JP6667795B2 - Flow rate detecting device and hot water device provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called ball rotation type (ball turning type) flow rate detection device and a hot water device provided with the same.

Specific examples of the flow rate detection device are described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and an outline of a basic configuration thereof is shown in FIG.
The flow rate detection device Ae shown in FIG. 1 includes a swirl center shaft portion 20 and a cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 13, and an inter-region therebetween includes an annular flow path 10b through which a fluid to be flow-rate detected flows as a swirl flow. It has become. The magnetic ball 3 in which the magnet 30 is built is arranged in the annular flow path 10b, and the magnetic ball 3 goes around the annular flow path 10b with the swirling flow of the fluid. On the other hand, a magnetic sensor S for detecting that the magnetic ball 3 approaches each time the magnetic ball 3 approaches is provided outside the outer peripheral wall portion 13.
According to such a configuration, the flow rate of the fluid can be detected based on the frequency of the detection signal output each time the magnetic ball 3 is detected by the magnetic sensor S.

  However, there is still room for improvement in the prior art as described below.

  That is, when the magnetic ball 3 goes around the annular flow path 10b, the magnetic ball 3 rotates (rotates) in the direction indicated by the arrow Na in FIG. When such rotation occurs, when the magnetic ball 3 approaches the magnetic sensor S, the N pole of the magnet 30 is directed toward the magnetic sensor S, the S pole is directed, and the N pole and the S pole And both are headed. In order to accurately detect the approach of the magnetic ball 3 by the magnetic sensor S, it is preferable that the magnetic pole acting on the magnetic sensor S be constant. There is a possibility that the magnetic ball 3 cannot be detected accurately.

  Further, the magnetic ball 3 may rotate (self-rotate) in a direction indicated by an arrow Nb in FIG. For this reason, the magnet 30 may face the magnetic sensor S in a tilted state, and the direction of the line of strong magnetic force (the direction of the arrow Nc) of the magnet 30 may deviate from the magnetic sensor S. Such a phenomenon also causes the detection of the magnetic ball 3 to be inaccurate, and eventually causes the detection accuracy of the fluid flow rate to decrease.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-131118 Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-72172

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a flow rate detection device capable of increasing the flow rate detection accuracy as compared with the related art, and a hot water device including the same. That is the subject.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical measures.

  The flow rate detection device provided by the first aspect of the present invention has an outer peripheral wall surrounding a turning center shaft, and a swirling flow of a fluid flows between the turning center shaft and the outer peripheral wall. A flow path forming member serving as an annular flow path, a magnetic ball arranged in the annular flow path so as to circumvent the annular flow path with the swirling flow of the fluid, and configured using a magnet, A flow sensor, which is disposed at any position on the outer periphery or inner periphery of the annular flow path, and each time the magnetic ball approaches, comprising a magnetic sensor for detecting the fact, A magnetic body provided inside the annular flow path, wherein the magnetic ball contacts the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball and the magnetic body; Around the annular flow path while maintaining Is characterized in that there is a bets is configurable.

According to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, when a swirling flow of the fluid occurs in the annular flow path, the magnetic ball is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the swirling central shaft portion due to the magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball and the magnetic body provided inside the annular flow path. Since the magnetic ball orbits around the annular flow path as it is, it is necessary to prevent the magnetic ball from rotating as viewed in the axial length direction of the turning center shaft portion (rotation of the arrow Na in FIG. 8A). It is possible. Therefore, each time the magnetic ball approaches the magnetic sensor, it is possible to prevent the magnetic pole acting on the magnetic sensor from changing due to the rotation.
When the magnetic ball comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft, the magnet of the magnetic ball is oriented so that the magnetic force acts on the magnetic material most strongly (for example, the magnet has an axial length of the turning center shaft). Direction is not inclined to the direction). By utilizing this fact, it is possible to set the direction of the magnet of the magnetic ball to a preferable direction in which the magnetic force acts on the magnetic sensor most strongly. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the rotation of the magnetic ball as viewed from the front in the circumferential direction (the rotation of the arrow Nb in FIG. 8B) can also be prevented, so that the magnet exerts a strong magnetic force on the magnetic sensor. The preferred orientation can be prevented from shifting.
For this reason, according to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately detect a magnetic ball by a magnetic sensor as compared with the above-described conventional technology, and it is possible to increase the accuracy of detecting the flow rate of a fluid.

