WO2024058435A1

WO2024058435A1 - Leakage detection device having waterproof function

Info

Publication number: WO2024058435A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/011872
Authority: WO
Inventors: 나광윤
Original assignee: 주식회사 에스씨솔루션글로벌
Priority date: 2022-09-16
Filing date: 2023-08-10
Publication date: 2024-03-21
Also published as: KR102599676B1

Abstract

A leakage detection device having a waterproof function, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a housing having a hollow, square-pillar shape; a leakage sensor provided inside the housing so as to detect the leakage of a pipe on the basis of vibrational sound waves generated in the pipe; a connector connected to one area of the housing; an antenna which is coupled to the connector, and which transmits, to the outside, leakage data received from the leakage sensor through the connector; and a sealing member for sealing the gap between the housing and the connector.

Description

Water leak detection device with waterproof function

The present invention relates to a water leak detection device with a waterproof function.

As living standards improve, water use is increasing every year. Pipes to supply water are generally buried underground, and leaks occur in buried pipes due to various factors such as shock and aging. Although much effort and research have been made to find the point where water leakage occurs, it is still not easy to find the exact point where water leakage occurs.

Currently, technologies that can detect leaks in underground pipes include acoustic detection and correlation detection.

Here, the correlation detection method installs a pair of water leak detection devices that sense water leak vibration sound waves on both sides of a pipe buried underground, and when water leak vibration sound waves occur at the water leak point in the pipe, the water leak is detected from the water leak point in the pipe. The point of water leak in the pipe is calculated through the time difference between the water leak vibration sound waves that arrive at the water leak sensor provided in each pair of water leak detection devices. At this time, the vibration sound wave data measured by the water leak sensor can be transmitted to the outside through an antenna coupled to a connector connected to the housing in which the water leak sensor is built.

However, the prior art had a problem in that water or foreign substances flowed in through the gap between the housing and the connector, resulting in a failure of the water leak sensor built into the housing.

The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to prevent water or foreign substances from entering the inside of the housing, thereby preventing a malfunction in the water leak sensor provided inside the housing. The purpose is to provide a water leak detection device with a waterproof function.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing in the shape of a hollow square pillar; A water leak sensor provided inside the housing to detect water leaks in the pipe based on vibration sound waves generated in the pipe; a connector coupled to one area of the housing; an antenna coupled to the connector and transmitting water leakage data received from the water leak sensor through the connector to the outside; and a sealing member sealing the gap between the housing and the connector.

In addition, the connector is accommodated and further includes a protrusion protruding from the housing in a ring shape, and the sealing member can seal between the protrusion and the connector.

In addition, it may further include a protrusion cover coupled to the protrusion and maintaining airtightness between the protrusion and the connector.

Additionally, a fixing plate coupled to the housing and fixing the water leak sensor; And it may include an auxiliary sealing member that seals the gap between the housing and the fixing plate.

In addition, it may further include a plate cover coupled to the housing and maintaining airtightness between the fixing plate and the housing.

Additionally, the sealing member and the auxiliary sealing member may include a silicon material.

In addition, it is coupled to the housing and may further include a traction bolt to which a traction wire is detachably coupled.

Additionally, the connector and the traction bolt may be provided on the same plane or on different planes.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention is effective in preventing water or foreign substances from entering the housing and causing a malfunction of the water leak sensor provided inside the housing.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a bottom view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a bottom view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are merely provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to provide a general understanding of the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform the skilled person of the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, singular forms also include plural forms, unless specifically stated otherwise in the context. As used in the specification, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements in addition to the mentioned elements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification, and “and/or” includes each and every combination of one or more of the referenced elements. Although “first”, “second”, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are of course not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may also be a second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used with meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

Spatially relative terms such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, etc. are used as a single term as shown in the drawing. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between a component and other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms that include different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, if a component shown in a drawing is flipped over, a component described as “below” or “beneath” another component will be placed “above” the other component. You can. Accordingly, the illustrative term “down” may include both downward and upward directions. Components can also be oriented in other directions, so spatially relative terms can be interpreted according to orientation.

Prior to the description of the present invention, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration are typically described in the first embodiment using the same symbols, and in other embodiments, configurations different from the first embodiment are described. Let me explain.

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to detect whether there is a water leak in the pipe by contacting the pipe and detecting vibration sound waves generated in the pipe.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to the description of the present invention, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration are representatively described in one embodiment using the same symbols, and in other embodiments, configurations different from the one embodiment are described. Do this.

1 is a perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 3 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 10, a water leak sensor 20, a connector 30, an antenna 40, and a sealing member. Includes (50).

The housing 10 may have the shape of a hollow square pillar. The inner space of this housing 10 is larger in size than the inner space of the cylindrical housing. Accordingly, more components may be built into the housing 10.

