JP2003322582A - Water leakage detection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the adequacy of a water leakage detecting operation judgeable by using a remote monitoring means, in a water leakage detection system equipped with a remote monitoring means capable of monitoring the operation of a water leakage detector. <P>SOLUTION: This water leakage detection system is equipped with a sensing member 10 for sensing the existence of a liquid, the water leakage detector 12 operative according to the liquid sensing condition of the sensing member 10, and the remote monitoring means 14 capable of remotely monitoring the operation of the detector 12. The detector 12 and the monitoring means 14 are connected to each other via an information communication network 16. The detector 12 is equipped with a processing part 18 for processing the sensing condition of the sensing member 10 to generate real-time liquid sensing data, and a communication part 20 for outputting the sensing data generated by the processing part 18. The monitoring means 14 allows the operation of the detector 12 to be monitored at a remote spot away from an installation location based on the sensing data acquired from the detector 12 via the network 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a water leak detection system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of disaster countermeasures for houses, offices, hospitals, warehouses, etc., various leak detection systems are provided to immediately detect accidental leaks or inundations and promptly notify residents and managers. Has been done. This type of water leak detection system generally includes a sensing member that senses the presence of liquid using a medium such as electricity, sound, or light, and a water leak detector that performs an alarm operation according to the liquid sensing status of the sensing member. In this specification,
The liquid sensing state of the sensing member is an operating condition that can be expressed by parameters such as the amount of the sensed liquid and the increasing rate.
Usually, the water leakage detector is configured to perform a notification operation such as generation of an alarm sound when a liquid sensing situation occurs in the sensing member that exceeds a predetermined threshold value in relation to a desired parameter. Further, as a measure against the absence of an administrator or the like, there is also known a water leakage detection system including a remote monitoring means that enables the notification operation of the water leakage detector to be monitored from a remote location.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional water leak detection system. This water leakage detection system enables a sensing member 100 that senses the presence of a liquid, a water leakage detector 102 that performs an alarm operation according to the liquid sensing status of the sensing member 100, and a notification operation of the water leakage detector 102 to be remotely monitored. The remote monitoring means 104 is provided. The sensing member 100 has a plurality of electrodes that are separated from each other, and is of a type that senses temporary conduction between any electrodes as the presence of a liquid. Therefore, in this case, it is premised that the liquid to be sensed has conductivity. Also, the sensing member 100
The liquid sensing state of is to be expressed by using the electric resistance value of the sensing member 100, which fluctuates corresponding to the increase or decrease of the sensed liquid amount, as a parameter.

The water leakage detector 102 applies a voltage to the sensing member 100 and outputs an actuation signal based on the liquid sensing state (electrical resistance value) of the sensing member 100, and the water leakage detection circuit 106. A water leak notifying unit 108 that performs an alarming operation by receiving the operation signal, a stop switch 110 that stops the alarming operation of the water leak notifying unit 108,
The water leakage notification unit 108 includes a sensitivity setting unit 112 that sets a threshold value (electrical resistance value) of a liquid sensing state when the water leakage notification unit 108 performs a notification operation. In the water leak detection circuit 106, the liquid sensing condition exceeds the threshold set by the sensitivity setting unit 112 while the stop switch 110 is open (OFF) (that is, the electric resistance value of the sensing member 100 becomes smaller than the set value). At this time, an operation signal is issued to cause the water leakage notification unit 108 to perform an alarm operation, and the alarm sound generator 1
14 and the alarm lamp 116 are activated. As a result, managers and the like at the site are promptly notified of the occurrence of leaked water.
After that, when turning off the alarm sound generator 114 and the alarm lamp 116, the push button 11 provided on the water leak detector 102
8 is manually operated to bring the stop switch 110 into a closed (on) state. Further, the setting threshold value in the sensitivity setting unit 112 is
It can be adjusted by manually operating the sensitivity adjuster 120 provided in the water leak detector 102.

The water leak detector 102 includes a signal cable 122.
Is connected to the remote monitoring means 104 via. An output relay 124, which is interposed between the water leak detection circuit 106 and the signal cable 122, is installed at the monitoring output portion of the water leak detector 102. The output relay 124 operates when the water leak detection circuit 106 issues the above-mentioned operation signal to generate a contact signal, and the contact signal is sent to the remote monitoring means 104 via the signal cable 122. The remote monitoring means 104 has a structure of an external alarm device, and at the moment of receiving a contact signal from the output relay 124, activates an alarm sound generator and an alarm lamp provided in itself. In this way, the occurrence of leaked water is notified to the administrator or the like at a remote place.

