Water level detection sensor and water level detection method

Abstract

The invention discloses a water level height detection sensor and a water level height detection method, and relates to the technical field of bathroom accessories, the water level height detection sensor comprises a first induction bonding pad, a second induction bonding pad, a third induction bonding pad and a control circuit; the first induction bonding pad, the second induction bonding pad and the third induction bonding pad are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the target container from bottom to top, the first induction bonding pad is arranged at the lowest water level of the target container, and the third induction bonding pad is arranged at the highest water level of the target container. The second induction bonding pad extends from the lowest water level of the target container to the highest water level of the target container; the control circuit is arranged on the outer side of the target container and connected with the first induction bonding pad, the second induction bonding pad and the third induction bonding pad. By adopting the embodiment of the invention, the water level in the non-metal container can be continuously detected, the structure is simple, and the accuracy is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of bathrooms, and in particular to a water level detection sensor and a water level detection method. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society and the advancement of science and technology, water level and water volume detection in the bathroom field is becoming more and more popular. Existing container water level sensors usually use single-point capacitive detection, multi-point capacitive detection, float magnetic induction detection and ultrasonic detection and other technical solutions. Specifically:

[0003] 1. The single-point capacitive water level detection solution can only detect whether the water level has reached a set fixed height, but cannot detect the continuous height of the water level;

[0004] Second, the multi-point capacitive water level detection solution requires the setting of multiple capacitive sensing blocks. For example, Chinese patent CN207502025U discloses a capacitive water level monitoring device, which requires the setting of multiple capacitive sensing blocks, each capacitive sensing block corresponds to a water level height detection point, and still cannot continuously detect the water level height;

[0005] 3. The float magnetic induction detection solution requires the float to be soaked in water, which will affect the water quality over time and the structure is complicated to install;

[0006] 4. Ultrasonic detection schemes have high requirements on structural design and high costs.

[0007] Therefore, developing a water level detection sensor and a water level detection method with a simple structure and capable of realizing continuous water level detection has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a water level detection sensor and a water level detection method, which can realize continuous detection of the water level in a non-metallic container, have a simple structure and high accuracy.

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problems, on the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water level detection sensor, including: a first sensing pad, a second sensing pad, a third sensing pad and a control circuit; the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad are arranged on the outside of the target container in sequence from bottom to top, the first sensing pad is arranged at the lowest water level of the target container, the third sensing pad is arranged at the highest water level of the target container, and the second sensing pad extends from the lowest water level of the target container to the highest water level of the target container; the control circuit is arranged on the outside of the target container and is connected to the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad respectively.

[0010] As an improvement of the above solution, the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad are arranged on the same straight line.

[0011] As an improvement of the above solution, the second sensing pad is a strip structure, the top end of the second sensing pad is connected to the third sensing pad, and the bottom end of the second sensing pad is connected to the first sensing pad.

[0012] As an improvement of the above scheme, the control circuit includes a main control chip, a power supply sub-circuit, a debugging sub-circuit, a signal input sub-circuit and a communication sub-circuit; the power supply sub-circuit is connected to the main control chip for supplying power to the main control chip; the signal input sub-circuit is connected to the main control chip for real-time acquisition of sensing capacitance information of the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad, and sending the sensing capacitance information to the main control chip; the debugging sub-circuit is connected to the main control chip for burning a program to the main control chip so that the main control chip generates water level height information according to the sensing capacitance information; the communication sub-circuit is connected to the main control chip for communication between the main control chip and an external terminal.

[0013] As an improvement of the above scheme, the power supply electronic circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor and a third capacitor; the power supply pin of the main control chip is connected to the power supply, the register pin of the main control chip is grounded through the third capacitor, and the working voltage pin of the main control chip is grounded; one end of the first capacitor is connected to the power supply and the other end is grounded, and the first capacitor is connected in parallel with the second capacitor.

[0014] As an improvement of the above scheme, the signal input subcircuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor and a third resistor; the first signal input pin of the main control chip is connected to the first sensing pad through the first resistor, the second signal input pin of the main control chip is connected to the second sensing pad through the second resistor, and the third signal input pin of the main control chip is connected to the third sensing pad through the third resistor.

