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DE-102024210903-A1 - Device for detecting liquid or moisture escaping unintentionally

DE102024210903A1DE 102024210903 A1DE102024210903 A1DE 102024210903A1DE-102024210903-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e) for detecting liquid or moisture escaping from a line (10), in particular as a result of a breakage, leakage or leakage event, in a manner contrary to its intended purpose, comprising at least one sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) for sensing the escaping liquid or moisture, wherein the sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) is assigned to and/or integrated into at least one insulation (20) on the outside, in particular the outer circumference, of the line (10), in particular in the form of insulation, and wherein the sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the liquid or moisture sensed by the sensing agent (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) is assigned, in particular downstream.

Inventors

  • Philipp Scheiner

Assignees

  • Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241113

Claims (10)

  1. Device (100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e) for detecting liquid or moisture escaping from a line (10), in particular as a result of a break, leak, or leakage event, contrary to its intended use, comprising at least one sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) for sensing the escaping liquid or moisture, wherein the sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) is assigned to and/or integrated into at least one insulation (20) on the outside, in particular the outer circumference, of the line (10), in particular extending over the outside of the line (10) in a hose-like manner and/or in particular forming an insulation layer, and wherein the sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) is assigned at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the liquid or moisture sensed by the sensing agent (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e), in particular downstream.
  2. Device according to Claim 1 , wherein the sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) is arranged - continuously throughout or - in sections, in particular at constant intervals, with respect to the length of the line (10).
  3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein at least one moisture-sensitive linear sensor element (30a, 30b, 30c) is incorporated into the insulation (20), in particular on the inside of the insulation (20) facing the line (10), which may be in the form of at least one conductively coated strip, wire or yarn, the electrical resistance of which is correlated with the ambient humidity.
  4. Device according to Claim 3 , wherein the moisture-sensitive linear sensor element is applied to the inside of the insulation (20) in a linear or longitudinal extension (30a) or in a helical or spiral shape (30b) or in a meandering shape (30c), in particular rolled up in the longitudinal direction of the outer circumference of the conduit (10).
  5. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein at least one moisture-sensitive conductive planar coating (30d) is applied to the inside of the insulation (20) as a sensing agent (30).
  6. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein electrically conductive particles (30e) are introduced into the insulation material (20) as a sensing agent (30), wherein - the electrically conductive particles (30e) contact each other and/or - the distance between the electrically conductive particles (30e) is chosen such that, in the presence of the escaping liquid or moisture between the electrically conductive particles, the electrical conductivity can be detected by the evaluation unit.
  7. Device according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein at least one tubular covering, in particular coaxial with the line (10), is arranged under or over the insulation (20) as a sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e), which tubular covering can be formed from moisture-sensitive material and/or be designed as an electrically conductive textile tube or as an electrically conductive printed carrier material.
  8. Device according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein at least one moisture-permeable, electrically insulating membrane or layer or separating plane or partition (40) is associated with the insulation (20), in particular being placed inside the insulation (20) and/or applied to the inside of the insulation (20) and/or applied to the outside of the insulation (20).
  9. Device according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 8 , wherein - the electrical resistance of the sensing means (30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e) can be measured continuously or periodically, in particular at specific time intervals, by means of the evaluation unit and - the evaluation unit, when detecting liquid or moisture escaping from the line (10) contrary to its intended purpose, issues or initiates at least one warning message, in particular in the form of at least one light and/or sound signal.
  10. Use of at least one device (100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e) according to at least one of the Claims 1 until 9 for the early detection of liquid or moisture escaping from a pipe (10) contrary to its intended purpose, in particular as a result of a breakage, leakage or leakage event.

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for detecting liquid or moisture escaping from a line, particularly one designed in the form of a pipe or hose, contrary to its intended purpose, especially as a result of a breakage, leakage or leakage event. State of the art Every year, billions of euros in damage are caused by defective water pipes, especially mains water pipes. Outdated water pipes and leaking supply lines to washing machines and dishwashers are among the most frequent causes. This results in damages amounting to several, if not hundreds of billions of euros annually, which could be drastically reduced by means of an early warning system for leaking water pipes, because pipes or connections usually do not leak suddenly and/or completely; rather, leaks develop over a longer period and become increasingly larger until, due to the installation of pipes, conduits or hoses in walls, it is only then noticed that a major problem has already occurred. Current technological advancements already exist for cost-effective, area-based sensors for the early detection of leaks at pipe joints, seals, or water-carrying equipment. Smart sensors also already exist that can be placed on, under, or near such pipes or equipment. However, such sensor systems are almost exclusively suitable for monitoring directly accessible areas. Greater damage – especially in apartment buildings – occurs when a water pipe bursts in a wall, i.e., in a location that is inaccessible to such a point sensor, and especially not retroactively so. In addition, while such sensors, especially so-called cuff sensors, could be used to specifically equip and monitor critical points, such as junctions, connections or the like, of the pipe system, a pipe failure elsewhere would then remain undetected. Furthermore, various systems for leak detection are disclosed in the prior art, for example in the KR 10-0933063 B1 , in the CN 107246942 A or in the WO 2010/041806 A1 However, each of these systems has disadvantages regarding the cost-effectiveness and ease of installation and/or retrofitting of sensors for conventional water pipes in single-family and multi-family homes by homeowners or tradespeople. For example, according to the WO 2010/041806 A1 The pipe, conduit or hose itself is coated with several different functional layers, which leads to increased assembly effort, because when connecting several pipe, conduit or hose pieces, attention must be paid to ensuring appropriate contact of the conductive layer, which lies between insulating layers and is therefore not easily accessible. Not least due to legal requirements, all pipes within a house (= reference number 200 in 7 For example, the pipes in a single-family home (10 in total) must be insulated. While there are different requirements and prescribed insulation thicknesses depending on the type and layout of the pipes, every pipe is continuously surrounded by insulating material. This insulation is usually applied as a continuous sleeve over the pipes during installation. Disclosure of the invention Based on the disadvantages and shortcomings outlined above and taking into account the prior art described, the present invention aims to further develop a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way as to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and shortcomings. This problem is solved according to the invention as follows in a generic device for detecting liquid or moisture escaping from a line, in particular as a result of a breakage, leakage or leakage event, which is contrary to its intended use and/or is made of metal, synthetic resin or plastic, for example plastic: The device has at least one sensing means for sensing the escaping liquid or moisture, wherein the sensing means is assigned to and/or integrated into at least one insulation element associated with the outside, in particular the outer circumference, of the line, in particular in the form of insulation, and wherein the sensing means has at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the liquid or moisture sensed by the sensing means. keit assigned, especially downstream, is. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to arrange at least one tubular covering, in particular one coaxial with the line, under or over the insulation as a sensing means, for example as an additional step or already already pulled onto or inserted into the insulation or insulating tube. The tubular covering can be conveniently made of moisture-sensitive material and/or equipped with integrated moisture-sensitive sensor elements. This can offer manufacturing advantages, as an additional tube can be produced and fitted without having to modify the production process for the pipe, conduit, or hose insulation. Furthermore, this approach allows for continuous production and easy contac