JPH07260022A - Disc rotary electric multi-way valve - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] By reducing the sliding resistance when the valve rotates, it can be operated smoothly even with a small motor, wear is reduced and durability is improved, and sealing performance is high and leakage is prevented. A disk rotary electric multi-way valve that does not occur is provided. [Structure] Discs 7 and 8 which are electrically driven to rotate are internally provided in a valve body 2 having upper and lower valve lids 4 and 5 in which ports 10, 11 and 12 are formed. Holes and flow paths 51, 52, which can selectively communicate with
In a disc rotary multi-way valve 1 having 54 and 56 formed therein, an upper disc 7 for rotating the discs integrally with each other.
And a lower disk 8, a fluid chamber whose periphery is sealed by an elastic seal 42 is formed in a gap between both disks, and the fluid chamber and the high-pressure fluid passage are communicated with each other. A low-pressure fluid chamber is formed on the outer periphery of, or low-friction seat packings 34, 60 are interposed between the contact surfaces of the above two disks and the upper and lower valve lids.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-way valve for switching a plurality of water supplies, which is most suitable for baths, especially system baths having complicated flow passage switching such as full-time baths.
The present invention relates to a disk rotary electric multi-way valve for switching a flow path in multiple directions by electrically rotating the disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-way valve for switching a fluid flow path to a multi-way is widely used in various technical fields, but in hot water supply equipment such as a bath, it has become more and more multifunctional in recent years. A so-called system bath was developed that circulates while maintaining the temperature of the hot water, adds various functions such as supplying hot water to the hot water supply facility, and performs operations related to each other.
Here, an electric multi-way valve is used to switch complicated flow paths. In order to switch such a complicated flow path,
Normally, a plurality of multi-way valves are used to cope with the problem, which not only becomes expensive, but also increases the number of failure points, destabilizes the operation of the system, and increases the maintenance means.

As a countermeasure against this, attention has been paid to a disc rotating multi-way valve which rotates a disc capable of switching a complicated flow path with one multi-way valve. In this valve, a large number of through holes and complicated flow paths are formed in one disc-shaped valve plate,
By rotating this disk, a complicated flow path is switched, and it is usually used for drive control of an actuator that operates by air pressure.

[0004]

The above-mentioned conventional disc rotary type multi-way valve is one in which a disc-shaped valve plate is sandwiched between upper and lower valve lids to rotate, and the valve plate has a high pressure. Since the fluid acts from one side and rotates while pressing the valve plate strongly against the valve lid, a large frictional resistance is generated between the valve plate and the upper and lower valve lids. A large drive motor is required to electrically operate such a disk, and the entire valve becomes large and expensive. Further, since large sliding friction easily causes wear, durability is low and leakage easily occurs.

[0005] In particular, this type of valve is suitable for handling a fluid that does not cause a big problem even if air leaks, but in a hot water supply facility or the like, a water leak causes a large damage to a residential facility and an internal electrical facility. It has to be avoided as much as possible. Moreover, the fluid to be switched contains a large amount of impurities such as scale and easily adheres to the sliding surface, making it particularly difficult to drive the valve disc, which is a major problem in applying the disc rotary electric multi-way valve to such fields. Was becoming.

Therefore, according to the present invention, by reducing the sliding resistance at the time of the rotary operation of the valve, even a small motor can operate smoothly and wear is reduced to improve durability.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disk rotary electric multi-way valve that has a high sealing property and does not cause leakage.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a valve body, which has upper and lower valve lids having ports formed therein, and internally mounts a disk which is electrically driven to rotate.
In the disc rotary type multi-way valve in which holes and flow passages which can selectively communicate with the ports of the upper and lower valve lids are formed in the disc,
The disc is composed of an upper disc and a lower disc that rotate integrally with each other, and a fluid chamber whose periphery is sealed by an elastic seal is formed in a gap between both discs, and the fluid chamber and the high-pressure fluid channel are communicated with each other. Further, a low-pressure fluid chamber is formed on the outer circumference of both the disks, or a low-friction seat packing is interposed between contact surfaces of the disks and the upper and lower valve lids.

