JPH095244A - Water leak detection apparatus and moisture measurement apparatus with water leak display function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a water leak detection apparatus which can clearly detect and preserve the generation of a water leak, a condensation, etc. CONSTITUTION: A paint 37 containing a water-soluble coloring matter is printed in dots or in a discrete linear pattern on a surface 38 of a paper sheet 36 of a water leak-sensing seal 34. The sensing seal 34 is attached to a position corresponding to a display window of a sensor 20. If a condensation occurs or the water leaks, the water-soluble coloring matter is melted to color the paper sheet 36, which clearly shows the generation of an environmental change. The sensor 20 is exchanged based on a color change of the display window 24. Highly accurate measurements can hence be conducted surely.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a detecting device capable of detecting the presence of water such as dew condensation and a measuring device capable of preventing deterioration of performance due to dew condensation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some semiconductor devices, printed circuit boards, humidity sensors, and the like have a problem that their performance is deteriorated or malfunction occurs due to dew condensation or water wetting. Therefore, the above troubles or the deterioration of performance are prevented by housing these devices in a closed housing, providing a space heater, or using them under an environment of a certain fixed condition. However, it is very difficult to completely prevent dew condensation and water wetting, and it is impossible to prevent dew condensation and water wetting because it is not possible to cover the moisture sensitive part in a humidity measuring device. is there. In such an apparatus, if there is condensation or water wetting and performance deterioration due to this is expected, it is necessary to immediately replace the portion where a defect may occur. In addition, when performance deterioration or malfunction occurs, the treatment may differ depending on whether dew condensation or water wetting has occurred. In such a case, it is desirable to be able to determine the presence or absence of dew condensation or water wetting.

In particular, like a humidity measuring device using a humidity sensitive part such as a ceramic substrate, an inorganic salt, or a polymer,
In a measurement device that uses the property of reversibly changing the physical properties of the surface such as ionic conductivity and dielectric constant depending on the surrounding atmosphere, the performance deteriorates when the sensing part is exposed to dew condensation or water, and the calibration value May change or a measurement error may occur. Therefore, it is desirable that a measuring device that requires accurate and stable measurement results has a function to clearly indicate that it is necessary to replace the sensor or calibrate again in the case of dew condensation or water wetting. .

[0004]

However, there is no simple device that can detect the dew condensation or water wetting that satisfies the above-mentioned functions, and the humidity can be detected by a humidity measuring device and analogized from the result, or the dew condensation can be achieved. Regardless of whether or not water has actually been wet, measures such as regularly replacing parts and sensing parts are taken in a device installed in such an environment. Therefore, in order to surely prevent troubles and bring out the performance, it is necessary to take measures such as replacement of parts in a short cycle and maintaining a constant environment in which the apparatus is installed, which is costly. On the other hand, in devices that measure humidity, etc., it is not possible to prevent changes in the atmosphere, so measures should be taken to replace the sensing unit on a regular basis, or to replace it immediately when the performance seems to have deteriorated. I could only take it.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a detector having a simple structure capable of easily and surely detecting dew condensation and water wetting. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a detection device capable of preventing performance deterioration and troubles due to dew condensation or water wetting, and reducing the cost for maintaining the performance of the device.

Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a measuring device for humidity and the like, which is provided with a function capable of surely detecting and displaying dew condensation or water wetting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidity measuring device that can measure humidity and the like with high accuracy by adding this function.

[0007]

The water wetting detection device of the present invention comprises a paper-made display unit and at least one of the surfaces of the display unit.
And a coating material containing a water-soluble pigment that is discretely applied to the area. In the water wetting detection apparatus of the present invention, the paint is discretely applied to the display unit, for example, by printing on a large number of dot-shaped or line-shaped patterns. Appears. On the other hand, when the display portion gets wet due to dew condensation or the like, the water-soluble pigment of the coating material starts to melt, and the display portion is colored by the water-soluble pigment and changes its color. Then, once the color is changed, the pigment is fixed on the paper-made display unit, so that it cannot be returned to the original state, and it becomes clear that there is dew condensation or water wetting. As a coating material suitable for the detection device of the present invention, there is an ink for water-painting painting, and a combination of a water-soluble vehicle and a water-soluble dye, a combination of an oil-based vehicle and a water-soluble dye, etc. are known. There is. And, by making these inks stand out the color development of the water-soluble dye, and by printing on white or pale high-quality paper that is easy to fix, the water wetting detection device of the present invention can be easily manufactured, and at low cost. It becomes possible to provide. Further, by providing the adhesive portion on the back side of the display portion, it becomes possible to easily attach the detection device of the present invention to the device or component.

