Water quality sensor automatic cleaning device

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of water quality sensor automatic cleaning device, specifically related to sensor technical field, solve the technical problems, such as low efficiency, high cost and safety risk existing in the mode of manual cleaning in prior art;The device is composed of four components: one, the water storage bowl equipped with liquid level sensing function.Two, the function integrated box that controls the collaborative work of multiple components.Three, the sensor fixing cleaning kit with multiple water ports and rope pull ring.Four, the four-legged support float with height adjustment.The device fully considers the sealing performance required by each component and reasonably plans the relative motion between each component.The application greatly reduces the labor demand, significantly improves the cleaning efficiency and quality, effectively reduces the potential damage of adverse factors such as adherent accumulation and water corrosion on the service life of the sensor, and provides a solid guarantee for the long-term stable operation of the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sensor technology, and more specifically to an automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors. Background Technology

[0002] In diverse applications, water quality sensors have become indispensable monitoring tools in numerous fields. From marine scientific research to industrial wastewater discharge monitoring, these devices are widely used in various scenarios to obtain real-time key parameters such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, and trace elements in water bodies, providing data support for decision-makers and bringing significant and diversified benefits. However, due to factors such as corrosive substances, biological attachment, and sediment accumulation in the monitored water, the actual service life of sensors is far less than the design expectation, meaning that users need to replace sensors or perform maintenance more frequently. This is undoubtedly a heavy burden for users who rely on continuous monitoring data for decision-making. Therefore, in order to extend service life, many users have begun to manually clean the sensors. Although this method seems to have a lower initial investment compared to directly replacing the sensor, in the long run, frequent manual cleaning also comes with considerable expenses, including labor and time costs, and there is a risk of equipment damage due to misoperation.

[0003] Given the aforementioned problems, developing an automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors is of particular importance and urgency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, this invention solves the technical problems of low efficiency, high cost and safety risks in the existing manual cleaning mode; the automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors provided by this invention, under the premise of ensuring the normal operation of the sensor, designs peripheral control equipment, breaks through the traditional manual sensor cleaning mode, and provides a new automated cleaning solution to bring more intelligent, lower cost and cleaner benefits.

[0005] This invention provides an automatic cleaning device for a water quality sensor, comprising: a water storage bowl with an opening at its bottom; a sensor assembly disposed within the opening; a four-legged support float disposed at the bottom of the water storage bowl for supporting the entire device; and a controller disposed on the water storage bowl for controlling the operation of the sensor assembly. The water storage bowl is an inverted frustum shape with a fully open top; the bottom of the water storage bowl is convex downwards around its perimeter and concave upwards in the center; the opening is located in the concave area at the bottom of the water storage bowl. A liquid level sensor is disposed within the water storage bowl, and the signal transmitting end of the liquid level sensor is connected to the signal receiving end of the MCU core circuit; the signal transmitting end of the MCU core circuit is connected to the signal receiving end of the winding module. The diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the top end of the plug and larger than the diameter of the bottom end of the plug; it holds the assembly in place but does not restrict the vertical movement of the assembly. A sealing ring is disposed within the opening to improve sealing.

[0006] Furthermore, the sensor kit includes a sleeve, which is test-tube shaped; a perforated frustum-shaped soft plug is provided at the top of the sleeve, and a water quality sensor is installed inside the hole; a groove is provided in the middle of the plug, and a slot adapted to the groove is provided at the top of the sleeve; the slot is engaged with the groove to install the sleeve and the plug; a water inlet is provided on the middle surface of the sleeve, and a water outlet is provided at the bottom; pull rings are provided on both sides of the outer surface of the sleeve, and the pull rings are connected to the cable on the controller. A detachable buckle is provided on the hole of the plug.

[0007] Furthermore, the four-legged support float includes an annular float, on which a straight tube is provided, and the straight tube is connected to the bottom of the water storage bowl by a pin.

[0008] Furthermore, the controller is housed within a controller housing. The controller circuit board includes a power supply module, an MCU core circuit, a winding module, a status indicator module, a component damage alarm module, a task activation button, an external communication interface, and expandable pins. The circuit board is fixed inside the housing by copper pillars. The winding module connects to the cable. Mounting clips for the controller housing and a straight pipe connection port are respectively located on the outside and bottom of the water reservoir. Holes can be drilled in the straight pipe, and pins connect to the connection ports within these holes. The mounting clips engage with the side clips of the controller housing to connect the controller housing.

