JP2005185124A - Aquarium apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aquarium apparatus which adopts a circulation system by a simple overflow method, can avoid the generation of noises, and can ensure a circulation flow quantity necessary for purifying water. <P>SOLUTION: A circulation pump 6 is operated to introduce water in an aquarium 3 from an overflow pipe 7 and a bypass pipe 8 into a filtration tank 4, and then supply the treated water into the aquarium through treated water-supplying pipes 5a, 5b. The upstream end 81 of the bypass pipe is submerged to suck and discharge the water by a siphon action in a fully flowing state. Most of a circulated water flow quantity is discharged from the bypass pipe by the water flow quantity adjustment of a flow quantity adjusting valve 83, and only an oil film, and the like, on the water surface are discharged from the overflow pipe 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a circulation used to maintain water quality by taking water such as artificial seawater, seawater or fresh water in an aquarium for raising aquatic organisms such as tropical fish from an overflow pipe and circulating it between a filtration tank and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique capable of sufficiently purifying water in the water tank while eliminating noise generation when water flows in or drops from the overflow pipe.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an overflow method is known as a water intake method in a circulating water tank apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this one, while connecting the filtration tank under the water tank, the overflow pipe is raised so that the tip opening is located at a high position in the water tank, and the water flowing into the tip opening of the overflow pipe is guided to the filtration tank, A circulation operation is performed in which the water after filtration in the filtration tank is returned to the water tank by a circulation pump.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-224525

  However, the conventional water tank apparatus has a problem that the inflowing sound and / or the falling sound of water when flowing from the tip opening of the overflow pipe and falling inside the overflow pipe become too loud and generate noise. Yes. Moreover, in this type of water tank apparatus, the above-described circulation operation is continuously performed, and the inflow sound and / or the falling sound are continuously generated, and noise is continuously generated. In addition, since such an aquarium apparatus is often installed in a room such as a home, the above-mentioned noise generation becomes a problem especially as an unpleasant noise in the room.

  That is, in the above-described circulation operation, water for the discharge flow rate that is the rated output of the circulation pump is returned to the water tank, while water of the same flow rate flows into the overflow pipe and is sent to the filtration tank. Will be maintained at a constant water level. Usually, in order to purify the water in the aquarium, it is necessary to secure a circulating flow rate (discharge flow rate) to a certain level or more, so that a considerable flow of water flows into the opening of the end of the overflow pipe. . As a result, water flows in from the front opening while entraining air, and the air entrained when the inflowing water falls to the lower filtration tank side becomes a lump and rises to the front opening and is released. Such an inflow sound of water while entraining air, a falling sound, and a sound when air is released (so-called “buzzing”) are generated as considerable noise. And as the size of the water tank becomes larger, it is necessary to increase the circulation flow rate for purification. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem of noise generation tends to increase, and the large-capacity water tank device is installed in the room of a general house. It also becomes an impediment to the above.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The object of the present invention is to avoid the generation of noise while adopting a simple circulation type circulation method, and water. An object of the present invention is to provide a water tank apparatus capable of securing a circulation flow rate necessary for purification.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the flow rate derived from the overflow pipe is reduced as much as possible so that only an oil film, a blow or the like on the water surface in the water tank is allowed to flow in from the opening at the tip. In addition, most of the circulating flow amount led out to the filtration tank is made through a siphon-type lead-out pipe that is provided separately from the overflow pipe and does not generate noise. That is, the water occupying most of the circulation flow rate is led out from a siphon-type outlet pipe provided so as to bypass the overflow pipe separately from the overflow pipe.

  Specifically, in the invention according to claim 1, an overflow pipe disposed so that a front end opening that is an upstream end faces upward in the water tank, and a filtration connected to the downstream end of the overflow pipe A derivation for deriving water in the water tank to the filtration tank by a siphon method, targeting a water tank apparatus having a tank and a circulation pump for supplying water after filtration in the filtration tank to the water tank A pipe was provided separately from the overflow pipe.

