KR20200016034A - Water monitoring system using IOT flow sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water resource monitoring system using an IoT flow sensor, which integrates IoT with a flow meter measuring a flow to grasp water resource usage and manages the same in real time by using a server to identify the current status of the water resource at a glance. The system comprises: a plurality of flow meters which are installed in a place where the flow is generated to measure the flow, and are capable of wireless communication; a repeater which is grouped by being linked with the plurality of flow meters, and receives, in real time, flow data measured from each flow meter; and a server which builds a database and is linked to the repeater to store the plurality of flow data sent to the repeater. Through the flow data stored in the server, each flow occurrence area can be monitored to easily manage water resources.

Description

Water monitoring system using IOT flow sensor

The present invention relates to a water resource monitoring system, and in particular, after incorporating an IOT to a flow meter that measures water flow rate to identify water resource usage, and real-time management of it with a server to monitor the water resource status at a glance, water resource monitoring using an IOT flow sensor It is about the system.

In general, the metering of water resources is done by installing a single flow meter that can measure the flow of water where the flow in the building or pipe flows, and then checking the accumulated flow rate by the user or inspector. I measure it.

This conventional water metering method requires manual measurement because a single flow meter installed does not have network connectivity, which not only consumes a lot of manpower, but also takes considerable time to complete the meter reading and extract data. Large errors may occur depending on the size of the meter and manpower.

In particular, in the conventional method without network connectivity, the maximum flow rate measurement range is limited to the building, and the measurement of flow rate fluctuations in real time is impossible, so the utilization of flow rate measurement data is limited.

On the other hand, Korea is a water shortage nation known all over the world, and the need for water resource management has emerged to emphasize the saving of water resources. In reality, there is no system for saving water.

In addition, in the conventional manual measurement method, it is difficult to check where water is leaking in an environment where water is leaked, and it is late to arrive at the leaking site to take measures. It does not comply with the policy.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a network connectivity by integrating the IOT to a flow meter that can measure the flow rate to determine the water resource usage, and collects and monitors the measured data by connecting it to a server, thereby providing an overview of the water resources. The purpose is to provide a water resource monitoring system using IOT flow sensors that can be identified.

Water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems is installed in the place where the flow rate is measured, the flow rate, a plurality of wireless flow rate measuring device capable of wireless communication; It includes a server for grouping in conjunction with the plurality of flowmeters, establishing a repeater and a database for receiving the flow rate data measured from each flow meter in real time, and linked with the repeater, and stores a plurality of flow rate data transmitted to the repeater And, through the flow rate data stored in the server, it is possible to easily manage the water resources by monitoring each flow rate generation region.

Here, the flow meter and the repeater may be in RF communication, and the repeater and the server may be in Wi-fi communication.

In addition, the flow meter includes at least two buttons and displays for operation A and B, and at the time of initial installation, while pressing one button while pressing one button, the other button is released. After that, the flow rate flows and the flow rate signal flows up to the point of stopping, and the counted signal number is approximate the default value, the calibration can be completed.

In addition, the repeater repeats the sequential calls of the plurality of flowmeters to receive the flow data in real time, and the flowmeter that does not respond within the set time range at the time of the call may repeat the call except in the call. have.

The server may store the flow rate data separately to include one or more of a date, a time, a flow meter installation area, a flow meter device number, a flow rate, and a measurement frequency.

In addition, the server may be linked with a remote terminal to monitor in real time even from a remote location.

The water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor further includes an auxiliary communication unit interlocked with the repeater and the flow meter, and causes the auxiliary communication unit to call the flow meter when the flow meter is generated except the caller. The auxiliary communication unit may transmit a signal to the repeater to include the flow meter in the call in response to the calling flow meter.

In addition, the flow rate meter, including a pH sensor for detecting the pH of the flowing water, it can transmit a notification to the server when the pH concentration detection exceeds a predetermined range.

The monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the error rate by performing a calibration operation when installing the flow meter with a flow sensor, and the data through the interworking of the flow meter and the server through the repeater It has the advantage of excellent retention rate and fast data transfer rate.