A humidity measuring device having a humidity sensitive portion whose physical properties change reversibly depending on humidity is the same as a humidity measuring device having other sensing portions whose physical property values change substantially reversibly depending on the atmosphere. By providing the above-mentioned detection device adjacent to the sensing unit, it is possible to reliably display that dew condensation or water wetting has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to accurately monitor the situation of the sensing unit based on the display of this display unit, and it is possible to reliably perform highly accurate measurement, and it is possible to minimize the cost required for replacing the sensing unit. Become.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a temperature / humidity measuring device having a water wetting detection function of the present invention. The temperature / humidity measuring device 1 includes a main body 10 having a liquid crystal panel 11 for display on its surface, and a sensor 2 connected to the main body 10 via a connection cord 21.
0, the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the sensor 20 is installed can be measured and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11. At the same time, the temperature / humidity measuring device 1 of this example can be connected to a data collecting device (not shown) such as a personal computer via a cable 12, and the temperature / humidity measuring device 1 of this example can be installed at one place or a plurality of places. The state of changes in humidity and temperature measured by the temperature / humidity measuring device 1 can be displayed or printed out as a graph or table on a personal computer, and the environment in many places can be centrally managed by such a method. Further, the temperature / humidity measuring device 1 of the present example has a calibration function provided with a plurality of reference resistors inside the main body 10, from which an appropriate reference resistance according to the temperature or humidity being measured is automatically obtained. It is designed to be selected. By providing such a calibration function, a temperature / humidity measuring device capable of performing accurate measurement over a wide measuring range, which was difficult with the conventional measuring device, is realized.

The sensor 20 has therein a temperature measuring element and a humidity measuring element. In addition, a plurality of flow ports 2 are formed on the surface 22 of the sensor 20 so that these measuring elements come into good contact with the surrounding air and highly sensitive measurement is performed.
3 is provided. On the surface 22 of the sensor 20 of this example,
Further, a water-wetting display window 24 and a high temperature display window 25 are provided. The wetness display window 24 changes color when there is a possibility that the humidity measuring element has been wetted by water due to dew condensation inside the sensor 20 or water splashing on the sensor 20. Even if it is removed, the color does not return to its original state, and it is possible to clearly indicate that condensation or water wetting has occurred. The high temperature display window 25 changes color when the sensor 20 is exposed to a high temperature, for example, a temperature of 60 [deg.] C. or higher, and can clearly show that the sensor 20 is placed in such an environment. These display windows 24 and 25 are for warning that the sensor 20 is placed in an environment that may adversely affect the temperature and humidity measuring elements housed therein. Further, the performance of the sensor 20 can be ensured by these display functions, and in combination with the above-mentioned calibration function provided in the main body 10, highly accurate and reliable measurement can be performed. Furthermore, if the surroundings of the sensor 20 are exposed to high temperature or dew condensation,
The discoloration of the display windows 24 and 25 can surely grasp such a situation, and an appropriate response such as replacement of the sensor 20 can be promptly taken. in this way,
Since the temperature / humidity measuring device of this example can always measure temperature and humidity with the normal sensor 20, the measuring device can be installed with peace of mind even in a place where the environment changes greatly, and highly accurate measurement can be performed. It can be performed.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lid 26 covering the surface 22 of the sensor 20 is opened. Inside the sensor 20, a thermistor 31, which is a temperature measuring element, and a measurement substrate 30, on which a humidity sensor 32 using a ceramic substrate, which is a humidity measuring element, is mounted, are housed. And are connected by a connection cord 21. Further, a water wetness detection seal 34 that changes color due to water due to water wetness or dew condensation is attached to a portion corresponding to the water wetness display window 24 adjacent to the measurement substrate 30.
Further, a temperature sensing seal 35 that changes color depending on the temperature is attached to a portion corresponding to the high temperature display window 25.

