JP2014106031A - Leakage detector of water supply pipe and leakage detection method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leakage detector and a leakage detection method which are capable of easily locating leakage of a water supply pipe provided under a floor or in a wall, at a low cost.SOLUTION: The leakage detector of a water supply pipe includes: a flow meter which is installed below a branch position of a water supply pipe buried in a building or the like during construction or repair of the building or the like and uses an impeller and so on; a light transmitter comprising a glass lot, an optical fiber, or an optical fiber cable with a coating to allow a worker to view whether water flows in the flow meter or not from the exterior of the building or the like; a lens which condenses image light of a surface of the flow meter on one end of the light transmitter; and a lens for emitting the light from the other end. It is viewed whether water flows in the flow meter in a state where a stop valve additionally installed below the flow meter is closed or not through the light transmitter and the lenses to detect leakage of the water supply pipe.

Description

The present invention relates to a water leak detection tool for detecting a water leak location of a water supply pipe and a water leak detection method using the same.

Conventionally, in order to detect a leaking point in a water supply pipe in a house, many means have been used to detect the leaking sound generated at the leaking point using a stethoscope or an amplifier and to identify the leaking point. It was. However, in recent years, in water supply pipes made of non-metallic materials such as polyethylene, which are remarkably popular, it is difficult to accurately identify the location of water leaks because it is difficult to transmit water leaking sound compared to metal pipes. Under such circumstances, in the actual site, the location of the water leak is identified by visually observing the under floor or the inside of the wall using a fiberscope or the like in parallel with the above method. However, this method often depends on the rules of experience of the person performing the repair, and even those who have sufficient experience cannot easily identify the location of the water leak and require a great deal of time and effort. Also occurred. In addition, it is extremely difficult to see the leak of water leakage at the leak point directly with a fiberscope, etc., and it is necessary to make an observation hole in a structure such as a building with an expectation. In the case of small, there was often no use at all if the leaked spot with the register was missing or not visible.

In addition, other detection methods include injecting harmless helium gas into the pipe and detecting gas leaking from the water leak hole, or increasing the leak sound by closing the water meter valve and sending compressed air from the faucet. In the case of implementing any of these methods, there is a drawback that it takes time and effort, and the burden on the client increases.

Therefore, 4-A in FIG. 4 is shown in Patent Document 1. It has been devised to detect a water leak sound by using a plurality of vibration sensors to identify a water leak location. Moreover, in patent document 2 shown to 4-B of FIG. 4, what was provided with the pulse transmission type water meter which generate | occur | produces an electrical signal according to the amount of water which flows into each branch supply pipe as a water leak detection means was devised. ing. In any case, since the values obtained at a plurality of locations are aggregated to identify the location of the water leak, it becomes impossible to accurately identify the location of the water leak when one sensor malfunctions. In other words, it is indispensable to prevent malfunctions of sensors installed in places with different environments such as humidity and temperature, and there is a drawback in that maintenance management including power supply and maintenance to each sensor is costly.

Patent 3718740 Japanese Patent Application No. 6-125363

An object of the present invention is to provide a water leakage detector that can easily specify a water leakage pipe or a portion of a water supply pipe provided under a floor or in a wall at low cost, and a water leakage detection method using the same. .

The water leak detector of the water supply pipe according to the present invention includes a flow meter that allows visual observation that water is flowing using an impeller installed in each of the downstream portions of a branch point of the water pipe embedded in a structure such as a building, and the like. , So that the presence or absence of water flowing in the flow meter can be visually checked, a light transmission device using a glass slot or an optical fiber or a coated optical fiber cable, and a lens that collects the image light of the surface of the flow meter on one end of the light transmission device And a lens that emits light from the other end, and whether there is a flow of the flow meter with the stop cock attached downstream of the flow meter closed, It is characterized by detecting a leak pipe by visual observation from the exterior surface. Hereinafter, it describes along a claim.

