JP2002069915A - Snow melting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a snow melting device superior in operation efficiency enhancing durability strength by melting snow by a heating value generated by induction heating. SOLUTION: The snow melting device is composed of a storing body 11 for holding a heating element 10 supplying the heating value for snow melting, and a surface plate 15 for covering spacers 14 provided on the heating element 10 and the upper part thereof. The surface plate 15 is induction-heated to generate heat, and snow accumulating on the surface plate 15 is melted. Thus, the heat generation of the surface plate 15 displays effect as the heating value for snow melting, snow melting is performed in a short time, and the heating element 10 is protected by the spacer 14 from pressure from upward. In other words, the device is the snow melting device for realizing snow melting performance superior in durability strength.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates mainly to the construction of an apparatus for efficiently melting snow on the premises of ordinary households and shops.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a cold region with a lot of snow, not only public roads but also general homes and shops, especially the approach from the sidewalk to the entrance of general homes, garages or parking spaces, the snow removal work during the snow season. Has been a major problem in everyday life.

In order to solve this problem, there is a snow melting apparatus in which a heating wire, a hot water pipe, or the like is buried in the ground of the premises as a heating element and a road surface is heated to melt snow.

The "heating wire" generates heat by Joule heat when energized, and the "hot water pipe" generates heat by circulating hot water (actually, antifreeze) heated by the combustion of a kerosene boiler as a heat medium. is there. Generally, the road surface temperature is raised by these heatings to melt snow on the road surface. Such a snow melting device is also called a road heating device or a road heating.

The heating wire 104 serving as a heating element is connected to the subgrade 1.
01 is laid along with a metal mesh on the upper surface of the base material 01, and is buried in a concrete roadbed portion 102 and an asphalt pavement portion 103. Of course, there is a hot water pipe buried at the position of the heating wire 104, but the basic configuration of the buried portion is the same.

[0006] Such a snow melting apparatus 100 includes a snowfall 105.
Equipped with a snowfall sensor, a temperature sensor, a ground temperature sensor, and a moisture sensor (sensors are not shown) for automatic detection according to the signal from each sensor, or manual operation at the user's discretion And a control device for performing the control.

[0007]

In the above-described snow melting apparatus 100 having the conventional configuration, the heating wire 104 or the hot water pipe, which is a heating element, is placed at a depth of about 100 from the surface of the ground near the surface of the subgrade 101.
buried underground mm. For this reason, even if the snowfall 105 is detected and driving is started immediately,
In order to raise the temperature of the entire snow melting apparatus 100 by heating the heating wire 104 serving as a heating element to raise the temperature of the entire snow melting apparatus 100, an operation time and electric energy are required. I can't. Thus, it takes time to melt snow. The same is true for the hot water pipe.

The snowfall 105 often intermittently falls. Therefore, the operation of the snow melting apparatus 100 is often used intermittently, and every time the snow melting apparatus 100 is operated.
Temperature decreases. At the time of the next snowfall, it takes time to reheat the entire once cooled road surface. For this reason, the consumption of electricity or kerosene increases, so that the running cost is high.

As described above, considering the entire snow season, the energy loss is large due to the temperature rise and the intermittent operation of the snow melting apparatus 100. In this respect, the snow melting performance is inappropriate, and It can be said that the efficiency is low.

Of course, since the snow melting apparatus 100 buries a heating element in the ground by civil engineering, the construction requires a long construction period, and the construction cost is high.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional snow melting apparatus by exhibiting optimum snow melting performance for snowfall characteristics in cold regions, thereby shortening the snow melting time and saving power. It is an object of the present invention to provide a snow melting device using a planar heating element.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a snow melting apparatus comprising: a heating element for supplying heat for snow melting; a housing for holding the heating element; a spacer for inserting the heating element together with the housing; A surface plate that covers the spacer, and the surface plate is induction-heated and used as a heating element.

According to the present invention, when electricity is supplied to the heating element during snowfall, the surface plate generates heat by induction heating.

