Electronic water gauge

Abstract

The utility model provides an electronic water gauge which comprises a main ruler, a plurality of permanent magnets are evenly distributed on the side wall of the main ruler at intervals in the direction from the top of the main ruler to the bottom of the main ruler, the permanent magnets and a detection electrode are located on the same horizontal line, a cavity is formed in the main ruler, and a vernier is arranged in the cavity. The side wall of the vernier is provided with a plurality of Hall sensors corresponding to the permanent magnets in position, and the main ruler is provided with a water permeable hole communicated with the cavity, so that the vernier is vertically and movably connected into the cavity, and the vernier partially protrudes out of the water surface. The water level can be preliminarily estimated through the detection electrodes arranged on the side wall of the main scale so as to determine that the water level is between two detection electrodes, accurate detection of the water level is completed by determining the Hall sensor, opposite to the permanent magnet, on the vernier, and the detection accuracy of the water level is improved under the condition that more detection electrodes do not need to be added; the cost and complexity of the monitoring system are saved, and the reliability of the system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of engineering measurement, in particular to an electronic water level gauge. Background Art

[0002] The principle of the electronic water level gauge is based on the weak conductivity of water. It collects water depth information through a string of electrodes arranged at equal intervals (such as 1 cm). When the electrodes are in contact with water, they form a closed loop with the internal sensing measurement circuit. The sensing circuit of each electrode will output a corresponding logical electrical signal. These signals will be captured by the digital logic chip and sent to the MCU for judgment. The measured water level can be obtained by combining the number of electrodes in contact with water and the distance between adjacent electrodes with the reference point.

[0003] An electronic water level gauge is usually composed of a host, a water level gauge node, a collector, a power supply system and a pole. These devices work together, using a processor chip as a controller to obtain water level data through measuring electrodes. The water level data is digitally encoded, graduated, sampled and digitally processed by the MCU, and then sent to the monitoring center or related software through wired or wireless communication technology to achieve real-time monitoring and early warning of water levels.

[0004] However, the measurement accuracy of existing electronic water level gauges is generally controlled by the setting density and range of electrodes. To improve the measurement accuracy, the density of electrodes needs to be increased. For example, if the current measurement accuracy is 1 cm and the range is 2 m, the number of electrodes needs to be 200. If the measurement accuracy needs to be increased to 2 mm, the number of electrodes needs to be 1,000 while the range remains unchanged. If the range is increased to 4 m, the number of electrodes will need to be at least 2,000. Improving the measurement accuracy in this way will increase the cost and complexity of the monitoring system and reduce the reliability of the system. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide an electronic water level gauge, aiming to solve the technical problem in the prior art of improving the measurement accuracy of the electronic water level gauge by increasing the number of electrodes, which increases the cost and complexity of the monitoring system and reduces the reliability of the system.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0007] An electronic water level gauge comprises a main scale, a plurality of detection electrodes are arranged on the side wall of the main scale, the plurality of detection electrodes are evenly spaced from the top of the main scale to the bottom of the main scale, a plurality of permanent magnets corresponding to the detection electrodes are also arranged on the side wall of the main scale, the permanent magnets and the detection electrodes are located on the same horizontal line, a cavity is formed inside the main scale, a movable scale is arranged in the cavity, a plurality of Hall sensors evenly spaced from top to bottom are arranged on the side wall of the movable scale, the Hall sensors correspond to the positions of the permanent magnets, the spacing between the Hall sensor located at the top and the Hall sensor located at the bottom is equal to the spacing between two adjacent detection electrodes, a water permeable hole connected to the cavity is provided on the main scale, so that the movable scale is vertically movably connected to the cavity, and the movable scale partially protrudes above the water surface.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the utility model is that the water level can be preliminarily estimated by the detection electrodes arranged on the side wall of the main scale to determine that the water level is between two of the detection electrodes. At this time, because the movable scale is vertically movably connected in the cavity and partially protrudes above the water surface, the position where the movable scale is flush with the water surface can be preferentially determined as the reference point, and then by determining the Hall sensor on the movable scale that is aligned with the permanent magnet and calculating the distance between the Hall sensor and the reference point, a more accurate detection of the water level can be completed. Without adding more detection electrodes, the detection accuracy of the water level is improved, the cost and complexity of the monitoring system are saved, and the reliability of the system is improved.

