Liquid level detection system for flexible container

Abstract

A liquid level detection system for a flexible container disclosed by the present invention comprises at least one liquid level measurement module and a detection module, the liquid level measurement module comprises a plurality of capacitance measurement units, and the plurality of capacitance measurement units are sequentially arranged at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction of the outer side of the flexible container. The capacitance detection module is used for detecting capacitance values at a plurality of positions on the flexible container; the detection module is in communication connection with at least one liquid level measurement module and used for receiving the capacitance values at the multiple positions and determining the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the capacitance values at the multiple positions. At least one liquid level measuring module is arranged on the outer side of the flexible container, each liquid level measuring module is provided with a plurality of capacitance measuring units, capacitance detection of multiple positions or multiple heights on the flexible container is achieved through the multi-point capacitance principle, and then the current liquid level value of liquid in the flexible container is obtained. Therefore, the detected liquid level value is more accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid level detection systems, and in particular to a liquid level detection system for a flexible container. Background Art

[0002] In view of the fact that during intravenous infusion, the air entering the infusion bag or bottle cannot enter the patient's body through the infusion hose to avoid danger, the existing monitoring of liquid level changes in flexible containers has the disadvantages of high labor costs and high error rates. For example: during the patient's infusion process, the accompanying personnel are usually required to observe the drop of the liquid level in the infusion bag or bottle at any time, and notify the medical staff to deal with it when the liquid level of the residual liquid is within the alarm level range. Despite this, there is still a risk that the air in the infusion device will enter the patient's body due to the negligence of the parties during the infusion process, and the parties will have great mental pressure. For the situation where nurses conduct inspections at intervals, due to the large daily workload of nurses, they need to deal with various trivial matters that appear at any time, and the infusion speed and situation of each infusion patient are different, there will also be a situation where they cannot timely notice the infusion bottle change or end time of each infusion patient and deal with it in time, and often the infusion patients and accompanying personnel still need to check it by themselves. In addition, with the advancement of technology, the existing liquid level monitoring changes include setting up sensors to monitor changes in the capacitance of the entire container and then judging changes in the liquid level. However, for flexible containers, they will continue to deform as the liquid level changes. Therefore, the capacitance output by the sensor fluctuates greatly and is unstable, resulting in false alarms.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the art for a detection system for accurately detecting the liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container, which can solve the above technical problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention discloses a liquid level detection system for a flexible container, which is used to solve the technical problems of high cost and high false alarm of monitoring the liquid level value in the existing flexible container.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention discloses a liquid level detection system for a flexible container, comprising at least one liquid level measurement module and a detection module.

[0006] The liquid level measurement module comprises a plurality of capacitance measurement units, which are sequentially arranged at a plurality of positions in a vertical direction outside the flexible container and are used to detect capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions on the flexible container;

[0007] The detection module is in communication with at least one of the liquid level measurement modules and is configured to receive and determine a current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions.

[0008] Furthermore, the liquid level measurement module is a flexible liquid level measurement module.

[0009] Furthermore, the detection module forms a capacitance gradient value according to the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions, and determines a current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the capacitance gradient value.

[0010] Further, the plurality of capacitance measuring units output a first capacitance value when detecting air medium in the flexible container; and the plurality of capacitance measuring units output a second capacitance value when detecting liquid medium in the flexible container;

[0011] The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring units output by the plurality of capacitance measuring units.

[0012] Furthermore, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container is located between the two capacitance measuring units, the detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the position information of the capacitance measuring unit corresponding to the first capacitance value at the top end in the vertical height and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit corresponding to the second capacitance value at the bottom end in the vertical height.

[0013] Further, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container is at the position where the capacitance measuring unit is located, the capacitance measuring unit currently detects and outputs a third capacitance value, and the third capacitance value is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value;

[0014] The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the plurality of third capacitance values ​​and the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance values.

[0015] Further, the detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance value in vertical height and the ratio of the third capacitance value to the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

[0016] Furthermore, the plurality of liquid level measurement modules are separately arranged in the horizontal direction outside the flexible container, and the plurality of capacitance measurement units on different liquid level measurement modules are staggered in the vertical direction;

[0017] The outer side of the flexible container is completely covered in the vertical direction by a plurality of capacitance measuring units on different liquid level measuring modules.

[0018] Further, the plurality of capacitance measuring units on the plurality of liquid level measuring modules output a first capacitance value when detecting air medium in the flexible container; and the plurality of capacitance measuring units output a second capacitance value when detecting liquid medium in the flexible container;

[0019] The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring units output by the plurality of capacitance measuring units.

