Ice thickness measuring device and method supporting internal and external ice melting

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ice thickness measurement, and particularly discloses an ice thickness measurement device and method supporting internal and external ice melting, an ice threshold value self-adaptive calibration module is arranged in the ice thickness measurement device, an ice threshold value can be calibrated in a self-adaptive manner when water quality changes, and the ice thickness measurement accuracy is improved. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying the icing area is improved, and more accurate data support is provided for measurement and determination of the ice thickness. Therefore, the ice threshold value is dynamically adjusted and calibrated, so that the measurement result of the ice thickness can more accurately reflect the actual ice layer condition, misjudgment caused by water quality change is avoided, and the conductivity detection keeps better reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ice thickness measurement, and more specifically, to an ice thickness measurement device and method supporting internal and external ice melting. Background Art

[0002] During the operation of a coil-type ice storage device, it is usually necessary to detect the thickness of the ice layer to understand the amount of ice inside the device and the status of the ice layer, thereby achieving effective management of ice making and melting.

[0003] Conductivity testing is currently one of the primary methods for measuring ice thickness in coil-type ice storage systems. However, over time, water quality changes in coil-type ice storage systems, leading to changes in conductivity and making conductivity testing difficult to maintain reliability.

[0004] Therefore, an optimized solution is expected. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide an ice thickness measurement device and method that supports internal and external ice melting, which solves the problem in the prior art that conductivity detection is difficult to maintain reliability.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this application is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides an ice thickness measurement method that supports internal and external ice melting, including an ice threshold adaptive calibration method;

[0008] Among them, the ice threshold adaptive calibration method includes: obtaining the temperature value of the outermost ice layer or the innermost ice layer; when the temperature value is a first reference temperature, obtaining the current conductivity to obtain the first reference temperature conductivity, when the temperature value is a second reference temperature, obtaining the current conductivity to obtain the second reference temperature conductivity, when the temperature value is a third reference temperature, obtaining the current conductivity to obtain the third reference temperature conductivity as the initial ice threshold; determining the ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity and the initial ice threshold.

[0009] Further, determining the ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity and the initial ice threshold includes: determining the water threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity; and determining the ice threshold based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold.

[0010] Further, determining the water threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity includes: determining the water threshold using a conductivity temperature compensation formula based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity; wherein the conductivity temperature compensation formula is expressed as:

[0011]

[0012] in, is the temperature coefficient of conductivity at the first reference temperature, is the conductivity at the second reference temperature, is the first reference temperature conductivity, is the water threshold, T2 is the second reference temperature, T1 is the first reference temperature, T0 is 0, and * indicates multiplication.

[0013] Further, determining the ice threshold based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold includes: determining the ice threshold using an ice threshold calculation formula based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold; wherein the ice threshold calculation formula is expressed as:

[0014]

[0015] in, is the ice threshold, is the water threshold, is the initial ice threshold, and k is the preset proportional coefficient.

[0016] Furthermore, the ice thickness measurement method that supports internal and external ice melting also includes: obtaining multiple AC signals flowing from a common electrode through multiple detection electrodes alternately deployed in a multi-layer array; performing signal enhancement and conductivity conversion on the multiple AC signals to obtain multiple conductivities; determining the number of electrodes in the ice area based on a comparison between the multiple conductivities and the ice threshold; and determining the ice thickness value based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the multiple detection electrodes.

[0017] Furthermore, signal enhancement and conductivity conversion are performed on the multiple AC signals to obtain multiple conductivities, including: inputting the multiple AC signals into an ADC acquisition circuit to obtain multiple enhanced AC signals; and inputting the multiple enhanced AC signals into a microcontroller processor to obtain multiple conductivities.

[0018] Furthermore, based on the comparison between multiple conductivities and ice thresholds, the number of electrodes in the ice area is determined, including: when the conductivity is lower than the ice threshold, determining that the detection electrode corresponding to the conductivity is in the ice area.

