An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function and its usage method

Abstract

An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function, including a meter body, in which a control module, a straight pipe section, and two ultrasonic transducers arranged in parallel are installed. An inner pipe is assembled in the straight pipe section, a descaling member is assembled in the inner pipe, and a first magnetic block is installed in the descaling member. A moving cavity is formed between the inner pipe and the straight pipe section, a moving mechanism for driving the descaling member to move is installed in the moving cavity, and a second magnetic block corresponding to the first magnetic block is provided in the moving mechanism. The detection head of the ultrasonic transducer extends from the side of the straight pipe section and aligns with the side wall of the inner pipe. A negative pressure cavity is also formed between the inner pipe and the straight pipe section, and a reflecting block arranged opposite to the ultrasonic transducer is provided in the negative pressure cavity. Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects: It can descale the inner pipe through which water flows, avoiding scale adhering to the surface of the ultrasonic transducer after the water meter works for a long time, resulting in an increase in measurement error.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of ultrasonic intelligent water meters, and particularly relates to an ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function, and a usage method of the ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function is proposed. Background Art

[0002] An ultrasonic intelligent water meter is a new type of water meter. By detecting the time difference caused by the change in the speed of the ultrasonic beam propagating in the water in the forward and reverse directions, the water flow rate is analyzed and processed to further calculate the water flow rate. Compared with traditional water meters, the ultrasonic intelligent water meter has the advantages of low starting flow rate, wide range ratio, high measurement accuracy, stable operation, etc. There are no moving parts or flow-blocking elements inside it, it is not affected by water impurities, and it has a long service life. It has complete output communication functions and meets the requirements of various communications and wireless networks.

[0003] After the existing ultrasonic intelligent water meters are used for a long time, a large amount of water scale will accumulate inside, especially in the pipe section where the water flows through. If not cleaned in time, it will increase the measurement error of the ultrasonic transducer, and in more serious cases, blockage will occur, affecting the normal measurement work of the water meter. Most of the existing water scale cleaning methods are to remove the water meter and manually use cleaning equipment for cleaning. The cleaning is rather cumbersome, and reinstallation and calibration are required later, and the descaling efficiency is very low.

[0004] Therefore, based on some of the above situations in the prior art, the present application has been further designed and improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aiming at the above deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides an ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function, which can descale the inner pipe through which the water flows, avoiding the increase of measurement error caused by the attachment of water scale on the surface of the ultrasonic transducer after the water meter works for a long time.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is solved by the following technical solutions.

[0007] An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function includes a meter body, and a control module, a straight pipe section, and two ultrasonic transducers arranged in parallel are installed inside the meter body.

[0008] An inner pipe is assembled in the straight pipe section, a descaling member is assembled in the inner pipe, and a first magnetic block is installed in the descaling member. A moving cavity is formed between the inner pipe and the straight pipe section, and a moving mechanism for driving the descaling member to move is installed in the moving cavity, and a second magnetic block corresponding to the first magnetic block.

[0009] The detection head of the ultrasonic transducer extends from the side of the straight pipe section and aligns with the inner wall of the inner pipe. A negative pressure cavity is formed between the inner pipe and the straight pipe section, and a reflecting block arranged oppositely corresponding to the ultrasonic transducer is provided in the negative pressure cavity.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the descaling member includes a through pipe, rubber ring gaskets are assembled on both sides of the through pipe, and a descaling groove that curves deeper from the assembly end face to the descaling end face is provided on the inner side wall of the rubber ring gasket; the first magnetic block is assembled in the rubber ring gasket.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the moving mechanism includes a moving motor, a moving belt is installed on the moving motor, an adsorbing member is fixed on the moving belt, and the second magnetic block is installed on the adsorbing member.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a gap is left between the adsorbing member and the inner wall of the inner pipe.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, a cavity for accommodating the moving belt is provided in the straight pipe section, a limiting groove is provided in a section of the cavity facing the inner pipe, and a limiting seat for cooperating with the limiting groove is provided on the adsorbing member.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, a roller is provided at the turning position of the moving belt in the cavity.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, a first air extraction valve and a second air extraction valve are provided in the negative pressure cavity; one end of the first air extraction valve extends into the inner pipe and does not exceed the inner wall of the inner pipe, and the other end extends out of the straight pipe section; the second air extraction valve is located in the negative pressure cavity, and one end of the second air extraction valve extends out of the straight pipe section.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the first air extraction valve includes a first valve body, a first air extraction port is provided on the first valve body, and a first air outlet is annularly provided on the side of the first valve body; a first plug block for cooperating with the first air extraction port is provided in the cavity of the first valve body, and a ventilation hole is provided on the first plug block; a first spring is assembled at the bottom of the first plug block; the first air extraction valve further includes an adjusting screw fixedly assembled with the straight pipe section, and the adjusting screw extends into the first valve body and abuts against the first plug block.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the second air extraction valve includes a second valve body, a second air extraction port is annularly provided on the side of the second valve body, and a second air outlet is provided at the bottom of the second valve body; a second plug block for cooperating with the second air outlet is provided in the cavity of the second valve body, and a second spring is assembled at the top of the second plug block.