[0009] The technical effects and advantages provided by the present invention in the above technical solution are as follows:

[0010] 1. The present invention provides an automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors, which reduces the impact of factors such as corrosive substances, biological attachment, and sediment accumulation in the monitored water body on the sensor's working state and extends the actual service life of the sensor.

[0011] 2. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors provided by this invention requires only a small amount of manual monitoring for sensor cleaning tasks, reducing labor costs, shortening the cleaning cycle, and improving production efficiency. Moreover, the larger the scale, the more significant the benefits.

[0012] 3. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors provided by the present invention can ensure the stability of the cleaning process, help eliminate problems such as omissions and unevenness that may occur in manual cleaning, and improve the cleaning quality.

[0013] 4. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors provided by this invention is a modular design. If some components malfunction, only the corresponding components need to be replaced, which reduces the equipment maintenance cost for users. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water storage bowl structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the combination of the mounting buckle and the side buckle of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sleeve structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the groove and slot structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a top view of the detachable buckle of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the straight pipe structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1. Water reservoir; 2. Opening; 3. Liquid level sensor; 4. Sleeve; 5. Plug; 6. Water quality sensor; 7. Groove; 8. Slot; 9. Inlet; 10. Outlet; 11. Pull ring; 12. Cable; 13. Detachable buckle; 14. Annular float; 15. Straight pipe; 16. Controller box; 17. Mounting buckle; 18. Connection port; 19. Side buckle; 20. Opening. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Example 1:

[0028] This embodiment provides an automatic cleaning device for a water quality sensor, as shown in the schematic diagram below. Figures 1 to 2 As shown, it includes four cooperating components for performing automated cleaning tasks. Detailed component information is as follows:

[0029] Water storage bowl 1 is used to collect fresh water for cleaning operations and is equipped with a liquid level sensing function;

[0030] The sensor kit features a perforated soft plug 5 at the top, which, along with a detachable clip 13, secures the water quality sensor 6. Multiple independent inlets 9 and outlets 10 are located in the middle and bottom of the sleeve 4 to allow for smooth freshwater flow and effective sensor cleaning. Pull rings 11 are provided on both sides of the sleeve 4, connecting to cables 12 on the controller housing 16 for easy height adjustment of the kit.

[0031] An adjustable four-legged support float provides support for the entire cleaning device. This support can be adjusted to multiple height levels to meet different height requirements in various scenarios.

[0032] The controller, housed within the controller housing 16, serves as the control center for the behavior of all components. This controller uses an MCU to monitor the liquid level in the water tank 1, adjusts the height of the sensor kit using the onboard winder in the winder module, and is equipped with various behavior and status indicator lights. It executes cleaning tasks according to the pre-programmed logic. The board also has reserved external communication interfaces and function expansion pins for easy secondary development.

[0033] In this embodiment, the design details of the water storage bowl 1 are as follows:

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the water storage bowl 1 is made of plastic and designed in the shape of an inverted frustum, specifically for storing fresh water for rinsing. Its top is fully open, while the bottom has a raised perimeter and a concave center. An opening 2 is located in the center of the concave bottom to ensure the fresh water can flow out smoothly. A sealing ring of appropriate size is fitted at the opening 2 at the bottom of the bowl. The diameter of the opening 2 is smaller than the top of the frustum-shaped soft plug 5 of the sensor kit, but larger than the bottom. This design effectively holds the kit in place without restricting its vertical movement, while also ensuring the effectiveness of the water storage bowl 1. A liquid level sensor 3 is installed inside the water storage bowl 1, enabling the device's MCU core circuitry to obtain the current fresh water level information for rinsing operations. Mounting clips 17 for the controller housing 16 and connecting ports 18 for the straight pipe 15 are respectively located on the outside and bottom of the water storage bowl 1 for assembling related functional components. The mounting clips 17 cooperate with the side clips 19 of the controller housing 16 to connect the controller housing 16.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sensor kit design details are as follows:

