JPH09292099A - Leakage shut-off device for automatic water feed machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the device to be used regardless of length and shape of a piping so as to improve reliability by confirming the condition of a valve, comparing a flow value and an integrating flow value with respective reference values so as to judge leakage from the results, and controlling a shut-off valve at leakage. SOLUTION: In this leakage shut-off device 10, the closing states of a valve 5 for hot water and a valve 6 for cold water are judged by a valve monitoring means, and in case of the closing state, timing is begun. When the timer time exceeds the close setting time, whether a flow sensor 12 transmits a pulse signal or not, is judged by a leakage detecting means. In the case of transmitting, it is judged to be leakage. Further, the flow in a water feed pipe 7 is measured based on the pulse of the flow sensor 12, and further this is integrated. When the flow and the integrating flow are exceeds the respective reference values, it is judged to be leakage, so as to close the shut-off valve 11. Simultaneously, a leakage display lamp and a valve close display lamp of a controller 13 are lighted, an open display lamp is put out, and an warning sound is output.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention detects water leakage from a water supply device such as tea, hot water or cold water installed indoors, an automatic water supply device such as a cup type vending machine, and a pipe connected to the automatic water supply device. The present invention relates to a leak shutoff device for an automatic water dispenser that shuts off the supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, flexible piping having a length of several meters to 20 meters is used as indoor piping for automatic water dispensers such as vending machines. When water leaked, there were problems such as slipping on the floor and injuring the floor, and corrosion of the floor requiring repair work.

As a device for preventing water leakage from such an automatic water dispenser installed indoors, a water leakage shutoff device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-24691 is known. This is the water leak detection electrode placed in the main body of the automatic water dispenser or wound around the pipe,
The conductivity of water leaked from an automatic water dispenser or piping was used to detect the leak by energizing the water.

[0004]

However, in the conventional water leakage shutoff device, the water leak detection electrode energizes due to dew condensation or freezing on the pipe around which the water leak detection electrode is wound, and the pipe is accidentally shut off. It often happens that there is a problem with reliability. Further, if the water does not come into contact with the water leak detection electrode, the water leak cannot be detected. Therefore, there is a problem that the water leak cannot be found at a place where the water leak detection electrode is not arranged.

Further, if the water leak detection electrode is wound around the whole of a long pipe, it is costly, and when wound around a meandering pipe or a flexible pipe,
It was difficult to wind around the curved part, and there was a practical problem.

The present invention has been developed as a result of earnest research in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. The object of the present invention is that it can be used regardless of the length and shape of the pipe. , It is to provide a water leakage blocking device for an automatic watering machine with improved reliability at a low price.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention detects the leakage of water in an automatic water dispenser and a water supply pipe connected to the automatic water dispenser and shuts off the water supply pipe. The device comprises a shutoff valve that can be opened and closed, a flow rate sensor that detects the flow of water in a water supply pipe, and a controller. The controller supplies the shutoff valve, the flow rate sensor, and the automatic water supply device. A flow rate measuring unit that is electrically connected to a valve in an automatic water dispenser that adjusts the flow rate of water, and that measures a flow rate value by receiving the detection output of the flow rate sensor, and an integrated flow rate measurement that calculates an integrated flow rate value from the flow rate value. Means, a storage means for storing a reference flow rate value and a reference integrated flow rate value according to the size of the water supply pipe, and a set time, and a buffer for monitoring the state of the valve in the automatic watering machine on the basis of the set time. Monitoring means, a flow rate value determining means for determining whether the flow rate value is a reference flow rate value or more, an integrated flow rate value determining means for determining whether the integrated flow rate value is a reference integrated flow rate value or more, and the flow rate. Leakage detection means for detecting water leakage by obtaining information such as measurement means, the valve monitoring means, the flow rate value determination means, and the integrated flow rate value determination means, and a shutoff valve for receiving water leakage information from the water leakage detection means. The controller may be provided with a water leak notification means that has a valve control means for controlling, and that operates by receiving water leak information from the water leak detection means.

In the water leakage shutoff device for the automatic water dispenser described above, first, the valve monitoring means determines whether or not the valve in the automatic water dispenser is in a closed state. As a result, when the valve in the automatic water dispenser is in the closed state, the valve monitoring means starts time counting, and subsequently determines whether or not the time counting time exceeds the closing setting time preset in the storage means, If the timed time does not exceed the closing set time, it is judged again whether or not the valve in the automatic water dispenser is in the closed state.If the timed time exceeds the closing set time, the water leakage detection means measures the flow rate. 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 ends as it is, and when it does, it is determined that water is leaking.

Further, when the valve in the automatic water dispenser is in the open state, the valve monitoring means starts timing, and subsequently,
Judge whether the timed time exceeds the opening set time set in advance in the storage means.If the timed time does not exceed the open set time, determine again whether or not the valve in the automatic watering machine is closed. However, if the measured time exceeds the set open time, the water leak detection means determines that there is a water leak.