[0018] A method for using an ultrasonic intelligent water meter. By using the ultrasonic intelligent water meter with the descaling function described above, regular descaling and descaling inspection can be carried out. During the regular descaling, the descaling part reciprocates once in the inner pipe. During the descaling inspection, the descaling part reciprocates more than once in the inner pipe.

[0019] The regular descaling includes the following steps:

[0020] S10: Set the descaling period through the control module;

[0021] S20: When the set descaling time is reached, the ultrasonic transducer detects whether the user is using water and transmits the signal to the control module for judgment. When the user is not using water, the control module controls the ultrasonic transducer to stop metering and controls the moving mechanism to drive the descaling part to descale the inner wall of the inner pipe. When the user is in a continuous water - using state during the descaling period, the descaling work is postponed to the next descaling period.

[0022] The descaling inspection includes the following steps:

[0023] S30: Close the water valve and evacuate the negative - pressure cavity by using an external air - extraction pump.

[0024] S40: Set the descaling inspection through the control module. The ultrasonic transducer stops metering, and the moving mechanism drives the descaling part to reciprocate in the inner pipe to descale the inner wall of the inner pipe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a three - dimensional schematic diagram of the ultrasonic intelligent water meter described in this application.

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the ultrasonic intelligent water meter described in this application.

[0027] Figure 3 is a cross - sectional view of the internal structure of the ultrasonic intelligent water meter described in this application.

[0028] Figure 4 is a three - dimensional cross - sectional schematic diagram after the assembly of structures such as the straight pipe section and the inner pipe.

[0029] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a partial enlarged view at A in

[0030] Figure 6 is a three - dimensional cross - sectional view of the internal structure of the straight pipe section.

[0031] Figure 7 is a three - dimensional schematic diagram of the descaling part.

[0032] Figure 8 is a structural cross - sectional schematic diagram of the first air - extraction valve.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the second air extraction valve.

[0034] The following are the label descriptions in the attached drawings of the specification:

[0035] 10. Bottom shell; 11. Outer cover; 12. Watch cover; 13. Fixed plate; 14. Module bottom plate; 15. Module cover; 16. Module group; 17. Battery; 18. Straight pipe section; 19. Ultrasonic transducer;

[0036] 20. Inner pipe; 21. Sealing ring; 22. Reflection block; 23. Chamber; 24. Limit groove; 25. Roller;

[0037] 30. Descaling part; 31. First magnet; 32. Through pipe; 33. Rubber ring; 34. Descaling groove;

[0038] 40. Moving mechanism; 41. Second magnet; 42. Moving motor; 43. Moving belt; 44. Adsorbing part; 45. Limit seat;

[0039] 50. First air extraction valve; 51. First valve body; 52. First air extraction port; 53. First air outlet; 54. First plug; 55. First spring; 56. Adjusting screw; 57. Vent hole;

[0040] 60. Second air extraction valve; 61. Second valve body; 62. Second air extraction port; 63. Second air outlet; 64. Second plug; 65. Second spring. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the attached drawings and the specific implementation manners.

[0042] In the following implementation manners, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar components or components with the same or similar functions from beginning to end. The implementation manners described below with reference to the attached drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms: center, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, thickness, upper, lower, front, rear, left, right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, inner, outer, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the terms: first, second, etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms: installation, connection, connection, etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and those of ordinary skill in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this practical application according to specific circumstances.

