JP7765797B2 - Drain trap - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to drain traps.

Conventionally, drain traps equipped with a float attached to a lever have been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a float is placed in a drain storage chamber inside a casing, and a lever is attached to the float. The lever is connected to a valve mechanism. The float moves up and down depending on the amount of drain in the storage chamber. The lever swings as the float moves up and down, and the valve mechanism opens and closes in conjunction with the lever.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-3024

In the drain trap described above, an inlet is formed in the casing, and drain flows into the casing through the inlet. When drain flows in forcefully through the inlet, the drain stored in the storage chamber can shake violently. A float floats on the drain in the storage chamber. When the drain shakes violently, the float can also move up and down. This can cause the operation of the float and lever to become unstable, and there is a risk that drain will not flow out of the valve mechanism properly.

The technology disclosed here was developed in light of these issues, and its purpose is to stabilize the operation of the float and lever and ensure proper drainage.

The drain trap disclosed herein comprises a casing formed with an inlet through which drain flows and a storage chamber for storing the drain, a float disposed in the storage chamber, a lever to which the float is attached, a valve mechanism that opens and closes in conjunction with the lever, and a buffer material disposed in a position opposite the inlet within the casing and against which the drain flowing in from the inlet collides.

The drain trap stabilizes the operation of the float and lever, allowing the drain to flow out appropriately.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the drain trap. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the drain trap. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drain trap. FIG. 4 is a front view of the drain trap. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drain trap taken along line VV in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drain trap corresponding to FIG. 5, with the valve mechanism in an open state.

An exemplary embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of the drain trap 100. Figure 2 is a plan view of the drain trap 100. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the drain trap 100. Figure 4 is a front view of the drain trap 100. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drain trap 100 taken along line V-V in Figure 2. Note that in Figure 1, the first casing 11 is cut away. In Figure 2, the first casing 11 is omitted, and a portion of the second casing 21 is cut away. In Figure 3, the first casing 11 is omitted. In Figure 4, the first casing 11 and float 2 are omitted, and the lever 3 is cut away. In Figures 1 to 4, the cushioning material 5 is hatched with a cloud of dots, although not in cross section, to make it easier to see.

The drain trap 100 comprises a casing 1 having an inlet 25 through which drain flows and a storage chamber 14 for storing the drain, a float 2 arranged in the storage chamber 14, a lever 3 to which the float 2 is attached, a valve mechanism 4 that opens and closes in conjunction with the lever 3, and a buffer material 5 against which the drain flowing in from the inlet 25 collides. The drain trap 100 is a so-called lever float type drain trap (also known as a steam trap). The drain trap 100 allows drain and steam to flow in and allows drain to flow out while preventing steam from flowing out.

The casing 1 has a first casing 11 and a second casing 21. The first casing 11 is generally formed in a bowl shape. The first casing 11 has an opening 12 and a flange 13 surrounding the opening 12.

The second casing 21 is formed with a lid 22 that closes the opening 12 of the first casing 11, an inflow channel 23 through which the drain flows, and an outflow channel 24 through which the drain flows. The lid 22 is formed in a roughly disk shape. The lid 22 is attached to the flange 13 via bolts while closing the opening 12. The first casing 11 and the second casing 21 (specifically, the lid 22) define the storage chamber 14.

An inlet channel 23 and an outlet channel 24 are formed in the second casing 21 on the side opposite the storage chamber 14 relative to the lid 22.

A flange 23a is formed at the upstream end of the inlet channel 23, to which a pipe (not shown) is connected. A screen 27 is disposed in the inlet channel 23. The screen 27 has a cylindrical wall that allows fluid to pass through. The screen 27 allows the fluid to pass through, thereby capturing foreign matter contained in the fluid.

The downstream end of the inlet channel 23 is the inlet 25. The inlet 25 penetrates the lid 22 and opens to the storage chamber 14. The axis X of the inlet 25 extends in the thickness direction of the lid 22. The inlet 25, i.e., at least the downstream end of the inlet channel 23, extends parallel to the axis X. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inlet 25 is located approximately in the center of the lid 22 in the up-down direction and offset outward from the center in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the "left-right direction" refers to the left-right direction when the drain trap 100 is viewed facing the lid 22 (as shown in Figure 4).