As a remote monitoring system other than the above-mentioned water leakage detection system, conventionally, there has been proposed a method of remotely monitoring the operating conditions of indoor electric equipment or remotely controlling the operation thereof by using communication network technology. ing. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-209667 discloses a system for remotely monitoring the operating status of various electric devices in a home by using a telephone line network. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-2001
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8276 discloses a system for remotely controlling the operation of various electric devices in the home or remotely monitoring the operation of a fire alarm or a crime prevention device via the Internet. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-454 discloses a system for remotely monitoring operating conditions such as the amount of remaining hot water in an electric pot in a home or remotely setting operating conditions such as boiling time via a communication network. Is disclosed.

[0007]

In the conventional water leak detection system described above, when a liquid sensing situation exceeding a preset threshold value occurs in the sensing member, the water leak detector performs an alarm operation to give an alarm at the site, At about the same time, the remote monitoring means detects the notification operation of the leak detector and issues an alarm at a remote location. Therefore, if the liquid sensing status exceeds the threshold value due to factors other than water leakage such as dew condensation water or electromagnetic noise, identify such an error in water leakage detection unless a field survey is conducted at the location where the sensing member is installed. Was difficult. In particular, when the water leak detection, which was actually an error, was detected at a remote place, the worker was forced to be sent to the site wastefully.

In order to eliminate the influence of factors other than such leaked water, conventionally, the setting threshold value of the sensitivity setting section is increased as necessary (in the illustrated conventional example, the set electrical resistance value of the sensing member 100 is Measures to reduce the leak detection sensitivity are being taken. However, even if the influence of the condensed water can be eliminated by this measure, it is still difficult to eliminate the influence of a relatively large situational change such as electromagnetic noise in a short time. Moreover, in this case, there is a concern that the reliability of water leak detection may be impaired due to the decrease in sensitivity.

Further, if the water leakage detector has a structure in which once the water leakage is detected, the alarm sound does not stop until the stop switch is manually operated, even if the water leakage is detected at a remote place, the worker will arrive at the site. Keeps sounding the alarm,
There is concern that noise damage may occur. Also, every time the sensitivity of the leak detector is changed in response to changes in the environment where the sensing member is installed, the worker must manually operate the sensitivity setting section on-site each time. Management tended to be complicated.

An object of the present invention is to determine the adequacy of the operation of the water leak detector in the water leak detection system provided with the remote monitoring means for enabling the operation of the water leak detector to be remotely monitored. Another object of the present invention is to provide a water leak detection system that can improve the reliability of water leak detection by taking appropriate measures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an instruction to control the operation of the water leak detector by the remote monitoring means in a water leak detection system provided with a remote monitoring means for enabling the operation of the water leak detector to be remotely monitored. It is to provide a water leakage detection system that can be performed and can facilitate system management.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a sensing member for sensing the presence of a liquid, and a water leak detector which operates according to the liquid sensing condition of the sensing member. And a remote monitoring means for remotely monitoring the operation of the water leakage detector, wherein the water leakage detector and the remote monitoring means are connected to each other via an information communication network. Is a processing unit that processes the liquid sensing state of the sensing member to generate real-time liquid sensing data and controls the operation of the water leak detector, and a communication that outputs the liquid sensing data generated by the processing unit to an information communication network. And a remote monitoring means based on the liquid sensing data obtained from the water leak detector via the information communication network,
Provided is a water leak detection system characterized by enabling the operation of the water leak detector to be monitored.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the water leakage detection system according to the first aspect, the remote monitoring means has an input unit for sending a command to the water leakage detector via an information communication network, The detector sends the command sent from the remote monitoring means,
Provided is a water leakage detection system which is received by a processing unit through a communication unit and which controls the operation of a water leakage detector according to a command.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water leakage detection system according to the second aspect, the water leakage detector further includes a water leakage notifying unit connected to the processing unit, and the processing unit has the water leakage notifying unit according to the command. There is provided a water leakage detection system for controlling the notification operation of. A fourth aspect of the present invention is the water leakage detection system according to the third aspect, wherein the processing unit outputs a start signal for informing the water leakage notification unit from the communication unit to the information communication network. provide.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the water leakage detection system according to the fourth aspect, the water leakage detector is connected to the processing section, and the threshold value of the liquid sensing data is set when the water leakage informing section is informed. The leak detection system is further provided with a sensitivity setting unit for controlling the sensitivity setting unit according to a command to adjust the threshold value. The invention according to claim 6 provides the water leakage detection system according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit causes the communication unit to output the threshold value set by the sensitivity setting unit to the information communication network.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the water leakage detection system according to the first aspect, the water leakage detector is connected to the processing section, and the water leakage notification section performs an operation based on the liquid detection data, and the processing section. The water leakage detection system further includes: a stop switch connected to the water leakage notification unit for stopping the water leakage notification unit, and a sensitivity setting unit that is connected to the processing unit and sets a threshold value of liquid detection data when the water leakage notification unit performs the notification operation. I will provide a.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the water leakage detection system according to claim 7, the processing unit of the water leakage detector is:
A liquid leakage detection circuit that generates liquid detection data and a start signal that activates the water leakage notification unit according to the open / closed state of the stop switch and the threshold value of the sensitivity setting unit, and outputs the liquid detection data from the communication unit to the information communication network. A water leakage detection system having a control circuit is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the water leakage detection system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the sensing member has a plurality of electrodes separated from each other and conducts electricity between arbitrary electrodes. Sensing the presence of liquid, the leak detector provides a leak detection system that produces liquid sensing data using an electrical resistance value that varies in response to an increase or decrease in the amount of liquid sensed by the sensing member.

