JP2013142643A - Flow switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow switch capable of easily supporting a variation in quantity of a fluid flow rate to be detected, suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs, contributing to easy management of components and products, suppressing an influence of a foreign substance in fluid, and continuing stable use for a long period.SOLUTION: A flow switch 1 includes: a float 3 provided with a weight 3c and a magnet 3b and having a recess 3e opens downward on a bottom; a body 2 including a fluid passage 2g communicating with a flow inlet 2d located below and a flow outlet 2e located above and allowing the float 3 to move in a vertical direction, upper and lower stoppers 2h, 2i for regulating the vertical movement of the float 3 in the fluid passage and a rotation preventing member (guide rail) 2f for regulating rotation of the float 3 around a vertical axis the float; and a sensor 4 which, when the float 3 is floated up to a predetermined position, detects magnetic force of the magnet 3b.

Description

  The present invention is used, for example, when detecting that hot water is flowing to a pump when a bath is additionally cooked, and whether or not the flow rate of the fluid has reached a set flow rate by a float arranged in the fluid flow path. The present invention relates to a flow switch that detects

  Conventionally, there are flapper type and float type flow switches as flow switches used for the above-mentioned applications. As a float type flow switch, the one described in Patent Document 1 is provided with stoppers on the upper and lower sides of a fluid passage formed with a non-circular surface extending in the axial direction on the inner periphery, and the non-circular surface in the fluid passage between both stoppers. A float to be rotated is provided, a magnet is fixed to the outer periphery of the float, and a Hall IC is provided on the wall of the fluid passage to detect the magnetic force of the magnet corresponding to the moving position of the magnet.

JP-A-8-203400

  The flow switch and the like described in Patent Document 1 need to have different dimensions and configurations depending on the magnitude of the fluid flow rate (set flow rate) to be detected, which increases the number of parts and increases manufacturing costs. There is a problem that the management of parts and products is complicated.

  In addition, as described above, foreign substances such as hair, scales, and debris in hot water flow into the flow switch when used for reheating baths. There was also a risk of being disturbed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the conventional technology, and can easily cope with the magnitude of the detected fluid flow rate to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and reduce the number of parts. It is another object of the present invention to provide a flow switch that can easily manage parts and products, is hardly affected by foreign matter in a fluid, and can be used stably for a long period of time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a flow switch, comprising a weight and a magnet, and having a float having a recess opening downward at the bottom, an inflow port positioned below, and an upper position A fluid flow path that communicates with the outlet and that moves the float in the vertical direction, a vertical stopper that restricts the vertical movement of the float in the fluid flow path, and restricts rotation of the float about the vertical axis And a sensor for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet when the float floats to a predetermined position.

  According to the present invention, while maintaining the dimensions and shape of the main body and the overall dimensions and shape of the float, the pressure receiving area of the fluid is secured in the recess at the bottom of the float, and the dimensions and shape of the recess are Since the fluid flow rate detected by this flow switch can be changed by changing the weight of the weight, it is possible to easily cope with the size of the detected fluid flow rate and suppress the increase in the number of parts. It is possible to suppress an increase in cost and to easily manage parts and products.

  In the above flow switch, the float is configured to include a plurality of ribs extending radially in the horizontal direction, and the anti-rotation member is interposed between two adjacent ribs of the float and extends in the vertical direction. It can be a guide rail. It is possible to prevent the float from rotating by the guide rail, and to smoothly move the float in the vertical direction within the fluid flow path.

  In the above flow switch, the main body may include a large-diameter portion having an inner wall surface that is separated from tips of the plurality of ribs of the float. Thereby, a wide fluid flow path can be ensured between the inner wall surface of the main body and the surface of the float, and a large amount of fluid can be flowed. Further, by securing a wide fluid flow path in the main body, it is possible to prevent foreign substances such as hair, scales, and dust from staying in the fluid flow path and blocking the fluid flow path.

