JP2022039467A - Automated watering device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automated watering device capable of surely preventing damage caused by having water frozen inside during a cold period.SOLUTION: An automated watering device comprises: a resin water passing pipe 2 having a water inlet 21 connected to a water discharge port of a faucet at one end thereof, having a water outlet 22 at the other end, and forming a water flow passage P therein; an electromagnetic valve 3 having a main valve seat disposed at an intermediate location of the water flow passage, a main valve body 32 abutted on and separated from the main valve seat, and an actuator 331 which drives the main valve body 32; a control unit that controls the timing of opening/closing the water flow passage with the electromagnetic valve 3; a temperature-sensitive drainage valve 5 which is communicated with a primary side portion P1 of the water flow passage, discharges the water remaining in the primary side portion of the water flow passage little by little when an ambient temperature becomes a predetermined temperature or below near a freezing point in a state where the water flow passage is closed, and prevents the water from being frozen; and a release valve 6 that introduces to an expansion absorption chamber 60 an expanded portion of water when the water remaining the primary side portion of the water flow passage is frozen in the state where the water flow passage is closed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic irrigation device used for automatic irrigation in, for example, a garden of a general house, a common space of an apartment house or a public facility, a park, etc., and more specifically, the water freezes inside in a cold season. The present invention relates to an automatic irrigation system having a function for preventing damage due to the above.

Various types of automatic irrigation equipment are proposed, from those for large-scale irrigation in fields such as agriculture to those for small-scale applications such as watering plants in the gardens of general houses and common spaces of public facilities. Has been done.
As a simple automatic irrigation system applied to the latter small-scale application, it has a water inlet connected to the spout of the faucet at one end, a water outlet at the other end, and the inside is a water passage. It has a water pipe, a valve seat provided at the middle of the water passage, a valve body that opens and closes the water passage by being contacted and separated from the valve seat, and an actuator for driving the valve body. It is known that the solenoid valve is equipped with a control unit (timer) that controls the opening / closing timing of the water passage by the solenoid valve.
According to this automatic irrigation system, the timing of opening and closing of the water passage by the electromagnetic valve is programmed in advance by the control unit, the water inlet of the water pipe is connected to the spout of the water tap, and the water outlet of the water pipe is irrigated. After connecting to the water pipe, if the water tap is opened to allow water to flow, the electromagnetic valve operates at a predetermined date and time to automatically irrigate the planting such as lawn and plants.

The above-mentioned automatic irrigation device is usually installed directly connected to a water tap outdoors such as a garden or a park. Therefore, in the cold season when the ambient temperature is below the freezing point, if the water accumulated in the primary side of the water passage freezes when the water passage is closed by the solenoid valve, the expansion pressure of the water at the time of freezing causes the water pipe and electromagnetic waves. The valve may be damaged and problems such as water leakage may occur.

As a means for solving the problem of breakage due to freezing of water inside the automatic irrigation device as described above, the freeze breakage prevention device described in Patent Document 1 below has been proposed.
This device is slidably provided in a tubular portion provided so as to communicate with the primary side portion of the water passage in the water passage pipe, a through hole formed in the wall of the tubular portion, and the tubular portion. A plug body that switches between water discharge and water stoppage from the through hole, an elastic body that applies a pressing force to the plug body in a direction that opposes the water in the tubular part, and a tip that moves with the plug body. The side is provided with an extension that is inserted into the through hole.
According to the above freeze breakage prevention device, when the pressure of water in the tubular portion rises above a predetermined value due to freezing, the flow path in the tubular portion and the through hole become conductive, and water is introduced from the through hole. Is to be released.

Japanese Patent No. 6047516

However, the freeze-breaking prevention device described in Patent Document 1 does not have a function of preventing the water staying in the water passage from freezing itself, and the volume of water expanded by freezing is contained in the tubular portion. If the through hole is blocked by frozen water before the entire amount is discharged from the through hole, there is a possibility that damage to the water passage pipe or the like due to freezing of the water cannot be prevented.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an automatic irrigation apparatus capable of surely preventing damage caused by freezing of water inside in a cold season.

The present invention comprises the following aspects in order to achieve the above object.

1) A resin water pipe having a water inlet connected to the spout of the water tap at one end, a water outlet at the other end, and a water passage inside.
It has a main valve seat provided at an intermediate point of the water passage, a main valve body that opens and closes the water passage by being contacted and separated from the main valve seat, and an actuator for driving the main valve body. Solenoid valve and
A control unit that controls the opening and closing timing of the water passage by a solenoid valve,
It is provided so as to communicate with the primary side part of the water passage, and when the ambient temperature falls below a predetermined temperature near the freezing point when the water passage is closed by a solenoid valve, a small amount of water staying in the primary side part of the water passage is reduced. A temperature-sensitive drain valve that discharges water one by one to prevent freezing of water,
It is provided so as to communicate with the primary side part of the water passage, and when the water staying in the primary side part of the water passage freezes when the water passage is closed by a solenoid valve, the expanded amount of water is introduced into the expansion absorption chamber. An automatic irrigation system equipped with a closed relief valve to allow.

2) The automatic irrigation device of 1) above, in which a drain valve is provided so as to communicate with the primary side portion of the water passage at a location close to the water inlet.

3) The automatic irrigation system according to 1) or 2) above, in which the relief valve is provided so as to communicate with the primary side portion of the water passage at a location close to the main valve seat.

