JP2003080121A - Water sprinkler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water sprinkler capable of reducing a running cost. SOLUTION: The water sprinkler comprises a housing constituted by a housing body 1, a water guiding pipe 2a and a nozzle 4, and an electromagnetic valve 3. a Peltier element 6 is provided on the upper face of the housing body 1. A heat absorbing fin 7 is mounted on one face 6a on the outer side of the Peltier element 6, and a heat releasing fin 8 is mounted on the other face 6b on the inner side of the Peltier element 6. The heat releasing fin 8 can come into contact with tap water in a water guiding chamber 2b formed in the housing. The Peltier element 6 is connected to a capacitor 11, and the capacitor 11 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 3 through a drive circuit 10 and an oscillation circuit 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sprinkler.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sprinklers for sprinkling water on garden trees, lawns and the like have been conventionally known. The water sprinkler includes a housing and a solenoid valve, and the housing has a water passage and a water spout. The water passage can be connected to a water supply pipe such as a water pipe that can supply water, and the water spout is connected to the water passage. The electromagnetic valve is capable of supplying and stopping water to the water passage by receiving the supply of electric power.

In this water sprinkler, when the water passage is connected to the water supply pipe and electric power is supplied to the solenoid valve to open it, water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the water passage and water is sprinkled from the water spout. . Further, when power is supplied to the solenoid valve to close it, the water supply from the water supply pipe to the water passage is stopped, and the water spray from the water spout is stopped.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional sprinkler, all the solenoid valves are driven by being supplied with electric power from an external power source. As a result, the amount of electricity used has increased, leading to higher running costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water sprinkler capable of reducing the running cost.

[0006]

A water sprinkler of the present invention includes a housing having a water passage connected to a water supply pipe capable of supplying water, and a water spout connected to the water passage to sprinkle water. A water sprinkler equipped with a solenoid valve capable of receiving and supplying electric power to supply and stop water to the water passage,
The housing is provided with a Peltier element having one surface in contact with the outside air and the other surface in contact with the water passage, and the solenoid valve is configured to be driven by an electromotive force of the Peltier element. Is characterized by.

In the water sprinkler of the present invention, the housing is provided with a Peltier element having one surface in contact with the outside air and the other surface in contact with the water passage. Therefore, one surface of the Peltier element is heated by absorbing heat of the outside air by receiving sunlight. On the other hand, the other surface of the Peltier element is cooled by the water flowing through the water passage. Therefore, a temperature difference occurs between the one surface and the other surface of the Peltier element, and an electromotive force is generated in the Peltier element. In addition, the housing is equipped with an electromagnetic valve that can be supplied with electric power to supply and stop water to the water passage, and the electromagnetic valve is driven by the electromotive force of the Peltier element. Is configured. Therefore, the electromagnetic valve is driven by the electromotive force generated in the Peltier element, and water is supplied to the water passage and stopped. In this way, the sprinkling of water from the water spout is started and stopped. Therefore, in this water sprinkler, the electric power required for the solenoid valve is not limited to the electric power supplied from the external power source.

Therefore, according to the water sprinkler of the present invention, the running cost can be reduced.

In this water sprinkler, it is preferable that a power storage device is provided between the Peltier element and the solenoid valve. In this case, even if the electromotive force generated by the Peltier element cannot directly drive the solenoid valve, the stored electricity can drive the solenoid valve. Further, the electromotive force generated by the Peltier element can be stored in the power storage device, and the stored power can drive the solenoid valve as needed.

In this water sprinkler, it is also preferable to provide an oscillation circuit between the solenoid valve and the power storage device. In this case, an intermittent drive current can be supplied from the oscillation circuit to the solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve can be repeatedly opened and closed every predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to intermittently spray water from the spray port.

Further, in this water sprinkler, it is also preferable to provide a drive circuit between the solenoid valve and the power storage device, which can drive the solenoid valve by the amount of electricity stored in the power storage device. The amount of electricity stored by the power storage device corresponds to the amount of heat received by the Peltier element from the outside air. It is considered that this amount of heat is proportional to the amount of heat supplied from the outside air to the vicinity of the sprinkler. Furthermore, it is considered that the amount of heat supplied from the outside air around the sprinkler corresponds to the dryness around the sprinkler. For this reason, if the solenoid valve can be driven by the amount of electricity stored in the power storage device, the area around the sprinkler dries due to the amount of heat of the outside air, and the solenoid valve is automatically driven when water sprinkling is required. It is possible to sprinkle water around.

Further, it is preferable that one surface of the Peltier element is colored so as to promote heat absorption. In this case, one surface of the Peltier element efficiently absorbs sunlight and is heated. Therefore, the temperature difference between the one surface and the other surface of the Peltier element becomes large, and the electromotive force generated by the Peltier element becomes large. The coloring is not particularly limited as long as it can promote heat absorption, such as black, dark blue, and brown. When colored in black, all visible light is absorbed, and the effect of promoting heat absorption is remarkable, which is particularly preferable.

