Short pipe for sensors

Abstract

To provide a short pipe for a sensor which enables easy maintenance of a sensor inserted into a pipe of a short pipe body.SOLUTION: A short pipe for a sensor includes: a cylindrical short pipe body 2; a sensor 3 which detects information of water flowing in the short pipe body 2; a lifting device 4 which moves up or down the sensor 3 to the interior of the pipe or the exterior of the pipe through an insertion hole 9 formed at an upper part of the short pipe body 2; a slide valve body 5 which opens or closes the insertion hole 9; a guide part 6 which is formed within the short pipe body 2 and guides the slide valve body 5 so that the slide valve body 5 moves along an inner surface of the short pipe body 2; and an operation part 7 which operates the slide valve body 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a short tube for a sensor.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, water quality management utilizing IoT (Internet of Things) / ICT (Information Communication Technology) technology has been demanded, and technological development has been carried out to acquire and utilize information in a pipeline using a sensor. As information in the pipeline, for example, the flow direction of water, water pressure, water quality (such as turbidity), foreign substances, etc. can be obtained.

[0003] Conventionally, a method is known in which a T-shaped pipe or a cross-shaped pipe is installed in a water pipe, and a sensor is inserted through an opening that opens upward and attached inside the pipe (see Patent Document 1). The invention of Patent Document 1 is such that when a sensor inserted into a cross-shaped pipe senses contaminants deposited in the trap portion of the cross-shaped pipe, an electric valve is opened to discharge the contaminants.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A sensor inserted into a pipe needs to be regularly cleaned or parts replaced to prevent deterioration of the sensing function. However, it is substantially difficult to stop the water in the pipe for maintenance. For this reason, conventionally, a valve is provided in a T-shaped pipe or a cross-shaped pipe, and the valve is opened and closed during maintenance so that the water in the water pipe does not flow out to the outside.

[0006] However, when a valve is installed in a T-junction or cross-shaped pipe, the distance from the sensor insertion hole to the main pipe through which water flows becomes long, making it difficult to install the sensor and difficult to maintain the sensor once it is inserted into the pipe. In addition, because the device for installing the sensor becomes large, there is a problem that the device cannot be installed when the soil cover is small (when the pipe is buried shallowly).

[0007] In light of these challenges, the present invention aims to provide a short tube for sensors that allows for easy maintenance of sensors inserted into a pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention Both ends are connected to the ends of a pair of water pipes. The device is characterized by comprising: a cylindrical short pipe body; a sensor for detecting information about water flowing through the short pipe body; a lifting device for raising and lowering the sensor into or out of the pipe through an insertion hole formed in the upper part of the short pipe body; a slide valve body for opening and closing the insertion hole; a guide part formed inside the short pipe body for guiding the slide valve body so that it moves along the inner surface of the short pipe body; and an operating part for operating the slide valve body.

[0009] According to the present invention, an insertion hole into which a sensor is inserted is formed in the upper part of the short pipe body, and a slide valve body for opening and closing the insertion hole is arranged inside the short pipe body. As a result, the only part located above the short pipe body is the lifting device, which reduces the height dimension of the part located above the short pipe body and allows for miniaturization of the sensor pipe. This makes it easier to install and maintain the sensor. Furthermore, because the sensor pipe is miniaturized, it can be installed even in sites with little soil cover.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the slide valve body is formed in an arc shape along the short pipe body and is slidable along the inner surface of the short pipe body.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent obstruction of the flow of water through the short pipe body.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable to further provide a flow straightening section formed on the inner surface of the short pipe body near the sensor, which straightens the flow of water inside the pipe.

[0013] According to the present invention, the generation of turbulence inside the pipe can be suppressed, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, maintenance of sensors inserted into pipes can be easily performed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the sensor short pipe of this embodiment, showing the slide valve body in the open state. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a view from arrow B in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a view from arrow C in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the sensor short pipe of this embodiment, showing the slide valve body in the closed state. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view from a DD perspective. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] [composition] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the sensor tube of this embodiment, showing the slide valve in the open position. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1 at point AA. Figure 3 is a view of Figure 1 at point B. Figure 4 is a view of Figure 1 at point C. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the sensor tube of this embodiment, showing the slide valve in the closed position. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5 at point DD.

[0017] The short pipe 1 for sensor is a short pipe that allows water to flow through the pipe and enables inspection of the water inside the pipe. The short pipe 1 for sensor can be connected to an existing or newly installed water pipe. The short pipe 1 for sensor includes a short pipe body 2, a sensor 3, a lifting device 4, a slide valve body 5, a guide portion 6, an operation portion 7, and a rectifying portion 8.