4) The drain valve
It consists of a metal tubular body, one end of which is connected to the water pipe in a communicating manner, and has a first sub-valve seat in the middle part inside, and the other end and the other end of the peripheral wall than the first sub-valve seat. A housing that has a water outlet on at least one of the side parts,
It has a first sub-valve body at one end and can be moved to the other end side of the first sub-valve seat in the housing so that the first sub-valve body is abutted and separated from the first sub-valve seat. The first mobile body housed in
A first spring that urges the first moving body toward the opposite side of the first auxiliary valve seat,
It is made of shape memory alloy and is equipped with a second spring that urges the first moving body toward the first auxiliary valve seat side.
When the ambient temperature of the second spring is higher than the predetermined temperature near the freezing point, the second spring moves the first moving body toward the first auxiliary valve seat side against the spring elastic force of the first spring to move the first auxiliary valve body. While abutting on the first sub-valve seat, when the ambient temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the first moving body is moved to the opposite side to the first sub-valve seat by the spring elastic force of the first spring. 1 An automatic irrigation device according to any one of 1) to 3) above, which deforms the auxiliary valve body in the contraction direction so as to be separated from the first auxiliary valve seat.

5) The relief valve
A second auxiliary valve seat consisting of the outer edge of the communication hole formed at a predetermined position on the pipe wall of the water pipe,
A cylindrical cylinder portion that extends outward from the peripheral portion of the second auxiliary valve seat in the pipe wall and forms the peripheral wall of the expansion / absorption chamber.
It has a second auxiliary valve body at one end, and at least a part of it is movably housed in the cylinder portion so as to be watertight and the second auxiliary valve body is abutted and separated from the second auxiliary valve seat. And the second moving body forming the movable end wall of the expansion absorption chamber,
An automatic irrigation device according to any one of 1) to 4) above, comprising an urging member for urging the second moving body toward the second auxiliary valve seat side.

6) The urging member consists of a third spring,
A cylindrical spring holder is arranged around the cylinder part,
A spring holding portion is formed in the spring holder at the end opposite to the second auxiliary valve seat or the intermediate length.
The third spring is interposed between the second moving body and the spring holding portion, and the third spring is interposed between the second moving body and the spring holding portion.
The end of the spring holder on the side of the second auxiliary valve seat is provided with a predetermined spacing by a spacing-maintaining convex portion formed on the pipe wall of the water pipe so as to project toward at least one of the two toward the other. The automatic irrigation system of 5) above, which is installed in the open state.

According to the automatic irrigation system of 1) above, for example, when the water tap is opened and the water passage is closed by the solenoid valve (hereinafter, may be referred to as "temporary water stop state"), the ambient temperature is set. When the temperature drops below a predetermined temperature near the freezing point, the drain valve discharges the water accumulated in the primary side portion of the water passage little by little, thereby preventing the water from freezing inside.
Further, according to the device of 1) above, for example, in a state where the water tap is closed and the water passage is closed by the solenoid valve (hereinafter, may be referred to as "complete water stop state"), the ambient temperature is the freezing point. Even if the discharge of water accumulated in the primary side of the water passage by the drain valve is stopped when the temperature drops below a predetermined temperature in the vicinity, the relief valve expands and absorbs the volume of water that expanded during freezing. Since it is introduced into the room, it avoids damage to the water pipes and solenoid valves.
Therefore, according to the automatic irrigation device of 1) above, it is possible to surely prevent damage caused by freezing of water inside in the cold season.

According to the automatic irrigation device of 2) above, the following effects are obtained.
That is, in the completely water-stopped state, water freezes and progresses from the vicinity of each of the metal faucet having high thermal conductivity and the drain valve exposed to the outside air, but the drain valve is used. If it is installed at a position away from the water tap, the primary side of the water passage is divided by the frozen water at each location, so the expansion and absorption function of the relief valve when the water freezes does not work sufficiently, and the water can pass through. Damage to water pipes and electromagnetic valves may occur.
According to the automatic irrigation system of 2) above, since the drain valve is arranged close to the water tap, the water passage is divided as described above in the completely stopped state, and the water is frozen by the relief valve. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the expansion / absorption function is not exhibited, and it is possible to more reliably prevent damage to the water pipe and the solenoid valve due to freezing of water.

According to the automatic irrigation system of 3) above, the relief valve is provided at the innermost part of the primary side of the water passage, which is the farthest from the water faucet. When the freezing of water gradually progresses from the water inlet near the water inlet to the back of the primary side of the water passage, the expansion and absorption function of the relief valve during water freezing is maximized and the water freezes. It is possible to more reliably prevent damage to the water pipe and the solenoid valve due to the above.

According to the automatic irrigation system in 4) above, the drain valve opens and closes by sensing the temperature of the second spring made of shape memory alloy, so it is a general temperature-sensitive valve that uses an oil element. In comparison, the temperature response is excellent, and the housing is also made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity. Therefore, for example, in a temporarily water-stopped state, the water accumulated in the primary side portion of the water passage is frozen. It can be reliably discharged before.
Further, according to the device of 4) above, the drain valve has a simplified internal structure as compared with a general temperature-sensitive valve using an oil element, so that the amount of water discharged should be increased. As a result, the flow of water in the primary side of the water passage can be increased, so that the effect of preventing water from freezing is high.

According to the automatic irrigation system of 5) above, since the relief valve is composed of the second auxiliary valve seat, the cylinder portion, the second moving body and the urging member, the water in the primary side portion of the water passage is frozen. While the expanded volume can be smoothly introduced into the expansion absorption chamber, the water thawed by the temperature rise can be reliably returned from the expansion absorption chamber to the primary side portion of the water passage, and the expansion absorption chamber can be used. Since the airtightness is ensured, there is no malfunction due to freezing of water, and since the structure is relatively simple, assembly is easy and the cost is suppressed.

According to the automatic irrigation system of 6) above, the end portion of the spring holder on the second auxiliary valve seat side is provided with a predetermined spacing by a spacing-maintaining convex portion formed on the pipe wall of the water pipe at least one of the two. Since it is installed in an open state, when the water in the primary side of the water passage freezes and expands, it is easily deformed so that the pipe wall swells outward by receiving the expansion pressure, and it escapes. Combined with the expansion and absorption effect of the valve, damage to the water pipe and solenoid valve due to freezing of water is more reliably prevented.

