Water quality detection equipment and water quality detection method using same

Abstract

The water quality detection equipment comprises a detection cavity device, a pump module, a light source, a light sensor and a controller, the detection cavity device is provided with a detection cavity. The pump module is used for conveying the to-be-detected liquid and the reagent to the detection cavity. The light source is located outside the detection cavity and used for emitting detection light to the detection cavity. The light sensor senses the detection light passing through the detection cavity and generates a detection voltage value. The controller is electrically connected with the light sensor and the pump module and configured to execute the following procedures: a voltage sensing procedure, a dilution judgment procedure, a to-be-detected liquid dilution procedure and a concentration obtaining procedure. The dilution determination program can calculate a voltage ratio of the detection voltage value to the base voltage value. When the voltage ratio is greater than a critical value, a concentration acquisition procedure is executed, and when the voltage ratio is not greater than the critical value, a to-be-detected liquid dilution procedure is executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water quality testing device and a water quality testing method using the same. Background Technology

[0002] Water quality testing equipment can detect the concentration of impurities in a test solution. However, the concentration of the test solution varies greatly. Different water quality testing equipment is required for test solutions with different concentration ranges, which increases equipment costs and necessitates equipment changes during the testing process, reducing testing efficiency. Therefore, improving the aforementioned existing problems is one of the goals of those working in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a water quality testing device. The device includes a detection chamber, a pump module, a light source, and a light sensor. The detection chamber has a detection cavity. The pump module delivers the test solution and reagents to the detection cavity. The light source emits detection light into the detection cavity. The light sensor senses the detection light passing through the detection cavity and generates a detection voltage. A controller is electrically connected to the light sensor and configured to execute the following procedures: a voltage sensing procedure, which reads the detection voltage value from the light sensor; and a dilution judgment procedure, which calculates the voltage ratio between the detection voltage value and a baseline voltage value, compares the voltage ratio with a critical value, and executes a concentration acquisition procedure when the voltage ratio is greater than the critical value, and executes a test solution dilution procedure when the voltage ratio is not greater than the critical value. In the concentration acquisition procedure, the detection concentration value of the test solution is obtained based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value. In the test liquid dilution process, the controller updates the dilution ratio based on the voltage ratio and drives the pump module to deliver diluent, so that the ratio of the total volume of the test liquid and the diluent in the detection chamber to the volume of the test liquid is the dilution ratio, and executes the voltage sensing program and the dilution judgment program.

[0004] Another embodiment of the present invention proposes a water quality detection method. The water quality detection method includes the following steps: a pump module delivers the test liquid and reagents to the detection chamber of a detection chamber device; a light source emits detection light into the detection chamber; a light sensor senses the detection light passing through the detection chamber and generates a detection voltage; a controller executes a voltage sensing procedure, including: reading the detection voltage value; and the controller executes a dilution judgment procedure, including: calculating the voltage ratio between the detection voltage value and a baseline voltage value; comparing the voltage ratio with a critical value; executing a concentration acquisition procedure when the voltage ratio is greater than the critical value; and executing a test liquid dilution procedure when the voltage ratio is not greater than the critical value. The concentration acquisition procedure includes: the controller obtaining the detection concentration value of the test liquid based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value. The test liquid dilution procedure includes: the controller updating the dilution ratio based on the voltage ratio; and the controller driving the pump module to deliver diluent, such that the ratio of the total volume of the test liquid and the diluent in the detection chamber to the total volume of the test liquid is the dilution ratio, and executing the voltage sensing procedure and the dilution judgment procedure.

[0005] To provide a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1A A functional block diagram of a water quality testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0007] Figure 1B Draw Figure 1A A schematic diagram of water quality testing equipment.

[0008] Figure 1C Draw Figure 1B A flowchart of the water quality testing method for water quality testing equipment.

[0009] Figure 2A A functional block diagram of a water quality testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0010] Figure 2B Draw Figure 2A A schematic diagram of water quality testing equipment.

[0011] Figure 2C Draw Figure 2B A schematic diagram of the detection chamber device and the detection base that cooperates with it.

[0012] Figure 2D Draw Figure 2B A flowchart of the water quality testing methods performed by the water quality testing equipment.

[0013] Figure 3A Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the procedure for obtaining the base voltage.

[0014] Figure 3B A schematic diagram of a detection chamber device with a light-shielding element covering the detection chamber cavity is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the initialization procedure.

[0016] Figure 5 A graph showing the relationship between the color development time of the test liquid and the detection voltage value according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is presented.

[0017] Figure 6 Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the voltage sensing procedure.

[0018] Figure 7 Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the dilution judgment procedure.

[0019] Figure 8A Draw Figure 2D The flowchart for obtaining the concentration.

[0020] Figure 8B A graph (calibration line) showing the relationship between standard concentration values ​​and absorbance values ​​according to an embodiment of this disclosure is presented.

[0021] Figure 9 Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the dilution procedure for the test solution.

[0022] Figure 10 Draw Figure 2B Another embodiment of the water quality testing method of the water quality testing equipment.

[0023] Figure 11 Draw Figure 10 The flowchart for obtaining the concentration.

[0024] Figure 12 Draw Figure 10 Flowchart of the dilution procedure for the test solution.

[0025] Figure 13A A functional block diagram of a water quality testing device according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 13B Draw Figure 13A A schematic diagram of water quality testing equipment.

