Water intrusion detection structure

Abstract

To allow a water intrusion detection device for detecting water intrusion into a housing to be easily positioned on the housing, and allow a water intrusion condition inside the housing to be easily grasped.SOLUTION: A water intrusion detection structure for an electrical / electronic instrument housing box includes an electrical / electronic instrument housing box which accommodates an electrical instrument or electronic instrument inside a housing 20, and a water intrusion detection device 5 having a first contact confirmation target portion 61 and a second contact confirmation target portion 62, both being a water contact confirmation target, and capable of detecting the states of the first contact confirmation target portion and the second contact confirmation target portion. The water intrusion detection structure includes a mounting opening that allows insertion of the water intrusion detection device in the housing. The water intrusion detection device is inserted to the mounting opening such that the first contact confirmation target portion provided in the water intrusion detection device is positioned outside the housing, and the second contact confirmation target portion provided in the water intrusion detection device is positioned inside the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water intrusion detection structure. [Background technology]

[0002] It is important to prepare for flood damage and improve flood prevention measures for electrical equipment such as distribution boards and switchboards equipped with switches, transformers, etc. For example, when a distribution board or switchboard is flooded, appropriate security measures according to the damage situation are required. For this reason, as described in Patent Document 1, flood sensors have traditionally been installed inside distribution boards and switchboards to detect flooding and take measures such as shutting off switches. These flood sensors have an internal movable contact that moves according to the water level and outputs an alarm when it comes into contact with a fixed contact. Other known methods of detecting water level include installing a float switch that detects the water level based on changes in internal water pressure, or arranging multiple temperature sensors in different locations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-269848

[0004] However, it is difficult to determine how and where to install such flood sensors, and it is also difficult to install the on / off switch for the flood sensors. Furthermore, multiple sensors are required to grasp the flooding situation in detail, but it is difficult to determine where to install each sensor. For example, the sensor positions vary depending on the housing, and it is necessary to set criteria for determining each situation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have diligently studied this issue and have attempted to solve it. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to make it possible to easily position a water ingress detection device that detects water ingress into a housing on the housing, and to easily grasp the state of water ingress inside the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a water flood detection structure for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box is provided, which includes: an electrical and electronic equipment storage box that stores electrical or electronic equipment inside the housing; and a water flood detection device that has a first contact confirmation target portion and a second contact confirmation target portion that can be used to check for contact with water, and that is capable of detecting the state of the first contact confirmation target portion and the second contact confirmation target portion, wherein the housing has an attachment opening that allows the water flood detection device to be inserted, and the water flood detection device is inserted into the attachment opening so that the first contact confirmation target portion provided on the water flood detection device is located outside the housing, and the second contact confirmation target portion provided on the water flood detection device is located inside the housing.

[0007] It is also preferable that the configuration include a determination processing unit that can determine the water ingress state using information on the state of a first contact confirmation target part located outside the housing and information on the state of a second contact confirmation target part located inside the housing.

[0008] It is also preferable to configure the device with a determination processing unit that can determine the water ingress state using the change over time in the state of the first contact confirmation target part located on the outside of the housing and the change over time in the state of the second contact confirmation target part located on the inside of the housing.

[0009] It is also preferable to configure the device with an attachment ring that can prevent the water submersion detection device from falling off from the attachment opening by attaching it to a part of the water submersion detection device main body that is inserted into the attachment opening from inside the housing and is located outside the housing.

[0010] It is also preferable to have a configuration including a signal output section that can output the determination result to the outside.