It is a front view which shows the whole outline of the automatic irrigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the same plan view. It is a vertical vertical sectional view which shows the main part of the automatic irrigation apparatus. The drain valve of the automatic irrigation apparatus is shown, (a) is a vertical vertical sectional view in a closed state, and (b) is a vertical vertical sectional view in an open state. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 4A. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st moving body of the drain valve by disassembling. The relief valve of the automatic irrigation system is shown, (a) is a vertical vertical sectional view in a closed state, and (b) is a vertical vertical sectional view in an open state. (A) is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line aa of FIG. 7 (a), (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line bb of FIG. 7 (b), and (c) is a vertical cross-sectional view. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line cc of FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7D is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line dd of FIG. 7C.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
In the following description, the top and bottom and left and right of FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 7 are referred to as "up and down" and "left and right", and the lower part of FIG. 2 is referred to as "front" and the same as above is referred to as "rear".

[A. Overall configuration of automatic irrigation system]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic irrigation apparatus (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a water pipe (2), a solenoid valve (3), a control unit (4), and a drainage device. It is equipped with a valve (5) and a relief valve (6). Of these components, except for both ends of the water pipe (2) and the drain valve (5), they are housed in a box-shaped casing (7).

[B. Water pipe]
The water pipe (2) is long vertically and has a water inlet (21) connected to the spout of a water faucet (not shown) at the upper end and a water outlet (22) at the lower end. , The inside is a water pipe (P).
The direction in which the water flow pipe (2) is arranged is shown in consideration of the connectivity with the spout of the water tap and the function of preventing freezing damage by the drain valve (5) and the relief valve (6), which will be described later. The vertical direction (vertical direction) is preferable, but it is also possible to arrange it in the horizontal direction or the diagonal direction.

This water pipe (2) is made of a resin material having a lower thermal conductivity (in other words, a higher heat insulating property) than a metal material. As the resin material for forming the water pipe (2), in addition to low thermal conductivity, a resin that has low temperature resistance and is elastically deformable so that the expansion pressure when the water inside freezes can be absorbed as much as possible is used. Is preferable, and specific examples thereof include polyacetal (POM).

The illustrated water pipe (2) has an upper tubular member (20a) and a lower tubular member (20b). An annular flange portion (201) is formed in the lower portion of the upper tubular member (20a) and the upper portion of the lower tubular member (20b). Further, an insertion portion (202) is formed in the upper portion of the lower tubular member (20b) so as to project upward from the flange portion (201) and to be watertightly inserted into the lower portion of the upper tubular member (20a). There is. Then, the insertion portion (202) of the lower tubular member (20b) is inserted into the lower portion of the upper tubular member (20a), and the flange portion (201) of both members (20a) (20b) is a quick fastener (F). ), The upper tubular member (20a) and the lower tubular member (20b) are detachably connected to each other. The configuration of the main part of the water pipe (2) is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, one made of a single tubular member or one in which three or more tubular members are connected in series. ..
In the case of the illustrated water pipe (2), the upper portion thereof has a rectangular outer circumference in the cross section.
The connection structure between the water inlet (21) of the water pipe (2) and the spout of the water tap is not particularly limited. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a rotatably attached spout connection nut (not shown) is screwed to a spout with a male screw (see FIG. 3).
Further, the connection structure between the water outlet (22) of the water pipe (2) and the irrigation hose is not particularly limited. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a hose connection nut (not shown) rotatably attached to the water pipe is screw-joined (see FIG. 3).

[C. Solenoid valve]
The illustrated solenoid valve (3) is of a pilot type, and is brought into contact with and separated from the main valve seat (31) provided at an intermediate point of the water passage (P) and the main valve seat (31). It is equipped with a main valve body (32) that opens and closes the water passage (P) by being operated, and a pilot valve (33) that drives the main valve body (32).
The main valve seat (31) is located in the middle part of the length of the water pipe (2) (here, in the upper part of the lower tubular member (20b)) and in the direction intersecting the length direction of the water pipe (2) (here, in the upper part). It is formed so as to face (to the right). Along with this, the waterway (P) is bent into a substantially U shape in the middle of its length.
The main valve body (32) is of a diaphragm type and has a disc-shaped base member (321) and a diaphragm member (322) made of a rubber elastic body and attached to the base member (321). ing. The main valve body accommodating portion (203) is formed at a portion (here, the right side portion) facing the main valve seat (31) in the upper part of the lower tubular member (20b). In this main valve body accommodating portion (203), the main valve body (32) is movable so that the surface (sealing surface) of the diaphragm member (322) can be brought into contact with and separated from the main valve seat (31). It is contained.
The main valve body accommodating portion (203) is opened sideways (here, to the right), and an intermediate pipe wall member (20c) is attached to the edge of the opening.
An annular convex portion (204) is formed on the inner surface of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c), and is formed on the tip of the annular convex portion (204) and the main valve body accommodating portion (203) so as to face the tip thereof. The outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm member (322) is narrowly held by the annular step.
The space surrounded by the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) and the main valve body (32) is the pressure chamber (P11) of the solenoid valve (3).
The pressure chamber (P11) is communicated with the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage located upstream from the through-shaped water passage hole (323) formed in the main valve body (32). And the inside is filled with water. In the present invention, the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage includes a pressure chamber (P11), and the pressure chamber (P11) is the innermost part of the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage.
A fourth spring (34) that urges the main valve body (32) toward the main valve seat (31) is interposed between the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) and the main valve body (32). .. The fourth spring (34) extends horizontally from the end on the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) side toward the main valve body (32) side and extends into the water passage hole (323) of the main valve body (32). The inserted linear insertion portion (341) is integrally provided. This linear insertion portion (341) slides in the water passage hole (323) as the main valve body (32) moves, thereby performing a cleaning function to prevent clogging of the water passage hole (323). ..

