In-vehicle camera automatic drainage control module

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of automatic drainage control module of embedded image device.The automatic drainage control module of embedded image device is suitable for sensing liquid level in sensing space, and includes sensing unit, control unit and driving unit.The sensing unit includes low water level sensor and high water level sensor.The control unit includes control module and timing module.The driving unit includes driving member for pumping water to the sensing space.The control module can control the driving member to pump water to the sensing space in continuous pumping condition or intermittent pumping condition, so that the driving member can operate in intermittent mode, achieving the effect of improving service life and saving energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic drainage control module, and more particularly to an automatic drainage control module for an embedded imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Taking the Chinese invention patent application CN120223984A filed by the applicant in this case as an example, a buried imaging device with automatic drainage is disclosed. This device is suitable for installation in the ground and includes a base unit, an electronic component unit, and an automatic drainage unit with a driver. The base unit has a water collection chamber. The electronic component unit has an imaging module for capturing vehicle license plates. The automatic drainage unit automatically drains water that seeps into and / or flows into the water collection chamber from the outside, thereby preventing water accumulation and ensuring the normal operation of the imaging module.

[0003] However, the automatic drainage unit is not equipped with a corresponding control system, which means that when the driver is continuously running for a long time, it is not only prone to overheating and damage, but also further increases the power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic drainage control module for embedded imaging devices that can improve service life and save energy.

[0005] The automatic drainage control module for embedded imaging devices of the present invention is suitable for sensing the liquid level in the sensing space. The automatic drainage control module for embedded imaging devices includes a sensing unit, a control unit, and a drive unit.

[0006] The sensing unit includes a low water level sensor and a high water level sensor positioned above the low water level sensor. The low water level sensor can output a first trigger signal and a first shutdown signal, and the high water level sensor can output a second trigger signal.

[0007] The control unit includes a control module and a timing module connected to the control module and used for timing. The control module can receive the first trigger signal, the first shutdown signal, and the second trigger signal. The timing module has a pumping time and a rest time.

[0008] The drive unit includes a drive component that is signal-connected to the control module and used to pump water into the sensing space.

[0009] The control module controls the drive unit to switch between standby and operating states. When the control module receives the second trigger signal, it controls the drive unit to start and enter the operating state, and controls the timing module to start timing the pumping time. The drive unit pumps water into the sensing space under continuous pumping conditions. When the control module receives the first shutdown signal during the pumping time, it controls the drive unit to stop and switch to the standby state, and controls the timing module to stop timing the pumping time and reset it to zero. When the control module does not receive the first shutdown signal during the pumping time, it controls the drive unit to pump water into the sensing space under intermittent pumping conditions, and controls the timing module to start timing the rest time.

[0010] In the embedded imaging device automatic drainage control module of the present invention, the duration of the rest period is longer than the duration of the pumping time.

[0011] The automatic drainage control module for the embedded imaging device of the present invention, under the condition of intermittent pumping, further controls the drive to stop pumping. When the control module does not receive the first shut-off signal during the rest period, the control module controls the timing module to start timing the pumping time again and controls the drive to start pumping during the pumping time. When the control module receives the first shut-off signal during the pumping time, the control module controls the drive to stop and switch to the standby state, and controls the timing module to stop timing the pumping time and reset it to zero. When the control module does not receive the first shut-off signal during the pumping time, the control module again controls the drive to stop and controls the timing module to restart timing the rest period.

[0012] In the automatic drainage control module of the embedded imaging device of the present invention, the low water level sensor and the high water level sensor of the sensing unit are float switches.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the control module can control the drive unit to pump water into the sensing space under the continuous pumping condition or the intermittent pumping condition, enabling the drive unit to operate intermittently. This effectively avoids overheating damage to the drive unit due to prolonged continuous operation and further reduces power consumption. Therefore, this invention truly achieves the effects of improving service life and saving energy. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the automatic drainage control module for the embedded imaging device of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the embodiment described;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a low water level sensor in the embodiment where the liquid level is lower than described.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating that the liquid level is higher than the low water level sensor in the embodiment and lower than a high water level sensor;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating that the liquid level is higher than that of the high water level sensor in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 One embodiment of the automatic drainage control module for an embedded imaging device of the present invention is adapted to sense a liquid level L within a sensing space 90. In this embodiment, the sensing space 90 is located within the embedded imaging device (not shown) and is used to contain water that seeps in and / or flows in from the outside.

[0021] The embedded imaging device automatic drainage control module includes a sensing unit 1, a control unit 2, and a drive unit 3.