[0008]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the ports of the upper and lower valve lids are selectively communicated with each other according to the rotational positions of the upper and lower discs that are integrally driven to rotate by electric power. Make a function. Since the fluid chamber formed in the gap between the upper and lower discs communicates with the high-pressure fluid passage, the high-pressure fluid introduced into the fluid chamber strongly presses the upper and lower discs toward the upper and lower valve cover sides, respectively. Since the outer circumference of the fluid chamber at this time is sealed by the elastic seal, the high-pressure fluid will not leak even if both disks move in the directions away from each other.
The upper and lower discs are strongly pressed against the upper and lower valve lids by the high-pressure fluid, so that the fluid between the disc and the valve body does not leak. When the disk is rotated electrically, stopping the supply of high-pressure fluid causes the fluid chamber between the upper and lower discs to become low pressure, releasing the pressing force between both discs and the upper and lower valve lids, and keeping the disc in a low friction state. It rotates and wear is reduced.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a multi-way valve 1 includes a substantially cylindrical valve body 2 and an upper valve lid 4 fixed above the valve body 2 with screws 3.
And a valve casing 6 composed of a lower valve lid 5 fixed by a screw 3 below the valve casing 6.
A disc-shaped upper disk 7 and a disk-shaped lower disk 8 are provided inside.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper valve lid 4 has three ports of a first port 10, a second port 11 and a third port 12, and each port extends upward in a cylindrical shape. Form a connector part with the piping. The motor 15 is fixed to the flange portion 13 provided above the upper valve lid 4 with a screw 14, and the drive gear 16 provided on the output shaft of the motor 15 is
A plate 17 fixed on the flange 13 is supported via a slide bush 18 and meshes with a gear 22 fixed to a shaft 21 rotating in a central hole 20 of the upper valve lid 4.

An O-ring 23 is provided between the outer periphery of the shaft 21 and the center hole 20 for sealing, and a lower end portion 24 thereof is provided with a notch 25, and the lower end portion 24 having the notch 25 is It is fitted in a fitting recess 26 formed on the upper surface of the upper disk 7. Further, a protrusion 28 and a concave portion 30 are provided on a part of the lower surface 27 of the upper disk 7, and the protrusion 28 slides vertically with a concave portion 32 formed on the upper surface 31 of the lower disk 8. Freely fit, this recess 32
The projection 33 formed around the circumference of the
0 is slidably fitted.

A first seat packing 3 is provided on the lower surface of the upper valve lid 4.
4 is fixed, the second seat packing 35 is fixed on the upper surface of the lower valve lid 5, and between the two seat packings,
A spring 37 compressed in a spring chamber 36 formed in the central portion of the upper disc 7 and the lower disc 8 presses the two discs away from each other, whereby the upper surface of the upper disc 7 is attached to the first sheet packing 34. And the lower surface 38 of the lower disk 8 contacts the second sheet packing 35. Thus, when both discs come into contact with the respective sheet packings, a gap 40 is formed between the discs. In order to seal the central portion of the disc of the gap 40 and the outside, a ring-shaped first elastic seal ring 42 is contracted in a seal groove 41 formed on the outer periphery of the mating surfaces of both discs. By virtue of its elasticity, the first elastic seal ring 42 has a sealing action by its peripheral edge even when the two disks are separated as shown in the figure, and in particular, when high pressure fluid is introduced into the disk central portion of the gap 40, the pressure As a result, both edges are pressed against both disks to enhance the sealing action.

The upper disk 7 and the lower disk 8 are formed with ports and flow paths, which will be described in detail later, and these ports and the first to third ports 10, 11, 1 of the upper valve lid 4.
2 and the fourth port 43 and the fifth port 44 of the lower valve lid 5 can be selectively communicated with each other. First port 1 of upper valve lid 4
0 and the second port 11 and the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid 5 are formed on the same radius from the center of the valve body 2, and the third port 12 of the upper valve lid 4 and the fifth port of the lower valve lid 5 are formed. 44 is formed on the same radius smaller than the radius.

