WO2019198301A1

WO2019198301A1 - Water level detecting device, apparatus provided with water level detecting device, and float

Info

Publication number: WO2019198301A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/002367
Authority: WO
Inventors: 一郎吉村; 久保　博亮; 弘巳山元; 白石　賢一; 謙一今関; 石川　淳
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2018-04-11
Filing date: 2019-01-24
Publication date: 2019-10-17
Also published as: CN111954795A; JP7135072B2; TWI813635B; TW201944035A; JPWO2019198301A1

Abstract

The present invention facilitates a countermeasure to a change in a detected water level. This water level detecting device (4) detects whether a tank (3) is filled with water, on the basis of a vertical location of a float (1) that moves upwards and downwards according to a water level, and a slit (13), through which water is introduced into an inner space of the float (1), is formed on a side surface of the float (1).

Description

Water level detection device, device with water level detection device, and float

The present invention relates to a water level detection device that detects the liquid level based on the vertical position of a float that rises in conjunction with the rise in the water level.

An apparatus for detecting a water level such as a tank for storing liquid is conventionally known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, as a conventional technique, when a float is disposed in a water receiving tank that stores dehumidified water, and when the dehumidified water reaches a full amount, the full water switch is turned off by the floating operation of the float. Thus, a dehumidifier is described in which the operation of the compressor is stopped.

Also, a technique for detecting a water level using a magnet has been conventionally known. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a float used for water level detection using a magnet. The float 500 shown in FIG. 6 is generally columnar as a whole, and the inside is hollow. A rail fitting portion 501 and a magnet 502 are disposed on one side surface of the float 500. The rail fitting part 501 is configured to be fitted with a guide rail provided on the wall surface of the tank where the float 500 is arranged, and the float 500 follows the guide rail in accordance with a change in the water level in the tank. Move up and down in the tank. In addition, the structure for restrict | limiting that the float 500 moves to right and left is not restricted to the rail fitting part 501 and a guide rail.

A water level detection device can be configured by combining the float 500 and a detection unit that detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet 502. In the water level detection device, the detection unit is disposed at a position facing the magnet 502 outside the tank. As the water level in the tank rises, the float 500 rises and the magnet 502 moves away from the detection unit, so that the detection unit can detect that the float 500 has floated beyond the detection range of the detection unit. Thereby, it can be detected that the tank is full.

Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-257647 (published on September 11, 1992)”

When manufacturing a product equipped with a water level detection device, it may be necessary to change the detected water level due to changes in the product specifications. Conventionally, in such a case, there has been a problem that a large-scale change such as changing the float to a completely new configuration or changing the arrangement of the detection unit is required.

One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to realize a water level detection device and the like that can easily cope with a change in the detection water level.

In order to solve the above problems, the water level detection device according to one aspect of the present invention indicates that the liquid has reached a predetermined water level at a position in the vertical direction of the float that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level of the liquid. In this water level detection device, an opening for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is formed on the side surface of the float.

In order to solve the above problems, a float according to one aspect of the present invention is a float used by a water level detection device to detect that a liquid has reached a predetermined water level, and the water level detection device includes: The water level is detected based on the vertical position of the float that moves up and down in conjunction with the liquid level, and an opening for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is provided on a side surface of the float. Is formed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the detected water level.

It is a perspective view of the float with which the water level detection apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided. It is a figure which shows the structure of the said float. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the dehumidifier provided with the said water level detection apparatus. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the depth of a slit, and the amount of water by which full water detection is carried out. It is a figure which shows the structure of the float with which the water level detection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows a prior art and is a figure which shows the example of the float used for the water level detection using a magnet.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[Schematic configuration of float]
Although details will be sequentially described below, the water level detection device according to the present embodiment detects that the liquid has reached a predetermined water level based on the vertical position of the float that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level of the liquid. It is a device to do. Here, the schematic configuration of the float will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the float.

The float 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a generally quadrangular prism shape as a whole. However, the four side surfaces of the float 1 are connected by curved surfaces. The interior of the float 1 is hollow, so that the float 1 floats in the liquid. Hereinafter, an example in which the predetermined water level is a full water level, that is, an example in which it is detected that the water in the tank is full will be described. In addition, the liquid used as the object which detects a water level with the float 1 is not specifically limited. The float 1 can also be used to detect a water level other than the full water level, such as a lower limit water level.

