Water quality sensor and water quality sensor device

Abstract

To provide a water quality sensor, a housing, a connector, and a water quality sensor device which can be accurately and easily installed.SOLUTION: A housing 100 for installing a water quality sensor 200 at a pipe 400 includes: three connection ports with substantially the same structure; and inner through holes for mutually connecting the three connection ports. Preferably, first and second connection ports of the three connection ports are arranged opposite to each other on a virtual first straight line, and a third connection port is arranged on a second straight line orthogonal to the first straight line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water quality sensor Sakyu and a water quality sensor device.

Background Art

[0002] As a means for measuring the water quality of a fluid in a pipe, a water quality sensor as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is widely used. The water quality sensor measures the water quality by measuring the current value flowing between electrodes via a plurality of electrodes installed in the pipe.

[0003] It is desirable that the measured value of the water quality sensor be highly accurate. For this reason, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, it is recommended to attach the water quality sensor to the pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, installing water quality sensors to obtain highly accurate measurements is not easy. For example, the size, material, and shape of the piping vary from installation site to installation site, requiring individual attention, making the work complicated, time-consuming, and difficult to install accurately. In particular, when installing water quality sensors on existing piping, on-site installation is necessary, making the work complicated, time-consuming, and fine-tuning difficult.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a water quality sensor that can be installed accurately and easily. Sakyu The objective is to provide a water quality sensor device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention Water quality sensor teeth, A housing for installing a water quality sensor in a pipe, wherein the housing has three connection ports of the same configuration and through holes for connecting the three connection ports to each other, and each of the three connection ports has a recess formed on the end face of the three connection ports that fits into a protrusion on the object to which it is mounted, and the housing has a connection portion that has a protrusion that fits into the recess of the three connection ports and is detachably connectable to any of the three connection ports, When the connection portion is connected to any of the three connection ports, it includes a pair of electrodes positioned inside the through-hole for measuring the water quality of the fluid flowing inside the through-hole, A water quality sensor, The protrusion engages with the recess, thereby fixing the water quality sensor to the housing in a position where the plane encompassing the pair of electrodes forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of fluid flow inside the through-hole. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, water quality sensor Sakyu The water quality sensor device can be installed accurately and easily. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the usage of the water quality sensor, housing, and fitting according to the embodiment, respectively. [Figure 2] (A) Front view, (B) Side view, (C) Bottom view, and (D) Cross-sectional view along line II-II of the housing according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] (A) Overall perspective view of the water quality sensor according to the embodiment, (B) Side view of the connection part of the water quality sensor. [Figure 4] A partial cross-sectional side view showing the connection state of the housing and water quality sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]Diagrams showing the state of the fitting part according to the embodiment: (A) before fitting, and (B) in the fitted state. [Figure 6] Partial cross-sectional view of the housing according to the embodiment in plan view. [Figure 7] Diagrams showing the joint according to the embodiment: (A) front view, (B) rear view, (C) right side view, and (D) cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] (A), (B), and (C) are respectively assembly diagrams of the water quality sensor, housing, and joint according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] (A), (B), and (C) are respectively diagrams showing the connection mode of the joint according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Diagrams showing the retaining member according to the embodiment: (A) front view and (B) plan view.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a water quality sensor device, a housing for attaching a water quality sensor, and a water quality sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] As illustrated in FIGS. 1(A) and (B), the water quality sensor device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 100 and a water quality sensor 200 set in the housing 100. The housing 100 is attached to a pipe 400 via a joint 300, and a fluid FL passes through the inside. The water quality sensor 200 is mounted in a state of being positioned in the housing 100 and measures the water quality of the fluid FL passing through the housing 100. In the following description, the joint 300 on the fluid inflow side may be referred to as the first joint 310, and the joint 300 on the fluid outflow side may be referred to as the second joint 320.

[0013] The details of each part will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(D), the housing 100 includes a cylindrical tubular portion 101, and three connection ports, namely, a first connection port 102 formed at one end of the tubular portion 101, a second connection port 103 formed at the other end of the tubular portion 101, and a third connection port 104 formed at the central portion of the side wall of the tubular portion 101. As shown in FIG. 2(D), the housing 100 has a T-shaped flow path inside that connects the first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104. Here, as shown in FIGS. 2(A) to 2(D), an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, which consists of a Z-axis along the direction connecting the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103, a Y-axis orthogonal to the Z-axis and passing through the center of the third connection port 104, and an X-axis orthogonal to the Z-axis and the Y-axis. The Z-axis is an example of a virtual first straight line in the claims, and the Y-axis is an example of a virtual second straight line in the claims.

