JP2770147B2 - Water meter connection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water meter connecting device suitable for connecting a water meter in the middle of a water pipe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connecting device of a water meter for connecting a water meter in the middle of a water pipe is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-7499.
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a water meter attaching / detaching device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2 (1994).

[0003] The attachment / detachment device of the water meter disclosed in the publication is
A base portion and a water meter unit portion, the base portion is connected to a water pipe side on the outer surface side, and a pair of opposed connection plates provided with a connection port for connecting the water meter unit portion side on the inner surface side. Section and a plurality of shaft sections for connecting and integrating the respective connection plate sections, and the water meter unit section has a water meter and has a connection end connected to the connection port at both ends. In addition, the shaft portion has an engaging portion whose position is regulated, whereby the water meter unit can be easily attached and detached with one touch.

[0004]

However, conventional connecting devices including the attaching / detaching device of the water meter described above basically include:
Since it only has the function of attaching and detaching the water meter to and from the water pipe by connecting it in the middle of the water pipe, when replacing the water meter whose specified test expiration date has passed with a new water meter It is necessary to perform the replacement work with the upstream water pipe closed by a water stopcock provided on the upstream side of the connection device, and for the water supply user, the inconvenience of being unable to use the water supply during the replacement work is forced. At the same time, it was troublesome for the trader that it was necessary to notify the person in advance of that fact and confirm it.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems existing in the prior art, and makes it possible to replace the water meter without stopping the water supply, thereby improving the convenience of water users and improving the convenience of water users. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection device for a water meter that can improve the efficiency of replacement work.

[0006]

The present invention comprises a pair of connecting portions 3 and 4 facing each other via a base portion 2, and one connecting portion 3.
And an upstream outer end port 3 for connecting an upstream water pipe Pf to the outside.
and an upstream connecting water passage 3s having an upstream inner end port 3i for connecting one end of the water meter M to the inside, and a downstream water pipe Pr connected to the other connecting portion 4 on the outside. And a downstream connecting water passage portion 4s having a downstream inner end port 4i for connecting the other end of the water meter M to the inside thereof. At this time, the branch waterway sections 5f, 5
r, and the base 2 is also used between the two branch waterway sections 5f and 5r.
The connection pipe section 7 is connected to provide a bypass waterway section 5 communicating with the upstream connection waterway section 3s and the downstream connection waterway section 4s.
At the same time, with respect to the upstream outer end port 3o, the upstream inner end port 3i is provided.
Alternatively, a switching valve 6 for selectively connecting the bypass water passage 5 is provided.

[0007] In this case, the base 2
Are two stays 21 connecting the pair of connecting portions 3 and 4,
22 (81, 82) and the connection pipe section 7. Ma
And, switching valve 6 Bei the switching operation can be operating portion 6h externally
I can. On the other hand , a check valve 8 is provided at the downstream inner end port 4i of the other connecting portion 4, and a check valve 9 is provided at the bypass waterway portion 5.

[0008]

According to the water meter connection device 1 of the present invention, when the water meter M is mounted on the connection device 1, the upstream side inner end port is connected to the upstream outer end port 3o by the switching valve 6. 3i is connected. Therefore, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf flows into the upstream outer end port 3o, the upstream connection water passage 3s,
The water flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr via the upstream inner end 3i, the water meter M, the downstream inner end 4i, the downstream connecting water passage 4s, and the downstream outer end 4o. At this time, the check valve 8 provided at the downstream inner end port 4i of the other connection part 4 is opened by the forward inflow, and the check valve 9 provided at the bypass waterway part 5 is closed by the reverse flow. As a result, backflow from the bypass channel 5 to the upstream connection channel 3s is prevented.

On the other hand, when the water meter M is replaced, the switching valve 6 is switched by the operation section 6h, and the upstream outer end port 3 is switched.
Connect the bypass channel 5 to o. As a result, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf flows into the upstream outer end port 3o,
Bypass waterway 5 (branch waterway 5f, connecting waterway 5c,
The water flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr via the branch waterway 5r) and the downstream outer end port 4o. That is, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf bypasses the bypass water passage section 5 and flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr without flowing on the water meter M side. At this time, the check valve 9 provided in the bypass channel part 5 is opened by the inflow in the forward direction and the downstream inner end port 4i.
Is closed by the inflow in the reverse direction, and the backflow from the bypass water passage 5 to the downstream inner end port 4i is prevented.

Therefore, the replacement of the water meter can be performed without stopping the water supply, thereby improving the convenience of the water supply user and the efficiency of the replacement work.