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the pilot valve (33) is, for example, a valve chamber communicated with the pressure chamber (P11) via a pressure release passage, and a secondary side portion of the water passage from the water outlet of the valve chamber ( The water outflow passage leading to P2), the valve seat provided at the edge of the water outlet in the valve chamber, the valve body housed in the valve chamber so as to be in contact with and separated from the valve seat, and the electromagnetic induction action. It is equipped with an actuator (331) that drives the valve body. In the case of the illustrated solenoid valve (3), the pressure release passage, valve chamber, water outflow passage, and the portion forming the valve seat of the pilot valve (33) are connected to the lower end of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c). It is integrally molded with the intermediate pipe wall member (20c), and the actuator (331) is connected and fixed to the same portion with a screw (333) via a connecting metal fitting (332).
When the solenoid of the actuator (331) is not energized, the valve body is brought into contact with the valve seat and the water outlet is closed. In this state, the pressure of the water in the pressure chamber (P11) is equal to the pressure of the water in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage located upstream of it, so that the main valve of the solenoid valve (3) The body (32) is brought into contact with the main valve seat (31), and the water passage (P) is closed.
On the other hand, when the solenoid of the actuator (331) is energized, the valve body is separated from the valve seat, and the water in the pressure chamber (P11) flows out to the secondary side portion (P2) of the water passage. As a result, the pressure of the water in the pressure chamber (P11) becomes smaller than the pressure of the water in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage located upstream of the pressure chamber (P11). As a result, the main valve body (32) of the solenoid valve (3) was separated from the main valve seat (31) against the spring elastic force of the fourth spring (34), and the water passage (P) was opened. It is made into a state.
The configuration of the solenoid valve is not limited to the above, and for example, a pilot solenoid valve other than the above and a direct acting solenoid valve can also be applied.

[D. Control unit]
The control unit (4) controls the opening / closing timing of the water passage (P) by the solenoid valve (3). For example, the control unit main body (41), the operation panel (42), and the power supply (illustrated). It consists of a timer having (omitted) and.
The operation panel (42) is configured so that information such as the watering day (day of the week), the watering start time, and the watering time can be input by button operation or touch operation. The information input on the operation panel (42) is programmed in the control unit main body (41). Then, according to the set program, the output signal is sent (energized) from the control unit main body (41) to the actuator (331) of the solenoid valve (3), so that the water passage (P) is performed at a predetermined date and time for a predetermined time. Is open and irrigation is performed automatically. The operation panel (42) is usually provided with a display unit for displaying programmed information or the like. When not in use, the operation panel (42) is covered with a lid (71) that is openable and closable to the casing (7) (see FIG. 2). As the power source, for example, a dry battery, a storage battery, or the like is used.

[E. Drain valve]
The drain valve (5) is a temperature-sensitive type and is provided so as to communicate with the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage, and the water passage (P) is closed by the solenoid valve (3). When the ambient temperature falls below a predetermined temperature near the freezing point in the above state, the water accumulated in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage is discharged little by little to prevent the water from freezing.
The drain valve (5) is preferably provided at a position close to the water inlet (21) of the water pipe (2). Specifically, the drain valve (5) is connected to one side surface (here, the left side surface) of the upper portion of the upper tubular member (20a) in a communication manner, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Installed horizontally and horizontally.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 to 6, the drain valve (5) of this embodiment includes a housing (51), a first moving body (52) housed in the housing (51), and a first spring. It has (53) and a second spring (54) made of shape memory alloy.

The housing (51) is made of a metal tubular body. One end (here, the right end) of the housing (51) is connected to the water pipe (2) in a communication pattern. In the housing (51), a first auxiliary valve seat (511) is formed at a portion intermediate in length (here, a portion near the right end). Water is applied to at least one (here, both) of the other end of the housing (51) (here, the left end) and the other end of the peripheral wall from the first auxiliary valve seat (511) (here, the left end). A discharge port (512) is formed.
The metal material constituting the housing (51) is not particularly limited, but copper having a high thermal conductivity (particularly brass) is preferably used in consideration of the temperature sensitivity of the drain valve (5).
The illustrated housing (51) has a horizontal tubular housing body (51a) having a female screw at one end (here, the right end), and one side (here, the right side) is the upper end of the water pipe (2). It is screwed into the first communication hole (205) with female threads formed on the side surface (upper part of the upper tubular member (20a)), and the other side portion (here, the left side portion) is one end portion (here) of the housing body (51a). Then, it consists of a male joint member (51b) screwed into the right end).
An annular step (513) facing the water pipe (2) side (here, the right side) is formed at the intermediate position of the inner surface of the housing body (51a). On the peripheral wall of the housing body (51a), a plurality of (six in this case) water discharge ports (512) are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in a position close to the first auxiliary valve seat (511). (See FIG. 5). Further, the housing body (51a) has an end wall portion at an end portion (here, the left end portion) opposite to the water pipe (2), and a water discharge port (512) is also formed at this end wall portion. Has been done. Of these water discharge ports (512), the water discharge port (512) located below the peripheral wall of the housing body (51a) mainly has a water discharge function, but the remaining water discharge ports. (512) has a function of introducing outside air into the housing (5) to enhance the temperature sensitivity of the second spring (54). Further, the plurality of water discharge ports (512) formed on the peripheral wall of the housing body (51a) shall be located below one of them in a state where the housing (51) is connected to the water pipe (2). Since the water discharge function can be achieved with the water discharge port (512), fine alignment of the water discharge port (512) becomes unnecessary when the housing (5) is connected, and the assembling property is improved.
The joint member (51b) has an end wall portion (514) having a water passage hole (515) in the center at the end portion (here, the left end portion) opposite to the water pipe (2). The end wall portion constitutes an intermediate partition wall portion (514) of the housing (51). In the illustrated end wall portion (514), the peripheral portion of the water passage hole (515) is projected in a short cylindrical shape toward the opposite side (here, the left side) of the water pipe (2), and the protrusion thereof is the same. The tip of the portion constitutes the first auxiliary valve seat (511).