[0020] Further, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container is at the position where the capacitance measuring unit is located, the capacitance measuring unit currently detects and outputs a third capacitance value, and the third capacitance value is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value;

[0021] The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the plurality of third capacitance values ​​and the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance values.

[0022] Further, the detection module receives and parses and outputs the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance value in the vertical height and the ratio of the third capacitance value to the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

[0023] Furthermore, a plurality of the liquid level measurement modules are arranged in an inclined and staggered manner in a vertical direction outside the flexible container;

[0024] Wherein, the outer side of the flexible container is completely covered in the vertical direction by a plurality of the capacitance measuring units on different liquid level measuring modules.

[0025] Furthermore, the liquid level measurement module includes an adhesive layer, a measurement layer and a protective layer.

[0026] The adhesive layer is used to adhere the liquid level measurement module to the outside of the flexible container;

[0027] The measurement layer is at least used to set the capacitance measurement unit;

[0028] The protection layer is used to protect the measurement layer.

[0029] Furthermore, the measurement layer includes a substrate plate and a plurality of the capacitance measuring units, and the plurality of the capacitance measuring units are disposed on the substrate plate.

[0030] Furthermore, the plurality of capacitance measuring units are arranged on the substrate plate at equal intervals or unequal intervals.

[0031] Furthermore, the plurality of capacitance measuring units are arranged on the substrate plate by spraying or etching.

[0032] Furthermore, the substrate plate and the protective layer are both made of non-conductive material.

[0033] Furthermore, the thickness of the protection layer is greater than the thickness of the measurement layer.

[0034] Furthermore, the detection module includes a display module, and the display module is used to display at least one of a current liquid level value and a capacitance gradient value of the liquid in the flexible container.

[0035] Furthermore, the detection module includes a storage module for storing a liquid level threshold of the liquid in the flexible container, and when the current liquid level value is less than or equal to the liquid level threshold, the detection module generates an alarm message.

[0036] Furthermore, the alarm information includes at least one of voice alarm information and indicator light alarm.

[0037] The present invention discloses a liquid level detection system for a flexible container, comprising at least one liquid level measurement module and a detection module, wherein the liquid level measurement module comprises a plurality of capacitance measurement units, wherein the plurality of capacitance measurement units are sequentially arranged at a plurality of positions along the vertical direction of the outer side of the flexible container, and are used to detect the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions on the flexible container; the detection module is communicatively connected with at least one of the liquid level measurement modules, and is used to receive and determine the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions. The present invention is provided with at least one liquid level measurement module on the outer side of the flexible container, and each of the liquid level measurement modules is provided with a plurality of capacitance measurement units, and the capacitance detection of a plurality of positions or a plurality of heights on the flexible container is realized through the principle of multi-point capacitance, thereby obtaining the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container, so that the detected liquid level value is more accurate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 The present invention provides a structure diagram of a liquid level detection system for a flexible container. Figure 1 ;

[0040] Figure 2 The present invention provides a structure diagram of a liquid level detection system for a flexible container. Figure 2 ;

[0041] Figure 3It is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the height value of the flexible container and the detected capacitance value in the present invention;

[0042] Figure 4 The present invention provides a structure diagram of a liquid level detection system for a flexible container. Figure 3 ;

[0043] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the flexible liquid level measurement module of the present invention.

[0044] Summary of reference numerals:

[0045] 1. Liquid level measurement module 11. Adhesive layer

[0046] 12. Measurement layer 121. Base material plate

[0047] 122. Capacitance measurement unit 13. Protective layer

[0048] 2. Detection module 3. Flexible container

[0049] 4. Liquid DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The specific implementation of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described herein is only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a liquid level detection system for a flexible container, comprising at least one liquid level measurement module 1 and a detection module 2, wherein the liquid level measurement module 1 comprises a plurality of capacitance measurement units 122, and the plurality of capacitance measurement units 122 are sequentially arranged at a plurality of positions along the vertical direction of the outer side of the flexible container 3, for detecting capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions on the flexible container 3; the detection module 2 is communicatively connected with at least one of the liquid level measurement modules 1, for receiving and determining the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 according to the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions.

[0052] It should be noted that the flexible container 3 refers to a container whose shape changes with the change of the liquid 4 inside it. For example, an infusion bag will become thinner and flatter as the liquid 4 inside the infusion bag gradually decreases, and its shape will gradually change as the liquid 4 inside the flexible container 3 gradually decreases.

