Electric fusion device

Abstract

To provide an electric fusion device capable of completing fusion work by itself without using an external power source.SOLUTION: A device body 12 of an electrofusion device includes a housing 20. Inside the housing are provided: a control part that controls an operation of the electrofusion device; and a storage battery 24 that supplies power to an electrofusion joint. The control part includes: a remaining battery charge detection part that detects a remaining battery charge of the storage battery; a joint information acquisition part that acquires information about the electrofusion joint including a required amount of power; and a fusion feasibility determination part that determines whether a fusion operation using the electrofusion joint can be completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrofusion apparatus, and more particularly to an electrofusion apparatus for joining an electrofusion joint and a resin tube by electrofusion, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional electrofusion apparatus (fusion control device) is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The electrofusion apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a normal current path that runs from an AC power supply unit through an AC / DC converter, a switch, and a fusion power supply to the heating wire of the electrofusion joint. It also has an instantaneous power failure detection unit that instantly detects when power supply from the AC power supply unit is stopped, and a fusion control unit that monitors the instantaneous power failure detection unit during fusion and instructs the switch to instantly switch the power source to an internal battery or an external auxiliary power supply when power supply from the AC power supply unit is stopped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-254535 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional electrofusion devices use an external power source, such as a generator or a commercial power source, as a power source for supplying power to an electrofusion joint. While the technology of Patent Document 1 includes an internal battery, this battery is merely used as a supplement, and an external power source, such as a generator or a commercial power source, must be secured. Generators require the procurement of gasoline as fuel. Furthermore, when using a generator at a construction site such as a high-rise building, the electrofusion device and the generator must be transported separately across multiple floors, resulting in poor work efficiency. Furthermore, depending on the construction site, it may be impossible to use a commercial power source, or it may be preferable to refrain from using a commercial power source.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel electrofusion apparatus.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electro-fusion apparatus that can complete the fusion operation by itself without using an external power source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention is an electrofusion device that electrically fusion joins an electrofusion joint and a plastic tube, and includes a housing, a control unit that is provided within the housing and controls the operation of the electrofusion device, and a storage battery that is provided within the housing and supplies power to the electrofusion joint, and the control unit includes a remaining battery capacity detection unit that detects the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery, a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electrofusion joint including the required amount of power, and a fusion feasibility determination unit that determines whether a fusion operation can be completed using the electrofusion joint for which information on the required amount of power has been acquired by the joint information acquisition unit, based on the remaining battery capacity detected by the remaining battery capacity detection unit and the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit.

[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention, the electrofusion apparatus includes a housing. The housing houses a controller that controls the operation of the electrofusion apparatus and a storage battery that supplies power to the electrofusion joint. The storage battery has a capacity of, for example, 300 Wh to 1200 Wh. The controller also includes a remaining battery level detector, a joint information acquirer, and a fusion feasibility determiner.

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electric fusion device is equipped with a storage battery, so that the electric fusion device alone can complete the fusion work without using an external power source. In addition, since a stable power supply is possible, the occurrence of poor fusion can be appropriately prevented.

[0010] A second invention is dependent on the first invention, and includes a display unit provided on the housing, and the control unit includes an abnormality display control unit that causes the display unit to display an abnormality display when the fusion feasibility determination unit determines that the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint cannot be completed.

[0011] A third invention is an electrofusion apparatus for electrofusion joining an electrofusion joint and a plastic tube, comprising a housing, a control unit provided within the housing and controlling the operation of the electrofusion apparatus, a storage battery provided within the housing and supplying power to the electrofusion joint, and a display unit provided on the housing, wherein the control unit includes a remaining battery level detection unit that detects the remaining battery level of the storage battery, a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electrofusion joint including the required amount of power, a fusion feasibility determination unit that determines whether the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint can be completed based on the remaining battery level detected by the remaining battery level detection unit and the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit, a current flow regulation unit that regulates the start of current flow to the electrofusion joint when it is determined by the fusion feasibility determination unit that the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint cannot be completed, and an abnormality display control unit that causes an abnormality message to be displayed on the display unit when it is determined by the fusion feasibility determination unit that the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint cannot be completed.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the electro-fusion device is equipped with a storage battery, the electro-fusion device alone can complete the fusion process without using an external power source. Furthermore, since a stable power supply is possible, the occurrence of poor fusion can be appropriately prevented. Furthermore, the occurrence of poor fusion due to insufficient battery capacity can be reliably prevented.

