JP2021181695A - Meter unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a meter unit capable of taking in water without removing a water meter.SOLUTION: A meter unit 1 has main piping 8 which is arranged between primary side piping 2 and secondary side piping 3 and which passes through a water meter 7, and a branch pipe 9 branched from one side of the water meter 7 in the main piping 8. The main piping 8 is provided with a channel switching valve 21 arranged in a branch part 8a in which the branch pipe 9 is branched, and a sluice valve 22 arranged on the other side of the water meter 7 in the main piping 8. The branch pipe 9 is provided with a sealing member 30 for sealing the branch pipe 9, a water discharge port 31 installed between the sealing member 30 and the channel switching valve 21, and a lid member 32 for sealing the water discharge port 31 in an openable and closable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a meter unit capable of taking water without removing the water meter.

Patent Document 1 describes a meter unit installed in the middle of a pipe drawn into a building from a main water pipe. The meter unit of the same document is provided with a sealing member, a water meter, and a check valve in this order along the water flow direction. The meter unit is housed in a meter box with an open / close lid. The meter box is buried in the ground with the opening / closing lid exposed to the surface of the earth.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-141624

If water can be taken from the pipe that is drawn into the building from the main water pipe in the event of a disaster, it will be possible to supply drinkable water to the victims. Further, in such a case, if water is taken from the meter unit, water can be supplied to the outside without performing construction such as forming a water discharge port in the pipe. However, when water is taken from the meter unit, there is a problem that the water meter must be removed from the meter unit and a water discharge pipe or the like must be connected to the water meter.

In view of these points, an object of the present invention is to provide a meter unit capable of taking water without removing a water meter.

In order to solve the above problems, the meter unit of the present invention is arranged between the primary side pipe and the secondary side pipe, from one side of the main pipe passing through the water meter and the water meter in the main pipe. It has a branch pipe that branches, and the main pipe includes a flow path switching valve arranged at a branch portion where the branch pipe branches, and a sluice valve arranged on the other side of the water meter in the main pipe. The branch pipe is provided with a water spout and a lid member for opening and closing the water spout.

According to the present invention, the meter unit includes a branch pipe that branches from the main pipe. In addition, the branch pipe is provided with a water spout. Therefore, if water flows into the branch pipe, water can be taken from the water outlet without removing the water meter. Further, according to the meter unit of the present invention, water can be taken from the water outlet even when the flow direction in which water flows through the meter unit is reversed. That is, even when the flow path switching valve is connected to the primary side pipe and water is circulated from the flow path switching valve side, the flow path switching valve is connected to the secondary side pipe and water is circulated from the sluice valve side. Even if it is made to do so, it is possible to take in water from the water spout. Therefore, the same meter unit can be used in a plurality of forms according to the intended use.

In the present invention, the end of the flow path switching valve of the main pipe is connected to the primary side pipe, and the end of the main pipe opposite to the flow path switching valve is connected to the secondary side pipe. The flow path switching valve switches to a first flow path in which water flowing in from the primary side pipe passes through the water meter, or a second flow path in which water flowing in from the primary side pipe flows through a branch pipe. can do.

Further, in the present invention, in the flow path switching valve, the water flowing from the first flow path, the second flow path, or the primary side pipe flows through the first flow path and the second flow path. It can be switched to the flow path.

In the present invention, the end of the flow path switching valve of the main pipe is connected to the secondary side pipe, and the end of the main pipe opposite to the flow path switching valve is connected to the primary side pipe. The flow path switching valve is a fourth flow path in which water flowing from the primary side pipe and passing through the water meter flows into the secondary side pipe, flowing from the primary side pipe and passing through the water meter. It can be switched to the fifth flow path through which water flows through the branch pipe.

In the present invention, in the flow path switching valve, water flowing from the fourth flow path, the fifth flow path, or the primary side pipe and passing through the water meter flows into the fourth flow path and the fifth flow. It can be switched to the sixth flow path flowing through the road.

In the present invention, the water spout may be provided at the end of the branch pipe opposite to the branch portion.

In the present invention, the branch pipe is provided with a first bent portion that bends upward toward the water spout side between the branch portion and the water spout, and the water spout faces upward. It is desirable to have. In this way, an external pipe, hose, or the like can be connected to the water outlet from above.

In the present invention, the branch pipe is provided with a second bent portion that bends toward the water meter in a direction away from the main pipe between the branch portion and the first bent portion. Can be done. By doing so, the meter unit can be made smaller in the width direction as compared with the case where the branch pipe extends in a straight line in the direction away from the main pipe.

