JP3576313B2 - Automatic water supply leak prevention device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic water supply device for indoor water supply such as tea, hot water or cold water, an automatic water supply device such as a cup-type vending machine, and an automatic water supply device for detecting leakage of piping connected to the automatic water supply device and shutting off supply. The present invention relates to a water leakage cutoff device for a water supply device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, flexible pipes having a length of several meters to about 20 m are used for indoor piping to an automatic water dispenser such as a vending machine, and in the event that a leak occurs in these pipes and the automatic water dispenser, There were problems such as accidents such as injuries caused by sliding on the floor, and the need for repair work due to corrosion of the floor.
[0003]
As a device for preventing water leakage of such an automatic water supply device installed indoors, a water leakage shut-off device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-24691 is known. This is a device that detects leakage by energizing a water leakage detection electrode that is placed in the main body of the automatic water supply unit or wound around the pipe by using the conductivity of the water leaked from the automatic water supply unit or the piping. Met.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional water leakage cutoff device often causes the water leakage detection electrode to be energized due to dew condensation or freezing that occurs in the pipe around which the water leakage detection electrode is wound, causing the pipe to be cut off by mistake, resulting in poor reliability. There was a problem. Further, if the leak detection electrode is not in contact with the leak, the leak cannot be detected. Therefore, there is a problem that the leak cannot be detected at a place where the leak detection electrode is not arranged.
[0005]
Furthermore, when the piping is long, winding the water leakage detection electrode over the whole is expensive, and when winding around a winding pipe, flexible piping, etc., it is difficult to wind around a curved part, and there is a practical problem. .
[0006]
The present invention has been developed as a result of earnest research to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. The purpose of the present invention is to be able to use the pipe regardless of the length and shape of the pipe, and to improve the reliability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost automatic water-supply water leakage cut-off device with improved water-repellency.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automatic water supply and a water supply pipe connected to the automatic water supply, which detects leakage of a water supply pipe, and a water leakage cutoff device of the automatic water supply which shuts off the water supply pipe, wherein a shutoff valve that can be opened and closed is provided A flow sensor for detecting the flow of water in the water supply pipe, and a controller, wherein the controller is provided with the shutoff valve, the flow sensor, and an automatic water supply that adjusts a flow rate of water supplied to the automatic water supply. A flow measuring unit electrically connected to a valve and measuring a flow value in response to a detection output of the flow sensor, an integrated flow measuring unit for calculating an integrated flow value from the flow value, and a size of the water supply pipe. Storage means for storing the corresponding reference flow rate value, reference integrated flow rate value, and set time, valve monitoring means for monitoring the state of the valve in the automatic water supply device based on the set time, and the flow rate value Flow rate value determining means for determining whether or not the quasi-flow rate value or more, integrated flow value determining means for determining whether or not the integrated flow value is equal to or greater than the reference integrated flow value, the flow rate measuring means, the valve monitoring means, A leak detecting means for detecting water leakage by obtaining information such as a flow value judging means and the integrated flow value judging means, and a valve control means for controlling a shut-off valve by receiving leak information from the leak detecting means and the like. The controller may further include a water leak notification unit that operates upon receiving water leak information from the water leak detection unit.
[0008]
In the above-described automatic water supply device water leakage shut-off device, first, the valve monitoring means determines whether a valve in the automatic water supply device is in a closed state.
As a result, when the valve in the automatic watering machine is in the closed state, the valve monitoring means starts timekeeping, and then determines whether or not the timed time exceeds the closing set time previously set in the storage means, If the time has not exceeded the set time for closing, it is determined again whether or not the valve in the automatic water supply device is in the closed state.If the time has exceeded the set time for closing, the water leak detection means performs flow measurement. Through the means, it is determined whether or not the flow rate sensor is detecting the flow rate. As a result, when the flow rate sensor 12 does not detect the flow rate, the process is terminated as it is.
[0009]
When the valve in the automatic watering device is in the open state, the valve monitoring means starts timing, and then determines whether or not the time has exceeded the opening set time previously set in the storage means. If the time does not exceed the opening set time, it is determined again whether or not the valve in the automatic water supply device is in a closed state, and if the time has exceeded the opening setting time, the water leakage detecting means determines that there is water leakage. .
[0010]
In addition to the monitoring of the open / close state of the valve in the automatic water supply device by the valve monitoring means, the water leakage detection means determines whether or not the flow sensor detects the flow of water via the flow measurement means. As a result, if the flow sensor does not detect the flow of water, the process ends.If the flow sensor detects the flow, the flow measurement unit starts measuring the flow rate in the water supply pipe based on the detection output from the flow sensor. Then, the integrated flow rate measuring means starts the integration of the flow rate in the water supply pipe based on the measured flow rate value.
