Rainwater intrusion location identification system

Abstract

To provide a rainwater intrusion location specifying system capable of efficiently and appropriately solving the complex water leakage problem that frequently occurs in buildings. [Solution] A rainwater intrusion point identification system that identifies points of rainwater intrusion into a building, comprising a gas mixing unit that generates a mixed gas by mixing a detection gas with a main gas, a gas injection unit that injects the mixed gas generated by the gas mixing unit into a water leak point inside the building, and an imaging unit that visualizes the detection gas, wherein the imaging unit images the building from the outside, and the rainwater intrusion point is identified based on the detection gas visualized in the image captured by the imaging unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rainwater intrusion point identifying system for identifying a rainwater intrusion point in a building. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, urban buildings have become taller and larger in size due to population growth and technological advances in urban areas. However, large buildings constructed during the period of rapid economic growth are now over 50 years old, and the deterioration of their structures and facilities is becoming more noticeable. In particular, cracks in concrete and corrosion of rebar are progressing, and the resulting water leakage is becoming a serious problem.

[0003] As a conventional technology, for example, a device for detecting a water leak in the wall of a building is known which comprises a cylinder filled with a detection gas that is lighter than air, a delivery hose which can be connected at one end to the cylinder and which delivers the detection gas from the cylinder, a nozzle which is connected at the other end of the delivery hose and which injects the detection gas, and a detector which detects the detection gas; the detection gas is injected into the water leak point from inside the room using the nozzle and is detected by the detector on the outside, thereby identifying the water leak point in the wall (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Another known prior art technique involves injecting a visually recognizable gas into an internal leak channel from a specific location in the building being inspected, such as a leak point in a building in an apartment complex, diffusing the gas along the internal leak channel, and then releasing the visually recognizable gas to the outside from the point where rainwater or the like has entered, thereby enabling the location from which the gas is being released to be confirmed by visual inspection or photography, etc. (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3220468 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-085508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the above-mentioned conventional techniques, it has been difficult to efficiently and appropriately solve the complex water leakage problems that frequently occur in large buildings such as high-rise apartment buildings.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a rainwater intrusion location identification system that can efficiently and appropriately solve the complex water leakage problems that frequently occur in buildings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The rainwater intrusion point identification system according to the present invention is a rainwater intrusion point identification system for identifying rainwater intrusion points in a building, and comprises a gas mixing unit that generates a mixed gas by mixing a main gas with a detection gas, a gas injection unit that injects the mixed gas generated by the gas mixing unit into a water leak point inside the building, and an imaging unit that visualizes the detection gas, and is characterized in that the building is imaged from the outside by the imaging unit, and the rainwater intrusion point is identified based on the detection gas visualized in the image taken by the imaging unit.

[0009] In the above-mentioned rainwater intrusion location identification system, the gas mixing unit has a mixing ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the mixing ratio of the detection gas to the main gas in the mixed gas, and the mixing ratio adjustment unit may be configured to adjust the mixing ratio of the detection gas in the mixed gas so that the higher the outside air temperature is, the higher the mixing ratio becomes.

[0010] In the rainwater intrusion point identifying system described above, the main gas may be carbon dioxide gas, and the detection gas may be ethanol.

[0011] In the above-mentioned rainwater intrusion location identification system, the gas injection unit may include a water leak location enclosing unit that encloses the water leak location, a gas injection pipe that injects the mixed gas into the water leak location enclosing unit, and a sealing member that seals the water leak location enclosing unit against the water leak location so that the mixed gas does not leak from the gap between the water leak location enclosing unit and the water leak location.

[0012] The above-mentioned rainwater intrusion point identification system may further include a gas ejector for discharging the mixed gas from the gas mixing section to the gas injection section, and the sealing member may be configured to seal the water leak point surrounding section to the water leak point by the suction force generated when the mixed gas is discharged in the gas ejector.

[0013] The water leak detection method according to the present invention is a method for identifying rainwater intrusion points in a building, and is characterized in that a mixed gas obtained by mixing a main gas with a detection gas is injected from a water leak point inside the building, the building is imaged from the outside using an imaging unit that visualizes the detection gas, and the rainwater intrusion point is identified based on the detection gas visualized in the image captured by the imaging unit.