[0009] Furthermore, the interior of the sliding ruler is hollow to form a water storage cavity, and a water injection hole connected to the water storage cavity is provided on the top of the sliding ruler.

[0010] Furthermore, a guide rod is arranged in the cavity, and the guide rod extends from the top of the main scale toward the bottom of the main scale, and the movable scale is sleeved on the guide rod through a guide hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the number of the Hall sensors is an odd number.

[0012] Furthermore, a potting glue layer is provided on the main ruler, and the potting glue layer is used to cover the permanent magnet.

[0013] Furthermore, a water filter stone is arranged in the water permeable hole.

[0014] Furthermore, a host is arranged on the top of the main ruler, and an antenna is arranged on the top of the movable ruler for communication with the host.

[0015] Furthermore, a microcontroller is arranged in the host, the microcontroller is electrically connected to a low-voltage constant-current power supply through an electronic switch, the low-voltage constant-current power supply is electrically connected to the main ruler, and the detection electrode is electrically connected to the microcontroller through a logic gate electrode detection circuit.

[0016] Furthermore, a proximal wireless module is disposed in the host, the proximal wireless module is electrically connected to the microcontroller, and the proximal wireless module is communicatively connected to the antenna.

[0017] Furthermore, a remote wireless module is provided in the host, the remote wireless module is electrically connected to the microcontroller, and the remote wireless module is communicatively connected to the monitoring host. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electronic water level gauge in the embodiment of the utility model at a first viewing angle;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the middle A part;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the electronic water level gauge in the embodiment of the utility model at a second viewing angle;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial enlarged view of the middle B part;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mobile ruler in the electronic water level gauge in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a block diagram of the connection structure between the main machine and the main ruler in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Description of main component symbols:

[0025] 1. Moving ruler; 101. Water injection hole; 2. Main ruler; 3. Guide rod; 4. Host; 401. Microcontroller; 402. Low-voltage constant-current power supply; 403. Logic gate electrode detection circuit; 404. Near-end wireless module; 405. Remote wireless module; 5. Hall sensor; 6. Permanent magnet; 7. Detection electrode; 8. Water permeable hole; 9. Antenna.

[0026] The following specific implementation manner will further illustrate the present utility model in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. Several embodiments of the present invention are given in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0030] See also Figures 1 to 6 The electronic water level gauge in the embodiment of the utility model comprises a main scale 2, and a plurality of detection electrodes 7 are arranged on the side wall of the main scale 2, and the plurality of detection electrodes 7 are evenly spaced from the top of the main scale 2 to the bottom of the main scale 2, that is, the distance between adjacent detection electrodes 7 can be set as required. A host 4 is arranged on the top of the main scale 2, and a microcontroller 401 is arranged in the host 4. The microcontroller 401 is electrically connected to a low-voltage constant-current power supply 402 through an electronic switch, and the low-voltage constant-current power supply 402 is electrically connected to the main scale 2, and the detection electrodes 7 are electrically connected to the microcontroller 401 through a logic gate electrode detection circuit 403. In this embodiment, the main scale 2 is made of stainless steel. It can be understood that the electronic water level gauge is placed at the water surface to be detected, and the microcontroller 401 controls the low-voltage constant current power supply 402 to discharge to the main scale 2. If the water level does not touch the detection electrode 7, the low-voltage DC power supply of the main scale 2 cannot form a loop with the electrode. When the water level submerges the detection electrode 7, the low-voltage DC power supply of the main scale 2 forms a loop with the detection electrode 7 set on the main scale 2 through water. The detection electrode 7 feeds back the signal to the microcontroller 401 through the equivalent water body resistance and the logic gate electrode detection circuit 403 that are electrically connected in sequence. The microcontroller 401 analyzes the signal to determine how many of the detection electrodes 7 are located below the water level line, thereby completing a preliminary estimate of the water level.

[0031] A remote wireless module 405 is provided in the host 4, and the remote wireless module 405 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 401, and the remote wireless module 405 is communicatively connected to the monitoring host 4. After the number of the detection electrodes 7 below the water level line is determined, the number of the detection electrodes 7 is fed back to the monitoring host 4 to complete the preliminary monitoring of the water level.