[0027] [Symbol Explanation]

[0028] 11: Container of liquid to be tested

[0029] 12: First reagent container

[0030] 13: Diluent container

[0031] 20: Sunshade

[0032] 100, 200, 300: Water quality testing equipment

[0033] 110A, 210A, 310A: Detection chamber device

[0034] 210B: Detection Base

[0035] 110c, 210c, 310c: Detection cavity

[0036] 210a1: First Entrance

[0037] 210a2: Second Entrance

[0038] 210a3: Third Entrance

[0039] 210b: Exhaust port

[0040] 210d: Opening

[0041] 211: First Detection Window

[0042] 212: Second detection window

[0043] 120, 220: Pump modules

[0044] 221: First Pump

[0045] 222: Second pump

[0046] 223: Third pump

[0047] 130, 230: Light source

[0048] 140, 240: Light sensor

[0049] 150, 250: Controller

[0050] 260: Motor

[0051] 270: Drain valve

[0052] 270a1: Valve inlet

[0053] 270a2: Valve opening

[0054] 270a3: Valve outlet

[0055] 310a: Fourth Entrance

[0056] 324: Fourth pump

[0057] A1: Air

[0058] B1: Absorbance

[0059] C1, C21, C22: Curves

[0060] L1, L1': Detection light

[0061] P1: Data point

[0062] S210, S310: Base voltage acquisition procedure

[0063] S220, S320: Initialization program

[0064] S130, S230, S330: Voltage sensing program

[0065] S140, S240, S340: Dilution Judgment Procedure

[0066] S150, S250, S350: Concentration Acquisition Procedure

[0067] S160, S260, S360: Dilution procedure for the test solution

[0068] S211~S212, S221~S222, S231~S233, S241~S242, S251~S253, S261~S263, S311~S313, S321~S323, S351~S355, S361~S362: Steps

[0069] T1: Complete reaction time

[0070] t: Incomplete reaction time

[0071] W1: Test solution

[0072] W2: First Reagent

[0073] W3: Diluent

[0074] W4: Second reagent Detailed Implementation

[0075] Please refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1A A functional block diagram of a water quality testing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1B Draw Figure 1A The diagram shows a schematic of water quality testing equipment 100. Figure 1C Draw Figure 1B A flowchart of the water quality testing method for water quality testing equipment.

[0076] like Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, the water quality testing equipment 100 includes a testing chamber device 110A, a pump module 120, a light source 130, a light sensor 140, and a controller 150.

[0077] like Figures 1A-1C As shown, the detection chamber device 110A has a detection chamber 110c. A pump module 120 is used to deliver the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2 to the detection chamber 110c. A light source 130 is used to emit detection light L1. A light sensor 140 is used to sense the detection light L1' passing through the detection chamber 110c and generate a detection voltage. A controller 150 is electrically connected to the light sensor 140 and the pump module 120 and configured to execute the following procedures: a voltage sensing procedure S130, which reads the detection voltage value VS of the light sensor; a dilution judgment procedure S140, which calculates the voltage ratio VR of the detection voltage value VS and the baseline voltage value Vo, and compares the voltage ratio VR with a critical value. When the voltage ratio VR is greater than the critical value, a concentration acquisition procedure S150 is executed; when the voltage ratio VR is not greater than the critical value, a test liquid dilution procedure S160 is executed. In the test liquid dilution procedure S160, the dilution ratio is updated based on the voltage ratio VR, and the pump module 120 is driven to deliver diluent W3, so that the ratio of the total volume of the test liquid W1 and the diluent W3 in the detection chamber 110c to the total volume of the test liquid W1 equals the dilution ratio. Then, the voltage sensing procedure S130 and the dilution judgment procedure S140 are executed again in sequence. In the concentration acquisition procedure S150, the detection concentration value S1 of the test liquid W1 is obtained based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value. In this way, the concentration of the test liquid W1 (e.g., ammonia nitrogen concentration, nitrate nitrogen concentration) can be detected optically, and the liquid concentration in the detection chamber 110c is ensured to be within the range that the optical sensor 140 can accurately measure, effectively expanding the detection concentration range applicable to the water quality testing equipment 100.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2D , Figure 2A A functional block diagram of a water quality testing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2B Draw Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the water quality testing equipment 200. Figure 2C Draw Figure 2B The figure shows a schematic diagram of the detection chamber device 210A and the detection base 210B that cooperates with it. Figure 2D Draw Figure 2B A flowchart of the water quality testing method performed by the water quality testing equipment 200.

[0079] like Figures 2A-2CAs shown, the water quality testing equipment 200 includes a testing chamber device 210A, a pump module 220, a light source 230, a light sensor 240, a controller 250, a motor 260, an air drain valve 270, a test liquid container 11 for storing test liquid W1, a first reagent container 12 for storing first reagent W2, and a diluent container 13 for storing diluent W3.

[0080] like Figure 2A As shown, the controller 250 is electrically connected to the pump module 220, the light source 230, the light sensor 240, the motor 260, and the vent valve 270 to control the operation of these components and / or receive signals from them. The light source 230 and the light sensor 240 can be configured in the detection base 210B.

[0081] like Figures 2B-2C As shown, the detection cavity device 210A can be partially inserted into the recess of the detection base 210B. For example, the detection window can be located within the recess of the detection base 210B to avoid interference from ambient light. The detection cavity device 210A has a detection cavity 210c, a first detection window 211, and a second detection window 212 (the second detection window 212 is shown in Figure 3). The first detection window 211 and the second detection window 212 are, for example, light-transmitting windows, so the internal condition of the detection cavity 210c can be viewed through the detection windows. The light source 230 can be located on the side of the first detection window 211 to emit detection light L1 toward the first detection window 211. The light sensor 240 can be located on the side of the second detection window 212 to receive the detection light L1' passing through the detection cavity 210c and generate a detection voltage. Specifically, the light source 230 and the light sensor 240 are located on opposite sides of the detection cavity 210c. Thus, the detection light L1 emitted by the light source 230, after passing through the detection cavity 210c, can be received by the photosensor 240. The light source 230 is, for example, an LED light source. In one embodiment, the light source described herein is, for example, an ultraviolet light source, whose emitted detection light L1 has a center wavelength of, for example, 275 nanometers; or, the light source 230 is, for example, a halogen light source with a wide wavelength range, whose emitted detection light L1 is, for example, visible-near-infrared (VIS-NIR). The photosensor described herein is, for example, a gallium nitride (GaN) sensor. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the type of light source and / or photosensor.

