JP5168754B2 - Automatic pump system and accumulator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic pump system and an accumulator. More specifically , the present invention relates to an automatic pump system that controls the pressure of a pump that can pressurize liquid and send it to a flow path, and an accumulator including a bladder that can introduce liquid. it relates to the door.

An accumulator equipped with a bladder capable of introducing liquid is used as a water storage device of an automatic pump constituting a water supply system, for example. Specifically, it is used in a water supply system as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, and an accumulator and a pressure switch are connected to a discharge pipe of a pump so that the pressure switch is turned on and off in response to the pressure of the discharge pipe. . This makes it possible to control the stoppage of the pump (Patent Document 1; paragraph number 0018, FIG. 6).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-65001 (pages 2 to 4, FIGS. 3, 4, and 6)

  However, according to the conventional water supply system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the technical problems (1) to (3) listed below are pointed out.

  (1) In addition to pumps and accumulators, the water supply system requires various sensors that can detect the water supply status such as pressure sensors (or pressure switches) and flow rate sensors. Or in the middle of the flow path. Therefore, the presence of these sensors becomes a factor that hinders downsizing of the entire system.

  (2) When using a pressure switch that mechanically detects water pressure and turns the switch on and off for the purpose of detecting the pressure applied by the pump, the overall system can be downsized due to its configuration and physique. Make it difficult. Therefore, a pressure sensor using a semiconductor can be easily reduced in size instead of a pressure switch. However, a semiconductor pressure sensor capable of detecting a hydraulic pressure (hereinafter referred to as a “hydraulic semiconductor pressure sensor”) has an atmospheric pressure. Since it is likely to be more expensive than what is detected (hereinafter referred to as “barometric pressure semiconductor pressure sensor”), it becomes a factor that hinders cost reduction of the entire system.

  (3) If a barometric pressure semiconductor pressure sensor is used instead of a liquid pressure type semiconductor pressure sensor, the surface of the pressure sensor must be covered with a diaphragm to avoid contact between the liquid such as water and the semiconductor element. Occurs. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing, adjustment, and inspection costs due to such a diaphragm is a new factor that hinders cost reduction of the entire system.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic pump system and an accumulator capable of downsizing a water supply system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic pump system that can reduce the product cost of a water supply system.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 described in claims is
An accumulator,
A pump capable of pressurizing and delivering liquid to the flow path;
An automatic pump system comprising a control device for controlling the pressure of the pump,
The accumulator is
Connected to the flow path,
A bladder capable of introducing liquid pumped into the flow path by the pump;
A container that hermetically covers the outer space of the bladder;
A pressurized gas that is pressurized and filled into an airtight chamber defined by the outer wall of the bladder and the inner wall of the container;
A pressure detector capable of detecting an airtight chamber pressure in the airtight chamber and outputting the pressure information to the outside ;
A flow meter capable of detecting the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the flow path and outputting the flow rate information to the outside;
An inverter for driving the pump,
The controller is
The pressure information output from the pressure detector is used as the pressure of the liquid in the flow path in the range where the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder due to the liquid and the hermetic chamber pressure in the hermetic chamber becomes substantially zero. Used to control the pressure of the pressure pump ,
A technical feature is that the inverter is controlled based on the atmospheric pressure information and the flow rate information of the flowmeter .

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic pump system according to the first aspect, wherein the bladder has a bellows.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the automatic pump system according to the first or second aspect , the container can introduce the pressurized gas into the hermetic chamber from outside and cannot lead out from the hermetic chamber to the outside. It is a technical feature that a check valve is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic pump system according to any one of the first to third aspects, when it is detected that the hermetic chamber pressure has become a predetermined value or less based on the atmospheric pressure information, The technical feature is to notify the outside to the effect.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the outer space of the bladder into which the liquid can be introduced is covered with a container in an airtight manner so that an airtight chamber is defined by the outer wall of the bladder and the inner wall of the container. Pressurize to fill. The airtight chamber pressure in the airtight chamber is detected by a pressure detector, and can be output to the outside as atmospheric pressure information. As a result, the pressure in the bladder, that is, the bladder pressure due to the liquid flowing into the bladder, is reduced within a predetermined range (a range in which the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder due to the liquid and the hermetic chamber pressure in the hermetic chamber becomes almost zero). Since it can be indirectly grasped through the airtight chamber pressure in the room, the pressure of the liquid in the bladder, that is, the bladder pressure is detected from the atmospheric pressure information output from the pressure detector (hereinafter referred to as “bladder pressure detection”). .) Is possible. Moreover, since this pressure detector detects the pressure by the pressurized gas in an airtight chamber, it becomes possible to use an inexpensive atmospheric pressure type semiconductor pressure sensor without using an expensive hydraulic pressure type semiconductor pressure sensor. Therefore, when configuring the water supply system, there is no need to separately provide a pressure sensor or a pressure switch in the middle of the piping, and it can be configured at low cost, so the water supply system can be reduced in size and the product cost can be reduced. .

