JP4820422B2 - Hydroelectric generator for faucets - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydroelectric generator for a faucet, for example, to an automatic faucet hydroelectric generator that stores electric power generated by rotating the hydroelectric generator with running water and operates with the electric power. .

  In recent years, a so-called automatic faucet that discharges water by simply extending a hand without touching the faucet has been widely used. This automatic faucet needs electric power to detect that an object to be detected such as a human body is located in the vicinity of the water outlet, and also needs electric power to operate the electromagnetic valve to discharge water. . In addition, there is an automatic faucet equipped with a small hydroelectric generator that rotates a water turbine by rotating the water wheel with the momentum of water discharged to obtain this electric power.

  In the configuration of a hydroelectric generator shown in Patent Document 1 below, a rotor made up of a hydroelectric turbine and a polarized magnet of the generator is placed in water. The stator is composed of an iron core magnetic circuit and a coil, and is placed in the atmosphere. Therefore, the partition wall of water and air is located in the magnetic field between the rotor and the stator, and this partition wall is provided with a nonmagnetic metal.

  The reason for this structure is that if a rotating shaft is provided so as to penetrate the partition and the bearing portion is made watertight, the mechanical loss is large, and a small amount of running water provides the necessary rotation for power generation. It is because it is not possible.

JP 2002-44922 A

  However, in the configuration shown in Patent Document 1, not only water with low permeability is interposed in the magnetic field between the rotor and the stator, but also a nonmagnetic metal having a thickness enough to withstand water pressure. Even if the rotor rotates, a sufficient magnetic force cannot be transmitted to the stator, and it is inevitable to reduce the power generation efficiency of the generator. Therefore, it is possible to improve the electromotive force by increasing the magnetic force of the rotor, but it is inevitable that the stronger the magnetic force of the rotor, the greater the torque required at the start of the generator. When water was flowed at a small flow rate, there was a problem that the water wheel did not rotate.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned matters, and its purpose is a faucet having a power generation unit capable of efficiently converting rotational force into electric power without being affected by absorption of magnetic force by water. It is to provide a hydraulic power generator.

To achieve the above object, the water generator for faucets of the present invention is rotatable so as to rotate around the central axis provided along the water flow controlled by the faucet. A supported water wheel, a rotating magnetic body that is rotatably provided integrally with the water wheel, and a power generation unit that converts the rotational force of the water wheel into electric power,
Further, the water turbine is a hydroelectric generator for a faucet in which a water turbine, a rotating magnetic body, and a power generation section are arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis, and the power generation section is generated by rotation of the rotating magnetic body Including a driven rotating magnetic body that receives a rotating force from a water turbine by receiving a rotating magnetic field outside the partition;
The driven rotating magnetic body is made of a ring-shaped magnetic body, and is configured to be rotatable concentrically with the central axis by bearings located upstream and downstream of the driven rotating magnetic body .
further,
One of the bearings positioned on the upstream side and the downstream side of the driven rotating magnetic body is a positioning ring body for holding the driven rotating magnetic body so as to be rotatable via the bearing. It is characterized in that it is provided in contact with the (Claim 1)

The hydroelectric generator for a faucet of the present invention is provided with a housing chamber for housing the water wheel and the rotating magnetic body in a water pipe communicating with the water faucet or in the water faucet. While providing a partition wall in the water pipe or faucet that allows the magnetic force of the magnetic material to penetrate to the outside isolated from the water ,
A water wheel and the rotating magnetic body and the driven rotating magnetic Is located concentrically circular, and held in a rotating magnetic and water wheel floated in the water by the magnetic force of the rotary magnetic member and the driven rotating magnetic, power The part is preferably configured to convert a rotating magnetic field formed by a driven rotating magnetic body into electric power. (Claim 2)

  That is, in the hydroelectric generator for faucets of the present invention, the water wheel is disposed in the water and the power generation unit is disposed in the atmosphere. Therefore, the water wheel is efficiently rotated by the flow of water, and the power generation unit has less magnetic flux leakage. Rotational force can be efficiently converted into electric power.

