Floater assembly and liquid level sensor
By setting through holes in the float assembly to achieve internal and external air pressure balance, the seal failure problem caused by thermal expansion and contraction is solved, and the reliability of the liquid level sensor is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422176854.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-05
AI Technical Summary
In an environment with large temperature changes, the air in the hollow structure of the float assembly fails due to thermal expansion and contraction, which affects the normal use of the liquid level sensor.
A float assembly is designed, wherein the float is sealedly connected by the upper cover and the bottom shell to form a hollow cavity, and a through hole is provided in at least one of the upper cover and the bottom shell to achieve internal and external air pressure balance and avoid seal failure caused by thermal expansion and contraction.
The air pressure balance inside and outside the float is achieved through the through hole, avoiding seal failure caused by thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring the reliability of the float assembly and the normal use of the liquid level sensor.
Smart Images
Figure CN222993813U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of liquid level sensors, in particular to a float assembly and a liquid level sensor. Background Art
[0002] The liquid level sensor realizes the detection of the liquid level height by detecting the height of the float assembly floating on the liquid surface. Among them, there are many types of floats. The common float is usually formed by fixing the upper and lower parts by welding or other means to form a hollow structure, so that the float can float on the liquid surface.
[0003] However, when the float is used in an environment with large temperature changes, the air in its hollow structure is easily sealed and failed at the welding position of the float due to thermal expansion and contraction, resulting in the float being unusable. Summary of the Utility Model
[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a float assembly and a liquid level sensor, which can avoid the sealing failure of the float, ensure the normal use of the liquid level sensor, and improve the reliability.
[0005] To achieve the above object, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:
[0006] A float assembly, comprising:
[0007] A float, the float includes an upper cover and a bottom shell, the upper cover and the bottom shell are sealed and connected to form a cavity inside the float, and at least one of the upper cover and the bottom shell is provided with a through hole.
[0008] As an alternative of the above float assembly, the upper cover includes a cover main body part and a cover connection part, the bottom shell includes a bottom main body part and a bottom connection part, the cover connection part and the bottom connection part are connected to form a connection area, the cover main body part is located above the bottom main body part, and the through hole is arranged on the bottom main body part.
[0009] As an alternative of the above float assembly, the cover main body part is located above the connection area, and the bottom main body part is located below the connection area.
[0010] As an alternative of the above float assembly, the cross-sectional area of the bottom main body part in the horizontal direction gradually decreases along the direction from top to bottom.
[0011] As an alternative of the above float assembly, the through hole is located at the lowest point of the bottom main body part.
[0012] As an alternative of the above float assembly, the cover connection part is located outside the connection area, and the bottom connection part is located inside the connection area.
[0013] As an alternative to the above-mentioned float assembly, the cross-sectional area of the bottom main body gradually increases in the downward direction in the horizontal direction.
[0014] As an alternative to the above-mentioned float assembly, the cross-sectional area of the bottom main body gradually decreases in the downward direction in the horizontal direction, and the through hole is located at the lowest point of the bottom main body.
[0015] As an alternative to the above-mentioned float assembly, the through hole is located above the lowest point of the connection area; or
[0016] The through hole is located below the lowest point of the connection area.
[0017] . A liquid level sensor, which includes the above-mentioned float assembly and a signal processor, and the signal processor is communicatively connected to the float assembly.
[0018] Advantages of the present utility model:
[0019] The present utility model provides a float assembly and a liquid level sensor. In this float assembly, the float is formed by sealingly connecting an upper cover and a bottom shell to form a hollow cavity, so as to ensure that the float can float on the liquid surface to detect the height of the liquid level. Since at least one of the upper cover and the bottom shell is provided with a through hole, the air pressure inside and outside the float is balanced, avoiding the sealing failure of the welding position of the float due to the thermal expansion and contraction of the gas inside the float. Moreover, even if liquid enters the inside of the float through the through hole, when the liquid level inside the float reaches the position of the through hole, liquid sealing can be achieved, and the liquid outside the float will no longer enter the inside of the float, ensuring that the float can float on the liquid surface.
[0020] This float assembly can avoid the sealing failure of the float and improve the reliability. Description of the drawings
[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the float assembly provided by Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the float provided by Embodiment 1 of the present utility model Figure 1 ;
[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the float provided by Embodiment 1 of the present utility model Figure 2 ;
[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the float provided by Embodiment 2 of the present utility model Figure 1 ;
[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the float provided by Embodiment 2 of the present utility model Figure 2 .