[0044] Reference Figures 1 to 9 , an ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function, including a meter body, the meter body includes a bottom shell 10 and an outer cover 11, and a fixing plate 13 is assembled between the bottom shell 10 and the outer cover 11. A meter cover 12 is assembled on the outer cover 11. A module box formed by assembling a module bottom plate 14 and a module cover 15 is installed in the outer cover 11, and the module box is fixed on the fixing plate 13. A module group 16 is assembled in the module box. Preferably, the module group 16 includes a control module, an NB-IOT remote transmission module, etc.

[0045] A battery 17 is assembled on one side of the bottom shell 10, and a straight pipe section 18 is assembled in the middle of the bottom shell 10 by means of bolted connection with the fixing plate 13. An ultrasonic transducer 19 is also assembled on the fixing plate 13, and the ultrasonic transducer 19 is used to measure the water volume in the straight pipe section 18. A temperature sensor is installed on the straight pipe section 18, and the temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the flowing water.

[0046] The substantial feature of this embodiment is that: an inner pipe 20 is assembled in the straight pipe section 18, the inner pipe 20 is made of anti-corrosion plastic material, and the inner wall of the inner pipe 20 is smooth. Sealing ring gaskets 21 for sealing are assembled between both sides of the inner pipe 20 and the straight pipe section 18. A descaling member 30 is assembled in the inner pipe 20, and a first magnetic block 31 is installed in the descaling member 30. A moving cavity is formed between the inner pipe 20 and the straight pipe section 18, and a moving mechanism 40 for driving the descaling member 30 to move is installed in the moving cavity, and a second magnetic block 41 corresponding to the first magnetic block 31 of the moving mechanism 40. The detection head of the ultrasonic transducer 19 extends from the side of the straight pipe section 18 and aligns with the side wall of the inner pipe 20. A negative pressure cavity is also formed between the inner pipe 20 and the straight pipe section 18, and a reflection block 22 opposite to the ultrasonic transducer 19 is arranged in the negative pressure cavity.

[0047] This embodiment can perform regular descaling and check the descaling, and the method is as follows:

[0048] During regular descaling, the descaling member 30 reciprocates once in the inner tube 20, and its usage steps are as follows: First, set the descaling period through the control module. When the set descaling time is reached, the ultrasonic transducer 19 detects whether the user is using water and transmits the signal to the control module for judgment: When the user is not using water, the control module controls the ultrasonic transducer 19 to stop metering to avoid the magnetic field interference caused by the movement of the first magnet 31 and the second magnet 41, and controls the moving mechanism 40 to drive the descaling member 30 to descale the inner wall of the inner tube 20. When the user is in a continuous water-using state during the descaling period, the descaling work is postponed to the next descaling period.

[0049] During inspection descaling, the descaling member 30 reciprocates more than once in the inner tube 20, and its usage steps are as follows: First, close the water valve and evacuate the negative pressure cavity by using an external air pump. Then, set the inspection descaling through the control module. The ultrasonic transducer 19 stops metering, and the moving mechanism 40 drives the descaling member 30 to reciprocate in the inner tube 20 to descale the inner wall of the inner tube 20.

[0050] As a specific embodiment, the descaling member 30 includes a through pipe 32, rubber ring gaskets 33 are assembled on both sides of the through pipe 32, and descaling grooves 34 that curve deeper from the self-assembly end face to the descaling end face are provided on the inner side walls of the rubber ring gaskets 33. The first magnet 31 is assembled in the rubber ring gasket 33.

[0051] The moving mechanism 40 is arranged on both sides of the inner tube 20. The moving mechanism 40 drives the descaling member 30 to reciprocate in the inner tube 20 to achieve the purpose of descaling. The specific structure of the moving mechanism 40 is as follows: The moving mechanism 40 includes a moving motor 42, a moving belt 43 is installed on the moving motor 42, an adsorbing member 44 is fixed on the moving belt 43, and the second magnet 41 is installed on the adsorbing member 44.

[0052] Particularly, a gap is left between the adsorbing member 44 and the side wall of the inner tube 20 to avoid frictional damage to the outer wall of the inner tube 20 caused by the adsorbing member 44 during the descaling process. A cavity 23 for accommodating the moving belt 43 is provided in the straight pipe section 18. A limiting groove 24 is provided in a section of the cavity 23 facing the inner tube 20, and a limiting seat 45 that cooperates with the limiting groove 24 is provided on the adsorbing member 44. A roller 25 is provided in the cavity 23 corresponding to the turning of the moving belt 43. The roller 25 is used to avoid friction between the moving belt 43 and the straight pipe section 18 and prevent the moving belt 43 from being frictionally broken.