In the invention of claim 2 , since the bladder has a bellows, a predetermined range (a range in which the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder and the hermetic chamber pressure by the liquid is almost zero) can be widened. it can. That is, since the bladder has the bellows, no liquid is introduced into the bladder, and the bladder is deflated by the hermetic chamber pressure due to the pressurized gas in the hermetic chamber (hereinafter referred to as “dried liquid state”). It is possible to increase the difference between the spatial volume and the spatial volume in the bladder in which the liquid is introduced into the bladder and the bladder is inflated (hereinafter referred to as “full liquid state”). The range in which the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder and the hermetic chamber pressure in the hermetic chamber is almost zero can be widened. Therefore, since it can be grasped indirectly through the hermetic chamber pressure in the hermetic chamber over a wide range, the range in which the bladder pressure can be detected can be expanded.

In the invention of claim 3 , the container that covers the outer space of the bladder in an airtight manner includes a check valve that can introduce pressurized gas into the airtight chamber from the outside and cannot be led out from the airtight chamber. Can be filled with pressurized gas. Thereby, for example, even if the pressure in the hermetic chamber decreases due to the pressurized gas permeating from the outside of the bladder to the inside of the bladder due to the gas permeation phenomenon, the pressurized gas can be replenished from the outside. Therefore, even if a pressure drop in the hermetic chamber occurs due to a leak of pressurized gas or the like, the pressure can be easily restored to the original, so that the function of detecting the bladder pressure can be maintained. The “gas permeation phenomenon” refers to a phenomenon in which, when there is a pressure difference between gases separated by a polymer membrane, the gas moves through the membrane from the higher pressure toward the lower pressure ( same as below).

In the fourth aspect of the invention, when it is detected that the hermetic chamber pressure has become a predetermined value or less based on the atmospheric pressure information, the fact is notified to the outside. Thereby, for example, when the pressure in the hermetic chamber decreases due to leakage of pressurized gas to the outside through a bladder, a container, or the like and becomes a predetermined value or less, the outside (for example, a maintenance worker) can know it. Therefore, when a pressure drop in the hermetic chamber occurs due to a leak of pressurized gas or the like, it is possible to grasp a function drop in bladder pressure detection associated therewith. In this case, for example, as appropriate measures, replenishment of pressurized gas or setting change of a predetermined range (a range in which the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder and the hermetic chamber pressure in the hermetic chamber becomes almost zero) or The bladder pressure detection function can be maintained by replacing the accumulator.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an accumulator of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of the accumulator 20 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the accumulator 20 is mainly composed of a base 21, a bladder 22, a case 23, a cover 24, a sensor unit 30, and the like, and is used, for example, as a water storage device for an automatic pump constituting a water supply system. It is what is done. A system configuration example of the automatic pump will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The base 21 is a resin member formed in a disk shape having a flange portion 21a having an L-shaped cross section over the entire circumference, and an introduction path 21d through which a liquid such as tap water can be introduced at the circular center portion. A port 21c to be formed is provided, and a rib 21b is provided between the flange portion 21a and the port 21c so as to extend radially outward from the port 21c at an interval of approximately 60 degrees in the circumferential direction (FIG. 2). reference).

  By forming the base 21 in this way, the cup-shaped bladder 22 described below is covered with the base 21, so that the liquid chamber α can be partitioned in the bladder 22, and the liquid chamber α has an external portion. In this way, a liquid such as tap water can be introduced through the introduction path 21d of the port 21c. The outer peripheral wall of the port 21c is formed with a male threaded portion 21e that allows a pipe capable of supplying liquid to be screwed together, and further prevents water leakage that may leak from the gap between the pipes when the pipe is joined. A ring 26 is attached to the port 21c.