The invention according to claim 1 is a water leakage detector for a water supply pipe,
A flow meter using an impeller rotated by running water, a light transmission device using a glass slot or an optical fiber or a coated optical fiber cable, and two lenses, the flow meter being attached to a structure during construction or repair of the structure It is installed in the downstream part of the branch point of the buried water supply pipe, and has a visual display unit capable of monitoring the movement of the impeller or the rotating piece rotating by this rotation,
The light transmission tool and the lens are inserted between the flow meter and the exterior surface of the structure so that the flow of the flow meter can be visually confirmed from the exterior surface of the structure. ,
One end of the light transmission tool includes the lens for condensing the image light of the visual display unit of the flow meter at the one end, and the other end of the light transmission tool extends from the other end to the exterior side of the structure. It has a lens that emits light,
Leakage part of the water pipe embedded in the structure by observing through the light transmission tool and the lens whether or not the flow of the flow meter is in a closed state with a stop cock attached to the downstream side of the flow meter Is detected from the exterior surface of the structure.

Invention of Claim 2 is the water leak detector of the water supply pipe of Claim 1,
By providing a guide tube having a hollow hole communicating between the flow meter and the exterior surface of the structure, the light transmission tool and the lens are inserted only when monitoring is necessary when water leakage is assumed. It is possible and is not always installed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water pipe leakage detection device according to any one of the first or second aspects, the transmission device and the lens unit are provided on the visual display unit. An insertion rod is provided so that it can be easily pushed and pulled out.

Invention of Claim 4 is the water leak detector of the water pipe as described in any one of Claim 2 or Claim 3,
The transmission tool and the lens unit have a diameter that can be inserted into the guide tube, and include a tubular cover for receiving and covering the transmission tool and the lens unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is a water leakage detection method for a water supply pipe,
A flow meter equipped with a visual indicator that can monitor the movement of the impeller rotated by running water or the rotating piece rotated by this rotation is installed in the downstream part of the branch point of the water supply pipe embedded in the structure during construction or repair of the structure. And when water leakage in the water supply pipe is suspected, with the stop cock attached to the downstream side of the flow meter closed,
A unit of light transmission tool and two lenses by glass slot or optical fiber or coated optical fiber cable,
One end of the light transmission tool includes the lens for condensing the image light of the visual display unit of the flow meter at the one end, and the other end of the light transmission tool extends from the other end to the exterior side of the structure. By providing a lens for emitting light, and visually observing the flow of the flow meter through what is inserted between the flow meter and the exterior surface of the structure, the embedded in the structure The water leakage part of the water supply pipe is detected from the exterior surface of the structure.

Since it is configured as described above, in the water leak detector of the water supply pipe and the water leak detection method using the same according to the present invention, a flow meter is inserted in each branch when constructing a structure such as a building and the exterior of the structure such as a building. If water leakage is suspected, it is possible to easily identify the water leakage pipe by closing all terminal faucets downstream of the flow meter and visually checking the movement of each flow meter when water leakage is suspected. .

It is a figure which shows one embodiment of the water leak detection tool of the water supply pipe | tube which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the water leak detection tool of the water supply pipe | tube which concerns on this invention. It is a figure showing the one embodiment of the water leak detection which applied the water leak detection tool and detection method of the water pipe which concerns on this invention to the downstream of the branch part of the water supply pipe in a site. It is a figure which shows the leak detector and the detection method of the conventional water supply pipe.

The water leak detector and detection method for a water pipe according to the present invention are installed in a downstream portion of a branch point of a water pipe buried in a structure such as a building or a repair, and a flow meter using an impeller, etc.
In order to make it possible to visually check the flow of the flow meter from the exterior of a structure such as a building, a light transmission device using an optical fiber cable with a glass slot or an optical fiber or a coating, and an image transmission light on the surface of the flow meter. A light transmitting device that includes a lens that condenses light at one end and a lens that emits light from the other end, and indicates whether or not the flow meter flows in a state in which a stop cock attached to the downstream side of the flow meter is closed. It is characterized by detecting a water leak pipe by visual observation through a lens.
This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a water leak detector for a water supply pipe according to the present invention. First, the overall configuration will be described. The water leak detector 100 of the water supply pipe includes a flow meter 110 that is attached so that flowing water passes through the water supply pipe downstream of the branch portion of the water supply pipe 101 embedded in a building or the ground, and the water flow in the flow meter 110 due to water leakage. In order to view the presence or absence of light from the exterior side of the building or the ground, a light transmission device 120 of an optical lot or an optical fiber or a coated optical fiber cable, and a lens 130A for condensing the optical image of the flow meter 110 at one end thereof And a lens 130B that emits light from the other end to the exterior side. In the case of an optical fiber, since the length is arbitrary, it is convenient that it can cope with various intervals between the position of the flow meter 110 and the exterior side.