In the present invention, the branch pipe may be provided with a third bent portion that bends to the side of the main pipe between the first bent portion and the second bent portion. By doing so, the water outlet can be brought close to the main pipe, so that the meter unit can be made smaller in the width direction.

In the present invention, it is desirable that the branch pipe includes a drain port and a drain plug detachably attached to the drain port. By doing so, the water remaining in the branch pipe can be discharged after water intake or the like.

In the present invention, the main pipe has a reinforcing member extending along the main pipe, and the main pipe has a pipe joint mechanism provided between the water meter and a pipe member located next to the water meter. The pipe joint mechanism includes a fixed pipe connected to the piping member, a moving pipe supported by the fixed pipe in a state of being movable in the pipe axis direction of the fixed pipe, and the moving pipe and the water meter. A fastening mechanism for fastening and a movement restricting mechanism for disabling the movement of the moving pipe with respect to the fixed pipe are provided, and the reinforcing member is provided on one side of the water meter and the pipe joint mechanism in the main pipe. It is desirable that the first fixing portion is bridged and fixed to the water meter in the main pipe and the second fixing portion provided on the other side of the pipe joint mechanism. In a meter unit equipped with such a pipe joint mechanism, when the water meter is attached to the main pipe, the moving pipe may be retracted, the water meter may be placed, and then the moving pipe may be advanced and fastened to the water meter. can. Therefore, the water meter can be easily attached and detached. Further, if a reinforcing member is provided, it is possible to prevent or suppress the bending of the main pipe when the water meter is attached or detached.

In the meter unit of the present invention, water can be taken without removing the water meter.

It is a top view when the meter unit is seen from above. It is a side view when the meter unit is seen from the width direction. It is a side view when the meter unit is seen from the pipe axis direction of a main pipe. It is explanatory drawing of the pipe joint mechanism which constitutes the main pipe. It is a side view when the pipe member is seen from the pipe axis direction of a main pipe. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st and 2nd form of the meter unit of the 1st installation example. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd form of the meter unit of 1st installation example. It is a top view when the meter unit of the 2nd installation example is seen from above. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st and 2nd form of the meter unit of the 2nd installation example. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd form of the meter unit of the 2nd installation example. It is explanatory drawing of the branch piping member of the modification.

Hereinafter, the meter unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Meter unit)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the meter unit of this example when viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a side view of the meter unit of this example when viewed from the width direction. FIG. 2 shows a case where the meter unit is viewed from the side of the branch pipe. FIG. 3 is a side view of the meter unit of this example when viewed from the pipe axis direction of the main pipe. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the unit box is shown by a chain line. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a pipe joint mechanism constituting the main pipe. FIG. 4 shows a part of the pipe joint mechanism in cross section.

The meter unit 1 of this example is installed in the middle of the pipe drawn into the building from the main of the water pipe. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the meter unit 1 is installed between the primary side pipe 2 and the secondary side pipe 3 constituting the pipe. The primary side pipe 2 and the secondary side pipe 3 are buried in the ground. Further, the primary side pipe 2 and the secondary side pipe 3 are arranged on a straight line. The water flowing from the main pipe flows from the primary side pipe 2 toward the secondary side pipe 3.

The meter unit 1 includes a unit main body 5 and a unit box 6 for accommodating the unit main body 5. The unit main body 5 includes a main pipe 8 including a water meter 7, and a branch pipe 9 branching from one side of the water meter 7 in the main pipe 8. The main pipe 8 extends coaxially with the primary side pipe 2 and the secondary side pipe 3 and connects the primary side pipe 2 and the secondary side pipe 3. The branch pipe 9 connects one side of the water meter 7 in the main pipe 8 and the other side of the water meter 7.

Further, the unit main body 5 has reinforcing members 10 bridged on both sides of the water meter 7 in the main pipe 8. The reinforcing member 10 is located on the opposite side of the branch pipe 9 with the main pipe 8 in between. Further, the unit main body 5 is arranged below the main pipe 8 and includes a base 11 that supports one side and the other side of the water meter 7 in the main pipe 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit box 6 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The unit box 6 includes a box-shaped box main body 13 and a ceiling plate 14 detachably covered with the box main body 13. The ceiling plate 14 closes the upper end opening of the box body 13. The ceiling plate 14 is provided with an opening / closing lid 15 at a position overlapping the water meter 7 when viewed from above. The base 11 extends along the bottom plate 16 of the unit box 6. The unit box 6 is buried in the ground so that the ceiling plate 14 is exposed to the ground surface. The meter unit 1 does not include the unit box 6 and may consist only of the unit main body 5.