[0053] In order to accurately measure the liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3, the above-mentioned liquid level measurement module 1 adopts a flexible liquid level measurement module 1, and the multiple capacitance measurement units 122 arranged thereon adopt capacitive sensors. Among them, multiple capacitive sensors are arranged in sequence along the vertical direction of the outer side of the flexible container 3 containing the liquid 4. Such arrangement is to adopt the principle of multi-point capacitance to measure the capacitance value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3, and then analyze and judge the current liquid level value corresponding to the capacitance value through the capacitance value. From the appearance point of view, the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 in the present invention is a strip-shaped flexible liquid level measurement module 1, which can be pasted on the outer side of the body of the flexible container 3 to measure the liquid level value of the liquid 4 through the capacitance principle.

[0054] The present invention arranges at least one liquid level measuring module 1 on the outside of the flexible container 3, and each of the liquid level measuring modules 1 is provided with a plurality of capacitance measuring units 122. The capacitance detection at multiple positions or multiple heights on the flexible container 3 is realized through the principle of multi-point capacitance, thereby obtaining the current liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3, so that the detected liquid level value is more accurate.

[0055] Specifically, the detection module 2 forms a capacitance gradient value according to the capacitance values ​​at multiple positions, and determines the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 according to the capacitance gradient value. Since multiple capacitance measuring units 122 are used, the multiple capacitance measuring units 122 output the corresponding capacitance values ​​after detecting the corresponding capacitance values. The flexible container 3 is divided into an air part (a part without liquid 4) and a liquid 4 part. The multiple capacitance measuring units 122 output the corresponding capacitance values ​​after detecting the air medium or the liquid medium. For this reason, the capacitance values ​​output by the multiple capacitance measuring units 122 are capacitance values ​​corresponding to the air medium or capacitance values ​​corresponding to the liquid medium. For the capacitance value at the interface between the air medium and the liquid medium, a sudden change occurs, that is, the capacitance value suddenly changes from a very small value to a very large value. The liquid level value can be obtained by the position of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the sudden capacitance value.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the capacitance measuring units 122 on one of the liquid level measuring modules 1 detect and output capacitance values. The plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 output a first capacitance value when detecting the air medium in the flexible container 3; the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 output a second capacitance value when detecting the liquid medium in the flexible container 3; the detection module 2 receives and outputs the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 (the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value) output by the liquid level measuring module 1.

[0057] In practical applications, the length of the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 can be designed to match the height of the flexible container 3, and the multiple capacitance measurement units 122 provided on the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 are arranged at equal or unequal intervals. Preferably, the multiple capacitance measurement units 122 are arranged at equal intervals, thereby making it easier to understand the position information of the capacitance measurement units 122.

[0058] Among them, the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 is a known quantity, for example, it can be determined and obtained by the order of arrangement and the height position on the flexible container 3. For example, the height of the flexible container 3 is 20cm, and 40 capacitance measuring units 122 are arranged at equal intervals on the flexible liquid level measurement module 1, that is, a capacitance measuring unit 122 is arranged at every 5mm position. The specific position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 can be obtained by the number of the capacitance measuring unit 122 and the height value of the flexible container 3. When the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 in the present invention is pasted on the flexible container 3, the order of numbers 1-40 can be pasted along the direction from the bottom to the top of the flexible container 3, so that the larger the number of the capacitance measuring unit 122, the higher the height of the flexible container (the larger the position value); or pasting in the opposite direction is also possible; or an initial reference position is set on the flexible container 3, and one end of the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 can be pasted from the initial reference position, and the height of the initial reference position can be set to 0.

[0059] In a further embodiment of the present invention, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container 3 is located between the two capacitance measuring units 122, the detection module 2 receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 based on the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the first capacitance value at the top end in the vertical height and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the second capacitance value at the bottom end in the vertical height.

[0060] Since the multiple capacitance measuring units 122 on the liquid level measurement module 1 are arranged at equal or unequal intervals, when the liquid level interface of the liquid in the flexible container 3 is at the position of a capacitance measuring unit 122 (for example, when the liquid level is in the middle of a capacitance measuring unit 122), the current capacitance measuring unit 122 detects and outputs a third capacitance value, which is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value. At this time, the detection module 2 receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the multiple third capacitance values ​​and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value (that is, the current liquid level value can be obtained by directly outputting the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value). Alternatively, the detection module 2 receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 according to the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value in the vertical height and the ratio of the absolute value of the third capacitance value to the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value (the liquid level value obtained at this time is the interface height where the real liquid level is located, not the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 itself).

