Self-generating water leak detector

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-generating water leak detector, which can suppress the situation where water leakage cannot be detected. The self-generating water leak detector includes: a water battery having a positive electrode and a negative electrode; and a signal transmitter, which uses the power generated by the water battery in contact with leaked water to send a notification signal. The water battery and the signal transmitter are fixed to a housing, and the housing is placed on a setting position for detecting leaked water. When the housing is placed on the setting position, the lower ends of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are positioned below the water level of the leaked water to be detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-generating water leakage detector. Background Art

[0002] In devices and workplaces using liquids such as water, various water leak detectors have been manufactured to detect water leaks (for example, see Patent Document 1). Conventionally used strip-shaped water leak detectors supply power to two conductive strips, detect a short circuit in a circuit caused by water leaks, determine it as a water leak, and send a signal notifying the water leak.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4218020

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional water leak detector has a structure in which power must be supplied to the conductive strip at all times, and power is also required to generate a notification signal. Therefore, the installation location is limited by the power supply, or when a battery is used as a power supply, it may not be possible to detect a water leak in an emergency due to battery deterioration. Thus, the conventional water leak detector may not be able to detect a water leak. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-powered water leak detector capable of preventing a situation where a water leak cannot be detected.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a self-powered water leakage detector comprising: a water battery having a positive electrode and a negative electrode; and a signal transmitter for transmitting a notification signal using power generated by the water battery in contact with leaked water.

[0007] Preferably, the water battery and the signal transmitter are fixed to a housing, and the housing is placed at a location where water leakage detection is performed.

[0008] Preferably, when the housing is placed at the installation location, the lower ends of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are positioned below a water level of the water leakage to be detected.

[0009] Preferably, the information to be transmitted is set according to each signal transmitter.

[0010] Preferably, the self-powered water leakage detector further includes an LED that lights up using the power generated by the water battery.

[0011] Preferably, the self-powered water leakage detector also has: a water leakage detection belt, which has a pair of conductive wires insulated from each other; and a sensor, which detects a short circuit of the pair of conductive wires caused by water leakage, and the signal transmitter sends a notification signal of water leakage when a short circuit of the water leakage detection belt is detected.

[0012] The present invention has the effect of being able to suppress a situation where water leakage cannot be detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the self-power-generating water leakage detector according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the self-generating water leak detector is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The block diagram of the structure of the self-powered water leakage detector shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side view of a self-generating water leak detector is shown.

[0017] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a notification signal transmitted by a signal transmitter of a self-powered water leakage detector.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a self-power-generating water leakage detector according to a second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 The block diagram of the structure of the self-powered water leakage detector shown in FIG.

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A side view of a self-generating water leak detector is shown.

[0021] Fig. 9 It is a plan view showing a configuration example of a self-power-generating water leakage detector according to a third embodiment.

[0022] Fig.10 It is shown Fig. 9 The block diagram of the structure of the self-powered water leakage detector shown in FIG.

[0023] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 A side view of a self-generating water leak detector is shown.

[0024] Description of symbols

[0025] 1, 1-2, 1-3: Self-generating water leakage detector; 10: Housing; 20: Water battery; 21: Positive electrode; 22: Negative electrode; 30: Signal transmitter; 40: LED unit (LED); 50: Water leakage detection belt; 51: Conductive wire; 52: Current detector (sensor); 100: Installation location; 110: Water; 200: Notification signal (sent information). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. In addition, the structural elements described below include substantially the same structural elements that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art. In addition, the structures described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions or changes in the structure can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0027] [First embodiment]

[0028] A self-power-generating water leakage detector according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the self-power-generating water leakage detector according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the self-generating water leak detector is shown. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The block diagram of the structure of the self-powered water leakage detector shown in FIG. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side view of a self-generating water leak detector is shown. Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a notification signal transmitted by a signal transmitter of a self-powered water leakage detector.

[0029] First Embodiment Figure 1 The self-generating water leakage detector 1 (hereinafter referred to as the water leakage detector) shown is installed at a predetermined installation location 100 of a building, and detects water leakage at the installation location 100 by detecting whether water exists at the installation location 100. The installation location 100 is a location in various buildings where water is not desired to be stored and where water leakage should be detected. The water leakage detector 1 is installed, for example, on a floor 101 of the installation location 100.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the water leak detector 1 includes a housing 10, a water battery 20, and a signal transmitter 30. The housing 10 constitutes the housing of the water leak detector 1, and is formed into a disc shape in the first embodiment, but is not limited to the disc shape in the present invention. The circular bottom surface 11 of the housing 10 is placed on the ground 101 of the installation location 100.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the water battery 20 has a positive electrode 21 and a negative electrode 22, which are arranged on the outer surface of the housing 10 at intervals. The positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 are respectively fixed to the outer surface of the housing 10. When the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 of the water battery 20 come into contact with the water 110 ( Figure 4When the water battery 20 contacts the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, ions are dissolved in the water 110, and the dissolved ions move between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, thereby generating an electromotive force between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, that is, generating electricity. The water battery 20 generates electricity by generating an electromotive force between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, thereby detecting the water 110 leaking from the setting part 100. The positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 of the water battery 20 are respectively connected to the signal transmitter 30, and the generated electricity is output to the signal transmitter 30.

