Constant Water Level Valve Device

Abstract

To provide a constant water level valve device that can easily detect the water level and is simple and easy to maintain. [Solution] The constant water level valve device 10 has a constant water level valve 12 provided in a discharge pipe 11 that discharges water supply from outside into the container 1, a solenoid valve 15 provided in a connecting pipe 12b that is connected to the constant water level valve 12, a control device 50 that sends a control signal to the solenoid valve to open and close the solenoid valve, and a radar sensor 20 that can detect a storage position signal related to the water level in the container 1. The radar sensor 20 sends a storage signal to the control device 50 when it detects that the water level has dropped to the water supply start position and when it detects that the water level has risen to the water supply stop position, and the solenoid valve 15 opens when it receives a storage signal that the water level has dropped to the water supply start position and closes when it receives a storage signal that the water level has risen to the water supply stop position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a constant water level valve device used to control the water level in a water storage tank such as a water receiving tank or an elevated water tank installed in an office building, an apartment building, or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a constant water level valve device is installed in a water receiving tank or a water storage tank (hereinafter collectively referred to as a container) that stores water, and has the function of controlling the water level. Water is supplied to the container through a water supply valve connected to a water pipe, and the water stored in the container is sent to a water pump via the water supply pipe and supplied to a predetermined consumption point. In this case, the water level of the water stored in the container decreases as it is consumed, so that a constant amount of water is stored by opening the water supply valve to supply water into the container as water is consumed, and closing the water supply valve when the water level reaches a preset level to control the water level.

[0003] A known example of a constant water level valve device is the ball tap system, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The ball tap system uses a float suspended in the water in a container. The float moves up and down in response to water consumption and supply, controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valve. When the water level in the container drops, the float drops accordingly, driving the on-off valve open via a link mechanism to reduce the pressure in the pilot pipe. This opens the water supply valve, allowing water to be supplied into the container. As the water level in the container rises with the supply of water, the float rises, gradually closing the on-off valve via the link mechanism. When a certain water level (the water supply stop level) is reached, the on-off valve closes, filling the pilot pipe with water and creating a high-pressure state. This closes the water supply valve, stopping the supply of water to the container.

[0004] The container is also equipped with an alarm device to enable early detection of any leaks or other accidents. This alarm device has two electrodes, one of which is placed in the water stored in the container, and the other is positioned so that it is at a predetermined full water alarm position. That is, when the water level rises and reaches the full water alarm position, the alarm device is energized and issues an alarm to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2017-71949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventional constant water level valve devices supply and stop water by the up and down movement of a float suspended in the stored water. The alarm device also includes an electrode rod that is submerged in the water. This means that the constant water level valve device, which detects the water level inside the container, has many components, and the float structure is complex, making maintenance difficult. Furthermore, submerging the electrode in water can lead to problems such as rust, leaving room for improvement.

[0007] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a constant water level valve device that allows for easy detection of the water level and is simple and easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a constant water level valve device installed in a container for storing water, the constant water level valve device comprising: a constant water level valve provided on a discharge pipe that discharges water supply from outside into the container; an electromagnetic valve provided on a connecting pipe connected to the constant water level valve; a control device that sends a control signal to the electromagnetic valve to open and close the solenoid valve; and a radar sensor provided on the container that can detect a storage position signal related to the water level in the container, wherein the radar sensor sends the storage signal to the control device when it detects that the water level has dropped to the water supply start position and when it detects that the water level has risen to the water supply start position, and the solenoid valve opens when it receives a storage signal that the water level has dropped to the water supply start position, opening the constant water level valve to put the container in a water supply state, and closes when it receives a storage signal that the water level has risen to the water supply stop position, closing the constant water level valve to put the container in a water supply stop state.