A battery 60, a communication unit 70, a control unit 80, a coupling plate 12, a water leak sensor 20, and a fixing plate 14 may be built into the housing 10.

The battery 60 is provided on the coupling plate 12 and can supply power to the communication unit 70, water leak sensor 20, and control unit 80. This battery 60 may be a square cell or a pouch-type cell.

The communication unit 70 is provided on the coupling plate 12 and serves to transmit water leakage data detected by the water leak sensor 20 to the control unit 80. This communication unit 70 includes, in addition to Wi-Fi modules and WiBro (Wireless broadband) modules, GSM (global System for Mobile Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), and UMTS (universal mobile) It may include a wireless communication module that supports various wireless communication methods such as telecommunications system, TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, and 6G. The short-range communication module is for short-range communication and includes Bluetooth™, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, and NFC (Near Field). Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technology can be used to support short-distance communication.

The control unit 80 is provided on the coupling plate 12 and serves to receive water leakage data detected by the water leak sensor 20 through the communication unit 70 and transmit it to the connector 30. Additionally, the control unit 80 can detect whether the water leak sensor 20 and the communication unit 70 are operating or malfunctioning. Here, the control unit 80 may emit an alarm sound when a failure of the water leak sensor 20 and the communication unit 70 occurs.

The coupling plate 12 is provided inside the housing 10 and serves to fix the battery 60, the communication unit 70, the control unit 80, and the water leak sensor 20 inside the housing 10. For example, the battery 60, communication unit 70, and control unit 80 may be coupled to the upper surface of the coupling plate 12, and the sensor plate 22 may be coupled to the lower surface of the coupling plate 12. In addition, a screw thread is formed on the outer circumference of the coupling plate 12, and a screw thread on which the screw thread on the outer circumference of the coupling plate 12 is screwed is formed on the inner circumference of the housing 10, so that the coupling plate 12 It may be screwed to the housing 10.

The water leak sensor 20 is provided inside the housing 10 and serves to detect water leaks in the pipe based on vibration sound waves generated in the pipe.

The water leak sensor 20 may include a sensor plate 22 and a piezo element 24.

The sensor plate 22 supports the piezo element 24 and may be coupled to the coupling plate 12. For example, the piezo element 24 may be supported at the center of the upper surface of the sensor plate 22, and the upper edge of the sensor plate 22 may be coupled to the coupling plate 12.

An O-ring 26 for airtightness may be installed between the outer circumference of the sensor plate 22 and the inner surface of the housing 10. Here, a step for inserting the O-ring 26 may be formed on the outer circumference of the sensor plate 22.

The piezo element 24 serves to detect vibration sound waves generated in the pipe. For example, the piezo element 24 may have a flat shape, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and may have various shapes other than a flat plate.

The fixing plate 14 is coupled to the housing 10 and the water leak sensor 20 can be fixed thereto. Specifically, the fixing plate 14 is disposed at the lower end of the housing 10, and the water leak sensor 20 can be fixed to the upper surface of the fixing plate 14. A magnet 90 may be provided on the lower surface of the fixing plate 14 for magnetic coupling to a pipe made of a material capable of magnetic coupling.

The connector 30 is coupled to one area of the housing 10 and may be electrically connected to the control unit 80. This connector 30 can receive water leakage data detected by the water leak sensor 20 through the communication unit 70 and the control unit 80 and transmit it to the antenna 40.

The antenna 40 is coupled to the connector 30 and can transmit water leakage data received from the water leak sensor 20 through the connector 30 to the outside. For example, the antenna 40 may transmit leaked data to an external server or user terminal. Thereafter, the water leak data may be displayed in the form of a numerical graph or the presence or absence of a water leak on a display connected to an external server or on the screen of a user terminal.

The sealing member 50 serves to seal the gap between the housing 10 and the connector 30. This sealing member 50 includes a silicon material and may be filled in the gap between the housing 10 and the connector 30. The sealing member 50 prevents water or foreign substances from entering the gap between the housing 10 and the connector 30, thereby preventing a malfunction in the water leak sensor 20 provided inside the housing 10. It is possible.

Meanwhile, the water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a protrusion 16, a protrusion cover 100, an auxiliary sealing member 110, a plate cover 120, and a traction bolt 130. can do.

The protrusion 16 accommodates the connector 30 and may protrude from the housing 10 in a ring shape. Here, a coupling piece 32 may be provided between the protrusion 16 and the connector 30 to secure the connector 30 to the protrusion 16. Here, the sealing member 50 may seal between the protrusion 16 and the connector 30.

The protrusion cover 100 maintains airtightness between the protrusion 16 and the connector 30 and can be coupled to the protrusion 16. This protrusion cover 100 may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 16.