A rail fitting portion 11 is provided on one side of the float 1. This side surface is the back surface of the float 1. The rail fitting portion 11 extends from the top portion to the bottom portion of the float 1 along the height direction of the float 1. Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, the rail fitting portion 11 is configured to be fitted with a guide rail provided on the wall surface of the tank in which the float 1 is disposed. Thereby, the float 1 moves up and down in the tank along the guide rail according to the change in the water level in the tank. The configuration for guiding the vertical movement of the float 1 is not limited to the rail fitting portion 11 and the guide rail. For example, by providing a protrusion on the tank side and a receiving portion that fits on the protrusion on the float 1, the vertical movement of the float 1 is guided (prevents the float 1 from moving in the left-right direction). Also good. Further, for example, the float 1 may be provided with a member for restricting the movement of the float 1 in a direction other than the vertical direction (movement in the left and right and depth directions) on the tank side without providing a configuration for the guide.

Moreover, the magnet 12 is being fixed to the said one side surface in which the rail fitting part 11 is provided. Although details will be described later based on FIG. 3, the water level detection device according to the present embodiment detects that the tank is full by detecting the magnetic field generated by the magnet 12. Note that the magnet 12 may be provided inside the outer surface of the float 1 (for example, the inner surface or the inside of the side wall of the float 1).

And the slit 13 is formed in the other side surface (two surfaces perpendicular | vertical to the surface in which the rail fitting part 11 and the magnet 12 are provided) of the float 1. FIG. The slit 13 is provided to adjust the buoyancy of the float 1. The slit 13 in the example of FIG. 1 is an isosceles trapezoidal opening provided so as to cut from the bottom of the float 1 to the vicinity of the center in the height direction of the float 1.

Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, but the bottom of the float 1 is open, and a slit 13 is formed on the side surface. Thereby, when the float 1 is floated on water, the inner space of the float 1 from the bottom and the slit 13 (the space between the bottom and the top of the float 1 and the side surrounded by the side surface of the float 1) Water gets in. That is, inside the float 1, a gap into which water enters is formed by the slit 13, and buoyancy is not generated from this gap.

Therefore, by providing the slit 13, the buoyancy applied to the float 1 can be made extremely small in a state where the water level is lower than the upper end of the slit 13. When the water level exceeds the upper end of the slit 13, air is accumulated above the slit 13 in the internal space of the float 1, so that the buoyancy applied to the float 1 increases and the float 1 rises.

Therefore, the draft of the float 1 becomes deeper and the vertical position of the float 1 becomes lower than the float 500 of FIG. 6 in which the slit 13 is not provided. In addition, the draft of the float 1 is the depth of the part immersed in the liquid when the float 1 is floated on the liquid. It can be said that the draft of the float 1 is a linear distance from the bottom of the float 1 to the liquid surface when the float 1 is floated on the liquid.

Further, the float 1 is designed so that the depth of the slit 13 (the depth of the cut in the height direction of the float 1) becomes shallower, so that the draft is made shallower and the position of the float 1 in the vertical direction is changed. Can be made higher. Conversely, by changing the design so that the depth of the slit 13 becomes deeper, the draft can be made deeper and the position of the float 1 in the vertical direction can be lowered.

Since the position of the float 1 in the vertical direction is a base for detecting the water level, the water level at which full water is detected can be changed by changing the position of the float 1 in the vertical direction during flooding. Specifically, by increasing the vertical position of the float 1, it is possible to lower the level of water that is detected as full, and conversely, by lowering the position of the float 1 in the vertical direction, detection of full water. The water level can be made higher. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

As described above, the float 1 can make the water level detected to be full or lower by simply changing the design of the slit 13 deeper or shallower. That is, since the water level detection apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the float 1, it is possible to change the water level for detecting the full water level with a simple design change.

[Detailed configuration of float]
A more detailed configuration of the float 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the float 1. (A) of the figure is a rear view of the float 1, (b) of the figure is a right side view, and (c) of the figure is a bottom view.

As shown in (a) of the figure, the back surface of the float 1 (the surface facing the guide rail provided on the wall surface of the tank) has a vertically long rectangular shape. A rail fitting portion 11 and a magnet 12 are provided on the back surface of the float 1. In the illustrated example, the magnet 12 has a vertically long thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. The magnet 12 only needs to be provided so as not to hinder the movement of the float 1 along the guide rail. The shape and arrangement of the magnet 12 are arbitrary. Although not illustrated, the front shape of the float 1 is the same as the back shape except that the rail fitting portion 11 and the magnet 12 are not provided.