  The bladder 22 is a bottomed cylindrical member formed in a cup shape whose diameter increases toward the opening 22b, and is made of, for example, synthetic rubber (butyl rubber, styrene rubber, or a mixture thereof). The opening 22b of the bladder 22 is set to have an inner diameter that can be locked to the entire circumference of the annular flange portion 21a of the base 21 described above, and is formed thicker than the other barrel portion 22c. . Also, the bottom 22a of the bladder 22 is formed thicker than the other barrel 22c, as in the opening 22b. The pressure in the bladder 22, that is, the pressure in the liquid chamber α is referred to as “bladder pressure”.

  The case 23 is a bottomed cylindrical member made of metal (eg, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) that can cover the outer space of the bladder 22 in an airtight manner, and is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular flange portion 21a of the base 21 described above. It has the opening part 23b set to the internal diameter of a diameter. The case 23 covers the outer side of the bladder 22 assembled to the base 21 so as to form the liquid chamber α so as to surround the entire circumference thereof, and the opening 22b of the bladder 22 is covered with the flange portion 21a of the base 21. The opening 23b is crimped and fixed to the flange portion 21a so as to be sandwiched.

  By performing caulking and fixing with the opening 22b of the bladder 22 in this way, the case 23 and the bladder 22 and the bladder 22 and the base 21 can be in close contact with each other at the respective openings. The space can be hermetically sealed. Thereby, the gas chamber β defined by the outer wall 22x of the bladder 22 and the inner wall 23x of the case 23 can be sealed. In addition, since the opening part 22b of the bladder 22 is formed a little thickly as mentioned above, the effect of airtight sealing is heightened.

  The gas chamber β formed in the outer space of the bladder 22 is filled with pressurized gas (for example, pressurized nitrogen gas) from the outside through an injection hole 23 d formed in the bottom 23 a of the case 23. The gas to be filled is pressurized to 0.16 MPa, for example. For this reason, when the liquid is not introduced into the liquid chamber α of the bladder 22 from the outside via the port 21c, that is, in the dry liquid state, the bladder 22 is kept deflated by the pressure of the pressurized gas.

  The pressurized gas may be air, but by selecting a nitrogen gas having a molecular size larger than oxygen or carbon dioxide, the pressurized gas is moved from the bladder 22 to the liquid chamber α side by the gas permeation phenomenon. Suppressing leakage. In addition, selecting a material that does not easily cause a gas permeation phenomenon as the material of the bladder 22 also prevents the pressurized gas from leaking.

  A sensor hole 23e is formed in the bottom 23a of the case 23 that partitions the gas chamber β. The sensor hole 23e communicates with the sensor unit 30 capable of detecting the internal pressure (airtight chamber pressure) of the gas chamber β (hereinafter referred to as “gas chamber pressure”), whereby the sensor unit 30 detects the gas chamber pressure. However, gas chamber pressure data (atmospheric pressure information) can be output to the outside. In order to prevent the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber β from leaking to the outside, a gas plug 28 is screwed to the bottom 23a of the case 23, and a cap 29 is attached so as to cover it.

  The cover 24 is for protecting the sensor unit 30 described below, and is attached so as to cover the bottom 23 a of the case 23. That is, the cover 24 is made of a bottomed cylindrical metal member (for example, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) having an opening 24b formed with a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bottom 23a, and is substantially flat. A connector hole 24c is provided in the bottom 24a and its cylindrical wall.

  This cover 24 is indirectly fixed to the case 23 by a cover mounting screw 27 via a mounting plate 25 for mounting the sensor unit 30 to the case 23. Thus, the sensor chamber γ is defined by the outer wall of the bottom 23 a of the case 23 and the inner wall of the cover 24. The mounting plate 25 is fixed to the outer wall of the bottom 23a of the case 23 by welding as will be described later.

