Primary side connecting member, water meter unit, and water meter box

Abstract

To provide a primary-side connecting member that simplifies installation and maintenance work, and that can still draw water even if a malfunction occurs in the secondary-side piping. [Solution] The system comprises a primary side piping connection section, a primary side meter connection section, a tertiary branch section, and a primary side base section. The primary side base section comprises a primary side base section body that forms a main flow path and a branch flow path, a three-way valve that switches the open / closed state of the main flow path and the branch flow path, and a three-way valve operating section for switching the three-way valve from outside the primary side base section body. The tertiary branch section comprises a branch body section that forms a water intake for taking in water through the branch flow path, a branch plug section that switches the open / closed state of the water intake, and a plug operating section for opening and closing the branch plug section. The three-way valve is switchable between a fully open state and a fully closed state. The three-way valve operating section includes a rotation restricting section that restricts the rotation of the three-way valve so that it enters a tertiary communication state that forms a flow path connecting the primary side meter connection section and the tertiary branch section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a primary-side connection member connected to the primary side of a water meter, as well as a water meter unit and a water meter box having the primary-side connection member.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an antifreeze water faucet post as described in Patent Document 1 is known, which is provided to install a faucet on a water pipe branched from a water main so that water can be taken from the water pipe. The antifreeze water faucet post is a columnar body having a faucet at its tip, and its base end is connected to a water pipe connection portion provided on the water pipe branched from the water main. Further, the water pipe is provided with a water meter box in which a water meter, a stop valve and a check valve are disposed at a position on the primary side relative to the water pipe connection portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When arranging an antifreeze water faucet post as described in Patent Document 1, a water meter box in which a water meter, a stop valve and a check valve are disposed is provided in the middle of the water pipe, and it is further necessary to provide a water pipe connection portion for the water pipe at a position spaced apart on the secondary side relative to the water meter box. For this reason, it is necessary to perform installation work and maintenance work at a plurality of locations on the water pipe, which takes time and effort for installation or maintenance.

[0005] In addition, when the antifreeze water faucet post breaks down or the like, or when a failure or the like occurs on the secondary side relative to the antifreeze water faucet post, water leaks through the failed portion, and in order to stop the leak, it is necessary to operate the stop valve to stop all water supply. Therefore, in such a case, water cannot be taken, which is inconvenient.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a primary-side connecting member, a water meter unit, and a water meter box that can simplify the installation or maintenance of equipment for drawing water from the middle of a water pipe, and that can also draw water even if a malfunction occurs in the secondary-side piping. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The primary side connecting member of the present invention is a primary side connecting member connected to the primary side of a water meter, and comprises: a primary side piping connection portion connected to a branch pipe branched from the main water pipe; a primary side meter connection portion connected to a water meter; a tertiary branch portion branching from between the primary side piping connection portion and the primary side meter connection portion; and a primary side base portion to which the primary side piping connection portion, the primary side meter connection portion and the tertiary branch portion are connected, wherein the primary side base portion comprises: a primary side base body forming a main flow path communicating the primary side piping connection portion and the primary side meter connection portion, and a branch flow path communicating the primary side piping connection portion and the tertiary branch portion; a three-way valve disposed inside the primary side base body for switching the open / closed state of the main flow path and the branch flow path; and a three-way valve control for switching the three-way valve from outside the primary side base body. The tertiary branch section comprises a branch body section having a water intake section that forms a water intake for taking in water supplied from the primary side via the branch passage, a branch plug section provided inside the branch body section for switching the open and closed state of the water intake, and a plug operating section for opening and closing the branch plug section from outside the branch body section, the three-way valve being switchable by operation from the three-way valve operating section to a fully open state that opens the main passage and the branch passage, and a fully closed state that opens the branch passage and closes the main passage, and the three-way valve operating section includes a rotation restricting section that restricts the rotation of the three-way valve so that it enters a tertiary communication state in which a passage forms a communication between the primary side meter connection section and the tertiary branch section when the main passage and the branch passage are closed, using a member that engages with the three-way valve.

[0008] Furthermore, the water meter unit of the present invention comprises the primary side connecting member and a base portion that supports the water meter and the primary side connecting member.

[0009] Furthermore, the water meter box of the present invention comprises the primary side connecting member and a box-shaped box section in which a water meter is disposed, and the primary side connecting member is housed in the box section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a primary-side connecting member, a water meter unit, and a water meter box that can simplify the installation or maintenance of equipment for drawing water from the middle of a water pipe, and that can draw water even if a malfunction occurs in the secondary-side piping. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a front cross-sectional view showing a water meter unit and a secondary side connecting member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the water meter unit and secondary connection member. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view from the front showing the secondary side connecting member. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of section IV-IV. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the state of the three-way valve in the secondary side connecting member. [Figure 6] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of section IV-IV. [Figure 7] This is a front cross-sectional view showing a water meter unit and a secondary side connecting member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view from the front showing the secondary side connecting member. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the state of the three-way valve in the secondary side connecting member. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the state of the three-way valve operating section in the secondary side connecting member. [Figure 11]It is a cross-sectional view of the secondary side connection member according to the third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front side. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of the secondary side connection member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front side. [Figure 13] It is a plan view showing the secondary side connection member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view of the same secondary side connection member, viewed from the front side. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view of the secondary side connection member according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front side. [Figure 16] It is a plan view showing the secondary side connection member according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention and a water meter box having the secondary side connection member. [Figure 17] It is a plan view showing the secondary side connection member according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention and a water meter box having the secondary side connection member. [Figure 18] It is a cross-sectional view of the same water meter box and the secondary side connection member, viewed from the front side. [Figure 19] It is a cross-sectional view of the same secondary side connection member, viewed from the front side. [Figure 20] It is a cross-sectional view of a water meter box according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front side. [Figure 21] It is a cross-sectional view of the primary side connection member according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a water meter unit provided with the primary side connection member, viewed from the front side. [Figure 22] It is a cross-sectional view of the same primary side connection member, viewed from the front side. [Figure 23] It is a diagram showing the state of the three-way valve in the same secondary side connection member. [Figure 24] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIV-XXIV shown in Figure 22. [Figure 25] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXV-XXV shown in Figure 24. [Figure 26] It is a plan view showing the secondary side connection member according to the reference example. [Figure 27] It is a cross-sectional view of the same secondary side connection member, viewed from the front side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A secondary connecting member 2 and a water meter unit U equipped with the secondary connecting member 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. For the sake of explanation, the vertical and horizontal directions will be described based on the directions shown in Figure 1, and the direction that penetrates the plane of Figure 1 will be described as the front-to-back direction.

[0013] The water meter unit U is positioned between the branch pipe that branches off from the main water pipe and the secondary pipe, and is used to install a water meter M that measures the flow rate of water from the branch pipe to the secondary side. As shown in Figure 1, the water meter unit U comprises a primary side connecting member 1, a secondary side connecting member 2, and a base part 4.

[0014] The primary side connecting member 1 connects the branch pipe and the water meter M. Specifically, the primary side connecting member 1 comprises a primary side pipe connection part 11 connected to the branch pipe, a primary side meter connection part 12 connected to the primary side end of the water meter M, and a primary side base part 13 that forms a primary side flow path communicating from the primary side pipe connection part 11 to the primary side meter connection part 12.

[0015] The primary side piping connection 11 is connected to the branch pipe, for example, via a fitting. In this embodiment, the primary side piping connection 11 is an L-shaped pipe with one end opening towards the rear and the other end opening upward. In addition, in this embodiment, the end of the primary side piping connection 11 located towards the rear is connected to the branch pipe via a fitting.

[0016] The primary side meter connection section 12 is a pipe connected to the water meter M, and it has a check valve 121 inside that allows water to flow from the primary side to the secondary side and restricts water flow from the secondary side to the primary side. In this embodiment, the primary side meter connection section 12 is an expandable pipe that can expand and contract in the axial direction, and as it expands in the axial direction, the secondary end is pressed against the water meter M and attached to the water meter M. When the water meter M is pressed against the primary side meter connection section 12, a nut is used to connect the primary side connection section to prevent the water meter M from falling off.

[0017] The primary side base 13 is a box-shaped body that connects the primary side piping connection 11 and the primary side meter connection 12, forming a primary side flow path that communicates from the primary side piping connection 11 to the primary side meter connection 12. A shut-off valve 15 for opening and closing the primary side flow path is provided inside the primary side base 13. The shut-off valve 15 in this embodiment is a ball valve, and the primary side flow path can be switched between open and closed states by operating the shut-off valve operating part 16 that extends outward from the primary side base 13. Furthermore, the shut-off valve operating part 16 in this embodiment extends upward from the primary side base 13, and is provided so that the shut-off valve 15 can be switched by hand from above the primary side base 13.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the secondary connecting member 2 comprises a secondary meter connection part 21 connected to the water meter M, a secondary pipe connection part 22 connected to the secondary piping, a secondary base part 23 to which the secondary meter connection part 21, the secondary pipe connection part 22, and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected, and a tertiary branch part 3 connected to the secondary base part 23.

[0019] The secondary meter connection section 21 is a pipe connected to the water meter M. In this embodiment, the secondary meter connection section 21 is a pipe whose axial length does not change, and the secondary end of the water meter M is crimped to it by the extension of the primary meter connection section 12, thereby attaching it to the water meter M. When the water meter M is crimped to the secondary meter connection section 21, a nut is used to connect it so that the water meter M does not fall out of the secondary meter connection section 21. In addition, the secondary meter connection section 21 in this embodiment is a pipe that extends in the front-rear direction.

[0020] The secondary piping connection section 22 is connected to the secondary piping, for example, via a fitting. In this embodiment, the secondary piping connection section 22 is a pipe that extends in an L-shape, with the other end opening towards the rear and one end opening upward. In this embodiment, the other end of the secondary piping connection section 22, which is located towards the rear, is connected to the secondary piping via a fitting.

[0021] The secondary base 23 comprises a box-shaped secondary base body 24, a three-way valve 25 housed inside the secondary base body 24, and a three-way valve operating unit 26 for switching the three-way valve 25.

[0022] The secondary base body 24 is a box-shaped body to which the secondary meter connection part 21 and the secondary piping connection part 22 are connected, forming a main flow path R1 that communicates from the secondary meter connection part 21 to the secondary piping connection part 22. Specifically, the secondary meter connection part 21 is connected to the left side of the secondary base body 24, and the secondary piping connection part 22 is connected to the bottom side. The main flow path R1 is formed so that its orientation changes inside the secondary base body 24. Specifically, the main flow path R1 is bent inside the secondary base body 24 so that it changes from extending in the left-right direction from the primary side to the secondary side to extending in the up-down direction.

