Heterogeneous water leakage sensor using magnetic force

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heterogeneous water leakage sensor using magnetic force and, more specifically, to a heterogeneous water leakage sensor using magnetic force which has: dual piezoelectric elements having different frequency detection characteristics so as to improve the accuracy of detecting water leakage sounds in high frequency and low frequency bands; magnets coupling the low frequency and high frequency piezoelectric elements so as to fix the elements stably, with separation spaces formed above and below the elements so as to be highly responsive to both low and high frequencies; and a sensor unit housing having a minimized size.

Description

A type of water leak detection sensor using magnetism

[0001] The present invention relates to a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetism, and more specifically, to a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetism in which piezoelectric elements having different frequency detection characteristics are configured in duplicate to improve the accuracy of water leak detection in low-frequency and high-frequency frequency bands, and in which low-frequency and high-frequency piezoelectric elements are stably fixed by combining them with magnets while forming a space separated from each other vertically so as to respond well to both low-frequency and high-frequency frequencies, and in which the size of the sensor housing is minimized.

[0002] Typically, pipelines for supplying and distributing fluids such as tap water, oil, and gas are installed underground or exposed above ground, extending from hundreds of meters to tens of kilometers.

[0003] These pipes age over time and become corroded or damaged internally, causing cracks. Cracks also occur due to repeated contraction and expansion caused by temperature changes and external impacts, causing the fluid flowing inside to leak to the outside.

[0004] In this case, if the pipeline is exposed to the outside, the worker can directly check the point of fluid leakage and quickly identify and repair it. However, if the pipeline is buried underground or embedded in a wall and the route cannot be visually confirmed, it is not only difficult to identify any abnormalities in the pipeline, but there is also the problem that the abnormalities in the pipeline are discovered only after a significant amount of fluid has leaked.

[0005] In order to detect leaks in water pipes, a leak investigation is performed by listening to the leak sound transmitted to the valve installed in the pipe or the road surface using an audio device, or a method is used to regularly collect and analyze the leak sound by attaching a leak sensor to the valve.

[0006] However, since the leakage noise transmitted through the pipe medium has a limited transmission distance depending on the material properties of the pipe, it is almost impossible to conduct a leakage survey for the entire pipe section by only measuring the leakage noise at the valve.

[0007] *Therefore, leak noise must be detected at intervals less than the transmission distance limit, which varies depending on the characteristics of the pipe material. For example, PVC pipe, with a maximum transmission distance of 10 m, requires leak noise measurements at intervals of 20 m or less. Metal pipe, with a relatively long transmission distance but a limit of 100 m, requires leak noise measurements at intervals of 200 m or less.

[0008] In addition, in order to apply the method of measuring the leakage point by analyzing the leakage sound measured at two points, the leakage sound measurement interval must be shortened.

[0009] Patent Publication No. 10-1762614 Safety monitoring device for water pipes capable of detecting water leakage and changes in position of water pipes and a water pipe safety monitoring method using the same includes a water leakage signal detection unit for detecting a water leakage signal of a water pipe, a position change detection unit for detecting a change in position of a water pipe, and an angle change detection unit for detecting a change in the inclination of a water pipe, and can measure water leakage occurring in a water pipe and detect changes in inclination or position of a water pipe, but has a problem in that the accuracy of water leakage detection is low because only a specific frequency band can be detected with a single piezoelectric element.

[0010] In addition, the water pipe leak detection system of Patent Publication No. 10-1535286 includes a leak detection device attached to a water pipe to measure a vibration signal generated from the water pipe and transmit it to a communication network, and a wireless controller connected to the communication network to collect information transmitted from a plurality of leak detection devices within a predetermined section and transmit the collected information to a central control center via the communication network, thereby enabling immediate detection of a leak in the water pipe. However, even if two signals are generated from the upper and lower sides of a single piezoelectric element, only a frequency band corresponding to a specific area according to the characteristics of the piezoelectric element can be detected, so there is a problem that the accuracy of leak detection is low.

[0011] In this way, a single piezoelectric element type water leak detection sensor has good detection performance in the resonant frequency band of the piezoelectric element, but has the disadvantage of poor detection performance in other frequency bands.

[0012] In addition, there are disadvantages such as the increased volume and complex structure of the electrode boards installed on the upper and lower sides of each piezoelectric element.

[0013] [Prior Art Literature]

[0014] [Patent Document]

[0015] (Patent Document 1) KR10-1535286 (Registration No.) 2015.07.02.