[0011]

Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the structure of the connection device 1 for a water meter according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the first embodiment, a connection device 1 is installed upstream of a child meter installed in each unit of an apartment house, and is used for a water meter (parent meter) for controlling the entire tap water used in the apartment house.
Is exemplified.

The connecting device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a pair of connecting portions 3 and 4 facing each other, one connecting portion 3 is located on the upstream side, and the other connecting portion 4 is located on the downstream side. . One connecting portion 3 includes a connecting portion main body 30.
The arm portion 31 and 32 projecting to the left and right sides are provided integrally with the reference numeral 0, and the other connecting portion 4 is provided with a connecting portion main body 40. Provide integrally. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the arm 31 and the tip of the arm 41 are connected by the stay 21, and the tip of the arm 32 and the tip of the arm 42 are connected and integrated by the stay 22. In this case, the stays 21 and 22 constitute the base 2.

The connecting portion main body 30 is formed in a tubular shape having an upstream connecting water passage 3s inside, and an upstream outer end port 3o for connecting an upstream water pipe Pf (see FIG. 9) is provided on the outside. On the inside, an upstream inner end port 3i for connecting one end of the water meter M is provided. On the other hand, a branch pipe part 33 is integrally provided at the lower end of the connection part main body 30. The branch pipe portion 33 branches downward, and the lower end is bent at a right angle so that the lower end opening matches the opening direction of the upstream inner end opening 3i. The branch pipe part 33 has a branch waterway part 5f inside, and the upper end communicates with the upstream connection waterway part 3s. At the lower end of the branch pipe portion 33, leg portions 34 and 35 are integrally provided as shown in FIG.

Further, a switching valve 6 is built in the connecting portion 3. The switching valve 6 has a first valve body 6a disposed between the upper end (branch point) of the branch waterway 5f and the upstream inner end port 3i, and the branch waterway 5 located below the first valve body 6a.
f has a second valve body 6b. On the other hand, the connection portion main body 30 located above the first valve body portion 6a is provided with an operation portion 6h capable of switching operation from outside, that is, a rotating operation, and this operation portion 6h, the first valve body portion 6a and The second valve body portions 6b are connected to each other so as to be integrally rotated and displaced. In this case, the relationship between the first valve body 6a and the second valve body 6b is such that when the first valve body 6a opens the upstream connection waterway 3s, the second valve body 6b is connected to the branch waterway 5f. When the first valve body 6a closes the upstream connection waterway 3s, the second valve body 6b is closed by the branch waterway 5f.
Configure to open. Reference numeral 36 denotes a connection branch pipe that is screwed to the upstream inner end port 3i after the first valve body 6a is assembled.
Reference numeral 37 denotes a connection branch pipe that is screwed to the lower end opening of the branch pipe part 33 after the second valve body part 6b is assembled, and 38 denotes a nut that is screwed to the connection part main body 30 after the operation part 6h is assembled. . In this case, the check valve 9 is provided inside the connection branch pipe 37. This check valve 9 is biased by a spring 9s,
It has a function of opening when tap water flows in the forward direction from the branch waterway 5f, and closing it against the reverse flow.

On the other hand, the connecting portion main body 40 is formed in a tubular shape having a downstream connecting water passage portion 4s inside, and a downstream outer end port 4o for connecting a downstream water pipe Pr (see FIG. 9) is provided on the outside. On the inside, a downstream inner end port 4i for connecting the other end of the water meter M is provided. On the other hand, a branch pipe part 43 is integrally provided at the lower end of the connection part main body 40. The branch pipe portion 43 branches downward, and the lower end is bent at a right angle so that the lower end opening coincides with the opening direction of the downstream inner end opening 4i. The branch pipe 43 has a branch waterway 5r inside, and the upper end communicates with the downstream connection waterway 4s. At the lower end of the branch pipe portion 43, legs 44 projecting to both left and right sides are integrally provided.

Further, a check valve 8 is built in the connecting portion 4. The check valve 8 is rotatably supported by a rotation support portion 45. In a natural state, the check valve 8 closes the downstream inner end port 4i by its own weight, and also connects the downstream connection water passage section 4 to the downstream inner end port 4i.
s is opened by the inflow of tap water in the forward direction, and the downstream-side inner end port 4i for the inflow in the reverse direction from the branch channel 5r.
It has a function to close. Reference numeral 46 denotes a cap which is screwed to the connecting portion main body 40 after the check valve 8 is assembled. Further, the above-described check valve 9 may be provided inside the branch pipe portion 43.

