JPH03108630A - Detection of water leak - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve a reliability in detecting a water leak by setting two selectable water leak detection modes and judging the generation of the water leak when an integrated flow rate exceeds first and second set values in first and second water leak detection modes, respectively. CONSTITUTION:A water supply tube 1 is provided with a solenoid valve 4 for opening and closing the water supply tube 1 by a signal from a controller 3 and a flow rate sensor 5. The controller 3 is electrically connected to an operating unit 6, which is provided with a water leak detection mode changeover switch 6a, an integrated flow rate setting switch 6b for setting integrated flow rates Q1 and Q2, an instantaneous flow rate setting switch 6c for setting an instantaneous flow rate Q3 and the like. The controller 3 judges whether a water leak is generated in bibcocks 2a-2d on the downstream side of the sensor 5 based on the detection signal of the sensor 5 and the setting conditions of a variety of switches 6a-6d. When the water leak is judged to be generated, the valve 4 is closed to close the water supply tube 1, a warning lamp 7 is lighted and the generation of the water leak is alarmed by a warning buzzer 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Meter) The present invention relates to a water leakage detection method applied to, for example, a water supply system.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, a technique is known in which a water leakage detector is installed in a water supply pipe at a location where oily water is relatively likely to be generated, such as a continuation section, to monitor the occurrence of water leakage.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, water leak detectors must be installed at various locations in the water supply piping, and therefore,
The problem was that a large number of water leak detectors were required, increasing the cost of the entire water leak detection system.

Therefore, the present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water leakage detection method that does not require a large number of water leakage detectors and can detect the occurrence of water leakage with a simple configuration. With the goal.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention detects whether water leakage has occurred downstream of the flow rate sensor based on the output of the flow rate sensor disposed in the flow path. A water leakage detection method is provided, in which two selectable hot water detection modes, first and second, are set, and in the first water leakage detection mode, the cumulative flow rate is higher than the first one.
It is determined that a water leak has occurred when the water exceeds the set value of It is characterized in that it is determined that water accumulation has occurred when water flowing at a flow rate or higher continues for a predetermined period of time.

(Function) In the water leakage detection method of the present invention, based on the output of the flow rate sensor, the cumulative flow rate or the instantaneous flow rate is monitored to determine whether or not lake water has occurred.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example in which the water leakage detection method according to the present invention is applied to a water leakage prevention device will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the water leakage prevention device, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the lake water prevention device, Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water leakage prevention device, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water leakage prevention device. It is a timing chart showing the operation of the water leakage prevention device.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a water supply pipe installed in the underfloor ring of the house.The upstream side of this water supply pipe 1 is connected to a water pipe (not shown), and the downstream side of the water supply pipe On the side, there are faucets 2a and 2b installed in the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc.
, 2c, and 2d are connected.

The water supply pipe 1 includes an electromagnetic valve 4 that opens and closes the water supply pipe 1 according to a signal from the control device 3, and a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 1 and outputs this detection signal to the control device 3. 5 are provided in the water flow direction.

Here, the control device 3 inputs information from the flow rate sensor 5, executes predetermined information processing to be described later, and closes the electromagnetic valve 4 when water leakage occurs to minimize the occurrence of water leakage. It is something.

The control device 3 is electrically connected to an operation section 6 that is attached to a pillar or wall in the room, and this operation section 6 has the following functions:
A water leakage detection mode changeover switch 6a that selects either a first water leakage detection mode or a second water leakage detection mode, which will be described later, and an integrated flow rate Q1. An integrated flow rate setting switch 6b for setting Q2, an instantaneous flow rate setting switch 6c for setting instantaneous flow rate Q3, which will be described later, and a time setting switch 6d, for setting time t, which will be described later, are turned on when it is determined that a water leak has occurred. A warning lamp 7 is provided,
Further, the operation unit 6 has a built-in alarm buzzer 8 that is activated when it is determined that water leakage has occurred.

Next, the electrical configuration of the lake water prevention device will be explained based on FIG. 2.

The CPU 9 has a flow rate sensor 5, a water leak detection mode changeover switch 6a, an integrated flow rate (Q+, Q2) setting switch 6b, a flow rate between #14 (Q,) setting switch 6c, and a time (1) setting switch 6c through an input interface circuit 10. A switch 6d is connected via an input interface circuit 10.

Further, a solenoid valve 4 , an alarm lamp 7 , and an alarm buzzer 8 are connected to the CPU 9 via an output interface circuit 11 .

The CPU 9 receives a detection signal from the flow rate sensor 5 and various switches 6a and 6b provided in the operation section 6.

Based on the setting conditions of 6c and 6d, (i) flow rate sensor 5
A function to determine whether lake water has formed on the downstream side of (i
i) A function that closes the solenoid valve 4 to close the water supply channel 1 when it is determined that a water leak has occurred; (iii) A function that lights up the alarm lamp 7 and an alarm buzzer when it is determined that water has occurred. 8 to notify the occurrence of water leakage, and also includes a memory 12 for storing the program.

Next, the operation of the lake water prevention device will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the timing chart of FIG. 4.