[0011]
Subsequently, the flow rate value determining means determines whether the measured flow rate value measured by the flow rate measuring means is equal to or greater than a reference flow rate value preset in the storage means, and the integrated flow rate value determining means performs It is determined whether the calculated measured integrated flow value is equal to or greater than a reference integrated flow value preset in the storage means.
[0012]
As a result, if the measured flow value is equal to or greater than the reference flow value, the water leak detection means determines that the water has leaked, and if the measured flow value is less than the reference flow value, the water leak detection means again passes through the flow measurement means. Then, it is determined whether or not the flow sensor detects the flow of water. However, if the measured integrated flow value is equal to or greater than the reference integrated flow value, even though the measured flow value is less than the reference integrated flow value, the water leakage detection unit determines that there is water leakage. If the measured integrated flow value is less than the reference integrated flow value, the water leakage detecting means determines again whether the flow sensor detects the flow of water via the flow measuring means.
[0013]
As described above, when the water leakage detecting means determines that there is water leakage, the water leakage information is transmitted to the valve control means, and upon receiving this, the valve control means closes the shutoff valve. Further, the water leak detecting means transmits the water leak information to the water leak notifying means to notify the water leak.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an automatic water supply machine (a cup-type vending machine in the present embodiment), and an in-machine pipe 2 provided in the automatic water supply machine 1 has a hot water tank 3 provided for supplying hot drinking water. And a cold water pipe 2b connected to a cold water tank 4 for supplying cold drinking water, and a hot water valve 5 for adjusting the amount of water stored in the hot water tank 3. Is provided in the hot water pipe 2a, and a cold water valve 6 for adjusting the amount of water stored in the cold water tank 4 is provided in the cold water pipe 2b.
[0015]
A water supply pipe 7 for supplying water to the automatic water supply device 1 is connected to the internal pipe 2 and the water supply pipe 8. A main valve 9 is interposed between the water supply pipe 7 and the water supply pipe 8.
[0016]
In this example, the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 disposed in the automatic water supply device 1 are opened when the amount of water in each of the tanks 3 and 4 decreases from 150 cc to 200 cc, and closed when the amount of water is full. Is set to In addition, although electromagnetic valves are used as these valves 5 and 6, the present invention is not limited to this, and any automatic valve with ON-OFF operation may be used.
[0017]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a water leakage shut-off device according to the present embodiment, which includes a shut-off valve 11 provided near the main valve 9 of the water supply pipe 7, a flow sensor 12 disposed downstream of the shut-off valve 11, and a flow sensor 12. The controller 13 controls the shut-off valve 11 by judging the presence or absence of water leakage based on the measured flow rate value measured by the controller 13. The controller 13 includes the shut-off valve 11, the flow sensor 12, The hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are electrically connected, equipped with a seismic sensor (not shown) for detecting an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5 or more, and generating an alarm sound as one of water leak notification means. Alarm device (not shown) is provided.
[0018]
On the panel of the controller 13, a valve open indicator lamp 21, a valve close indicator lamp 22, a leak indicator 23, an earthquake indicator 24, and a power indicator are provided. Further, a check switch 26 for checking whether or not the shut-off valve 11 has failed during a normal operation, and a reset switch 27 for opening the shut-off valve 11 and clearing each measured value and time are provided. Note that a lamp or the like for notifying the failure of the automatic water supply device 1 may be provided.
[0019]
The controller 13 has a flow rate measuring means for receiving a pulse from the flow rate sensor 12 to measure a flow rate value of the water supply pipe 7, and an integrated flow rate measuring means for calculating an integrated flow rate value of the water supply pipe 7 from the measured flow rate value. Further, a reference flow rate value and a reference integrated flow rate value according to the size of the water supply pipe 7, a closing set time serving as a reference when the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are both closed, and a hot water valve 5. And a storage means for storing an open set time serving as a reference when one of the cold water valves 6 is open, and a closed / closed state of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 in the automatic water supply machine 1. Valve monitoring means for monitoring based on the set opening time, flow rate determining means for determining whether or not the measured flow value measured by the flow rate measuring means is equal to or greater than the reference flow rate value, and the measured integrated flow rate calculated by the integrated flow rate measuring means If the value is Integrated flow rate value determining means for determining whether or not the calculated flow rate value or more, and a leak detecting means for detecting a leak by obtaining information such as flow rate measuring means, valve monitoring means, flow rate value determining means and integrated flow rate value determining means, It has valve control means and the like for controlling the shut-off valve 11 in response to water leak information from the water leak detection means, etc., and when water leakage is detected and the seismic sensor detects an earthquake with a seismic intensity of approximately 5 or more, A closing signal is sent from the seismic device to the valve control means, the shutoff valve 11 is closed urgently, and the water leak indication lamp 23 and the earthquake indication lamp 24, which are water leak notification means, are turned on. By pressing the check switch 26, a closing signal is sent to the shut-off valve 11, and it can be checked whether the shut-off valve 11 operates normally.