In particular, it is possible to observe the data of a plurality of flowmeters at a glance, it is easy to manage the scarce water resources, many people can make an active interest in saving water resources.

1 is a schematic diagram of a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a flow meter which is one configuration of a water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor of FIG. 1.
3 is an algorithm for the calibration operation when the flow meter of FIG. 2 is installed.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a repeater which is one configuration of a water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor of FIG. 1.
5 is an algorithm for when the repeater of FIG. 3 calls the flow meter.
6 is an exemplary diagram of a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor in which an auxiliary communication unit and a remote terminal are added.

Hereinafter, the description of the present invention with reference to the drawings is not limited to the specific embodiments, various changes may be made and various embodiments may be provided. In addition, the contents described below should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

In the following description, terms such as “first” and “second” are terms used to describe various components, and are not limited in themselves, and are used only for distinguishing one component from other components.

Like reference numerals used throughout the present specification refer to like elements.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the terms "comprise", "comprise" or "have" described below are intended to designate that the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification exist. It is to be understood that it does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or the addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof.

In addition, the terms “… unit”, “… unit”, “module”, etc. described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. have.

Hereinafter, a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

1 is a schematic diagram of a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a flow meter 10, a repeater 20, and a server 30.

Specifically, the flow meter 10 is a device for measuring the flow rate is installed where the flow rate is generated, may include a flow rate sensor (not shown) for measuring the flow rate, a plurality of places as the flow rate is generated It may be provided.

Here, the place where the flow rate is generated is a space using water, such as a toilet, a shower, a car wash, a factory, as shown in the drawing, the flow meter 10 according to the number of pipes through which water flows in each space ) May be provided in plural in each space.

That is, the minimum unit of the flow meter 10 installation may be provided for each branch pipe in the space using water, the flow meter 10 described below is based on the minimum unit is installed in the pipe, the space When it should be divided, the description will be made by dividing it into the first and the second. For example, the flow meter installed in the first space is classified into a first flow meter 10a, and the flow meter installed in the second space is classified into a second flow meter 10b and the like.

In addition, the flow meter 10 may be formed to enable wireless communication to transmit the flow rate data measured through the flow sensor. Here, the wireless communication method may be preferably RF communication, which will be described in detail in the description of the repeater 20.

The repeater 20 may be wirelessly linked with the flow meter 10 to receive the flow rate data measured by the flow meter 10 in real time. At this time, the repeater 20 may be in RF communication with the flow meter 10, but is not necessarily limited and may use other communication methods such as Bluetooth, Wi-fi.

In the case of RF communication, communication is transmitted or received using electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 3000 GHz or less, and reception sensitivity due to high frequency is good and communication is possible at a relatively long distance, and multiple pairing with a plurality of flowmeters 10 is performed. It has a good advantage.

Therefore, in the present invention, the flow meter 10 and the repeater 20 improves network traffic in preparation for connecting multiple flow meters 10 due to RF communication, and can prevent instability on the network.

In addition, the repeater 20 may group the plurality of flow meters 10. Here, grouping may mean grouping a plurality of flow meters (one of 10a to 10d) provided in a range within each space. For example, the plurality of first flow meters 10a provided for each pipe provided in the first space may be grouped by one repeater 20a, and the plurality of second flow meters installed for each pipe provided in the second space ( 10b) may be grouped by another repeater 20b.

That is, as shown in the drawings, repeaters 20a to 20d may be provided for each space to group a plurality of flowmeters 10a to 10d provided for each space.

However, this is not necessarily limited to the preferred example, and the repeater 20 may group flow meters installed in other spaces. For example, the flowmeters of the first space and the second space may be bundled into one repeater, or some of the plurality of flowmeters of the first space and some of the plurality of flowmeters of the third space may be bundled, and the rest of the other repeaters may be combined. It may be tied to the.

Accordingly, the repeater 20 may temporarily receive flow rate data from the plurality of flow rate meters 10 and store the flow rate data in real time, and then transmit the same to the server 30 to be described later.