The invention according to a tenth aspect is the first to ninth aspects.
In the water leakage detection system according to any one of items 1 to 3, the remote monitoring means provides a water leakage detection system having an output unit that outputs the liquid detection data acquired from the water leakage detector via the information communication network.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components are designated by common reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a water leakage detection system according to the present invention. The water leakage detection system according to the present invention includes a sensing member 10 that senses the presence of a liquid using a medium such as electricity, sound, or light, a water leak detector 12 that operates according to the liquid sensing status of the sensing member 10, and a water leak. Remote monitoring means 14 which allows the operation of the detector 12 to be monitored remotely. Here, the liquid sensing state of the sensing member 10 is an operating condition that can be expressed by parameters such as the amount of the sensed liquid and the increasing rate. As an example, a sensing member 1 of the type that senses the conduction between a plurality of spaced electrodes as the presence of a liquid.
When 0 is adopted, the electric resistance value of the sensing member 10 that varies in response to the increase or decrease in the sensed liquid amount can be used as a parameter indicating the liquid sensing condition. The present invention is
The configuration of the sensing member 10 is not limited to an electric type,
Sensing member 1 having various sensing methods such as sound wave type and optical type
0 can be appropriately selected and adopted according to the attribute of the liquid to be sensed and the installation environment of the sensing member.

The water leak detector 1 is a characteristic configuration of the present invention.
2 and the remote monitoring means 14 are mutually connected via an information communication network 16. The information communication network 16 can be constructed by various communication networks such as LAN (local information communication network), WAN (wide area information communication network), and the Internet, either alone or in an appropriate combination. In particular, Echelon Corporation (Echelo
n Corporation) has developed an information communication network 16 using an interoperable distributed control network technology such as a LONWORKS (registered trademark) network.
This is advantageous in that the remote monitoring function and the remote control function of the water leak detection system of the present invention can be easily realized.

The water leak detector 12 processes the liquid sensing condition of the sensing member 10 to generate real-time liquid sensing data, and outputs the liquid sensing data generated by the processing unit 18 to the information communication network 16. The communication unit 20 as an interface for The liquid sensing data generated by the processing unit 18 corresponds to an increase or decrease in the amount of the sensed liquid when the sensing member 10 is of a type that senses the conduction between the plurality of separated electrodes as the presence of the liquid. Becomes analog data that continuously indicates the electric resistance value that fluctuates with time. The processing unit 18 also functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the water leak detector 12, and, for example, when the numerical value of the liquid detection data exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the water leak detector 12 is used.
The control signal for performing the operation (for example, the notification operation) can be voluntarily output. Additionally or alternatively, the processing unit 18 may be configured to output such a control signal according to an external control command received through the communication unit 20. When the processing unit 18 outputs, for example, a start signal for a notification operation, an alarm sound or the like is generated, and a manager or the like at the site is quickly notified of the occurrence of leaked water.

The remote monitoring means 14 operates the water leak detector 12 at a remote place apart from the installation site of the water leak detector 12 based on the liquid sensing data obtained from the water leak detector 12 through the information communication network 16. Be able to monitor. For that purpose, the remote monitoring means 14 is configured so that the liquid sensing data obtained from the water leak detector 12 can be output by a display screen, voice, or the like. As described above, the liquid sensing data represents the liquid sensing status of the sensing member 10 in real time. Therefore, by confirming the change mode along the time axis on the output display of the remote monitoring means 14, the water leakage detector. The adequacy of the operation of 12 can be judged in real time, and as a result, the leak detector 12 can be made to perform the required optimum operation.

Here, when the water leakage detector 12 is voluntarily performing an operation such as a notification operation based on the liquid detection data, it is determined whether or not the actual operation is appropriate by the remote monitoring means. It can be determined from the real-time liquid sensing data output at 14. Then, when it is determined that it is not appropriate (for example, the notification operation is performed due to a factor other than the leakage water), the operation of the leakage detector 12 (for example, generation of an alarm sound) is stopped. In addition, when the water leakage detector 12 is configured so as not to operate spontaneously in advance, or when it is in a spontaneously inoperable state due to some factor, real-time liquid sensing data output by the remote monitoring means 14 From this, it is possible to determine whether or not the water leak detector 12 should perform an operation such as a notification operation. When it is determined that the leak detector 12 should be operated, the leak detector 12 is forced to perform the required optimum operation (for example, generation of an alarm sound).