[0018] The short pipe body 2 is a pipe for water to flow through inside, and it has a cylindrical shape. At both ends of the short pipe body 2, flanges 2a, 2a for connecting to other pipes are formed. At the upper part of the short pipe body 2, an insertion hole 9 penetrating in the height direction is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, a seal member 13 for preventing water leakage is disposed at the periphery of the insertion hole 9.

[0019] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, on the side surface of the short pipe body 2, long holes 11, 11 extending along the circumferential direction and penetrating in the radial direction are formed. The long holes 11 are openings through which the operation portions 7, 7 described later are respectively inserted. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, seal members 12, 12 for preventing water leakage are disposed at the peripheral portions of the long holes 11, 11.

[0020] The sensor 3 is a member that comes into contact with the water flowing inside the short pipe body 2 and detects information about the water. The information about the water includes, for example, the flow direction of water, water pressure, water quality (such as turbidity), foreign substances, etc., but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, three sensors 3 are used, but any number can be used. The information obtained by the sensor 3 is transmitted, for example, to a control unit (not shown) that manages the information.

[0021] The lifting device 4 is a device that raises and lowers the sensor 3 into or out of the pipe through the insertion hole 9 formed in the upper part of the short pipe body 2. The lifting device 4 is disposed on the outer side surface of the upper part of the short pipe body 2 and covers the entire insertion hole 9. The lifting device 4 can be configured, for example, using an actuator (not shown) that raises and lowers the sensor 3 into or out of the pipe. The power source of the lifting device 4 can use, for example, a battery, a solar panel, etc.

[0022] The slide valve body 5 is a plate-shaped member that opens and closes the insertion hole 9 and is formed along the short pipe body 2, with a rectangular shape in plan view and an arc shape in cross-section. The material of the slide valve body 5 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is made of metal, hard resin, etc. The curvature of the slide valve body 5 is approximately the same as the curvature of the short pipe body 2. An operating part 7 is formed on the outer surface of the slide valve body 5. The operating part 7 is a rod-shaped lever that rises from the outer surface of the slide valve body 5. In this embodiment, two operating parts 7 are provided on both sides of the slide valve body 5, but there may be any number of them.

[0023] The guide portion 6 is formed inside the short pipe body 2 and is a member that guides the slide valve body 5 so that it can slide in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the short pipe body 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the guide portion 6 is composed of a lower plate portion 6a and a connecting frame portion 6b. The lower plate portion 6a is a plate-shaped part that supports the lower surface of the slide valve body 5. A through hole 10, which is approximately the same shape as the insertion hole 9, is formed in the lower plate portion 6a at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 9. The curvature of the lower plate portion 6a is approximately the same as the curvature of the slide valve body 5. The connecting frame portion 6b rises from the periphery of the lower plate portion 6a and is connected to the inner surface of the short pipe body 2.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the guide portion 6 is formed to straddle the insertion hole 9, extending over a range roughly from 10 o'clock to 4 o'clock on a clock face. The lower plate portion 6a only needs to support a part of the slide valve body 5 so that it can slide, and may be frame-shaped. Specifically, it supports the edge of the slide valve body 5 with the peripheral wall of the short pipe body 2 in a U-shaped cross-section. (This is a state where the central part of the lower plate portion 6a, including the through hole 10, is absent, i.e., frame-shaped.)

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the flow straightening section 8 is formed on the inner surface of the short pipe body 2 near the sensor 3 and is a component that straightens the water flowing inside the pipe. The flow straightening sections 8, 8 are formed at positions opposite the upstream and downstream sides of the guide section 6. The flow straightening section 8 only needs to be provided in at least the upstream side of the guide section 6. The flow straightening section 8 is a plate-shaped member with a triangular cross-section and an inclined surface that slopes from the lower end of the connecting frame section 6b of the guide section 6 to the inner surface of the short pipe body 2. The flow straightening section 8 is provided so that the guide section 6 provided inside the short pipe body 2 does not become a resistance to the water. It is also preferable to form and arrange it so that turbulence and vortices are not generated when the water hits the sensor 3. Furthermore, it is preferable to form and arrange the flow straightening section 8 so as to reduce the force (water pressure) of the water hitting the sensor 3. In addition, it is preferable to provide an air vent (such as a float-type air valve) in the lifting device 4 to discharge air inside the lifting device 4 when maintenance is performed and the sensor 3 is returned to the short pipe body 2.