[0026] In the figure:
[0027] 1. Float; 2. Slide bar;
[0028] 11. Upper cover; 12. Bottom shell; 13. Connection area; 14. Cavity;
[0029] 111. Cover connection part; 112. Cover main body part; 121. Through hole; 122. Bottom main body part; 123. Bottom connection part. Detailed implementation manners
[0030] The embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present utility model, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.
[0031] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions.
[0032] Unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.
[0033] Unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first feature and the second feature being in direct contact, or may include the first feature and the second feature not being in direct contact but being in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.
[0034] The technical solution of the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and through specific embodiments.
[0035] Embodiment 1
[0036] This embodiment provides a liquid level sensor, as Figure 1 shown. The liquid level sensor includes a float assembly and a signal processor, and the signal processor is communicatively connected to the float assembly. The float assembly is disposed above the liquid surface. The float assembly includes a float 1. When the liquid surface rises and contacts the float 1, the float 1 will rise with the rise of the liquid surface under the action of buoyancy. The signal processor can obtain the position signal of the float 1, thereby detecting the height of the liquid surface.
[0037] In this embodiment, the float assembly includes a float 1 and a slide rod 2, and the float 1 is slidably disposed on the slide rod 2. The slide rod 2 can provide a guiding and limiting function for the movement of the float 1, ensuring that the float 1 can only rise and fall under the buoyancy of the liquid, and will not flip, thereby ensuring the reliability of the data of the measured liquid surface height.
[0038] The common float 1 is usually formed by fixing the upper and lower parts by welding or other means to form a hollow structure, so that the float 1 can float on the liquid surface. However, when the float 1 is used in an environment with a large temperature change, the air in its hollow structure is easily caused to seal failure at the welding position of the float 1 due to thermal expansion and contraction, resulting in the float 1 being unusable.
[0039] To solve the above problems, as Figures 2 to 5 shown, the float 1 includes an upper cover 11 and a bottom shell 12, and the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12 are hermetically connected to form a cavity 14 inside the float 1, and at least one of the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12 is provided with a through hole 121.
[0040] In this float assembly, the float 1 is formed by hermetically connecting an upper cover 11 and a bottom shell 12 to form a hollow cavity 14, so as to ensure that the float 1 can float on the liquid surface to detect the liquid level height. Since at least one of the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12 is provided with a through hole 121, the air pressure inside and outside the float 1 is balanced, avoiding the sealing failure of the sealing position of the float 1 due to the thermal expansion and contraction of the gas inside the float 1. Moreover, even if liquid enters the inside of the float 1 through the through hole 121, when the liquid level height inside the float 1 reaches the position of the through hole 121, liquid sealing can be achieved, and the liquid outside the float 1 will no longer enter the inside of the float 1, ensuring that the float 1 can float on the liquid surface.
[0041] It can be understood that if local sealing failure occurs in the connection area 13 resulting in liquid leakage, the liquid outside the float 1 will enter the cavity 14 inside the float 1 through the failure position. As more and more liquid enters the cavity 14, when the liquid level in the cavity 14 rises to the failure position, due to the gas pressure, the external liquid will no longer enter the float 1.
[0042] In order to ensure that the float 1 can still float on the liquid surface when the sealing fails, the buoyancy generated by the part of the float 1 above the connection area 13 can make the float 1 float, and the through hole 121 is provided in the bottom shell 12. Since the buoyancy received by an object is equal to the gravity of the liquid displaced by the object in the liquid, when the buoyancy generated by the part of the float 1 above the connection area 13 can make the float 1 float on the liquid surface, even if liquid enters the cavity 14 inside the float 1 due to the sealing failure of the connection area 13, the liquid level height inside the float 1 will at most rise to the failure position of the connection area 13. At this time, the buoyancy generated by the part of the float 1 below the failure position can also offset the gravity of the liquid entering the float 1, thus ensuring that the float 1 can still float on the liquid surface.
[0043] That is to say, by adjusting the height of the connection area 13 between the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12, so that the buoyancy generated by the part of the float 1 above the connection area 13 can make the float 1 float on the liquid surface of the liquid, it can be ensured that the float 1 can still float on the liquid surface when the sealing fails, ensuring the normal use of the liquid level sensor and improving the reliability.
[0044] In this embodiment, the thicknesses of both the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12 are relatively thin. Therefore, the thicknesses of the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12 have little influence on the volume difference between the volume of the float 1 and the volume of the cavity 14, and it can be approximately considered that the volume of the float 1 is equal to the volume of the cavity 14.
[0045] Specifically, the volume of the part of the cavity 14 above the connection area 13 is V1, the volume of the remaining part of the cavity 14 is V2, the density of the liquid is ρ, and the gravity of the float 1 is G.
