Air valve and method of manufacturing air valve

Abstract

To provide an air valve capable of reducing a risk of fluid contamination.SOLUTION: An air valve 100 is equipped with a valve box 101, a floating valve body 102, a float 103, a mini float 104, a guide 105, and a separation member 116. At one end of the separation member 116, the floating valve body 102 is connected. The valve body 101 stores the floating valve body 102, the float 103, the mini float 104, the guide 105 and the separation member 116. The guide 105 holds the floating valve body 102, the mini float 104 and the separation member 116, and the float 103 on which the separation member 116 is placed, and regulates the movement of the floating valve body 102 and the float 103. The separation member 116 regulates the movement of the mini float 104.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air valve and a method for manufacturing an air valve. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a pipeline through which a fluid flows, for example, a water pipe through which clean water flows, a water hammer phenomenon has been known in which an impact is applied to the water pipe due to fluctuations in water pressure inside the water pipe. When the water hammer phenomenon occurs, the water pipe may break and the clean water may leak from the water pipe. Therefore, in order to prevent the water hammer phenomenon, an air valve is connected to the water pipe (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a conventional air valve 500. The air valve 500 in FIG. 5 includes a valve box 501, a floating valve body 502, a float 503, a guide 504, a flange 505, a communication hole 506, a flow path 507, a large air hole 508, a small air hole 509, and a cover 510. The valve box 501 accommodates the floating valve body 502, the float 503, and the guide 504. The guide 504 holds the floating valve body 502 and the float 503, and regulates the movement of the floating valve body 502 and the float 503. The flange 505 is formed at one end of the valve box 501, and is connected to a water pipe, or a T-shaped pipe or a repair valve connected to the water pipe. The flange 505 is formed in a ring shape, and a communication hole 506 is formed in the center of the flange 505, and clean water flows in and out through the communication hole 506. A flow path 507 is formed between the valve box 501 and the guide 504. A large air hole 508 is formed in the other end of the valve box 501, and a small air hole 509 is formed in the floating valve body 502. A cover 510 is connected to the other end of the valve box 501 and covers the large air hole 508 to prevent rainwater from flowing into the inside of the valve box 501.

[0004] Guide 504 consists of cylindrical side portion 511 and curved bottom portion 512, with side portion 511 located on the large air hole 508 side and bottom portion 512 located on the flange 505 side. Side portion 511 has multiple cutout portions 513 in the vicinity of large air hole 508, and bottom portion 512 has small openings 514 in the vicinity of communication hole 506. Float 503 is located closer to bottom 512 than floating valve element 502.

[0005] When clean water flows into the inside of the valve box 501 from the communication hole 506, it flows out of the valve box 501 via the flow path 507, the cutout 513, and the large air hole 508 in that order. The clean water also flows into the inside of the guide 504 via the small opening 514, moving the floating valve body 502 and the float 503. At this time, the floating valve body 502 and the float 503 move from the communication hole 506 toward the large air hole 508 according to the guide 504 and the water level of the clean water, and the floating valve body 502 closes the large air hole 508, while the float 503 repeatedly abuts against and moves away from the small air hole 509. When the air inside the valve box 501 is discharged from the small air hole 509, the float 503 abuts against the small air hole 509 and closes the small air hole 509 (filling completed).

