Air valve cleaning method, air valve, and air valve disassembly method

Abstract

To provide an air valve that enables efficient intake and exhaust. [Solution] This air valve 1 comprises a valve body having a hollow valve body portion 2a inside and a valve body flange portion 22 around the vicinity of the upper opening of the hollow valve body portion 2a, a cover 3 having a hollow cover portion 3a inside and a cover flange portion 32 fastened to the valve body flange portion 22 around the vicinity of the lower opening 3aa of the hollow cover portion 3a, and a cover cap portion 35 having a small air hole 35a formed therein, the lower opening 3aa of the hollow cover portion 3a communicating with the hollow valve body portion 2a, the upper opening of the large air hole 32b formed on the upper surface of the cover flange portion 32 and the lower opening communicating with the hollow valve body portion 2a, a floating valve body 4 disposed in the hollow valve body portion 2a and capable of blocking the large air hole 32b from below and having a central hole 4a that penetrates in the vertical direction, and a float valve body 5 disposed in the hollow cover portion 3a and capable of blocking the small air hole 35a from below.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air valve connected to a pipe through which water flows and performing intake and exhaust. Method for cleaning the air valve, the air valve, and the method for disassembling the air valve. It relates to an air valve.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, air valves are connected to pipes such as those for water supply and drainage, industrial water pipelines, or agricultural water pipelines, and are widely used in various places. Air valves generally having large air holes and small air holes are commonly used (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.). The large air hole is used for intake or a large amount of exhaust (rapid exhaust). When the pipe switches from a water flow state to a water cut-off state, such as when the upstream pump is stopped (or the upstream valve is closed), air can be introduced into the pipe by intake to rapidly drain the water in the pipe. Also, when the pipe switches from a water cut-off state to a water flow state, such as when the upstream pump is operated (or the upstream valve is opened), a large amount of exhaust can rapidly exhaust the air (including other gases) in the pipe to the outside. The small air hole is for a small amount of exhaust. By a small amount of exhaust, air mixed into the pipe due to various causes can be exhausted little by little to the outside when the pipe is in a normal pressure water flow state.

[0003] Such an air valve generally includes a valve box connected to a pipe, a lid body in which a large air hole is formed and attached to the valve box, a floating valve body disposed in the internal space (the internal space formed by the valve box and the lid body) of the valve box and the lid body and capable of closing the large air hole of the lid body according to the position (water level) of the water surface in the internal space, and a float valve body disposed in the internal space of the valve box and the lid body. The small air hole is formed in the lid body (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.) or formed in the floating valve body (for example, Patent Document 2, etc.). The float valve body can close the small air hole according to the water level. The float valve body and the floating valve body have a specific gravity smaller than that of water. A water stop valve (including so-called repair valves, etc.) capable of preventing water from entering the valve box (water stopping) for repairing the air valve can be provided between the air valve and the pipe.

[0004] Large and small air vents are often arranged in parallel in a nearly horizontal direction (for example, Patent Document 1), or the large air vent is positioned above and the small air vent below (for example, Patent Document 2). However, there are also known cases where the large air vent is positioned below and the small air vent is positioned above (for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4). Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose an air valve in which the large air vent is formed on the lower side of the cover (valve cover and cover (and the uppermost cover in Patent Document 4)) and the small air vent is formed on the cap portion of the cover. In this air valve, an annular floating valve body (an annular float with a cylindrical valve body erected on top) is positioned inside the valve body, and a float valve body (float) is positioned inside the cover. An air valve in which the large air vent is positioned below and the small air vent is positioned above can widen the passage between the large air vent and the water inlet of the valve body, making it possible to increase the amount of intake and exhaust per unit time. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-126076 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-121678 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-93769 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-49477 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, there are cases where more efficient intake and exhaust is desired than the air valves disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, as well as Patent Documents 3 and 4. For example, in cases where the water flow state and water cut-off state of the piping switch frequently (for example, on a daily basis), such as in agricultural water pipelines, more efficient intake and large-volume exhaust are desired.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an air valve that enables efficient intake and exhaust. Method for cleaning the air valve, the air valve, and the method for disassembling the air valve. The objective is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, Claim 1 The air valve cleaning method described above is performed with the shut-off valve open. The air valve is held via an elastic body. Pin body for float valve exposed The device includes the steps of pressing the upper part to bring its tip down to below the small air hole, poking the float valve body to open the small air hole, and then raising the pin body for the float valve body to draw in and discharge the small air hole and any foreign matter in its vicinity along with water or air before the small air hole is closed again by the float valve body.

