KR20220117728A - Water meter freeze protection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for preventing a water meter from freezing, which is able to prevent a water meter from freezing by making water in the water meter discharged under conditions where the water meter may freeze. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for preventing a water meter from freezing can comprise: a temperature sensor detecting the temperature in the water meter; a control unit receiving temperature information from the temperature sensor and providing a control signal in accordance with a program; a first valve installed between the water meter and a water supply source and controlling the supply of tap water in accordance with the signal of the control unit; a second valve installed between the water meter and a water pipe of a household and controlling the supply of tap water in accordance with the signal of the control unit; a discharge line communicating with the inside of the water meter to discharge the tap water in the water meter to the outside when the first valve and the second valve are closed by the control unit; and a pressure detection unit installed between the water pipe of the household and the second valve, and, when the water pipe of the household is opened with the first valve and the second valve closed, detecting the changes in the pressure and transmitting an opening signal to the control unit so that the first valve and the second valve are opened.

Description

Water meter freeze protection apparatus

The present invention relates to a water meter freezing prevention device, and more particularly, to a water meter freezing preventing device capable of preventing freezing by allowing the water inside the meter to drain out under conditions of concern about freezing water metering.

In general, there are many cases where a water meter is installed outdoors, regardless of whether it is a detached house or an apartment. Therefore, freezing accidents of water meters often occur in winter.

In order to prevent such a freezing accident, a passive method using insulation or insulation is also used, but it is difficult to expect an effect in an environment where the temperature below freezing continues.

Therefore, a method has been proposed in which a temperature sensor and a heat source (eg, a heating wire) are installed to generate heat when the temperature of the water meter falls below a predetermined reference value to raise the temperature.

In the prior art water meter freeze prevention device, a heating wire is placed on the bottom surface of the water meter or on the water meter lid, the temperature is sensed, and when the detected temperature is below the set temperature, the temperature sensor is turned on to apply a current to the heating wire.

However, water meter freezing prevention devices or systems according to the prior art have a very complicated structure, and since they are configured to simply increase the temperature to prevent freezing by providing a heat source, the cost of the implementation equipment is enormous, so it is difficult to apply, The installation configuration also had a very complicated problem.

KR 20-0430457 Y1 (Registration Date: 2006.11.01.)

According to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water meter freezing prevention device that operates to automatically prevent freezing in advance by discharging the water inside the water meter in a situation where freezing is a concern.

A water meter freezing prevention apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a control unit that receives information from the outside and provides a control signal according to a program; a first valve installed between the water meter and the water supply source according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water; a second valve installed between the water meter and household water according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water; a discharge line communicating with the inside of the water meter to discharge the tap water inside the water meter to the outside when the first valve and the second valve are locked by the control unit; and a second valve installed on the discharge line to open and close the discharge line. and installed between the domestic water supply and the second valve, and detects a change in pressure so that the first and second valves are opened when the domestic water supply is opened while the first and second valves are closed. It may include; a pressure sensing unit that transmits an open signal to the control unit.

In this case, it may include a power supply unit for supplying power to the electric part including the control unit.

In this case, the power supply unit may receive power from the solar power generation system and store it in a charger for use.

In this case, the power supply unit includes an impeller installed between the second valve and the water supply of the home and rotated when water flows and a generator connected to the impeller to generate electricity, and the power generated by the generator is stored in the charger can be

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for preventing freezing of a water meter, comprising: a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature inside the water meter; a control unit receiving temperature information from the temperature sensor and providing a control signal according to a program; a first valve installed between the water meter and the water supply source according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water; a second valve installed between the water meter and household water according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water; a discharge line communicating with the inside of the water meter to discharge the tap water inside the water meter to the outside when the first valve and the second valve are locked by the control unit; and installed between the domestic water supply and the second valve, and detects a change in pressure so that the first and second valves are opened when the domestic water supply is opened while the first and second valves are closed. It may include; a pressure sensing unit that transmits an open signal to the control unit.

In this case, a timer for providing time information to the control unit may be further included.

In this case, when the first valve and the second valve are locked by the control signal of the controller, an alarm for providing a warning sound may be further included.

At this time, the second valve is a three-way valve, and when it is locked by the control signal of the controller, the first port of the water pipe is closed so that the inside and the outside of the water meter can communicate, and the second port and the third port are It is opened, and the discharge line may be connected to the third port.

