A non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of water dispenser non-contact water level detection circuit board, including circuit board main body and with to adhere to the detection electrode piece of water tank lateral wall, circuit board main body is electrically connected with detection electrode piece, circuit board main body is fixed on support plate, guide rod is provided on support plate, movable seat is movably provided on guide rod, movable seat outer wall is provided with detection electrode piece, elastic member is arranged between movable seat and support plate, pull assembly for pulling movable seat to move to support plate direction is provided on support plate, pull assembly includes pull rod, lever is rotatably provided on support plate, lever is provided with strip slot, limit rod is provided on pull rod and extends into strip slot, pull rod moves to support plate side to with lever bottom end extends into water tank lateral wall side, lever bottom end is pressed down by water tank to with pull rod moves to support plate side back.This kind of water dispenser non-contact water level detection circuit board can avoid the abrasion and deformation of detection electrode piece, ensure long-term accuracy and reliability of water level detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water level detection technology for water dispensers, specifically a non-contact water level detection circuit board for water dispensers. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, water dispensers have become essential drinking water equipment in homes and offices. To monitor the water level in the dispenser tank in real time and prevent dry burning or overflow, a water level detection device is an indispensable core component. Currently, non-contact water level detection, because it does not require direct contact with the water, avoids problems such as electrode corrosion, scaling, and secondary pollution, and has significant advantages such as hygiene, safety, and long service life, and is widely used in the water dispenser industry.

[0003] In existing technologies, non-contact water level detection mostly employs the capacitive detection principle. Its core principle is based on the significant difference in dielectric constant between water and air. Detection electrodes are placed on a circuit board. When the water level rises to the height of the detection electrodes, the dielectric environment around the electrodes changes significantly, causing a change in the capacitance value of the electrodes. The detection circuit can determine whether there is water at that height by recognizing this capacitance change. To achieve multi-level water level detection (such as low, medium, and high water levels), multiple capacitive detection circuit boards are typically installed at different heights on the outer wall of the water dispenser tank.

[0004] The accuracy of capacitive water level detection is highly dependent on the tightness of the fit between the detection electrode and the outer wall of the water tank. Any air gap between them will severely weaken the capacitance change signal, leading to detection failure or misjudgment. For fixed water dispensers where the water tank is permanently connected to the dispenser body, current technology typically uses adhesive to permanently bond the circuit board with the detection electrode to a predetermined position on the outer wall of the water tank. This ensures a stable and long-term fit between the detection electrode and the outer wall, resulting in relatively reliable detection.

[0005] However, to facilitate user cleaning and refilling of the water tank, more and more water dispensers are adopting a detachable water tank design. For these types of dispensers, if the detection circuit board is still fixed to the outer wall of the water tank using adhesive, it would make disassembly and assembly extremely inconvenient, and the adhesive joints would easily detach after repeated disassembly and assembly. Therefore, existing technology generally adopts an elastic pressure structure: the detection circuit board is movably installed in the corresponding position on the water dispenser body, and elastic components such as springs and sheet springs apply elastic force towards the water tank, forcing the detection electrodes to fit tightly against the side wall of the water tank to ensure detection accuracy.

[0006] The aforementioned existing technical solutions have the following significant drawbacks in actual use: Since detachable water tanks typically use a vertical disassembly method, when the user removes the water tank from the water dispenser body, the detection electrode will spring out a distance towards the water tank mounting cavity under the elastic force of the elastic component. When the user reinstalls the water tank, the bottom of the tank will first collide with the outwardly protruding detection electrode, creating a physical obstruction that makes it difficult to install the water tank smoothly. The user needs to apply additional downward pressure to press the water tank into place, resulting in a very poor user experience.