[0011] It is also preferable that the device be configured to include a battery housing portion capable of housing a battery that serves as a power source for operating the water damage detection device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention makes it possible to easily position a water ingress detection device that detects water ingress into a housing on the housing, and also makes it possible to easily grasp the state of water ingress within the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which a water intrusion detection device is about to be attached to a housing body of an electrical / electronic device storage box. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a water intrusion detection device is attached to a housing main body of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state before a water intrusion detection device is installed. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the water submersion detection device shown in FIG. 3 is installed. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of region V in FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a part related to the determination of the water submersion detection device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of detecting water using electrodes provided in a water immersion detection device. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing an example of detecting water using a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit provided in a water submersion detection device. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a water ingress detection device attached to a box for storing electrical and electronic equipment, a change in water level, and an output example using the detection results. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of changes over time in the detection results for a second contact confirmation target portion located inside the housing. [Figure 11]10 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in the detection result for a first contact confirmation target part located outside the housing, with an image diagram showing an example of the change over time. [Figure 12] This is an image diagram of an example in which there is water inside the housing even though the water level outside the housing has not reached the housing. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of detection in the state shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram showing an example of detection in the state shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the schematic configuration of a water ingress detection device including an environment detection unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 1 to 4, the water damage detection structure for an electrical / electronic device storage box 2 of this embodiment includes an electrical / electronic device storage box 2 that stores an electrical or electronic device inside a housing 20, and a water damage detection device 5 that has a first contact confirmation target portion 61 and a second contact confirmation target portion 62 that can be used to check for contact with water and that can detect the states of the first contact confirmation target portion 61 and the second contact confirmation target portion 62. The water damage detection structure for an electrical / electronic device storage box 2 includes an attachment opening in the housing 20 that allows the water damage detection device 5 to be inserted, and the water damage detection device 5 is inserted into the attachment opening so that the first contact confirmation target portion 61 of the water damage detection device 5 is located outside the housing 20 and the second contact confirmation target portion 62 of the water damage detection device 5 is located inside the housing 20. Therefore, the water ingress detection device 5 that detects water ingress into the housing 20 can be easily positioned on the housing 20, and the state of water ingress within the housing 20 can also be easily grasped.

[0015] The water ingress detection structure of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 2 has a water ingress detection device 5 attached to the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 2, with part of the water ingress detection device 5 inserted into the attachment opening.

[0016] The housing 20 of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 2 includes a housing body 21 and a door 22 that can close an opening provided in the housing body 21. A typical example of the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 2 is a distribution board or switchboard, which allows electricity to flow to equipment (not shown) placed inside. Although omitted from Figure 1 etc., electrical equipment, electronic equipment, cooling devices that can be used to cool them, etc. are placed inside the housing 20.

[0017] 1 and 2, a drain hole 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing body 21. This drain hole 23 is provided to enable drainage if water enters the interior, and is also used as an attachment opening. In other words, the water submersion detection device 5 is inserted into the drain hole 23 provided on the bottom surface of the housing body 21.

[0018] In this example, by inserting the water flood detection device main body 51 of the water flood detection device 5 into the drainage hole 23 from the inside of the housing 20, so that a part of the water flood detection device main body 51 protrudes from the drainage hole 23, and then fixing the mounting ring 52 to the water flood detection device main body 51 from the outside of the housing 20, it is possible to prevent a part of the water flood detection device main body 51 from falling off from the drainage hole 23.

[0019] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to configure the water submersion detection device 5 with an attachment ring 52 that can prevent the water submersion detection device 5 from falling off from the attachment opening by attaching it to a part of the water submersion detection device main body 51 located outside the housing 20, which is inserted into the attachment opening from inside the housing 20.

[0020] In this example, the tip of the water submersion detection device main body 51 is provided with a male thread that can be used to screw into the mounting ring 52. When the water submersion detection device main body 51 is inserted into the mounting opening, at least a portion of this male thread is located outside the housing 20, and can be screwed into the mounting ring 52, which has a female thread-like portion, on the outside of the housing 20.

[0021] More specifically, the water submersion detection device main body 51 is provided with a fall prevention part 64 that is wider than the drainage hole 23. The water submersion detection device 5 is fixed to the electrical / electronic device storage box 2 by sandwiching the bottom surface of the housing 20 between this fall prevention part 64 and an attachment ring 52 located on the outside of the housing 20 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0022] When the water submersion detection device 5 is attached to the electrical / electronic device storage box 2, it is preferable to maintain the contact confirmation target parts that detect water separately located inside and outside the housing 20. This makes it possible to separate detection of water outside the housing 20 from detection of water inside the housing 20. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between detection caused by water outside the housing 20 (detection of water that has seeped into the housing 20 from outside the housing 20) and detection caused by water inside the housing 20 (detection of condensation inside the housing 20 or water leakage from other devices). Furthermore, simply by attaching the water submersion detection device 5 to the housing 20, it becomes possible to detect water both inside and outside the housing 20. This makes installation and setup easy.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first contact confirmation target portion 61 is located below the mounting ring 52. Also, the second contact confirmation target portion 62 is provided at the lower end of the fall-off prevention portion 64. However, this configuration is not necessary. For example, the second contact confirmation target portion 62 may be provided separately from the fall-off prevention portion 64, or may be provided at the upper end of the fall-off prevention portion 64 or at a position below the upper end and above the lower end of the fall-off prevention portion 64. The second contact confirmation target portion 62 may be positioned at a slight distance from the bottom surface of the housing 20, or may be in contact with the bottom surface of the housing 20. Each has different advantages.

