JP3779264B2 - Branch header - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a branch header for branching or joining a fluid path, and in particular, is attached to a heat source machine that circulates a heat medium fluid such as hot water to a radiator to perform heating or clothes drying, and from the heat source machine. The present invention relates to a branch header that diverts a heat medium fluid to be sent out to a plurality of circuits, or combines heat medium fluids returned from a plurality of circuits and returns them to a heat source unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a device that circulates a heat medium fluid such as hot water through a circuit that includes a hot water mat or radiator, heating and drying clothes, etc. It is branched and supplied to the circuit. Further, the heat medium fluid returned from the plurality of circuits via the hot water mat or the radiator is merged into one by the return branch header and then returned to the heat source unit.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 8, the branch header 200 has a long cylindrical header pipe 201 and a plurality of short cylindrical connection ports 202 protruding from the peripheral surface of the header pipe 201. The plurality of connection port portions 202 are arranged in a line along the length direction of the header pipe 201 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Each connection port 202 is fitted with a piping such as a heating circuit made of a resin tube, and a stopper (snap joint) made of a C-shaped spring is fitted from the outside to fix the piping. .
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-346378 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The main body of a heating device, a heating hot water supply device, and the like provided with the above-described heat source machine is desired to be downsized, particularly, to reduce the installation area due to housing conditions and the like. Since the branch header is usually attached to the lower part of the heat source unit so that the header pipe is horizontal, the total length of the branch header is restricted as the main body is downsized.
[0006]
On the other hand, with the spread of floor heating and the like, the number of systems such as a heating circuit connected to a heat source machine tends to increase, and may be, for example, 10 systems. If a large number of connection ports are arranged in a row in order to cope with such an increase in the number of systems, the header pipe becomes long, which hinders downsizing of the apparatus main body.
[0007]
In addition, since various parts, wiring, and piping are densely packed inside the miniaturized device body, if the distance between the connection ports is reduced to reduce the overall length of the header pipe, the resin for each heating circuit etc. at the construction site The workability of the work of connecting and fixing the tube to the connection port portion of the branch header with the snap joint is lowered. Furthermore, since the branch header is usually made by opening a hole in the peripheral surface of the header pipe and brazing a short cylindrical connection port here, the connection port portions are also connected in terms of brazing strength. The interval cannot be made too narrow. If a plurality of branch headers are used in order to satisfy the required number of systems, the price of the apparatus will increase.
[0008]
The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems of the conventional technology, and provides a branch header that can branch a fluid path into a large number of systems with a short overall length and has good workability in pipe connection. It is an object.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
[1] In a branch header (100) for branching or joining fluid paths,
A main pipe (120) having a sealed tip;
A plurality of connection ports (130) protruding from the peripheral surface of the main pipe (120) and communicating with the main pipe (120);
The main pipe (120) is used so as to extend horizontally,
The connection port portion (130) forms a plurality of rows extending in the axial direction of the main pipe (120), and the protruding direction of the connection port portion (130) belonging to each row in the use state is vertically downward or obliquely downward. A branch header (100) characterized by being arranged as follows.
[0010]
[2] The branch header (100) according to [1], wherein the connection ports (130a, 130b) belonging to adjacent rows are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the main pipe (120).
[0012]
[3] The connection ports (130a, 130b) are arranged so that a plurality of rows are formed symmetrically with respect to the vertically downward direction in which the connection ports (130a, 130b) are projected obliquely downward. The branch header (100) according to [1] or [2], which is arranged.
[0013]
[4] The branch header (100) according to [3], wherein the projecting direction of the connection port (130) is set to an angle of 60 degrees or less with respect to the vertically downward direction.
[0014]
[5] The branch header (100) is attached to the heat source unit (10) for circulating the heat medium fluid heated to the circuit including the radiator in the middle, and the heat sent from the heat source unit (10). [1], [2], wherein the medium fluid is divided into a plurality of heating circuits, or the heat medium fluids returned from the plurality of heating circuits are joined and returned to the heat source unit (10). Branch header (100) according to [3] or [4].
[0015]
The present invention operates as follows.
The main pipe (120), which has a long cylindrical shape and has a sealed tip, is provided with a plurality of connection ports (130) so as to protrude from the peripheral surface. These connection ports (130) are parts to which piping such as a resin tube is connected, have a short cylindrical shape, and communicate with the main pipe (120). The plurality of connection ports (130) are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows extending in the axial direction of the main pipe (120). By arranging the connection port portions (130) so as to form a plurality of rows in this manner, the overall length of the main pipe (120) is shortened compared to the case where the connection ports (130) are arranged in a row.