As shown in (b) of the figure, the right side surface of the float 1 has a vertically long rectangular shape, and is formed with a slit 13 that cuts from the center of the bottom to the center in the height direction. Although not shown, the left side view of the float 1 is a diagram in which the right side surface is horizontally reversed. That is, the slits 13 having the same shape are provided on both side surfaces of the float 1 so as to face each other. Therefore, when the float 1 is floated on water, water enters the interior space of the float 1 below the line L1 at the upper end of the slit 13, and air is accumulated above the line L1.

It should be noted that the shape of the slit 13 and the number of the slits 13 provided at any position on the side surface of the float 1 are arbitrary. For example, a slit may be provided on the front surface and the back surface of the float 1, or only one slit may be provided on the side surface of the float 1. However, it is preferable to provide the slits on each of the opposing surfaces of the float 1 so that the float 1 moves up and down stably, and it is preferable that the slits have the same depth.

As shown in (c) of the figure, the bottom surface of the float 1 has a horizontally long rectangular shape. As shown in the drawing, the bottom of the float 1 is open. When the float 1 is floated on water, water enters the internal space of the float 1 from the bottom (and the slit 13). The interior of the float 1 may be a continuous cavity from the bottom to the top of the float 1, or a partition plate above the upper end of the slit 13 (for example, the position of the line L1 in FIG. 2B). May be provided. By providing the partition plate, water does not enter above the partition plate, so that the float 1 can be moved up and down stably. When providing a partition plate, a separate partition plate from the float 1 may be combined with the float 1, or the partition plate and the float 1 may be integrally formed. Moreover, as shown in (c) of the figure, the rail fitting part 11 becomes T shape when it sees from the downward | lower direction, and it fits to a guide rail in this T-shaped part.

[Water level detection by float]
The water level detection by the float 1 is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the dehumidifier 100 according to the present embodiment. The dehumidifier 100 includes a tank housing portion 2, a tank 3, and a water level detection device 4. A guide rail 31 is disposed on the inner side of the tank 3, and the float 1 is connected to the guide rail 31 via the rail fitting portion 11. The water level detection device 4 includes a float 1 and a detection unit 41. In FIG. 3, a configuration that is not directly related to water level detection (such as a configuration for dehumidification) is not shown, and a configuration that is directly related to water level detection is shown larger.

The tank accommodating part 2 accommodates the tank 3 so that attachment or detachment is possible. The tank 3 stores water generated by dehumidification by the dehumidifier 100. Then, the water level detection device 4 detects that the tank 3 is full. The detection unit 41 detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet 12. For example, a Hall element or a reed switch can be used as the detection unit 41. The detection part 41 should just be arrange | positioned in the position which can detect the magnetic field which the magnet 12 generates. In the example of FIG. 3, the detection unit 41 is disposed outside the side wall surface of the tank housing unit 2 and at a position facing the float 1 across the side wall surface.

3 (a), the water level in the tank 3 is A1. Since the water level A1 does not reach the upper end of the slit 13 and the buoyancy acting on the float 1 is small, the bottom of the float 1 is in contact with the bottom of the tank 3. In this state, the magnet 12 is located in front of the detection unit 41, and the distance between the magnet 12 and the detection unit 41 is D1.

When the water level in the tank 3 rises and exceeds the upper end of the slit 13, the buoyancy acting on the float 1 increases, and the float 1 floats on the water in the tank 3. Then, the float 1 that has floated on the water moves along the guide rail 31 upward in the vertical direction by the amount corresponding to the rise in the water level.

3 (b), the water level in the tank 3 is A2, and the float 1 is floating in the water. The draft of the float 1 is B, and the distance from the water surface to the center position of the magnet 12 is C. And since the position of the float 1 rose, the distance of the magnet 12 and the detection part 41 spreads more than the example of (a) of the figure, and is set to D2.

When the distance D2 exceeds the limit distance at which the detection unit 41 can detect the magnetic field of the magnet 12, the detection unit 41 outputs a signal indicating that the predetermined magnetic field cannot be detected. For this reason, when the water level of the tank 3 is full, the arrangement of the detection unit 41, the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 41, the slit 13 so that the detection unit 41 exceeds the limit distance that can detect the magnetic field of the magnet 12. The depth, the arrangement of the magnets 12 and the like are adjusted in advance. Thereby, the water level detection device 4 can detect that the water level of the tank 3 is full.

The process performed by the dehumidifier 100 when full water is detected is not particularly limited. For example, the dehumidifier 100 is configured to temporarily stop the dehumidification so that the water level in the tank 3 does not rise any more when the water level detection device 4 detects that the water level has risen, or the sound or light indicates that the water level is full. You may perform the process etc. which alert | report to automatically.

