An electronic irrigation valve

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electronic irrigation valve, comprising: a main control module; a valve control module, the control end of the valve control module is connected to the main control module; a flow detection module, the flow detection module comprises a first flow detection unit and a second flow detection unit, the first flow detection unit is arranged at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve, the second flow detection unit is arranged at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve, the first flow detection unit and the second flow detection unit are connected to the main control module; a display module, the display module is connected to the main control module; a power module, the power module is connected to the main control module, the valve control module, the flow detection module and the display module. As a digital product integrating control valve function and flow statistics function, the electronic irrigation valve is easy for users to install, and the display module intuitively displays quantitative data, so that users can intuitively know the current flow of the electronic irrigation valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to an electronic irrigation valve. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of home gardening and people's increasing attention to plant care, the demand for home garden irrigation equipment is constantly updated. The functions of equipment have gradually developed from simple timing control to complex function control such as periodic and delayed irrigation. Currently, users also have more rigid demands for irrigation equipment with integrated functions such as environmental protection, water saving (water flow control), and safety (equipment health monitoring).

[0003] Most of the flow meters and valve bodies on the market are used as two independent devices in combination, which is inconvenient to install and use. There are also a few that integrate the two devices into a single product, but they are basically combined in a large-size structure and measured and displayed in a mechanized scale form, which is not intuitive enough and difficult for customers to use. At the same time, they do not have local settings, controls, and digital displays. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present application provides an electronic irrigation valve to solve the problems that the existing flow meter and irrigation valve body are used as a combination of two independent devices, which is inconvenient to install and use, and the two devices are integrated into a single product form, which is not intuitive enough in the mechanized customer form of measurement and display.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the inventor provides an electronic irrigation valve, comprising:

[0006] Main control module;

[0007] A valve control module, wherein a control end of the valve control module is connected to the main control module;

[0008] A flow detection module, the flow detection module includes a first flow detection unit and a second flow detection unit, the first flow detection unit is arranged at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve, the second flow detection unit is arranged at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve, and the first flow detection unit and the second flow detection unit are connected to the main control module;

[0009] A display module, the display module is connected to the main control module;

[0010] A power module is connected to the main control module, the valve control module, the flow detection module and the display module.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first flow detection unit includes a first impeller and a first Hall effect sensor, a magnet is provided on the blades of the first impeller, and the first Hall effect sensor is connected to the main control module;

[0012] The second flow detection unit includes a second impeller and a second Hall effect sensor. The blades of the second impeller are provided with magnets. The second Hall effect sensor is connected to the main control module.

[0013] In some embodiments, the power module comprises:

[0014] Battery cells;

[0015] An LDO buck unit, wherein the input end of the LDO buck unit is connected to the battery unit, and the output end of the LDO buck unit is connected to the main control module, the flow detection module and the display module;

[0016] A DC-DC boost unit, wherein the input end of the DC-DC boost unit is connected to the battery unit, the voltage output end of the DC-DC boost unit is connected to the valve control module, and the enable end of the DC-DC boost unit is connected to the main control module.

[0017] In some embodiments, a battery voltage detection module is further included, wherein the input end of the battery voltage detection module is connected to the battery unit, and the battery voltage detection module is connected to the main control module.

[0018] In some embodiments, an input module is also included, and the input module is connected to the main control module.

[0019] In some embodiments, the input module includes a key unit, and the key unit is connected to the main control module.

[0020] In some embodiments, the input module includes a knob unit, and the knob unit is connected to the main control module.

[0021] In some embodiments, the valve control module includes a motor driving chip and a motor, the control end of the motor driving chip is connected to the main control module, and the driving end of the motor driving chip is connected to the motor.

[0022] Different from the prior art, the above technical solution provides working power to the main control module, valve control module, flow detection module and display module through the power module in the electronic irrigation valve. The main control module can realize the opening or closing of the valve through the valve control module. At the same time, the flow rate of the water inlet and the flow rate of the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve can be measured by the first flow detection unit set at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve and the second flow detection unit set at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve. The main control module displays the detected flow rate of the water inlet and the flow rate of the water outlet on the display module. As a digital product integrating the control valve function and the flow statistics function, the electronic irrigation valve is easy for users to install. At the same time, the display module intuitively displays quantitative data, so that users can intuitively know the current flow rate of the electronic irrigation valve.

[0023] The above-mentioned records related to the content of the utility model are only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to enable ordinary technicians in the field to more clearly understand the technical solution of the present application, and then implement it according to the text of the specification and the contents recorded in the drawings, and to make the above-mentioned purpose and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application easier to understand, the following is an explanation in combination with the specific implementation method and drawings of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings are only used to illustrate the principles, implementation methods, applications, characteristics and effects of the specific embodiments of the present application and other related contents, and shall not be considered as limitations of the present application.