[0019] Further, determining the ice thickness value based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the plurality of detection electrodes includes: determining the ice thickness value using an ice thickness calculation formula based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the plurality of detection electrodes; wherein the ice thickness calculation formula is expressed as: h=n*x;

[0020] Where h is the ice thickness, n is the number of electrodes, x is the distribution spacing between multiple detection electrodes, and * represents multiplication.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an ice thickness measurement device that supports internal and external ice melting, comprising:

[0022] An ice threshold adaptive calibration module is configured to: obtain a temperature value of an outermost ice layer or an innermost ice layer; obtain a current conductivity to obtain a first reference temperature conductivity when the temperature value is a first reference temperature, obtain a current conductivity to obtain a second reference temperature conductivity when the temperature value is a second reference temperature, and obtain a current conductivity to obtain a third reference temperature conductivity as an initial ice threshold when the temperature value is a third reference temperature; and determine an ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the initial ice threshold;

[0023] The ice thickness measurement module is used to: obtain multiple AC signals flowing from a common electrode through multiple detection electrodes alternately distributed in a multi-layer array; input the multiple AC signals into an ADC acquisition circuit to obtain multiple enhanced AC signals; input the multiple enhanced AC signals into a microcontroller processor to obtain multiple conductivities; determine the number of electrodes in the ice formation area based on a comparison between the multiple conductivities and ice thresholds; and determine the ice thickness value based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the multiple detection electrodes.

[0024] The beneficial effect of this application is that by incorporating an adaptive ice threshold calibration module into the ice thickness measurement device, the ice threshold can be adaptively calibrated when water quality changes, thereby improving the accuracy of identifying frozen areas and providing more accurate data support for ice thickness measurement and determination. In this way, the ice threshold is dynamically adjusted and calibrated, so that the ice thickness measurement results can more accurately reflect the actual ice layer conditions, avoiding misjudgments caused by water quality changes, and maintaining high reliability of conductivity detection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the ice threshold adaptive calibration method provided in this application.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the alternating distribution of the multi-layer array of detection electrodes provided in this application.

[0027] Figure 3 This is an example diagram of the ADC acquisition circuit provided in this application.

[0028] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the flow chart of the ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting provided in this application.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice thickness measurement device that supports internal and external ice melting provided in this application.

[0030] In the figure: an ice thickness measurement device 100 supporting internal and external ice melting, an ice threshold adaptive calibration module 110, and an ice thickness measurement module 120. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this application easier to understand, this application is further explained below with reference to specific diagrams.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the present application provides an ice threshold adaptive calibration method, the specific steps of which include:

[0033] S1. Obtain the temperature value of the outermost ice layer or the innermost ice layer;

[0034] S2. When the temperature value is the first reference temperature, obtain the current conductivity to obtain the first reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the second reference temperature, obtain the current conductivity to obtain the second reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the third reference temperature, obtain the current conductivity to obtain the third reference temperature conductivity as the initial ice threshold;

[0035] S3. Determine an ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the initial ice threshold.

[0036] Understandably, conductivity testing is currently one of the primary methods for measuring ice thickness in coil-type ice storage systems. However, over time, water quality changes in coil-type ice storage systems, leading to changes in conductivity and making conductivity testing difficult to maintain reliability.

[0037] Through the above-mentioned ice threshold adaptive calibration method, the ice threshold can be adaptively calibrated when the water quality changes, thereby improving the accuracy of identifying ice areas, providing more accurate data support for the measurement and determination of ice thickness, and thus improving the reliability of conductivity detection.

[0038] Specifically, in actual application scenarios, the temperature sensor is used to collect temperature values in real time, providing conditions for subsequent ice threshold adaptive calibration.

[0039] Generally, internal ice melting refers to the process in which the ice on the outer surface of the coil gradually melts from the inside out. External ice melting refers to the process in which the ice on the outer surface of the coil gradually melts from the outside in.

[0040] In a specific example of the present application, temperature sensors are deployed in the outermost ice layer and the innermost ice layer respectively to obtain more comprehensive temperature conditions during the adaptive calibration of the ice threshold of the cold storage device and provide a continuous and reliable data source for monitoring the first to third reference temperatures.

[0041] Furthermore, this redundant design ensures stable operation of the device. That is, if one temperature sensor fails, the other can still provide temperature data, thereby ensuring the reliability of conductivity detection and ice thickness measurement.