In addition, instead of providing the slit 13, the surface of the float 1 when the float 1 is floated on the liquid can be reduced by shortening the portion below the magnet 12 and changing the design so that the height of the float 1 is lowered. To the magnet 12 can be shortened. However, if the overall height of the float 1 is lowered, the distance between the magnet 12 and the detection unit 41 is increased when the tank 3 is empty or at a low water level. There is a risk that the water level will be mistakenly detected as full. In order to prevent such erroneous detection, it is necessary to change the design of the detection unit 41 and the arrangement of the magnet 12, and the cost required for the design change increases. For this reason, it is preferable to adjust the distance from the water surface to the magnet 12 by providing the slit 13 and changing the depth of the draft without changing the height of the float 1.

[Slit depth and water level to detect full water]
The float 1 can change the depth of the slit 13 (the depth of the cut in the height direction of the float 1) to a shallower design, thereby lowering the level of water detection. Moreover, the float 1 can make the water level which detects full water higher by changing the design of the depth of the slit 13 deeper. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of full water detection by the

floats

1A and 1B having a slit depth different from that of the float 1.

The float 1A shown in FIG. 4A is different from the float 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in that the slit 13 is changed to a slit 13A. The slit 13 </ b> A is a shallower slit than the slit 13. For this reason, the draft of float 1A becomes shallower than float 1. Thereby, the distance between the magnet 12 and the detection unit 41 becomes D2 at a water level A3 shallower than the water level A2 in FIG.

Thus, by changing the design of the slit to be shallower, the water level for detecting full water can be lowered without changing the position of the detection unit 41, the position of the magnet 12, or the like. Further, since the height of the float 1A is the same as that of the float 1, it is not erroneously detected that the tank 3 is full when the tank 3 is empty or at a low water level.

On the other hand, the float 1B shown in FIG. 4B is different from the float 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in that the slit 13 is changed to the slit 13B. The slit 13 </ b> B is a deeper slit than the slit 13. For this reason, the draft of the float 1B becomes deeper than the float 1. Thereby, the distance between the magnet 12 and the detection unit 41 becomes D2 at the water level A4 deeper than the water level A2 in FIG.

Thus, by changing the design of the slit deeper, it is possible to increase the water level for detecting full water without changing the position of the detection unit 41, the position of the magnet 12, or the like. Further, since the height of the float 1B is the same as that of the float 1, it is not erroneously detected that the tank 3 is full when the tank 3 is empty or at a low water level.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the opening provided on the side surface of the float in order to introduce water into the internal space of the float is not a slit but a hole. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the float 1C according to the present embodiment. (A) of the figure is a right side view of the float 1C, (b) of the figure is a rear view, (c) of the figure is a left side view, and (d) of the figure is a bottom view. In addition, the water level detection apparatus of this embodiment is the same structure except the float 1 (or float 1A, 1B) in the said embodiment having changed into the float 1C.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the back surface shape of the float 1C is the same as the back surface shape of the float 1 of the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 2A). The difference between the float 1C and the float 1 is that, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (c), holes 15 instead of slits 13 are provided on both side surfaces of the float 1C. As shown, the bottom surface of the float 1C is closed. In the example of FIG. 5, the hole 15 has a rectangular shape, but the hole 15 may be any as long as it can introduce water into the internal space of the float 1C, and its shape, arrangement, number, and the like are arbitrary. .

The hole 15 is a through hole, and when the float 1C is floated on water, the hole 15 is provided below the line L2 at the upper end of the hole 15 in the internal space of the float 1C. Water enters and air is accumulated above the line L1. Therefore, the float 1 </ b> C can change the water level at which full water is detected only by changing the design of the height from the upper end to the lower end of the hole 15.

[Float manufacturing method]
The float 1 described in the first embodiment may be a resin molded product. In this case, it is preferable to prepare a mold for forming a portion other than the slit 13 and a mold for forming the slit 13 and to manufacture the float 1 by combining them. When the float 1 is manufactured by such a combination of molds, when it is necessary to change the full water level to be detected by changing the specifications of the dehumidifier 100, a float with the depth of the slit 13 changed can be obtained at low cost. Can be manufactured. For example, when it is desired to lower the full water level to be detected, if the mold for forming the slit 13 is changed to the mold for forming the slit 13A (see FIG. 4A), the portion other than the slit 13 is formed. The float 1A can be manufactured using the mold as it is. Similarly, the float 1B and the float 1C can also be manufactured by changing the metal mold | die which forms the slit 13. FIG.

