JP2006523293A - Shuttle valve - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention provides an improved shuttle valve for normally supplying water having a desired pressure to the user and for quickly and effectively supplying the user with stored water in the water tank during a water supply pause. A shuttle valve that can be connected to a water pipe connected to a water storage tank, a branch pipe extending from the water pipe, a water storage pipe and a water supply pipe facility connected to the water supply pipe has a water discharge pipe joint at one end and the other end A pipe joint, a water supply pipe joint on the side, a water discharge pipe connected to the water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe connected to the branch pipe joint, a casing having a water pipe joint connected to the water supply pipe, and a hollow space in the casing. And a switching element inserted into the casing, and a switching element having a cylindrical shape having at least one vertical groove on the outer surface for the residual water to move upward through the vertical groove.

Description

  The present invention relates to a shuttle valve that is operated by water pressure. More specifically, the water is efficiently supplied to a user in a normal time, but the stored water is efficiently supplied from a roof water tank when the water supply water supply is temporarily stopped. In particular, the present invention relates to a shuttle valve installed in a water supply piping facility of a building such as a detached house, an apartment house, an apartment, or a business building in order to supply the user.

  The present invention is directed to an improved shuttle valve that can supply the user with water for use provided by the Waterworks Bureau and water stored in a water tank to a user more effectively than with a prior art shuttle valve.

  Usually, water tanks are installed on the roofs of residential buildings or business buildings such as detached houses, apartment houses and apartments. Normally, water provided at a high pressure from the water department is stored in a water tank and then supplied to the user. However, the high pressure of the irrigation water is reduced to almost zero in the process of storing in the water tank before being supplied to the user. Therefore, since the stored water is supplied to the user only by the water pressure in the water tank, the stored water cannot be effectively supplied to the user living on the upper floor due to the low water pressure. A booster pump can be used in addition to increase the water pressure, but the use of a booster pump is not preferred because it is very noisy and has high power consumption.

  In order to overcome the above problems, the applicant filed a utility model of application number “20-2002-0025270” and the name of the device “shuttle valve operated by water pressure” dated August 24, 2002. Yes.

  The structure and problems of the utility model included in the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an installation example of a shuttle valve in a water supply pipe facility for a building according to the present invention, FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a shuttle valve according to the prior art, and FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shuttle valve of FIG. Is illustrated. Although FIG. 1 is provided to illustrate the present invention, it can also be used to illustrate a prior art shuttle valve.

  A conventional shuttle valve 50 mainly includes a casing 5, an upper and lower cap 15 screwed to the casing 5, and a switching element 10 inserted into the casing 5. The upper and lower caps 15 are connected to the water discharge pipe 220 and the branch pipe 230, respectively, and the water supply pipe joint 4 formed on the side surface of the casing 5 is connected to the water supply pipe 240. The switching element 10 mainly comprises a main body 6, a rubber packing 7, a washer 8 and a connecting bolt 9. The rubber packing 7 is connected to the top and bottom surfaces of the main body 6 by connecting bolts 9.

  When the switching element 10 is inserted into the casing 5 having a hollow space therein, the switching element 10 is moved up and down by water pressure to selectively open and close the cap 15 up and down. When the water is normally supplied to the water pipe 210, the water is supplied to the lower cap 15 via the branch pipe 230, and then the switching element 10 at the bottom of the hollow space of the shuttle valve 50 is strongly pressed by the water pressure. The switching element 10 moved upward by the water pressure finally blocks the water passage of the upper cap 15 connected to the water discharge pipe 220 of the water storage tank 200.

  Since the switching element 10 moved upward shuts off the upper cap 15, the water supplied to the lower cap 15 can flow to the water supply pipe 240 via the water supply pipe joint 4. Therefore, when the user opens the faucet 245 connected to the water supply pipe 240, the water can be finally supplied to the user without losing the water supply pressure of the water department.

  At the same time that the faucet 245 is shut off, the high pressure of the service water continuously pushes the switching element 10 until the water passage of the upper cap 15 is shut off, so that the water supplied from the water station to the water pipe 210 is supplied to the water tank 200. . Once the water tank 200 is filled with a specific amount of water, the supply of the water to the water tank is stopped by floating in the water tank 200.

  Because the water supply is temporarily stopped, the stored water 200 in the water tank can be used when the water is not supplied to the water pipe 210 from the Waterworks Bureau. Once the user opens the faucet 245 and water is used, the switching element 10 that blocks the water passage of the upper cap 15 moves downward due to the water pressure of the stored water 200 in the water tank. The switching element 10 moved downward shuts off the water passage of the lower cap 15 connected to the branch pipe 230, and thus supplies the stored water 200 in the water storage tank to the water supply pipe 240 via the water discharge pipe 220 connected to the water storage tank 200. And the user can use the water through the tap 245.

