JP2002266742A - Pipe joint unit with generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate electric components neither performing troublesome electric wiring works for connecting them to an external power supply nor mounting batteries for a power supply thereon, when mounting the electric components on a water appliance such as a faucet. SOLUTION: A generator unit 28 for generating power by a water flow is incorporated in a tubular pipe joint 11 to form a pipe joint unit 10, and pipes 12A and 12B are connected via the pipe joint unit 10 so as to provide it with a power generating function. The electric components mounted on the water appliance are operated using electric power generated by the generator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pipe joint unit having a power generation function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
Various faucets are installed in plumbing and sanitation facilities rooms such as kitchens and washrooms. When a faucet is used in the plumbing room, the main lighting device of the room is turned on to illuminate the entire room, but such a main lighting device illuminates the entire room. When performing a predetermined operation while discharging water from the water outlet under the water, there is a problem that the hand portion or the like is not always sufficiently bright, and the operation is difficult depending on the content of the operation.

[0003] For example, when washing a container or tableware such as a pot or washing a sink while spouting water from a water spout, the bottom portion of the container or tableware such as a pot is dark or a corner portion of the sink is removed. There was a problem that the washing work was difficult due to darkness.

In this case, an illumination lamp is attached to the water outlet,
It is conceivable to illuminate the lower part from the water outlet with an illumination lamp. In this way, lighting can be performed from a position close to the hand, and when washing containers such as pots, dishes, sinks, etc. while discharging water from the water outlet, it is good under the condition that they are brightly illuminated It is possible to perform a cleaning operation and the like.

Conventionally, it has been proposed to attach such a lamp to the water outlet, but the conventional lamp has an external power supply extending the electrical wiring, connecting the lamp to the lamp, supplying power, and lighting the lamp. Alternatively, a battery is mounted on a faucet or a water outlet, and this is used as a power source to turn on an illuminating lamp, and all have the following problems.

That is, in the former case, electric wiring work for supplying power from an external power supply must be performed, and there is a problem that the work is troublesome and time consuming. It couldn't be done. In the latter case, the size of the faucet, the water outlet or the area around the water outlet is inevitably increased due to the mounting of the battery, and the battery must be replaced periodically, which increases the running cost. At the same time, there was a problem that maintenance was also troublesome.

[0007] The problems in the case of attaching the lighting lamp to the water outlet have been described above. However, various electric parts (electrically driven parts) other than the lighting lamp may be attached to the water outlet or the faucet, or other than the faucet. The situation is the same when various electric parts are attached to the water equipment, and the same problem occurs.

[0008]

The piping joint unit with a generator according to the present invention has been devised to solve such a problem. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a generator for generating power by the water flow is incorporated in a tubular pipe joint for connecting a water flow.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fitting portions of the two ends of the pipe joint in the pipe axis direction with the mating pipe are formed as a male pipe section or a female pipe section, and the pipe joint is provided in the pipe axis direction. It is characterized in that fastening flanges projecting outward in the radial direction are provided at both ends.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the power generator comprises a water wheel, a magnet rotating with the water wheel, a coil disposed to face the magnet, and a water wheel. , A water turbine case rotatably housed therein, a water passage in the case formed inside the water turbine case, a water inlet provided in the case for flowing water into the water passage in the case, and water flowing out of the water passage in the case. And a water outlet for the generator unit, and a fitting recess having a shape corresponding to the generator unit is provided on the side of the pipe joint so as to communicate with the internal water passage. The generator unit is fitted in the fitting recess and fixed to the pipe joint.

[0011]

As described above, the present invention focuses on the fact that the water flow flowing in the pipe has a predetermined energy, and incorporates a generator for generating power with the water flow in the pipe joint,
A power generation function is added to the pipe joint. If a pipe is connected near a water faucet or other water device using such a pipe joint unit with a generator, a power source can be easily provided there.

Therefore, when it is necessary to attach electric parts to various water appliances, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of laying the electric wiring for connection to an external power supply for a long distance for supplying power, and thus the electric parts are not required. The installation work or the installation work of the water equipment provided with such electric components can be made easy.

Alternatively, as compared with a case where a battery is mounted and an electric component is driven by using the battery as a power source, it is not necessary to mount a battery, so that the water apparatus can be made compact, and the battery can be replaced. The maintenance work can be made unnecessary, and the problem that the water equipment becomes large due to the mounting of the battery can be solved.

The generator-fitted pipe joint unit does not necessarily have to be installed in the vicinity of the water equipment, but can be simply connected in the middle of the pipe if necessary. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to install a generator, that is, a power supply, in a state where the pipe for passing water is installed and connected to the pipe at any place. Therefore, its use range and use are extensive.