  In the present invention, preferably, the turning center shaft portion is made of resin, and the magnetic body is inserted into a hole provided in the turning center shaft portion, or a resin of the turning center shaft portion is formed. And is attached to the turning center shaft portion in a buried state covered by the above.

  According to such a configuration, disposing the magnetic body inside the annular flow path is realized by a simple configuration. Further, as compared with the case where the entire turning center shaft portion is made of a magnetic material, it is possible to reduce the weight of the entirety and the manufacturing cost.

  In the present invention, preferably, the turning center shaft portion and the flow path forming member are formed separately, and the magnetic ball is in a state where the turning center shaft portion is not assembled to the flow path forming member. Even when tilted obliquely, the state of contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion is maintained, and the magnetic force has a magnetic force that prevents the turning center shaft portion from falling.

  According to such a configuration, in a process of assembling and manufacturing the flow rate detection device, when the magnetic balls are magnetically attracted to the turning center shaft portion and these are incorporated into the flow path forming member, the turning center shaft portion is inclined. Even when the magnetic ball is tilted, the magnetic ball does not fall from the turning center shaft portion. Therefore, the assembly and manufacturing work of the flow rate detecting device can be facilitated.

The flow rate detection device provided by the second aspect of the present invention has an outer peripheral wall surrounding the swirling central shaft, and a swirling flow of the fluid flows between the swirling central shaft and the outer peripheral wall. A flow path forming member that is an annular flow path, a magnetic ball arranged in the annular flow path so as to circumvent the annular flow path with the swirling flow of the fluid, and configured using a magnet, A flow sensor, which is disposed at any position on the outer periphery or inner periphery of the annular flow path, and each time the magnetic ball approaches, comprising a magnetic sensor for detecting the fact, An annular magnetic body provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the annular flow path, wherein the magnetic ball contacts an inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball and the magnetic body. And the annular flow is maintained while maintaining this contact state. It is characterized by being configured to be capable of orbiting.

According to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, when a swirling flow of the fluid occurs in the annular flow path, the magnetic ball is formed outside the annular flow path by magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball and the annular magnetic body provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the annular flow path. In order to go around the annular flow path in a state of being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the located outer peripheral wall portion, the turning center shaft portion of the magnetic ball is formed by the same principle as the flow rate detecting device provided by the first aspect of the present invention. (Rotation of the arrow Na in FIG. 8A) when viewed from the axial direction. Further, the magnetic ball can be set in a direction in which the magnetic force of the magnet strongly acts on the magnetic sensor, and the rotation of the magnetic ball in the frontal direction in the circumferential direction (the rotation of the arrow Nb in FIG. 8B) is also prevented. Therefore, the preferred orientation of the magnet can be prevented from shifting. Thus, it is possible to accurately detect the magnetic ball by the magnetic sensor, and it is possible to enhance the accuracy of detecting the flow rate of the fluid.

  In the present invention, preferably, the central portion of the magnet of the magnetic ball and the magnetic body are arranged to overlap each other in the axial direction of the turning center shaft portion.

  According to such a configuration, the magnetic force is effectively exerted between the magnetic ball and the magnetic body to prevent the rotation (rotation) of the magnetic ball when the magnetic ball orbits the annular flow path. It becomes more preferable.

  The hot water device provided by the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the flow rate detection device provided by the first or second aspect of the present invention is provided in a hot water flow path.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those described for the flow detection device provided by the first or second aspect of the present invention.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(A) is sectional drawing which shows an example of the flow detection apparatus which concerns on this invention, (b) is Ib-Ib sectional drawing of (a). FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIa-IIa, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIb-IIb in FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the flow rate detection device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hot water device including the flow rate detection device illustrated in FIG. 1. (A) is a principal part plane sectional view showing another example of the present invention, and (b) is a Vb-Vb sectional view of (a). It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the other example of this invention. (A) is a sectional plan view of an essential part showing an example of a conventional technique, and (b) is a VIIb-VIIb sectional view of (a). FIG. 8A is a main-portion cross-sectional view showing the operation of the conventional technique shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a VIIIb-VIIIb cross-sectional view of FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, for the sake of easy understanding, the same or similar elements as those in the related art in FIGS. 7 and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the related art.

