JPH07238578A - Water pipe freeze-preventing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the manufacturing cost of a freezing device by a method wherein a temperature switch turning ON and OFF according to a temperature change is integrally molded in a unit on the power source side. CONSTITUTION:A freezing device 10 comprises a switch 12 turning ON and OFF according to a temperature change, a freezing preventing band 20 wound around a unit 14 on the power source side, a plug 16, and a water pipe, and a connector 22 buried in a heater element 18. In a source unit 14, a switch body 64 and a cover body 76 except the tip parts of male type terminals 40a and 40b and female type terminals 42a and 42b are integrally molded by using resin. Since the temperature switch 12 is contained in a switch case body 64 and shielded from the outside, the temperature switch 12 contained in the switch body 64 is integrally molded in the source unit 14 as it is, the number of parts and the number of assembly processes are reduced, and a device cost is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water pipe freeze prevention device, and more particularly to a water pipe in which a temperature switch detects the ambient temperature of the water pipe and controls energization to a heater element. The present invention relates to a pipe freeze prevention device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in order to prevent a water pipe from freezing, a heat insulating material or a heat insulating material is wound around the water pipe exposed to the outside. A frozen anti-freezing band is wrapped around the water pipe, and when the temperature of the water pipe falls below the set value, power is turned on to prevent freezing.

The antifreezing zone is provided with a thermal lead, which is provided with a contact which is turned on / off in response to changes in the outside temperature.
A temperature switch equipped with a switch or a bimetal thermostat is provided, and when the outside air temperature around the water pipe falls to a preset temperature, the temperature switch turns on to energize the antifreezing band and the water pipe. The temperature switch turns off when the ambient temperature of the water pipe rises to the switch-off temperature.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a conventional water pipe antifreezing device having a temperature switch has a structure in which a temperature switch is provided at an intermediate portion of an antifreezing band wound around a water pipe, As shown in FIG. 7, one having a structure in which a temperature switch is provided between the power plug and the antifreezing band, or, as shown in FIG. 8, a connection connector is provided between the power plug and the antifreezing band. A structure having a temperature switch provided separately is proposed.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a water pipe antifreezing device 100 has an antifreezing band 104 wound around a water pipe 102 and having a predetermined length, and the antifreezing band 104.
Heater element 106 integrally embedded in the interior of the
And a temperature switch 108 which is connected in series to the heater element 106 at an intermediate portion of the anti-freezing band 104 and is turned on / off in response to temperature changes in the water pipe 102 and the surroundings.
A power plug 110 for supplying electric power to the heater element 106 and the temperature switch 108, and a connector 112 electrically connecting the power plug 110 and the heater element 106 of the anti-freezing band 104. ing.

The temperature switch 108 has a structure in which a heat sensitive switch 114 such as a thermal reed switch or a bimetal thermostat having a contact which is turned on / off according to a temperature change is incorporated in a switch case 116. .

The terminal 118a of the power plug 110,
Lead wires 119 a and 119 b are fixed to the 118 b via a crimp terminal 120.
a and 119b are covered with an insulating cord 122 and extended to the outside of the power plug 110, and are connected to the heater element 106 of the antifreezing band 104 in the connector 112 via the crimp terminal 120.

The bimetal thermostat used for the thermal switch 114 in the temperature switch 108 is a so-called variable type whose switch-on temperature and switch-off temperature can be varied. May be.

When the water pipe antifreezing device 100 is mounted on the water pipe 102, the water pipe 102 is wound so that the antifreezing band 104 is in direct contact with the water pipe 102, and the temperature switch 108 by the heat-sensitive switch 114 is installed on the water pipe 10.
2 is arranged so as to be in direct contact with the water pipe 102, and the temperature switch 108 is turned on / off in response to a change in the temperature of the water pipe 102, thereby controlling the energization of the heater element 106 to control the water pipe 102. It is to prevent freezing.

In the above structure, by connecting the power plug 110 of the water pipe antifreezing device 100 to a power source, power is supplied to the heater element 106 in the antifreezing band 104 which is the controlled member via the temperature switch 108. Therefore, freezing of the water pipe 102 is prevented.

In the conventional structure shown in FIG. 7, a female connector 130 is provided at the end of an insulating cord 122 extending to the outside of the power plug 110. The power plug 110 and the female connector 130 are connected to each other. The thermal switch 114 incorporated in the switch case 116 of the temperature switch 108 is connected in series to the lead wires 119a and 119b of the insulation cord 122 at the intermediate portion.