[0006] Furthermore, when the clean water flows out of the valve box 501 from the communication hole 506, it flows out of the valve box 501 sequentially through the large air hole 508, the cutout portion 513, and the flow path 507. The clean water also flows out of the guide 504 through the small opening 514, moving the floating valve body 502 and the float 503. At this time, the floating valve body 502 and the float 503 move from the large air hole 508 in the direction of the communication hole 506 according to the guide 504 and the water level of the clean water, and are held at the bottom 512 (drainage completed). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-13145 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the clean water that flows into the inside of the valve box 501 from the communication hole 506 and flows out of the valve box 501 via the flow path 507 and the large air hole 508 may not immediately return to the inside of the valve box 501. In this case, the clean water that flows out of the valve box 501 remains between the cover 510 and the valve box 501 for a long time, and there is a high risk of it becoming contaminated. When the clean water becomes contaminated between the cover 510 and the valve box 501, the contaminated clean water returns to the inside of the valve box 501 and flows out of the valve box 501 from the communication hole 506, i.e., into the water pipe. Therefore, the conventional air valve has a problem in that it is not possible to reduce the risk of fluids such as clean water becoming contaminated.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an air valve and a method for manufacturing an air valve that can reduce the risk of fluid contamination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the air valve of the present invention comprises a valve box having an opening at one end and a pipeline through which a fluid flows at the other end, a floating valve body which opens and closes the opening, a float valve body which floats in the fluid when the fluid flows into the valve box, and a separating means interposed between the floating valve body and the float valve body, wherein the separating means separates the floating valve body and the float valve body.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the manufacturing method of the air valve of the present invention is a manufacturing method of an air valve comprising a valve body having an opening at one end and a pipeline through which a fluid flows at the other end, a floating valve body which opens and closes the opening, a first float valve body which floats in the fluid when the fluid flows into the inside of the valve body, a second float valve body which opens and closes a through hole formed in the floating valve body, and a spacing means interposed between the floating valve body and the first float valve body, characterized in that it has a connecting step of connecting the floating valve body and the spacing means, a storing step of storing the second float valve body in a space formed by connecting the floating valve body and the spacing means, and a placing step of placing the spacing means on the first float valve body.

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the manufacturing method of the air valve of the present invention is a manufacturing method of an air valve comprising a valve body having an opening at one end and a pipeline through which a fluid flows at the other end, a floating valve body which opens and closes the opening, a first float valve body which floats in the fluid when the fluid flows into the inside of the valve body, a second float valve body which opens and closes a through hole formed in the floating valve body, and a spacing means interposed between the floating valve body and the first float valve body, characterized in that it has a connecting step of connecting the first float valve body and the spacing means, a storing step of storing the second float valve body in a space formed by connecting the first float valve body and the spacing means, and a second connecting step of connecting the floating valve body and the spacing means. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the risk of fluid contamination can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the internal structure of an air valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1(a) shows the air valve in a fully open state, and FIG. 1(b) shows the air valve in a fully closed state. [Diagram 2]2 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for manufacturing the air valve of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views showing a modified example of the air valve of FIG. 1, with FIG. 3A showing the air valve in a fully open state and FIG. 3B showing the air valve in a fully closed state. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram useful in explaining the positional relationship between the floating valve body, the float, the mini float, and the spacing member when the process of S4 in FIG. 2 is executed. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal configuration of a conventional air valve. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams used to explain modified examples of the spacing member in FIG. 1, where FIG. 6A shows a spacing member having a circular hole, and FIG. 6B shows a spacing member having a square hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal configuration of an air valve 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1(a) shows the air valve 100 in a fully open state, and FIG. 1(b) shows the air valve 100 in a fully closed state.

[0017] 1 includes a valve body 101, a floating valve body 102, a float 103 (first float valve body), a mini float 104 (second float valve body, other float valve body), a guide 105, a flange 106, a communication hole 107, a flow path 108, a large air hole 109 (opening), a small air hole 110 (through hole), and a cover 111. The valve body 101 accommodates the floating valve body 102, the float 103, the mini float 104, and the guide 105. The guide 105 holds the floating valve body 102, the float 103, and the mini float 104, and regulates the movement of the floating valve body 102 and the float 103. The movement of the mini float 104 is regulated by a spacing member 116 described later.