  In the flow switch, the lower stopper of the main body may include a fluid flow path that communicates with a fluid flow path through which the float moves and the inflow port when the float is in contact with the lower stopper. . This allows fluid to flow through the flow switch even when the float is in contact with the lower stopper, so that even when the flow rate is low, foreign matter such as hair is between the lower part of the float and the lower stopper of the body. There is no stagnation and biting between the two, and the use can be continued in a stable state for a long time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily cope with the magnitude of the detected fluid flow rate, to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost, to easily manage parts and products, and to be hardly affected by foreign matter in the fluid. A flow switch capable of continuing stable use for a long time can be provided.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows one Embodiment of the flow switch which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the flow switch shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the float is raised, (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the float is lowered, and (c) is a sectional view of (a). AA line sectional drawing, (d) is the BB sectional drawing of (b). It is a figure which shows the float which is a component of the flow switch shown to FIG.1 and FIG.2, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, (c) is CC sectional view taken on the line of (b). It is. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the float which is a component of the flow switch shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, Comprising: It is a figure equivalent to FIG.3 (c).

  Next, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of a flow switch according to the present invention. This flow switch 1 includes a main body 2 having a fluid flow path 2g therein and a fluid flow path 2g of the main body 2 in the vertical direction. And a sensor 4 for detecting the magnetic force of the float 3.

  The main body 2 includes a large-diameter portion 2a that is formed by integrating a resin member divided into two vertically into a joint portion 2j and connects the small-diameter inlet pipe 2b and the outlet pipe 2c. An inlet 2d is formed at the lower end of the inlet pipe 2b, and an outlet 2e is formed at the upper end of the outlet pipe 2c. A lower stopper 2h that restricts the downward movement of the float 3 protrudes on the inlet pipe 2b side of the fluid flow path 2g, and an upper stopper 2i that restricts the upward movement of the float 3 protrudes on the outlet pipe 2c side. Established. Two guide rails 2f project from the inner wall of the main body 2 as a rotation preventing member for restricting the rotation of the float 3 around the vertical axis (see FIG. 2C).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), the lower stopper 2h of the main body 2 is connected to the fluid passage 2g and the inlet 2d even when the float 3 is in contact with the lower stopper 2h. 2k and 2m are formed (in the figure, the fluid flow paths 2k and 2m are clearly shown in black).

  The float 3 includes a main body 3a made of resin or the like in which a magnet 3b and a weight 3c are integrally formed, and a recess 3e is formed at the bottom of the main body 3a. The recess 3e can be a part of a spherical surface or a spheroidal surface.

  The main body 3a includes six ribs 3d as clearly shown in FIG. In this example, the center of gravity of the float 3 is set to be lower than the geometric center of the float 3 in consideration of stability when the float 3 floats. The magnet 3b and the weight 3c are not necessarily formed integrally with the main body 3a, and may be sealed with a lid or the like after being accommodated in the main body 3a. The magnet 3b and the weight 3c may be sealed on the surface of the main body 3a. May be in a state of being exposed. In the present embodiment, the magnet 3b is disposed on the upper side and the weight 3c is disposed on the lower side. However, this vertical relationship may be reversed. The number of ribs 3d is not limited to six as long as the fluid flow path 2g can be moved up and down in a state where the rotation of the float 3 is restricted by at least two guide rails 2f of the main body 2. The guide rail 2f may be one or more than three.

  The sensor 4 is a Hall IC or the like that detects the magnetic force of the magnet 3 b of the float 3 and outputs a detection signal to a control device or the like (not shown), and is fixed to the protruding portion 2 n of the main body 2. This sensor 4 has a magnetic force of the magnet 3b of the float 3 in the state shown in FIG. 2A in which the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 2g of the main body 2 reaches the set flow rate, the float 3 floats and contacts the upper stopper 2i. It detects and outputs a detection signal.

  Next, the operation of the flow switch 1 having the above configuration will be described in detail. The flow switch 1 is arranged in the middle of a pipeline through which fluid such as hot water flows, and the inlet pipe 2b of the main body 2 is connected to the other outlet pipe, and the outlet pipe 2c is connected to the other inlet pipe. It shall be connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (b), when the fluid does not flow in from the inlet 2d or the amount of the fluid flowing into the fluid flow path 2g is small, the float 3 does not rise and falls. The state of being in contact with the stopper 2h is maintained. However, even in this state, since the fluid flow paths 2k and 2m are formed in the lower stopper 2h, the fluid flowing in from the inflow port 2d is adjacent to these fluid flow paths 2k and 2m and adjacent ribs below the float 3. Flow upward through 3d. Thereby, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as hair from staying between the lower portion of the float 3 and the lower stopper 2h and biting between them. The fluid that has flowed into the fluid flow path 2g from the inflow port 2d flows out from the outflow port 2e.

