Pipe cutting auxiliary device

Abstract

To provide a pipe cutting auxiliary device that can easily reduce erroneous cutting of a refrigerant pipe by detecting a voltage at at least one location.SOLUTION: A pipe cutting auxiliary device 10 is a device that assists in cutting a refrigerant pipe 901 in an air conditioning device 900, and is provided with: a voltage application unit 100 that outputs a voltage to be applied to the refrigerant pipe 901; a first wiring unit 101 that electrically connects the voltage application unit 100 and a first position in the refrigerant pipe 900; a second wiring unit 102 that electrically connects the voltage application unit 100 and a second position in the refrigerant pipe 901, which is on the opposite side of the first position in the refrigerant pipe 901 in a view from a cutting position where the refrigerant pipe 901 is cut; and a detection unit 300 that detects a voltage application state in the refrigerant pipe 901.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe cutting assist device. [Background technology]

[0002] The indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner are connected by refrigerant piping and connecting wires (hereinafter also referred to as connecting members). The connecting members may be removed by workers when the air conditioner is refurbished.

[0003] Because connection members are often arranged in a complex and intricate manner inside a building, it is difficult for workers to determine whether a connection member should be removed. Therefore, methods have been proposed that make it easier to determine whether a connection member should be removed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6863658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When performing detection using the tester described above, it is necessary to connect the tester to two energized points on the air conditioner and the connecting piping to detect whether electricity is flowing. However, depending on the layout of the building and air conditioner, connecting the tester to two points can be difficult.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a pipe cutting assist device that can easily reduce the accidental cutting of refrigerant pipes by performing voltage detection at at least one location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. A pipe cutting assisting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that assists in cutting refrigerant pipes in an air conditioning system, and is characterized by including a voltage application unit that outputs a voltage to be applied to the refrigerant pipes, a first wiring that electrically connects the voltage application unit and a first position on the refrigerant pipes, a second wiring that electrically connects the voltage application unit and a second position on the refrigerant pipes that is opposite the first position on the refrigerant pipes from the cutting position where the refrigerant pipes are cut, and a detection unit that detects the state of voltage application on the refrigerant pipes.

[0008] According to the control device of the first aspect of the present invention, one end of the first wiring is connected to the voltage application unit. The other end of the first wiring is connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe. The other end of the refrigerant pipe is connected to one end of the second wiring. The other end of the second wiring is connected to the voltage application unit. In other words, a closed circuit is formed by the voltage application unit, the first wiring, the refrigerant pipe, and the second wiring.

[0009] The voltage application unit applies a voltage to the refrigerant pipe. In other words, the voltage is applied to a closed circuit. The detection unit can detect the voltage application state of the refrigerant pipe to which the voltage is applied. In this way, by detecting the voltage application state of the refrigerant pipe, the detection unit can detect the refrigerant pipe to be disconnected.

[0010] In the first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the voltage application unit outputs a voltage to be applied to an electrical wiring arranged in parallel with the refrigerant piping, and the second wiring includes a second application side wiring that electrically connects the voltage application unit and the electrical wiring, and a second piping side wiring that electrically connects the electrical wiring and the second position of the refrigerant piping.

[0011] In this way, by providing the second application side wiring and the second piping side wiring, a closed circuit is formed by the voltage application unit, the first wiring, the refrigerant piping, the second piping side wiring, the electrical wiring, and the second application side wiring. In other words, it is easier to form a closed circuit than when the second application side wiring and the second piping side wiring are not provided.

[0012] In the first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the voltage application unit outputs at least one or more voltage waveform patterns from at least one or more predetermined voltage waveform patterns, and further includes a determination unit that determines whether the application state detected by the detection unit matches the voltage waveform pattern output from the voltage application unit.

[0013] In this way, the voltage application unit can output a predetermined voltage waveform pattern. Furthermore, the determination unit determines whether the voltage waveform detected by the detection unit matches the voltage waveform output from the voltage application unit. In other words, it is possible to reduce erroneous detection of the pipe to be cut.