[0023] A tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the secondary base body 24. In this embodiment, the tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the upper part of the secondary base body 24. The secondary base body 24 also branches off from the main flow path R1 midway, forming a branch flow path R2 that communicates from the secondary meter connection section 21 to the tertiary branch section 3. The branch flow path R2 is formed so as to change direction inside the secondary base body 24. Specifically, the branch flow path R2 is bent inside the secondary base body 24 so as to change from extending left to right from the primary side to the tertiary side to extending up and down. In this embodiment, the flow path branches at the point where the direction of the main flow path R1 changes inside the secondary base body 24. Specifically, inside the secondary base body 24, there is a flow path that extends from left to right and a main flow path R1 that extends downward from the right end of the flow path, and a branch flow path R2 that extends upward from the right end of the main flow path R1. Furthermore, the minimum inner diameter of the branch channel R2 is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the main channel R1. Specifically, the portion with the minimum inner diameter in the main channel R1 is formed at the connection point between the secondary base body 24 and the tertiary branch section 3, and the cross-sectional area of ​​this portion is less than half the minimum cross-sectional area of ​​the main channel R1.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the three-way valve 25 is a valve body located inside the secondary base body 24 that opens and closes the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. Specifically, the three-way valve 25 is a ball valve 250 located in the middle of the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and can open and close the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 by rotating around an axis passing through the branch portion between the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. The three-way valve 25 also includes a ball seat 251 located around the ball valve 250. The ball seat 251 is located between the ball valve 250 and the secondary base body 24, and allows rotation of the ball valve 250 while preventing water from entering between the ball valve 250 and the secondary base body 24. In this embodiment, the ball seat 251 is located in two places, on the right and left sides of the ball valve 250. As shown in Figure 4, the three-way valve 25 of this embodiment is a spherical body in which a T-shaped passage is formed inside, having a first passage 25A that penetrates radially and a second passage 25B that extends from the outer surface of the ball valve 250 to the first passage 25A so as to be perpendicular to the first passage 25A. The three-way valve 25 can switch between a fully open state J1 in which both the main passage R1 and the branch passage R2 are open, a branch closed state J2 in which the main passage R1 is open and the branch passage R2 is closed, and a main closed state J3 in which the main passage R1 is closed and the branch passage R2 is open. Furthermore, the three-way valve 25 is restricted to a tertiary communication state J4 in which, when both the main passage R1 and the branch passage R2 are closed, a passage is formed that connects the secondary side piping connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5(a), in the fully open state J1, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending vertically and the second flow path 25B extending horizontally from the left end toward the first flow path 25A. In this state, the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, so that the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 are open.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5(b), in the branch closed state J2, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped passage formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first passage 25A extending in the left-right direction and the second passage 25B extending vertically from its lower end toward the first passage 25A. In this state, since the first passage 25A and the second passage 25B extend along the main passage R1, the main passage R1 is open, and the middle of the branch passage R2 is closed by the ball valve 250, so the branch passage R2 is closed.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5(c), in the main closed state J3, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending in the left-right direction and the second flow path 25B extending vertically from the upper end toward the first flow path 25A. In this state, since the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the branch flow path R2, the branch flow path R2 is open, and the middle of the main flow path R1 is closed by the ball valve 250, so the main flow path R1 is closed.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(d), in the T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250 of the three-way valve 25, when the first flow path 25A extends vertically and the second flow path 25B extends horizontally from the right end toward the first flow path 25A, the flow path extending to the right from the secondary meter connection part 21 is closed by the ball valve 250, thereby closing both the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and the first flow path 25A connects the secondary piping connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3, resulting in a tertiary communication state J4. In this embodiment, the three-way valve 25 is restricted from entering such a tertiary communication state J4.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the three-way valve operating unit 26 is a rod-shaped body connected to the three-way valve 25, and can rotate the three-way valve 25 to switch the state of the three-way valve 25. Specifically, the three-way valve operating unit 26 comprises an operating rod portion 27, which is a rod-shaped body with its base end connected to the three-way valve 25 and its tip extending to the outside of the secondary base body 24, and a rotation restricting portion 28 that restricts the rotation range of the operating rod portion 27.

[0030] The operating rod portion 27 is a rod-shaped body that extends in a straight line. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 27 is a cylindrical body. The base end of the operating rod portion 27 is fitted to the three-way valve 25, and the operating rod portion 27 can rotate together with the three-way valve 25 in the extension direction of the operating rod portion 27 while fitted to it. The operating rod portion 27 also has a tool mounting portion 271 at its tip to which a tool can be attached. The tool mounting portion 271 is configured to be able to attach a wrench, which is a tool. Furthermore, the operating rod portion 27 is arranged to penetrate the secondary base body 24 both internally and externally, and a portion between the base end and the tip end is arranged to face the inner circumferential surface of the rod penetration portion 240, which is the portion of the secondary base body 24 through which the operating rod portion 27 penetrates. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 27 extends in the front-rear direction such that the base end is located on the front side and the tip end is located on the rear side, and the base end extends from the secondary base body 24 toward the rear.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the rotation restricting portion 28 is provided on the operating rod portion 27 and includes a contact projection 281 that protrudes radially outward from the operating rod portion 27, and a restricting groove portion 282 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rod penetration portion 240. The restricting groove portion 282 is a groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rod penetration portion 240 that extends along the circumferential direction and is concave radially outward, and in this embodiment, it is provided to extend continuously over approximately half the circumference. Furthermore, the circumferential end of the restricting groove portion 282 is provided with a contact wall portion 283, which is a wall that rises radially inward from the radially outward bottom of the restricting groove portion 282. The contact wall portion 283 is a wall body that extends substantially linearly along the radial direction. In this embodiment, the restricting groove portion 282 is a groove provided in the area to the left of the operating rod portion 27 when viewed from the front, and the contact wall portion 283 is provided above and below the operating rod portion 27.

[0032] The contact projection 281 is a projection that protrudes radially outward from the operating rod portion 27. Furthermore, the contact projection 281 is a projection of a size that can be accommodated inside the regulating groove portion 282. In addition, both circumferential end faces of the contact projection 281 are configured as contact end faces 284 that can contact the contact wall portion 283 in the regulating groove portion 282, and the contact end faces 284 have a shape corresponding to the contact wall portion 283, specifically a shape that extends linearly along the radial direction.

[0033] As the operating rod portion 27 rotates, the contact projection 281 moves circumferentially within the regulating groove portion 282. The operating rod portion 27 can only rotate circumferentially within the range in which the contact projection 281 can move within the regulating groove portion 282. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 27 can rotate approximately 180 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the front, starting from a position where the contact projection 281 faces upward.

[0034] Here, we will explain the relationship between the orientation of the operating rod portion 27 and the state of the three-way valve 25. As shown in Figure 6(a), when the three-way valve 25 is in the fully open state J1, the operating rod portion 27 is in an orientation where the contact projection 281 faces to the left. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the fully open state J1, the contact projection 281 is located in the middle portion (specifically the central portion) of the circumferential direction of the regulating groove portion 282, and the contact end face 284 is not in contact with the contact wall portion 283. Therefore, when the three-way valve 25 is in the fully open state J1, the operating rod portion 27 can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the front.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6(b), when the three-way valve 25 is in the branched closed state J2, the operating rod portion 27 is positioned so that the contact projection 281 faces downwards. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 25 is in the branched closed state J2, the contact projection 281 of the operating rod portion 27 is in a state where the contact end face 284 is in contact with the lower contact wall portion 283. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the branched closed state J2, the operating rod portion 27 can be rotated clockwise when viewed from the front, but it cannot be rotated counterclockwise. In this embodiment, by rotating the operating rod portion 27 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, from the state shown in Figure 6(a), the three-way valve 25 can be switched from the fully open state J1 to the branched closed state J2.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6(c), when the three-way valve 25 is in the main closed state J3, the operating rod portion 27 is positioned so that the contact projection 281 faces upward. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 25 is in the main closed state J3, the contact projection 281 of the operating rod portion 27 is in a state where the contact end face 284 is in contact with the upper contact wall portion 283. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the main closed state J3, the operating rod portion 27 can be rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front, but it cannot be rotated clockwise. In this embodiment, by rotating the operating rod portion 27 clockwise when viewed from the front, from the state shown in Figure 6(a), the three-way valve 25 can be switched from the fully open state J1 to the main closed state J3.

[0037] Furthermore, in order to set the three-way valve 25 to the tertiary communication state J4, it is necessary to rotate the three-way valve 25 in the branch closed state J2 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, or to rotate the three sides in the main closed state J3 clockwise when viewed from the front, as shown by the arrows in Figure 5(d). However, as shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), the contact end surface 284 contacts the contact wall portion 283, which restricts the operation of the operating rod portion 27 to set the three-way valve 25 to the tertiary communication state J4. Therefore, the three-way valve 25 in this embodiment is prevented from reaching the tertiary communication state J4.

[0038] This configuration makes it easy to switch the three-way valve 25 from the fully open state J1 to the branch closed state J2 or the main closed state J3.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the tertiary branch section 3 comprises a tubular branch body section 31, a branch valve section 32 provided inside the branch body section 31, and a branch operation section 33 for operating the branch valve section 32. In this embodiment, the tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the upper part of the secondary base body 24, and the entire structure is located above the secondary base body 24. The tertiary branch section 3 is also a device for drawing water from the middle of a water pipe.

[0040] The branch main body 31 is a pipe that extends in the left-right direction. The branch main body 31 also includes a branch connection part 34 located at the base end of the branch main body 31 and connected to the secondary base body 24, and a water intake part 35 located at the tip of the branch main body 31. In this embodiment, the branch main body 31 is positioned so that its base end is on the right side and its tip is on the left side. In other words, in the left-right direction, the branch connection part 34 is located on the side farther from the water meter M, and the water intake part 35 is located on the side closer to the water meter M. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the branch main body 31 is formed integrally with the secondary base 23.

[0041] The branch connection section 34 is located above the secondary base body 24. The branch connection section 34 also has a branch opening 34a that connects the branch flow path R2 of the secondary base body 24 to the inside of the branch connection section 34. The branch opening 34a is a hole formed in the branch connection section 34 that opens downward. The peripheral portion of the branch opening 34a is configured as a contact portion 341 that the branch plug section 32 abuts against, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the branch opening 34a is a circular opening, and the contact portion 341, which is the peripheral portion of the branch opening 34a, is formed in an annular shape.

[0042] The water intake section 35 is located to the left of the branch connection section 34, and in this embodiment, it is located above the secondary meter connection section 21. The water intake section 35 also has a water inlet 35a that opens to the left. The water inlet 35a is an opening formed to allow water that has flowed into the branch connection section 34 via the branch opening 34a to be discharged, and water flowing from the branch piping can be taken in through the water inlet 35a. In addition, other piping extending outward from the water inlet 35a can be connected to the water intake section 35. The water intake section 35 in this embodiment has male threads formed on its outer surface, and fittings and the like can be connected to the water intake section 35 using these male threads, and other piping can be connected via these fittings and the like.

[0043] The branch plug section 32 is located inside the branch main body section 31 and switches the open / closed state of an intermediate portion in the water flow path from the secondary base body 24 to the water intake section 35, switching between a state where water flows from the branch flow path R2 to the water intake section 35 and a state where water does not flow. The branch plug section 32 in this embodiment is provided to plug the branch opening 34a in the branch connection section 34, thereby stopping the flow of water from the secondary base body 24 to the branch main body section 31. Specifically, the branch plug section 32 comprises a cylindrical section 321 extending upward from the branch main body section 31, a plug body section 322 that moves vertically inside the cylindrical section 321, and a seat section 323 provided on the plug body section 322 that abuts against the contacted section 341 and can stop the flow of water from the secondary base body 24 to the water intake 35a.

[0044] The cylindrical portion 321 is a cylindrical body that extends vertically above the branching opening 34a. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 321 is a cylindrical body with internal threads formed on its inner circumference. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 321 is integrally constructed with the branching main body portion 31.

[0045] The plug body 322 is a rod-shaped body positioned inside the cylindrical portion 321 and extending vertically. The plug body 322 is a rod-shaped body with male threads formed on its outer circumference, and these male threads are screwed into the female threads of the cylindrical portion 321, allowing the plug body 322 to move vertically along the cylindrical portion 321. In other words, the plug body 322 rotates on its axis in the vertical direction, causing its tip to move towards or away from the branching opening 34a.

[0046] The seat portion 323 is provided at the tip of the plug body portion 322 and moves vertically as the plug body portion 322 moves relative to the cylindrical portion 321. Specifically, the seat portion 323 is an annular elastic body located at the tip of the plug body portion 322. When the seat portion 323 is in contact with the contact portion 341, it is compressed, and the plug body portion 322 and the seat portion 323 close the branch opening 34a, stopping the flow of water from the secondary base body 24 to the branch body portion 31.

[0047] The branch operation unit 33 is connected to the base end (upper end) of the plug body 322 and can be operated to switch between a state in which water flows from the branch channel R2 to the water intake unit 35 and a state in which water does not flow. Specifically, the branch operation unit 33 is equipped with a finger grip portion 331 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis that rotates the plug body 322 so that its tip approaches or moves away from the branch opening 34a, and the branch operation unit 33 can be rotated by placing a finger on the finger grip portion 331. In this embodiment, the branch operation unit 33 is equipped with a finger grip portion 331 that extends in the horizontal direction. The branch operation unit 33 is also located at the upper end portion of the secondary side connecting member 2.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base portion 4 comprises a base portion 41 that is installed on the installation target, a primary side fixing portion 42 that fixes the primary side connecting member 1, and a secondary side fixing portion 43 that fixes the secondary side connecting member 2. The base portion 41 is a rod-shaped body that extends in the left-right direction and is fixed to the installation target on which the water meter M is installed. Examples of installation targets include the ground and the inside of a pipe shaft.

[0049] The primary side fixing portion 42 is provided at the left end of the base portion 41, and the primary side connecting member 1 can be fixed to the base portion 41. In this embodiment, the primary side fixing portion 42 can fix the lower end of the primary side connecting member 1, and specifically, the primary side piping connection portion 11 can be fixed.