  In addition, since the power generation unit converts the rotational force into electric power while being isolated from water, there is no limitation on the shape of the power generation unit, and the power conversion efficiency can be prioritized. In addition, an efficient power generation unit requires a relatively strong rotational force, but since the rotating magnetic body and the driven rotating magnetic body are not completely connected, this functions as a damper, so the required torque at the start of the water turbine And a relatively large electric power can be generated using a small amount of water.

  Further, by floating the water wheel in the water, it is possible to eliminate the resistance caused by the friction of the bearing, and the water wheel can be easily rotated by the flow of water with a small flow rate, and the loss due to friction when rotating at high speed can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the flow of water controlled by the faucet can be efficiently converted into electric power, which can be used effectively. Further, since the configuration is simple, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the reference example of the hydroelectric generator for faucets. It is a figure which shows one Example of the hydraulic power generator for faucets of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a reference example of a hydroelectric generator 1 for a faucet.
In FIG. 1, 2 is a water pipe bent in a generally L shape that communicates with a water faucet (not shown), and 3 is positioned at a bent portion of the water pipe 2 and rotated by the flow of water flowing in the water pipe 2. A water wheel 4 configured to be configured has a first shaft that rotatably supports the water wheel 3, and 5 is a rotating magnetic body that is connected to the shaft end of the first shaft 4 to be connected to the water wheel 3. 6 is a storage chamber for storing these members 3 to 5 in communication with the water pipe 2, and 7 is an external space in which the water in the storage chamber 6 is kept watertight and the magnetic force of the rotating magnetic body 5 is isolated from water. A partition wall made of a nonmagnetic metal that is transmitted through the rotating magnetic body 5 is a driven rotating magnetic body that receives a rotating magnetic field generated by the rotation of the rotating magnetic body 5 on the outside of the partition wall 7 and receives a rotational force from the water turbine 3, and 9 is a driven rotating body. A second shaft 10 that connects the magnetic body 8 to one end is a power generation unit that is connected to the other end of the second shaft 9.

The water pipe 2 of this example has connection parts 2a and 2b at its ends, and can be attached so as to be interposed in the flow path of the water pipe that communicates with a valve element that is opened and closed by a water tap outside the figure. Yes. Incidentally, hydroelectric generator 1 of the faucet is not limited to the structure to be interposed in the flow path of the water pipe 2, or may be configured to incorporate the faucet.

  The rotating magnetic body 5 and the driven rotating magnetic body 8 use an attractive force or a repulsive force due to a magnetic force between the water wheel 3 and the power generation unit 10 (the rotating magnetic field formed by the rotating magnetic body 5 is driven by the rotating magnetic material). By receiving the body 8), it functions as a rotational force transmission mechanism 11 for transmitting rotational force to the power generation unit 10 isolated from the underwater water turbine 3 with respect to the water.

  The storage chamber 6 of the present example is configured by being divided into, for example, a water wheel storage portion 6a for storing the water wheel 3 and a rotating magnetic material storage portion 6b for storing the rotating magnetic body 5, but the space between the storage portions 6a and 6b is watertight. There is no need to be configured. Rather, in order to minimize the frictional resistance associated with the rotation of the bearing portion 4a of the first shaft 4, some clearance is provided so that some water can pass between the housing portions 6a and 6b. Yes.

  The turbine housing portion 6a is formed by a turbine housing block 12 that is detachably connected to the water pipe 2. The turbine housing block 12 includes a water turbine housing block body 12a that forms the bearing portion 4a, and a first wheel housing block body 12a. It consists of a water wheel pressing block 12b having a bearing 4b of the shaft 4. On the other hand, the rotating magnetic body accommodating portion 6b is formed by pressure-bonding the partition wall 7 to the water turbine accommodating block main body 12a.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a rotational force transmission block that houses the rotational force transmission mechanism 11 and has a bearing portion 9a of the second shaft 9 made of a bearing or the like, and presses the partition wall 7 against the water turbine housing block main body 12a.

