Filter cleanliness detection device and method

Abstract

A filter cleanliness detection method includes: transmitting an ultrasonic wave of a preset intensity toward a filter to be detected; receiving an ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected; obtaining the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo based on the ultrasonic echo; obtaining a corresponding relationship between the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter based on the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave; and obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be detected based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo. Because the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected corresponds to the cleanliness of the filter, the cleanliness of the filter can be accurately detected and the cleanliness of the filter to be detected can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter screen detection device and method, and in particular to a filter screen cleanliness detection device and method. Background Art

[0002] The air conditioner's filter filters dust, preventing the interior of the air conditioner from being contaminated. Dust on the filter not only causes secondary air pollution, but also reduces the amount of air entering the air conditioning system, thereby reducing air conditioning performance and increasing energy consumption. As people pay more and more attention to their health, they are also paying more attention to indoor air quality. However, because air conditioners are usually located in an inaccessible location, it is difficult to detect the degree of dust accumulation on the filter with the human eye, and too frequent cleaning will cause some unnecessary trouble to users. Therefore, there is a need to test the cleanliness of the air conditioner's filter so that the filter can be cleaned or replaced in a timely manner.

[0003] Existing technologies typically determine the cleanliness of filters based on the operating time and operating parameters of the air conditioner indoor unit, but this method is not accurate enough. Therefore, how to improve the detection of filter cleanliness so that the filter can be cleaned or replaced accurately and timely is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main technical problem solved by the present invention is to accurately detect the cleanliness of the filter screen.

[0005] According to the first aspect, an embodiment provides a filter cleanliness detection device, comprising:

[0006] An ultrasonic sensor probe is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the filter to be detected at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the filter to be detected;

[0007] A signal strength identification module is used to identify the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic sensor probe;

[0008] a controller, configured to control the ultrasonic sensor probe to emit ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity, and to obtain a correspondence between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter according to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave, and to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested according to the correspondence and the current signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo identified by the signal intensity identification module;

[0009] The controller is further configured to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested multiple times or the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo multiple times, so as to obtain a change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the signal strength values between the multiple ultrasonic echoes; and

[0010] Obtaining an air quality assessment of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on the change speed between the multiple change values, specifically including: obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo at the current time, before the current time, and after the current time, respectively; obtaining a first ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before the current time and the current time to the time interval between the current time and the current time; and obtaining a second ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo after the current time and the time interval between the current time and the current time;

[0011] If the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, a deterioration of the air quality is obtained as the air quality assessment;

[0012] If the second ratio is equal to the first ratio, the air quality is unchanged, which is used as the air quality assessment;

[0013] If the second ratio is smaller than the first ratio, it is determined that the air quality has improved, which is used as the air quality assessment.

[0014] According to the second aspect, an embodiment provides a filter cleanliness detection device, comprising:

[0015] An ultrasonic sensor probe is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the filter to be detected at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the filter to be detected;

[0016] A signal strength identification module is used to identify the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic sensor probe;

[0017] The controller is used to control the ultrasonic sensor probe to emit ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity, and to obtain the correspondence between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter according to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave, and to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be detected according to the correspondence and the current signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo identified by the signal strength identification module.

[0018] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor probe is further used to convert the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected into an electrical signal;

[0019] The signal strength identification module is used to obtain one of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal as the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo;

[0020] or,

[0021] The signal strength identification module is used to obtain at least two of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal, and perform weighted averaging of the ratio of at least two values to the preset intensity to serve as the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo.

[0022] According to the third aspect, an embodiment provides a filter cleanliness detection method, comprising:

[0023] Emitting ultrasonic waves of preset intensity to the filter to be tested;

[0024] receiving the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected;

[0025] Obtaining a current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo according to the ultrasonic echo;

[0026] According to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave, a corresponding relationship between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter is obtained;

[0027] The cleanliness of the filter to be tested is obtained according to the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo.

