JP2006200919A - Water leakage detecting element and water leakage detecting system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water leakage detecting element and water leakage detecting system therewith capable of detecting leakage of water, with simple constitution at an easy rate. <P>SOLUTION: The water leakage detecting system consists of a water leakage detecting element 1 installed at piping H to form a detecting section, a detector 2, equipped with a second antenna 10, capable of communicating with the water leakage detecting element 1 via signal P, and a data processing device 3 connected with the detector 2 to record and administrate the communication state. The water leakage detection element 1 is equipped with a first antenna 7, an IC chip 8 connected with the first antenna 7, and a protective layer 6 containing the first antenna 7 and the IC chip 8. The protective layer 6 installs an aperture section 9, through which leaked water can intrude into interior of the water leakage detecting element 1 or is structured by high permeable material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a water leakage detection element for detecting water leakage and a water leakage detection system using the same.

Conventionally, for example, when detecting leaks in underground pipes or pipes covered with heat insulation in buildings, plants, etc., a detection sensor (leakage detection element) is installed at the pipe location that detects the leak. The method to do is common. And the detection result of a detection sensor is detected with a measuring device in the position away from this installed detection sensor, and the presence or absence of water leakage is confirmed. In such a case, there is a method of a wired method or a wireless method in which the detection sensor and the measuring instrument are returned by wire.
For example, there are the following three patent documents as detection sensors and detection methods as described above.
Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose a detection sensor that confirms the presence or absence of water leakage by detecting a current value or a resistance value that changes by energizing the detection sensor. At this time, a wire from the detection sensor to the measuring device that detects the detection result is wired.
Moreover, in patent document 3, water leak information is detected with the detection sensor installed in the water and sewage pipe etc. which were embed | buried underground, and the result is detected with the measuring device provided in the predetermined position of the underground. And the detection method which transmits and manages the result detected with the measuring device to the recorder provided on the ground by the radio | wireless method via the antenna provided in the manhole cover is proposed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-33043 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-62290 JP-A-8-37878

However, in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, a power source for energizing the detection sensor is required. Furthermore, there is a drawback that a wire connecting the detection sensor to the measuring device is required, and this wiring work takes time.
In Patent Document 3, information can be transmitted wirelessly from a manhole cover provided with an antenna to a recorder, but it is necessary to wire between the detection sensor and the antenna via a wire. For this reason, when the detection sensor is installed, installation work such as wiring occurs, which takes time. In addition, the detection sensor requires a power source for energizing the detection sensor as in Patent Documents 1 and 2. And it will be comprised from several components, such as a detection sensor, a measuring device, an antenna, a power supply, and a recorder, and there exists a problem that the equipment cost required for a water leak detection becomes high.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a water leakage detection element that detects water leakage with an inexpensive and simple configuration, and a water leakage detection system using the same.

In order to achieve the above object, a water leakage detection element according to the present invention is a water leakage detection element including a first antenna and an integrated circuit connected to the first antenna, and the first antenna or the integrated circuit is submerged. The feature is that the water leakage can be detected.
In the water leakage detection element according to the present invention, the first antenna and the integrated circuit are provided. For example, the integrated circuit obtains electricity and detects by receiving radio waves (electromagnetic waves) from the outside using an external detector or the like. It is possible to communicate with the vessel. And when water leaks into the water leakage detection element, the function of the first antenna or integrated circuit is lost, communication with the detector becomes impossible, transmission / reception capability decreases or transmission / reception signal changes, and this communication abnormality is It becomes possible to confirm water leakage by detecting. Thus, since the water leakage detection element has a simple configuration that does not require a power supply, the equipment cost can be reduced.
Furthermore, it is only necessary to install a water leakage detection element at the detection location, and furthermore, since wiring is not necessary, the work time required for installation is small.

Further, in the water leakage detection element according to the present invention, the water leakage detection element is provided with a protective layer that is provided around the first antenna and the integrated circuit, and the protective layer has a permeable member through which water penetrates. preferable.
In the present invention, by using a permeable member having excellent water permeability, such as paper, for the protective layer that houses the first antenna and the integrated circuit, water can easily enter the leak detection element. In addition, the first antenna and the integrated circuit can be protected. Then, when water passes through the permeable member and enters the inside of the water leakage detection element, the function of the first antenna or the integrated circuit is lost, the communication with the detector is interrupted, or the transmission / reception state is reduced or changed. As a result, water leakage can be detected.