In the present invention, the fitting portions at both ends in the pipe axis direction of the pipe joint are formed as a male pipe portion or a female pipe portion, and the female pipe portion or the male pipe portion of the mating pipe is fitted thereto. In addition, fastening flanges may be provided at both ends in the axial direction of the pipe, and the fastening flanges may be used to fasten to the other pipe (claim 2). In this way, the pipes can be easily connected to each other using the pipe joint.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the power generator is formed in a water wheel, a magnet rotating therewith, a coil arranged to face the magnet, a water wheel case for housing the water wheel, and a water wheel case. While being configured as a generator unit having a water flow inlet and a water flow outlet provided in the case internal water channel and the case, a fitting recess of a shape corresponding to this is provided on the pipe joint side, and there is Since the generator unit is incorporated, the generator can be very easily assembled to the pipe joint.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a pipe joint unit with a generator according to the present embodiment, in which a generator unit 28 described later is assembled to the pipe joint 11, and 12A and 12B are pipes connected to each other via the pipe joint unit 10. In this example, the pipe joint 11 is connected to the pipes 12A and 12B by a one-touch joint method.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
A male pipe part 13 and an annular fastening flange 14 projecting radially outward are provided at the ends of the pipe axes 2A and 12B in the pipe axis direction. A pipe portion 15 and a fastening flange 14 are provided, and the pipe joint 11 and the pipes 12A and 12B are connected by a spring clip 16 to a pipe shaft in a state where the male pipe portion 13 and the female pipe portion 15 are fitted to each other. Direction. The male tube 13 and the female tube 15 fitted to each other are attached to the outer surface of the male tube 13 by an O.
A watertight seal is provided by a ring 19.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 17 and 24 denote pipes 12.
A, 12B and a water channel inside the pipe joint 11 are shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the spring clip 16 is formed by bending a metal leaf spring, has an opening 21 for fitting at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction, and has an engagement groove at an intermediate portion in the width direction. 1
The pipe joint 11 and the pipes 12A and 12B are fastened in the pipe axial direction in a locking state by engaging the fastening flanges 14 formed on the male pipe section 13 and the female pipe section 15 therein. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe joint 11 is provided with a fitting recess 30 (see FIG. 4) in a direction perpendicular to the pipe axis so as to communicate with the water channel 17 therein. The generator unit 28 is assembled in a fitted state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the generator unit 28 includes a water wheel 32, a magnet 34 integrally rotating with the water wheel 32, a coil 36 and a yoke 38 facing the water wheel 32, and rotating the water wheel 32. Water wheel case 4 to accommodate as much as possible
0 and a fixed flange (fixed portion) 42 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the water turbine case 40.

FIG. 5A shows the outer peripheral surface of the water turbine case 40.
As shown in FIG. 5, an annular groove 58 is formed, and an O-ring 60 as a sealing member is mounted therein.
The water wheel case 40 and the inner surface of the fitting recess 30 are water-tightly sealed. On the other hand, a water passage 46 in the case is formed inside the water turbine case 40, and a water inlet 48 through which water flows into the water passage 46 in the case is formed at an upper portion of a peripheral wall portion of the water turbine case 40. A water outlet 50 for discharging water from the water channel 46 in the case
Are formed.

A water stop plate 44 is provided between the inside of the water turbine case 40 and the coil 36 and yoke 38. The water wheel 32 inside the water wheel case 40 has its rotating shaft 5
2 is rotatably supported by a lower bearing 54 and an upper bearing 56.

As shown in FIG.
The one fitting recess 30 has a shape corresponding to the generator unit 28. Specifically, the small-diameter portion 30 </ b> A of the generator unit 28 whose dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis is relatively small.
And a large-diameter portion 30B having a larger dimension in the direction perpendicular to the axis than this, and a fixing portion 62 for fixing the generator unit 28 at an intermediate portion thereof. The upper surface of the fixing portion 62 is a flat fixing surface 64 perpendicular to the axis.

The generator unit 28 has a lower portion, ie, a water turbine case 40, fitted in the small diameter portion 30A of the fitting recess 30, and a further upper portion, ie, the coil 36, the yoke 38, etc., accommodated in the large diameter portion 30B. Then, it is fitted into the fitting recess 30 from above, and in that state, it is fixed to the fixing portion 62 on the piping joint 11 side at the fixing flange 42. The space between the fixed flange 42 and the fixed portion 62 is sealed by an O-ring 68 in a watertight manner.

In the case of this example, the water flowing into the water channel 24 of the pipe joint 11 vigorously flows into the water turbine case 40 from the water inlet 48 of the water turbine case 40 in the generator unit 28, that is, into the case passage 46. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the water inlet 48 is formed as a slant hole which is inclined in a direction substantially perpendicular to the blades of the water wheel 32. Vigorously hit the wings and rotate it strongly.

