FR2583190A1 - Device for monitoring appliances using a supply of water or conducting liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for monitoring domestic electrical appliances. The invention relates to a device making it possible to monitor one or more domestic electrical appliances using water for their operation. It consists of a box 2 comprising a solenoid valve 7 and its power supply 4, an electronic circuit 8 able to actuate visual 20 or audible 19 alarms when it receives indications given by the leak or overflow detectors 5. In this event the electronic circuit 8 closes the solenoid valve 7 cutting off the water supply to the domestic electrical appliances. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for monitoring domestic electrical appliances.

Description

The invention relates to a monitoring device for household appliances of the washing machine or dishwasher type or of all appliances using a running water supply for their operation.

It is well known that a device of this type presents risks of water leakage or overflow which can be very detrimental to the environment of the device, to the device itself or to its user.

These risks are increased due to the general use of an electric current source for the operation of the device, which can create short circuits in the event of water leakage.

Devices already exist in the prior art for detecting leaks or overflows. Some of them use detectors located in the lower part of the device: the presence of water electrically connects two electrodes, which triggers the alarm signal.

Other devices measure the level of water in the body of the household appliance or include a detection function thanks to one or more electrodes located on the path of overflow or leakage water,
The object of the invention provides several improvements over the aforementioned systems. One of these improvements is that the device is independent and external to the household appliance itself: it has in particular its autonomy of power supply. It can thus be installed on already existing devices and in the best conditions, in particular with regard to the precise location where the presence of a leak will be detected.

Another improvement is that the object of the invention alone provides three functions: leak detection, visual and / or audible alarm but also cut off of the water supply to the household appliance by a solenoid valve, this cut off being able to be timed or not.

Finally, the object of the invention makes it possible in one of its embodiments to simultaneously monitor several household appliances of all types and located in several different places in a dwelling. As such it is therefore a domestic surveillance center.

The accompanying drawings show, schematically and by way of example, an embodiment and a variant of the central monitoring station, object of the invention.

Fig 1 shows a view of the central monitoring station (1).

Figs 2 and 3 show examples of the detector (5).

Fig 4 indicates the arrangement of the elements of the device in a simple example where a single household appliance (14) is placed under
surveillance.

FIG. 5 indicates the arrangement of the elements of the device in a more complex case of placing several devices under surveillance (14).

The control unit (1) shown in fig. 1 is therefore composed of a box (2) which is seen here open: the main elements which compose it are a transrormator (4) and its electronics which supply direct current to the central unit electrical devices (1), a solenoid valve or electromagnetic valve (3) and an electronic circuit (8).

The transformer (4) is connected by a target (11) to an AC power supply; in another variant of the invention the transformer (4) can be replaced by a set of batteries providing comparable electrical energy. The solenoid valve (3) is provided at its two ends with threaded nuts (7) allowing the central unit (1) to be connected to a conventional water supply pipe (7). The electronic part is connected by one or more targets ( 10) to one or more humidity detectors (3) and by one or more cables to external devices which are described later. It may also include integrated alarm systems, such as a loudspeaker or buzzer. (19) providing a ringing signal or a warning lamp (po), flashing or not
Light-emitting diodes (23) or any other signaling means may be provided to indicate to the user which detector (3) caused the alarm to be triggered. An adjusting screw (27) can be provided to determine the sensitivity of the device, ie the humidity threshold from which the alarm will be triggered. The control unit (1) also has a reset button (22) allowing the user, when the damage which has created a leak is repaired, to restore the water supply and to stop the audible and visual alarms .

Figs. 2 and 3 specify a possible embodiment of a humidity detector (3) connected to the central unit (1) by a cable (10): the detector (5) carries two electrodes (6) on its underside and in the case where this face rests on a wet ground, the two electrodes (6) are electrically connected, transmitting by the cable (10) a signal to the central unit (1). Screws (26) or feet (24) make it possible to adjust the height of the electrodes (6) relative to the ground level (13): by screwing these adjustment screws (26) or by filing these feet (24) one can thus adapting the detectors (5) to the exact needs of the user and thus avoiding triggering of alarms which would be due to simple traces of humidity. A system for fixing to the ground detectors (5) such as screws (25 ) can be expected.