[0046] Since the liquid entering the cavity 14 and the liquid outside the float 1 are the same liquid, their densities are equal. When the volume of the liquid entering the cavity 14 is equal to V2, the liquid outside the float 1 can no longer enter the cavity 14. Therefore, the maximum buoyant force that the float 1 can receive in the liquid at this time is ρgV1 + ρgV2. It only needs to ensure that ρgV1 + ρgV2 > G + ρgV2, that is, ρgV1 > G, which means that "the buoyant force generated by the part of the float 1 above the connection area 13 can make the float 1 float". If the volume of the liquid entering the float 1 is less than V2, the float 1 can still float on the liquid surface. It should be noted that the lower the position of the connection area 13 on the float 1, the more it can ensure that even if the seal of the connection area 13 fails, the float 1 can still float.
[0047] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the upper cover 11 includes a cover main body portion 112 and a cover connection portion 111, and the bottom shell 12 includes a bottom main body portion 122 and a bottom connection portion 123. The cover connection portion 111 and the bottom connection portion 123 are connected to form a connection area 13. The cover main body portion 112 is located above the bottom main body portion 122, and the through hole 121 is provided in the bottom main body portion 122. This structure enables a cavity 14 to be formed inside the float 1. Since the through hole 121 is located in the bottom main body portion 122, the through hole 121 of the float 1 can be liquid-sealed by the liquid in the liquid, ensuring that the float 1 floats.
[0048] Furthermore, the cover main body portion 112 is located above the connection area 13, and the bottom connection portion 123 is located below the connection area 13. That is to say, the connection area 13 is located on the side wall of the float 1, and the connection area 13 extends along the circumference of the float 1 and is connected end to end to form a ring. This structure makes the position of the connection area 13 relatively high. When the float 1 floats on the liquid surface, the connection area 13 can be above the liquid surface. The connection area 13 is not easily corroded by the liquid and is not easily impacted by other substances in the liquid, reducing the possibility of seal failure of the connection area 13 and improving the service life of the float 1.
[0049] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the cross-sectional area of the bottom main body portion 122 in the horizontal direction gradually decreases in the direction from top to bottom. It can be understood that the buoyant force that an object receives in the liquid is actually caused by the pressure difference between the upper and lower sides. That is to say, the force exerted by the liquid on the bottom surface of the float 1 is the main source of the buoyant force, and the structure of the bottom main body portion 122 can make the force exerted by the liquid on the bottom shell 12 all incline inward in the direction from bottom to top, which is beneficial to the float 1 to maintain stability in the liquid.
[0050] It should be noted that the above-mentioned "cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction" refers to the cross-sectional area of the float 1 relative to the horizontal direction when the float 1 floats stably in the liquid. That is to say, the horizontal direction is equivalent to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the float 1. Since the float 1 will shake when floating in the liquid, this cross-section will also change with the axis of the float 1. This is hereby pointed out.
[0051] Furthermore, the through-hole 121 is provided in the bottom main body 122, and this structure also facilitates the liquid in the cavity 14 to be discharged from the cavity 14 through the through-hole 121.
[0052] Specifically, the shape of the bottom main body 122 is arc-shaped or conical. As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the bottom main body 122 is conical, which is beneficial to the outflow of the liquid inside the cavity 14; as Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, the bottom main body 122 is arc-shaped, so that the acting force of the liquid on the bottom shell 12 is evenly distributed and evenly changed.
[0053] It can be understood that when the liquid enters the cavity 14 through the through-hole 121, the weight of the float 1 will be increased, thereby increasing the load of the slide rod 2. To solve the above problem, the through-hole 121 is located at the lowest point of the bottom main body 122. When the float 1 is separated from the liquid, the liquid in the cavity 14 can be discharged through the through-hole 121 at the lowest point of the bottom main body 122. Moreover, if the connection area 13 does not have a sealing failure, when the float 1 contacts the liquid, the liquid will seal the cavity 14 at the through-hole 121, and at this time, the liquid outside the float 1 will not enter the cavity 14, ensuring the reliability of the float 1.
[0054] Embodiment 2
[0055] This embodiment improves the structure of the bottom shell 12 on the basis of Embodiment 1.
[0056] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the cover connection part 111 is located outside the connection area 13, and the bottom connection part 123 is located inside the connection area 13. That is to say, the connection area 13 is located at the bottom end of the float 1. In this structure, even if the connection area 13 has a sealing failure, since the connection area 13 is located at the bottom end of the upper cover 11, the upper cover 11 is equivalent to being liquid-sealed. Therefore, when the liquid level is higher than the through-hole 121, the liquid outside the float 1 will not enter the inside of the float 1, ensuring that the float 1 can float on the liquid surface.