[0014] The first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104 have substantially the same configuration, and the water quality sensor 200 and the joint 300 can be selectively connected to the first to third connection ports 102 to 104.

[0015] For example, when the water quality sensor 200 is arranged in the middle of a linear pipe 400, as shown in FIG. 1(A), the water quality sensor 200 is connected to the third connection port 104, and the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 are connected to the pipe 400 via the joint 300. In this arrangement, one of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 is the inflow side of the fluid FL, and the other is the outflow side.

[0016] Also, when the water quality sensor 200 is arranged at the bent portion of the pipe 400 that bends at a substantially right angle, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the water quality sensor 200 is connected to one of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103, and the pipe 400 is connected to the other of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 and the third connection port 104 via the joint 300. In this arrangement, one of the other of the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 and the third connection port 104 is the inflow side of the fluid FL, and the other is the outflow side.

[0017] Returning to Figures 2(A) to (D), the first connection port 102 is formed in a flange shape, positioned on the Z-axis, and its end face is perpendicular to the Z-axis. The outer diameter of the first connection port 102 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 212 of the water quality sensor 200 (described later) and the outer diameter of the housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300.

[0018] Furthermore, the first connection port 102 is provided with two fitting portions F1, for example, recesses, on its outer circumference. As will be described later, the fitting portions F1 engage with fitting portions F2, for example, protrusions, provided on the water quality sensor 200 and the joint 300, thereby preventing the rotation of the water quality sensor 200 and the joint 300.

[0019] The second connection port 103 has substantially the same configuration as the first connection port 102. More specifically, the second connection port 103 is formed in a flange shape, positioned on the Z-axis, with its end face perpendicular to the Z-axis, its outer diameter being approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 212 of the water quality sensor 200 and the outer diameter of the housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300, and having two fitting portions F1 on its outer circumference. The first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103 face each other on the Z-axis.

[0020] The third connection port 104 has substantially the same configuration as the first connection port 102 and the second connection port 103. More specifically, the second connection port 103 is formed in a flange shape, positioned on the Y axis, with its end face perpendicular to the Y axis, its outer diameter being approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 212 of the water quality sensor 200 and the outer diameter of the housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300, and having two fitting portions F1 on its outer circumference.

[0021] The material of the housing 100 is, for example, synthetic resin. The housing 100 is an example of the housing in the claims, the first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104 are examples of the first connection port, the second connection port, and the third connection port in the claims, respectively, and the fitting portion F1 is an example of the fitting portion in the claims.

[0022] The water quality sensor 200 shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) is mounted on the housing 100 and measures the water quality of the fluid FL flowing inside the housing 100. As shown in Figure 3(A), the water quality sensor 200 comprises an electrode 201, a main body 202 containing various electrical circuits, and a connection part 203 that is mounted on the housing 100.

[0023] The electrodes 201 are cylindrical and two of them protrude from the connection portion 203, applying a voltage to the fluid FL flowing between the two electrodes 201. The material of the electrodes 201 is, for example, a corrosion-resistant metal. The main body 202 internally includes a voltage application means for applying a voltage between the two electrodes 201, a current measuring means for measuring the current flowing between the two electrodes 201, a calculation means for calculating the electrical conductivity, electrical resistivity, etc., of the fluid FL from the current value measured by the current measuring means, and an output means for outputting the calculated values. The material of the housing of the main body 202 is, for example, synthetic resin.

[0024] The connecting portion 203 is the part that connects to the housing 100 and comprises an insertion portion 211 and a flange portion 212. The connecting portion 203 is detachably connected to the first connection port 102, the second connection port 103, and the third connection port 104.

[0025] The insertion portion 211 has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, and is configured to be insertable into any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, as illustrated in Figures 5(A) and (B). As shown in Figure 3(B), a sealing member 211a made of elastic resin or the like is formed on the side surface of the insertion portion 211. As a result, when the insertion portion 211 is inserted and fitted into any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 in a quick-joint manner, the sealing member 211a adheres tightly to the inner wall of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, creating a watertight seal.