Next, details of each part will be described. The flow meter 110 has a measuring impeller 111 that rotates by receiving flowing water in the water supply pipe 101, and is provided in the visual display unit 113 of the flow meter via the impeller shaft 112, and rotates when there is flowing water. The rotating piece 114 is connected. Thereby, the rotating piece 114 can be rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the measuring impeller 111 without contacting the flowing water flowing in the water supply pipe 101. At this time, the rotating piece 114 is not necessarily required as long as the movement of the measuring impeller 111 that rotates by receiving flowing water in the water supply pipe 101 is visible. Further, the impeller shaft 112 may be provided at a right angle or parallel to the direction of water flow in the water supply pipe 101.

Next, the optical system of the light transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B will be described.
The light of the image of the rotating piece 114 emitted from the visual display unit 113 is disposed at the focal length of the lens 130A with one end of the optical transmission device 120 of the optical lot or optical fiber or coated optical fiber cable as an input end. Then, the light transmitting tool 120 is transmitted, and the other end is set as the output end, and the parallel light is emitted to the supervisor side by the lens 130B arranged away from the focal length.
The light transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B are held by the housings 140A and 140B so as to hold the arrangement of the focal lengths. The housing 140B is fixed to a building wall, floor, ground, or the like 150. On the other hand, the housing 140 </ b> A is held on the surface of the visual display unit 113. In the figure, the case 140 </ b> A is an example having a flange 141 that fits on the side surface of the visual display unit 113. The lenses 130A and 130B are convex lenses, and the optical fiber or the coated optical fiber cable is preferably a resin optical fiber bundled in plural.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the light transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130 </ b> A and 130 </ b> B are always installed in the flow meter 110. FIG. 2 shows a mode in which the flow meter 110 is always installed, but the light transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B are applied only at the time of necessary monitoring where water leakage is assumed and are not always installed. . Therefore, a guide tube 200 that communicates between the transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B is installed so as to facilitate insertion of the transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B into the flow meter 110 portion embedded from the outside to the inside of the structure such as a building. One end of the guide tube 200 is arranged on the visual display unit 113 of the flow meter 110, and the other end of the guide tube 200 is provided with an opening 201 on a wall, floor, ground, or the like 150 of the building. The opening 201 of the guide tube 200 is always covered with a covering lid 202 that covers the opening 201. If water leakage is suspected, the cover 202 attached to the opening 201 is removed, and the light transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hole are displayed on the flow meter 110 for visual inspection. By inserting it to a position adjacent to the portion 113 and confirming the movement of the rotating piece 114, it is possible to easily identify the water leakage location. 2B shows the transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130A and 130B shown in FIG. By pushing the insertion rod 210, it becomes easy to push the housing 140A housing the lower lens 130A onto the visual display unit 113 and pull it out. It is convenient that the insertion rod 210 is removable and can be attached when necessary. As a detachable form, the housing 140 </ b> A may be provided with a hole for inserting the insertion rod 210. The insertion rod 210 may be inserted into the hole and pushed in.
In 2-C, the transmission tool 120 and the lenses 130 </ b> A and 130 </ b> B are accommodated in the tubular cover 220. Naturally, the diameter of the tubular cover 220 can be inserted into the guide tube 200. When the tubular cover 220 is attached, it is convenient that the space between the flow meter 110 and the exterior 150 such as a building wall, floor or ground is made constant and the tubular cover 220 is adjusted to this. .
At this time, a commercially available fiberscope or the like may be used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of water leakage detection in which the water leakage detection tool 100 is applied to the downstream side of the branch portion of the water supply pipe in the site. If water leakage is suspected, the faucet 300 at the end of the water supply pipe is stopped and the presence or absence of movement of the rotating piece 114 of each flow meter 113 is confirmed. At that time, if the rotating piece 114 is moving even if it is very small, it means that water has leaked in the downstream portion of the water leak detector 100, and by specifying the flow meter 113 installed in the most downstream portion among them, It is possible to easily find a water leak point in a branch unit.
Therefore, at least a flow meter was installed in the downstream part of the branch point of the water pipe embedded in the structure during construction or repair, and was attached downstream of the flow meter when water leakage was suspected in the water pipe After closing the stop cock, through the unit of light transmission tool and two lenses,
It can be easily detected from the exterior surface of the structure by visually checking the flow of the flow meter.

