Water ingress detection device and water ingress detection system

Abstract

To determine the occurrence of inundation without acquiring the atmospheric pressure from a barometer.SOLUTION: An inundation detection device comprises a receiver and a server. The receiver includes a controller for a receiver. The controller for a receiver acquires pressure data that indicates pressures measured by a pressure sensor arranged at a predetermined place and that indicates pressures measured by the pressure sensor at a predetermined time interval. The controller for a receiver determines whether a variation in the pressures is equal to or more than a predetermined value. When the variation in the pressures is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the controller for a receiver determines that inundation occurs at the place where the pressure sensor is arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water ingress detection device and a water ingress detection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Flooding can occur due to rising water levels in waterways and rivers. When a flood detection device detects flooding, it is assumed that the pressure measured by a pressure sensor is used. The pressure measured by the pressure sensor is affected by fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, the influence of fluctuations in atmospheric pressure can be reduced by determining flooding based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and the atmospheric pressure measured by a barometer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-124250 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When determining whether or not a vehicle is flooded based on the pressure measured by a pressure sensor and the atmospheric pressure measured by a barometer, it is necessary to obtain the atmospheric pressure from the barometer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A flood detection device that solves the above problem includes a control device that acquires pressure data indicating the pressure measured by a pressure sensor placed at a predetermined location at a predetermined time interval, determines whether the fluctuation in the pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and if the fluctuation in the pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, determines that the location is flooded.

[0006] The control device determines that the location where the pressure sensor is located is flooded if the pressure fluctuation measured by the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. By determining flooding from pressure fluctuations, flooding can be determined without obtaining atmospheric pressure from a barometer.

[0007] In the above-described water submersion detection device, the control device may acquire the pressure data from a plurality of the pressure sensors, and determine, for each of the pressure sensors, whether the fluctuation in the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

[0008] In the above-described water submersion detection device, the control device may provide information indicating the location determined to be submerged to a user terminal. A water flood detection system that solves the above problem comprises a transmitter and a water flood detection device, wherein the transmitter comprises a pressure sensor placed at a predetermined location, a transmitter control device that performs an acquisition process to acquire pressure data indicating the pressure measured by the pressure sensor at predetermined time intervals at time intervals longer than the predetermined time intervals, and a transmission circuit that transmits information indicating the pressure data to the water flood detection device, and the water flood detection device comprises a control device that determines whether the pressure fluctuation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and if the pressure fluctuation is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, determines that the location is flooded.

[0009] By determining whether or not a vehicle is flooded from pressure fluctuations, flooding can be determined without obtaining atmospheric pressure from a barometer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, flooding can be determined without obtaining atmospheric pressure from a barometer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water ingress detection system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a water intrusion detection system. [Figure 3]10 is a time chart showing the time intervals at which the transmitter control device acquires pressure data from the pressure sensor. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the water submersion detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of a water ingress detection device and a water ingress detection system will be described below. 1, the water inundation detection system 10 includes a transmitter 11 and a water inundation detection device 20. The water inundation detection device 20 includes a receiver 21 and a server 31.

[0013] <Transmitter> The transmitter 11 may be a dedicated device used only in the water intrusion detection system 10, or may be a device that can also be used as an air pressure sensor for measuring tire air pressure.

[0014] The transmitter 11 is disposed at a predetermined location. The predetermined location is a location where flooding may occur. The transmitter 11 is provided, for example, near a waterway or near a river. The transmitter 11 is attached to a structure. The structure includes a wall ST1, a pile ST2, a utility pole ST3, and a building ST4. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , two transmitters 11 are attached to the wall ST1. One transmitter 11 is attached to the pile ST2, the utility pole ST3, and the building ST4, respectively. One of the two transmitters 11 attached to the wall ST1 is appropriately referred to as transmitter 11A, and the other transmitter 11 is appropriately referred to as transmitter 11B. The transmitter 11 attached to the pile ST2 is appropriately referred to as transmitter 11C. The transmitters 11A and 11B are provided at the same horizontal position but different height positions. The transmitters 11A and 11C are provided at the same height position but different horizontal positions.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the transmitter 11 includes a pressure sensor 12. The pressure sensor 12 includes a pressure receiving portion 12a. The pressure sensor 12 measures the pressure applied to the pressure receiving portion 12a. The pressure receiving portion 12a is provided so as to be exposed to the outside air. The pressure sensor 12 is a part of the transmitter 11 and is disposed at a predetermined location.

