A water pump with an ultrasonic sensor

Abstract

This application relates to the field of water pump technology, and in particular to a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor includes: a pump body; a controller connected to the pump body for controlling the start and stop of the pump body; and an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the pump body and connected to the controller. The ultrasonic sensor detects the presence or absence of a liquid medium and outputs a corresponding detection signal to the controller. After the pump body is powered on, the controller controls the ultrasonic sensor to start detection. When the ultrasonic sensor detects no liquid, the controller does not start the pump body, and the ultrasonic sensor continues detection. When the ultrasonic sensor detects the presence of liquid, the controller starts the pump body. The ultrasonic sensor of this application is directly connected to the pump body, resulting in a compact structure that facilitates overall disassembly, assembly, and maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water pump technology, and in particular to a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Water level sensors are widely used in various water pump systems to detect changes in water level and control the start and stop of the pump, enabling functions such as automatic liquid supply, drainage, or dry-run protection. Existing technologies commonly employ float-type, electrode-type, pressure-type, and ultrasonic-type water level detection methods.

[0003] Float-type water level sensors have a simple structure, but they suffer from mechanical wear, susceptibility to jamming, and high installation space requirements, resulting in low reliability over long-term use. Electrode-type sensors detect water level based on the conductivity of the liquid, but are susceptible to factors such as water quality, scale, and electrolytic corrosion, leading to poor detection stability and unsuitability for pure water or low-conductivity liquids. Pressure sensors can continuously detect water level, but they are costly, complex to install and maintain, and sensitive to changes in liquid density. Ultrasonic water level sensors, due to their fast response and strong adaptability, are increasingly being used in water pump systems.

[0004] Existing ultrasonic sensors are typically installed separately from the water pump, mostly on top of the water tank or pool. They emit ultrasonic waves towards the water surface and calculate the actual water level by receiving the time difference of the reflected waves. The controller compares the detected water level with preset start-up and stop-up water level thresholds, and automatically outputs a switch signal to control the pump's start or stop. However, because the ultrasonic sensor and the water pump are independently arranged, the system integration is low, and the installation and wiring are relatively complex. In addition, the sensor needs to be installed on top of the container, and its installation location is limited by the container structure and the space at the top. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings or problems existing in the prior art, this disclosure provides a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor, which has a compact structure and is more flexible in application scenarios.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this disclosure to solve the above-mentioned technical problem is: a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor, comprising: Pump body; A controller, which is connected to the pump body, is used to control the start and stop of the pump body; An ultrasonic sensor is mounted on the pump body and connected to the controller. The ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the presence or absence of liquid medium and outputs a corresponding detection signal to the controller. After the pump body is powered on, the controller controls the ultrasonic sensor to start detection; When the ultrasonic sensor detects a lack of liquid, the controller does not start the pump, and the ultrasonic sensor continues to detect. When the ultrasonic sensor detects the presence of liquid, the controller activates the pump.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is used to transmit ultrasonic signals, and the receiver is used to receive the ultrasonic signals. A detection area is formed between the transmitter and the receiver, and the ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the presence or absence of liquid medium within the detection area.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor includes a housing, the housing includes a main body and a first protrusion and a second protrusion disposed on the main body, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are at least partially disposed opposite to each other, the area to be detected is located between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the transmitting end is disposed on the first protrusion, and the receiving end is disposed on the second protrusion.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, during the operation of the pump, when the ultrasonic sensor detects a lack of liquid, the controller shuts off the pump after a preset delay.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the preset time is 1S-60S.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the transmitting end is located on the side of the first protrusion near the second protrusion, and the receiving end is located on the side of the second protrusion near the first protrusion. The transmitting end and the receiving end are at least partially aligned in the horizontal direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a connecting shell is provided on the pump body, and the ultrasonic sensor is mounted on the pump body through the connecting shell. A height adjustment structure is provided between the connecting shell and the outer shell of the ultrasonic sensor, and the height adjustment structure is used to adjust the height position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the pump body.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the pump body is internally equipped with a motor and an impeller. The impeller is connected to the output shaft of the motor and is used to rotate under the drive of the motor. The controller is electrically connected to the motor and is used to control the start and stop of the motor. When the ultrasonic sensor detects the presence of liquid, the controller controls the motor to start, the motor drives the impeller to rotate, and the pump body begins to work. When the ultrasonic sensor detects the absence of liquid, the controller controls the motor to shut down after a preset delay, the impeller stops rotating, and the pump body stops working.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the transmitting end includes at least one ultrasonic generator, and the receiving end includes at least one ultrasonic receiver; both the ultrasonic generator and the ultrasonic receiver are made of piezoelectric ceramic material.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor further includes an ultrasonic driving board disposed on the housing. The ultrasonic driving board is used to generate a control signal based on the signal intensity change received by the ultrasonic receiver and transmit the control signal to the controller.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the ultrasonic sensor is directly set on the outside of the pump body and integrated with the pump body, without the need for separate installation on the top of the water tank or pool, which reduces the long-distance wiring between the ultrasonic sensor and the controller and reduces the complexity of installation. The water pump of this application has wide versatility and can be used in scenarios with limited top space, such as deep wells and pipelines; the ultrasonic sensor is directly connected to the pump body, with a compact structure that is easy to disassemble and maintain. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to this application; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic sensor of this application; Figure 4 This is one of the cross-sectional views of the ultrasonic sensor of this application; Figure 5 This is the second cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic sensor of this application.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Pump body; 2. Ultrasonic sensor; 3. Motor; 4. Impeller; 5. Housing; 6. Main body; 7. First protrusion; 8. Second protrusion; 9. Ultrasonic generator; 10. Ultrasonic receiver; 11. Ultrasonic drive board; 12. Connecting shell; 13. Pulse. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this disclosure, the following detailed, clear, and complete description of this disclosure is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not intended to limit it.

