Rice quantity detection method for rice storage device and rice storage device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rice quantity detection method and a rice storage device for a rice storage device. The rice storage device has a food ingredient accommodation unit, a rice quantity detection unit, and a control unit. The food ingredient accommodation unit has an accommodation space, and the rice quantity detection unit includes N infrared array elements. The rice quantity detection method includes: controlling the infrared emission tubes in each infrared array element to emit infrared signals towards the food ingredients in the accommodation space; when receiving infrared signals from one infrared array element, recording the PWM duty cycle of the infrared array element emitting the infrared signals; respectively obtaining the height values corresponding to the PWM duty cycles according to the pre-stored corresponding relationship and storing them; calculating the average value of all the height values in S5, and calculating the rice quantity in the accommodation space according to the geometric dimensions of the accommodation space. Thus, the user can accurately obtain the remaining rice quantity in the rice bucket through the rice quantity detection unit, simplifying the structure of the rice bucket, reducing the manufacturing cost of the rice bucket, and being able to improve the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of kitchen utensils, and in particular to a rice quantity detection method and a rice storage device for a rice storage device. Background Art

[0002] Existing rice buckets for storing and using rice are usually made of plastic or metal containers, and some rice buckets are also equipped with mechanical rice dropping devices for the convenience of users to take rice.

[0003] During the process of using the rice bucket by users, the amount of rice stored in the rice bucket will gradually decrease. However, the existing rice buckets in the prior art do not have the function of detecting the remaining amount of rice. Users can only open the upper cover of the rice bucket and observe the remaining amount of rice in the rice bucket with their eyes. In addition, they cannot calculate the remaining amount of rice in the rice bucket by means of measurement, etc., that is, users cannot accurately obtain the remaining amount of rice in the rice bucket, thereby reducing the user experience.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a rice quantity detection method and a rice storage device for a rice storage device to at least partially solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the Summary of the Invention part, which will be further described in detail in the Detailed Description part. The Summary of the Invention part of the present invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the protection scope of the claimed technical solution.

[0006] To at least partially solve the above problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rice quantity detection method for a rice storage device. The rice storage device has a food ingredient accommodation unit, a rice quantity detection unit, and a control unit. The food ingredient accommodation unit has an accommodation space for storing food ingredients. The rice quantity detection unit includes N infrared array elements arranged above the accommodation space. Each infrared array element includes a pair of an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube. The rice quantity detection method includes:

[0007] S1: Controlling the infrared emitting tubes in each infrared array element to emit infrared signals towards the food ingredients in the accommodation space;

[0008] S3: When receiving the infrared signal from one of the infrared array elements, recording the PWM duty cycle of the infrared signal emitted by the one infrared array element;

[0009] S5: Respective obtaining and storing the height values corresponding to the PWM duty cycle in S3 according to the pre-stored corresponding relationship, where the pre-stored corresponding relationship is used to represent the corresponding relationship between the pre-stored PWM duty cycle and the pre-stored height;

[0010] S7: Calculate the average value of all the height values in S5, and calculate the amount of rice in the accommodation space according to the geometric dimensions of the accommodation space.

[0011] Thus, according to the rice amount detection method for the rice storage device of the present invention, a rice amount detection unit is provided above the accommodation space for accommodating food ingredients. A plurality of infrared array elements in the rice amount detection unit can emit infrared signals towards the food ingredients, and can receive the corresponding infrared signals, and simultaneously record the PWM duty cycle when emitting the infrared signals. Thus, the height value corresponding to the PWM duty cycle can be determined according to the pre-stored corresponding relationship. After that, the amount of rice in the accommodation space is calculated by finding the average value of multiple height values and the geometric dimensions of the accommodation space. Through the rice amount detection method of the present invention, the user does not need to open the upper cover of the rice bucket, nor does it need to rely on other devices such as weighing. The remaining amount of rice in the rice bucket can be accurately obtained through the rice amount detection unit, which simplifies the structure of the rice bucket compared with methods such as weighing, reduces the manufacturing cost of the rice bucket, and at the same time has high detection accuracy and high reliability, which can improve the user experience.