[0082] like Figures 2B-2CAs shown, the detection chamber device 210A further includes a first inlet 210a1, a second inlet 210a2, a third inlet 210a3, an exhaust port 210b, and an opening 210d. The first inlet 210a1, the second inlet 210a2, the third inlet 210a3, the exhaust port 210b, and the opening 210d communicate with the detection chamber 210c. Air (if present) in the detection chamber 210c can be discharged through the exhaust port 210b. Liquid in the detection chamber 210c can be discharged to the outside of the detection chamber device 210A through the opening 210d, and / or external gas can enter the detection chamber 210A through the opening 210d.

[0083] like Figure 2B As shown, pump module 220 is used to deliver the test liquid W1, the first reagent W2, and the diluent W3 to the detection chamber 210c. Pump module 220 includes a first pump 221, a second pump 222, and a third pump 223. The first pump 221 is connected to the first inlet 210a1 and is used to deliver the test liquid W1 from the test liquid container 11 through the first inlet 210a1 to the detection chamber 210c. The second pump 222 is connected to the second inlet 210a2 and is used to deliver the first reagent W2 from the first reagent container 12 through the second inlet 210a2 to the detection chamber 210c. The third pump 223 is connected to the third inlet 210a3 and is used to deliver the diluent W3 from the diluent container 13 through the third inlet 210a3 to the detection chamber 210c. The test liquid W1 in this article is, for example, river water, reservoir water, water tower water, wastewater, sewage, ditch water, discharged water, or fishpond water, etc., any liquid that requires testing. Diluent W3 is, for example, water, such as clean water, deionized water, tap water, etc.

[0084] like Figure 2B As shown, in one embodiment, the controller 250 can control the time for the first pump 221 to deliver the test liquid W1, and control the volume of the test liquid W1 entering the detection chamber 210c. For example, if the first pump 221 delivers the test liquid W1 at a flow rate of q1 ml per second, then the delivery time of the first pump 221 for the test liquid W1 can be m1 / q1 seconds, where m1 represents the volume m1 of the test liquid W1 delivered. The controller 250 can control the time for the second pump 222 to deliver the first reagent W2, and control the volume of the first reagent W2 entering the detection chamber 210c. For example, if the second pump 222 delivers the first reagent W2 at a flow rate of q2 ml per second, then the delivery time of the second pump 222 for the first reagent W2 can be m2 / q2 seconds, where m2 represents the volume m2 of the first reagent W2 delivered.

[0085] like Figure 2BAs shown, motor 260 is, for example, a pneumatic motor. Motor 260 can be connected to the opening 210d of detection chamber device 210A via vent valve 270 to deliver air A1 into detection chamber 210c through opening 210d. Air A1 can pass through the liquid in detection chamber 210c to uniformly mix the liquid in detection chamber 210c.

[0086] like Figure 2B As shown, the vent valve 270 is, for example, a three-way vent valve, comprising a valve inlet 270a1, a valve opening 270a2, and a valve outlet 270a3. The motor 260 is connected to the valve inlet 270a1, and air A1 enters the detection chamber 210c through the valve inlet 270a1, the valve opening 270a2, and the opening 210d of the detection chamber device 210A. When either the valve inlet 270a1 or the valve outlet 270a3 is open, the other is closed. For example, when the valve inlet 270a1 is open, the valve outlet 270a3 is closed, and the air A1 supplied by the motor 260 enters the vent valve 270 through the valve inlet 270a1 but does not leak through the valve outlet 270a3. When valve outlet 270a3 is open, valve inlet 270a1 is closed. Liquid in detection chamber 210c is discharged through opening 210d of detection chamber device 210A, valve opening 20a2, and valve outlet 270a3, but does not leak to motor 260 through valve inlet 270a1. In one embodiment, air A1 is, for example, pressurized air.

[0087] like Figure 2B As shown, in one embodiment, the controller 250 opens the inlet 270a1 of the vent valve 270 and closes the outlet 270a3, and then controls the motor 260 to supply air A1 to the inlet 270a1. The pressurized air A1 enters the detection chamber 210c through the inlet 270a1, the opening 270a2 and the opening 210d of the detection chamber device 210A, so as to uniformly mix the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2 in the detection chamber 210c.

[0088] like Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2D As shown, the controller 250 is configured to perform a water quality detection method, which includes the following procedures: a base voltage acquisition procedure S210, an execution initialization procedure S220, a voltage sensing procedure S230, and a dilution judgment procedure S240. In the voltage sensing procedure S230, the controller 250 reads the detection voltage value VS of the light sensor 240. In the base voltage acquisition procedure S210, the controller 250 acquires the base voltage; the operation will be detailed later.

[0089] Further reference Figure 4 Its illustration Figure 2DThe flowchart of the initialization procedure S220 is shown. The initialization procedure S220 includes steps S221 and S222. In step S221, the controller 250 sets the dilution ratio to 1; in step S222, the controller 250 drives the pump module 220 to deliver the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2 into the detection chamber 210c.

[0090] In the base voltage acquisition procedure S210, the controller 250 acquires the base voltage value Vo. In the dilution judgment procedure S240, the controller 250 calculates the voltage ratio VR between the detection voltage value VS and the base voltage value Vo, and compares the voltage ratio VR with a critical value. When the voltage ratio VR is greater than the critical value, the concentration acquisition procedure S250 is executed; when the voltage ratio VR is not greater than the critical value, the test solution dilution procedure S260 is executed.

[0091] In the test liquid dilution procedure S260, the controller 250 updates the dilution ratio according to the voltage ratio VR, and drives the pump module 220 to deliver diluent W3, test liquid W1 and first reagent W2, so that the ratio of the total volume of test liquid W1 and diluent W3 in the detection chamber 210c to the volume of test liquid W1 is equal to the dilution ratio, and the voltage sensing procedure S230 and dilution judgment procedure S240 are executed again.