  The sensor unit 30 is accommodated in the sensor chamber γ described above, can detect the gas chamber pressure (airtight chamber pressure), and can output the gas chamber pressure data (atmospheric pressure information) to the outside. Here, FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the inside of the one-dot chain line III shown in FIG. 1, so the sensor unit 30 will now be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor unit 30 is mainly composed of a printed circuit board 31, a pressure sensor 33, a terminal 34, a locking portion 35, and the like. Is attached. The mounting plate 25 is formed with a sensor mounting hole 25a and a board mounting screw hole 25b. The sensor mounting hole 25a is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the sensor hole 23e of the case 23 described above, and is positioned around the sensor mounting hole 25a in a state where the sensor mounting hole 25a is aligned with the position of the mounting plate 25 so as to communicate with each other. The mounting plate 25 and the case 23 positioned around the sensor hole 23e are fixed by welding, for example, by projection welding (FIG. 3).
P) shown in FIG.

  The projection welding is, for example, resistance welding between the case 23 and the mounting plate 25 by providing an annular protrusion formed in a convex shape around the entire circumference of the sensor hole 23e. Thus, the entire periphery of the sensor hole 23e (sensor mounting hole 25a) can be hermetically sealed between the bottom 23a and the mounting plate 25. Further, the “bottom portion 23a of the case 23 forming the sensor hole 23e” and the “mounting plate 25 forming the sensor mounting hole 25a” can be hermetically sealed over the entire circumference of the sensor hole 23e (sensor mounting hole 25a). If it is a thing, it is not restricted to the projection welding demonstrated here, For example, other welding methods, combined use of welding and an adhesive, or airtight sealing members, such as an O-ring, packing, and a gasket, are used for the bottom part 23a. The case 23 and the mounting plate 25 may be fixed by a mechanical mounting structure or the like interposed between the mounting plate 25 and the mounting plate 25.

  Electronic components such as a pressure sensor 33 and terminals 34 are soldered to a printed circuit board 31 on which a printed wiring (not shown) is printed. The pressure sensor 33 is, for example, a pressure type semiconductor pressure sensor that can detect a pressure due to a gas by a semiconductor strain gauge, and an introduction pipe 33b for taking in the gas extends from the main body portion 33a toward the printed circuit board 31. Therefore, the printed circuit board 31 is screwed by the board mounting screw 32 that is screwed into the screw hole 25b of the mounting plate 25 so that the introduction pipe 33b can be maintained inserted into the sensor mounting hole 25a of the mounting plate 25. It is fixed. Note that an O-ring 37 provided on the outer periphery of the introduction pipe 33b is interposed between the mounting plate 25 and the printed circuit board 31, so that the mounting plate 25 and the printed circuit board 31 can be hermetically sealed. Yes.

  The printed circuit board 31 is provided with a terminal 34 that can output gas chamber pressure data detected by the pressure sensor 33 to the outside. The terminal 34 is formed in an L shape and is configured to be electrically connectable to a plug (not shown). The printed circuit board 31 is provided with a locking portion 35 that can be locked to the plug. The locking portion 35 is formed in an L shape like the terminal 34, and a locking claw 35a is formed at the tip so that the plug can be attached to and detached from the printed circuit board 31 with a single touch. Yes. The terminals 34 and the locking portions 35 are laid out on the printed circuit board 31 so that the tip ends are located in the connector holes 24c of the cover 24 with the printed circuit board 31 attached to the mounting plate 25. .

  By configuring the sensor unit 30 in this manner, the gas chamber pressure of the gas chamber β can be detected by the pressure sensor 33, and the detected gas chamber pressure is externally detected via the terminal 34 as gas chamber pressure data. (Atmospheric pressure information) can be output.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, a gas introduction valve 40 may be attached instead of the gas plug 28 attached to the bottom 23a of the case 23. That is, the gas introduction valve 40 (check valve) that can introduce pressurized gas into the gas chamber β from the outside and cannot be led out from the gas chamber β is attached to the injection hole 23 d of the case 23. Thereby, for example, even if the gas chamber pressure is lowered due to leakage of pressurized gas to the outside due to a gas permeation phenomenon through the bladder 22 or the like, the pressurized gas can be easily replenished from the outside. 4B shows an image in which the cap 42 is removed from the input port 41a and the pressurized gas is filled.

  The gas introduction valve 40 includes an input port 41a capable of introducing a pressurized gas, an output port 41b capable of deriving the pressurized gas introduced from the input port 41a, a flange 41c formed in an annular shape on the outer periphery between the two ports, and the like. The valve main body 41 is provided, a cap 42 that can be attached to the input port 41a, and a packing 45 that is attached to the flange portion 41c from the output port 41b side. Inside the valve body 41, there is a check valve that allows derivation from the input port 41a to the output port 41b while blocking the derivation from the output port 41b to the input port 41a. It is attached to the injection hole 23d. Thereby, the pressurized gas can be introduced into the gas chamber β from the outside and cannot be led out from the gas chamber β.