[0032] When the housing 10 is placed on the ground 101 of the installation location 100, the lower ends of the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 are positioned at a height from the bottom surface 11 of the housing 10 that is lower than the water level of the leaked water 110 to be detected at the installation location 100. Figure 4 As shown, the lower ends of the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 are located at the same height as the bottom surface 11 of the housing 10. However, in the present invention, the height of the lower ends of the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 is not limited to Figure 4 Example shown.

[0033] The signal transmitter 30 uses the power generated by the water battery 20 in contact with the leaked water 110 to send a signal as Figure 5 In the first embodiment, the signal transmitter 30 is housed in the housing 10 and fixed to the housing 10. In the first embodiment, when power is supplied from the water battery 20, the signal transmitter 30 uses the power supplied from the water battery 20 as a power source to repeatedly transmit the signal. Figure 5 The notification signal 200 shown. In the first embodiment, the notification signal 200 is set for each signal transmitter 30, i.e., the water leakage detector 1, and is a different signal between the signal transmitter 30, i.e., the water leakage detector 1. In the first embodiment, the notification signal 200 is a signal for identifying each water leakage detector 1, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0034] The signal transmitter 30 includes: a transmitter that transmits a notification signal 200 when the water battery 20 generates electricity and supplies power from the water battery; and a control unit that controls the transmitter. When the notification signal is set by the control unit and power is supplied from the water battery 20, the signal transmitter 30 uses the power from the water battery 20 as a power source and repeatedly transmits the set notification signal 200. The control unit controls the operation of the signal transmitter 30, and in the first embodiment, is composed of a dedicated processing circuit (hardware) such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, or a parallel programmed processor.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the notification signal 200 transmitted by the signal transmitter 30 is, for example, Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The terminal device 60 shown in the figure receives. The terminal device 60 is a mobile terminal that the operator can carry. In the first embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the terminal device 60 is a tablet computer or a portable computer, having a housing 61, a display device 62, an input device, a wireless communication device, an arithmetic processing device including a microprocessor such as a CPU (central processing unit), a storage device including a memory such as a ROM (read only memory) or a RAM (random access memory), and an input / output interface device, but is not limited to a tablet computer or a portable computer as long as it is an electronic device that can be carried by an operator.

[0036] The housing 61 accommodates at least the wireless communication device, the processing device, the storage device, and the input / output interface device of the terminal device 60. The processing device of the terminal device 60 performs processing according to the computer program stored in the storage device, and outputs the control signal for controlling the terminal device 60 to each unit of the terminal device 60 via the input / output interface device.

[0037] The display device 62 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device, etc. The display device 62 displays characters, still images, moving images, symbols, and graphics.

[0038] The input device receives operation input from the user. In the third embodiment, the input device overlaps with the display device 62 and is a touch screen composed of a touch screen that adopts an electrostatic capacitance method, a resistance film method, a surface elastic wave method, an ultrasonic method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a load detection method as a detection method. The wireless communication device is connected in a manner that can receive the notification signal 200 sent by the signal transmitter 30 of the water leakage detector 1-3.

[0039] When the terminal device 60 receives the notification signal 200 , the information for identifying the water leakage detector 1 indicated by the notification signal 200 is displayed on the display device 62 .

[0040] In the first embodiment, the water leakage detectors 1 may be installed on the ground 101 at a plurality of installation locations 100 of the building, and the terminal device 60 may receive the notification signals 200 transmitted by the signal transmitters 30 of the plurality of water leakage detectors 1. In this case, the terminal device 60 displays the drawing of the building on the display device 62, and further displays the installation locations 100 of the water leakage detectors 1 on the drawing of the building that received the notification signal. Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4As shown in FIG. 6 , a terminal device 60 and a plurality of water leakage detectors 1 constitute a water leakage detection system 63 for detecting water leakage in a building. Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 In the figure, only one water leakage detector 1 is shown, and the other water leakage detectors 1 are omitted.

[0041] The water leakage detector 1 of the above structure is installed on the ground 101 of the installation location 100. When the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 come into contact with the leaked water 110, the leaked water 110 is detected by supplying power from the water battery 20 to the signal transmitter 30. In addition, the water leakage detector 1 detects the leaked water 110, supplies power from the water battery 20 to the signal transmitter 30, and sends a notification signal 200 from the signal transmitter 30, thereby sending the detection of the leaked water 110 to the terminal device 60.