[0016] (Patent Document 2) KR10-1762614 (Registration No.) 2017.07.24.

[0017] (Patent Document 3) KR10-1803453 (Registration No.) 2017.11.24.

[0018] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems,

[0019] The purpose is to provide a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor that uses magnetism to improve the accuracy of water leak detection in different frequency bands of low and high frequencies by dually configuring piezoelectric elements with different frequency detection characteristics, and to stably fix low and high frequency piezoelectric elements and combine them with magnets while forming a space separated vertically, thereby providing good low and high frequency detection characteristics.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetically-based water leak detection sensor capable of simultaneously detecting water leak sounds in low and high frequency bands, with a simple structure in which a low-frequency detection unit for detecting low frequencies and a high-frequency detection unit for detecting high frequencies are arranged in multiple stages with a magnet in between.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetically-assisted water leak detection sensor that minimizes the size of the sensor housing by fixing the edge of a magnetic force transmitting plate that transmits vibration to a low-frequency piezoelectric element in a sensor unit to a lower support jaw, and by having the central area of ​​the high-frequency sensing unit and the magnet, except for the edge of the low-frequency sensing unit composed of the low-frequency piezoelectric element and the magnetic force transmitting plate, in such a way that the center area is in contact with each other, and that vibration caused by a water leak in a pipe is easily transmitted to the piezoelectric element.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetically-based heterogeneous water leak detection sensor that can be firmly fixed to an underground pipe, is easy to install and maintain, and can detect low-frequency and high-frequency water leak sounds with a single sensor unit, thereby detecting water leak sounds in a wide frequency band.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a sensor housing (100) which is attached to a conduit (10) to receive vibrations, the sensor housing comprising a lower space (110) having a protrusion (111) provided upwardly at the inner center and formed concavely by the protrusion (111) and a lower support protrusion (121) protruding in a step shape, an upper space (120) formed wider than the lower space (110) at an upper portion of the lower support protrusion (121), and a sensor cover (130) covering the upper space (120); a sensor unit (200) which is laminated and inserted into the lower space (110) and the upper space (120) of the sensor unit housing (100) and detects a low-frequency band leakage sound and a high-frequency band leakage sound of the conduit (10); A control unit (300) electrically connected to the sensor unit (200) and processing and transmitting low-frequency band leakage noise and high-frequency band leakage noise; The sensor unit (200) includes a hollow first magnet (210) that penetrates the protrusion (111) and is inserted into the lower space (110), a low-frequency detection unit (220) that receives vibration from the sensor unit housing (100) and detects a low-frequency band leakage sound of the pipe (10), a second magnet (230) that has a mutually attractive force with the first magnet (210) at the upper portion of the low-frequency detection unit (220), a high-frequency detection unit (240) that receives vibration from the sensor unit housing (100) and detects a high-frequency band leakage sound of the pipe (10), and a third magnet (250) that has a mutually attractive force with the second magnet (230) at the upper portion of the high-frequency detection unit (240) and is thinner than the second magnet (230).

[0024] The low-frequency detection unit (220) of the present invention has a diameter larger than the diameter of the hollow first magnet (210), and the height of the first magnet (210) is lower than the height of the protrusion (111), so that the lower edge is exposed at the lower support jaw (121).

[0025] The low-frequency detection unit (220) of the present invention includes a first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hollow first magnet (210) and having a lower edge exposed to the lower support jaw (121) and contacting the protrusion (111) to transmit vibration; a low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) having the same diameter as the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and detecting a low-frequency band leakage sound among vibration signals transmitted from the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221); and a second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) having the same diameter as the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and arranged on the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222).

[0026] The high-frequency detection unit (240) of the present invention includes a third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) formed with the same diameter on the upper portion of the second magnet (230), a high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) formed with the same diameter on the upper portion of the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and detecting a leakage sound in the high-frequency band among vibration signals transmitted from the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241), and a fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) having the same diameter as the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) and arranged on the upper portion of the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242).

[0027] In the present invention, a space (h1) is formed between the lower support jaw (121) of the sensor unit housing (100) and the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221).

[0028] A space (h2) is formed between the sensor cover (130) of the present invention and the third magnet (250).

[0029] The diameter of the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) of the present invention is larger than that of the second magnet (230).

