DETECTOR DEVICE FOR DETECTING A LEAKAGE

The invention relates to a detector device for detecting a leakage, in particular for a household water-carrying system, the detector device comprising a sensor device having at least two subsets of sensors, the at least two subsets of sensors being provided on or in a housing of the detector device, the subsets of sensors being arranged in different geometric levels of the housing, the detector device detecting a change of an electrical parameter between at least two sensors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2021 127 945.3 filed Oct. 27, 2021, and German Patent Application No. 10 2022 111 303.5 filed May 6, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The invention relates to a detector device for detecting a leakage, in particular for a water-carrying system in the household.

BACKGROUND

Such systems can be, for example, washing machines, dishwashers, heating and hot water systems or systems for water treatment. Leakages or leaks in such systems or appliances can occur both in the supply and discharge devices in the form of hoses or also in certain components of the system or appliance. Leakages and leaks can indicate a malfunction or defect of the system or device. Furthermore, leakages or leaks can lead to damage to the building or other neighbouring equipment.

There are different levels of leaks. With minor leaks, only a small amount of moisture escapes. In the case of larger leaks, larger amounts of liquid escape, which can then cause undesirable damage to underlying or surrounding areas.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a detector device to detect a leakage, especially for a water-carrying system in the household, which can be used flexibly and is inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, there is a need for a detector device which can detect different levels of leakage or leaks.

The problem is solved by the objects of the present disclosure. The subclaims comprise preferred embodiments.

According to the invention, there is provided a detector device for detecting a leakage, in particular for a household water-carrying system, the detector device comprising a sensor device having at least two subsets of sensors, the at least two subsets of sensors being provided on or in a housing of the detector device, the subsets of sensors being arranged in different geometric levels of the housing, the detector device detecting a change of an electrical parameter between at least two sensors.

Corresponding water-carrying systems can be, for example, washing machines, dishwashers, heating and hot water systems or systems for water treatment. By providing at least two subsets of sensors arranged in different geometric levels of the housing, the detector device can be adapted to the intended location, so that advantageously a detection of a change of an electrical parameter within a first subset of sensors indicates a small amount of leaked liquid. Detection of a change in an electrical parameter within a second subset of sensors or detection of a change in an electrical parameter between the first subset of sensors and a second subset of sensors would therefore indicate a greater amount of leaked fluid. Such a detector device can be manufactured simply and inexpensively and can be used extremely flexibly or adapted to the place of use.

Advantageously, the housing extends along a height axis Z, a width axis Y and a longitudinal axis X.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least two geometric levels are spaced apart by a distance (h). Preferably, the distance (h) extends along the height axis Z of the housing. Cumulatively or alternatively, the at least two geometric levels are spaced apart by a distance along the longitudinal axis X of the housing and/or along the width axis Y of the housing. It is also conceivable that further subsets of sensors are provided, each of which is spaced apart by different distances. Thus, further levels or degrees of leakage can be detected. Cumulatively or alternatively, the housing could also be designed such that the different geometric levels represent a radial distance. Preferably, the housing has a curved and/or bended wall or surface on or in which the at least two subsets of sensors are provided. It would also be conceivable, for example, to have a step-shaped design of the housing, whereby the two geometric levels are designed. An advantageous design of the housing comprising a curved and/or bended wall or surface has the advantage that the detection device can be attached to a tube-like object or a hose. Furthermore, the curvature and/or curvature of the wall or surface can advantageously achieve the spacing of the two subsets of sensors by the distance h.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the sensor devices are suitable and intended to measure or detect an electrical parameter in the form of an electrical resistance or in the form of a capacitance between at least two sensors. It is also conceivable that the sensor devices are suitable and intended to detect a change in an electrical parameter in the form of an electrical resistance or in the form of a capacitance between at least two sensors. In an advantageous first state, at least two sensors are spatially spaced apart and isolated from each other by the ambient air. In the event that the measured electrical parameter is the electrical resistance, an approximately infinite resistance is thus measured between the two sensors in the first state. If both sensors are advantageously now in contact with a quantity of liquid, a wind level corresponding to the conductivity of the liquid is measured. Usually, water or a mixture containing water has a high electrical conductivity. In contrast to the first condition, a significant change in the measured resistance can thus be detected. Occurring moisture due to condensation will usually not lead to such a significant change of the electrical parameter. This avoids a possibly faulty triggering due to usually unproblematic condensation humidity. In an analogous manner, a change in capacitance between two sensors due to an amount of fluid between the two sensors can be described. The present invention is of course not limited to the measurement of the electrical parameter between two sensors. Measurements involving three or more sensors would of course also be conceivable.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the detector device comprises a control device which controls a measurement of the electrical parameter and evaluates the measurement result of the electrical parameter. Advantageously, the control device is signal-technically connected to the sensor device. A continuous measurement between two sensors or measurements within predetermined time intervals would be conceivable. It would also be conceivable that first a first measurement takes place using the first subset of sensors. For at least a small amount of liquid, such a first measurement would detect a change in the electrical parameter. Advantageously, the first measurement could be carried out continuously or at predetermined time distances. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that a second measurement is carried out as soon as a change in the electrical parameter has been detected in the first measurement using the first subset of sensors. The second measurement is advantageously carried out using sensors of the first subset and the second subset or using only sensors of the second subset. The second measurement can determine whether a significant amount of liquid has leaked. Advantageously, the control device controls the corresponding sequences of measurements. It is conceivable that an input device is provided by means of which a user can specify certain sequences of the measurements to the control device.