[0042] In the water leakage detector 1 of the first embodiment described above, the signal transmitter 30 uses the power generated by the water battery 20 that generates power by generating an electromotive force between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 when the signal transmitter 30 contacts the leaked water 110 as a power source to transmit the notification signal 200, so that it is possible to detect water leaking from the installation location 100 of the building without supplying power from a commercial power source or a DC power source such as a battery. As a result, the water leakage detector 1 can detect water leaking from the installation location 100 of the building without supplying power from a commercial power source or a DC power source such as a battery, thereby achieving an effect of being able to suppress the situation where the leaked water 110 cannot be detected.

[0043] In addition, since the water leakage detector 1 can detect water leaking from the installation location 100 of the building without supplying power from a commercial power supply or a DC power supply such as a battery, it is not restricted by the power supply to the installation location 100, the degree of freedom of the installation location 100 is very high, and there is no need to worry about battery degradation or battery exhaustion.

[0044] The water leakage detector 1 can also set the notification signal 200 in advance for each signal transmitter 30, that is, the water leakage detector 1, so that by receiving the notification signal 200 by the terminal device 60, information such as the position of the installation location 100 where the leaked water is detected can be obtained. In addition, in the water leakage detector 1, since the water leakage detector 1 itself can also be easily installed, even if a plurality of water leakage detectors 1 are arranged in a building, it is possible to grasp where the water leakage has occurred in the building.

[0045] [Second embodiment]

[0046] A self-power-generating water leakage detector according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a self-power-generating water leakage detector according to a second embodiment. Figure 7It is shown Figure 6 The block diagram of the structure of the self-powered water leakage detector shown in FIG. Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The side view of the self-generating water leak detector shown in FIG. Figure 6 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 In the present invention, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[0047] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the self-powered water leak detector 1-2 (hereinafter simply referred to as the water leak detector 1) of the second embodiment includes an LED unit 40 as an LED, and is the same as the first embodiment except that the housing 10 is made of a transparent or translucent material.

[0048] The LED unit 40 is housed in the housing 10 and fixed to the housing 10. The LED unit 40 has at least one light emitting diode (LED) as a light emitting element. The LED unit 40 is connected to the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 of the water battery 20, respectively, and when the power generated by the water battery 20 is supplied, the supplied power is used as a power source to light up the LED.

[0049] The water leakage detector 1-2 of the second embodiment of the above-mentioned structure is installed on the ground 101 of the installation location 100. When the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 come into contact with the leaked water 110, power is supplied from the water battery 20 to the signal transmitter 30, and the notification signal 200 is sent from the signal transmitter 30, thereby transmitting the detection of the leaked water 110 to the terminal device 60 in the same manner as the first embodiment. In addition, when the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 come into contact with the leaked water 110, the water leakage detector 1-2 of the second embodiment supplies power from the water battery 20 to the LED unit 40, and the LED is lit.

[0050] In the water leakage detector 1-2 of the second embodiment, the signal transmitter 30 uses the power generated by the water battery 20 that generates electromotive force between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 when it comes into contact with the leaked water 110 to send the notification signal 200. Therefore, as with the first embodiment, the following effect is achieved: the leaked water 110 can be detected without supplying power from a commercial power supply or a DC power supply such as a battery, thereby preventing the situation where the leaked water 110 cannot be detected.

[0051] In addition, the water leakage detector 1-2 of the second embodiment has an LED unit 40, which uses the power generated by the water battery 20 that generates an electromotive force between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 when it comes into contact with the leaked water 110 to light the LED, thereby also having the following effect: by visually observing the LED unit 40 of each water leakage detector 1, it is easy to find where the water leakage has occurred in the building even in the dark.

[0052] [Third embodiment]

[0053] A self-powered water leakage detector according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 It is a plan view showing a configuration example of a self-power-generating water leakage detector according to a third embodiment. Fig.10 It is shown Fig. 9 The block diagram of the structure of the self-powered water leakage detector shown in FIG. Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 The side view of the self-generating water leak detector shown in FIG. Fig. 9 , Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 In the present invention, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

[0054] like Fig. 9 , Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 As shown, the self-powered water leakage detector 1-3 of the third embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the water leakage detector 1-3) is the same as the first embodiment except for the following structure: it has a water leakage detection belt 50 including a pair of conductive wires 51 and a current detector 52 as a sensor, and the power generated by the water battery 20 is provided to the current detector 52 and the pair of conductive wires 51. When the current detector 52 detects a short circuit of the pair of conductive wires 51, the signal transmitter 30 sends a notification signal 200.