  By configuring the accumulator 20 in this manner, the sensor unit 30 can detect the internal pressure of the gas chamber β, that is, the gas chamber pressure, and output it to the outside as gas chamber pressure data. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the gas chamber pressure in the gas chamber β is substantially equal to the internal pressure of the liquid chamber α in the bladder 22, that is, the bladder pressure in a predetermined range. Therefore, in this predetermined range, the bladder pressure can be indirectly detected by detecting the gas chamber pressure.

  In FIG. 5, “the difference between the gas chamber pressure and the bladder pressure (vertical axis [MPa])” relative to the bladder pressure (horizontal axis [MPa]) is the sealed pressure of the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber β. (0.16 MPa (◯ (white circle)), 0.13 MPa (□ (white square)), 0.10 MPa (▲ (black triangle))) are shown, and the gas chamber pressure and the bladder pressure are shown. The closer the difference (vertical axis) is to 0.00 [MPa], the gas chamber pressure and the bladder pressure become equal to each other, indicating that it can fall within the predetermined range.

  For example, when the pressurized pressure of the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber β is 0.10 MPa (characteristics of the one-dot chain line plotted by ▲ (black triangle) shown in FIG. When the bladder pressure is lower than 10 MPa, the difference (filled pressure-bladder pressure) appears as the difference between the gas chamber pressure and the bladder pressure on the vertical axis. At this time, when the bladder pressure is in the range of 0.00 MPa to 0.10 MPa, the bladder 22 maintains the most deflated state due to the external pressure by the pressurized gas, and when the bladder pressure is 0.00 MPa, the differential pressure is 0.10 MPa. It becomes. When the sealed pressure of the pressurized gas 0.10 MPa and the bladder pressure are substantially equal (bladder pressure 0.10 MPa), the difference between the gas chamber pressure and the bladder pressure on the vertical axis is substantially zero (0.00 MPa). This state corresponds to the lower limit of the predetermined range.

  On the other hand, when the bladder pressure begins to exceed 0.10 MPa, the deflated bladder 22 begins to swell. Further, when the liquid is introduced from the introduction passage 21d and flows into the liquid chamber α, the bladder pressure increases while the difference between the gas chamber pressure on the vertical axis and the bladder pressure is almost zero until the bladder 22 is no longer deflated. To do. When the bladder 22 is filled with the liquid that has flowed in and the wilting is completely eliminated, the liquid chamber α is filled. In other words, when more liquid is introduced, the bladder 22 starts to swell, and therefore, the energy given by the water pressure is consumed by the work of swelling against the contraction force of the bladder 22 made of synthetic rubber. The difference between the shaft gas chamber pressure and the bladder pressure begins to open. Therefore, immediately after the full liquid state corresponds to the upper limit of the predetermined range. For example, when the sealing pressure is 0.10 MPa, the vicinity of 0.22 MPa corresponds to the upper limit (“predetermined range (1)” shown in FIG. 5).

  Similarly, when the sealed pressure of the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber β is 0.13 MPa (characteristics of a broken line plotted by □ (white square) shown in FIG. 5), the lower limit of the predetermined range is 0. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the upper limit is 13 MPa and the upper limit is around 0.25 MPa (“predetermined range (2)” shown in FIG. 5). Further, when the sealed pressure of the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber β is 0.16 MPa (solid line characteristic plotted by ○ (white circle) shown in FIG. 5), the lower limit of the predetermined range is 0.16 MPa. 5 that the upper limit is around 0.29 MPa ("predetermined range (3)" shown in FIG. 5).

  As described above, in the accumulator 20 according to the present embodiment, the outer space of the bladder 22 into which the liquid can be introduced is hermetically covered with the case 23, so that the gas chamber β is formed by the outer wall 22 x of the bladder 22 and the inner wall 23 x of the case 23. Since the compartments are formed, the gas chamber β is filled with a pressurized gas under pressure. The gas chamber pressure in the gas chamber β is detected by the sensor unit 30 and can be output to the outside as gas chamber pressure data.

