or fully closing cold water. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing apparatus that obtains an appropriate temperature by adjusting a mixing ratio of hot water and water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6 shows a conventional hot and cold water mixing apparatus of this type (for example, see Patent Document 1). In FIG. 1, a housing 12 of the hot and cold water mixing device 10 is substantially liquid-tightly fastened to the main body 14 with a substantially cylindrical main body 14, an outlet fitting 16 fastened to the main body by screwing or the like. And a cap 18.
[0003]
The housing 12 has inlets 20 and 22 formed therein, the inlet 20 acting as a hot water inlet and the inlet 22 acting as a water inlet. A central bore 24 is formed in the housing 12, and a pressure receiving piston 26 is slidably fitted in the bore 24. The inside of the housing 12 is divided into a hot water side primary pressure chamber 28 and a water side primary pressure chamber 30 by the pressure receiving piston 26. Hot water inlets 20 and 22 communicate with primary pressure chambers 28 and 30, respectively, so that hot water having a primary pressure is supplied to primary pressure chambers 28 and 30, respectively.
[0004]
The pressure receiving piston 26 is fitted into the bore 24 with a predetermined radial clearance, and slides in the bore 24. The hot water side primary pressure chamber 28 and the water side primary pressure chamber 30 communicate with a hot water side valve chamber 36 and a water side valve chamber 38 via valve seats 32 and 34, respectively. The hot water side valve seat 32 and the water side valve chamber 34 are coaxially aligned and symmetrically arranged with each other. The water-side valve chamber 38 communicates with the hot-water-side valve chamber 36 via a plurality of openings 40 formed in the cap 18 and a passage 42 formed in the main body 14, and water that has passed through the water-side valve seat 34 is provided. It flows into the hot water side valve chamber 36. Therefore, the hot water side valve chamber 36 acts as a hot water mixing chamber, and the hot water mixture formed in the hot water mixing chamber 36 is discharged from the mixture outlet 44 of the outlet fitting 16.
[0005]
A movable valve body unit 46 is movable inside the housing 12 in the axial direction. The valve body unit 46 has a valve shaft 48 and a hot water side valve body 50 and a water side valve body 52 fixed to both ends of the valve shaft 48 by nuts, respectively. The valve shaft 48 is formed integrally with the pressure receiving piston 26, and the movable valve body unit 46 and the pressure receiving piston 26 work together. The hot water side valve body 50 and the water side valve body 52 are coaxially aligned, and the flow of hot water is controlled in cooperation with the hot water side valve seat 32 and the water side valve seat 34, respectively. The effective pressure receiving areas of the pressure receiving piston 26, the hot water side valve body 50 and the water side valve body 52 are equal to each other, and the primary pressure in the hot water side primary pressure chamber 28 acts on the hot water side valve body 50 in the valve opening direction. , Acting on the pressure receiving piston 26 in the opposite direction.
[0006]
Since the effective pressure receiving area of the pressure receiving piston 26 is equal to the effective pressure receiving area of the hot water side valve body 50, the force acting on the hot water side valve body 50 due to the primary pressure in the hot water side primary pressure chamber 28 is due to the primary pressure. Offset by the forces acting on the Similarly, the force acting on the water-side valve body 52 due to the primary pressure in the water-side primary pressure chamber 30 and the force acting on the pressure receiving piston 26 due to the primary pressure cancel each other. Therefore, no bias force due to the primary pressure of hot and cold water acts on the movable valve body unit 46.
[0007]
Further, since the hot and cold mixing chamber 36 and the water side valve body 38 communicate with each other, and the secondary pressures in the two are equal, the eccentric force due to the secondary pressure does not act on the movable valve body unit 46. . Therefore, the movable valve body unit 46 is positioned by the balance of two types of mechanical biasing forces acting in opposite directions without being affected by the transient fluctuation of the hot and cold water pressure. That is, the coil springs 54 and 56 are arranged in a compressed state in the hot and cold water mixing chamber 36 and the water side valve chamber 38, respectively.