Further, it is also preferable that one surface of the Peltier element is water repellent. In this case, even if the water sprinkled from the sprinkler contacts one surface of the Peltier element, the water is repelled, and the one surface of the Peltier element is constantly kept in a water-free state. Therefore, one surface of the Peltier element is not deprived of heat by the heat of vaporization due to water evaporation, and the Peltier element generates a large electromotive force.

Further, if one surface of the Peltier element is treated to be water repellent, it is difficult for mud or the like to adhere to the one surface, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in heat transfer rate to the one surface of the Peltier element due to adhesion of mud or the like The Peltier device also generates a large electromotive force.

It is also preferable that one surface of the Peltier element is provided with a heat absorption fin for increasing the contact area with air, and the other surface of the Peltier element is provided with a heat dissipation fin for increasing the contact area with water. In this case, one surface of the Peltier element can efficiently absorb the heat of the outside air by the heat absorbing fins. On the other hand, the other surface of the Peltier element is efficiently radiated by the radiation fins. Therefore, the temperature difference between the one surface and the other surface of the Peltier element becomes large,
The Peltier device will generate a large electromotive force.

The surface of the heat-absorbing fins is preferably colored so as to promote heat absorption. In this case, as in the above case, the heat absorbing fins are efficiently heated, and the Peltier device generates a large electromotive force.

Further, it is also preferable that the surface of the heat-absorbing fin is treated to be water-repellent. In this case, as in the above case, the heat absorption fins do not lose heat due to the heat of vaporization due to the evaporation of water, and it is difficult for mud to adhere to the surface of the heat absorption fins, and the Peltier element generates a large electromotive force. Becomes

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The water sprinkler of the embodiment, as shown in FIG.
It is provided with a closed container-shaped housing body 1. Inside the housing body 1, an electromagnetic valve 3 is provided, and one end thereof is extended to the outside of the housing body 1 and a water pipe 2a to which the electromagnetic valve 3 is connected is provided midway. The other end of the water pipe 2a is opened above the housing body 1 to form a water passage chamber 2b together with the housing body 1.
The inside of the water pipe 2a and the water chamber 2b are the water passage 2. The water pipe 2a can be connected to a water pipe 5 as a water supply pipe.

Further, four nozzles 4 projecting obliquely upward in the radial direction are provided on the peripheral edge of the upper end of the housing body 1 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The tip of each nozzle 4 serves as a water spray port 4a, and this water spray port 4a communicates with the water flow chamber 2b by the nozzle 4. The housing body 1, the water pipe 2a, and the nozzle 4 are a housing.

Further, a Peltier element 6 is embedded on the upper surface of the housing body 1 exposed to the outside air. A heat absorbing fin 7 made of stainless steel and having a large number of folds is closely attached to one surface 6a of the Peltier element 6 on the outside air side. The surface of the heat absorbing fin 7 is painted black, and the surface of the coating is made water repellent by applying a water repellent treatment agent.

The other surface 6b on the inner side of the Peltier element 6
A heat radiation fin 8 made of stainless steel and provided with a large number of folds is provided in close contact with the water flow chamber 2b while protruding.

Further, inside the housing body 1, the oscillation circuit 9, the drive circuit 10 and the electric storage device 1 as an electric storage device are provided.
1 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the Peltier device 6 is connected to the storage battery 11 so as to be able to store electricity.
The drive circuit 10 is connected to the storage battery 11. The oscillation circuit 9 is connected to the drive circuit 10, and the solenoid valve 3 is connected to the oscillation circuit 9. Here, the drive circuit 10 is capable of outputting a drive current that keeps the solenoid valve 3 open for a certain period of time when the amount of electricity stored in the battery 11 exceeds a certain value. The oscillation circuit 9 can open and close the solenoid valve 3 by the drive current output from the drive circuit 10.

In the water sprinkler of the embodiment configured as described above, the heat absorbing fins 7 of the Peltier element 6 are heated by absorbing the heat of the outside air by receiving sunlight. Since the heat absorbing fins 7 are formed with a large number of folds, they have a large contact area with the outside air. Therefore, the heat absorbing fins 7 can efficiently absorb heat from the outside air. Also, the heat absorbing fins 7
Since a black coating is applied to the surface of the heat absorbing fins 7, the heat absorbing fins 7 efficiently absorb sunlight, so that the heat absorbing fins 7 are efficiently heated, and thus one surface of the Peltier element 6 is efficiently heated.

On the other hand, tap water supplied from the water pipe 5 flows into the water chamber 2b through the water pipe 2a and the solenoid valve 3. Then, the tap water existing in the water flow chamber 2b comes into contact with the radiating fins 8 for heat exchange, and the radiating fins 8 are cooled. Since the radiating fins 8 are formed with a large number of folds, the contact area with the tap water in the water passing chamber 2b is large. For this reason,
The radiating fins 8 are efficiently cooled by the tap water in the water flow chamber 2b. Then, the cooled radiation fins 8 cool the other surface 6b of the Peltier element 6.

