Temperature sensor fixture

Abstract

To provide a temperature sensor fixture that can prevent a variation of a temperature measurement point and reduce manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A temperature sensor fixture (10) that has a cylinder part (11) joined to a pipe (1) that is a temperature measurement target, and is formed to hold a temperature sensor (2) stored in the cylinder part (11). The inner diameter of the cylinder part (11) is formed larger than the outer diameter of the temperature sensor (2). The temperature sensor fixture has, at one end side of the cylinder part (11) to be an entry when the temperature sensor (2) is inserted thereto, first sensor holding parts (12) that are each formed in such a manner that a portion of the cylinder part (11) on the opposite side of the pipe (1) is cut and raised toward the inside of the cylinder part (11) and its leading end is directed to the other end side of the cylinder part (11), in order to bring the temperature sensor (2) into contact with the cylinder part (11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature sensor fixture for attaching a temperature sensor to a pipe whose temperature is to be measured. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in a heat pump water heater, a plurality of temperature sensors are attached to a pipe through which a refrigerant flows, a pipe through which hot water flows, etc. The heat pump water heater receives detection signals of the refrigerant temperature, the hot water temperature, etc. outputted from these temperature sensors, and operates according to the detected temperatures.

[0003] For the installation of the temperature sensor, it is required that the temperature sensor does not fall off due to vibration during operation, that the pipe to be measured and the temperature sensor are in close contact via the temperature sensor mounting fixture, and that the temperature sensor is not easily affected by the surrounding temperature. For this reason, a method is adopted in which a cylindrical sensor stay that houses the temperature sensor is joined to the pipe to be measured, and the temperature sensor and a fixture are inserted and fixed into the sensor stay.

[0004] On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cylindrical sensor stay that is open on the side of the object to be measured. The temperature sensor housed in the cylindrical sensor stay is pressed by a leaf spring provided in the sensor stay so as to be in close contact with the object to be measured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7125355 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The sensor stay of Patent Document 1 requires the sensor stay housing a temperature sensor to be attached to the object to be measured by, for example, wrapping a fixing band around it, which is a heavy workload, increases the manufacturing cost of the device equipped with the temperature sensor, and is not easily applicable to devices equipped with multiple temperature sensors. In addition, since the sensor stay can be attached to any measurement location, there is a risk that variations in the temperature measurement location will occur, which may affect the operation control of the device due to a difference in detection timing, etc.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature sensor attachment that can suppress variation in temperature measurement points and reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The temperature sensor mounting fixture of the invention of claim 1 has a tubular portion to be joined to a pipe whose temperature is to be measured, and is formed to hold a temperature sensor housed in this tubular portion, the inner diameter of the tubular portion is formed larger than the outer diameter of the temperature sensor, and one end of the tubular portion which serves as an entrance for inserting the temperature sensor into the tubular portion has a first sensor holding portion in which a part of the tubular portion opposite the piping is cut inward and raised toward the other end of the tubular portion in order to bring the temperature sensor into contact with the tubular portion.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the temperature sensor mounting fixture has a first sensor holding portion that is cut and raised inside the cylindrical portion and extends with its tip toward the other end at one end of the cylindrical portion that serves as an entrance when housing the temperature sensor, in the cylindrical portion that is joined to the piping of the temperature measurement target. This first sensor holding portion brings the temperature sensor into contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion on the side of the piping of the temperature measurement target, so that the temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the piping through the cylindrical portion. Therefore, since the temperature sensor is housed in contact with the side of the piping of the temperature measurement target without requiring a separate fixing member, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature measurement location, reduce manufacturing costs, and make it easier to install the temperature sensor.

[0010] The temperature sensor mounting fixture of the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the first sensor holding portion is elastically deformed by the temperature sensor housed in the tubular portion from the one end side, and presses the temperature sensor toward the piping side. According to the above configuration, the first sensor holder presses the temperature sensor housed in the cylindrical portion from one end side of the cylindrical portion toward the piping that is the object of temperature measurement. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor from shifting due to vibration or the like, suppressing variations in the temperature measurement location, and to improve temperature detection by closely adhering the temperature sensor to the cylindrical portion.