[0015] As an improvement of the above scheme, the communication sub-circuit includes a fourth capacitor, a fifth capacitor, a sixth capacitor, a fourth resistor, a fifth resistor, a sixth resistor, a seventh resistor and a power supply communication interface; one end of the fourth resistor is connected to the receiving pin of the main control chip, and the other end is connected to the power supply communication interface; one end of the fifth resistor is connected to the sending pin of the main control chip, and the other end is connected to the power supply communication interface; one end of the sixth resistor is grounded through the fourth capacitor, and the other end is grounded through the fifth capacitor and connected to the other end of the fourth resistor; one end of the seventh resistor is grounded through the fourth capacitor, and the other end is grounded through the sixth capacitor and connected to the other end of the fifth resistor.

[0016] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a water level detection method based on a water level detection sensor, including: detecting whether the first sensing pad is triggered; when the first sensing pad is not triggered, collecting initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad; when the first sensing pad is triggered, detecting whether the third sensing pad is triggered; when the third sensing pad is not triggered, collecting real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad; calculating water level information based on the initial sensing capacitance information and the real-time sensing capacitance information.

[0017] As an improvement of the above scheme, the step of calculating the water level information according to the initial sensing capacitance information and the real-time sensing capacitance information includes: according to the formula x=4πkd(C x -C0) / εa, calculate the water level information of the water container; where x is the water level information of the water container, k is the electrostatic force constant, d is the wall thickness of the water container, C x is the real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad, C0 is the initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad, ε is the dielectric constant of the wall medium of the water container, and a is the width of the second sensing pad.

[0018] As an improvement of the above solution, the water level detection method further includes: when the third sensing pad is triggered by sensing, collecting the maximum sensing capacity information of the second sensing pad.

[0019] Implementing the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The water level detection sensor of the present invention introduces a first sensing pad, a second sensing pad and a third sensing pad, and by arranging the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad at different heights, and utilizing the induction capacitance principle formed by the sensing pad and water, realizes initial water level detection, maximum water level detection and real-time water level detection, and has high accuracy.

[0021] Furthermore, the second sensing pad in the water level detection sensor of the present invention is of a long strip type, which can realize continuous detection of the water level, overcoming the pain point that capacitive sensing can only perform single-point detection; at the same time, the water level detection sensor of the present invention introduces a control circuit with a simple structure, which can reduce the production cost under the premise of effectively realizing water level detection;

[0022] In addition, the water level detection method of the present invention is based on the water level detection sensor. By utilizing the mathematical relationship between the effective sensing area of ​​the second sensing pad and the sensing capacitance, by setting the initial sensing capacitance detection and the upper limit position detection, the real-time detection of the water level height of the target container can be achieved, which solves the pain point that capacitive sensing can only perform single-point detection. The installation is convenient and the structural integrity is not damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the installation of an embodiment of a water level detection sensor of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of a water level detection sensor of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of a control circuit in a water level detection sensor of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a control circuit in a water level detection sensor of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a water level detection method based on a water level detection sensor of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 It is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a water level detection method based on a water level detection sensor of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is hereby stated that the directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inside, outside, etc. that appear or will appear in the text of the present invention are only based on the accompanying drawings of the present invention, and are not specific limitations of the present invention.

[0030] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 and Figure 2 The specific structure of an embodiment of the water level detection sensor 100 of the present invention is shown, which includes a first sensing pad K1, a second sensing pad K2, a third sensing pad K3 and a control circuit 1; the first sensing pad K1, the second sensing pad K2 and the third sensing pad K3 are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the target container 101 from bottom to top, wherein:

[0031] The first sensing pad K1 is disposed at the lowest water level of the target container 101, and is used to detect the lowest water level (i.e., the initial water level);

[0032] The third sensing pad K3 is disposed at the highest water level of the target container 101, and is used to detect the highest water level;

[0033] The second sensing pad K2 extends from the lowest water level of the target container 101 to the highest water level of the target container 101, and is used to detect the water level;

[0034] The control circuit 1 is disposed outside the target container 101 and is connected to the first sensing pad K1 , the second sensing pad 2 and the third sensing pad K3 respectively.

[0035] It should be noted that the water level detection sensor of the present invention can be applied to a non-metallic target container 101. The control circuit 1, the first sensing pad K1, the second sensing pad K2 and the third sensing pad K3 are all tightly fixed on the outside of the non-metallic target container 101, and the water level detection is realized by utilizing the induction capacitance principle formed by the sensing pad and water.