[0028] In one embodiment, at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, ultrasonic waves of the preset intensity are emitted toward the filter to be detected, and ultrasonic echoes reflected by the filter to be detected are received;

[0029] The step of emitting ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity toward the filter to be detected comprises:

[0030] A pulse signal with a preset amplitude and a preset frequency is used as an excitation signal;

[0031] The ultrasonic wave of the preset intensity is excited by the excitation signal and emitted.

[0032] In one embodiment, obtaining the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo according to the ultrasonic echo includes:

[0033] Converting the received ultrasonic echo into an electrical signal and obtaining the signal strength of the electrical signal;

[0034] The signal strength of the electrical signal or the ratio of the signal strength of the electrical signal to a preset strength is used as the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo.

[0035] In one embodiment, obtaining the signal strength of the electrical signal includes:

[0036] Obtaining one of a maximum amplitude, an average amplitude, and a power value of the electrical signal as a signal strength of the electrical signal;

[0037] or,

[0038] At least two of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal are obtained, and a weighted average of the ratios of the at least two values to the preset strength is performed as the signal strength of the electrical signal.

[0039] In one embodiment, obtaining the correspondence between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter according to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave includes:

[0040] Obtaining a plurality of sample filters of different cleanliness levels, and emitting ultrasonic waves of preset intensities to each of the plurality of sample filters;

[0041] receiving ultrasonic echoes respectively reflected by the plurality of sample filters, and obtaining signal strengths of the ultrasonic echoes respectively received by the plurality of sample filters;

[0042] According to the cleanliness of the plurality of sample filters and the signal strength of the ultrasonic echoes received corresponding to the plurality of sample filters, a one-to-one mapping relationship between the filter cleanliness and the ultrasonic echo signal strength is established as the corresponding relationship.

[0043] In one embodiment, obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo includes:

[0044] When the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo is greater than or equal to the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to one cleanliness level and less than the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to another adjacent cleanliness level, the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is obtained as one of the cleanliness levels.

[0045] In one embodiment, the filter cleanliness detection method further includes:

[0046] Acquire the cleanliness of the filter to be tested multiple times or acquire the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo multiple times to obtain the change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the change value between the multiple ultrasonic echo signal strengths;

[0047] According to the changing speed between multiple changing values, the air quality evaluation of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested is obtained.

[0048] In one embodiment, obtaining the air quality assessment of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on the change speed between the multiple change values includes:

[0049] Obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be detected or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo at this time, before this time, and after this time, respectively; obtaining a first ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be detected or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before and after this time to the time interval between the previous time and the current time; and obtaining a second ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be detected or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo at this time and after this time to the time interval between the current time and the current time;

[0050] If the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, a deterioration of the air quality is obtained as the air quality assessment;

[0051] If the second ratio is equal to the first ratio, obtaining air quality maintenance as the air quality assessment;

[0052] If the second ratio is smaller than the first ratio, it is determined that the air quality has improved, which is used as the air quality assessment.

[0053] The filter cleanliness detection method of the above embodiment transmits an ultrasonic wave of a preset intensity toward the filter to be detected, then receives the ultrasonic echo reflected from the filter to be detected, obtains the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo, and then determines the cleanliness of the filter to be detected based on the corresponding relationship between the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter. Because the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected from the filter to be detected at the preset intensity corresponds to the cleanliness of the filter, this correspondence and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo allow accurate detection of the cleanliness of the filter to be detected, thereby determining the cleanliness of the filter to be detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a filter cleanliness detection device;

[0055] Figure 2 A diagram of a filter cleanliness detection device according to an embodiment;

[0056] Figure 3 A diagram of a filter cleanliness detection device according to another embodiment;

[0057] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the flow of filter cleanliness detection method;

[0058] Figure 5 A diagram of a filter cleanliness detection device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The present invention will be further described in detail below by means of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are numbered with associated similar elements. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are provided to enable the present application to be better understood. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that some of the features may be omitted in different circumstances, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid the core portion of the present application being overwhelmed by excessive descriptions, and for those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail. They will fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0060] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any appropriate manner to form various embodiments. Furthermore, the steps or actions in the method description may be reordered or adjusted in a manner readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and drawings are provided solely for the purpose of clearly describing a particular embodiment and are not intended to be mandatory, unless otherwise specified.