[0092] In the concentration acquisition procedure S250, the detection concentration value S1 of the test liquid W1 is obtained based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value. In this way, the concentration of the test liquid W1 (e.g., ammonia nitrogen concentration, nitrate nitrogen concentration) can be detected by optical means, and it is ensured that the liquid concentration in the detection chamber 210c is within the range that the optical sensor 240 can accurately measure, effectively expanding the detection concentration range applicable to the water quality testing equipment 200.

[0093] Please refer to further details. Figure 3A and Figure 3B , Figure 3A Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the base voltage acquisition procedure S210, and Figure 3B A schematic diagram is shown of the detection cavity 210c of the detection cavity device 210A covered by the light shield 20.

[0094] The basic voltage acquisition procedure S210 includes steps S211 and S212. In step S211, with the detection cavity 210c covered by the light-shielding member 20 (e.g., covering the entire first detection window 211), the controller 250 controls the light source 230 to emit detection light L1. In this embodiment, the light-shielding member 20 is, for example, black adhesive tape. In step S211, the detection cavity 210c can be empty, for example, it may be free of any liquid (reagents, test liquid, diluent, etc.). Due to the shielding of the light-shielding member 20, only a small amount of detection light L1 enters the photosensor 240.

[0095] Next, step S212 is executed. In step S212, the controller 250 reads the detection voltage value VS of the detection voltage generated by the light sensor 240, and uses the detection voltage value VS obtained in this step as the base voltage value Vo. The base voltage value Vo can be stored in a memory (not shown), wherein the memory is configured within the controller 250, or configured outside the controller 250 and electrically connected to the controller 250.

[0096] In one embodiment, the basic voltage acquisition procedure S210 can be executed once when the water quality testing equipment 100 is first operated or after calibration, and the basic voltage acquisition procedure S210 does not need to be executed repeatedly for subsequent concentration testing of the test solution W1.

[0097] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2D and Figure 4 The initialization procedure S220 will be further illustrated below with an example.

[0098] The initialization procedure S220 of this embodiment includes steps S221 and S222. In step S221, the controller 250 sets the dilution ratio to 1, and in step S222, the first pump 221 and the second pump 222 respectively deliver the test liquid W1 in the test liquid container 11 and the first reagent W2 in the first reagent container 12 to the detection chamber 210c.

[0099] For example, the detection chamber 210c has a detection chamber volume M, for example, 10 ml. In step S222, the first pump 221 delivers a test liquid W1 of volume m1 into the detection chamber 210c, the test liquid volume m1 being, for example, 10 ml. That is, in the initialization procedure S220 of this embodiment, the test liquid volume m1 delivered to the detection chamber 210c can be approximately equal to the volume M of the detection chamber 210c (i.e., the dilution ratio is set to 1). The second pump 222 delivers a first reagent W2 of volume m2 into the detection chamber 210c. In step S222 of this embodiment, the first reagent volume m2 and the test liquid volume m1 delivered to the detection chamber 210c satisfy the following formula (1). In formula (1), R2 is, for example, an integer greater than 1, for example, 10. Taking a test liquid volume m1 of 10 ml and R2 of 10 as an example, the first reagent W2 delivered to the detection chamber 210c has a first reagent volume m2 of 1 ml.

[0100]

[0101] In another embodiment of the initialization procedure S220, in order to make the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2 in the detection chamber 210c uniformly mixed, after completing step S222, the controller 250 can further control the motor 260 to operate, so that air A1 passes through the liquid in the detection chamber 210c, making the liquid in the chamber uniformly mixed.

[0102] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2D and Figure 6 , Figure 6 Draw Figure 2D A flowchart of the voltage sensing procedure S230 is provided. The voltage sensing procedure S230 includes steps S231, S232, and S233. In step S231, the controller 250 controls the light source 230 to emit detection light L1. In step S232, the light sensor 240 senses the detection light L1' passing through the detection cavity 210c and generates a detection voltage value VS. In step S233, the controller 250 reads the detection voltage value VS from the light sensor 240.

[0103] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2D and Figure 7 , Figure 7 Draw Figure 2D The flowcharts for the dilution judgment procedure S240, concentration acquisition procedure S250, and test solution dilution procedure S260 are provided. The dilution judgment procedure S240 includes steps S241 and S242. In step S241, the controller 250 calculates the voltage ratio VR (i.e., the ratio of the detection voltage value VS to the baseline voltage value Vo). In step S242, the controller 250 determines whether the voltage ratio VR is greater than a critical value. If yes, the concentration acquisition procedure S250 is executed; if no, the test solution dilution procedure S260 is executed.

[0104] In the test solution dilution procedure S260 of this embodiment, the controller 250 can drive the pump module 220 to deliver diluent W3 to dilute the test solution W1, so that the concentration of the test solution W1 in the detection chamber 210c is within the detectable range of the water quality testing equipment 100. Specifically, the controller 250 determines and updates the dilution ratio based on the voltage ratio VR. To ensure that the concentration of the test solution W1 in the detection chamber 210c equals the dilution ratio, the controller 250 either drives the pump module 220 to deliver diluent W3 to the detection chamber 210c based on the dilution ratio, or further delivers the first reagent W2 based on the volume of the liquid in the detection chamber 210c.

[0105] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2D and Figure 9 , Figure 9 Draw Figure 2D Another embodiment of the test solution dilution procedure S260. The test solution dilution procedure S260 in this embodiment includes steps S261, S262, and S263. In step S261, the controller 250 obtains and updates the dilution ratio R1 based on the voltage ratio VR. For example, the controller 250 obtains the corresponding dilution ratio R1 based on the voltage ratio and dilution ratio relationship, according to the voltage ratio VR, and updates the dilution ratio. The voltage ratio and dilution ratio relationship can be, for example, a table, an equation, etc. The voltage ratio and dilution ratio relationship can be stored in memory (not shown), wherein the memory is, for example, configured within the controller 250, or configured outside the controller 250 and electrically connected to the controller 250.

