JPH0814117B2 - Water level control device for aquarium - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a water level in a water tank of a building, an apartment or the like. More specifically, the present invention controls the water level of these water tanks in accordance with the water consumption and other factors, and can easily and reliably manage the quality of water stored in the water tank and other management. It relates to a water level control device that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in buildings that consume a large amount of water, such as buildings, condominiums, hospitals, schools, and the like, a water tank is installed on the roof or underground, and supplied tap water is stored in the water tank. It is configured to supply water from to the consumption point at each end.

A conventional apparatus for controlling the water level in such a water tank has an electrode type or float type water level detector in the water tank, and closes a water supply valve when the water level reaches a predetermined high water level. Then, the water supply is stopped, and when the water level drops to a predetermined low water level, the above-mentioned water supply valve is opened, and the water supply into the water tank is restarted.

[0004] In a so-called multi-tenant building or a resort condominium where a large number of tenants are occupied, the water consumption varies greatly depending on the day of the week, season, and the like. For this reason,
When the water consumption decreases, a long time elapses before the water level in the water tank drops from the high water level to the low water level. For this reason, when the water consumption is small, the rotation rate of the water in the water tank, that is, the exchange rate, decreases, and the same water stays in the water tank for a long time. As a result, the chlorine concentration in the water is reduced, which causes problems such as easy propagation of various bacteria.

On the other hand, considering the case of water interruption, it is preferable that the amount of water stored in this water tank is large. In other words, when water interruption occurs, until water interruption is restored,
It is preferable that a flushing toilet and other water amount enough to secure a minimum required amount of hygiene are stored in the water tank.

In order to satisfy such demands, it is preferable to change the set value of the water level to be controlled according to the water consumption. However, the conventional water level control device uses an electrode or a float for detecting the water level, and it is impossible or extremely troublesome to change the set value of the water level control. Further, with the conventional water level control device, it has not been possible to perform appropriate water level control in accordance with the amount of water consumed.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and controls the water level in a water tank in response to fluctuations in water consumption and other factors. While maintaining the rotation rate in a predetermined range, preventing a decrease in the chlorine concentration in the water and maintaining the water quality,
An object of the present invention is to provide a water level control device for a water tank that can store a minimum amount of water corresponding to a water consumption amount.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a pressure detector for detecting a head pressure is provided at the bottom of a water tank, and a signal from the pressure detector is received, and water is supplied to the water tank in response to the water level signal. It is equipped with a controller that opens and closes the water supply valve to maintain the water level in this tank within a predetermined control water level range.This controller operates in multiple modes, and in each mode the water supply valve that supplies water to this tank is A high water level for closing the water supply to stop the water supply and a low water level for opening the water supply valve to restart the water supply can be arbitrarily set, and a mode selection switch for selecting these modes is provided.

[0009]

The head pressure is detected by the above pressure detector,
The water level in the aquarium is detected, and this water level signal is sent to the controller. In this controller, a control water level range is set according to the amount of water consumed from the water tank. Therefore, when the water consumption is large, the control water level range of the water tank is set high, and a large amount of water is constantly stored in the water tank. Therefore, even in the event of water cutoff, a sufficient amount of water for sanitary use, such as for flush toilets, is secured. In this case, since the water consumption is large, even if the amount of water stored in this tank is large, the rotation rate of this water, that is, the exchange rate does not decrease excessively, and the chlorine concentration decreases. The quality of the water will be secured without any such problems.

When the water consumption is small, the control water level range of the water tank is set low. Therefore, the amount of water constantly stored in the water tank is reduced, and even if the water consumption is small, the rotation rate of the water in the water tank, that is, the exchange rate, does not become excessively low, and the chlorine concentration decreases. Such as deterioration of water quality is prevented. In this case, since the amount of water consumed is small, even if the amount of water stored in this aquarium is small, the amount of water necessary for hygiene at the time of water interruption can be secured.