[0014] In the above-described water leak detection method, the mixture ratio of the detection gas to the main gas in the mixed gas may be adjusted so as to increase as the outside air temperature increases.

[0015] In the above-described water leak detection method, the main gas may be carbon dioxide gas, and the detection gas may be ethanol. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a rainwater intrusion point identification system for identifying rainwater intrusion points in a building, which comprises a gas mixing unit that generates a mixed gas by mixing a detection gas with a main gas, a gas injection unit that injects the mixed gas generated by the gas mixing unit into a water leak point inside the building, and an imaging unit that visualizes the detection gas, and the imaging unit images the building from the outside and identifies the rainwater intrusion point based on the detection gas visualized in the image captured by the imaging unit, thereby making it possible to efficiently and appropriately solve complex water leakage problems that frequently occur in buildings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rainwater intrusion location identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the procedure for detecting a water leak location using the rainwater intrusion location identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a water leak in a building. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention along the flow path of a mixed gas. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a contact member of a gas injection section (part 1) of a rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the adhesive member of the gas injection section (part 1) of the rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention is assembled using specific members. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the water leakage point surrounding part of the gas injection part (part 1) of the rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention along the flow path of a mixed gas. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a contact member of a gas injection section (part 2) of a rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the adhesive member of the gas injection section (part 2) of the rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention is assembled using specific members. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a gas injection section (part 3) of a rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a gas injection section (part 4) of a rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [Summary of the Invention] The present invention aims to efficiently and appropriately solve the complex water leakage problems that frequently occur in large buildings such as high-rise apartment buildings.

[0019] In this specification, a "water leakage point" refers to a location inside a building where water such as rainwater is actually confirmed, or a location where water such as rainwater is seeping into a wall or ceiling, and is a location where a water leakage problem is apparent. A "rainwater intrusion point" refers to a location that is an entrance through which water such as rainwater enters the building from the outside, and is a defective location on the roof, exterior wall, window frame, around pipes, etc.

[0020] Rainwater and other water enter buildings through rainwater intrusion points, and this becomes apparent as leaks inside the building. In many cases, the paths that rainwater and other water travel are complex, making it difficult to identify the point of rainwater intrusion from the leak point.

[0021] The rainwater intrusion location identification system of the present invention identifies the location from outside the building where rainwater or other water is infiltrating, determines whether a water path has been formed that connects the leak location to the rainwater intrusion location, and repairs the building based on that determination. This efficiently and appropriately solves the complex water leakage problems that frequently occur in large buildings such as high-rise apartment buildings.

[0022] [One embodiment] A rainwater intrusion point identifying system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG.

[0023] (Rainwater intrusion location identification system) FIG. 1 shows a rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the rainwater intrusion point identification system 100 is composed of a gas mixing unit 10 that mixes the main gas and the detection gas, a gas injection unit 50 that injects the mixed gas mixed by the gas mixing unit 10 into a water leak point (not shown) inside the building 200, and an imaging camera 90 that is an imaging unit that visualizes the detection gas.

[0025] The gas mixing section 10 is provided with a high-pressure carbon dioxide gas cylinder 12, which is a metal cylinder in which carbon dioxide gas (CO2 gas), the main gas, is compressed at high pressure and sealed, and an ethanol tank 14, which is a dedicated tank for storing large quantities of ethanol (C2H5OH), the detection gas, in liquid form.

[0026] The high-pressure carbon dioxide cylinder 12 is provided with a regulator (pressure reducing valve) 12a for adjusting the pressure when the high-pressure gas in the high-pressure carbon dioxide cylinder 12 is extracted and used, and a measurement gauge (pressure gauge) 12b for measuring the gas pressure in the high-pressure carbon dioxide cylinder 12 and the output pressure of the gas adjusted by the regulator 12a.

[0027] The ethanol tank 14 is provided with a metering pump (roller pump) 14a for precisely supplying a liquid such as ethanol.