[0061] The serial numbers assigned to components herein, such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely to distinguish the objects being described and do not convey any sequential or technical meaning. References to "connection" and "coupling" herein, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0062] In this embodiment of the present invention, ultrasonic waves are emitted to directly detect dust on the filter to determine its cleanliness. Because the emitted ultrasonic waves are reflected not only by the filter itself but also by the dust on it, the thicker the dust on the filter, the more numerous and stronger the ultrasonic echoes returned. Therefore, by measuring the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echoes, the thickness of the dust on the filter can be determined, and thus the cleanliness of the filter.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments, the filter cleanliness detection device includes an ultrasonic sensor probe 10, a signal strength recognition module 20, a controller 30 and a power supply circuit 40, which are described in detail below.

[0064] The following are some descriptions of the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 .

[0065] The ultrasonic sensor probe 10 is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the filter to be detected and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the filter to be detected.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 includes a transmitting end and a receiving end. The transmitting end includes an ultrasonic transducer 12, which is used to convert an input electrical signal into ultrasonic waves and transmit them toward the filter to be tested. The receiving end includes an ultrasonic sensor 14, which is used to receive ultrasonic echoes reflected from the filter to be tested and convert them into electrical signals.

[0067] In some embodiments, the transmitting end further includes an ultrasonic transmitting circuit 16. The ultrasonic transmitting circuit 16 is configured to output an excitation signal having the same frequency as the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12 in response to a start command from the controller 30. For example, the excitation signal is a square wave signal having the same frequency as the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12. The resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 12 includes, but is not limited to, 220 kHz. In some embodiments, the receiving end further includes an ultrasonic receiving circuit 18. The ultrasonic receiving circuit 18 is configured to amplify and filter the electrical signal converted and output by the ultrasonic sensor 14, thereby obtaining a high-quality electrical signal. The electrical signal can be either a current signal or a voltage signal.

[0068] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensing probe 10 is an integrated ultrasonic transducer 12 and ultrasonic sensor 14, which can convert input electrical signals into ultrasonic waves and also receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the filter to be detected and convert them into electrical signals.

[0069] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 transmits ultrasonic waves toward the filter to be tested at a preset distance from the filter to be tested and receives ultrasonic echoes reflected from the filter to be tested. Because the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 is always at the same distance from the filter to be tested during both transmission and reception, the energy lost along the path of the ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 when it reaches the filter to be tested and the energy lost along the path of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be tested when it reaches the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 are substantially the same. Consequently, when the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 receives the ultrasonic echo reflected from the filter to be tested, the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo corresponds to the intensity of the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the reflectivity of the filter to be tested. That is, if the intensity of the transmitted ultrasonic wave remains unchanged, the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo is substantially related only to the reflectivity of the filter to be tested. In some embodiments, before the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 is put into operation, it can be mounted and fixed using an external mounting bracket, thereby maintaining the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 at the preset distance from the filter to be tested.

[0070] The following are some descriptions of the signal strength identification module 20 .

[0071] The signal strength identification module 20 is used to identify the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 .

[0072] Please refer to Figure 3 In some embodiments, the signal strength identification module 20 includes an analog-to-digital conversion module 22 and a signal processing module 24. After the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 receives the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected and converts it into an electrical signal, the electrical signal is usually an analog electrical signal. The analog-to-digital conversion module 22 then converts the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal, and the signal processing module 24 calculates the signal strength of the digital electrical signal based on the digital electrical signal and uses it as the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo.

[0073] In some embodiments, the signal processing module 24 will calculate one of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the digital electrical signal as the signal strength of the digital electrical signal, where the maximum amplitude refers to the maximum value of the signal amplitude within the effective time, the average amplitude refers to the average value of the signal amplitude within the effective time, and the power value refers to the accumulation or integration of the signal amplitude within the effective time, and the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value can all reflect the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo.