After the water wheel 32 is rotated, the water flows through the water passage 46 in the case, and then flows out of the water outlet 50, and flows out of the water passage 2.
4 and flows out to the water channel 17 of the pipe 12B. The generator unit 28 generates power when the water wheel 32 rotates by the water flow, specifically, when the magnet 34 rotates. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening of the fitting recess 30 of the pipe joint 11 is closed by a lid 66.

The pipe joint unit 10 of this embodiment can easily provide a power source by connecting it to a faucet or other pipes of water equipment. Therefore, when it is necessary to attach electric parts to various water appliances, it is not necessary to lay the electric wiring for connection with the external power supply for a long distance to supply power, and therefore, the installation work of the electric parts or such. Installation of water equipment provided with various electrical components can be facilitated.

Alternatively, as compared with a case where electric components are driven by using a battery as a power source, there is no need to mount a battery, so that the water equipment can be made compact and
Maintenance work for battery replacement can be made unnecessary, and the problem that the size of water equipment increases due to the mounting of batteries can also be solved.

In this embodiment, the pipe joint 11 can be easily connected to the mating pipes 12A and 12B with one touch. Further, in this example, the generator is configured as the generator unit 28, and a fitting recess 30 having a shape corresponding to this is provided on the pipe joint 11 side, and the generator unit 2 is provided there.
Since the assembly 8 is incorporated, the generator can be assembled to the pipe joint 11 very easily.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in this example, the pipe joint 11 is divided into
A and 11B are divided into two parts, and they are screwed together with a male screw 80 and a female screw 82, and a fitting recess 30 is provided in one of the divided bodies 11A so that the generator unit 28 is fitted and fixed there. What was done. In this example, the water inlet 4 is provided at one end face of the generator unit 28 in the pipe axis direction.
8 is formed, and the water flowing from the pipe 12 </ b> A into the pipe joint 11 flows from the water inlet 48 into the water passage 46 in the case of the generator unit 28. And the waterway 4 in the case
After flowing through 6, the water flows out of the water outlet 50 and flows into the other pipe 12B.

In the case of this example, one bearing 54 located at the end of the generator unit 28, that is, at one of the water inlets 48, also serves as a nozzle that changes the straight flowing water flow into a swirling flow. The water flow that has flowed straight is converted into a swirling flow by this nozzle (bearing 54), and the water wheel 32 inside the water wheel case 40 is rotated.

In the case of this example, a flange 84 provided on the water turbine case 40 in a direction perpendicular to the axis, and an annular member 86 provided on the yoke 38 on the opposite side to the flange 84.
The generator unit 28 is fixed to the fitting recess 30 in such a state that is sandwiched between the divided bodies 11A and 11B in the pipe axis direction.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, this is merely an example, and the present invention can be configured in variously modified forms without departing from the gist thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention together with a mating pipe.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the pipe joint and the pipe shown in FIG. 2 in a separated state.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the generator unit in FIG. 3 in a state separated from a pipe joint.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a single generator unit shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4;

FIG. 6 is a view showing another embodiment of the present invention in a pipe connection state.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the pipe joint unit of FIG. 6 in a state separated from the pipe.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the generator unit and the pipe joint of FIGS. 6 and 7 in a separated state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Piping joint unit with a generator 11 Piping joint 13 Male pipe part 14 Fastening flange 15 Female pipe part 16 Spring clip 17, 24 Waterway 28 Generator unit 30 Fitting recess 32 Waterwheel 34 Magnet 36 Coil 40 Waterwheel case 46 Waterway in case 48 Water inlet 50 Water outlet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // F16L 37/08 F16L 55/00 Z (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Shirai 5-chome Koiehonmachi, Tokoname-shi, Aichi No. 1 F-term in Inax Inc. (reference) 2D060 AC03 AC10 3H072 AA02 BB07 BB08 CC42 CC71 3H074 AA12 BB09 BB10 CC11 CC43 3J106 AB01 BA01 BA02 BB01 BC04 BD01 BE29 CA03 EB08 EC01 EC07 EE02

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pipe joint unit with a generator, wherein a generator for generating power by the water stream is incorporated in a tubular pipe joint for pipe connection for passing a water stream. 2. The pipe joint according to claim 1, wherein a fitting portion of the pipe joint at both ends in the pipe axis direction with a mating pipe is a male pipe section or a female pipe section, and radial ends are provided at both ends in the pipe axis direction. A piping joint unit with a generator, wherein a fastening flange protruding outward is provided. 3. The turbine according to claim 1, wherein the generator comprises: a water wheel; a magnet rotating with the water wheel;
A coil disposed to face the magnet, a turbine case for rotatably housing the turbine therein, a water passage in the case formed inside the water turbine case, and a water passage provided in the case in the water passage in the case. And a water outlet through which water flows out from the water passage in the case, and the pipe joint is connected to an internal water passage on the side of the pipe joint. A fitting recess having a shape corresponding to the generator unit, wherein the generator unit is fitted into the fitting recess and fixed to the pipe joint; .