Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a leak detection sensor module. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a leak detection sensor module configured such that an entire cartridge in which a reaction material is mounted is capable of being easily and conveniently replaced or the reaction material is capable of being replaced after leak detection is performed, the reaction material being configured such that the reaction material maintains an opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the reaction material and a state of the reaction material is converted to a transparent state or a translucent state when the reaction material absorbs and reacts with leaked oil so that the leak detection is capable of being performed, thereby enabling recycling a sensor module and maximizing reliability by reducing an oil leak detection error rate.

Generally, various types of leak sensors for detecting a water leakage and an oil leakage are used in a water leakage situation and an oil leakage situation. As representative leak sensors, a cable-type leak sensor, a band-type leak sensor, and a module-type leak sensor are used. The cable-type leak sensor is a leak detection sensor which detects the exposure of various liquids (water, oil, and so on) and which accurately and rapidly informs of a point where a liquid leakage occurs.

The water leakage and the oil leakage may be checked by detecting a potential difference of an electric current that flows along a conducting wire, the potential difference being generated by a resistance of water or oil that are leaked, and the potential difference can be detected using a detection line. However, such a cable-type leak sensor requires high installation costs, and the consumer's selection of the cable-type leak sensor is limited because a sensor cable has a determined length.

Furthermore, there are problems in that it is difficult to mount a sensor and an additional cost is incurred since a separate bracket should be used for mounting the sensor, and in that a large amount of time is required to repair a leak after detection of the leak and it is difficult to connect the cable-type leak sensor to an external device.

In such a band-type leak detection sensor, when water contacts an electric wire while a current flows through the electric wire, a resistance value of the electric wire is changed, so that whether a water leakage occurs is capable of being detected by checking the resistance value that is changed.

Such a band-type leak detection sensor can detect a water leakage in a large area at low costs and is easily mounted. However, such a band-type leak detection sensor has problems in that the incidence of error due to high humidity and external impact is high, the accurate location of the water leakage cannot be easily checked, and it is difficult to mount the sensor because there is no connectivity in installation.

In addition, there are problems in that the band-type leak sensor has problems in that the price is high compared with performance, installation is difficult and additional expenses are necessary because an additional bracket to be fixed to the bottom is required to be mounted when the band-type leak sensor is mounted, and an alternative connection device in addition to a simple relay contact point method is not present when the band-type leak sensor is connected to an external device.

Meanwhile, in the module-type leak sensor, photo sensors (a light-receiving portion and a light-emitting portion) are positioned inside a plastic casing. Furthermore, a beam of the light-emitting portion is received by the light-receiving portion when liquid is not detected, but the beam does not go to the light-receiving portion due to a change of a refractive index when the liquid is detected by the beam of the light-emitting portion, so that a water leakage is detected on the basis of a received state of light.

The module-type leak sensor can be easily mounted, can detect a water leakage danger portion at low cost, can generate an alarm in itself irrespective of peripheral devices, and does not have an error attributable to humidity. However, the module-type leak sensor has problems in that the module-type leak sensor can check only whether a specific location leaks or not unlike a cable-type leak sensor, and in that it is difficult to connect the module-type leak sensor to peripheral devices.

Furthermore, the module-type leak sensor has problems in that a lot of time is required in installing the module-type leak sensor because an additional sensor fixing scheme is required to be planned and detection becomes difficult if a water leakage location is changed because only a specific portion of a water leakage danger area can be detected, and in that a distance between the bottom surface and the sensor is difficult to be adjusted.

In order to solve the problems of the conventional module-type leak sensor, the present applicant has registered <CIT> "LEAK SENSOR USING LIGHT SOURCE".

Although the Korean Patent "LEAK SENSOR USING LIGHT SOURCE" described above provides a convenience of detecting a leakage for all fluids, but there is a problem that detection cannot be performed limited to a specific fluid.

In addition, in the Korean Patent described above, when liquid having a determined viscosity is in contact with a transmission member that transmits light, a leaked liquid is attached on a surface of the transmission member. Therefore, even if a surface of a lens is contaminated and the surface of the lens is wiped clean to remove the liquid, there is a problem that an error occurs since the leaked liquid remains on the surface and affects the refractive index of the light when the leak sensor is reused.