The remote monitoring means 14 is a water leak detector 12
For example, when the processing unit 18 of the water leak detector 12 issues an activation signal for a notification operation, the activation signal is acquired via the information communication network 16 and the It can also be configured to activate an alarm sound generator or the like provided in the monitoring means 14 itself. By doing so, the occurrence of leaked water can be reliably notified in real time to an administrator or the like at a remote place.

As the remote monitoring means 14, an alarm device such as an external alarm device or an information terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone can be adopted. When the remote monitoring means 14 has only the data output function, after judging the validity of the operation of the water leak detector 12 from the output liquid sensing data, the manager etc. may check the water leak detector 12 on site if necessary. The leak detector 12 can be manually operated to perform the required operation. Further, when the remote monitoring means 14 has a data output function and an instruction input function, the validity of the operation of the water leak detector 12 is judged from the output liquid sensing data, and then the remote monitoring means 14 is operated as necessary. With the instruction input function, a command can be sent to the water leak detector 12 via the information communication network 16 so that the water leak detector 12 can immediately perform the required operation.

As described above, according to the water leakage detection system of the present invention, the validity of the operation of the water leakage detector 12 can be judged by confirming the real-time liquid detection data in the remote monitoring means 14, and therefore, for example, the condensed water Even when the water leak detector 12 performs the notification operation due to factors other than water leakage such as electromagnetic noise and electromagnetic noise, the notification operation can be stopped without requiring a field survey at the installation location of the sensing member 10. Moreover, in this case, there is no need to reduce the detection sensitivity of the water leak detector 12, and more appropriate measures can be taken, and as a result, the reliability of water leak detection can be improved. Furthermore, since the operation control of the water leak detector 12 can be instructed by the remote monitoring means 14, it is not necessary for the administrator or the like to operate the water leak detector 12 at the site as necessary,
For example, it is possible to remarkably facilitate various system managements such as changing the setting sensitivity of the water leak detector 12 in response to a change in the environment where the sensing member 10 is installed.

In order to further clarify the function and effect of the present invention, the configuration of the water leakage detection system 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The water leak detection system 30 has the same basic configuration as that of the water leak detection system shown in FIG. 1, and the corresponding components are designated by common reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The water leak detection system 30 includes a sensing member 10 for sensing the presence of a liquid, a water leak detector 12 that operates according to the liquid sensing condition of the sensing member 10, and a water leak detector 12 via an information communication network 16. And a remote monitoring means 14 that is connected and allows the operation of the water leak detector 12 to be monitored remotely (FIGS. 2 and 3). The sensing member 10 has an insulating coating 3
It has a pair of conductors 34 which are integrally held by 2 and are electrically insulated from each other, and a plurality of electrodes 36 which are provided at desired positions of the conductors 34 and are separated from each other (FIG. 4). Therefore, the sensing member 10 senses the conduction between the separated electrodes 36 as the presence of the liquid, and the water leakage detector 12 changes the electric resistance of the sensing member 10 corresponding to the increase or decrease in the amount of the liquid sensed by the sensing member 10. The value is used to generate liquid sensing data. The liquid sensing data is analog data that continuously indicates the electric resistance value of the sensing member 10 along the time axis. In this configuration, it is assumed that the liquid to be sensed has conductivity.

An example of the sensing member 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a conductor having a plurality of conductive terminal members 38 attached to the insulating coating 32 at a plurality of predetermined positions along the longitudinal direction of both conductors 34 can be used. Each terminal member 3
8, the insulating coating 32 is locally ruptured and penetrated through the conductor 34.
A claw (not shown) is provided for making conductive contact with. The plurality of electrodes 36 are formed by electrically connecting the plurality of terminal members 38 to one of the conductors 34 alternately in the longitudinal direction via the respective claws. In this configuration, when the liquid bridges between the pair of or more terminal members 38 separated in the longitudinal direction, the pair of conductors 3
The four communicate with each other to detect the presence of liquid. Also, FIG.
As shown in (b), the insulating coating 32 is locally broken at a plurality of predetermined positions along the longitudinal direction of both conductors 34 to partially expose the conductors 34 at positions corresponding to the width direction. Accordingly, the sensing member 10 having the plurality of electrodes 36 formed therein can also be used. In this configuration, when the liquid bridges between the pair of or more electrodes 36 separated in the width direction, the pair of conductors 34 are electrically connected to each other to detect the presence of the liquid.

The sensing member 10 having the above structure has a detection characteristic that the electric resistance value decreases as the amount of liquid bridging between the pair of conductors 34 increases. As an example, FIG.
Sensing member 10 shown in (b) (width direction electrode pitch P1 = 5
mm, longitudinal electrode pitch P2 = 25 mm, individual electrode length L = 5 mm), water was dripped laterally at a distance of 1 cm at a rate of about 1 drop / sec, and the amount of dropped water and electric resistance The result of measuring the relationship with the value is shown in FIG. In this example, if the sensitivity of the water leak detector 12 is set to 70 kΩ, the sensing member 10 can detect 2 ml or more of water.