[0030] The present invention comprises a fourth magnet (150) for coupling a conduit (10) on the bottom surface of the sensor unit housing (100), and a leak sound transmission plate (160) having a plurality of protrusions (161) on the edge of the sensor unit housing (100).

[0031] The diameter of the second magnet (230) of the present invention is smaller than the diameter of the low-frequency detection unit (220).

[0032] The low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240) of the present invention are in surface contact with each other.

[0033] Therefore, the magnetically-based heterogeneous water leak detection sensor of the present invention has improved accuracy in detecting water leaks in different frequency bands of low and high frequencies by dually configuring piezoelectric elements with different frequency detection characteristics, and has the effect of stably fixing the low and high frequency piezoelectric elements and forming a space separated vertically while forming a space separated vertically, thereby improving detection characteristics of low and high frequencies.

[0034] In addition, the present invention has a simple structure in which a low-frequency detection unit for detecting low frequencies and a high-frequency detection unit for detecting high frequencies are arranged in multiple stages with a magnet in between, so that leakage noises in low and high frequency bands can be detected simultaneously.

[0035] In addition, the present invention supports the edge of a magnetic force transmitting plate that transmits vibration to a low-frequency piezoelectric element in a sensor unit on a lower support jaw, and forms a separation space between the lower support jaw and the magnetic force transmitting plate, and minimizes the size of the sensor unit housing by allowing the low-frequency sensing unit, high-frequency sensing unit, and central area of ​​the magnet, except for the edge of the low-frequency sensing unit composed of the low-frequency piezoelectric element and the magnetic force transmitting plate, to be in contact with each other, and forms a separation space between the sensor unit and the sensor unit cover so that vibration caused by a leak in a pipe can be easily transmitted to the piezoelectric element.

[0036] Meanwhile, the present invention can firmly fix a water leak detection sensor to an underground pipe, is easy to install and maintain, and can detect low-frequency and high-frequency water leak sounds with one sensor unit, thereby detecting water leak sounds in a wide frequency band.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a sensor unit housing and a control unit housing of a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetic force according to an embodiment of the present invention are combined.

[0038] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the sensor unit housing and the control unit housing of a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetic force according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a combined state.

[0039] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a magnetically-driven water leak detection sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetic force according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetic force according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the use of a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetism of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 7 is another example of using the heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetism of the present invention.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] The present invention is a heterogeneous water leak detection sensor using magnetism that detects low-frequency and high-frequency water leak sounds in one device by installing a low-frequency piezoelectric element and a high-frequency piezoelectric element in one sensor, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0046] A sensor housing (100) that is attached to a conduit (10) and receives vibrations, and is composed of a lower space (110) formed between a protrusion (111) provided upwardly at the inner center and a lower support protrusion (121) that protrudes inward in a step shape, an upper space (120) formed wider than the lower space (110) at the upper portion of the lower support protrusion (121), and a sensor cover (130) that covers the upper space (120),

[0047] A sensor unit (200) that is inserted in layers into the lower space (110) and the upper space (120) of the sensor unit housing (100) and detects low-frequency band leakage noise and high-frequency band leakage noise of the conduit (10),

[0048] A control unit (300) that is electrically connected to the above sensor unit (200) and processes and remotely transmits low-frequency band leakage noise and high-frequency band leakage noise, respectively,

[0049] The control unit (300) is installed inside and includes a control unit housing (400) that covers and is fixed to the upper part of the sensor unit housing (100).

[0050] The sensor unit (200) is composed of a hollow first magnet (210) inserted into the lower space (110) through which the protrusion (111) penetrates, a low-frequency detection unit (220) that receives vibrations from the protrusion (111) and the first magnet (210) to detect low-frequency water leakage noise of the pipe (10), a second magnet (230) that has a mutually attractive force with the first magnet (210) at the upper portion of the low-frequency detection unit (220), a high-frequency detection unit (240) that receives vibrations from the sensor unit housing (100) to detect high-frequency water leakage noise of the pipe (10), and a third magnet (250) that has a mutually attractive force with the second magnet (230) at the upper portion of the high-frequency detection unit (240) and is thinner than the second magnet (230).

[0051] The present invention comprises a sensor housing (100) that is attached to the outer periphery of a pipe (10) or a water meter (20) or a water valve to transmit vibrations, a sensor unit (200) that is inserted into the sensor unit housing (100) and has a low-frequency detection unit (220) and a high-frequency detection unit (240), a control unit (300) that is electrically connected to the sensor unit (200), and a control unit housing (400) in which the control unit (300) is built.

