JPH03260485A - Selector valve - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To have stable changing-over using a simple configuration by allowing the free end of a valve element to move in compliance with deformation of an actuator made of thermo-sensitive alloy generated according to the ambient temp., and thereby performing changeover operation of the valve element. CONSTITUTION:A fluid such as warm water is introduced from an opening 11, and in case the fluid temp. is low, an actuator 22 will not deform but lies in the shape and position as shown by solid lines. Therefore, an opening 13 is blocked by a valve element 14, and openings 11 and 12 are put in communication, and the fluid flows out from the opening 11 to the one 12. In case on the other hand the fluid temp. is over the specified level at which the actuator 22 is put into work, the actuator 22 made of a shape memory alloy will deform from the position by the solid line to the position by the dot and dash line, and the valve element 14 moves round a pin 21 as fulcrum so as to block the opening 12 and also put the opening 13 in communication with the one 11. As a result, the fluid introduced to the opening 11 flows out to the one 13, and not to the opening 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a switching valve, and particularly to a switching valve that switches the valve in response to the temperature of fluid on the inlet side.

[Prior Art] For example, in a heat distribution utilization system, energy conservation is achieved by returning used hot water to a heat storage device and reusing it, or treating it as wastewater. In such systems, a switching valve is used to selectively output used hot water to either the drain or the heat storage device depending on its temperature.

Conventionally, when switching a switching valve, an electrical method and a mechanical method have been put into practical use. In the electrical method, the temperature is sensed by a temperature sensor and the valves are switched around the set temperature value as a boundary. in this case,
It is necessary to provide electronic circuits such as a sensor, a determination circuit, a drive circuit, etc. in addition to the switching valve, which complicates the configuration.

On the other hand, the mechanical method uses a shape memory alloy, which is a temperature-sensing alloy, as its main component, and has the advantage of being simple in structure. This type of thing includes, for example, the fifth
The configuration shown in the figure or described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 151678/1983.

FIG. 5 shows a bypass valve using a shape memory alloy, with first openings 2. A second opening 3 is provided, and a third opening 4 is provided perpendicular to the axis thereof. A valve body 5 is movably disposed within the main body 1 so that the inner ring of the third opening 4 can be closed, and a shaft 6 is attached to the axis of the main body 1.

The other end of the shaft 6 is exposed with a sufficient length from the main body l,
A bias spring 7 is fitted onto the exposed portion. In order to prevent this bias spring 7 from coming out from the shaft 6,
A tsuba is formed at the tip. Further, a sealing member 8 is provided at the sliding portion of the shaft 6 and the main body 1 in order to prevent the fluid inside the main body 1 from leaking to the outside. Further, a shape memory alloy spring 9 is fitted onto the shaft 6 within the main body 1.

The bypass valve shown in FIG. 5 is used, for example, in a diesel engine. Cooling water is introduced into an opening 2, an opening 3 is connected to a radiator, and an opening 4 is connected to the engine.

While the cooling water is cold, the shape memory alloy spring 9 is contracted, and the biasing force of the bias spring 7 moves the shaft 6 upward in the figure. Therefore, the valve body 5 opens the opening 4, and the opening 2 and the opening 4 communicate with each other. Therefore, the cooling water flows out to the engine and is not pumped into the radiator and no cooling occurs.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the cooling water becomes high, the shape memory alloy spring 9
extends, and moves the shaft 6 in the direction of the opening 4 against the biasing force of the bias spring 7. As a result, the valve body 5 closes the opening 4. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The cooling water flows out to the radiator side. In this way, the valve can be switched depending on the temperature of the fluid.

On the other hand, the classification valve shown in FIG. 6 has two shape memory alloy springs S at both ends of a shaft movably disposed within the main body, orthogonal to the opening A through which fluid is introduced.

S' is fitted externally, and a valve body is provided at each end of the shaft, and the valve body stops at a position where the biasing forces of the two shape memory alloy springs s and s' are balanced, and the fluid is selectively output to one of the two outlets. In this configuration, the elastic properties of the two shape memory alloy springs s and s' are made to differ with respect to temperature changes.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in the conventional switching valve, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 5, even if the $3 opening communicates, the flow rate at the second opening decreases. They are in continuous communication and it is impossible to achieve flow path switching.

