JP2001124414A - Power saving controller for antifreezing electric heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power saving controller for an antifreezing electric heater to reliably detect the presence of a feed current to a heater. SOLUTION: A power saving controller 100 for an antifreezing electric heater is provided with first and second relay wires 23 (23a and 23b), and 24 to electrically interconnect a power source plug 21 and a connection connector 22, a thermostat 3 located in the first relay wire, and a conducting circuit 50 classified by a phase to cause the passage of an alternating current fed to the antifreezing electric heater 10 classified by a normal phase and an antiphase. A first direction conducting circuit 60 of which the conducting circuit classified by phase consists is diode rectifier circuits 65a-65c formed such that rectifier diodes are interconnected in four stages in the same direction. A detecting display lamp circuit 80 is located between a terminal T1 and diode interconnection point S11. Each time half-wave rectification of a first one-way conducting circuit 60 is effected, a power source is energized by a voltage drop of approximate DC 3.6 V by the limiter function of diodes D112-D114, D122-D124, and D132-D134 and lighting is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for preventing freezing of water pipes and the like, and more particularly to a power saving controller for a freeze prevention heater that can detect disconnection or power supply of a freeze prevention heater used for water pipes and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as shown in FIG. 2A, a water freezing prevention technique for preventing freezing of a water pipe by electric heat in a cold area or the like is a tropic tropic wound around or attached to a water pipe and fixed in contact therewith. (Heater) 1, an AC power cord 2 having an inserted power plug 2 a for supplying power to the tropical zone 1, and a thermostat (overheat protection and power saving) branched and connected by a waterproof connection plug 2 b in the middle of the cord 2. A tap water freezing prevention heater 10 having a temperature-sensitive switch 3 is used. The tropical zone 1 has a cord connecting portion 1a and a terminal sealing portion 1b at its ends, and a through hole of the terminal sealing portion 1b has
A resin-coated band (so-called vinyl tie) 1c with a flexible core wire for hanging or fixing the tropics is connected.

[0003] The tropical zone 1 generally has a cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 2 (b), and a pair of heating wires (electric resistance wires) L ₁ and L ₂ arranged in parallel at equal intervals are made of a soft heat-resistant electric insulating resin. parts is obtained by continuous coating by extrusion at S, thin electrically insulating resin portion S is connecting them with heating wire L _1, L Yamagata covering portion surrounding the ₂ (ridge covering portion) S _1, S ₂ consists connecting portion S ₀ Prefecture, valley V is formed between the angled covering portion (ridge covering portion) S _1, S _2.

The tropical zone 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned electric resistance wire type, but recently a self-temperature control type has been used. In this self-temperature control type, L ₁ and L ₂ are conductive wires (lead wires)
S is a polymer heating element (core) that changes the amount of heat generated in accordance with the ambient temperature, and the periphery of the polymer heating element is covered with a polymer insulating sheath (not shown). In terms of an equivalent circuit, two conductive lines L ₁ and L ₂
There are countless parallel variable resistance circuits distributed along, and when the temperature of the core drops, it shrinks slightly and the electrical resistance decreases, raising the heater output. Conversely, when the temperature of the core rises, it expands slightly. The electric resistance increases and the heater output decreases. Therefore, the thermostat 3 such as a temperature-sensitive switch is not required in the self-temperature control type freezing prevention zone.

[0005] Such a tap water freezing prevention heater 10 wraps or attaches the tropical zone 1 to a water pipe while contacting it.
After being fixed with an adhesive tape, it is fixed by covering with a heat insulating material such as a styrofoam heat insulating cylinder and a heat insulating tape.

[0006] Since the tropical zone 1 of the water freeze prevention heater 10 is composed of two electric heating wires (electrical resistance wires) or conductive wires, if these power supply lines are disconnected, it will not be able to generate heat and will be cooled. Below, the water pipe freezes. Also,
When the thermostat 3 is off and malfunctions, the water pipe is frozen.

[0007] Under such circumstances, in order to detect a disconnection failure of the power supply line in the tropical zone 1 during construction or use of the water freeze prevention heater, power saving for the water freeze prevention heater is performed separately from the water freeze prevention heater. Controllers have been used.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a power saving controller for a water freeze prevention heater used in a water freeze prevention heater. This power saving controller 20 for the water freeze prevention heater
Is for relay connection from an AC power supply (for example, commercial AC 100V) to the water supply freeze prevention heater 10, and is a plug-in power plug 2 connected to an outlet of the commercial AC power supply.
1 and plug-in power supply plug 2a for water freeze prevention heater 10
Female connector 22 to which the connector 22 is inserted and connected, two power supply lines 23 and 24 for conducting the plug 22 and the connector 22, and a thermostat that is interposed in one of the power supply lines 23 and is turned on and off at a set temperature. (Temperature switch) 3,
A small-sized simulated (dummy) heating resistor R, which is interposed between the power supply lines 23 and 24 and is connected in series to the thermostat 3 and in parallel with the water-freezing prevention heater 10 and is disposed in close proximity to the thermostat 3; And a temperature-sensitive switch on / off detection circuit 25 interposed between 23 and 24.