  In the case of the invention according to claim 1, in the circulation between the water tank and the filtration tank, the water in the water tank from the water tank to the filtration tank is led out from both the outlet pipe and the overflow pipe. . At that time, since the outlet pipe draws out the water in the water tank in a full state by the siphon method, most of the flow rate (circulation flow rate) supplied to the water tank by the circulation pump is led out through the outlet pipe. Therefore, the flow rate flowing out from the tip opening of the overflow pipe is very small. That is, compared with the conventional case where all of the circulating flow rate is derived only by the overflow pipe, the flow rate derived by the overflow pipe can be remarkably small. Since the derivation by the derivation pipe is performed in a full flow state, there is no noise generated during the derivation, and the derivation is conducted very quietly. In addition, water flowing in from the tip opening of the overflow pipe also travels along the inner wall of the overflow pipe. It is quiet as much as air entrainment is suppressed. Moreover, since the flow rate flowing into the tip opening of the overflow pipe is reduced, an oil film or a float floated on the water surface in the water tank can be more surely flowed into the tip opening.

  More specifically, the siphon type outlet pipe in the water tank device of claim 1 is positioned below the tip opening of the overflow pipe so that the upstream end of the outlet pipe is submerged in water in the water tank. (Claim 2). Further, the following specific items can be added when configuring the water tank apparatus by adopting a siphon type outlet pipe. That is, the outlet pipe is extended upward from a downward upstream end positioned so as to be submerged in the water in the water tank, and is bent downward by a bent portion at a position higher than the upstream end to extend toward the filtration tank. A communication opening that opens downward facing the bent portion is formed, and the communication opening is positioned at a position lower than the tip opening of the overflow pipe. By doing so, it is assumed that an abnormal situation has occurred in which the circulating pump has failed or stopped due to a power failure, and the water supply flow rate after filtration has been reduced or is no longer supplied to the water tank. However, when the water level in the water tank is lower than the opening at the tip of the overflow pipe and is lowered to the communication opening, air enters the communication opening and the derivation of water from the upstream end of the outlet pipe is stopped. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the water level in the water tank is lowered to the upstream end position of the outlet pipe by continuing to be led out through the outlet pipe by the siphon action.

  In the water tank apparatus according to the first aspect, the discharge flow rate of the circulation pump, that is, the inner diameter of the outlet pipe or the outlet pipe so that most of the circulating flow rate (for example, about 80 to 90%) is led out through the outlet pipe. Either set the inner diameter of the pipe and overflow pipe, or select and install a circulation pump with a predetermined discharge capacity according to the size of the inner diameter of the outlet pipe, but add the following specific items Thus, it is possible to adjust the outlet pipe side regardless of the discharge capacity of the circulation pump. That is, a flow rate adjusting valve that changes and adjusts the flow rate that is led through the lead-out pipe is provided at an intermediate position of the lead-out pipe. In this way, by changing and adjusting the flow rate derived from the flow rate adjustment valve according to the discharge flow rate of the mounted circulation pump, the flow rate derived through the lead-out pipe is changed and adjusted to the predetermined one described above. Will get. That is, by adjusting the derived flow rate, it becomes possible to set the flow rate flowing into the tip opening of the overflow pipe to such an extent that the water level of the water tank is maintained above the tip opening by the surface tension of water. Thus, it is possible to maintain a constant level of noise and to eliminate noise generation due to the circulation operation.

  As described above, according to the water tank apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, in the circulation of water between the water tank and the filtration tank, water corresponding to most of the circulation flow rate is derived. While it can be led to the filtration tank quietly in a full state through the tube, the flow rate derived from the opening of the tip of the overflow tube is extremely reduced compared with the case where it is derived only by the conventional overflow tube and passed through the overflow tube. Noise generation at the time of derivation can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Moreover, the flow rate from the water tank to the filtration tank can be secured by the lead-out pipe and the overflow pipe, and the purification of water in the water tank can be ensured. An oil film, a blow, etc. floating on the surface of the water can be more reliably introduced into the tip opening and removed. As described above, it is possible to provide a water tank apparatus that can avoid the generation of noise and can secure a circulation flow rate necessary for water purification while adopting a simple overflow type circulation system. .