The ports and flow paths of the upper disk 7 and the lower disk 8 will be described based on the operation diagram shown in FIG. On the upper surface of the upper disk 7, in the A mode of FIG. 4A, an A port 50 that communicates directly with the second port 11 of the upper valve lid and a third port 12 of the upper valve lid at one end. B flow path 51 formed with the same radius over about 120 degrees and a C flow path in which one end communicates with the second port 11 and the other end communicates with the third port 5 in the C mode of FIG. 4C. 52 is formed. An A port 50 is opened on the lower surface of the upper disk 7, and the A port 50 communicates with the end of the B flow path 51.
It forms the port 53.

On the lower surface of the lower disk 8, one end communicates with the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid, the D channel 54 is formed with the same radius over about 120 degrees, and the fifth port of the lower valve lid. E channel 55 which is in communication with 44 and is formed with the same radius over about 120 degrees, and one end of which is fourth in the C mode of FIG.
An F channel 56 is formed that communicates with the port 43 and the other end communicates with the fifth port 44. On the upper surface of the lower disk 8, a D port 57 communicating with the end of the D flow path 54, an E port 58 communicating with the end of the E flow path 55, and an F flow path 56.
An F port 59 communicating with the outer peripheral end of is formed.

At the mating surfaces of the upper and lower disks, the B port 53 formed on the lower surface of the upper disk 7 and the E port 58 formed on the upper surface of the lower disk 8 are arranged so as to face each other, and the fluid flowing through both ports is directed to both disks. The second elastic seal ring 60 is provided in the ring structure formed so as to surround the outer circumferences of both ports so as not to flow into the gap 40. A fluid chamber 61 is formed at the center of the facing surface of both disks.
In the state shown in FIG. 1, when the high-pressure fluid pumped from the fourth port 43 is supplied, the pressure of the fluid introduced into the fluid chamber from the gap 40 of both disks presses the both disks at a high pressure in the direction away from each other. Thus, fluid leakage at the opposing ports of the upper valve lid 4 and the upper disc 7 and the opposing ports of the lower valve lid 5 and the lower disc 8 is eliminated.

A space 62 is formed on the outer circumference of the upper disk 7 and the lower disk 8 and on the inner circumference of the valve body 2. In this space 62, for example, a fifth port, which is always a discharge side port and a low pressure port, is formed. 44 to communicate with
It is in communication with a port that is always low in pressure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer circumference of the upper disk 7 or the lower disk 8 is separated by a first distance of 120 degrees from each other.
The magnet 63 and the second magnet 64 are fixed,
At a position close to and facing the magnets 63, 64 of the valve body 2 formed of a magnetically permeable material such as synthetic resin, as shown in FIG.
First and second holes I having Hall elements as shown in FIG.
The C substrates 65 and 66 are fixed to the outer periphery of the valve body 2 in a state of being separated from each other by 120 degrees, and lead wires 67 are respectively led out.

In the operation of the multi-way valve having the above structure, in the A mode shown in FIG. 4 (a), the high pressure fluid from the pump supplied from the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid 5 is sequentially transferred to the lower disk. 8 through the D flow path 54 on the lower surface, the D port 57 on the upper surface of the lower disk 8 and the A port 50 communicating from the lower surface to the upper surface of the upper disk 7, and flow out from the second port 11 of the upper valve lid 4. The fluid from the third port 12 of the upper valve lid 4 is, in order, B channel 51 on the upper surface of the upper valve lid 4, B port 53 on the lower surface of the upper valve lid 4, E port 58 on the upper surface of the lower valve lid 5, and the lower valve. Lid 5
5th port 4 of the lower valve lid 5 through each E channel 55 on the lower surface
It flows out from 4.

Then, the motor 15 is rotated to drive the drive gear 1
The upper disk 7 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 via 6, the gear 22, and the shaft 21. At this time, since the lower disk 8 is engaged with the upper disk 7 by the engaging portion 29, the lower disk 8 rotates together. When both discs rotate 120 degrees, the first magnet 63 provided on the side faces of the discs moves from the position facing the first Hall IC substrate 65 as shown in FIG.
It is rotated to a position facing the second Hall IC substrate 66 which is separated by a degree. Similarly, the first and second Hall IC substrates 65, 66
The second magnet 64 not facing the
By rotating it by 20 degrees, it rotates to a position facing the first Hall IC substrate 65. As a result, a magnet detection signal is output from both Hall IC boards 65, and the disc
The rotation from the mode to the B mode position is detected, and the motor 15 is stopped.

