Water usage detection wireless communication device

Abstract

To provide a water supply use detection wireless communication device capable of performing good communication by preventing deterioration of radio wave intensity during wireless communication due to water when water supply is used.SOLUTION: A water supply use detection wireless communication device 10 includes: a first housing 1 having a water inlet 1a and a water outlet 1b formed; and a second housing 2 installed inside the first housing 1. The second housing 2 includes: a water flow control mechanism 3 that determines a direction of water flow and increases flow velocity; an impeller 4 that rotates by receiving water; a shaft 5 connected to the impeller 4; a magnet 6 to which rotation of the impeller 4 is transmitted by the shaft 5; a coil 7 wound so that magnetic flux of the magnet 6 interlinks; and a wireless communication circuit 20 that starts operating when an AC voltage generated in the coil 7 due to changes in the magnetic flux is applied. The water supply use detection wireless communication device further includes a water flow region limiting mechanism 8 that limits a region where water flows so that a radio wave for wireless communication between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 is not blocked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a wireless water usage detection device suitable for checking the safety of elderly people living alone based on their water usage. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of elderly people living alone has been increasing, and it has become important to check on the safety of these elderly people. As a device for checking their safety, a device that detects the use of water, which is indispensable in daily life, has been devised. For example, a water use detection wireless communication device is a hydroelectric power generation type wireless water sensor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-287818. However, although this device does not require electrical wiring work, it does require water pipe work for installation, which is troublesome and costly.

[0003] Therefore, as a water usage detection wireless communication device, an example of a prototype wireless communication device that detects the usage of a water supply generated by hydroelectric power will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Figs.

[0004] 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the present inventor and the area where water flows. This water usage detection wireless communication device 10 is composed of a first housing 1 in which a water inlet 1a and a water outlet 1b are formed, and a second housing 2 installed inside the first housing 1. The second housing 2 is equipped with a water flow control mechanism 3 that determines the direction of water flow and increases the flow rate, an impeller 4 that receives water and rotates, a shaft 5 connected to the impeller 4, a magnet 6 to which the rotation of the impeller 4 is transmitted by the shaft 5, a coil 7 wound so that the magnetic flux of the magnet 6 interlinks, and a wireless communication circuit 20 that starts operating when an AC voltage generated in the coil 7 by a change in magnetic flux is applied.

[0005] 6 is a block diagram of the wireless communication circuit 20. This wireless communication circuit 20 includes a rectifier circuit 21 that rectifies the AC voltage generated between both terminals of the coil 7, a voltage limiting circuit 22 that limits the level of the rectified voltage, a wireless module 23 that starts wireless communication when the output voltage of the voltage limiting circuit 22 is applied, and an antenna 24 that transmits and receives wireless communication.

[0006] The operation of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b).

[0007] FIG. 5(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the inventor, and FIG. 5(b) is a top view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the inventor. When the inlet 1a is attached to a water faucet and the faucet is turned on, water flows in the same rotation direction from the three notches of the water flow control mechanism 3. The impeller 4 rotates in response to the water flowing in the same rotation direction, and the magnet 6 rotates through the shaft 5. The magnetic flux interlinked with the coil 7 changes as the magnet 6 rotates, and an AC voltage is generated at the terminal of the coil 7. This AC voltage is rectified by the rectifier circuit 21. The rectified voltage is input to the voltage limiting circuit 22, and a voltage not exceeding a limit level is output. When the output voltage of the voltage limiting circuit 22 is applied to the wireless module 23, it starts operating and performs wireless communication via the antenna 24 to notify that the water has been used.

[0008] Next, the influence of water on wireless communication by the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 5(c), 5(d), 5(e) and 5(f).

[0009] Fig. 5(c) is a bottom view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the present inventor, in which water flows in the shaded area between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. Fig. 5(d) is a side view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 1 prototyped by the present inventor, in which the area where water flows is shown by the shaded area. As shown in Figs. 5(c) and 5(d), water surrounds the antenna 24 of the wireless communication circuit 20 built into the second housing 2.