  However, usually, a specific amount of water remains in the casing 5 of the shuttle valve 50 even when the water supply is temporarily stopped. Since the water is a kind of incompressible fluid, the switching element 10 receives the resistance of the residual water in the casing 5 during the downward movement. That is, once the bottom of the switching element 10 comes into contact with the remaining water, the switching element 10 moves downward by the water pressure of the stored water 200 in the water tank, but cannot move to the water passage of the water supply pipe 240.

  The gap between the switching element 10 and the inner surface of the casing 5 is very small, and the remaining water flows upwards very slowly through the gap, so that the switching element 10 moves down very slowly. Since it takes time for the switching element 10 to move downward and open the water passage of the feed pipe joint 4, the user must wait for a long time before opening the faucet 245 and before the water can be used. Don't be. It has been experimentally verified that it takes about 4 to 5 minutes for the stored water 200 in the water tank to flow out of the tap 245 after the tap 245 is opened. From the above points, since it takes a long time for the stored water to flow out of the tap 245, the user is inconvenienced.

  The present invention has been made with the above problems occurring in the prior art in mind, and an object of the present invention is to supply water to a user at a desired pressure and amount in a normal time, and to store in a water tank during a temporary stop of water supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shuttle valve that can be easily installed in water supply piping facilities of residential buildings such as single-family houses, apartment houses and apartments or business buildings in order to supply water to users instantly.

  To achieve these and other advantages, in accordance with the objectives of the present invention, and as described broadly, a water pipe connected to a water tank, a branch extending from the water pipe, a water tank and a water pipe connected A shuttle valve that can be connected to a water supply pipe facility having a water discharge pipe has a water discharge pipe joint at one end, a branch pipe joint at the other end, a water pipe joint at the side, a water discharge pipe connected to the water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe joint A casing having a water supply pipe joint connected to the water supply pipe, a casing having a hollow space therein, a switching element inserted into the casing, and a cylindrical shape having at least one longitudinal groove on the outer surface Having a switching element.

  In the above, the switching element can have rubber packing on each of the upper surface and the bottom surface. The switching element may have at least one circumferential groove on the outer surface.

  In the above, the switching element further includes a spring, a spring insertion hole, a spring fixing ring, a spring insertion hole formed in the switching element, a water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe joint, one end of a spring connected to the spring fixing ring, and a spring insertion A spring fixing ring inserted and fixed to one of the other ends of the spring disposed in the hole can be further provided. The switching element can have a packing material on the top surface and the bottom surface, and the packing material may be formed from either rubber or urethane.

  In another aspect, a shuttle valve that can be connected to a water supply pipe facility having a water pipe connected to the water storage tank, a branch pipe extending from the water supply pipe, a water storage tank and a water discharge pipe connected to the water supply pipe has a water discharge pipe at one end. A casing having a joint, a branch joint at the other end, a water pipe joint at the side, a water discharge pipe connected to the water discharge joint, a branch pipe connected to the branch joint, a water pipe joint connected to the water supply pipe, and A casing having a hollow space therein and having at least one longitudinal groove on the inner surface, and a switching element inserted into the casing for selectively opening and closing the water discharge pipe joint and the branch pipe joint by water pressure are provided.

  In the above, the switching element further includes a spring, a spring insertion hole, a spring fixing ring, a spring insertion hole formed in the switching element, a water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe joint, one end of a spring connected to the spring fixing ring, and a spring insertion There can be a spring retaining ring inserted and secured at one of the other ends of the springs disposed in the holes. The switching element can have a packing material on the top surface and the bottom surface, and the packing material may be formed from either rubber or urethane.

  In the above, the shape of the switching element may be either spherical or cylindrical. The switching element can have rubber packing on each of the top and bottom surfaces.

  The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and provide a more detailed description of the invention.

  According to the present invention, in order to cause the water remaining in the casing to flow upward along the groove, the groove is formed on the outer surface of the switching element of the shuttle valve or the inner surface of the casing of the shuttle valve, thereby supplying the water from the water department. The normal water can be supplied to the user at a high pressure during normal times, and the stored water in the water tank can be instantaneously supplied to the user.

  Since the shuttle valve of the present invention has a simple structure, the shuttle valve of the present invention can be easily installed in the water supply piping facility of the building and there is no risk of frequent failure. Moreover, since the shuttle valve of the present invention does not require power supply, it is economical, quiet and environmentally friendly.

