Float switch and ice maker

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a float switch capable of ensuring the safety of a person even when the float switch is used for water taken in by the person.SOLUTION: A float switch of the present disclosure is a float switch that houses a sensor and an electric wire inside a case from an opening of the case, includes a float that moves up and down along the case, and is formed by filling the inside of the case with a filler, wherein the filler includes a first filler that holds the sensor and the electric wire, and a second filler that is filled in the opening of the case and is different from the first filler.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a float switch and an ice maker. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a float switch that combines a magnetized float with a case that houses a magnetically sensitive switch, with an electric wire connected to the magnetically sensitive switch being held in place by a filler material inside the case, and in response to the up and down movement of the liquid level, the magnetic float moves up and down along a guide in the case, turning the magnetically sensitive switch built into the case on and off, thereby performing a switch operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-090755 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a float switch and an ice maker that can ensure safety to people even when used with water intended for human consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The float switch of the present disclosure is a float switch that houses a sensor and electric wires inside a case through an opening of the case, has a float that moves up and down along the case, and has a filler material filled inside the case, and the filler material is composed of a first filler material that holds the sensor and the electric wires, and a second filler material that is filled in the opening of the case and is different from the first filler material.

[0006] An ice maker according to the present disclosure is configured by installing the float switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in a water storage tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the float switch and ice maker of the present disclosure, the second filler can prevent the first filler from coming into contact with water, thereby ensuring safety for people even if the float switch is submerged in water inside the water storage tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an ice-making unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an ice making unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a mounting structure of a float switch according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a float switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a float switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors came up with the idea for this disclosure, there was a float switch available that had a magnetized float and a case that housed a magnetically sensitive switch, and the electric wire connected to the magnetically sensitive switch was held in place by a filler material inside the case. The reason for holding the wires connected to the magnetic switch with filler inside the case is to prevent water from entering the case and causing failure of the magnetic switch in an environment where water may adhere to the top of the float switch. Furthermore, if the equipment contains parts that come into contact with water for human consumption, the fillers used in those parts can be used as they comply with the Food Sanitation Act as long as no harmful substances are detected in leaching tests. However, in Japan, on June 13, 2018, the Act to Partially Amend the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018) was promulgated (see https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / stf / seisakunitsuite / bunya / 0000197196.html), which introduced a system allowing the use of only substances whose safety has been evaluated for food utensils, containers, and packaging (see https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / stf / newpage_05148.html and https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / content / 11130500 / 000541921.pdf). As a result, the inventors discovered a problem in that it may not be possible to use conventional fillers as they are, and the subject matter of the present disclosure was formed in order to solve this problem. The present disclosure provides a float switch and an ice maker that can ensure safety to people even when used with water intended for human consumption.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Ice maker configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ice making machine according to the first embodiment. Ice making machine 1 in this embodiment is an inverted-cell type ice making machine equipped with a so-called inverted-cell type ice making unit (hereinafter simply referred to as "ice making unit") 10. As shown in FIG. 1, ice making machine 1 includes a heat-insulating box-shaped housing 10 and ice making unit 20 built into the upper part of housing 10. Inside housing 10, below ice-making unit 20, ice storage compartment 11 with an opening is formed. Ice produced by ice-making unit 20 is stored in ice storage compartment 11. At the front opening of ice storage compartment 11, heat-insulating door 19 is attached which is supported so as to be able to pivot freely forward and open / close freely.

[0012] Also, as shown in Figure 1, inside the housing 10, below the ice storage room 11, there are arranged an electrical box 12 that houses a specified control board, a condenser 13 that condenses and liquefies the refrigerant, a condenser blower 14 that blows air to the condenser 13, a condenser outlet pipe 15 that sends the condensed and liquefied refrigerant from the condenser 13 to a pressure reducing means (not shown) such as an expansion valve, a hot gas valve 17 that is interposed in a hot gas pipe (not shown) that directly flows the high-temperature refrigerant into the cooling circuit 16, and a compressor 18 that discharges the refrigerant to the condenser 13 or the hot gas valve 17.

[0013] [1-1-2. Ice making unit configuration] Next, the ice making unit 20 will be described. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the ice making unit in embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the ice making unit in embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the mounting structure of the float switch in embodiment 1.

