JP3011109B2 - Water detecting device for switch and switch provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch water detecting device and a switch provided with the same. More specifically, it is provided in the case of a switch such as a pole switch, so that even if water enters, it can be detected early, and by taking appropriate measures, for example, a short circuit accident etc. The present invention relates to a switch water detection device that can be prevented and a switch provided with the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Pole switches and the like are installed outdoors. For this reason, the case may be corroded by long-term use, or rainwater may enter the switch due to deterioration of each seal portion. Water infiltration can cause various accidents such as short circuit, so it must be dealt with promptly. As a device for detecting that water has entered the switch, there is a device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-334944 as shown in FIG. In the device described in the publication, a color changing sphere containing a color changing substance is stored in a transparent storage portion attached to the bottom of a case of a switch. And when water accumulates in the switch case, the water is introduced into the storage section,
Water penetrates into the outer shell of the discoloring sphere, and the discolored substance inside discolors and exudes into the outer shell.The discoloration is visually recognized from the outside through the storage section to detect that water has entered the switch case. I can do it.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional water detecting device has the following problems. That is,
By the time the discolored sphere stored in the storage unit changes color, as described above, water penetrates into the outer shell of the discolored sphere,
Water must reach the inner discoloration material, and the dye must be dissolved and the outer shell or immersion water must be colored. For this reason, it takes some time before water is detected by the water detecting device after water enters the case of the switch. In addition, since the outer shell of the discoloring sphere is formed of a fiber material, it has the property of retaining water.If the amount of water introduced into the storage unit is not so large, it is difficult for water to reach the discoloring substance, and as a result, detection cannot be performed. It could go away.

[0004] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. If water enters the switch due to any cause, the intrusion of water can be visually detected from the outside of the switch, and a short-circuit accident or the like can be detected. An object of the present invention is to provide a water detecting device for a switch, which can detect even a small amount of water intrusion that is difficult to detect with a conventional device, and a switch provided with the same, which can prevent the occurrence of the water from occurring.

[0005]

The constitution of the invention adopted to achieve the above object is as follows. According to the first invention, there is provided a switch water detecting device adapted to detect water infiltration into a switch, having an introduction portion through which water in a case of the switch is introduced, and having at least a bottom portion. A water storage member formed of a transparent or translucent body, a squeezing member mounted on the inner bottom surface of the water storage member so that the lower surface is in contact with the water storage member, and coloring water introduced into the water storage member. The water introduced into the water storage member, after being colored, is guided to a gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the clamping member, and is provided with a switch water detection device. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch water detecting device capable of detecting water infiltration into a switch, the switch water detecting device having an entrance into which water in a case of the switch is introduced. ,
A water storage member having at least a bottom portion formed of a transparent or translucent body, a deaeration means capable of evacuating air from the water storage member when water is introduced into the water storage member, and the water storage member On the inner bottom surface, there is provided a squeezing member that is placed so that the lower surface is in contact, and coloring means for coloring water introduced into the water storage member, wherein the water introduced into the water storage member is , After being colored, the water detecting device for a switch is guided to a gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the clamping member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch water detecting device capable of detecting intrusion of water into a switch, having an introduction portion through which water in a case of the switch is introduced. ,
A water storage member having at least a bottom portion formed of a transparent body or a translucent body; a deaeration means capable of alternately bleeding air from the water storage member when water is introduced into the water storage member; and A water storage portion provided at the inner bottom portion of the water storage portion for storing the introduced water, and a pressure pin having a through hole through which the water storage portion is inserted so that the lower surface is in contact with the inner bottom surface of the water storage member. A member and coloring means for coloring water introduced into the reservoir, wherein the water colored in the reservoir is a gap between the inner bottom surface of the reservoir and the clamping member. Is a water detection device for a switch.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch including the switch water detecting device according to the first, second or third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting intrusion of water into a switch, wherein the method is provided at a bottom of a case of the switch, and at least the bottom is formed of a transparent or translucent body. A step of coloring the water introduced into the water storage member, the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the pressure member placed such that the lower surface is in contact with the inner bottom surface. Spreading the colored water in the gap using the surface tension of the colored water.
This is a method for detecting water intrusion into the switch.

[0010] The water storage member is usually formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin, glass, or the like, or at least the entire bottom thereof. Examples of the material of the clamping member include plastics such as vinyl chloride having a smooth surface, glass, and the like, but are not limited thereto. Further, the sandwiching member is preferably a relatively lightweight plate-shaped member so as not to hinder the colored water from being introduced into the gap between the inner member and the inner bottom surface of the water storage member, but is not limited thereto.

