JP3055572B2 - Water leak detection system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a leak detection system. The present invention incorporates a microcomputer in the master unit and the repeater, and integrates the repeater, sensor line, power supply line, and signal line to provide a simple configuration and high accuracy, and various functions other than water leak detection, for example, And a water leak position detection system provided with a self-diagnosis function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional water leakage detection system. This example is proposed by the present applicant as a “multipoint leak detector”. As shown in the figure, this device includes a water leak detector 7 and water leak detection sensors L1 to L10 provided for each of a plurality of signal lines connected thereto. This device is widely used because of its simple structure and easy handling.

[0003] However, this device has a problem in that even if it is possible to detect the fact of water leakage in the event of water leakage, the position of the water leakage cannot be detected. On the other hand, several proposals have been made to solve this problem as described below. FIG. 5 shows another example of a conventional water leakage detection system.
In this example, the "abnormal position detector"
No. 640. This device is composed of a master unit 8, a plurality of repeaters 9 connected in series to the master unit 8, and a plurality of jumper wires connecting between them. Repeater 9
Is composed of a detection circuit 91, a switching circuit 92, and a resistor 93, and jumper lines are composed of power supply lines P1, P2 and signal lines S1, S2. As shown, one signal line S1 connects each repeater directly, and the other signal line S2 connects each repeater via a resistor 93. The switching circuit 92 is connected between the signal lines S1 and S2, and is turned on by a signal from the detection circuit 91 activated by the sensor 90. In such a configuration, when the sensor 90 of any of the repeaters 9 detects a leak, the switching circuit 92 is closed by a signal from the detection circuit 91, and the change in the resistance value inside each of the repeaters arranged in series is detected. The leak position is detected by counting. That is, when any of the repeaters performs the water leak detection operation, the switching circuit 92 closes and the combined resistance value changes, and the master unit detects this and can know the position of the repeater that has leaked water. Therefore, the position of the occurrence of water leakage can be accurately detected.

However, in this apparatus, as a practical problem, the combined resistance required for detecting the water leakage position is varied due to the variation in the internal resistance of the transistor used as the switching circuit 92, the circuit resistance in the repeater, the connection resistance of each line, etc. There has been a problem that a change in the value cannot be obtained with sufficient accuracy. In addition, there is a problem that the configuration is complicated because the detection sensor unit, the repeater, and the jumper wire are not structurally integrated, and further, the repeater itself to improve the detection accuracy and prevent malfunctions. There was an inconvenience that a diagnostic function was not provided.

[0005] Still another example of the prior art is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-150542 as a "one-way transmission type water leakage detection device". This device (not shown) is the master unit (monitoring device)
In order to minimize the wiring between the relay and the sensors of the plurality of repeaters, a DC power supply that generates an output that periodically inverts the polarity and counts clock pulses corresponding to the slave unit (repeater) number In this system, the count is sequentially displayed, and the number of the repeater that is detecting the leak is read by reading the leak detection signal of the repeater synchronized with the clock pulse of the master unit.

However, this device merely detects the position of the repeater of water leakage based on a change in the number of clocks. Both the master unit and the repeater perform more complicated functions, for example, a self-diagnosis function. Therefore, it is a function only for water leak detection, and cannot improve detection accuracy and prevent malfunction. Further, as described above, since the sensor unit, the repeater, and the jumper wire connecting between the sensor unit and the repeater are not structurally integrated, there has been a problem that the configuration therebetween is complicated.

As another prior art, there is disclosed a "method and apparatus for detecting and acquiring information relating to a change in a variable state" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 60/1985).
No. 49219), "Measurement method of fault position of cable core wire" (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-108763), "Liquid leak detection system" (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-83886), and "Leakage detecting device" (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-79132)
However, these methods all have a problem in the accuracy of detecting a water leak position due to variation in the resistance value because the detection of water leak is performed by a change in the resistance value.