[0028] A gas ejector 16 is provided in the regulator 12a of the high-pressure carbon dioxide cylinder 12. The gas ejector 16 is a device that uses gas pressure to suck and move a liquid in order to transport ethanol. In this embodiment, ethanol supplied from the ethanol tank 14 via the metering pump 14a is sucked and mixed using the pressure of carbon dioxide gas from the high-pressure carbon dioxide cylinder 12.

[0029] A flow rate sensor 18 is connected to the gas ejector 16. The flow rate sensor 18 detects the flow rate of the mixed gas ejected from the gas ejector 16, which is made up of carbon dioxide gas as the main gas and ethanol gas as the detection gas.

[0030] The metering pump 14a provided in the ethanol tank 14 is provided with a CPU 14b serving as a control unit, and a touch panel 14c serving as an operation unit and a display unit.

[0031] A DC voltage of, for example, 24 V is supplied from a DC power supply 14d to the metering pump 14a, the CPU 14b, and the touch panel 14c in order to operate them.

[0032] The touch panel 14c is operated to set the ratio of the detection gas in the mixed gas and the total flow rate of the mixed gas.

[0033] While monitoring the total flow rate of the mixed gas detected by the flow sensor 18, the CPU 14b controls the amount of ethanol supplied by the metering pump 14a, thereby adjusting the mixture ratio of ethanol, which is the detection gas, to carbon dioxide, which is the main gas in the mixed gas, and the total flow rate of the mixed gas.

[0034] In this way, the metering pump 14a, the CPU 14b, and the flow rate sensor 18 constitute a mixture ratio adjusting section that adjusts the mixture ratio of ethanol, which is the detection gas, to carbon dioxide, which is the main gas in the mixed gas.

[0035] After trial and error in detecting leaks using the rainwater intrusion location identification system while adjusting the mixture ratio in the mixture ratio adjustment section, it was found that the optimum mixture ratio of ethanol, the detection gas, to carbon dioxide, the main gas in the mixture, i.e., the concentration of ethanol to carbon dioxide, expressed in volume percentage, is 19 to 42%.

[0036] The flow rate sensor 18 is further provided with a gas ejector 20. The gas ejector 20 ejects the high-pressure mixed gas from the flow rate sensor 18. As the high-pressure mixed gas is ejected, a suction force is generated below the gas ejector 20 due to the vacuum.

[0037] The gas ejector 20 is provided with a gas injection section 50 that injects the mixed gas mixed by the gas mixing section 10 from a water leak point (not shown) inside the building 200.

[0038] The gas injection unit 50 is provided with a water leak point enclosing unit (not shown) that encloses a water leak point (not shown) inside the building 200, and a gas injection pipe 52 that injects a mixed gas into the water leak point enclosing unit. The gas injection unit 50 is further provided with a sealing member 60 that seals the water leak point enclosing unit to the water leak point so that the mixed gas does not leak from the gap between the water leak point enclosing unit and the water leak point. An air pipe 56 is connected to the sealing member 60 from the bottom of the gas ejector 20. The suction force generated by the vacuum of the gas ejector 20 is used to seal the water leak point enclosing unit to the water leak point. The detailed structure of the gas injection unit 50 will be described later.

[0039] 1, the rainwater intrusion point identification system 100 is further provided with an imaging camera 90 that visualizes the detection gas. The imaging camera 90 captures an image of the exterior of the building 200 and detects the detection gas 200a leaking from the building 200.

[0040] As the imaging camera 90, for example, a handheld gas leak inspection system GMP02 manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc. is used.

[0041] Since the imaging camera 90 can capture an image of the detection gas from a distance, there is no need to approach the location of the gas leak, and a wide area outside the building 200 can be inspected with a single image. Therefore, for example, a detection gas leak can be detected by capturing an image from the ground around the building 200, and there is no need to perform construction work such as erecting scaffolding on the building 200 to identify the location of rainwater intrusion.

[0042] When the imaging camera 90 detects the detection gas 200a leaking from the building 200, it is determined that a water path has been formed that connects the leak point where the mixed gas was injected to the point where rainwater has entered, and repairs to the building are made based on this determination.

[0043] (Method for identifying rainwater intrusion points) The procedure for identifying a rainwater intrusion point using the rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] (Step 1: Find the leak) First, a water leak is discovered by a resident or user of building 200. When a resident or user discovers a water leak, an investigation into the leak begins.