The auxiliary sealing member 110 serves to seal the gap between the housing 10 and the fixing plate 14. This auxiliary sealing member 110 includes a silicon material and may be filled in the gap between the housing 10 and the fixing plate 14. In addition, the auxiliary sealing member 110 is provided to maintain airtightness between the housing 10 and the fixing plate 14, and prevents water from entering the housing 10 through the gap between the housing 10 and the fixing plate 14. By preventing foreign substances from entering, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in the water leak sensor 20 provided inside the housing 10.

Plate cover 120 may be coupled to housing 10. When this plate cover 120 is in close contact with a pipe, it may be coated with a non-slip material so that it does not slip on the pipe. Here, the non-slip member may include a non-slip material. For example, the non-slip material may include a plurality of organic beads.

The traction bolt 130 is coupled to the housing 10, and the traction wire 2 can be detachably coupled. For example, the traction bolt 130 can be used to safely approach the water leak detection device to the pipe 4 to detect a water leak when the pipe 4 to detect a water leak is buried underground. Specifically, when the pipe 4 to detect water leaks is buried underground, the traction wire 2 is coupled to the traction bolt 130, and then the water leak detection device is buried underground by unwinding the traction wire 2. It can be accessed and contacted through the pipe (4).

For example, the traction bolt 130 is not particularly limited, but may have an eye bolt shape.

In this embodiment, the connector 30 and the traction bolt 130 may be provided on the same plane of the housing 10. For example, the connector 30 and the traction bolt 130 may be provided on the upper surface of the housing 10.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, in the water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to another embodiment of the present invention, unlike one embodiment, the connector 30 and the traction bolt 130 are connected to each other in the housing 10. It can be provided on different planes. For example, the connector 30 may be provided on the outer circumference of the housing 10, and the traction bolt 130 may be provided on the upper surface of the housing 10.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the pipe to detect a water leak is located underground and the vertical gap between the underground ceiling and the pipe is narrow, it is preferable to install the water leak detection device in the narrow space.

Hereinafter, a process in which a water leak detection device with a waterproof function according to one embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention detects a water leak in a pipe buried underground will be described.

First, attach the traction wire to the traction bolt 130 of the water leak detection device on the ground. At this time, the traction wire may be wound or unwound from the windlass.

Next, the traction wire is unwound from the winch and the water leak detection device is brought close to the pipe buried underground.

Next, after the fixing plate 14 of the water leak detection device contacts the pipe, the water leak sensor 20 of the water leak detection device detects water leakage in the pipe based on the vibration sound waves generated in the pipe.

Afterwards, the antenna 40 transmits water leakage data received from the water leak sensor 20 through the connector 30 to the outside. At this time, since the sealing member 50 and the auxiliary sealing member 110 seal all gaps in the housing 10, it is possible to prevent water or foreign substances from entering the interior of the housing 10. ) can prevent malfunction of the water leak sensor 20 provided inside.

According to the present invention, the water leak detection device having a waterproof function according to an embodiment of the present invention causes water or foreign substances to flow into the inside of the housing 10, causing the water leak sensor 20 provided inside the housing 10 to fail. It has the effect of preventing this from happening.

Meanwhile, the housing 10 has been exemplarily described as having a hollow square pillar shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the housing 10 may have a hollow cylindrical shape.

Above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, but those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features. You will be able to understand it. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

A housing in the shape of a hollow square pillar;

A water leak sensor provided inside the housing to detect water leaks in the pipe based on vibration sound waves generated in the pipe;

a connector coupled to one area of the housing;

an antenna coupled to the connector and transmitting water leakage data received from the water leak sensor through the connector to the outside; and

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function, including a sealing member that seals a gap between the housing and the connector.
According to paragraph 1,

The connector is accommodated and further includes a protrusion protruding from the housing in a ring shape,

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function, wherein the sealing member seals between the protrusion and the connector.
According to paragraph 2,

A water leak detection device having a waterproof function, further comprising a protrusion cover coupled to the protrusion and maintaining airtightness between the protrusion and the connector.
According to paragraph 1,

A fixing plate coupled to the housing and fixing the water leak sensor; and

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function, including an auxiliary sealing member that seals a gap between the housing and the fixing plate.
According to clause 4,

A water leak detection device having a waterproof function, further comprising a plate cover coupled to the housing and maintaining airtightness between the fixing plate and the housing.
According to clause 4,

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function, wherein the sealing member and the auxiliary sealing member include a silicone material.
According to paragraph 1,

A water leak detection device coupled to the housing and further comprising a traction bolt to which a traction wire is detachably coupled.
In clause 7,

A water leak detection device with a waterproof function, wherein the connector and the traction bolt are provided on the same plane or different planes.