[0014] In the first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the voltage application unit outputs a voltage to be applied to the refrigerant pipe and a second pipe different from the refrigerant pipe, the second application side wiring electrically connects the voltage application unit and the second pipe, and the second pipe side wiring electrically connects the voltage application unit and the refrigerant pipe.

[0015] In this way, the electric circuit may be formed by the refrigerant pipes of the air conditioner and parts other than the refrigerant pipes. For example, the electric circuit may be formed by the liquid pipes of the refrigerant pipes and the gas pipes of the refrigerant pipes. In the first aspect of the invention, the voltage applied from the voltage application unit changes and repeats between a first voltage that the voltage detector can detect and a second voltage that the voltage detector cannot detect at predetermined time intervals.

[0016] In this way, the voltage applied from the voltage application unit is the first voltage that can be detected and the second voltage that cannot be detected by the voltage detection unit, so that it is easy to determine whether the refrigerant pipe is the one to be cut. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the pipe cutting assisting device of the present invention, control can be performed that makes it easier to reduce accidental cutting of refrigerant pipes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pipe cutting assist device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a graph illustrating a predetermined voltage. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the pipe cutting assist device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a pipe cutting assist device according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment] A pipe cutting assist device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. The pipe cutting assist device 10 of this embodiment is a device that assists in cutting a refrigerant pipe 901 of an air conditioning device 900.

[0020] The air conditioner 900 is configured to take in indoor air, cool it, and supply the cooled air to the room. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the air conditioner 900 is provided with at least two or more combinations of one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. Note that the combinations of indoor units and outdoor units may be combinations other than those described above. For example, the air conditioner 900 may be provided with at least one or more combinations of one outdoor unit (not shown) and at least two or more indoor units (not shown).

[0021] The outdoor unit has a configuration in which heat is exchanged between a refrigerant and outdoor air or water. The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit via refrigerant piping 901 through which the refrigerant flows. The outdoor unit is further connected to the indoor unit via electrical wiring 902 through which at least one of electricity and signals flows.

[0022] The indoor unit is configured to discharge cooled air into the room. The indoor unit is provided with an air conditioning fan (not shown) that discharges heat-exchanged air, and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) that cools the discharged air through heat exchange.

[0023] The refrigerant piping 901 is a piping that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. When removing the air conditioner 900, it is preferable that the refrigerant piping 901 is detached from each of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the refrigerant piping 901 is detached in advance from each of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

[0024] The electrical wiring 902 is a wiring that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. When removing the air conditioner 900, it is preferable that the electrical wiring 902 is detached from both the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the electrical wiring 902 is detached from both the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in advance.

[0025] The pipe cutting assist device 10 is a device that assists in cutting a refrigerant pipe 901 of an air conditioner 900. As shown in Fig. 1 , the pipe cutting assist device 10 includes a voltage application unit 100, a first wiring unit 101, a second wiring unit 102 (also referred to as a second application side wiring), a third wiring unit 200 (also referred to as a second pipe side wiring), and a detection unit 300.

[0026] The voltage application unit 100 has the shape of a housing, and includes a memory unit (not shown), a selection unit (not shown), a resistance unit 103, a power supply unit 104, and a fuse 105. Furthermore, the voltage application unit 100 has a configuration that allows it to be connected to a first wiring unit 101 and a second wiring unit 102.

[0027] The voltage application section 100 is configured to apply a voltage to the first wiring. The voltage applied by the voltage application unit 100 preferably has a predetermined voltage waveform. The predetermined voltage waveform preferably means that a predetermined voltage is output at predetermined time intervals.

[0028] The predetermined voltage waveform preferably repeats a first voltage and a second voltage at predetermined time intervals. The first voltage is preferably a voltage that can be detected by the detection unit 300. The second voltage is preferably a voltage lower than the first voltage and that cannot be detected by the detection unit 300. The second voltage may be 0 V. Alternatively, the second voltage may be a voltage that can be detected by the detection unit 300.

