Liquid level detection system and liquid level detection method for water storage heating device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a liquid level detection system and a liquid level detection method for a water storage heating device, and the liquid level detection system comprises a liquid level detection circuit which is used for detecting the water level height of the water storage heating device, the liquid level detection circuit further comprises a liquid level signal detection module, a liquid level probe and a common terminal. The voltage source provides voltage for the liquid level probe, so that the water storage heating device is in a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode; the control module is used for controlling the voltage source to switch the voltage polarity of the voltage provided for the liquid level probe, so that the water storage heating device is switched between a liquid level detection mode and a cleaning mode, and the voltage polarity of the voltage comprises positive voltage or negative voltage. According to the invention, the scaling or rusting phenomenon of the liquid level probe and the common terminal can be effectively relieved or solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water purification, and in particular to a liquid level detection system and a liquid level detection method for a water storage and heating device. Background Art

[0002] The common hot tank liquid level detection technology currently used generally uses multiple metal probes of different lengths as anodes (positive voltage) and uses the common terminal in the hot tank as cathode or ground to form a signal current path, thereby converting the liquid level height in the hot tank into an electrical signal, thereby realizing the liquid level height detection function in the metal hot tank.

[0003] However, when the metal probe and the common terminal in the prior art are energized, the metal probe and the common terminal as two poles will respectively produce electrochemical reactions with ions (calcium, magnesium, chlorine, sulfate, etc.) in the water. The continuous directional movement of ions in the water will cause rust or scaling, thereby causing a decline in product functionality and shortening the service life of the hot tank. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid level detection system and a liquid level detection method for a water storage heating device to solve the problem of scaling or rusting of the metal probe and common terminal of the hot tank due to the continuous directional movement of ions in water during liquid level detection.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid level detection system is proposed, which includes: a liquid level detection circuit, which is used to detect the water level height of the water storage and heating device, and the liquid level detection circuit further includes: a liquid level signal detection module, a liquid level probe and a common terminal; a voltage source, which provides a voltage to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device in a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode; a control module, which is used to control the voltage source to switch the voltage polarity of the voltage provided to the liquid level probe, so that the water storage and heating device switches between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode, wherein the voltage polarity of the voltage includes a positive voltage or a negative voltage.

[0006] Among them, the control module controls the voltage source to provide a positive voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage and heating device is in a liquid level detection mode; the control module controls the voltage source to provide a negative voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage and heating device is in a cleaning mode.

[0007] Among them, the control module controls the voltage source to provide a negative voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage and heating device is in a liquid level detection mode; the control module controls the voltage source to provide a positive voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage and heating device is in a cleaning mode.

[0008] The duration of the cleaning mode is determined according to the duration of the liquid level detection mode, the magnitude of the positive voltage and the magnitude of the negative voltage.

[0009] The liquid level detection circuit further includes a signal isolation module, and the signal isolation module is used to block the electrical connection between the liquid level probe and the liquid level signal detection module when the control module controls to change the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid level detection method for a water storage and heating device is also proposed, which includes: detecting the water level height of the water storage and heating device through a liquid level detection circuit, and the liquid level detection circuit further includes: a liquid level signal detection module, a liquid level probe and a common terminal; providing a voltage to the liquid level probe so that the water storage and heating device is in a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode; switching the voltage polarity of the voltage provided to the liquid level probe so that the water storage and heating device switches between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode, wherein the voltage polarity of the voltage includes a positive voltage or a negative voltage.

[0011] Wherein, a positive voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device into a liquid level detection mode; and a negative voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device into a cleaning mode.

[0012] Wherein, a negative voltage is provided to the liquid level probe, so that the water storage and heating device is in a liquid level detection mode; and a positive voltage is provided to the liquid level probe, so that the water storage and heating device is in a cleaning mode.

[0013] The duration of the cleaning mode is determined according to the duration of the liquid level detection mode, the magnitude of the positive voltage and the magnitude of the negative voltage.

