Freezing prevention device

Abstract

To prevent positional deviation of a freezing prevention heater so that the freezing prevention heater does not come into direct contact with piping.SOLUTION: In a freezing prevention device which includes a freezing prevention heater 3 for preventing freezing of piping 2, and a heat transfer plate 4 having one side 41 curved along the piping 2 and the other side 42 which is linear, and dispersing the heat of the freezing prevention heater 3 to the piping 2, a mounting metal fitting 5 is provided constituted by a pair of arm parts 51 and a body part 52. The mounting metal fitting 5 fixes the freezing prevention heater 3 and the heat transfer plate 4 to the piping 2 by sandwiching these by the pair of arm parts 51. Thereby, positional deviation of the freezing prevention heater 3 and the heat transfer plate 4 can be suppressed, and deformation and breakage by the heat of the piping 2 caused by the freezing prevention heater 3 coming into direct contact with the piping 2 can be prevented.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a freeze prevention device for preventing a pipe from freezing due to a decrease in outside air temperature during cold winter periods.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of device, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-008460, a heat transfer plate formed in a substantially arc-shaped cross-section is closely provided on the outside of a pipe, and a freeze prevention device is disclosed in which a heating element is attached to a heater attachment portion having a flat portion formed on the back side of the heat transfer plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the freeze prevention device as described in the cited document does not mention anything about the method of attaching the heating element to the heater attachment portion. If the position of the heating element shifts from the heat transfer plate during impact or transportation and the heating element comes into direct contact with the pipe, depending on the material of the pipe, it may melt or be damaged, and there is also a problem that heat cannot be transferred to a wide range of the pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, this invention provides a heater for preventing freezing of a pipe, a heat transfer plate having one side curved along the pipe and the other side straight, and The arc length of the one side is longer than at least half of the circumference length of the pipe. diffusing the heat of the heater to the pipe In the shape of a cross-sectional circular arc In the freeze prevention device provided with a heat transfer plate, a mounting bracket composed of a pair of arm portions and a main body portion is provided, The pipe is sandwiched by the heat transfer plates, and the heater is disposed on the heat transfer plates. The mounting fitting is configured to sandwich and fix the heater and the heat transfer plate to the pipe by the pair of arm portions.

[0006] Further, a convex portion is provided on the surface of the heat transfer plate, a hole portion is provided at a position corresponding to the convex portion on the arm portion, and the convex portion and the hole portion are engaged with each other.

[0007] Further, the tip of the arm portion has a bent portion with a reduced bending radius in a direction approaching the pipe.

[0008] Further, on the The center of the other side heat transfer plate, a notch portion is provided by cutting out a portion sandwiched by the tip of the arm portion, and the tip of the arm portion is housed in the notch portion.

[0009] Further, at the center of one side of the heat transfer plate, a Notched for guide portion for guiding the mounting position of the heater is provided.

[0010] Further, at the end of the heat transfer plate, a winding-up portion that winds up in a direction away from the pipe is provided.

[0011] Further, at the center of one side of the heat transfer plate, a lifting guide portion that guides the mounting position of the heater and lifts up in a direction away from the pipe is provided

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] In this way, it is possible to transfer the heat of the freeze prevention heater to a wide range of the pipe by the heat transfer plate, and by suppressing the displacement of the positions of the freeze prevention heater and the heat transfer plate, it is possible to prevent deformation and breakage of the pipe due to the heat of the pipe caused by the direct contact of the freeze prevention heater with the pipe, and at the same time, it is possible to transfer the heat to a wide range through the heat transfer plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 5

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Next, the freezing prevention device according to the present invention will be described based on the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The freezing prevention device 1 is provided in the pipe 2 of equipment installed outdoors such as a storage water heater or a gas water heater. In winter when the outside air temperature is low, the water in the pipe 2 may freeze and clog. Therefore, the freezing prevention device 1 prevents freezing based on the decrease in the outside air temperature and the supply water temperature.