[0052] The above sensor unit housing (100) receives vibrations generated when fluid flows in the pipe (10), and when a leak occurs in the pipe (10), it receives vibrations caused by the leak.

[0053] The sensor housing (100) is formed in a hollow tube shape with a closed lower portion, and a ring-shaped lower space portion (110) is formed by a protrusion (111) formed in the center inside, and an upper space portion (120) wider than the lower space portion (110) is formed above a lower support protrusion (121) that protrudes inward in a ring-shaped step shape above the lower space portion (110).

[0054] The upper space (120) is formed to be wider than the lower space (110) located under the lower support jaw (121), so that it can accommodate a low-frequency detection unit (220) having a diameter larger than the first magnet (210) inserted into the lower space (110).

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sensor unit housing (100) has a lower space (110) formed internally by the lower support jaw (121) and an upper space (120) wider than the lower space (110), and the sensor unit (200) is inserted into the lower space (110) and the upper space (120). First, a first magnet (210) having the same height as the lower space (110) is inserted into the lower space (110), and then a low-frequency detection unit (220), a second magnet (230), a high-frequency detection unit (240), and a third magnet (250) are sequentially inserted into the upper space (120) while being closely laminated. Accordingly, they are in surface contact with each other from the protrusion (111) to the fourth magnetic force transmission plate (242) of the high-frequency detection unit (240) on the uppermost layer. That is, the high-frequency detection unit (240) and the low-frequency detection unit (220) are in surface contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the second magnet (230), respectively.

[0056] At this time, since the low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240) are closely laminated with the second magnet (230) in between, they do not affect each other's detection ability, so the sensor unit (200) can detect low and high frequencies simultaneously in a closely laminated state. Accordingly, the sensor unit housing (100) does not have to separate the low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240) from each other far apart, and the internal space can be formed to be a minimum space in which the sensor unit (200) can be inserted, so that the overall size can be formed small, which has an economical advantage.

[0057] Meanwhile, the lower edge of the low-frequency detection unit (220) is exposed above the lower support jaw (121), and an empty space is formed between the lower support jaw (121) and the low-frequency detection unit (220) by a certain height (h1), so that the vibration transmitted by the first magnet (210) can be detected by the low-frequency detection unit (220).

[0058] In addition, after the sensor unit (200) is sequentially inserted and laminated in the upper space (120), a sensor unit cover (130) covering the upper part is provided, and since a certain height (h2) is spaced between the sensor unit cover (130) and the third magnet (250), when vibration occurs, an empty space is formed above and below the first magnet (210) and the third magnet (250), so that vibration detection of the sensor unit (200) is smoothly performed.

[0059] In this way, a space is formed between the lower support jaw (121) of the sensor housing (100) and the low-frequency detection unit (220), more precisely, between the first magnetic force transmission plate (221) positioned at the bottom of the low-frequency detection unit (220), and between the sensor unit cover (130) and the third magnet (250), so that vibration detection of the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) is smoothly performed.

[0060] Meanwhile, a ring-shaped leakage sound transmission plate (160) having a fourth magnet (150) for coupling to a conduit (10) at the center and a plurality of protrusions (161) on the edge is coupled to the bottom surface of the sensor unit housing (100) using a transmission plate coupling screw (162), and the protrusions (161) are pressed along the curved surface of the conduit (10). The fourth magnet (150) can be attached to a circular magnet fixing groove (140) formed on the bottom surface of the sensor unit housing (100), and can be easily attached to a metal conduit (10) attached to the sensor unit housing (100) through the magnetism of the fourth magnet (150).

[0061] As shown in Fig. 3, the above-mentioned water leakage sound transmitting plate (160) is inserted and fixed into a protrusion insertion groove (160a) in which protrusions (161) are formed at regular intervals, and a transfer plate coupling screw (162) is inserted into a coupling screw insertion groove (160b) formed between the protrusion insertion grooves (160a) and fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the sensor unit housing (100). In addition, a magnet fixing groove (140) is arranged in the center (160c) of the water leakage sound transmitting plate (160) installed on the bottom surface of the sensor unit housing (100), and a fourth magnet (150) is installed in the magnet fixing groove (140).

[0062] In this way, the sensor unit housing (100) receives the leakage sound through the protrusion (161) of the leakage sound transmission plate (160) that is closely attached along the curved surface of the pipe (10).