[0050] The secondary fixing portion 43 is provided at the right end of the base portion 41 and can fix the secondary connecting member 2 to the base portion 41. In this embodiment, the secondary fixing portion 43 can fix the lower end of the secondary connecting member 2, and specifically, the secondary piping connection portion 22 can be fixed.

[0051] Furthermore, in the base portion 41, the water meter M is positioned between the primary side fixing portion 42 and the secondary side fixing portion 43. In this embodiment, the water meter M is positioned between the primary side connecting member 1 fixed to the primary side fixing portion 42 and the secondary side connecting member 2 fixed to the secondary side fixing portion 43, resulting in the water meter M being positioned between the primary side fixing portion 42 and the secondary side fixing portion 43, and the water meter M being fixed to the base portion 41 via the primary side connecting member 1 and the secondary side connecting member 2.

[0052] Furthermore, the water intake 35a is positioned closer to the primary side fixing part 42 (to the left) than the secondary side fixing part 43, and the branch operation part 33 is positioned so as to overlap the secondary side fixing part 43 in the vertical direction. In addition, the water intake 35a is positioned between the secondary side meter connection part 21 and the secondary side fixing part 43 in the left-right direction.

[0053] With the secondary connecting member 2 configured as described above, since the secondary connecting member 2 is equipped with a water intake section 35 and a branch valve section 32, the water intake section 35 and the branch valve section 32 can be positioned in accordance with the installation of the water meter M. Furthermore, since the secondary base section 23 has a three-way valve 25, if a malfunction or other problem occurs in the secondary piping, the main flow path R1 can be closed while the branch flow path R2 is opened, and water can be taken in by opening and closing the branch flow path R2 with the branch valve section 32.

[0054] Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 10, a secondary connecting member 2 and a water meter unit U equipped with the secondary connecting member 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, the water meter unit U comprises a primary side connecting member 1, a secondary side connecting member 2, and a base portion 4.

[0056] The primary side connecting member 1 connects the branch pipe and the water meter M. Specifically, the primary side connecting member 1 comprises a primary side pipe connection part 11 connected to the branch pipe, a primary side meter connection part 12 connected to the primary side end of the water meter M, and a primary side base part 13 that forms a primary side flow path communicating from the primary side pipe connection part 11 to the primary side meter connection part 12.

[0057] In this embodiment, the primary side piping connection 11 is connected to the left side of the primary side base 13. The primary side meter connection 12 is connected to the right side of the primary side base 13. Furthermore, the primary side piping connection 11 and the primary side meter connection 12 are pipes that extend linearly along the left-right direction. In other words, the primary side piping connection 11 in this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the primary side piping connection 11 and the primary side meter connection 12 are provided so as to extend in the left-right direction. Also, the primary side base 13 in this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a valve-type shut-off valve as the shut-off valve 15.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the secondary connecting member 2 comprises a secondary meter connection part 21 connected to the water meter M, a secondary pipe connection part 22 connected to the secondary piping, a secondary base part 23 to which the secondary pipe connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected, and a tertiary branch part 3 connected to the secondary base part 23.

[0059] The secondary meter connection section 21 is connected to the left side of the secondary base section 23. The secondary piping connection section 22 is connected to the right side of the secondary base section 23. Furthermore, the secondary meter connection section 21 and the secondary piping connection section 22 are pipes that extend linearly along the left-right direction. In other words, the secondary piping connection section 22 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that both the secondary piping connection section 22 and the secondary meter connection section 21 are provided to extend in the left-right direction.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main flow path R1 is formed to extend continuously in the left-right direction, and the branch flow path R2 is provided to branch off from the main flow path R1 midway and extend upward. In other words, in this embodiment, the flow path from the branch piping to the secondary piping is provided to extend along the left-right direction, and the branch flow path R2 branches off upward from the middle of the flow path that extends in the left-right direction. Also, in this embodiment, the ball seats 251 are located on the right and left sides of the ball valve 250. In other words, the ball seats 251 are located on the primary and secondary sides with respect to the ball valve 250.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, in the fully open state J1, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending in the left-right direction and the second flow path 25B extending vertically from the upper end toward the first flow path 25A. In this state, the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, so that the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 are open.

[0062] In the branched closed state J2, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending in the left-right direction and the second flow path 25B extending vertically from its lower end toward the first flow path 25A. In this state, since the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the main flow path R1, the main flow path R1 is open, and the middle of the branched flow path R2 is closed by the ball valve 250, so the branched flow path R2 is closed.

[0063] In the main closed state J3, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending vertically and the second flow path 25B extending horizontally from the left end toward the first flow path 25A. In this state, since the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the branch flow path R2, the branch flow path R2 is open, and the main flow path R1 is closed in the middle by the ball valve 250, so the main flow path R1 is closed.

[0064] Furthermore, regarding the T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250 of the three-way valve 25, when the first flow path 25A extends vertically and the second flow path 25B extends horizontally from the right end toward the first flow path 25A, the flow path extending to the right from the secondary meter connection part 21 is closed by the ball valve 250, thereby closing both the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and the secondary piping connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected by the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B, resulting in a tertiary communication state J4. In this embodiment, the three-way valve 25 is restricted from entering such a tertiary communication state J4.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the configuration of the rotation restricting section 28 of the three-way valve operating section 26 in this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment, specifically, the configuration of the restricting groove section 282 differs from that of the first embodiment. The restricting groove section 282 in this embodiment is a groove provided in the area above the operating rod section 27 when viewed from the front, and contact wall sections 283 are provided on the left and right sides of the operating rod section 27.

[0066] As the operating rod portion 27 rotates, the contact projection 281 moves circumferentially within the regulating groove portion 282. The operating rod portion 27 can only rotate circumferentially within the range in which the contact projection 281 can move within the regulating groove portion 282. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 27 can rotate approximately 180 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the front, starting from a position where the contact projection 281 faces left.

[0067] Here, we will explain the relationship between the orientation of the operating rod portion 27 and the state of the three-way valve 25. As shown in Figure 10(a), when the three-way valve 25 is in the fully open state J1, the operating rod portion 27 is in an orientation where the contact projection 281 faces to the right. When the three-way valve 25 is in the fully open state J1, the contact projection 281 of the operating rod portion 27 is in a state where the contact end face 284 is in contact with the right-side contact wall portion 283. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the fully open state J1, the operating rod portion 27 can be rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front, but it cannot be rotated clockwise. Thus, in this embodiment, in the fully open state J1, the contact end face 284 is in contact with the contact wall portion 283. Therefore, by rotating the operating rod portion 27 until the contact end surface 284 contacts the contact wall portion 283, the valve can be brought to the fully open state J1. This prevents the three-way valve 25 from being properly brought to the fully open state J1 due to improper operation of the operating rod portion 27.

[0068] As shown in Figure 10(b), when the three-way valve 25 is in the main closed state J3, the operating rod portion 27 is positioned so that the contact projection 281 faces upward. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the main closed state J3, the contact projection 281 is located in the middle portion (specifically the central portion) of the circumferential direction of the regulating groove portion 282, and the contact end face 284 is not in contact with the contact wall portion 283. Therefore, when the three-way valve 25 is in the main closed state J3, the operating rod portion 27 can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the three-way valve 25 can be switched from the fully open state J1 to the main closed state J3 by rotating the operating rod portion 27 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, starting from the state shown in Figure 10(a).

[0069] As shown in Figure 10(c), when the three-way valve 25 is in the branch closed state J2, the operating rod portion 27 is positioned so that the contact projection 281 faces to the left. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 25 is in the branch closed state J2, the contact projection 281 of the operating rod portion 27 has its contact end face 284 in contact with the left contact wall portion 283. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the branch closed state J2, the operating rod portion 27 can be rotated clockwise when viewed from the front, but it cannot be rotated counterclockwise. In this embodiment, by rotating the operating rod portion 27 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, from the state shown in Figure 10(b), the three-way valve 25 can be switched from the main closed state J3 to the branch closed state J2.

[0070] Furthermore, in order to set the three-way valve 25 to the tertiary communication state J4, it is necessary to rotate the three-way valve 25 in the fully open state J1 clockwise when viewed from the front, or to rotate the three sides in the branched closed state J2 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, as shown by the arrows in Figure 9(d). However, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(c), the contact end surface 284 comes into contact with the contact wall portion 283, which restricts the operation of the operating rod portion 27 to set the three-way valve 25 to the tertiary communication state J4. Therefore, the three-way valve 25 in this embodiment is prevented from reaching the tertiary communication state J4.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7, the base portion 4 of this embodiment comprises a base portion 41 installed on the ground or the like, a primary side fixing portion 42 for fixing the primary side connecting member 1, a secondary side fixing portion 43 for fixing the secondary side connecting member 2, and a lower projection 44 positioned at the bottom of the water meter M. The base portion 41 is a rod-shaped body extending in the left-right direction and is fixed to the ground or the like at the location where the water meter M is installed.

[0072] The lower projection 44 is an upward-projecting projection located below the base portion 41 where the water meter M is to be placed. In this embodiment, the lower projection 44 is provided to prevent the water meter M from being installed in the wrong orientation if the water meter M is to be attached to the primary meter connection portion 12 and the secondary meter connection portion 21, that is, if the secondary end of the water meter M is to be attached to the primary meter connection portion 12 and the primary end is to be attached to the secondary meter connection portion 21, by contacting the water meter M from below.

[0073] In this embodiment, the primary side fixing portion 42 is fixed to the primary side pipe connection portion 11, and the secondary side fixing portion 43 is fixed to the secondary side pipe connection portion 22. In other words, the secondary side fixing portion 43 in this embodiment fixes the secondary side connection member 2 at a location spaced to the right (secondary side) of the branching point between the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. Furthermore, the branching point between the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 is located between the lower projection 44 and the secondary side fixing portion 43.

[0074] Furthermore, the water intake 35a and the branch operation unit 33 are positioned closer to the primary side fixing unit 42 (to the left) than the secondary side fixing unit 43, and the branch operation unit 33 is positioned so as to overlap the secondary side fixing unit 43 in the vertical direction. The water intake 35a and the branch operation unit 33 are positioned between the secondary side meter connection unit 21 and the secondary side fixing unit 43 in the left-right direction.

[0075] Even with a secondary connecting member 2 configured in this way, water can still be taken in via the tertiary branch section 3, even when the water supply to the secondary side is stopped by the three-way valve 25.

[0076] Next, with reference to Figure 11, a secondary connecting member 2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The secondary connecting member 2 of this embodiment differs from the secondary connecting member 2 of the second embodiment in the configuration of the tertiary branch section 3. Specifically, the secondary connecting member 2 of this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the configuration of the branch plug section 32.

[0077] The branch plug section 32 comprises a cylindrical section 321 extending upward from the branch body section 31, a plug body section 322 that moves vertically inside the cylindrical section 321, and a valve section 325 provided at the tip of the plug body section 322 and having a seat section 323 that contacts the contacted section 341. The configuration of the cylindrical section 321 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0078] The stopper body portion 322 is a rod-shaped body positioned inside the cylindrical portion 321 and extending in the vertical direction. The stopper body portion 322 is a rod-shaped body with male threads formed on its outer circumference, and these male threads are screwed into the female threads of the cylindrical portion 321, allowing the stopper body portion 322 to move vertically along the cylindrical portion 321. The stopper body portion 322 also has a recess 324 formed at its tip, to which a valve portion 325 is attached. In this embodiment, the valve portion 325 is provided at the tip of the stopper body portion 322 so that it can move vertically together with the stopper body portion 322.

[0079] The valve portion 325 comprises a rod-shaped shaft portion 326 whose base end fits into a recess 324 of the plug body portion 322, and a seat portion 323 provided at the tip of the shaft portion 326. The shaft portion 326 is provided so as to extend below the tip of the plug body portion 322 when its tip is fitted into the recess 324. The seat portion 323 is an annular elastic body located at the tip of the shaft portion 326. When the seat portion 323 is in contact with the contact portion 341, it is compressed, and the shaft portion 326 and the seat portion 323 close the branch opening 34a, stopping the flow of water from the secondary base body 24 to the branch body portion 31.

[0080] Even with a secondary connecting member 2 configured in this way, water can still be taken in via the tertiary branch section 3, even when the water supply to the secondary side is stopped by the three-way valve 25.