[0009] The air valve according to claim 2 is an air valve having a large air hole and a small air hole, comprising: a valve body having a valve body hollow portion inside; a lid having a lid hollow portion located above the valve body hollow portion, having a lid cap portion on which the small air hole is formed, the lower opening of the lid hollow portion communicating with the valve body hollow portion of the valve body; and a float valve body pin body provided on the lid body with its upper part exposed and held via an elastic body, the cleaning mechanism comprising: pressing the upper part of the float valve body pin body to bring its tip down to below the small air hole, poking the float valve body to open the small air hole, and then raising the float valve body pin body from that state to suck in the small air hole and any foreign matter in its vicinity along with water or air and discharge it from the small air hole until the small air hole is closed again by the float valve body.

[0010] Claim 3 The air valve disassembly method described above is performed with the water shut-off valve closed. The air valve is held via an elastic body. Pin body for float valve exposed Press the top to bring its tip down to below the small air vent, push the float valve body to open the small air vent, and draw water or air into the small air vent and discharge it. The aforementioned The process includes a step to reduce the pressure inside the air valve. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention Air valve cleaning method, air valve, and air valve disassembly method According to air valve This enables more efficient intake and exhaust. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing an air valve and a water shut-off valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the air valve shown above. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the same air valve (a cross-sectional view taken at the position indicated by the line AA in Figure 2). [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing the valve box of the air valve described above and the floating valve body therein. [Figure 5] It is a bottom view of the lid body of the air valve described above. [Figure 6] It shows the lid cap portion of the lid body of the air valve described above and the members attached thereto, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 7] It shows the floating valve body of the air valve described above, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 8] It shows the float valve body of the air valve described above, where (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a bottom view. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view of the air valve described above, showing the state when the small air hole is opened.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. The air valve 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a large air hole 32b and a small air hole 35a, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the air valve 1 includes a valve box 2, a lid body 3, a floating valve body 4, and a float valve body 5.

[0014] The valve box 2 is connected to a pipe and has a valve box hollow portion 2a inside. The wall portion around the valve box hollow portion 2a forms a cylindrical valve box cylindrical portion 21. Below the valve box hollow portion 2a, there is a water guiding portion 2b having a smaller inner diameter than that. The valve box 2 can be mainly made of cast iron, for example. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a floating valve body 4, which will be described in detail later, is arranged in the valve box hollow portion 2a.

[0015] The upper side of the valve box hollow portion 2a is open, and a valve box flange portion 22 is provided around the vicinity of the upper side opening. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) valve box fastening holes 22a are formed in the valve box flange portion 22.

[0016] A separate shut-off valve 10 (including so-called repair valves, etc.) is usually connected between the valve body 2 and the piping to control the ingress of water into the hollow part 2a of the valve body through the water conduit 2b (see Figure 1). The shut-off valve 10 may also be installed in the middle of the water conduit 2b, which is extended downwards, instead of being a separate unit.

[0017] The cover 3 is fitted to the upper side of the valve body 2 and has a hollow section 3a inside. The wall surrounding the hollow section 3a is a cylindrical section 31. The cylindrical section 31 can be composed of a lower cylindrical section 311 and an upper cylindrical section 312. The lower cylindrical section 311 (and the flange section 32, which will be described later) can be made of cast iron, for example. The upper cylindrical section 312 can be made of a material that allows for easy improvement of machining accuracy (for example, machining accuracy of the inner wall, etc.) (for example, stainless steel, copper-based metal). As shown in Figure 3, the float valve body 5, which will be described in detail later, is arranged in the hollow section 3a.

[0018] The lower side of the hollow portion 3a of the lid is open and communicates with the hollow portion 2a of the valve body 2. The inner diameter of the lower opening 3aa is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper opening of the hollow portion 2a of the valve body.