[0029] In this embodiment, one voltage pattern among one or more predetermined voltages will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Line P is the lowest threshold voltage that the detection unit 300 can detect. The voltage application unit 100 applies a voltage of 100 V for one second. Then, it applies a voltage of 1 V for one second. Note that the specific voltage values ​​do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0030] The storage unit can store at least one predetermined voltage waveform. The voltage waveform may be stored in advance or may be stored later. The stored voltage waveform preferably matches the voltage waveform stored in the detection storage unit described later.

[0031] The selection unit is configured to select a predetermined voltage waveform to be applied from the voltage application unit 100 from at least one or more stored predetermined voltage waveforms. The selection unit is preferably disposed in the voltage application unit 100.

[0032] The first wiring unit 101 is a wiring that connects the voltage application unit 100 and the refrigerant pipe 901. One end of the first wiring unit 101 has a configuration that allows it to be connected to the voltage application unit 100, and the other end has a configuration that allows it to be connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe 901. For example, of the ends of the first wiring unit 101, the end that is connected to the voltage application unit 100 has a configuration that allows it to be inserted into and removed from the voltage application unit 100. Of the ends of the first wiring unit 101, the end that is on the refrigerant pipe 901 side has a clip shape and has a structure that allows it to clamp the refrigerant pipe 901. Note that in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the first wiring unit 101 is connected to the voltage application unit 100 and the refrigerant pipe 901 in advance.

[0033] The second wiring section 102 is a wiring that connects the voltage application section 100 and the electrical wiring 902. One end of the second wiring section 102 has a configuration that allows it to be connected to the voltage application section 100, and the other end has a configuration that allows it to be connected to one end of the electrical wiring 902 (the end of the electrical wiring 902 that is not connected to a third wiring described below). In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the second wiring section 102 is connected to the electrical wiring 902 and the voltage application section 100 in advance.

[0034] Furthermore, the second wiring portion 102 may be connected to something other than the electrical wiring 902. For example, the second wiring portion 102 may be connected to a pipe that constitutes the air conditioner 900. The resistance section 103 is provided inside the voltage application section 100, between the second wiring section 102 and the power supply section 104. It has a configuration that reduces the voltage applied to the voltage application section 100 through the second wiring section 102.

[0035] The power supply unit 104 is provided inside the voltage application unit 100, between the resistance unit 103 and the fuse 105. The power supply unit 104 is configured to supply power to the voltage application unit 100. The power supply unit 104 may be a power generation device or a plug connectable to an AC power source. It is preferable that the wiring between the resistance unit 103 and the power supply unit 104 is installed on the ground.

[0036] The fuse 105 is disposed between the power supply unit 104 and the first wiring unit 101 and has a configuration for stopping the power supply from the power supply unit 104 to the voltage application unit 100 . The third wiring section 200 (also referred to as the second application side wiring) is a wiring that connects the refrigerant pipe 901 and the electrical wiring 902. In this embodiment, one end of the third wiring section 200 has a configuration that can be connected to the other end of the refrigerant pipe 901, and the other end of the third wiring section 200 has a configuration that can be connected to the other end of the electrical wiring 902. In other words, the voltage application section 100, the first wiring section 101, the refrigerant pipe 901, the third wiring section 200, the electrical wiring 902, and the second wiring section 102 form an electrical circuit. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the third wiring section 200 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 901 and the electrical wiring 902 in advance.

[0037] The detection unit 300 is a member provided at a position separate from the voltage application unit 100. The detection unit 300 can detect voltage by coming into contact with a detection target. In this embodiment, the detection unit 300 preferably detects the voltage of the refrigerant pipe 901. The detection unit 300 has a configuration including a determination unit (not shown), a warning unit (not shown), and a detection selection unit (not shown).