[0036] The specific principle of the inductive capacitance is as follows: when the water level in the target container 101 rises higher, the overlapping area (effective inductive area) between the water and the second inductive pad K2 becomes larger, and the parasitic capacitance corresponding to the second inductive pad K2 changes more compared with the initial value; therefore, by calibrating and calibrating the parasitic capacitance change value corresponding to the second inductive pad K2, and using the conversion formula, the water level in the target container 101 can be detected in real time.

[0037] During operation, when the water level in the target container 101 reaches the position of the first sensing pad K1, the first sensing pad K1 is triggered, and the initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad K2 is detected and recorded at this time; as the water level in the target container 101 continues to increase, the real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad K2 will also continue to increase; when the water level reaches the position of the third sensing pad K3, the water level has exceeded the detectable range, and the real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad K2 also reaches the maximum.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the first sensing pad K1 , the second sensing pad K2 and the third sensing pad K3 are arranged on the same straight line.

[0039] Preferably, the second sensing pad K2 is a strip structure, the top end of the second sensing pad K2 is connected to the third sensing pad K3, and the bottom end of the second sensing pad K2 is connected to the first sensing pad K1.

[0040] The present invention utilizes the capacitance touch sensing principle to design a long strip capacitance sensing pad, has a simple structure, and can accurately realize water level detection.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the control circuit 1 includes a main control chip U1, a power supply subcircuit U2, a debugging subcircuit U3, a signal input subcircuit U4 and a communication subcircuit U5;

[0042] The power supply circuit U2 is connected to the main control chip U1 and is used to supply power to the main control chip U1;

[0043] The signal input subcircuit U4 is connected to the main control chip U1, and is used to collect the sensing capacitance information of the first sensing pad K1, the second sensing pad K2 and the third sensing pad K3 in real time, and send the sensing capacitance information to the main control chip U1;

[0044] The debugging sub-circuit U3 is connected to the main control chip U1 and is used to burn a program into the main control chip U1 so that the main control chip U1 generates water level information according to the sensing capacitor information;

[0045] The communication sub-circuit U5 is connected to the main control chip U1 and is used for communication between the main control chip U1 and an external terminal.

[0046] The following describes the main control chip U1, the power supply subcircuit U2, the debugging subcircuit U3, the signal input subcircuit U4 and the communication subcircuit U5 respectively in conjunction with the specific circuit diagram:

[0047] 1. Main control chip U1

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the main control chip U1 is provided with a power supply pin VDD, a register pin CMOD, a working voltage pin VSS, a clock pin tCK, a debug pin tDIO, a first signal input pin USRXO, a second signal input pin AIN2, a third signal input pin AIN3, a receiving pin PWM2 and a sending pin PWM3.

[0049] 2. Power supply circuit U2

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the power supply circuit U2 includes a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2 and a third capacitor C3; wherein, the power supply pin VDD of the main control chip U1 is connected to the power supply, the register pin CMOD of the main control chip U1 is grounded through the third capacitor C3, and the working voltage pin VSS of the main control chip U1 is grounded; one end of the first capacitor C1 is connected to the power supply, and the other end is grounded, and the first capacitor C1 is connected to the second capacitor C2 in parallel.

[0051] It should be noted that the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 are filtering and decoupling capacitors, which can realize filtering and decoupling functions; the third capacitor C3 is a touch sensing threshold adjustment capacitor, which can realize touch function.

[0052] 3. Debugging sub-circuit U3

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the debugging sub-circuit U3 includes a burning debugging interface P1, and the clock pin tCK and the debugging pin tDIO of the main control chip U1 are respectively connected to the burning debugging interface P1.

[0054] 4. Signal input subcircuit U4

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the signal input subcircuit U4 includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2 and a third resistor R3; wherein, the first signal input pin USRXO of the main control chip U1 is connected to the first sensing pad K1 through the first resistor R1, the second signal input pin AIN2 of the main control chip U1 is connected to the second sensing pad K2 through the second resistor R2, and the third signal input pin AIN3 of the main control chip U1 is connected to the third sensing pad K3 through the third resistor R3.