Further, female terminals 132a and 132b are fixed to the lead wires 119a and 119b in the female connector 130 via crimp terminals 120, respectively.
Then, the female terminal 132 of this female connector 130
a and 132b are extended from a connector 112 provided on one end side of the anti-freezing band 104 via an insulating cord,
In addition, the terminals 136a and 136b of the connection plug 134 provided at the tip portion thereof are detachably connected.

The connection plug 134 provided on one end side of the anti-freezing band 104 is preferably the same part as the power plug 110. The power plug 110 is connected to a power source and the connection plug 134 on the anti-freezing band 104 side is connected. By connecting to the female connector 130, the heater in the antifreezing band 104, which is a controlled member, via the temperature switch 108,
Power is supplied to the element 106.

In the conventional structure shown in FIG. 8, a female connector 130 is provided at the end of an insulating cord 122 extending outside the power plug 110, and a female terminal 132a of the female connector 130 is provided. One of the lead wires 119a connected to is extended by being covered with an insulating cord 140. The thermal switch 114 incorporated in the switch case 116 is connected in series to the tip of the lead wire 119a of the extended insulating cord 140 to form the temperature switch 108.

Further, female terminals 132a and 132b are fixed to the lead wires 119a and 119b in the female connector 130 via crimp terminals 120, respectively.
Then, the female terminal 132 of this female connector 130
a and 132b are extended from a connector 112 provided on one end side of the anti-freezing band 104 via an insulating cord,
In addition, the terminals 136a and 136b of the connection plug 134 provided at the tip portion thereof are detachably connected.

[0016]

However, in the water pipe antifreezing device described above, in the conventional structure shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate portion of the antifreezing band wound around the water pipe is subject to the temperature change of the water pipe. Since the temperature switch for turning on / off is provided, it is necessary to divide the antifreezing zone in the middle, and there is a problem that the number of processing and assembling steps increases and the cost increases.

Further, in the conventional structure shown in FIG. 7, the switch case of the temperature switch is formed by separately molding the upper case and the lower case, and after incorporating the heat sensitive switch, the upper case and the lower case are combined and welded. I have to
There has been a problem that the number of molding processes has increased and the cost has increased, and that the temperature switch must be attached to a special oval cord extended from the power plug.

Further, in the conventional structure shown in FIG. 8, the temperature switch is separately provided between the power plug and the antifreezing band via the connector, but the same problem as in FIG. 7 occurs. At the same time, there was a problem that a special small-sized code had to be lengthened.

Further, in the water pipe anti-freezing device, the power plug, the female connector, the connection plug and the like can be integrally formed by resin molding after fixing the lead wire and the like by crimp terminals. When trying to integrally mold with resin mold,
The heat-sensitive plate of the heat-sensitive switch is deformed by the molding pressure and the contraction pressure to cause a malfunction, and the gas at the time of resin molding enters the inside of the bimetal thermostat to cause rust and cause a malfunction. there were.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to integrally mold a temperature switch which is turned on / off by a temperature change with a resin. To form a power supply side unit and detachably connect the connection plug of the antifreeze band in which the heater element is embedded to this power supply side unit to reduce the manufacturing cost. It is the one we are trying to provide.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above object, a water pipe antifreezing device according to the present invention is housed in a switch case body and shielded from the outside.
A power switch integrally molded by resin molding with a temperature switch that is turned on / off according to a temperature change around the water pipe, the temperature switch housed in the switch case body, and a terminal connected to the temperature switch. Side unit, a connection plug electrically connected to the terminal molded by resin on the power supply side unit, an antifreezing band wound around a water pipe in which a heater element is embedded for a predetermined length, and the connection plug A connector for electrically connecting the lead wire terminal and the lead wire terminal of the heater element embedded in the antifreezing band is provided.

[0022]

[Function] Since the temperature switch is housed in the switch case body and shielded from the outside, the temperature switch housed in the switch case body can be integrally molded in the power supply side unit as it is. The number of assembly steps can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the water pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a schematic structure of a water pipe antifreezing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed cross sectional view of the temperature switch shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 is a water pipe anti-freezing device, which includes a temperature switch 12 that is turned on / off in response to a change in temperature around the water pipe, and a power source integrally formed by resin molding the temperature switch 12. Side unit 14
A connection plug 16 electrically connected to the power supply side unit 14, a freezing prevention band 20 in which a heater element 18 is embedded in a predetermined length and wound around a water pipe, and a lead wire of the connection plug 16. Terminal and heater element 18
Connector 22 for electrically connecting to the lead wire terminal of the.