In this case, the pressure sensing unit may include: a diaphragm installed to close an opening formed in a water pipe between the home water supply and the second valve; an operating rod having one end fixed to the diaphragm; a pressure sensing switch with which the other end of the working rod is pressed in contact; and an elastic member providing an elastic force so that the operation rod is spaced apart from the pressure sensing switch.

In this case, the pressure sensing unit may further include a case in which the peripheral portion of the diaphragm is fixed to the opening formed in the water pipe through a flange portion, and the pressure sensing switch is fixed therein.

In this case, a gasket member may be disposed between the diaphragm and the opening formed in the water pipe.

According to the above configuration, the apparatus for preventing freezing of a water meter according to the present invention can prevent freezing in advance by discharging tap water inside the water meter when there is concern about freezing of the water meter by the external environment.

Since the water meter freeze protection device according to the present invention can be implemented by applying simple sensors and valves, it is very inexpensive and can be easily installed in an existing meter.

1 is a block diagram of domestic water supply installed with a water meter freezing prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a water meter freezing prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram of a domestic water supply installed with a water meter freezing prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram of a water meter freezing prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before pressure sensing of a pressure sensing unit, which is a component of a water meter freezing prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after pressure sensing of a pressure sensing unit, which is a component of a water meter freezing prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure sensing unit, which is a component of a water meter freezing prevention device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The words and terms used in the present specification and claims are not to be construed as limited in their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but in accordance with the principle that the inventor can define terms and concepts in order to best describe his invention. It should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea.

Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings correspond to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical spirit of the present invention, so that the configuration may be replaced by various There may be equivalents and variations.

In this specification, terms such as "comprises" or "have" are intended to describe the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It is to be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

The presence of an element "in front", "behind", "above" or "below" of another element means that, unless otherwise specified, it is in direct contact with another element, such as "front", "behind", "above" or "below". It includes not only those disposed under the “lower part” but also cases in which another component is disposed in the middle. In addition, when a component is "connected" with another component, it includes not only direct connection to each other but also indirect connection to each other unless otherwise specified.

Hereinafter, a water meter freezing prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A water meter freezing prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a control unit 41 , a first valve 145 , a second valve 146 , a discharge line 11 , a second 3 may include a valve 147 , a pressure sensing unit 160 , and a power supply unit 170 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the controller 41 may receive information from the outside and provide a control signal according to a program.

In this case, the first to third valves 145 , 146 , and 147 may be controlled on/off by the control signal.

At this time, the information from the outside may be a temperature sensor installed inside the meter 30 .

In this case, the information from the outside may be weather information transmitted and received from the outside through Wi-Fi or the like.

1 and 2 , the first valve 145 may be installed between the water meter 30 and a water supply source according to a signal from the control unit 41 to control the supply of tap water.

In this case, the first valve 145 may use a solenoid valve.

In this case, a normal open type may be applied as the solenoid valve, and a 1/2″ standard may be applied for piping.

1 and 2, the second valve 146 is installed between the water meter 30 and the domestic water supply 1 according to a signal from the control unit 41 to control the supply of tap water. will be able

In this case, the solenoid valve may be equally applied to the second valve 146 or the first valve 145 . In other words, 1/2” standard for normally open type piping can be applied.

At this time, since the pipe 10 between the second valve 146 and the domestic water supply 1 needs to sense pressure with the stagnant water, it is preferable that the pipe length be at least 100 mm or more.

The discharge line 11 may be opened and closed by a third valve 147 , and when the first valve 145 and the second valve 146 are locked by the control unit 41 , the water meter 30 . It may communicate with the inside of the water meter 30 to discharge the internal tap water to the outside.

The third valve 147 may be installed in the discharge line 11 to open and close the discharge line 11 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .

In this case, the third valve 147 may use the same solenoid valve as the aforementioned valves.

1 and 2, the pressure sensing unit 160 is installed between the domestic water supply 1 and the second valve 146, and the first valve 145 and the second valve ( When the water supply 1 of the household is opened in the locked state 146 , the first valve 145 and the second valve 146 may be opened by sensing a pressure change to transmit an opening signal to the control unit 41 .

At this time, the pressure sensing unit 160 may apply a pressure sensor to which 0-1 bar, DC 12V is applied.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the power supply unit 170 may supply power to an electric unit including the control unit 41 .

In this case, the power supply unit 170 may receive power from the solar power generation system and store it in a charger for use.