[0020] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of this invention, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0021] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, this application discloses a water pump with an ultrasonic sensor, including a pump body 1, a controller, and an ultrasonic sensor 2. The controller is used to control the start and stop of the pump body 1 and is electrically connected to the pump body 1. The ultrasonic sensor 2 is mounted on the pump body 1 and is electrically connected to the controller. The ultrasonic sensor 2 is used to detect the presence or absence of liquid medium and outputs a corresponding detection signal to the controller. After the pump body 1 is powered on, the controller controls the ultrasonic sensor 2 to start detection. When the ultrasonic sensor 2 detects no liquid, the controller does not start the pump body 1, the pump body 1 remains in standby mode, and the ultrasonic sensor 2 continues to detect. When the ultrasonic sensor 2 detects liquid, the controller starts the pump body 1. The ultrasonic sensor 2 is directly mounted on the outside of the pump body 1 and integrated with the pump body 1, eliminating the need for separate installation on the top of the water tank or pool. This reduces the long-distance wiring between the ultrasonic sensor 2 and the controller, lowering the installation complexity. The water pump of this application has wide versatility and can be used in scenarios with limited top space, such as deep wells and pipelines. The ultrasonic sensor 2 is directly connected to the pump body 1, resulting in a compact structure that facilitates overall disassembly, assembly, and maintenance.

[0022] Furthermore, the ultrasonic sensor 2 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits ultrasonic signals, and the receiver receives ultrasonic signals. A detection area is formed between the transmitter and receiver, and the ultrasonic sensor 2 is used to detect the presence or absence of liquid medium within the detection area. The ultrasonic sensor 2 in this application is a transmission type ultrasonic sensor. Ultrasonic waves attenuate differently in air and liquid media. When liquid immerses the detection area, the ultrasonic signal attenuates significantly, and the signal strength received by the receiver decreases. When no liquid immerses the detection area, the medium between the transmitter and receiver is air, and ultrasonic waves attenuate very little in air, so the signal strength received by the receiver is essentially the same as the signal strength emitted by the transmitter. The controller or ultrasonic sensor 2 is equipped with a signal comparison circuit, which has a preset signal strength threshold (preset threshold). When the signal strength received by the receiver is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, it is determined that there is no liquid in the detection area, and a first signal representing the absence of liquid is output. When the signal strength received by the receiver is lower than the preset threshold, it is determined that there is liquid in the detection area, and a second signal representing the presence of liquid is output. It is understood that the liquids in this application include, but are not limited to, water, oil, acid and alkali solutions, and liquid media containing particles, and the working object of the water pump is usually water.