[0012] Preferably, in S1, it includes:

[0013] Control each of the infrared array elements to emit infrared signals with a PWM duty cycle that gradually increases at intervals of a predetermined time length starting from 0.

[0014] Thus, by increasing the PWM duty cycle, the light intensity of the infrared signal can be increased, so that it becomes gradually easier to receive the infrared signal, avoiding the inability to receive the infrared signal, and detecting the food ingredients in the accommodation space in a larger range, thereby improving the accuracy of food ingredient detection.

[0015] Preferably, after S5, it further includes:

[0016] S6: Judge whether the effective total number M of the PWM duty cycles recorded in S5 is equal to the total number of records P. If so, execute S7; otherwise, execute S1.

[0017] Thus, by judging whether the effective total number M of the recorded PWM duty cycles reaches the total number of records P pre-stored in the system, it is judged whether the current rice amount detection unit has completed the detection of the food ingredients. If so, the amount of rice in the accommodation space can be calculated, otherwise, the detection continues.

[0018] Preferably, after S3, it further includes:

[0019] S4: Judge whether each of the PWM duty cycles in S3 is less than 1; if so, execute S5; S5 further includes: let the effective total number M = M + 1, and the initial value of M is 0;

[0020] Otherwise, execute S9: Let the total number of records P = P - 1, the initial value of P be equal to the number N of the infrared array elements, and continue to execute S6.

[0021] Thus, since the maximum value of the PWM duty cycle is 1, only when the PWM duty cycle is less than 1 and an infrared signal is received, the current PWM duty cycle is a valid value. During the detection process, the total number of valid PWM duty cycles can be recorded, so as to accurately calculate the amount of rice in the accommodation space. In addition, when the PWM duty cycle is equal to 1, even if an infrared signal can be received, the PWM duty cycle of the current infrared array element is an invalid value, and the control unit does not need to record this value, so that the corresponding number of infrared array elements is removed from the total number of records P, facilitating the accurate calculation of the amount of rice in the accommodation space.

[0022] Preferably, after the S1, it further includes:

[0023] S2: Determine whether the infrared receiving tubes of each of the infrared array elements receive the corresponding infrared signal. If so, execute S3; otherwise, execute S9.

[0024] Thus, further determine the situation of the infrared array elements receiving infrared signals. If an infrared signal can be received, it can be determined that this value is a valid value. If an infrared signal cannot be received, the control unit does not need to record this value, that is, the corresponding number of infrared array elements can be removed from the total number of records P, facilitating the accurate calculation of the amount of rice in the accommodation space.

[0025] Preferably, the S7 further includes: clearing the PWM duty cycles of the N infrared array elements.

[0026] Thus, when calculating the average value of the height values, it indicates that the current detection process is over, and the PWM duty cycles of all the infrared array elements can be cleared to avoid affecting the subsequent detection of the height values.

[0027] Preferably, the rice storage device further includes a prompting unit, and after the S7, it further includes:

[0028] S8: Determine whether the amount of rice is equal to or less than a preset minimum amount of ingredients. If so, control the prompting unit to send out an abnormal prompt message.

[0029] Thus, when it is detected that the amount of rice in the accommodation space is equal to or less than the preset minimum amount of ingredients, an abnormal prompt message can be sent out through the prompting unit to remind the user.

[0030] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a rice storage device, including:

[0031] A food ingredient containing unit, which is configured as a box body with a certain accommodation space;

[0032] A rice quantity detection unit, which is used to detect the quantity of rice in the accommodation space. The rice quantity detection unit includes N infrared array elements arranged above the accommodation space, and each infrared array element includes a pair of an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube; and

[0033] A control unit, which has a storage module, and the rice quantity detection unit is signal-connected to the control unit;