Normally, the on-temperature of the bimetal thermostat is 6 ± 3 ° C. and the off-temperature is 13 ± 3 ° C. However, the thermostat 3 which is built in the case 3a and has a simulated heating resistor R attached in proximity thereto. The on operation of the thermostat is substantially responsive to the outside air temperature of the tropical zone 1, and the off operation thereof is the thermostat environment temperature (simulated water supply) substantially similar to the water pipe temperature near the tropical zone 1 as described later. Tube temperature). The temperature-sensitive switch on / off detection circuit 25 includes a current limiting resistor r and a power supply pilot.
It is a series connection circuit of a light emitting diode (LED) L and a rectifier diode D of a lamp.

The power-saving controller 20 and the water-freezing prevention heater 10 are used in such a manner that the connector 22 is connected to the power supply plug 2a of the water-freezing prevention heater 10, and the power supply plug 21 of the controller 20 is connected to the outlet of the commercial AC power supply. It is something to keep. Since water pipes are long and long, in reality, the temperature of the water pipes will be slightly different if they are different. However, in the non-heating period of the tropical zone 1, the average water pipe temperature is the outside air temperature. The water pipe temperature changes according to the change of the outside air temperature. The ambient temperature of the thermostat 3 in the case 3a follows the outside air temperature.

On the other hand, the water pipe temperature rises during the heat generation period of the tropical zone 1, but the simulated heating resistor R connected in parallel to the tropical zone 1 also generates heat, so that the environmental temperature of the thermostat 3 in the case 3a is increased. Also rises. In cold winds, heat is taken from the water pipes more than when there is no wind, so the water pipes are easy to freeze, but when the case 3a is exposed to cold winds,
Accordingly, the environmental temperature of the thermostat 3 in the case 3a is hard to rise, so that during the heat generation period of the tropical zone 1, the environmental temperature of the thermostat 3 traces the water pipe temperature.

For example, in a cold region from daytime to nighttime,
As indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4 (B), the outside air temperature T _s is lowered gradually, below the ON temperature of the thermostat 3, the time t
_{Since the} thermostat 3 is turned on at ₁ , the light emitting diode L is turned on, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the power supply to the tropical zone 1 causes the tropical zone 1 to start generating heat and the simulated heating resistor R also starts generating heat. . Since the water pipe itself has a considerably large heat capacity, the water pipe temperature T _S due to heat generation in the tropical zone 1 (FIG. 4 (B)
(Shown by a one-dot chain line) is relatively small, but when the simulated heating resistor R in the case 3a generates heat, the environmental temperature T of the thermostat 3 disposed close to the simulated heating resistor R is increased.
Since _D (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 (B)) rises relatively quickly, quickly reaches the OFF temperature, the thermostat 3 is turned off at time t _2. The heat generation time of this tropical zone 1 (t ₂
−t ₁ ), although the water pipe is heated, the water pipe temperature T
_P does not rise to the ON temperature.

[0013] When the thermostat 3 is turned off at time t _2, lower than the still on-temperature outside air temperature T _s, began to environmental temperature T _D Kamata drop of the thermostat 3, again, because below on temperature, time t thermostat 3 is turned on at _3, with heating region 1 begins to generate heat, simulated heat-generating resistors R may begin to overheat, since eventually reach-off temperature by raising the temperature of the environmental temperature T _D, the thermostat 3 at time t ₄
Turns off. This second heat generation period (t ₄ -t ₃ )
Is the outside air temperature T _s are lower than the first time, since the environmental temperature T _D of the thermostat 3 is hardly heated, longer than the first heating period (t ₂ -t ₁₎ Become.

Furthermore, the thermostat 3 is turned off at time t _4, since the outside air temperature T _s is still low, the ambient temperature T _D of the thermostat 3 is rapidly lowered, further again, since below the ON temperature, time t _The thermostat 3 is turned on at ₅ , and the tropical zone 1 starts to generate heat.
Also began to heat, eventually reached the off temperature, thermostat 3 is turned off at time t _6. In the second intermittent rest period (t ₅ -t ₄ ), which is the non-heating period, the outside air temperature T _s is equal to the first outside temperature.
Times eyes has become lower than, for environmental temperature T _D of the thermostat 3 is rapidly lowered, the first heating period (t
₃ −t ₂ ).