[0010] Fig. 5(e) is a side view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the inventor, with the arrows indicating the flow of water. Water flows from the faucet into the inlet 1a, and as the water passes through the cuts in the water flow control mechanism 3, the flow speed increases and the water flows in the same rotational direction. The water flows out from the gap between the water flow control mechanism 3 and the second housing 2, and passes between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. Fig. 5(f) is a top view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the inventor, with the arrows indicating the flow into the water flow control mechanism 3 in the same rotational direction.

[0011] The radio wave strength was measured when there was water around the antenna 24 of the wireless communication circuit 20 and when there was no water. When the water usage detection wireless communication device 1 was attached to a water faucet and water was running, the radio wave strength was -90 dBm or less. When a battery was connected to the wireless communication circuit 20, the radio wave strength was about -70 dBm. This is thought to be because when the wireless module 23 is Bluetooth or the like, the frequency of the radio wave is in the 2.4 GHz band, and water is particularly prone to attenuation of the radio wave energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-287818 [Patent Document 2] Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] In the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the inventor described above, the antenna 24 is surrounded by water during wireless communication, which causes problems such as weak radio wave strength for transmission and reception, shortening the communication distance, or reducing the communication success rate.

[0014] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress the decrease in radio wave intensity caused by water and to perform good communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The solution provided by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems is a water usage detection wireless communication device 10, which is composed of a first housing in which a water inlet and an outlet are formed, and a second housing installed within the first housing, the second housing comprising a water flow control mechanism that determines the direction of water flow and increases the flow rate, an impeller that rotates when it receives water, a shaft connected to the impeller, a magnet to which the rotation of the impeller is transmitted by the shaft, a coil wound so that the magnetic flux of the magnet interlinks, and a wireless communication circuit that begins to operate when an AC voltage generated in the coil by a change in magnetic flux is applied, and a water flow area limiting mechanism that limits the area through which water flows so that wireless communication radio waves are not blocked between the first housing and the second housing.

[0016] Therefore, according to the present invention, a water-free area 9 can be provided around the antenna 24 which transmits and receives wireless communications, so that radio waves are not blocked and reduction in radio wave strength is suppressed, enabling good communication. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the decrease in radio wave intensity caused by water during wireless communication, thereby achieving good communication. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and an area in which water flows. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing the water flow region limiting mechanism 8 of the water usage detecting wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, divided horizontally into eight directions. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram showing an example of another shape of the water flow region limiting mechanism 8 of the water usage detecting wireless communication device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]1 is a diagram showing an example in which a water flow area restriction mechanism 8 of a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention fills an area 9 through which water does not flow with resin or rubber. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 prototyped by the present inventor and an area where water flows. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the wireless communication circuit 20 of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 is installed at a faucet 100. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0020] 1 shows a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water usage detection wireless communication device 10 of this embodiment is composed of a first housing 1 in which a water inlet 1a and a water outlet 1b are formed, and a second housing 2 installed inside the first housing 1. The second housing 2 includes a water flow control mechanism 3 that determines the direction of water flow and increases the flow rate, an impeller 4 that receives water and rotates, a shaft 5 connected to the impeller 4, a magnet 6 to which the rotation of the impeller 4 is transmitted by the shaft 5, a coil 7 wound so that the magnetic flux of the magnet 6 interlinks, and a wireless communication circuit 20 that starts operating when an AC voltage generated in the coil 7 by a change in magnetic flux is applied, and includes a water flow area limiting mechanism 8 that limits the area in which water flows so that radio waves for wireless communication are not blocked between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2.

[0021] The operation of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 configured as above is the same as in the conventional embodiment except that the area in which water flows is limited, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] Next, the influence of water on wireless communication by the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 in the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1(c), 1(d), 1(e) and 1(f).

[0023] Fig. 1(c) is a bottom view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which water flows in the shaded area between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. Fig. 1(d) is a side view of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the area where water flows is indicated by shaded areas. As shown in Figs. 1(c) and 1(d), areas 9 where water does not flow are provided in two of four horizontal directions around the antenna 24 provided in the wireless communication circuit 20 built into the second housing 2.