[0014] Wherein, the liquid level detection circuit further includes a signal isolation module, and the signal isolation module is used to block the electrical connection between the liquid level probe and the liquid level signal detection module when the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe is changed.

[0015] According to the technical solution of the present invention, by changing or switching the voltage polarity provided to the liquid level probe, the water storage heating device can be switched between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode. Without changing the structure of the liquid level detection circuit, the scaling or rusting of the liquid level probe and the common terminal caused by the unidirectional movement of ions can be effectively alleviated or solved. Through this application, the heating efficiency of the device can be effectively improved and the service life of the product can be extended. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this application. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a structural block diagram of a liquid level detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid level detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a water storage and heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the specific embodiments of the present invention and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] The technical solutions provided by various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] When the liquid level detection probe detects the liquid level of the hot tank, a signal current path is formed between the metal probe and the common terminal. When the power is continuously supplied, the ions in the water will move in a certain direction (for example, negatively charged chlorine and sulfate ions move toward the positive electrode, and positively charged calcium and magnesium ions move toward the negative electrode), which will cause scaling and / or rust on the probe and the hot tank.

[0024] According to a liquid level detection system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, by changing the relative relationship between the positive and negative electrodes during liquid level detection, the ions involved in the reaction (calcium, magnesium, chlorine, sulfate, etc.) move in reverse, destroying the spatial scene and time scene of the electrochemical reaction, and effectively slowing down, improving or solving the rust and / or scaling of the liquid level probe and the common terminal without changing the structure of the liquid level detection circuit. The liquid level detection system can be applied to a water storage heating device, which can generally be a hot tank product using a hot tank heating body heat storage technology or a water purification product with a hot tank, for heating pure water.

[0025] refer to Figure 1The liquid level detection system mainly includes: a liquid level detection circuit 10, a voltage source 20 and a control module 30, wherein the liquid level detection circuit 10 is used to detect the water level height of the water storage heating device. The voltage source 20 is connected to the liquid level detection circuit 10 to provide a voltage to the liquid level detection circuit 10, so that the water storage heating device is in a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode. The control module 30 is connected to the voltage source 20, and the control module 30 changes or switches the voltage polarity of the voltage provided by the voltage source 20, so that the water storage heating device switches between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode. The liquid level detection mode refers to the working mode in which the hot tank is in a state in which the height of the cold water / hot water in the hot tank can be detected; the cleaning mode refers to the working mode in which the hot tank is in a state in which the scaling or rusting of the probe and the hot tank can be removed, alleviated or improved.

[0026] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The liquid level detection circuit 10 further includes: a liquid level probe 11, a common terminal 12, a liquid level signal detection module 13, a signal isolation module 14 and a voltage divider resistor 15. Generally, the liquid level probe 11 can be a resistive liquid level sensor disposed in the water storage heating device 50. The liquid level probe 11 can be extended downward from the top of the hot tank and fixed, or extended upward from the bottom of the hot tank and fixed. The common terminal 12 can be a common probe or the hot tank itself, such as the bottom of the hot tank or the side wall of the hot tank. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, four liquid level probes 11 of different lengths extending downward from the top of the hot tank and the hot tank body are shown as a common terminal 12. When the liquid level probes 11 and the common terminal 12 realize current path at water levels at different heights, the liquid level signal detection module 13 can detect the electrical signal and convert it into corresponding liquid level height data.

[0027] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the liquid level detection system can be integrated with the water storage and heating device or can be separately provided (except for the liquid level probe and the common terminal), which will not be described in detail.

[0028] Continue to refer Figure 1 and Figure 2 The voltage source 20 provides voltage to the liquid level probe 11, and the common terminal 12 is grounded to 0 voltage, so that a voltage difference can be formed between the liquid level probe 11 and the common terminal 12, thereby realizing the current path of the liquid level detection circuit 10. The voltage source 20 is also connected to the voltage dividing resistor 15, so as to provide the required voltage for the liquid level detection circuit 10.