[0018] The flange 106 is formed at one end of the valve box 101 and is connected to a water pipe (pipe), or a T-shaped pipe or repair valve connected to the water pipe. The flange 106 is formed in a ring shape, and a communication hole 107 is formed in the center of the flange 106. Clean water (fluid) flowing through the water pipe flows in and out through the communication hole 107. A flow path 108 is formed between the valve box 101 and the guide 105. A large air hole 109 is formed at the other end of the valve box 101 by connecting a ring-shaped cover body 117 to the valve box 101, and a small air hole 110 is formed in the floating valve body 102. A cover 111 is connected to the other end of the valve box 101 and covers the large air hole 109 to prevent rainwater from flowing into the inside of the valve box 101. The cover 111 is connected to the other end of the valve box 101 using metal parts, such as bolts and nuts.

[0019] The float 103 floats on the surface of the clean water due to its buoyancy and moves according to the clean water level, and the floating valve body 102 moves in response to the movement of the float 103 to open and close the large air hole 109. The mini float 104 floats on the surface of the clean water due to its buoyancy and moves according to the clean water level, or moves as the float 103 floats up. The mini float 104 opens and closes the small air hole 110. When the floating valve body 102 closes the large air hole, the float 103 does not move even if the water level changes vertically upward because a spacing member 116, described below, is interposed between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103. In addition, when the mini float 104 closes the small air hole 110, even if the water level changes upward in the vertical direction, the floating valve body 102 that closes the large air hole 109 is restrained by the cover body 117, so that the mini float 104 abuts against the small air hole 110 in the floating valve body 102 and does not move.

[0020] In this embodiment, the float 103 and the mini float 104 are assumed to be spherical, but are not limited thereto. For example, the float 103 may be rectangular parallelepiped and the mini float 104 may be spherical (air valve 300 in FIG. 3). Returning to FIG. 1, the guide 105 is composed of a cylindrical side portion 112 and a curved bottom portion 113 that conforms to the spherical shape of the float 103, and the bottom portion 113 is located closer to the flange 106 than the side portion 112. The side portion 112 has a plurality of cutout portions 114 in the vicinity of the large air hole 109, and the bottom portion 113 has a small opening 115 in the vicinity of the communication hole 107. The float 103 and the mini float 104 are located closer to the flange 106 than the floating valve body 102, and the mini float 104 is located closer to the flange 106 than the float 103.

[0021] Clean water flows into the valve box 101 from the communication hole 107, passes through the flow path 108 and the cutout portion 114 in this order, and flows out of the valve box 101 from the large air hole 109. Clean water also flows into the valve box 101 from the communication hole 107, and moves the floating valve element 102, the float 103, and the mini float 104 via the small opening 115. The floating valve element 102, the float 103, and the mini float 104 move from the communication hole 107 toward the large air hole 109 in accordance with the guide 105 and the water level of the clean water, and the floating valve element 102 closes the large air hole 109, while the mini float 104 repeatedly comes into contact with and moves away from the small air hole 110. When the air inside the valve box 101 is discharged through the small air hole 110, the mini float 104 comes into contact with the small air hole 110 to close the small air hole 110 (filling completed). Next, when the clean water level inside the valve box 101 drops, the floating valve body 102, the float 103 and the mini float 104 move from the large air hole 109 in the direction of the communication hole 107 according to the guide 105 and the clean water level, and the clean water flows out of the valve box 101 from the communication hole 107 via the large air hole 109, the cutout portion 114 and the flow path 108 in this order, and also flows out of the valve box 101 from the communication hole 107 via the small opening 115 (drainage completed).

[0022] The material of the float 103 and the mini float 104 is not particularly limited, but the float 103 is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel in order to realize the apparent specific gravity described below, and the mini float 104 is preferably made of ebonite or stainless steel, which are generally used for water supply air valves. The specific gravity of the float 103 when it is uniformly formed, i.e., the apparent specific gravity of the float 103, is preferably 0.05 to 0.15 in order to obtain buoyancy for the floating valve body 102 to immediately close the large air hole 109, and the specific gravity of the mini float 104 when it is uniformly formed, i.e., the apparent specific gravity of the mini float 104, is preferably 0.40 to 0.60 in order to enable the mini float 104 to open and close the small air hole 110 regardless of the water pressure inside the valve box 101.

