TWI468659B - Leak detection device and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Water leakage detecting device and water leakage detecting method

The disclosure relates to a water leakage detection technology, in particular, to a detection device and a detection method suitable for a slight water leakage abnormality in a water storage tank.

The toilets commonly used today are prone to aging of the toilet parts and cause water leakage in the storage tanks after long-term use. The reasons for leakage of the toilet water storage tanks can be roughly divided into two types: one is because the inlet valve fails, and the failure causes The water tank leaks a lot; the other is because the drain valve is aging, and this abnormality will cause a slight leak in the tank. According to foreign statistics, the leakage rate of the toilet water storage tank can reach 20%, and the water leakage accounts for more than 5% of the daily water consumption per person, which causes great waste of water resources.

In order to improve the water leakage problem of the toilet water storage tank, various leak detection technologies have been continuously proposed in the industry. One of the most important detection techniques is the use of a leak tester, which uses a color enamel or pigment liquid containing a water-soluble pigment to dissolve the pigment in water, and to observe whether there is an abnormality of water leakage by observing the specific flow direction of the liquid having color. . However, the above detection technique has a disadvantage in that the leak detecting agent is not easily obtained, and it is difficult to detect an abnormal situation of a small amount of water leakage.

Therefore, the prior art does not provide a technique for effectively detecting an abnormal situation of a small amount of water leakage.

One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a water leakage detecting device and a water leakage detecting method, which can detect a small amount of water leakage.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a water leakage detecting device and a leak The water detection method has a simple structure and high detection sensitivity.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a water leakage detecting device and a water leakage detecting method, which have high compatibility and wide application.

The present disclosure provides a water leakage detecting device including: a housing, a fixed rod, a buoy controller, a switch unit, a conduction unit, a power supply unit, and a warning unit, wherein the housing has a water inlet disposed at the bottom and is disposed at a water outlet of the top, wherein the first end of the fixing rod is fixed to the water inlet of the bottom of the casing, and the buoy controller is disposed in the fixing rod to move freely along the length of the fixing rod And a first magnet is embedded in one side of the buoy controller, the switch unit has a second magnet and a conductor connected to the second magnet, and the magnetism of the second magnet is opposite to the magnetic property of the first magnet, The conducting unit is disposed on an outer side of the housing, wherein when the buoy controller moves to magnetically attract the second magnet and the first magnet, the conductive system contacts the conducting unit to enable the power supply unit, the The conducting unit and the warning unit conduct a loop, thereby driving the warning unit to output an alert signal.

In addition, the present disclosure further provides a water leakage detecting method, comprising: causing a buoy controller to move magnetically on a fixed rod to magnetically attract a first magnet of the buoy controller and a second magnet of a switch unit; The electrical conductor of the switch unit is in contact with a conductive unit; a power supply unit, a warning unit and the conductive unit are connected to the circuit; and the warning unit is driven to output an alarm signal.

Compared with the prior art, the water leakage detecting device and the detecting method provided by the present disclosure utilize the principle of water flow speed and object gravity, and the buoy controller moves upward when a slight leak occurs in the water storage tank, and is buried in the buoy control. The first magnet on one side of the device is magnetically attracted to the second magnet disposed outside the casing of the water leakage detecting device to conduct a warning circuit to output a warning signal, thereby detecting the presence of a slight water leakage in the water storage tank, and The water leakage detecting device and the detecting method have the advantages of simple structure, high compatibility and high detection sensitivity.

The other embodiments of the present disclosure can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present disclosure, and can be implemented by other different embodiments. Or application.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the water leakage detecting device 1 provided by the present disclosure is applicable to a water storage tank 2 , such as a toilet water storage tank, for detecting an abnormal situation in which the water storage tank 2 has a slight water leakage.

In the present embodiment, the water leakage detecting device 1 can be disposed between the water inlet pipe 21 and the water inlet end 22 of the water storage tank 2. Specifically, the water leakage detecting device 1 of the present disclosure is provided with a feed at the bottom. The water outlet 111 is provided with a corresponding water outlet 113 at the top thereof, wherein the water inlet 111 of the bottom is connected to the water inlet pipe 21, and the water inlet valve 23 for controlling the water flow is further disposed at the front end of the water inlet pipe 21. The water outlet 113 of the top is connected to the water inlet end 22 of the water storage tank 2, so that the water flow flows from the water inlet pipe 21 through the water leakage detecting device 1 of the present disclosure and flows into the water storage tank 2.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the water leakage detecting device 1 of the present disclosure includes a housing 11 , a fixed rod 13 , a buoy controller 15 , a switch unit 17 , a conducting unit 16 , a power supply unit 18 , and a warning unit 19 .