[0029] Specifically, the voltage source 20 includes a positive voltage source 21 (+VDC) and a negative voltage source 22 (-VDC), the positive voltage source 21 provides a positive voltage to the liquid level probe 11, and the negative voltage source 22 provides a negative voltage to the liquid level probe 11. The positive pressure switch 23 (PSW) is used to switch the positive voltage source 21 and the liquid level probe 11, and the negative pressure switch 24 (NSW) is used to switch the negative voltage source 22 and the liquid level probe 11.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present application, the control module 30 controls the voltage source 20 to provide an initial positive voltage (or negative voltage) for the liquid level probe 11, and then the control module 30 controls the disconnection or connection of the positive pressure switch 23 and the negative pressure switch 24, changes or switches the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe 11, provides a negative voltage (or positive voltage) for the liquid level probe 11, exchanges the relative relationship between the positive and negative poles, changes the initial working mode of the hot tank, and switches the hot tank between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode, which is described in detail below.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present application, the positive pressure switch 23 of the voltage source 20 is first controlled by the control module 30 to be closed and the negative pressure switch 24 is disconnected. At this time, the positive voltage source 21 is connected to the liquid level probe 11, the liquid level probe 11 is initially connected to a positive voltage, and the common terminal is grounded to 0 voltage. The signal isolation module 14 conducts the liquid level signal detection module 13 to detect the liquid level signal. This mode in which the liquid level probe 11 is connected to a positive voltage to detect the liquid level signal can be called a positive pressure liquid level detection mode. Among them, assuming that the circuit system (MCU) of the liquid level signal detection module 13 is a positive pressure system, it can be directly connected to the positive pressure system MCU. After the positive pressure liquid level detection mode lasts for a period of time, the control module 30 controls the positive pressure switch 23 of the voltage source 20 to be disconnected and the negative pressure switch 24 to be closed. At this time, the negative voltage source 22 is connected to the liquid level probe 11, and the liquid level probe 11 is switched to a negative voltage, and the common terminal is grounded to 0 voltage. The signal isolation module 14 blocks the negative pressure signal to protect the liquid level signal detection module 13. At this time, the probe and the hot tank are cleaned. This cleaning mode can be called a negative pressure cleaning mode. After the cleaning mode continues for a period of time, the control module 30 controls the negative pressure switch 24 of the voltage source 20 to be disconnected, and the liquid level probe 11 and the common terminal 12 are powered off to make them non-electrically polarized, thereby destroying the spatial and temporal scenes of the electrochemical reaction.

[0032] In the positive pressure liquid level detection mode, the positive and negative terminals will react chemically with the ions in the water, causing rust (caused by chloride ions and sulfate ions) or scaling (caused by calcium ions and magnesium ions) on the liquid level probe 11 and the common terminal 12. In the cleaning mode, the ions involved in the reaction (calcium, magnesium, chlorine, sulfate, etc.) move in the opposite direction, leaving the positive and negative terminals and returning to the water, which can effectively alleviate, improve or remove scaling or rust on the probe and the hot tank.

[0033] In the embodiments of the present application, the liquid level probe 11 can be connected to a positive voltage for liquid level detection, and the liquid level probe 11 can be connected to a negative voltage for cleaning. This method is called a positive pressure liquid level detection-negative pressure cleaning mode. It should be noted that the above embodiment first executes the positive pressure liquid level detection mode and then the negative pressure cleaning mode, but the negative pressure cleaning mode can also be executed first and then the positive pressure liquid level detection mode. The present application does not limit the execution order and time of the two modes. As for the execution time, the time to execute the negative pressure cleaning mode can be determined according to the time to execute the positive pressure liquid level detection mode, for example, the time to execute the negative pressure cleaning mode can be determined according to the time to execute the positive pressure liquid level detection mode, the size of the positive voltage and the size of the negative voltage.

[0034] In addition to the above-mentioned positive pressure liquid level detection-negative pressure cleaning mode, the liquid level probe 11 can also be connected to a negative voltage for liquid level detection, and the liquid level probe 11 can be connected to a positive voltage for cleaning. This method can be called a negative pressure liquid level detection-positive pressure cleaning mode. In other words, this application does not limit whether the liquid level probe is connected to positive pressure or negative pressure when performing liquid level detection.

