AU2014326309A1

AU2014326309A1 - Protection device for monitoring water logging

Info

Publication number: AU2014326309A1
Application number: AU2014326309A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wing Wai CHAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-06-24
Publication date: 2015-07-23
Also published as: JP6074060B2; WO2015044799A2; AU2014101593A4; JP2016505745A; WO2015044799A3; CN104362586B; CN104362586A

Abstract

A protection device for monitoring water logging, comprising a water logging sensing module (200), a main control module (100), a valve control module (300), a timing module (400), a power source module (500), and an alarming module (600), wherein the main control module (100) is respectively connected to each of the other modules. When the water logging sensing module (200) senses a water logging condition, the main control module (100) cuts off water supply through the valve control module (300). By means of the device, a function of automatically cutting off water when water logging occurs in a state where regions such as a marketplace, a residence and the like are unattended can be realized, thereby effectively preventing the loss caused by water logging, and avoiding the waste of water resources at the same time.

Description

PROTECTION DEVICE FOR MONITORING WATER LOGGING TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a monitoring device. Particularly, it relates to a protection 5 device for monitoring water logging. BACKGROUND Both environment friendly and intelligent home devices are becoming popular in society. However, it's common that residence or shopping malls become messy due to the water leakage 10 from aging water pipes, which people can't be conscious of in time. Especially when residence is uninhabited for a long time, the water leakage would sometimes develop into water logging, which is not only a great waste of water resource but also may destroy the furniture, electrical appliance or other belongings. There are some existing protection devices for monitoring water logging. However, some of them can only transmit an alarm signal when water logging detected 15 while some other of them can only be used in industrial filed due to a low accuracy, or some household monitoring device would alarm in fault when user cleans the floor with water. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem to be solved in the present invention is to provide a protection device which 20 can detect water logging and shut off water supply automatically. Another problem to be solved in the present invention is to solve the existing technical problem of false alarming of the existing protection device for monitoring water logging. Thus, the present invention provides a protection device for monitoring water logging comprises a water logging sensor means for detecting water logging condition; an alarming 25 means for generating alarm signals; a valve controller means being mounted to a position of a water supply; a main controller means for communicating between the water logging sensor means, the alarming means and the valve controller means and the main controller means comprising a power cut-off device adapted for switching off the valve controller means when the protection device for monitoring water logging is in a power-off state. Typically, the main controller means is adapted for transmitting the cut-off signal to the valve controller means in order to cut off the water supply when the water logging condition is 5 detected by the main controller means. Typically, the valve controller means comprises a valve mounted to the water supply, the main controller means is adapted for controlling the valve to allow the valve to be in an open or a closed position. Typically, the water logging sensor means comprises a sensor and its corresponding 10 non-malfunction indicator adapted for indicating the normal operation state of the protection device, the non-malfunction indicator is mounted to its corresponding sensor, the sensor and its corresponding non-malfunction indicator are mounted to the main controller means and are arranged in a region for monitoring water logging condition and water logging protection. Typically, the main controller means comprises a programmable integrated circuit chip 15 adapted for controlling the operation of the protection device. Typically, the valve is an electric valve, the electric valve being mounted to the main controller means is adapted to be controlled by the main controller means, the electric valve is adapted to be manually switched off in order to cut off the water supply. Typically, the protection device further comprises a timing module mounted to the main 20 controller means, the main controller means is adapted for restricting the valve controller means to cut off the water supply after the timing module is triggered. Typically, the timing module comprises a timing button adapted for triggering the timing module and a clock unit adapted for measuring time, the main controller means is adapted for restricting the valve controller means to cut off the water supply within the default period after 25 the time that the timing module being triggered. Typically, the timing module further comprises an emergency water supply switch, the main controller means is adapted for allowing the valve controller means to cut off the water supply after the time that the emergency water supply switch button be triggered. Typically, the protection device further comprises a power module being mounted to the main controller means adapted for supplying electricity to the main controller means, the power module comprises a battery indicator adapted for indicating energy level and the battery 5 malfunction condition. Typically, the power module further comprises a rechargeable battery, the power module further comprises a battery charger for charging the battery. Typically, the main controller means further comprises the alarming means, the alarming means comprises a speaker and a power indicator, the speaker and the power indicator are 10 respectively mounted to the main controller means. Typically, the main controller means comprises a switch adapted to switch on or off the water logging sensor means. Typically, the power-off protection means is adapted to control the battery of the power module to be switched off in order to allow the at least one valve of the valve controller means to 15 be in a closed position to cut off the water supply. Typically, the main controller means is adapted to wirelessly connect with the water logging sensor means and the valve controller means, the main controller means further comprises an external device connector adapted for connecting with an external device, the main controller means further comprises a wireless terminal adapted for transmitting and/ or receiving data 20 through a wireless network, the main controller means further comprises a wireless alarming element adapted for transmitting water logging signal to a user and/or receiving instruction from a user through a wireless network, the wireless alarming element transmits a cut-off signal to said valve controller means after receiving a user's instruction; the valve controller means cuts off water supply after receiving the cut-off signal. 25 The protection device of the present invention can monitor the occurrence of water logging and cut off water supply automatically to prevent water logging worsening. The present invention can automatically cut off water supply without supervision when water logging occurs and thus prevent damages incurred by water logging in indoor areas. Meanwhile, the present invention can also prevent the waste of water resource. SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS 5 FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the protection device of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic parts drawing of the protection device of the present invention; and FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of another embodiment of the protection device of the 10 present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a protection device for monitoring water logging which is mainly used in indoor areas such as shopping mall or 15 residence. The protection device can automatically detect the occurrence of water logging and cut off water supply when water logging occurs. The protection device comprises a main controller means 100, a a water logging sensor means 200, a valve controller means 300, a timing module 400, a power module 500 and an alarming means 600. The main controller means 100 includes a programmable integrated circuit chip 105, which can be pre-set by program to 20 monitor the running of the whole protection device. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the water logging sensor means 200 includes at least one sensor 101 and corresponding non-malfunction indicator11l. A sensor 101 includes two electric connectors carrying electricity separately. Under normal condition, the two electric connectors are not connected to each other which will not complete the circuit to generate electric signal to 25 main controller means 100. As water conducts electricity, when water logging occurs, the two electric connectors connect to each other through water to complete the circuit to generate electric signal to main controller means 100, which means the a water logging sensor means 200 informs the main controller means 100 about the occurrence of water logging. After receiving the electric signal from sensor 101, the main controller means 100 transmits a cut-off signal to valve controller means 300 to cut off water supply. Preferably, the a water logging sensor means 200 can alarm the main controller means 100 about the occurrence of water logging through wireless 5 network or some interconnecting means. Additionally, the a water logging sensor means 200 can be powered via internal power or the main controller means 100 by some connecting means. Preferably, the sensor 101 is located above the floor or near the outlet of water supply, which would ensure the detecting accuracy despite of internal walls interference. The sensor 101 and its non-malfunction indicator 111 are installed in every targeted monitored area and connect with 10 the main controller means 100 separately. The main controller means 100 can instruct the valve controller means 300 to operate through wireless network or some interconnecting means. The valve controller means 300 includes at least one electric valve 301. Every electric valve 301 is located near one outlet of water supply separately to automatically turn on or turn off the water supply when it is power on. When there is only one electric valve 301, the electric valve 301 15 would preferably be located in the main pipeline to turn off all the water supply when it is power off. When there is more than one electric valve 301, every electric valve 301 can be located in every outlet of water supply separately. Preferably, the electric valve 301 includes a manual switch to turn off the water supply manually to prevent water logging when necessary. When the sensor 101 is working trouble-free, its non-malfunction indicator 111 would stay green. While 20 the sensor 101 is working in fault, its non-malfunction indicator 111 would be off to remind user to check the sensor 101. Preferably, the protection device is monitored by an electricity monitoring system to make sure its operation. When there is power failure or electrical short-circuit occurs inside the protection device, the non-malfunction indicators 11 goes off while a power-off protection means 700 starts to trigger the main controller means 100 to turn off the 25 valve 301 by external power or rechargeable power. When the sensor 101 detects the occurrence of water logging, its non-malfunction indicator 111 would go red. Meanwhile, the sensor 101 transmits a water logging signal to the main controller means 100. After receiving the water logging signal, the main controller means 100 transmits a cut-off signal to the according electric valve 301 to cut off water supply. Timing module 400 includes a flushing timing button 409, an according flushing indicator 410, a clock unit 406, an emergency water supply switch 407 and according emergency indicator 5 408. The flushing indicator 410 stays off in normal condition. If the user needs to flush the floor, the sensor 101 would detect the occurrence of water and judge the situation as water logging, which would eventually cut off the water supply. In such circumstance, the user can press the flushing timing button 409 before flushing the floor. The according flushing indicator 410 goes on and the clock unit 406 starts to count down for a pre-set duration. During the count-down, the 10 sensor 101 would not transmits a water logging signal to the main controller means 100 even it detects the existence of water, and the water supply would not be cut off. After the count-down, the protection device would restore and the water logging sensor means 200 re-starts to work. If a water logging is expected to occur, such as the situation of cleaning, the user can press the emergency water supply switch 407 to shut off water supply, at the same time the according 15 emergency indicator 408 would be on. In addition, the user can also press again the emergency water supply switch 407 to re-start the protection device. Preferably, the pre-set duration of the timing module is 60 minutes. A power module 500 includes an external power 504, a battery 503 and an battery indicator 512. Normally, the protection device is powered by the external power 504. When the indoor 20 areas such as shopping mall or residence in a power cut, the battery 503 starts to work and transmits a power-off signal to the main controller means 100 to cut off water supply. When the external power 504 reinstates, the main controller means 100 transmits a reinstating signal to restore water supply. When the electric capacity of battery 503 is not full and the external power 504 is working, the external power 504 would charge the battery 503 automatically. If the battery 25 503 has not been used for a long time which incurs its electric quantity dropping to a pre-set amount, the main controller means 100 would transmits a signal to turn off the electric valve 301. If both the battery 503 and external power 504 cannot supply power to the protection device, the user can manually operate the electric valve 301 to turn on or turn off water supply. In other embodiment, the power module 500 can also function without external power 504 or battery 503. Referring to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the protection device can further include an alarming means 600. The alarming means 600 is comprised of a speaker 614 and a power indicator 613. When 5 the protection device functions normally, the power indicator 613 will stay green. When the protection device functions in fault, the main controller means 100 transmits a fault signal to turn off the power indicator 613 and trigger the speaker 614 to give an alarm to remind users. When the water logging sensor means 200 transmits a water logging signal, the power indicator 613 will turn red. 10 In another embodiment, referring to FIG.3, the main controller means 100 includes a wireless network terminal adapted for transmitting and receiving data through wireless network. Preferably, if the user doesn't hope to cut off water supply when the floor is water logging, the user can turn off the water logging sensor means 200 by a switch which is connected to the main controller means 100. Preferably, the main controller means 100 includes an external device 15 connector 800 to connect with intelligent home device 801. Further, the main controller means 100 includes a wireless alarming element to transmit an alarm signal about the water logging to user and receive instruction from client through wireless network. Additionally, the user can send his instruction to the wireless alarming element by mobile communicating device, such as telephone or tablet device, to control valve controller means to cut off water supply. 20 The present invention has been described in detail, with reference to the preferred embodiment, in order to enable the reader to practice the invention without undue experimentation. However, a person who has ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that many of the previous disclosures may be varied or modified somewhat without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the intellectual property rights to this 25 invention are defined only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A protection device for monitoring water logging comprises: a water logging sensor means for detecting water logging condition; 5 an alarming means for generating alarm signals; a valve controller means being mounted to a position of a water supply; a main controller means for communicating between the water logging sensor means, the alarming means and the valve controller means; and the main controller means comprising a power cut-off device adapted for 10 switching off the valve controller means when the protection device for monitoring water logging is in a power-off state.

2. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the main controller means is adapted for transmitting the cut-off signal to the valve controller means in order to cut off the water supply when the water logging condition is detected by the main controller means. 15

3. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the valve controller means comprises a valve mounted to the water supply, the main controller means is adapted for controlling the valve to allow the valve to be in an open or a closed position.

4. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the water logging sensor means comprises a sensor and its corresponding non-malfunction indicator adapted for indicating the 20 normal operation state of the protection device, the non-malfunction indicator is mounted to its corresponding sensor, the sensor and its corresponding non-malfunction indicator are mounted to the main controller means and are arranged in a region for monitoring water logging condition and water logging protection.

5. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the main controller means comprises a 25 programmable integrated circuit chip adapted for controlling the operation of the protection device.

6. The protection device according to claim 3, wherein the valve is an electric valve, the electric valve being mounted to the main controller means is adapted to be controlled by the main controller means, the electric valve is adapted to be manually switched off in order to cut off the water supply. 5

7. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the protection device further comprises a timing module mounted to the main controller means, the main controller means is adapted for restricting the valve controller means to cut off the water supply after the timing module is triggered.

8. The protection device according to claim 7, wherein the timing module comprises a timing 10 button adapted for triggering the timing module and a clock unit adapted for measuring time, the main controller means is adapted for restricting the valve controller means to cut off the water supply within the default period after the time that the timing module be triggered.

9. The protection device according to claim 7, wherein the timing module further comprises an emergency water supply switch, the main controller means is adapted for allowing the 15 valve controller means to cut off the water supply after the time that the emergency water supply switch button being triggered.

10. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the protection device further comprises a power module being mounted to the main controller means adapted for supplying electricity to the main controller means, the power module comprises a battery indicator 20 adapted for indicating energy level and the battery malfunction condition.

11. The protection device according to claim 10, wherein the power module further comprises a rechargeable battery, the power module further comprises a battery charger for charging the battery.

12. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the main controller means further 25 comprises the alarming means, the alarming means comprises a speaker and a power indicator, the speaker and the power indicator are respectively mounted to the main controller means.

13. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the main controller means comprises a switch adapted to switch on or off the water logging sensor means.

14. The protection device according to claim 10, wherein the power-off protection means is adapted to control the battery of the power module to be switched off in order to allow the at 5 least one valve of the valve controller means to be in a closed position to cut off the water supply.

15. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the main controller means is adapted to wirelessly connect with the water logging sensor means and the valve controller means, the main controller means further comprises an external device connector adapted for connecting 10 with an external device, the main controller means further comprises a wireless terminal adapted for transmitting and/ or receiving data through a wireless network, the main controller means further comprises a wireless alarming element adapted for transmitting water logging signal to a user and/or receiving instruction from a user through a wireless network, the wireless alarming element transmits a cut-off signal to said valve controller means after 15 receiving a user's instruction; the valve controller means cuts off water supply after receiving the cut-off signal.