The coloring means may be a means utilizing a chemical reaction with water, or a means utilizing dissolution or dispersion in water, such as a dye or pigment. As the deaeration means, for example, when the water is introduced into the water storage member, such as an open-cell sponge, a straw, a non-woven fabric, a cloth formed into a rod, and the like, to perform deaeration in the water storage member Can be done.

(Operation) If rainwater enters the case of the switch for any reason, such as corrosion of the case, the water is stored in the water storage member of the switch water detecting device mounted on the bottom of the case of the switch. Introduced within. The water introduced into the water storage member is colored by the coloring means and guided to the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the pressure member. The colored water entering the gap spreads instantaneously due to the action of the surface tension. The spread colored water can be visually recognized from below through the bottom of the water storage member formed of a transparent or translucent body.

[0013] For this reason, even if the amount of water introduced into the water storage member is not so large, the colored water spreads sufficiently on the inner bottom surface of the water storage member, so that it is easy to see. Thus, it is possible to clearly see that water has penetrated the switch just by looking from the outside.

In the case where the water storage member is provided with deaeration means, deaeration is performed instead of the introduction of water, and the water is smoothly introduced into the water storage member.

[0015] In the case where a water reservoir for storing the introduced water is provided at the inner bottom of the water storage member, and the water introduced into the water reservoir is colored by coloring means, the water overflows from the water reservoir. The colored water is guided to the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the pinching member, and the colored water that enters the gap is instantaneously spread by the action of the surface tension, forming a transparent or translucent body. It can be seen from below through the bottom of the water storage member.
According to this, by setting the capacity of the reservoir section small, even a small amount of water immediately overflows, so that the detection sensitivity can be further improved.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of a switch according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a switch water detecting device according to the present invention, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the mechanism which expands from the state which colored water entered in the clearance gap between members. A switch A has a metal case 1. The bottom plate 10 of the case 1 is provided with a mounting hole 11 (shown in FIG. 2), and the inner wall of the mounting hole 11 is provided with a female screw. The switch water detection device 2 is attached to the attachment hole 11 by screwing.

The switch water detecting device 2 includes an attachment base 2 made of metal (stainless steel, brass, etc.) or resin.
0 is provided. The attachment base 20 has a circular plate 201, and a screw portion 2 having an external thread on an outer peripheral portion is provided on an upper side of a center portion thereof.
02 is provided. A water hole 2 is provided at the center of the threaded portion 202.
03 is provided penetrating vertically. The water hole 203
A water collecting part 204 formed in a mortar shape is provided at the upper entrance of the slab to facilitate water introduction. On the lower side of the disk 201, a cylindrical mounting receiving portion 205 having an external thread provided on an outer peripheral portion is provided.

The water receiving member 21 is mounted on the mounting receiving portion 205. The water storage member 21 is formed of transparent plastic, and has a structure in which a cylindrical mounting portion 212 is provided on the upper surface side of the disk 211. The outer diameter of the mounting portion 212 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting receiving portion 205, so that the mounting portion 212 and the mounting receiving portion 205 can be fitted slightly tightly.

At the center of the inner bottom surface of the water storage member 21 (the upper surface of the disk 211 inside the mounting portion 212), a cylindrical water storage portion 213 is provided. A plurality of locking projections 214 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water reservoir 213. In use, an appropriate amount of magenta powder M (pigment), which is a coloring means, is stored in the water reservoir 213. As the magenta powder M, a pH indicator, a hydrated inorganic substance, or the like can be used instead, or a sponge containing a solid substance or a solution thereof can be used.

On the inner bottom surface of the water storage member 21, a water-repellent pressure plate 23 made of a thin sheet of vinyl chloride is provided.
Is placed. Although the inner bottom surface of the water storage member 21 and the pressure plate 23 are in contact with each other, a slight gap is substantially formed by unevenness, distortion, bending, and the like on both surfaces. A circular through hole 230 for inserting the reservoir 213 is provided in the center of the pressure plate 23. The through hole 230 is provided slightly larger in diameter than the water storage portion 213, and the colored water overflowing from the water storage portion 213 due to the gap is formed by the water storage member 21.
Is easily guided to the gap between the inner bottom surface and the pressure plate 23. In addition, the hole edge of the through hole 230 of the pressure plate 23 is
Engagement with the locking projection 214 of the reservoir 213 makes it difficult for the pressure plate 23 to come off.