[0008]
One coil spring 54 functions as a temperature-sensitive element, and is formed of a nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy having a characteristic that a spring constant changes according to temperature. The shape memory alloy temperature-sensitive coil spring 54 generates a spring force that changes linearly (linearly) according to the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture in the mixing chamber 36, and causes the movable valve body unit 46 to act. The elastic modulus of the shape memory alloy forming the temperature-sensitive coil spring 54 changes in accordance with the temperature. As a result, the spring constant of the coil spring 54 and, consequently, the spring force change in accordance with the temperature. One end of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 54 made of a shape memory alloy is supported by the hot water side valve body 50, and the other end is supported by the outlet fitting 16. Accordingly, the shape memory alloy temperature-sensitive coil spring 54 urges the movable valve body unit to the left and right.
[0009]
The other coil spring 56 acts as a bias spring, and is formed of a normal spring material, and its spring constant is substantially constant with respect to temperature. Therefore, the biasing force generated by the bias spring 56 is proportional to the preload applied thereto. One end of the bias spring 56 is supported by the water-side valve body 52, and the other end is supported by a movable spring receiver 58 slidably mounted on the cap 18. An adjusting screw 60 screwed to the cap 18 is engaged with the movable spring receiver 58, and the preload of the bias spring 56 can be adjusted by rotating a handle 62 of the adjusting screw. The bias spring 56 urges the movable valve unit 46 left and right.
[0010]
That is, in the conventional hot and cold water mixing apparatus, the temperature sensing element 54 is formed of a shape memory alloy having a characteristic region in which the spring constant changes linearly (linearly) according to a temperature change. By balancing the biasing force of the shape memory alloy coil spring 54 and the biasing force of the bias spring 56, the movable valve body 46 is actuated, and fine temperature adjustment is performed without overshoot or undershoot. There is proposed a hot and cold water mixing apparatus that can produce the hot water.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-159532
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional hot water mixing apparatus as described above is configured to improve the durability that is concerned about the shape memory alloy, and to equalize the temperature distribution of the hot water mixture in contact with the shape memory alloy spring whose urging force changes due to temperature change. No particular mention is made of a configuration or the like for improving the temperature, and there is a problem that there is a concern about durability and temperature deviation due to the temperature of the non-uniform mixture.
[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its first object to provide a hot and cold water mixing apparatus that ensures durability against repeated bending of a temperature-sensitive coil spring.
[0014]
A second object of the present invention is to provide a hot and cold water mixing device that has a sufficient durability against repeated bending and has a small hysteresis in the operating temperature and the storage temperature ranges of the temperature-sensitive coil spring.
[0015]
A third object of the present invention is to provide a hot and cold water mixing apparatus capable of performing accurate hot and cold water mixing control while contacting a temperature-sensitive coil spring while hot and cold water are being stirred and mixed.
[0016]
A fourth object is to provide a hot and cold water mixing apparatus having an excellent temperature control function without temperature deviation due to a change in flow rate, a change in water pressure, a change in set temperature, and the like.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the first object, the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention comprises a hot water mixing valve having a valve element for adjusting a mixing ratio of hot water and water, and a temperature-sensitive material whose spring constant changes according to temperature. A temperature-sensitive coil spring that urges the valve body in a direction to decrease the proportion of hot water with a rise in the temperature of the hot water mixture flowing out of the mixing valve, and a bias coil spring that urges the valve body in the opposite direction. An urging force adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of at least one of the two coil springs, and a shear for regulating the shear strain γ of the temperature-sensitive coil spring to 1% or less when the valve element is in a fully opened or completely closed position. It is provided with a strain regulating means.
[0018]
In order to achieve the second object, the hot water mixing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the temperature-sensitive coil spring has a shape memory alloy that undergoes R (Rhombohedral) phase or parent phase transformation in a temperature range of −30 ° C. to + 100 ° C. It was done.
[0019]
In order to achieve the third object, in the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention, the biasing force adjusting means also has a swirling mixing means for swirling and mixing the hot and cold mixture.
[0020]
In order to achieve the fourth object, the hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention has an urging force adjusting means as an electric urging force adjusting means, a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the hot and cold water mixture, and a target value of the hot and cold water temperature. Temperature setting means for setting, and electronic control means for controlling the electric biasing force adjusting means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and a target value set by the temperature setting means. is there.