[0015] This freezing prevention device 1 is composed of a pipe 2 through which water flows inside, a freezing prevention heater 3 which is a heater for preventing the freezing of the pipe, a heat transfer plate 4 for diffusing the heat of the freezing prevention heater 3 to the pipe 2, and a mounting bracket 5 for fixing the heat transfer plate 4 and the freezing prevention heater 3 to the pipe 2 with the pipe 2 in between.

[0016] Also, the material of the pipe 2 is formed of copper, iron, stainless steel, resin, etc. When it is formed of resin, it has a specification with a low heat-resistant temperature.

[0017] The anti-freezing heater 3 is, for example, a cement heater that has an electric heater inside that raises its temperature by supplying electricity from an electric wire (not shown), and is covered with cement around the electric heater. Here, it is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with a curved surface to match the curved surface of the heat transfer plate 4, which will be described later, and is the mounting destination. By widening the contact area with the anti-freezing heater 3, it is easier to transfer the heat of the anti-freezing heater 3.

[0018] Also, if the anti-freezing heater 3 is directly attached to the pipe 2, there is a problem that a part of the pipe 2 will be heated to a high temperature. In particular, if the pipe 2 is made of resin, it can be formed at a low cost. However, when directly contacting a heat source such as the anti-freezing heater 3, there is a possibility of damage or deformation due to heat.

[0019] The heat transfer plate 4 is a single plate with a cross-sectional arc shape having a curved side 41 and a straight other side 42, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the pipe 2. Also, it is made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, copper, or iron, spreads the heat received from the anti-freezing heater 3 throughout the heat transfer plate 4, prevents a part from becoming high temperature, and raises the temperature of the pipe 2 throughout the heat transfer plate 4.

[0020] The mounting bracket 5 is configured in an arc shape with a pair of arm portions 51 and a main body portion 52 that connects one end of the arm portions 51 and follows the outer shape of the anti-freezing heater 3. The inner diameter of the arm portions 51 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the heat transfer plate 4. Therefore, when the heat transfer plate 4 and the anti-freezing heater 3 are sandwiched between the arm portions 51 on the pipe 2, the pipe 2, the heat transfer plate 4, and the anti-freezing heater 3 are integrally clamped and fixed by the elastic force.

[0021] Also, a folded-back portion 53 is provided at the tip, which is the other end of the arm portion 51, folded back in the direction opposite to the pipe 2 side. When removing the mounting bracket 5, it can be easily removed by pulling up the folded-back portion 53 toward the anti-freezing heater 3 side.

[0022] In this way, by diffusing the heat of the anti-freezing heater 3 to the entire pipe 2 through the heat transfer plate 4, it is possible to transfer heat to a wide range of the pipe 2. At the same time, by suppressing the displacement of the positions of the anti-freezing heater 3 and the heat transfer plate 4, it is possible to prevent deformation and damage of the pipe 2 caused by the heat of the pipe 2 due to the direct contact of the anti-freezing heater 3 with the pipe 2.

[0023] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, on the surface of the heat transfer plate 4, a convex portion 43 that protrudes outward is provided. In the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5, a hole portion 54 with a hole opened at a position corresponding to the convex portion 43 is provided, and the convex portion 43 and the hole portion 54 are engaged. Here, the hole portion 54 is described, but a concave portion that is concave inward may be provided in the arm portion 51 so as to engage with the convex portion 43.

[0024] Then, the assembly of the second embodiment will be described. The arc-shaped mounting bracket 5 is tightened and fixed by surrounding the heat transfer plate 4 and the anti-freezing heater 3 on the pipe 2 with the arm portion 51. At this time, since the hole portion 54 is provided in the arm portion 51 and the convex portion 43 is provided in the heat transfer plate 4, the convex portion 43 is engaged with the hole portion 54, and displacement in the vertical, horizontal, and left-right directions of the mounting bracket 5 is prevented.

[0025] In this way, by engaging the convex portion 43 of the heat transfer plate 4 with the hole portion 54 of the mounting bracket 5, the convex portion 43 can be caught by the hole portion 54 to prevent displacement in the left-right direction in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 2 and in the vertical direction in the circumferential direction of the pipe 2. It is possible to prevent deformation and damage of the pipe 2 caused by the heat of the pipe 2 due to the direct contact of the anti-freezing heater 3 with the pipe 2.

