JPH087719A - Switch capable of detecting water intrusion - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a switch with which water intrusion resulting from any reason can be ocularly detected from outside the switch and a shortcircuiting accident, etc., can be prevented. CONSTITUTION:A mounting hole 12 is provided in the bottom plate 11 of a case 10 of a switch, and a storage tank 2 is fixed to the mounting hole 12. The storage tank 2 is equipped with an upper tank part 21 and lower tank part 22 made of transparent plastics, wherein the upper tank part 21 is furnished with a mounting part 210 for screw fastening to the mounting hole 12. In the center this mounting part 210 is provided with a water leading hole 211 and deaeration hole 212 which are partitioned by a bulkhead 213. The oversurface of the mounting part 210 of the storage tank 2 is arranged flush with the oversurface of the bottom plate 11. An appropriate amount of magenda powder M as a sensing means is put in the accommodation part 220 of the lower tank part 22.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch capable of detecting water intrusion, and in particular, it is provided in the case of a switch such as a pole switch to enable early detection even in the event of water intrusion. The present invention relates to a switch that can prevent a short circuit accident from occurring by taking appropriate measures.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Pole switches and the like are installed outdoors. For this reason, rainwater may infiltrate into the switch due to corrosion of the case or deterioration of each seal portion after long-term use. Immediate action should be taken as water ingress may cause various accidents. As one of the methods to detect the intrusion of water into the switch, it is conventionally detected by measuring the decrease in the insulation resistance between the ground taken out from the switch body and the control line taken out from inside the switch. Was.

[0003]

Since the above-mentioned conventional method of detecting water intrusion is a method of detecting by measuring the insulation resistance, even if a decrease in insulation resistance is detected by this method, the actual water intrusion is switched. I didn't know unless I checked the inside of the vessel.
Further, the above method is expensive because it requires an electrical measuring device, and the measurement is labor intensive to check. Further, there is a drawback that this insulation resistance cannot be measured for a switch without a control line. If the present inventor does not know the actual infiltration of water even if it detects a decrease in insulation resistance without inspecting the inside of the switch, whether the infiltration of water can be detected by direct visual inspection from outside the switch. By paying attention to the above facts and repeating research, the present invention has been completed.

[0004]

That is, the object of the present invention is to detect the intrusion of water by visual inspection from the outside of the switch when water enters the switch for some reason and to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit accident. It is to provide a switch that can be prevented in advance.

[0005]

The structure of the invention taken to achieve the above object is as follows. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch capable of detecting water intrusion, the switch including a storage tank for storing water that has invaded the switch, and the storage tank is a storage tank. Water infiltration provided with a water guiding means for guiding water to the inside, a deaeration means capable of removing air inside the storage tank at the time of water guiding, and a detecting means capable of visually recognizing the presence or absence of water in the storage tank from the outside. It is a switch that can detect

In the second invention, the detection means is a switch for coloring or discoloring water, which is capable of detecting water intrusion according to the first invention.

In the third invention, the detecting means includes a water absorbing sheet provided on the inner bottom portion of the storage tank, and a coloring agent placed on the water absorbing sheet and coloring or discoloring water. The switch according to the first invention is capable of detecting water intrusion.

In the fourth invention, the detecting means includes a water absorbing sheet provided on the inner bottom portion of the storage tank and an impregnating member which is in contact with the water absorbing sheet. The switch according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a colorant that colors or discolors water, and is capable of detecting water intrusion.

In the fifth invention, the detection means is a float which moves by the buoyancy of water, and is a switch which can detect water intrusion according to the first invention.

In the sixth invention, the deaeration means has a structure including deaeration holes arranged in parallel with the water guiding means. Opening / closing for detecting water intrusion according to the first to fifth inventions. It is a vessel.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the deaeration means has a structure in which the deaeration member is inserted into the water guiding means with a gap provided between the water guiding means and the inner wall thereof. It is a switch that can detect water intrusion.