[0025] In the drawings of the specification:

[0026] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of the electronic irrigation valve described in the specific implementation method;

[0027] Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of the electronic irrigation valve according to the specific implementation method;

[0028] Figure 3 A circuit schematic diagram of the main control module described in the specific implementation method;

[0029] Figure 4 A circuit schematic diagram of the flow detection module described in the specific implementation method;

[0030] Figure 5 It is a circuit schematic diagram of the LDO buck unit described in the specific implementation method;

[0031] Figure 6 It is a circuit schematic diagram of the DC-DC boost unit described in the specific implementation method;

[0032] Figure 7 A circuit diagram of the battery voltage detection module described in the specific implementation method;

[0033] Figure 8 A circuit schematic diagram of the key unit described in the specific implementation method;

[0034] Fig. 9 A circuit schematic diagram of the knob unit described in the specific implementation manner;

[0035] Fig.10 A circuit schematic diagram of the valve control module described in the specific implementation method;

[0036] Fig.11 A circuit schematic diagram of the display module described in the specific implementation manner.

[0037] The reference numerals in the above drawings are described as follows:

[0038] 110. Main control module,

[0039] 120. Valve control module,

[0040] 121. Motor driver chip,

[0041] 122. Motor,

[0042] 130. Flow detection module,

[0043] 131. The first Hall effect sensor,

[0044] 132. A second Hall effect sensor,

[0045] 140. Display module,

[0046] 150. Power module.

[0047] 151. Battery cell,

[0048] 152. LDO buck unit,

[0049] 153. DC-DC boost unit,

[0050] 161. Button unit,

[0051] 162. Knob unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In order to explain in detail the possible application scenarios, technical principles, specific schemes that can be implemented, and the purposes and effects that can be achieved, the following is a detailed description of the specific embodiments listed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and are therefore only used as examples, and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0053] Reference to "embodiment" herein means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The term "embodiment" appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it particularly limit its independence or association with other embodiments. In principle, in the present application, as long as there is no technical contradiction or conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way to form a corresponding implementable technical solution.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms used in this document have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs; the use of relevant terms in this document is only for describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit this application.

[0055] In the description of this application, the term "and / or" is an expression used to describe the logical relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B, which means: A exists, B exists, and A and B exist at the same time. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" logical relationship.

[0056] In the present application, terms such as “first” and “second” are merely used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship of quantity, priority or sequence between these entities or operations.

[0057] Without further limitations, in this application, the words "include", "comprises", "has" or other similar expressions used in the sentences are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. These expressions do not exclude the presence of additional elements in the process, method or product including the elements, so that the process, method or product including a series of elements may include not only those limited elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also include elements inherent to such process, method or product.

[0058] Similar to the understanding in the Examination Guidelines, in this application, expressions such as "greater than", "less than", "exceed" and the like are understood to exclude the number itself; expressions such as "above", "below", "within" and the like are understood to include the number itself. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means more than two (including two), and similar expressions related to "multiple" are also understood in this way, such as "multiple groups", "multiple times", etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically limited.

[0059] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, space-related expressions used, such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "vertical", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the specific embodiments or drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the specific embodiments of the present application or facilitating the reader's understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or component must have a specific position, a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0060] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms such as "install", "connect", "connect", "fix", "set", etc. used should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated setting; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For technicians in the technical field to which the present application belongs, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0061] See also Figure 1-2 This embodiment provides an electronic irrigation valve, including:

[0062] The main control module 110, such as Figure 3 As shown, the main control module 110 uses a microcontroller N8P081 (T431); N8P081 (T431) is a microcontroller with complete functions, stable performance, and low power consumption, suitable for various embedded systems and Internet of Things applications, such as home appliance control, smart home, sensor nodes, etc. In other embodiments, the main control module 110 may also use other types of single-chip microcomputers.

[0063] A valve control module 120, wherein a control end of the valve control module 120 is connected to the main control module 110;

[0064] A flow detection module 130, wherein the flow detection module 130 includes a first flow detection unit and a second flow detection unit, wherein the first flow detection unit is disposed at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve, and the second flow detection unit is disposed at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve, and the first flow detection unit and the second flow detection unit are connected to the main control module 110;

[0065] A display module 140, wherein the display module 140 is connected to the main control module 110;

[0066] The power module 150 is connected to the main control module 110 , the valve control module 120 , the flow detection module 130 and the display module 140 .

[0067] In the electronic irrigation valve, the power module 150 provides working power to the main control module 110, the valve control module 120, the flow detection module 130 and the display module 140. The main control module 110 can open or close the valve through the valve control module 120. At the same time, the flow rate of the water inlet and the flow rate of the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve can be measured by the first flow detection unit arranged at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve and the second flow detection unit arranged at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve. The main control module 110 displays the detected flow rate of the water inlet and the flow rate of the water outlet on the display module 140. As a digital product integrating the control valve function and the flow statistics function, the electronic irrigation valve is easy for users to install. At the same time, the display module 140 intuitively displays quantitative data, so that users can intuitively know the current flow rate of the electronic irrigation valve.