Further, the thermostat 3 operates at time t ₆
In the off, since the outside air temperature T _s is still much lower, below the on-temperature environment temperature T _D of the thermostat 3 is rapidly lowered, the thermostat 3 is turned on at time t _7, the heat generating zone 1 starts heating with simulated heat-generating resistors R may begin to heat generation, or a outside air temperature T _s is, for example, less -10 ° C severe cold, when cold wind is strong, the thermostat 3
It becomes difficult to occur increase of the environmental temperature T _D, the thermostat 3 continues to turn on, the heat generation of the heat generating zone 1 is continued as it is.

As described above, when the environmental temperature T _D of the thermostat 3, which is regarded as the outside air temperature T _s , becomes equal to or lower than the ON temperature during the off period of the thermostat 3, the thermostat 3 is turned on and the tropical zone 1 and the simulated heating resistor R are turned on. exotherm started, to prevent freezing of water pipes in advance, while the environmental temperature T _D of the thermostat 3 likened to a water pipe temperature T _P of the water pipe is warmed by the heating strip 1 is on period of the thermostat 3 is turned off When the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the temperature, the thermostat 3 is turned off, the heat generation of the tropical zone 1 and the simulated heating resistor R is stopped, and excessive heating of the water pipe is suppressed, thereby saving power consumption.

[0017]

However, the above-described power saving controller 20 for the water freeze prevention heater has the following problems.

That is, when the thermostat 3 is turned on, the light-emitting diode L is turned on, and when the thermostat 3 is turned off, the light-emitting diode L is turned off. When the thermostat 3 is turned on, the light emitting diode L is turned on even when the thermostat 3 is disconnected, so that the thermosensitive switch on / off detection circuit 25 detects the on / off of the thermostat 3 only. It is only possible to detect the actual power supply to the tropical zone 1. For this reason, even if the thermostat 3 is normal, if a disconnection failure or a connection error or the like occurs in the tropical zone 1, the disconnection or the like of the tropical zone 1 cannot be detected, which may cause freezing of the water pipe or the like. .

The sign of turning on / off as the light emitting diode L (pilot lamp) does not correspond to the presence or absence of heat generation (the presence or absence of power supply) of the tropical zone 1, and in reality, the on / off of the thermostat 3 for power saving. It is a problem that it corresponds to.

At the time of construction or repair, the on-site worker of the hot spring 1 needs to conduct a continuity test of the hot spring 1 and an on / off operation test of the thermostat 3 using a cooling spray in summer or a lighter in winter. However, there are many cases where it is unclear to which of the light emitting diode L and the light emitting / light extinguishing is to respond without an instruction manual. The outside air temperature drops,
Alternatively, in a test using a cooling spray, when it is considered that the thermostat 3 is on, when the light emitting diode L is in a lighting state, it is determined that the thermostat 3 is normally on but the tropic 1 is normal. There is no guarantee. On the other hand, when the light emitting diode L is off, it can be found that the thermostat 3 itself is off, but there is no guarantee that the tropical zone 1 is normal. Conversely, if the outside air temperature rises or the thermostat 3 seems to be off in a test using a lighter,
When the light emitting diode L is off, it can be checked that the thermostat 3 is off.
Is not guaranteed to be normal.

On the other hand, when the light emitting diode L is in the lighting state, it can be found that the thermostat 3 is turned on, but there is no guarantee that the tropical zone 1 is normal. For this reason, in order to find out a defect on the side of the tropical zone 1, a continuity test is inevitably performed, which places a heavy burden on site workers.

In order to detect the energization of the tropical zone 1, a configuration in which the temperature-sensitive switch on / off detection circuit 25 is connected in series to the tropical zone 1 can be considered. However, the current capacity and the breakdown voltage pose problems. Therefore, a shunt circuit is required, and the supply current value varies depending on the wattage (output) of the tropical zone 1,
Many types of controllers must be prepared according to the tropical output, which leads to high manufacturing costs and complicated work. A method of providing a current sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a supply current to the tropical zone 1 can be considered, but the current sensor is expensive, and it is necessary to incorporate a stabilized power supply or the like therefor, which is not practical.

In view of the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a power saving controller for an anti-freezing heater which can reliably detect the presence or absence of a power supply current to the heater. A second object of the present invention is to provide an anti-freezing heater power saving controller to which heaters having different wattages can be connected. A third object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a power saving controller for a freeze prevention heater which can be reduced in cost.

[0024]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an anti-freezing heater power saving controller according to the present invention is characterized in that a detection indicator lamp is driven to light by a voltage drop due to a heater supply current. That is, the present invention includes a first and a second relay line for electrically interconnecting a power plug and a connector to which a freeze prevention heater is to be connected, and a heat-sensitive switch interposed in the first relay line. The first and second power saving controllers for a freeze prevention heater are provided.
And a phase-separating means for interposing the alternating current to be supplied to the anti-freezing heater for each of the normal and reverse phases. Is a diode rectifier circuit in which the one-way conduction means connects diodes in multiple stages in the same direction,
The present invention is characterized in that a detection indicator circuit is provided which uses a partial voltage drop lower than a voltage drop across the diode rectifier circuit as an energizing voltage. It should be noted that the connector may not be provided, and may be an integrated type in which a freeze prevention heater is directly connected to the end of the relay line.