[0021]
[Action]
According to the above configuration, the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring and the biasing force in the opposite direction to the biasing direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring are applied to the valve body that adjusts the mixing ratio of hot and cold water. Each of the springs acts on the valve body, and the valve body is positioned at a position where the biasing forces of the two coil springs are balanced. Hot water and water flowing into the hot / water mixing valve depend on the opening position of the valve body. The mixture becomes a hot and cold water mixture having a different mixing ratio, and flows out around the temperature-sensitive coil spring. The target mixing temperature is set by the urging force adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of at least one of the two coil springs.
[0022]
Here, there is provided shear strain regulating means for regulating the adjustment range of the biasing force adjusting means within a range in which the shear strain γ of the temperature-sensitive coil spring does not exceed 1%. Is repeatedly bent within the range of 1%, and the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture is controlled without impairing the durability of the temperature-sensitive coil spring.
[0023]
Further, in the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention, the spring constant changes according to the temperature of the valve element for adjusting the mixing ratio of hot water and the R (Rhombohedral) phase or the mother phase in the temperature range of -30 ° C to + 100 ° C. The biasing force of a temperature-sensitive coil spring made of a shape memory alloy that undergoes a phase transformation, and the biasing force in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring act on the valve body by a bias coil spring, and The valve body is positioned at a position where the urging forces of the two coil springs are balanced, and the hot water and the water flowing into the hot / water mixing valve become a hot / water mixture having a mixing ratio corresponding to the opening position of the valve body. It flows out around the periphery of the warm coil spring. The target mixing temperature is set by the urging force adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of at least one of the two coil springs.
[0024]
Here, the temperature-sensitive coil spring acts so that there is only a phase transformation in which a R (Rhombohedral) phase and a mother phase are repeated in a temperature range of -30 ° C to + 100 ° C. Therefore, in the operating temperature and storage temperature range of the temperature-sensitive coil spring, the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture is controlled with high hysteresis and high responsiveness without impairing durability against repeated bending.
[0025]
Further, in the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention, the biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring and the biasing force in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring are applied to the valve body for adjusting the mixing ratio of the hot water and the hot water by the above-described configuration. Each of the coil springs acts on the valve body, and the valve body is positioned at a position where the urging forces of the two coil springs are balanced. Hot water and water flowing into the hot / water mixing valve are located at the opening position of the valve body. It becomes a hot and cold water mixture with a suitable mixing ratio and flows out around the temperature-sensitive coil spring. At this time, with the configuration in which the urging force adjusting means also serves as the swirling mixing means for swirling and mixing the hot and cold water mixture, the hot and cold water mixture is agitated and mixed by the swirling action, and the temperature is made uniform while mixing and contacting the temperature-sensitive coil spring. pass.
[0026]
Therefore, the temperature which is shifted up and down from the mixing average temperature at the uneven temperature acts on the temperature-sensitive coil spring, and the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture is accurately controlled without causing a temperature control shift.
[0027]
Further, in the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention, the hot water mixture is agitated and mixed by the swirling action by the swirling mixing means for swirling the hot water mixture in the same direction as the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring, and the temperature is uniformly mixed. The mixture is passed while contacting the temperature-sensitive coil spring, the mixed average temperature is accurately transferred to the temperature-sensitive coil spring and mechanically feedback-controlled, and the electronic control means controls the mixture temperature detected by the temperature detection means and the temperature. The electric biasing force adjusting means is driven based on the target value set by the setting means, and the mixture temperature is electrically feedback-controlled to the target value. Therefore, the temperature deviation due to the hysteresis of the shape memory alloy, the water pressure fluctuation, the flow rate change, and the like is corrected by the electric feedback control.