[0063] The above-mentioned leak sound transmission plate (160) can be formed in an arc shape to correspond to the outer circumference of the pipe (10), and in this case, the area in which the lower part of the sensor unit housing (100) comes into contact with the outer circumference of the pipe (10) increases, so that it can be attached more stably.

[0064] In addition, the upper part of the sensor unit housing (100) is sealed with a sensor unit cover (130), and the sensor unit cover (130) has a circular shape and a larger diameter than the upper space (120), and is firmly fixed to the upper part of the sensor unit housing (100) using screws. The sensor unit cover (130) may be sealed with packing to prevent dust, foreign substances, and moisture from penetrating into the sensor unit housing (100). The sensor unit cover (130) has a protruding step formed upward to form a space separated from the third magnet (250).

[0065] And the sensor cover (130) is formed with a cable hole (131) through which the low-frequency signal line (224) and the high-frequency signal line (244) can pass to the outside. The cable hole (131) is formed as a hole of a size in which the high-frequency signal line (244) and the low-frequency signal line (224) can be loosely fitted.

[0066] The sensor unit (200) inserted into the sensor unit housing (100) includes a low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) whose detectable frequency range is biased toward a relatively low frequency and a high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) whose detectable frequency range is biased toward a relatively high frequency.

[0067] The above sensor unit (200) is composed of a first magnet (210), a low-frequency detection unit (220), a second magnet (230), a high-frequency detection unit (240), and a third magnet (250). The first magnet (210) and the second magnet (230) are provided with a diameter smaller than that of the low-frequency detection unit (220), and the third magnet (250) that fixes the high-frequency detection unit (240) that detects high-frequency waves with short wavelengths and high frequencies is provided with a thinner thickness so that the magnetic force is weaker than that of the first magnet (210) and the second magnet (230) that couple the low-frequency detection unit (220) that detects low-frequency waves with long wavelengths and low frequencies. Since magnets of the same material have a greater magnetic force the thicker they are, and vibrations occur less easily when the magnetic force is strong, the third magnet (250) that fixes the high-frequency detection unit (240) that detects high-frequency waves with short wavelengths is provided with a thinner thickness so that the magnetic force is not strong. A third magnet (250) is placed on the high-frequency detection unit (240), and since the diameter of the third magnet (250) is the same as that of the high-frequency detection unit (240), if the thickness of the third magnet (250) is large and the magnetic force is strong, the high-frequency detection unit (240) has difficulty in generating vibrations, and the frequency detection function is reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the third magnet (250) be thin so that the magnetic force is low enough to prevent the high-frequency detection unit (250) from being separated from the second magnet (230).

[0068] The first magnet (210) and the second magnet (230), and the second magnet (230) and the third magnet (250) have a property of sticking to each other and serve to connect the low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240).

[0069] Meanwhile, the low-frequency detection unit (220) receives vibration from the sensor unit housing (100) and detects low-frequency leakage noise among the leakage noise generated in the pipe (10), and includes a first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) whose center is supported by a protrusion (111) and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the hollow first magnet (210) so that its lower edge is exposed to the lower support jaw (121) and receives vibration when the protrusion (111) comes into contact with it, a low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) having the same diameter as the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and detects low-frequency leakage noise among the vibration signals transmitted from the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221), and a second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) having the same diameter as the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and arranged on the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222). The above first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) have the same diameter as the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222), so that the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) is fixed flatly between the small-diameter protrusion (111) and the second magnet (230) without being lifted.

[0070] When the above low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) detects a leaking sound in a water pipe, a piezoelectric element having a thickness and diameter that can detect a low-frequency band between 200 and 600 Hz is used.

[0071] The low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) is connected to a low-frequency signal line (224) for transmitting a detection signal, and the low-frequency signal line (224) is electrically connected to a control unit (300) to transmit a low-frequency band leakage sound to the control unit (300).

[0072] *The high-frequency detection unit (240) receives vibrations simultaneously with the low-frequency detection unit (220) from the sensor unit housing (100) and detects high-frequency leakage noise among the leakage noises occurring in the pipe (10), and includes a third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) formed with the same diameter on the upper portion of the second magnet (230), a high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) formed with the same diameter on the upper portion of the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and detecting high-frequency leakage noise among the vibration signals transmitted from the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241), and a fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) having the same diameter as the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) and arranged on the upper portion of the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242).