[0045] There are various types of water leakage in the building 200. Examples of water leakage types are shown in FIG.

[0046] In Figure 3(a), a stain appears on the ceiling of the room. The stain is the source of the leak.

[0047] In Figure 3(b), water is leaking from a ventilation hole in the ceiling. Because the amount of water leaking is large, a vinyl guide path has been installed to guide the leaking water into a container such as a bucket. There is also a leak on the wall of the ventilation path leading to the ventilation hole.

[0048] In Figure 3(c), water is leaking from a ventilation hole in the wall near the ceiling. Because the amount of water leaking is large, a vinyl guide path has been installed to guide the leaking water into a bucket or other container. There is also a leak on the wall of the ventilation path leading to the ventilation hole.

[0049] In Figure 3(d), water is leaking from a ventilation hole in the wall near the ceiling. The amount of water leaking is not large, so a water catcher is installed in the wall. There is also a leak on the wall of the ventilation path leading to the ventilation hole.

[0050] (Step 2: Identifying the leak location) Next, the leak investigation investigator will identify the location of the leak based on the condition of the leak that has been detected.

[0051] (Step 3: Cover the leaking area and prepare for gas injection) Next, the leaking area is covered and preparations are made for gas injection.

[0052] Indoor construction team A, which is in charge of indoor construction for the leak detection, performs work to ensure the mixed gas is injected into the leaking location. First, they remove any cracks or other debris from the leaking location and the surrounding area and then cover the area. Next, they surround the leaking location with a leaking location enclosure, and set up a gas injection pipe 52 that will inject the mixed gas inside the leaking location enclosure. Next, they attach the leaking location enclosure to the leaking location with a sealing member 60, and prepare for gas injection to prevent the mixed gas from leaking from the gap between the leaking location enclosure and the leaking location.

[0053] (Step 4: Preparation for gas injection complete, camera crew on standby) Next, once preparations for gas injection are complete, indoor construction team A instructs camera team B, which is responsible for detecting gas for leak detection, to wait outdoors around building 200.

[0054] Since it is unknown where the gas is leaking from in the building 200, it is desirable to prepare a plurality of investigators as the camera unit B and capture images of the periphery of the building 200 using a plurality of imaging cameras 90.

[0055] (Step 5: Identifying the location of rainwater intrusion by indoor construction team A and camera team B) Next, indoor construction team A and camera team B identify the areas where rainwater is entering.

[0056] Indoor construction team A and camera team B are constantly in contact using mobile phones etc. as they carry out the leak inspection.

[0057] After the indoor construction team A injects the mixed gas into the leaking location, it notifies the camera team B that the gas has been injected. When the camera team B receives notification from the indoor construction team A that the gas has been injected, it takes an image of the building 200. The camera team B makes a thorough inspection of the periphery of the building 200, for example by walking around the periphery of the building 200.

[0058] Each investigator in camera unit B checks the images captured by his or her own imaging camera 90, and if a visible detection gas is present in the captured image, he or she determines that the location where the detection gas has leaked is the point where rainwater has entered, and contacts indoor construction unit A and other investigators in camera unit B.

[0059] If multiple investigators from Camera Unit B confirm the existence of a location where rainwater has entered, the location will be identified based on that information.

[0060] There are various types of defects in the leakage path that can cause water leaks. Therefore, even if none of the multiple investigators from Camera Unit B report the presence of detection gas, they do not immediately conclude that there is no leakage, but rather change the conditions for injecting the mixed gas and conduct multiple inspections.

[0061] The mixed gas injection conditions include the mixed gas injection time, the mixed gas injection amount, the mixed gas injection pressure, the ratio of the detection gas in the mixed gas, the type of detection gas, the outside air temperature when the mixed gas is injected, etc. These injection conditions are changed as appropriate to perform multiple tests.

[0062] (mixed gas) The mixed gas used in the rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0063] (Type of detection gas) In this embodiment, carbon dioxide gas is used as the main gas of the mixed gas, and ethanol is used as the detection gas.

[0064] Carbon dioxide gas is used as the main gas because it is cheap, safe, and can be easily provided from a high-pressure carbon dioxide gas cylinder.