A cap nut 22 is mounted on the mounting base 20. An inner thread of the cap nut 22 is provided with an internal thread to be screwed with an external thread of the mounting receiving section 205. A circular viewing window 220 is provided at the bottom of the cap nut 22. The viewing window 220 has a smaller diameter than the disk 211 of the water storage member 21. Then, the attachment base 20, the water storage member 21, and the cap nut 22 are provided.
As shown in FIG. 2, the switch water detecting device 2 is screwed into the mounting hole 11 of the bottom plate 10 of the case 1. 24 is a packing for watertightness of the attachment base 20 and the water storage member 21, and 25 is a case 1 and the attachment base 2
Packing for watertightness of 0.

The upper surface of the bottom plate 10 of the case 1 is flush with the upper surface of the threaded portion 202 of the attached base 20 so that water can be smoothly introduced from the water passage hole 203. To be performed. In the present embodiment, the water detecting device 2 for the switch is assembled on the flat surface of the bottom plate 10 of the case 1. In addition, the mounting hole 11 of the bottom plate 10 is formed by being recessed by burring or the like. Alternatively, the switch water detecting device 2 can be assembled by, for example, welding a nut to the outside of the bottom plate 10 at the attachment hole 11.

(Operation) The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Switch A for some reason
When water such as rainwater enters the case 1, the water accumulates at the bottom of the case 1 and is introduced through the water hole 203 into the water storage member 21 of the switch water detection device 2 mounted on the bottom plate 10. .

The water introduced into the water storage member 21 is
13 and dissolves the magenta powder M and is colored bright red. Then, the colored water overflowing from the reservoir 213 is guided to the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member 21 and the pressure plate 23. The colored water entering the gap is instantaneously spread by the action of the surface tension, in combination with the fact that the pressure plate 23 has water repellency. The spread colored water can be visually recognized by the inspector from below through the bottom of the water storage member formed of a transparent or translucent body, that is, through the disk 211 and the viewing window 220.

It is empirically known that, for example, when two glass plates are put together and water enters the gap, the water spreads inside the gap. However, this is due to the surface tension of the water. Is lower than the atmospheric pressure, the glass plate is pushed to the atmospheric pressure, and the gap is narrowed. The disk 211 which is the inner bottom surface of the water storage member 21 in the present embodiment is
A similar phenomenon occurs between the upper surface and the pressure plate 23 (see FIG. 3).

Further, even if the amount of water introduced into the water storage member 21 is not so large, the colored water spreads sufficiently on the inner bottom surface of the water storage member 21 so that it is easy to see. As a result, the intrusion of water into the switch A can be ascertained simply by looking from the outside. In addition, by setting the capacity of the reservoir 213 to be small, even a small amount of water immediately overflows, so that the detection sensitivity can be further improved.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the switch water detecting device according to the present invention. In the drawing,
The same or equivalent parts as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The switch water detecting device 2a includes a thin square rod-shaped deaeration assisting member 26 formed of an open-cell sponge in which the magenta powder M is contained in the water passage hole 203, which is a circular hole, so as to be evenly dispersed throughout. Is different from the switchgear water detection device 2 in that the water storage member 21 is not provided with the water storage section 213. The deaeration assisting member 26 is fixed such that a corner thereof is in contact with the inner wall of the water passage hole 203 and a gap 27 is provided.

The operation of the switch water detecting device 2a will be described. When water such as rainwater enters the switch A, the water tends to enter the switch water detection device 2a through the water passage hole 203.
At this time, the water permeates the deaeration auxiliary member 26, is colored by the magenta powder M, and is introduced into the water storage member 21. If the water passage hole 203 is too small in diameter than a predetermined diameter, the water cannot pass through due to the surface tension of water. Since the surface tension is suppressed, the deaeration auxiliary member 26
The gap 27 between the water passage hole 203 and the inner wall of the water passage hole 203 is not closed, so that it is possible to prevent the water passage from being disabled.

As a result, the air in the water storage member 21 is deaerated from the gap 27 instead of the introduction of water,
Since the internal pressure can be maintained substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure, water can be smoothly introduced. Then, the colored water falls from the lower end of the deaeration assisting member 26 to the through hole 230 of the pressure plate 23, and thereafter acts in the same manner as the switch water detecting device 2.