[0073] The first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and the second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) arranged above and below the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222), and the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and the fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) arranged above and below the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) are formed in a circular thin plate shape with a metal or synthetic resin material, and the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) is formed to have a larger diameter than the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242), and thus the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and the second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) provided with the same diameter as the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) are formed to have a larger diameter than the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and the fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) provided with the same diameter as the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242).

[0074] The above low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and the second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) are fixed by the first magnet (210) and the second magnet (230) arranged above and below, and the above high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) and the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and the fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) are fixedly connected by the second magnet (230) and the third magnet (250). At this time, the piezoelectric element and the magnetic force transmitting plate may be fixed by screws or by adhesive. A separation space is formed between the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and the first magnet (210), and a separation space is formed between the third magnet (250) and the sensor unit cover (130), so that the sensor unit is installed so as to be able to move freely up and down and is exposed to the air, so that vibrations transmitted from the circumferential direction of the conduit (10) are easily transmitted through the sensor unit housing (100).

[0075] The high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) receives vibration signals transmitted from the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and the fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) arranged on the upper and lower surfaces, and detects leakage noise in the high-frequency band among the vibration signals transmitted to the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and the fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243), which are high-frequency vibration plates. The high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) uses a piezoelectric element having an optimal thickness and diameter that can effectively detect leakage noise in the high-frequency band.

[0076] A piezoelectric element is a device that generates electricity through which mechanical signals of vibration are transmitted. The resonant frequency varies depending on the thickness and diameter of the element and the load applied to the element, and accordingly, the detection ability for each frequency band also varies.

[0077] For example, when detecting a water leak sound from a water pipe using the water leak sensor of the present invention, the water leak sound frequency of the water pipe is composed of a low frequency band between 200 and 600 Hz and a high frequency band between 1,000 and 2,000 Hz, so a piezoelectric element having a thickness and diameter that can detect a high frequency band between 1,000 and 2,000 Hz is used.

[0078] The high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) is connected to a high-frequency signal line (244) for transmitting a detection signal. The high-frequency signal line (244) is electrically connected to the control unit (300) and transmits a high-frequency band leakage sound to the control unit (300). At this time, the high-frequency signal line (244) passes through the cable hole (131) of the sensor unit cover (130) and is electrically connected to the control unit (300).

[0079] The above lower support jaw (121) and the first magnet (210) have the same height, the upper surface of the protrusion (111) is in surface contact with the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221), and the leakage sound is transmitted from the protrusion (111) to the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221). It is preferable that the protrusion (111) into which the first magnet (210) is fitted and the leakage sound transmitting plate (160) that directly receives the leakage sound from the pipe, etc. are formed as an integral body.

[0080] The magnetically-based water leak detection sensor of the present invention has been described as detecting water leak noise in water pipes, but depending on the type of pipe (10) and the type of fluid flowing inside the pipe (10), the frequency ranges of the low-frequency band and the high-frequency band are identified in the water leak noise, and accordingly, if the thickness and diameter of the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) used in the low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240) are changed and applied, it can be applied to detect water leak noise in various types of pipes (10) such as gas pipes, oil pipes, etc. as well as water pipes, and various fluid pipes such as gas and oil.

[0081] The above control unit (300) is installed inside the control unit housing (400), and is electrically connected to the low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240), and receives low-frequency leakage noise from the low-frequency detection unit (220) through each signal line, and receives high-frequency leakage noise from the high-frequency detection unit (240), processes them respectively, and transmits them to a remote control center, PC, or terminal (30) that processes the leakage noise.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit (300) is an integrated control PCB equipped with various electronic components, including a power supply unit (310), a communication unit (320), a signal processing unit (330), and a memory (340). The control unit is housed in a control unit case (301), the open upper surface is covered with a control unit cover (302), and the control unit cover is joined using a control unit cover joining screw (303) and fixed to the control unit housing (400).

[0083] The power supply unit (310) above serves to supply power to the communication unit (320), signal processing unit (330), and memory (340) with a rechargeable battery. The communication unit (320) is an integrated Bluetooth communication module and LTE model, and detects water leak noise signals with the aforementioned low-frequency detection unit (220) and high-frequency detection unit (240) via Bluetooth communication for short distances and LTE communication for long distances, and remotely transmits the signals processed by the signal processing unit (330) and memory (340).

[0084] The signal processing unit (330) above functions as a CPU and double-processes the two leak noise signals detected by the low-frequency detection unit (220) and the high-frequency detection unit (240) to process them into data that can be transmitted remotely. The memory (340) functions to store the two leak noise signals processed by the signal processing unit (330), and a flash memory, SSD, etc. can be used.