[0042] In the technical solution of the present application, a detection electrode, a common electrode that can form a specific current loop with the detection electrode, an ADC acquisition circuit, and a microcontroller processor are used to obtain the current conductivity.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the detection electrodes are preferably deployed in a multi-layer array in an alternating distribution structure within the ice storage area of the cold storage device, with no vertical overlap between the detection electrodes. This minimizes the electrodes' influence on ice formation and melting, enabling layered ice thickness detection. In one specific example, the spacing between the ice layers where the detection electrodes are located is 4 mm.

[0044] Preferably, the common electrode is a bent electrode, such as a 90-degree bent electrode, whose transverse portion corresponds to the initial position of the ice layer in the cold storage device, and whose longitudinal portion covers the entire ice layer thickness to ensure detection under internal and external ice melting conditions.

[0045] More specifically, the microcontroller first applies an excitation signal, such as an AC signal, between the detection electrode and the common electrode via a driver circuit. This excitation signal creates a current loop between the detection electrode and the common electrode. Ions in the solution migrate under the influence of the electric field, generating a current.

[0046] Specifically, during operation, an AC signal, such as a + / -5V AC square wave signal, is output to the common electrode to mitigate electrode polarization. It should be understood that using a DC signal would cause charge to accumulate on the electrode surface, causing changes in the electrode potential and, consequently, polarization. This polarization would interfere with the measurement signal and reduce measurement accuracy.

[0047] The polarity of the AC signal constantly changes, and the charge on the electrode surface periodically alternates between positive and negative, preventing long-term charge accumulation. This periodic change keeps the potential on the electrode surface relatively stable, thereby slowing down polarization.

[0048] By measuring the voltage drop between electrodes in the circuit, a signal reflecting the solution's conductivity can be obtained. Specifically, this signal is input into an ADC acquisition circuit for signal conditioning, such as amplification and filtering.

[0049] More specifically, in one example of the present application, Figure 3As shown in the figure, the ADC acquisition circuit includes a signal amplification circuit and a limiter circuit. This circuit first increases the AC signal's drive capability and then removes the negative half-cycle signal through the limiter circuit, retaining only the AC signal that can be acquired by the microcontroller. In the figure, TLC2252AIDR refers to the TLC2252AIDR op amp chip, MMSZ4684 refers to the MMSZ4684 Zener diode, AN6 is the circuit input, and AD_IN6 is the circuit output.

[0050] The conditioned signal is then converted from an analog signal to a digital signal for the microcontroller to read. The microcontroller then calculates the conductivity based on the digital signal and the known excitation signal parameters.

[0051] For example, the voltage amplitude V is obtained from the digital signal. With a known excitation current I, the resistance is calculated as: R = V / I; and the conductivity is further calculated as: σ = K / R.

[0052] Where K is the electrode constant, K=L / A, L is the distance between the electrodes, and A is the effective area of the electrodes.

[0053] In an embodiment of the present application, after obtaining the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the third reference temperature conductivity (initial ice threshold) respectively, the specific steps of determining the ice threshold include:

[0054] First, a water threshold is determined based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity; then, an ice threshold is determined based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold.

[0055] More specifically, determining the water threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity includes:

[0056] Based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity, a conductivity temperature compensation formula is used to determine the water threshold; wherein the conductivity temperature compensation formula is expressed as:

[0057]

[0058] in, is the conductivity temperature coefficient at the first reference temperature, in °C -1 , is the conductivity at the second reference temperature, is the first reference temperature conductivity, is the water threshold, T2 is the second reference temperature, T1 is the first reference temperature, T0 is 0, and * indicates multiplication.

[0059] More specifically, based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold, determining the ice threshold includes:

[0060] Based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold, the ice threshold is determined using the ice threshold calculation formula; the ice threshold calculation formula is expressed as:

[0061]

[0062] in, is the ice threshold, is the water threshold, is the initial ice threshold, and k is the preset proportional coefficient.

[0063] In practical conductivity testing scenarios, the conductivity of water at 0°C is typically used as the water threshold. However, in cold storage equipment, when the temperature approaches 0°C, the state of the cold storage area may be ice, water, or an ice-water mixture. Because the conductivity of water varies significantly in different states, the conductivity measured at 0°C cannot be simply used as the water threshold.

