JPH11132574A - Heat collector coupling structure for solar water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat collector coupling structure for solar water heater excellent in durability under sun, workability and external view in which dimensional fluctuation due to thermal expansion and contracting of heat collector can be absorbed. SOLUTION: The heat collector coupling structure for solar water heater coupling the pair of header pipes 13a, 13b of adjacent heat collectors comprises a coupling tube 22 having at least one end 22a slidable on the inside or outside of the header pipe 13a or a header pipe coupling 21a output header pipe couplings 21a, 21b provided for the pair of header pipes 13a, 13b, an O-ring 23 provided at one end 22a of the coupling tube 22 and sealing between the coupling tube 22 and the header pipe coupling 21a liquidtightly, a stop ring 24 provided at one end 22a of the coupling tube 22 slidingly relative to the coupling tube 22, and an engaging means for holding the stop ring 24 and the flange of the header pipe coupling 21a while fitting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection structure for a solar water heater collector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The collector of a solar water heater is always placed under sunlight. For this reason, not to mention the heat collector body, the peripheral members thereof are required to be excellent in durability under sunlight, such as heat resistance and weather resistance.

[0003] Further, the heat collecting plate in the heat collector becomes extremely high in the summer season when it is fired in the daytime with insolation during the daytime, and on the other hand, when there is no insolation such as nighttime in winter, the temperature becomes low due to radiation cooling or the like. The temperature difference between the high temperature and the low temperature is extremely large, and a maximum temperature difference of about 200 ° C. occurs. However, from the viewpoint of thermodynamics, it is necessary to use a material having good heat collecting properties and thermal conductivity for the heat collecting plate, and such a material is associated with the above-described temperature difference from its linear expansion coefficient. Large thermal expansion / thermal shrinkage. As a result, the heat collecting plate tends to undergo a large dimensional change, and the mechanism for absorbing the dimensional change is an extremely important factor.

Normally, two to five solar heat collectors for domestic solar water heaters are installed and used in view of their workability and heat collecting performance. And although it depends on the form, the heat collector uses, for example, a header tube connected to an internal heat collecting plate connected between adjacent heat collectors by a connecting tube.

[0005] Such a connecting pipe is generally exposed to sunlight and is directly connected to a heat collecting plate, which is a heat collecting portion, via a header tube. It is required that the dimensional expansion / contraction of the header tube can be efficiently absorbed.

At present, as a connecting pipe for these collectors, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a rubber pipe 51 or a flexible pipe 61 is used. Here, in the connection structure using the rubber pipes 51 shown in FIG. 5, the header pipes 53 provided in the respective heat collectors 52 are connected by the rubber pipes 51, and both ends of the rubber pipes 51 are fixed by the pipe bands 54. Is what you do. This structure can absorb the thermal expansion / thermal shrinkage of the heat collector 52 and the header tube 53 by utilizing the flexibility (flexibility) of the rubber pipe 51 itself, and can be constructed relatively easily. Silicon or fluorine-based rubber can also be used for the rubber pipe 51 to improve heat resistance and durability under sunlight. In general, the rubber pipe 5
At the time of connection of 1, in order to improve the pressure resistance performance, a fibrous blade 55 is embedded in the rubber pipe 51 or the surface of the rubber pipe 51 is covered with the blade 55 (not shown).

[0007] Further, the connection structure of the flexible tube 61 shown in FIG. 6 is such that a male adapter 62 is fixed to a header tube 53 of a heat collector 52 by brazing or the like, and the flexible tube 61 is connected to a cap nut via a packing 63. It is tightened and connected at 64. The flexible pipe 61 used in this structure is made of copper, SUS, resin, or the like. This connection structure is excellent in pressure resistance, and particularly when the flexible tube 61 is made of metal, is extremely excellent in heat resistance and durability under sunlight.

[0008]

However, the connection structure using the rubber pipe 51 shown in FIG. 5 is a structure that can relatively easily absorb dimensions, but has a problem in durability because the material is rubber. If silicon or fluorine-based rubber is used to improve the durability, the cost increases, and moreover, it cannot be expected to be as durable as metal piping.