As shown in FIG. 3, the water leak detection system 30.
The water leakage detector 12 includes a processing unit 18 that generates liquid sensing data, a communication unit 20 as an interface to the information communication network 16, a water leakage notification unit 40 and a sensitivity setting unit 42 that are connected to the processing unit 18, respectively. Equipped with. The water leakage notification unit 40 itself performs a notification operation voluntarily or in response to an external command, whereby an alarm sound generator 44 and an alarm lamp 46 are provided.
The alarm members such as are activated to promptly notify the managers at the site of the occurrence of leaked water. The sensitivity setting unit 42 sets a threshold value of the liquid sensing data when the water leakage notification unit 40 voluntarily performs the notification operation, and stores the threshold value.

The processing unit 18 controls various operations of the water leak detection circuit 48, which applies a voltage to the sensing member 10 and generates liquid sensing data which represents the change with time of the electric resistance value in real time, and the water leak detector 12. And a control circuit 50 that generates various control signals. For example, the control circuit 50
When the numerical value of the liquid detection data generated by the water leak detection circuit 48 exceeds the threshold value preset by the sensitivity setting unit 42, the water leak notification unit 40 is provided with a start signal for informing the water leak notification unit 40. Output spontaneously. In addition, the control circuit 50
As described later, according to a control command from the remote monitoring means 14, such an activation signal is output, or a control signal for stopping the notification operation of the water leakage notification unit 40 is output to the water leakage notification unit 40. be able to. In this case, the control circuit 50 stops only a desired operation (for example, one of the alarm sound generator 44 and the alarm lamp 46) out of some notification operations that the water leak notification unit 40 can execute. You can also Further, the control circuit 50 includes the remote monitoring means 1
A control signal for adjusting the setting threshold value of the sensitivity setting unit 42 can be output to the sensitivity setting unit 42 according to the control command from 4. The setting threshold value of the sensitivity setting unit 42 can also be adjusted by manually operating the sensitivity adjuster 52 provided in the water leak detector 12 on site. In this case, the sensitivity adjuster 52 can have a dial capable of steplessly adjusting the threshold value or a switch capable of switching in a plurality of steps.

The control circuit 50 of the processing unit 18 includes the communication unit 20.
Also controls the behavior of. For example, the control circuit 50 causes the communication unit 20 to output the liquid detection data generated by the water leak detection circuit 48 to the information communication network 16. Further, the control circuit 50 can output the activation signal from the communication unit 20 to the information communication network 16 when the activation signal for informing the water leakage notification unit 40 is output to the water leakage notification unit 40. Further, the control circuit 50 can also cause the communication unit 20 to output the threshold value of the liquid detection data preset by the sensitivity setting unit 42 to the information communication network 16.

Remote monitoring means 14 of the leak detection system 30
Is an output unit 54 for outputting the liquid sensing data obtained from the water leak detector 12 via the information communication network 16, an input unit 56 for sending a command to the water leak detector 12 via the information communication network 16, and an information The communication unit 58 as an interface to the communication network 16, the output unit 54, the input unit 56, and the communication unit 5
A processing unit 6 that processes the transfer of data and signals to and from
With 0 and. The remote monitoring means 14 outputs real-time liquid sensing data by the output unit 54 via a display screen, voice, or the like, and an administrator or the like at a remote location can change the liquid sensing data output and displayed along the time axis. By checking, the validity of the operation of the water leak detector 12 can be judged in real time.

As a specific example of the validity judgment, the sensing member 10
When the dew condensation water bridges between the separation electrodes 36, the amount of the dew condensation water is generally smaller than that of the leaked water, and the amount of the dew condensation water increases gradually with time. Therefore, it will decrease slightly in the relatively high region. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the liquid sensing data (analog data) output and displayed by the remote monitoring means 14 indicates such a change mode, it can be predicted that the dew condensation water is exerted, so that the water leakage. It can be determined that the detector 12 should not be informed.

When the electric resistance value of the sensing member 10 changes due to electromagnetic noise, such a change in resistance value is generally relatively large in a short time and has variations (no regularity). Therefore, the remote monitoring means 14
Liquid sensing data (analog data) output and displayed
However, when it is confirmed that such a change mode is shown, it can be assumed that the influence is caused by electromagnetic noise, and thus it can be determined that the water leak detector 12 should not be informed.

Further, when a good electrical conductor such as a metal piece bridges between the separated electrodes 36 of the sensing member 10, the sensing member 10
The electric resistance value of will suddenly drop significantly. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the liquid sensing data (analog data) output and displayed by the remote monitoring means 14 indicates such a change mode, it can be predicted that the liquid is sensed as being affected by a good electric conductor. It can be determined that the water leak detector 12 should not be informed.