When the outside temperature drops and the heat-sensitive switch is turned on with the power plug inserted into the outlet and the antifreeze heater connected to the connector, when the supplied AC is, for example, positive, one of the phase-dependent conducting means is turned on. Power is supplied to the anti-freezing heater via the one-way conduction means, and conversely, when the supplied alternating current is, for example, negative polarity, the power is supplied to the anti-freezing heater via the other one-way conduction means of the phase-dependent conduction means to prevent freezing. The heater generates heat and prevents water pipes from freezing. When the outside air temperature rises, the heat-sensitive switch is turned off, and the heat generation of the freeze prevention heater stops. For this reason, the heat-sensitive switch is turned on / off in accordance with a decrease / increase in the outside air temperature, so that power consumption can be saved.

One one-way conduction means of the phase-dependent conduction means is a diode rectifier circuit in which diodes are connected in multiple stages in the same direction, and a pn junction potential difference (about 1.2 V) is generated between both ends of each diode. Therefore, the voltage drop of the value multiplied by the number of stages becomes the voltage across the diode rectifier circuit. In the present invention, the detection indicator circuit uses the voltage drop across the diode rectifier circuit as an energizing voltage. It is operating and the detection indicator is lit. If the anti-freeze heater is not connected to the connector or if the anti-freeze heater is disconnected, etc., there is no power supply to the anti-freeze heater. The detection indicator turns off. Thus, the presence or absence of power supply to the anti-freezing heater can be detected. Therefore, the detection indicator lamp reliably functions as a pilot lamp, and the on / off sign correctly corresponds to the presence / absence of heating of the heater (the presence / absence of power supply). It can be prevented from being confused with OFF.

For this reason, if the temperature of the outside air drops or the temperature sensitive switch is considered to be on in a test using a cooling spray, unless power is supplied to the heater,
Since the detection indicator does not light, when the detection indicator is lit, the temperature-sensitive switch can be turned on normally and the heater can be checked for normal operation. On the other hand, when the detection indicator is off, It is possible to find an OFF failure of the temperature-sensitive switch itself, a poor connection or disconnection of the heater. Conversely, if the ambient temperature rises or if the temperature-sensitive switch seems to be off in a test using a lighter, the temperature-sensitive switch must be off when the detection indicator is off. On the other hand, when the detection indicator light is on, it is possible to find out that the temperature-sensitive switch is on failure and to confirm that the heater is normal. Therefore, the failure of the temperature-sensitive switch and the failure on the heater side can be specified without conducting the continuity test.

By the way, if the voltage drop at both ends of the diode rectifier circuit is connected so as to be applied directly to the detection indicator circuit, that is, if both ends of the detection indicator circuit are connected to both ends of the diode rectifier circuit, the detection indicator lamp is connected. All of the AC voltage is applied to both ends of the circuit, which is higher than the withstand voltage of the detection indicator lamp circuit. However, in the present invention,
The connection between both ends is avoided, and the detection indicator circuit uses the partial voltage drop that is lower than the voltage drop across the diode rectifier circuit as the energizing voltage, so the energizing voltage is suppressed below the withstand voltage of the detection indicator circuit. can do. The configuration of the detection indicator lamp circuit can be simplified, which contributes to cost reduction.

Although the detection indicator lamp circuit is turned on while utilizing the voltage drop of the diode rectifier circuit, most of the supplied current can be diverted to the diode rectifier circuit. Connection becomes possible. Furthermore, since the diode rectification circuit itself can be configured by multi-stage connection of diodes, cost reduction can be achieved.

Here, while one terminal of the detection indicator lamp circuit is connected to one terminal of the diode rectifier circuit,
By adopting a connection structure in which the other terminal of the detection indicator light circuit is connected to the diode interconnection point one stage before the other terminal of the diode rectifier circuit, the number of diode connection stages can be reduced to the minimum required, and parts Cost reduction can be realized by reducing the number of points. When a light emitting diode is used as the detection indicator, the number of diode connection stages can be three. In order to obtain stable light emission, it is desirably 4.

The one-way conducting means is a first shunt circuit formed by connecting a plurality of diode rectifier circuits in parallel in the same direction, and the other one-way conducting means constituting the phase-dependent conducting means has a diode. It is desirable to use a second shunt circuit connected in parallel in the direction. In either of the forward and reverse phases, the current dividing function is provided, so that the rating of the supplied current value can be increased, and a high-output freezing prevention heater can be connected.

Further, as the plurality of diode rectifier circuits constituting the first shunt circuit, it is preferable to connect the same number of diodes in multiple stages. Unnecessary diodes can be saved, contributing to cost reduction.