For this reason, a large temperature difference occurs between the one surface 6a and the other surface 6b of the Peltier element 6, and a large electromotive force is generated in the Peltier element 6. This electromotive force is
Is stored in.

In this way, when the amount of electricity stored in the battery 11 exceeds a certain value, a drive current is output from the drive circuit 10 and the solenoid valve 3 repeats intermittent opening and closing via the oscillation circuit 9. Therefore, when the solenoid valve 3 is in the open state, tap water supplied from the water pipe 5 is sprayed from the water spout 4a through the water pipe 2a, the solenoid valve 3 and the water chamber 2b. On the other hand,
When the electromagnetic valve 3 is closed, the tap water supplied from the water pipe 5 is cut off by the electromagnetic valve 3 and is not sprayed from the water spout 4a.

In these cases, in this water sprinkler, since the electricity storage device 11 is provided between the Peltier element 6 and the solenoid valve 3, the electricity stored can drive the solenoid valve 3.

Further, in this water sprinkler, since the oscillation circuit 9 is provided between the solenoid valve 3 and the storage battery 11, the water spout 4a.
It is possible to sprinkle water from intermittently. Therefore, wasteful consumption of tap water can be prevented.

Further, in this water sprinkler, the amount of electricity stored in the battery 11 corresponds to the degree of dryness around the water sprinkler,
In this water sprinkler, the periphery is dried by the supply of heat from the outside, and when water sprinkling is required, water is automatically sprinkled.

Further, when sprinkling water from the sprinkling port 4a, even if the sprinkled tap water comes into contact with the heat absorbing fins 7, since the heat absorbing fins 7 are water repellent, the tap water does not adhere. Therefore, the heat absorbing fins 7 are not deprived of heat by the vaporization heat when the tap water evaporates. Also,
Since the heat absorbing fins 7 are water repellent, it is difficult for mud or the like to adhere to the heat absorbing fins 7, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in heat transfer rate to one surface of the Peltier element 6 due to the adhesion of mud or the like. Therefore, the temperature difference between the one surface 6a and the other surface 6b of the Peltier element 6 does not become small.

If the temperature of the outside air is lowered by sprinkling water from the sprinkling port 4a in this way, the Peltier element 6
There is almost no temperature difference between the one surface 6a and the other surface 6b, the Peltier element 6 does not generate an electromotive force, and the storage in the storage battery 11 is stopped. In this way, when the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery 11 becomes less than a certain value, a drive current is output from the drive circuit 10 and the solenoid valve 3 is closed. In this way, the water spray at the water spray port 4a is stopped. The above operation is repeated.

Therefore, in the water sprinkler of the embodiment, the solenoid valve 3 can be driven only by the electromotive force of the Peltier element 6. For this reason, it is not necessary to supply the electromagnetic valve 3 with the necessary electric power from the external power source, and the running cost of this water sprinkler becomes low.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water sprinkler of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a Peltier device and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 ... Water supply pipe 2 ... Water passage (2a ... Water pipe, 2b ... Water passage chamber) 4a ... Sprinkler ports 1, 2a, 4 ... Housing (1 ... Housing body, 2a
... water pipe, 4 ... nozzle 3 ... solenoid valve 6 ... Peltier element 6a ... one surface 6b ... other surface 11 ... electric storage device (electric storage device) 9 ... oscillation circuit 10 ... driving circuit 7 ... heat absorption fin 8 ... radiation fin

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a water passage connected to a water supply pipe capable of supplying water, and a water spout connected to the water passage to sprinkle water, and to the water passage supplied with electric power. In the water sprinkler equipped with a solenoid valve capable of supplying and stopping water, the housing is provided with a Peltier element having one surface in contact with outside air and the other surface in contact with the water passage, A water sprinkler characterized in that the solenoid valve is configured to be driven by the electromotive force of the Peltier element. 2. The water sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein a power storage device is provided between the Peltier element and the solenoid valve. 3. The water sprinkler according to claim 2, wherein an oscillation circuit is provided between the solenoid valve and the power storage device. 4. A drive circuit capable of driving the solenoid valve according to the amount of electricity stored in the power storage device is provided between the solenoid valve and the power storage device. Sprinkler. 5. A surface of a Peltier element is colored to accelerate heat absorption.
Sprinkler as described. 6. The water sprinkler according to claim 5, wherein one surface of the Peltier element is water repellent. 7. A heat absorbing fin for increasing the contact area with air is provided on one surface of the Peltier element, and a heat radiating fin for increasing the contact area with water is provided on the other surface of the Peltier element. The water sprinkler according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4. 8. The water sprinkler according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the heat absorbing fin is colored so as to promote heat absorption. 9. The water sprinkler according to claim 8, wherein the surface of the heat absorbing fin is treated to be water repellent.