[0035] Specifically, in the negative pressure liquid level detection-positive pressure cleaning mode, the control module 30 first controls the negative pressure switch 24 of the voltage source 20 to close and the positive pressure switch 23 to open. At this time, the negative voltage source 22 is connected to the liquid level probe 11, the liquid level probe 11 is initially connected to a negative voltage, the common terminal is grounded to 0 voltage, and the signal isolation module 14 turns on the liquid level signal detection module 13 to detect the liquid level signal. Among them, assuming that the circuit system (MCU) of the liquid level signal detection module 13 is a positive pressure system, it is necessary to increase the circuit for converting negative pressure data into positive pressure data so as to dock with the positive pressure system MCU. After the above-mentioned negative pressure liquid level detection mode continues for a period of time, the control module 30 controls the negative pressure switch 24 of the voltage source 20 to open and the positive pressure switch 23 to close. At this time, the positive voltage source 21 is connected to the liquid level probe 11, and the liquid level probe 11 is switched to a positive voltage, the common terminal is grounded to 0 voltage, and the signal isolation module 14 blocks the positive pressure signal to protect the liquid level signal detection module 13. At this time, the probe and the hot tank are cleaned. After the positive pressure cleaning mode continues for a period of time, the control module 30 controls the positive pressure switch 23 of the voltage source 20 to be disconnected, and the liquid level probe 11 and the common terminal 12 are powered off to make them non-electrically polarized, thereby destroying the spatial and temporal scenes of the electrochemical reaction.

[0036] In the negative pressure liquid level detection mode, the positive and negative terminals will react chemically with the ions in the water, causing rust (caused by chloride ions and sulfate ions) or scaling (caused by calcium ions and magnesium ions) on the liquid level probe 11 and the common terminal 12. In the positive pressure cleaning mode, the ions involved in the reaction (calcium, magnesium, chlorine, sulfate, etc.) move in the opposite direction, leaving the positive and negative terminals and returning to the water, which can effectively alleviate, improve or remove scaling or rust on the probe and the hot tank.

[0037] It should be noted that in the above-mentioned negative pressure liquid level detection-positive pressure cleaning mode, the negative pressure liquid level detection mode is executed first and then the positive pressure cleaning mode is executed, but the positive pressure cleaning mode can also be executed first and then the negative pressure liquid level detection mode. This application does not limit the execution order and time of the two modes. As for the execution time, the time to execute the positive pressure cleaning mode can be determined according to the time to execute the negative pressure liquid level detection mode, for example, the time to execute the positive pressure cleaning mode can be determined according to the time to execute the negative pressure liquid level detection mode, the size of the positive voltage and the size of the negative voltage.

[0038] refer to Figure 4 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid level detection method for a water storage heating device comprises:

[0039] Step S402, detecting the water level of the water storage and heating device by means of a liquid level detection circuit, wherein the liquid level detection circuit further comprises: a liquid level signal detection module, a liquid level probe and a common terminal;

[0040] Specifically, a liquid level detection circuit is provided, for example, the liquid level probe may be a resistive liquid level sensor provided in a water storage heating device (e.g., a hot tank), and the common terminal may be a common probe or the hot tank itself, etc. When the liquid level probe and the common terminal realize a current path at different water levels, the liquid level signal detection module can detect the electrical signal and convert it into corresponding liquid level height data.

[0041] Step S404, providing voltage to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device into a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode;

[0042] Specifically, a positive voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device in a liquid level detection mode; a negative voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device in a cleaning mode. Alternatively, a negative voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device in a liquid level detection mode; a positive voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device in a cleaning mode.

[0043] Step S406, switching the voltage polarity of the voltage provided to the liquid level probe so that the water storage heating device switches between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode, wherein the voltage polarity of the voltage includes a positive voltage or a negative voltage.

[0044] The duration of the cleaning mode is determined according to the duration of the liquid level detection mode, the magnitude of the positive voltage and the magnitude of the negative voltage.