  A flow detection device A shown in FIG. 1A includes a housing 1 having a fluid inlet 11 and a fluid outlet 12, an auxiliary member 2 having a swiveling central shaft portion 20, and an annular flow passage described later formed in the housing 1. A magnetic ball 3, a magnetic sensor S, and a magnetic body 4 are provided at 10 b. The housing 1 and the auxiliary member 2 are made of resin (non-magnetic material).

  The housing 1 corresponds to an example of a flow path forming member according to the present invention, and has a series of flow paths 10 (10a to 10c) extending from an inlet 11 to an outlet 12 formed therein. The auxiliary member 2 is attached to the housing 1 so as to be inserted into the housing 1 from above, and is inserted into a part of the housing 1 in the flow path 10. A portion of the auxiliary member 2 closer to the front end (a portion closer to the lower end) is a turning center shaft portion 20, and a region between the turning center shaft portion 20 and the substantially cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 13 of the housing 1 is a region for turning the fluid. The flow path is an annular flow path 10b.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the flow path 10a on the inlet 11 side of the housing 1 is provided so that the fluid flows in a substantially tangential direction to the annular flow path 10b. . As a result, a swirling flow of the fluid is generated in the annular flow path 10b. This swirling flow gradually descends in the annular flow path 10 b while maintaining the swirling state, and thereafter, the flow between the flange portion 20 a formed at the distal end of the swirling central shaft portion 20 and the outer peripheral wall portion 13 of the housing 1. After passing through the gap, it flows to the flow path 10c on the outlet 12 side, and flows from the outlet 12 to the downstream side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic ball 3 has a structure in which a magnet 30 of a suitable shape such as a block shape is covered with a resin, and the whole shape is, for example, a spherical shape. The upper region of the flange portion 20a of the revolving center shaft portion 20 is formed as an annular concave portion 20b, and the magnetic ball 3 is formed in the annular concave portion 20b such that the whole or a part thereof is inserted into the annular flow portion. It is located in the road 10b. Accordingly, the magnetic ball 3 is able to orbit the annular flow path 10b with the above-mentioned swirling flow of the fluid while being restricted in the vertical height direction (the axial length direction of the swirling center shaft portion 20) by the annular concave portion 20b. is there.

  The magnetic sensor S is attached to the outer surface of the outer peripheral wall 13 of the housing 1 using bracket pieces 90, screws 91, and the like shown in FIG. Each time the magnetic ball 3 circulating in the annular flow path 10b approaches the magnetic sensor S, the magnetic sensor S detects that fact and can output a predetermined detection signal. Based on this detection signal, a count operation of the number of revolutions of the magnetic ball 3 can be performed, and the flow rate of the fluid is calculated by a data processing unit (not shown). As the magnetic sensor S, a conventionally known magnetic sensor such as a coil system or a Hall element system can be used.

  The magnetic body 4 is, for example, an iron wire (wire) or a bar-shaped member, and is inserted into the hole 21 provided in the auxiliary member 2 so as to be attached to the auxiliary member 2. The magnetic body 4 is located substantially at the center of the turning center shaft portion 20 and extends in the vertical height direction, and overlaps with the magnetic ball 3 (at least the central portion of the magnetic ball 3) in the vertical height direction. I have. Preferably, the vertical length of the magnetic body 4 is longer than the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back width dimensions of the magnet 30 of the magnetic ball 3, and the magnetic force for attracting the magnetic body 4 and the magnetic ball 3 to each other is as effective as possible. It is configured to work. Based on such a configuration, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the magnetic ball 3 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion 20 by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball 4 and the magnetic ball 4. In addition, the circuit goes around the annular flow path 10b while maintaining this contact state.

  Preferably, the magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball 3 and the magnetic body 4 is such that the auxiliary member 2 is not assembled to the housing 1 as shown in FIG. Even when is tilted obliquely, the magnetic ball 3 does not fall from the turning center shaft portion 20 and has a magnetic force held by the turning center shaft portion 20. According to such a configuration, when assembling the magnetic ball 3 into the housing 1 together with the turning center shaft portion 20 in the assembly operation process of the flow rate detection device A, the turning center shaft portion 20 appropriately holds the magnetic ball 3. be able to. Even if the turning center shaft portion 20 is inclined, the magnetic balls 3 do not fall, so that the work of incorporating them into the housing 1 becomes easy.