As shown in Figure 5, the upstream end of the outflow channel 24 is the outflow port 26. The outflow port 26 penetrates the lid 22 and opens into the storage chamber 14. The axis Y of the outflow port 26 extends in the thickness direction of the lid 22. The outflow port 26, i.e., at least the upstream end of the outflow channel 24, extends parallel to the axis Y. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the outflow port 26 is located approximately in the center of the lid 22 in the left-right direction and lower than the inflow port 25 in the up-down direction. A flange 24a is formed at the downstream end of the outflow channel 24 to which piping (not shown) is connected.

The float 2 is formed in a hollow, approximately spherical shape. The float 2 is placed in the storage chamber 14. The float 2 floats on the drain stored in the storage chamber 14. In other words, the float 2 moves up and down depending on the amount of drain in the storage chamber 14.

As shown in Figure 5, the valve mechanism 4 is provided at the outlet 26 of the storage chamber 14. The valve mechanism 4 has a valve housing 41 and a valve body 42.

The valve housing 41 is cylindrical and has a flow path 43 that extends concentrically with the axis Y of the outlet 26. The valve housing 41 is attached to the lid 22 with the flow path 43 communicating with the outlet 26. Furthermore, a first through hole 44 and a second through hole 45 are formed concentrically in the valve housing 41. The axes of the first through hole 44 and the second through hole 45 are perpendicular to the axis of the flow path 43.

The valve element 42 is inserted into the first through-hole 44 and the second through-hole 45. In other words, the valve element 42 penetrates the valve housing 41 via the first through-hole 44 and the second through-hole 45 and crosses the flow path 43. The valve element 42 is configured to be movable relative to the valve housing 41 along the axes of the first through-hole 44 and the second through-hole 45.

The valve body 42 has a first valve 46 and a second valve 47. The first valve 46 is located inside the flow path 43, and the second valve 47 is located outside the flow path 43. The first valve 46 closes the first through hole 44 by contacting the opening edge of the first through hole 44, and opens the first through hole 44 by moving away from the opening edge of the first through hole 44. The second valve 47 closes the second through hole 45 by contacting the opening edge of the second through hole 45, and opens the second through hole 45 by moving away from the opening edge of the second through hole 45. When the first valve 46 contacts the opening edge of the first through hole 44, the second valve 47 contacts the opening edge of the second through hole 45. When the first valve 46 is moved away from the opening edge of the first through hole 44, the second valve 47 is moved away from the opening edge of the second through hole 45.

One end (hereinafter referred to as the "first end") 31 of the lever 3 is connected to the valve body 42. More specifically, the first end 31 is connected to the valve body 42 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis A extending horizontally. A float 2 is attached to the end (hereinafter referred to as the "second end") 32 of the lever 3 opposite the first end 31.

The lever 3 is mounted on the casing 1 so that it can swing around a predetermined axis. More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lever 3 is supported by a holder 48 extending upward from the valve housing 41. Because the valve housing 41 is attached to the second casing 21, the lever 3 is indirectly supported on the casing 1 via the valve housing 41. The portion of the lever 3 between the first end 31 and the second end 32 is supported by the holder 48. The lever 3 is supported by the holder 48 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis B that extends parallel to the rotation axis A of the first end 31. The lever 3 is positioned approximately in the same position as the outlet 26 in the left-right direction, i.e., approximately in the center.

Similarly, the float 2 is located approximately in the center of the left-right direction within the storage chamber 14. As the float 2 moves up and down, the lever 3 swings up and down around the rotation axis B. When the drain amount in the storage chamber 14 is relatively small and the float 2 is located relatively low within the storage chamber 14, the float 2 is located on an extension of the axis X of the inlet 25.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the lid 22 of the second casing 21 is provided with an exhaust valve mechanism 6. The exhaust valve mechanism 6 is disposed in the storage chamber 14. The exhaust valve mechanism 6 has a valve seat 61 with a valve hole 64 formed therein, a valve body 62 that opens and closes the valve hole 64, and a holder 63 that holds the valve body 62. The exhaust valve mechanism 6 allows air to escape from the drain trap 100 when the temperature of the drain trap 100 is low, such as when the system in which the drain trap 100 is installed starts operating.

An exhaust port 28 is formed through the lid 22 at a relatively high position, above the inlet port 25. The exhaust port 28 is located approximately in the center of the lid 22 in the left-right direction. The exhaust port 28 connects the storage chamber 14 and the outlet channel 24. A valve seat 61 is provided in the exhaust port 28. The valve seat 61 is cylindrical, with a valve hole 64 formed therethrough. The valve seat 61 is screwed to the exhaust port 28. At this time, a holder 63 is sandwiched between the valve seat 61 and the lid 22. In other words, the holder 63 is attached to the lid 22 via the valve seat 61.