In the water wetness detection seal 34 of this embodiment, a white fine paper 36 has a surface coated with a coating material 37 containing a water-soluble pigment dispersed in dots. Therefore, in a normal state where water does not get wet or dew condensation occurs, the water wetness detection seal 34
The surface of the paper looks like the color of the paper 36, that is, white. On the other hand, when there is wet coating or dew condensation, the water-soluble pigment contained in the paint 37 is dissolved by the moisture on the surface of the paper 36, and the paper 36 is dyed in the pigment color, for example, blue or red. And paper 3
Even after 6 is dry, its color does not disappear. Therefore, in the sensor 20 of this example, the water-wet display window 2 is normally operated.
No. 4 is white, and once the dew condensation or water wetting occurs, the water wetting display window 24 changes to blue, red, or the like, so that it is clear that dew condensation or water wetting has occurred.

Suitable paints 37 containing a water-soluble pigment used for the water wetness detection seal 34 include known ones as water-painting picture inks. The water wetness detection seal 34 of this embodiment can be easily manufactured by printing this water-painting ink in a dot shape or a line shape. Water painting inks are water-soluble dyes, such as food dyes, dispersed in an oily or water-soluble vehicle consisting of a resin such as modified phenolic resin or epoxy acrylate and a solvent, and further necessary additives and dispersants. Some have been added. All of these water-based painting inks are suitable for the water-wetting detecting seal of this example, and by printing them on a piece of paper with a suitable pattern such as dots or lines by the letterpress printing method or the lithographic printing method. The water wetness detection seal of this example can be manufactured.

Further, the water wetness detection seal 34 of this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 3, the paint 37 is printed on the front surface side 38 of the seal, and the back surface side 39 is an adhesive surface. Therefore, by peeling off the protective seal 40 covering the adhesive surface 39, the sensor 20 can be easily attached to a predetermined position. Since the ceramic-type humidity sensor 32 used in the sensor 20 of the present example measures humidity by using capacitance, ionic conductivity, or the like, there is a possibility that the calibration value may be disturbed if water gets wet. Therefore, if the sensor 20 is provided with a water wetness detection seal 34 as in this example, it is possible to immediately know whether or not the humidity sensor 32 is wetted by water or if water is generated on the surface thereof, and the user can display the wetness display. The color change of the window 24 is regularly monitored, and when the color changes, the sensor 20 may be removed from the main body and replaced. By such processing, the temperature and humidity measuring device 1
Will always operate in a normal state and will be able to perform accurate and reliable humidity measurement.

Without the water wetness detection seal 34, in order to perform accurate measurement, the sensor 20 should be changed in a single cycle regardless of water wetness, or the sensor 20 should be changed when high humidity is measured. Since it is necessary to take measures such as storage, the maintenance cost is high and the user is troubled. On the other hand, the water wetness detection seal 3 of this example
If the number 4 is provided, the user can grasp the status of the sensor 20 only by periodically looking at the color change, and can always perform highly reliable measurement. In addition, maintenance cost can be reduced because it can be replaced according to the life of the sensor. Not only humidity sensors, but many sensors whose surface properties change reversibly depending on the atmosphere around the sensing part, such as various gas sensors, the calibration value changes and the sensitivity deteriorates when moisture adheres to the surface. There are many things. Therefore, in order to maintain the performance of these sensors, the water wetness detection seal of this example is very effective.

Similarly, the water wetness detection seal 34 of this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 4, it can be easily attached to the printed circuit board 50 on which the IC package 51 or the like is mounted. Such a printed circuit board 50 is currently built in various devices regardless of size, and many of them are used under various changing environments. Therefore, if you attach the water wetness detection sticker of this example, you can clearly see that water wetness or dew condensation has occurred, so in the unlikely event of a situation that seems to be a problem with the performance of the device Can immediately determine whether the cause is a problem such as dew condensation on the printed circuit board.
Further, by regularly monitoring the water wetness detection seal 34 attached to the printed circuit board and replacing the printed circuit board when dew condensation occurs, it is possible to prevent trouble from occurring.