[0014] 2 and 3, ice making unit 20 includes water tank 21 and water tray 22 provided above water tank 21. Water tank 21 is configured to be rotatable downward relative to water tray 22, with one end serving as an axis. One end of water tray 22 is provided with opening / closing shaft 23 that drives water tank 21 to rotate downward. A cooler equipped with cooling circuit 16 shown in Fig. 1 is provided above water tray 22 shown in Fig. 2. The cooler has an ice-making compartment (not shown) in which many ice-making chambers (not shown) that open downward are divided into grid-like cells (individual compartments), and cooling circuit 16 is arranged in a serpentine pattern in close contact with the top wall of the cooler. Ice making unit 20 is provided with a water pump 24 for supplying water to water storage tank 21. The water storage tank 21 accommodates a float switch 40 for detecting the water level of the water stored in the water storage tank 21.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one side of the water tray 22 is provided with a float switch holder 25, which is a portion of the water tray 22 that bulges outward. A switch fixing plate 26 is attached to the underside of the float switch holding portion 25 by fastening with bolts 27 and nuts 28. The switch fixing plate 26 includes a water tray fixing portion 29 having a shape substantially similar to that of the float switch holding portion 25, and a flat switch mounting portion 30 extending from the water tray fixing portion 29 to the inside of the water tank 21. The float switch 40 is fixed to the switch mounting portion 30 by threading a nut 31 onto the threads formed on the upper outer periphery of the float switch 40 while the float switch 40 penetrates the switch mounting portion 30 of the switch fixing plate 26.

[0016] [1-1-3. Float switch configuration] Next, the configuration of the float switch 40 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the float switch according to the first embodiment. 5, the float switch 40 includes a substantially cylindrical case 41. The lower end of the case 41 is closed, and an opening 42 is provided at the upper end of the case 41. A sensor 43 (for example, a magnetically sensitive switch) is housed inside the case 41. Electric wires 44 are connected to both ends of the sensor 43, and the electric wires 44 are drawn out from an opening 42 of the case 41. The portion of the electric wire 44 outside the case 41 is covered with a protective tube 45. A float 46 (e.g., a magnetic float) that moves along the case 41 in accordance with the water level is disposed on the outer periphery of the case 41 at a position corresponding to the sensor 43. A stopper 47 that restricts the downward movement of the float 46 is provided at the lower end of the outer periphery of the case 41. The float switch 40 performs switching operation by having the float 46 move up and down along a guide in the case in accordance with the up and down movement of the liquid level, and turning on and off the sensor 43 built into the case. A mounting flange 48 for mounting the float switch 40 is provided on the upper outer periphery of the case 41 .

[0017] The inside of the case 41 is filled with the first filler 50 with the sensor 43 and the electric wires 44 inserted therein. By filling the first filler 50, the sensor 43 and the electric wires 44 are fixed in predetermined positions inside the case 41. Note that it is not necessary to fill the entire inside of the case 41 with the first filler 50, as long as the sensor 43 and the electric wires 44 are fixed in predetermined positions inside the case 41. In addition, the opening 42 of the case 41 is filled with a second filler 51. As long as the second filler 51 covers the entire opening 42 of the case 41, the amount of the second filler 51 filled inside the case 41 can be adjusted as desired.

[0018] The case 41 is made of, for example, polypropylene resin, and the covering material (insulator) of the electric wire 44 is made of, for example, fluororesin. The protective tube 45 is made of, for example, silicone resin. For example, epoxy resin, which has high adhesion to polypropylene resin, is used for the first filling material 50. The first filling material 50, which has high adhesion to the case 41, can reliably fix the sensor 43 and the electric wires 44 inside the case 41. For example, silicone resin is used for the second filling material 51.

[0019] Here, we will explain the relationship between the Act to Partially Amend the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018, see https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / stf / seisakunitsuite / bunya / 0000197196.html), which was promulgated in Japan on June 13, 2018 (Heisei 30), and the system introduced by this Act to allow the use of only substances whose safety has been evaluated for food utensils, containers, and packaging (see https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / stf / newpage_05148.html and https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / content / 11130500 / 000541921.pdf), and the case 41, electric wire 44, protective tube 45, first filler 50, and second filler 51.