The server 30 may be linked with one or more repeaters 20 to receive and store a plurality of flow rate data, and may establish a database for storing the flow rate data. At this time, the interworking of the server 30 and the repeater 20 may be made through Wi-fi (Wireless fidelity) communication with a low data transmission speed and a low installation cost.

However, this is not necessarily limited to the preferred example, and it is obvious that other wireless communication schemes such as 3G, 4G, 5G, and Bluetooth may also be applied.

Here, the server 30 may store the flow data separately to include one or more data of the flow measurement date, flow measurement time, flow meter installation zone, flow meter device number, flow rate, the number of times of measurement, preferably, All of these may be included. In addition, the server 30 may provide a function such as descending or ascending order or search for each division, through which the flow rate data can be easily sorted, and the desired flow rate data can be easily found.

The server 30 for storing the flow rate data may be connected to an output means 35 such as a display to display the flow rate data. Through this, an administrator who manages a water resource or a user who uses the water resource can easily monitor the flow data of each flow generating area with the naked eye, and can check and easily manage the water resource status at a glance.

Hereinafter, each configuration and operation method will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

2 is an exemplary view of a flow meter which is a configuration of a water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an algorithm for a calibration operation when the flow meter of FIG. 2 is installed.

First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of flowmeters 10 installed as pipes branched in each space may include at least two buttons 12 and 14 (hereinafter, 'A' and 'B') for operation. Button) and display 16.

Here, four digit seven segments may be displayed on the display 16, and the operation buttons 12 and 14 of A and B may operate the seven segments displayed on the display 16 according to the above-described flow data classification. . For example, pressing the A button once may display a number for the flow rate, and pressing the A button again may display the flowmeter device number. You can also press the B button to return to the previously displayed segment data or to reset it. You can also adjust the number.

In addition, one feature of the present invention is to reduce the error of the flow sensor by performing a calibration operation during the installation of the flow meter 10, it is possible to perform the correction through the operation buttons (12, 14) of A and B.

More specifically, in the initial installation of the flow meter 10, the operator first presses and releases the B button 14 while pressing the A button 12, and then releases the A button 12 to prepare for the correction operation. . In this case, when the B button 14 is pressed while the A button 12 is pressed, the 7 segments marked with 0L are initially increased by 1L. When the default value of the increased numeric state other than 0L is made, the correction is made. Your work is ready.

When the calibration is ready, the flow rate can be sent to count the number of flow signals. Here, the flow rate signal is a signal from the flow rate to the point of stopping the flow rate, which is determined once, and if the number of counted flow rate signals does not correspond to an approximation of the default value within the set effective range, the correction is canceled. If it is approximated, the correction is regarded as a completed value and the flow rate is measured based on the corrected value.

For example, if the 7 segment is adjusted to 3L (default value) by the operation of the A and B buttons, the flow meter 10 measures an approximation of about 3L (default value) for a single flow signal, If the one-time flow signal corresponds to an approximation, it is determined as an effective number. At this time, if the effective number is set to two valid ranges in a total of five executions, when the total number of five flow signals is counted, the number (effective number) of flow signals corresponding to about 3L, which is the default value, is measured two to five times. When the calibration is completed, if the unmeasured or measured once will be canceled.

This operation is due to the error of the current commercialized flow sensor is usually within a high error range of ± 5%, the cumulative errors caused a huge loss of water resources, which is relatively low in the flow meter 10 By directly controlling the installation, the calibration is performed to significantly reduce the cost and the calibration can be relatively simple and accurate.

That is, the water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention to perform the correction operation as described above when the flow meter 10 is installed, reducing the error rate of the flow meter 10 to a lower cost and manpower Can prevent waste.

On the other hand, in the above described as an example of pressing the B button 14 while pressing the A button 12 and then removing the A button 12 to prepare a correction operation, on the contrary, while pressing the B button 14, After pressing the button 12, the B button 14 may be released to perform the correction operation. In addition, the A button 12 and the B button 14 may be referred to as a '1' button and a '2' button, or a 'ga' button and a 'I' button. That is, the limitation of the buttons is only for explaining the function and the name and order are not limited.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a repeater, which is one component of the water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an algorithm when the repeater of FIG. 3 calls a flow meter.

