JPH04206322A - Water detecting method using water absorptive resin and water detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect the presence of even a small amount of water by making a water absorptive resin absorb water, and taking a volume change by the water absorptive expansion of the water absorptive resin as a driving force, and operating a switch by this expanding force. CONSTITUTION:A granular or powdery water absorptive resin 1 is put in a soft bag-shaped water permeable vessel 2. When water 3 is present, the water absorptive resin 1 immediately absorbs the water several ten times to several hundred times the dead weight and expands. Then, an operating piece 4 is pushed up thereby, consequently, a switch 5 is operated, and an alarm 7 or stop valve 8 interlocked with the switch 5 is further operated. Thus, the alarm of a water leak can be given, or the water can be urgently stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a water detection method and a water detector in which water is detected by operating a switch or the like based on a volume change due to water absorption and expansion of a water absorbent resin.

(Prior Art) Conventional method: A direct water detection method and a water detector, in which a small amount of water itself, caused by water leakage, becomes a driving source for a switch, etc. In other words, conventional methods for detecting the presence of water have been indirect detection methods and detectors that detect the conductivity of water and the presence of water as changes in capacitance.

(Problem that the invention seeks to solve) Conventionally, there are methods to detect the presence of a small amount of water, as described above, but all of them capture the presence of water as a physical quantity such as electrical resistance or capacitance. This is an indirect method, so to speak, and requires a special sensor that detects the presence of water as a physical quantity such as electrical resistance or capacitance, and an electronic circuit to process the electrical signal information from that sensor. Only then is a signal indicating water detection emitted, so there are disadvantages such as the detection method and the configuration of the detector must be complicated and expensive.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made here to solve the above problems. 1. Method for detecting water leakage and water level: In this case, a water-absorbing resin unit absorbs water, and the water absorption A method for detecting water using a water-absorbing resin, which is characterized in that the volume change due to water-absorbing expansion S of the water-absorbing resin is extracted as a driving force, and the expansion force is used to operate a switch, etc.

2. A water-permeable container filled with granular or powdery water-absorbing resin, and an actuating piece (or actuating member) for extracting the volume change due to water absorption and expansion of the water-absorbing resin as a driving force.
1. A water detector using a water-absorbing resin, characterized by comprising a switch, etc., which is operated by the actuating piece (or actuating member).

3. The water-permeable container filled with granular or powdery water-absorbing resin is in the form of a soft bag, and the water-absorbing resin absorbs water and expands to generate a change in volume of the container as a driving force. Claim 2. A water detector using the water-absorbing resin described above.

4. The water-permeable container containing the granular or powdery water-absorbing resin is hard (for example, cylindrical), and the volume change due to water absorption and expansion of the water-absorbing resin is the displacement change: this conversion 3. A water detector using a water-absorbing resin according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving force is extracted through a volume-displacement converting member (actuating member).

5. Instead of a water-permeable container filled with granular or powdery water-absorbing resin, a solid water-absorbing resin is used to directly drive the volume change caused by water absorption and expansion of the solid water-absorbing resin itself. Claim 2, characterized in that it is configured to be taken out as force. or 4. A water detector using the water-absorbing resin described above.

It is.

(Function) According to the present invention, for example, when a water leak occurs, water enters a water-permeable container in which a water-absorbing resin is sealed, and when it touches the water-absorbing resin, the water-absorbing resin quickly removes the water. Absorbs and expands. However, since the water-absorbing resin is sealed in a container, in the case of a soft water-permeable container (for example, water-permeable packaging), the change in volume caused by the expansion of the container opening is combined as a driving force via the actuating piece, and If the container is a hard container, the I$ product is extracted as a driving force via a displacement converting member (actuating member) that converts a change in volume of the water-absorbing resin in the container into a change in displacement. The driving force operates a switch, which in turn activates an alarm connected to the switch, or a water supply valve to warn of a water leak, or to shut off the water in an emergency. be.

(Example) Figure 1 shows claims 1 and 2: the basic structure of the water detection method and water detector using water-absorbing resin according to the present invention, and the method for detecting water leakage using the same. An explanatory diagram showing a case of emergency water outflow.

Figure 2 shows claim 3. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of the water detection sensor section of the water detector using the water-absorbing resin of the present invention described above.

FIG. 3 shows claim 4. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a water detection sensor section of the water detector using the water-absorbing resin of the present invention described in .