[0007] More seriously, during the entire process of vertically inserting and removing the water tank, continuous sliding friction occurs between the side wall of the water tank and the end face of the detection electrode. Long-term, repeated friction can cause wear, scratches, and even bending or deformation of the detection electrode surface. Electrode wear and deformation directly disrupt the flatness of its contact with the outer wall of the water tank, creating uneven air gaps between them. This leads to a significant attenuation or abnormal fluctuations in the capacitance detection signal, severely affecting the accuracy and stability of water level detection. When the electrode is severely worn or bent and broken, it can also cause a break in the detection circuit, completely disabling the water level detection function and potentially leading to safety accidents such as dry burning or overflow of the water dispenser. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a non-contact water level detection circuit board for water dispensers. While ensuring a tight fit between the detection electrode and the outer wall of the removable water tank, it avoids obstructing the reinstallation of the water tank by the detection electrode and effectively reduces wear and deformation of the detection electrode, ensuring the long-term accuracy and reliability of water level detection.

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser, comprising a circuit board body and a detection electrode sheet for adhering to the side wall of a water tank. The circuit board body is electrically connected to the detection electrode sheet. The circuit board body is fixed to a support plate. A guide rod is provided on the support plate. A movable seat is movably disposed on the guide rod. The detection electrode sheet is disposed on the outer wall of the movable seat. An elastic element is disposed between the movable seat and the support plate. A pulling assembly for pulling the movable seat toward the support plate is provided on the support plate. The pulling assembly includes a pull rod. A lever is rotatably disposed on the support plate. A strip groove is provided on the lever. A limiting rod extending into the strip groove is provided on the pull rod. The pull rod moves toward the support plate to extend the bottom end of the lever into the side wall of the water tank. The bottom end of the lever is pressed down by the water tank to move the pull rod away from the support plate. In normal use, the movable seat of this non-contact water level detection circuit board for water dispensers ensures that the detection electrode is tightly attached to the outer wall of the water tank by the elastic force of the elastic element. After the water tank is removed, the movable seat is moved to the support plate side by the pulling component, thereby avoiding the water tank installation path and preventing the detection electrode from obstructing the reinstallation of the water tank. During the reinstallation of the water tank, the water tank presses down the lever to reset the movable seat, allowing the detection electrode to continue to be attached to the water tank, thereby effectively reducing the wear and deformation of the detection electrode and ensuring the long-term accuracy and reliability of water level detection.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pulling assembly includes the pull rod, a ferromagnetic ring disposed on the pull rod, and an electromagnet fixed to the support plate. When the electromagnet is energized, the ferromagnetic ring is attracted by the electromagnet to pull the movable seat towards the support plate. This structure allows for convenient control of the movable seat's movement towards the support plate via the energization of the electromagnet, thereby avoiding obstruction of the water tank installation path.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the movable seat is provided with a stepped hole, the detection electrode is disposed on the larger hole side of the stepped hole, the pull rod is inserted through the smaller hole side of the stepped hole, and an annular flange is provided at one end of the pull rod located on the larger hole side. The annular flange cooperates with the stepped hole to allow the pull rod to pull the movable seat to move.

[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring are respectively provided on the surface opposite to the annular flange of the stepped hole. The first conductive ring and the second conductive ring are electrically connected to the electromagnet. When the first conductive ring and the second conductive ring are in contact, the electromagnet is energized. When the detection electrode plate abuts against the side wall of the water tank, the first conductive ring and the second conductive ring have a gap. When the water tank is removed, the elastic element pushes the movable seat to move so that the first conductive ring and the second conductive ring are in contact. With the above structure, during water tank disassembly, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the movable seat to move away from the support plate, allowing the first guide ring and the second conductive ring to contact, thereby energizing the electromagnet. After the electromagnet is energized, the pull rod pulls the movable seat towards the support plate, thus avoiding the water tank installation path and preventing the detection electrode plate from obstructing the reinstallation of the water tank. When the water tank is installed, the water tank presses down the lever so that the lever moves the pull rod to break free from the magnetic force of the electromagnet and reset. At the same time, the movable seat resets under the elastic force of the elastic element. After reset, there is still a gap between the first conductive ring and the second conductive ring. This structure can automatically control the operation of the pulling component during the water tank disassembly and assembly process.

[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the elastic element is a spring sleeved on the guide rod.