At this time, referring to FIG. 2 , the power supply unit 170 is installed between the second valve 146 and the domestic water supply 1 and rotates when water flows through the impeller 171 and the impeller 171 . ) is connected to and includes a generator 172 that generates power by the rotational force of the impeller 171 , and the power generated by the generator 172 may be stored in the charger 173 .

For reference, the water meter freeze protection device according to the present invention includes a T-shaped fitting, a 1/4" tube, a 1/4" or 1/8" rigid elbow fitting, a stem adapter I fitting used for a water purifier, 1 /4", 3/8", 1/2" PT thread sockets, silicone hoses, solid state relays, etc. may be applied.

1 and 2 , the controller 41 may receive information from the outside, for example, weather information data through a temperature sensor or Wi-Fi.

Accordingly, the control unit 41 closes the first valve 145 and the second valve 146 and opens the third valve 147 to drain the tap water inside the meter 30 . As a result, freezing of the water meter 30 may be prevented.

In the freeze protection state, when the user opens the water supply 1 of the home, the pressure sensing unit 160 detects this and provides a signal to the control unit 41, and the control unit 41 closes the third valve 147 At the same time, the first and second valves 145 and 146 are opened so that tap water can be provided. After that, if the flow of tap water is not detected by the pressure sensing unit 160 for a certain period of time, it is switched back to the freeze prevention state described above.

Then, when the temperature rises and is not in the freeze protection state, the first and second valves 145 and 146 are opened and the third valve 147 is closed according to the information received by the control unit 41 as usual. If you do, it will become a normal state.

The power required for the operation of the above-described water meter freezing prevention device is procured by the power supply unit 170, the power supply unit 170 normally receives the power delivered from the solar power generation system or the generator 172 to the charger 173. You can use it by charging it.

On the other hand, the water meter freeze protection device according to another embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 3 to 7 , a temperature sensor 42 , a control unit 41 , a first valve 45 , and a second valve 46 . ), a discharge line 50 , a pressure sensing unit 60 , a timer 43 , and an alarm 47 .

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 4 , the temperature sensor 42 may detect a temperature inside the water meter 30 . The main purpose of the temperature sensor 42 is to detect a freezing condition of tap water. That is, tap water starts to freeze at 0 degrees, but in an actual situation, the freezing temperature of tap water inside the meter 30 is lower than that, and time is also an important factor.

At this time, the temperature sensor 42 is installed inside the meter 30, it may be installed so as to be in contact with or not in contact with tap water.

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 4 , the control unit 41 may receive temperature information from the temperature sensor and provide a control signal according to a program.

At this time, the control unit 41 receives a detection signal from the temperature sensor 42 , the timer 43 , and the pressure sensing unit 60 , and according to a pre-programmed bar, the first valve 45 and the second valve ( 46), which provides a control signal to activate the alarm 47.

3 and 4 , the first valve 45 is installed between the water meter 30 and the water supply source 20 according to a signal from the control unit 41 to control the supply of tap water. have.

In this case, the first valve 45 may be a simple two-way valve having two simple ports. That is, it may operate to close or open the water pipes 10 and 20 according to the control signal of the controller 41 .

3 and 4, the second valve 46 is installed between the water meter 30 and the domestic water supply 1 according to a signal from the control unit 41 to control the supply of tap water. can

At this time, the second valve 46 is a three-way valve, and when it is locked by the control signal of the controller 41 , the first port of the water pipe 10 so that the inside and the outside of the water meter 30 communicate with each other 46a is closed, the second port 46b and the third port 46c are opened, and the discharge line 50 may be connected to the third port 46c. That is, normally, the first and second ports 46a and 46b of the second valve 46 are opened and the third port 46c is closed, and the first port 46a is locked and closed by a control signal. The third port 46c is open to communicate with the second port 46b. Therefore, the tap water of the water meter 30 may be discharged along the discharge line 50 connected to the third port 46c. Accordingly, the second port 46b of the second valve 46 is always maintained in an open state.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the discharge line 50 discharges the tap water inside the water meter 30 to the outside when the first valve 45 and the second valve 46 are locked by the control unit 40 . It may communicate with the inside of the water meter 30 to do so.

At this time, the discharge line 50 is installed to communicate with the third port 46c of the second valve 46 as described above to guide the tap water inside the water meter 30 to be discharged.

The pressure sensing unit 60, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, is installed between the water supply 1 and the second valve 46 of the home, and the first valve 45 and the second valve ( When the water supply 1 of the household is opened in the locked state 46 , a pressure change may be sensed to open the first valve 45 and the second valve 46 , and an open signal may be transmitted to the control unit 41 .