Further, in the water leakage detection element according to the present invention, the water leakage detection element is provided with a protective layer that internally surrounds the first antenna and the integrated circuit, and the protective layer has an opening through which water leakage can enter. Preferably it is.
In the present invention, for example, a commercially available off-the-shelf product such as an IC card or IC label in which an integrated circuit or a first antenna is embedded can be processed and used. By providing an opening in the layer, water can easily enter the inside of the water leakage detection element. When water enters the inside of the water leakage detection element from this opening, the function of the first antenna or the integrated circuit is lost, the communication with the detector is interrupted, or the transmission / reception state is lowered or changed as described above. Leakage can be detected.

The water leakage detection system according to the present invention includes the above-described water leakage detection element and a detector including a second antenna that can communicate with the first antenna, and the first antenna or the integrated circuit of the water leakage detection element is submerged. It is characterized in that it is detected by a detector via the second antenna.
In the present invention, the detector is in a state where it can communicate with the leak detection element, and when water enters the leak detection element and the first antenna or the integrated circuit comes into contact with the water and loses its function, Communication is interrupted or transmission / reception status is reduced or changed. By detecting this communication abnormality by the detector, it can be determined that there is water leakage at the location where the water leakage detection element is installed.
Thus, by the structure of the water leak detection system which can detect a water leak location easily, the time of detection work and cost reduction can be aimed at.

According to the water leakage detection element of the present invention and the water leakage detection system using the water leakage detection element, the detector is in a state capable of communicating with the water leakage detection element, water enters the water leakage detection element, and the first antenna or the integrated circuit is water. If the function is lost due to contact with the sensor, the communication with the detector is interrupted or the transmission / reception state is lowered or changed. By detecting this communication abnormality with a detector, it can be determined that there is water leakage at the location where the water leakage detection element is installed. Thus, since it is the structure of the water leak detection system which can detect a water leak location easily, time shortening of detection work and cost reduction can be aimed at.
In addition, since the water leakage detection element includes the first antenna and the integrated circuit, electricity is obtained by receiving radio waves from the outside using a detector or the like. This eliminates the need for a power source, and can reduce the equipment costs involved in leak detection. Furthermore, it is only necessary to install a water leakage detection element at the detection location, and furthermore, no wiring is required, so that the installation work time can be shortened.

Hereinafter, a water leakage detection element according to an embodiment of the present invention and a water leakage detection system using the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
1 is a configuration diagram showing a water leakage detection system using a water leakage detection element according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the water leakage detection element according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the water leakage detection element shown in FIG. It is.
As shown in FIG. 1, the water leakage detection system according to the present embodiment includes a water leakage detection element 1 that is installed in a pipe H that is a detection target of water leakage and forms a detection unit, and signals from the water leakage detection element 1 by radio waves (electromagnetic waves). It comprises a detector 2 that communicates with P, and a data processing device 3 that is connected to the detector 2 and records and manages this communication state.
Since this detector 2 can communicate with the water leak detection element 1 installed in the pipe H by radio, it is provided at a position away from the water leak detection element 1.