[0023] A spacing member 116 (spacing means) is interposed between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103. Therefore, the spacing member 116 ensures a constant gap between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103, and as a result, the float 103 moves based on the water level inside the valve box 101, so that a constant gap is formed between the water level inside the valve box 101 and the large air hole 109. For example, a rod-shaped member extending in one direction is used for the spacing member 116. The spacing member 116 may be formed of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or iron, which is a non-elastic member, or may be formed of an elastic member such as a spring. The spacing member 116 may also be formed of a resin such as polypropylene or polyester. The longitudinal length of the spacing member 116 is preferably 15 to 45% of the length from one end to the other end of the valve box 101, because when this length is less than 15% of the length from one end to the other end of the valve box 101, clean water will flow out of the valve box 101 through the large air hole 109, and when this length is greater than 45% of the length from one end to the other end of the valve box 101, the floating valve body 102 will close the large air hole 109 before discharging air to the outside of the valve box 101.

[0024] One end of the spacing member 116 is connected to the floating valve body 102. The spacing member 116 and the floating valve body 102 are connected to each other using adhesive or connecting parts such as bolts or pins depending on their respective materials, or by welding. The other end of the spacing member 116 is placed on the float 103. The other end of the spacing member 116 may be connected to the float 103, and the spacing member 116 and the float 103 are connected to each other using adhesive or connecting parts such as bolts or pins depending on their respective materials, or by welding, similar to the spacing member 116 and the floating valve body 102. In this embodiment, a plurality of spacing members 116 are connected to the floating valve body 102 and placed on the float 103, and a mini float 104 is stored in each spacing member 116. Therefore, the direction in which the mini float 104 moves is regulated by the spacing member 116.

[0025] 1, the separation member 116 is interposed between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103, so the distance between the floating valve body 102 and the water surface is longer than the distance between the floating valve body 502 and the water surface in the case where the float 503 in the conventional air valve 500 directly contacts the floating valve body 502 and floats on the water surface. The water pressure of the clean water that flows into the inside of the valve box 101 from the communication hole 107 is high, so that in the conventional air valve 500, the clean water passes through the flow path 507 and the notch 513 in order and flows out of the valve box 101 from the large air hole 109 before the float 503 closes the floating valve body 502. However, in the air valve 100, the float 103 closes the floating valve body 102 before the clean water passes through the flow path 108 and the notch 114 in order and flows out of the valve box 101 from the large air hole 109. This prevents the clean water from leaking out of the valve box 101 through the large air hole 109 and becoming contaminated, and also prevents contaminated clean water from returning to the inside of the valve box 101 and flowing into the water pipes, thereby reducing the risk of the clean water becoming contaminated.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for manufacturing the air valve 100 of FIG.

[0027] 2, first, the floating valve body 102 is connected to one end of the spacing member 116 (S1, connection step). Next, the mini-float 104 is stored in a space surrounded by the spacing members 116 (S2, storage step), and the float 103 is stored in the valve box 101 (S3). Next, the floating valve body 102, the spacing members 116, and the mini-float 104 are stored in the valve box 101. At this time, the other end of the spacing member 116 and the mini-float 104 are placed on the float 103 (S4, placement step). Therefore, a set of valve bodies 400 for use in the air valve 100 is constructed by steps S1 to S4, in which the spacing member 116 is interposed between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103, and the mini float 104 is stored in the space formed by the floating valve body 102, the float 103, and the spacing member 116 (FIG. 4), and the set of valve bodies 400 is housed in the valve box 101. In the set of valve bodies 400, the float 103 is disposed closest to the flange 106. In the following step S5, the lid body 117 in which the large air hole 109 is formed is placed on the valve box 101. Next, the cover 111 for preventing rainwater from entering is placed (S6), and the valve box 101, the lid body 117, and the cover 111 are connected by connecting parts, such as bolts and nuts (S7), and the air valve 100 is completed.