[0106] For example, please refer to Table 1 below, which lists the relationship between the voltage ratio VR and the dilution ratio R1 in one embodiment of this disclosure. The relationship between the voltage ratio VR and the dilution ratio R1 depends on the type of test solution W1, and is not limited in this embodiment. The dilution ratio R1 is not greater than a maximum dilution ratio. In a comparative example, when a dilution process is performed at a dilution ratio R1 equal to or greater than the maximum dilution ratio, the obtained detection concentration value will have an error exceeding the allowable value (excessive error) compared to the standard concentration value. Therefore, it is preferable that the dilution ratio R1 is not greater than the maximum dilution ratio. Furthermore, the maximum dilution ratio depends on the performance of the water quality testing equipment 200 and / or the type of test solution W1, and is not limited in this embodiment.

[0107] Table 1

[0108]

[0109] Before the pump module 220 delivers the test liquid W1, the first reagent W2, and the diluent W3, step S262 is executed to empty the detection chamber 210c. For example, in step S262, the controller 250 controls the valve outlet 270a3 of the vent valve 270 to open and the valve inlet 270a1 to close, so that the liquid in the detection chamber 210c, such as the mixture of the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2, is discharged from the detection chamber 210c by its own weight through the valve outlet 270a3. For example, the valve outlet 270a3 of the vent valve 270 is opened for a period of time (e.g., several seconds) to ensure that the liquid in the detection chamber 210c is completely discharged from the detection chamber 210c before the controller 250 closes the valve outlet 270a3 and opens the valve inlet 270a1.

[0110] In step S263, the controller 250 drives the pump module 220 to deliver the test liquid W1 in the test liquid container 11, the first reagent W2 in the first reagent container 12, and the diluent W3 in the diluent container 13 into the detection chamber 210c according to the updated dilution ratio R1 in step S261. The volume of the test liquid m1 and the volume of the diluent m3 in the detection chamber 210c, and the ratio of m13 to the volume of the test liquid m1, are equal to the dilution ratio R1, that is, satisfying the following formula (2).

[0111]

[0112] In this embodiment, the dilution ratio R1 equals 2 is used as an example. The pump module 220 delivers 5 ml of the test liquid m1 to the detection chamber 210c, and the diluent volume m3 delivered to the detection chamber 210c is 5 ml. This makes the ratio of the sum of the volumes m1 (equal to 10 ml) of the test liquid W1 and the diluent volume m3 (equal to 5 ml) of the test liquid W1 in the detection chamber 210c equal to 2. At this time, the liquid composition in the detection chamber 210c conforms to the dilution ratio R1 equals 2.

[0113] The volume m1 of the test liquid and the volume m3 of the diluent in the detection chamber 210c satisfy the following formula (3) with the volume m2 of the first reagent W2. In formula (3), R2 is the reagent addition ratio, and the value of the reagent addition ratio R2 is a real number less than 1.

[0114]

[0115] For example, if the reagent addition ratio R2 is 10%, and the volume of the test liquid m1 in the detection chamber 210c is 5 ml and the volume of the diluent m3 is 5 ml, the volume of the first reagent W2 in the detection chamber 210c must be 1 ml to meet the requirement that the reagent addition ratio R2 is 10%.

[0116] After executing the test solution dilution procedure S260, the controller 250 executes the voltage sensing procedure S230 again, that is, the process returns to the voltage sensing procedure S230 (e.g. Figure 2D (As shown).

[0117] In the dilution judgment procedure S240, when the controller 250 determines that the voltage ratio VR is greater than the critical value, the concentration acquisition procedure S250 is executed. The concentration acquisition procedure S250 will be described in detail below. Please refer to... Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 8A and Figure 8B , Figure 8A Draw Figure 2D The flowchart of the concentration acquisition procedure S250. Figure 8BA graph (analytical curve) showing the relationship between the standard concentration value S2 of the test solution W1 and the absorbance B1 in an embodiment of this disclosure is presented.

[0118] In the concentration acquisition procedure S250, the controller 250 obtains the detection concentration value S1 of the test liquid W1 based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value VS, and includes steps S251, S252 and S253, which are further illustrated below.

[0119] In step S251, the controller 150 obtains the corresponding absorbance value B1 based on the detected voltage value VS according to Beer-Lambert law.

[0120] In step S252, the controller 250 obtains the standard concentration value S2 corresponding to absorbance B1 based on absorbance B1. For example, if absorbance B1 is 1.3, based on... Figure 8B The relationship shown yields a corresponding standard concentration value S2 of 6.

[0121] also, Figure 8B The relationship between the standard concentration value S2 and the absorbance B1 can be represented by curve C1. The equation for curve C1 is, for example, as follows: The expression indicates that a and b are constants, and are not limited to specific embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, curve C1 is, for example, a linear fitting equation for multiple data points P1, wherein the data points P1 are obtained, for example, experimentally or through simulation. The relationship between the standard concentration value S2 and the absorbance B1 can be obtained in advance and stored in memory (not shown), wherein the memory is, for example, configured within the controller 250, or configured outside the controller 150 and electrically connected to the controller 250.

[0122] In step S253, the controller 250 calculates the product of the standard concentration value S2 obtained in step S252 and the dilution ratio R1, and uses the product as the detection concentration value S1, as shown in the following formula (4). In detail, since the test solution W1 is diluted by the diluent W3, the actual detection concentration value S1 of the test solution W1 is equal to the product of the standard concentration value S2 and the dilution ratio R1.

[0123]

[0124] Please refer to Figure 10 Its illustration Figure 2B Another embodiment of the water quality testing method of the water quality testing equipment 200. This embodiment of the water quality testing method includes the methods described above. Figure 2D The steps in the illustrated embodiments are the same or similar; the differences are described below.

