Anti-freezing and ice-melting system for rain downpipe of outer wall of building

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of building water supply and drainage, and discloses an anti-freezing and ice-melting system for a rain down pipe of a building outer wall, which comprises an environment temperature sensor arranged in the rain down pipe, a water flow monitoring sensor and an electric heating device, the water flow monitoring sensor is used for monitoring whether water flow passes through a rainwater pipeline or not, the electric heating devices are connected in parallel, one electric heating device is fixed in each rainwater pipeline, and the electric heating devices and the water flow monitoring sensor are in telecommunication connection with the central control unit. According to the utility model, the problems of pipeline breakage and high-altitude ice falling caused by freezing and blocking of the rain downpipe of the outer wall of the building in cold and low-temperature weather, overflow and freezing of snow water which is not smoothly discharged can be avoided, the labor is saved, and the electric terminal is easy to operate and manage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a protective device for drainage pipes on the exterior walls of buildings, belonging to the field of building water supply and drainage technology. Background Technology

[0002] External wall downpipes are the piping systems used by modern buildings to drain rainwater and melted snow from rooftops. In winter, these pipes are susceptible to freezing and blockage due to snow accumulation and low temperatures, a problem particularly prevalent in northern regions. During the day, snow and ice melt slowly under sunlight, and the meltwater enters the downpipes. At night, some of this meltwater freezes and adheres to the inner walls of the pipes. Over time, the ice buildup increases, slowing drainage until the ice layer thickens and the pipes become completely blocked. When the pipes are blocked, melted snow from the roof overflows and flows down the outer walls. At night, the ice freezes and adheres to the pipe walls, and during the day, due to partial melting and gravity, it can detach and fall from the pipes, potentially hitting people passing by below. Blockage in external wall downpipes not only severely affects the efficiency of snow and ice melting and drainage, but can also cause the pipes to expand and crack due to the freezing, and in severe cases, even break or detach, resulting in a fall from a height.

[0003] If a building's exterior drainage pipes become blocked by rain and snow in cold weather, manual clearing and unblocking in a short period is difficult and risky. Usually, the blockage is cleared naturally as the ice and snow melt. During this blocked phase, there is a constant risk of pipes detaching from the building's exterior or falling from a height. Adding de-icing agents to the pipes is labor-intensive and requires multiple applications. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned shortcomings in the existing technology by proposing a system for preventing and melting ice from falling from heights through rainwater drain pipes on building exterior walls, thereby solving the problem of objects falling from heights due to freezing and blockage of rainwater drain pipes on building exterior walls in cold weather.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a freeze-thaw system for rainwater pipes on building exterior walls, including an ambient temperature sensor installed inside the rainwater pipe, which is electrically connected to a central control unit. It also includes a water flow monitoring sensor and an electric heating device. The water flow monitoring sensor is used to monitor whether water flows through the rainwater pipe. Multiple sets of the electric heating device are connected in parallel, with one set fixed inside each rainwater pipe. The electric heating device and the water flow monitoring sensor are respectively electrically connected to the central control unit.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the central control unit is a PLC programmable controller or a microcontroller.

[0007] Furthermore, the electric heating device includes multiple heating cables that are laid down along the roof gutters to the rainwater pipes, and each heating cable is individually electrically connected to the central control unit.

[0008] Furthermore, the control circuit of the heat tracing cable is connected in series with a time relay.

[0009] Furthermore, the rainwater pipe is connected to a branch pipe, which is connected to the air outlet of the fan, and the fan is electrically connected to the central control unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the central control unit is wirelessly connected to the remote control terminal via an Internet of Things wireless communication module.

[0011] Furthermore, the casing of the heat tracing cable is made of 304 stainless steel.

[0012] Furthermore, the water flow monitoring sensor is fixed to the inner wall of the top of the rainwater pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the ambient temperature sensor is fixed at the base of the rainwater pipe.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: A water flow monitoring sensor monitors in real time whether water flows through the rainwater pipe. When water flows through the pipe and the ambient temperature value returned by the temperature sensor is lower than the preset value of the central control unit, the central control unit controls the electric heating device installed in the rainwater pipe to start heating, preventing pipe freezing or performing de-icing. When the ambient temperature value is higher than the preset value of the central control unit, the central control unit controls the electric heating device to stop working, saving energy and protecting the environment. The central control unit automatically heats / stops based on the rainwater flow rate and outdoor temperature, eliminating the need for manual start / stop. Multiple sets of electric heating devices are available, each individually controlled. An intermittent heating mode can also be set to save electricity. This invention avoids the problems of rainwater pipes on building exterior walls freezing and clogging in cold weather, snowmelt overflowing and freezing due to poor drainage, and the resulting pipe ruptures and falling objects from heights. It also saves labor, and the power terminal is easy to operate and manage. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the rainwater pipe in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electronic control principle in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fan connection structure in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Rainwater pipe; 101. Branch pipe; 2. Ambient temperature sensor; 3. Central control unit; 4. Water flow monitoring sensor; 5. Electric heating device; 501. Heating tape; 6. Gutter; 7. Time relay; 8. Fan; 801. Air outlet; 9. Remote control terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0020] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater pipes on the exterior wall of this utility model includes an ambient temperature sensor 2 installed inside the rainwater pipe 1, which is electrically connected to a central control unit 3. It also includes a water flow monitoring sensor 4 and an electric heating device 5. The water flow monitoring sensor 4 monitors whether water flows through the rainwater pipe 1. Multiple sets of electric heating devices 5 are connected in parallel, with one set fixed inside each rainwater pipe 1. The electric heating devices 5 and the water flow monitoring sensor 4 are electrically connected to the central control unit 3. The central control unit 3 can be a PLC programmable controller or a microcontroller. The central control unit 3 is installed in an indoor control cabinet and controls the start and stop of each set of electric heating devices 5 through pre-set parameters.