[0024] When using the drain hole 23 as an installation opening, it is preferable to ensure that the portion of the water submersion detection device 5 inserted into the drain hole 23 does not completely block the drain hole 23 so that water inside the housing 20 can be drained through the drain hole 23. For this reason, it is preferable to install the water submersion detection device 5 so that a gap that can be used as a drainage path is left between the portion of the water submersion detection device 5 inserted into the drain hole 23 and the housing 20 (see FIG. 5).

[0025] In this case, it is also preferable to make it difficult for water such as rain to enter the interior of the housing 20 from the outside. For example, a member can be placed below the drainage hole 23 in the area surrounding the water intrusion detection device main body 51 to prevent water from entering from directly below the gap between the water intrusion detection device 5 and the housing 20, which is located at the drainage hole 23 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a gap that can be used as a drainage path is left between the housing 20 and the mounting ring 52, which is a member placed in the area surrounding the water intrusion detection device main body 51.

[0026] In the example shown in FIG. 5, a gap is also left between the fall-off prevention portion 64 and the housing 20 that can serve as a drainage path. Therefore, when water attempts to infiltrate from the outside of the housing 20 to the inside, it must travel along a U-shaped route from bottom to top. This makes it difficult for water to infiltrate from the outside of the housing 20 to the inside. On the other hand, water must also travel along a U-shaped route to be discharged from the inside of the housing 20 to the outside, but in this case, the difficulty of draining water does not increase significantly. In other words, it is possible to make it difficult for water to enter the housing 20, but to discharge water to the outside of the housing 20 without any problems.

[0027] Here, we will provide an overview of the structure related to water flooding detection of the above-mentioned water flooding detection device 5. The water flooding detection device 5 of this embodiment includes a first contact confirmation target portion 61 and a second contact confirmation target portion 62 that can come into contact with water. It also includes a water outside the housing detection portion 71 that can detect contact of water with the first contact confirmation target portion 61, and a water inside the housing detection portion 72 that can detect contact of water with the second contact confirmation target portion 62. It also includes a determination processing portion 75 that can determine a water flooding state, water leakage, etc. from the state of the water inside the housing detection portion 72 and the water outside the housing detection portion 71. It is preferable that the determination processing portion 75 be capable of storing determination results and detection information from the detection portions.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferable to have a configuration including a signal output unit 76 so that the determination result of the determination processing unit 75 can be output externally via communication or an alarm can be output externally using an LED, buzzer, etc. Also, in this example, a battery housing unit 73 is provided that can accommodate a battery that supplies power to operate the determination processing unit 75, signal output unit 76, water detection unit, etc. Using a battery allows the device to function even in an emergency, so it is preferable to have a configuration that includes a battery housing unit 73 that can accommodate a battery that serves as a power source for operating the water intrusion detection device 5.

[0029] The water flood detection device main body 51 is also provided with an external connection section 74 that enables contact connection. Preferably, this external connection section 74 is used to supply electricity and / or information from devices provided inside the housing 20 to the water flood detection device main body 51. In this way, it becomes possible, for example, to charge the battery housed in the battery housing section 73, operate the water flood detection device main body 51 without using a battery, output information stored in the memory section of the determination processing section 75, or send signals to the water flood detection device main body 51.

[0030] In the example described above, the water detection unit outside the housing 71 capable of detecting contact of water with the first contact confirmation target area 61 and the water detection unit inside the housing 72 capable of detecting contact of water with the second contact confirmation target area 62 are separate devices, but it is also possible to use a single water detection unit to detect contact of water with the first contact confirmation target area 61 and the second contact confirmation target area 62. Of course, other embodiments different from the example shown in Fig. 6 may also be used, and for example, the water detection unit and the determination processing unit 75 may be integrated.

[0031] Next, examples of each contact confirmation target part and water detection part will be described. For example, multiple electrodes 81 are interposed between the contact confirmation target part and the water detection part (see FIG. 7). When the contact confirmation target part becomes wet enough to satisfy certain conditions, the electrodes 81 become conductive, i.e., an electric path is formed, current flows, and capacitance increases. The presence or absence of water intrusion can be determined by utilizing such changes in current and capacitance. In this case, for example, threshold values ​​can be set for the current and capacitance, and water intrusion can be determined when the current and capacitance exceed the threshold values.