[0014] In the above technical solution, preferably, the tail of the lever is arc-shaped, and the strip groove is arc-shaped and disposed at the tail of the lever.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: In normal use, the movable seat of this non-contact water level detection circuit board for water dispensers is made to tightly adhere the detection electrode to the outer wall of the water tank by the elastic force of the elastic element. After the water tank is removed, the movable seat is moved to the support plate side by the pulling component, thereby avoiding the water tank installation path and preventing the detection electrode from obstructing the water tank when it is reinstalled. During the reinstallation of the water tank, the water tank presses down the lever to reset the movable seat, so that the detection electrode continues to adhere to the water tank, thereby effectively reducing the wear and deformation of the detection electrode and ensuring the long-term accuracy and reliability of water level detection. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the water tank in the installed state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the water tank in a disassembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the water tank loading process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: See also Figures 1 to 5 A non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser includes a circuit board body 1 and a detection electrode 2 for attaching to the side wall of a water tank 100. The circuit board body 1 is electrically connected to the detection electrode 2. The circuit board body 1 is fixed on a support plate 3. A guide rod 4 is provided on the support plate 3. A movable seat 5 is movably provided on the guide rod 4. The detection electrode 2 is provided on the outer wall of the movable seat 5. An elastic element 6 is provided between the movable seat 5 and the support plate 3. A pulling assembly for pulling the movable seat 5 to move towards the support plate 3 is provided on the support plate 3. The pulling assembly includes a pull rod 7. A lever 8 is rotatably provided on the support plate 3. A strip groove 9 is provided on the lever 8. A limiting rod 10 extending into the strip groove 9 is provided on the pull rod 7. The pull rod 7 moves towards the support plate 3 to extend the bottom end of the lever 8 into the side wall of the water tank 100. The bottom end of the lever 8 is pressed down by the water tank 100 to move the pull rod 7 away from the support plate 3. In normal use, the movable seat 5, with the elastic force of the elastic element 6, ensures that the detection electrode 2 is tightly attached to the outer wall of the water tank 100. After the water tank 100 is disassembled, the movable seat 5 is moved towards the support plate 3 by the pulling component, thereby avoiding the water tank 100 installation path and preventing the detection electrode 2 from obstructing the reinstallation of the water tank 100. During the reinstallation of the water tank 100, the water tank 100 presses down the lever 8 to reset the movable seat 5, allowing the detection electrode 2 to continue to be attached to the water tank 100, thereby effectively reducing the wear and deformation of the detection electrode 2 and ensuring the long-term accuracy and reliability of the water level detection.

[0022] In this embodiment, the pulling assembly includes a pull rod 7, a ferromagnetic ring 11 disposed on the pull rod 7, and an electromagnet 12 fixed on the support plate 3. When the electromagnet 12 is energized, the ferromagnetic ring 11 is attracted by the electromagnet 12 to pull the movable seat 5 towards the support plate 3. With this structure, the movable seat 5 can be easily controlled to move towards the support plate 3 by energizing the electromagnet 12, thereby avoiding the installation path of the water tank 100.

[0023] In this embodiment, the movable seat 5 is provided with a stepped hole 13, and the detection electrode 2 is disposed on the larger hole side of the stepped hole 13. A pull rod 7 is inserted through the smaller hole side of the stepped hole 13, and an annular flange 14 is provided at one end of the pull rod 7 on the larger hole side. The annular flange 14 cooperates with the stepped hole 13 to pull the movable seat 5 to move.

[0024] In this embodiment, a first conductive ring 15 and a second conductive ring 16 are respectively provided on the surfaces opposite to the stepped hole 13 and the annular flange 14. The first conductive ring 15 and the second conductive ring 16 are electrically connected to the electromagnet 12. When the first conductive ring 15 and the second conductive ring 16 are in contact, the electromagnet 12 is energized. When the detection electrode plate 2 abuts against the side wall of the water tank 100, the first conductive ring 15 and the second conductive ring 16 have a gap. When the water tank 100 is removed, the elastic member 6 pushes the movable seat 5 to move so that the first conductive ring 15 and the second conductive ring 16 are in contact. With the above structure, when the water tank 100 is disassembled, the elastic force of the elastic element 6 causes the movable seat 5 to move away from the support plate 3, which allows the first guide ring and the second conductive ring 16 to contact, thereby energizing the electromagnet 12. After the electromagnet 12 is energized, the pull rod 7 pulls the movable seat 5 towards the support plate 3, thereby avoiding the water tank 100 installation path and preventing the detection electrode plate 2 from obstructing the reinstallation of the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 is installed, the water tank 100 presses down the lever 8 so that the lever 8 moves the pull rod 7 to break free from the magnetic force of the electromagnet 12 and reset. At the same time, the movable seat 5 resets under the elastic force of the elastic element 6. After reset, there is still a gap between the first conductive ring 15 and the second conductive ring 16. This structure can automatically control the operation of the pulling component during the disassembly and assembly of the water tank 100.