  In addition, the shuttle valve of the present invention can be easily installed and removed from the water supply piping facility of the building, and can be widely applied to buildings such as detached houses, apartment houses, apartments, and business buildings.

  Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the shuttle valve of the present invention, FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shuttle valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention along the “VI-VI” line of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the switching element inserted into the shuttle valve of FIG. Hereinafter, the structure and operation principle will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS.

  The shuttle valve 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a casing 110 and a switching element 150 inserted into the casing 110 to move up and down in the casing 110. The casing 110 has a water discharge pipe joint 120 at one end and a branch pipe joint 130 at the other end. The water discharge pipe joint 120 is connected to a water storage tank 200 connected to the water discharge pipe 220, and the branch pipe connection part 130 is connected to a branch pipe 230 extending from the water pipe 210. The casing 110 has a water supply pipe joint 140 connected to a water supply pipe 240 connected to an opening / closing valve such as a faucet or a shower on the side surface. The water discharge pipe joint 120, the branch pipe joint 130, and the water supply pipe joint 140 can have a female screw on each inner surface connected to the water discharge pipe 220, the branch pipe 230, and the water supply pipe 240. The casing 110 has a hollow space in which the switching element 150 moves up and down by the water pressure of the water used or the stored water 200 in the water tank. The stopper 112 is formed on the inner surface of the casing 110 as shown in FIG. 5, and the operation of the switching element 150 in the casing 110 is stopped.

  The switching element 150 can be moved up and down by water pressure to supply water to the user by selectively opening and closing the water passages of the water discharge pipe joint 120 and branch pipe joint 130. The switching element 150 may preferably include a main body 152, a rubber packing 156 connected to the top and bottom surfaces of the main body 152, and a connecting element 158 for connecting the rubber packing 156 to the main body 152. The coupling element 158 can further include a washer (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the switching element 150 has a cylindrical shape and can have a plurality of longitudinal grooves 154 on the outer surface thereof.

  The longitudinal groove 154 is for pumping the remaining water into the casing 110 during the water supply suspension, and will be described in detail below.

  The operating principle of the shuttle valve of the present invention is as follows. The water supplied at a high pressure from the Waterworks Bureau is supplied to the water pipe 210 and then supplied to the branch pipe 230. Since the service water supplied to the branch pipe 230 has a relatively high pressure, the switching element 150 placed at the bottom of the casing 110 is pushed up by the service water pressure. The switching element 150 moves upward until it contacts the stopper 112, thus blocking the water passage of the water discharge pipe joint 120. The water pressure of the stored water 200 in the water storage tank acts perpendicularly to the top surface of the switching element 150, and the water pressure in the branch pipe joint 130 acts perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the switching element 150. Normally, the water pressure is much higher than the water pressure of the stored water 200 in the water tank, so the water passage of the discharge pipe joint 120 is blocked by the switching element 150 as shown in FIG. Is kept in the state. The switching element 150 comes into contact with the stopper 112 to block the water passage of the water discharge pipe joint 120, and at the same time, the water passage of the water supply pipe joint 140 formed on the side surface of the casing 110 opens. Therefore, the water supplied to the branch pipe 230 can be supplied to the water supply pipe 240 via the water supply pipe joint 140, and therefore the water is finally supplied to the user by opening the faucet 245 connected to the water supply pipe 240. Can be supplied. As described herein, water supplied at high pressure from the water department can be supplied directly and effectively to the user without pressure loss.

  While the user does not use the water by opening the faucet 245, the irrigation water cannot flow to the water supply pipe 240 via the branch pipe 230.

  Therefore, the switching element 150 keeps the water passage of the water discharge pipe joint 120 in a blocked state, so that the water supplied to the water pipe 210 flows to the water tank 200 and fills the water tank 200 with a specific amount.

When water is not supplied from the Waterworks Bureau to the water pipe 210, such as when water supply is temporarily stopped, the stored water 200 in the water tank can be used instead of the water.

  Since the water pressure of the stored water acting on the top surface of the switching element 150 becomes higher than the pressure acting on the bottom surface of the switching element 150, the switching element 150 starts to move downward. Incidentally, even when water is not supplied to the branch joint portion 130, a specific amount of water remains in the casing 110. Therefore, the switching element 150 receives the resistance of the remaining water during the downward movement in order to cause the stored water to flow to the water supply pipe joint 140. However, according to the present invention, since at least one longitudinal groove 154 is formed on the outer surface of the switching element 150, the switching element 150 moves downward, while the remaining water can flow along the longitudinal groove 154. As a result, the switching element 150 instantaneously and effectively blocks the water passage of the branch pipe joint 130 and keeps the water passage of the water supply pipe joint 140 open. Once the switching element 150 blocks the water passage of the branch joint 130, the stored water 200 in the water tank can flow into the casing 110 and then into the water supply tube 240.

