Pipe member for installing a sensor and sensor unit

Abstract

This makes it possible to install a sensor in a flow path while suppressing the accumulation of solid matter. [Solution] The device comprises an inlet and outlet for liquid, a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a sensor holding hole portion branching off and extending from the flow path, the sensor holding hole portion being inclined toward the inlet in the direction in which the flow path extends, and configured to be able to hold the sensor so that the measurement portion of the sensor is exposed within the flow path.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor installation pipe member and a sensor unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as one type of liquid treatment system for treating liquids, a liquid purification system that purifies wastewater using microorganisms has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a circulating water treatment system that includes a wastewater adjustment tank that stores wastewater from a consumer, a biological treatment tank that performs biological treatment on the wastewater supplied from the wastewater adjustment tank, a treated water storage tank that stores treated water obtained by the biological treatment, and an ozone generator that supplies ozone to the liquid phase of the treated water storage tank.

[0003] The circulating water treatment device of Patent Document 1 is configured such that a measuring instrument for measuring the electrical conductivity (EC value) of the wastewater is placed in a flow path just before the wastewater adjustment tank, and the cycle of the nitrification process and denitrification process is set based on the EC value of the wastewater flowing into the wastewater adjustment tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7564584 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The circulating water treatment device of Patent Document 1 has a measuring device disposed in the flow path of the wastewater, so solid matter such as hair contained in the wastewater may get caught in the measuring device and cause clogging of the flow path, etc. Therefore, the circulating water treatment device of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of suppressing the retention of solid matter caused by the measuring device.

[0006] The present invention relates to a sensor installation pipe member and a sensor unit that enable a sensor to be installed in a flow path while suppressing the accumulation of solid matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A pipe member for sensor installation in one embodiment of the present invention comprises an inlet and outlet for a liquid, a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a sensor holding hole portion branching off and extending from the flow path, the sensor holding hole portion being inclined toward the inlet with respect to the extension direction of the flow path and configured to be able to hold the sensor so that the measurement portion of the sensor is exposed within the flow path.

[0008] In the sensor installation pipe member according to one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and the outlet may each be configured to be able to communicate with a pipe.

[0009] A sensor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described sensor installation pipe member, and a sensor held in the sensor holding hole portion of the sensor installation pipe member.

[0010] In the sensor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the sensor-retaining hole may communicate with the flow path, and the other end may be an open end into which the sensor can be inserted.

[0011] In a sensor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor has a length such that a rear end portion of the sensor extends from the sensor-retaining hole when the sensor is retained in the sensor-retaining hole, The sensor installation pipe member may further include a support arm portion that supports the rear end portion of the sensor extending from the sensor holding hole portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The sensor installation pipe member and sensor unit of the present invention make it possible to install a sensor in a flow path while suppressing the accumulation of solid matter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a liquid processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a sensor unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the inventions according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, in the present embodiments, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated, and some components may be omitted.

[0015] [Overall configuration of the sensor unit] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sensor unit 1 of this embodiment comprises a sensor installation pipe member 10 that is configured to be attachable to a pipe, and a sensor 30 that is held in a sensor holding hole portion 19 of the sensor installation pipe member 10, which will be described later.

[0016] [Configuration of pipe components for sensor installation] As shown in Figure 1, the sensor installation pipe member 10 has one end 12 configured to be connectable to the end of the upstream pipe (hereinafter referred to as the "upstream pipe"), the other end 14 configured to be connectable to the end of the downstream pipe (hereinafter referred to as the "downstream pipe"), a middle portion 16 extending in a straight line from the one end 12 to the other end 14, and a sensor holding portion 18 branching off at an angle from the middle portion 16, and has an overall Y-shaped appearance.

[0017] 2, one end 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than that of midway portion 16 by the thickness of the pipe, and is configured so that the end of the upstream pipe can be fitted in. A circumferential groove 13 is formed on the inner surface of one end 12 to accommodate a sealing member such as an O-ring between the inner surface of one end 12 and the circumferential surface of the upstream pipe.

[0018] Similar to one end 12, the other end 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than that of midway portion 16 by the thickness of the pipe, and is configured so that the end of the downstream pipe can be fitted in. A circumferential groove 15 is formed on the inner surface of the other end 14 to accommodate a sealing member such as an O-ring between the inner surface of the downstream pipe and the circumferential surface of the downstream pipe.

[0019] The midway portion 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inlet 16a that communicates with the upstream piping attached to one end 12, an outlet 16b that communicates with the downstream piping attached to the other end 14, and a flow path 16c that extends from the inlet 16a to the outlet 16b. The inlet 16a constitutes the inlet through which liquid flows from the upstream piping into the sensor installation pipe member 10, and the outlet 16b constitutes the outlet through which liquid flows out from the sensor installation pipe member 10 to the downstream piping.

