An intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses an intelligent water receiving control device for a purified water vending machine, which belongs to the intelligent field of purified water vending machines. The water outlet is arranged to be composed of an array of controllable water outlet holes. Ultrasonic holes are densely distributed in the water outlet holes. Ultrasonic waves are emitted downwards and return after hitting a bucket. The height difference of the bucket is modeled according to the time of return, so as to find the bucket mouth. Then, by controlling the opening and closing combination of the water outlet holes, the water outlet is aligned with the bucket mouth. Beneficial effects of the present invention: The present invention improves the intelligence level of the purified water vending machine; the water outlet can be automatically and quickly aligned with the bucket mouth, without the need for manual back and forth alignment, and is more convenient to use; it reduces the waste of purified water, has a simple structure, a reasonable design, and practical functions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of water purifiers, and in particular to an intelligent water connection control device for a water purification vending machine. Background Art

[0002] Typically, the outlet of a purified water vending machine is fixed. This often leads to the user misaligning the water inlet of the bucket with the outlet of the machine, causing purified water to leak out. This requires the user to repeatedly pause and align the outlet, making it particularly difficult to use for smaller buckets.

[0003] Patent CN201621467439.6 discloses an intelligent water receiving device for a purified water vending machine. This device features a movable bucket platform and a positioning device at the water outlet. A control chip uses the positioning device's information to guide the bucket platform, ultimately aligning the bucket opening with the outlet. This patent enhances the intelligence of purified water vending machines by automatically aligning the bucket opening with the outlet, reducing water waste and eliminating the need for the person receiving the water to repeatedly check for the outlet. This makes the device more user-friendly.

[0004] However, the above patent still has the following shortcomings when used: using a stepper motor to control the movement of the storage table requires a certain amount of space for the table to move, and the table itself requires a certain area to ensure the stable placement of the bucket. Furthermore, the limited space for the water purifier's water inlet means that using this method to control automatic alignment of the water inlet is inevitably limited. Furthermore, the storage table is connected to a movable mechanical structure, which is easily damaged by various factors such as moisture and splashing, and the weight of the bucket, resulting in poor reliability. The invention uses a laser transceiver to emit laser light, and the movement of the storage table is controlled by the time it takes for the laser to reflect back, representing different distances. Therefore, this system cannot quickly locate the water inlet of the bucket. Assuming the top of the bucket is flat, with an opening in the corner for water collection, the laser first strikes the center of the bucket's top. The table must be repeatedly moved until the laser finally strikes the bucket's opening to align the water purifier outlet with the bucket's water inlet, a potentially time-consuming process. Even if the laser strikes the water inlet of the bucket, assuming it is aligned with the bucket mouth, the actual outlet area may still be partially outside the bucket inlet, causing a large amount of purified water to overflow. Furthermore, if the range of movement is limited, the laser transceiver will always be unable to align with the bucket mouth, and the invention does not provide a solution for subsequent handling. Furthermore, this invention does not address how to control the water outlet in the event of water overflow. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides an intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned background technology.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine, including an ultrasonic transceiver and analysis module, an array-type controllable water outlet module, a touch screen control module, an overflow water flow monitoring module and a logic control module.

[0007] The ultrasonic transceiver analysis module is used to roughly model the bottom bucket based on the ultrasonic feedback time. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the top ultrasonic transceiver analysis module and projected onto a flat surface. The feedback time difference is used to roughly model the height difference of the bucket. This height difference analysis can be used to determine the location of the bucket's water inlet.

[0008] The array-type controllable water outlet module is an intelligent faucet that includes an array-type water outlet, and each water outlet can independently control the degree of opening and closing according to an electrical signal. Furthermore, the opening and closing size of each water outlet is different, which means that the pressure of different water outlets is controllable. The water outlets located inside the water inlet of the bucket have a higher water pressure, and the water flow is basically in a vertical downward spraying state, while the water outlets located at the edge of the water inlet of the bucket are in a half-open state, and their water pressure is relatively low. In this way, since the water flow in the middle part is faster and the water flow in the edge part is slower, the air pressure in the middle part is low, so that the water flowing out of the water outlets aligned with the edge of the water inlet of the bucket is concentrated in the middle, which not only increases the water flow but also avoids waste.

