Water quality sensor, housing, connector, and water quality sensor device

Abstract

To provide a water quality sensor, a housing, a connector, and a water quality sensor device which can be accurately and easily installed.SOLUTION: A housing 100 for installing a water quality sensor 200 at a pipe 400 includes: three connection ports with substantially the same structure; and inner through holes for mutually connecting the three connection ports. Preferably, first and second connection ports of the three connection ports are arranged opposite to each other on a virtual first straight line, and a third connection port is arranged on a second straight line orthogonal to the first straight line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water quality sensor, a housing, a joint, and a water quality sensor device. [Background technology]

[0002] Water quality sensors such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 are widely used as a means for measuring the water quality of fluid in a pipe. Water quality sensors measure water quality by measuring the value of the current flowing between multiple electrodes installed in the pipe.

[0003] It is desirable that the measurement values of the water quality sensor be highly accurate. For this reason, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, it is recommended to attach a water quality sensor to the piping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-85851 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Techno Morioka Co., Ltd., "Recommended Sensor Installation Method | Useful Column | Techno Morioka Sensing eye", [Online], Techno Morioka Co., Ltd., [Retrieved December 26, 2023], Internet<URL:https: / / techno-morioka.co.jp / sensing_eye / howto / 0000002 / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, installing a water quality sensor to obtain highly accurate measurements is not easy. For example, the size, material, and shape of the pipes vary depending on the installation location, and must be tailored to each individual installation. This makes the work complicated and time-consuming, and makes accurate installation difficult. In particular, when installing a water quality sensor on an existing pipe, which requires on-site installation, the work is complicated and time-consuming, and fine adjustments can be difficult.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a water quality sensor, a housing, a joint, and a water quality sensor device that can be installed accurately and easily. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The housing of the present invention is a housing for installing a water quality sensor in a pipe, and has three connection ports of substantially the same configuration and a through hole inside that connects the three connection ports to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the water quality sensor, the housing, the joint, and the water quality sensor device can be installed accurately and easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing how the water quality sensor, housing, and joint according to the embodiment are used, respectively. [Figure 2] 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a side view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, and FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of a housing according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view of a water quality sensor according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a side view of a connection portion of the water quality sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, showing the connection state of the housing and the water quality sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A is a diagram showing a state before mating of a mating portion according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a mated state. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the inside of a housing according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a rear view, FIG. 7C is a right side view, and FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of a joint according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A, 1B, and 1C are assembly diagrams of a water quality sensor, a housing, and a joint according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams showing connection modes of a joint according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are a front view and a plan view, respectively, of a retaining member according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A water quality sensor device, a housing for mounting the water quality sensor, and a water quality sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1(A) and 1(B), the water quality sensor device 10 according to this embodiment comprises a housing 100 and a water quality sensor 200 set in the housing 100. The housing 100 is attached to a pipe 400 via a fitting 300, and a fluid FL passes through the housing 100. The water quality sensor 200 is attached in a positioned state in the housing 100 and measures the water quality of the fluid FL passing through the housing 100. In the following description, the fitting 300 on the fluid inflow side may be referred to as a first fitting 310, and the fitting 300 on the fluid outflow side may be referred to as a second fitting 320.

[0013] Each part will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 2(A) to 2(D), the housing 100 includes a cylindrical tubular portion 101 and three connection ports: a first connection port 102 formed at one end of the tubular portion 101, a second connection port 103 formed at the other end of the tubular portion 101, and a third connection port 104 formed in the center of the side wall of the tubular portion 101. As shown in Figure 2(D), the housing 100 includes a T-shaped flow path therein that connects the first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104. Here, as shown in Figures 2(A) to 2(D), an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is defined, which includes a Z axis extending in a direction connecting the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103, a Y axis perpendicular to the Z axis and passing through the center of the third connection port 104, and an X axis perpendicular to the Z axis and the Y axis. The Z axis is an example of an imaginary first straight line in the claims, and the Y axis is an example of an imaginary second straight line in the claims.

[0014] The first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104 have substantially the same configuration, and the water quality sensor 200 and the joint 300 can be selectively connected to the first to third connection ports 102-104.