[0020] In this embodiment, the flow path 16c is formed in a straight line extending from the inlet 16a to the outlet 16b. That is, the central axis of the flow path 16c coincides with the center of the inlet 16a and the outlet 16b. However, the shape of the flow path 16c is not limited to this, and various arbitrary shapes can be adopted, such as an L-shaped cross section that extends in a curved manner from the inlet 16a to the outlet 16b.

[0021] Note that one end 12 and the other end 14 are not limited to a configuration in which a pipe (upstream pipe or downstream pipe) is inserted therein, and various arbitrary configurations can be adopted, such as a configuration in which they are inserted into a pipe (upstream pipe or downstream pipe). In this way, when one end 12 and the other end 14 are configured to be inserted into a pipe (upstream pipe or downstream pipe), the inlet for liquid in the sensor installation pipe member 10 is the open end of one end 12, and the outlet for liquid in the sensor installation pipe member 10 is the open end of the other end 14.

[0022] The sensor holding portion 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a sensor-holding hole 19 that branches off and extends from the flow path 16c of the midway portion 16. The sensor-holding hole 19 extends at an angle toward the inlet 16a with respect to the extension direction of the flow path 16c of the midway portion 16. In other words, the sensor-holding hole 19 extends so that the angle formed by the central axis of the sensor-holding hole 19 and the central axis of the flow path 16c is an acute angle toward the inlet 16a.

[0023] One end 19a of the sensor-retaining hole 19 communicates with the flow path 16c of the midway portion 16, and the other end 19b is an open end into which the sensor 30 can be inserted. A circumferential groove 19c is formed on the inner surface of the sensor-retaining hole 19 for disposing a sealing member such as an O-ring between the inner surface and the circumferential surface of the sensor 30. One end 19a of the sensor-retaining hole 19 opens obliquely toward the outlet 16b. With this configuration, the sensor-retaining hole 19 is configured to liquid-tightly retain the sensor 30 by inserting the sensor 30 into the sensor-retaining hole 19, with the measuring portion 32 of the sensor 30 exposed within the flow path 16c.

[0024] The sensor holding portion 18 has a peripheral surface 18a at its lower end extending into the flow path 16c so that one end 19a of the sensor-retaining hole 19 opens obliquely toward the outlet 16b, but the peripheral surface 18a is configured to prevent solid matter flowing through the flow path 16c from getting caught on it. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral surface 18a of the sensor holding portion 18 extending into the flow path 16c extends obliquely toward the outlet 16b. The sensor holding portion 18 is configured so that the amount of protrusion P of the peripheral surface 18a into the flow path 16c is less than half the diameter D of the flow path 16c. Furthermore, the sensor holding portion 18 has a lower edge on the upstream side of the peripheral surface 18a (the upstream edge of one end 19a of the sensor-retaining hole 19) that is rounded along the direction of the flow path 16c. With this configuration, even if solid matter is present in the fluid flowing through the flow path 16c, it is possible for the solid matter to pass through without being caught on the peripheral surface 18a of the sensor holding portion 18.

[0025] The sensor holding portion 18 further includes a support arm portion 20 that supports the rear end portion of the sensor 30 extending from the other end 19b of the sensor holding hole portion 19. As shown in Fig. 1, the support arm portion 20 has a tip portion 22 formed in a U-shape, and is configured to be able to clamp the rear end portion of the sensor 30. The support arm portion 20 also includes a cable holding portion 24 that can hold the cable of the sensor 30, etc.

[0026] With the above configuration, the sensor installation pipe member 10 is configured to function as a joint member that connects the upstream piping and the downstream piping, and also as a sensor holding member that holds the sensor 30.

[0027] [Sensor configuration] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sensor 30 has a shape that allows it to be inserted into the sensor-retaining hole 19 of the sensor installation pipe member 10, and in this embodiment is formed in a rod shape. When held in the sensor-retaining hole 19, the sensor 30 has a length that allows its rear end to extend from the sensor-retaining hole 19, and is configured so that the rear end is supported by the support arm 20. Note that the shape of the sensor 30 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure, and various other shapes may be used. Furthermore, the sensor-retaining hole 19 of the sensor installation pipe member 10 can be set as desired to match the shape of the sensor 30.

[0028] The sensor 30 is configured to be able to measure the physical properties of the liquid flowing through the flow path 16c of the sensor installation pipe member 10. As the sensor 30, for example, an electrical conductivity measurement sensor (EC sensor) that can measure the electrical conductivity (EC value) of the flowing liquid can be used.