The flow rate detection device A described above is used by being incorporated in a hot water supply device WH as shown in FIG. 4, for example.
The hot water supply device WH is configured such that hot water supplied to the water inlet 60a is sent to the heat exchanger 6 through the water inlet 60 and is heated by a burner 7 such as a gas burner. The heated hot water reaches the hot water outlet 61 a via the hot water channel 61. On the other hand, the water inlet channel 60 and the hot water channel 61 are connected via a bypass flow channel 62, and the hot water flowing through the hot water channel 61 is mixed with the unheated hot water that has passed through the bypass channel 62. By adjusting the ratio using the flow control valves V1, V2, etc., the temperature of the hot water reaching the tap 61a can be adjusted. The flow rate detection device A is provided in the water inlet channel 60 and is used for detecting the flow rate of hot water sent into the heat exchanger 6.

  Next, the operation of the flow rate detection device A will be described.

  First, when hot water is supplied to the inflow port 11 as an example of a fluid, the hot water flows in the annular flow path 10b as a swirling flow, and accordingly, the magnetic ball 3 goes around the annular flow path 10b. . Here, as described above, the orbit of the magnetic ball 3 is maintained in a state where the magnetic ball 3 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion 20 by the magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball 3 and the magnetic body 4. Accordingly, the magnetic ball 3 can be prevented from rotating in plan view (view in the axial length direction of the turning central shaft portion 20) shown in FIG. That is, the rotation of the magnetic ball 3 indicated by the arrow Na in FIG. 8A is prevented. FIG. 2A shows an example in which the S pole of the magnet 30 attracts the magnetic body 4, but such a state is maintained even when the magnetic ball 3 goes around the annular flow path 10 b. Therefore, when the magnetic ball 3 approaches the magnetic sensor S, the N pole of the magnet 30 always faces the magnetic sensor S. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magnetic pole acting on the magnetic sensor S from changing, and to solve the problem that the detection accuracy of the magnetic ball 3 by the magnetic sensor S deteriorates due to the change in the magnetic pole.

  When the magnetic ball 3 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion 20, the direction in which the magnetic force acting between the magnet 30 and the magnetic body 4 becomes the strongest is obtained, and as shown in FIG. The center axis CL is in a state in which there is no or little inclination in the vertical height direction. Then, as can be understood from the figure, the magnet 30 has a direction in which the strongest magnetic force can also act on the magnetic sensor S (a direction in which the strong magnetic force line indicated by the arrow Nd is not displaced from the magnetic sensor S). On the other hand, since the magnetic ball 3 orbits while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion 20 by the magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball 4 and the magnetic body 4 as described above, it is indicated by the arrow Nb in FIG. Rotation in the direction is also prevented. Therefore, when the magnetic ball 3 approaches the magnetic sensor S, a strong magnetic force can always be applied to the magnetic sensor S stably.

  Thus, in the flow rate detection device A of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the magnetic ball 3 by the magnetic sensor S, and also to improve the flow rate detection accuracy of the fluid. As described with reference to FIG. 3, there is also obtained an advantage that the workability of assembling the flow rate detection device A can be improved.

  5 and 6 show another embodiment of the present invention.

In the flow detecting device Aa shown in FIG. 5, an annular magnetic body 4A is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral wall portion 13 of the housing 1 so as to be fitted outside. Unlike the above-described embodiment, the configuration is not such that the magnetic body 4 is provided inside the turning center shaft portion 20. In the present embodiment, the magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball 3 and the magnetic body 4A causes the magnetic ball 3 to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 13 and circulates around the annular flow path 10b while maintaining this contact state. It is possible.
Also in the present embodiment, the rotation of the magnetic ball 3 and the inclination of the magnet 30 are eliminated by the same principle as the above-described embodiment, and the detection accuracy of the magnetic ball 3 by the magnetic sensor S can be improved.

  In the flow rate detection device Ab shown in FIG. 6, the turning center shaft portion 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the magnetic sensor S is provided therein. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately perform the counting operation of the number of turns of the magnetic ball 3 as in the case where the magnetic sensor S is provided outside the outer peripheral wall portion 13.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the flow rate detection device and the hot water device according to the present invention can be variously changed within a range intended by the present invention.

