JP2023120039A - Electrofusion apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrofusion apparatus that can complete fusion work independently without using an external power supply.SOLUTION: An apparatus body 12 of the electrofusion apparatus is provided with an enclosure 20. Inside this enclosure, a control unit that controls the operation of the electrofusion apparatus and a storage battery 24 that supplies power to electrofusion fittings are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an electrofusion apparatus, and more particularly to an electrofusion apparatus for electrofusion joining an electrofusion joint and a resin pipe.

An example of a conventional electrical fusion device (fusion control device) is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-200012. The electric fusion device of Patent Document 1 includes a normal energization path from an AC power supply section, through an AC/DC conversion section, a switch, and a fusion power source to a heating wire of an electric fusion joint. In addition, an instantaneous power failure detection unit that instantly detects that power supply from the AC power supply unit has stopped, and an instantaneous power failure detection unit that monitors the instantaneous power failure detection unit during fusion and detects when power supply from the AC power supply unit has stopped. and a fusion controller that instructs the switch to instantaneously switch power to the internal battery or external auxiliary power source.

JP-A-11-254535

A conventional electro-fusion apparatus uses an external power source such as a generator or a commercial power source as a power source for supplying power to the electro-fusion joint. Although the technology of Patent Document 1 includes an internal battery, the internal battery is only used as an auxiliary means, and it is essential to secure an external power supply such as a generator or a commercial power supply. The generator requires procurement of gasoline to be used as fuel. In addition, when a generator is used at a construction site such as a high-rise building, it is necessary to transport the electric fusion device and the generator individually over multiple floors, which reduces work efficiency. Moreover, depending on the construction site, there are cases where commercial power cannot be used, or it is preferable to refrain from using commercial power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel electrofusion apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric fusion device that can complete a fusion work by itself without using an external power source.

A first invention is an electrofusion device for electrofusion joining an electrofusion joint and a resin pipe, comprising: a housing; a control unit provided in the housing for controlling the operation of the electrofusion device; and a storage battery provided within the housing for supplying power to the electrofusion joint.

In the first invention, an electrofusion device includes a housing. A control unit for controlling the operation of the electrofusion apparatus and a storage battery for supplying power to the electrofusion joint are accommodated in the housing. As the storage battery, one having a capacity of, for example, 300wh to 1200wh is used.

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the electric fusion device is provided with a storage battery, the fusion work can be completed by the electric fusion device alone without using an external power source. In addition, since stable power supply becomes possible, it is possible to appropriately prevent the occurrence of defective fusion.

A second invention is according to the first invention, wherein the storage battery is provided detachably with respect to the housing.

According to the second invention, even if the battery runs out of charge, by replacing the storage battery, the welding operation can be performed continuously without waiting for charging.

A third invention is according to the first invention, and the storage battery is provided so as to be able to supply power to another device.

According to the third invention, the electrofusion device can be used as a portable power source capable of supplying power to other devices.

A fourth invention is according to any one of the first to third inventions, and includes a display unit provided in the housing, the control unit including a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining battery amount of the storage battery, and a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of the storage battery. It includes a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the remaining battery level detected by the amount detection unit.

According to the fourth invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery.

A fifth invention is according to any one of the first to third inventions, and includes a display unit provided in the housing, the control unit including a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining battery amount of the storage battery, a required electric power Detected by a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electric fusion joint including the quantity, a quantity calculation unit that calculates the quantity of electric fusion joints that can be fused based on the remaining battery level and the required amount of power, and a quantity calculation unit A display control unit for displaying the calculated quantity on the display unit is included.

According to the fifth invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery.

A fifth invention is according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the control unit acquires information about the electric fusion joint including a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining battery amount of the storage battery and the required amount of electric power. a joint information acquisition unit that performs electric fusion, a fusion possibility determination unit that determines whether or not a fusion operation using the electrofusion joint can be completed based on the remaining battery amount and the required electric energy, and a fusion possibility determination unit. It includes an energization restricting section that restricts the start of energization to the electric fusion joint when it is determined that the fusion operation using the joint cannot be completed.

According to the sixth invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of defective fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery.

According to this aspect of the invention, since the electric fusion device includes the storage battery, the fusion work can be completed by the electric fusion device alone without using an external power source. In addition, since stable power supply becomes possible, it is possible to appropriately prevent the occurrence of defective fusion.