[0064] At the same time, due to the existence of electrode polarization and the change of water quality during long-term use, the conductivity temperature coefficient will also be different. In other words, when determining the water threshold, the conductivity temperature coefficient also needs to be recalculated accordingly.

[0065] The temperature coefficient of conductivity is typically defined as the ratio of the change in conductivity to temperature, with 25°C as the reference temperature. However, cold storage devices are typically used in low-temperature environments, where temperatures generally do not reach 25°C. Here, 10°C is used as the first reference temperature, and 5°C as the second reference temperature.

[0066] Since the conductivity of water changes with temperature, and generally exhibits a certain linear relationship, we utilize this characteristic to measure the conductivity at 5°C and 10°C, and then calculate the conductivity temperature coefficient at 10°C using the above conductivity temperature compensation formula as the reference temperature conductivity temperature coefficient.

[0067] In this way, based on the linear change relationship between conductivity and temperature, the conductivity temperature coefficient at 0 degrees Celsius, that is, the water threshold, can be inferred based on the conductivity temperature coefficient at 10 degrees Celsius.

[0068] Since the conductivity of water drops sharply when it turns into ice, the conductivity temperature compensation formula is no longer applicable. Therefore, it is necessary to reformulate the relationship to obtain the ice threshold.

[0069] In one example of this application, the third reference temperature is set to -1 degrees Celsius, and the average of the conductivity temperature coefficient at -1 degrees Celsius (initial ice threshold) and the conductivity temperature coefficient at 0 degrees Celsius (water threshold) is taken (with a preset proportionality factor of 1) to serve as the ice threshold. This prevents misidentification of ice-water mixtures or water as ice, ensures that ice layer identification is more realistic, and improves the accuracy of ice thickness measurement.

[0070] It is worth mentioning that the preset scaling factor can be dynamically adjusted to suit the actual application scenario.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, the ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting provided by this application includes the following specific steps:

[0072] S10, acquiring multiple AC signals flowing from the common electrode through multiple detection electrodes alternately distributed in the multi-layer array;

[0073] S20, performing signal enhancement and conductivity conversion on the multiple AC signals to obtain multiple conductivities;

[0074] S30, determining the number of electrodes in the ice area based on a comparison between the multiple conductivities and the ice threshold;

[0075] S40 : Determine an ice thickness value based on the number of electrodes and the distribution intervals between the plurality of detection electrodes.

[0076] Preferably, performing signal enhancement and conductivity conversion on the multiple AC signals to obtain multiple conductivities comprises:

[0077] Inputting multiple AC signals into an ADC acquisition circuit to obtain multiple enhanced AC signals;

[0078] A plurality of enhanced AC signals are input into a microcontroller to obtain a plurality of conductivities.

[0079] Preferably, determining the number of electrodes in the icing area based on the comparison between the plurality of conductivities and the ice threshold value comprises:

[0080] When the conductivity is lower than the ice threshold, it is determined that the detection electrode corresponding to the conductivity is in the ice area.

[0081] Preferably, determining the ice thickness value based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the plurality of detection electrodes comprises:

[0082] Based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between multiple detection electrodes, the ice thickness value is determined using the ice thickness calculation formula; wherein the ice thickness calculation formula is expressed as: h=n*x;

[0083] Where h is the ice thickness, n is the number of electrodes, x is the distribution spacing between multiple detection electrodes, and * represents multiplication.

[0084] like Figure 5 As shown, the ice thickness measurement device 100 provided by the present application that supports internal and external ice melting includes:

[0085] The ice threshold adaptive calibration module 110 is configured to:

[0086] Get the temperature value of the outermost ice layer or the innermost ice layer;

[0087] When the temperature value is the first reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the first reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the second reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the second reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the third reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the third reference temperature conductivity as the initial ice threshold;

[0088] determining an ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the initial ice threshold;

[0089] The ice thickness measurement module 120 is configured to:

[0090] Acquire multiple AC signals flowing from a common electrode through multiple detection electrodes alternately distributed in a multi-layer array;

[0091] Inputting multiple AC signals into an ADC acquisition circuit to obtain multiple enhanced AC signals;

[0092] inputting a plurality of enhanced AC signals into a microcontroller to obtain a plurality of conductivities;

[0093] determining the number of electrodes in an ice formation area based on a comparison between a plurality of conductivities and an ice threshold;

[0094] The ice thickness value is determined based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the multiple detection electrodes.