[0081] Next, a secondary connecting member 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 12. The secondary connecting member 2 of this embodiment differs from the secondary connecting member 2 of the second and third embodiments in the configuration of the tertiary branch section 3. Specifically, the secondary connecting member 2 of this embodiment differs from the second and third embodiments in the configuration of the branch plug section 32.

[0082] In this embodiment, the valve body 322 is a ball valve located inside the branch body 31. Specifically, the ball valve rotates on an axis in the vertical direction, allowing it to switch between an open state and a closed state for the flow path from the branch opening 34a to the water intake 35a inside the branch body 31.

[0083] The branching operation unit 33 includes a rod-shaped valve connecting unit 332 connected to the upper end of the ball valve, and a finger rest 331 positioned at the upper end of the valve connecting unit 332. The valve connecting unit 332 is a rod-shaped body provided to extend upward from the branching main unit 31, with its upper end located above the branching main unit 31. The valve connecting unit 332 is also rotatable in the vertical direction as an integral part of the ball valve. The finger rest 331 is provided to extend horizontally from the upper end of the valve connecting unit 332, allowing the valve connecting unit 332 and the ball valve to be rotated in the vertical direction by placing a finger on the finger rest 331.

[0084] Even with a secondary connecting member 2 configured in this way, water can still be taken in via the tertiary branch section 3, even when the water supply to the secondary side is stopped by the three-way valve 25.

[0085] Furthermore, since the ball valve, which serves as the plug body 322, can be switched from above the branch body 31, it is easier to open and close the flow path inside the branch body 31.

[0086] Next, a secondary connecting member 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0087] The secondary connecting member 2 comprises a secondary meter connection part 21 connected to the water meter M, a secondary pipe connection part 22 connected to the secondary piping, a secondary base part 23 to which the secondary pipe connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected, and a tertiary branch part 3 connected to the secondary base part 23.

[0088] The secondary meter connection section 21 is connected to the left side of the secondary base section 23. The secondary piping connection section 22 is connected to the right side of the secondary base section 23. Furthermore, the secondary meter connection section 21 and the secondary piping connection section 22 are pipes that extend linearly along the left-right direction. In other words, the secondary piping connection section 22 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that both the secondary piping connection section 22 and the secondary meter connection section 21 are provided to extend in the left-right direction.

[0089] The secondary base 23 comprises a box-shaped secondary base body 24, a three-way valve 25 housed inside the secondary base body 24, and a three-way valve operating unit 26 for switching the three-way valve 25.

[0090] The secondary base body 24 is a box-shaped body to which the secondary meter connection part 21 and the secondary piping connection part 22 are connected, forming a main flow path R1 that communicates from the secondary meter connection part 21 to the secondary piping connection part 22. Specifically, the secondary meter connection part 21 is connected to the left side of the secondary base body 24, and the secondary piping connection part 22 is connected to the right side, and the main flow path R1 is formed to extend linearly in the left-right direction inside the secondary base body 24.

[0091] Furthermore, a tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the secondary base body 24. In this embodiment, the tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the upper part of the secondary base body 24 at a position shifted rearward in the horizontal direction relative to the secondary meter connection section 21 and the secondary piping connection section 22. The secondary base body 24 also branches off from the main flow path R1 midway, forming a branch flow path R2 that communicates from the secondary meter connection section 21 to the tertiary branch section 3. In this embodiment, the branch flow path R2 is provided to branch off from the main flow path R1 midway and extend toward the back. In other words, in this embodiment, the flow path from the branch piping to the secondary piping is provided to extend along the left-right direction, and the branch flow path R2 branches off toward the back from the middle of the flow path that extends in the left-right direction.

[0092] The three-way valve 25 is a valve body located inside the secondary base body 24 that opens and closes the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. Specifically, the three-way valve 25 is a ball valve 250 located in the middle of the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and can open and close the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 by rotating around an axis that passes through the branching portion between the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. In other words, the three-way valve 25 of this embodiment can open and close the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 by rotating around an axis that extends in the vertical direction.

[0093] The following describes the state of the three-way valve 25 and the states of the main passage R1 and branch passage R2. In each description, the state of the three-way valve 25 in this embodiment as viewed from above corresponds to the state shown in Figure 9. In the fully open state J1, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped passage formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first passage 25A extending in the left-right direction and the second passage 25B extending in the front-rear direction from the rear end toward the first passage 25A. In this state, the first passage 25A and the second passage 25B extend along the main passage R1 and branch passage R2, so the main passage R1 and branch passage R2 are open.

[0094] In the branched closed state J2, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending in the left-right direction and the second flow path 25B extending in the front-rear direction from its front end toward the first flow path 25A. In this state, since the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the main flow path R1, the main flow path R1 is open, and the middle of the branched flow path R2 is closed by the ball valve 250, so the branched flow path R2 is closed.

[0095] In the main closed state J3, the three-way valve 25 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250, with the first flow path 25A extending in the front-to-back direction and the second flow path 25B extending from the left end toward the first flow path 25A in the left-to-right direction. In this state, since the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B extend along the branch flow path R2, the branch flow path R2 is open, and the main flow path R1 is closed in the middle by the ball valve 250, so the main flow path R1 is closed.

[0096] Furthermore, regarding the T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 250 of the three-way valve 25, when the first flow path 25A extends in the front-to-back direction and the second flow path 25B extends from the right end toward the first flow path 25A in the left-to-right direction, the flow path extending to the right from the secondary meter connection part 21 is closed by the ball valve 250, thereby closing both the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and the secondary piping connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected by the first flow path 25A and the second flow path 25B, resulting in a tertiary communication state J4. In this embodiment, the three-way valve 25 is restricted from entering such a tertiary communication state J4.

[0097] The three-way valve operating section 26 is a rod-shaped body connected to the three-way valve 25, and can rotate the three-way valve 25 to switch the state of the three-way valve 25. The three-way valve operating section 26 in this embodiment includes an operating rod portion 27 that extends upward from the secondary base body 24. The operating rod portion 27 in this embodiment has a tool mounting portion 271 at its upper end.

[0098] The tertiary branch section 3 has the same configuration as the first embodiment, except that the tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the upper part of the secondary base body 24 at a position shifted rearward in the horizontal direction relative to the secondary meter connection section 21 and the secondary piping connection section 22. In other words, the tertiary branch section 3 comprises a branch body 31 having a branch connection section 34 located on the side farther from the water meter M and a water intake section 35 located on the side closer to the water meter M in the left-right direction, a branch valve section 32 located inside the branch body 31 that switches the open / closed state of an intermediate portion of the water flow path from the secondary base body 24 to the water intake section 35, and a branch operation section 33 for switching the branch valve section 32. The branch operation section 33 is provided above the branch body 31.

[0099] In other words, in this embodiment, both the three-way valve operating section 26 and the branch operating section 33 are located above the secondary base body 24. Therefore, it is easy to switch the three-way valve 25 and the branch plug section 32 from above.

[0100] Next, with reference to Figure 15, the secondary connecting member 2 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Components similar to those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0101] The secondary connecting member 2 of this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the tertiary branch section 3 and the secondary base body 24 are configured as separate components, and the tertiary branch section 3 is detachably provided to the secondary base body 24.

[0102] Specifically, the secondary base body 24 includes a detachable portion 241 positioned above the three-way valve 25. The detachable portion 241 is cylindrical in shape, extending vertically, and has an internal thread on its inner surface. The detachable portion 241 also forms part of the branched flow path R2. Specifically, the detachable portion 241 forms the upper end portion of the branched flow path R2, that is, the downstream end of the branched flow path R2.

[0103] The tertiary branch section 3 comprises a tubular branch body section 31, a branch plug section 32 provided inside the branch body section 31, a branch operation section 33 for operating the branch plug section 32, and a branch attachment / detachment section 36 extending downward from the branch body section 31. The branch attachment / detachment section 36 is a cylindrical part of the branch body section 31 located below the branch connection section 34, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the attachment / detachment section 241. Specifically, the branch attachment / detachment section 36 is a cylindrical body provided to communicate downward with the branch opening 34a formed in the branch connection section 34, and has a male thread formed on its outer circumferential surface that can be screwed into the female thread formed in the attachment / detachment section 241.

[0104] With the secondary connection member 2 configured as described above, the tertiary branch section 3 can be replaced and used according to the amount of water drawn from it. Furthermore, since the tertiary branch section 3 is detachable, if the tertiary branch section 3 malfunctions or for any other reason, only the tertiary branch section 3 can be replaced without having to replace the entire secondary connection member 2.

[0105] Next, with reference to Figure 16, the secondary connecting member 2 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Components similar to those in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0106] The secondary connecting member 2 of this embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in the configuration of the secondary base body 24 and the three-way valve 25. Specifically, the secondary base body 24 of this embodiment comprises a box-shaped ball valve housing 242 with an opening at the top, and a seat fixing part 244 which is separate from the ball valve housing 242 and attached to the upper opening 24a of the ball valve housing 242. The secondary base body 24 forms the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 with the ball valve housing 242 and the seat fixing part 244.

[0107] The ball valve housing 242 is a box-shaped body having an upper opening 24a. The upper opening 24a of the ball valve housing 242 is also provided with a locking portion 243 to which the seat fixing portion 244 can be locked. In this embodiment, the locking portion 243 is a female screw formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper opening 24a.

[0108] The seat fixing portion 244 is a cylindrical body fixed to the upper opening 24a of the ball valve housing portion 242. The seat fixing portion 244 includes a locking portion 245 on its outer circumference that can be locked with the locking portion 243, an inner circumference portion 246 formed by the inner circumference and forming the upper end portion of the branch passage R2, and a seat contact portion 247 that constitutes the lower end of the seat fixing portion 244. In this embodiment, the locking portion 245 is a male screw that can be screwed into the female screw of the locking portion 243. The inner circumference portion 246 also includes a detachable portion 241. The detachable portion 241 has a female screw formed from the upper end to a portion above the seat contact portion 247. In other words, in this embodiment, the branch detachable portion 36 of the tertiary branch portion 3 is detachable from the inner circumference portion 246 of the seat fixing portion 244.

[0109] The sheet contact portion 247 has a stepped portion formed in the middle of its vertical direction. In this embodiment, the stepped portion is a step that extends outward from the inner circumferential surface at the lower end of the sheet fixing portion 244. The sheet contact portion 247 can contact the ball seat 251 from above.

[0110] The three-way valve 25 comprises a ball valve 250 and four ball seats 251 positioned on the left, right, top, and bottom of the ball valve 250. In other words, the ball seats 251 in this embodiment are positioned on the primary, secondary, and tertiary sides of the ball valve 250. Therefore, in this embodiment, water sealing between the ball valve 250 and the secondary base body 24 on the primary, secondary, and tertiary sides of the ball valve 250 can be ensured. Furthermore, the ball seats 251 positioned on the primary and secondary sides of the ball valve 250 and the ball seat 251 positioned below the ball valve 250 are fixed between the ball valve 250 and the secondary base body 24 by being sandwiched between the ball valve 250 and the secondary base body 24. The ball seat 251 positioned on the tertiary side of the ball valve 250 is fixed to the tertiary side of the ball valve 250 by being sandwiched between the ball valve 250 and the seat contact portion 247.

[0111] In the secondary connecting member 2 with the above configuration, ball seats 251 are arranged on the primary, secondary, and tertiary sides of the ball valve 250, so that water can be reliably shut off to the primary, secondary, and tertiary sides of the ball valve 250.

[0112] In this embodiment, the seat fixing portion 244 is described as having a male screw and being fixed by screwing it into the female screw of the ball valve housing portion 242. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and it is also possible to fix it by means other than screwing. For example, the locking portion 243 of the ball valve housing portion 242 can be configured as a groove formed all around the outer circumference, and the engaging portion of the seat fixing portion 244 can be configured as a projection that can be fitted into the groove.

[0113] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which the tertiary branch section 3 is detachable as an example, the configuration is not limited to this, and even when the tertiary branch section 3 is not detachable, a configuration in which the ball seat 251 is arranged as in this embodiment is also possible.

[0114] Next, with reference to Figures 17 to 19, a secondary connecting member 2 and a water meter box B having the secondary connecting member 2 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the secondary connecting member 2, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the second embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0115] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the water meter box B comprises a box-shaped box section 5 and a primary-side connecting member 1 and a secondary-side connecting member 2 provided in the box section 5. Such a water meter box B is placed inside a recessed portion in the ground and is embedded in it.