In the following description, the direction along the pipe axis L of the main pipe 8 is the pipe axis direction X, and the two directions orthogonal to the pipe axis L are the width direction Y and the vertical direction Z. In the vertical direction Z, the upper and lower parts when the meter unit 1 is installed are the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2, respectively. In the pipe axis direction X, the side where the primary side pipe 2 is located is referred to as the first direction X1, and the side where the secondary side pipe 3 is located is referred to as the second direction X2. In the width direction Y, the side on which the branch pipe 9 is located is the one side Y1, and the opposite side is the other side Y2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main pipe 8 has a flow path switching valve 21 arranged in a branch portion 8a where the branch pipe 9 branches in the first direction X1 of the water meter 7. Further, the main pipe 8 has a sluice valve 22 in the second direction of the water meter 7. Further, the main pipe 8 is provided between the water meter 7 and a piping member (flow path switching valve 21) located next to the water meter 7, and has a pipe joint mechanism 23 for attaching and detaching the water meter 7. Have. Further, the main pipe 8 includes a pipe joint member 24 that connects between the water meter 7 and the sluice valve 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe joint mechanism 23 is coaxially supported by the fixed pipe 25 fixed to the flow path switching valve 21 and the fixed pipe 25 in a state of being movable in the pipe axial direction X of the fixed pipe 25. A moving tube 26 is provided. The moving pipe 26 includes a small diameter portion 26a and a large diameter portion 26b having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion 26a from the side of the water meter 7 toward the first direction X1. Further, the moving pipe 26 includes an annular flange 26c extending from the end of the small diameter portion 26a in the second direction X2 to the outer peripheral side. The large diameter portion 26b is inserted into the fixed tube 25. The large diameter portion 26b is provided with two annular grooves, and an O-ring 27 is attached to each annular groove. As a result, two O-rings 27 are interposed between the fixed pipe 25 and the moving pipe 26. Further, the pipe joint mechanism 23 includes a fastening mechanism 28 for fastening the moving pipe 26 and the water meter 7, and a movement regulating mechanism 29 for disabling the movement of the moving pipe 26 with respect to the fixed pipe 25.

The fastening mechanism 28 includes a packing 55 arranged between the moving pipe 26 and the water meter 7, an annular flange 26c of the moving pipe 26, and a cap nut 56 having a cap portion 56a that engages with the annular flange 26c. Be prepared. Here, when the cap nut 56 is screwed into the pipe portion of the water meter 7, the moving pipe 26 and the water meter 7 are fastened. When the cap nut 56 is screwed into the water meter 7, the moving pipe 26 moves in the pipe axial direction X by the amount in which the cap nut 56 is screwed.

The movement restricting mechanism 29 includes a joint nut 57 screwed into the tip portion of the fixed pipe 25, a joint packing 58 supported by the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 26a of the moving pipe 26 and abutting against the tip of the fixed pipe 25, and a joint. The packing 58 is provided with a joint washer 59 that comes into contact with the packing 58 from the side opposite to the fixed pipe 25. The joint nut 57 is a cap nut, and includes a cap portion 57a that abuts on the joint washer 59 from the side opposite to the fixed pipe 25. When the joint nut 57 is screwed into the fixed pipe 25, the bag portion 57a moves the joint washer 59 toward the fixed pipe 25. As a result, the joint packing 58 is compressed in the pipe axial direction X between the large diameter portion 26b and the fixed pipe 25 of the moving pipe 26 and the joint washer 59, and in the radial direction between the joint nut 57 and the moving pipe 26. Elastically deforms to. As a result, the joint nut 57 presses the moving pipe 26 toward the inner peripheral side via the joint packing 58. Therefore, the moving pipe 26 cannot move in the pipe axial direction X with respect to the fixed pipe 25.

When removing the water meter 7 from the main pipe 8, first, the joint nut 57 of the movement regulation mechanism 29 is loosened so that the moving pipe 26 can be moved with respect to the fixed pipe 25. Next, the cap nut 56 of the fastening mechanism 28 is loosened to release the fastening between the moving pipe 26 and the water meter 7. After that, the water meter 7 is taken out in the direction intersecting the pipe axis L.