[0019] The cover 3 has a cover flange portion 32 around the vicinity of the lower opening 3aa. Multiple cover fastening holes 32a (four in this embodiment) are formed in the cover flange portion 32. The cover flange portion 32 is fastened to the valve body flange portion 22 by multiple fasteners 3A consisting of bolts and nuts (four in this embodiment). Specifically, the cover flange portion 32 is fastened to the valve body flange portion 22 by passing bolts through the valve body fastening holes 22a and cover fastening holes 32a of the valve body flange portion 22 and tightening the bolts and nuts.

[0020] Furthermore, the lid flange portion 32 has a portion that overlaps with the upper opening of the hollow portion 2a of the valve body 2 in a plan view, and the upper opening of the large air hole 32b is formed on the upper surface of the lid flange portion 32. The lower opening of the large air hole 32b communicates with the hollow portion 2a of the valve body 2. The large air hole 32b is also divided into a predetermined number (6 in this embodiment) (see Figure 5). The large air hole 32b can be a through hole formed in the vertical direction, or, as shown in Figure 3, the upper opening of the large air hole 32b can be shifted outward (outward with respect to the axis of the air valve 1) compared to the lower opening, so that it becomes more outward overall as it goes upward, and it can be a through hole formed at an angle in the vertical direction.

[0021] The cover 3 has O-rings 33A and 33B on its lower surface (including the lower surface of the cover flange portion 32) on the outer and inner sides of the lower opening of the large air hole 32b. The movable valve body 4 can close the lower opening of the large air hole 32b by having its upper surface in close contact with the lower surface of the cover 3 (specifically, the O-rings 33A and 33B).

[0022] The lid 3 can incorporate a separate plate 3' made of a different material (for example, a copper-based metal) that allows for easier processing with higher precision than other main parts, on its lower surface, inward from the lid fastening hole 32a. This allows for precise flattening of the lower surface of the lid 3 and precise formation of holes for fitting the O-rings 33A and 33B, ensuring good closure of the large air hole 32b by the floating valve body 4.

[0023] The cover 3 has a pin body 34 for the floating valve body, which is held via an elastic body 34A such as a spring. The pin body 34 for the floating valve body can be inserted into the large air hole 32b from above (including from diagonally above), and can reach the hollow portion 2a of the valve body by pressing the upper part. In this embodiment, the elastic body 34A is held by an elastic body holding cylinder 34B.

[0024] The upper side of the hollow portion 3a of the lid 3 is closed by the lid cap portion 35. The lid cap portion 35 has the small air hole 35a formed therein. In this embodiment, the small air hole 35a is formed on the central axis of the lid 3. In detail, the lid cap portion 35 has a valve seat 35b, and the small air hole 35a is formed by penetrating the valve seat 35b and the member above it vertically. The valve seat 35b is elastic, and when the float valve body 5 comes into close contact with it from below, the small air hole 35a is closed. On the lower surface of the lid cap portion 35, in the example shown in Figure 3, recesses 35c are formed below and around the valve seat 35b. In addition, external air holes 38 are formed on the side surface of the lid cap portion 35, which conduct to the small air hole 35a through the space between them (see Figure 1). The lid cap portion 35 is removable from the lid cylindrical portion 31 (specifically, the upper lid cylindrical portion 312). Removing the lid cap portion 35 allows for cleaning of the valve seat 35b, and the float valve body 5 located in the lid hollow portion 3a can be removed and cleaned.

[0025] The lid 3 has a float valve pin body 36 held in place by an elastic body 36A, such as a spring, on the lid cap portion 35. The lower part (pin body portion) of the float valve pin body 36 can be inserted into the small air hole 35a from above, and by pressing the upper part, it can reach below the small air hole 35a. At this time, the reaction force of the elastic body 36A makes it easier to remove foreign matter in and around the small air hole 35a, as described later, by repeatedly pressing the upper part of the float valve pin body 36 multiple times.

[0026] The cover 3 has a guide rod 37 that extends downward from the cover cap portion 35. As will be described later, the guide rod 37 passes through the guide rod insertion hole 5a of the float valve body 5, and a nut is fastened to its lower part as a stopper to prevent the float valve body 5 from descending any further (see Figures 3 and 6). In this way, the guide rod 37 guides the float valve body 5 as it moves up and down according to the water surface position (water level).