[0008] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide
To provide a water leakage position detection system that has various functions such as a self-diagnosis function, has improved water leakage detection accuracy, and prevents malfunctions, with a simplified configuration in which microcomputers are introduced into the master unit and the repeater. is there.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention. The water leakage detection system of the present invention
A base unit 1 which incorporates a microcomputer and controls the operation of the entire system and displays detection facts; and a microcomputer which incorporates a microcomputer and transmits a leakage position or other data to the base unit 1 in accordance with an instruction from the base unit 1. A plurality of repeaters 2 for sending, a power supply line connecting these, a signal line, a sensor unit unit integrating the water leak detection sensor 3, and a terminal connection unit 5 for sending a signal
It consists of. The connection between the system composed of the master unit 1 and the sensor unit is made by a suitably arranged waterproof connector 4.

[0010] As a suitable embodiment, as shown in the figure, the sensor unit is configured as a strip-shaped water leakage detection sensor having a plurality of repeaters 2 built-in. In this belt-shaped water leakage detection sensor, the sensor line, power line, and signal line are arranged in parallel in a band shape and the outside is integrally covered with vinyl chloride. As the wire, a tin-plated annealed copper wire is used, and as described later, the sensor wire is disposed outside, and a part of the coating is cut off to expose a core wire (stainless steel wire) to form a water leak sensor.

In the present invention, as described above, by incorporating microcomputers in both the base unit 1 and the repeater 2, in addition to the function of detecting the position of leakage, the function of counting the total number of leak detection sections, and the detection of leakage in the repeater It has a self-diagnosis function of the circuit and a function of switching the detection sensitivity of the repeater from the master unit. Furthermore, in order to avoid malfunctions and improve detection accuracy, it has a malfunction prevention function of outputting a water leakage or abnormality detection signal by at least two or more input detection signals, and further has a signal from a main microcomputer in the master unit. , The management number between the repeaters is automatically assigned from the master unit.

[0012]

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The base unit 1 is a central monitoring device having a control function of the entire system and a monitor function for reading and displaying the state of the system. Main unit 1 is an LCD as a display unit
A display 11, a main microcomputer (microcomputer) for overall operation control, a simulated water leakage circuit 13 connected to the microcomputer 12 and a sensor line, an indicator lamp 14 for displaying a system state, and a detection sensitivity of each repeater And a power supply circuit 16. Each repeater 2 includes a pseudo water leakage circuit 21, a microcomputer 22, and a water leakage detection circuit 23.

As described above, a sensor unit is constituted by the repeater 2, the belt-like water leakage detection sensor 3 and the terminal connection part 5, and each repeater 2 is built in the belt-like water leakage detection sensor 3 as shown in the figure. Therefore, there is no need to separately take out the sensor from the repeater as in the related art. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sensor between the repeaters is configured integrally with the power supply line and the signal line, and it is not necessary to use a jumper wire as a separate wiring as in the related art.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal lines S1 and S2 are connected from the main microcomputer 12 to the terminating connector 5 via the microcomputers 22 in the respective repeaters. The power lines P1 and P2 are the power circuit 1
6 is connected in parallel to each of the repeaters 2 to supply power. The sensor lines K1 and K2 are connected to the pseudo leakage circuit 13 of the base unit 1.
Is connected to the water leakage detection circuit 23 of the first repeater 2, and from the pseudo leakage circuit 21 of the first repeater 2,
, And similarly connected sequentially to the terminal connection unit 5 in each repeater.

The simulated water leakage circuit 13 of the master unit 1 and the simulated water leakage circuit 21 of each repeater 2 connected as described above are used for self-diagnosis of each repeater. As described above, since the configuration is built in the repeater immediately before the repeater, there is no need to separately provide a self-diagnosis circuit. Therefore, by connecting the respective sensor unit sections in series, it is possible to provide a belt-shaped water leakage detection sensor in which the power supply line, the signal line, the sensor line, and the pseudo water leakage circuit are automatically connected and integrated between the repeaters. it can.