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a leak detection sensor module configured such that an entire cartridge in which a reaction material is mounted is capable of being easily and conveniently replaced or the reaction material is capable of being replaced after leak detection is performed, the reaction material being configured such that the reaction material maintains an opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the reaction material and a state of the reaction material is converted to a transparent state or a translucent state when the reaction material absorbs and reacts with leaked oil so that the leak detection is capable of being performed, thereby enabling recycling a sensor module and maximizing reliability by reducing an oil leak detection error rate.

In order to achieve the above objective, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a leak detection sensor module including: a body having an upper portion opened, the body having an inner space in which a substrate, a transmission member, and a fixing body are mounted, the body having a bottom surface provided with a mounting hole in which a cartridge is mounted, and the body having a side surface provided with a connection hole; a cover closing the upper portion of the body that is opened; the substrate to which an emitting portion generating light by a power supply and a receiving portion receiving a refracted light are connected and in which a microcomputer analyzing a detected signal is mounted; the cartridge which is detachably mounted on a lower surface of the body and which is configured such that the cartridge maintains an opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the cartridge and which is configured such that the cartridge is converted to a transparent state or a translucent state when the cartridge absorbs leaked oil and reacts with an absorbed oil, thereby realizing leak detection; the transmission member fixed and mounted inside the body, the transmission member having a flat plate shape, and the transmission member transmitting an emitted light; and the fixing body mounted inside the body, the fixing body fixing the substrate and the transmission member, and the fixing body fixing the emitting portion emitting light and the receiving portion receiving the emitted light.

According to the present disclosure, the leak detection sensor module may further include a checking means, the checking means being configured such that a see-through window is mounted in a seating groove of an outer side surface of the cover, a transmission hole through which LED light is transmitted is formed in the cover where the see-through window is mounted, a plurality of LEDs is mounted on the substrate, and the LEDs are turned on when a leak is detected.

According to the present disclosure, the leak detection sensor module may further include a filling material, the filling material being mounted in a space of the body such that shock is absorbed and the substrate is prevented from being moved.

According to the present disclosure, the cartridge may include: a housing having an inner side thereof provided with a mounting space portion in which a reaction material is mounted, the housing having a plurality of fluid moving grooves in which the leaked oil is capable of being moved toward the reaction material and which is formed around an opening portion of a lower portion of the housing by a predetermined distance, and the housing having a locking step formed inside the opening portion such that a separation prevention plate is prevented from being separated; the reaction material inserted into the fluid moving grooves , the reaction material being an opaque material, and the reaction material being configured to be converted to a transparent state or a translucent state when the reaction material absorbs oil and reacts with the absorbed oil; and the separation prevention plate mounted by being fitted into the locking step positioned inside the opening portion of the housing, the separation prevention plate preventing the reaction material from being separated.

According to the present disclosure, a plurality of steps may be formed on the bottom surface of the body by a predetermined distance such that a plurality of partition wall portions separating and partitioning the cartridge is formed, and the mounting hole may be formed between the partition wall portions.

According to the present disclosure, the entire cartridge in which the reaction material is mounted is capable of being easily and conveniently replaced or the reaction material is capable of being replaced after the leak detection is performed, and the reaction material is configured such that the reaction material maintains the opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the reaction material and the state of the reaction material is converted to the transparent state or the translucent state when the reaction material absorbs and reacts with leaked oil so that the leak detection is capable of being performed, so that there is an effect that the sensor module is capable of being recycled and reliability may be maximized since oil leak detection error rate is reduced.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The attached drawing <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a leak detection sensor module in which the technology of the present disclosure is applied, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the leak detection sensor module in which the technology of the present disclosure is applied, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the leak detection sensor module in which the technology of the present disclosure is applied. According to the present disclosure, a leak detection sensor module <NUM> includes a body <NUM> in which a substrate <NUM>, a transmission member <NUM>, and a fixing body <NUM> fixing the substrate <NUM> and the transmission member <NUM> are mounted therein, a cover <NUM> coupled to the body <NUM>, and a cartridge <NUM> mounted at a bottom surface of the body <NUM>.