Fig.4 specifies the operation of the monitoring systems: the central unit (1) is connected to the water supply circuit (13) of a household appliance (vile) that one wishes to monitor, for example near the stop valve (12).

The household appliance (14) is placed on the ground (13); a detector, connected to the central unit (1) by its cable (10) is arranged in its proximity, preferably at a place where a possible water leakage will be detected as surely and as quickly as possible. In the event that there is no leak, therefore no water on the ground (13), the control unit (1) receives no signal from the detector (5) and the solenoid valve (3) remaining therefore open, the water supply to the household appliance (14) is normally done by the pipe (15). On the other hand as soon as the detector (5) sees its electrodes (6) electrically connected by the presence of water or any conductive liquid on the ground (13), it transmits a signal to the control unit (1) which closes the solenoid valve (3), cutting off the water supply to the household appliance (14) and activating alarms sound and light thanks to the loudspeaker (19) and the indicator lamp (20).

Fig.3 shows a more complex embodiment. Several household appliances (14) arranged in any places of the dwelling and which may be in rooms or at different levels of this dwelling, for example in kitchens, bathrooms, cellars, cellars, balconies, are then monitored. The central unit (1) is preferably arranged immediately after the shut-off valve (12) of the general water supply to the dwelling. It is connected by cables (10) to several detectors (3), at least one per household appliance (14) to be monitored, these detectors (5) being close to these household appliances (14).

It is also connected to any additional devices by its output cables (9). It is possible for example to provide an outdoor siren (18) or a device (16) making it possible, via a telephone device (17), to warn the user or any person remotely, for example by launching a message alarm recorded.

 It is also possible to control the automatic start-up of a pump (21) eliminating the water from the leak. In the event that none of the detectors (li) perceives a leak, the water supply to the household appliances (14) is normally made by the pipes (ES) and the alarm devices are at rest. If any of the detectors (5) perceives a leak, the control unit (1) cuts off the water supply at the solenoid valve (3) and activates the alarm devices: loudspeaker ( I 9), pilot light (20), siren (18), pump (21), telephone call (16). It is possible in other embodiments to trigger via the output cables (9), any other device.

When the user has been warned of the malfunction, he has the possibility of resetting via the button (22) his control unit (1), thus restoring the water supply and causing the alarms to stop. If desired, it can again interrupt the water supply using the shut-off valve (12) to repair it. An alternative embodiment of the invention makes it possible, thanks to light-emitting diodes (23) or to other display means located on the central unit (1), to specify to the user which device (141 has triggered the alarm.

 The applications of the subject of the invention are those of any system for monitoring domestic or industrial appliances or distribution networks using for their operation water or an electrically conductive liquid.

The invention is in no way limited to that of its indicated embodiments or applications; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

in particular the number and types of detection and alarm systems connected to the central unit (1) are likely to vary considerably without thereby modifying the design of the subject of the invention. the same applies to the arrangement of the various elements, the choice of the type of solenoid valve (3) or of electrical supply for the power station (1).

Claims (8)

 I Device for monitoring one or more devices (14) capable of causing a leakage of water or electrically conductive liquid, characterized in that it has the means to temporarily cut off the supply of water to these devices by the 'through a solenoid valve or electromagnetic valve in the event of a leak and that on the other hand it has alarm devices to warn the user, all being arranged in the same housing.  2 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the monitored devices (14) can be located in different places of the same house.  3 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has incorporated alarms, audible and visual, in the form of a loudspeaker or buzzer (19) and of a control lamp (20).  4 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has, in the event of an alarm, the possibility of actuating external devices such as a siren (18), a telephone call device (16) , a pump (21), or any other device that can be controlled remotely.  5 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a manual reset device (22) alone capable of stopping the operation of the alarms and of restoring the water supply.  6 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has light-emitting diodes (23) making it possible to know which device (14) is causing the leak.  7 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detectors are adjustable in height by means of screws (26) or feet (24) located on the lower part of their housings.  8 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensitivity of the unit (1) can be modified by means of an adjustment screw (27) determining the tolerable humidity threshold on the ground.