[0009] The touchscreen control module is a display and control module that allows for manual adjustment of the water outlet. A slider for adjusting the outlet size is located on the left side of the touchscreen. Adjusting this slider adjusts the circular area of the outlet. The right side of the touchscreen provides a sliding control for the outlet area. By pressing and dragging the circular outlet area displayed on the touchscreen, you can change the opening and closing state of the interference outlet, thereby changing the water outlet position.

[0010] The overflow water flow monitoring module is located at the bottom of the water receiving bin and is used to monitor the overflow water flow and transmit the monitoring data to the logic control module in real time.

[0011] The logic control module is responsible for receiving data uploaded by modules such as the ultrasonic module, the touch screen control module, and the overflow water flow monitoring module, and determines the control of the water outlet and the display of the touch screen content based on the acquired data.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. Simpler and more reliable control. Compared to using a stepper motor to control the movement of the storage table, faucets controlled by array-type water outlets have a simpler mechanical structure and a more stable system. This effectively avoids mechanical damage caused by moisture splashing, the weight of the bucket, and wear and tear during movement, which can lead to loss of automatic alignment.

[0014] 2. Larger alignment range. Compared with controlling the movement of the storage table, the array-type water outlet has a larger controllable alignment range because it does not need to consider the size of the storage table and the movable space of the storage table.

[0015] 3. Automatic alignment is faster and more accurate. Using the planar ultrasonic receiving module to emit a planar acoustic wave measurement signal, a height difference model of the bucket can be constructed in one go. Existing technologies, however, rely solely on a point-like laser transmitter to detect the bucket's height difference. This requires repeated movement of the table until the laser finally strikes the bucket's opening to align the water outlet and inlet, a time-consuming process. Furthermore, limited range of movement may prevent the laser transceiver from aligning with the bucket's opening.

[0016] 4. It can prevent water overflow caused by abnormal conditions. The present invention adds an overflow water flow monitoring device, which can monitor the overflowing water flow in real time. According to the overflow water flow, secondary protection can be provided for misalignment or abnormal conditions, thus preventing the waste of pure water caused by abnormal conditions that do not enter the water bucket.

[0017] 5. Manual intervention is possible to actively control the alignment of the water outlets and improve system robustness. The touch screen control module provided allows manual intervention in the automatically calculated aligned water outlets. This allows basic water supply services to continue to be provided in the event of alignment failure due to system damage or special reasons, thus enhancing the robustness of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the equipment layout of a pure water vending machine proposed by the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the array-type controllable water outlet module proposed in the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water outlet pressure control of the array-type controllable water outlet proposed in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a processing flow chart of the water connection intelligent control device of a water purification vending machine proposed by the present invention. Implementation Method

[0022] Before the introduction, let me first explain three terms:

[0023] 1) Water outlet: The water outlet is a water outlet in an array-type controllable water outlet module. The array-type controllable water outlet module is composed of multiple water outlets that can be independently opened and closed, and the degree of opening and closing can be controlled.

[0024] 2) Water outlet: The water outlet is a collection of multiple water outlet holes. Generally speaking, the water outlet is circular in shape and is roughly the same size as the water inlet of the bucket.

[0025] 3) Ultrasonic through holes: Ultrasonic through holes are holes used to pass ultrasonic waves and are spaced apart from the water outlet holes.

[0026] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments.

[0027] As attached Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the equipment layout of a pure water vending machine shown includes an ultrasonic transceiver analysis module, an array-type controllable water outlet module, a touch screen control module, an overflow water flow monitoring module and a logic control module.

[0028] The ultrasonic transceiver analysis module activates when the device is activated by swiping a card, continuously emitting ultrasonic waves downward and constructing a model of the object below based on the time difference in the ultrasonic reflections. When the user places a bucket on the table, the planar ultrasonic signal hits the bucket and reflects off the wall. The reflected signal then models the bucket below this planar area based on the height difference. The interior of the bucket's opening inevitably has a significant height difference from its surroundings. Therefore, the area with the largest height difference within the modeled elevation difference area is the bucket's water inlet.

[0029] The array-type controllable water outlet module will control the opening and closing state and degree of the water outlet according to the electrical signal of the logic control module. By controlling the opening and closing state and degree of the water outlet, the water outlet position can be changed to achieve the purpose of aligning the water inlet of the bucket. The schematic diagram of this module is as follows Figure 2 As shown, the water outlet holes and ultrasonic through holes are arranged in a densely spaced manner.