[0026] Next, a third embodiment in which the shapes of the mounting bracket 5 and the heat transfer plate 4 are changed will be described with reference to FIG. 4. When a bending radius R1 corresponding to the radius of the arc-shaped heat transfer plate 4 is set in the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5, a gap is generated near the lower part of the pipe 2 where the heat transfer plate 4 is not arranged, and there is a portion where the tightening and fixing by the arm portion 51 becomes loose, and the holding force of the tightening and fixing decreases, which may cause displacement in the circumferential direction of the pipe 2.

[0027] Therefore, a bent portion 55 having a bending radius smaller than the bending radius R1 of the arm portion 51 is provided at the tip side of the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5. The bending radius of this bent portion 55 is set as R2. Specifically, the bending radius R1 of the arm portion 51 > the bending radius R2 of the bent portion 55 of the arm portion 51.

[0028] Also, the bending radius R2 is formed with a radius equal to or slightly smaller than the radius of the pipe 2. In the vicinity of the lower part of the pipe 2, the tip side of the mounting bracket 5 is brought into contact with the pipe 2 and tightened and fixed.

[0029] Then, the assembly of the third embodiment will be described. The arc-shaped mounting bracket 5 is tightened and fixed by surrounding the heat transfer plate 4 and the anti-freezing heater 3 on the pipe 2 with the arm portion 51. At this time, the inner side of the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5 is in contact with the outer side of the heat transfer plate 4, and in the vicinity of the lower part of the pipe 2 where the heat transfer plate 4 is not attached, the bent portion 55 of the mounting bracket 5 is in contact.

[0030] In this way, by setting the bending radius of the bent portion 55 of the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5 as R2, the lower part of the pipe 2 is brought into contact with the bent portion 55, and the contact area between the bent portion 55 of the arm portion 51 and the pipe 2 increases, resulting in an increase in frictional force. Thus, the holding force of the mounting bracket 5 increases, the circumferential displacement of the pipe 2 is suppressed, and deformation or damage of the pipe 2 due to the heat of the pipe 2 caused by the direct contact of the anti-freezing heater 3 with the pipe 2 can be prevented.

[0031] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When the bending radius R1 matching the radius of the arc-shaped heat transfer plate 4 is set for the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5, a gap is generated in the vicinity of the lower part of the pipe 2 where the heat transfer plate 4 is not arranged, and there is a portion where the tightening and fixing by the arm portion 51 becomes loose, resulting in a decrease in the holding force of the tightening and fixing, and there is a risk of becoming a factor for the circumferential displacement of the pipe 2.

[0032] Therefore, the heat transfer plate 4 is provided with a notch portion 44 that is notched so that the tip side of the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5 contacts the pipe 2. The notch portion 44 is notched according to the width of the arm portion 51.

[0033] Further, by housing the tip side of the arm portion 51 of the mounting bracket 5 in the notch portion 44, the tip side of the arm portion 51 is brought into contact with the pipe 2.

[0034] Then, the assembly of the fourth embodiment will be described. The arc-shaped mounting bracket 5 is tightened and fixed by surrounding the heat transfer plate 4 and the anti-freezing heater 3 on the pipe 2 with the arm portion 51. At this time, the tip of the arm portion 51 is housed in the notch portion 44 of the heat transfer plate 4, and the tip of the arm portion 51 is brought into contact with the pipe 2.

[0035] In this way, the heat transfer plate 4 is provided with the notch portion 44, and by housing the tip side of the arm portion 51 in the notch portion 44, the formation of the gap is reduced, and the frictional force increases due to the increase in the contact area between the tip side of the arm portion 51 and the pipe 2, so that the holding force of the mounting bracket 5 increases, the circumferential displacement of the pipe 2 is suppressed, and the heat of the pipe 2 caused by the direct contact of the anti-freezing heater 3 with the pipe 2 can prevent deformation and breakage of the pipe 2.