[0015] For example, when the water quality sensor 200 is placed midway along a straight pipe 400, as shown in Figure 1(A), the water quality sensor 200 is connected to the third connection port 104, and the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 are connected to the pipe 400 via a joint 300. In this arrangement, one of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 is the inflow side for the fluid FL, and the other is the outflow side.

[0016] 1(B), the water quality sensor 200 is connected to one of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103, and the pipe 400 is connected to the other of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 and to the third connection port 104 via the joint 300. In this arrangement, one of the other of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 and the third connection port 104 becomes the inflow side for the fluid FL, and the other becomes the outflow side.

[0017] 2(A) to 2(D), the first connection port 102 is formed in a flange shape and is disposed on the Z axis, with its end face perpendicular to the Z axis. The outer diameter of the first connection port 102 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of a flange portion 212 of the water quality sensor 200 and the outer diameter of a housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300, which will be described later.

[0018] The first connection port 102 also has fitting portions F1, such as two recesses, on its outer periphery. As will be described later, the fitting portions F1 fit with fitting portions F2, such as protrusions, provided on the water quality sensor 200 and the joint 300, and prevent the water quality sensor 200 and the joint 300 from rotating.

[0019] The second connection port 103 has substantially the same configuration as the first connection port 102. More specifically, the second connection port 103 is formed in a flange shape, is disposed on the Z axis, has an end face perpendicular to the Z axis, has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 212 of the water quality sensor 200 and the outer diameter of the housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300, and is provided with two fitting portions F1 on the outer periphery. The first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 face each other on the Z axis.

[0020] The third connection port 104 has substantially the same configuration as the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103. More specifically, the second connection port 103 is formed in a flange shape, is disposed on the Y axis, has an end face perpendicular to the Y axis, has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 212 of the water quality sensor 200 and the outer diameter of the housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300, and is provided with two fitting portions F1 on its outer periphery.

[0021] The housing 100 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The housing 100 is an example of a housing in the claims, the first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104 are examples of a first connection port, a second connection port, and a third connection port in the claims, respectively, and the fitting portion F1 is an example of a fitting portion in the claims.

[0022] 1(A) and (B) is attached to a housing 100 and measures the water quality of a fluid FL flowing within the housing 100. As shown in FIG. 3(A), the water quality sensor 200 includes an electrode 201, a main body 202 incorporating various electric circuits, and a connection part 203 attached to the housing 100.

[0023] The electrodes 201 are cylindrical, and two of them protrude from the connecting portion 203. A voltage is applied to the fluid FL flowing between the two electrodes 201. The material of the electrodes 201 is, for example, a corrosion-resistant metal. The main body 202 includes therein a voltage application means for applying a voltage between the two electrodes 201, a current measurement means for measuring the current flowing between the two electrodes 201, a calculation means for calculating the electrical conductivity, electrical resistivity, etc. of the fluid FL from the current value measured by the current measurement means, and an output means for outputting the calculated values. The housing of the main body 202 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

[0024] The connecting portion 203 is a portion that is connected to the housing 100, and includes an insertion portion 211 and a flange portion 212. The connecting portion 203 is detachably connectable to the first connecting port 102, the second connecting port 103, and the third connecting port 104.

[0025] The insertion portion 211 has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, and is configured to be insertable into any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, as illustrated in Figures 5(A) and (B). As shown in Figure 3(B), a seal member 211a made of an elastic resin or the like is formed on the side of the insertion portion 211. As a result, when the insertion portion 211 is inserted and fitted into any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 in a quick joint manner, the seal member 211a comes into close contact with the inner walls of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, providing a watertight seal.

[0026] End surface 211b of insertion portion 211 is formed parallel to side surface 212a (described later) of flange portion 212. The angle formed between the longitudinal direction of electrode 201 and end surface 211b of insertion portion 211, and the angle formed between the longitudinal direction of electrode 201 and side surface 212a of flange portion 212 are both approximately right angles.

