Snow melting device

Abstract

To obtain a snow melting device that is easy to install and replace. [Solution] The snow melting device comprises a heater extending along a first direction and generating heat when electricity is applied, a holder 3 covering the heater and extending along the first direction, and a first fitting provided on one end of the holder 3 and having a hole formed therein into which a screw can be inserted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The holder 3 is provided with first recesses 312a, 313a on one side facing along the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction into which a magnet can be inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [[ID=⑤]]The present invention relates to a snow melting device for melting snow around a rail.

Background Art

[0002] A snow melting device for melting snow around a rail is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a snow melting device in which a heater is sandwiched between metal fittings (long rods) welded to a floor plate that supports a rail. In this snow melting device, the heat generated by the heater due to energization is transmitted to the floor plate and the rail through the metal fittings to melt the surrounding snow.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the snow melting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the heater fails, it is necessary to pull out the heater from the metal fitting and replace it. However, the heater may become fixed to the metal fitting and cannot be pulled out from the metal fitting. In such a case, although it is necessary to replace the metal fitting, since the metal fitting is welded to the floor plate, it is also necessary to replace the floor plate. The floor plate is a member that supports the rail, and the replacement requires more man-hours and costs compared to the case of replacing only the heater.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to obtain a snow melting device that is easy to install and replace.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The snow melting device according to the present invention comprises a heater extending along a first direction and generating heat when an electric current is applied, a holder covering the heater and extending along the first direction, and a first fitting provided on one end of the holder and having a hole formed therein into which a screw can be inserted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the holder is provided with a first recess on one side facing along the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction into which a magnet can be inserted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a snow melting device that is easy to install and replace. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of a snow melting device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the snow melting device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the snow melting device taken along the line III-III shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the main body. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the main unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first fitting. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second fitting. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view of a snow melting device according to a modified example of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the extension. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the extension. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third fitting. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a side view of the third fitting. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the third fitting along the line XIII-XIII shown in Figure 12.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, a snow melting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] 〔Embodiment 1〕 <Schematic Configuration of Snow Melting Device> FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a snow melting device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the snow melting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the snow melting device cut along line III-III shown in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the floor plate 11, the rail 12, and the sleeper 13 are shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0011] In a railway line, the rail 12 is supported by the floor plate 11, and the floor plate 11 is supported by the sleeper 13. The snow melting device 1 is provided, for example, near a turnout of a railway line. The snow melting device 1 is attached to the floor plate 11 that supports the rail 12. The snow melting device 1 increases in temperature by being energized. The snow melting device 1 heats the floor plate 11 to melt the surrounding snow.

[0012] The snow melting device 1 includes a heater 2, a holder 3, a first fitting 4, a second fitting 5, a terminal box 6, and a lead wire 7. The heater 2 generates heat by being energized. The heater 2 is, for example, a silicon rubber heater. The heater 2 is provided so as to extend along a first direction.

[0013] Note that an X-axis parallel to the first direction is shown in the drawings. Also, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined and shown as the Y-axis in the drawings. Further, a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is defined and shown as the Z-axis in the drawings. Also, the positive direction side along the X-axis is the tip side (the other end side), and the negative direction side is the root side (one end side). Also, the positive direction side along the Y-axis is the right side, and the negative direction side is the left side. Also, the positive direction side along the Z-axis is the upper side, and the negative direction side is the lower side.

[0014] The heater 2 is provided with a terminal box 6 on the base side, and a lead wire 7 is connected to the terminal box 6. Power is supplied to the heater 2 via the lead wire 7 and the terminal box 6. The heater 2 generates heat by being supplied with power via the lead wire 7 and the terminal box 6, that is, by being energized.

[0015] The holder 3 covers the periphery of the heater 2. The holder 3 is formed of, for example, aluminum. The holder 3 has a main body 31 and a lid 32. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main body. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main body.

[0016] The main body 31 has a housing portion 311, a tip portion 312 provided on the tip side of the housing portion 311, and a base portion 313 provided on the base side of the housing portion 311. The housing portion 311, the tip portion 312, and the base portion 313 are integrally formed.

[0017] On the upper surface of the housing portion 311, a recess 311a, which is a recess into which the heater 2 fits, is formed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the heater 2 fitted into the recess 311a, the lid 32 is attached to the upper surface of the housing portion 311, so that the recess 311a is closed by the lid 32 and the heater 2 is held by the holder 3. The heat generated by the heater 2 is transmitted to the holder 3 formed of aluminum.