[0009] The constant water level valve device described above uses a radar sensor as a detection means to detect the full water position (water supply stop position) and the water supply start position, which are the state of the water in the container, and therefore simplifies the entire device and the configuration inside the container. Furthermore, since the radar sensor transmits microwaves simply by being installed on the outer wall of the container, it is possible to easily detect changes in the water level by simply installing it on the outside of the top wall of the container, for example. In this case, if the radar sensor installation part is made of resin (including FRP), radar waves of a thickness of about 20 mm can be transmitted, so it can be installed in various containers, and the simple structure makes maintenance work easy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a constant water level valve device that is simple and allows easy maintenance work to be performed is obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a water tank in which a constant water level valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a constant water level valve device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] The constant water level valve device 10 is provided in a container 1 (such as a water tank or reservoir) in which water is stored, and is used to control the water level. The constant water level valve device 10 of this embodiment is installed in the container 1 and includes a constant water level valve (main valve) 12 provided in a discharge pipe 11 that discharges water supply from the outside (such as a water pipe) into the container 1. The discharge pipe 11 includes upper and lower pipes 11a that extend parallel to the side wall 1a of the container 1, and a horizontal pipe 11b that extends along the top wall 1b of the container, and the constant water level valve 12 is installed in the horizontal pipe 11b.

[0014] A discharge pipe 12a that discharges water from the horizontal pipe 11b into the vessel 1 is connected to the constant water level valve 12, and connecting pipes 12b and 12c that supply water further downstream are also connected. As will be described later, this constant water level valve 12 is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of a solenoid valve 15 provided on the connecting pipe 12b that is connected to the constant water level valve. In this case, the solenoid valve 15 is opened and closed by a control signal S1 sent from a control unit 51 of a control device 50 installed outside the vessel.

[0015] A radar sensor 20 is installed in the container 1. The radar sensor can be, for example, a model FR-LP20 manufactured by Keyence Corporation, and is a detection means capable of detecting the water level in the container by transmitting and receiving microwaves that pass through the container wall. For example, it is sufficient to simply place the radar sensor so that it is exposed on the surface of the upper wall 1b of the container 1. If the part where it is installed is made of a resin material (including FRP), microwaves with a thickness of about 20 mm can pass through and the water level can be detected in millimeters. Note that microwaves have the characteristic of gradually spreading after being irradiated, but the measurement range R needs only to be within a diameter of about 300 mm.

[0016] When the radar sensor 20 detects that the water level in the container has dropped to the water supply start position L2, and when it detects that the water level has risen to the water supply stop position L3, it transmits a storage signal S2 to the control unit 51 of the control device 50.

[0017] When the solenoid valve 15 receives a storage signal S2 indicating that the water level has dropped to the water supply start position L2, it receives a control signal S1 to open, opening the constant water level valve 12 and putting the water into a supply state. When the solenoid valve 15 receives a storage signal S2 indicating that the water level has risen to the water supply stop position L3, it receives a control signal S1 to close, closing the constant water level valve 12 and putting the water into a stop state.

[0018] Specifically, when radar sensor 20 detects that the water level has reached L2 (water supply start position), it transmits a storage signal (water supply start signal) S2 to control unit 51 of control device 50. In response, control unit 51 transmits a control signal (open signal) S1 to solenoid valve 15 via solenoid valve ON / OFF drive unit 52. This opens solenoid valve 15, discharging water into the container via connecting pipe 12b, and constant water level valve 12 opens due to a known structure (water supply pressure), discharging a large amount of water into the container from discharge pipe 12a. Note that a small amount of water is discharged into the container from the tip of connecting pipe 12b.

[0019] Furthermore, when the level of the supplied water rises and the radar sensor 20 detects that the water level position is L3 (water supply stop position), it sends a storage signal (water supply stop signal) S2 to the control unit 51 of the control device 50. In response to this, the control unit 51 sends a control signal (stop signal) S1 to the solenoid valve 15 via the solenoid valve ON / OFF drive unit 52. This closes the solenoid valve 15, causing the pressure in the connecting pipe 12b from the constant water level valve 12 to the solenoid valve 15 to rise, and the constant water level valve 12 is closed due to its known structure.

[0020] In this way, by configuring the detection means for detecting the water level as a radar sensor 20 installed outside the container 1, the configuration of the constant water level valve device can be simplified, and maintenance workability can be improved.

[0021] In this embodiment, as described above, the solenoid valve 15 is controlled to open / close based on the storage signal S2 from the radar sensor 20. However, in anticipation of a malfunction of the solenoid valve 15 (remaining in the open state and water continuing to be supplied), a stop device 30 is provided downstream of the solenoid valve 15. An example of the configuration of the stopping device 30 will be described below (this stopping device 30 may not be provided).