[0013] A fourth invention is according to the first or third invention, and includes a display unit provided on the housing, and the control unit includes a remaining battery capacity display control unit that causes the display unit to display the remaining battery capacity detected by the remaining battery capacity detection unit.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent poor fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery.

[0015] A fifth invention is according to the first or third invention, and includes a display unit provided on the housing, and the control unit includes a quantity calculation unit that calculates the number of fusion joints that can be welded based on the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining charge detection unit and the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit, and a quantity display control unit that causes the display unit to display the quantity detected by the quantity calculation unit.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent poor fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this invention, since the electro-fusion device is equipped with a storage battery, the electro-fusion device can complete the fusion work by itself without using an external power source. In addition, since a stable power supply is possible, the occurrence of poor fusion can be appropriately prevented.

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing how an electrofusion joint and a resin tube are connected using an electrofusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the main body of the electrofusion device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the main body of the electrofusion device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side view schematically showing the main body of the electrofusion device. [Figure 5] 2 is a right side view schematically showing the main body of the electrofusion apparatus with the opening / closing cover open. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a required power amount table. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of an electrofusion device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a current control process executed in the electrofusion apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrofusion apparatus 10 (EF controller) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus main body 12, an output cable 14, a barcode reader 16, etc., and electrically fusion joins an electrofusion joint 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as "joint 100") to a resin pipe 102 by passing electricity through the joint 100.

[0021] Briefly, an electric heating wire (not shown) is embedded in the joint 100. Both ends of the electric heating wire are connected to power connection terminals 110 that protrude from the outer surface of the joint 100. By connecting a connector 14a provided at the tip of the output cable 14 to this power connection terminal 110, electricity can be applied from the device body 12 of the electrofusion device 10 to the electric heating wire of the joint 100. Then, by applying electricity (supplying power) to the electric heating wire from the device body 12, the resin at the joining surfaces of the joint 100 and the resin pipe 102 is heated and melted, thereby joining them.

[0022] Some joints 100 are packaged with a card (not shown) on which a barcode is printed, while others have a label 112 with a barcode printed on it affixed to their exterior. The information indicated by the barcode includes information about the joint 100, such as type, caliber (nominal diameter), manufacturer, energization time (standard time and energization time corrected for temperature), output voltage, and resistance value. The electrofusion apparatus 10 can obtain information about the joint 100 to be fused by reading this barcode information using the barcode reader 16.

[0023] Various types of electrofusion joints, such as a socket type, elbow type, reducer type, tee type, and saddle type, can be used as the joint 100. There are no particular limitations on the use or diameter of the piping to be installed, but the electrofusion apparatus 10 is suitably used to join the joint 100 to a polyethylene resin pipe 102 with a nominal diameter of 20 mm to 50 mm, which is used for water distribution or firefighting in high-rise buildings, etc.

[0024] 2 to 4, the device body 12 of the electrofusion device 10 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 20. This housing 20 houses a control unit 22 (see FIG. 5), a storage battery 24, and the like. The control unit 22 is a control board including a CPU 50 and memory (RAM 52 and HDD 54), and controls the operation of the electrofusion device 10. As will be described in detail later, the control unit 22 (specifically, the CPU 50) controls the flow of electricity to the joint 100 and functions as a power supply control unit, a remaining amount detection unit, a joint information acquisition unit, a quantity calculation unit, a fusion feasibility determination unit, a power supply regulation unit, a display control unit, and the like.

[0025] The storage battery 24 is a power source for supplying power to each part of the electrofusion apparatus 10 and the joint 100, and is housed (attached) in a housing provided at the bottom of the housing 20. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, an openable / closable cover 20a is provided on the right wall of the housing 20 so as to be able to open and close freely, and the storage battery 24 can be attached and detached by opening this openable / closable cover 20a. In other words, the storage battery 24 is detachably provided in the housing 20.