[0026] The end face 211b of the insertion portion 211 is formed parallel to the side surface 212a of the flange portion 212, which will be described later. Furthermore, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the electrode 201 and the end face 211b of the insertion portion 211, and the angle between the longitudinal direction of the electrode 201 and the side surface 212a of the flange portion 212 are approximately right angles.

[0027] The flange portion 212 has a larger diameter than the insertion portion 211 and is formed to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the cylindrical portion 101. The side surface 212a of the flange portion 212 is formed flat, and when the insertion portion 211 is fitted into any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 by insertion in a quick-joint manner, it makes surface contact with the end faces of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the insertion portion 211 is formed at a height that does not block the flow path inside the housing 100 when inserted into the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. In addition, the electrode 201 is formed such that its tip is separated from the inner wall of the housing 100 by a certain distance L, which prevents fluid and air bubbles from accumulating.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), the flange portion 212 is provided with a fitting portion F2 that fits with a fitting portion F1 provided at the first connection port 102 to the third connection port 104 of the housing 100, respectively. When fitting portion F2 is fitted with fitting portion F1, the surface containing the two electrodes 201 is formed at a position perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow FL, as schematically shown in Figure 6. The fitting of fitting portion F1 and fitting portion F2 prevents relative rotation between the housing 100 and the water quality sensor 200, maintains the rotation angle of the housing 100, and maintains the electrodes 201 in an appropriate position with respect to the direction of fluid flow FL. The two fitting portions F1 and the two fitting portions F2 are substantially identical in configuration and are 180° rotationally symmetric.

[0030] The connecting portion 203 is formed, for example, from an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The water quality sensor 200 is an example of a water quality sensor in the claims, the connecting portion 203 is an example of a connecting portion in the claims, the electrode 201 is an example of an electrode in the claims, the insertion portion 211 is an example of an insertion portion in the claims, the flange portion 212 is an example of a flange portion in the claims, and the fitting portion F2 is an example of a fitting portion in the claims.

[0031] The joint 300 shown in Figure 1 is an interposed component between the pipe 400 and the housing 100, connecting the two. As shown in Figures 7(A) to (D), the joint 300 has a through hole, i.e., a flow path, and includes a housing-side connection port 301 that connects to the housing 100 and a pipe-side connection port 302 that connects to the pipe 400.

[0032] The housing-side connection port 301 has substantially the same configuration as the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200, and has an insertion portion 311 and a flange portion 312. The outer diameter of the insertion portion 311 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100, and is configured to be insertable into the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. A sealing member 311a made of elastic resin or the like is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 311. When the insertion portion 311 is inserted and fitted into any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 in a quick-joint manner, the sealing member 311a adheres tightly to the inner wall of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104, creating a watertight seal.

[0033] The flange portion 312 has a larger diameter than the insertion portion 311 and is formed to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. The side surface of the flange portion 312 is formed flat and abuts against the end surface of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 when the insertion portion 211 is fitted with any of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. The flange portion 312 also has a fitting portion F2 that corresponds to the fitting portion F1 of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100. The fitting of the fitting portion F1 and the fitting portion F2 prevents the housing 100 and the joint 300 from rotating relative to each other.

[0034] The pipe-side connection port 302 is provided with a threaded portion S that engages with a tapered thread or parallel thread formed on the pipe 400. The pipe-side connection port 302 is also configured to be hexagonal in front view, for example, and to be able to tighten and loosen the pipe 400 and the joint 300 by rotating it like a bolt using a spanner, wrench, etc. The joint 300 is made of synthetic resin, for example. The joint 300 is an example of a joint in the claims, the housing-side connection port 301 is an example of a connection port in the claims, the insertion portion 311 is an example of an insertion portion in the claims, the flange portion 312 is an example of a flange portion in the claims, and the fitting portion F2 is an example of a fitting portion in the claims.

[0035] Next, a method for connecting the housing 100 having the above configuration and the water quality sensor 200 to the piping 400 will be described with reference to Figures 8(A) and 9(A), (B), and (C). In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(A), the water quality sensor 200 is placed in the middle of the piping 400 through which the fluid FL flows in the lateral direction.