[0034] Wherein, the control unit is configured to control the rice storage device to execute the rice quantity detection method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0035] Thus, for the rice storage device according to the present invention, a rice quantity detection unit is arranged above the accommodation space for accommodating food ingredients. Multiple infrared array elements in the rice quantity detection unit can emit infrared signals towards the food ingredients, and can receive the corresponding infrared signals, and simultaneously record the PWM duty cycle when emitting the infrared signals. Thus, the height value corresponding to the PWM duty cycle can be determined according to the pre-stored corresponding relationship, and then the quantity of rice in the accommodation space can be calculated by finding the average value of multiple height values and the geometric dimensions of the accommodation space. Through the rice quantity detection method of the present invention, the user does not need to open the upper cover of the rice bucket, nor does it need to rely on other devices such as weighing devices, and can accurately find the remaining rice quantity in the rice bucket through the rice quantity detection unit, which simplifies the structure of the rice bucket compared with weighing and other methods, reduces the manufacturing cost of the rice bucket, and at the same time has high detection accuracy and high reliability, and can improve the user experience.

[0036] Preferably, it further includes a prompt unit, and the prompt unit is signal-connected to the control unit to send out an abnormal prompt message.

[0037] Thus, when it is detected that the quantity of rice in the accommodation space is equal to or less than the preset minimum food ingredient quantity, an abnormal prompt message can be sent out through the prompt unit to remind the user.

[0038] Preferably, it further includes a communication unit, and the communication unit is signal-connected to the control unit to send the rice quantity information to the client.

[0039] Thus, the user can timely obtain the status information such as the rice quantity of the rice storage device through the communication unit.

[0040] Preferably, the infrared array element is arranged on the inner surface of the top of the food ingredient containing unit.

[0041] Thus, the infrared array element arranged on the inner surface of the top can more conveniently emit infrared signals into the accommodation space.

[0042] Preferably, the direction in which the infrared array elements emit infrared signals is along the height direction of the accommodation space.

[0043] Thus, the infrared array elements emit infrared signals along the height direction of the accommodation space towards the food ingredients in the accommodation space, and it is possible to more conveniently measure the height of the food ingredients.

[0044] Preferably, it further includes a pressure reduction unit which is communicated with the accommodation space for reducing the pressure in the accommodation space.

[0045] Thus, the pressure reduction unit can perform a pumping operation on the accommodation space to reduce the pressure in the accommodation space, thereby improving the freshness preservation effect of the food ingredients in the accommodation space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The following drawings of the present invention are used as part of the present invention to understand the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings and their descriptions are used to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0047] In the drawings:

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a rice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 is a top view of a rice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the constituent modules of a rice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a rice quantity detection method for a rice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 5 is a sectional view of a rice storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of part A in

[0054] Figure 7 is Figure 5 a schematic diagram of the structure of the carrier box in the rice storage device shown in

[0055] Description of the reference numerals:

[0056] 10: Control unit 20: Rice quantity detection unit

[0057] 30: Prompt unit 40: Communication unit

[0058] 50: Interaction unit 100: Rice storage device

[0059] 110: Food accommodation unit 111: Cover

[0060] 112: Rice outlet 113: Infrared array element

[0061] 114: Infrared emitter 115: Infrared receiver

[0062] 120: Carrier box 130: Pressure reduction unit

[0063] 140: Food distribution unit 141: Distribution chamber

[0064] 142: Distribution motor 143: Transmission mechanism

[0065] 144: Food storage chamber 145: Rice dropping port

[0066] 150: Food receiving unit Detailed implementation manners

[0067] In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented without one or more of these details. In other examples, in order to avoid confusion with the embodiments of the present invention, some well-known technical features are not described.

[0068] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should also be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of the described features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or their combinations.

[0069] Now, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited only to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is thorough and complete, and the concept of these exemplary embodiments is fully conveyed to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements, and thus their descriptions will be omitted.

[0070] Hereinafter, with reference toFigures 1 to 7 , a method for detecting the amount of rice in a rice storage device and a rice storage device 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail. In one embodiment according to the present invention, a rice storage device 100 is provided, as Figures 1 to 7 shown, the rice storage device 100 includes a food ingredient accommodating unit 110, a rice amount detecting unit 20, and a control unit 10.