[0016] The transmitter 11 includes a transmitter control device 13. The transmitter control device 13 includes, for example, a processor 14 and a memory unit 15. Examples of the processor 14 include a microprocessing unit (MPU), a central processing unit (CPU), and a digital signal processor (DSP). The memory unit 15 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The memory unit 15 stores program code or instructions configured to cause the processor 14 to execute processing. The memory unit 15, i.e., a computer-readable medium, includes any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. The transmitter control device 13 may be configured by a hardware circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The transmitter control device 13, which is a processing circuit, may include one or more processors operating according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits such as an ASIC or an FPGA, or a combination thereof. The storage unit 15 stores an ID code that indicates unique identification information of the transmitter 11.

[0017] The transmitter 11 includes a transmission circuit 16. The transmission circuit 16 performs modulation according to a frame input from the transmitter control device 13. The frame is composed of data in a format defined by a protocol. The frame includes pressure data and an ID code. The pressure data is the measurement result of the pressure sensor 12.

[0018] The transmitter 11 includes a transmitting antenna 17. The transmitting circuit 16 transmits a modulated radio signal from the transmitting antenna 17. This radio signal is a signal that includes information indicating pressure data and information indicating an ID code.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the transmitter control device 13 performs an acquisition process at a first time interval T1. The acquisition process is a process of acquiring pressure data indicating the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 12 from the pressure sensor 12 multiple times. In the acquisition process, the transmitter control device 13 acquires pressure data from the pressure sensor 12 at a second time interval T2. The number of times that pressure data is acquired in the acquisition process can be set arbitrarily, for example, within a range of 6 to 10 times. The first time interval T1 is longer than the second time interval T2. The second time interval T2 is a predetermined time interval. The first time interval T1 can be set arbitrarily, for example, within a range of 60 to 150 seconds. The second time interval T2 can be set arbitrarily, for example, within a range of 100 to 200 milliseconds. The transmitter control device 13 transmits a wireless signal from the transmission circuit 16 every time pressure data is acquired from the pressure sensor 12.

[0020] <Receiver> 1, the receiver 21 is attached to a structure. The receiver 21 is provided at a position where it can receive a wireless signal from the transmitter 11. The receiver 21 can receive wireless signals transmitted from a plurality of transmitters 11. The number of receivers 21 is smaller than the number of transmitters 11.

[0021] 2, the receiver 21 includes a receiver control device 22. The hardware configuration of the receiver control device 22 is, for example, the same as that of the transmitter control device 13. The receiver control device 22 includes, for example, a processor 23 and a storage unit 24.

[0022] The receiver 21 includes a receiving circuit 25. The receiving circuit 25 demodulates the wireless signal transmitted from the transmitter 11 to obtain the data contained in the frame. The receiving circuit 25 outputs the data to the receiver control device 22. As a result, the receiver control device 22 obtains the pressure data, which is the measurement result of the pressure sensor 12, and the ID code of the transmitter 11 that transmitted the wireless signal.

[0023] The receiver 21 includes a receiving antenna 26. The receiving antenna 26 receives the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter 11. The radio signal received by the receiving antenna 26 is input to a receiving circuit 25.

[0024] The receiver 21 includes a communication device 27. The communication device 27 is a network device that includes a communication control unit, a port, etc., and is capable of transmitting and receiving information via a communication network NW. The communication device 27 is connected to a server 31 via the communication network NW.

[0025] <server> The server 31 includes a server control device 32. The hardware configuration of the server control device 32 is, for example, the same as that of the transmitter control device 13. The server control device 32 includes, for example, a processor 33 and a storage unit .

[0026] The storage unit 34 stores a correspondence relationship between the ID code of the transmitter 11 and the position of the transmitter 11. The position of the transmitter 11 is a position in an absolute coordinate system. The position of the transmitter 11 is, for example, longitude and latitude.

[0027] The server 31 includes a communication device 35. The communication device 35 is, for example, similar to the communication device 27. The communication device 35 is connected to the receiver 21 via a communication network NW. This allows the server 31 and the receiver 21 to transmit and receive information to and from each other.