4 and 5, the repeater 20 wirelessly interworking with the plurality of flowmeters 10 and grouped at the same time, and at the same time interworking with the server 30 to relay between the flowmeter 10 and the server 30, For each interworking, two communication modules 22 and 24 may be provided.

Here, one communication module may be an RF module 22 for communicating with the flow meter 10 and the other may be a Wi-fi module 24 for communicating with the server 30. However, it is not limited as described above, and it is natural that different communication modules may be mounted. In addition, the repeater 20 and the flow meter 10 may communicate in the 433MHz band, the repeater 20 and the server 30 may communicate in the 2.4GHz band, but this is also not limited to the exemplary, The repeater 20 may use all possible communication band ranges.

Even if the Wi-Fi interworking with the server 30 is disconnected by the repeater 20 relaying between the flow meter 10 and the server 30 as described above, the flow meter 10 receives the flow data to the repeater 20. Since it continues to transmit, and the repeater 20 continues to collect it, the flow rate data transmission between the flowmeter 10 and the server 30 may have a continuous effect. In particular, flow rate data can be preserved for a certain period of time even when data loss occurs, such as server replacement.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, when a plurality of repeaters are provided to be formed so that the flow rate data divided transmission between the repeaters, for this purpose may be equipped with an auxiliary data module that is responsible for only divided transmission.

The auxiliary data module (not shown) is a module used when the interworking Wi-Fi between the repeater 20 and the server 30 is disconnected. The auxiliary data module divides the flow data into other repeaters near the disconnected repeater 20. Transmitters receiving the received flow rate data may be transferred to the server 30 instead of the flow rate data received from the disconnected repeater 20. That is, even if one repeater is disconnected through the communication between the auxiliary data modules, the flow rate data may be transmitted to the server 30 in real time through the other repeaters, so that the water resource identification and coping may be performed more quickly.

In addition, the repeater 20 may receive flow rate data by sequentially calling the flow rate meter 10 when receiving the flow rate data. At this time, if the flow meter 10 corresponding to the call sequence does not respond for a predetermined time, after passing through the call, it may be excluded from the next call.

For example, assuming that there is a flow meter 10 from 1 to 100, the repeater 20 calls the flow meter 10 from 1 to 100 sequentially and receives data, but at this time, does not respond When the flow meter 10 is generated, a communication delay inevitably occurs. Therefore, if the set response time is exceeded when the call is made from any one of the 100 flowmeters, the call can be resumed from the next number of the flowmeter 10.

Subsequently, when all 100 flow meter 10 calls are completed, the flow meter 10 is called again from 1 to 100, where the repeater 20 does not respond to the call of the previous step. Except that it executes the call. That is, when two flow meters 10 do not respond, only 98 flow meters 10 are called except the flow meters.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the system response time of the present invention from being delayed and not responding in real time, and to collect flow rate data more quickly.

On the other hand, it is preferable to exclude the call of the flow rate meter 10 as described above only for a certain period of time or number of times. This is to prevent the infinite exclusion of the non-responsive flow meter, for example, repeating the flow meter call from 1 to 100 five times without initializing the call of the non-responsive flow meter 10 and resetting from 1 to 100. You can call all of the flowmeters up to, or after a certain time, such as 1 minute, you can reset the call exclusion and call all of the flowmeters from 1 to 100 again.

In this case, if the flow rate meter, which has been excluded from the call during the entire call, responds again, the call is sequentially sequentially reflected.

In another embodiment, the water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an auxiliary communication unit 40 interworking with the repeater 20 and the flow meter 10. This will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is an exemplary diagram of a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor in which an auxiliary communication unit and a remote terminal are added.