[Modification]
The configuration of the float 1 described in the above embodiment is only one embodiment of the float according to the present invention, and can be appropriately modified and changed. The same applies to the floats 1A to 1C. For example, the outer shape of the float 1 may be other shapes such as a columnar shape. The material of the float 1 is also arbitrary.

Furthermore, the float 1 may be configured by combining a plurality of members. For example, it is good also as a float of the structure which incorporated filling members, such as a polystyrene foam, inside the cage | basket-like outer frame part. In this case, the filling member is incorporated in the upper part of the space inside the outer frame part, and the lower part is left as a gap. Thereby, since water enters into the internal space of the float (the portion where no filling member is present) from the opening of the outer frame portion, it is possible to obtain a float that behaves in the same manner as when the slit 13 is provided.

Also, the method for detecting the water level is not limited to using a magnet. For example, the water level may be detected by adopting a configuration in which a physical switch is pressed and switched to an on state by a float that rises as the water level rises. In addition, for example, the water level may be detected by detecting the float with a device such as a distance measuring sensor. In this case, the water level may be detected by arranging a distance measuring sensor (for example, an infrared distance sensor) at a position above the float in the vertical direction and measuring the distance to the upper surface of the float. In the case of using a distance measuring sensor, it is not impossible to directly measure the distance to the water surface, but it is assumed that the distance cannot be accurately measured due to water shaking or dirt. For this reason, when using a distance measuring sensor, the said structure which detects the distance to the upper surface of a float is preferable.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the device provided with the water level detection device 4 is the dehumidifier 100 has been described. However, the water level detection device 4 is a device provided with a tank for storing a liquid, and the liquid is a predetermined amount. It can be applied to any device that needs to detect that the water level has been reached.

[Summary]
The water level detection device (4) according to the first aspect of the present invention detects that the liquid has reached a predetermined water level based on the vertical position of the float (1) that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level of the liquid. In the water level detection device, an opening (slit 13 / hole 15) for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is formed on a side surface of the float.

According to the above configuration, since the opening for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is formed on the side surface of the float, when the float is floated on the liquid, the opening is introduced into the internal space of the float. Liquid enters. Since the buoyancy with respect to the float does not work from the portion where the liquid has entered, by providing an opening having a shape / arrangement in which more liquid can enter, the draft can be deepened and the vertical position of the float can be lowered. Conversely, by providing an opening having a shape / arrangement that reduces the amount of liquid that enters, the draft can be shallow and the vertical position of the float can be increased.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the position of the float in the vertical direction when it floats on the liquid of the same water level can be changed only by adjusting the shape and arrangement of the opening. And since the position of the vertical direction of a float becomes a base of the detection of a water level, according to said structure, it can respond easily to the change of the detected water level.

In the water level detection device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the opening may be a slit (13 / 13A / 13B) formed in a vertical direction from the bottom of the float.

According to the above configuration, since the slit is formed in the vertical direction from the bottom of the float, the liquid enters the internal space of the float from the slit. Since the liquid enters up to the vicinity of the upper end of the slit, according to the above configuration, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the detected water level by adjusting the depth of the slit. Specifically, the water level to be detected can be increased by making the slit deeper, and the water level to be detected can be lowered by making the slit shallower.

An apparatus according to aspect 3 of the present invention is an apparatus including the water level detection device, and includes a storage unit (tank 3) that stores liquid, and the liquid in the storage unit is set to a predetermined water level by the water level detection device. It detects that it became. According to the device of this aspect, the same effects as those of the above aspect 1 are obtained.

The float according to aspect 4 of the present invention is a float used by the water level detection device to detect that the liquid has reached a predetermined water level, and the water level detection device moves up and down in conjunction with the liquid level. The water level is detected based on the position of the float in the vertical direction, and an opening for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is formed on the side surface of the float. According to the float of this aspect, there exists an effect similar to the said aspect 1. FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1 Float 13 slit (opening)
15 hole (opening)
3 Tank (reservoir)
4 Water level detection devices 1A to

1C Float

13A, 13B Slit (opening)

Claims

A water level detection device that detects that a liquid has reached a predetermined water level based on a vertical position of a float that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level of the liquid,
An opening for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is formed on a side surface of the float.
The water level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is a slit formed in a vertical direction from the bottom of the float.
A device comprising the water level detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
Comprising a reservoir for storing liquid;
An apparatus, wherein the water level detection device detects that the liquid in the storage section has reached a predetermined water level.
The water level detection device is a float used to detect that the liquid has reached a predetermined water level,
The water level detection device detects the water level based on the vertical position of the float that moves up and down in conjunction with the liquid level,
An float for introducing the liquid into the internal space of the float is formed on a side surface of the float.