[0065] Ethanol is used as the detection gas because it can be detected by the imaging camera 90, a handheld gas leak detection system GMP02 manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc., and it poses minimal harm to the human body.

[0066] The Konica Minolta GMP02 handheld gas leak detection system can detect the following gases:

[0067] Methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, ethylene, isoprene, 1-pentene, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, propylene, methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, other ethers, esters, etc.

[0068] (Detection gas concentration) In this embodiment, carbon dioxide gas is used as the main gas of the mixed gas, and ethanol is used as the detection gas.

[0069] The ratio of ethanol, the detection gas, to carbon dioxide, the main gas in the mixed gas, was found to be 19 to 42% by volume, as a result of trial and error in detecting leaks using a rainwater intrusion location identification system.

[0070] If the ethanol concentration is lower than the lower limit of 10%, it becomes difficult to detect it with the imaging camera 90, which is the handheld gas leak inspection system GMP02.

[0071] If the ethanol concentration is higher than the upper limit of 75%, the concentration of the main gas, carbon dioxide, will be low, the overall pressure of the mixed gas will be low, and it will be difficult to inject a sufficient amount of mixed gas through the leak point.

[0072] The appropriate mixing ratio of ethanol (detection gas) to carbon dioxide (main gas) in the mixed gas, i.e., the appropriate concentration of ethanol relative to carbon dioxide in the mixed gas, varies depending on the temperature. The higher the temperature, the higher the ethanol mixing ratio, i.e., the ethanol concentration, is desirable. This is because the higher the temperature, the more easily ethanol (detection gas) volatilizes.

[0073] The ratio of ethanol, the detection gas, to carbon dioxide, the main gas in the mixed gas, i.e., the concentration of ethanol relative to carbon dioxide in the mixed gas, was found to be 20-30% as a result of trial and error in detecting leaks using a rainwater intrusion location identification system, in the winter season when the outside temperature is below 10°C.

[0074] It was also found that 25 to 40% is suitable during the summer when the outside temperature is above 30°C.

[0075] It was also found that 21 to 38% is suitable in spring and autumn when the outside temperature is between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius.

[0076] (Gas injection section (part 1)) The structure (part 1) of the gas injection section 50 in the rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG.

[0077] 4(a) is a diagram showing the structure along the flow path of the mixed gas, illustrating the structure of the gas mixer 10 from the gas ejector 16 to the gas ejector 20 and the gas injector 50. The flow rate sensor 18 is not shown.

[0078] In the gas ejector 16, carbon dioxide gas from the high-pressure carbon dioxide gas cylinder 12 and ethanol from the ethanol tank 14 are mixed to generate a mixed gas of carbon dioxide gas and ethanol. The generated mixed gas is sent to the gas ejector 20 via a flow rate sensor (not shown). A gas injection pipe 52 of a gas injection unit 50 is connected to the gas ejector 20.

[0079] 4(b), when a high-pressure mixed gas is taken in from the inlet 20a of the gas ejector 20 and ejected and exhausted from the outlet 20b, the suction chamber 20c is put into a vacuum state. In this embodiment, the air pipe 56 of the gas injection part 50 is connected to the intake port 20d at the bottom of the suction chamber 20c, and the suction force generated by the vacuum of the gas ejector 20 is utilized by the gas injection part 50.

[0080] As shown in Figure 4(a), the gas injection section 50 is provided with a water leak point enclosure section 70 for enclosing a water leak point where a crack or the like has appeared. A gas injection pipe 52 is connected to the top of the water leak point enclosure section 70, and a mixed gas is injected into the water leak point enclosure section 70.

[0081] Furthermore, a sealing member 60 is provided to fix the leak point enclosure 70 to the leak point and to seal the leak point enclosure 70 tightly against the leak point so as to prevent the injected mixed gas from leaking through the gap between the leak point enclosure 70 and the leak point.

[0082] (Gas injection part (part 1): Adhesion member) As shown on the right side of FIG. 4(a), the contact member 60 is made up of vacuum suction pads 60a and 60b, an arm 60c, and a spring 60d.