The water leakage detection element 1 can be used by processing ready-made products such as non-contact type IC cards and IC labels that can transmit and receive data wirelessly, for example.
The water leakage detection element 1 is installed in, for example, a water and sewage pipe H buried underground, or a pipe H covered with a heat insulating material by equipment such as a building or a plant. The detector 2 can detect water leakage at a position away from the water leakage detection element 1.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water leakage detection element 1 that forms a card shape is provided on a protective material 4 that forms a base made of a thin PET film or the like, and one surface 4 a of the protective material 4. Element body 5 and protective material 4 and protective layer 6 formed to house element body 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the element body 5 includes a first antenna 7 formed in a coil shape on the surface 4 a of the protective material 4, and an IC chip 8 (integrated circuit) connected to the end 7 a of the first antenna 7. It consists of and.
The IC chip 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory that can read and write data. The IC chip 8 processes an external input signal received by the first antenna 7 and transmits the result to the detector 2. Integrated circuit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper and lower protective layers 6 have an upper protective layer 6a formed on the upper side facing the element body 5 and a lower protective layer 6b formed on the lower side. Thereby, the element body 5 and the protective material 4 are sandwiched and pressed between the upper protective layer 6a and the lower protective layer 6b, and are protected from the outside in an interior state.
The protective layer 6 is composed of two layers: a surface layer 6c whose outer side is made of paper or release paper and an adhesive layer 6d whose inner side is made of an adhesive material.
Further, the upper protective layer 6a is provided with an opening 9 formed so that water enters the inside of the water leakage detection element 1. The opening 9 may have any size and number as long as water can enter the leak detector 1 (seven locations are provided in FIG. 3).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the detector 2 includes a second antenna 10 that transmits and receives a signal P to and from the water leakage detection element 1, and a controller 11 that reads the signal P received by the second antenna 10.

Although the structure of the water leak detection element 1 by this Embodiment and the water leak detection system using the same was demonstrated, next, this effect | action is demonstrated based on FIG.
For example, when water leakage detection is performed at the connection part of the pipe H, the water leakage detection element 1 is installed on the lower surface where water leakage easily collects at each connection point of the pipe H, and the opening 9 The upper protective layer 6a on which is formed is installed so that water can easily enter the inside of the water leakage detection element 1 with the water leakage side facing (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
First, the water leakage detection element 1 is not equipped with a battery. When the signal P is received from the detector 2, a voltage is generated in the IC chip 8 of the element body 5, and the IC chip 8 is activated to 1 and the detector 2 can communicate with each other.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, when the signal P is transmitted from the detector 2 to the leak detection element 1, the signal P is received by the first antenna 7 of the leak detection element 1. The received signal P is read by the IC chip 8 of the element body 5, and the processing result is transmitted to the detector 2 by radio waves via the first antenna 7.
Subsequently, the signal P received by the second antenna 10 provided in the detector 2 is read by the controller 11, and whether the signal state between the detector 2 and the water leakage detection element 1 is normal or abnormal by the data processing device 3. Detect and manage records.

  In such a configuration, when the water leakage detection element 1 and the detector 2 function normally with each other, the data processing device 3 detects normality of the signal state, and the installation location of the water leakage detection element 1 It is judged that there is no water leakage.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when there is water leakage, water enters the inside of the water leakage detection element 1 from the opening 9 formed in the upper protective layer 6 a, and the first antenna of the element body 5. When water contacts 7 or the IC chip 8, they are short-circuited and the function of the element body 5 is lost, so that the water leakage detection element 1 and the detector 2 cannot communicate with each other, or the transmission / reception capability is reduced or changed.
At this time, an abnormal communication state is detected by the data processing device 3, and it is determined that water leaks at the place where the water leakage detection element 1 is installed.

As described above, in the water leakage detection element 1 according to the present embodiment, the water leakage is not measured by a current value, a resistance value, or the like as in the prior art, and a detection sensor or a power source by energization is not necessary. Furthermore, since it is a simple method of simply detecting a signal indicating a malfunction of the water leakage detection element 1 due to water leakage, the equipment constituting the water leakage detection can be reduced and simplified. Thereby, cost reduction can be aimed at.
In addition, in the water leakage detection system using the water leakage detection element 1, wireless transmission between the water leakage detection element 1 and the detector 2 eliminates the need for wiring, reduces wiring work, and saves labor for installation. Installation time can be shortened.
Furthermore, since it is such a structure, since the water leak detection element 1 which does not incorporate a battery can be used, it can process and use commercially available products, such as an IC card, and improve productivity. it can.

Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the same or similar members and parts as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted. The configuration and operation different from the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a water leakage detection element according to a first modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the water leakage detection element 12 according to the first modification, a permeable member 13 having excellent water permeability such as paper, for example, instead of the protective layer 6 shown in FIG. It is provided for interior decoration.
In the first modified example, the leaked water permeates the permeable member 13 so that the leaked water easily comes into contact with the element body 5 and the first antenna 7 and the IC chip 8 are short-circuited.
The method for detecting water leakage is the same as that in the embodiment, and the functional state of the water leakage detection element 12 is read by the detector 2 and the result is detected by the data processing device 3 (see FIG. 1).

In addition, a substance having high electrical conductivity such as sodium ion, potassium ion, lithium ion, or the like may be mixed in the permeable member 13 in a fine solid state. In the case of sodium ions, when the permeable member 13 contains water due to water leakage, the sodium ion solid dissolves and mixes with water, and enters the water leakage detection element 12. Since water containing sodium ions has high electrical conductivity, the reliability of short circuit in the element body 5 can be increased. In addition, the above substances may have deliquescence. At that time, there is a method of microencapsulating them and mixing them in the permeable member 13.
The water permeable member 13 does not need to be provided on the entire surface of the water leakage detecting element 12, but may be provided at least in part, and the other region may be formed of a water impermeable member.
Thus, in the water leak detection element 12 according to the first modification, in addition to the same effects as those of the embodiment, the reliability of water leak detection can be improved.

Then, the 2nd modification of the water leak detection element by this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a water leakage detection element according to a second modification of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the water leakage detection element 14 according to the second modification has no protective layer 6 that houses the element body 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and is formed with the element body 5 exposed.
Since the protective layer 6 is not provided, compared to the above-described embodiment, the element body 5 is more likely to come into contact with water leakage, and the first antenna 7 and the IC chip 8 are likely to be short-circuited.
And the method of detecting a water leak is the same as that of embodiment, The detector 2 and the data processor 3 read and detect the abnormality of the communication state with the water leak detection element 14 (refer FIG. 1).
Moreover, since it is such a structure, since the element main body 5 can contact the water leak regardless of the installation direction, the water leak detection element 14 becomes easy to install.
Thus, in the water leak detection element 14 according to the second modification, in addition to the same effects as those of the embodiment, the reliability of water leak detection is improved, and the configuration is further simplified as compared with the embodiment. ing.

As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the water leakage detection element according to the present invention and the water leakage detection system using the same has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit thereof. It is.
For example, in the water leakage detection elements 1, 12, and 14 according to the embodiment and the first and second modified examples, the water leakage detection of the pipe H has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and it is necessary to detect water leakage. It suffices if a water leakage detecting element is provided at the place.
In the present embodiment, the opening 9 is provided in the upper protective layer 6a. However, the position of the opening 9 is not limited to this, and the opening 9 may be formed in the lower protective layer 6b of the protective layer 6. Good. Further, if the permeable member 13 is used, the opening 9 is unnecessary. In short, any structure that allows water to easily enter the water leakage detection element 1 is acceptable.

It is a block diagram which shows the water leak detection system provided with the water leak detection element by embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water leak detection element shown in FIG. It is a top view of the water leak detection element shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the water leak detection element by the 1st modification of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the water leak detection element by the 2nd modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 12, 14 Water leak detection element 2 Detector 3 Data processing apparatus 4 Protective material 5 Element main body 6 Protective layer 7 1st antenna 8 IC chip (integrated circuit)
9 opening 10 second antenna 11 controller 13 permeable member P signal

Claims (4)

A water leakage detection element comprising a first antenna and an integrated circuit connected to the first antenna,
A water leakage detecting element characterized in that water leakage can be detected when the first antenna or the integrated circuit is submerged.   2. The water leakage detection element according to claim 1, further comprising a protective layer that includes the first antenna and the integrated circuit, and the protective layer includes a permeable member through which water penetrates. Water leakage detection element.   2. The water leakage detecting element is provided with a protective layer that houses the first antenna and the integrated circuit, and the protective layer is formed with an opening through which water can enter. The water leakage detection element described in 1. A water leakage detection element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a detector including a second antenna capable of communicating with the first antenna,
The leak detection system according to claim 1, wherein the detector detects that the first antenna or the integrated circuit of the leak detection element has been submerged through the second antenna.

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