The terms and expressions used in the present specification are merely illustrative, not restrictive, and do not exclude the terms and expressions equivalent to the above-mentioned terms and expressions. Further, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea.

[0031]

The present invention has the above configuration and has the following effects. (A) If rainwater enters the case of the switch for any reason, such as corrosion of the case, the water is introduced into the water storage member of the switch water detecting device mounted on the bottom of the case of the switch. The water introduced into the water storage member is colored by the coloring means and guided to the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the pressure member. The colored water that has entered the gap is instantaneously spread by the action of the surface tension, and the expanded colored water is visible from below through the bottom of the water storage member formed of a transparent or translucent body. In addition, even if the amount of water introduced into the water storage member is not so large, the colored water spreads sufficiently on the inner bottom surface of the water storage member, so that it is easy to see. Thus, it is possible to clearly see that water has penetrated the switch just by looking from the outside.

(B) In the case where the water storage member is provided with deaeration means, deaeration is performed instead of introduction of water, so that water is smoothly introduced into the water storage member. Done.

(C) In the case where a water storage section for storing the introduced water is provided at the inner bottom of the water storage member, and the water introduced into the water storage section is colored by coloring means, the water storage section is provided. The colored water that overflows is guided to the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member and the pinching member. It is visible from below through the bottom of the water storage member formed by the body. According to this, by setting the capacity of the reservoir section small, even a small amount of water immediately overflows, so that the detection sensitivity can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of a switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the switch water detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a mechanism of spreading from a state in which colored water enters in a gap between a pressure plate and a water storage member.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the switch water detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a conventional switch water detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A switch 1 case 10 bottom plate 11 mounting hole 2, 2a water detecting device for switch 20 mounting base 201 disk 202 screwed portion 203 water hole 204 water collecting portion 205 mounting receiving portion 21 water storage member 211 disk 212 mounting Part 213 Water storage part M Magenta powder 22 Cap nut 220 Viewing window 23 Pressure plate 230 Through hole 24, 25 Packing 26 Deaeration auxiliary member 27 Gap

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 33/53 H01H 33/00 H01H 9/04 H02B 1/28

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A switch water detecting device for detecting water intrusion into a switch, comprising an inlet for introducing water in a case (1) of the switch,
A water storage member (21) having at least a bottom portion formed of a transparent or translucent body; a squeezing member mounted on the inner bottom surface of the water storage member (21) such that the lower surface thereof is in contact with the water storage member; Coloring means for coloring water introduced into the member (21), and the water introduced into the water storage member (21) is colored, and then the inner bottom surface of the water storage member (21) and the A water detector for a switch, wherein the water detector is guided to a gap between the clamping members. 2. A water detecting device for a switch, which is capable of detecting water intrusion into a switch, comprising an inlet for introducing water in a case (1) of the switch,
The water storage member (21) having at least a bottom portion formed of a transparent body or a translucent body, and when the water is introduced into the water storage member (21), the air in the water storage member (21) can be exchanged to evacuate the air. A deaeration means that can be provided, a pressing member that is placed on the inner bottom surface of the water storage member (21) such that the lower surface is in contact with the water storage member, and a coloring unit that colors water introduced into the water storage member. The water introduced into the water storage member (21) is colored, and then guided to a gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member (21) and the clamping member. Water detector. 3. A switch water detecting device adapted to detect water infiltration into a switch, comprising an inlet through which water in a case (1) of the switch is introduced.
The water storage member (21) having at least a bottom portion formed of a transparent body or a translucent body, and when the water is introduced into the water storage member (21), the air in the water storage member (21) can be exchanged to evacuate the air. A deaeration means that can be provided; a water storage part (213) provided at the inner bottom of the water storage member (21) for storing the introduced water; Through holes (23) through which the pool (213) is inserted.
0), and coloring means for coloring the water introduced into the water storage part.The water colored in the water storage part (213) is provided by the water storage member (21). )
A water detection device for a switch, wherein the water detection device is guided to a gap between an inner bottom surface of the switch and the clamping member. 4. A switch comprising the switch water detecting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. A method for detecting intrusion of water into a switch, comprising: a water storage member provided at a bottom of a case (1) of the switch, wherein at least the bottom is formed of a transparent body or a translucent body. twenty one)
A step of coloring the water introduced into the gap between the inner bottom surface of the water storage member (21) and the pressing member placed such that the lower surface is in contact with the inner bottom surface. And utilizing the surface tension of the colored water to spread the colored water in the gaps, wherein the method detects water infiltration into the switch.