The housing 11 is a transparent hollow body and has a shell disposed thereon The water inlet 111 at the bottom of the body 11 and a water outlet 113 disposed at the top of the casing 11 have a scale on the surface of the casing 11 for displaying the water flow rate or the amount of water leakage. In this embodiment, the appearance of the casing 11 is a horn shape, that is, a structure that is wide and narrow, and the water inlet 111 is used to connect the water inlet pipe 21 of the water storage tank 2, and the water outlet 113 is used for The water inlet end 22 of the water storage tank 2 is connected. Therefore, the present disclosure does not need to change the overall design of the existing water storage tank, and the water leakage detecting device 1 can be directly disposed between the water storage tank 2 and the water inlet pipe 21, and the compatibility is high.

The fixing rod 13 has a first end 133 and a second end 135. The first end 133 of the fixing rod 13 is fixed to the water inlet 111 of the bottom of the casing 11. In this embodiment, the bottom of the housing 11 The water inlet 111 is designed as shown in FIG. 5, and a groove 1111 is formed on the outer edge of the water inlet 111.

The buoy controller 15 is movably disposed in the fixing rod 13 to freely move up and down along the length of the fixing rod 13 according to the amount of water entering, and one side of the buoy controller 15 is embedded The first magnet 151. In this embodiment, the buoy controller 15 is an opaque solid body, and the appearance thereof is matched with the appearance of the housing 11 as a horn shape, that is, an upper width and a narrow structure, and the specific gravity of the buoy controller 15 is greater than The specific gravity of the water, when the water inlet 111 of the casing 11 is not filled with water, the buoy controller 15 can naturally fall into the bottom of the casing 11 and pass through the buoy when the water inlet 111 of the casing 11 enters the water. The scale of the controller 15 and the surface of the casing 11 can determine the amount of water intake.

In addition, a stop portion is further disposed on the second end 135 of the fixing rod 13 131. When a large amount of water is introduced into the water inlet 111 of the casing 11, the buoy controller 15 is prevented from moving away from the fixed rod 13 due to rapid buoyancy movement.

The conduction unit 16 is disposed on the outer side of the housing 11 , and the switch unit 17 has a second magnet 172 and a conductor 173 (such as a copper piece), the second magnet 172 is connected to the conductor 173, and the first The two magnets 172 are opposite to the magnetic properties of the first magnet 151, wherein the second magnets 172 are disposed on the outer side of the housing 11.

Furthermore, the power supply unit 18, the conduction unit 16 and the warning unit 19 form a series circuit, so that when the buoy controller 15 moves to magnetically attract the second magnet 172 and the first magnet 151, the electric conductor The 173 is in contact with the conduction unit 16, and the power supply unit 18, the conduction unit 16 and the warning unit 19 are electrically connected to each other, thereby driving the warning unit 19 to output an alarm signal.

For example, the first magnet 151 is, for example, a magnet embedded in one side of the buoy controller 15 , and the second magnet 172 is a magnet brick disposed on the housing by the fixing unit 171 . The outer side of the 11 is opposite to the position of the magnet, wherein the fixing unit 171 includes a fixing bracket 174 for carrying the magnet brick, and an adjustable fixing screw 175 for adjusting the fixing position of the magnet brick. The power supply unit 18 is, for example, a battery. The warning unit 19 is, for example, a warning light or an alarm for generating light or sound, but is not limited thereto. The switch unit 17 is composed of a magnet brick and a copper piece, and the conduction unit 16 is, for example, a power supply terminal block, wherein the battery, the warning light/alarm, and the power conduction terminal block form a series circuit, and the copper The sheet is connected to the magnet brick through the fixing bracket.

In addition, the present disclosure further includes a delay unit 14, such as a delay power supply, which is connected to the power conducting terminal block and the battery for providing a function of delaying the energization when the copper piece is in contact with the power conducting terminal block to conduct the circuit. To avoid problems with warning lights or alarm false alarms.

