JPH0933305A - Water flow detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water flow detecting device having a stream detecting function detecting the presence or absence of a stream in the passage of a water purifier or a mineral water generator and displaying and/or outputting the detected result and a constant-flow function controlling the water pressure to a set value or below when the water pressure in the passage becomes the set value or above, having a simple structure, and capable of coping with minia turization and cost reduction. SOLUTION: This water flow detecting device is provided with a main body 1 formed with passage 2, a moving member 3 movably provided in the passage 2 and formed with a through hole 3a at the center section, a valve body-like fixed member 4 provided on the downstream side from the moving member 3 and changing its passage cross sectional area by the movement of the moving member 3, an elastic member 5 inserted between the moving member 3 and the fixed member 4 and exciting them in the separating direction from each other, a detection section 6 provided outside the passage 2 and detecting the position of the moving member 3, and a signal process section 7 judging the presence or absence of a stream in the passage 2 based on the signal outputted from the detection section 6 and displaying and/or outputting the result.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is suitable for use in devices such as water purifiers and mineral water generators, and detects the presence / absence of a water flow in a flow channel and displays and / or outputs the detection result. The present invention relates to a water flow detecting device having a function and a constant flow rate function of controlling the water pressure to be equal to or lower than a set value when the water pressure in the flow path is equal to or higher than the set value.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various devices such as conventional water purifiers and mineral water generators, water is passed through the flow paths of these devices in order to know the replacement time of replacement parts such as filter media stored inside. There is a device that is equipped with a water flow detection device that measures the usage time and issues an alarm or displays when the water usage time exceeds the set time. On the other hand, in order to ensure the water quality of purified water or mineral water, a mechanical or electric constant flow valve is attached to the above flow path, and a large amount of raw water exceeding the maximum flow rate per unit time that can ensure the water quality is in the flow path. Some prevent it from flowing into.

[0003]

By the way, when a water flow detecting device and a mechanical or electric constant flow valve are simultaneously attached to various devices such as the above-mentioned conventional water purifier and mineral water generator, the water flow detecting device and The volume and price of the constant flow valve occupy various devices in a high ratio, the structure becomes complicated, the size and price tend to be large, and there is a risk of obstacles in downsizing and price reduction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and detects the presence or absence of a water flow in a flow path of a water purifier, a mineral water generator, etc., and displays and / or outputs the detection result. It has a water flow detection function and a constant flow rate function that controls the water pressure below the set value when the water pressure in the flow path exceeds the set value. Moreover, the structure is simple and it corresponds to downsizing and cost reduction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water flow detection device capable of performing the above.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following water flow detecting device. That is, it is a water flow detection device that detects the presence or absence of a water flow in a water channel, displays and / or outputs the detection result, and controls the water pressure in the water channel to be a set value or less, and a flow path that penetrates is formed. A main body, a movable member that is movably provided in the flow channel, and has a through hole along the flow channel formed in the central portion, and a movable member that is provided on the downstream side of the movable member and moves by the movable member. A valve-body-shaped fixed member that changes a cross-sectional area; an elastic member that is interposed between the movable member and the fixed member and urges the movable member and the fixed member in a direction in which they are separated from each other; A detector provided outside the passage for detecting the position of the movable member, and the presence / absence of water flow in the flow passage is determined based on a signal output from the detector, and the determination result is displayed and / or output. And a signal processing unit that operates.

In this water flow detection device, since the movable member does not receive water pressure when water does not flow in the flow path,
It is stationary upstream of the fixing member and at a position where the biasing force of the elastic member does not reach. Here, when water flows in the flow path, the movable member receives water pressure and moves to the downstream side. On this occasion,
The fixed member plays a role of a diaphragm that varies the cross-sectional area of the flow path, the movable member receives water pressure, moves to the fixed member side, and stops at a position where the water pressure and the urging force of the elastic member are balanced.