On the other hand, when the sensing member 10 senses an actual water leak, the amount of liquid is generally large and the increase over time is relatively large. Therefore, the electrical resistance value of the sensing member 10 is compared along the time axis. It will decrease with a very large gradient. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the liquid sensing data (analog data) output and displayed by the remote monitoring means 14 shows such a change mode, it can be predicted that the actual water leakage has occurred, and therefore the water leakage. It can be determined that the detector 12 should be informed.

The various judgments as described above are based on the remote monitoring means 14
When the water leakage detector 12 voluntarily causes the water leakage notifying unit 40 to perform the notifying operation based on the setting threshold value of the sensitivity setting unit 42, the notifying operation is stopped according to the determination at the remote place. Or let it continue. Further, when the water leak detector 12 does not spontaneously operate the water leak notifying unit 40, the water leak notifying unit 40 is left as it is or immediately starts the notifying operation according to the judgment at the remote place.

The remote monitoring means 14 judges the appropriateness of the operation of the water leak detector 12 from the liquid sensing data output and displayed by the output section 54, and then issues a required operation instruction to the water leak detector 12 by the input section 56. You can enter. The operation instruction input by the input unit 56 is processed by the processing unit 60 and then output as a command statement from the communication unit 58 to the information communication network 16.
It is sent to the water leak detector 12 via the information communication network 16. The water leak detector 12 receives the command sentence sent from the remote monitoring means 14 in the control circuit 50 of the processing unit 18 via the communication unit 20, and the control circuit 50 performs various operations of the water leak detector 12 according to the command sentence. Generate a control signal for controlling. In this way, the optimum operation required for the water leak detector 12 at the site can be immediately performed by the water leak detector 12 according to an instruction from a remote location.

For example, in the case of stopping the notification operation of the water leak notifying unit 40 as described above, if a stop instruction is input through the input unit 56 of the remote monitoring means 14, the processing unit 18 of the water leak detector 12 will receive information. According to the stop command received via the communication network 16, the notification operation of the water leakage notification unit 40 is immediately stopped. In this case, as described above, for example, only the operation of the alarm sound generator 44 in the notification operation of the water leak notification unit 40 can be stopped. Further, when the notification operation of the water leakage notification unit 40 is activated, the input unit 5 of the remote monitoring means 14 is used.
If the start instruction is input at 6, the processing unit 1 of the water leak detector 12
In accordance with the activation command received via the information communication network 16, the water leakage notification unit 40 immediately causes the water leakage notification unit 40 to perform the notification operation.

Further, the remote monitoring means 14 is the water leak detector 1
The activation signal of the notification operation output from 2 to the information communication network 16 can be acquired via the information communication network 16 and the output unit 54 can generate an alarm sound or the like. As a result, the occurrence of leaked water can be reliably notified in real time to the administrator or the like at a remote location. In addition, the set threshold value of the liquid sensing data output from the water leak detector 12 to the information communication network 16 is set to the information communication network 1
It can also be obtained via 6. In this case, if a sensitivity adjustment instruction is input by the input unit 56 of the remote monitoring means 14, the processing unit 18 of the water leak detector 12 will set the threshold value of the sensitivity setting unit 42 according to the adjustment command received via the information communication network 16. Adjust.

The above-mentioned remote monitoring means 14 has the configuration of a notification device having a data input function. In addition to this,
Alternatively, an information terminal device such as a personal computer 14 'or a mobile phone 14 "can be adopted as the remote monitoring means 14. Here, the information communication network 16 is used.
, Such as the LONWORKS (registered trademark) network developed by Echelon Corporation in the United States,
If constructed using interoperable distributed control network technology, the personal computer 14 'can be connected to the information communication network 16 via the Internet 16'. Similarly, the mobile phone 14 ″ can be connected to the Internet 16 ′ using the i-mode (registered trademark) 16 ″ developed by NTT Docomo, Inc. Furthermore, LO
When the information communication network 16 is constructed using the distributed control network technology such as NWORKS (registered trademark) network, the other monitoring / control equipment 62 (FIG. 2) is connected to the information communication network 1.
6 can be connected.

According to the water leak detection system 30 having the above-mentioned structure, the validity of the operation of the water leak detector 12 can be judged by confirming the real-time liquid sensing data in the remote monitoring means 14, so that, for example, dew condensation water or electromagnetic noise is generated. Even when the water leak detector 12 performs the notification operation due to factors other than the leakage water, such as the above, the notification operation can be stopped without requiring a field survey at the installation location of the sensing member 10. Moreover, in this case, there is no need to reduce the detection sensitivity of the water leak detector 12, and more appropriate measures can be taken.
As a result, the reliability of water leak detection can be improved. Furthermore, since the operation control of the water leak detector 12 can be instructed by the remote monitoring means 14, it is not necessary for the administrator or the like to operate the water leak detector 12 on the site as needed, and for example, the installation location of the sensing member 10 can be reduced. There is an advantage that various system managements such as changing the setting sensitivity of the water leak detector 12 in response to environmental changes and the like are significantly facilitated.