[0030] In addition, in order to improve the water filling efficiency, the water outlet holes near the edge of the circular water outlet are also in an open state, but they are in a semi-open state, so that the water pressure in the water outlet holes near the edge of the water outlet is lower. In this way, when the water flow from the middle water outlet holes flows downward rapidly, the atmospheric pressure in the middle part will drop, and the atmospheric pressure outside will force the water flowing out of the water outlet holes at the edge of the water outlet to converge to the center of the water inlet of the bucket without overflowing. The specific effect is as follows: Figure 3 shown.

[0031] The touchscreen control module is divided into two parts. The left part is smaller and contains an indicator bar and a slider that the user can drag to control the size of the water outlet area. The right part is larger and displays the number of water outlets on the touchscreen, which corresponds to the actual number of outlets. A red circle also appears, corresponding to the outlet area. The size of this circle can be adjusted using the left slider, and the position of the circle can be adjusted by dragging the user. The inside of the circle indicates the outlet to be opened. It displays orange when not discharging water and green when discharging water.

[0032] This module displays the size of the bucket's water inlet area, automatically identified by the system, and the water outlets to be opened based on the outlet area size and outlet control signals calculated by the logic control module. In addition to displaying these functions, users can also manually modify the outlet area size and drag the outlet position, dynamically changing the outlets affected by this area and transmitting the user-modified results to the logic control module.

[0033] The overflow water flow monitoring module is installed at the bottom of the water collection area. Any spilled or overflowing water during the water collection process is ultimately discharged through the overflow water flow monitoring module. The overflow water flow monitoring module sends real-time water flow data to the logic control module. The logic control module uses this flow rate to determine if an abnormal overflow is occurring and decides whether to immediately terminate automatic watering and switch to manual control.

[0034] The logic processing module is responsible for accessing data from all modules and controlling each module according to pre-set rules and processing logic. The processing flow of the logic control module is as follows: Figure 4 As shown:

[0035] 1) The user places the bucket on the table and swipes the card to get water;

[0036] 2) The ultrasonic transceiver module transmits ultrasonic waves downward and models the height difference of the bucket based on the time difference of the feedback;

[0037] 3) The logic processing module calculates the water inlet area of the bucket based on the height difference model;

[0038] 4) The logic processing module calculates the size of the water bucket mouth, the size of the water outlet area, the water outlet holes included in the water outlet area, the interference of the water outlet holes, and the degree of opening and closing of the water outlet holes;

[0039] 5) The logic processing module sends relevant information such as the water outlet size and the opening and closing degree of the water outlet to the touch screen display module for display to the user;

[0040] 6) After the user sees the water outlet location displayed on the touch screen display module, he or she roughly determines whether manual intervention is required;

[0041] 7) Under condition 6, if the user determines that the water outlet automatically aligned by the system is incorrect, they can manually intervene through the touch screen to adjust the water outlet size and position. The water outlet holes affected by the water outlet will be displayed in real time on the touch screen;

[0042] 8) Under condition 7, when the user has completed the adjustment, or under condition 6, when the user determines that the water outlet automatically aligned by the system is accurate, the user confirms and starts to collect water;

[0043] 9) When receiving water, the water outlet to be opened will open and water will be poured into the bucket. At the same time, the water outlet to be opened (orange) on the touch screen display module will change to open (green).

[0044] 10) During the water collection process, the ultrasonic transceiver module continuously measures distance to determine whether the water level in the bucket has reached 80% of the bucket height and whether the overflow flow rate has reached the threshold;

[0045] 11) When the two conditions described in 10 are met and the overflow water flow reaches the threshold, the system will immediately exit the automatic water filling process and transfer the water filling control to the user;

[0046] 12) When the water level in the bucket reaches 80% of the bucket height, the water flow slows down and the water outlet starts and stops intermittently to reduce interference with ultrasonic ranging, thereby obtaining a more accurate water level in the bucket.

[0047] 13) Determine whether the water level in the bucket has reached 90% of the bucket height based on the height difference, and also determine whether the overflow flow has reached the threshold;

[0048] 14) If either of the two conditions in 13 is met, the system will exit the automatic watering process and transfer watering control to the user;

[0049] Finally, a few points should be explained: First, in the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified or limited, it should be understood in a broad sense.