Further, in this apparatus, since the water level is detected by measuring the head pressure with a pressure detector, the water level signal and the actual water level always maintain a proportional relationship, so that the above control is easy. In addition, the water level detection accuracy is high, and accurate and reliable water level control is possible. Further, in the present invention, the controller is operated in a plurality of modes, and in each mode, a high water level at which the water supply valve is closed and water supply is stopped and a low water level at which the water supply valve is opened and water supply is restarted are arbitrary. Can be set to. Therefore, if the high water level mode with a high control water level range and the low water level mode with a low control water level range are set in advance, you can easily change the control water level range of the water tank by selecting these modes with the mode selection switch. can do. Further, since the water level detector of the present invention detects the water level by the head pressure, the water level can be easily set in each mode as described above.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a water level control device for a water tank of a building, an apartment, a school, a hospital, or the like. In the actual device, the specifications are different depending on the type of building to be installed and the like. However, in this embodiment, all functions corresponding to various specifications are provided to facilitate the description. The device will be described. Of course, in an actual device, some functions are omitted or another function is added according to the specifications.

Reference numeral 1 in the figure is a water tank. Tap water is supplied into the water tank 1 from a water supply pipe 3 via a water supply valve 2. Further, a supply pipe 4 is connected to the bottom of the water tank, and the supply pipe 4 is connected to a pipe 5 on a consumption side at the end, for example, a water pipe of each house or a pipe of each tap.

A water level detector 10 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 1. The water level detector 10 detects the pressure, detects the water head pressure, and detects the water level in the water tank 1 from the water head pressure.

The signal from the water level detector 10 is sent to the controller 11. The controller 11 is installed in a management room of a building or the like. The controller 11 opens and closes the water supply valve 2 in response to the water level signal.
The amount of water supplied into the water tank 1 is controlled, and the water level in the water tank 1 is maintained in a predetermined water level range, that is, a control water level range.

If the building or the like is a multi-purpose building, a government office, a company, a hospital, or the like, and a public toilet used by an unspecified number of people is provided, the toilet may be used according to specifications. Cleaning valve 1 for periodically cleaning toilet bowl 12
3, a signal is also sent to control the opening and closing of the cleaning valve 13.

In schools and the like, toilets are not used for a long period of time, such as during summer vacations, and water is scarcely used. When this device is installed in such a building, a program setting device 14 is provided according to the specifications.

Next, the configuration of the water level detector 10 is shown in FIG.
Will be described with reference to. This water level detector 10 includes a casing 21. A water pressure detection port 22 is formed in the casing 21, and the water pressure detection port 22 communicates with the inside of the water tank 1. Also, this casing 2
A flexible diaphragm 23 is provided inside the casing 1, and the diaphragm 23 divides the inside of the casing 21 from the pressure detection port 22. The casing 21 is filled with a liquid 24 such as silicone oil, and the casing 21 is filled with the pressure detecting element 2
The pressure detecting element 25 is immersed in the liquid 24. A conductor 26 is connected to the pressure detecting element 25, and a signal is sent through the conductor 26.

The water level detector 10 includes a diaphragm 23
Is bent, the pressure in the water pressure detection port 11 becomes substantially equal to the pressure of the liquid 24 inside. This pressure is detected by the pressure detecting element 25, and this pressure is proportional to the head pressure, that is, the water level. Therefore, the output signal from the pressure detecting element 25 is proportional to the water level. Further, the water level detector 10 includes a pressure detecting element 25
Since the water level is detected, the water level can be precisely measured in units of several mm. In addition, even if foreign matter or the like adheres, this does not cause an operation failure unless the water pressure detection port 22 is completely closed, and is highly reliable. Also, this one
Since the pressure detection element 25 is immersed in a liquid such as silicone oil, corrosion does not occur and the reliability is high.