[0056] It should be noted that the first resistor R1 , the second resistor R2 and the third resistor R3 are impedance matching resistors, which can effectively match the first sensing pad K1 , the second sensing pad K2 and the third sensing pad K3 .

[0057] 5. Communication subcircuit U5

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the communication sub-circuit U5 includes a fourth capacitor C4, a fifth capacitor C5, a sixth capacitor C6, a fourth resistor R4, a fifth resistor R5, a sixth resistor R6, a seventh resistor R7 and a power supply communication interface CN1; wherein, one end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the receiving pin PWM2 of the main control chip U1, and the other end is connected to the power supply communication interface CN1; one end of the fifth resistor R5 is connected to the sending pin PWM3 of the main control chip U1, and the other end is connected to the power supply communication interface CN1; one end of the sixth resistor R6 is grounded through the fourth capacitor C4, and the other end is grounded through the fifth capacitor C5 and connected to the other end of the fourth resistor R4; one end of the seventh resistor R7 is grounded through the fourth capacitor C4, and the other end is grounded through the sixth capacitor C6 and connected to the other end of the fifth resistor R5.

[0059] It should be noted that the fourth capacitor C4, the fifth capacitor C5 and the sixth capacitor C6 are filter decoupling capacitors, the fourth resistor R4 and the fifth resistor R5 are current limiting suppression resistors, and the sixth resistor R6 and the seventh resistor R7 are pull-up resistors. Through the mutual cooperation of various electrical components, the main control chip U1 can directly communicate with the external load circuit.

[0060] Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention utilizes the mathematical relationship between the effective sensing area of ​​the second sensing pad K2 and the sensing capacitance, and by setting the initial sensing capacitance detection and the upper limit position detection, the real-time detection of the water level height of the target container can be achieved, thereby solving the pain point that the capacitive sensing can only perform single-point detection, and the installation is convenient without destroying the structural integrity.

[0061] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 The first embodiment of the water level detection method based on the water level detection sensor of the present invention is shown, which includes:

[0062] S101, detecting whether the first sensing pad is triggered by induction;

[0063] S102, when the first sensing pad is not triggered by induction, collecting initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad;

[0064] If the first sensing pad is not triggered, it means that the water level in the target container is lower than the height of the first sensing pad. At this time, the initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad can be detected and recorded.

[0065] S103, when the first sensing pad is triggered, detecting whether the third sensing pad is triggered;

[0066] S104, when the third sensing pad is not triggered, collecting real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad;

[0067] If the third sensing pad is not triggered, it means that the water level in the target container does not exceed the detectable range. At this time, the real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad can be detected and recorded.

[0068] S105, calculating water level information according to the initial sensing capacitance information and the real-time sensing capacitance information.

[0069] Specifically, the water level information x of the water container can be calculated according to the following formula:

[0070] x=4πkd(C x -C0) / εa

[0071] in,

[0072] x is the water level information of the water container (see Figure 1 );

[0073] k is the electrostatic force constant;

[0074] d is the wall thickness of the water container;

[0075] C x is the real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad;

[0076] C0 is the initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad;

[0077] ε is the dielectric constant of the water container wall medium;

[0078] a is the width of the second sensing pad (see Figure 2 ).

[0079] It should be noted that when the water level detection sensor is installed, only the real-time sensing capacitance information C of the second sensing pad is x is a variable, therefore, by measuring the real-time sensing capacitance information C of the second sensing pad in real timex , the real-time water level of the target container can be converted.

[0080] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 A second embodiment of a water level detection method based on a water level detection sensor of the present invention is shown, which comprises:

[0081] S201, detecting whether the first sensing pad is triggered by induction;

[0082] S202, when the first sensing pad is not triggered by induction, collecting initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad;

[0083] S203, when the first sensing pad is triggered, detecting whether the third sensing pad is triggered;

[0084] S204, when the third sensing pad is triggered, collecting maximum sensing capacity information of the second sensing pad;

[0085] If the third sensing pad is also triggered, it means that the water level in the target container has exceeded the detectable range. At this time, the maximum sensing capacity information of the second sensing pad is detected and recorded.

[0086] S205, when the third sensing pad is not triggered, collecting real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad;

[0087] S206, calculating water level information according to the initial sensing capacitance information and the real-time sensing capacitance information.