[0026] [How to use] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, when the short pipe body 2 is in use, the slide valve body 5 is in the open position. At this time, one end of the slide valve body 5 faces the insertion hole 9, and the other end faces the other end (lower end) of the guide part 6. The sensor 3 is inserted into the pipe through the insertion hole 9 and the through hole 10, and comes into contact with the water flowing inside the short pipe body 2 to detect information about the water.

[0027] For example, when maintaining sensor 3, the worker operates the lifting device 4 to raise sensor 3 outside the pipe. The worker also moves the operating parts 7,7 upward, as shown in Figure 5, to slide the slide valve body 5 against the inner surface of the short pipe body 2, thereby closing the insertion hole 9. This allows maintenance of sensor 3 to be performed with the insertion hole 9 of the short pipe body 2 closed. At this time, one end of the slide valve body 5 faces one end (the upper end) of the guide part 6.

[0028] After maintenance is complete, the worker moves the operating units 7,7 downwards, causing the slide valve body 5 to slide against the inner surface of the short pipe body 2, thereby opening the insertion hole 9. The worker also operates the lifting device 4 to lower the sensor 3 into the pipe.

[0029] [effect] According to this embodiment, an insertion hole 9 into which the sensor 3 is inserted is formed in the upper part of the short pipe body 2, and a slide valve body 5 for opening and closing the insertion hole 9 is arranged inside the short pipe body 2. As a result, the only part located above the short pipe body 2 is the lifting device 4, which reduces the height dimension of the part located above the short pipe body 2, and allows for miniaturization of the sensor short pipe 1. This makes it easier to install and maintain the sensor 3. In addition, because the sensor short pipe 1 is miniaturized, it can be easily installed even in sites with little soil cover.

[0030] Furthermore, when performing maintenance on sensor 3 (or when sensing is not required), the insertion hole 9 of the short pipe body 2 can be closed with the slide valve body 5, preventing foreign matter from entering the short pipe body 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the slide valve body 5 is formed in an arc shape along the short pipe body 2 and is slidable along the inner surface of the short pipe body 2. In addition, the guide portion 6 is also formed in an arc shape along the slide valve body 5. In other words, the slide valve body 5 and the guide portion 6 can be provided in an arc shape along the short pipe body 2, thereby preventing obstruction of the flow of water through the short pipe body 2.

[0032] Furthermore, without the flow straightening section 8, the water flowing inside the short pipe body 2 may collide with the side surface (connecting frame section 6b) of the guide section 6 which is erected radially in the short pipe body 2, potentially generating turbulence and vortices. However, in this embodiment, by providing the flow straightening sections 8, 8, the generation of turbulence and vortices can be suppressed. As a result, the water flow near the sensor 3 is stabilized, and the detection accuracy of the sensor can be improved. In addition, the flow straightening section 8 can reduce the force (water pressure) of the water hitting the sensor 3, thereby preventing damage to the sensor 3.

[0033] [Differentiation] (a): In this embodiment, the operating units 7, 7 are provided to manually open and close the slide valve body 5. However, for example, the operating unit may be configured to include an actuator that moves the slide valve body 5 in the opening and closing direction. (b): In this embodiment, a lifting device 4 is provided, and the sensor 3 is raised and lowered inside or outside the pipe by an actuator. However, for example, the lifting device 4 may be equipped with an operating lever or the like to manually raise and lower the sensor 3 inside or outside the pipe.

[0034] (c) The various inventive features described in this embodiment can be combined as appropriate. (d): The shape, material, and position of the various components can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 1. Short tube for sensor 2 Short pipe body 3 sensors 4. Lifting device 5. Slide valve body 6 Guide section 7 Control section 8 Rectifier 9 Insertion hole 10 Through holes 11 long hole 12,13 Sealing member

Claims

1. A cylindrical short pipe body having both ends connected to the ends of a pair of water pipes, A sensor that detects information about the water flowing through the short pipe body, A lifting device for raising and lowering the sensor inside or outside the pipe through an insertion hole formed in the upper part of the short pipe body, A slide valve body that opens and closes the aforementioned insertion hole, A guide portion is formed inside the short pipe body and guides the slide valve body so that it moves along the inner surface of the short pipe body, A short tube for a sensor, characterized by comprising an operating section for operating the slide valve body.

2. The short tube for a sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide valve body is formed in an arc shape along the short tube body and is slidably formed along the inner surface of the short tube body.

3. The sensor short pipe according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a flow straightening section formed on the inner surface of the short pipe body near the sensor, which straightens the water flowing inside the pipe.

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