JP2004150232A - Tap water freezing preventive body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tap water freezing preventive body for winding a heating element on a tape water pipe with excellent workability without applying unreasonable stress to a thermoswitch. <P>SOLUTION: In this tap water freezing preventive body 1, the heating element 2 and the thermoswitch 8 are separated, and the thermoswitch 8 is interposed in a power line 3 for supplying electric power to the heating element 2. Since the unreasonable stress does not act on the thermoswitch 8 at work for installing the heating element 2 in the tap water pipe differently from a conventional tap water freezing preventive body for installing a thermoswitch 9 in a midway position of the heating element 2, installation work of the heating element 2 is facilitated without having fear of causing a deviation of a preset temperature and disconnection of the thermoswitch 8. Since the power line 3 for connecting the thermoswitch 8 and the heating element 2 is joined by a waterproof connector 7 in a separable state, when inconvenience is caused in the thermoswitch 8 or the heating element 2, only one side can be replaced by separating the connector 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a water-freezing prevention body that can efficiently perform installation work on a water pipe, replacement work of a failed part, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 5, the conventional water freeze prevention equipment has a heating element 101 for heating a water pipe, a power supply line 102 for supplying power to the heating element 101, and a power supply line 102 attached to the end of the power supply line 102. Power plug 103 and a thermoswitch 104 inserted in the middle of the heating element 101. Since the water-freezing preventive body 100 having this configuration is required to be waterproof, the portion below the power plug 103 needs to pass a predetermined immersion test. For this reason, the connection portion between the power supply line 102 and the heating element 101 is a power supply welding portion 105 sealed with resin by ultrasonic welding or the like, and the thermoswitch 104 is also entirely sealed with resin. The terminal portion of the heating element 101 is also a terminal welded portion 106 sealed with resin.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional anti-freezing body for water supply having such a configuration has the following disadvantages.
[0004]
First, since the thermoswitch 104 is provided in the middle of the heating element 101, an excessive force is applied to the heating element 101 or the thermoswitch 104 during the work of winding the heating element 101 around the water pipe, and the temperature of the thermoswitch 104 is deviated. May occur. In some cases, the thermoswitch 104 may be disconnected. Therefore, the installation work on the water pipe needs to be performed carefully, and the workability is poor.
[0005]
In addition, in the installation work on the water pipe, it is necessary to wrap the heating element 101 wrapped around the water pipe with a heat insulating tape. At this time, the thermoswitch 104 may be wrapped with the heat insulating tape together with the heating element 104. There are many. If the thermoswitch 104 is wrapped in the heat insulating tape, the thermoswitch 104 does not function properly, so that the freezing prevention function is not exhibited and there is a risk that the water pipe may freeze.
[0006]
Furthermore, if a failure or a malfunction occurs in only one of the thermoswitch 104 and the heating element 101, only one of the thermoswitch 104 and the heating element 101 cannot be replaced because both are integrated. For this reason, it is necessary to replace one set of the water-freezing prevention body, which leads to an increase in cost.
[0007]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to propose a tap water freezing prevention body that can wind a heating element around a water pipe with good workability.
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to propose a water-freezing preventing body in which a thermoswitch is not wrapped with a heat insulating tape together with a heating element.
[0009]
Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to propose a water-freezing prevention body that can replace only one of a thermoswitch and a heating element when a failure occurs.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A heating element, a power supply line for supplying power to the heating element, a power plug connected to one end of the power supply line, and a thermoswitch for turning on and off the power supply to the heating element according to the outside air temperature. In a water freeze prevention body having
The thermoswitch is inserted into the power line,
The other end of the power supply line is connected to the heating element.
[0011]
The tap water freeze prevention device of the present invention has a configuration in which the thermoswitch is inserted not in the heating element but in the power supply line. Therefore, when the heating element is wound around the water pipe, an excessive force acts on the thermoswitch, and there is no fear that the set temperature may be deviated or the wire may be disconnected. Therefore, the workability of the installation work is improved. Further, since there is no possibility that the thermoswitch is wrapped by the heat insulating tape together with the heating element, it is possible to avoid a problem that the thermoswitch remains off and the freeze prevention function does not operate.
[0012]
Here, the power supply line includes a power supply side power supply line through which the thermoswitch is inserted, and a heating element side power supply line connected to the heating element, and these power supply side power supply line and the heating element side power supply line are formed. It is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the connectors are detachably connected by a waterproof connector. According to this configuration, when a malfunction occurs in the thermoswitch or the heating element, it is possible to cope with the malfunction by replacing only the malfunctioning side.