  The power generation unit 10 includes, for example, a cover body 14 connected to the rotational force transmission block 13, a bearing portion 9b of the second shaft 9, a rotor 15 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second shaft 9, and a rotor. And a stator 16 such as an electromagnetic coil that obtains an electromotive force by rotation of 15.

  The faucet hydroelectric generator 1 generates a rotational force in the water turbine 3 when water flows through the water pipe 2. This rotational force is transmitted to the rotating magnetic body 5 through the first shaft 4, and the rotating magnetic body 5 rotates. As the rotating magnetic body 5 rotates, a rotating magnetic field is generated outside the partition wall 7, and the rotating force is transmitted from the rotating magnetic body 5 to the driven rotating magnetic body 8 using the attractive force and repulsive force of the magnetic force. The

The rotational force transmitted to the driven rotating magnetic body 8 is transmitted to the rotor 15 of the power generation unit 10 via the second shaft 9 and is converted into electric power by generating an electromotive force in the stator 16. In the case of the present example, the power generation unit 10 that converts the rotational force output to the second shaft 9 into electric power is formed in a portion that is completely isolated from water, so that the structure can be designed freely. That is, the power generation unit 10 can be any one that can generate the required power .

  As shown in this example, there is no partition wall 7 or the like in the gap between the rotor 15 and the stator 16, so that the leakage magnetic flux can be remarkably reduced by narrowing the gap. That is, the power generation efficiency in the power generation unit 10 can be increased. Moreover, the power generation efficiency can be increased as much as possible by using an existing power generator formed by using various technologies already established in the power generation unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the hydroelectric generator 20 for a faucet of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same or equivalent portions, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 2, 21 and 22 are water pipes configured to be separable, and are configured to be attached to an arbitrary water pipe using connection portions 21a and 22a. 21b and 22b are flange portions that linearly connect the flow paths of the water pipes 21 and 22 by abutting each other. Then, by pressing the flange portions 21b and 22b so as to sandwich the partition wall 7 by this connection, the water wheel 3, the first shaft 4, and the rotating magnetic body 5 are accommodated in the flow path while being kept in a watertight state. The accommodating part 23 is formed. Further, the water pipes 21 and 22 are provided with bearing portions 4a and 4b that form some gaps d with the first shaft 4 as shown in the enlarged view.

  The flow of water flowing through the water pipes 21 and 22 flows downstream by rotating the blades of the water turbine 3 without changing its direction. As a result, the flow of water can be efficiently changed to a rotational force, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. The rotating magnetic body 5 of the present example is a plastic magnet in which a thick part is formed on the outer peripheral part of a blade made of a synthetic resin constituting the water wheel 3, and magnetic powder is mixed into the thick part and magnetized. That is, it is possible to improve the robustness and reduce the weight by integrally forming the portion that rotates at high speed as much as possible.

  The driven rotating magnetic body 8 in this example is, for example, a ring-shaped magnetic body, and is rotatable concentrically with the first axis (center axis) 4 by bearings 24, 24 positioned on the upstream side and the downstream side thereof. It is configured. Further, in this example, the water wheel 3, the rotating magnetic body 5, and the driven rotating magnetic body 8 are arranged concentrically so that the rotating magnetic body 5 is attracted and rotated by the magnetic force of the driven rotating magnetic body 8. The magnetic body 5 and the water wheel 3 are configured to be held in a state of floating in water. Alternatively, the floated state is maintained using the repulsive force of the driven rotating magnetic body 8 and the rotating magnetic body 5 (or separate magnets).

  Then, the driven rotating magnetic body 8 and the rotating magnetic body 5 form a rotational force transmission mechanism 25 that transmits the rotational force from the water turbine 3 to the power generation unit 10 isolated from the water by using the attractive force or the repulsive force due to the magnetic force. . Further, the driven rotating magnetic body 8 of this example constitutes a part of the power generation unit 10. That is, the driven rotating magnetic body 8 of this example also serves the same role as the rotor 15 in FIG.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a positioning ring for holding the driven rotary magnetic body 8 so as to be rotatable via the bearings 24 and 24 with the driven rotary magnetic body 8 placed thereon. That is, the ring body 26 is screwed to the flange portion 22b in a state where the ring body 26 is in contact with the bearing 24 positioned on the upstream side or the downstream side of the driven rotating magnetic body 8, and the ring body 26 is screwed together. By appropriately adjusting the thickness, the driven rotating magnetic body 8 can be held to rotate freely without resistance with respect to the rotation direction, and rattling can be prevented.