[0027] The flange portion 212 has a larger diameter than the insertion portion 211 and is formed to have approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the tubular portion 101. The side surface 212a of the flange portion 212 is formed flat, and when the insertion portion 211 is inserted and fitted into one of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 in a quick joint format, it comes into surface contact with the end surface of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104.

[0028] 4, insertion portion 211 is formed at a height that does not block the flow path inside housing 100 when inserted into first to third connection ports 102 to 104. Furthermore, electrode 201 is formed so that its tip is separated from the inner wall of housing 100 by a certain distance L that makes it difficult for fluid or air bubbles to accumulate.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), the flange portion 212 has a fitting portion F2 that fits with a fitting portion F1 provided on each of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100. When the fitting portion F2 is fitted with the fitting portion F1, the surface including the two electrodes 201 is formed at a position perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid FL, as shown schematically in FIG. 6. The fitting portions F1 and F2 are fitted together to prevent relative rotation between the housing 100 and the water quality sensor 200, maintain the rotation angle of the housing 100, and maintain the electrodes 201 in an appropriate position with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid FL. The two fitting portions F1 and the two fitting portions F2 are substantially identical in configuration and are rotationally symmetrical by 180°.

[0030] The connection portion 203 is formed of, for example, an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The water quality sensor 200 is an example of a water quality sensor within the scope of the claims, the connection portion 203 is an example of a connection portion within the scope of the claims, the electrode 201 is an example of an electrode within the scope of the claims, the insertion portion 211 is an example of an insertion portion within the scope of the claims, the flange portion 212 is an example of a flange portion within the scope of the claims, and the fitting portion F2 is an example of a fitting portion within the scope of the claims.

[0031] 1 is a member interposed between a pipe 400 and a housing 100 to connect them. As shown in FIGS. 7(A) to 7(D), the joint 300 has an internal through-hole, i.e., a flow path, and is provided with a housing-side connection port 301 that serves as a connection portion with the housing 100, and a pipe-side connection port 302 that serves as a connection portion with the pipe 400.

[0032] The housing-side connection port 301 has substantially the same configuration as the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200, and includes an insertion portion 311 and a flange portion 312. The outer diameter of the insertion portion 311 is slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100, and is configured so that it can be inserted into the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. A seal member 311a made of an elastic resin or the like is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 311. When the insertion portion 311 is inserted and fitted into one of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 using a quick joint, the seal member 311a comes into close contact with the inner walls of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, providing a watertight seal.

[0033] The flange portion 312 has a diameter larger than the insertion portion 311 and is formed to have approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. The side surfaces of the flange portion 312 are formed flat, and come into contact with the end faces of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 when the insertion portion 211 is mated with one of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. The flange portion 312 also has a mating portion F2 that corresponds to the mating portion F1 of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100. The mating of the mating portion F1 and the mating portion F2 prevents the housing 100 and the joint 300 from rotating relative to each other.

[0034] The pipe-side connection port 302 has a threaded portion S that threadably engages with a tapered thread or a parallel thread formed on the pipe 400. The pipe-side connection port 302 is, for example, hexagonal in front view, and is configured so that the pipe 400 and the fitting 300 can be tightened or loosened by rotating it like a bolt using a spanner, wrench, or the like. The fitting 300 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The fitting 300 is an example of a fitting in the claims, the housing-side connection port 301 is an example of a connection port in the claims, the insertion portion 311 is an example of an insertion portion in the claims, the flange portion 312 is an example of a flange portion in the claims, and the fitting portion F2 is an example of a fitting portion in the claims.

[0035] Next, a method for connecting the housing 100 and the water quality sensor 200 having the above configuration to the piping 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 8(A) and Figs. 9(A), (B), and (C). In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8(A), the water quality sensor 200 is disposed midway along the piping 400 through which the fluid FL flows laterally.