[0011] The temperature sensor mounting fixture of the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the other end of the cylindrical portion has a second sensor holding portion formed by cutting and raising a part of the side opposite the piping toward the inside of the cylindrical portion so as to receive the tip of the temperature sensor. According to the above configuration, the temperature sensor attachment has a second sensor holding portion at the other end of the cylindrical portion, with a portion of the portion opposite the piping to be measured cut and raised inside the cylindrical portion, and the tip of the temperature sensor housed in the cylindrical portion from one end is received by this second sensor holding portion. Therefore, the temperature sensor can be held so as not to fall out of the other end of the cylindrical portion without requiring a separate fixing member, and variation in the temperature measurement location can be suppressed and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0012] The temperature sensor mounting device of the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 3, the second sensor holding portion has a return portion that extends from the other end side toward the one end side and then is folded back so that the tip portion extends toward the other end side. According to the above configuration, the tip portion of the second sensor holding portion is a barb that extends toward the other end. As a result, if the temperature sensor is erroneously inserted from the other end of the cylindrical portion, the tip of the temperature sensor can be received by the barb and prevented from entering further, thereby preventing erroneous attachment of the temperature sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the temperature sensor fixture of the present invention, it is possible to suppress variation in temperature measurement points and reduce manufacturing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a temperature sensor is attached by a temperature sensor attachment fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, showing the inside of a cylindrical portion. [Diagram 3] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing a process of accommodating a temperature sensor from one end portion of a cylindrical portion. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a function of the second sensor holding portion that prevents erroneous insertion of the temperature sensor. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the temperature sensor fixture. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a temperature sensor is housed in a cylindrical portion of the temperature sensor attachment fixture of FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples. EXAMPLES

[0016] 1 and 2 show a cylindrical temperature sensor 2 held by a temperature sensor mounting fixture 10 attached to a pipe 1 whose temperature is to be measured. The pipe 1 is, for example, a refrigerant pipe or a hot and cold water pipe of a heat pump water heater. The temperature sensor 2 is, for example, a thermistor, and a detection signal corresponding to the detected temperature is output via a pair of cords 3 extending from the tip and the opposite side. Note that, although the pipe 1 here extends in the vertical direction, this is not limited thereto, and the temperature sensor 2 can be attached via the temperature sensor mounting fixture 10 to pipes extending in various directions.

[0017] The temperature sensor mounting fixture 10 has a metallic tubular portion 11 that houses and holds the temperature sensor 2, and this tubular portion 11 is joined to the pipe 1 by brazing or welding via a brazing material 4. The tubular portion 11 is a tube having a circular or polygonal cross section and made of, for example, a copper alloy or stainless steel.

[0018] The cylindrical portion 11 is formed such that the axial length is longer than the temperature sensor 2 and the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the temperature sensor 2 so that the temperature sensor 2 can be accommodated inside the cylindrical portion 11. The temperature sensor 2 is accommodated by being inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 from one end 11a side (one end side) using one end 11a of the cylindrical portion 11 as an inlet.

[0019] Since the cylindrical portion 11 is joined to the pipe 1, the temperature of the pipe 1 (the temperature of the refrigerant or hot water flowing through the pipe 1) is well transmitted to the cylindrical portion 11. In order to bring the temperature sensor 2, which detects the temperature of the pipe 1 via this cylindrical portion 11, into contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 11, the cylindrical portion 11 has a first sensor holding portion 12 formed by cutting and raising a part of the side opposite to the pipe 1 on one end 11a side of the cylindrical portion 11 toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 11. The temperature sensor 2 housed in the cylindrical portion 11 is less susceptible to the effects of outside air, and since it is in contact with the cylindrical portion 11, temperature detection ability is improved.