[0061] Specifically, the first capacitance value corresponding to the air medium is C1, the second capacitance value corresponding to the liquid medium is C2, and the third capacitance value corresponding to the liquid at the interface between the air medium and the liquid medium is C3, then C1<C3<C2; the position corresponding to the first capacitance value C1 is A1, the position corresponding to the second capacitance value C2 is A2, and the position corresponding to the third capacitance value C3 is A3, then the position A3 corresponding to the third capacitance value C3 (i.e., the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3) is calculated by the following formula:

[0062]

[0063] or,

[0064] The third capacitance value in the present invention is not a fixed value. As the liquid in the flexible container 3 changes, deformation will occur, and the third capacitance value may fluctuate within a certain range (capacitance gradient), but the fluctuation range is not large. For example, taking the second capacitance value of 100 as an example, the third capacitance value may be 60, 80, 70, etc., but at this time, the third capacitance value may be 60, 80, 70, and the corresponding interfaces are all at the position of a capacitance detection unit 122. At this time, either the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 itself corresponding to the third capacitance value is output, or the actual liquid level value corresponding to the third capacitance value is calculated and output by a formula.

[0065] When a liquid level measurement module 1 is provided in the present invention, the liquid level is between two capacitance measurement units 122, and the liquid level value is the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 corresponding to the second capacitance value of the nearest first capacitance value; or, when the liquid level is at the position of a capacitance measurement unit 122 (for example, the liquid level is in the middle of a capacitance measurement unit 122), the liquid level capacitance value is a third capacitance value, and the third capacitance value is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value. At this time, the position information corresponding to the third capacitance value is the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3. At this time, the liquid level value between the two capacitance measurement units 122 is not the real liquid level value, but the liquid level value corresponding to the capacitance measurement unit 122 where the real liquid level value is located.

[0066] In order to obtain the actual liquid level value of the liquid level between the two capacitance measurement units 122, the present invention arranges a plurality of strip-shaped flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 outside the flexible container 3, such as Figure 2 As shown, multiple flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are separately arranged in the horizontal direction outside the flexible container 3, and multiple capacitance measurement units 122 on different liquid level measurement modules 1 are staggered in the vertical direction. That is to say, by arranging multiple liquid level measurement modules 1 on the outside of the flexible container 3, multiple liquid level measurement modules 1 are staggered in the vertical direction, so that there are corresponding capacitance measurement units 122 from top to bottom in the vertical direction of the outside of the flexible container 3, and different liquid levels will have corresponding capacitance measurement units 122 to obtain their liquid level values.

[0067] Specifically, a plurality of strip-shaped flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged on the outside of the flexible container 3, and the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 on each of the liquid level measurement modules 1 output a capacitance value corresponding to its own position information; the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 on each of the liquid level measurement modules 1 output a first capacitance value when the air medium in the flexible container 3 is detected; the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 output a second capacitance value when the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 is detected; the detection module 2 receives and outputs the current liquid level value in the flexible container 3 according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 output by each of the liquid level measurement modules 1.

[0068] When multiple flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged outside the flexible container 3, the outer side of the flexible container 3 is completely and continuously covered in the vertical direction by multiple capacitance measurement units 122 on different liquid level measurement modules 1, and the current liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 can be obtained by outputting the measured capacitance values ​​by multiple capacitance measurement units 122 on each liquid level measurement module 1 and combining the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122. The measurement principle is the same as when one flexible liquid level measurement module 1 is arranged.

[0069] At this time, the multiple capacitance measuring units 122 on the multiple liquid level measuring modules 1 output a first capacitance value when detecting the air medium in the flexible container 3; the multiple capacitance measuring units 122 output a second capacitance value when detecting the liquid medium in the flexible container 3; the detection module 2 receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 based on the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring units 122 output by the multiple capacitance measuring units 122.

[0070] When multiple flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are set on the outside of the flexible container 3, the liquid level interface in the flexible container 3 may be in the same horizontal plane with a certain capacitance measuring unit 122. At this time, the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the second capacitance value closest to the first capacitance value is the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3.

[0071] Alternatively, when multiple flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged outside the flexible container 3, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container 3 is at the location of a certain capacitance measurement unit 122 (for example, the liquid level is at the middle position of a capacitance measurement unit 122), the current capacitance measurement unit 122 detects and outputs a third capacitance value, and the third capacitance value is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value. At this time, the detection module 2 receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the multiple third capacitance values ​​and the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value (that is, the current liquid level value can be obtained by directly outputting the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value).