Next, the structure of the controller 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 11 has a CPU 31, a ROM
32, a RAM 33, a clock 36, and the like. The controller 11 is provided with necessary switches 34 such as a mode selection switch, and is provided with various display units 35. The display unit 35 has a set water level, in this embodiment, a high water level. And an indicator for displaying four set water levels L1, L2, L3, and L4 in this order.

The CPU includes a water level detector 10, a valve drive circuit 38 for opening and closing the water supply valve 2 and the washing valve 13, an alarm device 39 such as a buzzer for outputting an alarm, and the program setting device. 14 etc. are each interface 3
It is connected via 7, and signals are input and output.

Next, the operation of the controller 11 will be described.
This embodiment operates in three modes depending on the water consumption. It operates in the high mode when water consumption is the highest, in the middle mode when water consumption is intermediate, and in the low mode when water consumption is low.

For example, when the water level control device is installed in a resort condominium or the like, the occupants are almost fully occupied depending on the season. In such a case, water consumption will increase significantly. In such a case, the controller 11 is operated in the high mode. When the high mode is set in step 3 as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4, the highest water level L1 is set as the high level water level for closing the water supply valve 2 in step 32, and the water supply valve 2 is turned on. The second highest water level L2 to open
Is set. Then, when the water level signal is input, at step 33 the level of this water level signal and the above-mentioned high level water level L
1 and the low level water level L2 are compared. If the water level signal is higher than L1, the water supply valve 2 is closed in step 34, and if it is lower than L2, the water supply valve is opened in step 35. Therefore, in the high mode, the water level in the water tank 1 is maintained in the control water level range between L1 and L2.

When the number of residents is medium, the water consumption is also medium. In this case, the mode is set to the medium mode. In this middle mode, the water tank 1
Is maintained in the control water level range of L2 and L3.

Further, the number of residents may decrease depending on the season. In such a case, the water consumption is reduced, and in this case, the low mode is set. In this low mode, the water level in the water tank 1 is L
The control water level range is maintained between 3 and L4.

Therefore, when water consumption is large,
A large amount of water is always stored in the water tank 1. Therefore, even in the event of water interruption, sufficient water for sanitation, such as for flush toilets, is restored until the interruption is restored. Further, since the amount of water used is large, the water in the water tank 1 is frequently exchanged. Even if a large amount of water is stored in this manner, the rotation rate of the water in the water tank 1, that is, the exchange. The rate does not decrease excessively, and deterioration of water quality such as decrease in chlorine concentration is prevented.

On the other hand, when the water consumption is small, the amount of water constantly stored in the water tank 1 is small. Therefore, even in this case, the rotation rate of the water in the water tank 1, that is, the exchange rate, does not excessively decrease, and deterioration of the water quality is prevented. In this case, since the amount of water consumption is small, even if the amount of water stored in the water tank 1 is small, the amount of water necessary for sanitation is sufficiently ensured even in the event of water cutoff. .

Of course, the above L1, L2, L3, L4
The water level is set to a water level that satisfies the above conditions in accordance with the number of units in this condominium, the capacity of the water tank 1, and the like. These set water levels are displayed on the display unit 35, respectively. This setting is set when the water level control device is installed, and is set again later as necessary.

The controller 11 has a function of automatically setting the mode in addition to manually setting the mode. That is, as shown in FIG.
When the manual mode is selected in step 42, the manual mode is set in step 42. For example, a manager or the like determines the mode from the number of residents, and the mode is manually selected in step 43.

When the automatic mode is selected in step 41, the rate of decrease of the water level per unit time is calculated from the temporal change of the water level signal in step 44, and the rate of decrease of the water level is the consumption of water. Corresponds to quantity. Then, in steps 45 and 46, when the water level drop rate is larger than the predetermined set value R1, it is determined that the water consumption is large, and the high mode is automatically selected. The rate of decrease in water level is
If it is between 1 and a predetermined value R2 smaller than 1, the water consumption is determined to be medium, and the medium mode is automatically selected. Further, when the water level drop rate is smaller than R2, it is determined that the water consumption is small, and the low mode is automatically selected.