[0028]
In this way, the transient temperature fluctuation of the hot and cold mixture is quickly adjusted by mechanical feedback control while the hot and cold mixture stirred and mixed by the swirling mixing means is in contact with the temperature-sensitive coil spring made of shape memory alloy, and the steady offset Since the electric power is controlled by detecting the mixing temperature agitated by the swirling mixing means, hunting can be prevented, excellent responsiveness can be obtained, and a hot water mixing apparatus capable of controlling the temperature with high accuracy can be obtained. Can be
[0029]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 70 denotes a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water, and the hot water supply pipe 70 communicates with a mixing valve 71. Hot water and water are supplied to the mixing valve 71 from a hot water supply pipe 70 and a water supply pipe 72, respectively. Hot water is supplied to the mixing valve 71 from a hot water inlet 74 and a water inlet 75 provided in the housing 73, and the distance between the hot water side valve seat 77 and the water side valve seat 78 is inversely proportional to the movement of the valve body 76. Instead, the mixing ratio of hot and cold water is adjusted. The valve body 76 has a cylindrical shape into which hot water and water flow inward from the surroundings. The valve body 76 is urged rightward in FIG. 1 by a bias coil spring 79, and according to the temperature provided in the mixing channel 80. The temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 whose spring constant changes is also urged leftward in FIG. Since the spring constant of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 changes in accordance with the temperature, the urging force changes if the length is the same, and the valve body 76 is connected to the bias coil spring 79 and the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81. It is pushed and moved to the position where the biasing force is balanced. The biasing force adjusting means 82 for adjusting the biasing force of the bias coil spring 79 and the biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is rotated by rotating the biasing force adjusting operation section 83 to thereby adjust the biasing force adjusting shaft 84 and the male screw shaft 85. Are rotated, and the movable spring receiver 84 having a female screw is advanced and retracted. Further, a pin 88 is provided on the biasing force adjusting shaft 83 as a shear strain restricting means 87, and the periphery thereof is covered by a rotation range restricting member 89, so that the rotation range of the male screw shaft 85 and the advance / retreat range of the movable spring receiver 86 are provided. As a result, the maximum compression length of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is restricted, and the shear strain γ of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is restricted to a range not exceeding 1%. It is to be noted that a pin 88 is provided on the urging force adjusting shaft 83, and the periphery thereof is covered by a rotation range regulating member 89, so that the rotation range of the male screw shaft 85 and the advance / retreat range of the movable spring receiver 86 are regulated. In FIG. 1, the pin 88 rotates integrally with the biasing force adjusting shaft 83 and the male screw shaft 85, the rotation range regulating member 89 is fixed to the housing 73, and the hole covering the pin 88 of the rotation range regulating member 89 is provided. Is a hole shape that regulates the rotation angle range of the pin 88, so that the rotation range of the male screw shaft 85 and the advance / retreat range of the movable spring receiver 86 are restricted, that is, the maximum compression length of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is restricted. That is. The shear strain γ of the coil spring is calculated as a percentage by dividing the product of the wire diameter d of the coil spring and the deflection δ of the coil spring by the product of π and the square of the effective number of turns n of the coil spring and the average diameter D of the coil spring. When expressed by an equation, γ = (d × δ) ÷ (π × n × D2) × 100%.
[0031]
The outlet 90 of the mixing valve 71 is in communication with the inlet 92 of the flow control switching valve 91. The flow control switching valve 91 has a configuration in which the spherical valve element 93 is rotated by a flow control switching operation unit 95 via a valve shaft 94, so that the shower 96 or the curran 97 can be switched and the respective flow rates can be adjusted. Reference numeral 98 denotes a ring-shaped sheet member provided between the bias coil spring 79 and the movable spring receiver 86 to improve the mutual slip and prevent the bias coil spring 79 from being unnaturally twisted. Further, the ring-shaped sheet member 99 provided at the abutting portion of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 can also prevent unnecessary twisting of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 and ensure good temperature control performance by mixing hot and cold water. It is effective for.
[0032]
The operation of the present embodiment in the above configuration will be described. When a desired mixing temperature is set by the urging force adjusting operation unit 83 of the urging force adjusting means 82 and the flow control switching operation unit 95 is operated to discharge water from the shower 96 as shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply pipe 70 and the water supply From the pipe 72 to the hot water inlet 74 and the water inlet 75 of the mixing valve 71, hot water and water are respectively supplied from the periphery of the valve body 76 according to the clearance between the valve body 76 and the hot water side valve seat 77 and the water side valve seat 78. The water flows into the inside, and is mixed in the mixing channel 80, and the hot and cold water mixture passes while contacting the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81.