[0085] The above control unit housing (400) serves to seal the upper part of the sensor unit housing (100) by wrapping it, and a joining hole (401) corresponding to the insertion hole (101) formed in the upper surface edge of the sensor unit housing (100) is formed on the lower edge, and the joining hole (401) and the housing joining screw (402) penetrating the insertion hole (101) are combined. A space in which the control unit (300) is installed is formed inside, and the control unit (300) is fixedly installed and combined with the sensor unit housing (100).

[0086] A power switch (410), a charging connector (420), and a rope ring (430) are formed on the upper surface of the control unit housing (400). By pressing the power switch (410) and inserting the rope (40) into the rope ring (430), the control unit can be moved to a location where a conduit (10) is located, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0087] Meanwhile, the present invention can be installed in a water meter (20) in a suspected water leak area as shown in Fig. 7 and transmit high-frequency water leak sounds and low-frequency water leak sounds through a terminal (30).

[0088] The present invention can collect water leak sounds, manage water leak sound collection locations, and collect and transmit water leak sounds by downloading a water leak detection sensor operation application from a terminal (30).

[0089] And the magnetically-based heterogeneous water leak detection sensors of the present invention are installed two or more times on both sides of a suspected or expected water leak area on a pipe (10) so as to be spaced apart from each other, and the high-frequency and low-frequency water leak sounds generated from each water leak detection sensor are transmitted to a control center through a communication network. Here, the control center means a place or PC that analyzes and monitors the water leak sounds transmitted through the communication network. The control center can be a remote place where a PC is installed, or a laptop or terminal (30) installed near the pipe (10) for checking for water leaks.

[0090] Meanwhile, for example, although the water pipe leak sound shows some differences depending on the water pressure, pipe material, and leak shape, generally, the low-frequency band signal between 200 and 600 Hz accounts for about 90%, and the high-frequency band signal between 1,000 and 2,000 Hz accounts for 10%. Therefore, if both the low-frequency band signal and the high-frequency band signal are found through the magnetically-based heterogeneous water leak detection sensor of the present invention, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the leak point.

[0091] As explained above, in the case of gas pipes or oil pipelines, if the Hz range of the low-frequency band signal and the high-frequency band signal are confirmed, and the thickness and diameter of the piezoelectric element suitable for this are selected and applied to the magnetically-based heterogeneous leak detection sensor of the present invention, it can be used to detect leaks in various types of pipes and fluids.

[0092] Accordingly, the magnetically-based heterogeneous water leak detection sensor of the present invention has improved accuracy in detecting water leaks in different frequency bands of low and high frequencies by dually configuring piezoelectric elements with different frequency detection characteristics, and has the effect of having good detection characteristics of low and high frequencies by forming a separation space at the upper and lower portions while combining the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) with magnets to stably fix them.

[0093] In addition, the present invention has a simple structure in which a sensor unit (200) is configured with a low-frequency detection unit (220) that detects low frequencies and a high-frequency detection unit (240) that detects high frequencies, arranged in multiple stages with a second magnet (230) in between, so that leakage noises in low and high frequency bands can be detected simultaneously.

[0094] In addition, the present invention supports the edge of the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) that transmits vibration to the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) in the sensor unit (200) on the lower support jaw (121), and forms a gap space between the lower support jaw (121) and the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221), and minimizes the size of the sensor unit housing by allowing the central areas of the high-frequency sensing unit (240) and the second magnet (230) and the third magnet (250) to be in contact with each other, excluding the edge of the low-frequency sensing unit (220) composed of the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and the first and second magnetic force transmitting plates (221, 223), and forms a gap space between the third magnet (250) located at the top and the sensor unit cover (130), so that vibration caused by leakage in the pipe can be easily transmitted to the piezoelectric element.

[0095] Meanwhile, the present invention can firmly fix a water leak detection sensor to an underground pipe, is easy to install and maintain, and can detect low-frequency and high-frequency water leak sounds in a single sensor unit (200), thereby detecting water leak sounds in a wide frequency band.