[0016]
In the case where the connection port portions (130a, 130b) belonging to adjacent rows are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the main pipe (120), that is, the connection port parts are arranged in a staggered manner, the main pipe is provided to provide the connection ports. The angle difference between the projecting directions of the connection ports (130a, 130b) belonging to adjacent rows is reduced to, for example, about 60 degrees while securing a certain distance between the holes opened in (120). Can do. That is, when the connection port portions (130) in adjacent rows are arranged at the same position in the axial direction of the main pipe (120), the holes opened in the main pipe (120) to provide the connection ports are not connected, and In order to widen the space between the holes as much as necessary, the angle difference in the projecting direction of the connection ports (130a, 130b) belonging to adjacent rows is increased (for example, 90 degrees or more). There is a need. On the other hand, if the connection ports (130a, 130b) belonging to adjacent rows are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the main pipe (120) (in the case of two rows, they are arranged in a staggered pattern), one row is arranged. Since the holes belonging to the other row can be disposed between the holes belonging to each other, the angle difference in the projecting direction between the connection ports (130a, 130b) belonging to the adjacent rows can be reduced. . And since an angle difference becomes small, the breadth to the right and left of piping connected decreases, and it saves space.
[0017]
The branch header (100) is used with its main pipe (120) extending horizontally, and in this state, the projecting direction of the connection ports (130) belonging to each row is vertically downward or diagonally downward. A connection port (130) is arranged. Thereby, when connecting a resin tube to a connection port part (130) and extending this downward, a resin tube becomes difficult to bend in the vicinity of a connection location with dead weight including the fluid inside. That is, when the protruding direction of the connection port portion (130) is just beside or obliquely upward, the direction of the resin tube extending downward is changed by 90 degrees or more in the vicinity of the connection portion, so that it is easy to bend. In particular, when warm water is allowed to flow through the resin tube for heating or the like, the resin tube becomes soft, so that it becomes easier to bend and the pipe line may be clogged. In order to avoid such a situation, the projecting direction of the connection port (130) is set vertically downward or obliquely downward.
[0018]
In the case where the connection port portions (130) are arranged so that the projecting direction of the connection port portions (130) is obliquely downward and a plurality of rows symmetrical with respect to the vertical downward direction is formed, the resin tube is prevented from being bent. The effects can be distributed evenly in symmetrical rows. For example, when the connection port portions (130) are arranged in two rows, the projecting direction of the connection port portion (130) belonging to one row and the projecting direction of the connection port portion (130) belonging to the other row. The connection port (130) may be arranged so that is symmetrical with respect to the vertical direction and is obliquely downward. Thereby, since only the protruding direction of one connection port part (130) is prevented from largely deviating from the vertically lower side, bending of both resin tubes is prevented equally.
[0019]
In the case where the projecting direction of the connection port portion (130) is set to an angle of 60 degrees or less with respect to the vertically downward direction, the above-described bending can be accurately prevented. In particular, 45 degrees or less is desirable.
[0020]
In the case where the branch header (100) is used by being attached to a heat source device (10) that circulates a heat medium fluid heated to a circuit including a radiator, in order to reduce the installation space of the heat source device, The branch header (100) having a short overall length is preferable.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is a front view of a branch header 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the branch header 100, and FIG. 3 is an AA cross section in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the branch header 100 is attached to the heating water heater 10 having a function as a heat source device for heating. The heating water heater 10 has a function of circulating hot water as a heat medium fluid heated by a burner to a circuit passing through a hot water mat for a floor heating or a radiator, and heating or drying clothes. Yes.
[0022]
The heat medium fluid is sent to the heating circuit from the forward pipe 11 (see FIG. 4) provided at the lower part of the main body of the heating water heater 10. The heat medium fluid returned from the circuit via a radiator or the like is taken into the main body from a return pipe 12 provided at the lower part of the main body of the heating water heater 10. The branch header 100 performs a function of diverting the heat medium fluid sent out from the forward pipe 11 to a plurality of circuits and joining the heat medium fluids returned from the plurality of circuits to return to the return pipe 12.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the branch header 100 includes a cylindrical base tube portion 110, a long cylindrical main tube 120 (header tube) branched vertically from the middle of the base tube portion 110, and a peripheral surface of the main tube 120. A plurality of connection ports 130 projecting and communicating with the main pipe 120 are provided. The branch header 100 is made of a material such as brass, copper, or resin. An upper end of the base pipe part 110 is an attachment part 111 connected to the forward pipe 11 or the return pipe 12 of the heating water heater 10. At the lower end, a female screw is formed on the inner periphery of the opening, and a drain screw 112 is screwed therein. Usually, the lower end of the base tube part 110 is closed by a drain screw 112 so that the heat medium fluid does not flow out. When the drain screw 112 is removed, the heat medium fluid is discharged.