[0026] The type and capacity of the storage battery 24 are not particularly limited, but taking into consideration the size of the storage battery 24 (and thus the portability of the electric fusion device 10) and the number of joints 100 that can be continuously fused on a single charge (and thus the working efficiency of the electric fusion device 10), it is preferable to use a storage battery 24 with a capacity of, for example, 300 Wh to 1200 Wh.

[0027] By providing the storage battery 24 in the electrofusion apparatus 10 in this way, it becomes possible for the electrofusion apparatus 10 to complete the fusion operation by itself, without using an external power source. It also becomes possible to provide a stable power supply to the joint 100. Furthermore, by making the storage battery 24 detachable, even if the battery runs out of charge, it is possible to replace the storage battery 24 and continue the fusion operation without having to wait for charging.

[0028] 2 to 4, an operation unit 26 that accepts input operations by the user is provided on the front wall of the housing 20. This operation unit 26 includes a display 28 (display unit) with a touch panel, a power button 30, an emergency stop button 32 (reset button), and a start button 34. In addition, a breaker 36, a USB terminal 38, and the like are also provided on the front wall of the housing 20 as appropriate.

[0029] A first connection terminal 40 to which the output cable 14 is connected and a second connection terminal 42 to which the cable of the barcode reader 16 is connected are provided on the top wall of the housing 20. An AC outlet 44 (plug receptacle) is also provided on the top wall of the housing 20. By connecting a plug of another device, such as a power tool, to this AC outlet 44, power can be supplied from the storage battery 24 to the other device. In other words, the storage battery 24 is capable of supplying power to other devices, and the electrofusion apparatus 10 can also be used as a portable power source capable of supplying power to other devices. An opening / closing cover 20a for attaching and detaching the storage battery 24 and an exhaust fan 46 for cooling the interior space of the housing 20 are also provided on the right wall of the housing 20.

[0030] As can be clearly seen from FIG. 2, the electrofusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment displays the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 24 on the display 28. At this time, the detected remaining battery charge may be displayed as is, but it is preferable to display an acceptable value (e.g., 80% of the detected remaining charge) that allows for some margin as the remaining battery charge. The electrofusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment also calculates the number (quantity) of fusible joints 100 based on the detected remaining battery charge and the required power (amount of power consumed), which is the amount of power required for the fusion operation of the joints 100. The calculated number of joints 100 is then displayed on the display 28. In calculating this number, the detected remaining battery charge may be used as is, but it is preferable to use an acceptable value that allows for some margin.

[0031] For example, if the detected remaining battery power is 500 Wh, 80% of that, or 400 Wh, is displayed as the remaining battery power on display 28. Furthermore, if the required power of the joints 100 to be fused at this remaining battery power (when the allowable value is 400 Wh), is 3.26 Wh, then display 28 will display that the number of joints that can be fused is 122 (= 400 ÷ 3.26). By having the worker perform the energization work while referring to the remaining battery power or the number of joints that can be fused displayed on display 28, it is possible to prevent poor fusion due to insufficient capacity of storage battery 24.

[0032] Furthermore, the electrofusion apparatus 10 of this embodiment determines whether the fusion operation using the joint 100 can be completed based on the detected remaining battery charge and the amount of power required by the joint 100. For example, if the amount of power required by the joint 100 is greater than the detected remaining battery charge (preferably an allowable value), it is determined that the fusion operation cannot be completed. If it is determined that the fusion operation cannot be completed, a message indicating an abnormality (such as "Please charge the battery") is displayed on the display 28, and the start of energization to the joint 100 is restricted. In other words, if the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 24 is insufficient, energization to the joint 100 is not initiated even if the start button 34 is pressed. This reliably prevents poor fusion due to insufficient capacity of the storage battery 24.

[0033] The electrofusion apparatus 10 also stores in advance a required power table, as shown in Fig. 6. For example, the required power table stores the amount of power required for the fitting 100 in association with the type and nominal diameter of the fitting 100. By referencing this required power table, the required power can be obtained based on the information on the type and nominal diameter of the fitting 100 read by the barcode reader 16 or input using the operation unit 26. However, the required power may also be calculated from the barcode information read by the barcode reader 16 (energization time, output voltage, and resistance value).