[0074] In some embodiments, the signal processing module 24 calculates at least two of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power value of the digital electrical signal, and then performs a weighted average of the ratio of the at least two values to the preset intensity to serve as the signal strength of the digital electrical signal, where the preset intensity also includes the corresponding maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power value. For example, when the signal processing module 24 chooses to calculate the maximum amplitude and average amplitude of the digital electrical signal, the weights of the maximum amplitude and average amplitude can be set to 0.5, or the weights of the maximum amplitude and average amplitude can be assigned to 0.4 and 0.6, and the weights can be combined to 1. The maximum amplitude of the digital electrical signal is then ratioed to the maximum amplitude of the preset intensity, and the average amplitude of the digital electrical signal is ratioed to the average amplitude of the preset intensity. The two ratios are then multiplied by the weights and added together to obtain a new value to serve as the signal strength of the digital electrical signal. When the signal processing module 24 chooses to calculate the maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power value of the digital electrical signal, the weights of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power value can be set to one-third, or other weight distributions such that the weights are combined to be 1. Because the signal strength of the digital electrical signal is calculated using different methods, different points of emphasis are also placed. For example, the maximum amplitude emphasizes the optimal reception effect of the ultrasonic echo, while the average amplitude emphasizes the average reception effect of the ultrasonic echo. Therefore, the weighted average of the values obtained by multiple different calculation methods can better reflect the reception effect of the ultrasonic echo. The weight distribution of different calculation methods indicates different degrees of emphasis.

[0075] The following are some descriptions of the controller 30 .

[0076] The controller 30 is used to control the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 to emit ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity.

[0077] In some embodiments, the controller 30 outputs a start command to the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 16, and the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 16 outputs an excitation signal to the ultrasonic transducer 12 based on the start command. When the excitation signal has a preset intensity, the ultrasonic transducer 12 is stimulated to emit ultrasonic waves of the preset intensity. Therefore, the signal intensity of the excitation signal is used as the signal intensity of the emitted ultrasonic waves. The signal intensity of the excitation signal also includes the corresponding maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power value. In some embodiments, the excitation signal can be a pulse signal with a preset amplitude and a preset frequency to ensure that the signal intensity of the excitation signal is constant. The pulse signal can be a continuous square wave signal or a group or multiple groups of interval continuous square wave signals.

[0078] The controller 30 is further configured to obtain a correspondence between the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter according to a preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave.

[0079] Because the ultrasonic echo signal strength is correlated with the transmitted ultrasonic intensity and the reflectivity of the filter being tested, when the transmitted ultrasonic intensity remains constant, for example, at a preset intensity, the current ultrasonic echo signal strength is essentially solely correlated with the reflectivity of the filter being tested. The reflectivity of the filter being tested is correlated with its cleanliness, and thus the correspondence between the ultrasonic echo signal strength and the filter cleanliness is established. In some embodiments, before obtaining the correspondence between the ultrasonic echo signal strength and the filter cleanliness, multiple sample filters of varying cleanliness are obtained, and ultrasonic waves of preset intensities are transmitted to each of the sample filters. Different amounts of dust on the sample filters correspond to different cleanliness levels. The dust on the sample filters can be artificially added or accumulated by the air outlet device. The sample filters can be used as a reference for cleanliness assessment. The ultrasonic sensor probe 10 then transmits ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity to each of the multiple sample filters. This preset intensity is consistent with the preset intensity of the ultrasonic waves transmitted to the filter to be tested. The ultrasonic sensor probe 10 transmits the ultrasonic waves to the sample filters at a preset distance from the sample filters, which is consistent with the preset distance from the filter to be tested. This ensures that the test results obtained based on the sample filters are reliable. At the preset distance, the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 then receives the ultrasonic echoes reflected from the multiple sample filters. The signal strength identification module 20 then determines the signal strength of the ultrasonic echoes received for each of the multiple sample filters. Finally, based on the cleanliness of the multiple sample filters and the signal strength of the ultrasonic echoes received for the multiple sample filters, a one-to-one mapping relationship between the filter cleanliness and the ultrasonic echo signal strength is established, which serves as the aforementioned correspondence and is obtained by the controller 30. The filter cleanliness can be divided into multiple levels according to needs, and then it is only necessary to detect multiple sample filters accordingly, and the cleanliness of the sample filters is matched one by one with the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the sample filters.