[0021] The electric heating device 5 includes multiple heating cables 501, which are laid downwards along the roof gutters 6 to the rainwater pipes 1. One heating cable 501 is laid inside each rainwater pipe 1, and each is individually electrically connected to the central control unit 3. The heating cable 501 can automatically adjust its output power according to the temperature changes of the heated system, automatically limit the heating temperature, and can be arbitrarily shortened or extended within a certain range. It can also be repeatedly overlapped without the risk of high-temperature hotspots or burnout. The heating cable 501 can be selected with a capacity of 20W / m and a diameter of 6mm. The casing of the heating cable 501 is made of 304 stainless steel, which is resistant to rain corrosion and has good thermal conductivity.

[0022] The control circuit of the heating cable 501 is connected in series with a time relay 7. There are many rainwater pipes 1 on the exterior wall of the building. In order to avoid the negative impact of the pulse current generated by the simultaneous start and stop of the heating cable 501 on the control host, a time relay 7 is installed in the control cabinet. It is set to start the electric heating cable of one rainwater pipe every 5 seconds and is set to start one by one.

[0023] See Figure 3The rainwater pipe 1 is connected to a branch pipe 101, which is connected to the air outlet 801 of the fan 8. The fan 8 is electrically connected to the central control unit 3. The fan 8 can be started periodically to ventilate the pipes and prevent moss from growing on the side walls of the rainwater pipe 1 and the heat tracing cable 501 during the rainy season. In winter, on sunny days, the fan 8 can also be started to blow relatively warm outside air into the pipes to help defrost.

[0024] The central control unit 3 is wirelessly connected to the remote control terminal 9 via a 4G / 5G IoT wireless communication module. During maintenance or repair work, the unit can be started or stopped from the rooftop via the remote control terminal 9, and real-time testing can be performed to improve work efficiency.

[0025] The flow sensor 4 is fixed to the inner wall of the top of the rainwater pipe 1. The flow sensor 4 uses a commercially available liquid flow sensor, such as the Keyence FD-X liquid flow sensor, which can measure minute flow rates.

[0026] The ambient temperature sensor 2 is fixed to the base of the rainwater pipe 1 through a corrugated pipe, allowing for more accurate measurement of the ambient temperature of the rainwater pipe 1. The ambient temperature sensor 2 uses a commercially available temperature sensor, such as the TSic semiconductor temperature sensor from IST, Switzerland. TSic temperature sensors have low power consumption, excellent accuracy, and long-term stability, making them ideal for mobile applications.

[0027] In this invention, a customized heating cable 501 runs through the rainwater pipe 1 and is intelligently controlled by the central control unit 3. It automatically heats and stops based on the water flow rate of the rainwater pipe on the building's exterior wall and the outdoor temperature, effectively clearing ice from the rainwater pipe 1. It is generally designed for use from October of the previous year to March of the following year. When the outdoor temperature returned by the ambient temperature sensor 2 is lower than the first set value of the central control unit 3, and the water flow monitoring sensor 4 detects water flow through the rainwater pipe 1, the central control unit 3 controls the heating cable 501 to automatically heat for 10 minutes and then stop heating (adjustable according to site conditions). This achieves automatic pipe heating, automatic ice melting, and drainage while saving electricity. Once the outdoor temperature exceeds the second set value of the central control unit 3 by 5°C (adjustable according to site conditions), or there is no water flow through the rainwater pipe 1, the central control unit 3 controls the heating cable 501 to stop heating, and the system automatically enters standby mode.

[0028] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. The above specific implementation schemes can also form new technical solutions through appropriate combination and optimization. Any technical solution obtained by those skilled in the art by making equivalent substitutions or changes based on the technical solution and concept of the present utility model within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model should be covered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A system for preventing freezing and de-icing rainwater pipes on the exterior walls of buildings, comprising an ambient temperature sensor (2) installed inside the rainwater pipe (1), wherein the ambient temperature sensor (2) is electrically connected to a central control unit (3), characterized in that: It also includes a water flow monitoring sensor (4) and an electric heating device (5). The water flow monitoring sensor (4) is used to monitor whether there is water flowing through the rainwater pipe (1). There are multiple sets of electric heating devices (5) connected in parallel, and one set is fixed in each rainwater pipe (1). The electric heating device (5) and the water flow monitoring sensor (4) are respectively electrically connected to the central control unit (3).

2. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater downpipes on building exterior walls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central control unit (3) is a PLC programmable controller or a microcontroller.

3. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater drain pipes on building exterior walls according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electric heating device (5) includes multiple heating cables (501) laid down along the roof gutters (6) to the rainwater pipes (1), and each heating cable (501) is individually electrically connected to the central control unit (3).

4. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater drain pipes on building exterior walls according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control circuit of the heat tracing cable (501) is connected to a time relay (7).

5. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater drain pipes on building exterior walls according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rainwater pipe (1) is connected to a branch pipe (101), the branch pipe (101) is connected to the air outlet (801) of the fan (8), and the fan (8) is electrically connected to the central control unit (3).

6. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater drain pipes on building exterior walls according to claim 2, characterized in that: The central control unit (3) is wirelessly connected to the remote control terminal (9) via an Internet of Things wireless communication module.

7. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater downpipes on building exterior walls according to claim 3, characterized in that: The casing of the heat tracing cable (501) is made of 304 stainless steel.

8. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater downpipes on building exterior walls according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The water flow monitoring sensor (4) is fixed to the inner wall of the top of the rainwater pipe (1).

9. The antifreeze and de-icing system for rainwater downpipes on building exterior walls according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The ambient temperature sensor (2) is fixed at the root of the rainwater pipe (1).

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