[0034] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the electrofusion apparatus 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the electrofusion apparatus 10 has a control unit 22 including a CPU 50, a RAM 52, an HDD 54, etc. In addition to the RAM 52 and the HDD 54, the CPU 50 is connected to the above-mentioned output cable 14, barcode reader 16, storage battery 24, operation unit 26, etc. Although not shown, the CPU 50 is also connected to an exhaust fan 46, a temperature sensor, an RTC (clock circuit), etc.

[0035] The CPU 50, also called a processor, is responsible for overall control of the electrofusion apparatus 10. The RAM 52 is used as a working area and buffer area for the CPU 50. The HDD 54 stores control programs and necessary data for the CPU 50 to control the operation of each part of the electrofusion apparatus 10. However, instead of or together with the HDD 54, other non-volatile memory such as an SSD, flash memory, or EEPROM may be used.

[0036] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map 200 of RAM 52. As shown in Fig. 8, RAM 52 includes a program storage area 202 and a data storage area 204. The program storage area 202 of RAM 52 stores a control program for the electrofusion apparatus 10. For example, the program storage area 202 stores a current supply control program 202a, a battery remaining capacity detection program 202b, a quantity calculation program 202c, a display program 202d, and the like.

[0037] The current supply control program 202a is a program for controlling the supply of current to the joint 100 based on information about the joint 100 acquired using the barcode reader 16 or the like. The current supply control program 202a includes a current supply restriction program that restricts the start of current supply to the joint 100 when the remaining battery power of the storage battery 24 is insufficient.

[0038] The battery remaining capacity detection program 202b is a program for measuring the voltage of the storage battery 24 to detect the remaining battery capacity. The quantity calculation program 202c is a program for calculating the number of fusible joints 100 based on the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 and the amount of power required by the joints 100. This quantity calculation program 202c includes a fusion feasibility program that determines whether a fusion operation using the joints 100 can be completed. The display program 202d is a program for displaying information such as the remaining battery capacity, the fusible number, and an abnormality indication on the display 28.

[0039] Although not shown, the program storage area 202 also stores other programs for selecting and executing various functions of the electrofusion apparatus 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the data storage area 204 of the RAM 52 stores remaining battery power data 204a, joint data 204b, required power amount table data 204c, and the like.

[0041] The remaining battery capacity data 204a is data about the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24. The joint data 204b is data about the joint 100, such as the type, nominal diameter, current flow time, output voltage, and resistance value. The required power amount table data 204c is data about a required power amount table such as that shown in FIG.

[0042] Although not shown, the data storage area 204 is provided with a timer (counter) and registers required for executing the control program, and stores other data.

[0043] The above-described energization operation of the joint 100 performed by the electrofusion apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 50 executing a control program read into the RAM 52. An example of the energization control process in the electrofusion apparatus 10 will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in Fig. 9. This energization control process starts when the operator turns on the power button 30.

[0044] 9, when the power supply control process starts, the CPU 50 detects the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 in step S1. For example, the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 is detected based on voltage information input from the storage battery 24. In the next step S3, the remaining battery capacity of the storage battery 24 is displayed on the display 28.

[0045] In the next step S5, it is determined whether information about the joint 100 to be fused has been acquired. Here, it is determined whether information about the joint 100 (such as type and nominal diameter) has been input by reading with the barcode reader 16 or by inputting into the operation unit 26. If the answer is "NO" in step S5, the process waits until the information about the joint 100 is input, and if the answer is "YES" in step S5, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the number of fusible joints 100 is calculated. For example, a required energy table is referenced to obtain the required energy from the type and nominal diameter of the joint 100, and the number of fusible joints 100 is calculated based on the obtained required energy and the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 24.

[0046] In the next step S9, it is determined whether the number of fusible joints 100 is less than 1. In other words, whether the fusion operation using the joint 100 can be completed is determined based on whether the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 24 is greater than the amount of power required for the joint 100 to be fused. If the answer is "YES" in step S9, that is, if the calculated quantity is less than 1 (if the fusion operation cannot be completed), the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, an abnormal message such as "Please charge the battery" is displayed on the display 28, and the start of energization to the joint 100 is restricted (prohibited). Thereafter, this energization control process ends.