[0013]
Further, the following connector can be adopted as the waterproof connector.
[0014]
That is, it comprises a detachable first connector and a second connector,
The first connector includes a first connector body made of resin and a pair of cylindrical terminal fittings.
The first connector body includes a cylindrical protrusion protruding in the connector axial direction, an annular step surface extending radially outward from a root portion of the cylindrical protrusion, and a tip of the cylindrical protrusion. A pair of pin holes of a predetermined depth formed along the connector axial direction from the surface, and the cylindrical terminal fitting is mounted coaxially in each pin hole,
The second connector includes a second connector body made of resin, and a pair of terminal pins that can be inserted into the columnar terminal fitting.
The connector body of the second connector has a circular insertion hole into which the cylindrical protrusion can be inserted, and an annular end surface formed at an outer peripheral portion of an opening edge of the circular insertion hole and capable of closely contacting the annular step surface. With
The pair of terminal pins may be configured to protrude from the bottom surface of the circular insertion hole along the connector axial direction.
[0015]
Next, the tap water freezing prevention body of the present invention may have a configuration in which a thermocontroller on which the thermoswitch is mounted is inserted in the power supply side power supply line. In this case, the thermocontroller includes a waterproof resin case, the thermoswitch arranged inside the thermoswitch and a display indicating an operation state of the thermoswitch, and the resin case is provided with the display from outside. A structure in which a translucent display window that can be viewed is formed can be employed.
[0016]
Further, the thermocontroller includes:
First and second power supply lines;
The thermoswitch inserted in the first power supply line;
A light-emitting diode used as the display, one end of which is connected between the thermoswitch in the first power supply line and a position closer to the heating element than the thermoswitch;
A switch for selectively connecting the other end of the light emitting diode to the second power supply line and any one of power supply side positions of the thermo switch in the first power supply line;
The changeover switch always connects the other end of the light emitting diode to the second power supply line, and switches the connection to the first power supply line only during an external operation.
The resin case may have a switch operation surface that is flexible in an out-of-plane direction at a portion facing the operation portion of the changeover switch.
[0017]
In the water freeze prevention device of the present invention, when the other end of the light emitting diode is connected to the second power supply line by the changeover switch, the light emitting diode is connected between the power supply lines on the heating element side of the thermoswitch, and Is connected in parallel. In this state, the light emitting diode blinks in conjunction with the on / off operation of the thermoswitch, so that it is possible to visually check the light emitting diode to determine whether the water-freezing prevention member is operating or stopped.
[0018]
When the other end of the light emitting diode is connected to a position closer to the power supply side than the thermo switch in the first power supply line by the changeover switch, a thermo switch bypass circuit in which the light emitting diode and the heating element are connected in series is formed. In this state, if the heating element is disconnected, the light emitting diode does not light up. Therefore, the presence or absence of disconnection of the heating element can be confirmed from the presence or absence of lighting of the light emitting diode. Further, the changeover switch may be operated only when the disconnection of the heating element needs to be confirmed.
[0019]
Here, in order to ensure the waterproofness of the display window and the switch operation surface, the resin case is provided with an opening for viewing the display and an opening for operating the changeover switch. It is desirable to form a formed surface portion, weld a translucent resin sheet to the surface portion, and configure the waterproof display window and the switch operation surface with these openings and the resin sheet.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a water supply anti-freezing body to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a water-freezing prevention body according to the present embodiment. The water freeze prevention device 1 includes a heating element 2, a power supply line 3 for supplying power to the heating element 2, and a power supply plug 4 attached to one end of the power supply line 3. The power supply line 3 includes a power supply side power supply line 5 to which a power supply plug 4 is attached, and a heating element side power supply line 6 to which the heating element 2 is connected. The power supply side power supply line 5 and the heating element side power supply line 6 are connected in a detachable manner by a waterproof connector 7. A thermocontroller 9 having a built-in thermoswitch 8 is provided at an intermediate position of the power supply line 5.
[0022]
The connecting portion between the other heating element side power supply line 6 and the heating element 2 is a waterproof power supply welding portion 10 which is welded and sealed with resin. Similarly, the connection portion at the terminal portion of the heating element 2 is also a waterproof terminal welded portion 11 which is welded and sealed with resin.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the tap water freezing preventive 1. As shown in this figure, power is supplied to the heating element 2 of the water-freezing prevention body 1 from a power plug 4 via a pair of power supply lines 31 and 32 constituting a power supply line 3. A thermoswitch 8 is inserted in one power supply line 31 connected to one end 2a of the heating element 2. Further, a terminal 12 a on the cathode side of the light emitting diode 12 is connected to a position between the thermoswitch 8 and the heating element 2 in the power supply line 31. The anode side terminal 12b of the light emitting diode 12 is connected to a changeover switch (disconnection detection switch) 14 via a diode 13 connected in series in the forward direction.