[0036] First, the fitting 300 is connected to the pipe 400. The method for connecting the pipe 400 and the fitting 300 is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 9(A), a threaded portion S formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 400 may be threadedly connected to a threaded portion S formed on the fitting 300. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9(B), a threaded portion S formed on one end of a one-touch fitting 500 may be threadedly connected to a threaded portion S of the fitting 300, and an insertion portion 501 at the other end of the one-touch fitting 500 may be connected to the pipe 400 by press-fitting. In the connection mode shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), sealing tape may be wrapped around the threaded portion S on the male thread side to enhance sealing. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9(C), a so-called barbed joint 510 may be connected to both ends of a hose or the like, with one end of the barbed joint 510 connected to the fitting 300 and the other end connected to the pipe 400. In this case, the sealing performance may be improved by fastening a hose band from the outside to the connection portion between the bamboo-shaped portion of the bamboo joint 510 and the hose or the like.

[0037] 8(A), the third connection port 104 of the housing 100 is connected to the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200. More specifically, the third connection port 104 and the flange portion 212 of the connection portion 203 are brought into surface contact. At this time, the fitting portion F1 of the third connection port 104 is fitted into the fitting portion F2 of the connection portion 203.

[0038] Next, the water quality sensor device 10, which includes the housing 100 and the water quality sensor 200 interconnected as described above, is connected to the piping 400. More specifically, the first connection port 102 of the housing 100 is brought into surface contact with the flange portion 312 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the first joint 310. At this time, the fitting portion F1 of the first connection port 102 is fitted into the fitting portion F2 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the first joint 310. Next, the second connection port 103 of the housing 100 is brought into surface contact with the flange portion 312 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the second joint 320. At this time, the fitting portion F1 of the second connection port 103 is fitted into the fitting portion F2 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the second joint 320.

[0039] Next, retaining member 600 is attached from above each connection part. As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), retaining member 600 is a C-shaped, elastic, band-like metal member that prevents each connection part from loosening or falling off. Retaining member 600 includes a band-like main body 601 shaped like a C, a tab 602 provided at one end of main body 601, and a slit 603 provided in the center of main body 601. When retaining member 600 is attached from above each connection part, a flange is sandwiched in the hollow portion of slit 603, thereby locking each connection part.

[0040] According to this configuration, two fittings 300 connected to the pipe 400 are inserted and fitted into two selected ones of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100 in a quick joint format, thereby ensuring a flow path for the fluid FL.

[0041] Furthermore, by simply inserting the insertion portion 211 of the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200 into the connection port of the housing 100, the water quality sensor 200 can be placed in the flow path of the fluid FL.

[0042] Moreover, electrode 201 can be positioned at an appropriate depth simply by pushing flange portion 212 until side surface 212a abuts the end face of the connection port of housing 100. Furthermore, the surface contact between side surface 212a of flange portion 212 and the end face of the connection port of housing 100 can reduce the inclination of electrode 201, allowing the inclination of electrode 201 relative to the flow direction of fluid FL to be set to approximately the design value. Furthermore, by engaging fitting portions F1 and F2, the surface including two electrodes 201 can be maintained perpendicular to the flow direction of fluid FL.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0044] The shapes of the fitting portions F1 and F2 are not limited as long as they are shaped to fit together. Also, although two pairs of fitting portions F1 and F2 are provided in each connection portion, the number of fitting portions F1 and F2 in each connection portion may be one or more.

[0045] In addition to the connection mode shown in Fig. 8(A), the water quality sensor device 10 can also be configured using connection modes shown in Figs. 8(B) and (C). In the connection mode shown in Fig. 8(B), the fluid flows in from the first connection port 102 of the housing 100, strikes the end face 211b of the insertion portion 211 of the water quality sensor 200, and then flows out to the third connection port 104. At this time, the electrode 201 and the flow path direction are always perpendicular and opposite to each other. Furthermore, the fitting portion F1 of the housing 100 fits into the fitting portion F2 of the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200, preventing rotation of the water quality sensor 200. This reduces measurement value errors caused by installation work.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the tubular portion 101 of the housing 100 illustrated in Figures 2(A) to 2(D) is cylindrical, but is not limited to this shape. For example, the tubular portion 101 may be a square prism. Furthermore, the shape of the through hole inside the housing 100 may also be arbitrary.