[0036] like Figure 5As shown, the sensor kit resembles a test tube in appearance and consists of three parts: a perforated frustum-shaped soft plug 5, a sleeve 4, and a pull ring 11. Considering the kit needs to be submerged in water for extended periods, the plug 5 is made of fluororubber, while the sleeve 4 and pull ring 11 are made of corrosion-resistant steel. The top of the kit is the soft plug 5, which has a groove 7 in the center for mounting the sleeve 4. An opening 20 in the center is used to hold the water quality sensor 6, and a detachable clip 13 is pre-installed on the top of the plug 5 to adjust the installation height of the water quality sensor 6. The upper edge of the sleeve 4 is designed with a groove 8 that complements the groove 7 in the center of the plug 5, allowing for smooth assembly. In addition, the sleeve 4 has rectangular water inlets 9 of the same size around its center and an outlet 10 at the bottom. Furthermore, rope pull rings 11 are provided on both sides of the lower part of the sleeve 4 to secure a section of the traction cable 12, allowing the controller box 16 to control the raising and lowering of the sleeve 4. The water quality sensor 6 is inserted into the sleeve 4 through the hole in the center of the plug 5. The position of the water quality sensor 6 is surrounded by the detachable buckle 13 on the outer surface of the water quality sensor 6, and the insertion length of the water quality sensor 6 can be adjusted.

[0037] In this embodiment, the design details of the four-legged support float are as follows:

[0038] like Figure 8 As shown, the four-legged support float serves as the base of the entire device, consisting of four straight tubes 15 and an annular float 14, combining ease of movement with durability. Considering the varying equipment heights required in different scenarios, the four straight tubes 15 are designed with an adjustable multi-stage structure to meet different height requirements. Furthermore, to extend service life and enhance support, the straight tubes 15 are made of corrosion-resistant steel and have thickened walls. Structurally, the straight tubes 15 connect the water reservoir 1 and the float. The float itself is made of a lower-cost, lightweight plastic material, and its annular diameter has been further enlarged to enhance the stability of the entire device during use, while ensuring sufficient buoyancy. A hole 20 can be drilled in the straight tube 15, through which it connects to the connector 18 via a pin.

[0039] In this embodiment, the controller design details are as follows:

[0040] The controller, housed within the controller housing 16, coordinates the orderly operation of all components and integrates all the device's functions. The controller housing 16 is made of plastic and features a waterproof design, and is secured to the side of the water reservoir 1 using mounting clips 17. The controller circuit board contains the following main functional modules: a solar / 220V / 12V selectable power supply module, an MCU core circuit, a winding module, a status indicator module, and a task trigger button. Furthermore, to enhance the device's versatility in various scenarios, an external communication interface and expandable pins are provided for easy secondary development.

[0041] In this embodiment, the controller logic function design details are as follows:

[0042] The controller's MCU core circuit makes decisions based on the freshwater level information fed back from the water storage bowl 1 and preset time logic. If the operation is determined to proceed, the sensor kit will be raised and lowered via the winding mechanism to complete the cleaning process. The raising and lowering status of the kit and the normal operation of each component will be displayed on the indicator module. If any component malfunctions, an alarm will be triggered promptly to facilitate maintenance personnel's repair work. Simultaneously, the cleaning task can also be actively triggered using preset buttons according to actual needs.

[0043] The method of using the device provided in this embodiment is as follows: (e.g.) Figure 9As shown, the fresh water in the water storage bowl 1 of the device mainly comes from rainwater collection and manual addition. When the fresh water in the bowl reaches the predetermined liquid level and meets the flushing time logic, the MCU core circuit will start the winder in the winding module to wind the cable 12. The sensor kit is pulled up to the preset height through the cable 12. After the water inlet 9 is located inside the water storage bowl 1, the fresh water flows smoothly into the sleeve 4 to flush the water quality sensor 6. Then the fresh water is discharged through the outlet 10. After the cleaning task is completed, the kit will be lowered back to the initial installation height. The task execution process will be displayed in the status indicator module. The entire flushing process takes about one minute and will not affect the normal operation of the water quality sensor 6. The time interval between two cleanings can be selected from a variety of preset values ​​according to actual needs. In addition, the flushing task can also be controlled by actively triggering the button during the cleaning interval. If a component malfunctions during use, the alarm module will provide a prompt, which will facilitate timely replacement by maintenance personnel. In addition, if it is necessary to work with peripheral equipment, the reserved external communication interface can be used to control the device, and the function expansion pins can also be used to enrich the functionality of the device. When the inlet 9 of the sleeve 4 is outside the water storage bowl 1, it allows the water to be monitored to flow into the sleeve 4 and contact the water quality sensor 6 to monitor the water quality. When it is inside the water storage bowl 1, it allows fresh water to flow into the sleeve 4 to clean the water quality sensor 6. In actual use of the equipment, it is necessary to ensure that the water depth of the outlet 10 at the bottom of the sleeve 4 is within the maximum height that the winding device can lift, so that the outlet 10 can be fully exposed above the water surface when cleaning operations are carried out.