[0072] Alternatively, the detection module 2 receives and analyzes the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 according to the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value in the vertical height and the ratio of the third capacitance value to the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value (the liquid level value obtained at this time is the interface height of the real liquid level, not the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 itself). Specifically, the first capacitance value corresponding to the air medium is C1, the second capacitance value corresponding to the liquid medium is C2, and the third capacitance value corresponding to the liquid at the interface between the air medium and the liquid medium is C3, then C1<C3<C2; the position corresponding to the first capacitance value C1 is A1, the position corresponding to the second capacitance value C2 is A2, and the position corresponding to the third capacitance value C3 is A3, then the position corresponding to the third capacitance value C3 is calculated by the following formula as A3 (i.e., the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3):

[0073]

[0074] or,

[0075] In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 located at the bottom or the top of the liquid level measuring module 1 is located at the preset reference position, and the detection module 2 is specifically used for:

[0076] Acquire a capacitance value detected by the capacitance measuring unit 122 located at the preset reference position as a reference capacitance value;

[0077] The capacitance value obtained by the capacitance measuring unit 122 which is not at the preset reference position is compared with the reference capacitance value to determine the current liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 .

[0078] The preset reference position can be set at the bottom or the lowest position of the flexible container 3, that is, the situation where the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 has been used up. Alternatively, the preset reference position can also be set at the top of the flexible container 3 or the highest position of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3. The capacitance value detected by the capacitance measuring unit 122 at the preset reference position is obtained as the reference capacitance value. For example, the bottom position of the flexible container 3 is used as the preset reference position, and the capacitance value obtained by the capacitance measuring unit 122 at the corresponding position is the reference capacitance value. The reference capacitance value is the capacitance value with liquid 4. The accurate liquid level value can be obtained by combining the capacitance values ​​obtained by other capacitance measuring units 122.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the relationship between the height value of the flexible container and the detected capacitance value. The lowest position of the flexible container 3 is taken as the height 0 position. Figure 3 The position where the capacitance value suddenly changes is the highest point of the liquid level in the flexible container (i.e., the current liquid level value). As can be seen from the figure, the capacitance value at a higher position on the flexible container 3 (above the liquid level) is smaller, the capacitance value suddenly changes at the liquid level interface (the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container), and the capacitance value below the liquid level interface is larger and remains unchanged. In other words, the capacitance measurement unit 122 has a smaller capacitance value when detecting the air medium, and the capacitance value suddenly changes to a larger value after detecting the liquid medium, and the capacitance value interface is more obvious. At this time, the height value corresponding to the first larger capacitance value is the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container.

[0080] When one or more liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged outside the flexible container 3, the flexible container 3 will change during the liquid level change process. Figure 3 The interface in the embodiment can be an inclined surface, in which case the capacitance value at the interface is between the capacitance value in the case of air medium and the capacitance value in the case of liquid medium.

[0081] For different liquid level measurement modules 1, the measured capacitance values ​​can be sent to the same detection module 2. The position information of the multiple capacitance measurement units 122 set on each liquid level measurement module 1 is a known quantity, for example, it can be determined and obtained by combining the arrangement order and the height position on the flexible container 3. For example, the height of the flexible container 3 is 20 cm, and two flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are pasted on the outside thereof, and 40 capacitance measurement units 122 are arranged at equal intervals on one of the flexible liquid level measurement modules 1, that is, a capacitance measurement unit 122 is arranged at every 5 mm position, and the specific position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 can be obtained by the number of the capacitance measurement unit 122 and the height value of the flexible container 3. When the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 in the present invention is pasted on the flexible container 3, the order of numbers 1-40 can be pasted along the direction from the bottom to the top of the flexible container 3, so that the larger the number of the capacitance measurement unit 122, the higher the height of the flexible container (the larger the position value); or pasting in the opposite direction is also possible; or an initial reference position is set on the flexible container 3, and one end of the flexible liquid level measurement module 1 can be pasted from the initial reference position, and the initial reference position height can be set to 0. Another flexible liquid level measurement module 1 is set on the left or right side of the above-mentioned flexible liquid level measurement module 1, but the interval of 5mm is staggered with the above-mentioned flexible liquid level measurement module 1 in the vertical direction (that is, the width of a capacitance measurement unit 122 is staggered), thereby realizing the use of two flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 to monitor the capacitance values ​​at different heights on the flexible container 3, and then obtain the current liquid level value. Of course, the number of flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 can be 2, or it can be other values, and its arrangement and distribution can be satisfied as long as it can measure the capacitance values ​​at different positions in the vertical direction of the flexible container. The above is only an example and is not a limitation on the technical content.