[0047] 2(A) to 2(D) have circular openings, but are not limited to this shape. For example, the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 may have a polygonal shape. The shapes of the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200 and the housing-side connection port 301 of the fitting 300 correspond to the shapes of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. Therefore, for example, if the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 have triangular openings, the shapes of the connection portion 203 and the housing-side connection port 301 will also be triangular.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the pipe-side connection port 302 of the joint 300 includes the threaded portion S, but is not limited to this. For example, the pipe-side connection port 302 may include a bamboo-like portion.

[0049] The pipe 400 connected to the pipe-side connection port 302 of the fitting 300 may be hard or soft, tubular, or hose-shaped. When connecting a tubular or hose-shaped pipe, the fitting 300 is preferably provided with a bamboo-like portion at the pipe-side connection port 302.

[0050] The materials of the housing 100, the water quality sensor 200, and the joint 300 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment, and the most suitable material may be selected as appropriate, such as metal or synthetic resin.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the water quality sensor 200 includes two cylindrical electrodes 201, but is not limited to this. For example, the water quality sensor 200 may include four cylindrical electrodes 201. Alternatively, concentric electrodes may be used, including a cylindrical first electrode having perforations on the side for flow passage, and a cylindrical second electrode having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first electrode, with the second electrode positioned inside the first electrode.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the main body 202 of the water quality sensor 200 includes a voltage application means, a current measurement means, a calculation means, an output means, etc. However, this is not limited to this. For example, all or part of these components may be located outside the main body 202 and electrically connected to other components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 water quality sensor device, 100 housing, 101 cylindrical portion, 102 first connection port, 103 second connection port, 104 third connection port, 200 water quality sensor, 201 electrode, 202 main body portion, 203 connection portion, 211 insertion portion, 211a sealing member, 211b end face, 212 flange portion, 212a side, 300 joint, 310 first joint, 320 second joint, 301 housing side connection port, 302 piping side connection port, 311 insertion portion, 311a sealing member, 312 flange portion, 400 piping, 500 one-touch fitting, 501 insertion portion, 510 bamboo joint, 600 retaining member, 601 main body portion, 602 knob portion, 603 slit portion, F1 fitting portion, F2 Fitting part.

Claims

1. A housing for installing a water quality sensor in a pipe, The connector has three connection ports having substantially the same configuration and a through hole therein for interconnecting the three connection ports. housing.

2. The first and second connection ports of the three connection ports are arranged opposite to each other on an imaginary first straight line, and the third connection port is arranged on a second straight line perpendicular to the first straight line. The housing of claim 1 .

3. the first and second connection ports each have an end face perpendicular to the first straight line, the third connection port has an end face perpendicular to the second straight line; The housing of claim 2 .

4. Each of the first to third connection ports has a flange shape. The housing of claim 2 .

5. The first to third connection ports each include a fitting portion for fitting with an object to be attached. The housing of claim 2 .

6. a connection portion that is detachably connectable to any of the three connection ports of the housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5; an electrode that is disposed in the through hole when the connection portion is connected to any one of the three connection ports; Water quality sensor.

7. The connection portion has an insertion portion that can be inserted into any one of the three connection ports, and a flange portion that comes into surface contact with an end surface of the connection port. The water quality sensor according to claim 6.

8. The flange portion includes a fitting portion that fits with fitting portions formed on the three connection ports. The water quality sensor according to claim 7.

9. a housing having three connection ports of substantially the same configuration and a through hole therein for connecting the three connection ports to each other; a water quality sensor including a connection part that is detachably connected to any one of the three connection ports, and an electrode that is disposed in the through hole when the connection part is connected to any one of the three connection ports; A water quality sensor device in which the water quality sensor measures the water quality of a fluid flowing between two connection ports other than the connection port to which the connection portion of the water quality sensor is connected.

10. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5 has a connection port that can be detachably connected to any of the three connection ports. Fitting.

11. The connection port has an insertion portion that can be inserted into any one of the three connection ports, and a flange portion that comes into surface contact with an end surface of the connection port.

11. The joint of claim 10.

12. The flange portion includes a fitting portion that fits with fitting portions formed on the three connection ports.

12. The joint of claim 11.

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