[0020] The first sensor holding portion 12 is formed by cutting two portions in the axial direction from one end 11a of the tubular portion 11, and by bending the portion between these cuts inward of the tubular portion 11, the tip extends toward the other end 11b (other end side) of the tubular portion 11. Here, the tubular portion 11 is provided with two first sensor holding portions 12, but it may be provided with more than this, or may be provided with only one first sensor holding portion 12.

[0021] The cylindrical portion 11 has a second sensor holding portion 13 formed by cutting and raising a part of the cylindrical portion 11 on the side opposite the pipe 1 toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 11 at the other end 11b. The second sensor holding portion 13 is formed by cutting two portions from the other end 11b of the cylindrical portion 11 in the axial direction and bending the portion between these cuts toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 11. The second sensor holding portion 13 extends toward the one end 11a, and then has a folded portion 13a that is folded back midway and has a tip that extends toward the other end 11b.

[0022] The cylindrical portion 11 is provided with one second sensor holding portion 13, but may have more than this. Also, the second sensor holding portion 13 is formed on the side opposite to the pipe 1, similar to the first sensor holding portion 12, so that when joining the cylindrical portion 11 to the pipe 1, the joining side of the cylindrical portion 11 can be easily identified.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the temperature sensor 2 is inserted from one end 11a of the tubular portion 11 as an entrance in the axial direction of the tubular portion 11 in the direction of arrow C until the tip of the temperature sensor 2 abuts against the second sensor holding portion 13, and is housed and held in the state shown in Fig. 2. At this time, the first sensor holding portion 12 is pressed by the temperature sensor 2 inserted into the tubular portion 11 and elastically deforms, and the base end of the first sensor holding portion 12 is strongly bent. The second sensor holding portion 13 receives the tip of the temperature sensor 2 to prevent the temperature sensor 2 from falling off from the other end 11b of the tubular portion 11, and also positions the temperature sensor 2 in the axial direction of the tubular portion 11.

[0024] The elastically deformed first sensor holder 12 functions as a leaf spring and presses the temperature sensor 2. Here, the two first sensor holders 12 press the temperature sensor 2, respectively, and the temperature sensor 2 is maintained in contact with the inner wall of the tube portion 11 on the pipe 1 side. The two first sensor holders 12 are formed at symmetrical positions within a range of, for example, a central angle of 120 degrees of the tube portion 11 on the opposite side of the pipe 1 as viewed from the one end portion 11a side in order to press the temperature sensor 2 toward the pipe 1. These first sensor holders 12 position the temperature sensor 2 in the circumferential direction of the tube portion 11. The first sensor holder 12 and the second sensor holder 13 position the temperature sensor 2 inside the tube portion 11, so that the variation in the temperature measurement point is suppressed and the deviation of the temperature sensor 2 due to vibration is also prevented.

[0025] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, one end 11a and the other end 11b of the tubular portion 11 may be mistaken for one end 11a and the other end 11b of the tubular portion 11, and the temperature sensor 2 may be erroneously inserted in the direction of arrow E from the other end 11b of the tubular portion 11. For example, when there are the same number of first sensor holding portions 12 and second sensor holding portions 13, it is conceivable that one end 11a and the other end 11b may be mistaken for one another. In such a case, the return portion 13a of the second sensor holding portion 13 receives the tip of the temperature sensor 2 and prevents the temperature sensor 2 from entering any further. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor 2 from being erroneously attached.

[0026] The first sensor holding portion 12 may be bent midway so that the tip extends toward the other end 11b of the tubular portion 11, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. When the temperature sensor 2 is inserted into the tubular portion 11 from its one end 11a side, the first sensor holding portion 12 pressed by the temperature sensor 2 is elastically deformed, the base end is strongly bent, the tip abuts against the inner wall of the tubular portion 11, and the bent portion is stretched. This enhances the function of the first sensor holding portion 12 as a leaf spring, and the pressure applied to the temperature sensor 2 by the first sensor holding portion 12 is strengthened, so that the temperature sensor 2 can be tightly attached to the inner wall of the tubular portion 11. Note that the first sensor holding portion 12 may be bent multiple times midway in order to improve its function as a leaf spring.