Therefore, the heat generated by the surface plate exerts an effect as a calorific value for snow melting, and snow melting can be performed in a short time. That is, it is possible to provide a planar heating element for a snow melting apparatus that achieves excellent snow melting performance.

Furthermore, the heating element is protected from pressure from above by the spacer. Further, even in a state where snowmelt or rainwater remains on the upper surface of the container, a snowmelt device that realizes a snowmelt device that can prevent a person or an automobile from slipping carelessly by a non-slip surface finishing layer can be provided.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a heating element for supplying heat for snow melting, a housing for holding the heating element, a spacer for inserting the heating element together with the housing, And a surface melting plate which is used as a heating element by induction heating the surface plate. According to the present invention, in the snow melting apparatus, when electricity is supplied to the heating element during snowfall, the surface plate generates heat by induction heating. Furthermore, the heating elements are protected by the spacers against pressure from above the face plate. Therefore, the device has a durable strength, and can melt snow in a short time with energy saving.

[0017] The invention according to claim 2 particularly provides a gap between the heating element and the spacer. According to the present invention, in the snow melting apparatus, when electricity is supplied to the heating element during snowfall, the surface plate generates heat by induction heating.
Since spacers and gaps are provided at the bottom of the surface plate,
The heat generated by the surface plate is less likely to be transmitted to the lower portion, and is effectively transferred to the upper portion. In addition, the spacer is further buffered by the gap with respect to the pressure from above, so that the durability is increased. Therefore, the device has a durable strength, and can melt snow in a short time with energy saving.

[0018] In the invention according to claim 3, a gap is particularly provided between the spacer and the surface plate. According to the present invention, in the snow melting apparatus, when electricity is supplied to the heating element during snowfall, the surface plate generates heat by induction heating.
The surface plate and the spacer provided under it,
Since the gap is provided between the surface plate and the spacer, the heat generated by the surface plate is less likely to be transmitted to the lower portion, and is effectively transferred to the upper portion, and immediately becomes the heat for snow melting. In addition, the gaps and the spacers buffer the pressure from the upper part, so that the snow melting device increases durability. Therefore, the device has a durable strength, and can melt snow in a short time with energy saving.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the spacer is a heat insulating material attached to at least a part of a space between the surface plate and the container. According to the present invention, at least a portion of the spacer provided at the lower portion of the surface plate heated by the induction heating is made of a heat insulating material, so that the calorific value of the surface plate is less likely to be transmitted to the lower portion, and is effectively transmitted to the upper portion. It is heated and immediately becomes the heat for snow melting. Therefore, snow melting can be performed in a short time with energy saving.

The invention according to claim 5 is that, in particular, a rib-shaped convex portion is provided from the upper surface of the container or the lower surface of the surface plate, and a gap is provided between the container and the surface plate. According to the present invention, in the snow melting apparatus, when electricity is supplied to the heating element during snowfall, the surface plate generates heat by induction heating. Since there is a gap at the lower part of the surface plate, the calorific value of the surface plate is less likely to be transmitted to the lower part, is effectively transferred to the upper part, and immediately becomes the heat for snow melting. Further, the pressure from above is buffered, and the durability of the heating element can be ensured.

The invention according to claim 6 is that, particularly, a space is provided between the heating element and the surface plate, and a spacer is provided between the housing and the surface plate. According to the present invention, in the snow melting apparatus, when electricity is supplied to the heating element during snowfall, the surface plate generates heat by induction heating. At that time, since a gap is provided between the heating element and the surface plate, the calorific value of the surface plate is less likely to be transmitted to the lower part,
The heat is effectively transferred to the upper part and immediately becomes the heat for snow melting. Except for the heating element, by providing a spacer between the surface plate and the container, the durability of the apparatus is increased. Therefore, the device has a durable strength, and can melt snow in a short time with energy saving.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of sheet heating elements 1 are installed on the upper surface of a pavement section 2 on a roadbed section 3 to form a snow melting apparatus 5, and FIG. As described above, the snow melting device laying section 9 including the approach from the sidewalk 6 to the entrance 7 and the parking space 8 is formed.