First, the cumulative flow rate Q+ by the cumulative flow rate setting switch 6b
, setting of Q2, setting of instantaneous flow rate Q3 by instantaneous flow rate setting switch 6c, and time t by time setting switch 6d.
The settings are made (ST21).

Next, either the first water leak detection mode or the second water leak detection mode is set using the water leak detection mode changeover switch 6a (ST22).

Here, the first water leakage detection mode is a mode set up to cope with the situation at night or when you go out when water consumption is low, and it is assumed that a water leak has occurred when the water continues to flow and the cumulative flow rate exceeds Ql. to decide. Note that the cumulative flow rate Q1 needs to be set to a value that exceeds the low tank capacity, taking into consideration the use of the toilet during the night.

In addition, the second water leakage detection mode is a mode provided in response to the daytime when the amount of water used is large, and the second water leakage detection mode is a mode provided in response to the daytime when the amount of water used is large. It is determined that a water leak has occurred when the above water flow continues for more than time t.

The integrated flow rate Q+, Q2, instantaneous flow rate Q, and time t are appropriately set in consideration of the number of faucets, the amount of water used, and the like.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water leak detection mode is manually switched by operating the water leak detection mode changeover switch 6a, but a 24-hour timer is provided, and the switch is automatically switched by a signal from this timer. Good too.

Next, when at least one of the faucets 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is opened or a water leak occurs on the downstream side of the flow rate sensor 5 and water starts flowing (Sr23), it is determined whether the first water leakage detection mode is active or not. A determination is made (Sr24), and if it is determined that the mode is the first water leakage detection mode, the process of continuation<5T25 is executed, and if it is determined that the mode is the 28th water detection mode, the process of 5T29 is executed.

At 5T25, the water continues to flow and the cumulative flow rate is Q.
When the cumulative flow rate exceeds Ql, as shown in A in Fig. 4, it is determined that a water leak has occurred, a water leakage detection signal is output, and the solenoid valve 4 (Sr26) to minimize the amount of water, turn on the alarm lamp 7 (Sr27), and drive the alarm buzzer 8 (Sr28) to notify the occurrence of water.

In addition, in 5T25, as shown in Fig. 4,
If the water flow ends before the cumulative flow rate exceeds Ql,
Judging to use normal water, we returned to 5T23 and prepared for the next flush.

On the other hand, in 5T24, if it is determined that the second water leakage detection mode is selected, the running water will start w! Next, it is determined whether the cumulative flow rate exceeds Q2 (Sr29), and as shown in C in Figure 4, if the cumulative flow rate exceeds Q2, it is determined that water accumulation has occurred. , outputs a water leakage detection signal, closes the solenoid valve 4 (Sr26), minimizes the amount of water, turns on the alarm lamp 7 (Sr27), and drives the alarm buzzer 8 (Sr28). Notify of water leakage.

In addition, in 5T29, as shown in D in Fig. 4,
If the cumulative flow rate does not exceed Q2, proceed to 5T30.

At 5T30, a determination is made as to whether or not the flow of water with an instantaneous flow rate of 93 or higher has continued beyond time t, and as shown in Figure 4, if the flow of water with an instantaneous flow rate of 98 or higher exceeds the time meter,
It determines that a water leak has occurred and outputs a water leak detection signal.
Close solenoid valve 4 (Sr26)! Minimize water
Turn on the alarm lamp 7 (Sr27) and drive the alarm buzzer 8 (Sr28)! Notify the occurrence of water.

In addition, in ST30, as shown in F and G in Figure 4, if the flowing water with an instantaneous flow rate of 93 or more does not continue beyond time t, it is determined that normal water is being used, and the process returns to 5T23 for the next time. Prepare for the start of running water.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the water leak detection method according to the present invention, in order to determine whether a water leak has occurred by monitoring the cumulative flow rate or instantaneous flow rate based on the output of the flow rate sensor, The occurrence of accumulated water can be detected with a simple configuration without requiring a large number of water leakage detectors.

Furthermore, since two water leakage detection modes, the first and second, are set, and the optimum mode can be selected depending on the amount of water used, the reliability of water leakage detection is improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a water leakage prevention device to which the water leakage detection method according to the invention is applied; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water leakage prevention device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the water leakage prevention device, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the water leakage prevention device. In addition, in the drawing, 1 is a water supply pipe, 3 is a control device, 4 is a solenoid valve,
5 is a flow rate sensor, 6 is an operating section, 7 is an alarm lamp, 8 is an alarm buzzer, and 9 is a CPU.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A water leakage detection method for detecting whether water leakage has occurred downstream of the flow rate sensor based on the output of a flow rate sensor disposed in a flow path, the method comprising: a selectable first and Two second water leakage detection modes are set, and in the first water leakage detection mode, it is determined that a water leak has occurred when the cumulative flow rate exceeds the first set value, and in the second water leakage detection mode, the water leakage is determined to have occurred when the cumulative flow rate exceeds the first set value. Water leakage detection characterized in that it is determined that a water leak has occurred when the flow rate exceeds a second set value that is larger than the first set value or when flowing water at a preset instantaneous flow rate or more continues for a predetermined period of time. Method.