[0036] First, the fitting 300 is connected to the pipe 400. The method of connecting the pipe 400 and the fitting 300 is arbitrary. For example, as shown in Figure 9(A), the threaded portion S formed on the outer surface of the pipe 400 may be screwed into the threaded portion S formed on the fitting 300. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9(B), the threaded portion S formed on one end of the one-touch fitting 500 may be screwed into the threaded portion S of the fitting 300, and the insertion portion 501 at the other end of the one-touch fitting 500 may be pressed into the pipe 400. In the connection configurations shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), sealing tape may be wrapped around the threaded portion S on the male thread side to improve sealing performance. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9(C), a so-called barbed joint 510 may be connected to both ends of a hose, etc., with one end of the barbed joint 510 connected to the fitting 300 and the other end connected to the pipe 400. In this case, the sealing performance may be improved by fastening a hose clamp from the outside to the connection point between the bamboo-shaped part of the bamboo-shaped joint 510 and the hose, etc.

[0037] Next, as shown in Figure 8(A), the third connection port 104 of the housing 100 is connected to the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200. More specifically, the third connection port 104 and the flange portion 212 of the connection portion 203 are brought into surface contact. At this time, the fitting portion F1 of the third connection port 104 and the fitting portion F2 of the connection portion 203 are fitted together.

[0038] Next, the water quality sensor device 10, which includes the housing 100 and the water quality sensor 200 connected to each other as described above, is connected to the piping 400. More specifically, the first connection port 102 of the housing 100 and the flange portion 312 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the first joint 310 are brought into surface contact. At this time, the fitting portion F1 of the first connection port 102 and the fitting portion F2 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the first joint 310 are fitted together. Next, the second connection port 103 of the housing 100 and the flange portion 312 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the second joint 320 are brought into surface contact. At this time, the fitting portion F1 of the second connection port 103 and the fitting portion F2 of the housing-side connection port 301 of the second joint 320 are fitted together.

[0039] Next, the retaining members 600 are attached to each connection point. As shown in Figures 10(A) and (B), the retaining members 600 are C-shaped, elastic, strip-shaped metal members that prevent each connection point from loosening or falling off. The retaining members 600 consist of a C-shaped strip-shaped main body 601, a knob 602 provided at the end of the main body 601, and a slit 603 provided in the central part of the main body 601. When attached to each connection point, the flange is sandwiched in the hollow part of the slit 603, thereby locking each connection point in place.

[0040] With this configuration, the fluid flow path FL is secured by inserting and fitting two fittings 300 connected to the piping 400 into two selected connection ports 102 to 104 of the housing 100 using a quick-joint system.

[0041] Furthermore, the water quality sensor 200 can be placed in the fluid flow path of the FL simply by inserting the insertion portion 211 of the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200 into the connection port of the housing 100.

[0042] Moreover, the electrode 201 can be positioned at the appropriate depth simply by pushing the flange portion 212 until its side surface 212a contacts the end surface of the connection port of the housing 100. Furthermore, the surface contact between the side surface 212a of the flange portion 212 and the end surface of the connection port of the housing 100 suppresses the inclination of the electrode 201, allowing the inclination of the electrode 201 with respect to the direction of fluid flow FL to be set to approximately the design value. In addition, by fitting the mating portions F1 and F2 together, the surface including the two electrodes 201 can be maintained perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow FL.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0044] The shape of the mating parts F1 and F2 is not limited as long as they are shaped to fit together. Furthermore, although two pairs of mating parts F1 and F2 are provided at each connection point, the number of mating parts F1 and F2 at each connection point may be one or more.

[0045] In addition to the connection configuration shown in Figure 8(A), the water quality sensor device 10 can also be configured using the connection configurations shown in Figures 8(B) and (C). In the connection configuration shown in Figure 8(B), the fluid flows in from the first connection port 102 side of the housing 100, hits the end face 211b of the insertion portion 211 of the water quality sensor 200, and then flows out to the third connection port 104 side. At this time, the electrode 201 and the flow direction are always perpendicular and opposite. Furthermore, the fitting portion F1 of the housing 100 and the fitting portion F2 of the connection portion 203 of the water quality sensor 200 are fitted together, preventing the rotation of the water quality sensor 200. Therefore, errors in measurement values ​​caused by installation work can be suppressed.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the cylindrical portion 101 of the housing 100 illustrated in Figures 2(A) to (D) is cylindrical, but it is not limited to this shape. For example, the cylindrical portion 101 may be rectangular prism-shaped. Also, the shape of the through hole inside the housing 100 is arbitrary.