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the sheet heating element 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a heating element, in which IH coils are provided at predetermined intervals. Reference numeral 11 denotes a container A having a groove on the upper surface, and the heating element 10 is mounted in the groove. Reference numeral 13 denotes a metal container B covering the lower portion of the container A11, and reference numeral 14 denotes a spacer provided on the heating element 10 and the upper portion of the container A11. Reference numeral 15 denotes a surface plate made of a metal plate that covers the upper portions of the heating element 10 and the spacer 14. Reference numeral 12 denotes a non-slip surface finishing layer having fine irregularities provided on the upper surface of the surface plate 15.

The snow melting apparatus 5 is provided with a snowfall sensor for detecting the snowfall 4, a temperature sensor, and a ground temperature sensor (sensors are not shown). Is provided with a control device for manual operation according to the judgment of the above.

An operation method of the snow melting apparatus 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the user determines that there is snowfall 4 and starts driving. The control device starts energizing the heating element 10. The magnetic flux generated by the heating element 10 causes an eddy current in the surface plate 15 above the spacer 14. That is, the surface plate 15 is heated by the induction heating. In this configuration, since the spacer 14 is provided above the heating element 10, the spacer 14 has a function of protecting the heating element 10, buffers the effect of external force applied from above the surface plate 15, and prevents accidents such as disconnection. This increases durability strength.

Further, since the heat capacity of the sheet heating element 1 is small and the sheet heating element 1 is installed on the pavement section 2, the temperature of the sheet heating element 1 and its surface temperature rise in a short time. As soon as the snowfall 4 is deposited on the surface of the sheet heating element 1, the heat energy supplied subsequently is used as heat of melting to turn it into snowmelt water, and the snowmelt is performed in a short time. Also, snowfall 4
If it is determined that has stopped, the operation may be stopped immediately. Of course, automatic driving can be performed based on the signal of the sensor. In any case, compared to the conventional snow melting apparatus, snow melting can be performed in a short time and thus with a small amount of power consumption.

The snowfall 4 rarely occurs continuously for 24 hours, and often falls intermittently, such as falling from night to early morning and not falling during the day. Therefore, the operation of the snow melting apparatus 5 is often intermittent. Each time, although the sheet heating element 1 is cooled once,
Since the surface plate 15 itself generates heat by induction heating as compared with conduction heating by a heating wire, reheating can be performed in a shorter time. Therefore, the power consumption of the planar heating element 1 may be small, and the running cost of the snow melting device 5 is also low.

As described above, when considering the entire snow season, the temperature of the surface of the snow melting device 5 rises at a high speed, so that the energy use efficiency in the intermittent operation is high. It can be said that the snow-melting device 5 using the planar heating element 1 exhibits appropriate snow-melting performance under actual snowfall conditions, and has high operating efficiency. That is, excellent snow melting performance is realized.

Also, while snowmelt water and rainwater flow on the surface of the surface plate 15, the water remaining on the upper surface is inadvertently slipped by people or automobiles by the non-slip surface finishing layer 12 having fine irregularities. Therefore, the snow melting device 5 can be used safely even when installed all year.

The surface finishing layer 12 is applied to the surface of the surface plate 15 and is finished with a paint containing a particulate mixture exhibiting an anti-slip effect (this impurity is also called aggregate). Good. The surface plate 15 itself may be formed with irregularities, or the surface finishing layer 12 itself may be a metal plate having irregularities.

The surface finishing layer 12 has a surface plate 1
5 is formed on the entire surface, but is not limited to being formed on the entire surface, and the effect can be sufficiently exerted even on a part.

When a plurality of snow melting devices 5 are installed, spacers 1 are provided so that each of the snow melting devices does not cause unevenness.
It is also possible to adjust the height by using FIG.