In addition, the configuration shown in Fig. 6 utilizes the difference in force between the pair of springs s and s', which not only complicates the configuration, but also makes it difficult for fluid to circulate to the closed side, resulting in chattering. (For example, if a valve closes due to a "high temperature" and stops fluid flow, the fluid temperature decreases and a "low temperature" occurs.
(This occurs when the shape memory alloy springs s and s' operate to open the valve), making it difficult to obtain stable operation.To solve this problem, the fluid is swirled within the main body. Although some configurations have been proposed, sufficient improvements cannot be expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a switching valve that can perform stable switching with a simple configuration.

[F stage for solving the problem] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pair of second openings so as to form a T-shape with respect to the axis of the first opening. A valve box with the axis of the third opening arranged, a valve body disposed between the flow paths of the second and third openings so as to selectively close one of them, and a temperature sensing alloy. and an actuating body made of the same material, one end of which is fixedly disposed within the first opening, and the free end of which is engaged with the free end of the valve body, the actuating body being responsive to the ambient temperature. The switching drive of the valve body is performed by moving the free end of the valve body in accordance with the deformation of the valve body.

[Operation] According to the above-mentioned means, when the operating body in contact with the fluid has a temperature equal to or higher than its operating temperature, it deforms, and the valve body that is attached to the operating body is deformed, and the valve body that is attached to the operating body is deformed. Switch the valve by rotating it so as to close the opening on the opposite side of the opening.

Therefore, stable switching can be performed with a simple configuration without using an electric circuit.

[Example〕 Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view showing details of the valve body, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing details of the actuating body.

The valve box IO, which is the main body, has a shape in which two pipe bodies are joined at right angles, and a first opening 11 serving as an introduction path is formed at the bottom, and second openings are formed on the left and right sides of the horizontal part. 12th and 3rd
An opening 13 is formed.

A disc-shaped valve body 14 is swingably disposed between the openings 12 and 13 at the upper part of the opening 11, and a protruding piece 1 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the disc-shaped valve body 14.
5.16 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the protruding piece 15 is provided with a shaft hole 17 perpendicular to the radial direction.
Further, the protruding piece 16 is provided with a cut groove 18 over the entire radius thereof.

The upper end of the valve body 14 is provided with a pair of bearings 20 that protrude from the bottom surface of a flange 19 that is removably disposed on the ceiling of the valve box IO.
It is pivotally supported on the flange 19 by a pin 21.

The flange 19 is attached to the valve body 10 in a sealed manner to prevent fluid from leaking from inside.

Inside the opening 11 is a plate-shaped actuating body 22 made of a shape memory alloy.
is arranged, both ends of its lower end protrude from the other parts,
This protrusion 23 is held on the side wall of the opening 11. The actuating body 22 is arched and deforms in opposite directions depending on the temperature of the fluid in contact with it.

A shaft portion 24 that fits into the cut groove 18 is provided at the upper end of the actuating body 22.
An opening 25 is provided for forming a. Working body 2
2, a fitting groove is formed in the vertical direction in the side wall of the opening 11, and the protrusion 23 is inserted into this fitting groove.

In the above configuration, when assembling it, the 7 langes 19 are removed, and the protrusion 23 is inserted through this opening.
Insert the actuating body 22 into the valve box 10 with the protrusion 2 facing down.
3 into the fitting groove provided on the side wall of the opening 11.

Then, the actuating body 22 supported by the pin 21 is inserted into the bearing 20 of the flange 19 in advance. This insertion process
The shaft portion 24 of the actuating body 22 is fitted into the cut groove 18 of the actuating body 22. This fitting operation is performed while visually observing from the opening 11 side, and using a tool such as a tribar as necessary, while holding the upper part of the actuating body 22 in a neutral position.

After this, the flange 19 is fixed to the valve box lO with screws (not shown).

Next, the operation of the switching valve with the above configuration will be explained.

Fluid such as hot water is introduced through opening 11.

When the temperature of this fluid is low, the actuating body 22 is not deformed and is in the shape position shown by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the opening 13 is closed by the valve body 14, and the opening 11 and the opening 12 communicate with each other.
Fluid flows out from opening 11 into opening 12 .