[0023] To prevent frequent start-stop of pump 1 in critical liquid conditions, the controller is equipped with a delay timer. During pump 1 operation, when the ultrasonic sensor 2 detects no liquid, the controller shuts off the pump after a preset delay. However, when the liquid is in a critical state of "just leaving the detection area," due to factors such as water surface fluctuations, liquid surface tension, and liquid flow inertia, the ultrasonic sensor 2 may repeatedly output "water present / no water" signals within a short period, causing the controller to frequently start and stop pump 1. This not only increases energy consumption but also damages the motor 3 and impeller 4. The controller's decision to shut off the pump after a preset delay when the ultrasonic sensor 2 detects no liquid effectively solves this problem. In this embodiment, the preset time is 1-60 seconds, preferably 1-30 seconds.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, it can be understood that the pump body 1 is internally equipped with a motor 3 and an impeller 4. The impeller 4 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 3 and is used to rotate under the drive of the motor 3 to realize the suction and discharge of liquid. The controller is electrically connected to the motor 3 and is used to control the start and stop of the motor 3. When the ultrasonic sensor 2 detects the presence of liquid, the controller controls the motor 3 to start, and the motor 3 drives the impeller 4 to rotate, so that the liquid is sucked into the pump body 1 and discharged after being pressurized by the impeller 4. When the ultrasonic sensor 2 detects the absence of liquid from the presence of liquid, the controller controls the motor 3 to shut down after a preset delay, the impeller 4 stops rotating, and the pump body 1 stops working.

[0025] The detection by ultrasonic sensor 2 includes detecting the change in liquid level in the detection area from nothing to something: When pump 1 is powered on, the controller controls ultrasonic sensor 2 to enter the detection state; in the initial state, if there is no liquid in the detection area, the signal strength received by the receiver is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, ultrasonic sensor 2 outputs a first signal (no liquid state) to the controller, the controller keeps motor 3 in the off state, and pump 1 does not start; at the same time, the controller controls ultrasonic sensor 2 to continue detection. As the liquid gradually rises and submerges the detection area, the ultrasonic signal emitted by the transmitter attenuates when passing through the liquid, and the signal strength received by the receiver decreases accordingly; when the signal strength received by the receiver drops below the preset threshold, ultrasonic sensor 2 outputs a second signal (liquid state) to the controller; after receiving the second signal, the controller controls motor 3 to start, motor 3 drives impeller 4 to rotate, and pump 1 begins to work.

[0026] The detection by ultrasonic sensor 2 includes the detection of the liquid in the detection area changing from present to absent: When pump 1 is in operation, ultrasonic sensor 2 continuously detects the detection area; in operation, if there is liquid in the detection area, the signal strength received by the receiver is continuously lower than the preset threshold, ultrasonic sensor 2 continuously outputs a second signal, the controller maintains the operation of motor 3, and pump 1 remains in operation; when the liquid gradually descends and leaves the detection area, the medium in the detection area changes from liquid to air, and the signal strength received by the receiver increases accordingly; when the signal strength received by the receiver rises to greater than or equal to the preset threshold, ultrasonic sensor 2 outputs a first signal to the controller; when the controller receives the first signal (i.e., changes from liquid to no liquid), the controller does not immediately shut down motor 3, but starts a delay timer to begin timing, and shuts down motor 3 after a certain delay.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, if, during the delay time, the liquid in the area to be detected re-immerses the area due to fluctuations or backflow, and the signal strength received by the receiver drops below a preset threshold again, the ultrasonic sensor 2 will output a second signal again. The controller will then reset the delay timer to zero, maintain the operation of the motor 3, and allow the pump 1 to continue working. If, during the preset delay time, the signal strength received by the receiver remains greater than or equal to the preset threshold, meaning the area to be detected remains without liquid, the controller will shut off the motor 3, stop the impeller 4 from rotating, and stop the pump 1 from working after the delay timer reaches the preset time.