[0116] The box section 5 comprises a base section 51 placed on the ground, side wall sections 52 erected upward from the outer peripheral edge of the base section 51, and a box lid section 53 positioned at the upper end of the side wall section 52. The box section 5 in this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, with its left-right length being longer than its front-rear length. The base section 51 is a plate-like body that extends horizontally. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the base section 51 can be formed in a frame shape that extends horizontally.

[0117] The side wall portion 52 is a wall body that extends upward from the periphery of the bottom portion 51. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 52 is provided so as to rise upward from the entire periphery of the bottom portion 51. The bottom portion 51 and the side wall portion 52 form a housing space 5a that accommodates the water meter M, the primary side connecting member 1, and the secondary side connecting member 2. The bottom portion 51 defines the bottom of the housing space 5a, and the side wall portion 52 defines the front, rear, left, and right ends of the housing space 5a. The bottom portion 51 and the side wall portion 52 are made of metal, resin, or the like. The upper end of the side wall portion 52 is provided with an upper outer edge portion 521 that extends horizontally and engages with the horizontal outer edge portion of the box lid portion 53.

[0118] The box lid 53 is positioned at the upper end of the side wall 52 and is provided to open and close the upper part of the storage space 5a. For example, the box lid 53 is a plate-like body attached to the upper end of the side wall 52 via a hinge (not shown), and can open and close the upper part of the storage space 5a by rotating around the hinge. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the box lid 53 may be configured as a plate-like body that can be fitted to the upper end of the side wall 52, so that the upper part of the storage space 5a is closed when the box lid 53 is fitted to the upper end of the side wall 52, and the upper part of the storage space 5a is opened when the box lid 53 is removed from the upper end of the side wall 52.

[0119] In this embodiment, multiple water meters M are housed inside the box section 5 as described above. Furthermore, a number of secondary connection members 2 corresponding to the number of water meters M are provided, and water is supplied from each water meter M to the corresponding secondary piping via each secondary connection member 2. Specifically, two water meters M are arranged side-by-side in the front-to-back direction. It is also possible to configure the box section 5 to house three or more water meters M. In such a case, the dimensions of the box section 5 in the front-to-back direction will increase. Alternatively, the box section 5 can house only one water meter M. In such a case, the dimensions of the box section 5 in the front-to-back direction will decrease.

[0120] The primary side connecting member 1 is connected to the branch piping and is configured to distribute water supplied from the branch piping to multiple water meters M in the box section 5. The water distributed to the multiple water meters M is then supplied to each secondary side piping via the secondary side connecting member 2 located on the secondary side of each water meter M. Specifically, the primary side connecting member 1 comprises a primary side piping connection part 11 connected to the branch piping, multiple primary side base parts 13, and multiple primary side meter connection parts 12. The number of primary side base parts 13 and primary side meter connection parts 12 is provided to correspond to the number of water meters M located in the box section 5. The configuration of each primary side base part 13 and each primary side meter connection part 12 is the same as in the second embodiment.

[0121] The primary side piping connection section 11 comprises a primary side connection end 111 connected to the branch piping, a distribution end 112 connected to each primary side base 13 from the left side, and a distribution piping section 113 connecting the primary side connection end 111 and the distribution end 112. The primary side piping connection section 11 supplies water supplied from the branch piping to the primary side connection end 111 to each distribution end 112 via the distribution piping section 113, thereby supplying water supplied from the branch piping to each secondary side piping via each primary side base 13, each primary side meter connection section 12, each water meter M, and each secondary side connection member 2. The distribution piping section 113 is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the box section 5. Specifically, the distribution piping section 113 is provided such that the primary side connection end 111 is located outside the housing space 5a, and the distribution end 112 is located inside the housing space 5a.

[0122] As shown in Figure 19, the specific configuration of each secondary connecting member 2 is the same as in the second embodiment. That is, each secondary connecting member 2 comprises a secondary meter connection portion 21, a secondary base portion 23, a secondary piping connection portion 22, and a tertiary branch portion 3. Furthermore, the secondary connecting member 2 is provided such that the entire secondary meter connection portion 21, the secondary base portion 23, and the tertiary branch portion 3 are located inside the housing space 5a. In other words, in the tertiary branch portion 3, both the water intake 35a and the branch operation portion 33 are located within the range enclosed by the side wall portion 52 in the horizontal direction, and between the bottom portion 51 and the box lid portion 53 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the secondary connecting member 2 is arranged such that the secondary end (right end) of the secondary piping connection portion 22 is located outside the housing space 5a, and the primary end (left end) of the secondary piping connection portion 22 is located inside the housing space 5a. In other words, the secondary connecting member 2 is provided such that the secondary piping connection portion 22 penetrates the side wall of the box portion 5.

[0123] Furthermore, the primary side connecting member 1 and the secondary side connecting member 2 are attached to the bottom 51. Specifically, the distribution piping section 113 of the primary side piping connection section 11 of the primary side connecting member 1 is attached to the bottom 51 by the primary side mounting section 54. Similarly, the secondary side connecting member 2 is attached to the bottom 51 by the secondary side mounting section 55 of the secondary side piping connection section 22. Specifically, the portion of the secondary side piping connection section 22 located within the housing space 5a is attached to the bottom 51. In other words, in the secondary side connecting member 2, the tertiary branch section 3 is provided in the portion on the primary side of the portion attached to the box section 5, and the water intake 35a and branch operation section 33 are located on the primary side of the portion of the secondary side connecting member 2 attached to the box section 5. In this embodiment, the water intake 35a and branch operation section 33 are located in the left-right direction between the portion of the secondary side connecting member 2 attached to the box section 5 and the secondary side end of the water meter M.

[0124] Even with a secondary connecting member 2 configured in this way, water can still be taken in via the tertiary branch section 3, even when the water supply to the secondary side is stopped by the three-way valve 25.

[0125] Furthermore, since the water intake 35a and the branching operation unit 33 are located inside the box section 5, contamination or damage to the water intake 35a and the branching operation unit 33 due to the environment of the installation site can be suppressed.

[0126] Next, with reference to Figure 20, a water meter box B having a secondary connecting member 2 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the secondary connecting member 2, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the seventh embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0127] In this embodiment, the water meter box B differs from the seventh embodiment in the configuration of the box section 5, while the other configurations are the same as those of the seventh embodiment.

[0128] The box portion of this embodiment is provided with an openable and closable window portion 531 in the box lid portion 53. The window portion 531 comprises a window opening 53a formed above the secondary connecting member 2 in the box lid portion 53, and a window cover 532 which is a cover that can open and close the window opening. The window opening 53a is an opening of a size that allows the pipe P attached to the water intake portion 35 of the tertiary branch portion 3 to be inserted through. The window cover 532 is provided so as to be able to open and close the window opening 53a when the box lid portion 53 is closed. The window cover 532 of this embodiment is a plate-like body attached to the box lid portion 53 via a hinge.

[0129] With the water meter box B configured as described above, the piping P attached to the water intake section 35 can be pulled out to the outside of the box section 5 through the small window opening 53a, making it easy to use the water taken from the water intake section 35. Furthermore, since the piping P can be removed through the small window opening 53a even with the box lid 53 closed, the primary side connecting member 1, the water meter M, and the secondary side connecting member 2 can be covered by the box lid 53 even when taking water from the water intake section 35. Therefore, contamination or damage to the primary side connecting member 1, the water meter M, and the secondary side connecting member 2 can be suppressed.

[0130] In the above configuration, the example described was when the small window opening 53a is formed in the box lid portion 53. However, the configuration is not limited to this case, and for example, a configuration in which it is formed in the side wall portion 52 can also be adopted. For example, the small window opening 53a can be formed in the upper outer edge portion 521 of the side wall portion 52. In such a configuration, the piping P can be taken out from the small window opening 53a without being affected by the opening and closing of the box lid portion 53.

[0131] Furthermore, although the explanation described an example in which a small window cover 532 that can open and close the small window opening 53a is provided, the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration without a small window cover 532 is also possible.

[0132] Next, with reference to Figures 21 to 25, a primary side connecting member 1 and a water meter unit U having the primary side connecting member 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 21, in the water meter unit U of this embodiment, the primary side connecting member 1 is equipped with a tertiary branch section 3, while the secondary side connecting member 2 is not equipped with a tertiary branch section 3. Furthermore, the configuration of the base section 4 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0133] As shown in Figure 22, the primary side connecting member 1 connects the branch pipe and the water meter M. Specifically, the primary side connecting member 1 includes a primary side pipe connection part 11 connected to the branch pipe, a primary side meter connection part 12 connected to the primary side end of the water meter M, a primary side base part 13 that forms a primary side flow path communicating from the primary side pipe connection part 11 to the primary side meter connection part 12, and a tertiary branch part 3.

[0134] The primary side piping connection 11 is connected to the branch pipe, for example, via a fitting. In this embodiment, the primary side piping connection 11 is an L-shaped pipe with one end opening towards the rear and the other end opening upward. In addition, in this embodiment, the end of the primary side piping connection 11 located towards the rear is connected to the branch pipe via a fitting.

[0135] The primary side meter connection section 12 is a pipe connected to the water meter M, and it has a check valve 121 inside that allows water to flow from the primary side to the secondary side and restricts water flow from the secondary side to the primary side. In this embodiment, the primary side meter connection section 12 is an expandable pipe that can expand and contract in the axial direction, and as it expands in the axial direction, the secondary end is pressed against the water meter M and attached to the water meter M. When the water meter M is pressed against the primary side meter connection section 12, a nut is used to connect the primary side connection section to prevent the water meter M from falling off.

[0136] The primary base 13 comprises a box-shaped primary base body 14, a three-way valve 17 housed inside the primary base body 14, and a three-way valve operating unit 18 for switching the three-way valve 17.

[0137] The primary base body 14 is a box-shaped body to which the primary pipe connection part 11 and the primary meter connection part 12 are connected, forming a main flow path R1 that communicates from the primary pipe connection part 11 to the primary meter connection part 12. Specifically, the primary pipe connection part 11 is connected to the lower side of the primary base body 14, and the primary meter connection part 12 is connected to the right side. The main flow path R1 is formed so that its orientation changes inside the primary base body 14. Specifically, the main flow path R1 is bent inside the primary base body 14 so that it changes from extending vertically from the primary side to the secondary side to extending horizontally.

[0138] A tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the primary base body 14. In this embodiment, the tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the upper part of the primary base body 14. The primary base body 14 also branches off from the main flow path R1 midway, forming a branch flow path R2 that communicates from the primary pipe connection section 11 to the tertiary branch section 3. The branch flow path R2 is formed so that its direction changes inside the primary base body 14. Specifically, the branch flow path R2 is a flow path that extends vertically from the primary side to the tertiary side. In this embodiment, the flow path branches at the point where the direction of the main flow path R1 changes inside the primary base body 14. Specifically, inside the primary base body 14, there is a flow path that extends from the bottom to the top, a main flow path R1 that extends to the right from the middle of the main flow path, and a branch flow path R2 that extends upward from the left end of the main flow path R1. Furthermore, the minimum inner diameter of the branch flow path R2 is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the main flow path R1. Specifically, the smallest inner diameter portion in the main channel R1 is formed at the connection point between the primary base body 14 and the tertiary branch 3, and the cross-sectional area of ​​this portion is less than half of the smallest cross-sectional area in the main channel R1.

[0139] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, the three-way valve 17 is a valve body located inside the primary base body 14 that opens and closes the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. Specifically, the three-way valve 17 includes a ball valve 170 located in the middle of the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 can be opened and closed by the ball valve 170 rotating around an axis passing through the branch portion between the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2. The three-way valve 17 also includes a ball seat 171 located around the ball valve 170. The ball seat 171 is located between the ball valve 170 and the primary base body 14, and while allowing the rotation of the ball valve 170, it prevents water from entering between the ball valve 170 and the primary base body 14. In this embodiment, the ball seat 171 is located in two places, on the right and left sides of the ball valve 170. As shown in Figure 24, the three-way valve 17 of this embodiment is a spherical body in which a T-shaped passage is formed inside, having a first passage 17A that penetrates radially and a second passage 17B that extends from the outer surface of the ball valve to the first passage 17A perpendicular to the first passage 17A. The three-way valve 17 can switch between a fully open state J1 in which both the main passage R1 and the branch passage R2 are open, a branch closed state J2 in which the main passage R1 is open and the branch passage R2 is closed, and a main closed state J3 in which the main passage R1 is closed and the branch passage R2 is open. Furthermore, the three-way valve 17 is restricted to a tertiary communication state J4 in which, when both the main passage R1 and the branch passage R2 are closed, a passage is formed that connects the primary side meter connection part 12 and the tertiary branch part 3.