In order to improve the pressure resistance, when a fibrous blade 55 is embedded or covered in the rubber pipe 51, the hardness of the rubber pipe 51 increases and the flexibility decreases, so that a relatively long rubber pipe 51 must be used. There is
There is a possibility that the installation intervals of the heat collectors 52 may be unnecessarily large.

On the other hand, in the connection structure of the flexible pipe 61 shown in FIG. 6, means for fixing the flexible pipe 61 such as the male adapter 62 to the header pipe 53 of the heat collector 52 must be taken. However, the cost is higher than that shown in FIG. The flexible pipe 61 is more durable when a metal pipe is used than the rubber pipe 51. However, when the flexible pipe 61 is used in a place where thermal contraction / thermal expansion is repeatedly performed, such as the heat collector 52, the flexible pipe 61 may be subjected to repeated stress. Action is required. In addition, in this connection structure, a tool is expected to be used when the metal flexible pipe 61 is installed. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the interval between the heat collectors 52, 52 in order to secure a work space. As shown, the installation area and the appearance at the time of installation are important.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has excellent durability under the sun, can absorb dimensional changes due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction of a heat collector, has excellent workability, and has a good appearance. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure of a heat collector for a water heater.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of header tubes 13a, 13a provided in adjacent heat collectors (see FIG. 1) are provided.
b, a connecting structure of a solar water heater collector for connecting between a pair of header pipes 21a, 21b respectively provided on the pair of header pipes 13a, 13b, at least one end 22a of which is connected to the header pipe 13a. Or a connecting pipe 22 slidably disposed inside or outside the header fitting 21a, and the one end 22 of the connecting pipe 22
a ring 23 that is provided at the first end 22a and seals the space between the connection pipe 22 and the header fitting 21a in a liquid-tight manner; It is characterized by comprising a holding ring 24 that is provided so as to be capable of being engaged, and an engaging means (quick fastener 25) for holding the holding ring 24 and the flange of the header fitting 21a together.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one end 22a of the connecting pipe 22 is connected to the end 22a.
Pipe 13a and header fitting 21a corresponding to
The connection pipe 22 is provided so as to be slidable inside or outside, and an O-ring 23 is provided at an end of the connection pipe 22 so that the space between the connection pipe 22 and the header pipe joint 21a is liquid-tightly sealed. When the connecting pipe 22 slides in the direction of the other header pipe 13b, the O-ring 23 is locked by the pressing ring 24, so that the connecting pipe 22 is further moved to the other header pipe 1b.
The movement to the 3b side is restricted. However, the connecting pipe 22
Is not fixed to the header fitting 21a,
It is possible to slide freely along the axial direction of the connecting pipe 22 by an amount corresponding to the overlapping of the header pipe 13a and the header pipe joint 21a with the end 22a of the connecting pipe 22. Therefore, expansion and contraction in the axial direction due to thermal expansion and heat absorption of the header tubes (13a, 13b) can be absorbed. Therefore, the connecting pipe 22 does not necessarily have to have flexibility, and a material having excellent durability such as a metal pipe can be selected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the other end portion 22b of the connecting pipe 22 is fixed to the other header fitting 21b.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the other end 22b of the connecting pipe 22 is fixed to the header fitting 21b, but one end 22a of the connecting pipe 22 is connected to the connecting pipe 22.
Since it can slide freely along the second axial direction, expansion and contraction in the axial direction due to thermal expansion and heat absorption of the header tubes (13a, 13b) can be absorbed.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connection structure of a solar water heater collector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a solar water heater collector to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a connection structure of the solar water heater collector of the present invention. Yes, FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a quick fastener, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the connection structure of the solar water heater collector of the present invention.

The solar water heater 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of, for example, three collectors 11. These collectors 11
Has a heat collecting plate 12 and a header tube 13 connected to the upper end and lower end of the heat collecting plate 12 (the lower end is not shown). The upper part of the header tube 13 is covered with a header cover 14, respectively. Both ends of the header tube 13 penetrate the exterior part 15 surrounding the heat collecting plate 12 and protrude to the outside. The ends of the heat collectors 11 adjacent to each other are connected by a connection structure 16. Also, for example, the left end of the header tube 13 below the leftmost heat collector 11 is a heat medium inlet. On the other hand, the right end of the header tube 13 above the rightmost heat collector 11 is a heat medium outlet. The remaining free end of the header tube 13 is sealed with a stopper 17. In addition, a transmission plate (not shown) is attached to the upper surface side of the exterior unit 15.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the connection structure 16 described above. In the connection structure 16, the pair of header tubes 13
Hollow tubular header pipe joints 21a and 21b are fixed to the ends of a and 13b, for example, by brazing or the like. Flanges 21c and 21d are formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the distal end portions of the header pipe joints 21a and 21b, respectively.