The valve element 62 contains a thermal expansion body that expands in response to temperature. The valve element 62 deforms in response to the expansion and contraction of the thermal expansion body. When the thermal expansion body is relatively cold, the valve element 62 lifts off the valve seat 61 and opens the valve hole 64. On the other hand, when the thermal expansion body is relatively hot, the valve element 62 seats on the valve seat 61 and closes the valve hole 64.

When the system starts operating, the thermal expansion body of the valve element 62 is at a relatively low temperature, and the valve element 62 has the valve hole 64 open. Therefore, air inside the drain trap 100 and air that has flowed into the drain trap 100 from the piping flows out through the valve hole 64 to the outflow path 24. After the system starts operating, when steam or condensate flows into the drain trap 100, the thermal expansion body of the valve element 62 becomes relatively hot. As a result, the valve element 62 closes the valve hole 64. This prevents steam and condensate from flowing out through the valve hole 64.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the buffer material 5 is positioned opposite the inlet 25 inside the casing 1. The buffer material 5 is formed in a plate shape. The buffer material 5 is bolted to the lid 22. The buffer material 5 is positioned at a position where it will collide with the drain flowing from the inlet 25 into the storage chamber 14 in the direction of the axis X. Furthermore, the buffer material 5 guides the drain so that it does not proceed straight from the inlet 25 in the direction of the axis X, specifically, so that it deviates outward in the left-right direction relative to the axis X.

More specifically, the buffer material 5 includes a first mounting plate 51 attached to the lid 22, a horizontal plate 52 extending horizontally from the first mounting plate 51 toward the interior of the storage chamber 14, a first inclined plate 53 extending diagonally downward from the leading edge of the horizontal plate 52, a second mounting plate 54 extending downward from the lower end of the first inclined plate 53, a hanging plate 55 (shown only in FIG. 1) extending downward from the inner left-right edge of the horizontal plate 52, a second inclined plate 56 extending diagonally upward from the outer left-right edge of the horizontal plate 52, and a third inclined plate 57 extending diagonally upward from the outer left-right edge of the first inclined plate 53. The first mounting plate 51 is bolted to the lid 22. The second mounting plate 54 is bolted to a boss 29 extending horizontally from the lid 22 toward the interior of the storage chamber 14.

The first inclined plate 53, second mounting plate 54, and third inclined plate 57 are positioned so that they interfere with the virtual three-dimensional area formed by projecting the inlet 25 in the direction of the axis X. Therefore, the drainage flowing in from the inlet 25 mainly collides with the first inclined plate 53, second mounting plate 54, and third inclined plate 57. In addition, the first inclined plate 53, second mounting plate 54, and third inclined plate 57 prevent the drainage flowing in from the inlet 25 from proceeding in the direction of the axis X.

The horizontal plate 52 prevents the drainage flowing in from the inlet 25 from spreading upward. Furthermore, because the second inclined plate 56 is connected to the horizontal plate 52, the drainage that is prevented from spreading upward by the horizontal plate 52 is guided by the second inclined plate 56 outward in the left-right direction, i.e., toward the wall surface of the casing 1. Furthermore, the hanging plate 55 prevents the drainage flowing in from the inlet 25 from spreading inward in the left-right direction.

As shown in Figure 1, the third inclined plate 57 is positioned opposite the inlet 25 and has an inclined surface 57a that is inclined relative to the axis X of the inlet 25. The inclined surface 57a guides the drainage flowing in from the inlet 25 in a direction that deviates from the direction of the axis X. Specifically, the inclined surface 57a guides the drainage flowing in from the inlet 25 outward in the left-right direction, i.e., toward the wall surface of the casing 1.

Next, the operation of the drain trap 100 will be described. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drain trap 100, corresponding to Figure 5, with the valve mechanism 4 in an open state.

When a system incorporating the drain trap 100 starts operating, low-temperature air or drainage is stored inside the drain trap 100. Therefore, the valve body 62 of the exhaust valve mechanism 6 opens the valve hole 64. Furthermore, low-temperature air is stored in the piping connected to the drain trap 100.

When the system starts operating, steam or condensate flows into the drain trap 100. At this time, air accumulated in the piping flows into the drain trap 100 first. The low-temperature air in the drain trap 100 flows out through the valve hole 64 and into the outlet channel 24. The air flows out of the drain trap 100 through the outlet channel 24.