[0020] Under the Act on Partial Amendment of the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), the substances subject to safety assessment for food utensils, containers, and packaging are synthetic resins (thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, thermoplastic elastomers), excluding so-called "rubber" (thermosetting elastomers) (see page 5 of https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / content / 11121000 / 000461792.pdf). As of the writing of this application, the following resins are considered to be usable: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP), polybutene-1 (PB-1), butadiene resin (BDR), ethylene-tetracyclododecene copolymer (ETD), ethylene-2-norbornene resin (ENB), polystyrene (PS), AS resin (AS), and ABS. Resin (ABS), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), fluororesin (FR), polymethacrylic styrene (MS), methacrylic resin (PMMA), nylon (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacetal (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyarylsulfone (PASF), polyarylate (PAR), hydroxybenzoic acid polyester (HBP), poly Polyetherimide (PEI), polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyester carbonate (PPC), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (see https: / / www.mhlw.go.jp / file / 06-Seisakujouhou-11130500-Shokuhinanzenbu / 0000170737.pdf for the above).

[0021] Here, we will confirm the materials forming each of the components of the case 41, the electric wires 44, the protective tube 45, the first filler 50, and the second filler 51 in this embodiment. The case 41 is made of polypropylene resin. Polypropylene is a substance permitted for use in food utensils and container packaging under the Act Partially Amending the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018). In contrast, first filler 50 is an epoxy resin that has been used for some time to secure sensor 43 and electrical wire 44 inside case 41. However, epoxy resin is not included in the group of substances that are permitted for use in food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act Partially Amending the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018). If only first filler 50 were filled inside case 41, there is a risk that first filler 50 would come into contact with liquid through opening 42 of case 41, and float switch 40 may not comply with the Food Sanitation Act.

[0022] Therefore, in this embodiment, a second filler 51 made of silicone resin is provided in the opening 42 of the case 41. Silicone resin is a type of so-called "rubber" (thermosetting elastomer). Thermosetting elastomers are a versatile thermoplastic resin with high design and manufacturing flexibility, combining the processing advantages of thermoplastics with the performance characteristics of elastomers. Therefore, they can be relatively easily processed using methods used for thermoplastics, such as extrusion molding and injection molding. Furthermore, thermoplastic elastomers are excluded from the list of synthetic resins subject to safety evaluation for food utensils, containers, and packaging. Among these, silicone resins generally comply with the Food Sanitation Act and are widely used in manufacturing sites, including for parts for food, pharmaceuticals, and medical products, due to their excellent heat resistance, water resistance, chemical resistance, weather resistance, ozone resistance, and cold resistance. They are therefore relatively easy to obtain and use. By providing a second filler 51 made of silicone resin in the opening 42 of the case 41, the float switch 40, which is located outside the case 41 and may come into contact with liquid inside the water tank 21, can be made to comply with the Food Sanitation Act.

[0023] In this embodiment, the coating material (insulator) of the electric wire 44 is made of fluororesin. Fluororesin is also a substance permitted for use in food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act on Partial Amendment of the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018). However, materials other than fluororesin, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), may be used for the coating material of the electric wire 44. While polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) are listed as substances permitted for use in food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act on Partial Amendment of the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), it is necessary to confirm whether thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a substance permitted for use in food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act on Partial Amendment of the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018).

[0024] Therefore, in the case where the covering material of the electric wire 44 is not listed as a substance permitted for use in food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act Partially Amending the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), or where it is unknown whether a substance or material permitted for use is used, it is advisable to prevent the electric wire 44 from coming into contact with the liquid. Therefore, in this embodiment, the outside of the electric wires 44 located outside the case 41 is covered with a protective tube 45. The protective tube 45 is also made of silicone resin, which is excluded from the synthetic resins that are subject to safety evaluation for food utensils, containers, and packaging, and is a material that generally complies with the Food Sanitation Act. This ensures safety for people even if the electric wires come into contact with liquid.

[0025] In addition, the above system introduced for food utensils, containers, and packaging requires safety assessment not only of the basic chemical substances (base polymers) of synthetic resins, but also of substances and monomers added to change the physical and chemical properties of synthetic resins, which are intended to remain in the final product (additives and additives). Therefore, it is necessary to confirm that not only the basic chemical substances that make up the materials that make up each part of the float switch 40, but also the additives and additives contained in the materials that make up each part, comply with the Food Sanitation Act and are permitted for use.