[0032] Alternatively, a method of detecting water exposure may be used that utilizes changes in the refractive index of light. For example, the water detection unit may be provided with a light-emitting unit 82 and a light-receiving unit 83, and water intrusion into the contact confirmation target area may be determined by the attenuation of the amount of light (see FIG. 8). In this example, an LED is used, but other devices may also be used. In any case, the contact confirmation target area may be placed inside and outside the electrical and electronic equipment storage box 2, and information on each may be input to the determination processing unit 75 so that the presence or absence of water can be determined.

[0033] In addition, the detected information regarding the status of each contact confirmation target part may be output to the judgment processing unit 75, and the judgment processing unit 75 may determine whether or not there is water, or the water detection unit that made the detection may itself determine whether or not there is water, and output information such as ON (wet with water) or OFF (not wet with water) to the judgment processing unit 75, etc.

[0034] An example of the determination process will now be described. The determination processing unit 75 may be configured to make a determination based on the state of water contact with each contact confirmation target part. For example, it may be possible to determine whether water has entered the housing 20 by determining whether contact with water is confirmed at the contact confirmation target part.

[0035] Taking the example shown in Figure 9, in the state shown in (a), the water level is rising, but has not yet reached the first contact confirmation target part 61 or the second contact confirmation target part 62 provided in the water intrusion detection device 5, and the water detection part 71 outside the housing and the water detection part 72 inside the housing determine that the water is not in contact.

[0036] In contrast, in the state (b), the water level is higher than in the state shown in (a), and the water level has not reached the second contact confirmation target part 62, but has reached the first contact confirmation target part 61, and the water detection unit outside the housing 71 determines that water is in contact, while the water detection unit inside the housing 72 determines that water is not in contact.

[0037] When the water level rises further (c), the water has entered the housing 20, and both the water detection unit 72 inside the housing and the detection unit outside the housing 20 determine that the water is in contact with the housing.

[0038] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to configure the device with a determination processing unit 75 that can determine the water ingress state using information on the state of the first contact confirmation target area 61 located outside the housing 20 and information on the state of the second contact confirmation target area 62 located inside the housing 20.

[0039] After the determination processing unit 75 determines the above-mentioned state, it is preferable to output information to the outside using the signal output unit 76 based on the result as necessary. For example, if the state is (a), the determination processing unit 75 may prevent output from the signal output unit 76, while if the state is (b), it may output information indicating a dangerous state by issuing an alarm or buzzer, etc., since there is a possibility of future flooding. Furthermore, if the state is (c), it may output an alarm or buzzer different from that for the state (b), or output an output to shut off a switch. As can be seen from these descriptions, it is preferable to have a configuration including a signal output unit 76 that can output the determination result to the outside.

[0040] Furthermore, the determination processing unit 75 may determine the time change and amount of change in the current and capacitance flowing through the water detection units inside and outside the housing 20 to determine the state of flooding, etc. (see FIG. 10). For example, when the detection result indicates the presence of water in both the first contact confirmation target unit 61 and the second contact confirmation target unit 62, and it is confirmed from the information obtained by the housing water detection unit 72 that the current and capacitance are on the rise (see Xa in FIG. 10), it may be determined that the wetted area is increasing from the initial wetting state and that there is a high risk of flooding, and an output may be generated accordingly.

[0041] Furthermore, if the current or capacitance value remains above a certain value (see Xb in FIG. 10), it can be determined that the second contact confirmation target portion 62 is completely submerged in water, indicating a very problematic condition, and an output can be generated accordingly. Furthermore, if the current or capacitance is decreasing based on the information obtained by the water-in-casing detection unit 72 (see Xc in FIG. 10), it can be determined that the wetted area is decreasing and the water level inside the casing 20 is dropping, and an output can be generated accordingly. In this way, by monitoring changes over time, it is possible to determine whether a specific water submersion condition exists and to generate an output in accordance with the determination result.

[0042] For this reason, it is preferable to configure the device with a determination processing unit 75 that can determine the water ingress state using the change over time in the state of the first contact confirmation target area 61 located on the outside of the housing 20 and the change over time in the state of the second contact confirmation target area 62 located on the inside of the housing 20.

