KR102620628B1 - Water meter with structure for prevention of freeze - Google Patents

Abstract

A water meter having a freeze prevention structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body case including a water supply pipe and a drain pipe, and an opening that is opened upwardly between them and communicates with the internal space; a lower inner shell disposed inside the opening and including a cylindrical wall; a counting device disposed within the lower inner shell wall and connected to the impeller to count the flow rate between the water supply pipe and the drain pipe; an upper outer shell disposed above the opening; and a cover sealably fastened to the upper outer shell, wherein the upper outer shell is detachably coupled to the opening at its lower end and surrounds the counting device on the inside, and the upper outer shell has a side portion. It includes an enlarged diameter extending outward in a radial direction, and an inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter forms an annular expanded space spaced apart from the lower inner shell or the counting device by a predetermined distance.

Description

{WATER METER WITH STRUCTURE FOR PREVENTION OF FREEZE}

The present invention relates to a water meter having a freeze prevention structure. In particular, the upper outer shell of the water meter is expanded outward and an expansion pressure absorbing structure is installed in the expanded volume portion, thereby effectively absorbing the expansion pressure caused by the freezing of tap water, This is about a water meter structure that minimizes damage from freezing and bursting of water meters.

If the tap water inside the water meter freezes due to a cold wave in winter, the water meter may not be able to withstand the freezing and expansion pressure of the water and may be damaged. As a result, not only is the supply of tap water to each home or office interrupted, but tap water can leak into roads or walls, which can lead to safety accidents.

When analyzing the damaged parts of water meters due to freezing, in the case of wet water meters, the upper glass or instrument panel is mainly damaged, and in the case of dry water meters, the instrument panel is mainly damaged.

To prevent the water meter from freezing, there are three main methods: supplying heat to the inside of the protection box, protecting the outside of the water meter with cloth or clothing for insulation, and installing a freeze prevention device on the water meter. Several technologies have been proposed. Among them, there is Registered Utility Model No. 20-0375794, a design that applies the technology to supply heat by installing a heating device. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a water meter according to the prior art. The freeze-proof water meter with the heating device shown in FIG. 1 must use an external power source, but there are many limitations in drawing power from the external environment to the water meter, so it can be used only in limited places, mainly indoors. In addition, operation itself may be impossible due to external factors such as power outages, and power usage fees are incurred, which limits its widespread application.

In addition, in the case of a water meter for preventing freeze and burst with an internal expansion pressure absorber installed inside the water meter, the freeze prevention effect is excellent (Registered Patent No. 10-1432240), but as the absorber plate is additionally installed in the longitudinal direction, the water meter moves up and down. Because it is longer in each direction, changes in component specifications are inevitable, and the price is high, making commercialization difficult.

The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a water meter that effectively prevents freezing and bursting by absorbing the expansion pressure generated when tap water freezes.

In addition, another purpose is to provide a water meter that is easy to commercialize due to low manufacturing costs and can be used in all four seasons.

A water meter having a freeze prevention structure according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described object includes a main body case including a water supply pipe and a drain pipe, and an opening that opens upwardly between them and communicates with the internal space; a lower inner shell disposed inside the opening and including a cylindrical wall; a counting device disposed within the lower inner shell wall and connected to the impeller to count the flow rate between the water supply pipe and the drain pipe; an upper outer shell disposed above the opening; and a cover sealably fastened to the upper outer shell, wherein the upper outer shell is detachably coupled to the opening at its lower end and surrounds the counting device on the inside, and the upper outer shell has a side portion. It includes an enlarged diameter extending outward in a radial direction, and an inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter forms an annular expanded space spaced apart from the lower inner shell or the counting device by a predetermined distance.

Additionally, an airbag in the shape of a circular tube may be placed in the expansion space.

In addition, when the lower inner shell is placed inside the opening, the wall of the lower inner shell protrudes upward from the opening and faces the inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter of the upper outer shell, and a wrinkle member may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wall.

In addition, the enlarged diameter portion may be formed over the entire side of the upper outer shell, and the wrinkle member may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wall up to the upper instrument panel of the counting device.