[0027] Furthermore, the cover 3 has a float valve rotation stopper rod 37A that extends downward from the cover cap portion 35 (see Figure 6). The float valve rotation stopper rod 37A can prevent the float valve 5 from rotating around the guide rod 37 as an axis.

[0028] The floating valve body 4 is positioned in the hollow portion 2a of the valve body 2 as described above. The floating valve body 4 can block the large air hole 32b of the cover 3 from below, depending on the water level in the hollow portion 2a of the valve body. The floating valve body 4 can be, for example, roughly disc-shaped as shown (see Figures 4 and 7). The upper end surface of the floating valve body 4 is flat so that it can be in close contact with the cover 3 (specifically, the O-rings 33A and 33B). The floating valve body 4 also has a central hole 4a that penetrates in the vertical direction. The floating valve body 4 has a predetermined number (3 in this embodiment) of legs 41 at its lower end (see Figure 7).

[0029] The float valve body 5 is a long, roughly cylindrical object, and is positioned in the hollow portion 3a of the cover body 3 as described above. The float valve body 5 can block the small air hole 35a from below depending on the water level in the hollow portion 3a of the cover body.

[0030] The float valve body 5 has a guide rod insertion hole 5a through which the guide rod 37 of the cover body 3 is inserted. The guide rod insertion hole 5a is a through hole. The float valve body 5 also has a rotation prevention hole 5b through which the float valve body rotation prevention rod 37A of the cover body 3 is inserted (see Figure 8).

[0031] The float valve body 5 has an upper member 51 and a lower member 52, and the upper member 51 and the lower member 52 are connected to each other so as to be tiltable by a connecting member 5c (in this embodiment, a socket head cap screw). In this embodiment, the connecting member 5c is provided near the end of the upper member 51.

[0032] In the air valve 1 described above, when the upstream pump is stopped (or the upstream valve is closed), or when the piping switches from a water-flowing state to a water-off state, air is drawn in through the large air hole 32b, and the atmosphere is guided into the piping through the hollow part of the valve body 2a and the water-conducting part 2b (and the open shut-off valve 10). Here, since the large air hole 32b is formed in the vertical direction or at an angle in the vertical direction as described above, a large amount of atmosphere can flow smoothly into the piping through the hollow part of the valve body 2a and the water-conducting part 2b. Therefore, extremely efficient intake becomes possible. In this respect, it is more preferable to form the large air hole 32b at an angle in the vertical direction as described above.

[0033] Furthermore, in the air valve 1, when the piping switches from a water-off state to a water-flow state, such as when the upstream pump is activated (or the upstream valve is opened), the shut-off valve 10 is open, and the air (including other gases) inside the piping is rapidly exhausted to the outside through the large air hole 32b (large volume exhaust). Large volume exhaust continues from the time water enters the hollow part 2a of the valve body until the floating valve body 4 comes into close contact with the cover 3 from below and closes the large air hole 32b. Here, since the large air hole 32b is formed in the vertical direction or at an angle in the vertical direction as described above, the air inside the piping can be smoothly discharged in large quantities to the outside through the large air hole 32b from the water-conducting section 2b and the hollow part 2a of the valve body. Thus, extremely efficient large volume exhaust becomes possible. In this respect, it is more preferable to form the large air hole 32b at an angle in the vertical direction as described above.

[0034] After the large volume of exhaust is complete, a small volume of exhaust is performed. This small volume of exhaust causes the air inside the hollow section 3a of the lid to be exhausted through the small air hole 35a, gradually raising the water level and causing the float valve body 5 to rise along the guide rod 37. When the distance from the water level to the small air hole 35a reaches a predetermined distance, the float valve body 5 (specifically, the upper surface of the upper member 51) comes into contact with the valve seat 35b, blocking the small air hole 35a from below, and the exhaust stops.

[0035] Subsequently, as the water in the pipe flows normally and air mixes with it, the air enters the hollow section 3a of the lid from the pipe. Then, as the amount of air above the water level increases and the water level drops, the small air vent 35a opens.