On the other hand, if the temperature of the fluid is higher than the operating temperature of the actuating body 22, since the actuating body 22 is made of a shape memory alloy, the valve body 14 deforms from the solid line position to the chain line position, and the valve body 14 deforms from the position shown by the chain line.
It moves so as to close the opening 12 using the fulcrum as a fulcrum, and also makes the opening 13 communicate with the opening 11. As a result, opening 1
The fluid introduced into the opening 1 flows out into the opening 3 and never flows out into the opening 12.

In this way, with a minimum number of components, the valve body 14 can be
performs a switching operation. Further, since the actuating body 22 can be constructed to be in constant contact with the fluid, chattering does not occur as in conventional switching valves.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing an example of a wastewater heat reuse system for a detached house showing an example of application of the present invention.

In house R26, water supply faucets 27 and 28 capable of supplying hot water are attached to a wall near a washbasin 29 and a bathtub 30.

Three boilers are installed outdoors to supply hot water to each building G27 and G28. Further, a heat storage tank 33 is connected to the boiler 31 to heat the water supplied from the water supply valve 32.

Each of the washbasin 29 and the bathtub 30 is provided with a switching valve 34 having the configuration shown in FIG. The fluid inlet of the switching valve 35 is also connected. The drain 36 is connected to the first output port (opening 12 in FIG. 1), and the second output port (opening 12 in FIG.
3) is connected to the heat storage tank 33. In addition, the heat storage tank 33
An overflow line 37 is provided in order to discharge excess water supplied from the switching valve to the drainage ditch 36.

In the above configuration, for example, the water supply faucet 28 is connected to the bathtub 30.
When hot water is supplied by the bathtub 30 and the use of the bathtub 30 is finished, the wastewater flows into the switching valve 35. Since the temperature of this waste water is higher than the operating temperature of the operating body 22, the second output port is opened and flows into the heat storage tank 33. The waste water that has flowed into the heat storage tank 33 exchanges heat with a heat exchanger 33a through which water from the water supply valve 32 flows. As a result, the water supplied to the boiler 3E is preheated, and the boiler 31 can fill the bathtub 30 with hot water in a shorter time than when heating cold water, resulting in energy savings.

In addition, in the heat storage tank 33, some high temperature water stays in the upper part,
Since lower temperature water accumulates in the lower part C, the lower temperature water flows through the overflow line 3 as new water is supplied.
7 to the drainage ditch 36 so as not to reduce the heat storage effect.

On the other hand, if the temperature of the waste water supplied to the switching valve 35 is lower than the operating temperature of the operating body 22, the operating body 22 of the switching valve 35 does not deform and the output port of @1 is open, so that the introduced water does not deform. all flows out into the drainage ditch 36.

The above has been explained using the bathtub 30 as an example, or the washbasin 29.
Similarly, switching is performed by the switching valve 34.

[Effect of the invention] As is clear from the above, according to this invention C.

A pair of second openings are arranged in a T-shape with respect to the axis of the first opening.
．． a valve box in which the axis of the third opening is arranged; A valve body is disposed between the wave channels of the third opening so as to selectively close one of them, and the valve body is made of a temperature sensing alloy and is disposed with one end fixed within the first opening. and an actuating body whose free end is engaged with the free end of the valve body, and the free end of the valve body is moved in response to deformation of the actuating body in response to ambient temperature. Since the switching drive is performed, stable switching can be performed with a simple configuration without using an electric circuit.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the valve body, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing details of the actuating body, and Fig. 4 is an example of application of the invention. A system diagram showing an example of a wastewater heat reuse system for a detached house, Fig. 5 and t
Figure j46 is a sectional view showing a conventional switching valve using a shape memory alloy. In the figure, lO: Valve box 11.12, 13.25, opening 14, valve body 15.16: Projecting piece 17: Shaft hole 18: Cut groove 19: Flange 20: Bearing 21: Don 22: Operating body 23 :Protruding part 24: Shaft part

Claims (1)

[Claims] A pair of second openings are arranged in a T-shape with respect to the axis of the first opening.
, a valve box having an axis of the third opening, a valve body disposed between the flow paths of the second and third openings so as to selectively close one of them, and a temperature sensing alloy. an actuating body that is made using the valve body, has one end fixedly disposed within the first opening, and has a free end that engages with the free end of the valve body, and the actuating body is responsive to the ambient temperature. A switching valve characterized in that the valve body is switched and driven by moving a free end of the valve body according to the deformation of the valve body.