The storage tank is usually wholly or partially formed of transparent or translucent synthetic resin or glass. The coloring or discoloration of water may be due to a chemical reaction between the detection means and water, or may be due to dissolution or dispersion of the detection means in water. The term "coloring or discoloring water" as used in the present invention is a concept including not only the color of water changes but also the color of the detection means itself that changes due to the inclusion of water.

Although the color of the water absorbing sheet is not particularly limited, it is desirable that the water absorbing sheet is white or a light color in which discoloration is easily visible. The material of the water absorbing sheet is a material that easily absorbs water, for example, paper such as filter paper, cloth, cotton, and non-woven fabric. The impregnating member can contain a coloring agent, and the coloring agent colors the water. The material of the impregnating member is, for example, sponge, cloth, cotton, non-woven fabric, or the like. The material of the degassing member is an open cell (hereinafter,
In addition to sponges and straws (referred to as open cells), non-woven fabrics, cloths rolled into rods, etc. that can replace the water when it is introduced through the water guiding means and deaerate the inside of the storage tank. Is.

[0014]

When the storage tank provided in the switch accommodates, for example, a chemical that develops or changes color by reacting with water, or a pigment that dissolves in water to color water, as a detection means, the Since the color of the switch changes, the infiltration of water into the switch can be detected by visually observing the change of the color from the outside.

By the way, water is introduced into the storage tank through the water guiding means, but if the water guiding means is simply a hole and is provided at only one place, and the diameter is small, the water that is going to enter. Inside the holes become spherical due to the effect of the surface tension and close the holes. Once the holes are closed, the air in the storage tank will not escape, so no water will enter.

In such a case, it is impossible to detect the infiltration of water into the switch, but in the present invention, the reservoir is provided with the water guiding means and the deaeration means. By this degassing means, when water is about to enter through the water guiding means, degassing is performed in turn and water is smoothly introduced into the storage tank.

When the detecting means includes the water absorbing sheet and the coloring agent, the water absorbing sheet changes to the color of the colored water when the introduced water is colored or discolored by the coloring agent. Intrusion of water can be detected.

In the case where the detecting means includes the water absorbing sheet and the impregnating member, the water absorbing sheet changes to the color of the colored water when the impregnating member gets wet with water and the water is colored with the coloring agent or discolors. This makes it possible to detect the intrusion of water into the switch. Further, since the colorant is contained in the impregnated member, it is possible to prevent the colorant from spilling into the switch even when the switch is turned upside down during assembly.

In the case where the float is arranged in the storage tank, the float floats up due to the intrusion of water. Therefore, the intrusion of water into the switch can be detected by visually observing the change of this position from the outside.

In the structure in which the degassing means includes the degassing holes provided in parallel with the water guiding means, the water guiding and the degassing can be performed from their respective dedicated parts, so that the water can be introduced into the storage tank more smoothly.

In the structure in which the degassing means has the degassing member inserted through the water guiding means, degassing is performed through the degassing member instead of when water is introduced from between the degassing member and the inner wall of the water guiding means. Therefore, the water can be introduced into the storage tank more smoothly.

[0022]

The present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a first embodiment of a switch according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part with an internal structure omitted. Reference numeral 1 is a switch, which includes a metal case 10. A mounting port 12 is provided on the bottom plate 11 of the case 10, and an internal thread is formed on the inner wall of the mounting port 12. The storage tank 2 is attached to the mounting opening 12 by screwing.

The storage tank 2 comprises an upper storage tank 21 and a lower storage tank 22 which are made of transparent plastic. A cylindrical mounting portion 210 is provided on the upper surface of the upper storage tank 21, and a male screw that can be screwed into the female screw of the mounting port 12 is engraved on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The lower part of the upper storage tank 21 is formed in a reverse bottomed cylindrical shape, and an internal thread is engraved on the inner wall thereof. In addition, a water guiding hole 211 that constitutes a water guiding means and a deaeration hole 212 that constitutes a deaeration means are provided at the center of the mounting portion 210, divided by a partition wall 213.