A structure of the body <NUM> is configured such that an upper portion of the body <NUM> is opened and the transmission member <NUM>, the fixing body <NUM>, and the substrate <NUM> are mounted sequentially in an inner space <NUM>. Furthermore, steps are formed on the bottom surface of the body <NUM> by a predetermined distance so that a plurality of partition wall portions <NUM> is formed, a plurality of mounting holes <NUM> in which the cartridges <NUM> are respectively mounted is formed between the partition wall portions <NUM> by a predetermined distance, and a side surface of the body <NUM> is provided with a connection hole <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> closing the upper portion of the body <NUM> that is opened is mounted by being screw-coupled with a bolt. In an inner side of the body <NUM>, a light-emitting means mounting groove <NUM> in which a light-emitting means generating light by a power supply is mounted is formed, and a light-receiving means mounting groove <NUM> in which a light-receiving means receiving a refracted light (including a reflected light) is mounted is formed. Furthermore, a detected signal is transmitted to a microcomputer of the substrate <NUM>.

The transmission member <NUM> is mounted at a lower end of the substrate <NUM>, the substrate <NUM> being fixed and mounted inside the body <NUM>. Furthermore, the transmission member <NUM> has a flat plate shape, is formed of any one of a glass material, a synthetic resin material, and an insulator, and transmits an emitted light.

Meanwhile, in the inner side of the body <NUM>, the fixing body <NUM> fixing the body <NUM> and the transmission member <NUM> is mounted, and the light-emitting means emitting light and the light-receiving means receiving the emitted light are included. Furthermore, the cartridge <NUM> is detachably coupled to the bottom surface of the body <NUM> by being fitted into the mounting hole <NUM>, is configured such that the cartridge <NUM> maintains an opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the cartridge <NUM>, and is configured such that a state of the cartridge <NUM> is converted to a transparent state or a translucent state when the cartridge <NUM> absorbs leaked oil and reacts with oil absorbed to the cartridge, thereby realizing leak detection.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> capable of being mounted on or demounted from the leak detection sensor module, a reaction material <NUM> inserted and mounted inside the housing <NUM>, and a separation prevention plate <NUM> preventing the reaction material <NUM> mounted in the housing <NUM> from being separated.

In the housing <NUM>, a mounting space portion <NUM> in which the reaction material <NUM> is mounted is formed inside the housing <NUM>, and a plurality of fluid moving grooves <NUM> in which leaked oil is capable of being moved toward the reaction material <NUM> is formed around an opening portion of a lower portion of the housing <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, locking steps <NUM> are formed inside opposite sides of the housing <NUM> with respect to the fluid moving grooves <NUM>, thereby preventing the separation prevention plate <NUM> from separating.

The reaction material <NUM> is molded by pressing powder, and does not react with any liquid except oil. Furthermore, the reaction material <NUM> is in an opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the reaction material <NUM>, and is changed into a transparent state when the oil is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM> and at the same time the reaction material <NUM> reacts with the absorbed oil. Therefore, the reaction material <NUM> is used for the leak detection since the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting means and received is changed by the reaction material <NUM>.

As a molding method, raw material powder for manufacturing the reaction material <NUM> is inserted into a container, and the raw material powder is pressed at a high-pressure and is molded. At this time, when the raw material powder is heated to a predetermined temperature, the molding of the raw material powder is easily performed.

As the reaction material <NUM>, a powder-type aerosol is used, and the reaction material <NUM> is molded by pressing powder. The molding is performed so that the reaction material <NUM> has a shape, thereby allowing the reaction material <NUM> to be easily transported and stored.

The separation prevention plate <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of through-holes <NUM> is formed in a plate <NUM> by a predetermined distance so that leaked oil is capable of being easily absorbed to the reaction material <NUM>, in which the plate <NUM> has a flat plate shape and is formed of a metal material.

Among metals, it is preferable that a metal that does not rust is used for the metal material which is used in the manufacturing of the separation prevention plate <NUM>. Furthermore, since the metal used in the manufacturing of the separation prevention plate <NUM> does not react with oil, stability of the separation prevention plate <NUM> may be realized and occurrence of air may be prevented when the separation prevention plate <NUM> is mounted on a sensor.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the leak detection sensor module <NUM> of the present disclosure is used, the leak detection sensor module <NUM> is mounted on a ground or a floor where oil leakage occurs.