[0024] FIG. 1(e) is a side view of a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with arrows indicating the flow of water. Water flows from a faucet into the inlet 1a, and as the water passes through the cuts in the water flow control mechanism 3, the flow speed increases and the water flows in the same rotational direction. The water flows out from the gap between the water flow limiting mechanism 3 and the second housing 2, and passes between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. The water flow area limiting mechanism 8 creates an area 9 where the water does not flow. FIG. 1(f) is a top view of a water usage detection wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with arrows indicating the flow into the water flow control mechanism 3 in the same rotational direction.

[0025] When the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 was attached to a water faucet and water was running, the radio wave strength was about -70 dBm, which was the same as the radio wave strength of about -70 dBm when a battery was connected to the wireless communication circuit 20.

[0026] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by providing the water flow area restriction mechanism 8, it is possible to provide the area 9 around the antenna 24 where water does not flow, and thus it is possible to suppress a decrease in radio wave intensity.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the water flow region limiting mechanism 8 is installed in two of four horizontal divisions, but the number of divisions is not limited, and may be eight, as shown in Fig. 2. The configuration and operation of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 shown in Fig. 2 are the same as those of the embodiment of the present invention, except for the shape of the water flow region limiting mechanism 8, and therefore will not be described.

[0028] The same effect can be obtained even if the water flow region limiting mechanism 8 has a shape as shown in Fig. 3. The configuration and operation of the water usage detection wireless communication device 10 shown in Fig. 3 are the same as those of this embodiment except for the shape of the water flow region limiting mechanism 8, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] The water flow area restriction mechanism 8 is a mechanism that restricts the area in which water flows so as not to block wireless communication radio waves, and may be integrally formed in the first housing 1 or the second housing 2, and its shape is not limited to the example of the above embodiment.

[0030] Furthermore, the water flow region restriction mechanism 8 may be formed from a material such as resin or rubber that has little attenuation in the passage of radio waves.

[0031] 6 shows an example in which the antenna 24 is built into the wireless communication circuit 20, it may be built into the wireless module 23. Also, the antenna 24 may be provided outside the wireless communication circuit 20 without any problem.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the state in which the water usage detection wireless communication device water 10 is installed on a faucet 100. Fig. 7(a) shows an example in which the water usage detection wireless communication device water 10 is attached to a faucet 100 having a threaded portion. The water usage detection wireless communication device water 10 may also be attached to the faucet 100 using an attachment as shown in Fig. 7(b). [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 First case 1a Inlet of first housing 1b Outlet of the first housing 2 Second housing 3. Water flow control mechanism 4 Impeller 5-axis 6. Magnets 7 Coil 8. Water flow area restriction mechanism 9. Areas where water does not flow 10. Water usage detection wireless communication device 20 Wireless communication circuit 21 Rectifier circuit 22 Voltage control circuit 23 Wireless Module 24 Antenna 100 Water Faucet 101 Water Lever 102 Water handle 103 Mounting attachment

Claims

1. A water usage detection wireless communication device comprising a first housing having a water inlet and an outlet, and a second housing installed within the first housing, the second housing comprising a water flow control mechanism that determines the direction of water flow and increases the flow rate, an impeller that rotates when it receives water, a shaft connected to the impeller, a magnet to which the rotation of the impeller is transmitted by the shaft, a coil wound so that the magnetic flux of the magnet interlinks, and a wireless communication circuit that begins to operate when an AC voltage generated in the coil by a change in magnetic flux is applied, and further comprising a water flow area limiting mechanism that limits the area through which water flows so that wireless communication radio waves are not blocked between the first housing and the second housing.

2. 2. The water usage detecting wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the water flow area limiting mechanism forms a space through which water does not flow by using resin or rubber.

3. 2. The water usage detection wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the water flow area limiting mechanism has an area through which water does not flow filled with resin or rubber.

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