BETA  Prototype

 
A water leak detector is intended to inform the user about water leakage. When the water closes the contacts, the siren is activated. Video of how it works is presented below:

The basic principle of operation of the device was demonstrated at week-1: water conductivity is higher than the conductivity of air.
 

Background and problem definition

In my city there a lot of old (more than 40 years old) multi story buildings. Water systems in such buildings are often worn out. And leak on one floor leads to flooding of many. Often a leak on the problem floor (under the bath or in the technical box) could be almost invisible - I had exactly such a problem. My below neighbors said me that I have flooded them.

Key user needs:

  • The water leaks detector detects water leaks

  • The water leaks detector is convenient

  • The water leak detector is easy to use

  • The water leak detector informs user about a water leak

  • The water leak detector stops the water when detects a leak

The last one is very hard to implement in 8 weeks but the other are ready.

Further Refinement

  1. Drastically increase the lifetime. The first thing to do  -- is to refine software part to reduce consumtion. Now it eats about 15 mA and could work about an 30 hours. I can reduce consumption by hundreds of times. Quite possible to achieve an autonomous operating time for a couple of years.
  2. Make an alarm that notifies the user about exhausted batteries.
  3. This prototype works with Li-Pol accumulators. There need a convenient way to charge them.
  4. It would be interesting to create another version using standard AAA batteries.
  5. Create a radio-channel or Wi-Fi remote siren.
  6. Create solid, shock-resistance body.

An so on...

Bonus track: Process

My first idea was to use standard 9V battery:
But on this week I have recieved a pair of Li-Pol accumulators, so I decided to use them.
It appears quite difficult to reprogram already partially soldered prototype:
I created an interesting switch using a piece of neodymium magnet and a hermetic contact.
 
APLHA & BETA:
Logo design process:
 
 
P.S.
Logo on the prototype was made using computer graphics.