The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of embodiments given below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a view showing how an electric fusion joint and a resin pipe are connected using the electric fusion device that is an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the main body of the electrofusion device; FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the device main body of the electrofusion device; Fig. 2 is a right side view schematically showing the device main body of the electrofusion device; FIG. 4 is a right side view schematically showing the apparatus main body of the electrofusion apparatus with the opening/closing cover opened. It is a figure which shows an example of a required electric energy table. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the electrofusion device; It is a figure which shows an example of the memory map of RAM. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of energization control processing executed in the electrofusion apparatus;

Referring to FIG. 1, an electrofusion apparatus 10 (EF controller) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus main body 12, an output cable 14, a bar code reader 16, etc., and an electrofusion joint 100 (hereinafter referred to as ), the joint 100 and the resin pipe 102 are joined by electric fusion.

Briefly, a heating wire (not shown) is embedded in the joint 100 . Both ends of the heating wire are connected to power connection terminals 110 protruding from the outer surface of the joint 100 . By connecting the connection connector 14a provided at the tip of the output cable 14 to the power supply connection terminal 110, a state in which the electric heating wire of the joint 100 can be energized from the device main body 12 of the electric fusion device 10. becomes. Then, by energizing (supplying electric power to) the heating wire from the apparatus main body 12, the resin on the joint surfaces of the joint 100 and the resin pipe 102 is heated and melted to be joined.

Also, the joint 100 includes a card (not shown) on which a bar code is printed, or a label 112 with a bar code printed on the outer surface thereof. The information indicated by the bar code includes information about the joint 100 such as the type, diameter (nominal diameter), manufacturer, energization time (standard time and energization time after temperature correction), output voltage and resistance value. The electrofusion apparatus 10 can acquire information about the joint 100 to be fused by reading the barcode information using the barcode reader 16 .

As the joint 100, various electric fusion joints such as a socket type, an elbow type, a reducer type, a cheese type, and a saddle type can be used. In addition, the application and diameter of the pipe to be constructed are not particularly limited, but the electrofusion device 10 is a polyethylene resin pipe 102 with a nominal diameter of 20 mm to 50 mm, which is used for water distribution or fire extinguishing in high-rise buildings. and joint 100.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the device main body 12 of the electrofusion device 10 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 20 . A control unit 22 (see FIG. 5), a storage battery 24, and the like are accommodated in the housing 20. As shown in FIG. The control unit 22 is a control board including the CPU 50 and memory (RAM 52 and HDD 54 ), etc., and controls the operation of the electrofusion apparatus 10 . As will be described later in detail, the control unit 22 (specifically, the CPU 50) executes power supply control for the joint 100, and includes an power supply control unit, a remaining amount detection unit, a joint information acquisition unit, a quantity calculation unit, and a fusion possibility determination. It functions as a unit, an electricity regulation unit, a display control unit, and the like.

The storage battery 24 is a power source for supplying electric power to each part of the electrofusion device 10 and the joint 100 , and is housed (attached) in a housing portion provided at the bottom of the housing 20 . As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, an opening/closing cover 20a is provided on the right wall of the housing 20 so that it can be opened and closed. . That is, the storage battery 24 is provided detachably with respect to the housing 20 .

The type and capacity of the storage battery 24 are not particularly limited. Considering the working efficiency of the electrofusion device 10, etc., it is preferable to use the storage battery 24 having a capacity of 300 wh to 1200 wh, for example.

Since the electrofusion apparatus 10 is provided with the storage battery 24 in this manner, the electrofusion apparatus 10 alone can complete the fusion work without using an external power source. Also, stable power supply to the joint 100 becomes possible. Further, by making the storage battery 24 detachable, even if the battery 24 runs out of charge, by replacing the storage battery 24, it is possible to continuously carry out the fusing work without causing a waiting time for charging.

Returning to FIGS. 2 to 4, the front wall of the housing 20 is provided with an operation unit 26 for receiving input operations by the user. The operation unit 26 includes a display 28 (display unit) with a touch panel, a power button 30, an emergency stop button 32 (reset button), a start button 34, and the like. A breaker 36 and a USB terminal 38 are also provided on the front wall of the housing 20 as appropriate.

A ceiling wall of the housing 20 is provided with a first connection terminal 40 to which the output cable 14 is connected and a second connection terminal 42 to which the cable of the barcode reader 16 is connected. An AC outlet 44 (plug receiver) is provided on the top wall of the housing 20 . By connecting a plug of another device such as an electric power tool to the AC outlet 44, power can be supplied from the storage battery 24 to the other device. That is, the storage battery 24 is provided so as to be able to supply power to other devices, and the electrofusion apparatus 10 can also be used as a portable power source capable of supplying power to other devices. Further, on the right wall of the housing 20, an opening/closing cover 20a for attaching and detaching the storage battery 24 is provided, and an exhaust fan 46 for cooling the internal space of the housing 20 is provided.