[0080] The controller 30 is further configured to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo identified by the signal strength identification module 20 .

[0081] In some embodiments, when the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be tested is obtained, if it is the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to the cleanliness of a sample filter, then the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is the cleanliness of that sample filter. If it is greater than the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to the cleanliness of one sample filter and less than the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to the cleanliness of another adjacent sample filter, then the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is the cleanliness of that sample filter. For example, if the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo is greater than the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to cleanliness level 4 and less than the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to the adjacent cleanliness level 5, then the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is cleanliness level 4. The value of cleanliness level N is an integer, and the range of values can be divided according to business needs. For example, when N is 3, it corresponds to clean, slightly polluted, and heavily polluted, respectively.

[0082] The controller 30 is further configured to obtain the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo multiple times to determine the change in cleanliness or ultrasonic echo signal strength between the multiple times. The controller 30 then determines the air quality assessment of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter under test based on the rate of change between the multiple changes.

[0083] In some embodiments, multiple acquisitions of the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo are separated by a certain interval, such as a day, a week, or a month. This allows the filter under test time to accumulate dust. Generally, the interval can be related to the cumulative operating hours of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter under test. For example, the air outlet device performs an inspection on the filter under test once per cumulative operating day to obtain the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected from the filter under test. When the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the reflected ultrasonic echo are acquired multiple times, a change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo can be obtained. Generally, the change value refers to the difference between the cleanliness or ultrasonic echo signal strength acquired at the current acquisition and the cleanliness or ultrasonic echo signal strength acquired at the previous acquisition. For example, if the cleanliness or ultrasonic echo signal strength of the filter under test has been acquired three times, the change value refers to the difference between the second acquisition and the first acquisition, and the difference between the third acquisition and the second acquisition. In some embodiments, the change value may also refer to the difference between the cleanliness or signal strength of the ultrasonic echo obtained this time and the cleanliness or signal strength of the ultrasonic echo obtained before this time. For example, when obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested this time or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo, the change value is the difference between the current acquisition and at least one acquisition before this time, such as the two times before this time, the three times before this time, etc.

[0084] In some embodiments, when multiple change values are obtained, an air quality assessment of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter under test can be obtained based on the rate of change between the multiple change values. It can be understood that if the air quality of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter under test remains unchanged, then the filter under test accumulates dust at a certain rate, and therefore the rate of change of the dust is also constant. The amount of dust is related to the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the reflected ultrasonic echo. Therefore, the air quality of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter under test can be obtained based on the rate of change of the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the reflected ultrasonic echo, i.e., the rate of change between the change values. In some embodiments, the controller 30 can obtain the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo for the current, previous, and subsequent time periods, respectively, and obtain a first ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before and after the current time period to the time interval between the previous and current time periods, and obtain a second ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter under test or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo after the current time period to the time interval between the current and subsequent time periods. If the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, the controller 30 obtains that the air quality has deteriorated as the air quality assessment; if the second ratio is equal to the first ratio, the controller 30 obtains that the air quality has been maintained as the air quality assessment; if the second ratio is less than the first ratio, the controller 30 obtains that the air quality has improved as the air quality assessment.

[0085] The power supply circuit 40 is used to power the ultrasonic sensor probe 10, the signal strength identification module 20, and the controller 30. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit 40 can be powered by an external power supply, such as an AC / DC module or a DC / DC module. The AC / DC module is used to convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) for power supply output, and the DC / DC module is used to convert direct current (DC) into direct current (DC) for power supply output.