The branch pipe 9 is provided with a water discharge port 31 at an end opposite to the branch portion 8a (flow path switching valve 21) of the main pipe 8. Further, the branch pipe 9 includes a lid member 32 that closes the water discharge port 31 so as to be openable and closable. Further, the branch pipe 9 includes a drain port 34 and a drain plug 35 detachably attached to the drain port 34.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the branch pipe 9 includes a first bent portion 9a that bends upward Z1 toward the water discharge port 31 side between the branch portion 8a and the water discharge port 31. As a result, the water spout 31 faces upward Z1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the branch pipe 9 has a second direction toward one side Y1 (direction away from the main pipe 8) of the width direction Y between the branch portion 8a and the first bent portion 9a. A second bent portion 9b that bends to X2 (the side of the water meter 7) is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the branch pipe 9 has a third bent portion that bends in the other side Y2 (the side of the main pipe 8) in the width direction Y between the first bent portion 9a and the second bent portion 9b. 9c is provided.

More specifically, the branch pipe 9 has an elbow 33 and an elbow 33 that bend in the second direction X2 (the side of the water meter 7) from the side of the flow path switching valve 21 toward the direction away from the main pipe 8. A branch piping member 36 arranged between the sealing member 30 and the sealing member 30 is provided. The water discharge port 31 is provided in the branch piping member 36. The elbow 33 is a second bent portion 9b of the branch pipe 9, and protrudes from the branch portion 8a toward one side Y1 in the width direction Y and curves in the second direction X2 (the side of the water meter 7).

FIG. 5 is a side view of the branch piping member 36 when viewed from the pipe axis direction X. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the branch pipe member 36 includes a pipe main body portion 37 communicating with the elbow 33 and a branch pipe portion 38 branching from the pipe main body portion 37. The end of the pipe body 37 on the opposite side of the elbow 33 is sealed by the sealing member 30. A drain port 34 is provided in the pipe main body 37, and a drain plug 35 is attached to the drain port 34.

The branch pipe portion 38 includes a curved portion 38a that protrudes from the pipe main body 37 toward the other side Y2 (the side of the main pipe 8) in the width direction and bends upward Z1. The water spout 31 is the upper end opening of the branch pipe portion 38. The curved portion 38a of the branch pipe portion 38 is a third bent portion 9c and a first bent portion 9a of the branch pipe 9. Since the branch pipe 9 includes the first bent portion 9a, the water spout 31 opens upward Z1. Further, since the branch pipe 9 includes the third bent portion 9c, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the center 31a of the water discharge port 31 is the other side of the pipe shaft 37a of the pipe main body 37 in the width direction Y. It is located on the side Y2 (the side of the main pipe 8).

The reinforcing member 10 is made of metal and extends along the main pipe 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing member 10 includes a first fixing portion 41 provided on one side of the water meter 7 and the pipe joint mechanism 23 in the main pipe 8, and the water meter 7 and the pipe joint mechanism 23 in the main pipe 8. It is bridged and fixed to the second fixing portion 42 provided on the other side of the above. In this example, the first fixing portion 41 is provided on the flow path switching valve 21. That is, the flow path switching valve 21 is provided with a first fixing portion 41 projecting on the other side Y2 in the width direction Y. In the main pipe 8, a second pipe member 43 is connected to the side of the sluice valve 22 opposite to the water meter 7, and the second fixing portion 42 is provided in the second pipe member 43. That is, the second pipe member 43 is provided with a second fixing portion 42 projecting on the other side Y2 in the width direction Y. In the reinforcing member 10, both end portions in the pipe axis direction X are fixed to the first fixing portion 41 and the second fixing portion 42, respectively.

The base 11 extends the lower Z2 of the main pipe 8 in the pipe axis direction X. As shown in FIG. 2, a first support portion 45 projecting upward Z1 is provided at an end portion of the base 11 in the first direction X1. At the end of the base 11 in the second direction X2, a second support portion 46 projecting upward Z1 is provided. A flow path switching valve 21 is fixed to the first support portion 45 from the upper Z1. A sluice valve 22 is attached to the second support portion 46 from the upper Z1. Further, a second pipe member 43 is mounted on the second support portion 46. As shown in FIG. 3, in this example, the base 11 and the reinforcing member 10 are integrally formed. The base 11 and the reinforcing member 10 may be separate bodies. Further, the base 11 and the reinforcing member 10 may be omitted.

(First installation example)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the first and second forms of the meter unit 1 of the first installation example. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a third form of the meter unit 1 of the first installation example. In the figure below, the unit box 6 is omitted. In the first installation example, the end of the main pipe 8 on the side of the flow path switching valve 21 is connected to the primary side pipe 2. The end of the main pipe 8 opposite to the flow path switching valve 21 is connected to the secondary side pipe 3. Therefore, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 into the meter unit 1 and flowing through the main pipe 8 passes through the flow path switching valve 21, the water meter 7, and the sluice valve 22 in this order to the secondary side pipe 3. It flows. The water meter 7 is arranged so that the inlet is directed to the side of the primary side pipe 2 and the outlet is directed to the side of the secondary side pipe 3.