  As a result, the pressure in the bladder 22, that is, the bladder pressure due to the liquid flowing into the bladder 22, is set within a predetermined range (the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder 22 due to the liquid and the gas chamber pressure in the gas chamber β becomes almost zero. Range), the pressure of the liquid in the bladder 22 can be detected from the gas chamber pressure data output from the sensor unit 30 because it can be indirectly grasped via the gas chamber pressure in the gas chamber β. It becomes. Moreover, since this sensor unit 30 detects the pressure by the pressurized gas in the gas chamber β, it is possible to use an inexpensive atmospheric pressure type semiconductor pressure sensor without using an expensive hydraulic pressure type semiconductor pressure sensor. Therefore, when configuring the water supply system, there is no need to separately provide a pressure sensor or a pressure switch in the middle of the pipe, and the water supply system can be configured at a low cost. Therefore, the water supply system can be reduced in size and the product cost can be reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case 23 that covers the outer space of the bladder 22 in an airtight manner, a pressurized gas can be introduced from the outside into the gas chamber β and cannot be led out from the gas chamber β. By providing this, it is possible to easily fill the pressurized gas from the outside. Thereby, for example, even if the pressure of the gas chamber β decreases due to the pressurized gas permeating from the outside of the bladder 22 to the inside of the bladder 22 due to the gas permeation phenomenon, the pressurized gas can be replenished from the outside. Therefore, even if a pressure drop in the gas chamber β occurs due to leakage of pressurized gas or the like, the pressure can be easily restored, so that the function of detecting the bladder pressure can be maintained.

Next, the configuration of the automatic pump system 100 using the above-described accumulator 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the automatic pump system 100 is a water supply system provided in the middle of a pipe 90 to which tap water (hereinafter referred to as “water”) is supplied. The pump 70 provided, the flow meter 80 provided in the middle of the pipe 90 downstream from the pump 70, the accumulator 20 provided further in the middle of the downstream pipe 90, and the sensor sent from the flow meter 80 and the accumulator 20 The control device 50 is configured to control the inverter 60 that inputs signals and drives the pump 70 based on the signal information. A water faucet 95 capable of discharging tap water is attached to the pipe 90 on the downstream side of the accumulator 20.

  The control device 50 is a microcomputer (information processing device) including a CPU, a memory, an input / output interface, and the like, and acquires a sensor signal output from the accumulator 20 and the flow meter 80 via the input / output interface, whereby the pump 70. The inverter 60 that drives the pump 70 based on the pumping state of the water is controlled. These controls are performed by the CPU according to a control program stored in the memory.

  That is, by inserting the connector of the electric cable connected to the control device 50 into the connector hole 24c of the accumulator 20 and locking it to the locking portion 35, the electrode in the connector is connected to the terminal 34 of the sensor unit 30. Electrically connected. Thereby, the atmospheric pressure of the gas chamber β detected by the sensor unit 30, that is, the gas chamber pressure data can be output to the control device 50. Further, the flow meter 80 is configured to detect a flow rate of liquid such as water flowing through the pipe 90, and can output flow rate data (flow rate information) to the control device 50 as a sensor signal, like the accumulator 20. It is composed.

  By configuring the automatic pump system 100 in this way, the control device 50 allows the gas chamber pressure data to be within a predetermined range (see FIG. 5) based on the gas chamber pressure data sent from the sensor unit 30. If the difference between the bladder pressure and the gas chamber pressure is in the range of almost zero), the inverter 60 that drives the pump 70 by grasping the gas chamber pressure data as the water pressure of the pipe 90, that is, the delivery pressure by the pump 70. To control. Note that the predetermined range is appropriately selected based on the sealed pressure of the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber β (predetermined ranges (1) to (3) shown in FIG. 5). Thereby, the pressure of the pump 70 can be controlled by grasping the water pressure of the pipe 90 without separately providing the pipe 90 with a pressure sensor or a pressure switch. Therefore, the automatic pump system 100 can be miniaturized and the product cost can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the automatic pump system 100 is configured to connect the alarm device 55 to the control device 50, and the gas chamber is based on the gas chamber pressure data sent from the sensor unit 30. When it is detected that the pressure is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (for example, 0.08 MPa), the control device 50 may be controlled so that the alarm device 55 notifies the outside by a warning sound or a warning light. As a result, even if the pressure in the gas chamber β decreases due to the pressurized gas leaking to the outside through the bladder 22, the case 23, etc., if the pressure falls below a predetermined value, for example, the maintenance worker can know it. it can. Therefore, when a pressure drop in the gas chamber β occurs due to a leak of pressurized gas or the like, it is possible to grasp the bladder pressure detection function drop associated therewith. In this case, for example, the bladder pressure detection function can be maintained by performing, for example, replenishment of pressurized gas, setting change of a predetermined range, or replacement of the accumulator 20 as an appropriate treatment.