Advantageously, several subsets of sensors are provided, which are each arranged at different distances from one another on or in the housing. After a first measurement, further measurements can thus be carried out using sensors within these subsets or sensors of a subset and a subset arranged along the height axis above it. Thus, a gradual output of the leakage or the leaked quantity can be output.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the detector device comprises a communication device. Advantageously, the communication device is suitable and intended for establishing and/or operating a wireless communication link with a control device. However, it is also conceivable that the communication device is suitable and intended for establishing and/or operating a wireless communication link with another user device. The control device may be provided within the water-carrying system or may be an external control device. Such an internal control device may, for example, be provided in a household appliance. An external control device may, for example, be integrated in a surveillance system of a building. An otherwise user device could be a smartphone, tablet, personal computer or similar device. Preferably, the wireless communication link is a Bluetooth® link, a Bluetooth® low energy link, an RFID (radio-frequency identification) link, an NFC (near field communication) link, a WLAN link, a cellular link, a link using ISM bands, preferably free ISM bands, or a combination of the aforementioned links. ISM bands (Industrial, Scientific and Medical Band) are frequency ranges that can be used by high frequency devices in industry, science, medicine, in domestic and similar areas. Advantageously, the communication device comprises a transmitter device or a transmitter and receiver device. Advantageously, the communication device is signal-technically connected to the control device.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first subset of sensors comprises at least two sensors. Preferably, the second subset of sensors comprises at least one sensor.

According to one embodiment, the detector device thus comprises a total of at least three or at least four sensors.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a self-sufficient power supply device is provided in the housing. By a self-sufficient power supply device is meant a power supply device which has no permanent connection to the mains. Such a self-sufficient power supply device could, for example, be a battery, a rechargeable battery (accumulator) or a similar current/voltage storage device. A power supply device based on photovoltaics or other power generation would also be conceivable. The rechargeable battery can advantageously be charged by means of a wireless charging method or a charging cable. Such an advantageous detector device can be used extremely flexibly due to its self-sufficient power supply and its communication device and can dispense with a fixed wired power supply. Preferably, the sensor device also does not require any wired communication transmission. The sensor device can be arranged on or near water-bearing parts, such as the hoses or pipes, the connections on the household appliance or the building, or even below the household appliance.

Advantageously, the housing can be sealed. The housing can thus be opened in order to be able to replace the power supply device and/or carry out maintenance work if necessary. After the replacement and/or maintenance work has been carried out, the housing can be sealed again so that no liquid can penetrate into the housing.

The detector device could advantageously have a monitoring device which monitors the state of charge of the power supply device, for example a battery or an accumulator. Thereby, in the event of a critically low state of charge, an output could be provided via the advantageous communication device and/or an output device provided therefor. Such an output device could be, for example, a display device or a tone generator.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the detector device comprises a fixing device by means of which the detector device can be fixed to a tube-like object or a hose. Such a fixing device could be a belt and/or a hose.

The present problem of the invention is also solved by a method for monitoring a leakage, in particular for a water-carrying system in the household, using a detector device according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments. In this context, the method can be equipped with all the features already described above in the context of the sensor device or the household appliance, either individually or in combination with one another, and vice versa.

Advantageously, a first measurement of the electrical parameter is performed using sensors of the first subset. Preferably, after a detection of a change of the electrical parameter in the first measurement, at least a second measurement is performed. Preferably, sensors of the first subset and sensors of the second subset or only sensors of the second subset are used in the second measurement.