In the first installation example, in the flow path switching valve 21, the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 flows through the first flow path S1 passing through the water meter 7, and the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 flows through the branch pipe 9. The water flowing from the flow path S2 or the primary side pipe 2 is switched to the third flow path S3 flowing through the first flow path S1 and the second flow path S2.

FIG. 6A is a first mode in which the first flow path S1 is selected by the flow path switching valve 21 and the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is opened (O). In this case, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 flows into the secondary side pipe 3 via the flow path switching valve 21, the water meter 7, and the sluice valve 22 in this order. Therefore, the meter unit 1 can be used as a normal meter unit that measures the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 by the water meter 7 and supplies it to the secondary side pipe 3.

In FIG. 6B, the second flow path S2 is selected by the flow path switching valve 21, the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is closed (X), and the water discharge port 31 is closed by the lid member 32. This is the released second form. In this case, the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 flows through the branch pipe 9 via the flow path switching valve 21 and is discharged from the water discharge port 31. Therefore, water can be taken from the meter unit 1. Further, in this case, the water supply to the secondary side pipe 3 can be stopped and the water can be supplied from the water discharge port 31.

In the second mode shown in FIG. 6 (b), water does not flow through the water meter 7. Here, if the water discharge port 31 is not opened and the state in which the water discharge port 31 is closed by the lid member 32 is maintained, water is not discharged from the water discharge port 31. Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the water meter 7.

In FIG. 7, the third flow path S3 is selected by the flow path switching valve 21, the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is opened (O), and the water discharge port 31 is released from the closure by the lid member 32. There are three forms. In this case, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 flows through the flow path switching valve 21, the water meter 7, and the sluice valve 22 in this order, and flows into the secondary side pipe 3. Further, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 flows into the branch pipe 9 via the flow path switching valve 21 and is discharged from the water discharge port 31. Therefore, water can be taken while supplying water to the secondary side pipe 3 via the main pipe 8. Further, in this case, the water flowing from the main pipe 8 to the secondary side pipe 3 can be measured.

(Second installation example)
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the meter unit 1 of the second installation example when viewed from above Z1. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the first and second forms of the meter unit 1 of the second installation example. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a third form of the meter unit 1 of the second installation example. In the second installation example, the distribution direction of the water flowing through the main pipe 8 is reversed from that of the first installation example.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the second installation example, the end of the main pipe 8 on the side of the flow path switching valve 21 is connected to the secondary side pipe 3. The end of the main pipe 8 opposite to the flow path switching valve 21 is connected to the primary side pipe 2. Therefore, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 into the meter unit 1 and flowing through the main pipe 8 passes through the sluice valve 22, the water meter 7, and the flow path switching valve 21 (branch portion 8a) in this order, and is secondary. It flows to the side pipe 3. The water meter 7 is arranged so that the inlet is directed to the side of the primary side pipe 2 and the outlet is directed to the side of the secondary side pipe 3. Therefore, in the second installation example, the direction of the water meter 7 is opposite to the direction of the water meter 7 in the first installation example.

In the second installation example, the flow path switching valve 21 flows in from the fourth flow path S4 and the primary side pipe 2 in which water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 and passing through the water meter 7 flows into the secondary side pipe 3. The water flowing through the water meter 7 flows into the branch pipe 9 in the fifth flow path S5, or the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 and passing through the water meter 7 flows into the fourth flow path S4 and the fifth flow path S5. Switch to the flowing sixth flow path S6.

FIG. 9A is a first mode in which the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is in the open state (O) and the fourth flow path S4 is selected by the flow path switching valve 21. In this case, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 flows into the secondary side pipe 3 via the sluice valve 22, the water meter 7, and the flow path switching valve 21 in this order. Therefore, the meter unit 1 can be used as a normal meter unit that measures the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 by the water meter 7 and supplies it to the secondary side pipe 3.

In FIG. 9B, the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is opened (O), the water discharge port 31 is released from the closure by the lid member 32, and the fifth flow path S5 is selected by the flow path switching valve 21. This is the second form. In this case, the water flowing in from the primary side pipe 2 flows into the branch pipe 9 via the sluice valve 22, the water meter 7, and the flow path switching valve 21, and is discharged from the water discharge port 31. Therefore, water can be taken from the meter unit 1. Further, in this case, water can be taken from the water discharge port 31 in a state where the supply of water to the secondary side pipe 3 is stopped. Further, in this case, the water discharged from the water discharge port 31 can be weighed.