  In the accumulator 20 described above, an example in which a cup-shaped bladder 22 is used has been described. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an accumulator 20 using a bladder 22 'having a bellows (bellows structure) 22'a is used. 'May be configured. In the accumulator 20 ′ shown in FIG. 7, substantially the same components as the accumulator 20 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  By using the bladder 22 ′ having such a bellows 22′a, it is possible to increase the difference between the space volume in the bladder 22 ′ in a dry liquid state and the space volume in the bladder 22 ′ in a full liquid state. Therefore, the range in which the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder 22 ′ and the gas chamber pressure in the gas chamber β due to the liquid becomes substantially zero, that is, a predetermined range can be widened. Therefore, in the accumulator 20 ', the range in which the bladder pressure can be detected can be expanded.

  Subsequently, as another embodiment of the present invention, an example of an accumulator 120 in which a sensor unit 130 capable of directly detecting a bladder pressure is provided on a base 121 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, substantially the same components as the accumulator 20 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the accumulator 120 includes a sensor unit 130 that can directly detect the pressure in the bladder 22, that is, the pressure in the liquid chamber α (bladder pressure) and output the pressure as liquid chamber pressure data to the outside. The sensor unit 130 is provided in a space formed by the flange portion 121a and the rib 121b of the base 121, and detects the pressure due to the liquid in the liquid chamber α through the sensor hole 121f formed in the base 121. 8 to 10 indicate a flange portion, a rib, a port, an introduction path, and a male screw portion, respectively. The flange portion 21a, the rib 21b, and the port that constitute the base 21 of the accumulator 20 described above. 21c, the introduction path 21d, and the male screw portion 21e are configured substantially the same.

  Here, the configuration of the sensor unit 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 is a plan view seen from the direction of the IX line shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the circle indicated by the dotted line XA shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside of an alternate long and short dash line circle indicated by the symbol XB shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sensor unit 130 is configured on a fan-shaped printed board 131 represented by a hatched portion in the drawing. The printed circuit board 131 is provided with a terminal 134 capable of outputting the liquid chamber pressure data detected by the pressure sensor 133 to the outside in the same manner as the printed circuit board 31 of the sensor unit 30 described above. A locking portion 135 that can be locked is provided (FIG. 10B). In the sensor unit 130, the position where the pressure sensor 133 is provided and the position where the locking portion 135 and the terminal 134 are provided are set so as to be shifted from each other by about 60 degrees in the disk-shaped base 121. Further, the surrounding space of the sensor unit 130 provided in the space formed by the flange portion 121a and the rib 121b of the base 121 is filled with urethane resin U to protect the sensor unit 130 (FIG. 10). (See (A) and (B)).

  As shown in FIG. 10 (A), the sensor unit 130 closes a base 138 that can form a mortar-shaped liquid storage chamber 138a communicating with the sensor hole 121f of the base 121, and a large-diameter side opening of the base 138. And a sensor holder 136 that supports the diaphragm 137 so as to be sandwiched between the base 138 and can form an oil chamber 136b on the diaphragm 137 side, and is inserted into a sensor mounting hole 136a formed in the sensor holder 136. The pressure sensor 133 includes a printed circuit board 131 that constitutes a circuit that can electrically process a sensor signal output from the pressure sensor 133. The printed board 131 is screwed to the sensor holder 136 with a board mounting screw 132.

  The pressure sensor 133 is the same as the pressure sensor 33 of the accumulator 20 except that the pressure sensor 133 is a hydraulic semiconductor pressure sensor. That is, the pressure sensor 133 is, for example, a hydraulic semiconductor pressure sensor that can detect the pressure due to the liquid using a semiconductor strain gauge, and is filled in the oil chamber 136b by a liquid intake pipe extending from the main body in the direction of the diaphragm 137. Silicon oil S is introduced into the pressure sensor 133. As a result, the pressure of the liquid in the liquid chamber α deforms the diaphragm 137 as the pressure of the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 138a via the sensor hole 121f of the base 121, and the pressure fluctuation due to the deformation of the diaphragm 137 causes the silicon oil S to change. It is transmitted to the semiconductor strain gauge of the pressure sensor 133 as a pressure medium. Thereby, the bladder pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 133.