[0083] The structure of the contact member 60 of the gas injection section (part 1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0084] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a schematic structure of a contact member 60 of the gas injection section (part 1). Fig. 5A is a front view of the contact member 60, and Fig. 5B is a bottom view of the contact member 60 seen from below.

[0085] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the contact member 60 is assembled using members. Fig. 6(a) is a front view of the contact member 60, and Fig. 6(b) is a plan view of the contact member 60 as seen from above.

[0086] The adhesion member 60 adheres the water leak point enclosure 70 to the water leak point using vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b, arms 60c, and springs 60d. The vacuum force is used to firmly secure the water leak point enclosure 70 to the water leak point and to prevent the mixed gas from leaking from the gap between the water leak point enclosure 70 and the water leak point.

[0087] The vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b are attached to the wall or ceiling surrounding the leaking area. The vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b are connected to the air pipe 56, which is connected to the suction chamber 20c, creating a low-pressure state between the vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b and the wall or ceiling. This allows the vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b to be tightly attached by the force of atmospheric pressure.

[0088] The arm 60c positions the vacuum suction pads 60a and 60b against the wall or ceiling surrounding the leaking location, and holds the gas injection pipe 52 at its center.

[0089] Spring 60d is provided in gas injection pipe 52 between arm 60c and leak point enclosure 70. The free length of spring 60d in its unelastic state is made longer than legs 60ca, 60cb of arm 60c that connect vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b. This allows the elastic force of spring 60d to bring leak point enclosure 70 into close contact with the leak point when vacuum suction pads 60a, 60b are brought into close contact with the wall or ceiling.

[0090] (Gas injection section (part 1): Leakage area surrounding section) As shown on the right side of FIG. 4(a), the water leakage point enclosing section 70 is intended to enclose a water leakage point where a crack or the like has appeared, and to inject the mixed gas into the water leakage point.

[0091] The structure of the water leakage point enclosure part 70 will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7(a) is a plan view of the water leakage point enclosure part 70, Figure 7(b) is a front view of the water leakage point enclosure part 70, and Figure 7(c) is a right side view of the water leakage point enclosure part 70.

[0092] The main body 70a of the leak point enclosure 70 is a rectangular box-shaped open box with the bottom of its six sides open. An opening 70b is formed in the center of the top surface of the main body 70a, through which the gas injection pipe 52 is inserted. A square ring 70c made of an elastic material such as rubber is adhered to the end of the bottom surface of the main body 70a.

[0093] The leak point is covered with the leak point enclosure 70, and the leak point enclosure 70 is brought into tight contact with the leak point using the sealing member 60. When the mixed gas is injected from the gas injection pipe 52, the mixed gas becomes highly pressurized inside the leak point enclosure 70 because it is sealed by the square ring 70c. This allows the mixed gas to be injected into the leak point.

[0094] (Gas injection section (part 2)) The structure (part 2) of the gas injection section 50 in the rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG.

[0095] 8 is a diagram showing the structure along the flow path of the mixed gas, illustrating the structure of the gas mixer 10 from the gas ejector 16 to the gas ejector 20 and the gas injector 50. The flow rate sensor 18 is not shown.

[0096] In the gas ejector 16, carbon dioxide gas from the high-pressure carbon dioxide gas cylinder 12 is mixed with ethanol from the ethanol tank 14 to generate a mixed gas of carbon dioxide gas and ethanol. The generated mixed gas is sent to the gas ejector 20 via a flow rate sensor (not shown). A gas injection pipe 52 of a gas injection unit 50 is connected to the gas ejector 20.

[0097] In this structure (part 2), the suction force generated by the vacuum of the gas ejector 20 is not used in the gas injection part 50, so a lid 20e is attached to the intake port 20d at the bottom of the suction chamber 20c of the gas ejector 20.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 8, the gas injection section 50 is provided with a water leak point enclosure section 70 for enclosing a water leak point where a crack or the like has appeared. A gas injection pipe 52 is connected to the top of the water leak point enclosure section 70, and a mixed gas is injected into the water leak point enclosure section 70.

[0099] Furthermore, a sealing member 62 is provided to fix the leak point enclosure 70 to the leak point and to seal the leak point enclosure 70 tightly against the leak point so as to prevent the injected mixed gas from leaking through the gap between the leak point enclosure 70 and the leak point.