  As described above, the water stored in the water storage tank 200 can be supplied to the user more quickly and effectively than in the prior art. FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the switching element in FIG.

  In the switching element 150, the circumferential grooves 154 a and 154 b can be provided not only on the longitudinal groove 154 but also on the outer surface of the main body 152.

  The circumferential grooves 154a and 154b are for shortening the length of the flow path of the remaining water flowing along the vertical groove 154. That is, the circumferential grooves 154a and 154b cause the remaining water flowing along the longitudinal grooves 154 to be discharged more quickly to the water supply pipe joint 140, and thus the switching element 150 can be moved quickly by the stopper 112. The shapes of the grooves 154, 154a and 154b can be changed in various ways as long as the changed shape has the same function as described above.

  Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a shuttle valve according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal groove 114 is formed on the inner surface of the casing 110 instead of on the outer surface of the switching element 160 in order to reduce the resistance of the water remaining in the casing 110. Therefore, while the switching element 160 moves downward, the remaining water in the casing 110 can flow along the longitudinal groove 114 formed on the inner surface of the casing 110. The switching element 160 of the second embodiment has almost the same structure as that of the first embodiment, except that the vertical groove 154 is not provided on the outer surface. The number of longitudinal grooves 114 on the inner surface of the casing is preferably one or more.

  Except for the above features, the basic structure and operating principle of the second embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a shuttle valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the switching element 170 has a spherical shape unlike the previous embodiment. At least one longitudinal groove 114 is formed on the inner surface of the casing 110.

  Except for the above features, the basic structure and operating principle of the third embodiment are almost the same as the previous embodiment.

  FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a switching element inserted into a shuttle valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 11 to 12 illustrate a shuttle valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the switching element 180 of the fourth embodiment has a main body 182, a spring 195, and a spring fixing ring 190. A spring insertion hole 187 having a cylindrical shape is formed in the main body 182. One end of the spring 195 is connected to the spring fixing ring 190, and the other end of the spring 195 is disposed in the spring insertion hole 187. At least one longitudinal groove 154 is formed on the outer surface of the body 182. Protrusions 184 and 186 are formed on the top and bottom surfaces of main body 182, and packing materials 189 and 188 are connected to main body 182. The packing materials 188 and 189 are preferably made of rubber or urethane. One of the top and bottom surfaces of the main body 182 is opened for spring insertion. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, a spring insertion hole 187 having a specific depth from the top surface of the main body 182 is formed in the main body 182, and a part of the spring 195 is inserted into the spring insertion hole 187. One end of the spring 195 can be connected to the spring fixing ring 190, and the other end of the spring 195 can be connected to the bottom surface of the spring insertion hole 187. The spring fixing ring 190 can be inserted into any one of the water discharge pipe joint 120 and the branch pipe joint 130 formed on the inner surface of the water discharge pipe joint 120 and the branch pipe joint 130 along the screw.

  FIG. 11 illustrates the structure of the shuttle valve when the spring fixing ring 190 is fixed to the water discharge pipe joint 120, and FIG. 12 illustrates the shuttle valve structure when the spring fixing ring 190 is fixed to the branch pipe joint 130. Illustrates the structure. The spring 195 is a compression spring in the case of FIG. 11 and a tension spring in the case of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the operation principle of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Water supplied at high pressure from the Waterworks Bureau flows into the casing 110 via the branch pipe 230 and pushes up the main body 182 upward. The spring 195 is a compression spring as described above, but the elastic constant of the spring 195 should not be set too high in consideration of water pressure. The moving body 182 stops when it comes into contact with the stopper 112, and then shuts off the water passage of the water discharge pipe joint 120. The packing material 189 is for more reliably blocking the water passage of the water discharge pipe joint 120, and is preferably formed of a material having excellent sealing properties such as rubber and urethane. Once the main body 182 moves upward and comes into contact with the stopper 112, the water passage of the water discharge pipe joint 120 is blocked and the water passage of the water supply pipe joint 140 is opened, so that the water in the branch pipe 230 is supplied to the water supply pipe joint 140. It can flow to the water supply pipe 240 via

  When the irrigation water is not supplied to the irrigation pipe 210, the main body 182 starts to move downward by the combined pressure between the stored water 200 in the water storage tank and the spring. While the main body 182 moves downward, the remaining water in the casing 110 flows along the longitudinal groove 154 formed on the outer surface of the main body 182 so that the main body 182 of the switching element 180 can move downward more quickly. In the present embodiment, the main body 182 moves downward not only by the water pressure of the stored water 200 in the water storage tank but also by the spring force, so that the main body 182 can move downward much faster than in the previous embodiment. When the main body 182 moving downward comes into contact with the stopper 112, the main body 182 stops its movement and blocks the water passage of the branch joint portion 130. Therefore, the water stored in the water storage tank 200 can be supplied to the water supply pipe 240 via the water discharge pipe joint 120.