[0071] Among them, the food ingredient accommodating unit 110 is configured as a box body with a certain accommodating space, and the accommodating space can be used to place food ingredients to be stored, such as granular food ingredients like rice. However, it can be understood that in other embodiments, the food ingredient accommodating unit 110 can store fruits or vegetables, etc., and correspondingly, the rice storage device 100 can be called a food ingredient storage device. Exemplarily, the accommodating space can be set with a relatively large volume so that it can store 5 kg to 10 kg of food ingredients. A cover body 111 is provided at the top of the food ingredient accommodating unit 110, and the cover body 111 can be closed to the food ingredient accommodating unit 110 and can achieve a sealed connection with the food ingredient accommodating unit 110. When food ingredients are placed in the food ingredient accommodating unit 110, the cover body 111 on the cover can play a protective role for the stored food ingredients.

[0072] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the rice amount detecting unit 20 includes N infrared array elements 113 provided above the accommodating space. Exemplarily, 9, 16, or 25 infrared array elements 113 can be provided. Of course, other numbers of infrared array elements 113 can also be set according to the size of the accommodating space. Each infrared array element 113 includes a pair of an infrared emitting tube 114 and an infrared receiving tube 115. The infrared emitting tube 114 can emit an infrared signal in the direction of the food ingredient, and the infrared receiving tube 115 can receive the infrared signal emitted by the corresponding infrared emitting tube 114. Of course, in other embodiments, the infrared array elements 113 can also be provided at a position near the top of the side wall of the accommodating unit, or at both the top of the accommodating space and a position near the top of the side wall.

[0073] The control unit 10 is electrically connected to the rice amount detecting unit 20 and can control the rice amount detecting unit 20 to detect the food ingredients in the accommodating space.

[0074] The method for detecting the amount of rice according to the present invention can detect the food ingredients in the accommodating space. Specifically, as Figure 4 shown, in a method for detecting the amount of rice in one embodiment according to the present invention, it includes:

[0075] S1: Controlling the infrared emitting tube 114 in each of the infrared array elements 113 to emit an infrared signal towards the food ingredients in the accommodating space;

[0076] Exemplarily, the infrared array element 113 is disposed at the top within the accommodation space and is capable of emitting infrared signals downward in the vertical direction towards the food ingredients. When the infrared signals contact the food ingredients or the bottom of the accommodation space within the accommodation space, corresponding infrared signals after reflection can be received.

[0077] S3: When receiving the infrared signal from each of the infrared array elements 113, record the PWM (pulse width modulation) duty cycle of the infrared array element 113 that emits the infrared signal;

[0078] Exemplarily, the control unit 10 has a storage module and is electrically connected to the rice quantity detection unit 20. The control unit 10 can learn, through the infrared array element 113, the corresponding infrared signal reflected from the food ingredient accommodation space, and record the PWM duty cycle of the infrared array element 113 that emits the infrared signal.

[0079] S5: Respective height values corresponding to the PWM duty cycle in S3 are obtained according to the pre-stored corresponding relationship and stored, where the pre-stored corresponding relationship is used to represent the corresponding relationship between the pre-stored PWM duty cycle and the pre-stored height;

[0080] Exemplarily, before performing the rice quantity detection method, a database including a preset rule of pre-stored PWM duty cycle, pre-stored corresponding relationship, and pre-stored height can be pre-established in the storage module of the control unit 10, which is hereinafter referred to as the preset rule. The pre-stored corresponding relationship is used to represent the corresponding relationship between the pre-stored PWM duty cycle and the pre-stored height. The PWM duty cycle can be selected from the pre-stored PWM duty cycles. When the PWM duty cycle is determined, its corresponding height can be determined.

[0081] S7: Calculate the average value of all the height values in S5, and calculate the rice quantity in the accommodation space according to the geometric dimensions of the accommodation space;

[0082] Exemplarily, after the control unit 10 records the height values corresponding to all the PWM duty cycles, the average value of these height values can be calculated, and the rice quantity in the accommodation space can be calculated according to the geometric dimensions of the accommodation space.