[0086] In some of the above-mentioned embodiments, since the ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic sensing probe 10 is at a preset intensity and at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected corresponds to the cleanliness of the filter, so that the controller 30 can accurately detect the cleanliness of the filter based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo, and obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be detected.

[0087] In some of the above embodiments, the controller 30 can also obtain the change values between multiple cleanliness values or the change values between multiple ultrasonic echo signal strengths, and obtain the air quality evaluation of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on the change speed between the multiple change values.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 4In some embodiments, the filter cleanliness detection method can be implemented by the filter cleanliness detection device described above. The filter cleanliness detection method includes:

[0089] Step 100: emitting ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity toward the filter to be detected at a preset distance from the filter to be detected.

[0090] Step 200: Receive ultrasonic echoes reflected from the filter to be detected at a preset distance from the filter to be detected.

[0091] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 is always at the same distance from the filter to be tested when transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. Therefore, the energy lost by the ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 when it reaches the filter to be tested and by the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be tested when it reaches the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 are substantially the same. In some embodiments, before the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 is put into operation, it can be mounted and fixed using an external mounting bracket, thereby maintaining the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 at a predetermined distance from the filter to be tested.

[0092] In some embodiments, the controller 30 outputs a start command to the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 16, and the ultrasonic transmitting circuit 16 outputs an excitation signal to the ultrasonic transducer 12 based on the start command. When the excitation signal has a preset intensity, the ultrasonic transducer 12 is stimulated to emit ultrasonic waves of the preset intensity. Therefore, the signal intensity of the excitation signal is used as the signal intensity of the emitted ultrasonic waves. The signal intensity of the excitation signal also includes the corresponding maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power value. In some embodiments, the excitation signal can be a pulse signal with a preset amplitude and a preset frequency to ensure that the signal intensity of the excitation signal is constant. The pulse signal can be a continuous square wave signal or a group or multiple groups of interval continuous square wave signals.

[0093] Step 300: Obtain the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo according to the ultrasonic echo.

[0094] In some embodiments, after the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 receives the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected and converts it into an electrical signal, the signal strength recognition module 20 calculates the signal strength of the electrical signal and uses it as the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo.

[0095] In some embodiments, the signal strength identification module 20 calculates one of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal as the signal strength of the digital electrical signal, where the maximum amplitude refers to the maximum value of the signal amplitude within the effective time, the average amplitude refers to the average value of the signal amplitude within the effective time, and the power value refers to the accumulation or integration of the signal amplitude within the effective time.

[0096] In some embodiments, the signal strength identification module 20 calculates at least two of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power values of the electrical signal, and then performs a weighted average of the ratios of the at least two values to the preset strengths as the signal strength of the electrical signal, where the preset strength also includes the corresponding maximum amplitude, average amplitude, and power values.

[0097] Step 400: According to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave, the corresponding relationship between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter is obtained.

[0098] Since the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo corresponds to the intensity of the emitted ultrasonic wave and the reflection ability of the filter to be detected, when the intensity of the emitted ultrasonic wave remains unchanged, for example, at a preset intensity, the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo is basically only related to the reflection ability of the filter to be detected.

[0099] In some embodiments, multiple sample filters of varying cleanliness levels are first obtained, and ultrasonic waves of preset intensities are emitted toward each of the sample filters. The ultrasonic sensor probe 10 then emits ultrasonic waves of preset intensities toward each of the sample filters. The preset intensities are consistent with the preset intensities emitted toward the filter to be tested. The ultrasonic sensor probe 10 emits ultrasonic waves toward the sample filters at a preset distance from the sample filters, which is consistent with the preset distance from the filter to be tested. This ensures that the test results obtained based on the sample filters are reliable. Then, at the preset distance, the ultrasonic sensor probe 10 receives ultrasonic echoes reflected from each of the sample filters. The signal strength identification module 20 then determines the signal strengths of the ultrasonic echoes received for each of the sample filters. Finally, a one-to-one mapping relationship between the filter cleanliness levels and the signal strengths of the ultrasonic echoes received for each of the sample filters is established based on the cleanliness levels of the sample filters and the signal strengths of the ultrasonic echoes received for the sample filters. This mapping relationship serves as the aforementioned correspondence and is then acquired by the controller 30.