[0029] However, various sensors can be used without being limited to an EC sensor as the sensor 30. For example, the sensor 30 may be a sensor that senses at least one of the elements listed below. (1) pH, oxidation-reduction potential, alkalinity, ion concentration, hardness (2) Turbidity, color, opacity, viscosity, dissolved oxygen (3) Odor, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, total nitrogen, residual chlorine, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total trihalomethanes (4) Detection results of microbial sensors, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, (5) Cyanide, mercury, oil, surfactants (6) Detection results of optical sensors and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) sensors (7) Mass spectrometry results, fine particles, zeta potential, surface potential (8) Sound

[0030] [Sensor unit usage] The sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment can be suitably used, for example, in a liquid treatment system that produces treated water by performing liquid treatment on raw water. An example of such a liquid treatment system is equipment including a raw water storage tank 2 that stores raw water, a water treatment tank 4 that performs water treatment on the raw water supplied from the raw water storage tank 2, and a treated water storage tank 7 that stores treated water supplied from the water treatment tank 4, as shown in Fig. 3 .

[0031] An example of the raw water storage tank 2 is a wastewater adjustment tank for adjusting the amount and flow of wastewater, etc. Furthermore, an example of the water treatment tank 4 is a biological treatment tank that purifies raw water using microorganisms. The water treatment tank 4 is provided with a filter 5 that prevents microorganisms from flowing out of the water treatment tank 4. Furthermore, an example of the treated water storage tank 7 is a purified water storage tank that stores purified treated water and supplies it to consumers, etc. However, the uses of each tank are not limited to these.

[0032] The sensor unit 1 of this embodiment can be installed, for example, in the first pipe 3 connecting the raw water storage tank 2 and the water treatment tank 4, and in this case, can be used to measure the physical properties of the raw water transferred from the raw water storage tank 2 to the water treatment tank 4, such as electrical conductivity (EC value).

[0033] Furthermore, the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment can be installed, for example, in the second pipe 6 connecting the water treatment tank 4 and the treated water storage tank 7, and in this case can be used to measure the physical properties of the treated water being transferred from the water treatment tank 4 to the treated water storage tank 7, such as electrical conductivity (EC value).

[0034] Furthermore, the sensor unit 1 of this embodiment can be installed, for example, in the discharge pipe from the treated water storage tank 7, and in this case can be used to measure the physical properties of the treated water discharged from the treated water storage tank 7, such as electrical conductivity (EC value).

[0035] The sensors 30 installed on the respective pipes may be the same type of sensors or different types of sensors.

[0036] Examples of liquid treatment systems in which the sensor unit 1 of this embodiment can be used include liquid treatment systems that purify various raw waters such as domestic wastewater, sewage, rainwater, surface water, and groundwater discharged from consumers, and regenerate them into treated water such as domestic water that can be used for flushing toilets, baths, showers, laundry, washing dishes, etc., or potable water.

[0037] Furthermore, the liquid treatment system in which the sensor unit 1 according to the present embodiment is used may be a system incorporated into a building or a mobile object. Examples of buildings include, but are not limited to, houses, vacation homes, mountain huts, temporary housing, and mobile homes built in mountainous areas where water supply and sewage systems are not available. Examples of mobile objects include, but are not limited to, automobiles, trains, ships, aircraft, and trailer homes. Furthermore, the liquid treatment system in which the sensor unit 1 according to the present embodiment is used may be a system independent of a building or a mobile object. For example, the liquid treatment system may be a portable system that can be transported and used at a predetermined location such as an outdoor event venue, construction site, campsite, or disaster evacuation shelter.

[0038] [Advantages of the sensor installation pipe member and sensor unit according to this embodiment] The sensor installation pipe member 10 and sensor unit 1 of this embodiment comprise a liquid inlet 16a and outlet 16b, a flow path 16c extending from the inlet 16a to the outlet 16b, and a sensor holding hole portion 19 branching off and extending from the flow path 16c, and the sensor holding hole portion 19 is inclined toward the inlet 16a with respect to the extension direction of the flow path 16c, and is configured to be able to hold the sensor 30 so that the measuring portion 32 of the sensor 30 is exposed within the flow path 16c.

[0039] By having such a configuration, the sensor installation pipe member 10 and sensor unit 1 of this embodiment have the advantage that even if solid matter such as hair is present in the liquid flowing through the flow path 16c, the solid matter is unlikely to get caught on the measuring part 32 of the sensor 30, making it possible to install the sensor 30 in the flow path 16c while suppressing the accumulation of solid matter in the flow path 16c.