[0083] Specifically, the upper surface of the rice stored in the accommodation space is not necessarily flat. By calculating the average value of the height values, it is equivalent to calculating the equivalent height between the upper surface of the rice and the rice quantity detection unit 20. In addition, the volume of the accommodation space is certain. By previously learning the cross-sectional area of the accommodation space, thus, the rice quantity in the accommodation space is equal to the volume of the accommodation space minus the product of the cross-sectional area of the accommodation space and the average value, so that the rice quantity in the accommodation space can be calculated.

[0084] Further, as Figure 4 shown, in S1 of this embodiment, it further includes:

[0085] Controlling each infrared array element 113 to emit infrared signals with a PWM duty cycle that gradually increases at predetermined time intervals starting from 0.

[0086] Exemplarily, when the PWM duty cycle is too low, the light intensity of the emitted infrared signal is too low, and the infrared receiving tube 115 corresponding to the infrared emitting tube 114 that emits the infrared signal may not receive the corresponding infrared signal. Therefore, the infrared array element 113 can emit infrared signals with a PWM duty cycle that gradually increases at predetermined time intervals, thereby increasing the light intensity of the infrared signal so that the infrared receiving tube 115 can more accurately receive the infrared signal. Among them, increasing at predetermined time intervals can further improve the detection accuracy. Preferably, the PWM duty cycle can be uniformly increased from 0 to 1 at intervals of 10 ms to 1000 ms each time.

[0087] As Figure 4 shown, in this embodiment, after S5, it further includes:

[0088] S6: Judging whether the effective total number M of the PWM duty cycles recorded in S5 is equal to the total number of records P. If so, execute S7; otherwise, execute S1.

[0089] Exemplarily, the control unit 10 records the effective total number M of the PWM duty cycles. In addition, it also stores the total number of records P that can determine whether the current detection process ends. By judging whether the effective total number M is equal to the total number of records P, it is determined whether the current detection process ends. When the effective total number M is equal to the total number of records P, S7 can be executed to calculate the amount of rice in the accommodation space. When the effective total number M is not equal to the total number of records P, S1 is repeatedly executed to continue the detection. Among them, the determination method of the total number of records P will be given below.

[0090] Optionally, as Figure 4 shown, after S3, it further includes:

[0091] S4: Judging whether each of the PWM duty cycles in S3 is less than 1. If so, execute S5; S5 further includes: setting the effective total number M = M + 1, and the initial value of M is 0;

[0092] Otherwise, execute S9: setting the total number of records P = P - 1, the initial value of P is the number N of the infrared array elements 113, and continue to execute S6;

[0093] Exemplarily, only when the PWM duty cycle is less than 1, the received infrared signal is valid data. In this embodiment, the total number of PWM duty cycles corresponding to the received infrared signal, that is, the effective total number M, can be recorded in the control unit 10. When a valid PWM duty cycle is received, the effective total number M is incremented by 1, that is, the effective total number M = M + 1. Among them, the initial value of the effective total number M before the detection starts is 0.

[0094] In addition, when the PWM duty cycle is equal to 1, even if an infrared signal is received, the PWM duty cycle corresponding to the infrared signal is invalid data. Therefore, it is necessary to subtract the corresponding quantity from the total number P of recorded PWM duty cycles in S6. Specifically, whenever it is determined that the PWM duty cycle is equal to 1, the total number of records P is decremented by 1, that is, the total number of records P = P - 1. Among them, the initial value of the total number of records P before the detection starts is the number N of infrared array elements 113. Then, S6 is continued to determine whether the current detection is completed.

[0095] Further, in this embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, after S1, it further includes:

[0096] S2: Determine whether the infrared receiving tube 115 of each infrared array element 113 receives the corresponding infrared signal. If so, execute S3; otherwise, execute S9.