Additionally, a leaf spring may be further provided between the upper instrument panel of the counting device and the upper surface of the upper outer shell.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper outer shell of the water meter is enlarged and a freezing expansion pressure absorbing structure (airbag, bellows tube, leaf spring, etc.) is installed inside it to absorb the expansion pressure generated when tap water freezes. It effectively prevents freezing and bursting.

In addition, since it can be mass-produced at a low cost compared to existing water meters, it has the advantage of being easy to commercialize and being able to be used not only in winter but all year round.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a water meter according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of a water meter according to the prior art.
Figure 3a is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating an upper outer shell having an enlarged diameter in a water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example in which the upper outer shell is not provided with an enlarged diameter portion.
Figure 3c is a perspective view of the upper outer shell of Figures 3a and 3b and a cross-sectional view when fastened to the opening.
Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of a water meter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram of the airbag of FIG. 4A.
Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view when the upper outer shell is fastened to the opening in Figure 4a.
Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of a water meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5b is a conceptual diagram of the wrinkle member of Figure 5a.
Figure 5c is a cross-sectional view when the upper outer shell is fastened to the opening in Figure 5a.
Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of a water meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6b is a conceptual diagram of the leaf spring of Figure 6a.
Figure 6c is a cross-sectional view when the upper outer shell is fastened to the opening in Figure 6a.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the following examples may be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is as follows. It is not limited to the examples. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure more faithful and complete, and to fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the drawings below, the thickness and size of each layer are exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation, and the same symbols refer to the same elements in the drawings. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. In addition, the meaning of "connected" in this specification refers not only to the case where member A and member B are directly connected, but also to the case where member C is interposed between member A and member B to indirectly connect member A and member B. do. The terms used herein are used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, when used herein, “comprise, include,” and/or “comprising, including” refer to mentioned features, numbers, steps, operations, members, elements, and/or groups thereof. It specifies the presence and does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements and/or groups.

Although the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various members, parts, regions, layers and/or parts, these members, parts, regions, layers and/or parts are limited by these terms. It is obvious that this cannot be done. These terms are used only to distinguish one member, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Accordingly, a first member, component, region, layer or portion described below may refer to a second member, component, region, layer or portion without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Space-related terms such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” are used to refer to an element or feature shown in a drawing. It can be used to facilitate understanding of other elements or features. These space-related terms are for easy understanding of the present invention according to various process states or usage states of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, if an element or feature in a drawing is turned over, an element or feature described as “bottom” or “below” becomes “top” or “above.” Therefore, “below” is a concept encompassing “top” or “below.”

Figure 3a is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating an upper outer shell having an enlarged diameter in a water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example in which the upper outer shell is not provided with an enlarged diameter, and Figure 3c is Figures 3a and 3b are a perspective view of the upper outer shell and a cross-sectional view when fastened to the opening. Hereinafter, a water meter 100 having a freeze prevention structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The water meter 100 of the present invention includes a water supply pipe 111 and a drain pipe 112, a main body case 110 including an opening 113 that opens upwardly and communicates with the internal space, and an opening 113. ) The lower inner shell 120, which is disposed on the inside and includes a cylindrical wall 121, is disposed within the lower inner shell 120 wall 121 and is connected to the impeller 140 to form a water supply pipe 111 and a drain pipe ( 112) includes a counting device 130 that counts the flow rate, an upper outer shell 150 disposed on the upper part of the opening 113, and a cover 170 sealably fastened to the upper outer shell 150. .

The main body case 110 is provided with a water supply pipe 111 and a drain pipe 112 connected to a water pipe. Water flowing in the water pipe flows into the main body case 110 through the water supply pipe 111 and exits through the drain pipe 112. Inside the main body case 110, an impeller 140 is disposed that rotates by water entering through the water supply pipe 111. The impeller 140 has a plurality of blades, and the water entering through the water supply pipe 111 is disposed. The blades of the impeller 140 are pushed out to rotate the impeller 140.

The counting device 130 is a means for detecting and displaying the flow rate of water passing through the main case 110 through the water supply pipe 111 and the drain pipe 112. The impeller 140 described above is connected to the counting device 130 and counts the flow rate of water by the rotation amount of the impeller 140. The counting device 130 is provided with a display means for externally displaying the flow rate on the upper instrument panel 131. The display means may employ an electronic display, or may be connected to the blade of the impeller 140 with a gear to indicate the flow rate to the outside. A letter car in which letters rotate depending on the amount of rotation can also be adopted. The user checks the flow rate of water past the water meter 100 by reading the characters displayed on the display means.