The first moving body (52) has a first sub-valve body (520) at one end thereof (here, the right end portion), and the first sub-valve body (520) is the first sub-valve seat (511). It is movably housed in a portion on the other end side (here, the left side) of the first auxiliary valve seat (511) in the housing (51) so as to be abutted and separated from the first auxiliary valve seat (511).
More specifically, the first moving body (52) comprises a spring guide (521) and a sub-valve holder (522) for holding the first sub-valve (520).
The spring guide (521) has a substantially cylindrical shape, has a first spring receiving portion (523) at one end of the outer peripheral surface or an intermediate length portion (here, the left end portion), and has an inner circumference. The other end of the surface (here, the right end) has a locking convex portion (524) protruding inward in the radial direction.
The auxiliary valve body holder (522) has a substantially axial shape in which at least a part of the length (here, a portion other than the left end portion) is inserted inside the spring guide (521). At one end (here, the right end) of the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary valve body holder (522), a locked portion (525) to be engaged with the locking convex portion (524) of the spring guide (521) is formed. There is. The other end side (here, the right side) portion of the auxiliary valve body holder (522) from the locked portion (525) protrudes outward through the opening at one end (here, the right end) of the spring guide (521).
More specifically, the auxiliary valve body holder (522) includes a first holder member (522A) on one end side (here, the right side) and a second holder member (522B) on the other end side (here, the left side). ..
The first holder member (522A) has a substantially cylindrical shape having a size capable of accommodating the first auxiliary valve body (520) inside. A stepped portion constituting the locked portion (525) is provided at an intermediate portion of the outer peripheral surface of the first holder member (522A). A sub-valve receiving portion (526) protruding inward in the radial direction is formed at one end (here, the right end) of the inner peripheral surface of the first holder member (522A). A female screw is formed on the other end side portion (here, the left side portion) of the inner peripheral surface of the first holder member (522A). The stepped portions (525) are formed by scraping the required portion of the outer peripheral surface of the first holder member (522A) flatly at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (four in this case). Each step portion (525) has a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from one end side (here, the right side). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, both (524) (524) (in a state where each step portion (525) of the first holder member (522A) is engaged with the locking convex portion (524) of the spring guide (521). A plurality of (here, four) water passage gaps (S1) are formed between the 525). The locking convex portion and the locked portion are not limited to the shapes shown in the figure as long as a water passage gap is formed between them.
The outer diameter of the first holder member (522A) is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the spring guide (521). As a result, an annular water passage gap (S2) is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the first holder member (522A) and the inner peripheral surface of the spring guide (521).
The second holder member (522B) has a substantially axial shape, and a small-diameter male screw screwed into the female screw portion of the first holder member (522A) is formed on one end side portion (here, the right side portion) thereof. .. That is, by screwing the male screw of the second holder member (522B) into the female screw of the first holder member (522A), both (522A) and (522B) are separably connected and integrated.
Further, the outer diameter of the second holder member (522B) is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first holder member (522A). Therefore, an annular water passage gap (S3) is also formed between the outer peripheral surface of the second holder member (522B) and the inner peripheral surface of the spring guide (521).
A flange-shaped second spring receiving portion (527) is formed at a portion closer to the other end (here, the left end portion) of the outer peripheral surface of the second holder member (522B). The second spring receiving portion (527) is hexagonal when viewed from the length direction. As a result, a water passage gap (not shown) is formed between the second spring receiving portion (527) and the inner surface of the peripheral wall having a circular cross section of the housing (51). Further, when the first moving body (52) moves, the six corner portions of the second spring receiving portion (527) come into contact with the peripheral wall of the housing (51), so that the first moving body (52) It also functions as a slide guide to maintain the posture of. The second spring receiving portion may have a flange shape as shown in the figure, or may be configured by, for example, a stepped portion.
A small diameter portion (528) having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the second spring (54) is formed at the other end portion (here, the left end portion) of the second holder member (522B).

The first spring (53) is for urging the first moving body (52) toward the opposite side (here, to the left) of the first auxiliary valve seat (511), and is used for a water tap or the like. It consists of a spring material commonly used in water supply equipment.
The first spring (53) is interposed around the spring guide (521) between the first spring receiving portion (523) of the spring guide (521) and the intermediate partition wall portion (514) of the housing (51). Has been done.

The second spring (54) is for urging the first moving body (52) toward the first auxiliary valve seat (511) side (here, to the right), for example, Ni-Ti system or the like. Made of shape memory alloy. The second spring (54) includes a second spring receiving portion (527) provided at the other end (here, the left end) of the auxiliary valve body holder (522) and an end wall (here, the left end) of the housing (51). It is intervened between the wall and the wall.
When the ambient temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature near the freezing point, the second spring (54) makes the first moving body (52) the first auxiliary valve seat (52) against the spring elastic force of the first spring (53). 511) Move to the side (here, the right side) to bring the first sub-valve body (520) into contact with the first sub-valve seat (511), while when the ambient temperature falls below the predetermined temperature, the first spring The first moving body (52) is moved to the opposite side (here, the left side) to the first auxiliary valve seat (511) by the spring elastic force of (53), and the first auxiliary valve body (520) is the first auxiliary valve. It deforms in the contraction direction so as to be separated from the seat (511). More specifically, the second spring (54) is deformed in the contraction direction when, for example, the ambient temperature drops to 2 ° C ± 2 ° C, and from this contraction deformation state, the ambient temperature is 6.5 ° C ± 2 ° C. It is configured to restore to the original state when it rises to.