[0032] A plurality of permanent magnets 6 corresponding to the detection electrodes 7 are also provided on the side wall of the main scale 2. The permanent magnets 6 and the detection electrodes 7 are located on the same horizontal line, that is, each detection electrode 7 is adjacent to a permanent magnet 6, and the horizontal heights of the two are consistent. In this embodiment, a potting layer is provided on the main scale 2, and the potting layer is used to cover the permanent magnets 6. Since the permanent magnets 6 will rust after contacting water, the potting layer can be provided to avoid contact between water and the permanent magnets 6, thereby extending the service life of the electronic water level gauge. The detection electrodes 7 need to conduct electricity with water, so there is no need to cover the detection electrodes 7.

[0033] The main scale 2 forms a cavity inside, and a sliding scale 1 is arranged in the cavity. A plurality of Hall sensors 5 are arranged on the side wall of the sliding scale 1 and are evenly spaced from top to bottom. The Hall sensor 5 adopts an integrated Hall switch. The integrated Hall switch senses the presence or absence of a magnetic field and outputs different level states to confirm the water surface position. The Hall sensor 5 corresponds to the position of the permanent magnet 6. The sliding scale 1 adopts an independent power supply. In this embodiment, a lithium battery is arranged in the sliding scale 1 to support it to read. Furthermore, an antenna 9 connected to the host 4 for communication is arranged on the top of the sliding scale 1. A proximal wireless module 404 is arranged in the host 4. The proximal wireless module 404 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 401, and the proximal wireless module 404 is connected to the antenna 9 for communication. By setting the proximal wireless module 404, there is no need to set a signal cable between the sliding scale 1 and the main scale 2, thereby simplifying the structure of the electronic water level gauge. When readings are required, the microcontroller 401 drives the movable ruler 1 to power itself, detects the position of the Hall sensor 5 aligned with the permanent magnet 6, and then feeds back the data to the microcontroller 401. The microcontroller 401 again feeds back the data to the monitoring host 4 through the remote wireless module 405. The monitoring host 4 completes the water level monitoring based on the feedback results of the detection electrode 7 and the feedback results of the Hall sensor 5.

[0034] It should be noted that the spacing between the Hall sensor 5 located at the top and the Hall sensor 5 located at the bottom is equal to the spacing between two adjacent detection electrodes 7, that is, the mobile ruler 1 is used to monitor the specific position of the water level between two adjacent detection electrodes 7. The main ruler 2 is provided with a water-permeable hole 8 connected to the cavity, so that the mobile ruler 1 is vertically movably connected to the cavity, and the mobile ruler 1 partially protrudes above the water surface. Preferably, a water filter stone is arranged in the water-permeable hole 8. By arranging the water filter stone, pollutants such as mud and sand in the water can be prevented from entering the cavity and affecting the water level monitoring effect of the electronic water level gauge.

[0035] The water level can be preliminarily estimated by the detection electrode 7 arranged on the side wall of the main scale 2 to determine that the water level is between two of the detection electrodes 7. At this time, because the movable scale 1 is vertically movably connected in the cavity and partially protrudes above the water surface, the position where the movable scale 1 is flush with the water surface can be preferentially determined as the reference point, and then by determining the Hall sensor 5 on the movable scale 1 that is aligned with the permanent magnet 6 and calculating the distance between the Hall sensor 5 and the reference point, a more accurate detection of the water level can be completed. Without adding more detection electrodes 7, the detection accuracy of the water level is improved, the cost and complexity of the monitoring system are saved, and the reliability of the system is improved.

[0036] A guide rod 3 is arranged in the cavity, and the guide rod 3 extends from the top of the main scale 2 to the bottom of the main scale 2. The movable scale 1 is sleeved on the guide rod 3 through a guide hole. By arranging the guide rod 3, it is ensured that the movable scale 1 moves vertically in the cavity, and it is ensured that the Hall sensor 5 can always correspond to the position of the permanent magnet 6, so as to avoid the situation that after the movable scale 1 is deflected, the Hall sensor 5 and the permanent magnet 6 are misaligned and the detection data cannot be provided.