Of these, one header fitting 21
One end 22a of the connecting pipe 22 is slidably inserted into the section a. On the outer peripheral surface of one end 22a of the connecting pipe 22, an O-ring 2 is provided between the connecting pipe 22 and the header fitting 21a.
3 is attached. Also, one end 2 of the connecting pipe 22
2a, the holding ring 24 is adjacent to the flange 21c.
Are provided slidably with respect to the connecting pipe 22. The holding ring 24 has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flange 21c.

The holding ring 24 and the flange 21c of the header fitting 21a are connected to the quick fastener 2
5 and fixed. As shown in FIG. 3, the quick fastener 25 has slits 2 along the circumferential direction.
5a is a member having a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shape in which the slit portion 25a of the quick fastener 25 is formed.
Through the press ring 24 and the header fitting 21a.
Can be joined and fixed.

On the other hand, a connecting pipe joint 26 is fixed to the other end 22b of the connecting pipe 22 by brazing or the like. One end of the connection pipe joint 26 is fitted into the header pipe joint 21b. An O-ring 27 is arranged between the connection pipe joint 26 and the header pipe joint 21b, and seals between them in a liquid-tight manner. A flange 28 is formed at the other end of the connection pipe joint 26, and the flange 28 and the flange 21d of the header pipe joint 21b are fixed by the quick fastener 25 as described above.

According to the connecting structure 16 having the above-described configuration, one end 22a of the connecting pipe 22 is inserted into the corresponding header fitting 21a. In addition, the connecting pipe 22
An O-ring 23 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the, and the space between the connecting pipe 22 and the header fitting 21a is sealed in a liquid-tight manner. Therefore, the connecting pipe 22 can slide with respect to the header fitting 21a without leaking the heat medium transmitted inside.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 22, a pressing ring 24 is provided slidably without being fixed to the connecting pipe 22. The holding ring 24 is joined to a slit 25a provided in the quick fastener 25 together with the flange 21c of the header fitting 21a, and serves as a stopper for restricting the connection pipe 22 from moving toward the other end 22b. Eggplant However, the movement of the connecting pipe 22 toward the header fitting 21a is relatively free. Therefore, the interval between the header tubes 13a and 13b and the connection tube 22
If the length of the header pipes 13a and 13b is adjusted by adjusting the length of the connecting pipe 22 so that one end 22a of the connecting pipe 22 is inserted into the header fitting 21a, the expansion and contraction of the header pipes 13a and 13b in the axial direction can be prevented. The connection pipe 22, the header pipe joints 21a and 21b, and the connection pipe joint 26 are not necessarily required to have flexibility and can be made of a material having excellent durability such as a metal pipe, which can be absorbed. The durability of the connection structure 16 can be sufficiently ensured. Further, even if silicon or fluorine-based material is used for the O-rings 23 and 27 from the viewpoint of heat resistance and durability, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the connecting pipe 22 itself is used as the material.

The quick fastener 25 shown in FIG.
According to this, the header pipe joints 21a and 21b and the connecting pipe 22 can be connected with one touch. Therefore, the working space can be reduced because the tool space can be reduced, and the installation interval of the heat collector 11 can be reduced.
1 can reduce the installation area and improve the appearance.

In the first embodiment, the header fittings 21a, 21b are connected to the pair of header pipes 13a, 13b.
Respectively, but the header fittings 21a, 21b
May be omitted, and flanges may be provided at the ends of the header tubes 13a and 13b. In addition, the connecting pipe joint 26 is provided for connecting and fixing the other end 22b of the connecting pipe 22 and the header fitting 21b. However, a flange and an O-ring are provided at the other end 22b of the connecting pipe 22 and used instead. It is also possible.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the connection structure of the solar water heater collector of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same members as those of the connection structure 16 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the connecting structure 40 according to the second embodiment, both ends 22a and 22b of the connecting pipe 22 are slidably inserted into the header fittings 21a and 21b via O-rings 23, respectively.