As described above, the present invention can provide a water leakage detection tool and method for easily identifying a water leakage point of a water supply pipe provided under a floor, a wall, or the ground at low cost. Therefore, industrial applicability is extremely large.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Water leak detection tool 101 Water supply pipe 110 Flowmeter 111 Measuring impeller 112 Impeller shaft 113 Visual display part 114 Rotating piece 120 Light transmission tool 130A, 130B Lens 140A, 140B Case 141 ridge part 150 Building wall, floor surface, Ground etc. 200 Guide tube 201 Opening 202 Cover lid 210 Insertion rod 220 Tubular cover 300 Faucet

Claims (5)

A flow meter using an impeller rotated by running water, a light transmission device using a glass slot or an optical fiber or a coated optical fiber cable, and two lenses, the flow meter being attached to a structure during construction or repair of the structure It is installed in the downstream part of the branch point of the buried water supply pipe, and has a visual display unit capable of monitoring the movement of the impeller or the rotating piece rotating by this rotation,
The light transmission tool and the lens are inserted between the flow meter and the exterior surface of the structure so that the flow of the flow meter can be visually confirmed from the exterior surface of the structure. ,
One end of the light transmission tool includes the lens for condensing the image light of the visual display unit of the flow meter at the one end, and the other end of the light transmission tool extends from the other end to the exterior side of the structure. It has a lens that emits light,
Leakage part of the water pipe embedded in the structure by observing through the light transmission tool and the lens whether or not the flow of the flow meter is in a closed state with a stop cock attached to the downstream side of the flow meter Is detected from the exterior surface of the structure. By providing a guide tube having a hollow hole communicating between the flow meter and the exterior surface of the structure, the light transmission tool and the lens are inserted only when monitoring is necessary when water leakage is assumed. The water leak detector for a water supply pipe according to claim 1, wherein the water leak detector is not installed at all times. 3. The transmission tool and the lens unit are each provided with an insertion rod so as to be easily pushed and pulled out on the visual display unit. Water leakage detector for water pipes as described in 1. The said transmission tool and the said lens unit are provided with the tubular cover which has a diameter which can be inserted in the said guide tube, and accommodates and covers the said transmission tool and the said lens unit. Or the leak detector of a water supply pipe as described in any one of Claim 3. A flow meter equipped with a visual indicator that can monitor the movement of the impeller rotated by running water or the rotating piece rotated by this rotation is installed in the downstream part of the branch point of the water supply pipe embedded in the structure during construction or repair of the structure. And when water leakage in the water supply pipe is suspected, with the stop cock attached to the downstream side of the flow meter closed,
A unit of light transmission device and two lenses by a fiber slot or optical fiber or coated optical fiber cable,
One end of the light transmission tool includes the lens for condensing the image light of the visual display unit of the flow meter at the one end, and the other end of the light transmission tool extends from the other end to the exterior side of the structure. By providing a lens for emitting light, and visually observing the flow of the flow meter through what is inserted between the flow meter and the exterior surface of the structure, the embedded in the structure A leakage detection method for a water supply pipe, comprising: detecting a water leakage part of the water supply pipe from an exterior surface of the structure.

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