[0125] Please refer to Figure 5The graph illustrates the relationship between the color development time of the test solution W1 and the detection voltage value VS according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Curve C21 represents the relationship between the color development time and the detection voltage value VS for a lower concentration of test solution W1, while curve C22 represents the relationship between the color development time and the detection voltage value VS for a higher concentration of test solution W1. As shown in the graph, in the initial stage of mixing the reagent and the test solution W1, the reagent and the test solution W1 have not yet reacted, therefore the detection voltage value VS is the highest (i.e., the maximum detection voltage value VSm). Over time, the reagent and the test solution W1 gradually react until complete reaction. The complete reaction time for curve C21 (lower concentration of test solution W1) is T1, while the complete reaction time for curve C22 (higher concentration of test solution W1) is T2. Comparing curves C21 and C22, it can be seen that the higher the concentration of the test solution W1, the shorter the complete reaction time. In addition, the color change of the test solution W1 depends on the concentration of impurities. For example, the higher the concentration of impurities, the darker the color after the complete reaction.

[0126] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 10 As shown, the base voltage acquisition procedure S310 in this embodiment includes steps S311, S312 and S313, which will be further illustrated below.

[0127] In step S311, with the detection cavity 210c filled with diluent W3, the control light source 230 emits detection light L1. In step S312, the controller 250 reads the detection voltage value VS generated by the photosensitive sensor 240 and uses the detection voltage value VS as the base voltage value VO. The photosensitive sensor 240 receives the detection light L1' passing through the detection cavity 210c and generates a sensing voltage, while the controller 250 further reads the detection voltage value VS from the photosensitive sensor 240 and sets the base voltage value Vo equal to the detection voltage value VS. The base voltage value Vo is, for example, approximately equal to... Figure 5 The detection voltage value VSm, and this base voltage value Vo can also be called the diluent voltage value. In step S313, the controller 250 controls the vent valve 270 to vent the detection chamber 210c.

[0128] The initialization procedure S320 of this embodiment includes steps S321, S322, and S323. In step S321, the controller 250 controls the pump module 220 to pump the test liquid W1 in the test liquid container 11 and the first reagent W2 in the first reagent container 12 into the detection chamber 210c, wherein the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2 do not completely fill the detection chamber 210c.

[0129] For example, the first pump 221 delivers the test liquid W1 from the test liquid container 11 to the detection chamber 210c. In one embodiment, the volume M of the detection chamber 210c and the volume m1 of the test liquid W1 input into the detection chamber 210c satisfy the following formula (5). Wherein, This indicates the maximum dilution ratio. As can be seen from equation (5), since the test liquid W1 input into the detection chamber 210c does not fill the detection chamber 210c completely, there is still dilution space in the detection chamber 210c.

[0130]

[0131] With the volume M of the detection chamber 210c being 10 ml and the maximum dilution ratio... Taking 5 as an example, the volume m1 of the test liquid W1 input into the detection chamber 210c can be 2 ml.

[0132] The second pump 222 delivers the first reagent W2 from the first reagent container 12 to the detection chamber 210c. The first reagent volume m2 of the first reagent W2 and the test liquid volume m1 of the test liquid W1 satisfy the following formula (6). Taking the test liquid volume m1 as 2 ml and the reagent addition ratio R2 as 10%, for example, the first reagent volume m2 input to the detection chamber 210c must be 0.2 ml to meet the reagent addition ratio R2, i.e., 10%.

[0133]

[0134] In step S322, the test solution W1 and the first reagent W2 in the detection chamber 210c are mixed. The mixing method has been described above and will not be repeated here.

[0135] In step S323, the controller 250 times an incomplete reaction time t. Specifically, in step S323, the controller 250 starts a timer and proceeds to the next step after an incomplete reaction time t has elapsed. The incomplete reaction time t is less than the complete reaction time T1 between the test liquid W1 and the first reagent W2. After step S323, the controller 250 executes the voltage sensing procedure S330, which is the same as in the previous embodiment and will not be described again. In short, it waits for an incomplete reaction time t (the incomplete reaction time t is plotted on...). Figure 5 The controller 250 controls the light source 230 to emit detection light L1, and reads the detection voltage value VS from the light sensor 140. For example... Figure 8B As shown, the incomplete reaction time t is less than the complete reaction time T1. Therefore, this embodiment does not require waiting for the test solution W1 and the first reagent W2 to react completely, thus saving a significant amount of detection time. In one embodiment, the incomplete reaction time t is, for example, the time it takes for the mixture to develop a detectable color.

[0136] After the controller 250 obtains the detection voltage value VS, it executes the dilution judgment procedure S340. In this embodiment, the dilution judgment procedure S340 calculates and judges whether the voltage ratio VR is greater than the critical value, similar to the dilution judgment procedure S250 described above. If it is, the concentration acquisition procedure S350 is executed; if not, the test liquid dilution procedure S360 is executed.

[0137] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 10 and Figure 11 , Figure 11 Draw Figure 10 The flowchart of the concentration acquisition procedure S350 in this embodiment includes steps S354, S355, S351, S352, and S353. In step S354, the controller 250 determines whether the timer count is greater than or equal to the complete reaction time T1. If so, steps S351, S352, and S353 are executed sequentially. If the timer count is less than the complete reaction time T1, step S355 is executed. In step S355, when the timer counts to the complete reaction time T1, the controller 250 reads the detection voltage value VS from the photosensitive sensor 240 to obtain the detection voltage value VS after the first reagent W2 has completely reacted. After completing step S354, the controller 250 executes steps S351, S352, and S353 sequentially. Steps S351, S352, and S353 in this embodiment are the same as or similar to steps S251, S252, and S253 in the aforementioned concentration acquisition procedure S250, and will not be described again here.

[0138] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 10 and Figure 12 , Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating the test solution dilution procedure S360 is provided. The test solution dilution procedure S360 in this embodiment includes steps S361 and S362. In step S361, the controller 250 updates the dilution ratio R1 based on the voltage ratio VR. For example, the controller 250 obtains the dilution ratio R1 corresponding to the voltage ratio VR based on the relationship between the voltage ratio and the dilution ratio. The relationship between the voltage ratio and the dilution ratio can be, for example, a table or an equation. The relationship between the voltage ratio and the dilution ratio can be stored in memory (not shown), where the memory is configured within the controller 250, or configured outside the controller 250 and electrically connected to it. In this embodiment, the dilution ratio R1 obtained in the dilution procedure is illustrated using Table 1-2 as an example.