[0024]
The front end of the main pipe 120 is sealed. The connection port portion 130 has a short cylindrical shape, and has a constricted portion 131 having a small diameter at a part near the tip thereof. A resin tube that is a pipe of a heating circuit or the like is fitted on the connection port portion 130. A stopper (snap joint) made of a C-shaped spring is fitted from the outside of the resin tube into a portion where the constricted portion 131 is located, and the resin tube is fixed.
[0025]
The connection ports 130 are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows extending in the axial direction of the main pipe 120. Here, they are arranged in two columns, the first column and the second column. The connection port portions 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portions 130b belonging to the second row are arranged in a staggered manner. That is, they are arranged alternately in the axial direction of the main pipe 120. Further, there is an angle of 60 degrees between the projecting direction of the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the projecting direction of the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row, and with respect to the axial direction of the base tube portion 110. Open at symmetrical angles. As shown in FIG. 3, holes are formed in the main pipe 120 at locations corresponding to the connection port portions 130. The connection port portion 130 is fixed by brazing by inserting a small portion of the base into this hole.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, the branch header 100 is attached to each of the forward pipe 11 and the return pipe 12 so that the main pipe 120 is horizontal. The heat medium fluid flowing out from the forward pipe 11 is branched into 10 systems by the branch header 100 and sent to the 10 heating circuits and the like. The heat medium fluid returned from these circuits via a radiator or the like is joined by the branch header 100 attached to the return pipe 12 and returned from the return pipe 12 to the inside of the heating water heater 10.
[0027]
In the branch header 100 according to the present embodiment, since the connection ports 130 are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows as described above, the overall length of the main pipe 120 is shorter than that in the case where the connection ports 130 are arranged in a row. Thereby, size reduction of the heating water heater 10 is promoted. Furthermore, since the connection port portions 130 are arranged in a plurality of rows, the interval between the adjacent connection port portions 130 in the same row is widened, and the resin tube is attached to each connection port portion 130 of the branch header 100. Good workability.
[0028]
In addition, since the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row are arranged in a staggered manner, the interval between the holes opened in the main pipe 120 in order to provide the connection port portion 130 is increased. While ensuring to some extent, the angular difference in the protruding direction between the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row can be reduced to, for example, about 60 degrees. In other words, the holes formed in the main pipe 120 for providing the connection port portion 130 are not connected to each other, and the interval is sufficient to ensure sufficient strength when the connection port portion 130 is brazed to each hole. It is necessary to open. Under such conditions, if the connection port portions 130 of adjacent rows are arranged at the same position in the axial direction of the main pipe 120, the connection port portions 130 belonging to the adjacent rows protrude from each other in order to widen the interval between the holes. The angle difference between directions becomes large.
[0029]
On the other hand, in the branch header 100 of the present embodiment, the connection port portions 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portions 130b belonging to the second row are arranged alternately (staggered) in the axial direction of the main pipe 120. Therefore, the holes belonging to one row can be disposed in the gap between the holes belonging to the other row so that the holes belonging to the other row can be escaped, so that the angle difference in the protruding direction between the connection ports 130a and 130b belonging to the adjacent rows Can be reduced. And since an angle difference becomes small, the expansion to the right and left of piping connected to the branch header 100 decreases, and it saves space. Moreover, brazing strength is ensured by widening the gap between the holes.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, the branch header 100 is attached and used so that the main pipe 120 extends horizontally, and the resin tube to be connected is extended downward from the branch header 100, and then turned to change the direction below the floor of the house. Piping to each room. As shown in FIG. 5, when the projecting direction of the connection port portion 130 is horizontal or upward, the resin tube 30 extending downward is easy to bend in order to change the direction by 90 degrees or more in the vicinity of the connection portion. Become. In particular, when warm water is passed for heating, the resin tube 30 becomes soft, so that it becomes easier to bend and the pipe line may be clogged. Therefore, it is desirable that the protruding direction of the connection port portion 130 belonging to each row is close to the vertically lower direction that is the extending direction of the resin tube.
[0031]
In the branch header 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the projecting directions of the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row are 30 degrees with respect to the vertically downward direction, respectively. Since it is slanted and has a small inclination angle, as shown in the figure, the resin tube 30 can be smoothly curved and extended downward, and bending can be prevented.
[0032]
As described above, (1) by arranging the connection port portions 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portions 130b belonging to the second row in a staggered manner, the connection port portions 130a belonging to the first row and the second The angle difference in the projecting direction of the connection port portion 130b belonging to the row is reduced, and (2) the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row By tilting symmetrically, the inclination angle with respect to the vertically lower side of the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row is reduced. If the projecting direction of the connection port 130 is set within 60 degrees with respect to the vertically downward direction, the above-described bending is appropriately prevented. In particular, it is desirable to be 45 degrees or less.