The pressure sensing unit 60 includes a diaphragm 67 installed to close the opening 10a formed in the water pipe 10 between the domestic water supply 1 and the second valve 46, and the diaphragm An operation rod 63 having one end fixed to (67), a pressure sensing switch 66 to which the other end of the operation rod 63 comes into contact and pressed, and the operation rod 630 are separated from the pressure detection switch 66. An elastic member 65 providing an elastic force to be spaced apart, and the pressure sensing unit 60, are connected to an open portion 10a formed in the water pipe 10 through a flange portion 62a. A peripheral portion of the diaphragm 67. is assembled to be fixed, a gasket disposed between the case 62 to which the pressure sensing switch 66 is fixed, and the opening 10a formed in the diaphragm 67 and the water pipe 10 A member 61 may be included.

At this time, since the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 67 is fixed between the gasket member 61 and the flange 62a of the case 62 , the diaphragm 67 is directly exposed to the pressure of the water pipe 10 . Accordingly, the pressure is applied to the inside of the case 62 according to the pressure of the tap water in the water pipe 10 . Of course, tap water is waterproof and cannot escape to the outside or the inside of the case 62 .

At this time, a receiving member 64 for accommodating the operation rod 63 is fixed to the lower side of the diaphragm 67 . The straightness of the actuating rod 63 may be ensured by the receiving member 64 .

In this case, the receiving member 64 and the operation rod 63 may be assembled by screwing to each other.

At this time, since the pressure sensing switch 66 is fixed inside the case 62, the fixed position is adhered to, and the pressure sensing switch 62 is pressed or released while the operation rod 63 is raised and lowered. When the pressure sensing switch 62 is pressed, it means that the pressure in the water pipe 10 is the same as the water pipe pressure, and when the pressure sensing switch 62 is released, it means that the pressure in the water pipe 10 momentarily becomes atmospheric pressure. . According to this detection signal, the control unit 41 transmits a control signal to control the first valve 45 and the second valve 46 .

At this time, the case 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the upper end is formed with a flange portion (62a) for assembly.

At this time, the gasket member 61 is disposed and fixed between the diaphragm 67 and the water pipe 10 to prevent tap water from leaking.

At this time, the elastic member is installed so that both ends are positioned between the inner side of the lower end of the case 62 and the accommodating member 64 so that the accommodating member 64 is provided with an elastic force toward the water pipe 10 . When the pressure inside the water pipe 10 becomes atmospheric pressure, the receiving member 64 rises by the elastic force of the spring 65 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the configuration of a home water line to which the water meter freezing prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied is shown. From the left, the water supply (1), the water pipe (10), the pressure sensing unit (60), the second valve (46), the water meter (30), the first valve (45), and the water supply pipe (20) are connected in this order has been A discharge line 50 may be connected to the third port 46c of the second valve 46 , and the discharge line 500 may be connected to the water tank 51 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the control unit 41 is configured to receive detection signals from the temperature sensor 42 , the timer 43 , and the pressure sensing unit 60 . The control unit 41 may control the first and second valves 45 and 46 and the alarm 47 by providing a control signal according to a program based on the received detection signal.

5 to 7 , the internal configuration and operating state of the pressure sensing unit 60 are illustrated. Referring to Figure 5, as a normal state, the internal pressure of the water pipe 10 between the water supply 1 (and the second valve 46) of the household is the same as the pressure of the water supply pipe 20. Of course, by the control signal, the first, The same state is maintained even when the 2 valves 45 and 46 operate to close.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in response to freeze protection, when the first and second valves 45 and 46 are closed according to the control signal, when the domestic water supply 1 is opened, the pressure inside the water pipe 10 becomes atmospheric pressure. will be. Then, the actuating rod 63 will rise together with the receiving member 64 and the diaphragm 67 by the elastic force of the spring 65 . Accordingly, the pressure sensing switch 66 is released and the control unit 41 receives the signal and provides a control signal to open the first and second valves 45 and 46 .

These freeze protection operations will be described in order.

In a normal state as shown in FIG. 5 , the pressure sensing switch 66 is pressed by the operation rod 63 .

When the external temperature falls below a certain temperature, the temperature sensor 42 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 41 . The control unit 41 calculates the passage of time by the timer 43 , and as a result, when a predetermined time elapses below a predetermined temperature, the control unit 41 provides a control signal.