[0018] On the tip portion 312, a recess (first recess) 3,12a is formed on the side surface facing rightward. Further, on the tip portion 312, a recess (second recess) 312b is formed on the side surface facing leftward. Magnets 8 can be inserted into the recesses 312a and 312b. The magnets 8 inserted into the recesses 312a and <312b are fixed to the tip portion 312. The magnets 8 are, for example, neodymium magnets. With the magnets 8 fixed to the tip portion 312, the side surface of the housing portion 311 and the side surface of the magnet 8 form the same plane.

[0019] The lower surface of the tip portion 312 is located above the lower surface of the housing portion 311. Therefore, when the lower surface of the housing portion 311 is brought into contact with a sleeper, a gap is formed between the lower surface of the tip portion 312 and the sleeper. The tip portion 312 has a through hole 312c that penetrates vertically.

[0020] The portion of the tip 312 that is closer to the tip than the recesses 312a and 312b becomes the insertion portion 314 that is inserted into the second fitting 5, which will be described later. The width W1 of the insertion portion 314 in the left-right direction is narrower than the width W2 in the left-right direction closer to the base than the recesses 312a and 312b.

[0021] The base portion 313 has a recess (first recess) 313a on the side facing to the right. The base portion 313 also has a recess (second recess) 313b on the side facing to the left. Magnets 8 can be inserted into recesses 313a and 313b. Once inserted into recesses 313a and 313b, the magnets 8 are fixed to the base portion 313. With the magnets 8 fixed to the base portion 313, the side surface of the housing portion 311 and the side surface of the magnets 8 form the same plane.

[0022] On the right-facing side of the holder 3, there are two recesses side by side: a recess 312a formed in the tip portion 312 and a recess 313a formed in the base portion 313. However, there may be three or more recesses side by side. On the left-facing side of the holder 3, there are two recesses side by side: a recess 312b formed in the tip portion 312 and a recess 313b formed in the base portion 313. However, there may be one or three or more recesses side by side.

[0023] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first metal fitting. The first metal fitting 4 has a first fixing part 41 to which the base part 313 is fixed, and a second fixing part 42 to which the terminal box 6, which will be described later, is fixed.

[0024] The first fixing portion 41 has a bottom portion 41a that covers the lower surface of the base portion 313, side portions 41b that rise from the bottom portion 41a and cover the left and right sides of the base portion 313, and an upper portion 41c that extends from the upper end of the side portions toward the base portion 313. The first fixing portion 41 is fixed to the base portion 313, for example, using screws.

[0025] An opening 41d is formed in the side portion 41b. The magnet 8, which is attached to the recesses 313a and 313b of the base portion 313, is exposed to the outside through the opening 41d.

[0026] The second fixing portion 42 extends from the bottom portion 41a of the first fixing portion 41 toward the base and is formed in a plate shape. The terminal box 6 is placed on the second fixing portion 42. The terminal box 6 is also fixed to the second fixing portion 42, for example, using screws.

[0027] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second fitting. The second fitting 5 has an insertion portion 51, a bottom portion 52, and an upper portion 53. The insertion portion 314 provided on the tip portion 312 of the holder 3 is inserted into the insertion portion 51. The width W3 of the insertion portion 51 in the left-right direction is narrower than the width W2 (see Figure 4) of the holder 3 in the left-right direction closer to the base than the recesses 312a and 312b. This prevents the second fitting 5 from protruding laterally beyond the holder 3, thus preventing a gap from forming between the holder 3 and the floor plate 11.

[0028] The bottom portion 52 extends from the insertion portion 51 and is formed in a plate shape, covering the lower surface of the tip portion 312. The upper portion 53 extends from the insertion portion 51 and is formed in a plate shape, covering the upper surface of the tip portion 312. The tip portion 312 of the holder 3 is sandwiched between the bottom portion 52 and the upper portion 53.

[0029] Through holes 52a and 53a are formed in the bottom 52 and top 53 at positions opposite to each other. The through hole 52a formed in the bottom 52 is a hole through which a screw is passed when fixing the second fitting 5 to the sleeper 13. The through hole 53a formed in the top 53 is a hole through which a tool used when screwing in the screw passes.