In such a case, it is desirable that the diode interconnection point of each stage in the diode rectification circuit be unitarily and electrically connected to the diode interconnection point of the corresponding stage in another diode rectification circuit. Even if any one diode has an open failure in any one diode rectifier circuit, the current flows from the other diode rectifier circuit to the one diode rectifier circuit due to the connection of the ladder stage (ladder) so that a normal operation can be performed. Since current flows through the diode, the required voltage drop across the terminal can be obtained continuously, so that the detection indicator circuit can be energized, the current load in the normal diode rectifier circuit can be reduced, and the chain due to open faults can be reduced. The risk of failure can be reduced.

The detection indicator circuit can be constituted by a series circuit having a light emitting diode and a current limiting resistor. If a rectifier diode is interposed in series as in the prior art, the voltage drop across the light emitting diode is reduced by the voltage drop of the rectifier diode, so there is no need to use a rectifier diode. In this respect, the number of components of the detection indicator lamp circuit can be reduced, which contributes to cost reduction.

The present invention also includes a simulated heating element connected in series to the temperature-sensitive switch and connected in parallel to the anti-freezing heater to be connected, and arranged close to the temperature-sensitive switch. The power saving effect can be enhanced.

As the temperature-sensitive switch, a thermal reed switch or a bimetal thermostat is usually used. Although the failure rate of a temperature-sensitive switch is very low, it has been reported that about 80% of the switch failure rate is an ON failure. If the temperature-sensitive switch is on-failure, the anti-freezing heater continues to generate heat even in summer, which may cause overheating of the heat insulating material of the heater.

Therefore, in the present invention, a temperature-sensitive fuse connected in series to the temperature-sensitive switch is arranged close to the simulated heating element. Thus, by providing the temperature fuse in close proximity to the simulated heating element, even if the outside air temperature becomes higher than the ON temperature, if the freeze prevention heater continues to generate heat due to the ON failure of the temperature sensitive switch, Since the simulated heating element also keeps generating heat at the same time, the temperature near the simulated heating element becomes high, so the temperature-sensitive fuse connected in series is blown, and power is not supplied to the heater. Overheating of the material can be prevented. In such a case, when the temperature-sensitive fuse is blown, the detection indicator light is turned off. For this reason, it can be detected that there is no power supply to the heater.

The anti-freezing heater power saving controller of the present invention is not limited to one for connecting one anti-freezing heater, but includes a plurality of connecting connectors so that two or more plural anti-freezing heaters can be connected. May be provided. In such a case, the number of the thermal switches may be one, and the above-mentioned conduction means for each phase and the above-mentioned detection indicator lamp circuit may be provided for each of the branch lines branched in parallel.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power saving controller for a water freeze prevention heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The power-saving controller 100 for the water-freezing prevention heater of this embodiment is for relay connection from an AC power supply (for example, commercial AC 100 V) to the water-freezing prevention heater 10, and is a plug-in power supply connected to the outlet of the commercial AC power supply. The female connector 22 to which the plug 21 and the plug-in power plug 2a of the water-freezing prevention heater 10 are plugged and connected.
And two relay wires (supply lines) 23 (23a, 23b), 2 for electrically connecting the insertion plug 21 and the connector 22.
4, a thermostat (temperature-sensitive switch) 3 interposed in one power supply line 23 and turned on and off at a set temperature, and a relay line 2
A small simulated (dummy) heating resistor (heating element) interposed between the thermostats 3 and 24 and connected in series to the thermostat 3 and connected in parallel to the water-freezing prevention heater 10 to be connected. R and one of the relay wires 23 (between the thermostat 3 and the connector 22), and a phase-dependent conduction circuit (bidirectional half-wave rectifying means) for passing an alternating current to be supplied to the anti-freezing heater 10 for each of positive and negative phases. ) 50. Reference numeral 3a denotes an inner case surrounding the thermostat 3 and the simulated heating resistor R, and the circuit components shown in FIG. 1 are built in a resin envelope. The phase-dependent conduction circuit 50 is connected to the power plug 2
1 and the thermostat 3 between the relay line 23a and the relay line 2
4 may be provided.