Further, as can be clearly seen from FIG. 2, in the electrofusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 is displayed on the display 28. As shown in FIG. At this time, the detected battery remaining amount may be displayed as it is, but it is preferable to display an allowable value (for example, 80% of the detected remaining amount) as the battery remaining amount. Further, in the electrofusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment, fusion can be performed based on the detected remaining battery level and the required power amount (power consumption) that is the amount of power required for the fusion splicing operation of the joint 100. The quantity (number) of joints 100 is calculated. Then, the calculated number of joints 100 is displayed on the display 28 . In calculating this quantity, the detected battery remaining amount may be used as it is, but it is preferable to use an allowable value, which is a value with some leeway.

For example, if the detected remaining battery level is 500 wh, the display 28 displays 400 wh, which is 80% of the detected remaining battery level, as the remaining battery level. Also, when the remaining battery level is 400 wh, and the power required for the joint 100 to be fused is 3.26 wh, the number of pieces that can be fused is 122 (=400/3.26). is displayed on the display 28. By referring to the remaining amount of battery or the number of pieces that can be fused displayed on the display 28, the operator can prevent fusion failure due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery 24 from occurring.

Furthermore, in the electrofusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment, it is determined whether the fusion operation using the joint 100 can be completed based on the detected remaining battery level and the amount of power required for the joint 100 . For example, when the amount of power required for the joint 100 is greater than the detected remaining battery level (preferably an allowable value), it is determined that the fusion operation cannot be completed. Then, when it is determined that the fusion operation cannot be completed, a display (abnormal display) indicating an abnormality such as "Please charge the battery" is displayed on the display 28, and the start of energization of the joint 100 is restricted. do. In other words, when the remaining battery level of the storage battery 24 is insufficient, the joint 100 is prevented from being energized even when the start button 34 is pressed. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of defective fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery 24 .

In addition, a required electric energy table as illustrated in FIG. 6 is stored in advance in the electrofusion apparatus 10 . For example, the required power amount table stores the required power amount of the joint 100 in association with the type and nominal diameter of the joint 100 . By referring to this required power amount table, the required power amount can be acquired based on information on the type and nominal diameter of the joint 100 read by the barcode reader 16 or input using the operation unit 26. . However, the required electric energy may be calculated from the bar code information (energization time, output voltage and resistance value) read by the bar code reader 16 .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the electrofusion apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrofusion apparatus 10 includes a control section 22 including a CPU 50, a RAM 52, an HDD 54, and the like. In addition to the RAM 52 and the HDD 54, the CPU 50 is connected to the output cable 14, the bar code reader 16, the storage battery 24, the operation unit 26, and the like. Although not shown, the CPU 50 is also connected to an exhaust fan 46, a temperature sensor, an RTC (clock circuit), and the like.

The CPU 50 is also called a processor and controls the entire electrofusion device 10 . RAM 52 is used as a working area and a buffer area for CPU 50 . The HDD 54 appropriately stores control programs and necessary data for the CPU 50 to control the operation of each part of the electrofusion apparatus 10 . However, other non-volatile memory such as SSD, flash memory, EEPROM, etc. may be used instead of HDD 54 or together with HDD 54 .

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map 200 of the RAM 52. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, RAM 52 includes program storage area 202 and data storage area 204 . A program storage area 202 of the RAM 52 stores a control program for the electrofusion apparatus 10 . For example, the program storage area 202 stores an energization control program 202a, a remaining battery level detection program 202b, a quantity calculation program 202c, a display program 202d, and the like.

The energization control program 202a is a program for controlling energization to the joint 100 based on the joint 100 information acquired using the barcode reader 16 or the like. The energization control program 202a includes an energization regulation program for regulating the start of energization of the joint 100 when the battery level of the storage battery 24 is insufficient.

The battery level detection program 202b is a program for measuring the voltage of the storage battery 24 and detecting the battery level. The quantity calculation program 202c is a program for calculating the quantity of joints 100 that can be fused based on the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 and the amount of power required for the joints 100 . The quantity calculation program 202c includes a fusion feasibility program for determining whether the fusion operation using the joint 100 can be completed. The display program 202d is a program for displaying information on the display 28, such as the remaining battery level, the number of pieces that can be fused, and an error display.

Although not shown, the program storage area 202 also stores other programs for selecting and executing various functions of the electrofusion apparatus 10 .

Also, in the data storage area 204 of the RAM 52, remaining battery data 204a, joint data 204b, required electric energy table data 204c, and the like are stored.

The battery remaining amount data 204 a is data about the battery remaining amount of the storage battery 24 . The joint data 204b is data about the joint 100 such as type, nominal diameter, energization time, output voltage and resistance value. The required power table data 204c is data about the required power table as shown in FIG.

Although illustration is omitted, the data storage area 204 is provided with timers (counters) and registers necessary for executing the control program, and stores other data.