  The stator 16 is disposed so as to be embedded in the flange portion 22b and to form a gap as small as possible between the stator 16 and the driven rotating magnetic body 8. Therefore, magnetic flux leakage from the driven rotating magnetic body 8 can be reduced. A protective cover 27 protects the outside of the stator 16.

  By comprising like this example, while being able to convert into a rotational force, without changing the flow of water, a rotational force can be efficiently converted into electric power. Moreover, since the rotational force transmission mechanism 25 is not completely connected, this can function as a damper, and the water turbine 3 can be rotated even with a small amount of water. Furthermore, since the shaft 4 of the water turbine 3 is lifted from the bearings 4a and 4b when rotating stably, loss due to frictional resistance in this portion can also be reduced.

3 water wheel 4 first axis (center axis)
5 Rotating magnetic material
7 Bulkhead 8 Driven Rotating Magnetic Material 10 Power Generation Unit
20 Hydroelectric generator 23 Housing
24 bearings
26 ring body

Claims (4)

A water wheel rotatably supported around a central axis provided along a water flow controlled by a water faucet and a rotating magnetic body provided to be rotatable integrally with the water wheel. And a power generation unit that converts the rotational force of the water wheel into electric power,
Further, the water turbine is a hydroelectric generator for a faucet in which a water turbine, a rotating magnetic body, and a power generation section are arranged concentrically with respect to the central axis, and the power generation section is generated by rotation of the rotating magnetic body Including a driven rotating magnetic body that receives a rotating force from a water turbine by receiving a rotating magnetic field outside the partition;
The driven rotating magnetic body is made of a ring-shaped magnetic body, and is configured to be rotatable concentrically with the central axis by bearings located upstream and downstream of the driven rotating magnetic body .
further,
One of the bearings positioned on the upstream side and the downstream side of the driven rotating magnetic body is a positioning ring body for holding the driven rotating magnetic body so as to be rotatable via the bearing. A hydroelectric generator for a faucet, characterized in that it is provided in a state where it abuts against the water tap. A storage chamber for storing the water wheel and the rotating magnetic body in the water pipe or the faucet communicating with the faucet is provided, and the magnetic force of the rotating magnetic body is transmitted to the outside isolated from the water while maintaining the watertight state of the water in the housing chamber. While installing a partition wall in the water pipe or faucet ,
A water wheel and the rotating magnetic body and the driven rotating magnetic Is located concentrically circular, and held in a rotating magnetic and water wheel floated in the water by the magnetic force of the rotary magnetic member and the driven rotating magnetic, power The hydroelectric generator for faucets according to claim 1, wherein the section is configured to convert a rotating magnetic field formed by a driven rotating magnetic body into electric power.   The rotating magnetic body is formed of a plastic magnet in which a magnetic powder is mixed and magnetized in a thick portion formed on the outer peripheral portion of a blade made of a synthetic resin constituting a water wheel. Hydroelectric generator for water faucets. The water pipe is composed of a separable upstream water pipe and a downstream water pipe. The upstream water pipe and the downstream water pipe are respectively connected to the upstream flange portion and the downstream side that linearly connect the flow paths of the water pipe. By having both flange portions and crimping both flange portions so as to sandwich the partition wall by connecting both flange portions, the water wheel, the central shaft, and the rotating magnetic body are accommodated in the flow path in a watertight state. While the housing part is formed,
The upstream side water pipe and the downstream side water pipe each have a bearing portion that forms a gap with the central axis,
Further, in a state carrying the driven rotor magnetic body flange of one of the flange portions, wherein the ring member for the positioning, the screw connection Tare Ru請 Motomeko 2 or 3 in the flange portion of the other side Hydroelectric generator for water faucets.

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