[0140] As shown in Figure 23(a), in the fully open state J1, the three-way valve 17 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 170, with the first flow path 17A extending vertically and the second flow path 17B extending horizontally from the right end toward the first flow path 17A. In this state, the first flow path 17A and the second flow path 17B extend along the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, so the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 are open.

[0141] As shown in Figure 23(b), in the branch closed state J2, the three-way valve 17 has a T-shaped passage formed inside the ball valve 170, with the first passage 17A extending in the left-right direction and the second passage 17B extending vertically from its lower end toward the first passage 17A. In this state, since the first passage 17A and the second passage 17B extend along the main passage R1, the main passage R1 is open, and the middle of the branch passage R2 is closed by the ball valve 170, so the branch passage R2 is closed.

[0142] As shown in Figure 23(c), in the main closed state J3, the three-way valve 17 has a T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 170, with the first flow path 17A extending vertically and the second flow path 17B extending horizontally from the left end toward the first flow path 17A. In this state, since the first flow path 17A and the second flow path 17B extend along the branch flow path R2, the branch flow path R2 is open, and the main flow path R1 is closed by the ball valve 170 in the middle, resulting in the main flow path R1 being closed.

[0143] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23(d), when the T-shaped flow path formed inside the ball valve 170 of the three-way valve 17 has the first flow path 17A extending in the left-right direction and the second flow path 17B extending in the left-right direction from the right end toward the first flow path 25A, the flow path extending upward from the primary side piping connection part 11 is closed by the ball valve 170, thereby closing both the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, and the primary side meter connection part 12 and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected by the first flow path 17A and the second flow path 17B, resulting in a tertiary communication state J4. In this embodiment, the three-way valve 17 is restricted from entering such a tertiary communication state J4.

[0144] As shown in Figure 24, the three-way valve operating unit 18 is a rod-shaped body connected to the three-way valve 17, and can rotate the three-way valve 17 to switch the state of the three-way valve 17. Specifically, the three-way valve operating unit 18 comprises an operating rod portion 181, which is a rod-shaped body with its base end connected to the three-way valve 17 and its tip extending to the outside of the primary side base body 14, and a rotation restricting portion 19 that restricts the rotation range of the operating rod portion 181.

[0145] The operating rod portion 181 is a rod-shaped body that extends in a straight line. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 181 is a cylindrical body. The base end of the operating rod portion 181 is fitted to the three-way valve 17, and the operating rod portion 181 can rotate together with the three-way valve 17 in the extension direction of the operating rod portion 181 while fitted to it. The operating rod portion 181 also has a tool mounting portion 182 at its tip to which a tool can be attached. The tool mounting portion 182 is configured to be able to attach a wrench, which is a tool. Furthermore, the operating rod portion 181 is arranged to penetrate the primary base body 14 both internally and externally, and a portion between the base end and the tip is arranged to face the inner circumferential surface of the rod penetration portion 140, which is the portion of the primary base body 14 through which the operating rod portion 181 penetrates. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 181 extends in the front-rear direction such that the base end is located on the front side and the tip is located on the rear side, and the base end extends from the primary base body 14 toward the rear.

[0146] As shown in Figure 25, the rotation restricting portion 19 is provided on the operating rod portion 181 and comprises a contact projection 191 that protrudes radially outward from the operating rod portion 181, and a restricting groove portion 192 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rod penetration portion 140. The restricting groove portion 192 is a groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rod penetration portion 140 that extends along the circumferential direction and is concave radially outward, and in this embodiment, it is provided to extend continuously over approximately half the circumference. Furthermore, the circumferential end of the restricting groove portion 192 is provided with a contact wall portion 193, which is a wall that rises radially inward from the radially outward bottom of the restricting groove portion 192. The contact wall portion 193 is a wall body that extends substantially linearly along the radial direction. In this embodiment, the restricting groove portion 192 is a groove provided in the area to the left of the operating rod portion 181 when viewed from the front, and the contact wall portion 193 is provided above and below the operating rod portion 181.

[0147] The contact projection 191 is a projection that protrudes radially outward from the operating rod portion 181. Furthermore, the contact projection 191 is a projection of a size that can be accommodated inside the regulating groove portion 192. In addition, both circumferential end faces of the contact projection 191 are configured as contact end faces 194 that can contact the contact wall portion 193 in the regulating groove portion 192, and the contact end faces 194 have a shape corresponding to the contact wall portion 193, specifically a shape that extends linearly along the radial direction.

[0148] As the operating rod portion 181 rotates, the contact projection portion 191 moves circumferentially within the regulating groove portion 192. Furthermore, the operating rod portion 181 can only rotate circumferentially within the range in which the contact projection portion 191 can move within the regulating groove portion 192. In this embodiment, the operating rod portion 181 can rotate approximately 180 degrees clockwise when viewed from the front, starting from a position where the contact projection portion 191 faces upward.

[0149] Here, we will explain the relationship between the orientation of the operating rod portion 181 and the state of the three-way valve 17. As shown in Figure 25(a), when the three-way valve 17 is in the fully open state J1, the operating rod portion 181 is in an orientation where the contact projection portion 191 faces upward. In other words, when the three-way valve 17 is in the fully open state J1, the contact projection portion 191 of the operating rod portion 181 is in a state where the contact end face 194 is in contact with the upper contact wall portion 193. When the three-way valve 17 is in the fully open state J1, the operating rod portion 181 can be rotated clockwise when viewed from the front, but it cannot be rotated counterclockwise.

[0150] As shown in Figure 25(b), when the three-way valve 17 is in the branched closed state J2, the operating rod portion 181 is positioned so that the contact projection 191 faces to the right. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 17 is in the branched closed state J2, the contact projection 191 of the operating rod portion 181 has its contact end face 194 in contact with the lower contact wall portion 283. In other words, when the three-way valve 25 is in the branched closed state J2, the contact projection 191 is located in the middle portion (specifically the central portion) of the circumferential direction of the regulating groove portion 192, and the contact end face 194 is not in contact with the contact wall portion 193. Therefore, when the three-way valve 17 is in the branched closed state J2, the operating rod portion 181 can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 17 is in the fully open state J1, the three-way valve 17 can be switched from the fully open state J1 to the branched closed state J2 by ​​rotating the operating rod portion 181 clockwise when viewed from the front, starting from the state shown in Figure 26(a).

[0151] As shown in Figure 25(c), when the three-way valve 17 is in the main closed state J3, the operating rod portion 181 is positioned so that the contact projection 191 faces downwards. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 17 is in the main closed state J3, the contact projection 191 of the operating rod portion 181 has its contact end face 194 in contact with the lower contact wall portion 193. In other words, when the three-way valve 17 is in the main closed state J3, the operating rod portion 181 can be rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front, but it cannot be rotated clockwise. In this embodiment, when the three-way valve 17 is in the branch closed state J2, the three-way valve 17 can be switched from the branch closed state J2 to the main closed state J3 by rotating the operating rod portion 181 clockwise when viewed from the front, starting from the state shown in Figure 25(b).

[0152] Furthermore, in order to set the three-way valve 17 to the tertiary communication state J4, it is necessary to rotate the three-way valve 17 in the fully open state J1 counterclockwise when viewed from the front, or to rotate the three sides in the main closed state J3 clockwise when viewed from the front, as shown by the arrows in Figure 23(d). However, as shown in Figures 25(a) and (c), the contact end surface 194 comes into contact with the contact wall portion 193, which restricts the operation of the operating rod portion 181 to set the three-way valve 17 to the tertiary communication state J4. Therefore, the three-way valve 17 in this embodiment is prevented from reaching the tertiary communication state J4.

[0153] This configuration makes it easy to switch the three-way valve 17 from the fully open state J1 to the branch closed state J2 or the main closed state J3.

[0154] As shown in Figure 22, the tertiary branch section 3 comprises a tubular branch body section 31, a branch valve section 32 provided inside the branch body section 31, and a branch operation section 33 for operating the branch valve section 32. In this embodiment, the tertiary branch section 3 is connected to the upper part of the primary base body 14, and the entire structure is located above the primary base body 14. The tertiary branch section 3 is also a device for drawing water from the middle of a water pipe.

[0155] The branch main body 31 is a pipe that extends in the left-right direction. The branch main body 31 also includes a branch connection part 34 located at the base end of the branch main body 31 and connected to the primary base body 14, and a water intake part 35 located at the tip of the branch main body 31. In this embodiment, the branch main body 31 is positioned so that its base end is on the left side and its tip is on the right side. In other words, in the left-right direction, the branch connection part 34 is located on the side farther from the water meter M, and the water intake part 35 is located on the side closer to the water meter M. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the branch main body 31 is formed integrally with the primary base 13.

[0156] The branch connection section 34 is located above the primary base body 14. The branch connection section 34 also has a branch opening 34a that connects the branch flow path R2 of the primary base body 14 to the inside of the branch connection section 34. The branch opening 34a is a hole formed in the branch connection section 34 that opens downward. The peripheral portion of the branch opening 34a is configured as a contacted portion 341 that the branch plug section 32 abuts against, as will be described later. In this embodiment, the branch opening 34a is a circular opening, and the contacted portion 341, which is the peripheral portion of the branch opening 34a, is formed in an annular shape.

[0157] The water intake section 35 is located to the left of the branch connection section 34, and in this embodiment, it is located above the secondary meter connection section 21. The water intake section 35 also has a water inlet 35a that opens to the right. The water inlet 35a is an opening formed to allow water that has flowed into the branch connection section 34 via the branch opening 34a to be discharged, and water flowing from the branch piping can be taken in through the water inlet 35a. In addition, other piping extending outward from the water inlet 35a can be connected to the water intake section 35. The water intake section 35 in this embodiment has male threads formed on its outer surface, and fittings and the like can be connected to the water intake section 35 using these male threads, and other piping can be connected via these fittings and the like.

[0158] The branch plug section 32 is located inside the branch main body section 31 and switches the open / closed state of an intermediate portion in the water flow path from the primary base body 14 to the water intake section 35, switching between a state where water flows from the branch flow path R2 to the water intake section 35 and a state where water does not flow. The branch plug section 32 in this embodiment is provided to plug the branch opening 34a in the branch connection section 34, thereby stopping the flow of water from the primary base body 14 to the branch main body section 31. Specifically, the branch plug section 32 comprises a cylindrical section 321 extending upward from the branch main body section 31, a plug body section 322 that moves vertically inside the cylindrical section 321, and a seat section 323 provided on the plug body section 322 that abuts against the contacted section 341 and can stop the flow of water from the primary base body 14 to the water intake 35a.

[0159] The cylindrical portion 321 is a cylindrical body that extends vertically above the branching opening 34a. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 321 is a cylindrical body with internal threads formed on its inner circumference. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 321 is integrally constructed with the branching main body portion 31.

[0160] The plug body 322 is a rod-shaped body positioned inside the cylindrical portion 321 and extending vertically. The plug body 322 is a rod-shaped body with male threads formed on its outer circumference, and these male threads are screwed into the female threads of the cylindrical portion 321, allowing the plug body 322 to move vertically along the cylindrical portion 321. In other words, the plug body 322 rotates on its axis in the vertical direction, causing its tip to move towards or away from the branching opening 34a.

[0161] The seat portion 323 is provided at the tip of the plug body portion 322 and moves vertically as the plug body portion 322 moves relative to the cylindrical portion 321. Specifically, the seat portion 323 is an annular elastic body located at the tip of the plug body portion 322. When the seat portion 323 is in contact with the contact portion 341, it is compressed, and the plug body portion 322 and the seat portion 323 close the branch opening 34a, stopping the flow of water from the primary base body 14 to the branch body portion 31.

[0162] The branch operation unit 33 is connected to the base end (upper end) of the plug body 322 and can be operated to switch between a state in which water flows from the branch channel R2 to the water intake unit 35 and a state in which water does not flow. Specifically, the branch operation unit 33 is equipped with a finger grip portion 331 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis that rotates the plug body 322 so that its tip approaches or moves away from the branch opening 34a, and the branch operation unit 33 can be rotated by placing a finger on the finger grip portion 331. In this embodiment, the branch operation unit 33 is equipped with a finger grip portion 331 that extends in the horizontal direction. The branch operation unit 33 is also located at the upper end portion of the primary side connecting member 1.