In the second mode shown in FIG. 9B, if the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is closed (X), water does not flow through the water meter 7. In addition, water does not flow back from the secondary side pipe 3 toward the water meter 7. Further, if the water discharge port 31 is not opened and the water discharge port 31 is kept closed by the lid member 32, water will not be discharged from the water discharge port 31. Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the water meter 7.

In FIG. 10, the sluice valve 22 of the main pipe 8 is opened (O), the water discharge port 31 is released from the closure by the lid member 32, and the sixth flow path S6 is selected by the flow path switching valve 21. It is a form. In this case, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 flows into the secondary side pipe 3 via the sluice valve 22, the water meter 7, and the flow path switching valve 21 in this order. Further, the water flowing from the primary side pipe 2 flows into the branch pipe 9 via the flow path switching valve 21 and is discharged from the water discharge port 31. Therefore, water can be taken while supplying water to the secondary side pipe 3 via the main pipe 8. Further, in this case, the total amount of water flowing into the secondary side pipe 3 and water discharged from the water discharge port 31 can be measured.

(Action effect)
According to this example, the meter unit 1 includes a branch pipe 9 branching from a main pipe 8 having a water meter 7. Further, the branch pipe 9 is provided with a water discharge port 31. Therefore, if water flows into the branch pipe 9, water can be taken from the water outlet 31 without removing the water meter 7.

Further, according to the meter unit 1 of this example, even when the flow path switching valve 21 is connected to the primary side pipe 2 and water is circulated from the side of the flow path switching valve 21, the flow path switching valve 21 is secondary. Even when water is circulated from the side of the sluice valve 22 by connecting to the side pipe 3, it is possible to measure the water flowing into the secondary side pipe 3 via the meter unit 1 and from the water discharge port 31. Water intake is possible. Therefore, the same meter unit 1 can be used in a plurality of forms depending on the intended use.

Further, in this example, the branch pipe 9 is provided with a first bent portion 9a that bends upward Z1 toward the water discharge port 31 side between the branch portion 8a and the water discharge port 31. As a result, the water spout 31 faces upward Z1. Therefore, if the ceiling plate 14 of the unit box 6 is removed, external pipes, hoses, etc. can be connected to the water outlet 31 from the upper Z1.

Further, the branch pipe 9 includes a second bent portion 9b that bends in the second direction X2 toward one side Y1 in the width direction Y between the branch portion 8a and the first bent portion 9a. Therefore, the meter unit 1 can be made smaller in the width direction Y as compared with the case where the branch pipe 9 extends in a straight line in the direction away from the main pipe 8.

Further, the branch pipe 9 includes a third bent portion 9c that bends to the other side Y2 in the width direction Y between the first bent portion 9a and the second bent portion 9b. As a result, the center 31a of the water discharge port 31 can be positioned closer to the main pipe 8 than the pipe shaft 37a of the pipe main body 37. Therefore, the meter unit 1 can be made smaller in the width direction Y as compared with the case where the center 31a of the water discharge port 31 is separated from the main pipe 8 by the pipe shaft 37a of the pipe main body 37.

Further, in this example, the pipe joint mechanism 23 is arranged between the flow path switching valve 21 and the water meter 7 in the main pipe 8. The pipe joint mechanism 23 includes a fixed pipe 25 fixed to the flow path switching valve 21, a moving pipe 26 coaxially supported by the fixed pipe 25 in a state of being movable in the pipe axial direction X of the fixed pipe 25, and a moving pipe. It is provided with a fastening mechanism 28 for fastening the 26 and the water meter 7, and a movement control mechanism 29 for disabling the movement of the moving pipe 26 with respect to the fixed pipe 25. Therefore, the installation work of attaching the water meter 7 to the main pipe 8 and the removal work of removing the water meter 7 from the main pipe 8 are easy.

Further, in this example, the first fixing portion 41 provided on one side of the water meter 7 and the pipe joint mechanism 23 in the main pipe 8 and the other side of the water meter 7 and the pipe joint mechanism 23 in the main pipe 8 are provided. A reinforcing member 10 is provided which is bridged and fixed to the second fixing portion 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the bending of the main pipe 8 when the water meter 7 is attached or detached.

Instead of the pipe joint member 24, the pipe joint mechanism 23 may be provided between the water meter 7 and the sluice valve 22. That is, the pipe joint mechanism 23 may be provided between the water meter 7 and the piping member (gate valve 22) located next to the water meter 7. In this case, the water meter 7 and the flow path switching valve 21 can be connected by the pipe joint member 24.