The phase-by-phase conduction circuit 50 is a first one-way conduction circuit (half-wave rectifier) 60 that passes one half-wave phase.
And a second one-way conduction circuit 70 for passing the other half-wave phase. The second one-way conduction circuit (half-wave rectifier) 70 is a shunt circuit formed by connecting three rectifier diodes D ₂₁ , D ₂₂ , and D ₂₃ in parallel in the same direction. On the other hand,
The first one-way conduction circuit 60 is a shunt circuit formed by connecting three systems of diode rectification circuits 65a, 65b, 65c in parallel in the same direction. Each diode rectifier circuit 65 (65
a, 65b, 65c) are formed by connecting four rectifier diodes in multiple stages (cascade) in the same direction. First diode rectifier circuit 65a is composed of the rectifying diode D ₁₁₁ to D _114, the second diode rectifier 65b comprises a rectifier diode D ₁₂₁ to D _124, the third diode rectifier 65c is a rectifier diode D ₁₃₁ to D ₁₃ consisting of _4. First
Rectifier diode D ₁₁₁ constituting the one-way conduction circuit 60 of FIG.
Orientation of _{~D 11 4, D 121 ~D 124} , D 131 ~D 134 are reversed to the direction of the rectifier diode D _21, D _22, D ₂₃ constituting the second unidirectional conductive circuit 70. Diode rectification diode interconnection point of each stage in the circuit _{60a~60c S 11 ~S 13, S 21} ~S 23, S 31 ~S 33 is electrically connected to the coalescence each stage. Note that a zener diode or the like may be used instead of the rectifier diode.

A power supply detection display circuit 80 is provided between _one terminal T _{1 of} the first one-way conduction circuit 60 and the diode interconnection point S ₁₁ . Incidentally, the supply electric detection display circuit 80 may be provided between the other terminal T ₂ and the diode interconnection point S ₃₁ of the first unidirectional conductive circuit 60. The power supply detection display circuit 80 is a series circuit including a current limiting resistor r and a light emitting diode L. The direction of the light emitting diode L is determined by the rectifier diodes D _{111 to} D ₁₁₄ , D _{121 to} D ₁₂₄ , and D ₁₃₁ constituting the first one-way conduction circuit 60.
Is the same as the direction of ~D _134. In FIG. 1, the current limiting resistor r is provided on the anode side of the light emitting diode L, but may be provided on the cathode side.

Further, a temperature-sensitive fuse (not shown) connected in series to the thermostat 3 may be arranged close to the simulated heating resistor R.

The operation of the water-saving controller 100 for a water-freezing prevention heater having such a configuration will be described below.

With the power plug 21 plugged into an outdoor outlet and the power plug 2a of the water freeze prevention heater 10 connected to the connector 22, when the outside air temperature drops and the thermostat 3 is turned on, when the supplied AC is positive, for example, When the supplied alternating current is, for example, a negative polarity, the water is supplied to the water-freezing prevention heater 10 via the first one-way conduction circuit 60. Being supplied with electricity, the heater 10
Generates heat and freezes of water pipes and the like can be prevented. When the thermostat 3 is turned on, the simulated heating resistor R
The thermostat 3 responding to this repeats the on / off operation as shown in FIG. 4 at a low temperature.
On the other hand, when the outside air temperature rises, the thermostat 3 is turned off, and the heat generation of the tap water freeze prevention heater 10 stops. For this reason,
Since the thermostat 3 is turned on / off in accordance with a decrease / increase in the outside air temperature, power consumption can be reduced.

The first one-way conduction circuit 60 is a diode half-wave rectification circuit in which rectifier diodes are connected in four stages in the same direction, and a pn junction potential difference is applied between both ends (between anode and cathode) of the rectifier diodes in each stage. (About 1.2 V), the terminals T ₁ , T _{2 of} the first one-way conduction circuit 60
The voltage drop between both ends is about 4.8 V. In addition, terminal T
₁ the voltage drop between the diode interconnection point S ₁₁ to about 3.
It is about 6V. Rectifier diode D ₁₁₂ ~D _114, D
₁₂₂ ~D _124, D ₁₃₂ ~D ₁₃₄ functions as a limiter of the order of DC about 3.6 V. Therefore, the detection indicator lamp circuit 80 is energized at about 3.6 V DC each time half-wave rectification of the first one-way conduction circuit 60 is performed. The diode L continues to emit light to the naked eye. Power plug 2 of water heater 10
When a is not connected to the connector 22 or when there is a disconnection failure or the like in the water-freezing prevention heater 10, there is no power supply to the water-freezing prevention heater 10. It disappears and the light emitting diode L goes out. Thereby, the presence or absence of power supply to the tap water freeze prevention heater 10 can be detected. Therefore, the light emitting diode L reliably functions as a pilot lamp, and the sign of turning on / off of the light is indicated by the presence / absence of heat generation of the water freeze prevention heater 10 (the presence / absence of power supply).
, It is possible to prevent the on-site operator from confusing the thermostat 3 with ON / OFF.

For this reason, if the outside air temperature drops or if the thermostat 3 is considered to be on in a test using a cooling spray, the water-freezing prevention heater 10
Since the light emitting diode L does not light unless power is supplied to the thermostat 3, when the light emitting diode L is in the lighting state, it can be checked that the thermostat 3 is normally turned on, and that the water-freezing prevention heater 10 is normal. When the light emitting diode L is turned off, it is possible to find an OFF failure of the thermostat 3 itself, or a connection failure or disconnection failure of the water freeze prevention heater 10. Conversely, when the outside air temperature rises or in a test using a lighter, it is considered that the thermostat 3 is off, when the light emitting diode L is off, it is necessary to confirm that the thermostat 3 is surely off. On the other hand, when the light emitting diode L is in the lighting state, it is possible to discover that the thermostat 3 is turned on and to confirm that the tap water freeze prevention heater 10 is normal. Therefore, the failure of the thermostat 3 and the trouble on the side of the water freeze prevention heater 10 can be specified without conducting the conduction test of the water freeze prevention heater 10.