[0033]
At this time, the valve body 76 is positioned by the balance between the urging force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 corresponding to the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture and the urging force of the bias coil spring 79 corresponding to the set temperature. That is, when the actual temperature of the hot and cold water mixture is lower than the biasing force of the bias coil spring 79 corresponding to the desired temperature set by the biasing force adjusting means 82, the biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is smaller than the hot side. The clearance between the valve seat 77 and the valve body 76 is increased, and the valve body 76 is moved in a direction in which the clearance between the water-side valve seat 78 and the valve body 76 is reduced.
[0034]
Conversely, when the actual temperature of the hot and cold water mixture is higher than the biasing force of the bias coil spring 79 corresponding to the desired temperature set by the biasing force adjusting means 82, the biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is larger, The clearance between the side valve seat 77 and the valve body 76 is reduced, and the valve body 76 is moved in a direction in which the clearance between the water-side valve seat 78 and the valve body 76 is increased. As described above, the mechanical feedback control functions so that the desired temperature set by the urging force adjusting means 82 is always maintained by the action of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, and the valve body 76 operates to automatically operate. The temperature can be adjusted.
[0035]
FIG. 2 shows the relationship between displacement and force for the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, the bias coil spring 79, and the valve body 76 in this embodiment as described above. The urging force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 changes according to each temperature and displacement as shown in the figure. Further, the biasing force of the bias coil spring 79 changes linearly according to the displacement regardless of the temperature. Since the displacements of the bias coil spring 79 and the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 change in inverse proportion to the displacement movement of the valve body 76, the temperature-sensitive coil spring characteristic line and the bias coil spring characteristic line at each temperature in FIG. Are the operating points.
[0036]
The maximum temperature set point is the point where the shear strain γ of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 becomes maximum at the valve body position where the hot water is fully opened or the water is completely closed, as shown in FIG. In this configuration, since the shear strain restricting means 87 is provided so that the shear strain γ is 1% or less at this position, the shear strain exceeding 1% does not act on the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81. When the automatic temperature control performance of the hot and cold water mixing device when the shear strain is 1% or less and that when the shear strain is 2 to 3% are experimentally produced, a difference is recognized. Could be obtained.
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is repeatedly bent within the range where the shear strain γ is within 1%, and without impairing the durability of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, the temperature of the hot-water mixture can be reduced. Is controlled, and a hot and cold water mixing apparatus with good durability and automatic temperature control is obtained.
[0038]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown by a region in FIG. 3, a temperature-sensitive alloy made of a shape memory alloy that undergoes a phase transformation of a R (Rhombohedral) phase or a parent phase in a temperature range of -30 ° C. to + 100 ° C. The coil spring 81 is mounted on the hot and cold water mixing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the spring constant of the valve body 76 for adjusting the hot and cold water mixing ratio changes according to the temperature. (Rhombohedral) The biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 made of a shape memory alloy that undergoes a phase transformation of a phase or a parent phase and the biasing force in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 are generated by the bias coil spring 79. Acting on the valve body 76, the valve body 76 is positioned at a position where the urging forces of the two coil springs 79 and 81 are balanced. It becomes hot and cold water mixing of the mixing ratio corresponding to the 6 opening position of, flowing out through the periphery of the temperature-sensitive spring 81. The target mixing temperature is set by the urging force adjusting means 82 for adjusting the urging force of at least one of the two coil springs 79, 81.
[0039]
Here, the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is a coil spring made of a nickel-titanium binary alloy or a nickel-titanium ternary alloy and heat-treated at a temperature of 400 to 500 ° C., in a temperature range of −30 ° C. to + 100 ° C. 3, the displacement region of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is restricted in the configuration of FIG. 1 so that only the R (Rhombohedral) phase or the parent phase is transformed as shown in FIG.
[0040]
That is, when the valve body 76 is urged by the bias coil spring 79 and is in contact with the water-side valve seat 78, the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is displaced to the most compression side, and the valve body 76 moves in the opposite direction. When the valve 76 is in contact with the hot water side valve seat 78, the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is at the point where the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is displaced most.
[0041]
That is, the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 has a configuration in which the amount of displacement is regulated between these two points. In such a displacement region and a temperature range from -30 ° C. to + 100 ° C., as shown in FIG. There is only a phase transformation of the phase or parent phase. Thus, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the hysteresis is overwhelmingly small as compared with the case where the phase transformation is performed up to the M (martensite) phase region. In the automatic temperature control operation by mechanical feedback explained in the first embodiment, the temperature hysteresis is extremely small, fine temperature control is possible, and since martensitic transformation does not occur, it is resistant to repeated bending. There is an effect that the life is not deteriorated.