(Another example of branch piping member)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a branch piping member of a modified example. The branch piping member 36A of the modified example can be used in place of the branch piping member 36 described above. FIG. 11A is a case where the branch pipe member of the modified example is viewed from the side of the main pipe 8, and FIG. 11B is a case where the branched pipe member of the modified example is viewed from the pipe axial direction X. .. In FIG. 11B, a part of the branch piping member of the modified example is shown in cross section. Since the branch piping member 36A of the modified example has a configuration corresponding to the branch piping member 36 described above, the corresponding configuration is designated by the same reference numeral.

As shown in FIG. 11, the branch pipe member 36A includes a pipe main body 37 and a branch pipe 38 that branches from the pipe main body 37. As shown in FIG. 11A, the pipe shaft 37a of the pipe main body 37 is parallel to the axis of the main pipe 8. A drain port 34 is provided in the pipe main body 37, and a drain plug 35 is attached to the drain port 34. The branch pipe portion 38 includes a protruding portion 38b that protrudes from the pipe main body 37 toward the other side Y2 (the side of the main pipe 8) in the width direction Y, and a bent portion 38c that bends upward from the tip of the protruding portion. .. The upper end opening of the branch pipe portion 38 is a water spout 31. The water spout 31 is closed by the lid member 32.

When the branch pipe member 36A is connected to the elbow 33, the protruding portion 38b of the branch pipe portion 38 becomes the third bent portion 9c of the branch pipe 9. Further, the bent portion 38c of the branch pipe portion 38 becomes the first bent portion 9a of the branch pipe 9.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, the branch piping member 36A includes a first pipe member 61 including a piping main body 37 and a second pipe member 62 including a bent portion 38c and a water discharge port 31. It is composed of members. The first pipe member 61 includes a main pipe portion 61a constituting the pipe main body portion 37, and a connecting pipe portion 61b protruding from the middle of the main pipe portion 61a in a direction orthogonal to the main pipe portion 61a. The main pipe portion 61a is provided with a drain port 34. The connecting pipe portion 61b is provided with two annular grooves, and an O-ring 63 is attached to each annular groove. The connecting pipe portion 61b is provided with a flange 61c at a boundary with the main pipe portion 61a. Further, the first pipe member 61 includes a first bolt fastening portion 61d for fixing the branch pipe member 36A to the bottom plate 16 of the unit box 6. The first bolt fastening portion 61d extends downward Z2 from the main portion 61a.

The second pipe member 62 extends in the vertical direction Z. The second pipe member 62 is provided with an opening 62a at the lower end portion. Further, the second pipe member 62 is provided with a bent portion 38c on the side opposite to the opening 62a at the lower end portion. Further, the second pipe member 62 includes a tubular portion 62b extending inward of the second pipe member 62 from the opening edge of the opening 62a. Further, the second pipe member 62 includes a second bolt fastening portion 62c for fixing the branch pipe member 36A to the bottom plate 16 of the unit box 6. The second bolt fastening portion 62c extends downward Z2 from the lower end portion of the bent portion 38c.

Here, in the first pipe member 61, the connecting pipe portion 61b is inserted into the tubular portion 62b of the second pipe member 62 via the opening 62a, and the flange 61c is in contact with the opening edge of the opening 62a. It is integrated with the pipe member 62. As a result, the connecting pipe portion 61b of the first pipe member 61 and the tubular portion 62b of the second pipe member 62 become the third bent portion 9c of the branch pipe 9, and the bent portion 38c of the second pipe member 62 becomes the branch pipe 9 It becomes the first bent portion 9a of. Two O-rings 63 are interposed between the connecting pipe portion 61b of the first pipe member 61 and the cylinder portion 62b of the second pipe member 62. Since the branch piping member 36A of this example is composed of two members, it is easy to manufacture.