[0036] Here, if the small air vent 35a is formed on the central axis of the lid 3, and the connecting member 5c that connects the upper member 51 and the lower member 52 of the float valve body 5 is located near the end of the upper member 51 and at a predetermined distance from the central axis, then a moment force (moment of force) equal to approximately the downward force of the lower member 52 multiplied by that predetermined distance will act on the contact area between the upper member 51 and the valve seat 35b. As a result, the upper surface of the upper member 51 will tilt, and even if the upper member 51 and the valve seat 35b are tightly attached, they can be easily separated (see Figure 9).

[0037] In this way, the upper surface of the upper member 51 tilts or lowers overall, opening the small air hole 35a, and a small amount of exhaust is performed again. When the water level rises due to the small amount of exhaust and the distance from the water surface to the small air hole 35a reaches a predetermined distance, the float valve body 5 closes the small air hole 35a from below, and the exhaust stops.

[0038] The large air vent 32b and its vicinity can be cleaned periodically or irregularly using the floating valve pin 34 to remove foreign matter. By removing foreign matter, it becomes easier to maintain the operation of the floating valve 4 to open the large air vent 32b during intake and to open and close the large air vent 32b during high-volume exhaust, thereby maintaining efficient intake and high-volume exhaust.

[0039] Specifically, cleaning of the large air vent 32b and its vicinity can be performed as follows. First, as the first step, with the shut-off valve 10 closed, the upper part of the float valve body pin 36 is pressed, and its tip is brought down to below the small air vent 35a, poking the float valve body 5. This causes the upper surface of the float valve body 5 to tilt or lower overall, opening the small air vent 35a. By doing so, water or air is drawn into the small air vent 35a and discharged, lowering the pressure (water pressure and atmospheric pressure) inside the air valve 1 (the hollow part of the lid 3a and the hollow part of the valve body 2a).

[0040] Next, in the second step, the upper part of the movable valve pin body 34 is pressed, and its tip is brought down to below the large air hole 32b, poking the movable valve body 4. This causes the upper surface of the movable valve body 4 to tilt or lower overall, opening the large air hole 32b. Then, with the large air hole 32b open, the shut-off valve 10 is opened, and the movable valve pin body 34 is raised, allowing the large air hole 32b and any foreign matter in its vicinity to be discharged from the large air hole 32b along with water or air before the large air hole 32b is closed again by the movable valve body 4.

[0041] As described above, performing the first step followed by the second step reduces the water pressure inside the air valve 1, weakening the force pushing back against the floating valve pin 34 from the inside. This allows the tip of the floating valve pin 34 to be easily pushed down to below the large air hole 32b. The first and / or second steps can be performed multiple times as needed.

[0042] Furthermore, the small air vent 35a and its vicinity can be cleaned periodically or irregularly using the float valve pin 36 to remove foreign matter. By removing foreign matter, it becomes easier to maintain the opening and closing operation of the small air vent 35a by the float valve pin 36 during small-volume exhaust, thereby maintaining efficient small-volume exhaust.

[0043] Specifically, cleaning of the small air vent 35a and its vicinity can be performed as follows: First, with the shut-off valve 10 open, the upper part of the float valve pin 36 is pressed, and its tip is brought down to below the small air vent 35a, poking the float valve body 5. This causes the upper surface of the float valve body 5 to tilt or lower overall, opening the small air vent 35a. Then, the float valve pin 36 is raised, and foreign matter in the small air vent 35a and its vicinity is sucked into the small air vent 35a along with water or air and discharged before the small air vent 35a is closed again by the water pressure of the float valve body 5. Note that this process (step) can be performed multiple times as needed.

[0044] In this way, the air valve 1 (large air hole 32b, small air hole 35a and its vicinity) can be cleaned without disassembling the air valve 1 (for example, by removing the cover 3 from the valve body 2 and / or removing the cover cap portion 35 from the cover 3). This cleaning is particularly useful when the air valve 1 is used in piping such as sewers, industrial water pipelines, or agricultural water pipelines, where water of inferior quality compared to tap water flows. Although the small air hole 35a is usually away from the water surface, sudden fluctuations in the water surface due to changes in water pressure in the piping (for example, due to compression of the air layer caused by the water hammer phenomenon) can cause foreign matter to come into contact with the water.