[0097] Exemplarily, during the detection of the food ingredients in the accommodation space, if the infrared receiving tube 115 can normally receive the corresponding infrared signal, it indicates that the current detection is valid and the detection can continue. However, if the infrared receiving tube 115 cannot normally receive the corresponding infrared signal, it indicates that an invalid detection has occurred in the current infrared array element 113. To avoid the influence of this invalid detection on other detection results, it is necessary to subtract the corresponding quantity from the total number of records stored in the control unit 10. Specifically, whenever it is determined that the infrared receiving tube 115 of the infrared array element 113 cannot receive the corresponding infrared signal, the total number of records P is decremented by 1, that is, the total number of records P = P - 1.

[0098] Further, in S7, it further includes: clearing the PWM duty cycles of the N infrared array elements 113.

[0099] Exemplarily, in S7, when it is necessary to calculate the average value of the height values and the detection of the food ingredients in the accommodation space is no longer required, the PWM duty cycles of the corresponding N infrared array elements 113 can be cleared to avoid the interference of the remaining PWM duty cycles on subsequent detections.

[0100] Preferably, the rice storage device further includes a prompting unit 30. Thus, after S7, it further includes:

[0101] S8: Determine whether the amount of rice is equal to or less than a preset minimum ingredient amount. If so, control the prompting unit 30 to send out an abnormal prompting message.

[0102] Exemplarily, a preset minimum ingredient amount corresponding to the accommodation space is stored in the control unit 10. When it is determined that the amount of rice in the accommodation space is equal to or less than the preset minimum ingredient amount, an abnormal prompting message can be sent out through the prompting unit 30 to remind the user. Of course, the preset minimum ingredient amount can also be set by the user according to their needs.

[0103] In all the above preferred embodiments, the processes described are only examples. Unless adverse effects occur, various processing operations can be carried out in an order different from the above processes. The step order of the above processes can also be increased, combined or deleted according to actual needs.

[0104] In addition, the commands, command numbers and data items described in all the above preferred embodiments are only examples. Therefore, these commands, command numbers and data items can be set in any way as long as the same functions are achieved. The units of the terminals in each preferred embodiment can also be integrated, further divided or deleted according to actual needs.

[0105] In a second aspect according to the present invention, a rice storage device 100 is further provided, as Figures 1 to 7 shown. The rice storage device 100 includes the ingredient accommodation unit 110, the decompression unit 130, and the rice amount detection unit 20 in the above embodiments. In addition, it further includes a control unit 10, wherein the control unit 10 is configured to control the rice storage device 100 to execute the rice amount detection method in the above embodiments.

[0106] In addition, as Figure 3 shown, it further includes a prompting unit 30, wherein the prompting unit 30 is signal-connected to the control unit 10 to send out an abnormal prompting message. When it is determined that the amount of rice in the accommodation space is equal to or less than the preset minimum ingredient amount, an abnormal prompting message can be sent out through the prompting unit 30 to remind the user. Exemplarily, the preset minimum ingredient amount can be 10%, 20% or 30% of the accommodable amount of the accommodation space. Of course, other amounts of preset minimum ingredient amounts can also be set according to the size of the accommodation space. In addition, the prompting unit 30 includes a sound promptor, etc.

[0107] Preferably, it further includes a communication unit 40, and the communication unit 40 is signal-connected to the control unit 10 to be used for sending the rice amount information in the rice storage device 100 to the client.

[0108] Preferably, an interaction unit 50 is further included, and the interaction unit 50 is connected to the control unit 10 by signal, so that the user can input the required amount of rice to the rice storage device 100. For example, the interaction unit 50 can include a touch-type digital display screen, thereby displaying information and receiving information input by the user.

[0109] Furthermore, if Figures 5 to 7 As shown, in the rice storage device 100 , a food dispensing unit 140 and a food receiving unit 150 may also be provided in the carrying box 120 .