Lead wires 26a, 26 are provided at the base ends of the male terminals 24a, 24b projecting from the connection plug 16.
b is fixed via the crimp terminals 28a and 28b,
The lead wires 26a and 26b are covered with an insulating cord 30 and extended to the outside of the connection plug 16 so that the connector 2
In FIG. 2, it is connected to the heater element 18 of the antifreezing band 20 via the plug terminals 32a and 32b.

Further, the heater element 18 is provided with the heater wire 3 inside the antifreezing band 20 wound around the water pipe.
4a and 34b are buried in the heater wire 34.
One end of each of a and 34b is fixed to the plug terminals 32a and 32b of the connector 22, and the heater wire 34
The other ends of a and 34b are the plug terminals 3 of the connector 36.
It is electrically connected by means of 8.

On one end side of the power source side unit 14,
Male terminals 40a, 40b to be inserted into a power outlet (not shown) are projected, and female terminals 24a, 24b of the connection plug 16 are detachably inserted to the other end side. 42a and 42b are buried. Then, input terminals 44a and 44b on the temperature switch 12 side are connected to the base ends of the male terminals 40a and 40b projecting from the power source side unit 14, and the female terminal 42 is connected.
Output terminals 46a and 46b on the temperature switch 12 side are connected to the base ends of a and 42b.

The contact 51 of the movable contact plate 50 fixed to the input terminal 44a of the temperature switch 12 and the fixed contact 52 fixed to the output terminal 46a, which are molded in the power source unit 14, are made of resin. The inner case 54 is assembled inside a cylindrical inner case 54, and an inner case 60 to which the heat sensitive plate 56 and the bimetal 58 are assembled is incorporated on the opening side of the inner case 54.

One end of the conductor 62 incorporated through the center of the middle case 60 is in contact with the bimetal 58, and the other end is in contact with the movable contact plate 50 having the movable contact 51. The conductor 62 is moved by the operation of the bimetal 58 by the heat from the plate 56, and the movable contact 51 and the fixed contact 52 are turned on / off.

The inner case 54 and the middle case 60, in which the movable contact 51 and the fixed contact 52 are assembled, are incorporated in the inner cavity portion 64a of a cylindrical switch case body 64 which is molded of resin and has one end opened.

In the groove 64b formed in the bottom of the switch case body 64, a lead wire 66 for connecting the input terminal 44b and the output terminal 46b of the temperature switch 12 is provided.
The heat-sensitive plate 56 installed in the inner cavity portion 64a of the switch case body 64 is fitted into the concave fitting portion 64c.
A heating element 68 such as a resistor or a heating wire installed close to is fitted therein.

Further, one terminal 7 of the heating element 68 is
0 is the input terminal 44b and the output terminal 4 on the temperature switch 12 side.
6b, and the other terminal 72 of the heating element 68 and one output terminal 46a of the temperature switch 12 are connected to the outside of the switch case body 64 by a lead wire 74.

In the above structure, when manufacturing the power supply side unit 14, first, the movable contact 51 fixed to the input terminal 44a on the temperature switch 12 side is provided in the inner cavity 64a of the switch case body 64. The inner case 54 and the middle case 60, in which the fixed contact 52 fixed to the output terminal 46a is assembled, are incorporated, and further, the input terminal 44 on the temperature switch 12 side is provided at the bottom of the switch case body 64.
The lead wire 66 connecting the b and the output terminal 46b and the heat generating element 68 installed in proximity to the heat sensitive plate 56 incorporated in the inner cavity portion 64a of the switch case body 64 are fitted,
A resin lid 7 is provided in the opening of the switch case body 64.
After fitting 6, the switch case body 64 and the lid 7
6 and the male terminals 40a and 40b and the female terminal 42
The power source side unit 14 is formed by integrally molding with resin except for the tips of a and 42b.

When the water pipe antifreezing device 10 is used, the antifreezing band 20 in which the heater element 18 is embedded is directly wound around the water pipe, and the female terminal 42a of the power source side unit 14 is 42b, antifreeze band 20
Male terminal 24a of the connection plug 16 provided at one end of the
Power is supplied by inserting the male terminal 40a and the male type terminal 40b of the power source side unit 14 into the power outlet together with the plug 24b.

Further, the operation of the temperature switch 12 molded in the power supply unit 14 is such that when the temperature around the water pipe is lowered to a predetermined temperature, the movable contact 51 and the fixed contact are operated by the operation of the bimetal 58. 52 is contacted and turned on, the heating element 68 and the heater element 18 are energized, and the heating element 68 and the heater element 18 generate heat.