[0095] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present application is not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, the present application is subject to various changes and improvements, and such changes and improvements fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present application. The scope of protection claimed by the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for measuring ice thickness supporting internal and external ice melting, characterized in that: Includes ice threshold adaptive calibration method; The ice threshold adaptive calibration method comprises: Get the temperature value of the outermost ice layer or the innermost ice layer; When the temperature value is the first reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the first reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the second reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the second reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the third reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the third reference temperature conductivity as the initial ice threshold; An ice threshold is determined based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the initial ice threshold.

2. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 1, characterized in that: Determining an ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the initial ice threshold includes: determining a water threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity; The ice threshold is determined based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold.

3. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 2, characterized in that: Determining a water threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity includes: determining the water threshold using a conductivity temperature compensation formula based on the first reference temperature conductivity and the second reference temperature conductivity; The conductivity temperature compensation formula is expressed as: in, is the temperature coefficient of conductivity at the first reference temperature, is the second reference temperature conductivity, is the first reference temperature conductivity, is the water threshold, the value of T2 is the second reference temperature, the value of T1 is the first reference temperature, the value of T0 is 0, and * represents multiplication.

4. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 3, characterized in that: Determining an ice threshold based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold includes: Determining the ice threshold using an ice threshold calculation formula based on the water threshold and the initial ice threshold; The ice threshold calculation formula is expressed as: in, is the ice threshold, is the water threshold, is the initial ice threshold, and k is a preset proportional coefficient.

5. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Acquire multiple AC signals flowing from a common electrode through multiple detection electrodes alternately distributed in a multi-layer array; performing signal enhancement and conductivity conversion on the multiple AC signals to obtain multiple conductivities; determining a number of electrodes in an ice formation region based on a comparison between the plurality of conductivities and the ice threshold; An ice thickness value is determined based on the number of electrodes and the distribution intervals between the plurality of detection electrodes.

6. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 5, characterized in that: Performing signal enhancement and conductivity conversion on the multiple AC signals to obtain multiple conductivities, comprising: Inputting the multiple AC signals into an ADC acquisition circuit to obtain multiple enhanced AC signals; The plurality of enhanced AC signals are input into a microcontroller to obtain the plurality of conductivities.

7. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 6, characterized in that: Determining the number of electrodes in an icing area based on a comparison between the plurality of conductivities and the ice threshold value comprises: When the electrical conductivity is lower than the ice threshold, it is determined that the detection electrode corresponding to the electrical conductivity is in an ice region.

8. The ice thickness measurement method supporting internal and external ice melting according to claim 7, characterized in that: Determining an ice thickness value based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the plurality of detection electrodes includes: Determining the ice thickness value using an ice thickness calculation formula based on the number of electrodes and the distribution spacing between the plurality of detection electrodes; The ice thickness calculation formula is expressed as: h=n*x; Wherein, h is the ice thickness value, n is the number of electrodes, x is the distribution spacing between the multiple detection electrodes, and * represents multiplication.

9. An ice thickness measurement device supporting internal and external ice melting, characterized in that: include: Ice threshold adaptive calibration module for: Get the temperature value of the outermost ice layer or the innermost ice layer; When the temperature value is the first reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the first reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the second reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the second reference temperature conductivity; when the temperature value is the third reference temperature, the current conductivity is acquired to obtain the third reference temperature conductivity as the initial ice threshold; determining an ice threshold based on the first reference temperature conductivity, the second reference temperature conductivity, and the initial ice threshold; Ice thickness measurement module for: Acquire multiple AC signals flowing from a common electrode through multiple detection electrodes alternately distributed in a multi-layer array; Inputting the multiple AC signals into an ADC acquisition circuit to obtain multiple enhanced AC signals; inputting the plurality of enhanced AC signals into a microcontroller to obtain a plurality of conductivities; determining a number of electrodes in an ice formation region based on a comparison between the plurality of conductivities and the ice threshold; An ice thickness value is determined based on the number of electrodes and the distribution intervals between the plurality of detection electrodes.

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