[0025] In this embodiment, the elastic element 6 is a spring sleeved on the guide rod 4.

[0026] In this embodiment, the tail of the lever 8 is arc-shaped, and the strip groove 9 is arc-shaped and disposed at the tail of the lever 8.

[0027] This non-contact water level detection circuit board is suitable for use in water dispensers with detachable water tanks. The circuit board is installed on the side wall of the water tank mounting cavity. After the water tank 100 is installed, the detection electrode 2 automatically adheres to the outer wall of the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 is removed for filling, the detection electrode 2 can automatically move away from the installation position of the water tank 100. This prevents the detection electrode 2 from blocking the water tank 100 during the process of reinstalling the water tank 100 after it is filled with water, avoids wear and bending of the detection electrode 2, and ensures the long-term accuracy and reliability of water level detection.

[0028] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser, comprising a circuit board body (1) and a detection electrode sheet (2) for attaching to the side wall of a water tank (100), wherein the circuit board body (1) and the detection electrode sheet (2) are electrically connected, characterized in that: The circuit board body (1) is fixed on the support plate (3). A guide rod (4) is provided on the support plate (3). A movable seat (5) is movably provided on the guide rod (4). The detection electrode plate (2) is provided on the outer wall of the movable seat (5). An elastic element (6) is provided between the movable seat (5) and the support plate (3). A pulling component is provided on the support plate (3) for pulling the movable seat (5) to move in the direction of the support plate (3). Includes a pull rod (7), a lever (8) is rotatably mounted on the support plate (3), a strip groove (9) is provided on the lever (8), and a limiting rod (10) is provided on the pull rod (7) extending into the strip groove (9). The pull rod (7) moves toward the support plate (3) to extend the bottom end of the lever (8) into the side wall of the water tank (100), and the bottom end of the lever (8) is pressed down by the water tank (100) to move the pull rod (7) away from the support plate (3).

2. The non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The pulling assembly includes the pull rod (7), a ferromagnetic ring (11) disposed on the pull rod (7), and an electromagnet (12) fixed on the support plate (3). When the electromagnet (12) is energized, the ferromagnetic ring (11) is attracted by the electromagnet (12) to pull the movable seat (5) to move towards the support plate (3).

3. The non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The movable seat (5) is provided with a stepped hole (13), the detection electrode (2) is provided on the large hole side of the stepped hole (13), the pull rod (7) is provided through the small hole side of the stepped hole (13), and an annular flange (14) is provided at one end of the pull rod (7) located on the large hole side.

4. The non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser as described in claim 3, characterized in that: A first conductive ring (15) and a second conductive ring (16) are respectively provided on the surface opposite to the stepped hole (13) and the annular flange (14). The first conductive ring (15) and the second conductive ring (16) are electrically connected to the electromagnet (12). When the first conductive ring (15) and the second conductive ring (16) are in contact, the electromagnet (12) is energized. When the detection electrode plate (2) abuts against the side wall of the water tank (100), the first conductive ring (15) and the second conductive ring (16) have a gap. When the water tank (100) is removed, the elastic element (6) pushes the movable seat (5) to move so that the first conductive ring (15) and the second conductive ring (16) are in contact.

5. The non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element (6) is a spring sleeved on the guide rod (4).

6. The non-contact water level detection circuit board for a water dispenser as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The tail of the lever (8) is arc-shaped, and the strip groove (9) is arc-shaped and disposed at the tail of the lever (8).

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