The application of the water wetness detection seal of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and it can be applied to all the electronic and electric equipments or the like where water generation easily causes troubles. Further, since the water wetness detection seal of this example is mainly composed of a piece of paper on which paint is printed, it can be cut to an appropriate size and installed at any place.
Therefore, the installation space can be very small, and the sensitivity does not deteriorate even when a small water-wetness detection seal is used. Further, the water-wetness detecting seal of this example can be manufactured at a low cost because it can be easily manufactured by the above-described method, and it is highly reliable because it reliably detects water when it is present.

In the above description, the present invention has been described by taking the water wetness detection seal as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such a seal. There are various shapes of the water wetting detection device of the present invention, such as a device that can be independently placed on the floor or the like, a device that is hung on a wall or the like, or a device that is attached by screws or the like. Further, the water wetting detection device of the present invention is configured so that the presence or absence of water wetting or dew condensation can be clearly recognized visually by the change in color. Therefore, in this example, white paper is used so that the color of the pigment can be clearly seen when wet with water, but the color of the base paper is not limited to this example, and the color due to wetness is not limited. It suffices if the change in is clearly understood. Further, in the above example, the paint containing the water-soluble pigment is printed in a dotted pattern, but the arrangement of the paint is not limited to this, and a figure such as a line drawing in which the paint is discretely applied on a piece of paper. If it is good.

[0019]

As described above, the water wetting detection device of the present invention is one in which a water-soluble paint is discretely applied to the surface of a paper-made display unit, and It is a device that can clearly detect such a change in environment, which has been difficult to discriminate in the past due to a change in color. Furthermore, since the changed color remains in the water wetting detection device of the present invention, it is possible to store the fact that there has been a change in the environment, and the user can see whether or not condensation has occurred simply by observing the color change of the water wetting detection device. Can be clearly determined. Further, the water wetting detection device of the present invention has a very simple structure and is easy to manufacture, and thus can be provided at a low cost. Also, it is easy to downsize, so it can be installed even in a small space. Therefore, for example, the water wetting detection apparatus of the present invention is very suitable for maintaining the performance of electronic and electric devices which have been miniaturized in recent years and used in various environments for various purposes. In addition, in a device whose calibration value changes due to the presence of moisture such as a humidity measuring device, it is possible to improve reliability by adding a water wetness display function using the water wetness detection device of this example. , It becomes possible to perform highly accurate measurement.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a temperature / humidity measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a sensor unit of the temperature / humidity measuring device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view showing how a water wetness detection seal is attached to the sensor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a printed circuit board to which a water wetness detection seal according to the present invention is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. ・ Temperature / humidity measuring device 10 ・ ・ Main body 20 ・ ・ Sensor part 24 ・ ・ Water-wetness display window 25 ・ ・ High-temperature display window 34 ・ ・ Water-wetness detection sticker 36 ・ ・ Paper piece 37 ・ ・ Paint containing water-soluble dye

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A wetness detection device comprising a paper-made display unit and a coating material containing a water-soluble pigment which is discretely applied to at least a part of the surface of the display unit. 2. The water wetting detection device according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive portion on the back side of the display portion. 3. A moisture-sensitive portion whose physical properties change substantially reversibly with humidity, and a water-wetting display portion installed adjacent to the moisture-sensitive portion, wherein the water-wetting display portion is made of paper. A humidity measuring device having a water wetness display function, comprising: a display portion; and a paint containing a water-soluble pigment discretely applied to at least a part of the surface of the display portion. 4. A water-wetting display unit is provided adjacent to the sensing unit whose surface property value changes substantially reversibly depending on the atmosphere, and the water-wetting display unit is made of paper. A measuring device having a water wetness display function, comprising: a display portion; and a paint containing a water-soluble dye discretely applied to at least a part of the surface of the display portion.