[0042]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 acts so as to perform only the phase transformation in which the R (Rhombohedral) phase and the parent phase are repeated, and the operating temperature and the storage temperature range of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 are maintained. In this case, a hot and cold water mixing apparatus capable of adjusting the temperature with high accuracy and small hysteresis without impairing the durability against repeated bending can be obtained.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a hot water mixing apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the hot water mixing apparatus of FIG. The male screw shaft 85 is formed long, and the swirling mixing means 100 near the tip of the male screw shaft 85 is inserted inside the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81. It is a configuration having spiral strips in the same direction. 4, the biasing force of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 and the biasing force in the direction opposite to the biasing direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 are applied to the valve body 76 for adjusting the mixing ratio of hot and cold water by the bias coil spring 79, respectively. Acting on the body 76, the valve body 76 is positioned at a position where the urging forces of the two coil springs 79 and 81 are balanced, and the hot water and water flowing into the hot / water mixing valve 71 depend on the opening position of the valve body 76. It becomes a hot and cold water mixture having a different mixing ratio and flows out around the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81. At this time, since the swirling / mixing means 100 having a spiral strip in the same direction as the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is inserted inside the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, the hot and cold water mixture is supplied to the spiral temperature-sensitive coil spring. The flow path between 81 and the spiral strip of the swirling mixing means 100 is formed in a spiral shape, and the hot water entered through the hot water inlet 74 and the water entered through the water inlet are stirred and mixed while being swirled to equalize the temperature. And the swirling flow of the mixed fluid in contact with the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 increases the flow velocity, thereby producing the effect of promoting heat transfer by boundary layer separation or the like. At this time, in the swirling mixing unit that attempts to swirl in a direction different from the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, the swirling of the fluid is hindered, and the above effect is weakened. In other words, the swirling operation of the hot and cold mixture is promoted by the swirling and mixing means 100 of the present embodiment, the temperature is made uniform and the heat transfer to the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is promoted.
[0044]
Therefore, the temperature which is shifted up and down from the mixed average temperature at the uneven temperature acts on the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, so that there is no problem that a temperature control shift occurs, and the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture can be accurately controlled. .
[0045]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, temperature control deviation due to non-uniform temperature can be prevented by the swirling mixing means 100 that swirls the hot and cold water mixture in the same direction as the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, and high responsiveness and accuracy can be achieved. A hot and cold water mixing device capable of adjusting the temperature can be obtained.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a hot water mixing apparatus showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the configuration of the hot water mixing apparatus of FIG. 4 is that a stepping motor for adjusting the biasing force of the bias coil spring 79 is provided. An electric urging force adjusting means 101, a temperature detecting means 102 comprising a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture, a temperature setting means 103 for setting a target value of the hot and cold water temperature, and a temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 102. And an electronic control means 104 for controlling the electric urging force adjusting means 101 based on the target value set by the temperature setting means 103. Valve driving means comprising a stepping motor for driving the spherical valve body 93 of the flow control switching valve 91 via the electronic control means 104 07 is a point that is provided. In FIG. 5, the swirling and mixing means 100 swirls the hot and cold water mixture in the same direction as the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81, whereby the hot and cold water mixture is stirred and mixed by the swirling action, so that the temperature is uniformly mixed and the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 is rotated. The temperature of the mixture detected by the temperature detecting means 102 and the temperature setting means 103 are controlled by the electronic control means 104. The electric biasing force adjusting means 101 is driven on the basis of the target value set by (1), and the mixture temperature is electrically feedback-controlled to the target value. Therefore, the temperature deviation due to the hysteresis of the shape memory alloy, the water pressure fluctuation, the flow rate change, and the like is corrected by the electric feedback control.