In addition to the monitoring of the open / closed state of the valve in the automatic water dispenser by the valve monitoring means, the water leakage detection means determines whether or not the flow rate sensor detects the flow of water through the flow rate measurement means. . As a result, if the flow rate sensor does not detect the flow of water, the flow ends. If it does, the flow rate measuring means starts the flow rate measurement in the water supply pipe based on the detection output from the flow rate sensor. The integrated flow rate measuring means starts integrating the flow rate in the water supply pipe based on the measured flow rate value.

Subsequently, the flow rate value determining means determines whether or not the measured flow rate value measured by the flow rate measuring means is greater than or equal to a reference flow rate value preset in the storage means, and the integrated flow rate value determining means determines the integrated flow rate value. It is determined whether or not the measured integrated flow rate value calculated by the measuring means is greater than or equal to the reference integrated flow rate value preset in the storage means.

As a result, if the measured flow rate value is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate value, the water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage, and if the measured flow rate value is less than the reference flow rate value, the water leakage detection means again determines the flow rate measurement means. It is determined whether or not the flow rate sensor detects the flow of water through. However, even if the measured flow rate value is less than the reference flow rate value, if the measured integrated flow rate value is equal to or greater than the reference integrated flow rate value, the water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage. When the measured integrated flow rate value is less than the reference integrated flow rate value, the water leakage detection means again determines whether or not the flow rate sensor is detecting the flow of water via the flow rate measurement means.

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 the valve control means which receives this information closes the shutoff valve. Further, the water leak detecting means sends the water leak information to the water leak notifying means to notify the water leak.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 denotes an automatic water dispenser (a cup type vending machine in the present embodiment), and an in-machine pipe 2 already installed in the automatic water dispenser 1 is a hot water tank 3 provided for supplying warm drinking water. A hot water valve 5 for branching into a hot water pipe 2a connected to the cold water pipe and a cold water pipe 2b connected to a cold water tank 4 provided for supplying cold drinking water, and 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.

A water supply pipe 7 for supplying water to the automatic water supply machine 1 is connected to the equipment pipe 2 and the water pipe 8. Further, a main valve 9 is interposed between the water supply pipe 7 and the water pipe 8.

In this example, the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 arranged in the automatic water supply device 1 are provided in the tanks 3 and 4, respectively.
It is set to open when the amount of water in it decreases from 150cc to 200cc and to close when it becomes full. Further, electromagnetic valves are used as the valves 5 and 6, but the invention is not limited to this, and the ON-OF
Any automatic valve of F operation may be used.

Reference numeral 10 denotes the water leakage shutoff device according to the present embodiment, which includes a shutoff valve 11 provided near the main valve 9 of the water supply pipe 7, a flow sensor 12 arranged downstream of the shutoff valve 11, and a flow sensor. The controller 13 controls the shutoff valve 11 by determining the presence or absence of water leakage based on the measured flow rate value measured via the shutoff valve 11, the flow rate sensor 12, and the automatic water dispenser. A hot water valve 5 and a cold water valve 6 in 1 are electrically connected, and a seismoscope (not shown) for detecting an earthquake with a seismic intensity of about 5 or more is mounted. Furthermore, an alarm is provided as one of the water leakage notification means. An alarm device (not shown) that generates a sound is provided.

Further, on the panel of the controller 13, a valve open display lamp 21, a valve closed display lamp 22, a water leak display lamp 23 which is one of the water leak notification means, an earthquake display lamp 24, which informs the open / close state of the shutoff valve 11. A power supply indicator lamp 25 is provided, and a check switch 26 for checking whether the shut-off valve 11 has a failure during normal operation and a reset switch 27 for opening the shut-off valve 11 and clearing each measured value and time are provided. ing. It should be noted that a lamp or the like for notifying a failure of the automatic water dispenser 1 may be provided.

The controller 13 includes a flow rate sensor 12
Has a flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate value of the water supply pipe 7 by receiving the pulse of, and an integrated flow rate measuring means for calculating the integrated flow rate value of the water supply pipe 7 from the measured flow rate value. According to the corresponding reference flow rate value and reference integrated flow rate value, the reference closing time when both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are closed, and one of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 Storage means for storing a reference set opening time when the valve is opened and open / closed states of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 in the automatic watering machine 1 are monitored based on the closing / opening set time. A valve monitoring means, a flow rate value determining means for determining whether or not the measured flow rate value measured by the flow rate measuring means is a reference flow rate value or more, and a measured integrated flow rate value calculated by the integrated flow rate measuring means is a reference integrated flow rate value or more. Integrated flow rate to determine whether or not Water leakage detection means for detecting water leakage by determining information, flow rate measurement means, valve monitoring means, flow rate value determination means, integrated flow rate value determination means, etc., and shutoff valve receiving water leakage information from the water leakage detection means, etc. 11 has a valve control means for controlling 11, etc., and when the water leak and the seismograph sense an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5 or more, the water leak detection means and seismometer send a closing signal to the valve control means. The shutoff valve 11 is urgently closed, and the water leakage indicator lamp 23 and the earthquake indicator lamp 24, which are water leakage notification means, are turned on. In addition, by pressing the check switch 26, a closing signal is sent to the shutoff valve 11,
Can be checked to see if it works properly.