[0088] Similarly, the maximum water level information of the target container can be calculated based on the initial sensing capacitance information and the maximum sensing capacitance information.

[0089] As can be seen from the above, the embodiment of the present invention designs a unique water level detection sensor, utilizes the mathematical relationship between the effective sensing area of ​​the second sensing pad and the sensing capacitance, and sets the initial sensing capacitance detection and the upper limit position detection to achieve real-time detection of the water level of the target container, thereby solving the pain point that capacitive sensing can only perform single-point detection. The installation is convenient and the structural integrity is not damaged.

[0090] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that a person skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water level detection sensor, characterized in that: It includes a first sensing pad, a second sensing pad, a third sensing pad and a control circuit; The first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the target container from bottom to top, the first sensing pad is arranged at the lowest water level of the target container, the third sensing pad is arranged at the highest water level of the target container, and the second sensing pad extends from the lowest water level of the target container to the highest water level of the target container; The control circuit is arranged outside the target container and is respectively connected to the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad.

2. The water level detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad are arranged on the same straight line.

3. The water level detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second sensing pad is a strip structure, the top end of the second sensing pad is connected to the third sensing pad, and the bottom end of the second sensing pad is connected to the first sensing pad.

4. The water level detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit includes a main control chip, a power supply subcircuit, a debugging subcircuit, a signal input subcircuit and a communication subcircuit; The power supply circuit is connected to the main control chip and is used to supply power to the main control chip; The signal input subcircuit is connected to the main control chip, and is used to collect the sensing capacitance information of the first sensing pad, the second sensing pad and the third sensing pad in real time, and send the sensing capacitance information to the main control chip; The debugging subcircuit is connected to the main control chip and is used to burn a program into the main control chip so that the main control chip generates water level information according to the sensing capacitor information; The communication sub-circuit is connected to the main control chip and is used for communication between the main control chip and an external terminal.

5. The water level detection sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power supply circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor and a third capacitor; The power supply pin of the main control chip is connected to a power supply, the register pin of the main control chip is grounded through a third capacitor, and the working voltage pin of the main control chip is grounded; One end of the first capacitor is connected to a power supply, and the other end is grounded. The first capacitor is connected in parallel with the second capacitor.

6. The water level detection sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The signal input subcircuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor and a third resistor; The first signal input pin of the main control chip is connected to the first sensing pad through a first resistor, the second signal input pin of the main control chip is connected to the second sensing pad through a second resistor, and the third signal input pin of the main control chip is connected to the third sensing pad through a third resistor.

7. The water level detection sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The communication subcircuit includes a fourth capacitor, a fifth capacitor, a sixth capacitor, a fourth resistor, a fifth resistor, a sixth resistor, a seventh resistor and a power supply communication interface; One end of the fourth resistor is connected to the receiving pin of the main control chip, and the other end is connected to the power supply communication interface; One end of the fifth resistor is connected to the sending pin of the main control chip, and the other end is connected to the power supply communication interface; One end of the sixth resistor is grounded via the fourth capacitor, and the other end is grounded via the fifth capacitor and connected to the other end of the fourth resistor; One end of the seventh resistor is grounded through the fourth capacitor, and the other end is grounded through the sixth capacitor and connected to the other end of the fifth resistor.

8. A water level detection method based on the water level detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: Detecting whether the first sensing pad is triggered by induction; When the first sensing pad is not triggered, collecting initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad; When the first sensing pad is triggered, detecting whether the third sensing pad is triggered; When the third sensing pad is not triggered, collecting real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad; The water level information is calculated according to the initial sensing capacitance information and the real-time sensing capacitance information.

9. The water level detection method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The step of calculating the water level information according to the initial sensing capacitance information and the real-time sensing capacitance information comprises: According to the formula x = 4πkd(C x -C0) / εa, calculate the water level information of the water container; Among them, x is the water level information of the water container, k is the electrostatic force constant, d is the wall thickness of the water container, C x is the real-time sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad, C0 is the initial sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad, ε is the dielectric constant of the wall medium of the water container, and a is the width of the second sensing pad.

10. The water level detection method according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also includes: When the third sensing pad is triggered by sensing, the maximum sensing capacitance information of the second sensing pad is collected.

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