[0057] Specifically, the bottom connection part 123 is arranged on the outer periphery of the bottom main body part 122, and the bottom connection part 123 is arranged inside the cover connection part 111 and is sealed and connected with the inner wall of the cover connection part 111 to form the connection area 13. The connection between the bottom connection part 123 and the cover connection part 111 increases the connection area between the upper cover 11 and the bottom shell 12, improves the sealing performance, and thus reduces the possibility of leakage due to sealing failure of the float 1.
[0058] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the bottom body 122 in the horizontal direction gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the through hole 121 is located at the lowest point of the bottom body 122. The shape of the bottom body 122 is convex downward. If the connection area 13 has no sealing failure, when the float 1 contacts the liquid, the liquid will close the cavity 14 at the through hole 121. At this time, the liquid outside the float 1 will not enter the cavity 14, ensuring the reliability of the float 1. At the same time, it is also convenient for the water entering the float 1 to be discharged through the through hole 121.
[0059] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the through hole 121 is located above the lowest point of the connection area 13. With this structure, even if the sealing of the connection area 13 fails, the liquid outside the float 1 can enter between the bottom connection part 123 and the upper cover 11 from the failed position, but when the liquid level reaches the through hole 121, the cavity 14 inside the float 1 forms a sealed space, and at this time, the liquid outside the float 1 can neither enter the cavity 14 through the through hole 121 nor enter the cavity 14 through the failed position of the connection area 13, so that the inside of the float 1 always remains hollow, and the float 1 can float on the liquid surface.
[0060] In some embodiments, the through hole 121 is located below the lowest point of the connection area 13. In this structure, the through hole 121 is the lowest point of the float 1, which can ensure that when the float 1 is out of the liquid surface, all the liquid inside the float 1 will be discharged through the through hole 121, and when the float 1 floats on the liquid surface, the through hole 121 must be located below the liquid surface, so even if the sealing of the connection area 13 fails, the liquid cannot enter between the bottom connection part 123 and the cover connection part 111 through the failure position, preventing further corrosion of the connection area 13 and avoiding the expansion of the scope of the sealing failure of the float 1.
[0061] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the bottom main body 122 in the horizontal direction gradually increases in the direction from top to bottom (not shown in the figure). That is to say, the shape of the bottom main body 122 is upwardly convex, and the bottom connecting portion 123 and the bottom main body 122 enclose a groove with an opening downward. During the process of the float 1 gradually entering the liquid, the liquid will enter the groove. When the liquid level in the groove reaches the position of the through hole, the liquid level in the groove will no longer rise, thereby enclosing a part of the gas in the groove, increasing the buoyancy force received by the float 1, and further improving the possibility of the float 1 floating.
[0062] The above content is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. The content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.
Claims
1. A float assembly, characterized in that: include: A float (1), the float (1) comprising an upper cover (11) and a bottom shell (12), the upper cover (11) and the bottom shell (12) being sealed to form a cavity (14) inside the float (1), and at least one of the upper cover (11) and the bottom shell (12) being provided with a through hole (121).
2. The float assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper cover (11) includes a cover body portion (112) and a cover connecting portion (111); the bottom shell (12) includes a bottom body portion (122) and a bottom connecting portion (123); the cover connecting portion (111) and the bottom connecting portion (123) are connected to form a connecting area (13); the cover body portion (112) is located above the bottom body portion (122); and the through hole (121) is provided in the bottom body portion (122).
3. The float assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cover body portion (112) is located above the connection area (13), and the bottom body portion (122) is located below the connection area (13).
4. The float assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of the bottom main body portion (122) in the horizontal direction gradually decreases from top to bottom.
5. The float assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The through hole (121) is located at the lowest point of the bottom body portion (122).
6. The float assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cover connection portion (111) is located outside the connection area (13), and the bottom connection portion (123) is located inside the connection area (13).
7. The float assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The cross-sectional area of the bottom main body portion (122) in the horizontal direction gradually decreases from top to bottom.
8. The float assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of the bottom main body (122) in the horizontal direction gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the through hole (121) is located at the lowest point of the bottom main body (122).
9. The float assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that The through hole (121) is located above the lowest point of the connection area (13); or The through hole (121) is located below the lowest point of the connection area (13).
10. A liquid level sensor, characterized in that: The liquid level sensor comprises the float assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a signal processor, wherein the signal processor is communicatively connected with the float assembly.