As described above, by selecting the auto mode, it is possible to automatically switch to the optimum mode in response to the change in water consumption, and it is not necessary for the manager to switch the mode each time. , Easy to operate,
Never forget to switch modes.

The controller 11 has a function of controlling the water level according to a preset program. That is, in schools, government offices, companies, etc.
It is operated according to a predetermined schedule, and the water usage is almost exhausted during a predetermined period such as summer vacation.
In such cases, according to the scheduled program,
It is convenient to switch the mode of water level control and perform other water level control. For example, it is convenient to switch the water level control to the low mode at the end of the day before the holiday and to switch the water level control to the high mode before the start of the day after the holiday. Further, during periods such as holidays and summer vacations, the toilets are hardly used. In such a case, the toilet bowl, the piping, and the like are dried, foreign matter is stuck, and the toilet bowl, the piping, and the like are damaged. In such a case, it is preferable to wash the toilet bowl at regular intervals even if the toilet is not used, thereby protecting the toilet facilities. Even in such a case, it is preferable to control the water level according to a predetermined program.

The controller 11 includes a program setting unit 1
4 is attached. A preset program is input to the program setting device 14 by a punt card, a magnetic disc, or the like.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, step 51
When the program control is selected by, the predetermined program is input from the program setter 14 in step 52.
Then, in accordance with this program, at step 53, for example, at the end of the day before the holiday, the water level control mode is switched to the low mode. At the same time, during this holiday,
A mode in which the toilet bowl is periodically cleaned is selected.

When it is confirmed in step 54 that a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed, in step 55 the toilet cleaning valve 1
A valve opening signal is sent to the drive circuit of No. 3 and the flush valve opens to clean the toilet bowl 12.

Further, the water level control device of the present invention is provided with additional functions other than those described above as necessary. For example, the water supply valve breaks down and cannot open or close, the water level rises more,
In addition, when the voltage drops further, a signal for operating the alarm device 39 such as a buzzer is output. Furthermore, when the water level detector detects a short-period pressure fluctuation, it is determined that an earthquake has occurred, an alarm is output, and the water supply valve can still be closed automatically. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various other modifications can be made.

[0037]

As described above, the present invention changes the control water level range in the water tank in response to fluctuations in the amount of water used. Therefore, when the amount of water used is large, a large amount of water is constantly stored in the water tank. A small amount of water is stored in the water tank when the amount of water stored is small. Therefore, in any case, the rotation rate of the water in the water tank is maintained at a predetermined value or more, and the deterioration of the water quality such as a decrease in the chlorine concentration is prevented. You.

Further, according to the present invention, the head pressure is measured by the pressure, and the water level is detected by the head pressure. Therefore,
The signal from the water level detector and the water level are always maintained in a proportional relationship, and this water level signal can be easily processed. Further, according to the present invention, the controller operates in a plurality of modes, the control water level range can be arbitrarily set in each mode, and the control water level range in the water tank can be easily set only by selecting an arbitrary mode. Can be changed to

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a water level detector.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a controller.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of water level control in a high mode.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart in the case of mode selection.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for program control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Water tank 2 ... Water supply valve 10 ... Water level controller 11 ... Controller 25 ... Pressure detection element 31 ... CPU

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water tank for storing water supplied from a water supply valve and supplying it to a consumer side at an end, and a water level detector provided at the bottom of the water tank for detecting the water level in the water tank by head pressure, It is equipped with a controller that receives a signal from the water level detector, opens and closes the water supply valve in response to this water level signal, and maintains the water level in this aquarium within a predetermined control water level range. In each mode, the high water level that closes the water supply valve to stop water supply and the low water level that opens the water supply valve to restart water supply can be set arbitrarily in each mode.
Further, the water level control device for the water tank is provided with a mode selection switch for selecting one of these modes.