[0100] Step 500: Obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested according to the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo.

[0101] In some embodiments, when the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be tested is obtained, if it is the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to the cleanliness of a sample filter, then the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is the cleanliness of the sample filter.

[0102] In some embodiments, if it is greater than the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo mapped by the cleanliness of one of the sample filters and less than the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo mapped by the cleanliness of another adjacent sample filter, then the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is the cleanliness of the one of the sample filters.

[0103] Please refer to Figure 5 In some embodiments, the filter cleanliness detection method further includes:

[0104] Step 600: Acquire the cleanliness of the filter to be tested multiple times or acquire the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo multiple times to obtain a change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the change value between the multiple ultrasonic echo signal strengths;

[0105] In some embodiments, a certain interval is set between multiple acquisitions of the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo. Generally, the interval can be related to the cumulative operating hours of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested. For example, the air outlet device will perform a test on the filter to be tested once every cumulative operating day to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be tested.

[0106] In some embodiments, when the cleanliness of the filter to be inspected or the signal strength of the reflected ultrasonic echo is obtained multiple times, the change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the change value between the multiple ultrasonic echo signal strengths can be obtained. Generally speaking, the change value refers to the difference between the cleanliness or ultrasonic echo signal strength obtained in the current measurement and the cleanliness or ultrasonic echo signal strength obtained in the previous measurement.

[0107] Step 700: Obtain an air quality assessment of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on the change speed between the multiple change values.

[0108] In some embodiments, when the change value is obtained multiple times, the air quality evaluation of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested can be obtained based on the change speed between the multiple change values.

[0109] In some embodiments, the cleanliness of the filter to be detected or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo is obtained at this time, before this time, and after this time, respectively; a first ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be detected or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before and after this time to the time interval between the previous time and this time is obtained; and a second ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be detected or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before and after this time to the time interval between the current time and this time is obtained;

[0110] If the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, a deterioration of the air quality is obtained as the air quality assessment;

[0111] If the second ratio is equal to the first ratio, obtaining air quality maintenance as the air quality assessment;

[0112] If the second ratio is smaller than the first ratio, it is determined that the air quality has improved, which is used as the air quality assessment.

[0113] In some of the above-mentioned embodiments, since the emitted ultrasonic wave is at a preset intensity and at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected corresponds to the cleanliness of the filter, so that the cleanliness of the filter can be accurately detected based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal intensity of the received ultrasonic echo, and the cleanliness of the filter to be detected can be obtained.

[0114] In some of the above embodiments, it is also possible to obtain the change values between multiple cleanliness values or the change values between multiple ultrasonic echo signal strengths, and obtain the air quality evaluation of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on the change speed between the multiple change values.

[0115] The above examples are used to illustrate the present invention, which are only used to help understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make several simple deductions, modifications or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A filter cleanliness detection device, characterized in that: include: An ultrasonic sensor probe is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the filter to be detected at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the filter to be detected; A signal strength identification module is used to identify the current signal strength of the ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic sensor probe; a controller, configured to control the ultrasonic sensor probe to emit ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity, and to obtain a correspondence between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter according to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave, and to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested according to the correspondence and the current signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo identified by the signal intensity identification module; The controller is further configured to obtain the cleanliness of the filter to be tested multiple times or the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo multiple times, so as to obtain a change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the signal strength values between the multiple ultrasonic echoes; as well as Obtaining an air quality assessment of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on the change speed between the multiple change values, specifically including: obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo at the current time, before the current time, and after the current time, respectively; obtaining a first ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before the current time and the current time to the time interval between the current time and the current time; and obtaining a second ratio of the difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo after the current time and the time interval between the current time and the current time; If the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, a deterioration of the air quality is obtained as the air quality assessment; If the second ratio is equal to the first ratio, the air quality is unchanged, which is used as the air quality assessment; If the second ratio is smaller than the first ratio, it is determined that the air quality has improved, which is used as the air quality assessment.