[0047]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the transient temperature fluctuation of the hot and cold water mixture is controlled by mechanical feedback control while the hot and cold water mixture stirred and mixed by the swirling mixing means 100 contacts the temperature-sensitive coil spring 81 made of a shape memory alloy. Since the steady offset is detected by the temperature detecting means 102 and electrically controlled by the electronic control means 104, the mixing temperature stirred by the swirling mixing means 100 is free from temperature offset and hunting. It is possible to provide a hot and cold water mixing apparatus which has excellent responsiveness and can control the temperature with high accuracy.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, the hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention is provided with the shear strain regulating means for regulating the shear strain γ of the temperature-sensitive coil spring to 1% or less, so that the hysteresis of the force in the temperature deflection is small and the temperature is fine. It can be adjusted, and the bending becomes a repetitive deflection within the shear strain γ of 1% or less. Even in severe environments in hot and cold water, the durability of the temperature-sensitive coil spring will not be impaired. Temperature can be adjusted.
[0049]
Further, the hot and cold water mixing apparatus of the present invention provides a temperature-sensitive coil spring made of a shape memory alloy whose spring constant changes according to temperature and undergoes R (Rhombohedral) phase or parent phase transformation in a temperature range of −30 ° C. to + 100 ° C. With the configuration provided, the temperature can be adjusted with high accuracy and small hysteresis without impairing the durability against repeated bending in the operating temperature and storage temperature ranges.
[0050]
In addition, the hot water mixing apparatus of the present invention is provided with the swirling mixing means for swirling the hot water mixture in the same direction as the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring, so that the temperature control deviation due to non-uniform temperature can be prevented by the stirring effect of the swirling flow. In addition, the effect of heat transfer promotion due to boundary layer separation or the like is generated by the swirling high-speed flow, and the temperature can be accurately adjusted with high responsiveness.
[0051]
Further, the hot water mixing device of the present invention is an electric biasing force adjusting means, a turning mixing means for turning the hot water mixture in the same direction as the winding direction of the temperature-sensitive coil spring, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water mixture, Temperature setting means for setting a target value of the hot and cold water mixture temperature, and electronic control means for controlling the electric urging force adjusting means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and the target value set by the temperature setting means. With the configuration, the transient temperature fluctuation of the hot and cold mixture can be quickly adjusted by mechanical feedback control while the hot and cold mixture stirred and mixed by the swirling mixing means comes into contact with the temperature-sensitive coil spring made of shape memory alloy. Since the offset is detected by the temperature detection means and the electric feedback control by the electronic control means, the temperature of the mixture stirred by the swirling mixing means is turned off. Tsu with or hunting without excellent response can be temperature controlled with high accuracy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water mixing apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram of the generated urging force at each displacement and temperature of a temperature-sensitive coil spring and a bias coil spring of the hot and cold water mixing device.
FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram of a temperature-sensitive coil spring of a hot water mixing apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a hot water mixing apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a hot and cold water mixing apparatus showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional hot water mixing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
71 Mixing valve
76 valve body
79 Bias coil spring
81 Temperature Sensitive Coil Spring
82 biasing force adjusting means
87 Shear strain control means
100 swirling mixing means
101 Electric biasing force adjusting means
102 Temperature detection means
103 Temperature setting means
104 Electronic control means

Claims (4)

A hot-water mixing valve having a valve body that adjusts the mixing ratio of hot water and water, and a temperature-sensitive material whose spring constant changes according to the temperature, and the rate of hot water is increased with a rise in the temperature of the hot-water mixture flowing out of the mixing valve. A temperature-sensitive coil spring for urging the valve element in a decreasing direction, a bias coil spring for urging the valve element in an opposite direction, and an urging force adjusting means for adjusting the urging force of at least one of the two coil springs And a shear strain regulating means for regulating the shear strain γ of the temperature-sensitive coil spring to 1% or less at a position where the valve element is fully opened or completely closed. The hot and cold water mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-sensitive coil spring is made of a shape memory alloy that undergoes a phase transformation of a R (Rhombohedral) phase or a parent phase in a temperature range of -30 ° C to + 100 ° C. 3. The hot and cold water mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the urging force adjusting means also serves as a swirling mixing means for swirling the hot and cold water mixture. The urging force adjusting means is an electric urging force adjusting means, and a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the hot and cold water mixture, a temperature setting means for setting a target value of the hot and cold water temperature, and a temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. The hot and cold water mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising electronic control means for controlling the electric biasing force adjusting means based on a target value set by the temperature setting means.

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