[0030] The bottom 52 and the top 53 are not connected on their left and right sides, and the magnet 8 attached to the tip 312 is exposed from between the bottom 52 and the top 53.

[0031] In the snow melting device 1, both the magnet 8 located at the tip 312 and the magnet 8 located at the base 313 are exposed and not covered by the first fitting 4 and the second fitting 5. Therefore, the side surface of the holder 3 of the snow melting device 1 comes into contact with the floor plate 11 due to the attractive force of the magnets 8. A heat-conducting sealant is applied to the side surface of the holder 3. The heat-conducting sealant is, for example, a silicone sealant. The application of the heat-conducting sealant improves the adhesion between the side surface of the holder 3 and the floor plate 11, allowing the heat generated by the heater 2 to be efficiently transferred to the floor plate 11. The floor plate 11 is made of iron. If the holder 3 were made of aluminum, there would be a risk of corrosion due to contact between dissimilar metals, but the presence of the heat-conducting sealant between the floor plate 11 and the holder 3 prevents the progression of corrosion.

[0032] <Snow melting device installation procedure> The heater 2, the holder 3, the first metal fitting 4, the terminal box 6, and the lead wire 7 are pre-assembled. Magnets 8 are attached to the recesses 312a, 312b, 313a, and 313b provided on the side of the holder 3 that contacts the floor plate 11. It is also acceptable for magnets 8 to be attached to both the left and right recesses 312a, 312b, 313a, and 313b.

[0033] Next, the second fitting 5 is fixed to the sleeper 13. At this time, the second fitting 5 is fixed so that it is in close contact with the floorboard 11. Next, the magnet 8 is attracted to the floorboard 11 and the holder 3 is attached to the floorboard 11. Next, the holder 3 is slid and the insertion portion 314 formed at the tip 312 of the holder 3 is inserted into the insertion portion 51 of the second fitting 5.

[0034] Next, the snow melting device 1 is installed when the first metal fitting 4 is fixed to the sleeper 13.

[0035] If the direction in which the snow melting device 1 is attached to the floorboard 11 is predetermined, the recesses 312a, 312b, 313a, and 313b may be formed only on one of the left or right sides.

[0036] <Effects> The magnet 8 ensures that the snow melting device 1 is in close contact with the floor plate 11, allowing the heat generated by the heater 2 to be efficiently transferred to the floor plate 11, thus efficiently melting the surrounding snow. Furthermore, since a heat-conductive sealant is applied to the side of the snow melting device 1, the contact between the snow melting device 1 and the floor plate 11 is enhanced, allowing heat to be transferred to the floor plate 11 even more efficiently.

[0037] The snow melting device 1 is fixed to the sleeper 13 by the first fitting 4 and the second fitting 5 with either the left or right side of the holder 3 in contact with the floorboard 11. The holder 3 has recesses 312a, 312b, 313a, and 313b on both the left and right sides. If magnets 8 are fixed to the recesses 312a, 312b, 313a, and 313b on the side that contacts the floorboard 11, the magnetic force of the magnets 8 can make the holder 3 adhere tightly to the floorboard.

[0038] In addition to the magnet 8's attraction to the floorboard 11, the fixing of the holder 3 to the sleeper 13 using the first fitting 4 and the second fitting 5 prevents the holder 3 from sliding towards the front or base, or from sliding up or down.

[0039] Furthermore, since none of the components of the snow melting device 1 are welded to the floor plate 11, the snow melting device 1 can be easily attached and detached by loosening or tightening the screws that secure the first fitting 4. This makes it possible to simplify the replacement work of the snow melting device 1.

[0040] <Outline configuration of a snow melting device in a modified example> Figure 8 is a plan view of a modified snow melting device according to Embodiment 1. The modified snow melting device 1 includes an extension 9 connected to the holder 3. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the extension. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the extension. The extension 9 is attached to the tip 312 of the holder 3 in place of the second fitting 5. By attaching the extension 9, the length of the snow melting device 1 can be extended towards the tip. The extension 9 is made of, for example, aluminum.

[0041] The extension 9 has a fitting portion 91 into which recesses 312a and 312b formed in the tip portion 312 of the holder 3 fit. The extension 9 is fixed to the holder 3, for example, using screws, with the fitting portion 91 fitted into the recesses 312a and 312b.

[0042] The extension portion 9 has a recess 92 formed on its lower surface. The formation of the recess 92 helps to reduce the weight of the extension portion 9 and to suppress manufacturing costs by reducing the amount of material used.