When the heater element 18 generates heat, the temperature of the water pipe around which the antifreezing band 20 is wound rises to prevent freezing, and the temperature of the power supply unit 14 is also increased by the heat generated by the heating element 68. To be done.

When the temperature inside the power supply side unit 14 rises to a set predetermined temperature, the movable contact plate 50 is pushed up via the conductor 62 by the operation of the bimetal 58, and the movable contact 51 is separated from the fixed contact 52. As a result, the temperature switch 12 is turned off, so that the heating element 68 and the heater element 18 are de-energized, and the heat generation of the heating element 68 and the heater element 18 is stopped.

Here, in the heating element 68, when the temperature of the water pipe rises to a set predetermined temperature, the temperature switch 12 is turned off and the energization of the heater element 18 is stopped. The amount of heat may be designed in advance so as to be controlled.

The temperature switch 12 according to the present invention is
Although the switch case body 64 is integrally molded with resin after being assembled in the switch case body 64 which is formed in advance, the power supply side unit 14 is formed.
The present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature switch 12 may be previously covered with an epoxy resin or the like and then integrally molded with the resin.

[0041]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

A temperature switch which is housed in the switch case body and shielded from the outside and which is turned on / off in response to a temperature change around the water pipe, and a temperature switch and a temperature switch housed in the switch case body. A power supply side unit in which the terminals to be connected are integrally molded by resin molding, a connection plug electrically connected to the resin molded terminal in the power supply side unit, and a water supply in which a heater element is embedded in a predetermined length. The temperature switch has a switch case because it has an antifreezing band wound around the tube and a connector for electrically connecting the lead wire terminal of the connection plug and the lead wire terminal of the heater element embedded in the antifreeze band. Since it is stored inside the main body and shielded from the outside, the temperature switch stored inside the switch case body While the power supply side can be integrally molded into the unit of being reduced number of parts and assembling man-hour becomes possible reduction of manufacturing cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a water pipe freeze prevention device according to the present invention.

2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the temperature switch shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the temperature switch of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an actual mounting state of a conventional water pipe freeze prevention device.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a water pipe freeze prevention device having a conventional structure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of another water pipe freeze prevention device having a conventional structure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of another water pipe freeze prevention device having a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Water Pipe Freezing Prevention Device 12 Temperature Switch 14 Power Supply Unit 16 Connection Plug 18 Heater Element 20 Freezing Prevention Zone 22 Connector 51 Moving Contact 52 Fixed Contact 54 Inner Case 56 Heat Sensitive Plate 58 Bimetal 60 Middle Case 64 Switch Case Body 64a Inner Bore Part 68 Heating element

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A temperature switch housed in a switch case body, shielded from the outside, and turned on / off in response to a temperature change around a water pipe, and the temperature switch housed in the switch case body. And a terminal connected to the temperature switch are integrally molded by resin molding, a power supply side unit, a connection plug electrically connected to the terminal molded by resin on the power supply side unit, and a heater element. An antifreezing band wound around a water pipe embedded for a predetermined length, and a connector for electrically connecting the lead wire terminal of the connection plug and the lead wire terminal of the heater element embedded in the antifreeze band. A water pipe freeze prevention device characterized by having. 2. The temperature switch includes a switch case main body having an opening on an upper surface, a movable contact fixed to an input terminal on the temperature switch side, the movable contact being incorporated in an inner cavity of the switch case main body, An inner case in which a fixed contact fixed to an output terminal on the temperature switch side is assembled, and a heat sensitive element incorporated in an inner cavity of the switch case body for turning on / off the movable contact and the fixed contact according to a temperature change. A lead wire for connecting the input terminal and the output terminal on the temperature switch side, which is fitted to the bottom case of the middle case and the switch case main body, and to the bottom of the switch case main body together with the lead wire. A heating element installed near the heat-sensitive element assembled in the inner case and assembled in the inner case, and the switch case book 2. The water pipe antifreezing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a resin lid fitted in the opening of the water supply unit, wherein the temperature switch is integrally molded with resin to form a power supply side unit. . 3. The temperature switch is a thermal switch such as a thermal reed switch or a bimetal thermostat which is housed in a switch case body and shielded from the outside, and a resistance installed near the thermal switch. Alternatively, the water pipe anti-icing device according to claim 1, wherein the power switch unit is formed by integrally molding the temperature switch housed in the switch case body with a resin and a heating element such as a heating wire.