Various types of flow rate sensors 12 can be used, but in order to reduce the cost of the device, a rotary type or pulse type is used. Further, the shutoff valve 11 is
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.

Next, using the flow chart shown in the figure,
The operation of the water leakage blocking device 10 described above will be described. Normally, the shutoff valve 11 is opened, the valve open display 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. Further, when the amount of water in the hot water tank 3 or the cold water tank 4 decreases by a set amount due to the use of the automatic water dispenser 1 or the failure of the automatic water dispenser, the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6 is opened, and the tank The valve closes when the inside is full.

The water leakage shutoff device 10 detects water leakage based on the open / closed state information of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6. First, the valve monitoring means determines whether both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are closed (step 1).

When both valves 5 and 6 are closed as a result of step 1, the valve monitoring means starts timing (step 2), and the measured time exceeds the closing set time preset in the storage means. It is determined whether or not there is (step 3). As a result, if the measured time does not exceed the closing set time, the process returns to step 1, and if the measured time exceeds the closed set time, the water leakage detection means causes the flow rate sensor 12 to pulse through the flow rate measuring means. It is determined whether or not the call is transmitted (step 4). As a result, if the flow rate sensor 12 does not emit a pulse, the water leakage detection is ended as it is, and if a pulse is emitted, the water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage (step 12). In step 2, the time measured in step 5, which will be described later, is cleared.

Normally, when both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 have been closed for a long time, the water supply pipe 7
The water inside does not flow. Therefore, when both the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 are continuously closed for a long time, but the flow rate sensor 12 emits a pulse, fine cracks or the like in the water supply pipe 7 may occur. It is judged to be a small amount of water leakage due to the cause. In order to avoid malfunction, the closing setting time is set in units of several hours so that the water leakage is determined when the automatic water dispenser 1 is not used for a long time such as at midnight.

As a result of step 1, when one of the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 is in the open state, the valve monitoring means starts time counting (step 5), and the time counting time is preset in the storage means. It is judged whether or not the set time is exceeded (step 7). As a result, if the measured time does not exceed the open set time, the procedure returns to step 1, and if the measured time exceeds the open set time, The water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage (step 12). In step 5, the time measured in step 2 is cleared.

Usually, a hot water valve 5 or a cold water valve 6
Is closed when the hot water tank 3 or the cold water tank 4 is full and continues to be closed until the amount of water in the tanks 3 and 4 decreases by a certain amount, so that the tanks 3 and 4 are continuously filled. It does not continue to open beyond the time required for. Therefore, when the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6 is open for longer than the opening set time, it is determined that the water leakage is caused by the failure of the hot water valve 5 or the cold water valve 6. In order to avoid malfunction, the opening set time is set to be somewhat longer than the time required to continuously fill the tanks 3 and 4.

Further, the water leakage shutoff device 10 detects water leakage based on the flow rate detection state of the flow rate 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 leakage detection means detects the flow of water by the flow rate sensor 12 via the flow rate measurement means.
It is determined whether or not a pulse is transmitted (step 7). As a result, if the flow rate sensor 12 does not emit a pulse, the water leakage detection is ended, and if the flow rate sensor 12 emits a pulse, the flow rate measuring means determines, based on the pulse from the flow rate sensor 12, When the flow rate measurement in the water supply pipe 7 is started (step 8), the integrated flow rate measurement means
Based on the measured flow rate value, the integration of the flow rate in the water supply pipe 7 is started (step 9).

Subsequently, the flow rate value determining means determines whether or not the measured flow rate value measured by the flow rate measuring means is greater than or equal to the reference flow rate value preset in the storage means (step 10), and the integrated flow rate value determining means. Determines whether the measured integrated flow rate value calculated by the integrated flow rate measuring means is equal to or larger than the reference integrated flow rate value preset in the storage means (step 1).
1).

As a result of step 10, if the measured flow rate value is equal to or greater than the reference flow rate value, the water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage (step 12), and if the measured flow rate value is less than the reference flow rate value, the process returns to step 7. . However, even if the measured flow rate value is less than the reference flow rate value, if the result of step 11 is that the measured integrated flow rate value is greater than or equal to the reference integrated flow rate value, the water leakage detection means determines that there is water leakage (step 12). If the measured integrated flow rate value is less than the reference integrated flow rate value, the process returns to step 7.