  In FIG. 12, the spring fixing ring 190 is inserted into the branch pipe joint 130, and the spring insertion hole 187 is formed from the bottom surface of the main body 182 to the inside of the main body 182. Here, the spring 195 is a tension spring as described above.

  In the fourth embodiment, the longitudinal groove 154 is formed on the outer surface of the main body 182, for example, but the longitudinal groove can be formed on the inner surface of the casing 110 as in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  However, although the technical idea of the present invention has been described using an example in which the shuttle valve 100 is installed vertically on the water supply piping facility, the shuttle valve 100 can also be installed horizontally on the water supply piping facility depending on the situation.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the shuttle valve without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include modifications and variations of this invention without departing from the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

The figure which illustrates the installation Example of the shuttle valve with respect to the water supply piping installation of the building by this invention. The figure which illustrates the exploded perspective view of the shuttle valve by a prior art. The figure which illustrates the shuttle valve sectional drawing of FIG. The figure which illustrates the perspective view of the shuttle valve by this invention. The figure which illustrates the shuttle valve sectional drawing in alignment with the "VI-VI" line of FIG. 4 by 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the perspective view of the switching element inserted in the shuttle valve of FIG. The figure which illustrates the change form of the switching element in FIG. The figure which illustrates the disassembled perspective view of the shuttle valve by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the exploded perspective view of the shuttle valve by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the disassembled perspective view of the switching element inserted in the shuttle valve by 4th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the shuttle valve by 4th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the shuttle valve by 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Claims (12)

  One end has a water discharge pipe joint, the other end has a branch pipe joint, the side has a water supply pipe joint, a water discharge pipe connected to the water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe connected to the branch pipe joint, and a water pipe joint connected to the water supply pipe Casing, casing having hollow space therein, switching element inserted in casing, and switching element having cylindrical shape having at least one longitudinal groove on outer surface, water pipe connected to water storage tank, water pipe A shuttle valve that can be connected to a water supply piping facility having a branch pipe extending from the water tank, a water storage tank, and a water discharge pipe connected to the water supply pipe.   2. The shuttle valve according to claim 1, wherein the switching element has rubber packing on each of the upper surface and the bottom surface.   2. The shuttle valve according to claim 1, wherein the switching element has at least one circumferential groove on its outer surface.   The switching element is further arranged in a spring, a spring insertion hole, a spring fixing ring, a spring insertion hole formed in the switching element, a water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe joint, one end of a spring connected to the spring fixing ring, and a spring insertion hole. 2. The shuttle valve of claim 1 having a spring retaining ring inserted and secured to one of the other ends of the spring.   5. The shuttle valve according to claim 4, wherein the switching element has packing materials on the upper surface and the bottom surface.   6. The shuttle valve according to claim 5, wherein the packing material is formed of any one of rubber and urethane.   A water discharge pipe joint at one end, a branch pipe joint at the other end, a water supply pipe joint at the side, a water discharge pipe connected to the water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe connected to the branch pipe joint, and a water pipe joint connected to the water supply pipe A casing having a hollow space therein and having at least one longitudinal groove on the inner surface, and a switching element inserted into the casing for selectively opening and closing the drainage pipe joint and the branch pipe joint by water pressure A shuttle valve that can be connected to a water supply pipe facility having a water pipe connected to a water storage tank, a branch pipe extending from the water pipe, a water storage tank, and a water discharge pipe connected to the water supply pipe.   The switching element is further arranged in a spring, a spring insertion hole, a spring fixing ring, a spring insertion hole formed in the switching element, a water discharge pipe joint, a branch pipe joint, one end of a spring connected to the spring fixing ring, and a spring insertion hole. 8. The shuttle valve of claim 7 having a spring retaining ring inserted and secured to one of the other ends of the spring.   9. The shuttle valve according to claim 8, wherein the switching element has packing materials on the upper surface and the bottom surface.   10. The shuttle valve according to claim 9, wherein the packing material is formed of any one of rubber and urethane.   8. The shuttle valve according to claim 7, wherein the shape of the switching element is selected from a sphere and a cylinder.   8. The shuttle valve according to claim 7, wherein the switching element has rubber packing on each of the upper surface and the bottom surface.

Images