When relatively high-temperature condensate or steam eventually flows into the condensate trap 100, the valve body 62 of the exhaust valve mechanism 6 closes the valve hole 64. This prevents steam and condensate from escaping through the valve hole 64. The condensate is stored in the storage chamber 14. Steam remains in the space above the condensate in the storage chamber 14.

As the amount of drain in the storage chamber 14 increases, the float 2 rises accordingly, as shown in Figure 6. As the float 2 rises, the lever 3 swings so that the second end 32 rises and the first end 31 descends. As the lever 3 swings, the valve body 42 moves downward, and the first valve 46 and second valve 47 of the valve body 42 open the first through-hole 44 and second through-hole 45. This connects the storage chamber 14 to the flow path 43 of the valve housing 41. In other words, the drain in the storage chamber 14 flows from the first through-hole 44 and second through-hole 45 into the flow path 43, then passes through the flow path 43 and the outlet 26 and flows into the outflow path 24. In this way, the drain in the storage chamber 14 flows out of the drain trap 100 via the outflow path 24.

As the amount of drain in the storage chamber 14 decreases, the float 2 descends accordingly. As the float 2 descends, the lever 3 swings so that the second end 32 descends and the first end 31 ascends. As the lever 3 swings, the valve body 42 moves upward, reducing the opening between the first valve 46 and second valve 47 of the valve body 42 and the first through-hole 44 and second through-hole 45. Eventually, the first valve 46 and second valve 47 close the first through-hole 44 and second through-hole 45, stopping the outflow of drain from the drain trap 100. This prevents steam from flowing out of the drain trap 100.

In this way, the height of the float 2 changes depending on the amount of drain in the storage chamber 14, and the opening degrees between the first valve 46 and the second valve 47 and the first through-hole 44 and the second through-hole 45 change accordingly. Specifically, the greater the amount of drain in the storage chamber 14, the greater the opening degrees between the first valve 46 and the second valve 47 and the first through-hole 44 and the second through-hole 45, and the greater the amount of drain flowing out of the drain trap 100.

In the operation of this drain trap 100, the provision of the buffer material 5 stabilizes the operation of the float 2 and lever 3. Specifically, condensate flowing into the storage chamber 14 from the inlet 25 collides with the buffer material 5, reducing the momentum of the condensate. If the buffer material 5 were not present, condensate flowing into the storage chamber 14 would flow directly from the inlet 25 into the condensate stored in the storage chamber 14. The inflowing condensate could violently shake the condensate in the storage chamber 14. The float 2 floats on the condensate in the storage chamber 14. The float 2 moves up and down in response to the shaking of the condensate in the storage chamber 14. The lever 3 also swings along with the float 2, and the valve body 42 also moves up and down. As a result, the amount of condensate flowing out of the drain trap 100 becomes unstable. As described above, the position of the float 2 changes depending on the amount of condensate in the storage chamber 14, and the opening degree of the valve mechanism 4 changes depending on the position of the float 2. The valve mechanism 4 is set to an appropriate opening depending on the amount of drain in the storage chamber 14. Therefore, if the float 2 moves up and down unnecessarily, the opening of the valve mechanism 4 will fluctuate, and there is a risk that the drain will not be able to flow out properly. For example, even if enough drain has accumulated in the storage chamber 14 to maximize the opening of the valve mechanism 4, if the drain sways violently and the float 2 moves up and down, the opening of the valve mechanism 4 will become smaller than the maximum opening, and it may become difficult to stably flow out the drain at the maximum opening.

In contrast, when the buffer material 5 is provided, the drain flowing into the storage chamber 14 from the inlet 25 collides with the buffer material 5, reducing the force of the drain flowing from the inlet 25 into the drain in the storage chamber 14. This reduces the shaking of the drain in the storage chamber 14 and also reduces the up and down movement of the float 2. As a result, the opening of the valve mechanism 4 is stabilized, and the outflow of drain from the drain trap 100 is also stabilized.