[F. Relief valve]
The relief valve (6) is a closed type and is provided so as to communicate with the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage, and the water passage (P) is closed by the solenoid valve (3). In, the water that has expanded when the water accumulated in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage freezes is introduced into the expansion absorption chamber (60).
The relief valve (6) is provided at a position close to the main valve seat (31) of the solenoid valve (3) of the water pipe (2), that is, at the innermost part of the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage. Is preferable. Specifically, the relief valve (6) communicates with the outer surface of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) defining the pressure chamber (P1) of the solenoid valve (3), for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. It is connected to and is installed horizontally and horizontally.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8, the relief valve (6) of this embodiment has a second auxiliary valve seat (61), a cylinder portion (62), and a second auxiliary valve body (63). It includes a two-moving body (64), a third spring (urging member) (65), and a spring holder (66).

The second auxiliary valve seat (61) is a second communication hole (communication hole) formed in a penetrating shape in a predetermined position on the pipe wall of the water pipe (2), more specifically, in the central portion of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c). It is composed of the outer edge of the hole) (206).

The cylinder portion (62) extends outward (here, to the right) from the peripheral portion of the second auxiliary valve seat (61) in the pipe wall (intermediate pipe wall member (20c)) of the water pipe (2). It is a horizontal cylinder and forms the peripheral wall of the expansion absorption chamber (60).

The second mobile body (64) has a second auxiliary valve body (63) at one end thereof (here, the left end portion).
At least a part of the second moving body (64) is watertight in the cylinder portion (62) so that the second sub-valve body (63) is brought into contact with and separated from the second sub-valve seat (61). It is housed in a mobile manner. That is, at least a part of the second moving body (64) forms the movable end wall of the expansion absorption chamber (60).
The second moving body (64) shown in the figure has an inner cylinder portion (641) slidably housed in the cylinder portion (62) and an opening on the second auxiliary valve seat (61) side of the inner cylinder portion (641). An end wall portion (642) having a holding portion (642a) provided to close (here, the left end opening) and holding a second auxiliary valve body (63), and an inner cylinder portion (641). It is provided with an outer cylinder portion (643) that is connected to the other end portion (here, the right end portion) and is slidably fitted around the cylinder portion (62).
The second sub-valve body (63) is a small disk-shaped one in which the outer peripheral portion of one side thereof (here, the left side surface) is brought into contact with the second sub-valve seat (61), and is located in the center of the one side. Has a convex portion (631) that can be inserted into the second communication hole (206) of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c), and a horizontal protrusion is formed at the center of the other surface (here, the right side surface). A shaped shaft portion (632) is formed.
A holding recess (642a) (holding portion) into which the shaft portion (632) of the second auxiliary valve body (63) is fitted is formed in the central portion of the end wall portion (642) of the second moving body (64). ing. Further, in the outer peripheral portion of the end wall portion (642), an annular recess (642b) in which a part of a sealing member (67) such as an O-ring for sealing the inner surface of the cylinder portion (62) is housed. Is formed. The sealing member (67) maintains the watertightness of the expansion / absorption chamber (60).
A spring receiving portion (643a) formed of a flange portion facing outward in the radial direction is provided at the open end portion (here, the left end portion) of the outer cylinder portion (643) of the second moving body (64).
In addition to the above configuration, the second moving body may have a configuration in which the outer cylinder portion is omitted, or a configuration in which the outer cylinder portion and the inner cylinder portion are omitted, for example. However, according to the second moving body (64) having the above configuration, the third spring (65) has a large diameter and a long length in order to secure a spring elastic force adapted to the expansion pressure at the time of water freezing. Despite being usable, it has the advantage of keeping the entire relief valve (6) relatively compact.

The third spring (65) urges the second moving body (64) toward the second auxiliary valve seat (61).
The material constituting the third spring (65) is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from known spring materials.

The spring holder (66) is for holding the third spring (65), and is opposite to the horizontal tubular peripheral wall portion (661) and the second auxiliary valve seat (61) in the peripheral wall portion (661). It consists of a bottomed cylinder having a bottom wall portion (662) provided to close the side end opening (here, the right end opening).
This spring holder (66) is arranged around the cylinder portion (62), and its open end (here, the left end) is on the outer surface of the pipe wall (intermediate pipe wall member (20c)) of the water pipe (2). It is attached.
A spring holding portion (662a) for holding one end (here, the right end) of the third spring (65) is formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion (662) of the spring holder (66). In the illustrated spring holder (66), a plurality of (here, four) plate-like convex portions (four in this case) in which the spring holding portions are formed so as to be arranged radially on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion (662) at intervals in the circumferential direction. It is made of 662a), and one end portion (here, the right end portion) of the third spring (65) is fitted and held around these plate-shaped convex portions (662a). Then, the other end portion (here, the left end portion) of the third spring (65) is received by the spring receiving portion (643a) of the second moving body (64), so that the spring elastic force of the third spring (65) is applied. , The second moving body (64) having the second sub-valve body (63) acts in the direction of urging toward the second sub-valve seat (61) side (here, the left side).
The spring holder is not limited to a bottomed cylinder as shown in the figure, and may be, for example, a cylinder having an appropriate spring holding portion formed at an intermediate position in the internal length.
A flange portion (663) facing outward in the radial direction is formed at the open end portion (here, the left end portion) of the spring holder (66). The flange portion (663) has a plurality of spacing-maintaining convex portions (663a) protruding toward the pipe wall (intermediate pipe wall member (20c)) of the water pipe (2) at intervals in the circumferential direction (here, the flange portion (663)). 4) It is formed. Therefore, the open end portion (flange portion (663)) of the spring holder (66) is provided with a gap (S4) corresponding to the protruding height of the gap holding convex portion (663a) of the water pipe (2). It is attached to a pipe wall (intermediate pipe wall member (20c)) (see FIG. 7 (b)). In addition to forming the spacing convex portion at the open end (flange portion (663)) of the spring holder (66) as described above, the pipe wall of the water pipe (2) (intermediate pipe wall member (20c)). It may be formed in, or it may be formed in both of these (663) and (20c).
Horizontally penetrating screw insertion holes (664) are formed in the flange portions (663) of the spring holder (66) where the spacing convex portions (663a) are provided (FIG. 8 (c)). reference). Further, a screw insertion hole (not shown) is also formed in a portion corresponding to the screw insertion hole (664) of the flange portion (663) in the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c). Then, the flange portion (663) and the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) of the spring holder (66) are attached to the opening edge portion of the main valve body accommodating portion (203) in the lower tubular member (20b) by the screw (68). It is attached. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the assembly work can be easily and quickly performed, and the cost can be suppressed.