The flow passage cross-sectional area of the fixed member changes depending on the position of the movable member. For example, when the water pressure is high, the movable member moves closer to the fixed member,
When the water pressure is small, on the other hand, when the water pressure is small, the movable member moves away from the fixed member, so that the cross sectional area becomes large. As a result, when the water pressure in the flow passage changes, the flow passage cross-sectional area changes in accordance with this change in water pressure, and when the water pressure in the flow passage becomes greater than or equal to the set value, keep that water pressure below the set value. Can be controlled. Here, when the water in the flow path stops, the movable member is pushed back to the upstream side by the urging force of the elastic member as the water pressure decreases and disappears, and returns to the position before the water flow in the flow path.

On the other hand, the detection section detects the position of the movable member, the signal processing section judges the presence or absence of water flow in the flow path based on the signal output from the detection section, and displays the judgment result. Or output. As described above, the presence or absence of water flow in the flow channel is detected, and the detection result is displayed and / or output, and when the water pressure in the flow channel exceeds the set value, the water pressure is controlled below the set value. Will be possible.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a water flow detecting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a water flow detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
In the drawings, reference numeral 1 is a device main body, 2 is a channel having a circular cross-section formed so as to penetrate the device body 1, 3 is a movable member movably provided in the channel 2, and 4 is a movable member 3. A fixed member provided on the downstream side of 5 is a spring (elastic member) interposed between the movable member 3 and the fixed member 4, and 6 is a detection provided outside the flow path 2, that is, inside the apparatus main body 1. Reference numeral 7 is a signal processing unit provided in the apparatus main body 1, and 8 is a power supply for operating the detection unit 6 and the signal processing unit 7.

The movable member 3 is made of, for example, a plastic magnet magnetized by mixing an acrylic resin into a ferrite magnetic material and molding the magnet. The through hole 3a is formed in the center of the column, and the flow path is formed by hydraulic pressure. The diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the flow path 2 so that the inside of the flow path 2 can be easily moved. A stopper 11 for preventing the movable member 3 from moving more than necessary is provided on the upstream side of the flow path 2. The fixed member 4 has a valve body shape in which the flow passage cross-sectional area changes as the movable member 3 moves, and the central portion of the disk-shaped main body is projected in a mountain shape, and a plurality of fixed members 4 are formed along the peripheral edge portion of the mountain shape. Through holes 12 are formed.

The spring 5 is, for example, a non-magnetic stainless wire wound in a coil shape, is inserted between the movable member 3 and the fixed member 4 and urges them in a direction to separate them from each other. Is configured to. The detection unit 6 is composed of, for example, a Hall IC, and detects the position of the movable member 3 in a non-contact manner. When using a Hall IC, the relationship between the amount of magnetic flux (or magnetic flux density) generated by the movable member 3 and the amount of movement of the movable member 3 is obtained in advance, and the amount of magnetic flux (or magnetic flux density) generated by the movable member 3 is detected. Thereby, the position of the movable member 3 can be determined.

The signal processing unit 7 determines the presence or absence of water flow in the flow path 2 based on the signal output from the detection unit 6, and displays and / or outputs the determination result. When a signal is received, it is determined whether the movable member 3 and the fixed member 4 have a water pressure above the set value, and if the water pressure above the set value is applied, it is confirmed that the constant flow rate function is working effectively. Display and / or output.

The power source 8 is, for example, a switching power source that steps down AC100V and then converts it to DC12V or DC5V. It should be noted that another power supply having the same function,
For example, a primary battery, a secondary battery, an AC adapter, a solar cell, etc. may be used. Furthermore, when a primary battery or a secondary battery is used, a function of displaying a warning of dead batteries may be added, or when a solar battery is used, a standby power supply may be mounted.