[0024]
The switching terminal 14 a of the changeover switch 14 is always connected to a contact 15 a connected to the resistor 15, and the other end 15 b of the resistor 15 is connected to the power supply line 32. When the operation unit (the push-down rod 141 in FIG. 3) of the changeover switch 14 is pressed, the changeover terminal 14a is switched to the other contact 16a connected to the resistor 16. The other end 16b of the resistor 16 is connected to a position on the power supply line 31 closer to the power supply than the thermoswitch 8. When the switch 14 is released, the switching terminal 14a returns to the contact 15a again.
[0025]
The thermoswitch 8 is operatively set to switch from an off state to an on state when the temperature is low, eg, 3 ° C. or lower, and to be turned off when the temperature is high, eg, 10 ° C. or higher.
[0026]
In the water freeze prevention body 1 having this configuration, the switching terminal 14a of the changeover switch 14 is connected to the contact 15a. In this state, when the outside air temperature drops and the thermoswitch 8 is turned on, a heating element power supply circuit is formed through the power supply line 31, the thermoswitch 8, the heating element 2 and the power supply line 32, and the heating element 2 is supplied with power to generate heat. Then, the water pipe (not shown) is heated to prevent its freezing.
[0027]
In this state, the power supply line 32, the resistor 15, the changeover switch 14, the diode 13, the light emitting diode 12, and the light emitting diode power supply circuit via the power supply line 31 are also formed. It is connected between 31 and 32. Therefore, since the light emitting diode 12 is turned on, it can be confirmed that the tap water freezing prevention body 1 is in the operating state.
[0028]
Next, when the changeover switch 14 is operated, the changeover switch 14 is switched to the resistor 16 side. As a result, a power supply circuit is formed via the power supply line 31, the resistor 16, the changeover switch 14, the diode 13, the light emitting diode 12, the heating element 2, and the power supply line 32. That is, the light emitting diode 12 and the heating element 2 are connected in series, bypassing the thermoswitch 8. In this state, when the heating element 2 is not disconnected and is normal, power is supplied to the heating element 2 and the light emitting diode 12, so that the heating element 2 generates heat and the light emitting diode 12 is turned on. However, when the heating element 2 is disconnected and does not generate heat, power is not supplied to the light emitting diode 12, so that the light emitting diode 12 is not turned on. Therefore, by visually checking whether or not the light emitting diode 12 is lit while the changeover switch 14 is pressed, it can be confirmed whether the heating element 2 is normal or disconnected.
[0029]
(Thermo controller)
FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a plan view, a sectional view, and a plan view, respectively, showing the mechanical configuration of the thermocontroller 9. The thermocontroller 9 will be described with reference to these drawings. The upper case 91 and the lower case 92 made of resin are sealed by a method such as ultrasonic welding so that the inside is waterproof. A rectangular wiring board 93 is mounted inside these cases 91 and 92. On the surface of the wiring board 93, the above-described thermoswitch 8, light emitting diode 12, diode 13, resistors 15, 16 and changeover switch 14 are provided. Wiring is printed on the rear surface of the wiring board 93 to connect these elements as shown in FIG.
[0030]
Here, the upper surface 91a of the upper case 91 is a flat surface, in which an opening 94 for visually observing the light emitting diode 12 from outside and a push-down rod 141 as an operation unit of the changeover switch 14 are operated. 95, and an opening 96 facing the thermoswitch 9 are formed. These openings 94, 95, 96 are sealed by a rectangular translucent resin seal 97 attached to the upper surface 91a by heat welding or the like. Thus, a waterproof display window 94A for confirming the blinking state of the light emitting diode 12, a waterproof switch operation surface 95A capable of pushing down the push-down rod 141 from the outside, and a waterproof opening window 96A are formed. .
[0031]
(Waterproof connector)
Next, a waterproof connector 7 in which the power supply side power supply line 5 and the heating element side power supply line 6 are detachably connected to each other will be described with reference to FIG. The connector 7 includes a first connector 50 attached to the power supply side power supply line 5 and a second connector 60 attached to the heating element side power supply line 6, and these are detachably connected. Have been.