[0110] Specifically, the bottom of the food containing unit 110 is funnel-shaped and has a rice outlet 112, the rice outlet 112 is configured as a funnel-shaped bottom outlet, the food dispensing unit 140 is disposed below the rice outlet 112, and can be used to receive rice from the rice outlet 112, and the food receiving unit 150 is disposed below the food dispensing unit 140, and can be used to receive rice from the food dispensing unit 140. Preferably, the food receiving unit 150 can be a rice taking box disposed in the rice storage device 100, which can be placed in the rice storage device 100 from the side along a predetermined track.

[0111] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the food dispensing unit 140 includes a dispensing chamber 141, a dispensing motor 142 and a transmission mechanism 143. The dispensing motor 142 and the transmission mechanism 143 are arranged in the dispensing chamber 141, and the dispensing motor 142 can drive the transmission mechanism 143 to rotate. The dispensing chamber 141 corresponds to the position of the rice outlet 112, and can receive rice from the rice outlet 112. Further, the transmission mechanism 143 includes a plurality of toggle plates coaxially arranged with the dispensing motor 142, and when the dispensing motor 142 rotates, the toggle plates can rotate in the dispensing chamber 141 with the rotation center of the dispensing motor 142 as the axis. The plurality of toggle plates can partition the dispensing chamber 141 into a plurality of food holding chambers 144, and the rice in the rice outlet 112 can fall into one of the food holding chambers 144.

[0112] The bottom of the distribution chamber 141 is provided with a rice drop opening 145 corresponding to the food receiving unit 150. After the rice in the food containing unit 110 drops into the food containing chamber 144 through the rice outlet 112, the distribution motor 142 rotates and drives the toggle plate to rotate in the distribution chamber 141. The position of the food containing chamber 144 formed by the toggle plate rotates and changes with the toggle plate. When one of the food containing chambers 144 sweeps over the rice drop opening 145, the rice in the food containing chamber 144 drops into the food receiving unit 150 through the rice drop opening 145. After that, the user can take out the food receiving unit 150 to obtain the required rice.

[0113] Specifically, during the rotation of the dispensing motor 142, each food ingredient storage chamber 144 receives a certain amount of rice when passing by the rice outlet 112 (it can be understood that the rice falls from the rice outlet 112 into one of the food ingredient storage chambers 144 very quickly, so the certain amount of rice received is the amount of rice that fills the food ingredient storage chamber 144). When the food ingredient storage chamber 144 with rice passes by the rice dropping opening 145, the rice will fall into the food ingredient receiving unit 150. Then, the next food ingredient storage chamber 144 continues to rotate to the rice outlet 112 to receive rice again. Through such a cyclic manner and by controlling the rotation angle of the dispensing motor 142, the food ingredient dispensing unit 140 can quantitatively convey rice from the food ingredient accommodating unit 110 to the food ingredient receiving unit 150. In this embodiment, there are 4 baffle plates arranged in the dispensing chamber 141, and these 4 baffle plates form a cross shape. That is to say, every time the dispensing motor 142 rotates 90 degrees, one food ingredient storage chamber 144 passes by the rice dropping opening 145. And the amount of rice that can be set in each food ingredient storage chamber 144 is about 75 g, which is the amount of 0.5 cup of rice. When the user needs to obtain 1 cup of rice (about 150 g), the dispensing motor 142 can be rotated 180 degrees so that the food ingredient receiving unit 150 receives the rice in 2 food ingredient storage chambers 144. When the user needs to obtain 1.5 cups of rice (about 225 g), the dispensing motor 142 can be rotated 270 degrees so that the food ingredient receiving unit 150 receives the rice in 3 food ingredient storage chambers 144.

[0114] Furthermore, when the baffle plate stays directly above the rice dropping opening 145, it can completely cover the rice dropping opening 145 to play a role in closing the rice dropping opening 145. That is to say, the cross-sectional area of the baffle plate is larger than the cross-sectional area of the rice dropping opening 145. Preferably, the shape of the rice dropping opening 145 can be configured as a long strip so that the baffle plate can completely cover the rice dropping opening 145. In this embodiment, when the baffle plate rotates in the dispensing chamber 141, it can not only push the rice in the food ingredient storage chamber 144 to fall into the food ingredient receiving unit 150 when taking rice is needed, but also stay above the rice dropping opening 145 to seal the rice dropping opening 145 when taking rice is not needed.