FIG. 4 shows claim 5. : An explanatory diagram illustrating the structure and operation of the water detection sensor section of the water detector using the water-absorbing resin of the present invention described above.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show other embodiments of the water detection sensor section.

In each figure, members having the same or equivalent functions are given the same reference numerals. Each will be explained below using the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a granular or powdery water-absorbing resin, 2 is a soft packaging-like water-permeable container, 3 is water, 4 is an actuating piece,
5 is a switch, and 1 to 5 excluding water from 3 from above.
A water detection sensor section S is configured. Furthermore, 6 is a power supply, 7 is an alarm, 8 is a water stop valve, and 9 is a board. In such a configuration, when water 3 is present, the water absorbent resin 1 immediately absorbs water tens to hundreds of times its own weight and expands. Then, the actuating piece 4 is pushed up, and as a result, the switch 5 is activated.
Furthermore, an alarm 7 or water valve 8 linked to the switch 5
Since the system is activated, it is possible to warn of water leaks or to shut off the water in an emergency.

Note that the expansion coefficient of water-absorbing resin is extremely large, so when the amount of water-absorbing resin in the water-permeable container expands, it will operate the two switches. A small amount is fine. The amount is determined by the size of the container and the required amount of displacement. By the way, when operating a microswitch like the one shown in Figure 1 using a water-absorbing resin sealed in a thin non-woven fabric packaging-like container, the jl is granular powder of the water-absorbing resin sealed in a thin layer or so. That's enough. On the other hand, if there is too much, the bag may tear and the water-absorbing resin may leak outside.
Be careful as it may get stuck. Figure 3: It is much cheaper than the hard container shown, so it can be used repeatedly.
When activated: This also poses no problem in terms of cost.

Next, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the method of detecting water by directly operating a simple switch piece and the operation of the water-detection sensor section in the case of a detector, where (a) is the state before water absorption and expansion. in,(
Since b) shows the state in which the switch 5 is activated after water absorption and expansion, the water absorbent resin 1 absorbs water 3, expands the water permeable container 2, pushes up the actuating piece 4, and turns on the contact of the switch 5. If the switch 5 is used to activate the alarm or water valve, water leakage or the like can be detected and an alarm can be issued or the water can be shut off in an emergency.

Fig. 3 is an operational explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the water detection sensor section when the water permeable container is a hard cylindrical shape, and 2 is a cylindrical bottom of the cylindrical container consisting of a water permeable bottom part 2'. It is a water-permeable container, in which a piston-shaped actuating member 4 is provided, and a water-absorbing resin 1 is sealed between the water-permeable bottom 2' and the actuating member 4. Furthermore, a switch 5 interlocked with the actuating member 4 is provided (FIG. 3(a)). Figure 3 (b) is the same figure (a):
This is an explanatory diagram of the operation when the water detection sensor section shown in FIG. It was turned on. If this switch 5 activates the alarm, water leakage can be detected. Also this switch 5
If the water stop valve is activated in the case of a water leak, it is possible to stop the water in an emergency.In addition, even in such a case, the amount of water-absorbing resin to be sealed can be very small, just as in the case of a soft container. In Figure 3, the volume ratio before and after expansion is depicted as being small so that the properties of the water-absorbing resin can be seen, but in reality it is several tens to hundreds of times larger, so Figure 3 (a)
A small amount of the water-absorbing resin 1 may be sealed in the bottom. In this case, it goes without saying that the water-permeable container can be used repeatedly by replacing the water-absorbing resin.

Briefly, FIG. 3(c) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the water detection sensor section when the water detection method and water detector according to the present invention are applied to water level detection, and as is clear from the figure. When the water level rises and reaches the water-permeable bottom 2', the water-absorbent resin 1 rapidly absorbs water and expands, displacing the actuating member 4 in the direction of the arrow ζ, and the switch 5 is actuated, turning the contact ON. Therefore, by linking this switch 5', this alarm, or the water valve, it is possible to notify that the water has reached a specific water level at which the water detection sensor is installed, and to shut off the water at that water level. be.