[0037] Preferably, the interior of the sliding ruler 1 is hollow to form a water storage chamber, and a water injection hole 101 connected to the water storage chamber is provided on the top of the sliding ruler 1. Water is injected into the water storage chamber through the water injection hole 101, so that the suspension height of the sliding ruler 1 above the water surface can be controlled, thereby more accurately grasping the water level. Further, the number of the Hall sensors 5 is an odd number. By setting an odd number of the Hall sensors 5, the Hall sensor 5 located in the middle position can be made flush with the water surface in combination with the amount of water injected into the water storage chamber. If 11 Hall sensors 5 are set from bottom to top on the sliding ruler 1, the sixth Hall sensor 5 is flush with the water surface. When it is preliminarily monitored that the water surface is located between the a1th detection electrode 7 and the a2th detection electrode 7 arranged from bottom to top, it is obtained whether the b1th permanent magnet 6 and / or the b2th permanent magnet 6 at the same position as the a1th detection electrode 7 and / or the a2th detection electrode 7 generate induction with the Hall sensor 5. If it is detected that the first Hall sensor 5 generates induction with the b1th permanent magnet 6, and the 11th Hall sensor 5 generates induction with the b2th permanent magnet 6, then the distance between the water level and the b1th permanent magnet 6 is the distance between the 6 Hall sensors 5; if it is detected that the third Hall sensor 5 generates induction with the b1th permanent magnet 6, then the distance between the water level and the b1th permanent magnet 6 is the distance between the 3 Hall sensors 5. Other situations are not listed here one by one. Compared with the traditional electronic water level gauge, the present application sets the movable ruler 1 to perform detailed detection of the water level between the two detection electrodes 7 of the movable ruler 1, without setting more detection electrodes 7. While improving the detection accuracy, the setting cost of the detection electrodes 7 is effectively reduced.

[0038] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0039] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the utility model, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the utility model. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the utility model, and these all belong to the protection scope of the utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent shall be based on the attached claims.

Claims

1. An electronic water level gauge, comprising a main scale, a plurality of detection electrodes are arranged on the side wall of the main scale, and the plurality of detection electrodes are evenly spaced from the top of the main scale to the bottom of the main scale, characterized in that: A plurality of permanent magnets corresponding to the detection electrodes are also arranged on the side wall of the main scale, and the permanent magnets and the detection electrodes are located on the same horizontal line. A cavity is formed inside the main scale, and a movable scale is arranged in the cavity. A plurality of Hall sensors evenly distributed from top to bottom are arranged on the side wall of the movable scale, and the positions of the Hall sensors correspond to the positions of the permanent magnets. The spacing between the Hall sensor located at the top and the Hall sensor located at the bottom is equal to the spacing between two adjacent detection electrodes. A water-permeable hole connected to the cavity is provided on the main scale, so that the movable scale can be vertically movably connected to the cavity, and the movable scale partially protrudes above the water surface.

2. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interior of the sliding ruler is hollow to form a water storage cavity, and a water injection hole communicating with the water storage cavity is arranged on the top of the sliding ruler.

3. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide rod is arranged in the cavity, and the guide rod extends from the top of the main scale to the bottom of the main scale. The movable scale is sleeved on the guide rod through a guide hole.

4. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the Hall sensors is an odd number.

5. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: A potting glue layer is arranged on the main ruler, and the potting glue layer is used to cover the permanent magnet.

6. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water filter stone is arranged in the water permeable hole.

7. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: A host is arranged on the top of the main ruler, and an antenna is arranged on the top of the movable ruler for communication with the host.

8. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 7, characterized in that: A microcontroller is arranged in the host, and the microcontroller is electrically connected to a low-voltage constant-current power supply through an electronic switch, and the low-voltage constant-current power supply is electrically connected to the main ruler, and the detection electrode is electrically connected to the microcontroller through a logic gate electrode detection circuit.

9. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 8, characterized in that: A proximal wireless module is arranged in the host, the proximal wireless module is electrically connected to the microcontroller, and the proximal wireless module is communicatively connected to the antenna.

10. The electronic water level gauge according to claim 8, characterized in that: A remote wireless module is arranged in the host, the remote wireless module is electrically connected to the microcontroller, and the remote wireless module is communicatively connected to the monitoring host.

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