The detection indicator lamp circuit 80 of this embodiment has terminals T ₁ , T
Rather than being interposed between the _two, is interposed between the terminal T ₁ and the diode interconnection point _{S 11 (S 21, S 31} ). If the detection indicator lamp circuit 80 is interposed between the terminals T ₁ and T ₂ , it becomes a shunt circuit, and the detection indicator lamp circuit 80 may be destroyed. By interposing the detection indicator lamp circuit 80 between the terminal T ₁ and the diode interconnection point S ₁₁ (S ₂₁ , S ₃₁ ), a voltage drop is effectively taken out as an energizing voltage without forming a shunt circuit. be able to.

Therefore, the configuration of the detection indicator circuit 80 can be simplified, which contributes to cost reduction. Further, although the detection indicator lamp circuit 80 is turned on while utilizing the voltage drop of the diode rectifier circuits 65a to 65c, most of the supplied current can be diverted to the diode rectifier circuits 65a to 65c. Different water freeze prevention heater 1
0 connection becomes possible. Further, since the diode rectifier circuits 65a to 65c themselves can be configured by multi-stage connection of rectifier diodes, it is possible to reduce the size and cost. In order to increase the supply current rating, the number of parallel diode rectifier circuits 65 may be increased. In addition, the number of rectifier diodes connected in parallel constituting the second one-way conduction circuit 70 may be increased.

The four-stage rectifier diodes constituting the first one-way conduction circuit 60 are connected in ladder stages. Thus, for example, even when the rectifying diode D ₁₃₃ of the diode rectifier circuit 65c has an open failure, the other diode rectifier 65a for rectifying diode D _131, D _132, D ₁₃₄ of the diode rectifier circuit 65c, the 65b of the rectifier diode Since the current flows around, a voltage drop of about 4.8 V can be continuously obtained at both ends, so that the power supply of the detection indicator circuit 80 can be energized, and the current load in the normal diode rectifier circuits 65a and 65b can be reduced. Can reduce the risk of chain failure due to open failure,
High reliability can be expected.

The conventional detection indicator circuit 25 shown in FIG. 3 requires the rectifier diode D, but the detection indicator circuit 80 of the present embodiment does not need to connect the rectifier diodes in series.

This is because the DC voltage drop from the diode rectifier circuits 65a to 65c is used as the energizing power supply. If a rectifier diode is interposed in series, the
), The voltage drop as the energizing power supply is consumed, so that there is no need to use a rectifier diode. In this regard,
The number of components of the detection indicator circuit 80 can be reduced, which contributes to cost reduction.

[0053]

As described above, the anti-freezing heater power saving controller according to the present invention is characterized in that the detection indicator lamp is driven to light by a voltage drop due to the heater supply current. Play.

(1) The detection indicator lamp surely functions as a pilot lamp, and its ON / OFF sign correctly corresponds to the presence / absence of heating of the heater (the presence / absence of power supply). For this reason, it is possible to prevent the on-site worker from misunderstanding that the temperature switch is on / off. In addition, only cooling or heating test,
Without conducting a continuity test, it is possible to identify a failure of the temperature-sensitive switch and a failure on the heater side, thereby contributing to a reduction in the burden on site workers and the like. Furthermore, since the detection indicator circuit uses the partial voltage drop lower than the voltage drop across the diode rectifier circuit as the energizing voltage, the energizing voltage can be suppressed below the withstand voltage of the detection indicator circuit. In addition, the configuration of the detection indicator lamp circuit can be simplified, which contributes to cost reduction.

Further, although the detection indicator lamp circuit is turned on while utilizing the voltage drop of the diode rectifier circuit, most of the supplied current can be diverted to the diode rectifier circuit. The heater can be connected. And since a diode rectification circuit itself can be comprised by multistage connection of a diode, cost reduction and size reduction can be achieved.

(2) One terminal of the detection indicator lamp circuit is connected to one terminal of the diode rectifier circuit,
If a connection structure is used in which the other terminal of the detection indicator light circuit is connected to the diode interconnection point one stage before the other terminal of the diode rectifier circuit, the number of diode connection stages can be reduced to the minimum required number. Cost reduction can be realized by reducing the number of points.

(3) The one-way conducting means is a first shunt circuit formed by connecting a plurality of diode rectifier circuits in parallel in the same direction, and the other one-way conducting means constituting the phase-dependent conducting means is a diode. A second parallel connection in the same direction
Is desirable. In either of the forward and reverse phases, the current dividing function is provided, so that the rating of the supplied current value can be increased, and a high-output freezing prevention heater can be connected.