[0082] When a plurality of liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged outside the flexible container 3, Figure 3 The interface in is an inclined plane. At this time, the capacitance values ​​corresponding to the air medium and the liquid medium at different height positions in the flexible container 3 will be measured, that is, the capacitance values ​​at different height positions of the flexible container 3 correspond to independent capacitance values, and the interface is sudden (but the height change range corresponding to the interface is within the height range of a capacitance measurement unit). In the figure, the capacitance value will suddenly change from a smaller value to a larger value. The capacitance value at the interface is obviously larger than the capacitance value above the liquid level. Therefore, the position of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the larger capacitance value is the current liquid level value.

[0083] For example, taking the infusion process as an example, the flexible container 3 is an infusion bag for infusion. During the infusion process, the liquid gradually decreases, and the shape of the infusion bag will continue to change. In the prior art, the liquid level value of the liquid is detected by detecting the change in the capacitance of the entire infusion bag using the capacitance principle. However, since the infusion bag will be deformed due to the reduction of the liquid, the capacitance will fluctuate, and its value is unstable. For this reason, the multi-point capacitance principle is used in the present invention to detect the liquid level value of the liquid in the infusion bag. Regardless of how the infusion bag is deformed, since the liquid level measurement module 1 is made of flexible material, it will be attached to the outside of the infusion bag in real time to detect the liquid level value of the liquid, and since multiple capacitance measurement units 122 are set on the liquid level measurement module 1, that is, whether it is an air medium or a liquid medium, multiple capacitance values ​​will be output, and the liquid level value corresponding to the liquid medium capacitance value can be obtained by comparing with the reference capacitance value.

[0084] In another embodiment of the present invention, in order to obtain the actual liquid level value of the liquid level between the two capacitance measurement units 122, the present invention arranges a plurality of strip-shaped flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 outside the flexible container 3, such as Figure 4 As shown, multiple flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged in an inclined and staggered manner in the vertical direction outside the flexible container 3, and the vertical direction outside the flexible container 3 is completely covered by multiple capacitance measurement units 122 on different liquid level measurement modules 1. In other words, by arranging multiple liquid level measurement modules 1 on the outside of the flexible container 3, multiple liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged in an inclined and staggered manner in the vertical direction, so that there are corresponding capacitance measurement units 122 from top to bottom in the vertical direction outside the flexible container 3, and different liquid levels will have corresponding capacitance measurement units 122 to obtain their liquid level values. Among them, different capacitance measurement units 122 at the same position in the height direction of the flexible container 3 can output different capacitance values, and then the liquid level value of the current flexible container 3 can be analyzed through different capacitance values ​​and position information corresponding to the capacitance values.

[0085] Specifically, a plurality of strip-shaped flexible liquid level measuring modules 1 are obliquely arranged on the outside of the flexible container 3, and the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 on each of the liquid level measuring modules 1 output a capacitance value corresponding to its own position information; the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 on each of the liquid level measuring modules 1 output a first capacitance value when the air medium in the flexible container 3 is detected; the plurality of capacitance measuring units 122 output a second capacitance value when the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 is detected; the detection module 2 receives and outputs the current liquid level value in the flexible container 3 according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 output by each of the liquid level measuring modules 1.

[0086] When multiple flexible liquid level measuring modules 1 are arranged obliquely and in parallel on the outside of the flexible container 3, the outside of the flexible container 3 is completely and continuously covered in the vertical direction by multiple capacitance measuring units 122 on different liquid level measuring modules 1, and the current liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 can be obtained by outputting the measured capacitance values ​​through the multiple capacitance measuring units 122 on each liquid level measuring module 1, combined with the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122. The measurement principle is the same as when one flexible liquid level measuring module 1 is arranged or multiple flexible liquid level measuring modules 1 are arranged staggered in the horizontal direction.

[0087] Alternatively, when multiple flexible liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged vertically, tilted and parallel on the outside of the flexible container 3, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container 3 is at the location of one or two capacitance measurement units 122 (for example, the liquid level is at the middle position of a capacitance measurement unit 122), the current capacitance measurement unit 122 detects and outputs a third capacitance value, which is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value. At this time, the detection module 2 receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the multiple third capacitance values ​​and the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value (that is, the current liquid level value can be obtained by directly outputting the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value).