[0032]
The first connector 50 includes a first connector main body 51 having a circular cross section and made of resin, and a pair of cylindrical terminal fittings 52 and 53. The terminal fittings 52 and 53 are connected to the power supply lines 31 and 32 (see FIG. 2) of the power supply line 5 inside the first connector main body 51, respectively.
[0033]
The first connector main body 51 includes a cylindrical protrusion 54 protruding along the direction of the connector axis 51a, an annular step surface 55 extending radially outward from a root portion of the cylindrical protrusion 54, and A pair of pin holes 57, 58 having a predetermined depth are formed along the direction of the connector axis 51a from the distal end surface 56 of the cylindrical projection 54. Cylindrical terminal fittings 52, 53 are mounted coaxially in the pin holes 57, 58, respectively.
[0034]
On the other hand, the second connector 60 includes a resin-made second connector main body 61 having a circular cross section, and a pair of terminal pins 62 and 63 that can be inserted into cylindrical terminal fittings 52 and 53. The terminal pins 62 and 63 are connected to the power supply lines 31 and 32 of the power supply line 6 inside the second connector main body 61, respectively.
[0035]
The connector main body 61 of the second connector 60 is formed at a circular insertion hole 64 into which the cylindrical protrusion 54 of the other connector 50 can be inserted, and at an outer peripheral portion of an opening edge of the circular insertion hole 64. An annular end surface 65 that can be in close contact with the annular step surface 55 is provided. A pair of terminal pins 62 and 63 project from the bottom surface of the circular insertion hole 64 along the direction of the connector axis 61a.
[0036]
A flat surface 59 for positioning is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical projection 54 of the first connector main body 51, and the inner peripheral surface of the circular insertion hole 64 of the other second connector main body 61 is formed. A flat surface 69 for alignment corresponding to the flat surface 59 is also formed on the surface. With the flat surfaces 59 and 69 aligned, the cylindrical projection 54 of the first connector 50 can be inserted into the circular insertion hole 64 of the second connector 60.
[0037]
When the columnar projection 54 of the first connector 50 is inserted into the circular insertion hole 64 of the other second connector 60, a pair of pin holes 57 and 58 formed therein are inserted from the bottom surface of the circular insertion hole 64. A pair of protruding terminal pins 62 and 63 are inserted. As a result, the terminal pins 62 and 63 are inserted into the terminal fittings 52 and 53, and the terminals are electrically connected. In this state, these connection portions are covered with a circular protrusion 54 made of resin, and the outer periphery of the circular protrusion 54 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the second connector main body 61 in which a circular insertion hole 64 is formed. Covered by parts. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the circular projection 54 and the inner peripheral surface of the circular insertion hole 64 are in close contact with each other.
[0038]
By using the connector 7 having this configuration, the power supply-side power supply line 5 and the heating element-side power supply line 6 can be connected in a state having excellent waterproofness. Further, when a problem occurs in the heating element 2 or the thermocontroller 9, the connector 7 may be disconnected to replace only the part on the side where the problem has occurred. Therefore, the cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional configuration in which the complete set of water-freezing prevention members must be replaced. Further, since the connector 7 has a circular cross section, there is an advantage that the work of embedding the connector 7 in a wall surface of a building or the like is simplified as compared with a connector having the same shape as the power plug 4 generally used.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the water freeze prevention device of the present invention employs a configuration in which the heating element and the thermoswitch are separated, and the thermoswitch is inserted in the power supply line for supplying power to the heating element. Therefore, unlike the conventional water-freezing prevention body in which the thermoswitch is attached in the middle of the heating element, excessive stress may be applied to the thermoswitch when the heating element is installed in the water pipe. Absent. Therefore, there is no fear that the set temperature of the thermoswitch will be deviated or a disconnection will occur, so that the effect of facilitating the work of installing the heating element can be obtained. Further, since the thermoswitch is not wrapped with the heat insulating tape together with the heating element, the effect that the water switch freezes without functioning of the thermoswitch does not occur.
[0040]
Furthermore, in the present invention, the power supply line is divided into a power supply side power supply line to which a power supply plug is attached and a heating element side power supply line to which a heating element is attached, and these are detachably connected by a waterproof connector. Is adopted. According to this configuration, when a malfunction occurs in the thermocontroller or the heating element, only one side needs to be removed and replaced. Therefore, as compared with the case where the entire water-freezing prevention body is replaced as in the case of the conventional integrated type, the work is simplified and the cost for repair can be reduced.