[0038] Detection unit 300 has a configuration for detecting a voltage applied to refrigerant pipe 901. Specifically, detection unit 300 can detect the voltage of refrigerant pipe 901 by being in contact with refrigerant pipe 901. Note that detection unit 300 preferably detects a voltage within a predetermined voltage range.

[0039] The detection storage unit can store at least one predetermined voltage waveform, and it is preferable that the stored voltage waveform matches the voltage waveform stored in the storage unit.

[0040] The detection selection unit is configured to select a predetermined voltage waveform to be applied from the voltage application unit 100 from at least one predetermined voltage waveform stored in the detection storage unit. The selection unit is preferably disposed in the voltage application unit 100.

[0041] The determination unit is disposed in the detection unit 300 and is configured to determine whether the detected voltage matches a predetermined voltage waveform pattern. A method for the determination unit to determine whether the detected voltage matches the voltage waveform selected by the selection unit will be described later. The determination unit may be provided in a location other than the detection unit 300. For example, the determination unit may be provided in an ICT device (not shown), or in the voltage application unit 100. When the determination unit is provided in the ICT device or the voltage application unit 100, the determination unit is configured to be able to communicate the determination results with the detection unit 300.

[0042] The determination unit is disposed in the detection unit 300 and has a configuration for determining whether the voltages match. The method by which the determination unit determines whether the voltage waveform selected by the selection unit matches the detected voltage will be described later. The determination unit may be provided in a location other than the detection unit 300. For example, the determination unit may be provided in the ICT device.

[0043] The warning unit is configured to emit a sound when the waveform of the detected voltage does not match the waveform of the selected voltage, or may be configured to display a message indicating that the waveform of the detected voltage does not match the waveform of the selected voltage.

[0044] Next, the operation of the pipe cutting assist device 10 having the above configuration will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which first wiring unit 101 and refrigerant pipe 901 are connected in advance, refrigerant pipe 901 and third wiring unit 200 are connected, third wiring unit 200 and electrical wiring 902 are connected, and electrical wiring 902 is connected to second wiring unit 102. Also, an example will be described in which the predetermined voltage waveforms selected by the selection unit and the detection selection unit are the same predetermined voltage waveform.

[0045] The selection unit selects a voltage waveform to be applied from the voltage application unit 100 by selecting a predetermined voltage waveform that has been stored (S1). Next, when the power supply of the voltage application unit 100 is input, the voltage application unit 100 performs a process of applying a predetermined voltage waveform to the electric circuit including the refrigerant pipe 901 and the electric wiring 902 (S2).

[0046] After the process of S2, the detection unit 300 comes into contact with the refrigerant pipe 901, thereby being able to measure the voltage applied to the refrigerant pipe (S3). After the process of S3, the determination unit performs a process of determining whether the voltage measured in S3 is the selected voltage waveform (S4).

[0047] If the determined voltage matches the selected voltage (YES), the process ends. If the determined voltage does not match the selected voltage (NO), the warning unit emits a sound (S5).

[0048] According to the pipe cutting assist device 10 having the above configuration, a voltage is applied to the electric circuit. The detection unit 300 can detect the voltage application state of the refrigerant pipe 901 to which the voltage is applied. By detecting the voltage application state of the refrigerant pipe 901 in this manner, the detection unit 300 can detect the refrigerant pipe 901 to be cut.

[0049] Furthermore, by providing the second wiring section 102 and the third wiring section 200, a closed circuit is formed by the voltage application section 100, the first wiring section 101, the refrigerant piping 901, the third wiring section 200, the electrical wiring 902, and the second wiring section 102. The number of closed circuit patterns increases compared to when the second application side wiring and the second piping side wiring are not provided. This makes it easier for workers to cut the pipes without affecting the structure of the building.