[0053] The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment is that the moving mechanism 40 and the descaling member 30 are magnetically adsorbed and driven to move in a non-contact manner, avoiding the infiltration of flowing water into the gap between the inner tube 20 and the straight pipe section 18 and causing damage to other components.

[0054] As a specific embodiment, a negative pressure air extraction mechanism is provided in the negative pressure cavity, and its structure is specifically as follows: A first air extraction valve 50 and a second air extraction valve 60 are provided in the negative pressure cavity; One end of the first air extraction valve 50 extends into the inner tube 20 and does not exceed the side wall of the inner tube 20, and the other end extends out of the straight pipe section 18. The second air extraction valve 60 is located in the negative pressure cavity, and one end of the second air extraction valve 60 extends out of the straight pipe section 18.

[0055] Specifically, the first air extraction valve 50 includes a first valve body 51, a first air extraction port 52 is provided on the first valve body 51, and a first air outlet 53 is annularly provided on the side surface of the first valve body 51. A first plug 54 for cooperating with the first air extraction port 52 is provided in the cavity of the first valve body 51, and a ventilation hole 57 is provided on the first plug 54. A first spring 55 is assembled at the bottom of the first plug 54. The first air extraction valve 50 further includes an adjusting screw 56 fixedly assembled with the straight pipe section 18, and the adjusting screw 56 extends into the first valve body 51 and abuts against the first plug 54.

[0056] Specifically, the second air extraction valve 60 includes a second valve body 61, a second air extraction port 62 is annularly provided on the side surface of the second valve body 61, and a second air outlet 63 is provided at the bottom of the second valve body 61; A second plug 64 for cooperating with the second air outlet 63 is provided in the cavity of the second valve body 61, and a second spring 65 is assembled at the top of the second plug 64.

[0057] The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment is that: the negative pressure air extraction mechanism can make the air pressure in the cavity between the descaling member 30 and the inner tube 20 and the cavity between the inner tube 20 and the straight pipe section 18 less than the external pressure. A reliable seal is obtained between the inner tube 20 and the straight pipe section 18, preventing flowing water from entering the gap between the inner tube 20 and the straight pipe section 18 and damaging the components. And it can ensure that the descaling member 30 is closely attached to the inner wall of the inner tube 20, so that the descaling member 30 can more thoroughly clean the water scale adhering to the inner wall of the inner tube 20 during the descaling process of moving, greatly improving the descaling effect and efficiency.

[0058] The usage method of the negative pressure air extraction mechanism is as follows:

[0059] First, ensure that the descaling member 30 stops at the initial position. When the descaling member 30 stays at the initial position, the first air extraction port 52 of the first air extraction valve 50 is facing the cavity formed by the contact between the descaling member 30 and the inner wall of the inner tube 20. Adjust the adjusting screw 56 of the first air extraction valve 50 so that the first plug 54 can move up and down freely.

[0060] Then, insert the special extraction pipe of the external extraction device into the air outlet of the second extraction valve 60. The special extraction pipe pushes up the second plug 64, and the external extraction device starts to extract air. During this period, when the air pressure in the negative pressure cavity is much smaller than the air pressure in the cavity between the descaling member 30 and the inner pipe 20, the first plug 54 of the first extraction valve 50 is pressed down, and the extraction continues until the air pressures in both the negative pressure cavity and the cavity between the descaling member 30 and the inner pipe 20 are stable.

[0061] Finally, pull out the special extraction pipe. The second plug 64 blocks the second air outlet 63 under the action of gravity and the second spring 65. Tighten the adjusting screw 56, and the adjusting screw 56 pushes up the first plug 54 to block the first extraction port 52.