[0040] Furthermore, the sensor installation pipe member 10 and the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment are configured so that the inlet 16a and the outlet 16b can communicate with the piping, respectively. This configuration has the advantage that the sensor installation pipe member 10 and the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment can be used not only as a sensor holding member that holds the sensor 30, but also as a joint member that connects the upstream piping and the downstream piping.

[0041] Furthermore, in the sensor installation pipe member 10 and the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment, one end 19a of the sensor-retaining hole 19 communicates with the flow path 16c, and the other end 19b is an open end into which the sensor 30 can be inserted. By being configured in this manner, the sensor installation pipe member 10 and the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment have the advantage that the sensor 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the sensor-retaining hole 19.

[0042] Furthermore, the sensor installation pipe member 10 and the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment further include a support arm portion 20 that supports the rear end of the sensor 30 extending from the sensor-retaining hole portion 19. By being configured in this manner, the sensor installation pipe member 10 and the sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment have the other end 19b of the sensor-retaining hole portion 19 as an open end, and are able to stably support the sensor 30 even though the structure allows for easy attachment and detachment of the sensor 30 to and from the sensor-retaining hole portion 19, which has the advantage of preventing the sensor 30 from falling out of the sensor-retaining hole portion 19.

[0043] [Variations] The sensor installation pipe member and sensor unit according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor installation pipe member 10 has been described as having one inlet 16a, one outlet 16b, and one flow path 16c, but this is not limited to this. For example, the sensor installation pipe member 10 may have a configuration in which a plurality of inlet 16a, a plurality of outlet 16b, and a plurality of flow paths 16c are formed, or a configuration in which one flow path 16c branches into a plurality of paths and a plurality of inlet 16a or a plurality of outlet 16b are formed.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor installation pipe member 10 has been described as having one end 12 and the other end 14 directly connected to piping, but this is not limited to this and the sensor installation pipe member 10 may be configured to be indirectly connected to piping via a connecting means such as a connector. Furthermore, the sensor installation pipe member 10 is not limited to being attached midway along piping and may be configured to be attached directly to the inlet or outlet of a tank, for example.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor installation pipe member 10 was described as having the other end 19b of the sensor holding hole portion 19 as an open end, but this is not limited to this, and the sensor 30 may be configured to be embedded within the sensor holding hole portion 19.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor installation pipe member 10 has been described as having a support arm portion 20 that supports the rear end of the sensor 30 extending from the sensor holding hole portion 19, but this is not limited to this and the pipe member 10 may be configured without having a support arm portion 20.

[0048] It is clear from the claims that the above-mentioned modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1: Sensor unit 2: Raw water storage tank 3: First piping 4: Water treatment tank 5: Filter 6: Second piping 7: Treated water storage tank 10: Pipe material for sensor installation 12:One end 13: Peripheral groove 14:Other end 15: Peripheral groove 16:Middle part 16a:Inlet 16b: Outlet 16c: Flow path 18: Sensor holder 18a: Peripheral surface 19: Sensor holding hole 19a: one end 19b: other end 19c: Peripheral groove 20: Support arm 22:Tip 24: Cable holding part 30: Sensor 32: Measuring part

Claims

1. a liquid inlet and an outlet; a flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet; a cylindrical sensor holding portion having a sensor holding hole portion therein that branches off and extends from the flow path; Equipped with the sensor-retaining hole is inclined toward the inlet with respect to an extension direction of the flow path, and is configured to be able to retain the sensor such that a measurement portion of the sensor is exposed within the flow path; the sensor holding portion has an extension portion that extends into the flow channel, the extension portion forms a peripheral surface of the sensor holding portion at least on the inlet side, and is configured to be able to support an end portion of the sensor held in the sensor holding hole portion on the flow path side at a tip edge portion of the peripheral surface, The tip edge of the extension portion has a shape that is curved from the inlet side toward the outlet side. Pipe components for installing sensors.

2. The inlet and the outlet are each configured to be able to communicate with a pipe. The sensor installation pipe member according to claim 1 .

3. The sensor installation pipe member according to claim 1 or 2; a sensor held in the sensor holding hole of the sensor installation pipe member; A sensor unit comprising:

4. The sensor holding hole has one end communicating with the flow path and the other end being an open end into which the sensor can be inserted. The sensor unit according to claim 3 .

5. the sensor has a length such that a rear end portion thereof extends from the sensor-retaining hole when the sensor is retained in the sensor-retaining hole, The sensor installation pipe member further includes a support arm portion that supports the rear end portion of the sensor extending from the sensor holding hole portion. The sensor unit according to claim 4 .

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