[0163] As shown in Figure 21, the secondary connecting member 2 connects the secondary piping and the water meter M. Specifically, the secondary connecting member 2 comprises a secondary meter connection portion 21 that connects to the piping connected to the secondary end of the water meter M, a secondary piping connection portion 22 that connects to the secondary piping, and a secondary base portion 23 that forms a secondary flow path communicating from the secondary meter connection portion 21 to the secondary piping connection portion 22.

[0164] The secondary meter connection section 21 is a pipe connected to the water meter M. In this embodiment, the secondary meter connection section 21 is a pipe whose axial length does not change, and the secondary end of the water meter M is crimped to it by the extension of the primary meter connection section 12, thereby attaching it to the water meter M. When the water meter M is crimped to the secondary meter connection section 21, a nut is used to connect it so that the water meter M does not fall out of the secondary meter connection section 21. In addition, the secondary meter connection section 21 in this embodiment is a pipe that extends in the front-rear direction.

[0165] The secondary piping connection section 22 is connected to the secondary piping, for example, via a fitting. In this embodiment, the secondary piping connection section 22 is a pipe that extends in an L-shape, with the other end opening towards the rear and one end opening upward. In this embodiment, the other end of the secondary piping connection section 22, which is located towards the rear, is connected to the secondary piping via a fitting.

[0166] The secondary base 23 is a box-shaped body that connects the secondary meter connection 21 and the secondary piping connection 22, forming a secondary flow path that communicates from the secondary meter connection 21 to the secondary meter connection 21. A shut-off valve 20 for opening and closing the secondary flow path is provided inside the secondary base 23. The shut-off valve 20 in this embodiment is a ball valve, and the state of the secondary flow path can be switched between open and closed by operating the shut-off valve operating part 201 that extends outward from the secondary base 23. Furthermore, the shut-off valve operating part 201 in this embodiment extends upward from the secondary base 23, and is provided so that the shut-off valve 20 can be switched by hand from above the secondary base 23.

[0167] With the primary side connecting member 1 configured as described above, since the primary side connecting member 1 is equipped with a water intake section 35 and a branch valve section 32, the water intake section 35 and the branch valve section 32 can be positioned in accordance with the installation of the water meter M. Furthermore, since the primary side base section 13 has a three-way valve 17, if a malfunction occurs in the secondary side piping or water meter M, the main flow path R1 can be closed while the branch flow path R2 is opened, and water can be taken in by opening and closing the branch flow path R2 with the branch valve section 32.

[0168] The configuration of the primary side connecting member 1 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, in the primary side connecting member, the main flow path R1 may extend along the left-right direction, and the branch flow path R2 may branch off from the middle of the main flow path R1 in the left-right direction and extend along the up-down direction. When such a configuration is adopted, for example, the three-way valve 17 may be configured in the same way as the three-way valve 25 of the secondary side connecting member 2 in the second embodiment.

[0169] Furthermore, the configuration of the tertiary branch section 3 in the primary side connecting member 1 can also be adapted to the configuration of the tertiary branch section 3 in the second to seventh embodiments. In addition, the configuration of the ball seat 171 of the three-way valve 17 in the primary side connecting member 1 can be adapted to be arranged in four locations above, below, and to the left and right of the ball valve 170, similar to the secondary side connecting member 2 in the seventh embodiment, and to include a seat fixing part that fixes the ball seat 171 positioned above.

[0170] Furthermore, the water meter box can also be configured to include the primary side connecting member 1 and the secondary side connecting member 2, as well as the box portion 5 in the water meter box B having the secondary side connecting member according to the eighth embodiment described above. In addition, in the above configuration, for example, the box portion 5 can be configured to include a small window. In the case of a configuration with a small window, for example, the small window can be provided above the primary side connecting member 1.

[0171] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to one example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0172] For example, although the explanation described the case where the three-way valve 25 (three-way valve 17) is a ball valve 250 (ball valve 170), the configuration is not limited to this, and various three-way valves that can open and close the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2 by an external switching operation can be applied.

[0173] Furthermore, although the three-way valve operating unit 26 (three-way valve operating unit 18) is equipped with a tool mounting unit 271 (tool mounting unit 182) and the three-way valve 25 (three-way valve 17) is switched using a tool, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the three-way valve operating unit 26 (three-way valve operating unit 18) can be equipped with a handle, and the three-way valve 25 (three-way valve 17) can be switched by a person operating the handle.

[0174] Furthermore, although the water intake 35a was described as being installed with an opening toward the water meter M in the left-right direction, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it can also be installed with an opening toward the upward or front-back direction, or with an opening toward the opposite side of the water meter M in the left-right direction.

[0175] Furthermore, although the example described shows the case where other piping is connected to the water intake 35a via a fitting, the configuration is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure it so that water is drawn directly from the water intake 35a. In such a configuration, the water intake 35a can also be configured as a faucet.

[0176] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the branch operation unit 33 can be configured to be detachably attached to the branch plug unit 32. In such a case, for example, the upper end of the branch plug unit 32 may have a projection that protrudes upward or a recess that is recessed downward, and the branch operation unit 33 may be configured to fit into the projection or recess, and to be able to operate the branch plug unit 32 while fitted. With such a configuration, by removing the branch operation unit 33 from the branch plug unit 32 when not in use, it is possible to prevent the branch operation unit 33 from being operated by vandalism or the like. In addition, the projection or recess of the branch plug unit 32 may be configured to have a special shape, and the branch plug unit 32 may be configured to be operable only with the branch operation unit 33 corresponding to the special shape.

[0177] Next, with reference to Figures 26 and 27, a secondary connecting member 2 according to a reference example will be described. The secondary connecting member 2 shown in the reference example differs from the inventions according to the above embodiments in that the secondary base portion 23 does not include a three-way valve 25.

[0178] The secondary connection member 2 in the reference example comprises a secondary meter connection part 21 connected to the water meter M, a secondary pipe connection part 22 connected to the secondary piping, a secondary base part 23 to which the secondary pipe connection part 22 and the tertiary branch part 3 are connected, and a tertiary branch part 3 connected to the secondary base part 23. The secondary meter connection part 21 is connected to the left side of the secondary base part 23, and the secondary pipe connection part 22 is connected to the right side of the secondary base part 23. The tertiary branch part 3 is positioned behind the secondary base part 23.

[0179] The secondary base portion 23 comprises a secondary base body 24 that forms the main flow path R1 and the branch flow path R2, a secondary plug portion 61 that opens and closes the main flow path R1, and a secondary plug operating portion 62 for switching the state in which the secondary plug portion 61 opens or closes the main flow path R1. In this embodiment, the main flow path R1 is a flow path that extends linearly in the left-right direction. The branch flow path R2 is a flow path that branches off from the main flow path R1 towards the back. In this embodiment, the branch flow path R2 branches off from the main flow path R1 on the primary side of the portion of the main flow path R1 where the secondary contact portion 63 is located.

[0180] The secondary side plug portion 61 comprises a secondary side contact portion 63 positioned in the middle of the main flow path R1, and a secondary side plug body portion 64 that approaches and moves away from the secondary side contact portion 63. In this embodiment, the secondary side plug body portion 64 has a seat portion 65 that contacts the secondary side contact portion 63, and includes a valve portion 66 that stops the flow of water from the secondary side contact portion 63 to the secondary side.

[0181] The secondary plug operating section 62 is connected to the secondary plug body 64, and by operating the secondary plug operating section 62 to move closer to or away from the secondary contact portion 63, the state in which the secondary plug 61 opens or closes the main flow path R1 can be switched. The secondary plug body 64 in this embodiment is configured to move vertically by rotating on an axis in the vertical direction, thereby moving closer to or away from the secondary contact portion 63. The secondary plug operating section 62 is also equipped with a handle 67 for a person to grasp by hand, and by rotating the handle 67 in the vertical direction, the switching operation of the secondary plug body 64 can be performed. Furthermore, the secondary plug operating section 62 is provided to extend upward from the secondary base body 24.

[0182] The tertiary branch section 3 comprises a tubular branch body section 31, a branch plug section 32 provided inside the branch body section 31, and a branch operation section 33 for operating the branch plug section 32. In this reference example, the branch opening 34a opens diagonally upward, and the contacted portion 341 extends diagonally, intersecting the vertical and horizontal directions. The branch plug section 32 is configured to move diagonally toward and away from the contacted portion 341. In this embodiment, the branch plug section 32 is configured to move diagonally by rotating around an axis that extends diagonally, intersecting the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0183] The branching operation part 33 is a handle provided at the upper end of the branching plug part 32 for a person to grasp by hand. In this reference example, the branching operation part 33 is a handle that extends diagonally, intersecting in the vertical and horizontal directions. By rotating it around the diagonally extending axis, the connected branching plug part 32 can be rotated around the diagonally extending axis and moved in the diagonal direction.

[0184] In this reference example, the handle portion 67 and the branching operation portion 33 of the secondary plug operating portion 62 are arranged side by side above the secondary base body 24. Specifically, the handle portion 67 and the branching operation portion 33 of the secondary plug operating portion 62 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In this way, the handle portion 67 and the branching operation portion 33, which are operated by hand, are positioned above the secondary base body 24, making them easy to operate. Furthermore, since the shaft for rotating the handle portion 67 to switch the secondary plug portion 61 and the shaft for rotating the branching operation portion 33 to switch the branch plug portion 32 extend in different directions, it is possible to prevent accidental operation of the handle portion 67 and the branching operation portion 33 by mistake.

[0185] In the secondary connecting member 2 configured as described above, the main flow path R1 can be opened and closed by the secondary plug portion 61, and the flow path from the branch flow path R2 to the water intake 35a can be opened and closed by the branch plug portion 32. Therefore, by operating the secondary plug portion 61 and the branch plug portion 32 independently, it is possible to set the system to a fully open state J1, a main closed state J3, and a branch closed state J2.

[0186] Furthermore, the above configuration can also be applied to the primary side connecting member 1. In that case, for example, the part described as the secondary side meter connection part 21 can be configured as the primary side piping connection part 11, and the part described as the secondary side piping connection part 22 can be configured as the primary side meter connection part 12.

[0187] A summary of the above embodiment is provided below. The secondary connecting member of this embodiment is a secondary connecting member connected to the secondary side of a water meter, comprising: a secondary meter connection portion connected to the water meter; a secondary pipe connection portion connected to a secondary pipe which is a pipe extending to the secondary side of the water meter; a tertiary branch portion branching from between the secondary meter connection portion and the secondary pipe connection portion; and a secondary base portion to which the secondary meter connection portion, the secondary pipe connection portion and the tertiary branch portion are connected, wherein the secondary base portion comprises a secondary base body which forms a main flow path communicating the secondary meter connection portion and the secondary pipe connection portion, and a branch flow path communicating the secondary female meter connection portion and the tertiary branch portion, and disposed inside the secondary base body which connects the main flow path and the The tertiary branch section comprises a three-way valve for switching the open / closed state of a branch passage, and a three-way valve operating unit for switching the three-way valve from outside the secondary base body, the tertiary branch section comprises a branch body having an intake section that forms an intake port for taking in water supplied from the primary side via the branch passage, a branch plug section provided inside the branch body and for switching the open / closed state of the intake port, and a plug operating unit for opening and closing the branch plug section from outside the branch body, the three-way valve can be switched between a fully open state that opens the main passage and the branch passage, a branch closed state that opens the main passage and closes the branch passage, and a main closed state that opens the branch passage and closes the main passage by operation from the three-way valve operating unit.

[0188] With this configuration, the secondary connecting member includes a water intake section and a branch valve section, allowing the water intake section and branch valve section to be positioned in accordance with the installation of the water meter. Furthermore, since the secondary base section has a three-way valve, if a malfunction occurs in the secondary piping, the main flow path can be closed while the branch flow path is opened, and water can be drawn in by opening and closing the branch flow path at the branch valve section.

[0189] Furthermore, the three-way valve can be configured to prevent it from entering a tertiary communication state, where a passage is formed connecting the secondary side piping connection and the tertiary branch section when the main passage and the branch passage are closed.