In the B mode, as shown in FIG. 4B, the high-pressure fluid from the pump supplied from the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid 5 is in order from the D port 5 on the lower surface of the lower disk 8.
7, through the A port 50 leading from the lower surface of the upper disk 7 to the upper surface, and flows out from the first port 10 of the upper valve lid 4. Further, the fluid from the third port 12 of the upper valve lid 4 is, in order, the B channel 51 on the upper surface of the upper valve lid 4 and the B port 5 on the lower surface of the upper valve lid 4.
3, through the E port 58 on the upper surface of the lower valve lid 5 and the E flow path 55 on the lower surface of the lower valve lid 5, and flow out from the fifth port 44 of the lower valve lid 5.

Then, when the motor 15 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 as before, the first magnet 63 is
It rotates to a position 120 degrees away from the position facing the second Hall IC substrate 66 and where the Hall IC substrate does not exist. Similarly, the second magnet 64 rotates from a position facing the first Hall IC substrate 65 to a position facing the second Hall IC substrate 66. As a result, a magnet detection signal is output from the first Hall IC board 65, it is detected that the disk has rotated from the B mode to the C mode position, and the motor is stopped.

In the C mode, as shown in FIG. 4C, the high-pressure fluid from the pump supplied from the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid 5 passes through the F channel 56 on the lower surface of the lower disk 8. , The upper disk 7 has no port facing the F port 59, but does not flow to the upper disk side and communicates with the F channel 56. Flows out from the fifth port 44. Further, the fluid from the third port 12 of the upper valve lid 4 passes through the C flow passage 52 on the upper surface of the upper disc 7 and does not reach the lower surface of the upper disc 7 and communicates with the C flow passage 52 as it is. Second
Outflow from port 11.

Next, when the motor 15 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 as before, the first magnet 63 is
It is rotated to a position facing the first Hall IC substrate 65, which is 120 degrees away from the position where the Hall IC substrate is not present. Similarly, the second magnet 64 rotates from a position facing the second Hall IC substrate 66 to a position where the Hall IC substrate does not exist, and reaches the position shown in FIG. As a result, the magnet detection signal is output from the first hall IC board 65 and the magnet detection signal is not output from the second hall IC board 66, and it is detected that the disc has rotated from the C mode to the A mode position. , Stop the motor.

As is apparent from the flow path switching operation of the multi-way valve as described above, the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid 5 into which the high pressure fluid is introduced from the pump is the D port 57 in the A mode and the B mode. Therefore, in the C mode,
The F port 59 communicates with the gap 40 between the upper and lower disks. Therefore, after the stop signal of the motor 15 based on the signal from the Hall IC substrate is output after the flow path switching operation, the pump is operated to introduce the high pressure fluid from the fourth port 43 of the lower valve lid 5, The high-pressure fluid is guided from the gap 40 between the upper and lower disks 7 to the pressure chamber 61, and the space formed by the gap 40 and the pressure chamber 61 is sealed at its outer periphery by the first elastic seal ring 42, so that a relatively low-pressure fluid flows. The B-port 53 and the E-port 58 facing each other are
Since it is sealed by the elastic seal ring 60, there is no other leakage of this high-pressure fluid, and the pressure strongly presses the upper and lower disks away from each other. As a result, the upper surface of the upper disk 7 has the first sheet packing 34
Is strongly pressed, and the port of the upper valve lid 4 and the port on the upper surface of the upper disc or the flow path is reliably sealed. The pressing force at this time is P ₁ for the pressure of the high-pressure fluid, P ₂ for the system fluid pressure introduced from the third port, and the pressure of the low-pressure port introduced into the space 62 on the outer circumference of both disks. when the P ₃ to the power of P ₁ -P ₃ is a sealing force which presses the two discs on both sheet packing. Thereby,
In this multi-way valve, the sealing action can be surely performed at the time of its operation.