Usually, a hot water valve 5 and a cold water valve 6
The amount of water flowing by the opening / closing operation is about 150 cc to 400 cc, and the flow rate value is substantially constant for each size of the water supply pipe 7, and does not exceed this flow rate value. Therefore, when an abnormally large measured flow rate value is obtained as compared with the normal flow rate value, it is determined that a large amount of water has leaked due to the water supply pipe 7 coming off or being cut. In order to avoid malfunction, the reference flow rate value is set to a value that is somewhat larger than the normal flow rate value according to the size of the water supply pipe 7.

Further, normally, the measured flow rate value in the water supply pipe 7 is
When the flow rate is a normal value, even if the hot water valve 5 and the cold water valve 6 supply water into the tanks 3 and 4 substantially continuously or simultaneously, the integrated flow value of the water flowing in the water supply pipe 7 is
The sum of the reduction amounts of water in both tanks 3 and 4 (approximately 400 cc in the case of this embodiment) will not be exceeded. Therefore, when an abnormally large measured integrated flow rate value is calculated by comparing with the integrated flow rate value of the normal water flowing in the water supply pipe 7, the hot water tank 3 or the cold water tank 4 is damaged, or the tank 3, Water leakage due to a failure in the automatic water dispenser 1 on the downstream side of 4 is determined. In order to avoid malfunction, the reference integrated flow rate value is
A value that is somewhat larger than the normal integrated flow rate value according to the size of the water supply pipe 7 is set.

When the water leakage detecting means determines that there is water leakage as described above (step 12), the water leakage detecting means sends a closing signal to the shutoff valve 11 to shut off the shutoff valve 11 (step 13), and then to the water supply pipe 7. Shut off the water supply. At the same time, the water leakage indicator lamp 23 on the panel of the controller 13 is turned on, an alarm is sounded for a certain period of time, and further, the valve closed indicator lamp 22 of the controller 13 is turned on and the valve open indicator lamp 21 is turned off.

After repairing the leaking point, the reset switch 27 is pressed (step 14), an opening signal is sent to the valve control means, and the shutoff valve 11 is opened (step 15). At this time, the water leak display lamp 23 and the valve close 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 measured time and the measured integrated flow rate value are cleared.

Here, when an earthquake with a seismic intensity of about 5 or more is detected, a seismic sensor (not shown) sends a closing signal to the valve control means to urgently close the shutoff valve 11 and turn on the earthquake indicator lamp 24. The damage caused by the earthquake can be suppressed.

The automatic water dispenser 1 described above is a cup type vending machine having two valves, a hot water valve 5 and a cold water valve 6, but is limited to an automatic water dispenser having two valves. There is no such thing as a valve provided in the automatic water dispenser that controls the amount of water supplied to the automatic water dispenser,
It may be electrically connected to the controller.

[0036]

As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable and low-priced water leakage shutoff device that can be easily installed in any pipe. .

[Brief description of 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 above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Automatic water dispenser 5 Hot water valve (Automatic water dispenser internal valve) 6 Cold water valve (Automatic water dispenser internal valve) 7 Water supply pipe 10 Leakage shutoff device 11 Shutoff valve 12 Flow rate sensor 13 Controller 23 Leakage indicator lamp (leakage notification means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A leak control device for an automatic water dispenser that detects leaks in an automatic water dispenser and a water supply pipe connected to the automatic water dispenser, and shuts off the water supply pipe. A flow rate sensor for detecting a flow and a controller are electrically connected to the shutoff valve, the flow rate sensor, and an automatic water dispenser internal valve for adjusting the flow rate of water supplied to the automatic water dispenser. A flow rate measuring unit that is connected and that measures a flow rate value by receiving the detection output of the flow rate sensor, an integrated flow rate measuring unit that calculates an integrated flow rate value from the flow rate value, a reference flow rate value according to the size of the water supply pipe, and Storage means for storing the reference integrated flow rate value and set time, valve monitoring means for monitoring the state of the valve in the automatic watering machine based on the set time, and whether the flow rate value is equal to or greater than the reference flow rate value. Flow rate value determining means for determining, integrated flow rate value determining means for determining whether the integrated flow rate value is greater than or equal to a reference integrated flow rate value, the flow rate measuring means, the valve monitoring means, the flow rate value determining means and the integrated flow rate. Automatically characterized by having a water leak detecting means for detecting water leak by obtaining information such as value judging means, and a valve control means for controlling a shutoff valve by receiving water leak information from the water leak detecting means Leakage shutoff device for water supply machine. 2. The water leakage shutoff device for an automatic water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the controller is provided with water leakage notification means that operates upon receiving water leakage information from the water leakage detection means.