Referring to FIG. 6, the auxiliary communication unit 40 is a device for causing the repeater 20 to call the excluded flow meter 10 when the flow meter 10 except for the call occurs. Except for the call of the flow rate meter 10 without a response as it is, the call of the flow rate meter 10 without a response may proceed until the auxiliary communication unit 40 responds from that moment.

Then, when the flow meter 10 responds, the auxiliary communication unit 40 immediately sends a response signal to the repeater 20 so that the repeater 20 recognizes, and the repeater 20 has no response to the flow meter 10. ) Can be reincluded to proceed with the call. Accordingly, the repeater 20 may enable accurate and faster data transmission.

The server 30 receiving the flow rate data from the repeater 20 may be connected to the output unit 35 as described above to observe the flow rate data with the naked eye. In this case, the server 30 may be linked to the remote terminal 50 in addition to the output means 35.

Here, the remote terminal 50 refers to various mobile devices or installation devices such as a mobile phone, a notebook, a PC, a tablet PC, a PDA, and can monitor or control a water resource remotely through software such as an app or a widget. Means means.

Accordingly, the user or worker can easily manage the water resources at a remote location, not where the output means connected with the server 30 is provided, and it is possible to check the status of the water resources more conveniently and quickly.

In addition, the water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, may further include a pH sensor (not shown) that can detect the pH of the water flowing in the flow meter (10).

Here, the pH sensor (not shown) is to transmit a signal to the server 30 when the water flowing to the installed position is detected a pH concentration exceeding a predetermined range to transmit to the device connected to the server 30 Can be. For example, it may be displayed on a monitor, or may be transmitted to a mobile device of a user or an operator in a message manner. Accordingly, safer water resource management can be achieved immediately.

The water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor including the above configuration, it is possible to grasp the objective water resource status rather than subjective water resource management and by using it to manage water resources, it is possible to effectively prevent water waste.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. I can understand that. Accordingly, the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

10: flow meter
12: A button
14: B button
16: display
20: repeater
22: RF module
24: Wi-fi module
30: server
35: output means
40: auxiliary communication unit
50: remote terminal

Claims (8)

A plurality of flow rate meters installed at a place where a flow rate is generated and measuring a flow rate and capable of wireless communication;
A repeater grouped in conjunction with the plurality of flowmeters and receiving the flow rate data measured from each flowmeter in real time;
A server for establishing a database and interworking with the repeater to store a plurality of flow rate data transmitted to the repeater,
Water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor, characterized in that to monitor each flow generating area through the flow data stored in the server to easily manage the water resources.
The method of claim 1,
The flow meter and the repeater are in RF communication,
The repeater and the server is a water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor, characterized in that the Wi-Fi communication.
The method of claim 1,
The flow meter,
At least two buttons A and B for operation and a display,
During initial installation, hold down one button and press another button, release and then release the pressed button to prepare for calibration. If the number of signals corresponds to an approximation of the default value, the water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor, characterized in that the correction is completed.
The method of claim 1,
The repeater,
IOT flow sensor, characterized in that the plurality of flow rate meter repeats the sequential call to receive the flow data in real time, the flow rate meter that does not respond within the set time range at the time of the call, except that the flow rate meter repeats the call Water resource monitoring system using.
The method of claim 1,
The server,
A water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor, characterized in that for storing the flow rate data, including at least one of the date, time, flow meter installation zone, flow meter device number, flow rate, the number of measurements.
The method of claim 1,
The server,
Water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor, characterized in that the real-time monitoring from a remote location in conjunction with a remote terminal.
The method of claim 4, wherein
Further comprising an auxiliary communication unit that is interlocked with the repeater and the flow meter,
When the repeater generates a flow meter other than a call, the auxiliary communication unit calls the flow meter,
The auxiliary communication unit is a water resource monitoring system using an IOT flow sensor, characterized in that for transmitting the signal to the repeater to include the flow meter in the call again in response to the calling flow meter.
The method of claim 1,
The flow meter,
It includes a pH sensor for sensing the pH of the flowing water,
Water resource monitoring system using the IOT flow sensor, characterized in that for transmitting a notification to the server when detecting the pH concentration over a predetermined range.

Images