The means for providing the magnetic body inside the turning center shaft section 20 may be, for example, resin molding of the turning center shaft section 20 except for inserting the magnetic body into the hole 21 provided in the turning center shaft section 20. At this time, a means for embedding the magnetic body in the turning center shaft portion 20 can be adopted by inserting a magnetic body having an appropriate shape and size into the inside thereof.
When the magnetic ball 3 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion 20 and this contact state is maintained, as a means for realizing this, a magnetic body 4 separate from the turning center shaft portion 20 is used. Instead of the means arranged inside the turning center shaft portion 20, for example, a means using the turning center shaft portion 20 itself as a magnetic material can be adopted. In short, it is only necessary that the magnetic substance be provided inside (in the radial direction) of the annular flow path.

  On the other hand, unlike the above, when the magnetic ball 3 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral wall portion 13 and this contact state is maintained, as a means for realizing this, an annular magnetic member separate from the outer peripheral wall portion 13 is used. Instead of the means for externally fitting the body 4A to the outer peripheral wall 13, means for embedding the magnetic body 4A in the outer peripheral wall 13 or forming the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 13 itself using the magnetic body 4A. Means for directly adsorbing the magnetic ball 3 to the magnetic body 4A may be employed. In short, the annular magnetic body may be provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the annular flow path. The magnetic body does not have to be a single member. For example, it is also possible to adopt a means in which two semicircular arc-shaped magnetic bodies are combined in a ring shape.

  The magnetic ball does not have to have a structure in which the magnet is covered with the resin. For example, the entire magnetic ball may be a magnet. Further, the magnetic ball does not necessarily have to be spherical, and may have another shape. The specific type of the magnetic sensor is not limited. The flow rate detecting device according to the present invention is not limited to a hot water device, but can be used for detecting a flow rate of a fluid in various devices / apparatuses other than the hot water device, a pipe section, and the like. Therefore, the type of fluid is not limited.

A, Aa, Ab Flow rate detecting device S Magnetic sensor 1 Housing (flow path forming member)
10b Annular flow path 13 Outer peripheral wall part 2 Auxiliary member 20 Revolving center shaft part 21 Hole part 3 Magnetic ball 30 Magnet 4, 4A Magnetic body

Claims (6)

A flow path forming member having an outer peripheral wall portion surrounding the turning central shaft portion, and an inter-region between the turning central shaft portion and the outer peripheral wall portion being an annular flow passage through which a swirling flow of fluid flows;
A magnetic ball arranged in the annular flow path so as to go around the annular flow path with the swirling flow of the fluid, and configured using a magnet,
A magnetic sensor arranged at any position of the outer periphery or the inner periphery of the annular flow path, and each time the magnetic ball approaches, a magnetic sensor for detecting that,
A flow detection device comprising:
A magnetic body provided inside the annular flow path, further comprising:
The magnetic ball comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft portion by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic ball and the magnetic ball, and can rotate around the annular flow path while maintaining the contact state. A flow rate detection device, characterized in that: The flow detection device according to claim 1,
The turning center shaft portion is made of resin, and the magnetic body is inserted into a hole provided in the turning center shaft portion, or in an embedded state covered with the resin of the turning center shaft portion. And a flow rate detection device attached to the turning center shaft portion. The flow rate detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The turning center shaft portion and the flow path forming member are formed separately,
Even when the magnetic ball is tilted obliquely in a state where the turning center shaft is not assembled to the flow path forming member, the magnetic ball is kept in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning center shaft, and the turning is performed. A flow rate detection device that has a magnetic force that prevents falling from the central shaft. A flow path forming member having an outer peripheral wall portion surrounding the turning central shaft portion, and an inter-region between the turning central shaft portion and the outer peripheral wall portion being an annular flow passage through which a swirling flow of fluid flows;
A magnetic ball arranged in the annular flow path so as to go around the annular flow path with the swirling flow of the fluid, and configured using a magnet,
A magnetic sensor arranged at any position of the outer periphery or the inner periphery of the annular flow path, and each time the magnetic ball approaches, a magnetic sensor for detecting that,
A flow detection device comprising:
An annular magnetic body provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the annular flow path, further comprising:
The magnetic ball comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic body and is capable of circling the annular flow path while maintaining this contact state. A flow rate detection device, characterized in that: The flow rate detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The flow rate detecting device, wherein a central portion of the magnet of the magnetic ball and the magnetic body are arranged to overlap each other in an axial direction of the turning center shaft portion.   A hot water device, wherein the flow rate detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided in a hot and cold water circulation path.

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