[0088] Alternatively, the detection module 2 receives and analyzes the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3 according to the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 corresponding to the third capacitance value in the vertical height and the ratio of the third capacitance value to the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value (the liquid level value obtained at this time is the interface height of the real liquid level, not the position information of the capacitance measuring unit 122 itself). Specifically, the first capacitance value corresponding to the air medium is C1, the second capacitance value corresponding to the liquid medium is C2, and the third capacitance value corresponding to the liquid at the interface between the air medium and the liquid medium is C3, then C1<C3<C2; the position corresponding to the first capacitance value C1 is A1, the position corresponding to the second capacitance value C2 is A2, and the position corresponding to the third capacitance value C3 is A3, then the position corresponding to the third capacitance value C3 is calculated by the following formula as A3 (i.e., the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3):

[0089]

[0090] or,

[0091] When multiple liquid level measurement modules 1 are arranged in parallel and inclined in the vertical direction outside the flexible container 3, there will be multiple capacitance measurement units 122 outputting the third capacitance value. At this time, the detection module 2 will parse multiple position information according to the multiple capacitance measurement units 122. The multiple position information can be obtained through the position information corresponding to the capacitance measurement unit 122, or calculated by the above formula. If it is obtained by formula calculation, the multiple position information obtained by calculation can be averaged to obtain the current liquid level value in the current flexible container 3. If the position information of the capacitance measurement unit 122 is obtained, the multiple position information will correspond to a value at this time, which is the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container 3.

[0092] In a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, the liquid level measurement module 1 includes an adhesive layer 11, a measuring layer 12 and a protective layer 13. The adhesive layer 11 is used to adhere the liquid level measurement module 1 to the outside of the flexible container 3; the measuring layer 12 is used to measure the liquid level information of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3, and at least a capacitance measuring unit 122 is arranged thereon; the protective layer 13 is used to protect the measuring layer 12.

[0093] In the present invention, the liquid level measurement module 1 is designed as a three-layer structure, which can be conveniently pasted on the outside of the flexible container 3 through the adhesive layer 11, the liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 is detected through the measuring layer 12, and the measuring layer 12 is protected by the protective layer 13. Among them, the measuring layer 12 includes a substrate plate 121 and a plurality of the capacitance measuring units 122, and the plurality of the capacitance measuring units 122 are arranged on the substrate plate 121 by spraying or etching. And the plurality of the capacitance measuring units 122 are arranged on the substrate plate 121 at equal intervals or unequal intervals.

[0094] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the substrate plate 121 and the protective layer 13 are both made of non-conductive materials. The substrate plate 121 and the protective layer 13 are both made of non-conductive materials, that is, they are insensitive to conductivity, so that only the capacitance measuring unit 122 in the liquid level measurement module 1 is a conductive unit, and the liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 is detected by the capacitance measuring unit 122.

[0095] In order to make the data measured by the capacitance measuring unit 122 more accurate, the thickness of the protective layer 13 can be set to be greater than (preferably much greater than) the thickness of the measuring layer 12. By setting the thickness of the protective layer 13 to be much greater than the thickness of the measuring layer 12, the capacitance measuring unit 122 is insensitive to the conductive medium on one side of the protective layer 13, and the capacitance value obtained is the capacitance value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3, so that the liquid level value obtained by the capacitance measuring unit 122 is more accurate.

[0096] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the detection module 2 may include a display module, and the display module 22 is used to display at least one of the current liquid level value and the capacitance gradient value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3. Of course, the measured multiple capacitance values ​​and the corresponding heights (liquid level values) can also be displayed in sequence in the order of the capacitance measurement units 122 numbers, and the height of the capacitance measurement unit 122 numbered 1 is set to 0 (at the lowest position of the flexible container 3). When the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 is used to the lowest position, the capacitance value and position information output by the capacitance measurement unit numbered 1 at this time is the liquid level value of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3, and this value is significantly greater than other capacitance values.

[0097] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the detection module 2 may further include a storage module for storing a liquid level threshold of the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3. When the current liquid level value is less than or equal to the liquid level threshold, the detection module 2 generates an alarm message.

[0098] Among them, the liquid level threshold can be set to 2, and the 2 liquid level thresholds are separated by a certain distance, which can be specifically the distance between 2 capacitance measuring units 122. For example, the lowest position of the body of the flexible container 3 and the position separated by a capacitance measuring unit 122 (or, it can also be other positions, which are only used as examples here) are set as the first liquid level threshold and the second liquid level threshold position respectively. At this time, when the second-to-last capacitance measuring unit 122 obtains the capacitance value, a reminder notification will be output to notify the staff that the liquid 4 is about to run out; after the last capacitance measuring unit 122 detects the capacitance value, the detection module 2 will generate an alarm message after receiving the liquid level value output by the last numbered capacitance measuring unit 122, to inform the staff that the liquid 4 has run out.