Furthermore, both ends 22a, 22 of the connecting pipe 22
In each of b, a holding ring 24 is slidably provided without being fixed to the connecting pipe 22. These holding rings 24 are detachably fixed to the flanges 21c and 21d by a quick fastener 25 shown in FIG.

In the connection structure 40 according to the second embodiment having the above configuration, both ends 22a, 2a of the connection pipe 22 are provided.
Reference numeral 2b denotes a configuration movable with respect to the header fittings 21a and 21b, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

In this connection structure 40, since the length of the connection pipe 22 can be reduced in dimension, the installation interval between the heat collectors 11 can be reduced. Further, for example, if the length of one header pipe joint 21a is made longer than the movable length of the connection pipe 22, at the time of installation, for example, the holding ring 24 and the flange 21c provided at one end 22a of the connection pipe 22 are provided. Are fixed with a quick fastener 25, and the connecting pipe 22 is sufficiently pushed into the header fitting 21a. In this state, several heat collectors 11 are installed.
It is possible to draw out the connecting pipe 22 housed in the inside and connect it to the header fitting 21 b of the adjacent heat collector 11. As a result, the installation interval of the heat collector 11 can be further reduced.

In the connection structure 40 according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the header fitting 21
a, 21b may be omitted, and a flange may be provided at an end of the header tube 13a, 13b.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the connecting pipe 22 is provided inside the header pipe joints 21a and 21b. In this example, the connecting pipe 22 is inserted into the header pipes 21a and 21b.
The same effect can be obtained when the outside of the is slid.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one end of the connection pipe is slidably disposed inside or outside the header pipe corresponding to the end, Further, since an O-ring is provided at an end of the connecting pipe and the space between the connecting pipe and the header pipe is sealed in a liquid-tight manner, it is possible to absorb axial expansion and contraction due to thermal expansion and heat absorption of the header pipe. is there.

According to the second aspect of the invention, one end of the connecting pipe is fixed to the header pipe, but the other end of the connecting pipe is free along the axial direction of the connecting pipe. Therefore, the expansion and contraction in the axial direction due to the thermal expansion and heat absorption of the header tube can be absorbed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a solar water heater collector to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of a connection structure of a solar water heater collector according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a quick fastener.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the connection structure of the solar water heater collector of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure of a conventional solar water heater collector.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure of a conventional solar water heater collector.

[Explanation of symbols]

10. Solar water heater 11. Heat collector 12. Heat collecting plate 1
3. Header tube 13a. Header tube 13b. Header tube 14. Header cover 15. Exterior part 16. Connection structure 17. Stopper 21a. Header fitting 21b.
Header fitting 21c. Flange 21d. Flange 22. Connecting pipe
22a. End 22b. Other end 23. O-ring 2
4. Holding ring 25. Quick fastener 25
a. Slit 26. Connecting pipe joint 27. O-ring 2
8. Flange 40. Connection structure 51. Rubber pipe 5
2. Heat collector 53. Header tube 54. Pipe band
55. Blade 61. Flexible tube 62. Male adapter 63. Packing 64. Bag nut

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Isamu Takita 1250 Shimoedori, Shimodate-shi, Ibaraki Pref.Hitachi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.Yuki Plant (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shimada 1250 Shimoedori, Shimodate-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. Inside the Yuki factory

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A connection structure for a solar water heater collector connecting between a pair of header tubes respectively provided in adjacent heat collectors, wherein a header pipe joint is installed on each of the pair of header tubes. A connecting pipe having at least one end slidably disposed inside or outside of the header pipe or the header pipe joint; and the connecting pipe and the header pipe provided at the one end of the connecting pipe. A O-ring that seals between the joints in a liquid-tight manner, a holding ring slidably provided with respect to the connecting pipe at the one end of the connecting pipe, and a holding ring and the header pipe joint. A connection structure for a solar water heater collector comprising an engagement means for holding the flange together. 2. The connection structure for a solar water heater collector according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the connection pipe is fixed to the other header pipe joint.