[0050] Secondly: In the drawings of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention, only the structures related to the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are involved. Other structures can refer to the general design. In the absence of conflict, the same embodiment and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0051] Finally: The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine, characterized in that: At least include: ultrasonic transceiver analysis module, array controllable water outlet module, touch screen control module, overflow water flow monitoring module and logic control module; The ultrasonic transceiver analysis module is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to measure the water bucket and to model the height difference of the water bucket based on the ultrasonic return time interval; The array-type controllable water outlet module is a module similar to a faucet, which is composed of a plurality of controllable water outlet holes arranged in an array; The touch screen control module is a module based on touch screen display and control for controlling the size and position of the water outlet; The overflow water flow monitoring module is installed at the bottom of the water receiving tank and is mainly composed of a monitoring sensor for monitoring the overflow water flow. It can report data to the logic processing module in real time; The logic processing module is responsible for receiving data uploaded by the ultrasonic transceiver analysis module, the touch screen control module, and the overflow water flow monitoring module, and determining the control of the water outlet and the display of the touch screen content based on the data; The array-type controllable water outlet module and the ultrasonic transceiver analysis module are integrated together to form an array-type induction faucet; The array-type induction faucet consists of an array of water outlets and ultrasonic holes spaced in the middle to form a surface area. This surface area can quickly model the height difference of the object below through the emitted ultrasonic waves, thereby quickly identifying the water inlet of the bucket; because the water outlet is controllable, the position of the water outlet area can be controlled by controlling the switch of the water outlet.

2. The intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water outlet is composed of multiple water holes, and the pressure of the water holes located at the edge is lower than that of the water holes in the middle. In this way, since the pressure of the water holes at the edge is small and the initial velocity of the water flow is small, and the pressure of the water holes in the middle is large and the initial velocity of the water flow is large, the atmospheric pressure in the middle is low, so that the water flowing out of the water holes at the edge will not overflow outside the water inlet of the bucket.

3. The intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The size, number and position of the water outlets displayed on the touch screen control module are proportional to the actual position, and the size and position of the water outlets can be changed manually; The size of the water outlet can be changed by sliding the slider on the left, and the position can be changed by pressing the red ring displayed on the right touch screen with your finger and dragging it; the water outlets interfered with by the ring will automatically change color and display the corresponding status.

4. The intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The overflow water flow monitoring module is installed at the bottom of the water receiving bin. It can monitor the flow of all overflow water and upload the data to the logic processing module in real time. Once the overflow water flow exceeds the threshold, the system will automatically exit the automatic filling mode and be handed over to manual control.

5. An intelligent water supply control device for a water purification vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Logical processing includes the following steps: Step 1.1: Ultrasonic waves are emitted downward in a planar area to detect the shape of the bucket. Based on the time difference of the ultrasonic waves returning, the height difference of the bucket shape is modeled. Step 1.2: The logic processing module calculates the water inlet area of the bucket based on the height difference modeling data; Step 1.3: The size and position of the water outlet and the water holes affected by the water outlet will be displayed through the touch screen control module; Step 1.4: The user confirms that the size and position of the water outlet are consistent with the actual water inlet of the bucket; Step 1.5: Under the conditions of 1.4, if there is no obvious deviation, the system can be considered to have automatically identified the alignment accurately. After the user confirms, the outlet will start to release water; Step 1.6: Under the conditions of 1.4, if there is a significant deviation, the user can manually adjust the position and size of the water outlet through the touch screen control module; Step 1.7: During the water collection process, the ultrasonic transceiver and analysis module continuously measures the water level in the bucket. When the water level reaches 80%, the water flow slows down, and the water outlet starts and stops intermittently to reduce interference with the ultrasonic ranging, thereby obtaining a more accurate water level. Step 1.8: When the water level in the bucket reaches 90%, the system exits the automatic filling process and transfers control to the user, while giving a clear prompt; Step 1.9: At any time during the entire automatic water filling process, when the overflow water flow monitoring module detects that the overflow water flow has reached the threshold, it will exit the automatic water filling process, hand over control to the user, and give a clear prompt.

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