Each repeater 2 is arranged in a fixed section, for example, every 5 m. The microcomputer 22 has a function of returning the state (water leakage, disconnection, system abnormality) of each section in response to the instruction signal of the base unit 1. Each repeater 2 has a waterproof structure sealed with resin as a part of the sensor unit.
FIG. 3 is a structural view of a belt-shaped water leakage detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the belt-shaped leak detection sensor 3 connects the master unit 1, the repeater 2, and each intermediate unit, and includes signal lines S1, S2, power lines P1, P2, and sensors K1, K2.
Is a strip-shaped water leak detection sensor in which sensor lines K1 and K2 are arranged outside as shown in the figure. And a certain small interval,
For example, the coating of vinyl chloride is removed every 25 mm to expose a stainless steel core wire, and this exposed portion is used as an electrode (sensor). Sensor lines K1, K2, power line P
1, P2 and the signal lines S1 and S2 are extruded products integrally coated with vinyl chloride as shown in the figure, so that water can be easily wiped off and dried after water leakage occurs, resulting in excellent returnability. Demonstrate. Further, in order to improve the water leak detection sensitivity, the sensor may be coated with a mesh or may be treated with a hydrophilic surfactant.

The terminal connection section 5 has a function of relaying signals of the master unit 1 and the repeater 2, and has a waterproof structure sealed with resin like the repeater. Hereinafter, the operation of the water leakage detection system of the present invention will be described in detail. The operation of this system is mainly a water leak detection operation, a repeater section management number assignment operation, a self-diagnosis operation, a malfunction prevention operation, and a detection sensitivity switching operation. Hereinafter, description will be made in order.

[Water Leak Detection Operation] As shown in FIG.
The leak detection instruction signal from the main microcomputer 12 of each relay 2
The microcomputer 22 reads the signal and operates the water leak detection circuit 23 of each relay device 2 to return a signal indicating whether or not a water leak has occurred to the base unit 1. Thus, the master unit 1 can read the total number of the repeaters 2 and the number of the repeater in which the water leak has occurred. Since the reading of data is performed by the main microcomputer 12, the main microcomputer 12 has a memory function and can simultaneously monitor a plurality of leaks or a leak occurring after a lapse of time.

The state of the water leakage is as follows:
Monitoring can be performed by turning on a display lamp 14 composed of an LED, sounding a buzzer, and outputting a relay. In the case of the present embodiment, when a water leak is detected, the abnormal mode symbol, the total number of the leak detection repeaters, and the leak detection repeater number can be continuously displayed on the LCD display 11.

[Repeater section management number assigning operation] A section management number of each repeater 2 is automatically assigned in order from the master unit 1, 2,... In response to an instruction signal from the main microcomputer 12 of the master unit 1. . Accordingly, the present system can automatically cope with replacement of the sensor unit, and can also cope with addition or deletion of the sensor unit.

[Self-diagnosis operation] As shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer 22 of each repeater 2 reads a self-diagnosis instruction signal from the main microcomputer 12 of the master unit 1, and a pseudo-diagnosis circuit which is a self-diagnosis circuit of each repeater 2 is provided. The water leakage circuit 21 is operated to put each repeater 2 into a pseudo water leakage detection state, and diagnosis of abnormality of the water leakage detection circuit 23 and disconnection of the sensor is performed. That is, the pseudo leak is a water leak state generated in a pseudo manner for the purpose of self-function diagnosis.

In both normal and abnormal cases, a water leak detection state signal is returned to the base unit 1, and the base unit 1 can read the total number of the repeaters 2 and the number of the repeater 2 in the pseudo leak state. In this case, the state of the pseudo leak is indicated on the LCD,
Monitoring can be performed by ED lighting, buzzer sounding, and the like.
In the case of the present embodiment, similarly to actual water leakage, when a pseudo water leakage is detected, the abnormal mode symbol, the total number of repeaters that detected the pseudo water leakage, and the pseudo water leakage detection repeater number are continuously displayed on the LCD display 1.

[Malfunction Prevention Operation] In order to prevent a malfunction due to an electrical noise signal or the like, a malfunction prevention operation due to a time lag is performed. This operation causes the repeater 2 to detect the same abnormal state again with the same command when the repeater 2 detects some abnormal state in response to the instruction of the main unit 1, and sends a signal to the main unit 1 only when the abnormality is detected again. To send, 2
It is set to be output only when the same abnormal state is detected. As a result, malfunction can be prevented, and the detection accuracy is significantly improved.