The distal end of the connecting pipe 37 and the lower end of the branch pipe 43 are connected by a connecting pipe 7. That is, one end of the connection pipe 7 is inserted into the lower end of the branch pipe 43, and the other end is connected to the tip of the connection branch pipe 37 by a nut 39. In this case, the connection pipe 7 also serves as the base 2. This allows
The connection waterway 5c inside the connection pipe part 7 is connected to the branch waterways 5f and 5r, respectively, and the upstream connection waterway 3s and the downstream connection waterway 4s are interconnected by the branch waterways 5f and 5r and the connection waterway 5c. The bypass waterway part 5 through which it passes is comprised.

Next, a method of using and a function of the connection device 1 of the water meter according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, an upstream water pipe Pf is connected to the upstream outer end 3o of the connection device 1, and the downstream outer end 4
A downstream water pipe Pr is connected to o (see FIG. 9). Further, the water meter M indicated by the phantom line is mounted between the connecting portions 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. That is, one end of the water meter M is connected to the upstream inner end port 3i, and the other end of the water meter M is connected to the downstream inner end port 4i.

Then, the switching valve 6 is switched by the operation unit 6h, and as shown in FIG. 1, the upstream inner end 3i is connected to the upstream outer end 3o. In this case, the first valve body 6
a opens the upstream connection waterway 3s, and the second valve body 6b closes the branch waterway 5f. As a result, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf flows, as shown by the arrow W1, the upstream outer end 3o, the upstream connecting water passage 3s, the upstream inner end 3i, the water meter M, and the downstream inner end. 4i, the water flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr via the downstream connection waterway 4s and the downstream outer end port 4o. At this time, the check valve 8 is displaced to the position 8s indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 1 by the inflow in the forward direction to open the downstream connection waterway portion 4s, and the check valve 9 is closed by the inflow in the reverse direction, and the bypass waterway is closed. From section 5 to upstream connection channel 3s
Backflow is prevented.

On the other hand, when replacing the water meter M, the switching valve 6 is switched by the operation part 6h to connect the bypass water passage part 5 to the upstream outer end port 3o as shown in FIG. In this case, the first valve body 6a is connected to the upstream connection waterway 3
s is closed, and the second valve body 6b is connected to the branch waterway 5f.
open. As a result, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf passes through the upstream outer end port 3o, the branch water channel section 5f, the connecting water channel section 5c, the branch water channel section 5r, and the downstream outer port 4o as indicated by an arrow W2. Then, it flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr. That is, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf bypasses the bypass water passage section 5 and flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr without flowing on the water meter M side. At this time, check valve 9
Is opened by inflow in the forward direction, the check valve 8 is closed by inflow in the reverse direction, and backflow from the bypass water passage 5 to the downstream inner end port 4i is prevented.

Next, the structure of the connection device 1 of the water meter according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The second embodiment exemplifies a connection device 1 used for a water meter individually installed in a house. The connection device 1 according to the second embodiment includes a pair of connection portions 3 and 4, and one connection portion 3 includes a connection portion plate 60 and a connection portion main body 61 fixedly attached to the connection portion plate 60. The other connecting portion 4 includes a connecting portion plate 70 and a connecting portion main body 71 attached and fixed to the connecting portion plate 70. As shown in FIG. 7, the connection portion plate 60 has upper and lower arms 62 and 63 protruding left and right, and lower portions have legs 64 and 65 protruding left and right. Similarly to the connection portion plate 60, the connection portion plate 70 has an arm portion protruding to the left and right sides at the upper portion, and has leg portions 74 protruding to the left and right sides at the lower portion. Each of the arms has a pair of left and right stays 81 and 82 as in the first embodiment.
Connect with. In this case, the stays 81 and 82 are
Is configured.

The connecting portion main body 61 is formed in a tubular shape having an upstream connecting water passage portion 3s inside, and an upstream outer end port 3o for connecting an upstream water pipe Pf (see FIG. 9) is provided on the outside. On the inside, an upstream inner end port 3i for connecting one end of the water meter M is provided. On the other hand, a branch pipe section 66 is integrally provided at the lower end of the connection section main body 61. The branch pipe portion 66 branches downward, and the lower end is bent at a right angle so that the lower end opening matches the opening direction of the upstream inner end opening 3i. The branch pipe 66 has a branch waterway 5f inside, and the upper end communicates with the upstream connection waterway 3s.

Furthermore, a switching valve 6 is provided on the connecting portion main body 61.
Built-in. The switching valve 6 uses a three-way switching valve. on the other hand,
A switching operation from the outside, that is, a lever-shaped operation portion 6h that can be rotated is disposed on the connection portion main body 61 on the side of the switching valve 6, and the operation portion 6h is rotated upward to be displaced. The bypass water passage 5 is connected to the upstream outer end 3o by connecting the upstream inner end 3i to the upstream outer end 3o and rotating the operating portion 6h downward by 90 °. To be configured.