The lower outer shell has an accommodation space inside the wall 121 to accommodate the counting device 130. The lower exoshell may be formed in a jar shape or a cylindrical shape.

The upper outer shell 150 is detachably coupled to the opening 113 of the main body case 110 at its lower end, surrounds the counting device 130 on the inside, and fixes and protects the display means of the counting device 130. do. In addition, the cover 170 is provided to cover the upper surface of the upper outer shell 150, and is provided so that when the cover 170 is closed, the cover 170 is sealed around the upper outer shell 150, The main body case 110 is sealed.

The main body case 110, the lower inner shell 120, the counting device 130, the upper outer shell 150, and the cover 170 are general components of the water meter 100, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2. are interconnected together.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the upper outer shell 150 includes an enlarged diameter portion 160 in which a portion of the side surface extends outward in the radial direction. The inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 160 forms an annular expansion space spaced apart from the lower inner shell 120 or the counting device 130 by a predetermined distance. Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the difference in structure is clear. The general upper outer shell 150 shown on the left side of FIGS. 3B and 3C has almost no gap between the inner peripheral surface and the lower inner shell 120 or the inner peripheral surface and the counting device 130. On the other hand, in the upper outer shell 150 shown on the right side of FIGS. 3A and 3C, a donut-shaped hollow space is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the lower inner shell 120 or the outer peripheral surface of the counting device 130. ) is recessed from the inner peripheral surface of the. In the present invention, in order to absorb the increased volume when frozen, the width of the upper outer shell 150 is expanded to install an expansion space, thereby securing the expansion space when frozen.

In Figure 3c, the expansion space is depicted to be located around the lower inner shell 120 protruding above the opening 113, but the expansion space is not limited to this, and the expansion space is seated at the top of the lower inner shell 120. It is also possible for the enlarged diameter portion 160 to be processed on the upper portion of the upper outer shell 150 to be located around the device 130.

In addition, as described below, by inserting a freeze expansion pressure absorbing structure (strongly elastic device such as an airbag or bellows tube) into the expansion space described above, the freeze expansion force of tap water due to freezing of the water meter 100 is reduced. By allowing it to be easily transmitted and absorbed by the freeze expansion pressure absorption device, it prevents freeze damage to parts such as the glass or counting device 130 in the water meter 100, and when thawed, it is restored to the tap water volume to facilitate smooth operation of the meter. .

Hereinafter, a water meter 100 having a freeze prevention structure according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention in which different freeze expansion pressure absorption structures are applied will be described.

Embodiment 1

Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of a water meter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4b is a conceptual diagram of the airbag of Figure 4a, and Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view when the upper outer shell is fastened to the opening in Figure 4a. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, an airbag 181 in the shape of a circular tube is disposed in the expansion space. The airbag 181 is made of an elastic material, and absorbs the pressure that expands left and right when tap water freezes, preventing damage to the glass cover 170 or the counting device 130.

Second embodiment

Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of a water meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5b is a conceptual diagram of the wrinkle member of Figure 5a, and Figure 5c is a cross-sectional view when the upper outer shell is fastened to the opening in Figure 5a. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the above-described lower inner shell 120 is an inner shell for absorbing freezing expansion pressure. That is, the wrinkle member 183 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wall 121 of the lower inner shell 120.

As shown in the figure, when the lower inner shell 120 is disposed inside the opening 113, the wall 121 of the lower inner shell 120 protrudes upward from the opening 113, and the lower inner shell 120 ) faces the inner peripheral surface of the enlarged portion 160 of the upper outer shell 150. According to this structure, the wrinkle member 183 on the outer peripheral surface of the lower inner shell 120 is disposed in the expanded space created by the enlarged diameter portion 160. A bellows tube with strong elasticity can be used as the corrugated member 183. The bellows tube absorbs the pressure that expands left and right when tap water freezes, preventing damage to the glass cover 170 or the counting device 130.