[0036] By providing the characteristic structures on the mounting bracket 5 and the heat transfer plate 4 as in the embodiments described above, the problem of the displacement of the positions of the anti-freezing heater 3 and the heat transfer plate 4 can be solved. However, by combining the characteristic structure on one side 41 of the heat transfer plate 4 described below, another effect can be imparted.

[0037] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. 6 is a guide portion provided at the center of one side 41 so that the anti-freezing heater 3 is disposed at the center of the heat transfer plate 4. The guide portion 6 may be a notch as shown in FIG. 6, an opening, or a convex ridge, as long as it can guide the anti-freezing heater 3 to be disposed at the center of one side 41.

[0038] Further, 45 is a lifting part where the corner of the heat transfer plate 4 is turned back in the direction opposite to the piping 2 side. When removing the heat transfer plate 4, it can be easily removed by pulling up the lifting part 45 to the freezing prevention heater 3 side.

[0039] Next, the assembly of the fifth embodiment will be described. The arc-shaped mounting bracket 5 clamps and fixes the heat transfer plate 4 and the freezing prevention heater 3 to the piping 2 by surrounding them with the arm part 51. At this time, the position where the freezing prevention heater 3 is arranged is fixed in accordance with the position of the guide part 6 provided at the center of one side 41 of the heat transfer plate 4. Also, when removing the heat transfer plate 4, after removing the mounting bracket 5 and the freezing prevention heater 3, the lifting part 45 provided on the heat transfer plate 4 is pulled up.

[0040] In this way, by providing the guide part 6 at the center of one side 41 of the heat transfer plate 4, it serves as a guide when arranging the freezing prevention heater 3, and the freezing prevention heater 3 can be surely arranged at an appropriate position. The heat of the freezing prevention heater 3 spreads uniformly to the piping 2 through the heat transfer plate 4 and is arranged at the center of the heat transfer plate 4. Therefore, even if the position of the freezing prevention heater 3 is slightly displaced due to a strong impact or the like, it can be prevented from directly contacting the piping 2.

[0041] Also, by providing the lifting part 45, when removing the heat transfer plate 4, it can be easily removed by pulling up the lifting part 45 to the freezing prevention heater 3 side.

[0042] Further, in the fifth embodiment, both the guide part 6 and the lifting part 45 are provided, but at least one of them may be provided.

[0043] Next, a sixth embodiment having a function of achieving both the guide part 6 and the lifting part 45 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. 7 is a lifting guide part that combines the function of guiding the freezing prevention heater 3 to be arranged at the center of the heat transfer plate 4 and the function of making the heat transfer plate 4 easily removable. The lifting guide part 7 is provided at the center of one side 41 and is wound up in a direction away from the piping 2.

[0044] In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a tunnel-shaped lifting guide portion 7 that is lifted in a direction away from contact with the pipe 2 is formed at the center of one side 41.

[0045] When removing the heat transfer plate 4, it can be easily removed by lifting the tunnel-shaped lifting guide portion 7 using a thin tool such as a strong needle. Also, it is not limited to manual removal, and the lifting guide portion 7 may be lifted using a thin tool such as a strong needle.

[0046] In addition, the lifting guide portion 7 provided at the center of one side 41 has a guiding function for guiding the antifreeze heater 3 to be disposed at the center of the heat transfer plate 4.

[0047] Also, by guiding the short side direction of the heat transfer plate 4 as in the sixth embodiment with the lifting guide portion 7 provided at the center of one side 41, and disposing the long side direction of the heat transfer plate 4 between the lifting guide portions 7 provided on the side opposite to the lifting guide portion 7, it is guided to dispose the antifreeze heater 3 at the center of the heat transfer plate 4.

[0048] Also, even if the antifreeze heater 3 slides in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 2 due to a strong impact or the like, the tunnel-shaped lifting guide portion 7 restricts the movement of the antifreeze heater 3 and prevents the antifreeze heater 3 from directly contacting the pipe 2.