The lower storage tank 22 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and an outer thread of the upper storage tank 21 is engraved with a male screw which can be screwed into a female screw of the inner wall of the upper storage tank 21. On the contrary, a male screw may be engraved on the outer wall of the upper storage tank 21 and a female screw may be engraved on the inner wall of the lower storage tank 22. In this embodiment, the upper storage tank 2
Although the screwing means is used to connect 1 and the lower storage tank 22, other connecting means such as engagement and fitting may be used.

The storage tank 2 is attached to the case 10 by screwing a mounting portion 210 to the mounting port 12 and screwing an upper storage tank 21 and a lower storage tank 22 together. Reference numerals 23 and 24 are packings provided in the storage tank 2. When the storage tank 2 is attached, the upper surface of the mounting portion 210 is flush with the upper surface of the bottom plate 11 so that water can be smoothly introduced into the storage tank 2.

In this embodiment, the bottom plate 1 of the case 10 is used.
Although the storage tank 2 is assembled on the flat surface of No. 1, in addition to this, the mounting port 12 portion of the bottom plate 11 is formed by denting it by a burring process or the like, or a nut is welded to the outside of the bottom plate 11 of the mounting port 12 portion. The storage tank 2 can also be assembled by doing so. Then, the accommodating portion 220 of the lower storage tank 22
An appropriate amount of magenta powder M (dark green when dry), which is a detecting means, is put in the container. Magenta powder M is used in this example, but in addition, a pH indicator,
A hydrated inorganic substance or the like can also be used.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the switch 1 is used outdoors for a long period of time and rainwater enters the switch 1 from the corroded portion of the case 10 or along the strand of the external lead wire, the infiltrated rainwater will penetrate the inner wall of the case 10. It is transferred and accumulated in the bottom plate 11, and enters the inside of the reservoir 2 from the water guiding hole 211 of the mounting portion 210. At this time, water is introduced from the water guiding hole 211, and at the same time, the air inside the storage tank 2 is degassed from the degassing hole 212 in exchange. As a result, water can be smoothly introduced into the storage tank 2. The water introducing hole 211 and the degassing hole 21
Since 2 has the same inlet height, water may enter the deaeration hole 212 side and deaeration may be performed from the water guide hole 211 in some cases.

The introduced water immerses the magenta powder M contained in the storage tank 2, and the magenta powder M that comes into contact with the water is dissolved in the water to color the water bright red. The colored water can be seen from the outside below the switch 1 through the wall of the storage tank 2 which is a transparent body.
It can be seen that water has penetrated inside. The lower storage tank 2
If the bottom portion of 2 is formed in a convex lens shape, the colored portion is enlarged when viewed from the outside, so that it is easier to visually recognize.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the internal structure is omitted. In this embodiment, a water absorbing sheet 27 as a detecting means is arranged on the inner bottom of the accommodating portion 220 of the lower storage tank 22. The water absorbing sheet 27 is made of white paper and covers almost the entire inner bottom portion. An appropriate amount of magenta powder M is placed on the water absorbing sheet 27. Magenta powder M is used in this example, but in addition, pH
An indicator, a hydrated inorganic substance, etc. can also be used.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The water introduced in the same manner as in the case of the first embodiment described above soaks the magenta powder M stored in the storage tank 2, and the magenta powder M contacted with the water is dissolved in the water to make the water bright red. Color it. The colored water permeates the water absorbing sheet 27, and the water absorbing sheet 27 changes from white to bright red. By visually observing this color change from below the switch 1 through the wall of the storage tank 2 which is a transparent body, it can be seen that water has entered the switch 1. Since this discoloration is a color change from white to dark color, the visibility is high.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the internal structure of which is omitted. In this embodiment, the lower storage tank 22a of the storage tank 2a is formed in a bottomed tubular shape. The lower storage tank 22a has a structure in which an upper member 221 made of transparent plastic and a bottom member 222 made of non-transparent plastic are joined together.
Inside the lower storage tank 22a, a float 25, which has a lower specific gravity than water and is vertically long, is housed. The float 25 is entirely colored in red, and its height is set so that the upper end thereof does not project from the upper end of the bottom member 222 when housed.