[0028] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the ultrasonic sensor 2 includes a housing 5, which includes a main body 6 and a first protrusion 7 and a second protrusion 8 disposed parallel to each other on the main body 6. The first protrusion 7 and the second protrusion 8 are at least partially opposite each other, and a gap is formed between them, which is the area to be detected. The transmitting end is disposed on the first protrusion 7, and the receiving end is disposed on the second protrusion 8. Specifically, the transmitting end is disposed on the side of the first protrusion 7 near the second protrusion 8, and the receiving end is disposed on the side of the second protrusion 8 near the first protrusion 7. The transmitting end and the receiving end are opposite each other and at least partially aligned in the horizontal direction to ensure that the ultrasonic signal can be directly transmitted from the transmitting end to the receiving end, forming a stable signal transmission path.

[0029] Furthermore, the transmitting end includes an ultrasonic generator 9, and the receiving end includes an ultrasonic receiver 10; both the ultrasonic generator 9 and the ultrasonic receiver 10 are made of piezoelectric ceramic material. Specifically, the ultrasonic generator 9 is disposed on the side of the first protrusion 7 near the second protrusion 8, and the ultrasonic receiver 10 is disposed on the side of the second protrusion 8 near the first protrusion 7. The ultrasonic generator 9 and the ultrasonic receiver 10 are aligned with each other in the horizontal direction, and their central axes coincide. A single ultrasonic generator 9 and ultrasonic receiver 10 form a single detection channel, which is simple in structure and low in cost, and is conducive to realizing the integrated design of water pump and ultrasonic sensor 2, reducing the overall size and weight of the product.

[0030] For further details, please refer to the following: Figure 5As shown, the ultrasonic sensor 2 also includes an ultrasonic driver board 11, which is mounted on the housing 5 and located inside the housing 5. This arrangement helps to improve integration, reduce external wiring, and enhance anti-interference capabilities. Furthermore, the ultrasonic driver board 11 can also be integrated into the controller. The ultrasonic driver board 11 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic generator 9, the ultrasonic receiver 10, and the controller. The ultrasonic driver board 11 is used to drive the ultrasonic generator 9 to emit ultrasonic signals, process the signals received by the ultrasonic receiver 10, generate corresponding control signals based on changes in the received signal intensity, and transmit these control signals to the controller.

[0031] Specifically, a connecting shell 12 is provided on the pump body 1. The ultrasonic sensor 2 is mounted on the pump body 1 through the connecting shell 12. A height adjustment structure is provided between the connecting shell 12 and the outer shell 5 of the ultrasonic sensor 2. The height adjustment structure is used to adjust the vertical height position of the ultrasonic sensor 2 relative to the pump body 1, so that the area to be detected is at the target water level. The connecting shell 12 is connected to the pump body 1 by bolts or clips. The ultrasonic sensor 2 is mounted on the connecting shell 12 and can slide up and down along the connecting shell 12. Specifically, the connecting shell 12 includes a vertically extending mounting surface. A long strip-shaped groove is formed on the mounting surface in the vertical direction. A sliding mating surface is provided on the side of the outer shell 5 of the ultrasonic sensor 2 facing the mounting surface. The sliding mating surface forms a sliding contact with the inner side of the mounting surface. A lever 13 is also integrally formed on the outer shell 5. The lever 13 passes through the long strip-shaped groove and extends to the outside of the connecting shell 12, so that the lever 13 protrudes outward from the long strip-shaped groove. By moving the lever 13 up and down, the housing 5 of the ultrasonic sensor 2 can slide vertically relative to the connecting housing 12, thereby adjusting the height of the ultrasonic sensor 2 on the pump body 1. It is understood that the width of the elongated groove is adapted to the cross-sectional dimensions of the lever 13 to limit its horizontal swaying while allowing it to move freely vertically. The height adjustment structure allows the ultrasonic sensor 2 to be positioned at the inlet of the impeller 4 of the pump body 1 or at the lowest safe water level, ensuring that the pump body 1 only starts when the liquid level is above this position, effectively preventing the pump from running dry or running without water, and extending the pump's service life. The adjustable height of the ultrasonic sensor 2 allows the pump to adapt to different start-up and shutdown water level requirements. For example, in a water tank supply scenario, a higher start-up water level may be needed to maintain sufficient water storage; while in a drainage scenario, a lower start-up water level may be needed to prevent water accumulation. Furthermore, in applications such as deep wells, sewage tanks, and water storage tanks, the relative position of the water surface and the pump body 1 varies significantly due to different container depths. The height adjustment structure allows the same water pump to be installed in containers of different depths. Simply adjust the height of the ultrasonic sensor 2 to match the actual water level, thus improving the product's versatility.