[0139] In step S362, without emptying the detection chamber 210c, the controller 250 drives the pump module 200 to deliver diluent W3, so that the ratio of the total volume of the test liquid W1 and the diluent W3 in the detection chamber 210c to the total volume of the test liquid W1 is the dilution ratio R1.

[0140] For example, the first pump 221 delivers the diluent W3 from the diluent container 13 to the detection chamber 210c to dilute the test liquid W1 in the detection chamber 210c. The dilution ratio R1, the diluent W3 delivered to the detection chamber 210c, and the test liquid W1 located in the detection chamber 210c satisfy the above formula (2).

[0141] Taking the test solution W1 in the detection chamber 210c as having a volume m1 of 2 ml and a dilution ratio R1 of 2, the diluent W3 delivered to the detection chamber 210c has a volume m3 of 2 ml, which conforms to the dilution ratio R1 being equal to 2. After the first pump 221 delivers the diluent W3 from the diluent container 13 to the detection chamber 210c, the detection chamber 210c contains a total of 2 ml of test solution W1, 2 ml of diluent W3, and 0.2 ml of the first reagent W2, for a total of 4.2 ml of diluted mixture.

[0142] Furthermore, the second pump 222 delivers the first reagent W2 from the first reagent container 12 to the detection chamber 210c. The volume of the first reagent W2 delivered to the detection chamber 210c is... The volume m1 of the test liquid W1 in the detection chamber 210c, the volume m3 of the diluent W3 in the detection chamber 210c, and the reagent addition ratio R2 satisfy the following formula (7).

[0143]

[0144] Assuming the volume m1 of the test solution W1 in the detection chamber 210c is 2 ml, the volume m3 of the diluent W3 in the detection chamber 210c is 2 ml, and the reagent addition ratio R2 is 10%, the first reagent volume of the first reagent W2 to be input into the detection chamber 210c is... The reagent addition ratio R2 is 10%, which is 0.2 ml. After the first reagent W2 is delivered to the detection chamber 210c by the first pump 221, the detection chamber 210c contains a total of 4.4 ml of diluted mixture, including 2 ml of test solution W1, 2 ml of diluent W3 and 0.4 ml of first reagent W2.

[0145] Then, the aforementioned method can be used to mix the test solution W1, the first reagent W2, and the diluent W3 in the detection chamber 210c into a diluted mixture. Then, the process returns to the voltage sensing procedure S330.

[0146] Please refer to Figure 13A and Figure 13B , Figure 13A A functional block diagram of a water quality testing device 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 13B Draw Figure 13A A schematic diagram of the 300 water quality testing equipment.

[0147] like Figure 13A and Figure 13B As shown, the water quality testing equipment 300 includes a detection chamber device 310A, a pump module 320, a light source 230, a light sensor 240, a controller 250, a motor 260, and a drain valve 270. The light source 230 and the light sensor 240 can be configured in the detection base (not shown), for example, the detection window can be located in a recess of the detection base to avoid interference from ambient light.

[0148] The water quality testing device 300 includes the same or similar technical features as the aforementioned water quality testing device 100, with at least one difference: the detection chamber device 310A of the water quality testing device 300 further includes a fourth inlet 310a, and the pump module 320 further includes a fourth pump 324. The fourth pump 324 is connected to the fourth inlet 310a and is used to deliver the second reagent W4 from the second reagent container 22 into the detection chamber device 310A through the fourth inlet 310a. The first reagent W2 and the second reagent W4 can respectively colorimetrically react with different substances in the test solution W1. In another embodiment, the first reagent W2 and the second reagent W4 can be two reagents for a specific single substance in the test solution W1, such as an API reagent for detecting ammonia nitrogen, where the first reagent W2 is a colorimetric reagent and the second reagent W4 is a reaction reagent.

[0149] The water quality testing method of the water quality testing equipment 300 includes the same or similar steps as the water quality testing method of the aforementioned water quality testing equipment 200, with at least one difference being that a second reagent W4 delivery step may be added before or after the delivery step of the first reagent W2.

[0150] In summary, the water quality testing equipment of this invention can detect the standard concentration value of the test solution after dilution, and then obtain (or calculate) the detection concentration value of the test solution based on the dilution ratio and the standard concentration value. This expands the detection concentration range of the water quality testing equipment.

[0151] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water quality testing device, comprising: The detection chamber device has a detection chamber; A pump module is used to deliver the test liquid and reagents to the detection chamber; A light source, configured to emit detection light into the detection cavity; An optical sensor is configured to sense the detection light passing through the detection cavity and generate a detection voltage; and The controller is electrically connected to the optical sensor and the pump module, and is configured to execute the following program: The voltage sensing procedure includes: reading the detected voltage value from the optical sensor; The dilution determination procedure includes: calculating the voltage ratio between the detection voltage value and the baseline voltage value, and comparing the voltage ratio with a critical value; when the voltage ratio is greater than the critical value, executing a concentration acquisition procedure; when the voltage ratio is not greater than the critical value, executing a dilution procedure for the test solution. The concentration acquisition procedure includes: obtaining the detection concentration value of the test solution based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value; In the dilution procedure for the test liquid, the dilution ratio is updated based on the voltage ratio, and the pump module is driven to deliver diluent so that the ratio of the total volume of the test liquid and the diluent in the detection chamber to the total volume of the test liquid is the dilution ratio, and the voltage sensing procedure and the dilution judgment procedure are executed.

2. The water quality testing device as described in claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to execute an initialization program, including: Set the dilution ratio to 1; as well as The pump module is driven to deliver the test liquid and the reagent into the detection chamber.

3. The water quality testing equipment as described in claim 1, wherein in the dilution process of the test liquid, the controller further drives the pump module to deliver the test liquid and the reagent into the testing chamber according to the dilution ratio.