When oil leakage occurs at a point where the leak detection sensor module <NUM> of the present disclosure is positioned, oil flows between the body <NUM> and the ground or a surface of a product. Furthermore, when the oil is introduced inside the partition wall portion <NUM> of the bottom surface of the lower portion of the body <NUM>, the oil is blocked by the partition wall portion <NUM> and cannot be moved to other adjacent partition wall portions <NUM>. At this time, the oil is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in <FIG>, the leaked oil is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM> through a lower portion and a side surface of the housing <NUM>. That is, the leaked oil is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM> through the through-holes <NUM> of the separation prevention plate <NUM> mounted at the bottom surface of the housing <NUM>, and is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM> through the fluid moving grooves <NUM> formed at the side surface of the housing <NUM>.

When oil is not absorbed to the reaction material <NUM>, the reaction material <NUM> is in the opaque state, and light transmitted from the light-emitting means which is mounted at the sensor and which is configured to emit light is blocked. Since the light is blocked, the light-receiving means cannot detect the light that is blocked, and the light-receiving means cannot measure the amount of light, so that it is determined that no oil leakage has occurred.

However, in a state in which leaked oil is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM> and the reaction material <NUM> react with the leaked oil, leak detection is capable of being performed. That is, in a state in which the reaction material <NUM> is changed to the transparent state or the translucent state, light emitted from the light-emitting means is refracted by oil and the amount of light is checked, thereby performing the leak detection.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a leakage detection method, before oil is absorbed to the reaction material <NUM>, all light emitted from the light-emitting means is absorbed by the reaction material <NUM>, so that a reflected light cannot be detected by the light-receiving means. However, when oil is leaked and the reaction material <NUM> absorbs and reacts with the oil and the state of the reaction material is converted to the transparent state or the translucent state, an emitted light penetrates the reaction material <NUM> and is reflected and refracted by the oil that flows on the bottom surface, and the light-receiving means can detect the amount of light, so that oil leakage detection is performed.

Meanwhile, when the state of the reaction material <NUM> is converted to the transparent state or the translucent state and a leak is detected, the leak (oil leakage) is checked with a detected signal by using a leak checking means <NUM>. The leak checking means <NUM> includes a LED <NUM> connected to the substrate <NUM>, and includes a see-through window <NUM> mounted on the cover <NUM>.

When the leak occurs, the LED <NUM> is turned on and whether the leak occurs can be visually checked. As a lighting method of the LED <NUM>, one LED may be connected to one cartridge and the LED, or all LEDs are turned on when a leak is detected at one cartridge. Furthermore, the LED <NUM> is protected by the see-through window <NUM>, and the substrate <NUM> is connected to an external control device through the connection hole <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, convenience in that the reaction material <NUM> can be easily and conveniently replaced and mounted or the entire cartridge <NUM> can be replaced.

Claim 1:
A leak detection sensor module comprising:
a body having an upper portion opened, the body having an inner space in which a substrate, a transmission member, and a fixing body are mounted, the body having a bottom surface provided with a mounting hole in which a cartridge is mounted, and the body having a side surface provided with a connection hole;
a cover closing the upper portion of the body that is opened;
the substrate to which an emitting portion generating light by a power supply and a receiving portion receiving a refracted light are connected and in which a microcomputer analyzing a detected signal is mounted;
the cartridge which is detachably mounted on a lower surface of the body and which is configured such that the cartridge maintains an opaque state when oil is not absorbed to the cartridge and which is configured such that the cartridge is converted to a transparent state or a translucent state when the cartridge absorbs leaked oil and reacts with an absorbed oil, thereby realizing leak detection;
the transmission member fixed and mounted inside the body, the transmission member having a flat plate shape, and the transmission member transmitting an emitted light; and
the fixing body mounted inside the body, the fixing body fixing the substrate and the transmission member, and the fixing body fixing the emitting portion emitting light and the receiving portion receiving the emitted light.