Figure 4 shows a case in which a water-absorbing resin is formed into a solid form and a switch or the like is directly actuated by the water absorption and expansion force of the solid water-absorbing resin without enclosing it in a water-permeable container. The present invention shows an example of a water detection method and a water detector, in which the water-absorbing resin expands while remaining solid when it absorbs water, and the volume change acts as a driving source and directly acts on the actuating piece. actuates the switch. This has the effect of simplifying the structure. of course,
Section 3 shows a hard cylindrical water-permeable container with water-absorbing resin (
It goes without saying that a solid water-absorbing resin may be used instead of the granular powder (1).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show other embodiments of the water detection sensor section, in which the water-permeable bottom of the hard water-permeable container 2 is a water-conducting column that has water-conducting properties by capillary action or the like to guide external water. 1
Fig. 5(a) shows a case where a water-absorbing resin sealed in a soft water-permeable container is used as a driving source, and Fig. 5(b) shows an example in which a water-absorbing resin is sealed in a soft water-permeable container. This shows a state in which the water detection sensor section absorbs water and detects water. In addition, Fig. 6 (a
) shows a water detection sensor section in which a solid water-absorbing resin is provided and used as a driving source, and FIG. The water guiding column 10 also prevents the water-absorbing resin provided in the water-permeable container from falling off.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the water detection method and water detector according to the present invention can detect water leaks and water levels using extremely simple principles, methods, and devices that have never been seen before. It is. In particular, since the switch is actuated by the water itself to be detected, there is no possibility of malfunction, resulting in an extremely reliable water detection method and water detector. In addition, the structure is extremely simple and suitable for mass production, and all the components are inexpensive, so manufacturing costs can be extremely reduced. Therefore, special 4
Additionally, the water detection sensor section can be made disposable. In addition, 1. sealed in a soft water-permeable container.・It goes without saying that when using a water-absorbent resin, it is a good idea to replace only the water-permeable container filled with the water-absorbent resin. Even if the sensor is used repeatedly as a detector, it is only necessary to replace the inexpensive water detection sensor part or the water-absorbing resin contained in the soft water-permeable container.

In particular, when monitoring water leaks, conventional methods and devices require the detection device to be constantly energized.
In the unlikely event that a power outage or battery runs out, detection may not be possible, and double safety measures had to be taken to prevent this. However, according to the water detection method and water detector according to the present invention, the detection device becomes activated only when the presence of water is detected.
Since it does not consume electricity at all times, that is, during monitoring, there is no running cost at all, and if it uses batteries, there will be no malfunction or malfunction, so it can be said that it is an extremely reliable water detection method and water detector. It is something.

As described above, the present invention has extremely high utility value in the industrial field of monitoring water.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows claim 1. and 2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of the water detection method and water detector using the water-absorbing resin according to the present invention, and the case where water leakage is detected or water is stopped in an emergency using the same. Figure 2 shows claim 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a water detection sensor section of the water detector using the water-absorbing resin of the present invention described in . FIG. 3 shows claim 4. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a water detection sensor section of the water detector using the water-absorbing resin of the present invention described in . FIG. 4 shows claim 5. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of a water detection sensor section of the water detector using the water-absorbing resin of the present invention described in . FIGS. 5 and 6 show other embodiments of the water detection sensor section. It is. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Water-absorbing resin, 2... Water-permeable container, 4... Operating piece or operating member, 5... Switch, 7... Alarm device, 8... Water supply valve.

Claims (1)

[Claims of Claims] 1. In a method of detecting water leakage or water level, a water-absorbing resin is made to absorb water, a change in volume due to water absorption and expansion of the water-absorbing resin is extracted as a driving force, and the expansion force is used to operate a switch, etc. A water detection method using a water-absorbing resin. 2. A water-permeable container filled with granular or powdery water-absorbing resin, and an actuating piece (or actuating member) for extracting the volume change due to water absorption and expansion of the water-absorbing resin as a driving force.
1. A water detector using a water-absorbing resin, characterized by comprising a switch, etc., which is operated by the actuating piece (or actuating member) thereof. 3. The water-permeable container filled with granular or powdery water-absorbing resin is a soft bag-like structure, and the water-absorbing resin absorbs water and expands, and the volume change of each container is taken out as a driving force. A water detector using the water-absorbing resin according to claim 2. 4. The water-permeable container containing the granular or powdery water-absorbing resin is hard (for example, cylindrical), and the volume-displacement converts the volume change due to water absorption and expansion of the water-absorbing resin into a displacement change. 3. A water detector using a water-absorbing resin according to claim 2, characterized in that the water detector is configured to be extracted as driving force via a conversion member (operating member). 5. Instead of a water-permeable container filled with granular or powdered water-absorbing resin, a solid water-absorbing resin is used, and the volume change due to water absorption and expansion of the solid water-absorbing resin itself is directly extracted as a driving force. 5. A water detector using a water-absorbing resin according to claim 2, characterized in that it is constructed as follows.