On the other hand, when driving the motor 15 switches the valve temporarily to stop the pump and to stop the supply of high pressure fluid from the fourth port 43, the fluid pressure between the discs becomes low, P ₁ Since there is a pressure relationship of ≈P ₂ ≈P _3, the force with which both discs are pressed against both seat packings is
The force of the spring 37 between both discs, and the first and second
Since only the elastic pressing force of the elastic seals is applied, the force of the spring 37 is sufficiently weak, and the sealing action of the first and second elastic seals is performed by the pressure of the fluid inside the elastic seals. The pressing force during normal operation is small. Therefore, the motor 15 can perform the switching operation with a small force, and even the motor having a small size and a small electric power can easily perform the switching operation.

In the above embodiment, an example in which a spring is arranged between both discs and the both discs are constantly pressed against the seat packing side has been shown, but this spring is not always necessary and can be removed. is there.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a total of 5 ports are provided in the upper valve lid and the lower valve lid is shown, but in addition to this, appropriate ports such as 6, 7 and 8 ports are provided and various ports are provided. It can be configured to perform a switching operation.

[0029]

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, the sliding resistance at the time of rotary operation of the valve is reduced, a small motor can be operated smoothly, and the entire valve can be miniaturized. In addition to being inexpensive, it can operate with a small amount of power. Further, since the sliding resistance is reduced, the wear is reduced and the durability of the valve can be improved. Further, in the normal operating state of the valve, high-pressure fluid is introduced between both disks to generate a high pressing force for sealing, so that the sealing performance between the fluid passages is improved and fluid leakage does not occur. The operational stability of the fluid system using this valve can be increased. Further, since the valve body is constructed by stacking the upper and lower discs between the upper and lower valve lids, it is possible to easily perform maintenance work such as water stains and dust clogging and maintenance work such as valve seats. Further, when a magnet is provided on the outer circumference of the disc and a magnet position detection means is provided on the valve body, and the drive control of the disc rotation motor is performed by this magnet position detection means, the precision of the rotation position control of the disc becomes high. Therefore, a stable switching operation of the multi-way valve can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the same.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the multi-way valve, including (a) to (c).
Indicates each operation mode.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the multi-way valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 multi-way valve 2 valve body 4 upper valve lid 5 lower valve lid 6 valve casing 7 upper disc 8 lower disc 10 first port 11 second port 12 third port 13 flange portion 15 motor 16 drive gear 17 plate 18 slide bush 20 center Hole 21 Shaft 22 Gear 23 O-ring 25 Notch 26 Fitting recess 28 Protrusion 29 Engagement portion 30 Recessed portion 32 Recessed portion 33 Protrusion 34 First seat packing 35 Second seat packing 36 Spring chamber 37 Spring 40 Gap 41 Seal groove 42 1st elastic seal ring 43 4th port 44 5th port 50 A port 51 B flow path 52 C flow path 53 B port 54 D flow path 55 E flow path 56 F flow path 57 D port 58 E port 59 F port 60th 2 Elastic seal ring 61 Fluid chamber 62 Space 63 First magnet 6 The second magnet 65 first Hall IC substrate 66 second Hall IC substrate 67 leads

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A valve body, which has upper and lower valve lids having ports formed therein, is internally provided with a disk that is rotationally driven by electric power, and the disk has a hole and a flow that can selectively communicate with the ports of the upper and lower valve lids. In a disk rotary electric multi-way valve having a passage formed therein, the disk is composed of an upper disk and a lower disk that rotate integrally with each other, and the circumference is sealed by an elastic seal in the gap between the upper disk and the lower disk. A disk rotary electric multi-way valve, characterized in that a fluid chamber is formed and the fluid chamber communicates with a high-pressure fluid passage. 2. The disk rotary electric multi-way valve according to claim 1, wherein a low pressure fluid chamber is formed on the outer circumference of the upper disk and the lower disk. 3. The disk rotary electric multi-way valve according to claim 1, wherein a low-friction seat packing is interposed between contact surfaces of the upper disc, the lower disc and the upper and lower valve lids. 4. A disk rotating type according to claim 1, wherein a magnet is provided on the outer periphery of the disk, a magnet position detecting means is provided on the valve body, and the disk rotating motor is drive-controlled by the magnet position detecting means. Electric multi-way valve.