[0100] (Gas injection part (part 2): Adhesion member) As shown on the right side of FIG. 8, the contact member 62 is made up of vacuum suction pads 62a and 62b, an arm 62c, and a spring 62d.

[0101] The structure of the contact member 62 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0102] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a schematic structure of the contact member 62 of the gas injection section (part 2). Fig. 9A is a front view of the contact member 62, and Fig. 9B is a bottom view of the contact member 62 seen from below.

[0103] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the state in which the contact member 62 of the gas injection section (part 2) is assembled using components. Fig. 10A is a front view of the contact member 62, and Fig. 10B is a bottom view of the contact member 62 as seen from the side.

[0104] The contact member 62 adheres the water leakage point surrounding part 70 to the water leakage point by using vacuum suction pads 62a and 62b, an arm 62c, and a spring 62d.

[0105] In this structure (No. 2), the suction force generated by the vacuum of the gas ejector 20 is not utilized.

[0106] The vacuum suction pads 62a and 62b of this structure (part 2) are electric vacuum lifters that use electric suction to firmly secure the water leak enclosure 70 to the water leak point and prevent the mixed gas from leaking from the gap between the water leak enclosure 70 and the water leak point.

[0107] The vacuum suction pads 62a, 62b are attached to the wall or ceiling around the leaking area. A low pressure state is created between the vacuum suction pads 62a, 62b and the wall or ceiling, so the vacuum suction pads 62a, 62b are firmly attached by the force of atmospheric pressure.

[0108] The arm 62c positions the vacuum suction pads 62a and 62b against the wall or ceiling surrounding the leaking area, and holds the gas injection pipe 52 at its center.

[0109] Spring 62d is provided in gas injection pipe 52 between arm 62c and leak point enclosure 70. The free length of spring 62d in its unelastic state is made longer than legs 62ca, 62cb of arm 62c that connect vacuum suction pads 62a, 62b. This allows the elastic force of spring 62d to bring leak point enclosure 70 into close contact with the leak point when vacuum suction pads 62a, 62b are brought into close contact with the wall or ceiling.

[0110] (Gas injection section (part 3)) The structure (part 3) of the gas injection section 50 in the rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0111] The structure (third) of the gas injection unit 50 is suitable for injecting gas into a water leaking spot on a wall near the ceiling where stains have appeared indoors, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0112] As shown in Figure 11, the sealing member 64 fixes a leak point enclosure (not shown) behind the sealing member 64 to the leak point on the wall near the ceiling inside the room, preventing the injected mixed gas from leaking through the gap between the leak point enclosure and the leak point.

[0113] The vacuum suction pads 64a, 64b adhere the leakage site enclosure to the wall surface surrounding the leakage site. The vacuum suction pads 64a, 64b are connected to the air pipe 56, which is connected to the suction chamber 20c, creating a low-pressure state between the vacuum suction pads 64a, 64b and the wall or ceiling. This allows the vacuum suction pads 64a, 64b to be firmly adhered by the force of atmospheric pressure.

[0114] Arm 64c positions vacuum suction pads 64a and 64b toward the wall or ceiling surrounding the leak location, and also holds the center of gas injection pipe 52. Presser bars 64ca and 64cb are provided on the left and right branches of arm 64c.

[0115] A downwardly extendable pressing bar 64d is attached to the center of arm 64c of sealing member 64. The leak investigation investigator holds pressing bar 64d and adjusts the position of gas injection unit 50, positioning gas injection unit 50 at the leak point on the wall surface near the ceiling.

[0116] (Gas injection section (part 4)) The structure (part 4) of the gas injection section 50 in the rainwater intrusion point identifying system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0117] The structure (4) of the gas injection unit 50 is suitable for injecting gas into a leak point on a wall that is lower than the height of an inspector conducting a leak inspection.

[0118] In this structure (No. 4), the inspector presses the leak point enclosure 70 against the leak point using the sealing member 66. The inspector uses force to fix the leak point enclosure 70 to the leak point on the wall surface, preventing the injected mixed gas from leaking through the gap between the leak point enclosure 70 and the leak point.