  In particular, according to claim 2, the lead-out pipe can be more specifically specified to specifically obtain the effect of the water tank apparatus of claim 1, and according to claim 3, the occurrence of a failure of the circulation pump Even if the amount of water supplied from the filtration tank to the water tank is reduced or the supply itself is stopped due to, etc., the water level is extremely reduced by minimizing the water level drop in the water tank Can be avoided. Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect, the flow rate ratio derived through the outlet pipe can be changed and adjusted by changing and adjusting the flow rate derived by the flow rate adjusting valve, and thus, regardless of the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump. Therefore, quietness can be more reliably improved by optimizing the outlet flow rate of the outlet pipe. Moreover, by adjusting the change in the derived flow rate, it becomes possible to maintain the water level that can more reliably remove the oil film and the dust from the overflow pipe.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the water tank apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

  This water tank apparatus is obtained by mounting a water tank 3 on the apparatus main body 2 and combining them. A filtration tank 4 and a circulation pump 6 for supplying water filtered through the filtration tank 4 through the treated water supply pipes 5a and 5b are installed in the apparatus main body 2. An overflow pipe 7 for leading out the water, a bypass pipe 8 as a lead-out pipe, and the treated water supply pipes 5 a and 5 b are disposed so as to rise through the bottom wall 31 of the water tank 3. Hereinafter, the above components will be described in detail.

  The water tank 3 is formed of, for example, tempered glass or a transparent resin plate, and the overflow pipe 7 and the bypass pipe are formed in a space surrounded by a blindfold plate 9 having a large number of openings on one side (for example, a corner). 8 and treated water supply pipes 5a and 5b are disposed. Then, the blowout port 51 of the treated water supply pipe 5a is inserted into the upper position on the set water level SL side, and the blowout port 52 of the other treated water supply pipe 5b is inserted into the lower position so that the inside of the water tank 3 is inserted. It is open to face. Further, the front end opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7 is positioned so as to open upward in the vicinity of the set water level SL, and the upstream end 81 of the bypass pipe 8 faces downward at a position sufficiently below the front end opening 71. It is positioned to open.

  The downstream ends 72 and 82 of the overflow pipe 7 and the bypass pipe 8 are connected to a filter tank (for example, a wool box) 41 provided at the inlet of the filtration tank 4 and opened to the downstream ends 72 and 82, respectively. The water led out from the large number of openings is discharged. The filtration tank 4 includes, for example, two-stage filtration units 42 and 43 in addition to the filter tank 41, and the water after removing impurities having a relatively large diameter in the filter tank 41 is The filter 42 and 43 are purified while passing through the filter medium filled therein. The water after passing through the downstream filtration unit 43 and filtered is taken into the suction side of the circulation pump 6.

  The treated water supply pipes 5a and 5b are branched from the discharge side of the circulation pump 6, and both treated water supply pipes 5a and 5b extend through the bottom wall 31 of the water tank 3 to a position above the set water level SL. It reaches the bent portions 53 and 54, is folded downward at each bent portion 53 and 54, and extends to the downstream ends 51 and 52 at predetermined positions. As shown in the example of one bent portion 53 in FIG. 3, the bent portions 53 and 54 are connected to a communication pipe portion 531 extending downward, and a lower end opening 532 of the communication pipe portion 531 has a set water level SL. It is opened downward at a low water level LL that is a lower position and set as a water level when an abnormality occurs. Note that normally open / close valves are provided downstream and upstream of the circulation pump 6, and the circulation pump 6 can be removed without draining the water tank 3 by closing these valves. Work and replacement work can be performed.