[0020]
Various sensors can be used as the flow sensor 12, but in order to reduce the price of the device, a rotary sensor or a pulse sensor is used. As the shutoff valve 11, a spring return electric valve is used, but any valve that can be shut off automatically or manually in an emergency such as a power failure may be used.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the above-described water leakage blocking device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in the drawing.
Normally, the shut-off valve 11 is opened, the valve open indication lamp 21 provided on the panel of the controller 13 is turned on, and when not in use, both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are closed. Also, when the amount of water in the hot water tank 3 or the cold water tank 4 decreases due to the use of the automatic water supply device 1 or a failure of the automatic water supply device, the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6 is opened, When the interior is full, the valve closes.
[0022]
The water leakage cutoff device 10 detects water leakage based on information on the open / closed states of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6.
First, the valve monitoring means determines whether or not both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are closed (step 1).
[0023]
If both valves 5 and 6 are in the closed state as a result of step 1, the valve monitoring means starts timing (step 2), and determines whether or not the measured time has exceeded the set closing time preset in the storage means. Is determined (step 3). As a result, if the measured time does not exceed the set closing time, the process returns to step 1. If the measured time exceeds the set closing time, the water leak detecting means detects the flow rate of the flow sensor 12 via the flow rate measuring means. Is determined (step 4). As a result, when the flow rate sensor 12 does not transmit the pulse, the water leakage detection is terminated as it is, and when the pulse is transmitted, the water leakage detecting means determines that the water leakage has occurred (step 12).
In step 2, the time measured in step 5 described later is cleared.
[0024]
Normally, when both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are continuously closed for a long time, water in the water supply pipe 7 does not flow.
Therefore, when the flow rate sensor 12 is transmitting a pulse despite the fact that both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are continuously closed for a long time, fine cracks in the water supply pipe 7 may occur. It is judged to be a slight leak due to the cause.
In addition, in order to avoid malfunction, the closing set time is set in units of several hours so that water leakage is determined when the automatic water supply device 1 is not used for a long time, such as at midnight.
[0025]
If one of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 is open as a result of step 1, the valve monitoring means starts timekeeping (step 5), and the timed time is set to the open set time previously set in the storage means. It is determined whether or not the time has exceeded (step 7). As a result, if the time has not exceeded the set opening time, the process returns to step 1; Is determined to be leaking (step 12).
In step 5, the time measured in step 2 is cleared.
[0026]
Normally, the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6 closes when the hot water tank 3 or the cold water tank 4 is full and keeps closing until the amount of water in the tanks 3 and 4 decreases by a certain amount. It does not continue to open beyond the time required to continuously fill 3,4.
Therefore, when the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6 is open for more than the set time, it is determined that water is leaked due to the failure of the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6.
In order to avoid a malfunction, the opening set time is set to be somewhat longer than a time required for continuously filling the tanks 3 and 4 with each other.
[0027]
Further, the water leakage blocking device 10 detects water leakage based on the flow detection state of the flow sensor 12.
First, in addition to monitoring the open / closed state of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 by the valve monitoring means, the water leak detection means detects the flow of water by the flow sensor 12 via the flow measurement means, and transmits a pulse. It is determined whether or not it is (step 7). As a result, if the flow sensor 12 has not transmitted a pulse, the water leak detection is terminated, and if the flow sensor 12 has transmitted a pulse, the flow measurement means is based on the pulse from the flow sensor 12, The measurement of the flow rate in the water supply pipe 7 is started (step 8), and the integrated flow rate measuring means starts the integration of the flow rate in the water supply pipe 7 based on the measured flow rate value (step 9).
[0028]
Subsequently, the flow value determining means determines whether or not the measured flow value measured by the flow measuring means is equal to or greater than a reference flow value preset in the storage means (step 10), and the integrated flow value determining means It is determined whether the measured integrated flow rate value calculated by the flow rate measuring means is equal to or greater than a reference integrated flow rate value preset in the storage means (step 11).
[0029]
As a result of Step 10, if the measured flow value is equal to or greater than the reference flow value, the water leakage detecting means determines that there is water leakage (Step 12). If the measured flow value is less than the reference flow value, the process returns to Step 7. However, in spite of the fact that the measured flow rate value is less than the reference flow rate value, as a result of step 11, if the measured integrated flow rate value is equal to or greater than the reference integrated flow value value, the water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage (step 12). If the measured integrated flow value is smaller than the reference integrated flow value, the process returns to step 7 again.