In the case of at least a small amount of liquid, a change in the electrical parameter would be detected in such a first measurement. Advantageously, the first measurement could be performed continuously or at predetermined time distances. If at least a small amount of leaked liquid is now detected by means of the first measurement, a second measurement can be carried out. During the second measurement, a change in the electrical parameter is advantageously checked between at least one sensor of the first subset and at least one sensor of the second subset. The sensors of the second partial quantity are spaced apart from the first partial quantity by the distance h. Thus, a change in the electrical parameter during the second measurement would mean that the at least one sensor of the second subset is also in contact with the liquid. This is an indication that a considerable amount of leaked liquid is already present. The second measurement can also be made between at least one sensor of the second subset and at least one other sensor of the second subset. Here, too, a change in the electrical parameter indicates that a significant amount of leaked liquid is already present.

Alternatively, it would also be conceivable that measurements between sensors of the first subset and/or between sensors of the first subset and sensors of the second subset and/or between sensors of the second subset are carried out continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

The present task of the invention is also solved by a system comprising a water-carrying system in the household, for example a water-carrying household appliance, and at least one detector device according to one of the embodiments described above. The system can thereby be equipped with all the features already described above in the context of the sensor device or the household appliance, individually or in combination with one another, and vice versa.

Advantageously, the system may comprise several detector devices which are arranged on or in the vicinity of a water-carrying device or system. The detector devices are connected to the household appliance, a user device or other central control device by means of a wireless communication link. The respective detector device can transmit an identification code when a leaked liquid is detected, so that the location of the leaked liquid can be quickly localised. Furthermore, the respective detector device can communicate the level of the leaked liquid. This means that it is communicated whether a small amount or a substantial amount of leaked liquid is present.

Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following descriptions of the accompanying figures. Similar components may have the same reference signs in the various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1to6show a detector device1for detecting a leakage, in particular for a water-carrying system in a household100. The detector device1comprises a sensor device2, which has at least two subsets3,4of sensors5, the at least two subsets3,4of sensors5being provided on or in a housing6of the detector device1, the subsets3,4of sensors5being arranged in different geometric levels7of the housing6, the detector device1detecting a change in an electrical parameter between at least two sensors5.

The detector device extends along a longitudinal axis X, a width axis Y, and a height axis Z.

FIG.2shows some components of the detector device by means of a schematic diagram. The schematic diagram shows a self-sufficient power supply device11which supplies the individual components with voltage. In this embodiment, the power supply device is designed as a battery or a rechargeable battery (accumulator). Furthermore, a voltage conditioning device15is connected downstream of the battery or the rechargeable battery (accumulator), which adapts the battery voltage to the voltage required by the other components. The rechargeable battery (accumulator) can advantageously be charged by means of a wireless charging method or a charging cable. Accordingly, the housing could also comprise a corresponding connection device for a charging cable.

Further, the detector device1comprises a communication device10suitable and intended for establishing and/or operating a wireless communication link14with a control device101of the system100. The wireless communication link14may be a Bluetooth® link, a Bluetooth® low energy link, an RFID (radio-frequency identification) link, an NFC (near field communication) link, a WLAN link, a cellular link, a link using ISM bands preferably free ISM bands or a combination of said links. In the present case, wireless communication link14is a Bluetooth® link. The communication device10thus comprises an antenna10aand a Bluetooth® driver.

The communication device10is signal-connected to a control device9. The control device controls a measurement of the electrical parameter by the sensor device2and evaluates the measurement result of the electrical parameter. The control device9is thus connected to the sensor device2in terms of signals.

The components are arranged in the housing6of the detector device1. Advantageously, the housing can be opened and sealed. This makes it possible, for example, to replace the power supply device11if its state of charge is too low. For this purpose, a corresponding monitoring device can be provided which monitors the charge. In the event of a critical state of charge, an output device can be activated or a corresponding signal can be output via the communication device10. The sealing closure ensures that no liquid enters the housing and damages the components.

The sensor device2is suitable and intended to measure an electrical parameter, in the form of an electrical resistance or in the form of a capacitance between at least two sensors5. The control device can be designed in the form of a logic which triggers the respective measurement and then evaluates the measurement. Such an evaluation comprises an assessment of whether a change in the respective electrical parameter is sufficiently large. A sufficiently large change is present if the change is greater than the tolerance fluctuations caused by noise or other disturbances. For this purpose, the control device can be given a corresponding lower value which the change in the electrical parameter should exceed. If a change is detected, a further measurement can be initiated and/or a signal transmitted to the communication device10, which then sends a corresponding warning signal.

The sensors can be in the form of electrodes which are connected to the sensor device2by means of signals. Electrodes which are provided for resistive measurement can be touched from the outside. Electrodes which are provided for capacitive measurement are covered and cannot be touched from the outside. The sensors5can be arranged on or in the housing6. The sensors6could, for example, be arranged on the housing6by means of pads.