Next, the operation of the water flow detecting device of this embodiment will be described. When the water flow w flows into the flow path 2 from above in FIG. 1, the water pressure pushes the movable member 3 toward the fixed member 4. Since the fixed member 4 and the spring 5 are provided on the downstream side of the movable member 3, the movable member 3 receives a repulsive force from the spring 5 in the direction opposite to the water pressure and stops at a position where the water pressure and the repulsive force are balanced. Here, when the movable member 3 is subjected to a water pressure equal to or higher than a set value, the movable member 3 is fixed to the fixed member 4
It moves so that the effective cross-sectional area through which the water flow passes between the portions sandwiched by and becomes small, and the flow rate in the flow path 2 is made constant. Therefore, the constant flow rate function works effectively, and the flow rate in the flow path 2 becomes constant regardless of the applied water pressure.

The detection unit 6 detects the amount of magnetic flux (or magnetic flux density) generated by the movable member 3 and determines the amount of magnetic flux (or magnetic flux density) generated by the movable member 3 from the relationship between the amount of movement of the movable member 3 and the movable member 3. Figure out the position of. The signal processing unit 7 determines whether or not the water pressure above the set value is applied to the movable member 3, and if the water pressure above the set value is applied, indicates that the constant flow rate function is working effectively and / or Output.

When the water flow w is stopped, the movable member 3 is released from the water pressure, receives the repulsive force from the spring 5, and moves to the position before the water flow w is introduced. The detection unit 6 detects the amount of magnetic flux (or magnetic flux density) generated by the movable member 3. In this state, the constant flow rate function of the present device is invalid, and therefore the signal processing unit 7 displays and / or outputs that the constant flow rate function is invalid.

As described above, according to the water flow detecting apparatus of this embodiment, the movable member 3 provided movably in the flow path 2 and the fixed member 4 provided on the downstream side of the movable member 3.
A spring (elastic member) 5 interposed between the movable member 3 and the fixed member 4, and a detection unit 6 provided outside the flow path 2.
And the signal processing unit 7, it is possible to promptly detect the presence or absence of a water flow in the flow path 2 and display and / or output the detection result, and the water pressure in the flow path 2 is set to a set value. When it becomes above, the water pressure can be controlled below the set value. Further, since the configuration is extremely simple, it is possible to easily cope with downsizing and cost reduction.

[0018]

As described above, according to the water flow detecting device of the present invention, the main body having the flow passage therethrough and the flow passage are provided movably in the flow passage and extend along the flow passage at the central portion. A movable member having a through-hole formed therein; a valve-body-shaped fixed member that is provided on the downstream side of the movable member and changes the flow passage cross-sectional area by the movement of the movable member; and the movable member and the fixed member. An elastic member which is interposed between the movable member and the fixed member and biases the movable member and the fixed member in a direction to separate them from each other, a detection unit which is provided outside the flow path, and which detects the position of the movable member, and the detection unit. Based on the signal output from, the presence or absence of the water flow in the flow path is determined, and the signal processing unit for displaying and / or outputting the determination result is provided, so that the presence or absence of the water flow in the flow path is detected. The detection result is displayed and / or output, and the water pressure in the flow path is It is possible to control the pressure below the set value when it becomes more definite. Further, since the configuration is extremely simple, it is possible to easily cope with downsizing and cost reduction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water flow detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Device Main Body 2 Flow Path 3 Movable Member 3a Through Hole 4 Fixed Member 5 Spring (Elastic Member) 6 Detecting Section 7 Signal Processing Section 8 Power Supply 11 Stopper 12 Through Hole

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water flow detection device for detecting the presence / absence of a water flow in a water channel, displaying and / or outputting the detection result, and controlling the water pressure in the water channel below a set value, the flow path passing through the water flow detecting device. A main body having a movable member, a movable member provided movably in the flow channel, and having a through hole along the flow channel formed in the central portion, and a movable member provided downstream of the movable member and moving the movable member. A valve member-shaped fixed member that changes the flow passage cross-sectional area by: and an elastic member that is interposed between the movable member and the fixed member and that urges the movable member and the fixed member in a direction in which they are separated from each other. A detection unit that is provided outside the flow channel and that detects the position of the movable member; and the presence or absence of water flow in the flow channel is determined based on the signal output from the detection unit, and the determination result is displayed and And / or a signal processing unit for outputting A water flow detection device.