In addition, when the amount of drainage in the storage chamber 14 is relatively small, the float 2 is positioned on an extension of the axis X of the inlet 25. At this time, the buffer material 5 guides the drainage flowing into the storage chamber 14 from the inlet 25 in a direction away from the axis X, thereby preventing the drainage flowing from the inlet 25 from directly colliding with the float 2. Specifically, the first inclined plate 53, second mounting plate 54, and third inclined plate 57 of the buffer material 5 prevent the drainage flowing from the inlet 25 from proceeding in the direction of the axis X. Furthermore, the horizontal plate 52 and hanging plate 55 of the buffer material 5 respectively prevent the drainage flowing from the inlet 25 from spreading upward and inward in the left-right direction. The second inclined plate 56 and third inclined plate 57 of the buffer material 5 guide the drainage flowing from the inlet 25 outward in the left-right direction, i.e., toward the wall surface of the casing 1. As a result, the drain flowing in from the inlet 25 is prevented from directly colliding with the float 2. This also stabilizes the operation of the float 2, and ultimately the operation of the valve mechanism 4.

As described above, the drain trap 100 comprises a casing 1 having an inlet 25 through which drain flows and a storage chamber 14 for storing the drain, a float 2 arranged in the storage chamber 14, a lever 3 to which the float 2 is attached, a valve mechanism 4 that opens and closes in conjunction with the lever 3, and a buffer material 5 arranged opposite the inlet 25 within the casing 1 and against which the drain flowing in from the inlet 25 collides.

With this configuration, the drain flowing into the storage chamber 14 from the inlet 25 collides with the buffer material 5. This reduces the swaying of the drain stored in the storage chamber 14. Reducing the swaying of the drain also reduces the up and down movement of the float 2 floating on the drain, which in turn stabilizes the operation of the lever 3. As a result, the opening and closing operation of the valve mechanism 4 is stabilized, allowing the drain to flow appropriately from the drain trap 100.

The buffer material 5 also has an inclined surface 57a that is located opposite the inlet 25 and is inclined with respect to the axis X of the inlet 25.

With this configuration, the drain flowing into the storage chamber 14 from the inlet 25 is guided in a direction away from the axis X of the inlet 25 while absorbing impacts by the inclined surface 57a.

Furthermore, the float 2 is positioned on an extension of the axis X of the inlet 25, and the inclined surface 57a guides the drain flowing in from the inlet 25 in a direction away from the axis X.

With this configuration, the drain flowing into the storage chamber 14 from the inlet 25 is guided by the inclined surface 57a in a direction away from the axis X. This prevents the drain flowing in from the inlet 25 from directly colliding with the float 2. As a result, the operation of the float 2 can be further stabilized, and ultimately the outflow of drain from the drain trap 100 can be further stabilized.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, the components described in the above embodiment can be combined to create new embodiments. Furthermore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately determining that these non-essential components are essential.

For example, the arrangement of the inlet 25 and valve mechanism 4 in the drain trap 100 is not limited to the arrangement described above. For example, the inlet 25 may be formed in a part of the casing 1 other than the lid 22 of the second casing 21. In other words, regardless of the relative positions of the float 2, inlet 25, and valve mechanism 4, the buffer material 5 is effective in stabilizing the operation of the float 2 and lever 3.

The shape of the buffer material 5 can be set arbitrarily. For example, the buffer material 5 may be formed in a block shape rather than a plate shape. Furthermore, in the buffer material 5, any of the first mounting plate 51, horizontal plate 52, first inclined plate 53, second mounting plate 54, hanging plate 55, second inclined plate 56, and third inclined plate 57 may be omitted, or other components may be added.

The configuration of the valve mechanism 4 is not limited to the above-described configuration. Any configuration may be used as long as it opens and closes in conjunction with the float 2 and lever 3.

The drain trap 100 does not have to have an exhaust valve mechanism 6.

100 Drain trap 1 Casing 14 Reservoir chamber 25 Inlet 2 Float 3 Lever 4 Valve mechanism 5 Cushioning material 57a Inclined surface X Axis center

Claims (3)

a casing having a storage chamber for storing drainage , an inflow channel through which the drainage flows, an inflow port at a downstream end of the inflow channel that connects the inflow channel to the storage chamber and allows the drainage to flow into the storage chamber , and an outflow port through which the drainage flows out;
a float disposed in the reservoir;
a lever to which the float is attached;
a valve mechanism that opens and closes the outlet in conjunction with the lever;
A buffer material is provided, which is arranged in a position facing the inlet in the storage chamber and against which the drain flowing in from the inlet collides;
A drain trap in which the inlet is positioned lower than the maximum water level of the drain in the storage chamber. The drain trap according to claim 1,
The buffer material is a drain trap that is located opposite the inlet and has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the axis of the inlet. The drain trap according to claim 2,
The float is disposed on an extension of the axis of the inlet,
The inclined surface is a drain trap that guides drain flowing in from the inlet in a direction deviating from the direction of the axis.