Here, the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) is the innermost part of the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage, like the upper tubular member (20a) and the lower tubular member (20b), which are other water pipe forming members. Formed by a resin material that can be elastically deformed outward, specifically, for example, polyacetal (POM), so that the expansion pressure generated when the water in the pressure chamber (P11) located in the water freezes can be absorbed even slightly. It is preferable that it is.
As shown in detail in FIG. 8, of the intermediate pipe wall member (20c), the portion around the second communication hole (206) (that is, the portion forming the second auxiliary valve seat (61)), and The portion between the cylinder portion (62) and the outer peripheral edge portion is a thin portion (207) having a smaller thickness than the other portions. Due to the presence of these thin-walled portions (207), the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) has a structure that is easily deformed outward due to the expansion pressure when the water in the pressure chamber (P11) freezes. A plurality of reinforcing ribs (208) are formed on the outer surface (here, the right side surface) of the thin portion (207) between the cylinder portion (62) and the outer peripheral edge portion, and the expansion pressure at the time of freezing of water is formed. This prevents plastic deformation and breakage.

[G. Freezing damage prevention function]
Next, the freeze damage prevention function by the above automatic irrigation device (1) will be described.
First, in the temporary water stop state where the water tap is opened but the water passage (P) is closed by the electromagnetic valve (3), the ambient temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature near the freezing point (for example, around 2 ° C). In some cases, the second spring (54) of the drain valve (5) opposes the spring elastic force of the first spring (53) to move the first moving body (52) to the first auxiliary valve seat (511) side ( Here, it is urged toward the right side), whereby the first sub-valve body (520) is brought into contact with the first sub-valve seat (511) (see FIG. 4A).

When the ambient temperature drops below the predetermined temperature, the second spring (54) is deformed in the contraction direction and the urging force does not act. Therefore, the spring elastic force of the first spring (53) causes the first moving body ( 52) is moved to the opposite side (here, the left side) of the first sub-valve seat (511), and the first sub-valve body (520) is separated from the first sub-valve seat (511). As a result, the water accumulated in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage flows into the secondary side portion in the housing (51) through the first communication hole (205) and the water passage hole (515), and the water flows. Water is discharged little by little from the discharge port (512) (see FIG. 4 (b)). By flowing the water accumulated in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage in this way, freezing of the water inside is effectively prevented.
In the above, the water that has flowed into the secondary side portion in the housing (51) through the first communication hole (205) and the water passage hole (515) is the locking convex portion (524) of the spring guide (521) and the first. The water passage gap (S1) provided between the holder member (522A) and the stepped portion (525), the outer peripheral surface of the first holder member (522A) and the second holder member (522B), and the spring guide (521). An annular water passage gap (S2) (S3) provided between the inner peripheral surface, and a second spring receiving portion (527) of the second holder member (522B) and the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the housing (51). Through the water passage gap provided between them, the second spring (54) quickly flows into the housing (51) portion in which the second spring (54) is housed, and comes into contact with the second spring (54). Even if the outside air temperature is near the freezing point, the water staying in the water supply pipe buried in the ground is often several degrees Celsius higher than that. When the second spring (54) in contact with the water senses the temperature of the water, in other words, when it is heated by water having a temperature higher than the freezing point, its shape is restored and a spring elastic force is applied. The first moving body (52) including the first sub-valve body (520) is moved to the first sub-valve seat (511) side (here, to the right). As a result, the first sub-valve body (520) comes into contact with the first sub-valve seat (511) to close the water passage hole (515), and water flow for preventing freezing is stopped. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the water flow time due to the operation of the drain valve (5) is shortened, and the amount of water discharged is suppressed to the minimum necessary.

As described above, in the temporary water stop state, the action of the drain valve (5) prevents water from freezing in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage, so that the primary water passage including the pressure chamber (P11) is primary. The expansion pressure when water freezes does not act on the side part (P1).
Therefore, in the relief valve (6), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 (a), the second moving body (64) including the second auxiliary valve body (63) has the spring elastic force of the third spring (65). The second sub-valve seat (61) is urged toward the second sub-valve seat (61) side (here, the left side), and the second sub-valve body (63) is in contact with the second sub-valve seat (61). .. Therefore, the water in the pressure chamber (P11) is not introduced into the expansion absorption chamber (60). In other words, in this state, the volume of the expansion absorption chamber (60) is almost zero.