[0068] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first flow detection unit includes a first impeller and a first Hall effect sensor 131, wherein a magnet is disposed on the blades of the first impeller, and the first Hall effect sensor 131 is connected to the main control module 110;

[0069] The second flow detection unit includes a second impeller and a second Hall effect sensor 132 . A magnet is disposed on the blades of the second impeller. The second Hall effect sensor 132 is connected to the main control module 110 .

[0070] Two impellers are arranged in the pipeline of the electronic irrigation valve: a first impeller and a second impeller, wherein the first impeller is arranged at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve, and the second impeller is arranged at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve, and magnets are arranged on the first impeller and the second impeller, wherein the first impeller and the second impeller each have two magnets. When water flows in the pipeline of the electronic irrigation valve, the first impeller and the second impeller will rotate with the water flow, and the first Hall effect sensor 131 outputs pulse data by sensing the rotation signal of the magnet on the first impeller, and the second Hall effect sensor 132 outputs pulse data by sensing the rotation signal of the magnet on the second impeller. The main control module 110 calculates the water flow rate of the water inlet and outlet in the current pipeline and the flow rate within the time period by calculating the number of pulses and the period, and displays them on the display module 140. In other embodiments, other flow measurement methods may also be used, such as infrared measurement methods or ultrasonic measurement methods. Figure 4 As shown, the first Hall effect sensor 131 and the second Hall effect sensor both use magnetic sensors MS211X.

[0071] In some embodiments, the main control module 110 can display both the flow data of the water inlet and the flow data of the water outlet on the display module 140 , or can compare the flow data of the water inlet and the flow data of the water outlet and display the final flow data on the display module 140 .

[0072] In some embodiments, in order to solve the existing problem that the use of the valve body cannot be monitored, such as the long-term use of the valve body with impurities and scale, the wear of the diaphragm and the stem column leading to abnormalities that cannot be monitored and alarms, the valve body health monitoring function of the electronic irrigation valve is realized by setting a first flow detection unit at the water inlet and a second flow detection unit at the water outlet. The valve body health monitoring function is realized in the following way: in the production calibration stage, the main control module 110 calibrates the flow value of the fixed flow according to the standard flow tooling equipment, and saves the flow difference between the first flow detection unit and the second flow detection unit during the current calibration to the storage of the main control module 110. After mass production and shipment, when the user uses it, the main control module 110 detects the flow difference between the water inlet and the water outlet and compares it with the calibration value during production. When the flow difference exceeds 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%, etc., the valve body health is displayed according to the difference value.

[0073] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the power module 150 includes:

[0074] Battery unit 151;

[0075] The LDO buck unit 152, the input end of the LDO buck unit 152 is connected to the battery unit 151, and the output end of the LDO buck unit 152 is connected to the main control module 110, the flow detection module 130 and the display module 140; wherein the circuit schematic diagram of the LDO buck unit 152 is as follows Figure 5 As shown, the buck chip U5 in the LDO buck unit 152 uses the linear regulator chip SG1302A33M.

[0076] The DC-DC boost unit 153 has an input end connected to the battery unit 151, a voltage output end of the DC-DC boost unit 153 connected to the valve control module 120, and an enable end of the DC-DC boost unit 153 connected to the main control module 110. The circuit schematic diagram of the DC-DC boost unit 153 is shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the boost chip U4 in the DC-DC boost unit 153 uses the DC-DC power supply chip SGM6601.

[0077] By using a battery unit 151 as a power source, wherein the battery unit 151 uses two alkaline batteries as input, it is divided into two power supply modules, one of which is stepped down to 2.5V by an LDO step-down unit 152 to supply power to the main control module 110, the flow detection module 130 and the display module 140. The other is stepped up to 24V by a DC-DC step-up unit 153 to supply power to the valve body, and the enabling of the step-up module is controlled by the IO port of the main control module 110, wherein when the valve needs to be opened or closed, the main control module 110 enables the DC-DC step-up module to start stepping up, and when the ADC pin of the main control module 110 confirms through detection that the voltage output by the DC-DC step-up module reaches the target value of 24V, the valve control module 120 is controlled to open or close the valve. In other embodiments, the power supply module 150 can also use a solar cell as input or be connected to the mains power for step-down and voltage stabilization as a power input.

[0078] like Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, a battery voltage detection module is further included, the input end of the battery voltage detection module is connected to the battery unit 151, and the battery voltage detection module is connected to the main control module 110.

[0079] When the battery cell 151 is used as the power input, the main control module 110 can display the power level of the battery cell 151 on the display module 140 by using the battery voltage detection module to detect the voltage of the battery cell 151, and can give a reminder on the display module 140 when the power is low.