The energization operation for the joint 100 performed by the electrofusion apparatus 10 as described above is realized by the CPU 50 executing the control program read out to the RAM 52 . An example of the energization control process in the electrofusion apparatus 10 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This energization control process is started when the power button 30 is turned on by the operator.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the energization control process is started, the CPU 50 detects the remaining battery level of the storage battery 24 in step S1. For example, the remaining battery level of the storage battery 24 is detected based on voltage information input from the storage battery 24 . In the next step S3, the remaining battery level of the storage battery 24 is displayed on the display 28. FIG.

In the subsequent step S5, it is determined whether or not the information on the joint 100 to be fused has been acquired. Here, it is determined whether or not information (type, nominal diameter, etc.) of the joint 100 has been input by reading with the bar code reader 16 or inputting to the operation unit 26 . If "NO" in step S5, it waits until the information of the joint 100 is input, and if "YES" in step S5, it proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the number of joints 100 that can be fused is calculated. For example, referring to the required power amount table, the required power amount is acquired from the type and nominal diameter of the joint 100, and the number of joints 100 that can be fused based on the acquired required power amount and the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24. Calculate

In the next step S9, it is determined whether the number of fusible joints 100 is less than one. That is, it is determined whether or not the fusion operation using the joint 100 can be completed depending on whether the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 is greater than the amount of power required for the joint 100 to be fused. If "YES" in step S9, that is, if the calculated quantity is less than 1 (if the fusion splicing operation cannot be completed), the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the display 28 displays an error indication such as "Please charge the battery", and the start of energization of the joint 100 is restricted (prohibited). After that, the energization control process is terminated.

On the other hand, if "NO" in step S9, that is, if the quantity is 1 or more, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the display 28 displays the number of joints 100 that can be fused. In the subsequent step S15, it is determined whether or not the start button 34 is turned on. If "NO" in step S15, the process waits until the start button 34 is turned on, and if "YES" in step S15, the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, energization (power supply) to the joint 100 is started, and the joint 100 and the resin pipe 102 are joined by electric fusion. In the subsequent step S19, it is determined whether or not the electrical fusion joining between the joint 100 and the resin pipe 102 has been completed, that is, whether or not a preset energization time has elapsed. If "NO" in step S19, the process waits until the electric fusion bonding is completed, and if "YES" in step S19, this energization control process ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the electrofusion apparatus 10 includes the storage battery 24, the electrofusion apparatus 10 alone can complete the fusion work without using an external power source. In addition, since stable power supply becomes possible, it is possible to appropriately prevent the occurrence of defective fusion.

Further, according to this embodiment, the display 28 displays the remaining battery level or the number of fusion splicable parts, and when the remaining battery level is insufficient, the start of energization of the joint 100 is restricted. It is possible to appropriately prevent the occurrence of fusion bonding failure due to the lack of the remaining battery power of 24.

Although the storage battery 24 is detachable from the housing 20 in the above embodiment, the storage battery 24 does not necessarily have to be detachable. In addition, the storage battery 24 can be not only removed from the housing 20 and charged, but can also be charged from an external power supply such as a commercial power supply via an AC cable or the like while being accommodated in the housing 20 .

It should be noted that the specific numerical values such as the dimensions and the specific shapes given above are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed according to the needs such as the specifications of the product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Electrofusion apparatus 12... Apparatus main body 14... Output cable 16... Bar code reader 20... Case 22... Control part 24... Storage battery 26... Operation part 28... Display (display part)
50 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Electrofusion joint 102... Resin pipe

Claims (6)

An electrofusion device for electrofusion-bonding an electrofusion joint and a resin pipe,
housing,
An electrofusion apparatus comprising: a control unit provided in the housing for controlling operation of the electrofusion apparatus; and a storage battery provided in the housing for supplying power to the electrofusion joint. 2. The electrofusion device according to claim 1, wherein said storage battery is provided detachably with respect to said housing. 3. The electrofusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage battery is provided so as to be able to supply power to another device. A display unit provided in the housing,
The control unit
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a remaining battery level detection unit that detects the remaining battery level of the storage battery, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the remaining battery level detected by the remaining battery level detection unit. electrofusion device. A display unit provided in the housing,
The control unit
a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining battery amount of the storage battery;
a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electric fusion joint including the required amount of electric power;
a quantity calculation unit for calculating the quantity of the electric fusion joints that can be fused based on the remaining battery level and the required electric energy; and a display control unit for displaying the quantity detected by the quantity calculation unit on the display unit. The electrofusion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: The control unit
a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining battery amount of the storage battery;
a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electric fusion joint including the required amount of electric power;
a fusion feasibility determination unit that determines whether a fusion operation using the electric fusion joint can be completed based on the remaining battery level and the required electric energy; and 4. The electrofusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an energization regulating section that regulates the start of energization to the electrofusion joint when it is determined that the fusion operation using the electric fusion joint cannot be completed.

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