Next, if the ambient temperature falls below a predetermined temperature near the freezing point in a completely water-stopped state in which the water tap is closed and the water passage (P) is closed by the solenoid valve (3), in the initial stage, Temporary water stop state As described above, by operating the drain valve (5), the water accumulated in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage is discharged.
However, in the completely water-stopped state, the water supply pressure does not act on the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage, so that the water discharge by the drain valve (5) is stopped soon.
After that, the water remaining in the primary side part (P1) of the water passage gradually flows from the vicinity of the water inlet (21) closest to the metal faucet and the communication part with the drain valve (5) exposed to the outside air. It freezes. Freezing of water gradually progresses toward the depth of the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage, and finally the water in the pressure chamber (P11) freezes.
When the water in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage expands due to freezing, the expansion pressure is applied to the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) and the second auxiliary valve body (520) defining the pressure chamber (P11). It works. When the expansion pressure increases, the second moving body (64) including the second auxiliary valve body (520) moves inside the cylinder portion (62) against the spring elastic force of the third spring (65). It moves to the opposite side (here, to the right) of the valve seat (61), and the second sub-valve body (63) is separated from the second sub-valve seat (61). As a result, the expanded volume of water is introduced from the pressure chamber (P11) into the expansion absorption chamber (60) through the second communication hole (206). The moving distance of the second moving body (64) constituting the movable end wall of the expansion absorption chamber (60) increases in proportion to the magnitude of the expansion pressure, and the volume of the expansion absorption chamber (60) also increases accordingly. Increase. Further, the intermediate pipe wall member (20c) having the thin-walled portion (207) is also elastically deformed so as to slightly expand outward (here, to the right) when the expansion pressure due to freezing of water increases. Only the volume of the pressure chamber (P11) increases. By operating the relief valve (6) as described above, the expansion pressure due to freezing of the water accumulated in the primary side portion (P1) of the water passage is absorbed, so that the water pipe (2) and the solenoid valve (3) are absorbed. Damage is effectively prevented.

When the automatic irrigation device according to the present invention is used by directly connecting to a water tap in, for example, a garden of a general house, a common space of an apartment house / public facility, a park, etc. It is preferably used as having a function to prevent it.

(1): Automatic irrigation device
(2): Water pipe
(20c): Intermediate pipe wall member (water pipe wall)
(206): Second communication hole (communication hole)
(21): Water entrance
(22): Water outlet
(P): Waterway
(P1): Primary side of the waterway
(P11): Pressure chamber
(3): Solenoid valve
(31): Main valve seat
(32): Main valve body
(331): Actuator
(4): Control unit
(5): Drain valve
(51): Housing
(511): First secondary valve seat
(512): Water outlet
(52): First mobile body
(520): First auxiliary valve body
(53): 1st spring
(54): 2nd spring
(6): Relief valve
(60): Expansion absorption chamber
(61): Second auxiliary valve seat
(62): Cylinder part
(63): Second auxiliary valve body
(64): Second mobile body
(65): Third spring (biasing member)
(66): Spring holder
(662a): Spring holder
(663): Flange portion (end portion on the second auxiliary valve seat side)
(663a): Spacing convex part

Claims (6)

A resin water pipe that has a water inlet connected to the spout of the water tap at one end and a water outlet at the other end, and the inside is a water passage.
It has a main valve seat provided at an intermediate point of the water passage, a main valve body that opens and closes the water passage by being contacted and separated from the main valve seat, and an actuator for driving the main valve body. Solenoid valve and
A control unit that controls the opening and closing timing of the water passage by a solenoid valve,
It is provided so as to communicate with the primary side part of the water passage, and when the ambient temperature falls below a predetermined temperature near the freezing point when the water passage is closed by a solenoid valve, a small amount of water staying in the primary side part of the water passage is reduced. A temperature-sensitive drain valve that discharges water one by one to prevent freezing of water,
It is provided so as to communicate with the primary side part of the water passage, and when the water staying in the primary side part of the water passage freezes when the water passage is closed by a solenoid valve, the expanded amount of water is introduced into the expansion absorption chamber. An automatic irrigation system equipped with a closed relief valve to allow. The automatic irrigation device according to claim 1, wherein a drain valve is provided so as to communicate with a primary side portion of a water passage at a location close to a water inlet. The automatic irrigation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relief valve is provided so as to communicate with the primary side portion of the water passage at a position close to the main valve seat. The drain valve
It consists of a metal tubular body, one end of which is connected to the water pipe in a communicating manner, and has a first sub-valve seat in the middle part inside, and the other end and the other end of the peripheral wall than the first sub-valve seat. A housing that has a water outlet on at least one of the side parts,
It has a first sub-valve body at one end and can be moved to the other end side of the first sub-valve seat in the housing so that the first sub-valve body is abutted and separated from the first sub-valve seat. The first mobile body housed in
A first spring that urges the first moving body toward the opposite side of the first auxiliary valve seat,
It is made of shape memory alloy and is equipped with a second spring that urges the first moving body toward the first auxiliary valve seat side.
When the ambient temperature of the second spring is higher than the predetermined temperature near the freezing point, the second spring moves the first moving body toward the first auxiliary valve seat side against the spring elastic force of the first spring to move the first auxiliary valve body. While abutting on the first sub-valve seat, when the ambient temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the first moving body is moved to the opposite side to the first sub-valve seat by the spring elastic force of the first spring. 1. An automatic irrigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sub-valve body is deformed in the contraction direction so as to be separated from the first sub-valve seat. The escape valve,
A second auxiliary valve seat consisting of the outer edge of the communication hole formed at a predetermined position on the pipe wall of the water pipe,
A cylindrical cylinder portion that extends outward from the peripheral portion of the second auxiliary valve seat in the pipe wall and forms the peripheral wall of the expansion / absorption chamber.
It has a second auxiliary valve body at one end, and at least a part of it is movably housed in the cylinder portion so as to be watertight and the second auxiliary valve body is abutted and separated from the second auxiliary valve seat. And the second moving body forming the movable end wall of the expansion absorption chamber,
The automatic irrigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an urging member for urging the second moving body toward the second auxiliary valve seat side. The urging member consists of the third spring,
A cylindrical spring holder is arranged around the cylinder part,
A spring holding portion is formed in the spring holder at the end opposite to the second auxiliary valve seat or the intermediate length.
The third spring is interposed between the second moving body and the spring holding portion, and the third spring is interposed between the second moving body and the spring holding portion.
The end of the spring holder on the second auxiliary valve seat side is formed at least one of the two so as to project toward the other on the pipe wall of the water pipe. The automatic watering device according to claim 5, which is installed in an open state.

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