[0099] In order to timely remind the staff that the liquid 4 in the flexible container 3 is about to run out or has run out, the above alarm information includes at least one of voice alarm information and indicator light alarm. That is, the alarm can be reminded by voice alarm, such as voice broadcasting of the specific value of the liquid level in the flexible container 3, or by indicator light alarm, such as flashing red indicator light to remind the staff that the liquid 4 has run out, flashing yellow indicator light to remind the staff that the liquid 4 is about to run out and needs to be replaced, etc. Of course, other alarm methods are also possible, which are not specifically limited here.

[0100] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments; within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications may be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0101] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0102] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A liquid level detection system for a flexible container, characterized in that: It includes at least one liquid level measurement module and a detection module. The liquid level measurement module comprises a plurality of capacitance measurement units, which are sequentially arranged at a plurality of positions in a vertical direction outside the flexible container, and are used to detect capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions on the flexible container; The detection module is in communication with at least one of the liquid level measurement modules and is configured to receive and determine a current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions.

2. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid level measurement module is a flexible liquid level measurement module.

3. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection module forms a capacitance gradient value according to the capacitance values ​​at a plurality of positions, and determines a current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the capacitance gradient value.

4. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of capacitance measuring units output a first capacitance value when detecting the air medium in the flexible container; The plurality of capacitance measuring units output a second capacitance value when detecting the liquid medium in the flexible container; The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit output by the plurality of capacitance measuring units; Preferably, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container is located between the two capacitance measuring units, the detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the position information of the capacitance measuring unit corresponding to the first capacitance value at the top end in the vertical height and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit corresponding to the second capacitance value at the bottom end in the vertical height.

5. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the liquid level interface in the flexible container is at the position where the capacitance measuring unit is located, the capacitance measuring unit currently detects and outputs a third capacitance value, and the third capacitance value is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value; The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the third capacitance value and the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance value; Preferably, the detection module receives and parses out the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance value in vertical height and the ratio of the third capacitance value to the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

6. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of liquid level measurement modules are separately arranged in the horizontal direction outside the flexible container, and the plurality of capacitance measurement units on different liquid level measurement modules are staggered in the vertical direction; Wherein, the outer side of the flexible container is completely covered in the vertical direction by a plurality of the capacitive measuring units on different liquid level measuring modules; Preferably, the plurality of capacitance measuring units on the plurality of liquid level measuring modules output a first capacitance value when detecting air medium in the flexible container; and the plurality of capacitance measuring units output a second capacitance value when detecting liquid medium in the flexible container; The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the first capacitance value, the second capacitance value, and the position information of the capacitance measuring unit output by the plurality of capacitance measuring units; Preferably, when the liquid level interface in the flexible container is at the position where the capacitance measuring unit is located, the capacitance measuring unit currently detects and outputs a third capacitance value, and the third capacitance value is between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value; The detection module receives and parses the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container according to the third capacitance value and the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance value; Preferably, the detection module receives and parses and outputs the current liquid level value of the liquid in the flexible container based on the position information of the capacitance measurement unit corresponding to the third capacitance value in the vertical height and the ratio of the third capacitance value to the absolute value of the difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

7. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of liquid level measurement modules are arranged obliquely and staggered in the vertical direction outside the flexible container; Wherein, the outer side of the flexible container is completely covered in the vertical direction by a plurality of the capacitance measuring units on different liquid level measuring modules.

8. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid level measurement module includes an adhesive layer, a measurement layer and a protective layer. The adhesive layer is used to adhere the liquid level measurement module to the outside of the flexible container; The measurement layer is at least used to set the capacitance measurement unit; The protective layer is used to protect the measuring layer; Preferably, the measuring layer comprises a substrate plate and a plurality of the capacitance measuring units, and the plurality of the capacitance measuring units are arranged on the substrate plate; Preferably, the plurality of capacitance measuring units are arranged on the substrate plate at equal or unequal intervals; Preferably, the plurality of capacitance measuring units are arranged on the substrate plate by spraying or etching; Preferably, the substrate plate and the protective layer are both made of non-conductive materials; Preferably, the thickness of the protection layer is greater than the thickness of the measurement layer.

9. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The detection module includes a display module, and the display module is used to display at least one of a current liquid level value and a capacitance gradient value of the liquid in the flexible container.

10. The liquid level detection system for a flexible container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection module includes a storage module for storing a liquid level threshold of the liquid in the flexible container. When the current liquid level value is less than or equal to the liquid level threshold, the detection module generates an alarm message; preferably, the alarm message includes at least one of a voice alarm message and an indicator light alarm.

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