[0190] With this configuration, since the main flow path and branch flow paths are closed, preventing a tertiary communication state from occurring where a flow path is formed connecting the secondary side piping connection and the tertiary branch, it is possible to suppress contamination of the secondary side connecting member and secondary side piping by preventing water from flowing in from the tertiary branch to the secondary side.

[0191] Furthermore, the three-way valve operating section may be configured to include a tool mounting section for which a tool is attached, allowing the three-way valve to be operated by force transmitted through the tool, and the plug operating section may be configured to include a finger rest for the operator to place their finger on, allowing the branch plug section to be switched by force transmitted through the finger rest.

[0192] With this configuration, the valve operating part can be operated by a person using their fingers, making it easy to open and close the water intake, while the three-way valve operating part is operated via a tool, thus preventing accidental operation of the three-way valve.

[0193] Furthermore, the water meter unit of this embodiment comprises the secondary connecting member and a base portion that supports the secondary connecting member.

[0194] With this configuration, the secondary connecting member includes a water intake section and a branch valve section, allowing the water intake section and branch valve section to be positioned in accordance with the installation of the water meter. Furthermore, since the secondary base section has a three-way valve, if a malfunction occurs in the secondary piping, the main flow path can be closed while the branch flow path is opened, and water can be drawn in by opening and closing the branch flow path at the branch valve section.

[0195] Furthermore, the base portion may be configured to include a secondary fixing portion for fixing the secondary connecting member, and the tertiary branch portion may be connected to the secondary base portion at a position between the secondary meter connecting portion and the secondary fixing portion.

[0196] With this configuration, the tertiary branch section is positioned between the secondary meter connection section and the secondary fixing section, so that the load of the tertiary branch section is supported by the secondary fixing section, while preventing interference between the tertiary branch section and the water meter.

[0197] Furthermore, the water meter box of this embodiment comprises the secondary connecting member and a box-shaped box section in which the water meter is disposed, and the secondary connecting member is housed in the box section.

[0198] With this configuration, the secondary connecting member includes a water intake section and a branch valve section, allowing the water intake section and branch valve section to be positioned in accordance with the installation of the water meter. Furthermore, since the secondary base section has a three-way valve, if a malfunction occurs in the secondary piping, the main flow path can be closed while the branch flow path is opened, and water can be drawn in by opening and closing the branch flow path at the branch valve section.

[0199] Furthermore, the secondary piping connection section may be provided so as to extend from the inside to the outside of the box section, and the tertiary branch section may be configured such that the water intake and the valve operating section are located inside the box section.

[0200] With this configuration, the water intake and valve operating section are located inside the box section, which suppresses contamination of the water intake and valve operating section, while the secondary side piping connection section extends to the outside of the box section, making it easier to connect the secondary side piping to the secondary side piping connection section.

[0201] Furthermore, the primary side connecting member of this embodiment is a primary side connecting member connected to the primary side of a water meter, and comprises a primary side piping connection portion connected to a branch pipe branched from the main water pipe, a primary side meter connection portion connected to a water meter, a tertiary branch portion branching from between the primary side piping connection portion and the primary side meter connection portion, and a primary side base portion to which the primary side piping connection portion, the primary side meter connection portion and the tertiary branch portion are connected, the primary side base portion comprising a primary side base body that forms a main flow path communicating the primary side piping connection portion and the primary side meter connection portion, and a branch flow path communicating the primary side piping connection portion and the tertiary branch portion, and an opening disposed inside the primary side base body that opens the main flow path and the branch flow path The tertiary branch comprises a three-way valve for switching between closed and closed states, and a three-way valve operating unit for switching the three-way valve from outside the primary side base body. The tertiary branch comprises a branch body having a water intake section that forms a water intake for taking in water supplied from the primary side via the branch passage, a branch plug section provided inside the branch body for switching the open and closed state of the water intake, and a plug operating unit for opening and closing the branch plug section from outside the branch body. The three-way valve can be switched between a fully open state, which opens the main passage and the branch passage, a branch closed state, which opens the main passage and closes the branch passage, and a main closed state, which opens the branch passage and closes the main passage, by operation from the three-way valve operating unit.

[0202] With this configuration, the primary side connecting member is equipped with a water intake section and a branch valve section, so the water intake section and branch valve section can be positioned in accordance with the installation of the water meter. Furthermore, since the primary side base has a three-way valve, if a malfunction occurs in the secondary side piping, the main flow path can be closed while the branch flow path is opened, and water can be taken in by opening and closing the branch flow path at the branch valve section.

[0203] Furthermore, the three-way valve may be configured to prevent it from entering a tertiary communication state, where a passage is formed connecting the primary meter connection and the tertiary branch section when the main passage and the branch passage are closed.

[0204] With this configuration, since the main flow path and the branch flow path are closed, preventing a tertiary communication state from occurring where a flow path is formed to connect the primary side meter connection and the tertiary branch, it is possible to suppress contamination of the primary side connection member, water meter, secondary side connection member, and secondary side piping by preventing water from flowing from the tertiary branch to the secondary side.

[0205] The three-way valve operating section may also be configured to include a tool mounting section for which a tool is attached, allowing the three-way valve to be operated by force transmitted through the tool, and the plug operating section may be configured to include a finger rest for an operator to place their finger on, allowing the branch plug to be switched by force transmitted through the finger rest.

[0206] With this configuration, the valve operating part can be operated by a person using their fingers, making it easy to open and close the water intake, while the three-way valve operating part is operated via a tool, thus preventing accidental operation of the three-way valve.

[0207] The secondary connecting member of the present invention is a secondary connecting member connected to the secondary side of a water meter, comprising: a secondary meter connection portion connected to the water meter; a secondary pipe connection portion connected to a secondary pipe which is a pipe extending to the secondary side of the water meter; a tertiary branch portion branching from between the secondary meter connection portion and the secondary pipe connection portion; and a secondary base portion to which the secondary meter connection portion, the secondary pipe connection portion and the tertiary branch portion are connected, wherein the secondary base portion comprises: a secondary base body forming a main flow path communicating the secondary meter connection portion and the secondary pipe connection portion, and a branch flow path communicating the secondary meter connection portion and the tertiary branch portion; a three-way valve disposed inside the secondary base body which switches the open / closed state of the main flow path and the branch flow path; and the three The tertiary branch includes a three-way valve operating unit for switching the valve from outside the secondary base body, and the tertiary branch includes a branch body having a water intake unit that forms a water intake for taking in water supplied from the primary side via the branch passage, a branch plug unit provided inside the branch body for switching the open and closed state of the water intake, and a plug operating unit for opening and closing the branch plug unit from outside the branch body, and the three-way valve can be switched between a fully open state that opens the main passage and the branch passage and a fully closed state that opens the branch passage and closes the main passage by operation from the three-way valve operating unit, and is restricted to a tertiary communication state in which a passage is formed that connects the secondary side piping connection and the tertiary branch when the main passage and the branch passage are closed.

[0208] Furthermore, the water meter unit of the present invention comprises the secondary connecting member and a base portion that supports the water meter and the secondary connecting member.

[0209] Furthermore, the water meter box of the present invention comprises the secondary connecting member and a box-shaped box section in which a water meter is disposed, and the secondary connecting member is housed in the box section.

[0210] Furthermore, the primary side connecting member of the present invention is a primary side connecting member connected to the primary side of a water meter, comprising: a primary side piping connection portion connected to a branch pipe branched from the main water pipe; a primary side meter connection portion connected to a water meter; a tertiary branch portion branching from between the primary side piping connection portion and the primary side meter connection portion; and a primary side base portion to which the primary side piping connection portion, the primary side meter connection portion and the tertiary branch portion are connected, wherein the primary side base portion comprises: a primary side base body forming a main flow path communicating the primary side piping connection portion and the primary side meter connection portion, and a branch flow path communicating the primary side piping connection portion and the tertiary branch portion; a three-way valve disposed inside the primary side base body for switching the open / closed state of the main flow path and the branch flow path; and the three-way valve being connected to the The tertiary branch section comprises a three-way valve operating section for switching operations from outside the secondary base body, and the tertiary branch section comprises a branch body section having a water intake section that forms a water intake for taking in water supplied from the primary side via the branch passage, a branch plug section provided inside the branch body section for switching the open and closed state of the water intake, and a plug operating section for opening and closing the branch plug section from outside the branch body section, and the three-way valve can be switched between a fully open state that opens the main passage and the branch passage and a fully closed state that opens the branch passage and closes the main passage by operation from the three-way valve operating section, and is restricted from entering a tertiary communication state in which a passage is formed that connects the primary side meter connection section and the tertiary branch section when the main passage and the branch passage are closed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0211] 1...Primary side connecting member, 11...Primary side piping connection part, 111...Primary side connection end, 112...Distribution end, 113...Distribution piping part, 12...Primary side meter connection part, 121...Check valve, 13...Primary side base, 14...Primary side base body, 140...Rod penetration part, 15...Stopcock, 16...Stopcock operating part, 17...Three-way valve, 17A...First flow path, 17B...Second flow path, 170...Ball valve, 171...Ball seat, 18...Three-way valve operating part, 181...Operating rod part, 182...Tool mounting part, 19...Rotation restricting part, 191...Contact projection part, 192...Restricting groove part, 193...Contact wall part, 194...Contact End face, 2...Secondary side connecting member, 20...Stopcock, 201...Stopcock operating part, 21...Secondary side meter connecting part, 22...Secondary side piping connecting part, 23...Secondary side base, 24...Secondary side base body, 24a...Upper opening, 240...Rod penetration part, 241...Attachable / detachable part, 242...Ball valve housing part, 243...Locking part, 244...Seat fixing part, 245...Locking part, 246...Inner circumferential surface part, 247...Seat contact part, 25...Three-way valve, 25A...First flow path, 25B...Second flow path, 250...Ball valve, 251...Ball seat, 26...Three-way valve operating part, 27...Operating rod part, 271...Tool mounting part, 28 ...rotation restricting part, 281...contact projection part, 282...restricting groove part, 283...contact wall part, 284...contact end face, 3...tertiary branch part, 31...branch body part, 32...branch plug part, 321...cylinder part, 322...plug body part, 323...seat part, 324...recess, 325...spool part, 326...shaft part, 33...branch operation part, 331...finger grip part, 332...valve connection part, 34...branch connection part, 34a...branch opening, 341...contact part, 35...water intake part, 35a...water intake port, 36...branch attachment / detachment part, 4...base part, 41...base part, 42...primary side fixing part, 43...secondary side fixing part, 44...lower projection, 5...bo B...Water meter box, J1...Fully open, J2...Branch closed, J3...Main closed, J4...Tertiary connected, M...Water meter, P...Piping, R1...Main flow path, R2...Branch flow path, U...Water meter unit

Claims

1. A primary side connecting member that is connected to the primary side of a water meter, It comprises a primary side pipe connection part connected to a branch pipe branching off from the main water pipe, a primary side meter connection part connected to a water meter, a tertiary branch part branching off from between the primary side pipe connection part and the primary side meter connection part, and a primary side base part to which the primary side pipe connection part, the primary side meter connection part and the tertiary branch part are connected, The primary base comprises a primary base body that forms a main flow path connecting the primary piping connection and the primary meter connection, and a branch flow path connecting the primary piping connection and the tertiary branch; a three-way valve disposed inside the primary base body for switching the open / closed state of the main flow path and the branch flow path; and a three-way valve operating unit for switching the three-way valve from outside the primary base body. The tertiary branching section comprises a branching body having a water intake section that forms a water intake for taking in water supplied from the primary side via the branching channel, a branching plug section provided inside the branching body and switching the open / closed state of the water intake, and a plug operating section for opening and closing the branching plug section from outside the branching body. The three-way valve is operated from the three-way valve operating unit. The fully open state in which the main channel and the branch channel are opened, The main closed state includes opening the branch channel and closing the main channel, It can be switched to, The three-way valve operating section includes a primary-side connecting member that restricts the rotation of the three-way valve so that it enters a tertiary communication state, where the three-way valve is closed to form a passage that connects the primary-side meter connecting section and the tertiary branch section, using a member that engages with the three-way valve.

2. A water meter unit comprising a primary side connecting member as described in claim 1, a water meter and a base portion that supports the primary side connecting member.

3. The device comprises the primary side connecting member described in claim 1 and a box-shaped box portion in which a water meter is disposed inside, The primary side connecting member is a water meter box housed in the box section.

Images