[0028] 2, the floating valve body 102 is connected to one end of each of the plurality of spacing members 116 (S1), the mini-float 104 is stored in each spacing member 116 and the floating valve body 102 (S2), the float 103 is stored in the valve body 101 (S3), and then the floating valve body 102, spacing members 116 and mini-float 104 are stored in the valve body 101, and the spacing member 116 is placed on the float 103 (S4). This ensures a certain distance between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103. Therefore, the float 103 floats on the surface of the clean water, and when the clean water flows into the valve box 101, a certain distance is maintained between the floating valve body 102 and the water surface, so that most of the air inside the valve box 101 is discharged through the large air hole, and before the clean water flows out of the large air hole 109, the float 103 presses the floating valve body 102 via the spacing member 116, and the floating valve body 102 can quickly close the large air hole 109.As a result, the clean water that flows out from the large air hole 109 does not return to the inside of the valve box 101, reducing the risk of the clean water being polluted.

[0029] 2, a configuration has been described in which one end of the spacing member 116 is connected to the floating valve body 102 (S1), and the other end of the spacing member 116 is placed on the float 103. That is, in the spacing member 116, the floating valve body 102, and the float 103, the spacing member 116 and the floating valve body 102 are integrated, and the other end of the spacing member 116 and the float 103 are not integrated (S4). In contrast, one end of the spacing member 116 may be connected to the floating valve body 102 (S1, first connecting step), and the other end of the spacing member 116 may be connected to the float 103 (second connecting step). That is, the spacing member 116, the floating valve body 102, and the float 103 are integrated. In this case, in S2, after the mini float 104 is stored, the float 103 is connected to the other end of the spacing member 116, and a set of valve bodies 400 consisting of the floating valve body 102, the float 103, and the spacing member 116, which are connected to each other and integrated, as well as the mini float 104 stored therein, are accommodated inside the valve box 101.

[0030] 6A and 6B are diagrams used to explain modified examples of the spacing member 116 in FIG. 1, where FIG. 6A shows a spacing member 600 having a circular hole 601, and FIG. 6B shows a spacing member 600 having a square hole 601.

[0031] 6 is used in place of the spacing member 116 in the air valve 100. Therefore, in the air valve 100 in which the spacing member 116 is used and the air valve 100 in which the spacing member 600 is used, the configuration and operation of the air valve 100 other than the spacing members 116, 600 are basically the same, and the configuration and operation of the spacing member 600 will be described below.

[0032] In FIG. 6, the spacing member 600 is a tubular member such as a cylinder or a square tube. The function of the spacing member 600 based on the difference in the tubular shape is basically the same, so the following description will be given using the cylindrical spacing member 600. The spacing member 600 is formed of, for example, metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or iron, or resin such as polypropylene or polyester. One end of the spacing member 600 is connected to the floating valve body 102. The spacing member 600 and the floating valve body 102 are connected to each other using adhesive or connecting parts such as bolts or pins depending on the materials of the spacing member 600, or by welding. The other end of the spacing member 600 is placed on the float 103. The other end of the spacing member 600 may be connected to the float 103. In this case, the spacing member 600 and the float 103 are connected to each other using adhesive or connecting parts such as bolts or pins depending on the materials of the spacing member 600, or by welding.

[0033] The connection surface of the floating valve body 102 to which the spacing member 600 is connected is a circle with a diameter L (see FIG. 4), and both ends of the spacing member 600 connected to the floating valve body 102 are circles with a diameter M, the diameter L being larger than the diameter M, and the diameter of the spherical float 103 being larger than the diameter M. That is, the floating valve body 102 and the float 103 do not enter the spacing member 600. Also, the diameter of the spherical mini float 104 is smaller than the diameter M. That is, the mini float 104 enters the spacing member 600 and is restricted in the direction of movement by the spacing member 600. The length of the spacing member 600 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 15 to 45% of the length from one end to the other end of the valve box 101, similar to the spacing member 116.