Third embodiment

Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of a water meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6b is a conceptual diagram of the leaf spring of Figure 6a, and Figure 6c is a cross-sectional view when the upper outer shell is fastened to the opening in Figure 6a.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the above-described lower inner shell 120 is an inner shell for absorbing freezing expansion pressure. That is, the wrinkle member 183 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wall 121 of the lower inner shell 120. In this respect, it has the same absorption structure as the second embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the enlarged portion 160 of the upper outer shell 150 is formed extending over the entire side of the upper outer shell 150, and the wrinkles of the lower inner shell 120 The member 183 is formed longitudinally on the outer peripheral surface of the wall 121 of the lower inner shell 120 up to the upper instrument panel 131 of the counting device 130. In particular, the third embodiment further includes a leaf spring 185 between the upper instrument panel 131 of the counting device 130 and the upper surface of the upper outer shell 150.

In this way, by forming the enlarged diameter portion 160 on the radial outer side (i.e., transverse direction) of the upper outer shell 150, it accommodates the pressure expanding in the lateral direction (left and right directions) when freezing, and expands and contracts in the vertical direction. By arranging the bellows tube and the leaf spring 185 that expands vertically inside the enlarged diameter portion 160 and between the upper surface of the upper instrument panel 131 and the upper outer shell 150, the pressure expands in the longitudinal direction (up and down direction). to be absorbed. Accordingly, when tap water freezes, damage to the upper glass and the counting device 130 is suppressed by absorbing expansion pressure in both the up-down and left-right directions. In the case of the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the inner diameter of the enlarged portion 160 of the upper outer shell 150 compared to the first and second embodiments, and an equivalent freeze prevention effect can be achieved.

The present invention provides a water meter that can effectively absorb expansion pressure generated during freezing through expansion of the upper outer shell and installation of expansion pressure absorption structures such as elastic airbags, thereby reducing freeze damage to glass and instrumentation in the water meter. do. These water meters can be used semi-permanently, and compared to the existing airbag method, which was applicable only to wet water meters, they have the advantage of being applicable to dry water meters by expanding the side space.

In addition, since it has a structure that allows the insertion of an airbag or inner shell simply by changing the structure of the upper outer shell without changing the specifications of the main components in the water meter, it has the advantage of excellent marketability and the possibility of mass production at a low price.

What has been described above is only one embodiment for implementing the water meter 100 having a freeze prevention structure according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and is claimed in the following patent claims. As such, it will be said that the technical spirit of the present invention exists to the extent that anyone skilled in the art can make various changes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

100: water meter 110: main body case
113: opening 120: lower inner shell
130: counting device 131: upper instrument panel
150: upper outer shell 160: enlarged cervix
181: airbag 183: wrinkle member
185: leaf spring

Claims (5)

A main body case including a water supply pipe and a drain pipe, and an opening therebetween that opens upwardly and communicates with the internal space;
a lower inner shell disposed inside the opening and including a cylindrical wall;
a counting device disposed within the lower inner shell wall and connected to the impeller to count the flow rate between the water supply pipe and the drain pipe;
an upper outer shell disposed above the opening; and
A cover sealably fastened to the upper outer shell;
Including,
The upper outer shell is detachably coupled to the opening at its lower end and surrounds the counting device on its inside,
The upper outer shell includes an enlarged diameter portion of which a portion of the side surface extends outward in the radial direction, and the inner circumferential surface of the enlarged portion forms an annular expanded space spaced apart from the lower inner shell or the counting device by a predetermined distance. to,
A water meter with a freeze-proof structure. According to paragraph 1,
A water meter having a freeze prevention structure, characterized in that a circular tube-shaped airbag is disposed in the expansion space. According to paragraph 1,
When the lower inner shell is placed inside the opening, the wall of the lower inner shell protrudes upward from the opening and faces the inner peripheral surface of the expanded diameter of the upper outer shell,
Characterized in that a wrinkle member is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wall,
A water meter with a freeze-proof structure. According to paragraph 3,
The enlarged portion is formed over the entire side of the upper outer shell,
A water meter having a freeze prevention structure, characterized in that the corrugation member is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wall up to the upper instrument panel of the counting device. According to clause 4,
A water meter having a freeze prevention structure, characterized in that it further includes a leaf spring between the upper instrument panel of the counting device and the upper surface of the upper outer shell.