[0115] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Terms such as "arranged" as used herein can mean that one component is directly attached to another component or that one component is attached to another component through an intermediate member. The features described in one embodiment herein can be applied to another embodiment alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is not applicable or otherwise stated in that other embodiment.

[0116] The present invention has been described by the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the scope of the described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand that according to the teachings of the present invention, more variations and modifications can be made, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the amount of rice in a rice storage device, characterized in that, The rice storage device has a food ingredient accommodating unit, a rice quantity detecting unit, and a control unit. The food ingredient accommodating unit has an accommodating space for storing food ingredients. The rice quantity detecting unit includes N infrared array elements arranged above the accommodating space. Each of the infrared array elements includes a pair of an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube. The rice quantity detecting method includes: S1: Controlling the infrared emitting tubes in each of the infrared array elements to emit infrared signals towards the food ingredients in the accommodating space; S3: When receiving the infrared signals from one of the infrared array elements, recording the PWM duty cycle of the one infrared array element that emits the infrared signals; S5: Respectively obtaining and storing the height values corresponding to the PWM duty cycles in S3 according to the pre-stored corresponding relationship, where the pre-stored corresponding relationship is used to represent the corresponding relationship between the pre-stored PWM duty cycles and the pre-stored heights; S7: Calculating the average value of all the height values in S5, and calculating the rice quantity in the accommodating space according to the geometric dimensions of the accommodating space, After S5, it further includes: S6: Judging whether the effective total number M of the PWM duty cycles recorded in S5 is equal to the total number P of records. If so, execute S7; otherwise, execute S1; After S3, it further includes: S4: Judging whether each of the PWM duty cycles in S3 is less than 1. If so, execute S5; S5 further includes: making the effective total number M = M + 1, and the initial value of M is 0; Otherwise, execute S9: making the total number P of records = P - 1, the initial value of P is equal to the number N of the infrared array elements, and continue to execute S6.

2. The rice quantity detection method for a rice storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that In S1, it includes: Controlling each of the infrared array elements to emit infrared signals with a PWM duty cycle that gradually increases at intervals of a predetermined time length starting from 0.

3. The rice quantity detection method for a rice storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, After S1, it further includes: S2: Judging whether the infrared receiving tubes of each of the infrared array elements receive the corresponding infrared signals. If so, execute S3; otherwise, execute S9.

4. The rice quantity detection method for a rice storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, S7 further includes: clearing the PWM duty cycles of the N infrared array elements.

5. The rice quantity detection method for a rice storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rice storage device further includes a prompting unit. After S7, it further includes: S8: Judging whether the rice quantity is equal to or less than a preset minimum food ingredient quantity. If so, controlling the prompting unit to send out an abnormal prompting message.

6. A rice storage device, characterized in that, It includes: A food ingredient accommodating unit, which is configured as a box body having a certain accommodating space; A rice quantity detecting unit, which is used to detect the rice quantity in the accommodating space, where the rice quantity detecting unit includes N infrared array elements arranged above the accommodating space, and each of the infrared array elements includes a pair of an infrared emitting tube and an infrared receiving tube; And A control unit, which has a storage module, and the rice quantity detecting unit is signal-connected to the control unit; Wherein, the control unit is configured to control the rice storage device to execute the steps of the rice quantity detecting method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The rice storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It further includes a prompting unit, and the prompting unit is signal-connected to the control unit to send out an abnormal prompting message.

8. The rice storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It further includes a communication unit, which is signal-connected to the control unit to send the rice quantity information to the client.

9. The rice storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The infrared array elements are arranged on the inner surface of the top of the food ingredient accommodating unit.

10. The rice storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The direction in which the infrared array elements emit infrared signals is along the height direction of the accommodating space.

11. The rice storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It further includes a decompression unit, which is communicated with the accommodating space to reduce the pressure in the accommodating space.

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