4. The water quality testing equipment as described in claim 3 further includes a drain valve electrically connected to the controller, wherein during the test liquid dilution process, before the pump module delivers the diluent, the test liquid, and the reagent, the controller also controls the drain valve to drain the test chamber.

5. The water quality testing equipment as described in claim 3, wherein in the concentration acquisition process, the controller further performs: Obtain the absorbance value corresponding to the detected voltage value; Obtain the standard concentration value corresponding to the absorbance; and Calculate the product of the standard concentration value and the dilution ratio, and use the product as the detection concentration value.

6. The water quality testing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a base voltage acquisition procedure, including: With the detection cavity covered by a light-shielding member, the light source is controlled to emit the detection light; and The detection voltage value generated by the optical sensor is read, and the detection voltage value is used as the base voltage value.

7. The water quality testing device as described in claim 2, wherein the initialization program further includes the controller starting a timer and entering the voltage sensing program after timing the incomplete reaction time, wherein the incomplete reaction time is less than the complete reaction time between the test liquid and the reagent.

8. The water quality testing equipment as described in claim 7, wherein the concentration acquisition procedure further includes: Before obtaining the detection concentration value of the test liquid, determine whether the timing is greater than or equal to the complete reaction time; If the timing is not greater than or equal to the complete reaction time, the detection voltage value generated by the optical sensor is read again. If the timing is greater than or equal to the complete reaction time, the detection concentration value of the test liquid is obtained based on the detection voltage value.

9. The water quality testing device of claim 8, further comprising a drain valve electrically connected to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to perform a base voltage acquisition procedure, including: With the detection chamber filled with the diluent, the light source is controlled to emit the detection light; The detection voltage value generated by the optical sensor is read, and the detection voltage value is used as the base voltage value; as well as Control the vent valve to vent the detection chamber.

10. The water quality testing equipment as described in claim 7, further comprising: A container for storing the test liquid; A reagent container for storing the reagent; and A diluent container for storing the diluent; The controller can drive the pump module to deliver the test liquid from the test liquid container into the detection chamber, the controller can drive the pump module to deliver the reagent from the reagent container into the detection chamber, and the controller can drive the pump module to deliver the diluent from the diluent container into the detection chamber.

11. A water quality testing method, comprising: The pump module delivers the liquid to be tested and the reagents to the detection chamber of the detection chamber device; The light source emits detection light into the detection cavity; The optical sensor senses the detection light passing through the detection cavity and generates a detection voltage; The controller executes a voltage sensing procedure, including: reading a detected voltage value of one of the detected voltages; and The controller executes a dilution determination procedure, including: Calculate the voltage ratio between the detected voltage value and the base voltage value; Compare the voltage ratio with the critical value; When the voltage ratio is greater than the threshold value, the concentration acquisition procedure is executed; and When the voltage ratio is not greater than the critical value, the test solution dilution procedure is executed; The concentration acquisition procedure includes: The controller obtains the detection concentration value of the test liquid based on the dilution ratio and the detection voltage value; The dilution procedure for the test solution includes: The controller updates the dilution ratio based on the voltage ratio; and The controller drives the pump module to deliver diluent, such that the ratio of the total volume of the test liquid and the diluent in the detection chamber to the total volume of the test liquid is the dilution ratio, and executes the voltage sensing program and the dilution judgment program.

12. The water quality testing method as described in claim 11, further comprising: The controller is further used to execute an initialization procedure, including: The dilution ratio is set to 1; and The pump module is driven to deliver the test liquid and the reagent into the detection chamber.

13. The water quality testing method as described in claim 11, wherein the dilution procedure for the test solution includes: The controller also drives the pump module to deliver the test liquid and the reagent into the detection chamber according to the dilution ratio.

14. The water quality testing method as described in claim 13, wherein the dilution procedure for the test solution includes: Before the pump module delivers the diluent, the test solution, and the reagent, the controller further controls the vent valve to empty the test chamber, wherein the vent valve is electrically connected to the controller.

15. The water quality testing method as described in claim 13, wherein the concentration acquisition procedure includes: The controller obtains the absorbance value corresponding to the detected voltage value; The controller obtains the standard concentration value corresponding to the absorbance. as well as The controller calculates the product of the standard concentration value and the dilution ratio, and uses the product as the detection concentration value.

16. The water quality testing method as described in claim 11, further comprising: Execute the base voltage acquisition procedure, including: With the detection cavity covered by a light-shielding element, the controller controls the light source to emit the detection light; and The controller reads the detection voltage value generated by the optical sensor and uses the detection voltage value as the base voltage value.

17. The water quality detection method as described in claim 11, wherein the voltage sensing procedure includes: The controller reads the detection voltage value after timing the incomplete reaction time, wherein the incomplete reaction time is less than the complete reaction time between the test liquid and the reagent.

18. The water quality testing method as described in claim 17, wherein the concentration acquisition procedure includes: Before obtaining the detection concentration value of the test liquid, the controller determines whether the timing is greater than or equal to the complete reaction time; If the timing is not greater than or equal to the complete reaction time, the detection voltage value generated by the optical sensor is read again. If the timing is greater than or equal to the complete reaction time, the detection concentration value of the test liquid is obtained based on the detection voltage value.

19. The water quality testing method as described in claim 18, further comprising: Execute a base voltage acquisition procedure, including: With the detection chamber filled with the diluent, the controller controls the light source to emit the detection light; The controller reads the detection voltage value generated by the optical sensor and uses the detection voltage value as the base voltage value; and The controller controls the vent valve to empty the detection chamber, wherein the vent valve is electrically connected to the controller.

20. The water quality testing method as described in claim 17, wherein the test liquid container is used to store the test liquid, the reagent container stores the reagent, and the diluent container stores the diluent; The water quality testing method also includes: The controller drives the pump module to deliver the liquid to be tested from the container into the detection chamber; The controller drives the pump module to deliver the reagent from the reagent container into the detection chamber; and The controller drives the pump module to deliver the diluent from the diluent container into the detection chamber.

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