FIG. 6 illustrates a leak detection system 70 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The water leak detection system 70 is the above-described water leak detection system 30 except that the water leak detector 12 does not receive an operation command from the remote monitoring means 14.
And has substantially the same configuration as. Therefore, corresponding components are designated by common reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

The water leak detection system 70 includes a sensing member 10 for sensing the presence of a liquid, a water leak detector 12 that operates according to the liquid sensing condition of the sensing member 10, and a water leak detector 12 via an information communication network 16. And a remote monitoring means 14 that is connected and allows the operation of the water leak detector 12 to be monitored remotely. The water leakage detector 12 includes a processing unit 18 that generates liquid sensing data, a communication unit 20 as an interface to the information communication network 16, a water leakage notification unit 40, a sensitivity setting unit 42, and a stop unit that are connected to the processing unit 18, respectively. And a switch 72. The stop switch 72 acts to stop the notification operation of the water leakage notification unit 40 by the contact opening / closing operation. In this case, the stop switch 72 stops only a desired operation (for example, one of the alarm sound generator 44 and the alarm lamp 46) out of some notification operations that can be performed by the water leak notification unit 40. You can also

The water leak detection circuit 48 of the processing unit 18 of the water leak detector 12 generates liquid sensing data, and activates the water leak informing unit 40 in accordance with the open / closed state of the stop switch 72 and the set threshold value of the sensitivity setting unit 42. Generate a signal. That is, the water leak detection circuit 48 has the stop switch 72.
The liquid sensing data is stored in the sensitivity setting section 4 while the is open (OFF).
When the set threshold value of 2 is exceeded (that is, the electric resistance value of the sensing member 10 becomes smaller than the set value), a start signal is spontaneously output to cause the water leak notification unit 40 to perform a notification operation, and an alarm sound generator. 44 and the alarm lamp 46 are activated. As a result, managers and the like at the site are promptly notified of the occurrence of leaked water. After that, when turning off the alarm sound generator 44 and the alarm lamp 46, a push button 74 provided in the water leak detector 12 is provided.
Is manually operated in the field, and the stop switch 72 is closed (ON). Further, the setting threshold in the sensitivity setting unit 42 is
It can be adjusted by manually operating the stepless dial or the changeover switch of the sensitivity adjuster 52.

The control circuit 50 of the processing section 18 mainly controls the operation of the communication section 20. That is, the control circuit 50
The liquid sensing data generated by the water leak detection circuit 48 is output from the communication unit 20 to the information communication network 16. Further, the control circuit 50 can output the activation signal of the notification operation generated by the water leak detection circuit 48 to the information communication network 16 from the communication unit 20 at substantially the same time as outputting the start signal to the water leak notification unit 40. Further, the control circuit 50 can output the threshold value of the liquid sensing data set by the sensitivity setting unit 42 from the communication unit 20 to the information communication network 16.

Remote monitoring means 14 of the water leak detection system 70
Is provided with an output unit 54 for outputting liquid sensing data, a communication unit 58 as an interface, and a processing unit 60 for processing the transfer of data and signals, without the input unit 56 described above. The remote monitoring means 14 outputs real-time liquid sensing data by the output unit 54 via a display screen, voice, or the like, and an administrator or the like at a remote location can change the liquid sensing data output and displayed along the time axis. By checking, the validity of the operation of the water leak detector 12 can be determined in real time as described above.

When the remote monitoring means 14 makes the above-described judgments, the water leakage detector 12 voluntarily operates the water leakage notifying section 40 based on the set threshold value of the sensitivity setting section 42. If there is, the administrator or the like who has received a notification from the remote place manually stops or continues the notification operation on the spot according to the judgment at the remote place. Further, the water leak detector 12 voluntarily causes the water leak notifying unit 4 to operate.
When 0 is not informed, according to the judgment at the remote place, for example, an administrator who received a contact from the remote place leaves the site as it is, or immediately inspects and repairs the defect and activates the informing operation. Let

The remote monitoring means 14 in this embodiment is
It has a configuration of a notification device having no data input function. Further, as described above, the information terminal equipment such as the personal computer 14 ′ and the mobile phone 14 ″ is connected to the remote monitoring means 14
Can also be adopted as. However, in this case, the operation control of the water leak detector 12 cannot be instructed by the personal computer 14 '.