[0047] On the other hand, if step S9 returns "NO," that is, if the quantity is one or more, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the quantity of fusible joints 100 is displayed on the display 28. In the following step S15, it is determined whether the start button 34 has been turned on. If step S15 returns "NO," the process waits until the start button 34 is turned on, and if step S15 returns "YES," the process proceeds to step S17.

[0048] In step S17, energization (supply of power) to the joint 100 is started, and the joint 100 and the plastic pipe 102 are electrofusion-joined. In the following step S19, it is determined whether or not the electrofusion-joining of the joint 100 and the plastic pipe 102 has been completed, that is, whether or not a preset energization time has elapsed. If the answer is "NO" in step S19, the process waits until the electrofusion-joining is completed, and if the answer is "YES" in step S19, the energization control process is terminated.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, the electro-fusion apparatus 10 is equipped with the storage battery 24, so that the electro-fusion operation can be completed solely by the electro-fusion apparatus 10 without using an external power source. Furthermore, since a stable power supply is possible, the occurrence of poor fusion can be appropriately prevented.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the remaining battery charge or the number of pieces that can be fused is displayed on the display 28, and if the remaining battery charge is insufficient, the start of current supply to the joint 100 is restricted, thereby appropriately preventing poor fusion due to insufficient battery charge in the storage battery 24.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the storage battery 24 is detachable from the housing 20, but the storage battery 24 does not necessarily have to be detachable. In addition, the storage battery 24 can be charged not only by removing it from the housing 20, but also by leaving it housed in the housing 20 and charging it via an AC cable or the like from an external power source such as a commercial power source.

[0052] It should be noted that the specific values ​​of the dimensions and the specific shapes given above are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate according to the needs of the product specifications and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10... Electric fusion device 12...Device body 14...Output cable 16...Barcode reader 20...Case 22...Control unit 24...storage battery 26...Operation unit 28...Display (display unit) 50...CPU 100...electric fusion joint 102 ...Resin pipe

Claims

1. An electric fusion device for electric fusion joining an electric fusion joint and a resin pipe, Housing, a control unit provided in the housing for controlling the operation of the electrofusion apparatus; and a storage battery provided within the housing for supplying power to the electric fusion joint; The control unit a remaining battery capacity detection unit that detects a remaining battery capacity of the storage battery; a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electric fusion joint, including the required amount of power; and an electrofusion apparatus including a fusion feasibility determination unit that determines, based on the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining charge detection unit and the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit, whether a fusion operation can be completed using an electrofusion joint, the information on which is about the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit.

2. a display unit provided on the housing, 2. The electrofusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes an abnormality display control unit that displays an abnormality message on the display unit when the fusion feasibility determination unit determines that the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint cannot be completed.

3. An electric fusion device for electric fusion joining an electric fusion joint and a resin pipe, Housing, a control unit provided in the housing and controlling the operation of the electrofusion apparatus; a storage battery provided within the housing and supplying power to the electric fusion joint; and a display unit provided on the housing, The control unit a remaining battery capacity detection unit that detects a remaining battery capacity of the storage battery; a joint information acquisition unit that acquires information about the electric fusion joint, including the amount of required power; a fusion feasibility determination unit that determines whether a fusion operation using the electrofusion joint can be completed based on the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining charge detection unit and the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit; a current flow restriction unit that restricts the start of current flow to the electrofusion joint when the fusion feasibility determination unit determines that the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint cannot be completed; and an abnormality display control unit that displays an abnormality display on the display unit when the fusion feasibility determination unit determines that the fusion operation using the electrofusion joint cannot be completed.

4. a display unit provided on the housing, 4. The electrofusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a remaining battery capacity display control unit that causes the display unit to display the remaining battery capacity detected by the remaining battery capacity detection unit.

5. a display unit provided on the housing, The control unit a quantity calculation unit that calculates the number of fusion joints that can be welded based on the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining charge detection unit and the required amount of power acquired by the joint information acquisition unit; and 4. The electrofusion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a quantity display control unit that causes the quantity detected by the quantity calculation unit to be displayed on the display unit.

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