On the other hand, the connecting portion main body 71 is formed in a tubular shape having an upstream connecting water channel portion 4s inside, and a downstream outer end port 4o for connecting a downstream water pipe Pr (see FIG. 9) is provided on the outside. On the inside, a downstream inner end port 4i for connecting the other end of the water meter M is provided. On the other hand, a branch pipe portion 76 is integrally provided at the lower end of the connection portion main body 71. The branch pipe portion 76 branches downward, and the lower end is bent at a right angle so that the lower end opening matches the opening direction of the upstream inner end opening 4i. The branch pipe 76 has a branch waterway 5r inside, and the upper end communicates with the downstream connection waterway 4s.

The check valve 8 is provided inside the connection portion main body 71.
Built-in. The check valve 8 is rotatably supported by the rotation support portion 77, and in the natural state, the downstream inner end port 4i by its own weight.
And is opened by tap water flowing in the forward direction from the downstream inner end port 4i to the downstream connection channel 4s,
It has a function of closing the downstream inner end port 4i against inflow in the reverse direction from the branch waterway 5r.

The lower end of the branch pipe 66 and the branch pipe 7
The lower end of 6 is connected by a connection pipe 7. In this case, the connecting pipe part 7 is constituted by a first pipe part 7a and a second pipe part 7b which are divided and formed. The first pipe part 7a is screwed to the branch pipe part 66, and the second pipe part 7b is connected to the branch pipe part. Slide into part 76,
Thereafter, the opposing first tube portion 7a and second tube portion 7b are screwed. Thereby, the connection waterway 5c inside the connection pipe 7 is
The bypass waterway 5 is connected to the branch waterways 5f and 5r, and the upstream waterway 3s and the downstream waterway 4s are interconnected by the branch waterways 5f, 5r and the waterway 5c.

As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting pipe section 7 may be constituted by a first connecting pipe section 7x and a second connecting pipe section 7y so as to be expandable and contractible. In this case, the stays 21 and 22 are also configured to be able to expand and contract with the same configuration. Thereby, it can also be used for a type in which the interval between the one connection part 3 and the other connection part 4 is different. At this time, if a lock mechanism for fixing the adjustment position is provided after the expansion / contraction adjustment, particularly when the water meter M is a fixed type, the water meter M can be mounted by expanding / contracting the connection device 1 side. it can. That is, the connecting device 1 is first extended, the water meter M is inserted between the connecting portions 3 and 4, and then the connecting device 1 may be shortened and attached.

Next, a method of using and a function of the connection device 1 for a water meter according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the installation location of the connection device 1 will be described. Generally, a meter box 90 shown in FIG. 9 is used in a cold region to prevent freezing. Meter box 90
Is buried underground at a depth of about 1 meter.
1 and an upper lid 92. Then, the connection device 1 is installed on the installation surface E of the meter box 90. At this time, the base 93 is used as needed. Further, an upstream water pipe Pf is connected to the upstream outer end port 3o of the connection device 1, and a downstream water pipe Pr is connected to the downstream outer port 4o.

The water meter M is mounted between the connecting parts 3 and 4, as shown in FIG. That is, one end of the water meter M is connected to the upstream inner end port 3i, and the other end of the water meter M is connected to the downstream inner end port 4i. In this case, the water meter M is configured such that the upstream attachment 67 is attached to one end of the water meter body and the downstream attachment 78 is attached to the other end. In particular, the upstream attachment 67 includes a cylinder portion 68 that slides over a predetermined range in the axial direction, and includes a spring 69 that urges the cylinder portion 68 in the extending direction. Accordingly, when the water meter M is inserted between the upstream inner end port 3i and the downstream inner end port 4i in a state where the cylinder portion 68 is shortened, the water meter M can be mounted on the connection device 1 with one touch. Thereafter, the upstream attachment 67 is moved by the elastic force of the spring 69 so that the upstream inner end opening 3i is formed.
, And the downstream attachment 78 is pressed against the downstream inner end port 4i. Further, when tap water is supplied, the pressure contact force is further increased by water pressure. 83
Is a regulated ring provided on the upstream attachment 67, the position of which is regulated by the connection pipe 7. On the other hand, reference numeral 84 denotes a regulating plate supported between the stays 81 and 82, and the lower end of the water meter M is regulated in position by the regulating plate 84.