[0043] Furthermore, if rainwater droplets or water from a hose temporarily splashes on the first contact confirmation target portion 61, the current and capacitance detected by the external water detection unit 71 may change irregularly, or the detection may continue without reaching the threshold for determining flooding (see FIG. 11). Whether or not such a detection has occurred can be determined by observing the change in current and capacitance over time. Therefore, by monitoring the magnitude of the values ​​in combination with the change over time, it is possible to determine whether or not the current is in a dangerous state. It is even more preferable to use the determination result to output an alarm or signal.

[0044] Alternatively, the determination may be made by comparing the changes over time in the external water detection unit 71 and the internal water detection unit 72. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, assume that there is no water reaching the first contact confirmation target 61, but water has accumulated inside the housing 20. This situation may arise, for example, when a water leak occurs inside the housing 20 or when water accumulates inside the housing 20 due to condensation.

[0045] In this situation, for example, as shown in Figure 13, the current (or capacitance) of the water inside the housing detector 72 decreases over time, while the current (or capacitance) of the water outside the housing detector 71 increases. In such a case, it can be determined that "the water that has entered the interior is being drained to the outside."

[0046] 14, the current (capacitance) of the water inside the housing detector 72 increases over time, but the current (or capacitance) of the water outside the housing detector 71 does not change over time. In such a case, it can be determined that the internal water has not been drained. In addition, it may be possible to determine whether the water inside the housing 20 is being properly detected.

[0047] Furthermore, in order to more accurately determine the state of water ingress, an environment detection unit consisting of an environment sensor capable of detecting temperature, humidity, etc. may be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 15, an internal environment detection unit 77 is provided inside the housing 20. An external environment detection unit 78 is provided outside the housing 20. In this example, similar to the water detection unit, the environment detection units can be provided inside and outside the housing 20 simply by attaching the water ingress detection device 5. By providing the environment detection units inside and outside the housing 20, it is possible to determine, for example, by observing the temperature difference, whether the detected water is due to condensation or a rising water level.

[0048] The present invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various other forms. For example, the water submersion detection device main body may be inserted into the mounting opening from the outside of the housing, and the mounting ring may be disposed inside the housing. Furthermore, the mounting opening does not have to be limited to a portion provided as a drainage hole. For example, it may be a portion provided as a wiring hole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 2. Electrical and electronic equipment storage boxes 5. Water ingress detection device 20 Case 21. Main body 22 Door 23 Drain hole 51 Water ingress detection device main body 52 Mounting ring

Claims

1. a box for storing electrical or electronic equipment that stores electrical or electronic equipment inside a housing; a water intrusion detection device having a first contact confirmation target portion and a second contact confirmation target portion that can be used as targets for checking contact with water, and capable of detecting the states of the first contact confirmation target portion and the second contact confirmation target portion; A water ingress detection structure for an electrical and electronic equipment storage box, comprising: a mounting opening in the housing that allows a water immersion detection device to be inserted; A water-entry detection structure for an electrical / electronic device storage box, in which a water-entry detection device is inserted into an installation opening so that a first contact confirmation target provided in the water-entry detection device is located outside the housing and a second contact confirmation target provided in the water-entry detection device is located inside the housing.

2. 2. A water ingress detection structure for an electrical and electronic device storage box as described in claim 1, which is provided with a determination processing unit that can determine a water ingress state using information on the state of a first contact confirmation target portion located on the outside of the housing and information on the state of a second contact confirmation target portion located on the inside of the housing.

3. 2. A water ingress detection structure for an electrical and electronic device storage box as described in claim 1, comprising a determination processing unit that can determine a water ingress state using changes over time in the state of a first contact confirmation target portion located on the outside of the housing and changes over time in the state of a second contact confirmation target portion located on the inside of the housing.

4. 2. A water-immersion detection device for an electrical / electronic device storage box as described in claim 1, which is provided with an attachment ring that can be attached to a portion of the water-immersion detection device main body located outside the housing and inserted into the attachment opening from inside the housing, thereby preventing the water-immersion detection device from falling off from the attachment opening.

5. 4. The water ingress detection structure for an electric / electronic device storage box according to claim 2, further comprising a signal output section capable of outputting the result of the determination to the outside.

6. 2. The water damage detection structure for an electrical / electronic device storage box according to claim 1, further comprising a battery housing portion capable of housing a battery that serves as a power source for operating the water damage detection device.

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