[0043] The tip end of the extension 9 is provided with a tapered section 93 whose width in the left-right direction narrows as it approaches the tip.

[0044] The modified snow melting device 1 includes a third fitting 10 into which the tapered portion 93 is inserted. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third fitting. Figure 12 is a side view of the third fitting. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the third fitting cut along the line XIII-XIII shown in Figure 12.

[0045] As shown in Figure 13, the third fitting 10 has an insertion portion 101 into which the tapered portion 93 of the extension 9 is inserted. The insertion portion 101 has a bottom portion 102, two side portions 103, and an upper portion 104. The space enclosed by the bottom portion 102, the side portions 103, and the upper portion 104 becomes the space in which the tapered portion 93 is housed.

[0046] The bottom portion 102 covers the lower surface of the tapered portion 93. The two side portions 103 face each other and cover the sides of the tapered portion 93. The top portion 104 covers the upper surface of the tapered portion 93. Through holes 102a and 104a are formed in the bottom portion 102 and the top portion 104 at positions facing each other. The through hole 102a formed in the bottom portion 102 is a hole through which a screw is passed when fixing the third fitting 10 to the sleeper. The through hole 104a formed in the top portion 104 is a hole through which a tool used when screwing in the screw passes.

[0047] The two side portions 103 narrow in width in the left-right direction towards the tip, similar to the side surface of the tapered portion 93 of the extension portion 9. By inserting the tapered portion 93 into the insertion portion 101, the side portions 103 of the insertion portion 101 and the side surface of the tapered portion 93 come into contact, thereby positioning the holder 3 and the extension portion 9 in the left-right direction.

[0048] The width W4 at the base of the insertion portion 101 is narrower than the width W5 at the base of the tapered portion 93 of the extension portion 9. This prevents the third fitting 10 from protruding laterally beyond the retaining body 3, thus preventing a gap from forming between the retaining body 3 and the floor plate 11.

[0049] <Installation procedure for snow melting devices in modified cases> The heater 2, the holder 3, the first metal fitting 4, the terminal box 6, the lead wire 7, and the extension 9 are assembled in advance. The magnets 8 are attached to the recesses 313a and 313b provided on the side of the holder 3 that contacts the floor plate 11. It is also acceptable to attach magnets 8 to both the left and right recesses 313a and 313b.

[0050] In the modified snow melting device 1, magnets 8 are attached to recesses 313a and 313b formed in the base portion 313 of the holder 3, but magnets 8 are not attached to recesses 312a and 312b formed in the tip portion 312.

[0051] Next, the third fitting 10 is fixed to the sleeper 13. At this time, the third fitting 10 is fixed so as to be in close contact with the floorboard 11. Next, the magnet 8 is attracted to the floorboard 11, and the holder 3 and extension 9 are attached to the floorboard 11. Next, the holder 3 and extension 9 are slid, and the tip of the extension 9 is inserted into the insertion part 101 of the third fitting 10.

[0052] Next, the installation of the snow melting device 1 according to the modified example is completed when the first metal fitting 4 is fixed to the sleeper 13.

[0053] <Effects> Snow melting devices 1 are installed, for example, near railway turnouts. As shown in Figure 8, turnouts are equipped with tongue rails 14. When the track is switched, the tongue rails 14 move in a direction toward the front and a direction toward the base. Near the tongue rails 14, there are places where a paired floor plate (point-through floor plate) is used, in which floor plates 11 supporting the left and right rails 12 are connected with an insulating part 15 in between. Since paired floor plates are longer than normal separate floor plates 11, it is preferable that the snow melting devices 1 installed on them are also made to be long.

[0054] Therefore, as shown in the modified example, by attaching the extension 9 to the holder 3 and lengthening the snow melting device 1, heat can be efficiently transferred to a wide area of ​​the lattice floorboards, and the surrounding snow can be efficiently melted.

[0055] Furthermore, in the case of a soffit floorboard, it is necessary to prevent short circuits between the floorboards 11 connected with the insulating section 15 in between. In the modified snow melting device 1, the attachment of the extension section 9 brings the distance between the tip of the extension section 9 and the insulating section 15 closer. Therefore, if a magnet 8 is provided at the tip of the extension section 9, there is a risk that the floorboards 11 will short-circuit due to iron filings attracted to the magnet 8. In the modified snow melting device 1, since a magnet 8 is not provided at the tip of the extension section 9, the floorboards 11 will not short-circuit due to attracted iron filings.