  The bypass pipe 8 is positioned so that the upstream end 81 opens downward at a position sufficiently lower than the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7, whereby the upstream end 81 is submerged in the water in the water tank 3. 3 can be sucked out by siphon action and led to the downstream end 82. A flow rate adjusting valve 83 (see FIG. 2) is interposed in the middle of the bypass pipe 8, and the flow rate adjusted by the flow rate adjusting valve 83 can change and adjust the derived flow rate through the outlet pipe 8. ing. The bypass pipe 8 is connected to the drain pipe 10 of the water tank 3 through an on-off valve 84 in the middle thereof, and drainage work and water are performed by opening and closing the drain plug 101 of the drain pipe 10 and the on-off valve 84. The filling operation can be performed.

  On the other hand, the bypass pipe 8 extends upward from the upstream end 81 to reach a bent portion 85, is folded downward at the bent portion 85 and penetrates the bottom wall 31 of the water tank 3, and the downstream end 82 has a filtration tank. 4 is arranged to extend to four. A communication opening 851 (see FIG. 3) is formed in the bent portion 85 so as to face downward. The communication opening 851 is smaller than the position of the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7 by a small dimension α (for example, several mm) is positioned to open at the lower position.

  Here, the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7 is positioned so as to open at a position below the set water level SL by a minute dimension β, and the level passing through the position obtained by adding the minute dimension α to the minute dimension β is the level described above. It is set as a low water level LL for abnormal use. As the minute dimension β, a height corresponding to the height at which the water in the water tank 3 rises due to the surface tension in the tip opening 71 is set, and the set water level SL is positioned above the minute dimension β. An overflow pipe 7 is disposed at the bottom. In other words, in the water tank 3 in which the overflow pipe 7 and the bypass pipe 8 are arranged in the above-described predetermined positional relationship, the treated water supply pipe supplies the water after filtration of only the discharge flow rate (circulation flow rate) of the circulation pump 6. When supplied through 5a and 5b, the water level in the water tank 3 is maintained at the set water level SL by adjusting the flow rate of the flow rate adjusting valve 83.

  In order to use the above water tank apparatus, first, the water tank 3, the filtration tank 4, and the various pipes 5a, 5b, 7, and 8 are filled with water. In order to fill the bypass pipe 8 with water at the time of filling, if the water filling proceeds to the extent that the upstream end 81 and the communication opening 851 are submerged in the water tank 3, for example, the drain plug 101 and the on-off valve 84. Is opened to allow water to flow into the bypass pipe 8. Then, when all the air in the bypass pipe 8 is replaced with water and becomes full, the on-off valve 84 and the drain plug 101 may be closed.

  Then, the derived flow rate is set by adjusting the flow rate adjusting valve 83 at the initial stage of starting the circulation operation. That is, when the circulation pump 6 is operated, the filtered water is supplied from the filtration tank 4 to the water tank 3 through the treated water supply pipes 5a and 5b at a discharge flow rate having the capacity of the circulation pump 6, while the water tank 3 The inner water is led out through the bypass pipe 8 by siphon action, and a part of the water flows into the inside from the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7 and is led out. At this time, by changing and adjusting the passing flow rate by the flow rate adjusting valve 83 and changing and adjusting the derived flow rate sucked into the bypass pipe 8 from the upstream end 81, the water level with respect to the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7 is set as described above. Adjust to the water level SL. Thereafter, as long as the set water level SL is maintained, the circulation operation is continued at the set derived flow rate. If the set water level SL fluctuates, the derived flow rate may be finely adjusted by adjusting the flow rate adjusting valve 83.