[0027] The operation and effects of the above-mentioned temperature sensor mounting fixture 10 will now be described. The temperature sensor mounting tool 10 is a tubular part 11 joined to the pipe 1 whose temperature is to be measured, and has a first sensor holding part 12 cut and raised on the inside of the tubular part 11 at one end 11a (one end side) of the tubular part 11 that houses the temperature sensor 2, with the tip extending toward the other end 11b (other end side). This first sensor holding part 12 brings the temperature sensor 2 into contact with the inner wall of the tubular part 11 on the side of the pipe 1 whose temperature is to be measured, so that the temperature sensor 2 can detect the temperature of the pipe 1 through the tubular part 11. Therefore, since the temperature sensor 2 is housed in the tubular part 11 in contact with the side of the pipe 1 whose temperature is to be measured without requiring a separate fixing member, it is possible to suppress variation in the temperature measurement point and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0028] The first sensor holding portion 12 presses the temperature sensor 2 housed in the tubular portion 11 toward the pipe 1, the temperature of which is to be measured. Therefore, the temperature sensor 2 can be brought into close contact with the tubular portion 11 to improve temperature detection performance, and deviation of the temperature sensor 2 due to vibration or the like can be prevented, thereby suppressing variation in the temperature measurement location.

[0029] The temperature sensor attachment 10 has a second sensor holding portion 13 cut and raised on the inside of the cylindrical portion 11 at the other end 11b side of the cylindrical portion 11, and the tip of the temperature sensor 2 inserted into the cylindrical portion 11 from the one end 11a side is received by this second sensor holding portion 13. Therefore, the temperature sensor 2 can be held so as not to fall out of the other end 11b side of the cylindrical portion 11 without requiring a separate fixing member, and the variation in the temperature measurement point can be suppressed and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0030] The tip portion of the second sensor holding portion 13 is a return portion 13a extending toward the other end portion 11b. With this, if the temperature sensor 2 is erroneously inserted from the other end portion 11b side of the tubular portion 11, the tip of the temperature sensor 2 is received by the return portion 13a, and the temperature sensor 2 can be prevented from entering further, and erroneous attachment of the temperature sensor 2 can be prevented.

[0031] In addition, a person skilled in the art can implement the present invention in a form in which various modifications are added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention includes such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1: Piping 2: Temperature sensor 3:1 pair of cords 4: Brazing material 10: Temperature sensor mounting fixture 11:Cylinder part 11a: One end 11b: Other end 12: First sensor holder 13: Second sensor holder 13a: Return part

Claims

1. A temperature sensor mounting fixture having a tubular portion to be joined to a pipe whose temperature is to be measured, the tubular portion being configured to hold a temperature sensor housed therein, The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion is larger than the outer diameter of the temperature sensor, A temperature sensor mounting fixture characterized in that one end side of the cylindrical portion, which serves as an entrance when inserting the temperature sensor into the cylindrical portion, has a first sensor holding portion, a part of the cylindrical portion opposite the piping, cut toward the inside of the cylindrical portion and formed so that the tip faces the other end side of the cylindrical portion, in order to bring the temperature sensor into contact with the cylindrical portion.

2. 2. The temperature sensor mounting fixture according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor holding portion is elastically deformed by the temperature sensor housed in the cylindrical portion from the one end side, and presses the temperature sensor towards the piping.

3. A temperature sensor mounting fixture as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the other end of the cylindrical portion has a second sensor holding portion, a part of which opposite the piping is cut and raised toward the inside of the cylindrical portion so as to receive the tip of the temperature sensor.

4. The temperature sensor mounting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that the second sensor holding portion has a folded portion that extends from the other end side toward the one end side and then has a tip portion folded back so that it extends toward the other end side.

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