The subsets3,4of sensors5are arranged at different geometric levels of the housing. According to the embodiments shown in the figures, the geometric levels are spaced apart by a distance h. InFIGS.1and3to6it is readily apparent that the sensors are arranged on or in a lower wall8or surface of the housing6. This wall11is curved. The wall corresponds essentially to a section of a circular cylinder jacket. The sensors5of the second subset4are arranged substantially centrally on or in the curvature of the wall10. The sensors5of the first subset3are arranged substantially at the outer edge of the curvature of the wall10. It is clearly visible inFIG.3that the sensors5of the second subset4are thus spaced apart from the sensors5of the first subset3by the distance h. Due to the provision of the curvature, the detector device1can be used to be operated lying on a flat surface as well as to be arranged on a tube-like object or hose. Such a detector device is thus extremely versatile.

The first subset3of sensors5comprises at least two sensors5. The second subset4of sensors5comprises at least one sensor5.FIG.4shows an embodiment in which the first subset3and the second subset4of sensors5each comprise two sensors. The total of four sensors are arranged in a cross shape on or in the lower wall11of the housing. The sensors of the first subset of sensors3are thus arranged opposite each other along the longitudinal axis X. The sensors of the second subset of sensors4are arranged opposite each other along the width axis Y.

FIG.5shows an embodiment in which the first subset3comprises two sensors5and the second subset4comprises one sensor5. The sensors of the first subset3are thus arranged opposite each other along the longitudinal axis X. The one sensor5of the second subset4is arranged along the longitudinal axis X between the two sensors5of the first subset3.3sensors can be sufficient to detect the two different levels of leakage. By providing 4 sensors, additional information can be measured.

FIG.3shows an application where the detection device is placed on a flat area102, for example the floor of a building. It can be seen that the sensors5face the area14and are placed at least 2 different distances from the area14. The measurement detects a change in the electrical parameter caused by a fluid between at least two sensors5. The sensors5of the first subset3are thus closer to the area102than the sensors5of the second subset4, hence the latter respond first. A liquid between the sensors of the first subset3changes the electrical parameter in the form of a resistance or capacitance. As the liquid increases, the sensors5of the second subset of sensors4also respond. A measurement between the sensors5of the second subset4or between a sensor5of the first subset3and a sensor5of the second subset4therefore shows a corresponding change in the electrical parameter.

Of course, further geometric levels7and further subsets of sensors5can also be provided in order to enable a finer gradation of the leakage levels. Advantageously, a certain predetermined combination of detecting sensors5at different geometric levels can thus be assigned to certain leakage levels. Accordingly, both a leakage of a small amount of liquid and larger leaks can be detected. Depending on the level of leakage, different warning messages can be transmitted to a user of the household appliance.

FIG.6shows a detector device1which is arranged on a tube-like object, for example a hose. A fixing device12is provided for this purpose, which can be designed as a belt, for example. If a small amount of liquid escapes from the hose, a change in the electrical parameter would be detected by means of the sensors5of the second subset4, as these are arranged centrally. Only when a larger amount of liquid escapes would a change in the electrical parameter also be detected by means of the sensors5of the first subset3.

FIG.7shows a total system200. The total system comprises the water-carrying system100in the household. Here, a water-carrying household appliance is shown, for example, as a washing machine or a dishwasher. However, the detector device is also applicable to other water-carrying systems in the household, for example heating and hot water systems or systems for water treatment.

Due to the self-sufficient power supply device and the wireless communication via the wireless communication link14, the detector device1can be used extremely flexibly. It is also conceivable to use several detector devices1together. InFIG.7, for example, one detector device1is arranged on an inlet or outlet of the household appliance and another detector device1is lying on the area14on which the household appliance is arranged.

The present invention thus provides a simple and robust detector device for the detection of leakages or leaks, which is capable of detecting multiple levels of leakage.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are individually or in combination new compared to the prior art. It is further pointed out that the individual figures also describe features which may be advantageous in themselves. The person skilled in the art immediately recognises that a certain feature described in a figure can also be advantageous without adopting further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual figures or in different figures.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1Detector device2sensor device3first subset of sensors4second subset of sensors5sensors6housing7geometric levels8curved and/or bended wall or surface9control device10communication device10aAntenna10bBluetooth® driver11Power supply device12Fixing device13tube-like object14wireless communication link15voltage conditioning device100household water-carrying system101control device of the system102Area200total systemh distanceX longitudinal axis of the detector deviceY Width axis of the detector deviceZ Height axis of the detector device