  In the above circulation operation, water corresponding to most of the predetermined circulation flow rate (discharge flow rate of the circulation pump 6) from the water tank 3 to the filtration tank 4 is led out through the bypass pipe 8 in a full state. From the opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7, only surface water corresponding to only filth such as an oil film floating on the water surface is blown out. For this reason, since the lead-out through the bypass pipe 8 is in a full flow state, it is carried out extremely quietly, and there is no noise generation due to the flow through the inner wall surface without lead-out through the overflow pipe 7 and no air entrainment. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the noise generated in the conventional water tank apparatus that performs the derivation using only the overflow pipe, and to mute the sound. In addition, derivation to the filtration tank 4 can ensure a flow rate corresponding to the circulation flow rate, and a purification function of water in the water tank 3 can also be ensured. In addition, an oil film or the like on the water surface of the water tank 3 can be caused to flow in from the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7 by a gentle flow, and by agitation caused by a rapid inflow when only the conventional overflow pipe is used. An increase in contamination can also be avoided.

  On the other hand, although the circulation pump 6 stops due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like during the circulation operation and the supply of water from the filtration tank 4 to the water tank 3 stops, an abnormal situation in which the derivation from the bypass pipe 8 continues. If the water level in the water tank 3 falls from the set water level SL to the low water level LL, the air enters the bypass pipe 8 from the communication opening 851 of the bypass pipe 8, and the derivation through the bypass pipe 8 is stopped. Can be made. Thereby, even if said abnormal condition arises, the water level fall can be suppressed to the minimum, without reducing the water level in the water tank 3 excessively.

  Furthermore, even if the circulation pump 6 is stopped and the circulation operation is stopped, the water level in the water tank 3 is only reduced by the minute dimension β from the set water level SL, and the water level reduction stops at the position of the tip opening 71 of the overflow pipe 7. It is possible to reduce the amount of water flowing into the filtration tank 4 as much as possible with the stop / start of the circulation operation. As a result, the capacity of receiving water in the filtration tank 4 (allowance for the internal volume) can be reduced as compared with the case where a considerably large water level fluctuation occurs due to the stoppage of operation as in the prior art, and this contributes to downsizing of the filtration tank 4. be able to.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various other embodiments are included. That is, in the above embodiment, the flow rate adjusting valve 83 is interposed in the bypass pipe 8, but this flow rate adjusting valve 83 is not essential. If the discharge flow rate of the circulation pump 6 is known and has a fixed value in advance, it may be set so that a predetermined derived flow rate flows in the bypass pipe 8 correspondingly. In this case, the adjustment of the derived flow rate is unnecessary. Become.

It is a perspective view which shows embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional explanatory view of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view in the vicinity of the water surface in FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols

3 Water tank 4 Filtration tank 6 Circulation pump 7 Overflow pipe 8 Bypass pipe (outlet pipe)
71 End opening of overflow pipe 81 Upstream end 83 of bypass pipe Flow rate adjusting valve 85 Bending portion 851 Communication opening

Claims (4)

An overflow pipe arranged so that the opening at the upstream end facing the inside of the water tank opens upward, a filtration tank connected to the downstream end of the overflow pipe, and after filtration in the filtration tank In a water tank apparatus comprising a circulation pump for supplying the water into the water tank,
A water tank apparatus comprising a lead-out pipe for leading the water in the water tank to the filtration tank by a siphon system separately from the overflow pipe. The water tank apparatus according to claim 1,
A water tank apparatus, wherein the upstream end of the outlet pipe is positioned below a tip opening of the overflow pipe so as to be submerged in water in the water tank. The water tank apparatus according to claim 1,
The lead-out pipe extends upward from a downward upstream end positioned so as to be submerged in the water in the water tank, is folded downward by a bent portion at a position higher than the upstream end, and is extended to the filtration tank side. And
The water tank apparatus, wherein a communication opening that opens downward is formed in the bent portion, and the communication opening is positioned at a position lower than a tip opening of the overflow pipe. The water tank apparatus according to claim 1,
A water tank apparatus in which a flow rate adjusting valve for changing and adjusting a flow rate derived through the outlet pipe is interposed at a midway position of the outlet pipe.

Images