  When the flow rate of the fluid flowing in from the inflow port 2d increases, the float 3 gradually rises from the state shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (b). At this time, the pressure receiving area of the fluid is secured by the recess 3e at the bottom of the float 3, and the guide rail 2f is interposed between two adjacent ribs 3d of the float 3 as clearly shown in FIG. The float 3 rises while being guided by the guide rail 2f in a state where the rotation around the vertical axis is restricted. The fluid that has flowed into the fluid flow path 2g from the inflow port 2d flows out of the outflow port 2e. However, as clearly shown in FIG. 2A, the fluid is not only between the adjacent ribs 3d but also the large-diameter portion. 2a can flow in the space formed between the inner wall surface of 2a and the tips of the six ribs 3d of the float 3, so that a large flow rate of fluid can flow and the foreign matter in the fluid flow path 2g Occlusion can also be avoided.

  When the flow rate of the fluid flowing in from the inflow port 2d reaches the set flow rate, the float 3 comes into contact with the upper stopper 2i and is prevented from rising as shown in FIG. Is detected, and a detection signal is output to a control device or the like.

  Next, a method of changing the fluid flow rate (set flow rate) detected by the flow switch 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In order to change the set flow rate of the flow switch 1, the main body 2 and the sensor 4 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are used as they are, and only the configuration of the float 3 is changed.

For example, in order to reduce the set flow rate of the flow switch 1, as shown in FIG. 4A, the weights 13c and 13d provided inside the main body 13a of the float 13 are reduced, and the bottom of the float 13 is The recess 13e is enlarged. That is, the recess 13e is enlarged by changing the area and depth of the opening of the recess 13e. The shape and dimensions of the float 13 other than the recess 13e are the same as those of the float 3. The reason why the concave portion 13e is enlarged is to increase the pressure receiving area of the fluid in the concave portion 13e and to make it easier to float.
The weights 13c and 13d may be separate bodies, but may be configured as a single body by forming a hole in the center of one weight. In this case, by changing the inner diameter of the hole, it is possible to easily form weights having the same weight but different weights.

  On the other hand, in order to increase the set flow rate of the flow switch 1, as shown in FIG. 4B, the weight 23c provided inside the main body 23a of the float 23 is increased, and the recess 23e at the bottom of the float 23 is provided. Make it smaller. The shape and dimensions of the float 23 other than the recess 23e are the same as those of the float 3. The reason why the concave portion 23e is made small is that the pressure receiving area of the fluid in the concave portion 23e is made small and it is more difficult to float.

  As described above, the set flow rate of the flow switch 1 can be changed by changing the size and shape of the recess 3e at the bottom of the float 3 and the weight of the weight 3c while using the same main body 2 and sensor 4. Therefore, the set flow rate can be easily changed and the number of parts is reduced, so that an increase in the manufacturing cost of the flow switch 1 can be suppressed. In addition, parts and product management of the flow switch 1 can be easily performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flow switch 2 Main body 2a Large diameter part 2b Inlet pipe 2c Outlet pipe 2d Inlet 2e Outlet 2f Guide rail 2g Fluid flow path 2h Lower stopper 2i Upper stopper 2j Joint part 2k Fluid flow path 2m Fluid flow path 2n Protrusion part 3 Float 3a body 3b magnet 3c weight 3d rib 3e recess 4 sensor 13 float 13a body 13b magnet 13c, 13d weight 13e recess 23 float 23a body 23b magnet 23c weight 23e recess

Claims (4)

A float having a weight and a magnet, and having a recess opening downward at the bottom;
A fluid flow path in which the float moves in the vertical direction, and a vertical stopper for restricting the vertical movement of the float in the fluid flow path, in communication with the inlet located in the lower part and the outlet located in the upper part And a main body having an anti-rotation member that restricts rotation of the float around the vertical axis;
A flow switch comprising: a sensor that detects a magnetic force of the magnet when the float floats to a predetermined position. The float includes a plurality of ribs extending radially in the horizontal direction;
The flow switch according to claim 1, wherein the rotation preventing member is a guide rail that is interposed between two adjacent ribs of the float and extends in the vertical direction.   3. The flow switch according to claim 2, wherein the main body includes a large-diameter portion having an inner wall surface spaced from the tips of the plurality of ribs of the float.   2. The lower stopper of the main body includes a fluid flow path communicating with a fluid flow path through which the float moves and the inflow port when the float is in contact with the lower stopper. 2. The flow switch according to 2 or 3.

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