[0119] The gas injection pipe 52 is held by the holding portion 66a of the sealing member 66. A spring 66b is provided between the holding portion 66a and the water leakage point surrounding portion 70. A pressing member 66c is attached to the holding portion 66a.

[0120] The inspector applies force to the holding portion 66a using the pressing member 66c to press the leak point enclosure portion 70 against the leak point. The spring 66b between the holding portion 66a and the leak point enclosure portion 70 allows the leak point enclosure portion 70 to be stably pressed against the leak point with a constant force.

[0121] [Modified embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, the notations, expressions, aspects, etc. in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10...Gas mixing section 12...High-pressure carbon dioxide cylinder 12a...Regulator (pressure reducing valve) 12b...Measurement gauge (pressure gauge) 14...Ethanol tank 14a...Metering pump (roller pump) 16...Gas ejector 18...Flow sensor 14b...CPU 14c...Touch panel 14d…DC power supply 20...Gas ejector 20a…Entrance 20b…exit 20c…Suction chamber 20d...Intake port 50...Gas injection section 52...Gas injection pipe 56...Air piping 60...Adhesive material 60a, 60b...Vacuum suction pads 60c...Arm 60d...spring 62...Adhesion member 62a, 62b... Vacuum suction pads 62c...Arm 62ca, 62cb...legs 62d...Spring 64...Adhesion member 64a, 64b...Vacuum suction pads 64c...Arm 64ca, 64cb...pressure bars 64d...Pressure bar 66...Adhesion member 66a...Holding part 66b...spring 66c...Pressing member 70...Leakage area enclosure 70a...Main body 70b…Aperture 70c...Square ring 90...Imaging camera 100...Rainwater intrusion location identification system 200…Buildings 200a...Detection gas

Claims

1. A rainwater intrusion point identification system for identifying a rainwater intrusion point in a building, a gas mixing unit for generating a mixed gas by mixing ethanol with a main gas; a gas injection unit that injects the mixed gas generated by the gas mixing unit into a water leak point inside the building; an imaging unit that visualizes the detection gas; and the gas mixing unit has a mixture ratio adjusting unit that adjusts a mixture ratio of ethanol to the main gas in the mixed gas, the mixing ratio adjusting unit adjusts the mixing ratio of ethanol in the mixed gas so that the higher the outside temperature, the higher the mixing ratio of ethanol in the mixed gas; The imaging unit captures an image of the building from the outside, and identifies a location where rainwater has entered the building based on ethanol visualized in the captured image captured by the imaging unit. A rainwater intrusion location identification system.

2. In the rainwater intrusion location identification system according to claim 1, The main gas is carbon dioxide gas. A rainwater intrusion location identification system.

3. The rainwater intrusion location identification system according to claim 1, The gas injection unit is a water leakage point surrounding portion that surrounds the water leakage point; a gas injection pipe for injecting the mixed gas into the water leakage site surrounding portion; a contact member that contacts the water leakage location surrounding part with the water leakage location so as to prevent the mixed gas from leaking from a gap between the water leakage location surrounding part and the water leakage location; have A rainwater intrusion location identification system.

4. In the rainwater intrusion location identification system according to claim 3, a gas ejector for discharging the mixed gas from the gas mixing section to the gas injection section; The contact member contacts the water leakage location surrounding part with the water leakage location by a suction force generated when the mixed gas is discharged from the gas ejector. A rainwater intrusion location identification system.

5. A rainwater intrusion point identification method for identifying a rainwater intrusion point in a building, comprising: A mixed gas of main gas and ethanol is injected from the leak point inside the building, adjusting the mixture ratio of ethanol to the main gas in the mixed gas so that the higher the outside air temperature, the higher the mixture ratio of ethanol to the main gas in the mixed gas; taking an image of the building from outside using an imaging unit that visualizes ethanol; Identifying a location where rainwater has entered based on ethanol visualized in the image captured by the imaging unit A method for identifying a location where rainwater has entered.

6. In the method for identifying a location where rainwater enters as described in claim 5, The main gas is carbon dioxide gas. A method for identifying a location where rainwater has entered.

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