[0062] The protection scope of the present invention includes but is not limited to the above embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention is subject to the claims, and any substitutions, deformations, and improvements that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art to this technology fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function, comprising a meter body, wherein a control module, a straight pipe section (18), and two parallel ultrasonic transducers (19) are installed inside the meter body. Characterized in that, An inner pipe (20) is assembled inside the straight pipe section (18), a descaling member (30) is assembled in the inner pipe (20), and a first magnetic block (31) is installed in the descaling member (30); a moving cavity is formed between the inner pipe (20) and the straight pipe section (18), and a moving mechanism (40) for driving the descaling member (30) to move is installed in the moving cavity, and a second magnetic block (41) corresponding to the first magnetic block (31) of the moving mechanism (40); The detection head of the ultrasonic transducer (19) extends into the straight pipe section (18) from the side and aligns with the side wall of the inner pipe (20), and a negative pressure cavity is also formed between the inner pipe (20) and the straight pipe section (18), and a reflecting block (22) arranged opposite to the ultrasonic transducer (19) is provided in the negative pressure cavity; A first air extraction valve (50) and a second air extraction valve (60) are provided in the negative pressure cavity; one end of the first air extraction valve (50) extends into the inner pipe (20) and does not exceed the side wall of the inner pipe (20), and the other end extends out of the straight pipe section (18); the first air extraction valve (50) includes a first valve body (51), and a first air extraction port (52) is provided on the first valve body (51). When the descaling member (30) stays at the initial position, the first air extraction port (52) is directly opposite to the cavity formed by the descaling member (30) fitting with the inner wall of the inner pipe (20); the second air extraction valve (60) is located in the negative pressure cavity, and one end of the second air extraction valve (60) extends out of the straight pipe section (18); A first air outlet (53) is annularly arranged on the side surface of the first valve body (51); a first blocking block (54) for cooperating with the first air extraction port (52) is arranged in the cavity of the first valve body (51), and a ventilation hole (57) is provided on the first blocking block (54); a first spring (55) is assembled at the bottom of the first blocking block (54); the first air extraction valve (50) further includes an adjusting screw (56) fixedly assembled with the straight pipe section (18), and the adjusting screw (56) extends into the first valve body (51) and abuts against the first blocking block (54); The second air extraction valve (60) includes a second valve body (61), a second air extraction port (62) is annularly arranged on the side surface of the second valve body (61), and a second air outlet (63) is provided at the bottom of the second valve body (61); a second blocking block (64) for cooperating with the second air outlet (63) is arranged in the cavity of the second valve body (61), and a second spring (65) is assembled at the top of the second blocking block (64).

2. An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The descaling member (30) includes a through pipe (32), rubber ring gaskets (33) are assembled on both sides of the through pipe (32), and a descaling groove (34) with a curve deepening from the assembly end face to the descaling end face is provided on the inner side wall of the rubber ring gasket (33); the first magnetic block (31) is assembled in the rubber ring gasket (33).

3. An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function according to claim 2, characterized in that, the moving mechanism (40) includes a moving motor (42), a moving belt (43) is installed on the moving motor (42), an adsorbing member (44) is fixed on the moving belt (43), and the second magnet (41) is installed on the adsorbing member (44).

4. An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function according to claim 3, characterized in that, a gap is left between the adsorbing member (44) and the side wall of the inner pipe (20).

5. An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function according to claim 4, characterized in that, a cavity (23) for accommodating the moving belt (43) is provided in the straight pipe section (18), a limiting groove (24) is provided in a section of the cavity (23) facing the inner pipe (20), and a limiting seat (45) cooperating with the limiting groove (24) is provided on the adsorbing member (44).

6. An ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function according to claim 5, characterized in that, rollers (25) are provided at the turning points of the moving belt (43) in the cavity (23).

7. A method for using an ultrasonic intelligent water meter, using the ultrasonic intelligent water meter with a descaling function according to any one of claims 1-6 above, characterized in that, it can perform regular descaling and check descaling; in the regular descaling, the descaling member (30) reciprocates once in the inner pipe (20); in the check descaling, the descaling member (30) reciprocates more than once in the inner pipe (20); the regular descaling includes the following steps: S10: Set the descaling period through the control module; S20: When the set descaling time arrives, the ultrasonic transducer (19) detects whether the user is using water and transmits the signal to the control module for judgment: when the user is not using water, the control module controls the ultrasonic transducer (19) to stop metering and controls the moving mechanism (40) to drive the descaling member (30) to descale the inner wall of the inner pipe (20); when the user is in a state of using water all the time during the descaling period, the descaling work is postponed to the next descaling period; the check descaling includes the following steps: S30: Close the water valve and evacuate the negative pressure cavity by using an external air pump; S40: Set the check descaling through the control module; the ultrasonic transducer (19) stops metering, and the moving mechanism (40) drives the descaling member (30) to reciprocate in the inner pipe (20) to descale the inner wall of the inner pipe (20).

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