[0096] [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10: Pipe 20: Water meter

[0098] 30: Terminal 40: Rope

[0099] 100: Sensor housing 101: Insertion hole

[0100] 110: Lower space 111: Protrusion

[0101] 120: Upper space 121: Lower support ledge

[0102] 130: Sensor cover 131: Cable hole

[0103] 140: Magnet fixing groove 150: 4th magnet

[0104] 160: Leakage sound transmission board 161: Protrusion

[0105] 162: Transmission plate connecting screw

[0106] 200: Sensor part 210: First magnet

[0107] 220: Low-frequency detection unit 221: First magnetic force transmission plate

[0108] 222: Low-frequency piezoelectric element 223: Second magnetic force transmitting plate

[0109] 224: Low-frequency signal line 230: Second magnet

[0110] 240: High-frequency detection unit 241: Third magnetic force transmission plate

[0111] 242: High-frequency piezoelectric element 243: Fourth magnetic force transmitting plate

[0112] 244: High frequency signal line

[0113] 300: Control unit 301: Control unit case

[0114] 302: Control unit cover 303: Control unit cover fixing screw

[0115] 310: Power supply 320: Communications unit

[0116] 330: Signal processing unit 340: Memory

[0117] 400: Control unit housing 401: Joint

[0118] 402: Housing connecting screw 410: Power switch

[0119] 420: Charging connector 430: Rope loop

Claims

1. A sensor housing (100) that is attached to a conduit (10) and receives vibrations, and is composed of a lower space (110) formed concavely by a protrusion (111) provided upwardly at the center of the inside and a lower support protrusion (121) protruding in a step shape, an upper space (120) formed wider than the lower space (110) at the upper portion of the lower support protrusion (121), and a sensor cover (130) covering the upper space (120); A sensor unit (200) that is inserted in layers into the lower space (110) and the upper space (120) of the sensor unit housing (100) and detects low-frequency band leakage noise and high-frequency band leakage noise of the conduit (10); A control unit (300) electrically connected to the sensor unit (200) and processing and transmitting low-frequency band leakage noise and high-frequency band leakage noise; The above sensor unit (200) includes a hollow first magnet (210) that penetrates the protrusion (111) and is inserted into the lower space (110), a low-frequency detection unit (220) that receives vibration from the sensor unit housing (100) and detects a low-frequency band leakage sound of the pipe (10), a second magnet (230) that has a mutually attractive force with the first magnet (210) at the upper portion of the low-frequency detection unit (220), a high-frequency detection unit (240) that receives vibration from the sensor unit housing (100) and detects a high-frequency band leakage sound of the pipe (10), and a third magnet (250) that has a mutually attractive force with the second magnet (230) at the upper portion of the high-frequency detection unit (240) and is thinner than the second magnet (230); A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

2. In paragraph 1, The above low frequency detection unit (220) is The hollow first magnet (210) has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first magnet (210), and the height of the first magnet (210) is lower than the height of the protrusion (111), so that the lower edge is exposed at the lower support jaw (121). A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

3. In paragraph 2, The above low frequency detection unit (220) is A first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hollow first magnet (210) and having a lower edge exposed to the lower support jaw (121) and contacting the protrusion (111) to transmit vibration; A low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) having the same diameter as the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) and detecting a low-frequency band leakage sound among the vibration signals transmitted from the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221); A second magnetic force transmitting plate (223) having the same diameter as the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) and positioned above the low-frequency piezoelectric element (222) is included; A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

4. In paragraph 1, The above high frequency detection unit (240) is A third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) formed with the same diameter on the upper part of the second magnet (230), A high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) formed with the same diameter on the upper portion of the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241) and detecting a high-frequency leakage sound among the vibration signals transmitted from the third magnetic force transmitting plate (241), Including a fourth magnetic force transmitting plate (243) having the same diameter as the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242) and positioned on the upper part of the high-frequency piezoelectric element (242); A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

5. In paragraph 3, A space (h1) is formed between the lower support jaw (121) of the sensor housing (100) and the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221). A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

6. In paragraph 1, A space (h2) is formed between the sensor cover (130) and the third magnet (250). A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

7. In paragraph 3, The diameter of the first magnetic force transmitting plate (221) is larger than that of the second magnet (230). A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

8. In paragraph 1, A fourth magnet (150) for connecting a conduit (10) is provided on the bottom surface of the sensor unit housing (100). A leak sound transmission plate (160) having a plurality of protrusions (161) is provided on the edge of the sensor unit housing (100). A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

9. In paragraph 1, The diameter of the second magnet (230) is smaller than the diameter of the low frequency detection unit (220). A magnetically-based water leak detection sensor.

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