[0044] Example 2:

[0045] This embodiment provides the following assembly steps for the device provided in Embodiment 1 above:

[0046] ① The sealing ring is embedded in the edge of the opening 2 of the water storage bowl 1, and the controller box 16 is fixed to the outside of the water storage bowl 1;

[0047] ② Connect the interfaces at both ends of the straight pipe 15 to the corresponding connection ports 18 of the straight pipe 15 of the water storage bowl 1 and the four-legged support float, respectively;

[0048] ③ Assemble the sensor kit, including the soft plug 5 and the sleeve 4. Insert the water quality sensor 6 into the pre-drilled hole in the plug 5 and adjust the water quality sensor 6 to a suitable height using the detachable clip 13 at the top of the plug 5. Then, attach the kit to the outlet of the water reservoir 1 and remove the cable 12 from the controller box 16 and connect it to the pull rings 11 on both sides of the sleeve 4.

[0049] ④ Place the device into the water body to be monitored, and use the multi-stage structure of the straight pipe 15 to adjust the device to a suitable height, but do not exceed the maximum water immersion height of the sensor kit.

[0050] ⑤ Select the appropriate power supply mode from the specified multiple power supply methods to power the device.

[0051] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the patent. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaning device for a water quality sensor, characterized in that, include, A water storage bowl (1) is provided with an opening (2) at the bottom; The sensor kit is disposed within the opening (2); The four-legged support float is set at the bottom of the water storage bowl (1) to provide support for the entire device; The controller, located on the water reservoir (1), is used to control the operation of the sensor kit; The water storage bowl (1) is an inverted frustum shape with a fully open top; the bottom of the water storage bowl (1) is raised downwards around the edges and concave upwards in the middle; the opening (2) is located at the concave bottom of the water storage bowl (1); The sensor kit includes a sleeve (4), which is in the shape of a test tube; a frustum-shaped soft plug (5) with an opening (20) is provided at the top of the sleeve (4), and a water quality sensor (6) is provided inside the opening (20); a groove (7) is provided in the middle of the plug (5), and a slot (8) adapted to the groove (7) is provided at the top of the sleeve (4); the slot (8) is inserted into the groove (7); an inlet (9) is provided on the middle surface of the sleeve (4), and an outlet (10) is provided at the bottom; pull rings (11) are provided on both sides of the outer surface of the sleeve (4), and the pull rings (11) are connected to the cable (12) on the controller; The controller is used to control the lifting and lowering movement of the sensor kit.

2. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four-legged support float includes an annular float (14), on which a straight tube (15) is provided. The straight tube (15) is connected to the bottom connection port (18) of the water storage bowl (1) by a pin.

3. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 2, characterized in that, The controller is housed in a controller box (16). The controller circuit board has an onboard power supply module, MCU core circuit, winding module, status indicator module, component damage alarm module, task active trigger button, external communication interface and functional expansion pins. The circuit board is fixed inside the box by copper pillars. The winding module is connected to the cable (12).

4. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 3, characterized in that, A liquid level sensor (3) is installed inside the water storage bowl (1). The signal transmitting end of the liquid level sensor (3) is connected to the signal receiving end of the MCU core circuit. The signal transmitting end of the MCU core circuit is connected to the signal receiving end of the winding module.

5. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 4, characterized in that, The diameter of the opening (2) is smaller than the top diameter of the plug (5) and larger than the bottom diameter of the plug (5).

6. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 5, characterized in that, A sealing ring is provided inside the opening (2).

7. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 6, characterized in that, The water storage bowl (1) is provided with a controller box (16) with a mounting buckle (17) and a straight pipe (15) with a connecting port (18) on the outside and bottom respectively.

8. The automatic cleaning device for water quality sensors according to claim 7, characterized in that, The plug (5) is provided with a detachable buckle (13).

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