[0032] The present application has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the present application and its core ideas. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present application without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A water pump with an ultrasonic sensor, characterized in that, include: Pump body (1); A controller, which is connected to the pump body (1) for controlling the start and stop of the pump body (1); An ultrasonic sensor (2) is installed on the pump body (1) and connected to the controller. The ultrasonic sensor (2) is used to detect the presence or absence of liquid medium and output a corresponding detection signal to the controller. After the pump body (1) is powered on, the controller controls the ultrasonic sensor (2) to start detection; When the ultrasonic sensor (2) detects a liquid-free state, the controller does not start the pump (1), and the ultrasonic sensor (2) continues to detect. When the ultrasonic sensor (2) detects the presence of liquid, the controller starts the pump (1).

2. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic sensor (2) includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is used to transmit ultrasonic signals, and the receiver is used to receive the ultrasonic signals. A detection area is formed between the transmitter and the receiver. The ultrasonic sensor (2) is used to detect the presence or absence of liquid medium in the detection area.

3. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ultrasonic sensor (2) includes a housing (5), the housing (5) includes a main body (6) and a first protrusion (7) and a second protrusion (8) disposed on the main body (6). The first protrusion (7) and the second protrusion (8) are at least partially disposed opposite to each other. The area to be detected is located between the first protrusion (7) and the second protrusion (8). The transmitting end is disposed on the first protrusion (7) and the receiving end is disposed on the second protrusion (8).

4. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, During the operation of the pump body (1), when the ultrasonic sensor (2) detects a state of no liquid, the controller shuts off the water pump after a preset delay.

5. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The preset time is 1S-60S.

6. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmitting end is located on the side of the first protrusion (7) near the second protrusion (8), and the receiving end is located on the side of the second protrusion (8) near the first protrusion (7). The transmitting end and the receiving end are at least partially aligned in the horizontal direction.

7. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, A connecting shell (12) is provided on the pump body (1). The ultrasonic sensor (2) is mounted on the pump body (1) through the connecting shell (12). A height adjustment structure is provided between the connecting shell (12) and the outer shell (5) of the ultrasonic sensor (2). The height adjustment structure is used to adjust the height position of the ultrasonic sensor (2) relative to the pump body (1).

8. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pump body (1) is equipped with a motor (3) and an impeller (4). The impeller (4) is connected to the output shaft of the motor (3) and is used to rotate under the drive of the motor (3). The controller is electrically connected to the motor (3) and is used to control the start and stop of the motor (3). When the ultrasonic sensor (2) detects that there is liquid, the controller controls the motor (3) to start, the motor (3) drives the impeller (4) to rotate, and the pump body (1) starts to work. When the ultrasonic sensor (2) detects that there is no liquid, the controller controls the motor (3) to turn off after a preset delay time, the impeller (4) stops rotating, and the pump body (1) stops working.

9. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmitting end includes at least one ultrasonic generator (9), and the receiving end includes at least one ultrasonic receiver (10); both the ultrasonic generator (9) and the ultrasonic receiver (10) are made of piezoelectric ceramic material.

10. The water pump with an ultrasonic sensor according to claim 9, characterized in that, The ultrasonic sensor (2) also includes an ultrasonic drive board (11), which is used to generate a control signal based on the signal intensity change received by the ultrasonic receiver (10) and transmit the control signal to the controller.

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