  As described above, the accumulator 120 according to this embodiment includes the sensor unit 130 capable of detecting the bladder pressure in the bladder 22 due to the liquid and outputting the liquid chamber pressure data to the outside. Accordingly, for example, in configuring the automatic pump system 100 as shown in FIG. 6A, the sensor unit 130 can be used to install the pressure sensor and the pressure switch in the middle of the pipe 90. The pressure of the liquid can be detected directly. Therefore, a water supply system such as the automatic pump system 100 can be downsized.

It is a partial half sectional view which shows the structure of the accumulator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the top view seen from the arrow direction of the code | symbol II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view within a one-dot chain line circle indicated by reference numeral III shown in FIG. 1. 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing an example in which a gas introduction valve is attached to a case constituting the accumulator of the present embodiment. FIG. 4A shows the configuration of the gas introduction valve, and FIG. 4B shows the gas introduction with the cap removed. The image which fills pressurized gas from a valve | bulb is shown. FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing “difference between gas chamber pressure and bladder pressure (vertical axis)” with respect to the bladder pressure (horizontal axis) of the accumulator of the present embodiment for each sealed pressure of the pressurized gas filled in the gas chamber. . FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic pump system provided with the accumulator of this embodiment, and FIG. 6B is an alarm device added to the automatic pump system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure in the case. It is a half sectional view of the accumulator which shows the example using what provided the bellows structure to the bladder. It is a partial half sectional view which shows the structure of the accumulator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the top view seen from the IX line direction shown in FIG. FIG. 10A is an enlarged view inside the dashed-dotted line circle indicated by the symbol XA shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along the XB′-XB ′ line in the dashed-dotted circle indicated by the symbol XB shown in FIG. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

20, 20 ', 120 ... Accumulator 21, 121 ... Base 22, 22' ... Bladder 22x ... Outer wall 23 ... Case (container)
23x ... inner wall 24 ... cover 30, 130 ... sensor unit (pressure detector)
33, 133 ... Pressure sensor (pressure detector)
40 ... Gas introduction valve (check valve)
42 ... Cap 45 ... Packing 50 ... Control device (pump control device)
55 ... Alarm device 60 ... Inverter 70 ... Pump 80 ... Flow meter 90 ... Piping (flow path)
95 ... Faucet 100 ... Automatic pump system P ... Welding location α ... Liquid chamber β ... Gas chamber γ ... Sensor chamber

Claims (4)

An accumulator,
A pump capable of pressurizing and delivering liquid to the flow path;
An automatic pump system comprising a control device for controlling the pressure of the pump,
The accumulator is
Connected to the flow path,
A bladder capable of introducing liquid pumped into the flow path by the pump;
A container that hermetically covers the outer space of the bladder;
A pressurized gas that is pressurized and filled into an airtight chamber defined by the outer wall of the bladder and the inner wall of the container;
A pressure detector capable of detecting an airtight chamber pressure in the airtight chamber and outputting the pressure information to the outside;
A flow meter capable of detecting the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the flow path and outputting the flow rate information to the outside;
An inverter for driving the pump,
The controller is
The pressure information output from the pressure detector is used as the pressure of the liquid in the flow path in the range where the difference between the bladder pressure in the bladder due to the liquid and the hermetic chamber pressure in the hermetic chamber becomes substantially zero. Used to control the pressure of the pressure pump,
An automatic pump system that controls the inverter based on the atmospheric pressure information and the flow rate information of the flowmeter. The automatic pump system according to claim 1,
The bladder has a bellows and is an automatic pump system. The automatic pump system according to claim 1 or 2,
2. The automatic pump system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a check valve that can introduce the pressurized gas into the hermetic chamber from outside and cannot be led out from the hermetic chamber. The automatic pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When it is detected that the hermetic chamber pressure is equal to or lower than a predetermined value based on the atmospheric pressure information, an automatic pump system is notified to that effect.

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