[0080] In some embodiments, an input module is further included, and the input module is connected to the main control module 110. The user can set the relevant parameters of the electronic irrigation valve through the input module, such as time, irrigation duration, irrigation cycle and flow limit value. Figure 8 As shown, the input module includes a key unit 161, and the key unit 161 is connected to the main control module 110. The key module uses an independent key to directly connect to the main control module 110, and the main control module 110 uses an interrupt method to detect whether the key is effective to respond to the user. Fig. 9 As shown, the input module also includes a knob unit 162, and the knob unit 162 is connected to the main control module 110. The knob unit 162 is connected to the main control module 110 by means of a PCB pad, and the main control module 110 detects the level to determine the knob position to respond to the user's corresponding operation. Among them, the key module can be used to configure the irrigation cycle and irrigation duration of the electronic irrigation valve, and the knob module can be used to configure the flow limit value of the electronic irrigation valve.

[0081] like Fig.10As shown, in some embodiments, the valve control module 120 includes a motor drive chip 121 and a motor 122, the control end of the motor drive chip 121 is connected to the main control module 110, and the drive end of the motor drive chip 121 is connected to the motor 122. Fig.10 In the embodiment, U8 is the motor driver chip 121, and the motor driver chip RZ7899 is used. In other embodiments, the motor driver chip 121 may also be other types of chips, such as SS6285M.

[0082] The electronic irrigation valve uses a motor 122 to open or close the valve, and the valve control module 120 includes a motor driver chip 121 and the motor 122. The main control module 110 controls the forward or reverse rotation of the motor 122 through the motor driver chip 121 to control the opening or closing of the valve. In other embodiments, the electronic irrigation valve may also use a solenoid valve to open or close the valve, and the corresponding valve control module 120 uses a solenoid valve control circuit.

[0083] See also Fig.11 In some embodiments, the display module 140 is an LCD display screen, and the display module 140 uses a low-power segment code LCD display screen to display valve setting parameters, time, irrigation duration, irrigation cycle, flow data, flow limit value, valve fault indication and other parameters. In other embodiments, the display screen can also use a digital tube display screen, an LED display screen or an OLED display screen.

[0084] The electronic irrigation valve has the following advantages:

[0085] Advantage 1: The integrated irrigation valve equipment with impeller and pulse valve: (1) The size specifications are suitable for user installation, setting, control and other operations, and (2) It has a high-definition screen digital display that can intuitively display quantitative data.

[0086] Advantage 2: It is a digital product with integrated flow statistics function and valve control function.

[0087] Advantage 3: It adopts dual impeller mode and has valve body health monitoring function.

[0088] Finally, it should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described in the specification and drawings of this application, this does not limit the scope of patent protection of this application. All technical solutions generated by replacing or modifying equivalent structures or equivalent processes based on the essential concept of this application using the contents recorded in the specification and drawings of this application, as well as directly or indirectly implementing the technical solutions of the above embodiments in other related technical fields, are included in the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. An electronic irrigation valve, characterized in that: include: Main control module; A valve control module, wherein a control end of the valve control module is connected to the main control module; A flow detection module, the flow detection module includes a first flow detection unit and a second flow detection unit, the first flow detection unit is arranged at the water inlet of the electronic irrigation valve, the second flow detection unit is arranged at the water outlet of the electronic irrigation valve, and the first flow detection unit and the second flow detection unit are connected to the main control module; A display module, the display module is connected to the main control module; A power module is connected to the main control module, the valve control module, the flow detection module and the display module.

2. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first flow detection unit includes a first impeller and a first Hall effect sensor, wherein a magnet is disposed on the blades of the first impeller, and the first Hall effect sensor is connected to the main control module; The second flow detection unit includes a second impeller and a second Hall effect sensor. The blades of the second impeller are provided with magnets. The second Hall effect sensor is connected to the main control module.

3. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power module comprises: Battery cells; An LDO buck unit, wherein the input end of the LDO buck unit is connected to the battery unit, and the output end of the LDO buck unit is connected to the main control module, the flow detection module and the display module; A DC-DC boost unit, wherein the input end of the DC-DC boost unit is connected to the battery unit, the voltage output end of the DC-DC boost unit is connected to the valve control module, and the enable end of the DC-DC boost unit is connected to the main control module.

4. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a battery voltage detection module, the input end of which is connected to the battery unit, and the battery voltage detection module is connected to the main control module.

5. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an input module, which is connected to the main control module.

6. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: The input module includes a key unit, and the key unit is connected to the main control module.

7. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: The input module includes a knob unit, and the knob unit is connected to the main control module.

8. The electronic irrigation valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve control module includes a motor drive chip and a motor. The control end of the motor drive chip is connected to the main control module, and the drive end of the motor drive chip is connected to the motor.

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