(4) As the plurality of diode rectifier circuits constituting the first shunt circuit, it is desirable to connect the same number of diodes in multiple stages. Unnecessary diodes can be saved, contributing to cost reduction.

(5) In such a case, it is desirable that the diode interconnection point of each stage in the diode rectification circuit be unitarily and electrically connected to the diode interconnection point of the corresponding stage in another diode rectification circuit. . Even if any one diode has an open failure in any one diode rectifier circuit, the current flows from the other diode rectifier circuit to the one diode rectifier circuit due to the connection of the ladder stage (ladder) so that a normal operation can be performed. Since a current flows through the diode, the required voltage drop across the terminal can be obtained continuously, so that the detection indicator circuit can be energized, the current load in the normal diode rectifier circuit can be reduced, and a chain due to an open fault can occur. The risk of failure can be reduced.

(6) The detection indicator lamp circuit can be composed of a series circuit having a light emitting diode and a current limiting resistor. When a rectifier diode is interposed in series, the voltage drop across the light emitting diode is reduced by the voltage drop of the rectifier diode, so that it is not particularly necessary to use a rectifier diode. In this respect, the number of components of the detection indicator lamp circuit can be reduced, which contributes to cost reduction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power saving controller for a water freeze prevention heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing an example of a tap water freeze prevention heater, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line AA ′ in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional (for one) power saving controller for a tap water freeze prevention heater using a simulated heating resistor.

FIG. 4A is a graph showing a change with time in heater heat control of a water-saving controller for a water-freezing prevention heater using a simulated heating resistor, and FIG. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tropical tropical water 10 ... Water freezing prevention heater 2a, 21 ... Plug-in power plug 3 ... Thermostat (temperature-sensitive switch) 3a ... Case 22 ... Female connector 23 (23a, 23b), 24 ... Relay wire (supply line) 50 ... Conduction circuit for each phase 60... First one-way conduction circuit 70... Second one-way conduction circuit 65, 65 a, 65 b, 65 c. Diode rectification circuit 100. resistor (heating _{element) D 121 ~D 124, D 121} ~D 124, D 131 ~D 134, D
₂₁ to D ₂₃ ... rectifying diode _{S 11 ~S 13, S 21 ~S} 23, S 31 ~S 33 ... diode interconnection point T _1, T ₂ ... first ends terminal L ... light-emitting diode of the unidirectional conductive circuit r: current limiting resistor.

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first connector for electrically interconnecting a power plug and a connector to which a freeze prevention heater is to be connected.
And a second relay line, and a heat-sensitive switch interposed on the first relay line, the power saving controller for an anti-freezing heater, wherein any one of the first and second relay lines is interposed. The phase-dependent conducting means for passing alternating current to be supplied to the anti-freezing heater for each of positive and negative phases, and one of the one-way conducting means constituting the phase-dependent conducting means includes a multistage diode in the same direction. A diode rectifier circuit connected to the diode rectifier circuit, comprising: a detection indicator lamp circuit that uses a partial voltage drop lower than a voltage drop across the diode rectifier circuit as an activation voltage. Power saving controller for heater. 2. The circuit according to claim 1, wherein one terminal of the detection indicator circuit is connected to one terminal of the diode rectifier circuit, and the other terminal of the detection indicator circuit is connected to the diode rectifier circuit. A power-saving controller for a freeze prevention heater, wherein the power-saving controller is connected to a diode interconnection point one stage before the other terminal. 3. The one-way conduction means according to claim 1, wherein said one-way conduction means is a first shunt circuit formed by connecting a plurality of said diode rectifier circuits in parallel in the same direction, and constitutes said phase-dependent conduction means. The other one-way conduction means is a second shunt circuit in which diodes are connected in parallel in the same direction. 4. The power-saving controller for a freeze prevention heater according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of diode rectifier circuits constituting the first shunt circuit are formed by connecting the same number of diodes in multiple stages. 5. The diode rectification circuit according to claim 4, wherein the diode interconnection points of the respective stages in the diode rectification circuit are unitarily and electrically connected to the diode interconnection points of the corresponding stages in the other diode rectification circuits. A power saving controller for an antifreeze heater. 6. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the detection indicator lamp circuit is a series circuit having a light emitting diode and a current limiting resistor. 7. The temperature-sensitive switch according to claim 1, which is connected in series to the temperature-sensitive switch, is connected in parallel to the antifreeze heater to be connected, and is arranged in proximity to the temperature-sensitive switch. A power saving controller for a freeze prevention heater, comprising a simulated heating element. 8. The controller according to claim 1, wherein a temperature-sensitive fuse connected in series with the temperature-sensitive switch is arranged in proximity to the simulated heating element. .