In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Also,
The water guiding hole 2 is provided on the inner surface of the mounting portion 210a of the upper storage tank 21a.
11a and a deaeration pipe 212a, which is a deaeration means, are provided together by adhesion. The upper portion of the degassing pipe 212a is provided so as to project upward from the inlet of the water guiding hole 211a.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, when rainwater enters the switch 1, the infiltrated rainwater travels along the inner wall of the case 10 and accumulates in the bottom plate 11, and enters the reservoir 2a through the water guiding hole 211a of the mounting portion 210a.
At this time, water is introduced from the water guiding hole 211a and is simultaneously degassed from the degassing pipe 212a. Deaeration tube 21
Since the opening of 2a is located above the inlet of the water guide hole 211a, it is difficult for water to enter the deaeration pipe 212a, and deaeration is reliably performed. Therefore, the water can be introduced into the storage tank 2a more smoothly.

When water accumulates in the storage tank 2, the float 25 contained therein floats due to the buoyancy of the water, so that the float 25 can be visually recognized from the outside through the transparent upper member 221 of the lower storage tank 22a. become able to. From this, it can be seen that water has entered the inside of the switch 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the switch according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the internal structure is omitted, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the inserted state of the deaeration member. The storage tank 2b in this embodiment includes an upper storage tank 21b, a lower storage tank 22b, and a bottom member 26. The bottom member 26 is made of transparent plastic. A water absorbing sheet 27 formed of white paper is disposed on the inner bottom of the housing 260 of the bottom member 26. An impregnation member 28 made of an open-cell sponge is arranged on the water absorbing sheet 27 so as to cover almost the entire surface.

The impregnation member 28 contains magenta powder M so as to be uniformly dispersed throughout. Impregnation member 28
Is made by immersing an open-cell sponge in an alcoholic or aqueous solution of magenta powder and drying it. According to this, the introduced water becomes a magenta aqueous solution in the impregnation member 28, and soaks into the water absorbing sheet 27 to be colored.

Further, a square rod-shaped deaeration member 212c formed of an open cell sponge is attached to the water guiding hole 211b penetrating the center of the upper storage tank 21b. The deaeration member 212c vertically penetrates the water guiding hole 211b, and
A gap 200 is provided between the inner wall of 11b and the corners of the inner wall 11b so as to be in close contact with each other. The degassing member 212c may be extended downward and the impregnation member 28 may be pressed and fixed. In the drawings, the same or like parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When rainwater enters the switch 1, the rainwater that has infiltrated collects on the bottom plate 11 along the inner wall of the case 10, and enters the storage tank 2b through the gap 200 between the inner wall of the water guiding hole 211b of the mounting portion 210b and the deaerating member 212b. enter. At this time, water is introduced from the water guiding hole 211b through the gap 200 and is simultaneously degassed from the degassing member 212b. That is, according to the degassing member 212b, the surface tension of the water is suppressed by the open-celled portion of the open-celled sponge, and water can be introduced and degassed reliably, so that the water can be smoothly introduced into the storage tank 2b.

Then, the impregnating member 28 is wetted by the rainwater that has entered the storage tank 2 and is impregnated with the magenta powder M.
Turns bright red and water is colored. This also allows
The water absorbing sheet 27 is soaked with colored water, and the water absorbing sheet 27 changes from white to bright red. From this, it can be seen that water has entered the inside of the switch 1. Since this discoloration is a color change from white to dark color, the visibility is high.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another example of the deaeration member in the inserted state. The degassing member 212c in this embodiment is
A straw having a smaller diameter than the ventilation hole 211c is used. The degassing member 212c is inserted into the vent hole 211c without being particularly supported, and thus a gap 200 is formed between the inner wall of the vent hole 211c and the degassing member 212c. Then, the water passes through the gap 200 and enters the water guiding hole 211c, and at the same time, the water is degassed from the degassing member 212c while being replaced. In addition, the code | symbol 21c is an upper storage tank. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment,
Various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0041]