[0028] The server 31 can provide information to the user terminal 40. For example, the server 31 provides information to the user terminal 40 via a communication network NW. The user terminal 40 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

[0029] <Control performed by flood detection device> The following describes the control performed by the water submersion detection device 20. The following control is repeatedly performed at a predetermined control cycle.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, in step S1, the receiver control device 22 acquires pressure data. More specifically, when the receiving antenna 26 receives a wireless signal from the transmitter 11, the receiving circuit 25 demodulates the wireless signal, and the receiver control device 22 acquires the pressure data. In step S1, the receiver control device 22 acquires pressure data acquired multiple times at the second time interval T2 through an acquisition process. The receiver control device 22 acquires pressure data each time the receiver 21 receives a wireless signal from multiple transmitters 11 from which the receiver 21 can receive a wireless signal. Thus, the receiver control device 22 acquires pressure data from multiple pressure sensors 12.

[0031] Next, in step S2, the receiver control device 22 determines whether the pressure fluctuation indicated by the pressure data acquired multiple times in step S1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The receiver control device 22 determines whether the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 12 fluctuated by a predetermined value or more during the acquisition process. Whether the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value can be determined using various methods. The receiver control device 22 may determine that the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value if the difference between the highest and lowest pressure values ​​is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The receiver control device 22 may calculate the standard deviation of the pressure and determine that the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value if the standard deviation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The receiver control device 22 may calculate the difference between each of the pressures measured multiple times and the previous value and determine that the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value if the difference from the previous value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set, for example, so that the determination result in step S2 will not be positive due to pressure fluctuations caused by fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. The processing of step S2 is performed individually for each ID code. As a result, the receiver control device 22 determines whether or not the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value for each pressure sensor 12. If the determination result of step S2 is positive, the receiver control device 22 performs the process of step S3. If the determination result of step S2 is negative, the receiver control device 22 performs the process of step S4.

[0032] In step S3, the receiver control device 22 determines that the location where the pressure sensor 12 whose pressure has fluctuated by more than a predetermined value is located is flooded. After completing the process of step S3, the receiver control device 22 performs the process of step S5.

[0033] In step S4, the receiver control device 22 determines that the location where the pressure sensor 12 whose pressure has fluctuated by more than a predetermined value is located is not flooded. After completing the process of step S4, the receiver control device 22 performs the process of step S5.

[0034] In step S5, the receiver control device 22 transmits to the server 31 data in which the ID code is associated with the result of the determination as to whether or not the vehicle is submerged in water. Next, in step S6, the server control device 32 provides information indicating the location that the receiver control device 22 has determined to be flooded to the user terminal 40. From the determination result sent in step S5, the server control device 32 can recognize the ID code of the transmitter 11 located in the flooded location. The server control device 32 recognizes the flooded location using the correspondence stored in the memory unit 34. At this time, the server control device 32 may determine that a predetermined range based on the location of the transmitter 11 determined to be flooded is located is flooded.

[0035] The server control device 32 provides information indicating the flooded locations to the user terminal 40 via at least one of a web browser and an application. The information indicating the flooded locations may be provided in the form of text or an image. When the information indicating the flooded locations is provided in the form of text, the name of the flooded locations may be displayed on the user terminal 40. When the information indicating the flooded locations is provided in the form of an image, an image depicting the flooded area on a map image may be displayed on the user terminal 40. In this embodiment, the receiver control device 22 and the server control device 32 are control devices.

[0036] [Operation of this embodiment] 1, when the location where the transmitter 11 is placed is flooded, pressure from the water F is applied to the pressure receiving portion 12a of the pressure sensor 12. When the pressure sensor 12 acquires pressure data multiple times due to the pressure from the water F applied to the pressure receiving portion 12a of the pressure sensor 12, the fluctuation in pressure becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0037] [Effects of this embodiment] (1) When the pressure fluctuation measured by the pressure sensor 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the receiver control device 22 determines that the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded. By determining flooding from pressure fluctuations, flooding can be determined without obtaining atmospheric pressure from a barometer. The flood detection system 10 does not need to be equipped with a barometer, which reduces manufacturing costs.

[0038] (2) The receiver control device 22 determines whether the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded. Compared to when the server control device 32 determines whether the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded, the amount of data sent from the receiver 21 to the server 31 can be reduced.