In this embodiment, a seal portion 1 for ensuring watertightness is provided between the container A11 and the surface plate 15.
6 are provided. In FIG. 3, the seal is formed by filling the adhesive, but it goes without saying that various processing methods are possible, such as mounting a rubber annular member or welding. In particular, by forming a seal portion near the outer periphery of the sheet heating element 1, the heating element 10 can be laid in a wider area inside the sheet heating element 1, and the surface temperature of the sheet heating element 1 becomes more uniform. Therefore, the energy-saving snow melting apparatus 5 having a durable strength is obtained.

(Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the basic configuration of the snow melting apparatus 5 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and the description of the basic configuration will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the container A18 is different from that of the first embodiment, and this point will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the groove of the container A18 in which the heating element 17 is mounted is deep,
A space is provided between the upper spacer 8 and the heating element 17.

As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a function of protecting the heating element 17 by buffering an external force applied from above by the spacer 21 and the gap, preventing an accident such as disconnection, and improving durability. It increases.

(Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, the basic configuration of a snow melting apparatus 5 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and the description of the basic configuration will be omitted. In the third embodiment, the surface plate 2
9 and the configuration in the vicinity of the spacer 28 are different from those of the first and second embodiments, and this point will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 5, a gap is provided between the surface plate 31 and the spacer 30 in this embodiment.
As for the shape of the gap, as shown in FIG. 5, the end plate may support the surface plate 31, or a rib-like support wall may be provided between the surface plate 31 and the spacer 30.

The third embodiment is similar to the first and second embodiments in that the spacer 30 and the surface plate 31 and the spacer 30
And a spacer 30 protects the heating element 25 against external force from the upper part of the surface plate 31, and a space provided between the surface plate 31 and the spacer 30, This external force is buffered. Therefore, accidents such as disconnection of the electric wire that is energized to the heating element 25 are prevented, external force applied from above is buffered, and durability is increased.

(Embodiment 4) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the snow melting apparatus 5 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and the description of the basic configuration is omitted. Example 4
Is characterized in that the spacer 38 is formed by the surface plate 39 and the container A
35 is formed of a heat insulating material attached to at least a part of the gap formed between the heat insulating material and the air gap. Heating element 33
, The surface plate 39 generates heat by induction heating. Spacer 38 provided below surface plate 39
Since it has heat insulation properties, it suppresses heat loss to the lower part, and improves snow melting performance with a constant amount of supplied power.

Further, a plurality of spacers 38 having different characteristics may be provided. For example, in the case of a multi-layer structure of spacers having heat insulation properties and spacers having waterproof properties, the spacers having heat insulation properties may be provided to the lower part. Heat loss can be suppressed and a waterproof spacer can prevent water from entering the heating element 33.

Further, if a strong spacer is used, the durability of the snow melting device is ensured.

Also, the durability of the snow melting device is ensured even if a spacer having an anti-vibration property is used.

By combining spacers having these performances, it is possible to obtain necessary heating performance, durability strength and reliability while being thin.

(Embodiment 5) In this embodiment, a rib-shaped convex portion is provided on the upper surface of the container A42 or the lower surface of the surface plate 46, and the container A42, the heating element 41 and the surface plate 4
6. A snow melting apparatus characterized in that a gap is provided as a spacer between 6. FIG. 7 shows the internal configuration of the snow melting apparatus. Reference numeral 41 denotes a heating element in which IH coils are provided at predetermined intervals. Reference numeral 42 denotes a container A having a groove on the upper surface, and the heating element 41 is mounted in the groove. 44 is a metal plate container B covering the lower part of the container A42
46, the heating element 41 and the container A42
Is a surface plate made of a metal plate that covers the upper part of the. An air gap 45 is provided between the heating element 41 and the container A 42 and the surface plate 46. The air gap 45 provided between the heating element 41 and the container A42 and the surface plate 46 has a function of buffering pressure from above the surface plate 46.

Accordingly, accidents such as disconnection of the electric wire that is energized to the heating element 41 are prevented, external force applied from above is buffered, and durability is increased.

(Embodiment 6) This embodiment is characterized in that a gap is provided between the heating element 48 and the surface plate 54, and a spacer 53 is provided between the container A50 and the surface plate 54. Device.

FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of the snow melting apparatus.
Reference numeral 48 denotes a heating element in which IH coils are provided at predetermined intervals. Reference numeral 50 denotes a housing A having a groove on the upper surface, and the heating element 48 is mounted in the groove. 52
Numeral denotes a metal container B covering the lower part of the container A50, and numeral 54 denotes a metal plate surface plate which covers the heating element 48 and the upper part of the container A50. Spacer 53
Is provided between the surface plate 54 and the container A50, and a gap is provided between the heating element 48 and the surface plate 54. The spacer 53 may have a heat insulating property. When the heating element 48 is energized, the surface plate 54 generates heat by induction heating. At that time, since a gap is provided between the heating element 48 and the surface plate 54, the pressure from the upper part of the surface plate 54 is buffered,
This increases the durability of the apparatus. Further, the spacer 5
According to 3, the durability is increased, and when the spacer 53 has heat insulating properties, the heat radiation to the lower part of the surface plate 54 is suppressed, and the snow melting performance is improved at a constant power supply amount. Therefore, it has durability, energy saving,
Melt snow in a short time.

[0050]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the snow and the surface plate are in direct contact with each other, the snow can be melted in a short time, and the heat generated by the surface plate has an effect as a calorific value for snow melting. Demonstrate. That is, it is possible to provide a snow melting apparatus that realizes excellent snow melting performance. Also, the spacer can provide a snow melting device in which the heating element is protected from pressure from above.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in particular, by providing a gap between the heating element and the spacer, the spacer section and the gap section buffer the external force applied from above the surface plate. Also, it has a function of protecting the heating element. This prevents accidents such as disconnection and increases durability.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in particular, since the gap is provided between the spacer and the surface plate, the gap and the spacer have a function of protecting the heating element. This prevents accidents from occurring and increases durability without being affected by external forces applied from above.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, since the heat insulating material is attached to at least a part of the gap between the surface plate and the housing, the heat generated by the surface plate is hardly transmitted to the lower part. Is effectively transferred to the top,
Immediately, it becomes heat for snow melting. Therefore, snow melting can be performed in a short time with energy saving.

Further, by using a spacer having a plurality of performances, for example, by using a spacer having a waterproof property and a spacer having a heat insulating property, it is possible to provide a snow melting apparatus which realizes high safety and snow melting performance.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in particular, since there is a gap in the lower portion of the surface plate, the surface for the snow melting apparatus can absorb pressure from above and ensure the durability of the heating element. A heating element can be provided.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular, since a gap is provided between the heating element and the surface plate, the external force from above is buffered. Also,
Furthermore, since a spacer is provided between the surface plate and the container, the device has increased durability. Further, when the spacer has heat insulation, the amount of heat generated by the surface plate is transmitted to the lower part. Heat loss can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an installation structure of a snow melting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an installation place of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a planar heating element of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a sheet heating element according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a planar heating element according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a sheet heating element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a planar heating element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a planar heating element according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an installation structure of a conventional snow melting apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Planar heating element 2 Pavement part 3 Roadbed part 4 Snowfall 10 Heating element 11 Container A 12 Surface finishing layer 13 Container B 14 Spacer 15 Surface plate 16 Seal part 35 Heat insulating material 42 Spacer

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Kondo 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 2D026 CL02 CL03 2D051 AA08 AB03 GA02 GB02 GC02 3K059 AB26 AD03 AD10

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A heating element for supplying heat for snow melting, a housing for holding the heating element, a spacer for inserting the heating element together with the housing, and a surface plate for covering the spacer. A snow melting device that uses a plate as a heating element by induction heating. 2. The snow melting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the heating element and the spacer. 3. The snow melting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the spacer and the surface plate. 4. The snow melting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a heat insulating material is attached to at least a part of a gap between the surface plate and the container. 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein a rib-shaped projection is provided on the upper surface of the container or the lower surface of the surface plate, and a gap is provided between the container and the heating element and the surface plate. Snow melting equipment. 6. The snow melting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the heating element and the surface plate, and a spacer is provided between the housing and the surface plate.