Specifically, when the water leakage detecting device 1 is in the normal water inlet state, since the unit water inflow amount of the water inlet 111 is large, the buoy controller 15 will quickly move up due to the buoyancy generated by a large amount of water inflow, and finally the The first magnet 151 is held at a position higher than the second magnet 172, so that the magnetic attraction of the two is not caused to cause the warning unit 19 to output an alarm signal. It should be noted that, during the upward movement of the buoy controller 15, the position of the first magnet 151 is flush with the height of the second magnet 172 in a short time, and the first magnet 151 and the second magnet are made. 172 generates a magnetic attraction force for a short time to drive the electric conductor 173 and the conduction unit 16 to contact each other, and the first magnet 151 and the second magnet 172 are moved along with the continuous upward movement of the buoy controller 15. The magnetic force gradually disappears to separate the conductive body 173 from the conduction unit 16. Therefore, the series circuit composed of the power supply unit 18, the warning unit 19, and the conduction unit 16 conducts current in a short time. Since the delay unit 14 provides the function of the power-on delay operation after the current is turned on, and immediately resets when the circuit is disconnected, the warning unit 19 does not output the warning signal due to the short-time current conduction, thereby avoiding the water leakage detection. The test device 1 generates a false alarm in the normal water intake process.

The operation of the water leakage detecting device 1 of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to Figs.

As shown in the first and second figures, when the water storage tank 2 is not filled with water, the water leakage detecting device 1 is also in a state of not entering the water. The buoy controller 15 may be gravity due to its specific gravity being greater than the specific gravity of the water. Naturally falling into the bottom position of the casing 11, at this time, the first magnet 151 buried on one side of the buoy controller 15 does not generate magnetism because the height position of the first magnet 151 is lower than the second magnet 172. The suction force is applied to keep the second magnet 172 in the home position, and the warning unit 19 does not output an alarm signal because the circuit system is in the off state.

Then, as shown in the first and fourth figures, when the water storage tank 2 is normally in water, the water leakage detecting device 1 is in a state of a large amount of water inflow, and since the unit water inflow amount of the water inlet 111 is large, the buoy controller 15 may be The large buoyancy generated by the large amount of water inflow rapidly moves up. During the movement of the buoy controller 15, the position of the first magnet 151 and the second magnet 172 are highly flush due to the two moments. The magnetic attraction force is generated and gradually disappears as the buoy controller 15 continues to move upward, and finally the first magnet 151 is held at a position higher than the second magnet 172 due to the power supply unit 18 The series circuit composed of the warning unit 19 and the conduction unit 16 only conducts current in a short time, so under the action of the delay unit 14, the warning unit 19 also does not output an alarm signal, and the actuation relationship of each component in this state. Reference may also be made to the foregoing description, and thus the description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in the first and third figures, it is used to display the schematic diagram of the water leakage detecting device 1 of the present disclosure in an abnormally small amount of water leakage. As shown in the figure, when a slight water leakage abnormality occurs in the water storage tank 2, the water leakage detecting device 1 is in a state of continuing a small amount of water inflow, and the buoy controller 15 continues to be small due to the water inlet 111. The small buoyancy generated by the influent water is slowly moved up and finally maintained at a certain height position. In this state, the height position of the first magnet 151 buried on one side of the buoy controller 15 is fixed to the shell. The height of the second magnet 172 on the outer side of the body 11 is flush, so that a magnetic attraction force is generated between the two to attract the second magnet 172 toward the first magnet 151, thereby driving the fixed bracket. The conductive body 173 connected to the second magnet 172 and the conduction unit 16 are in contact with each other to continuously conduct the circuit, thereby driving the warning unit 19 to output an alarm signal (such as causing the warning light to illuminate or causing the alarm to sound). In order to achieve the purpose of early warning.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the leak detection method of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6 and referring to FIG. 2-4, step S601 is first performed to cause the buoy controller to move on the fixed rod by water, so that the first magnet of the buoy controller and the second magnet of the switch unit are magnetically phased. Suction, and then proceeds to step S603.

In step S603, the conductor of the switching unit is brought into contact with the conduction unit, and then proceeds to step S605.

In step S605, the power supply unit, the warning unit, and the conduction unit are turned on, and then the flow proceeds to step S607.

In step S607, the alert unit is driven to output an alert signal.

In addition, after step S603, the step of delaying the turn-on loop time for detecting the trace water leakage is included.

In summary, the leak detection device and the water leakage detection method disclosed in the present invention combine a water flow velocity, an object gravity principle, and a magnet anisotropy suction principle to provide a water leakage detection mechanism, and a slight water leakage abnormality occurs in the water storage tank. The situation can be notified in advance, and the leak detection device and the detection method are simple in structure, high in compatibility, high in detection sensitivity, and wide in application range.