[0022] The sensing unit 1 includes a low water level sensor 11 and a high water level sensor 12 positioned above the low water level sensor 11. The low water level sensor 11 outputs a first trigger signal S01 and a first shut-off signal S02. The high water level sensor 12 outputs a second trigger signal S03 and a second shut-off signal S04. When the liquid level L passes the low water level sensor 11 from bottom to top, the low water level sensor 11 outputs the first trigger signal S01; when the liquid level L passes the low water level sensor 11 from top to bottom, the low water level sensor 11 outputs the first shut-off signal S02. Similarly, when the liquid level L passes the high water level sensor 12 from bottom to top, the high water level sensor 12 outputs the second trigger signal S03; when the liquid level L passes the high water level sensor 12 from top to bottom, the high water level sensor 12 outputs the second shut-off signal S04. In this embodiment, the low water level sensor 11 and the high water level sensor 12 are float switches. However, in other embodiments, the sensing unit 1 may also be other types of liquid level sensing components, such as, but not limited to, optical sensors, capacitive sensors, or pressure sensors.

[0023] The control unit 2 includes a control module 21 and a timing module 22 connected to the control module 21 and used for timing. The control module 21 can receive the first trigger signal S01, the first shutdown signal S02, the second trigger signal S03, and the second shutdown signal S04. The control module 21 is, for example, an electronic circuit architecture capable of computation, such as a processor or microcontroller (MCU). The timing module 22 is, for example, a timer with a preset pumping time and a rest time. In this embodiment, the rest time is longer than the pumping time; for example, the pumping time is 5 minutes and the rest time is 25 minutes. The signal connection uses communication technologies such as RS232, RS485, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee.

[0024] The drive unit 3 includes a drive component 31 that is signal-connected to the control module 21 and used to pump water from the sensing space 90. The drive component 31 is any one of a pumping motor, a drive pump, or a submersible motor.

[0025] The control module 21 senses the height of the liquid level L in the sensing space 90 through the sensing unit 1, and the control module 21 can control the drive unit 31 to switch between a standby state and an operating state.

[0026] When the liquid level L is lower than the low water level sensor 11 and the high water level sensor 12, the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to stop so that it is in the standby state.

[0027] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 When the liquid level L rises to a level higher than the low water level sensor 11 and lower than the high water level sensor 12, the low water level sensor 11 outputs the first trigger signal S01. In this embodiment, the drive unit 31 remains stopped and in the standby state. This saves energy consumption for the operation of the drive unit 31.

[0028] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 When the liquid level L rises above the high water level sensor 12, the high water level sensor 12 outputs the second trigger signal S03. Based on the received second trigger signal S03, the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to start pumping to enter the operating state, and controls the timing module 22 to start timing the pumping time. At this time, the drive unit 31 continuously pumps water into the sensing space 90 under continuous pumping conditions.

[0029] When the control module 21 receives the first shutdown signal S02 during the pumping time, it means that the low water level sensor 11 outputs the first shutdown signal S02 during the pumping time, and the liquid level L drops to the position of the low water level sensor 11. The control module 21 then controls the drive unit 31 to stop pumping and switch to the standby state. When the control module 21 does not receive the first shutdown signal S02 during the pumping time, it means that the low water level sensor 11 does not output the first shutdown signal S02 during the pumping time, and the liquid level L has not yet dropped to the position of the low water level sensor 11. The control module 21 then controls the drive unit 31 to pump water into the sensing space 90 under an intermittent pumping condition.

[0030] In this embodiment, under the intermittent pumping condition, the control module 21 controls the timing module 22 to start timing the rest time, and controls the drive unit 31 to stop pumping and enter the standby state to save power consumption. When the control module 21 does not receive the first shutdown signal S02 during the rest time, the control module 21 controls the timing module 22 to start timing the pumping time again, and controls the drive unit 31 to start pumping and enter the working state during the pumping time. When the control module 21 receives the first shutdown signal S02 during the pumping time (i.e., the liquid level L is lower than the low water level sensor 11), the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to stop and switch to the standby state, and controls the timing module 22 to stop timing the pumping time and reset it to zero.

[0031] When the control module 21 does not receive the first shutdown signal S02 during the pumping time, the control module 21 again controls the drive unit 31 to stop pumping and enter the standby state, and controls the timing module 22 to restart the timer for the rest period. Similarly, when the control module 21 does not receive the first shutdown signal S02 during the rest period, the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to restart pumping, and controls the timing module 22 to restart the timer for the pumping time, and so on. Only when the control module 21 receives the first shutdown signal S02 will it control the drive unit 31 to stop pumping and switch to the standby state, and wait for water to enter the sensing space 90. When the liquid level L rises to the high water level sensor 12, the high water level sensor 12 outputs the second trigger signal S03. The control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to start to be in the working state according to the received second trigger signal S03, and controls the timing module 22 to start timing the pumping time. The drive unit 31 then pumps water into the sensing space 90 under the continuous pumping condition.