Then, the switching valve 6 is switched by the operation section 6h, and as shown in FIG. 5, the upstream inner end 3i is connected to the upstream outer end 3o. As a result, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf, as shown by the arrow W3,
A downstream water pipe via the upstream outer end port 3o, the upstream connection waterway section 3s, the upstream inner end port 3i, the water meter M, the downstream inner end port 4i, the downstream connection waterway section 4s, and the downstream outer end port 4o. P
outflow to r. At this time, the check valve 8 is displaced to the position shown in FIG. 5 and opens the downstream inner end port 4i.

On the other hand, when replacing the water meter M, the switching valve 6 is switched by the operation part 6h, and as shown in FIG. 6, the bypass water passage part 5 is connected to the upstream outer end port 3o. As a result, the tap water flowing from the upstream water pipe Pf passes through the upstream outer end port 3o, the branch water channel section 5f, the connection water channel section 5c, the branch water channel section 5r, and the downstream outer port 4o as indicated by an arrow W4. Then, it flows out to the downstream water pipe Pr.
At this time, the check valve 8 is closed, and backflow from the bypass water passage 5 to the downstream inner end port 4i is prevented.

As described above, in each case of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, it is possible to replace the water meter M without stopping the water supply, thereby improving the convenience of the water supply user. In addition, the efficiency of the replacement work is improved.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the base portion and the pair of connecting portions may be integrally formed, and the connecting portions may be connected with a flexible tube member to form a bypass waterway portion. The connection device of the first embodiment may be used for the application of the second embodiment, and the connection device of the second embodiment may be used for the application of the first embodiment. In addition, details, configurations, shapes, and the like can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0039]

As described above, the present invention includes a pair of connecting portions facing each other via the base portion, and one of the connecting portions has an upstream outer end port for connecting an upstream water pipe outside. An upstream connection channel having an upstream inner end for connecting one end of the water meter is provided on the inside, and a downstream outer end for connecting the downstream water pipe to the outside at the other connection, and the connecting device water meter formed by providing the downstream connecting water channel having a downstream inner end opening that connects the other end of the water meter, each contact
Branch waterways are provided at the continuation sections, and a base is provided between both branch waterways.
By connecting the connecting pipe part which also serves as a part, a bypass water passage part communicating between the upstream connection water passage part and the downstream connection water passage part is provided.
In addition, since a switching valve for selectively connecting the upstream inner end port or the bypass water passage section to the upstream outer end port is provided, it is possible to replace the water meter without stopping the water supply, The remarkable effect that the convenience of a water user can be improved and the efficiency of replacement work can be improved can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connection device,

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the connection device;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a bypass water passage is opened by a switching valve of the connection device;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a bypass water passage is opened by a switching valve of the connection device;

FIG. 7 is a partially sectional left side view of the connection device;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the connection pipe section in the connection device.

FIG. 9 is a partially longitudinal side view showing a state where the connection device is installed in a meter box;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection device 2 Base part 3 One connection part 3i Upstream inner end 3o Upstream outer end 3s Upstream connection waterway 4 The other connection part 4i Downstream inner end 4o Downstream outer end 4s Downstream connection waterway 5 Bypass waterway Part 5f Branch waterway part 5r Branch waterway part 6 Switching valve 6h Operating part 7 Connection pipe part 8 Check valve 9 Check valve 21 Stay 22 Stay 81 Stay 82 Stay M Water meter Pf Upstream water pipe Pr Downstream water pipe

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Utility Model Hei 4-21817 (JP, U) Japanese Patent Publication 6-74992 (JP, B2) Japanese Patent Publication Sho 63-42208 (JP, B1) Japanese Patent Publication Sho 56- 54571 (JP, B1) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01F 15/18 G01F 1/00-3/38

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of connecting portions facing each other via a base portion, one of the connecting portions has an upstream outer end port for connecting an upstream water pipe to the outside, and one end of a water meter is provided inside. Along with providing an upstream connection water passage having an upstream inner end to connect, the other connection has a downstream outer end to connect a downstream water pipe to the outside, and the other end of the water meter to the inside. In a connection device of a water meter provided with a downstream connection channel portion having a downstream inner end port to be connected, a branch water channel is provided at each connection portion.
A connecting pipe provided with a portion and also serving as the base between both branch waterways
Connect the parts, provided with a bypass passage portion communicating between the upstream connecting water channel and the downstream connecting water channel, switching to selectively connect the upstream side in the end opening or the bypass passage portion with respect to the upstream-side outer end opening water meter connection apparatus characterized in that a valve. 2. A base for connecting between a pair of connecting portions.
The connecting device for a water meter according to claim 1 , further comprising a stay and a connecting pipe portion . 3. The connection device for a water meter according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve has an operation portion that can be externally switched. 4. The connection device for a water meter according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is provided at a downstream inner end of the other connection portion. 5. The connection device for a water meter according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is provided in the bypass water passage portion.