[0045] Furthermore, when disassembling the air valve 1 for maintenance, before doing so, with the shut-off valve 10 closed, the upper part of the float valve body pin 36 is pressed, and its tip is brought down to below the small air hole 35a, poking the float valve body 5. This causes the upper surface of the float valve body 5 to tilt or lower overall, opening the small air hole 35a. This allows water or air to be drawn into and discharged through the small air hole 35a, lowering the pressure (water pressure and atmospheric pressure) inside the air valve 1 (the hollow part of the lid 3a and the hollow part of the valve body 2a). This process (step) prevents water or air from spraying out when the lid 3 is subsequently removed from the valve body 2 or the lid cap 35 is removed from the lid 3. This maintenance ensures efficient intake and exhaust.

[0046] Although an air valve according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1. Air valve 10. Shut-off valve 2 valve boxes 2a Valve box hollow part 2b Water intake section 21 Valve box cylindrical part 22 Valve body flange section 22a Valve box fastening hole 3 Lid 3' Plate 3A fastener 3a Lid hollow part 3aa Lower side opening 31 Lid cylindrical part 311 Lower lid cylindrical part 312 Upper lid cylindrical part 32 Cover flange portion 32a Lid fastening hole 32b Large air vent 33A, 33B O-rings 34 Pin body for floating valve 34A Elastic body 34B Elastic body holding cylinder 35 Lid / Cap 35a Small air hole 35b Valve seat 35c recess 36 Pin body for float valve 36A Elastic body 37 Guide rod 37A Float valve body rotation stopper rod 38 External air vents 4. Floating valve body 4a Central hole of the free-moving valve body 41 Legs 5. Float valve body 5a Guide rod insertion hole 5b Rotation stop hole 5c Connecting member between upper and lower members 51 Upper member 52 Lower member

Claims

1. An air valve having a large air vent and a small air vent, A valve box having a hollow valve box portion inside, and a valve box flange portion surrounding the vicinity of the upper opening of the hollow valve box portion, A lid having a hollow lid portion inside, a lid flange portion around the vicinity of the lower opening of the hollow lid portion which is fastened to the valve box flange portion of the valve box, a lid cap portion in which the small air holes are formed, the lower opening of the hollow lid portion communicating with the valve box hollow portion of the valve box, the upper opening of the large air holes formed on the upper surface of the lid flange portion and the lower opening communicating with the valve box hollow portion of the valve box, A floating valve body is provided, which is positioned in the hollow part of the valve body and can close the large air hole from below, and has a central hole that penetrates in the vertical direction. A float valve body is disposed in the hollow portion of the cover and capable of blocking the small air hole from below, An air valve equipped with this feature.

2. In the air valve according to claim 1, The lid holds a pin body for a movable valve that can be inserted into the large air hole from above.

3. In the air valve according to claim 1 or 2, The lid holds a pin body for a float valve that can be inserted into the small air hole from above.

4. In the air valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The lid has a guide rod that extends downward from the lid cap portion, An air valve having a guide rod insertion hole formed in the float valve body through which the guide rod is inserted.

5. In the air valve according to claim 4, The float valve body comprises an upper member and a lower member, and the upper member and the lower member are connected to each other so as to be tiltable.

6. A method for cleaning an air valve, comprising: a first step of, with the shut-off valve closed, pressing the upper part of the pin body for the float valve body to bring its tip down to below the small air hole, poking the float valve body to open the small air hole, drawing water or air into the small air hole and discharging it to reduce the pressure inside the air valve; and a second step of, with the large air hole open, opening the shut-off valve, raising the pin body for the float valve body to poke the float valve body to open the large air hole, and then, with the large air hole open, raising the pin body for the float valve body to discharge the large air hole and any foreign matter in its vicinity from the large air hole along with water or air until the large air hole is closed again by the float valve body.

7. An air valve cleaning method comprising the steps of: with the shut-off valve open, pressing the upper part of the pin body for the float valve body to bring its tip down to below the small air hole, poking the float valve body to open the small air hole, and then raising the pin body for the float valve body to allow foreign matter in the small air hole and its vicinity to be sucked into the small air hole along with water or air and discharged before the small air hole is closed again by the float valve body.

8. A method for disassembling an air valve, comprising the steps of: with the shut-off valve closed, pressing the upper part of the pin body for the float valve body to bring its tip down to below the small air hole, poking the float valve body to open the small air hole, and drawing water or air into the small air hole and then discharging it to reduce the pressure inside the air valve.

Images