[0033]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this, and there may be changes and additions without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0034]
For example, the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row may not be provided at a symmetrical angle with respect to the vertically lower side. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the connection port portion 130a belonging to the first row is set vertically downward, and the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row is set to an angle of 60 degrees with respect to the vertical downward direction. Furthermore, the connection port portion 130 is not limited to two rows, and for example, the third row may be arranged symmetrically with the connection port portion 130b belonging to the second row with respect to the vertically lower side in FIG.
[0035]
In the embodiment, the connection ports belonging to adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner, but the staggered arrangement is not essential. For example. In the case of connecting pipes that are unlikely to be bent, it is not necessary to arrange them in a staggered manner if the angle difference in the protruding direction between the connection ports 130 belonging to adjacent rows may be increased. In addition, the number of branches from one branch header is not limited to ten. For example, it may be about 6 systems or more than 10 systems. Moreover, although the branch header 100 attached to the heating water heater 10 has been described as an example, the use of the branch header 100 is not limited to this.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the branch header according to the present invention, since the connection ports are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows in the main pipe, the fluid path can be branched from the main pipe having a short full length into a large number of systems. Further, even if the number of systems is increased, a wide interval between the connection ports belonging to the same row can be secured, so that the workability of pipe connection is good.
[0037]
In the case where the connection port portions belonging to the adjacent rows are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the main pipe, the angular difference in the protruding direction between the connection port portions belonging to the adjacent rows can be reduced. As a result, the pipe to be connected does not spread to the left and right, and the space required for the pipe can be saved.
[0038]
The branch header is used with its main pipe installed horizontally, and in this state, the connection port is arranged so that the protruding direction of the connection port belonging to each row is vertically downward or obliquely downward Then, when connecting a resin tube to a connection port part and extending this downward, the resin tube becomes difficult to bend in the vicinity of the connection part by its own weight including the fluid inside.
[0039]
In the case where the connection port portions are arranged so that the protruding direction of the connection port portion is obliquely downward and a plurality of rows symmetrical to the vertical direction are formed, the bending prevention effect in the resin tube is symmetrically arranged. Can be given equally. Moreover, in the case where the projecting direction of the connection port is set to an angle of 60 degrees or less with respect to the vertically downward direction, the above-described bending can be accurately prevented.
[0040]
In the case where the branch header is used by being attached to a heat source device of a heating device that circulates and heats a heated heat medium fluid to a heating circuit including a radiator, in order to reduce the installation space of the heat source device A branch header according to the present invention that can shorten the overall length is preferable.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a branch header according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a branch header according to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 of the branch header according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the branch header according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the heating water heater.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a connection state of the resin tube when the protruding direction of the connection port is set to be horizontal.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a connection state of the resin tube to the branch header according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a branch header according to a modified example of the present invention, the branch header having a row in which the projecting direction of the connection port portion is vertically downward and a row inclined at an angle of 60 degrees from the vertically lower side.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a branch header conventionally used.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Heating water heater 11 ... Outward pipe 12 ... Return pipe 30 ... Resin tube 100 ... Branch header 110 ... Base pipe part 111 ... Mounting part 112 ... Drain screw 120 ... Main pipe 130 ... Connection port part 130a ... Connection which belongs to the 1st row Mouth part 130b ... Connection port part 131 belonging to second row ... Narrow part

Claims (5)

In a branch header for branching or joining fluid paths,
A main pipe with a sealed tip;
A plurality of connection ports protruding from the peripheral surface of the main pipe and communicating with the main pipe;
The main pipe is used so as to extend horizontally,
The connection port portion is formed such that a plurality of rows extending in the axial direction of the main pipe are formed, and the protruding direction of the connection port portion belonging to each row in the use state is vertically downward or obliquely downward. Branch header to be The branch header according to claim 1, wherein the connection ports belonging to adjacent rows are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the main pipe. To claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projecting direction of the connecting opening portion in the use state multiple columns symmetrical with respect to the vertical downward direction a diagonally downward to place the joint port to consist The listed branch header. The branch header according to claim 3 , wherein the projecting direction of the connection port is set to an angle of 60 degrees or less with respect to the vertically downward direction. The branch header is attached to a heat source device that circulates a heated heat medium fluid to a circuit that includes a radiator, and the heat carrier fluid sent from the heat source device is divided into a plurality of heating circuits, or The branch header according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 , wherein the heat medium fluids returned from a plurality of heating circuits are joined and returned to the heat source unit.

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