[0039] (3) The server control device 32 provides information indicating the flooded location to the user terminal 40. This allows the user to be notified of the flooded location. (4) When radio waves transmitted from the transmitter 11 are received by the receiver 21 and flooding is determined from the strength of the radio waves, the strength of the radio waves varies depending on the distance between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 21. For this reason, when flooding is determined from the strength of the radio waves transmitted from the transmitter 11, it is necessary to change the settings depending on the distance between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 21. In contrast, by determining flooding using the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 12, it is not necessary to change the settings depending on the distance between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 21.

[0040] (5) When two contacts are used to determine whether or not a flood has occurred, the accuracy of the determination may be reduced due to contact contamination. In contrast, when the pressure sensor 12 is used to determine whether or not a flood has occurred, the influence of contamination is less pronounced compared to when two contacts are used.

[0041] (6) The transmitter control device 13 performs the acquisition process at the first time interval T1. Since the first time interval T1 is longer than the second time interval T2, power consumption can be reduced compared to when the acquisition process is performed continuously.

[0042] [Example of change] The embodiment can be modified as follows: The embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent.

[0043] The receiver control device 22 may obtain information about flooding by comparing the results of the determination of whether the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded. For example, if the receiver control device 22 determines that the transmitter 11A is flooded and that the transmitter 11B is not flooded, it may determine that the water level is between the transmitters 11A and 11B. If the receiver control device 22 determines that the transmitter 11A is flooded and that the transmitter 11C is not flooded, it may determine that the area between the transmitters 11A and 11C is flooded. The above-mentioned processing may be performed by the server control device 32.

[0044] The transmitter control device 13 may determine whether the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded. In this case, the transmitter control device 13 may transmit data in which the determination result of whether or not there is flooding is associated with an ID code. This data may be transmitted to the receiver 21, or may be transmitted to the server 31 via the communication network NW. In this case, the transmitter control device 13 functions as a control device and a flood detection device. Furthermore, if the transmitter control device 13 determines that the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded, it may issue an alert using an alarm. The alarm issues the alert by sound or display, for example.

[0045] The server control device 32 may determine whether the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded. In this case, the receiver control device 22 may transmit data in which an ID code is associated with the pressure data acquired from the transmitter 11 to the server 31. Furthermore, if the transmitter 11 can transmit data to the server 31 via the communication network NW, the transmitter 11 may transmit data in which an ID code is associated with the pressure data to the server 31. In this case, the server control device 32 functions as a control device and a flood detection device.

[0046] The receiver control device 22 may provide information indicating the location of flooding to the user terminal 40. In this case, the receiver control device 22 functions as a control device and a flood detection device. The transmitter control device 13 may continue to perform the acquisition process. In this case, the receiver control device 22 may use the most recent predetermined number of times of pressure data to determine whether the location where the pressure sensor 12 is located is flooded. The predetermined number of times is, for example, the same as the number of times pressure data is acquired in the acquisition process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10...water inundation detection system, 11...transmitter, 12...pressure sensor, 13...transmitter control device, 20...water inundation detection device, 22...receiver control device which is a control device, 32...server control device which is a control device, 40...user terminal.

Claims

1. A control device is provided, The control device Acquiring pressure data indicating pressure measured by a pressure sensor disposed at a predetermined location, the pressure data indicating pressure measured by the pressure sensor at a predetermined time interval; an acquisition process that is performed at time intervals longer than the predetermined time interval and acquires the pressure data multiple times at the predetermined time intervals, and if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the pressure acquired by the acquisition process is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the fluctuation of the pressure acquired by the acquisition process is determined to be equal to or greater than the predetermined value; A flood detection device that determines that the location is flooded when the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

2. The control device acquiring the pressure data from a plurality of the pressure sensors; The water submersion detection device according to claim 1 , wherein it is determined for each of the pressure sensors whether the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

3. The water flood detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device provides information indicating the location determined to be flooded to a user terminal.

4. A transmitter; a water ingress detection device; The transmitter a pressure sensor disposed at a predetermined location; a transmitter control device that performs an acquisition process of acquiring pressure data indicating the pressure measured by the pressure sensor multiple times at predetermined time intervals, the acquisition process being performed at time intervals longer than the predetermined time intervals; a transmission circuit for transmitting information indicating the pressure data to the water submersion detection device; The water submersion detection device includes a control device, The control device If the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the pressure acquired by the acquisition process is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the fluctuation of the pressure acquired by the acquisition process is equal to or greater than the predetermined value; A flood detection system that determines that the location is flooded if the pressure fluctuation is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

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