[0026] [1-2. Effect] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When ice-making operation is performed, the water tray 22 is held in a closed position blocking the bottom of the ice-making chamber provided in the cooler equipped with the cooling circuit 16, and the compressor 18 is driven, whereby the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 18 is circulated and supplied to the cooling circuit 16 via the condenser 13 and the expansion valve, forcibly cooling the ice-making chamber 17. Meanwhile, ice-making water in water storage tank 21 is sucked up by water pump 24 and sprayed into each cell of ice-making chamber 17 via water tray 22. The ice-making water that flows into each cell of ice-making chamber 17 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cell and is cooled, then flows down from water tray 22 and returns to water storage tank 21. The ice-making water is cooled in each cell of the ice-making chamber 17, and ice blocks are produced inside the ice-making chamber 17.

[0027] At this time, the float switch 40 detects the water level of the water storage tank 21, and if the water level of the water storage tank 21 falls below a predetermined level, the water pump 24 supplies water to the water storage tank 21. In this embodiment, second filler 51 is excluded from substances subject to safety assessment for food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act Partially Amending the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), and is formed from substances and materials that comply with the Food Sanitation Act, and second filler 51 is filled into opening 42 of case 41, inside which first filler 50 is filled, thereby preventing first filler 50 from being exposed to the outside of case 41. Therefore, even if float switch 40 is submerged in water inside water storage tank 21, human safety can be ensured.

[0028] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the float switch 40 in embodiment 1 accommodates the sensor 43 and the electric wire 44 inside the case 41, and the inside of the case 41 is filled with a filler material, which is composed of a first filler material that holds the sensor 43 and the electric wire 44, and a second filler material that is filled in the part of the case 41 that may come into contact with liquid. As a result, the second filler prevents the first filler from coming into contact with water, ensuring safety for people even if the float switch 40 is submerged in water inside the water storage tank 21. Furthermore, the second filler 51 is excluded from the substances that are subject to safety assessment for food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act Partially Amending the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), and by forming the second filler from substances and materials that comply with the Food Sanitation Act, safety for people can be ensured.

[0029] In the float switch 40 according to the embodiment, the first filling material is made of epoxy resin, and the second filling material is made of silicone resin. As a result, by forming the first filler 50 from epoxy resin, which has high adhesion to the case 41, the sensor 43 and the electric wires can be securely fixed inside the case 41. Furthermore, by forming the second filler 51 exposed from the case 41 from silicone resin, a float switch 40 that is highly safe for people can be obtained.

[0030] In the float switch 40 according to the embodiment, the electric wire 44 located outside the case 41 is covered with a protective tube made of silicone resin. As a result, the outside of the electric wires located on the outside of case 41 are excluded from the substances that are subject to safety assessment for food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act to Partially Amend the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), and by covering them with silicone resin that complies with the Food Sanitation Act, safety for people can be ensured even if the electric wires come into contact with liquid.

[0031] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. [2-1.Configuration] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a float switch 40 according to the second embodiment. 6, the electric wire of the float switch 40 is covered with a protective tube 45. In this embodiment, the protective tube 45 is provided up to the inside of the case 41. The inside of the case 41 is filled with a first filler material 50 with the sensor 43 and the electric wires inserted therein.

[0032] In addition, the opening 42 of the case 41 is filled with a second filler 51. The second filler is filled between the inside of the case 41 and the outside of the protective tube 45, and between the inside of the protective tube 45 and the outside of the electric wire. In addition, if the adhesion between the second filler 51 and the case 41 is inferior to the adhesion between the first filler and the case 41, the end of the protective tube 45 inside the case 41 may be fixed with the first filler 50. The materials of the first filler 50, the second filler 51 and the protection tube 45 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] [2-2. Effect] In this embodiment, as in embodiment 1, the second filler 51 is excluded from the substances that are subject to safety evaluation for food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act to Partially Amend the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), and is formed from substances and materials that comply with the Food Sanitation Act.Therefore, even if the float switch 40 is submerged in water inside the water storage tank 21, safety for people can be ensured. In particular, in this embodiment, the protective tube 45 extends to the inside of the case 41, and the second filler 51 also covers the electric wires and the protective tube 45 portion, so that the only parts exposed to the outside of the case 41 are the second filler 51 and the protective tube 45, which prevents the first filler 50 from being exposed to the outside of the case 41 and ensures safety for people even if the float switch 40 is submerged in water inside the water storage tank 21.