Even with the water leak detection system 70 having the above-mentioned configuration, the validity of the operation of the water leak detector 12 can be judged by confirming the real-time liquid sensing data in the remote monitoring means 14, so that, for example, dew condensation water, electromagnetic noise, etc. Even when the water leak detector 12 performs the notification operation due to a factor other than the leakage water, the notification operation can be stopped manually at the site without requiring a field survey at the installation location of the sensing member 10. Moreover, in this case, there is no need to reduce the detection sensitivity of the water leak detector 12, and more appropriate measures can be taken, and as a result, the reliability of water leak detection can be improved.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the water leakage detection system provided with the remote monitoring means that enables the operation of the water leakage detector to be monitored remotely, It becomes possible to judge the adequacy in the remote monitoring means. As a result, appropriate measures can be taken promptly when water leakage is detected, and the reliability of water leakage detection can be improved. Further, according to the present invention, since the operation control of the water leak detector can be instructed by the remote monitoring means, the system management can be remarkably facilitated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a water leakage detection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a water leakage detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the water leakage detection system of FIG.

4A is a partially enlarged perspective view of a sensing member that can be used in the water leakage detection system of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged perspective view of another sensing member that can be used in the water leakage detection system of FIG.

5 is a graph showing the liquid sensing function of the sensing member of FIG. 4 as a relationship between the amount of dropped water and the electrical resistance value.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a water leakage detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional water leakage detection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Sensing member 12 ... Leakage detector 14 ... Remote monitoring means 16 ... Information communication network 18 ... Processing unit 20 ... Communication unit 36 ... Electrode 40 ... Leakage notification section 42 ... Sensitivity setting section 48 ... Leakage detection circuit 50 ... Control circuit 54 ... Output unit 56 ... Input section 72 ... Stop switch

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2G067 AA19 BB25 CC02 DD22 DD23                       EE05 EE11 EE12                 5C087 AA03 AA10 AA12 AA24 AA25                       AA42 BB12 BB20 BB73 BB74                       DD08 DD23 DD24 DD29 EE07                       EE16 FF01 FF03 FF04 FF17                       FF19 FF20 GG08 GG11 GG31                       GG70

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sensing member that senses the presence of a liquid, and a water leak detector that operates according to the liquid sensing status of the sensing member,
In a water leakage detection system comprising a remote monitoring means for remotely monitoring the operation of the water leakage detector, the water leakage detector and the remote monitoring means are mutually connected through an information communication network, The detector processes the liquid sensing condition of the sensing member to generate real-time liquid sensing data and controls the operation of the water leakage detector, and the liquid sensing data generated by the processing unit. And a communication unit for outputting to the information communication network, wherein the remote monitoring means can monitor the operation of the water leakage detector based on the liquid sensing data obtained from the water leakage detector via the information communication network. A water leakage detection system characterized by: 2. The remote monitoring means has an input section for sending a command to the water leak detector via the information communication network, and the water leak detector receives the command sent from the remote monitoring means. The water leakage detection system according to claim 1, wherein the water leakage detection system receives the water leakage through the communication unit and controls the operation of the water leakage detector according to the instruction. 3. The water leakage detector according to claim 2, wherein the water leakage detector further includes a water leakage notifying unit connected to the processing unit, and the processing unit controls the notifying operation of the water leakage notifying unit according to the command. Detection system. 4. The water leakage detection system according to claim 3, wherein the processing unit causes the communication unit to output an activation signal for informing the water leakage notification unit to the information communication network. 5. The water leak detector further includes a sensitivity setting unit that is connected to the processing unit and sets a threshold value of the liquid detection data when the water leak informing unit performs an informing operation. The water leakage detection system according to claim 4, wherein the sensitivity setting unit is controlled according to a command to adjust the threshold value. 6. The water leakage detection system according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit causes the communication unit to output the threshold value set by the sensitivity setting unit to the information communication network. 7. The water leakage detector is connected to the processing unit, and is connected to the processing unit, and a water leakage notification unit is connected to the processing unit to stop the notification operation of the water leakage notification unit. The water leakage detection system according to claim 1, further comprising: a stop switch, and a sensitivity setting unit that is connected to the processing unit and that sets a threshold value of the liquid detection data when the water leakage notification unit performs a notification operation. 8. The processing unit of the water leakage detector generates the liquid sensing data and also generates a start signal for informing the water leakage notifying unit according to an open / closed state of the stop switch and a threshold set by the sensitivity setting unit. The water leakage detection system according to claim 7, further comprising: a water leakage detection circuit that operates and a control circuit that outputs the liquid detection data from the communication unit to the information communication network. 9. The sensing member has a plurality of electrodes separated from each other and senses conduction between arbitrary electrodes as the presence of liquid, and the water leakage detector increases or decreases the amount of liquid sensed by the sensing member. The water leak detection system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid sensing data is generated by using an electric resistance value that fluctuates in accordance with. 10. The remote monitoring means has an output section for outputting the liquid sensing data obtained from the water leak detector via the information communication network.
The water leakage detection system according to the item.