[0041]
Further, the preventive connector according to the present invention is excellent in waterproofness, and a thermocontroller having a built-in thermoswitch is also configured to have excellent waterproofness. Therefore, it is possible to realize a tap water freezing body that can sufficiently satisfy the waterproof performance required for the water tap freezing body.
[0042]
Further, since the thermocontroller of the water freeze protection body of the present invention is provided with a display window for indicating the operation state of the thermoswitch (operation state of the heating element), the operation state can be easily known by looking at the display window. Can be convenient.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a water supply anti-freezing body to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the tap water freezing preventer of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view, a cross-sectional view, and a plan view showing a thermocontroller of the tap water freezing prevention body of FIG.
4A and 4B are views showing a waterproof connector of the water-freezing prevention body of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view in a state where it is separated, FIG. 4B is a side view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the connection state, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram showing a conventional water supply freeze prevention member.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water-freezing prevention body 2 Heating element 3 Power supply line 4 Power plug 5 Power supply side power supply line 6 Heating element side power supply line 7 Preventive connector 50 First connector 51 First connector body 52, 53 Terminal fitting 54 Columnar projection 55 annular step surfaces 56, 57 pin hole 60 second connector 61 second connector main body 62, 63 terminal pin 64 circular insertion hole 65 annular end surface 8 thermoswitch 9 thermocontroller 91 upper surface 94, 95, 96 opening 94 A Display window 95A Switch operation surface 10 Power supply welding part 11 Terminal welding part 12 Light emitting diode 14 Changeover switch 141 Push-down rods 31, 32 Power supply line of power supply line

Claims (6)

A heating element, a power line for supplying power to the heating element, a power plug connected to one end of the power line, and a thermoswitch for turning on and off the power supply to the heating element according to the outside air temperature. In a water freeze prevention body having
The thermoswitch is inserted into the power line,
The other end of the power supply line is connected to the heating element. In claim 1,
The power supply line includes a power supply side power supply line in which the thermoswitch is inserted, and a heating element side power supply line connected to the heating element,
A water-freezing prevention body characterized in that the power-supply-side power line and the heating-element-side power line are connected in a detachable state by a waterproof connector. In claim 2,
The waterproof connector includes a detachable first connector and a second connector,
The first connector includes a first connector body made of resin and a pair of cylindrical terminal fittings.
The first connector body includes a cylindrical protrusion protruding in the connector axial direction, an annular step surface extending radially outward from a root portion of the cylindrical protrusion, and a tip of the cylindrical protrusion. A pair of pin holes of a predetermined depth formed along the connector axial direction from the surface, and the cylindrical terminal fitting is mounted coaxially in each pin hole,
The second connector includes a second connector body made of resin, and a pair of terminal pins that can be inserted into the columnar terminal fitting.
The connector body of the second connector has a circular insertion hole into which the cylindrical protrusion can be inserted, and an annular end surface formed at an outer peripheral portion of an opening edge of the circular insertion hole and capable of closely contacting the annular step surface. With
A water-freezing prevention body, wherein the pair of terminal pins protrude from a bottom surface of the circular insertion hole along a connector axial direction. In claim 2 or 3,
A thermocontroller equipped with the thermoswitch is inserted in the power supply side power line,
The thermocontroller includes a waterproof resin case, the thermoswitch disposed inside the thermostat, and a display indicating an operation state of the thermoswitch. An anti-freezing body for tap water, wherein a display window capable of transmitting light is formed. In claim 4,
The thermocontroller includes:
First and second power supply lines;
The thermoswitch inserted in the first power supply line;
A light-emitting diode used as the display, one end of which is connected between the thermoswitch in the first power supply line and a position closer to the heating element than the thermoswitch;
A switch that selectively connects the other end of the light emitting diode to the second power supply line and to any one of power supply side positions of the thermo switch in the first power supply line;
The changeover switch always connects the other end of the light emitting diode to the second power supply line, and switches the connection to the first power supply line only during an external operation.
The water freezing prevention body according to claim 1, wherein the resin case has a switch operation surface that is flexible in an out-of-plane direction at a portion facing the operation portion of the changeover switch. In claim 5,
The resin case includes an opening for viewing the display, and a surface portion formed with an opening for operating the changeover switch,
A translucent resin sheet is welded to this surface,
A water-freezing prevention body characterized in that the opening and the resin sheet constitute the waterproof display window and the switch operation surface.

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