[0034] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the float switch 40 of embodiment 1, the protective tube 45 extends to the inside of the case 41, and the second filler is filled between the inside of the case 41 and the outside of the protective tube 45, and between the inside of the protective tube 45 and the outside of the electric wire. As a result, the protective tube 45 extends to the inside of the case 41, and the second filler 51 also covers the electric wires and the protective tube 45 portion, so that the only parts exposed to the outside of the case 41 are the second filler 51 and the protective tube 45, which prevents the first filler 50 from being exposed to the outside of the case 41 and ensures safety for people even if the float switch 40 is submerged in water inside the water storage tank 21.

[0035] (Other embodiments) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0036] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques. (Technology 1) A float switch that houses a sensor and electric wires inside a case through an opening of the case, has a float that moves up and down along the case, and has a filler material filled inside the case, wherein the filler material is composed of a first filler material that holds the sensor and the electric wires, and a second filler material that is filled in the opening of the case and is different from the first filler material. According to this configuration, the second filler prevents the first filler from coming into contact with water, so that even if the float switch 40 is submerged in water inside the water storage tank 21, safety for people can be ensured.

[0037] (Technology 2) The float switch according to Technology 1, wherein the first filler is made of epoxy resin, and the second filler is made of silicone resin. With this configuration, the first filler is made of epoxy resin, which has high adhesion to the case, so the sensor and wires can be securely fixed inside the case. Also, the second filler, which is exposed from the case, is made of silicone resin, so a float switch with high safety for people can be obtained.

[0038] (Technology 3) The float switch according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the electric wire located outside the case is covered with a protective tube made of silicone resin. According to this configuration, the outside of the electric wire located outside the case is covered with a protective tube made of silicone resin, thereby ensuring safety for people even if the electric wire comes into contact with liquid.

[0039] (Technology 4) The float switch according to Technology 3, wherein the protective tube extends to the inside of the case, and the second filler is filled between the inside of the case and the outside of the protective tube, and between the inside of the protective tube and the outside of the electric wire. According to this configuration, the protective tube extends to the inside of the case, and the second filler material also covers the electric wires and protective tube portion, so that the only parts exposed to the outside of the case are the second filler material and the protective tube, which prevents the first filler material from being exposed to the outside of the case and ensures safety for people even if the float switch is submerged in water inside the water tank.

[0040] (Technology 5) An ice maker, comprising: a float switch according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 4, installed in a water storage tank. According to this configuration, the second filler is excluded from the substances that are subject to safety assessment for food utensils, containers, and packaging under the Act to Partially Amend the Food Sanitation Act, etc. (Act No. 46 of 2018), and by forming it from substances and materials that comply with the Food Sanitation Act, safety for people can be ensured even if the float switch is submerged in water inside the water storage tank. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The present disclosure can be suitably used as a float switch that can ensure safety for people even when used with water intended for human consumption. The float switch of the present disclosure can also be suitably used when placed in a location that comes into contact with water or liquid intended for human consumption, not only in ice makers but also inside beverage servers and beverage dispensers such as water servers, juice servers, and beer servers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 ice maker 10. Cabinet 11 Ice storage 12 Electrical box 13 Condenser 14 Condenser fan 15 Condenser outlet pipe 16 Cooling circuit 17 Hot gas valve 18 Compressor 20 Ice making unit 21 Water Tank 22 Water dish 23 Opening and closing axis 24 Water Pump 25 Float switch holder 26 Switch fixing plate 27 volts 28 Nut 29 Water tray fixing part 30 Switch mounting part 31 Nut 40 Float switch 41 cases 42 Aperture 43 Sensors 44 Electric wire 45 Protective tube 46 Float 47 Stopper 48 Mounting flange 50 1st filler 51 Second filler

Claims

1. A float switch is provided with a sensor and an electric wire housed inside a case through an opening of the case, a float that moves up and down along the case, and a filler material filled inside the case, The filler includes a first filler that holds the sensor and the electric wire, and a second filler that is different from the first filler and that fills the opening of the case. Float switch.

2. The first filler is made of an epoxy resin, and the second filler is made of a silicone resin.

2. The float switch of claim 1.

3. The electric wires located outside the case are covered with a protective tube made of silicone resin.

3. The float switch according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the protective tube extends to the inside of the case, The second filler is filled between the inside of the case and the outside of the protective tube, and between the inside of the protective tube and the outside of the electric wire.

4. The float switch of claim 3.

5. A float switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, installed in a water storage tank. Ice maker.

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