According to the control signal, the first valve 45 is locked and closed, the first port 46a of the second valve 46 is closed, and the second port 46b and the third port 46c are opened. Accordingly, tap water inside the meter 30 is discharged to the water tank 51 along the third port 46c of the second valve 46 and the discharge line 50 .

As a result, since there is no tap water inside the water meter 30, freezing does not occur.

After that, when the user opens the water supply 1 of the home, the pressure inside the water pipe 10 is reduced to atmospheric pressure, and the operation rod 63 moves upward by the elastic force of the spring 65, and the pressure sensing switch ( 66), and transmits this detection signal to the control unit 41.

The control unit 41 receives a sensing signal from the pressure sensing switch 66 and causes the first valve 45 to be opened, and the first port 46a of the second valve 46 is opened and the third port 46c is opened. ) is controlled to be closed.

By the operation of the first valve 45 and the second valve 46 , tap water from the water supply pipe 20 passes through the water meter 30 and then is supplied to the household through the household water supply.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments presented herein, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can add or change components within the scope of the same spirit. Other embodiments can be easily proposed by , deletion, addition, etc., but this will also fall within the scope of the present invention.

1: Capital
10: water pipe 20: water pipe
30: water meter 41: control unit
42: temperature sensor 43: timer
45: first valve 46: second valve
47: alarm 50: discharge line
51: water tank 60: pressure sensing unit
61: gasket member 62: case
63: operation rod 64: receiving member
65: spring 65: pressure sensing switch
67: diaphragm

Claims (11)

a control unit receiving information from the outside and providing a control signal according to a program;
a first valve installed between the water meter and the water supply source according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water;
a second valve installed between the water meter and household water according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water;
a discharge line communicating with the inside of the water meter to discharge the tap water inside the water meter to the outside when the first valve and the second valve are locked by the control unit; and
a second valve installed in the discharge line to open and close the discharge line; and
The control unit is installed between the domestic water supply and the second valve, and detects a change in pressure so that the first and second valves are opened when the domestic water supply is opened while the first and second valves are closed. a pressure sensing unit that transmits an open signal to the ;
Including, water meter freeze protection device. The method of claim 1,
A water meter freezing prevention device comprising a power supply unit for supplying power to an electric unit including the control unit. The method of claim 1,
The power supply unit receives power from the solar power generation system and stores it in a charger for use, a water meter freezing prevention device. The method of claim 1,
The power supply unit is installed between the second valve and the water supply of the home and includes an impeller that rotates when water flows and a generator connected to the impeller to generate electricity, the power generated by the generator is stored in the charger, Water meter freeze protection device. a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the water meter;
a control unit receiving temperature information from the temperature sensor and providing a control signal according to a program;
a first valve installed between the water meter and the water supply source according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water;
a second valve installed between the water meter and household water according to a signal from the control unit to control the supply of tap water;
a discharge line communicating with the inside of the water meter to discharge the tap water inside the water meter to the outside when the first valve and the second valve are locked by the control unit; and
The control unit is installed between the domestic water supply and the second valve, and detects a change in pressure so that the first and second valves are opened when the domestic water supply is opened while the first and second valves are closed. a pressure sensing unit that transmits an open signal to the ;
Including, water meter freeze protection device. 6. The method of claim 5,
Water meter freezing prevention device further comprising a timer for providing time information to the control unit. 6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising an alarm for providing a warning sound when the first valve and the second valve are locked by the control signal of the control unit, the water meter freezing prevention device. 6. The method of claim 5,
The second valve is a three-way valve, and when it is locked by the control signal of the control unit, the first port of the water pipe is closed, and the second port and the third port are opened so that the inside and the outside of the water meter can communicate. , The third port is connected to the discharge line, water meter freeze protection device. 6. The method of claim 5,
The pressure sensing unit,
a diaphragm installed to close an opening formed in a water pipe between the domestic water supply and a second valve;
an operating rod having one end fixed to the diaphragm;
a pressure sensing switch with which the other end of the working rod is pressed in contact; and
Containing, the water meter freeze protection device comprising a; 10. The method of claim 9,
The pressure sensing unit is assembled so that the peripheral part of the diaphragm can be fixed to the opening formed in the water pipe through a flange part, and further comprising a case in which the pressure sensing switch is fixed. 11. The method of claim 10,
A gasket member is disposed between the diaphragm and the opening formed in the water pipe.

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