[0055] The pair of conductive wires 51 of the water leakage detection belt 50 are insulated from each other. In the third embodiment, the pair of conductive wires 51 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 10 and are arranged at intervals in the thickness direction of the housing 10. The power generated by the water battery 20 is provided to the pair of conductive wires 51 respectively. The pair of conductive wires 51 is connected to the current detector 52. In the water leakage detection belt 50, when the pair of conductive wires 51 are respectively in contact with the water 110 leaked from the installation location 100, the pair of conductive wires 51 to which the power generated by the water battery 20 is provided are short-circuited.

[0056] The current detector 52 detects a short circuit between the pair of conductive wires 51 caused by the leaked water 110. The current detector 52 operates using the power generated by the water battery 20 as a power source. When the current detector 52 detects a short circuit between the pair of conductive wires 51, it repeatedly sends a signal indicating that a short circuit has occurred between the pair of conductive wires 51 to the signal transmitter 30. In the third embodiment, the current detector 52 is composed of a dedicated processing circuit (hardware) such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, or a parallel programmed processor.

[0057] In the third embodiment, when the signal transmitter 30 receives a signal from the current detector 52 indicating that a short circuit has occurred between the pair of conductive wires 51, the power supplied from the water battery 20 is used as a power source to repeatedly transmit the notification signal 200. Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the signal transmitter 30 does not receive a signal from the current detector 52 indicating that a short circuit has occurred between the pair of conductive wires 51, the notification signal 200 is not transmitted even if power is supplied from the water battery 20.

[0058] In the water leakage detector 1-3 of the third embodiment of the above-mentioned structure, the water battery 20 whose positive electrode 21 and negative electrode 22 are in contact with the water 110 leaked from the installation location 100 generates electricity, and supplies the generated electricity to the signal transmitter 30, the current detector 52, and the pair of conductive wires 51. In the water leakage detector 1-3, when the pair of conductive wires 51 are respectively in contact with the water 110 leaked from the installation location 100, the pair of conductive wires 51 are short-circuited to each other, the current detector 52 detects the short-circuit between the pair of conductive wires 51, and repeatedly sends the above-mentioned signal to the signal transmitter 30, and the signal transmitter 30 repeatedly sends the notification signal 200.

[0059] In the water leakage detector 1-3 of the third embodiment, the signal transmitter 30 uses the power generated by the contact between the water battery 20 and the leaked water 110 to send the notification signal 200, so as with the first embodiment, it has the following effect: it is possible to detect the leaked water 110 without supplying power from a commercial power supply or a DC power supply such as a battery, thereby preventing the situation where the leaked water 110 cannot be detected.

[0060] In the water leak detector 1 of the first embodiment, regarding the water battery 20 whose positive electrode 21 and negative electrode 22 are once wetted with water, even if the water droplets are wiped off, the voltage remains, and the signal transmitter 30 may continue to transmit the notification signal 200. However, the water leak detector 1-3 of the third embodiment includes a water leak detection belt 50 and a current detector 52 separately from the water battery 20. The water leak detection belt 50 has a pair of conductive wires 51, and the current detector 52 detects a short circuit between the pair of conductive wires 51 of the water leak detection belt 50. In the water leak detector 1-3 of the third embodiment, when the signal transmitter 30 does not receive a signal indicating that a short circuit has occurred between the pair of conductive wires 51 from the current detector 52, the notification signal 200 is not transmitted even if power is supplied from the water battery 20.

[0061] As a result, the water leakage detector 1-3 of the third embodiment only uses the water battery 20 as a power source for generating electricity using the leaked water 110, and sends the notification signal 200 only when the water leakage detection belt 50 detects a water leak, thereby also being able to suppress the situation where the notification signal 200 is continuously sent due to the residual voltage of the water battery 20.

[0062] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. That is, it can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-generating water leak detector, wherein: This self-generating water leak detector has: A water battery having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the water battery generates electricity when in contact with leaking water; a signal transmitter, the water battery providing the generated power to the signal transmitter; a water leak detection tape having a pair of conductive wires insulated from each other; and The sensor detects the short circuit of the pair of conductive wires caused by water leakage. The water battery also provides the generated power to the sensor and a pair of conductive wires of the water leakage detection belt. The signal transmitter uses only a water battery as a power source that generates electricity when in contact with leaked water, and transmits a water leakage notification signal only when a short circuit of the water leakage detection belt is detected.

2. The self-generating water leakage detector according to claim 1, wherein: The water battery and the signal transmitter are fixed to a housing, and the housing is placed at a location where water leakage is detected.

3. The self-generating water leakage detector according to claim 2, wherein: When the housing is placed at the installation location, the lower ends of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are positioned below the water level of the water leakage to be detected.

4. The self-generating water leakage detector according to claim 1, wherein: The information sent is set according to each signal transmitter.

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