[0050] Furthermore, the voltage application unit 100 can output a predetermined voltage waveform pattern. By determining whether the voltage waveform detected by the detection unit 300 matches the voltage waveform output from the voltage application unit 100, it is possible to reduce erroneous detection of the pipe to be cut. Furthermore, since the voltage applied from the voltage application unit 100 is a first voltage that can be detected and a second voltage that cannot be detected by the voltage detection unit, it is easy to determine whether the refrigerant pipe 901 is the one to be cut.

[0051] <Modification> 4, the voltage application unit 100 in the pipe cutting assist device 10 may form an electric circuit with the refrigerant pipe 901. In other words, the end of the first wiring unit 101 to which the voltage application unit 100 is not connected is connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe 901. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 901 is connected to the end of the second wiring unit 102 to which the voltage application unit 100 is not connected.

[0052] Furthermore, the voltage application unit 100 in the pipe cutting assist device 10 may form an electric circuit with the refrigerant pipe 901 and the electrically conductive members (excluding the refrigerant pipe 901 in the present description) that constitute the air conditioning device 900. In other words, an end of the first wiring unit 101 to which the voltage application unit 100 is not connected is connected to one end of the electrically conductive member. The other end of the electrically conductive member is connected to one end of the third wiring unit 200. The other end of the third wiring unit 200 is connected to one end of the refrigerant pipe 901. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 901 is connected to one end of the second wiring unit 102. The other end of the second wiring unit 102 is connected to the voltage application unit 100.

[0053] The processing of the pipe cutting assist device 10 in the modified example is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. According to the pipe cutting assist device 10 configured as described above, the electric circuit may be formed by the voltage application unit 100, the refrigerant pipe 901 of the air conditioner 900, and a conductive member, or the electric circuit may be formed by the voltage application unit 100 and the refrigerant pipe 901. By forming various electric circuits, the worker can easily perform pipe cutting work without affecting the structure of the building.

[0054] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to applications of the above-described embodiments, and may be applied to embodiments in which these embodiments are appropriately combined, and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10...pipe cutting auxiliary device, 100...voltage application section, 101...first wiring section, 102...second wiring section, 103...resistance section, 104...power supply section, 105...fuse, 200...third wiring section, 300...detection section, 900...air conditioning device, 901...refrigerant piping, 902...electrical wiring.

Claims

1. A device for assisting in disconnecting refrigerant piping in an air conditioning device, a voltage application unit that outputs a voltage to be applied to the refrigerant pipe; a first wiring that electrically connects the voltage application unit and a first position on the refrigerant pipe; a second wiring that electrically connects a second position of the refrigerant pipe, the second position being on the opposite side of the first position of the refrigerant pipe from a cutting position where the refrigerant pipe is cut, to the voltage application unit; a detection unit that detects a voltage application state in the refrigerant pipe; A pipe cutting auxiliary device characterized by being provided with:

2. the voltage application unit outputs a voltage to be applied to an electrical wiring arranged in parallel with the refrigerant pipe; the second wiring includes a second application side wiring that electrically connects the voltage application unit and the electrical wiring; a second pipe-side wiring that electrically connects the electrical wiring and the second position of the refrigerant pipe; 2. The pipe cutting assist device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. the voltage application unit outputs at least one voltage waveform pattern from at least one predetermined voltage waveform pattern; 2. The pipe cutting assist device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether the applied state detected by the detection unit matches the radio wave waveform pattern output from the voltage application unit.

4. the voltage application unit outputs a voltage to be applied to the refrigerant pipe and a second pipe different from the refrigerant pipe, the second application side wiring electrically connects the voltage application unit and the second pipe, 3. The pipe cutting assist device according to claim 2, wherein the second pipe-side wiring electrically connects the voltage application unit and the refrigerant pipe.

5. 3. A pipe cutting assist device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the voltage applied from the voltage application unit changes and repeats between a first voltage that the detection unit can detect and a second voltage that the detection unit cannot detect at predetermined time intervals.

Images