[0045] Wherein, the liquid level detection circuit further includes a signal isolation module, and the signal isolation module is used to block the electrical connection between the liquid level probe and the liquid level signal detection module when the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe is changed.

[0046] The operation steps of the method of the present invention correspond to the structural features of the system, and can be referenced to each other, and will not be described in detail again.

[0047] To summarize, according to the embodiments of the present application, by changing or switching the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe, the relative relationship between the positive and negative poles of the liquid level probe and the common terminal is switched, so that the liquid level probe and the common terminal are separated from a single and continuous electrochemical reaction. When the polarity of the liquid level probe and the common terminal is switched, the ions in the water can be prompted to move in the opposite direction, thereby improving and solving the scaling or rusting of the liquid level probe and the common terminal in the water storage and heating device, achieving the self-cleaning effect of the product, avoiding the problem of inaccurate liquid level measurement due to rust or scaling, and effectively extending the service life of the product.

[0048] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalents.

[0049] In addition, the features disclosed in the above description or claims or drawings, in their specific form or according to the mode for performing the disclosed functions or the method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, can be used alone or in any combination of these features to implement the present invention in their different forms. Specifically, one or more features of any embodiment described herein can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment described herein.

[0050] Protection may also be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more of the publications cited in conjunction with the present disclosure and / or incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A liquid level detection system, characterized in that: include: A liquid level detection circuit, the liquid level detection circuit is used to detect the water level height of the water storage and heating device, the liquid level detection circuit further comprises: a liquid level signal detection module, a liquid level probe and a common terminal; A voltage source, the voltage source providing a voltage to the liquid level probe so that the water storage and heating device is in a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode; The control module is used to control the voltage source to switch the voltage polarity of the voltage provided to the liquid level probe, so that the water storage heating device switches between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode, wherein the voltage polarity of the voltage includes a positive voltage or a negative voltage.

2. The liquid level detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module controls the voltage source to provide a positive voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage heating device is in a liquid level detection mode; The control module controls the voltage source to provide a negative voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage heating device is in a cleaning mode.

3. The liquid level detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module controls the voltage source to provide a negative voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage and heating device is in a liquid level detection mode; The control module controls the voltage source to provide a positive voltage to the liquid level probe, and the water storage heating device is in a cleaning mode.

4. The liquid level detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The duration of the cleaning mode is determined according to the duration of the liquid level detection mode, the magnitude of the positive voltage, and the magnitude of the negative voltage.

5. The liquid level detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid level detection circuit further comprises a signal isolation module, and the signal isolation module is used to block the electrical connection between the liquid level probe and the liquid level signal detection module when the control module controls to change the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe.

6. A liquid level detection method for a water storage heating device, characterized in that: include: The water level of the water storage and heating device is detected by a liquid level detection circuit, wherein the liquid level detection circuit further comprises: a liquid level signal detection module, a liquid level probe and a common terminal; Providing voltage to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device into a liquid level detection mode or a cleaning mode; The voltage polarity of the voltage provided to the liquid level probe is switched so that the water storage heating device switches between the liquid level detection mode and the cleaning mode, wherein the voltage polarity of the voltage includes a positive voltage or a negative voltage.

7. The liquid level detection method according to claim 6, characterized in that: Providing a positive voltage to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device into a liquid level detection mode; A negative voltage is provided to the liquid level probe to put the water storage heating device into a cleaning mode.

8. The liquid level detection method according to claim 6, characterized in that: Providing a negative voltage to the liquid level probe to put the water storage and heating device into a liquid level detection mode; Providing a positive voltage to the liquid level probe puts the water storage heating device in a cleaning mode.

9. The liquid level detection method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The duration of the cleaning mode is determined according to the duration of the liquid level detection mode, the magnitude of the positive voltage, and the magnitude of the negative voltage.

10. The liquid level detection method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The liquid level detection circuit further comprises a signal isolation module, and the signal isolation module is used to block the electrical connection between the liquid level probe and the liquid level signal detection module when the voltage polarity of the liquid level probe is changed.

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