[0034] The spacing member 600 has a plurality of holes 601, and the shape of the holes 601 is, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a regular polygon, or a long hole. The size of the holes 601 may be such that no turbulence is generated around the spacing member 600 when the clean water passes through the holes 601. For example, the area of ​​each hole 601 is 0.02 to 3 mm. 2 The number of holes 601 per unit area in the spacing member 600 is preferably 0.2 to 60 / cm. 2 In addition, it is preferable that all the holes 601 in the spacing member 600 have the same area.

[0035] The spacing member 600, like the spacing member 116, is interposed between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103, so the spacing member 116 ensures a constant gap between the floating valve body 102 and the float 103. As a result, the float 103 moves based on the water level inside the valve body 101, so a constant gap is formed between the water level inside the valve body 101 and the large air hole 109. Therefore, the air valve 100 in which the spacing member 600 is used can achieve the same effects as the air valve 100 in which the spacing member 116 is used. The area of ​​each hole 601 is 0.02 to 3 mm 2 and the number of holes 601 per unit area in the spacing member 600 is 0.2 to 60 / cm 2Therefore, when clean water passes through the hole 601, the passage is hindered by the spacing member 600, and the generation of turbulence around the spacing member 600 can be prevented.

[0036] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the air valve 100 has been described on the assumption that the fluid flowing in and out of the air valve 100 is clean water, but the fluid may be other than clean water, such as sewage, or may be a solution using water or other liquid as a solvent, or may be a suspension in which particulate matter is suspended in water or other liquid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 100,300 Air valve 101 Valve box 102 Floating valve body 103 Float 104 Mini Float 116,600 Spacer 109 Large air hole

Claims

1. a valve body having an opening at one end and a pipeline through which a fluid flows at the other end; A floating valve body that opens and closes the opening; a float valve body that floats in the fluid when the fluid flows into the valve body; a spacing means interposed between the floating valve body and the float valve body, 2. An air valve, comprising: a first valve member and a second valve member;

2. The floating valve body has a through hole, 2. The air valve according to claim 1, further comprising another float valve body for opening and closing said through hole.

3. 3. The air valve according to claim 2, wherein the apparent specific gravity of said float valve body is 0.05 to 0.15, and the apparent specific gravity of said other float valve body is 0.40 to 0.

60.

4. 3. The air valve according to claim 2, wherein the spacing means restricts movement of the other float valve body.

5. 2. The air valve according to claim 1, wherein the spacing means has a length which is 15 to 45% of the length from one end of the valve body to the other end.

6. 2. The air valve according to claim 1, wherein said spacing means is a tubular member having a plurality of holes.

7. A method for manufacturing an air valve comprising: a valve body having an opening at one end and a pipeline through which a fluid flows at the other end; a floating valve body for opening and closing the opening; a first float valve body that floats in the fluid when the fluid flows into the valve body; a second float valve body that opens and closes a through hole formed in the floating valve body; and a spacing means interposed between the floating valve body and the first float valve body, a connecting step of connecting the floating valve body and the spacing means; a storing step of storing the second float valve body in a space formed by connecting the floating valve body and the spacing means; and a mounting step of mounting the spacing means on the first float valve body.

8. A method for manufacturing an air valve comprising: a valve body having an opening at one end and a pipeline through which a fluid flows at the other end; a floating valve body for opening and closing the opening; a first float valve body that floats in the fluid when the fluid flows into the valve body; a second float valve body that opens and closes a through hole formed in the floating valve body; and a spacing means interposed between the floating valve body and the first float valve body, a connecting step of connecting the first float valve body and the spacing means; a storing step of storing the second float valve body in a space formed by connecting the first float valve body and the spacing means; and a second connecting step of connecting the floating valve body and the spacing means.

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