[0049] Further, the lifting guide portion 7 is not limited to a tunnel-like shape as shown in FIG. 7. For example, in the seventh embodiment where the lifting guide portion 7 is in the shape of a triangular rib as shown in FIG. 8, or in the eighth embodiment where the lifting guide portion 7 is in the shape of a claw as shown in FIG. 9, it is also acceptable. In particular, the claw-shaped lifting guide portion 7 can be easily removed by pulling it up by hand toward the freeze prevention heater 3 without using a thin tool such as a strong needle. Also, although the claw-shaped lifting guide portion 7 in FIG. 9 protrudes from one side 41 and is integrally formed, two cuts may be made in one side 41 to form the claw-shaped lifting guide portion 7 by lifting the center of one side 41.

[0050] Thus, by providing the lifting guide portion 7 at the center of one side 41 of the heat transfer plate 4, it serves as a guide when arranging the freeze prevention heater 3, and the freeze prevention heater 3 can be surely arranged at an appropriate position. The heat of the freeze prevention heater 3 spreads uniformly to the pipe 2 through the heat transfer plate 4 and is arranged at the center of the heat transfer plate 4. Therefore, even if the position of the freeze prevention heater 3 is slightly displaced due to a strong impact or the like, it can be suppressed from directly contacting the pipe 2. When removing the heat transfer plate 4, it can be easily removed by pulling up the lifting guide portion 7 toward the freeze prevention heater 3 side.

[0051] Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it does not prevent modification within a range not changing the gist. For example, it is not limited to the ninth embodiment as shown in FIG. 10 which is a combination of the second embodiment and the sixth embodiment. It is also possible to combine the first to fourth embodiments and the fifth to eighth embodiments respectively.

[0052] Also, it is not limited to this embodiment. For example, although the claw-shaped, dome-shaped, and tunnel-shaped lifting guide portions 7 have been described, it may be dome-shaped or hemispherical with holes, as long as the same effects can be obtained.

[0053] Also, when the pipe 2 is made of resin, if the anti-freezing heater 3 comes into direct contact with the pipe 2 due to misalignment without passing through the heat transfer plate 4, there is a possibility of deformation or damage due to heat. When the pipe 2 is made of copper or stainless steel with a high heat-resistant temperature, if the anti-freezing heater 3 does not pass through the heat transfer plate 4 due to misalignment, heat cannot be diffused to a position away from the anti-freezing heater 3, and freezing cannot be prevented. Therefore, the material of the pipe 2 is not limited.

Explanation of Signs

[0054] 1 Anti-freezing device 2 Pipe 3 Anti-freezing heater 4 Heat transfer plate 41 One side 42 The other side 43 Protrusion 44 Notch 45 Winding-up part 5 Mounting fitting 51 Arm part 52 Body part 53 Folded-back part 54 Hole part 55 Bending part 6 Guide part 7 Lifting guide part R1 Bending radius R2 Bending radius (bending part)

Claims

1. A heater for preventing freezing of a pipe, In a freezing prevention device comprising a heat transfer plate having a curved side and a straight side along the pipe, wherein the arc length of the curved side is at least longer than half of the circumference length of the pipe, and the heat of the heater is diffused to the pipe, A mounting fitting composed of a pair of arm parts and a main body part is provided, The pipe is sandwiched by the heat transfer plate, The heater is disposed on the heat transfer plate, The mounting fitting is characterized in that the heater and the heat transfer plate are sandwiched and fixed to the pipe by the pair of arm parts.

2. Protrusions are provided on the surface of the heat transfer plate, The freezing prevention device according to claim 1, wherein holes are provided in the arm parts at positions corresponding to the protrusions, and the protrusions and the holes are engaged with each other.

3. The freezing prevention device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the arm part has a bent part with a reduced bending radius in a direction approaching the pipe.

4. A notch part is provided at the center of the other side of the heat transfer plate, which is notched at a portion sandwiched by the tip of the arm part, The freezing prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tip of the arm part is housed in the notch part.

5. The freezing prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a guide part is provided at the center of the one side of the heat transfer plate, which is notched to guide the mounting position of the heater.

6. The freezing prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a winding-up part is provided at the end of the heat transfer plate, which winds up in a direction away from the pipe.

7. The freezing prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a floating guide part is provided at the center of the one side of the heat transfer plate, which guides the mounting position of the heater and floats in a direction away from the pipe.

Images