[0056] Furthermore, when the extension 9 is connected to the holder 3, the fitting portion 91 formed on the extension 9 fits into the recesses 312a and 312b of the holder 3. This prevents the magnet 8 from being accidentally attached to the recesses 312a and 312b when the snow melting device 1 is attached to the floorboard with the extension 9 connected. Therefore, it is reliably prevented that iron powder will be attracted to the magnet 8 that is accidentally attached to the recesses 312a and 312b, causing a short circuit between the floorboards 11. In addition, if the length of the extension 9 is sufficiently long, the distance between the insulating portion 15 and the magnet 8 will be increased, so even if the magnet is attached to the recesses 312a and 312b, it is possible to prevent the floorboards 11 from being short-circuited by attracted iron powder. For example, by making the length of the extension 9 200 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the floorboards 11 from being short-circuited by attracted iron powder.

[0057] Furthermore, since the tip of the extension 9 is fixed by the third fitting 10, the snow melting device 1 is prevented from shifting towards the tip or base, or from shifting up or down.

[0058] Furthermore, in the snow melting device 1 installed at the tip of the tongue rail 14, the connection between the holder 3 and the extension 9 may be located near the bottom of the tongue rail 14. The tongue rail is a part that moves when the track is switched. Therefore, if the tongue rail 14 accidentally moves while work is being done to fix the snow melting device 1 at the connection between the holder 3 and the extension 9, there is a risk that the worker or tools may come into contact with the tongue rail 14.

[0059] On the other hand, in the modified snow melting device 1, no metal fittings for fixing to the sleeper 13 are provided at the connection point between the holder 3 and the extension 9; the holder 3 and the extension 9 are simply connected and fixed together. Therefore, no work is required to fix the connection point between the holder 3 and the extension 9 to the sleeper 13. This prevents the tongue rail 14 from coming into contact with the worker or tools even if it moves during the fixing work of the snow melting device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Snow melting device 2 heaters 3 Holding body 31 Main unit 311 Detention Unit 311a Recess 312 Tip 312a, 312b recess 312c through hole 313 Root part 313a, 313b recess 314 Inserted part 32 Lid 4. First fitting 41 1st fixed part 41a bottom 41b Side 41c Top 41d aperture 42 Second fixed part 5. Second fitting 51 Insertion part 52 Bottom 52a Through hole 53 Top 53a Through hole 6 Terminal box 7 Lead wires 8 magnets 9 Extension 91 Fitting part 92 Dent 93 Tapered section 10. Third fitting 101 Insertion section 102 Bottom 102a Through hole 103 Side 104 Top 104a Through hole 11 Floorboards 12 rails 13 Railway sleepers 14 Tongue Rail 15 Insulation part

Claims

1. A heater that extends along the first direction and generates heat when an electric current is applied, A holder that covers the heater and extends along the first direction, The holder comprises a first metal fitting provided on one end of the holder, having a hole formed therein in which a screw can be inserted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The snow melting device is provided with a first recess in the holder that faces one side along the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction, into which a magnet can be inserted.

2. The snow melting device according to claim 1, wherein the first recess is provided in multiple locations along the first direction.

3. The snow melting device according to claim 1, wherein the holder is provided with a second recess on a surface facing the other side along the third direction into which a magnet can be inserted.

4. The snow melting device according to claim 3, wherein the second recess is provided in multiple locations along the first direction.

5. The other end of the retainer further comprises a second fitting into which the other end is inserted along the first direction, The snow melting device according to claim 1, wherein the second fitting has a hole formed in it into which a screw can be inserted in the second direction.

6. The snow melting device according to claim 5, wherein the second fitting is provided with an opening that exposes the first recess.

7. An extension connected to the other end of the holder, The snow melting device according to claim 1, further comprising a third fitting into which the other end of the extension is inserted along the first direction.

8. The snow melting device according to claim 7, wherein the extension portion has a fitting portion that fits into the first recess.

9. An insertion portion is formed at the other end of the extension, the width of which decreases towards the other end along the third direction. The third fitting is provided with an insertion portion into which the portion to be inserted is inserted. The snow melting device according to claim 7, wherein the width of the insertion portion along the third direction narrows towards the other end.

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