The present invention having the above-mentioned structure has the following effects. (A) A storage tank provided in the switch, in which a chemical that develops or changes color by reacting with water, a pigment that dissolves in water to color water, or the like is contained as detection means has been introduced. Since the color of water changes, the infiltration of water into the switch can be detected by visually observing the change in color from the outside. In addition, since the storage tank is equipped with water guiding means and degassing means,
When the water is about to enter by the water guiding means, deaeration is performed instead, and the water is smoothly introduced.

(B) When the detecting means includes a water-absorbing sheet and a colorant, the introduced water is colored or discolored by the colorant, so that the water-absorbing sheet changes to the color of the colored water. This makes it possible to detect the intrusion of water into the switch.

(C) In the case where the detecting means includes the water absorbing sheet and the impregnating member, the water absorbing sheet changes to the color of the colored water when the impregnating member gets wet with water and the water is colored or discolored. The change of color can detect the intrusion of water into the switch. Further, since the colorant is contained in the impregnated member, it is possible to prevent the colorant from spilling into the switch even when the switch is turned upside down during assembly.

(D) In the case where the float is arranged in the storage tank, the float floats when water enters, so the intrusion of water into the switch can be detected by visually observing the change in this position from the outside. .

(E) In the structure in which the degassing means includes the degassing holes provided in parallel with the water guiding means, the water guiding and the degassing can be performed from their respective dedicated parts, so that the water can be introduced into the storage tank more smoothly. Done.

(F) In the structure in which the deaeration means has the deaeration member inserted through the water guiding means, the deaeration member is replaced with water introduced between the deaeration member and the inner wall of the water guiding means. The water is introduced into the storage tank more smoothly because it is degassed.

(G) The storage tank can be easily attached to an existing switch by using the airtightness test hole.
It can be easily installed in existing products.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part with an internal structure omitted.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a second embodiment of a switch according to the present invention and omitting an internal structure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts showing the third embodiment of the switch according to the present invention and omitting the internal structure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a fourth embodiment of a switch according to the present invention and omitting an internal structure.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the inserted state of the degassing member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another example of the degassing member in a inserted state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Switch 10 Case 12 Mounting Port 2 Reservoir 211 Water Guide Hole 212 Degassing Hole M Magenta Powder 2a Storage Tank 25 Float 211a Water Guide Hole 212a Degassing Pipe 2b Reservoir 26 Bottom Plate 27 Water Absorbing Sheet 28 Impregnation Member 211b Water Conducting Hole 212b Degassing Member 212b Gap 211c Vent hole 212c Degassing member

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A switch which is capable of detecting water intrusion, wherein the switch comprises a storage tank for storing water that has invaded the switch, and the storage tank stores water inside the storage tank. In order to detect water intrusion, water guiding means is provided, deaeration means capable of removing air inside the storage tank at the time of water guiding, and detection means capable of visually confirming the presence or absence of water in the storage tank from the outside. Switch which was made. 2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is one that colors or changes the color of water. 3. The water according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes a water absorbing sheet provided on an inner bottom portion of the storage tank, and a coloring agent placed on the water absorbing sheet and coloring or discoloring water. Switch that can detect intrusion. 4. The detecting means includes a water absorbing sheet provided on the inner bottom portion of the storage tank, and an impregnating member which is in contact with the water absorbing sheet. The impregnating member is colored to change or discolor water. A switch capable of detecting water intrusion according to claim 1, wherein a switch is included. 5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is a float that moves by the buoyancy of water. 6. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the degassing means has a structure including degassing holes arranged in parallel with the water guiding means. 7. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the deaeration means has a structure in which a deaeration member is inserted in the water guiding means with a gap provided between the water guiding means and the inner wall thereof. .