However, the above embodiments are intended to exemplify the principles of the disclosure and its functions, and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Any person skilled in the art can modify the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be as set forth in the scope of the patent application described later.

1‧‧‧Water leak detection device

11‧‧‧Shell

111‧‧‧ Inlet

1111‧‧‧ Groove

113‧‧‧Water outlet

13‧‧‧Fixed rod

131‧‧‧stop

133‧‧‧ first end

135‧‧‧ second end

14‧‧‧Delay unit

15‧‧‧ buoy controller

151‧‧‧First magnet

16‧‧‧Connecting unit

17‧‧‧Switch unit

171‧‧‧Fixed unit

172‧‧‧second magnet

173‧‧‧Electrical conductor

174‧‧‧Fixed bracket

175‧‧‧Adjustable fixing screws

18‧‧‧Power supply unit

19‧‧‧Warning unit

2‧‧‧Water tank

21‧‧‧ water inlet

22‧‧‧ water inlet

23‧‧‧Inlet valve

S601~S607‧‧‧Steps

1 is a schematic structural view of a water leakage detecting device provided in a water storage tank; FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a water leakage detecting device according to the present disclosure; and FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a water leakage detecting device in an abnormally small water leakage state; FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of the water leakage detecting device of the present disclosure under normal water inlet state; FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the detailed structure of the bottom water inlet of the water leakage detecting device of the present disclosure; and FIG. It is a flow chart of the operation of the leak detection method disclosed herein.

1‧‧‧Water leak detection device

11‧‧‧Shell

111‧‧‧ Inlet

113‧‧‧Water outlet

13‧‧‧Fixed rod

131‧‧‧stop

133‧‧‧ first end

135‧‧‧ second end

14‧‧‧Delay unit

15‧‧‧ buoy controller

151‧‧‧First magnet

16‧‧‧Connecting unit

17‧‧‧Switch unit

171‧‧‧Fixed unit

172‧‧‧second magnet

173‧‧‧Electrical conductor

174‧‧‧Fixed bracket

175‧‧‧Adjustable fixing screws

18‧‧‧Power supply unit

19‧‧‧Warning unit

Claims (9)

A water leakage detecting device includes: a housing having a water inlet disposed at a bottom portion and a water outlet provided at a top portion, wherein the housing is a structure having an upper width and a lower width; and the fixing rod has a first end and a second end, the first end of the fixing rod is fixed to the water inlet of the bottom of the casing; the buoy controller is disposed in the fixing rod to move freely along the length of the fixing rod, and One of the buoy controllers is embedded with a first magnet; the switch unit has a second magnet and a conductor connected to the second magnet, and the magnet of the second magnet is opposite to the magnetism of the first magnet; Provided on an outer side of the housing; a power supply unit; and an alert unit; wherein when the buoy controller moves to magnetically attract the second magnet to the first magnet, the conductive system contacts the conductive unit to enable The power supply unit, the conduction unit and the warning unit conduct a circuit, thereby driving the warning unit to output an alarm signal. The water leakage detecting device of claim 1, wherein the water leakage detecting device is suitable for a water storage tank, and wherein a bottom of the housing is connected to an inlet pipe of the water storage tank, the top of the housing Then connect the water inlet end of the water storage tank. The water leakage detecting device according to claim 1, wherein The second end of the fixing rod is provided with a stopping portion to prevent the buoy controller from moving away from the fixing rod. The water leakage detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the specific gravity of the buoy controller is greater than the specific gravity of the water. The water leakage detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the buoy controller is a structure having an upper width and a lower width. The water leakage detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a delay unit that connects the conduction unit and the power supply unit. The water leakage detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing unit for disposing the second magnet on an outer side of the casing. A water leakage detecting method comprising the steps of: moving a buoy controller in a housing having a water inlet and a water outlet and having an upper width and a lower width by moving water on a fixing rod in the housing, so that The first magnet of the buoy controller is magnetically attracted to the second magnet of the switch unit; the electrical conductor of the switch unit is brought into contact with a conductive unit; a power supply unit, a warning unit and the conductive unit are electrically connected; and the driving The warning unit outputs a warning signal. The method for detecting water leakage according to claim 8 , wherein after the step of contacting the electrical conductor with the conducting unit, the step of delaying the conduction loop time by the delay unit for detecting a small amount of water leakage is further included.