[0047] Furthermore, although the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 illustrated in Figures 2(A) to (D) open in a circular shape, the design is not limited to this shape. For example, the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 may have a polygonal shape. The shape of the connection part 203 of the water quality sensor 200 and the housing-side connection port 301 of the joint 300 corresponds to the shape of the first to third connection ports 102 to 104. For example, if the first to third connection ports 102 to 104 open in a triangular shape, the shape of the connection part 203 and the housing-side connection port 301 will also be triangular.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the pipe-side connection port 302 of the joint 300 is provided with a threaded portion S, but is not limited thereto. For example, the pipe-side connection port 302 may be provided with a barbed portion.

[0049] The pipe 400 connected to the pipe-side connection port 302 of the fitting 300 may be rigid, flexible, or in the form of a tube or hose. When connecting a tube or hose-shaped pipe, a fitting 300 with a barbed-shaped portion at the pipe-side connection port 302 is preferred.

[0050] The materials of the housing 100, water quality sensor 200, and fitting 300 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment, and the most suitable material can be selected as appropriate, such as metal or synthetic resin.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the water quality sensor 200 is provided with two cylindrical electrodes 201, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the water quality sensor 200 may be provided with four cylindrical electrodes 201. Alternatively, a concentric electrode configuration may be used, comprising a cylindrical first electrode having perforations for fluid flow on its side surface and a cylindrical second electrode with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first electrode, with the second electrode positioned inside the first electrode.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the main body 202 of the water quality sensor 200 is equipped with voltage application means, current measurement means, calculation means, output means, etc., but is not limited to this configuration. For example, all or part of these components may be located outside the main body 202 and electrically connected to the other components. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Water quality sensor device, 100 Housing, 101 Cylindrical part, 102 First connection port, 103 Second connection port, 104 Third connection port, 200 Water quality sensor, 201 Electrode, 202 Main body, 203 Connection part, 211 Insertion part, 211a Seal member, 211b End face, 212 Flange part, 212a Side, 300 Fitting, 310 First fitting, 320 Second fitting, 301 Housing side connection port, 302 Piping side connection port, 311 Insertion part, 311a Seal member, 312 Flange part, 400 Piping, 500 One-touch fitting, 501 Insertion part, 510 Barb joint, 600 Retaining member, 601 Main body, 602 Knob part, 603 Slit part, F1 Fitting part, F2 The mating part.

Claims

1. A housing for installing a water quality sensor in a pipe, the housing comprising three identical connection ports and through holes for connecting the three connection ports to each other, each of the three connection ports having a recess formed on the end face of the three connection ports for fitting with a protrusion on the object to which it is mounted, and a connection portion of the housing comprising a protrusion for fitting with the recess of the three connection ports, and which is detachably connectable to any of the three connection ports, When the connection portion is connected to any of the three connection ports, it includes a pair of electrodes positioned inside the through-hole for measuring the water quality of the fluid flowing inside the through-hole, A water quality sensor, The protrusion engages with the recess to fix the water quality sensor to the housing in a position where the plane encompassing the pair of electrodes forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of fluid flow inside the through hole. Water quality sensor.

2. The connecting portion has an insertion portion that can be inserted into any of the three connecting ports, and a flange portion that makes surface contact with the end face of the connecting port. The water quality sensor according to claim 1.

3. A housing comprising three identical connection ports and through holes connecting the three connection ports, wherein each of the three connection ports has a recess formed on its end face that engages with a protrusion on the object to which it is mounted, A water quality sensor comprising: a connecting portion having a protrusion that fits into the recess of the three connection ports, and which is detachably connected to any of the three connection ports; and a pair of electrodes that measure the water quality of the fluid flowing inside the through hole, which are positioned inside the through hole when the connecting portion is connected to any of the three connection ports; The recess engages with the protrusion to fix the water quality sensor to the housing in a position where the plane encompassing the pair of electrodes forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of fluid flow inside the through hole. The water quality sensor measures the water quality of the fluid flowing between the two connection ports other than the connection port to which the connection portion of the water quality sensor is connected. Water quality sensor device.

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