[0022] The stop device 30 is equipped with a ball tap valve (auxiliary valve) 31 provided on the connecting pipe 12b that protrudes into the container 1. The float 33 of this ball tap valve 31 is positioned so that it stops slightly above the full water warning level L4, and when the solenoid valve 15 is no longer closed (remains open), and the float 33 stops slightly above the full water warning level L4, it closes the ball tap valve 31 and operates to close the constant water level valve 12.

[0023] That is, when the float 33 rises to the full water warning level L4, the ball tap valve 31 is closed, the pressure in the connecting pipes 12b and 12c from the constant water level valve 12 to the ball tap valve 31 rises, and the constant water level valve 12 is closed. As a result, the water supply operation is stopped and water is not left supplied to the container.

[0024] Normally, a discharge hopper 60 is installed in the container at the same level as the overflow surface L5, and even if water supply continues, water will be discharged from the discharge hopper 60, so the water supply will not stop. As described above, by configuring the float 33 to close the ball tap valve 31 below the overflow surface L5, it is possible to prevent water from being continuously discharged.

[0025] If the solenoid valve 15 does not open (remains closed), the radar sensor 20 may be configured to transmit a drought warning signal (reservoir signal) to the control unit 51, for example, when it detects that the low water level warning position L1 set below the water supply start position L2 has been reached. Such a signal is input to the control unit 51, and processing to notify the failure of the solenoid valve 15 (such as transmitting a signal to the outside, an alarm sound, or an alarm light) is performed via the external output unit 53.

[0026] In addition, the external output unit 53 may output a full water warning signal when the radar sensor 20 detects that the water level has reached the overflow surface L5, or may output an anti-idle warning signal when the water level drops further below the low water warning position L1 to prevent the pump from idling.

[0027] Although the embodiment of the constant water level valve device of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways.

[0028] For example, it is preferable to provide a gate valve 70 that is always kept open between the constant water level valve 12 and the solenoid valve 15 of the connecting pipe 12b. By providing such a gate valve 70, the water in the solenoid valve 15 can be drained during maintenance, making maintenance work easy. Furthermore, the above-described positions L1 to L5 can be changed appropriately depending on the size and application of the vessel 1 (since it is a radar sensor, it can be changed in millimeters). Furthermore, the radar sensor 20 can be mounted anywhere (directly placed), and there is no need to drill a mounting hole in the vessel wall. Furthermore, the control device 50 may be installed on the outer wall of the vessel 1 or at a remote location, and there is no limitation on whether the signal is transmitted or received via wire or wireless. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1. Containers (water tanks, receiving tanks) 10 Constant water level valve device 11 Discharge pipe 12 Constant water level valve 12b,12c connecting pipe 15 Solenoid valve 20 Radar Sensor 30 Stop device 31 Ball tap valve 33 Float 50 Control device

Claims

1. A constant water level valve device installed in a container for storing water, The constant water level valve device includes a constant water level valve provided in a discharge pipe that discharges water supply from the outside into the container, a solenoid valve provided in a connecting pipe that is connected to the constant water level valve, a control device that sends a control signal to the solenoid valve to open and close the solenoid valve, and a radar sensor provided in the container that can detect a storage position signal related to the water level in the container. and the radar sensor transmits a storage signal to a control unit of the control device when detecting that the water level has dropped to the water supply start position and when detecting that the water level has risen to the water supply stop position; The solenoid valve is opened when a storage signal indicating that the water level has dropped to a water supply start position is received, thereby opening the constant water level valve and putting the water into a supply state, and is closed when a storage signal indicating that the water level has risen to a water supply stop position is received, thereby closing the constant water level valve and putting the water into a supply stop state. The downstream side of the electromagnetic valve provided on the connecting pipe protrudes into the container, and a ball tap valve is provided on the protruding portion, The float of the ball tap valve is positioned to stop slightly above the full water warning level, A constant water level valve device characterized by the fact that when the solenoid valve no longer closes and the float stops slightly above the full water warning level, the ball tap valve is closed, thereby closing the constant water level valve.

2. The upper wall of the container has a portion where the radar sensor is installed, which is made of a resin material, 2. The constant water level valve device according to claim 1, wherein the radar sensor is installed on a resin material so as to be exposed to the outside.

3. 2. The constant water level valve device according to claim 1, wherein a gate valve that is always kept open is provided in the connecting pipe between the constant water level valve and the solenoid valve.

4. A constant water level valve device as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the radar sensor sends a drought warning signal to the control unit when it detects that the water level has reached a low water level warning position set below the water supply start position.

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