[0030]
Normally, the amount of water flowing by opening and closing the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 is about 150 cc to 400 cc, and the flow value is substantially constant for each size of the water supply pipe 7 and does not exceed this flow value.
Therefore, when an abnormally large measured flow rate value is obtained as compared with a normal flow rate value, it is determined that a large amount of water leaks due to the water pipe 7 being detached or cut off.
In order to avoid malfunction, the reference flow rate is set to a value somewhat larger than a normal flow rate corresponding to the size of the water supply pipe 7.
[0031]
Also, when the measured flow rate value in the water supply pipe 7 is about the normal flow rate value, the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 can supply water into the tanks 3 and 4 substantially continuously or simultaneously. The integrated flow value of the water flowing through the water supply pipe 7 does not exceed the sum of the reduced amounts of the water in the tanks 3 and 4 (about 400 cc in the case of the present embodiment).
Therefore, when an abnormally large measured integrated flow rate value is calculated as compared with the integrated flow rate value of the normal water flowing in the water supply pipe 7, breakage of the hot water tank 3 or the cold water tank 4 or the tank 3, It is determined that water is leaked due to a failure in the automatic water supply device 1 downstream of the water supply device 4.
In order to avoid a malfunction, the reference integrated flow value is set to a value that is somewhat larger than a normal integrated flow value according to the size of the water supply pipe 7.
[0032]
As described above, when the water leakage detecting means determines that there is water leakage (step 12), a closing signal is sent from the water leakage detecting means to the shutoff valve 11, the shutoff valve 11 is closed (step 13), and the water flowing into the water supply pipe 7 is discharged. Shut off supply. At the same time, the water leak indicator lamp 23 on the panel of the controller 13 is turned on, an alarm sounds for a certain period of time, and the valve closed indicator lamp 22 of the controller 13 is turned on and the valve open indicator lamp 21 is turned off.
[0033]
After repairing the leak location, the reset switch 27 is pressed (step 14), and an open signal is sent to the valve control means to open the shutoff valve 11 (step 15). At this time, the water leak display lamp 23 and the valve closed display lamp 22 on the panel of the controller 13 are turned off, the valve open display lamp 21 is turned on again, and the time measured and the measured integrated flow value are cleared.
[0034]
Here, when an earthquake with a seismic intensity of approximately 5 or more is detected, a closing signal is sent from a not-shown seismic sensor to the valve control means, the shutoff valve 11 is closed urgently, and the earthquake display lamp 24 is turned on to cause damage by the earthquake. Can be suppressed.
[0035]
Although the above-mentioned automatic watering machine 1 is a cup-type vending machine having two valves of a hot water valve 5 and a cold water valve 6, it is not limited to an automatic watering machine having two valves. Instead, the controller may be electrically connected to a valve that is provided in the automatic water supply device and controls the amount of water supplied to the automatic water supply device.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable and inexpensive water leakage shut-off device for an automatic water supply machine that can be easily installed in any pipe.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a piping configuration diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the controller of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Automatic water supply 5 Valve for hot water (valve in automatic water supply)
6 Valve for cold water (valve in automatic watering machine)
7 Water supply pipe 10 Leakage shutoff device 11 Shutoff valve 12 Flow rate sensor 13 Controller 23 Leakage display lamp (leakage notification means)

Claims (2)

Automatic shutoff valve that can be opened and closed, and flow rate that detects the flow of water in the feedwater pipe in an automatic water feeder leak detection device that detects water leaks in the automatic water feeder and the water supply pipe connected to the automatic water feeder and shuts off the water supply pipe. A sensor and a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the shutoff valve, the flow sensor, and a valve in the automatic water supply that adjusts a flow rate of water supplied to the automatic water supply, A flow rate measuring means for measuring a flow rate value in response to a detection output of a sensor, an integrated flow rate measuring means for calculating an integrated flow rate value from the flow rate value, a reference flow rate value and a reference integrated flow rate value according to the size of the water supply pipe; Storage means for storing a set time, valve monitoring means for monitoring the state of the valve in the automatic watering device based on the set time, and flow rate for determining whether the flow rate value is equal to or more than a reference flow value Determining means, an integrated flow value determining means for determining whether the integrated flow value is equal to or greater than a reference integrated flow value, the flow measuring means, the valve monitoring means, the flow value determining means, the integrated flow value determining means, etc. Leakage of an automatic water supply machine, comprising: a water leakage detection means for detecting water leakage by obtaining information of the water leakage; and a valve control means for controlling a shutoff valve by receiving water leakage information or the like from the water leakage detection means. Shut-off device. 2. A water leakage shut-off device for an automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is provided with a water leakage notification means which operates upon receiving water leakage information from said water leakage detection means.

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