[Repeater Detection Sensitivity Switching Operation] The leak detection sensitivity of each repeater 2 is required to have different set values depending on the condition, environment, and type of liquid leak at the site where the leak detection sensor 3 is provided. This is because the sensitivity needs to be lowered when the installation site is highly humid or easily condensed, and when pure water is used as in a semiconductor factory, the sensitivity must be raised on the contrary. . In order to respond to this, the present system can switch the detection sensitivity of all the repeaters 2 under the control of the master unit 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the repeater sensitivity changeover switch 15 attached to the base unit 1 is switched, a water leak at the time of the water leak detection operation of the repeater 2 based on an instruction signal from the main microcomputer 12 of the base unit 1 is performed. A sensitivity changeover switch (not shown) in the detection circuit 23 operates to set the repeater leak detection sensitivity corresponding to the installation site of the sensor. In addition, by using this function together with the water leak detection operation, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the liquid leak of the sensor attached by the detection sensitivity changeover switch or the deterioration of the impedance between the electrodes due to the aging deterioration. Can be monitored. In the case of the present embodiment, the detection sensitivity is set in three stages, for example, 45 KΩ, 100 KΩ, and 300 KΩ.

[0026]

As described above, according to the water leakage detection system of the present invention, the microcomputer is built in the master unit and the repeater, and the repeater, the sensor line, the power supply line, and the signal line can be operated with a simple principle. By integrating the functions, it is possible to provide a water leakage position detection system having a simple configuration, high accuracy, and various functions other than water leakage detection, for example, a self-diagnosis function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a belt-shaped water leakage detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example configuration diagram of a conventional water leakage detection system.

FIG. 5 is another configuration diagram of a conventional water leakage detection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1,8 Master device 2,9 Relay device 3 Strip-shaped water leak detection sensor 4 ... Waterproof connector 5 ... Terminal connector 6 ... Electrode 7 ... Water leak detector 10 ... Coating 11 ... LCD display 12 ... Main microcomputer 13,21 ... simulated water leakage circuit 14 ... display lamp 15 ... detection sensitivity changeover switch 16 ... power supply circuit 22 ... microcomputer 23 ... water leakage detection circuit 90 ... detection sensor 91 ... detection circuit 92 ... switching circuit 93 ... resistor K1, K2 ... sensor line P1 , P2 ... power supply line S1, S2 ... signal line

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] In a water leakage position detection system, a base unit (1) having a built-in microcomputer for controlling the operation of the entire system and displaying a detection fact, and a water leakage according to an instruction from the base unit (1) having a built-in microcomputer. A plurality of repeaters (2) for sending position or self-diagnosis data to the master unit (1); connecting the master unit (1) and each repeater (2) with sensor lines (K1, K2); The wires (S1, S2) and the power lines (P1, P2) are integrally covered with an insulating material (10)
A leak detection sensor (3), and a terminal connection (5) that relays the sensor line, the signal line, and the power line. 2. The master unit (1) includes a display unit (11) for displaying a water leak state, a main microcomputer (12) for performing operation control of water leak detection, self-diagnosis, and detection sensitivity, and a self-diagnosis unit. And a display lamp (1) for displaying a system operation.
The water leak position detection system according to claim 1, further comprising: (4) a changeover switch (15) for switching the water leak detection sensitivity of each repeater (2) according to the state of the installation location. 3. Each of the repeaters (2) includes a simulated water leakage circuit (21) for simulating water leakage for self-diagnosis, and a microcomputer (22) for controlling operation inside the repeater.
The water leak detection system according to claim 1, further comprising a water leak detection circuit (23) for processing water leak detected by the sensor line. 4. The water leak position detecting system according to claim 1, wherein the repeater (2) is built in the water leak detecting sensor (3) for every predetermined section. 5. The sensor (3), wherein the sensor wire is disposed outside the belt-like shape, and the covering of the sensor wire is removed so that the core wire is exposed at regular intervals, and an electrode ( The leak position detecting system according to claim 1, wherein the system (6) is configured. 6. The sensor line (K1, K2) is connected to the first repeater (2) from the pseudo leak circuit (13) of the master unit (1).
Of the first repeater (2), and from the simulated water leak circuit (21) of the first repeater (2) to the leak detection circuit (23) of the next repeater (2). 2. The water leak position detecting system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal connection section is connected to the terminal connection section in a similar manner.