1 ... Meter unit, 2 ... Primary side piping, 3 ... Secondary side piping, 5 ... Unit body, 6 ... Unit box, 7 ... Water meter, 8 ... Main piping, 8a ... Branch part, 9 ... Branch pipe, 9a ... 1st bent part, 9b ... 2nd bent part, 9c ... 3rd bent part, 10 ... Reinforcing member, 11 ... Base, 13 ... Box body, 14 ... Ceiling plate, 15 ... Opening and closing lid, 16 ... Bottom plate, 21 ... Flow Path switching valve, 22 ... sluice valve, 23 ... pipe joint mechanism, 24 ... pipe joint member, 25 ... fixed pipe, 26 ... moving pipe, 26a ... small diameter part, 26b ... large diameter part, 26c ... annular flange, 27 ... O Ring, 28 ... Fastening mechanism, 29 ... Movement control mechanism, 30 ... Sealing member, 31 ... Water spout, 31a ... Water spout center, 32 ... Lid member, 33 ... Elbow, 34 ... Drain port, 35 ... Drain plug, 36, 36A ... Branch piping member, 37 ... Piping main body, 37a ... Pipe shaft, 38 ... Branch pipe, 38a ... Curved part, 38b ... Protruding part, 38c ... Bending part, 41 ... First fixed part, 42 ... 2 Fixed part, 43 ... 2nd pipe member, 45 ... 1st support part, 46 ... 2nd support part, 55 ... packing, 56 ... bag nut, 56a ... bag part, 57 ... joint nut, 57a ... bag part, 58 … Joint packing, 59…
Joint washer, 61 ... 1st pipe member, 61 ... 1st pipe member, 61a ... Main pipe part, 61b ... Connection pipe part, 61c ... Flange, 61d ... 1st bolt fastening part, 62 ... 2nd pipe member, 62a ... Opening, 62b ... Cylinder portion, 62c ... Second bolt fastening portion, 63 ... O-ring, S1 ... 1st flow path, S2 ... 2nd flow path, S3 ... 3rd flow path, S4 ... 4th flow path, S5 ... 5th flow path, S6 ... 6th flow path, X ... pipe axis direction of main pipe, Y ... width direction, Z ... vertical direction

Claims (11)

The main pipe, which is located between the primary side pipe and the secondary side pipe and goes through the water meter,
It has a branch pipe that branches from one side of the water meter in the main pipe, and has.
The main pipe includes a flow path switching valve arranged at a branch portion where the branch pipe branches, and a sluice valve arranged on the other side of the water meter in the main pipe.
The branch pipe is a meter unit including a water spout and a lid member that closes the water spout so as to be openable and closable. The end of the flow path switching valve of the main pipe is connected to the primary side pipe.
The end of the main pipe opposite to the flow path switching valve is connected to the secondary side pipe.
The flow path switching valve switches the water flowing in from the primary side pipe to the first flow path passing through the water meter or the second flow path in which the water flowing in from the primary side pipe flows through the branch pipe. The meter unit according to claim 1. The flow path switching valve switches the water flowing from the first flow path, the second flow path, or the primary side pipe to the first flow path and the third flow path through the second flow path. The meter unit according to claim 2. The end of the flow path switching valve of the main pipe is connected to the secondary side pipe.
The end of the main pipe opposite to the flow path switching valve is connected to the primary side pipe.
The flow path switching valve is a fourth flow path in which water flowing from the primary side pipe and passing through the water meter flows into the secondary side pipe, and water flowing from the primary side pipe and passing through the water meter. The meter unit according to claim 1, wherein the meter unit is switched to a fifth flow path flowing through the branch pipe. In the flow path switching valve, water flowing from the fourth flow path, the fifth flow path, or the primary side pipe and passing through the water meter flows into the fourth flow path and the fifth flow path. The meter unit according to claim 4, wherein the meter unit is switched to 6 flow paths. The meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water outlet is provided at an end of the branch pipe opposite to the branch portion. The branch pipe is provided with a first bent portion that bends upward toward the water spout side between the branch portion and the water spout.
The meter unit according to claim 6, wherein the water outlet faces upward. 7. The branch pipe is characterized by comprising a second bent portion between the branch portion and the first bent portion, which bends toward the water meter in a direction away from the main pipe. The meter unit described in. The meter unit according to claim 8, wherein the branch pipe is provided with a third bent portion that bends to the side of the main pipe between the first bent portion and the second bent portion. The meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the branch pipe includes a drain port and a drain plug detachably attached to the drain port. It has a reinforcing member extending along the main pipe and has a reinforcing member.
The main pipe has a pipe joint mechanism provided between the water meter and a pipe member located next to the water meter.
The pipe joint mechanism includes a fixed pipe connected to the piping member, a moving pipe supported by the fixed pipe in a state of being movable in the pipe axis direction of the fixed pipe, and the moving pipe and the water meter. It is provided with a fastening mechanism for fastening and a movement control mechanism for disabling the movement of the moving pipe with respect to the fixed pipe.
The reinforcing member is provided on one side of the water meter and the pipe joint mechanism in the main pipe, and on the other side of the water meter and the pipe joint mechanism in the main pipe. 2. The meter unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the meter unit is bridged and fixed to a fixed portion.

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