2. The filter cleanliness detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic sensor probe is also used to convert the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected into an electrical signal; The signal strength identification module is used to obtain one of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal as the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo; or, The signal strength identification module is used to obtain at least two of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal, and perform weighted averaging of the ratio of at least two values to the preset intensity to serve as the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo.

3. A filter cleanliness detection method, characterized in that: include: Emitting ultrasonic waves of preset intensity to the filter to be tested; receiving the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected; Obtaining a current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo according to the ultrasonic echo; According to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave, a corresponding relationship between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter is obtained; Obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo; Acquire the cleanliness of the filter to be tested multiple times or acquire the signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo multiple times to obtain the change value between the multiple cleanliness values or the change value between the multiple ultrasonic echo signal strengths; According to the change speed between multiple change values, the air quality evaluation of the air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested is obtained; Obtaining an air quality assessment of an air outlet device corresponding to the filter to be tested based on a change rate between multiple change values includes: obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo at this time, before this time, and after this time, respectively; obtaining a first ratio of a difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo before and after this time to the time interval between the previous time and the current time; and obtaining a second ratio of a difference between the cleanliness of the filter to be tested or the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo after and after this time to the time interval between the current time and the current time; If the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, a deterioration of the air quality is obtained as the air quality assessment; If the second ratio is equal to the first ratio, obtaining air quality maintenance as the air quality assessment; If the second ratio is smaller than the first ratio, it is determined that the air quality has improved, which is used as the air quality assessment.

4. The filter cleanliness detection method according to claim 3, wherein: emitting ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity toward the filter to be detected at a preset distance from the filter to be detected, and receiving the ultrasonic echo reflected by the filter to be detected; The step of emitting ultrasonic waves of a preset intensity toward the filter to be detected comprises: A pulse signal with a preset amplitude and a preset frequency is used as an excitation signal; The ultrasonic wave of the preset intensity is excited by the excitation signal and emitted.

5. The filter cleanliness detection method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The obtaining of the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo according to the ultrasonic echo includes: Converting the received ultrasonic echo into an electrical signal and obtaining the signal strength of the electrical signal; The signal strength of the electrical signal or the ratio of the signal strength of the electrical signal to a preset strength is used as the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo.

6. The filter cleanliness detection method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Acquiring the signal strength of the electrical signal includes: Obtaining one of a maximum amplitude, an average amplitude, and a power value of the electrical signal as a signal strength of the electrical signal; or, At least two of the maximum amplitude, average amplitude and power value of the electrical signal are obtained, and a weighted average of the ratios of the at least two values to the preset strength is performed as the signal strength of the electrical signal.

7. The filter cleanliness detection method according to claim 3, wherein: The step of obtaining the corresponding relationship between the signal intensity of the ultrasonic echo and the cleanliness of the filter according to the preset intensity of the ultrasonic wave comprises: Obtaining a plurality of sample filters of different cleanliness levels, and emitting ultrasonic waves of preset intensities to each of the plurality of sample filters; receiving ultrasonic echoes respectively reflected by the plurality of sample filters, and obtaining signal strengths of the ultrasonic echoes respectively received by the plurality of sample filters; According to the cleanliness of the plurality of sample filters and the signal strength of the ultrasonic echoes received corresponding to the plurality of sample filters, a one-to-one mapping relationship between the filter cleanliness and the ultrasonic echo signal strength is established as the corresponding relationship.

8. The filter cleanliness detection method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Obtaining the cleanliness of the filter to be tested based on the corresponding relationship and the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo includes: When the current signal strength of the received ultrasonic echo is greater than or equal to the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to one cleanliness level and less than the signal strength of the ultrasonic echo mapped to another adjacent cleanliness level, the cleanliness of the filter to be tested is obtained as one of the cleanliness levels.

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