[0032] First refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 In practical application, when the liquid level L in the sensing space 90 is lower than the low water level sensor 11, the driving component 31 stops to enter the standby state. See also... Figure 4 When water begins to flow into the sensing space 90, causing the liquid level L to gradually rise and exceed the low water level sensor 11, the drive unit 31 remains stopped and in the standby state.

[0033] See next Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 When water continuously flows into the sensing space 90, causing the liquid level L within the sensing space 90 to be higher than the high water level sensor 12, the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to start pumping and enter the operating state, pumping water under the continuous pumping conditions, while simultaneously controlling the timing module 22 to start timing the pumping time. The pumping time of the timing module 22 is set to 5 minutes.

[0034] When the liquid level L drops below the low water level sensor 11 within the pumping time (e.g., 5 minutes), it indicates that the pumping speed is greater than the inflow speed. The control module 21 then controls the drive unit 31 to stop pumping and return to the standby state to save power consumption.

[0035] When the liquid level L is still not lower than the low water level sensor 11 within the pumping time (e.g., 5 minutes), that is, when the liquid level L is still higher than the low water level sensor 11 after the drive unit 31 has been pumping continuously for 5 minutes, it means that the water inflow rate is greater than the pumping rate. Then the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to switch to the intermittent pumping condition to pump water, and operates in an intermittent cycle mode of starting pumping for 5 minutes after each 25-minute pause.

[0036] The drive unit 31 operates intermittently under intermittent pumping conditions, effectively preventing overheating damage caused by prolonged continuous pumping and further extending the equipment's lifespan and achieving energy savings. Specifically, during the intermittent pumping process, once the liquid level L drops below the low water level sensor 11 within the pumping time (i.e., 5 minutes), causing the low water level sensor 11 to output the first shutdown signal S02, the control module 21 controls the drive unit 31 to stop pumping and switch to standby mode.

[0037] It is worth mentioning that, compared to the continuous pumping method, the drive unit 31, under the intermittent pumping condition, rests for 25 minutes after pumping for every 5 minutes. If the drive unit 31 were to operate under the continuous pumping condition for the same period, the energy consumption would be significantly higher. Therefore, the intermittent pumping condition in this embodiment effectively reduces the energy consumption of the drive unit 31, and indeed has energy-saving effects.

[0038] Based on the above explanation, the advantages of the aforementioned embodiments can be summarized as follows:

[0039] When the liquid level L is higher than the high water level sensor 12, the control module 21 can control the drive unit 31 to pump water into the sensing space 90 under the continuous pumping condition or the intermittent pumping condition, so that the drive unit 31 can operate in an intermittent manner, effectively avoiding overheating damage to the drive unit 31 due to long-term continuous start-up, and further reducing power consumption, thereby improving service life and saving energy.

[0040] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make further improvements and changes on this basis without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic drainage control module for an embedded imaging device, suitable for sensing the liquid level in a sensing space, the automatic drainage control module for the embedded imaging device comprising: The sensing unit includes a low water level sensor and a high water level sensor located above the low water level sensor. The low water level sensor can output a first trigger signal and a first shutdown signal, and the high water level sensor can output a second trigger signal. The embedded imaging device's automatic drainage control module is characterized in that it further includes: The control unit includes a control module and a timing module connected to the control module and used for timing. The control module can receive a first trigger signal, a first shutdown signal, and a second trigger signal. The timing module has a pumping time and a rest time. The drive unit includes a drive component that is signal-connected to the control module and used for pumping water into the sensing space, wherein the control module can control the drive component to switch between a standby state and an operating state. When the control module receives the second trigger signal, the control module controls the drive unit to start and enter the working state, and controls the timing module to start timing the pumping time. The drive unit pumps water into the sensing space under continuous pumping conditions. When the control module receives the first shutdown signal during the pumping time, the control module controls the drive to stop and switch to the standby state, and controls the timing module to stop timing the pumping time and reset it to zero. When the control module does not receive the first shutdown signal during the pumping time, the control module controls the drive to pump water into the sensing space under intermittent pumping conditions, and controls the timing module to start timing the rest time.

2. The automatic drainage control module for the embedded imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The duration of the rest period is longer than the duration of the pumping time.

3. The automatic drainage control module for the embedded imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Under the intermittent pumping conditions, the control module also controls the drive unit to stop pumping. When the control module does not receive the first shutdown signal during the rest period, the control module controls the timing module to start timing the pumping time again and controls the drive unit to start pumping during the pumping time. When the control module receives the first shutdown signal during the pumping time, the control module controls the drive unit to stop and switch to the standby state, and controls the timing module to stop timing the pumping time and reset it to zero. When the control module does not receive the first shutdown signal during the pumping time, the control module again controls the drive unit to stop and controls the timing module to restart timing the rest period.

4. The automatic drainage control module for the embedded imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The low water level sensor and high water level sensor of the sensing unit are float switches.

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