Kettle

Abstract

The utility model provides a kettle which comprises a shell, an inner container, a water outlet pipe, a water level detection module and a controller. The water level detection module comprises an induction sheet; the inner container and the water outlet pipe are arranged in the shell; one end of the water outlet pipe is communicated with the liner, and the other end of the water outlet pipe is connected with the water outlet; the induction pieces are arranged on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe at intervals and used for detecting induction capacitance signals in real time so that the controller can determine the water level in the kettle according to the induction capacitance signals detected by the induction pieces. According to the kettle, the sensing piece is arranged on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe, the water level in the kettle is determined by sensing the height of the water level in the water outlet pipe, compared with a water level detection mode in the related technology, the structure is simple, installation is convenient, the sensing piece is located on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe and is not prone to being affected by water quality, and the water level detection mode is simpler and more convenient; and no limitation exists.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of household appliances, and particularly to a kettle. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, electric kettles are widely used in families and public places. In order to ensure avoiding dry burning and overflow during the process of heating water, it is necessary to detect the water level in real time. Existing water level detection methods include float type, electrode type, ultrasonic type, etc. However, these methods have some limitations, such as complex structure, inconvenient installation, susceptible to water quality, weak continuous measurement ability, poor reliability, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a kettle to solve the problem that the existing water level detection methods for hot water kettles have limitations.

[0004] Based on the above problems, in a first aspect, a kettle for water level is provided, including: a housing, an inner container, a water outlet pipe, a water level detection module, and a controller; the water level detection module includes an induction sheet.

[0005] The inner container and the water outlet pipe are arranged inside the housing; one end of the water outlet pipe is communicated with the inner container, and the other end of the water outlet pipe is connected to a water outlet.

[0006] The induction sheet is arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe, and is used for detecting the induction capacitance signal in real time, so that the controller determines the water level in the kettle according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet.

[0007] Combined with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the water level detection module further includes a signal processing module; the induction sheet is respectively connected to the signal processing module; the signal processing module is connected to the controller; the induction sheet is further used for transmitting the detection result to the signal processing module after detecting the induction capacitance signal; the signal processing module is used for performing analog-to-digital conversion processing on the received detection result and sending the processed signal to the controller, so that the controller determines the water level in the kettle according to the received signal.

[0008] Combined with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the signal processing module includes: a touch control chip; the touch control chip is connected to the corresponding induction sheet through a signal receiving pin for receiving the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet; and the touch control chip is connected to the controller through a communication pin for performing analog-to-digital conversion processing on the received induction capacitance signal and sending the processed signal to the controller.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the induction sheets are longitudinally arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe; the number of induction sheets is at least two; for the induction sheet located at the bottom, the lower end is flush with the bottom of the inner container; and / or for the induction sheet located at the top, the upper end is flush with the highest water level line of the inner container.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, it further includes a display module; the display module is located on the outer wall of the housing and is connected to the controller; the controller is configured to determine the display mode of the display module according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet, and control the display module to display the corresponding water level.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the display module includes light-emitting devices corresponding to the induction sheets respectively; the arrangement order of the light-emitting devices is the same as the arrangement order of the corresponding induction sheets on the water outlet pipe; each light-emitting device is connected to the corresponding pin of the controller; the controller is configured to determine the first induction sheet whose capacitance has changed according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet, and control the light-emitting device corresponding to the first induction sheet to emit light.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode (LED, Light-Emitting Diode).

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, it further includes a heating plate; the heating plate is located at the bottom of the inner container and is used to heat the water in the inner container; and / or when the controller detects that the water level in the kettle reaches the lowest water level, it receives a control signal to stop heating.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, it further includes a water pump; the water pump is located between the components connecting the water outlet pipe and the inner container, and is configured to pump the water in the inner container into the water outlet pipe and complete water outlet through the water outlet when receiving a water outlet request.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the water outlet pipe is made of a non-metallic material; and / or the water outlet pipe is U-shaped.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure include:

[0017] A kettle provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing, an inner container, a water outlet pipe, a water level detection module, and a controller; the water level detection module includes an induction sheet; the inner container and the water outlet pipe are arranged inside the housing; one end of the water outlet pipe is communicated with the inner container, and the other end of the water outlet pipe is connected to a water outlet; the induction sheet is arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe for real-time detection of an induction capacitance signal, so that the controller determines the water level in the kettle according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet. The kettle provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure determines the water level in the kettle by arranging the induction sheet on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe and sensing the height of the water level in the water outlet pipe. Compared with the water level detection method in the related art, the structure is simple, the installation is convenient, the induction sheet is located on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe and is not easily affected by the water quality, the water level detection method is simpler and more convenient, and there is no limitation. Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figures 1a to 1b is a schematic structural diagram of the kettle provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the structures of the water level detection module, the controller and the display module provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 is a working flow chart for detecting the water level provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic circuit connection diagram of the induction sheet and the signal processing module provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic circuit connection diagram of the controller and the display module provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiment

[0023] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a kettle. The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the present disclosure, and are not used to limit the present disclosure. And without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0024] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a kettle. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes: a housing 1, a water outlet pipe 2, an inner container 3, an induction sheet 41, a signal processing module 42, and a controller 5;

[0025] The inner container 3 and the water outlet pipe 2 are arranged inside the housing 1; one end of the water outlet pipe 2 is communicated with the inner container 3, and the other end of the water outlet pipe 2 is connected to a water outlet 9;

[0026] The induction sheet 41 is arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe 2 and is used for detecting the induction capacitance signal in real time, so that the controller 5 can determine the water level in the kettle according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet 41.

[0027] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a water level detection module 4 (including 41 and 42) is arranged in the kettle housing 1 to detect the water level in the kettle. Since one end of the water outlet pipe 2 is communicated with the bottom of the inner container 3, the water level in the water outlet pipe 2 is the same as the water level in the inner container. Therefore, the water level in the inner container can be detected by detecting the water level in the water outlet pipe 2. During implementation, the induction sheet 41 can be arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe 2. When the water in the water outlet pipe 2 covers the area where the induction sheet 41 is located, the induction capacitance sensed by the induction sheet 41 changes. The water level in the water outlet pipe 2 can be determined according to the position of the induction sheet 41 where the induction capacitance change is sensed, so as to determine the water level in the kettle. Compared with the water level detection method in the related art, the structure is simple, the installation is convenient, the induction sheet 41 is located on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe 2 and is not easily affected by the water quality, the water level detection method is simpler and more convenient, and there is no limitation.

[0028] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the induction sheet 41 is respectively connected to the signal processing module 42; the signal processing module 42 is connected to the controller 5;

[0029] The induction sheet 41 is further configured to transmit the detection result to the signal processing module 42 after detecting the induction capacitance signal;

[0030] The signal processing module 42 is configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion processing on the received detection result and send the processed signal to the controller 5, so that the controller 5 can determine the water level in the kettle according to the received signal.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal processing module 42 respectively connected to the induction sheet 41 is further included to receive the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet 41. The induction capacitance signal is usually an analog signal (for example: voltage value). In the case where the controller 5 processes digital signals, the signal processing module 42 needs to convert the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet 41 into a digital signal and then transmit it to the controller 5.

[0032] In addition, only the connection relationship between the signal processing module 42 and the controller 5 is shown in FIG. 1, and the positions of the signal processing module 42 and the controller 5 in the kettle are not limited.

[0033] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, as Figure 2 shown, the signal processing module 42 includes: a touch chip;

[0034] The touch chip is connected to the corresponding induction sheet 41 through a signal receiving pin and is used for receiving the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet 41; and

[0035] The touch chip is connected to the controller 5 through communication pins, and is used to perform analog-to-digital conversion processing on the received inductive capacitance signal, and send the processed signal to the controller 5.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal processing module 42 can be implemented by a touch chip. The touch chip is a processing unit that can receive signals, process signals, and send signals, and can be a control module that executes preset instructions. The touch chip is respectively connected to the controller 5 and the sensing sheet 41. Each sensing sheet 41 is provided with corresponding pins on the touch chip, and the sensing sheet 41 is respectively connected to the touch chip through the corresponding pins to receive the inductive capacitance signal detected by the sensing sheet 41. The touch chip also has communication pins for connecting to the controller 5, so as to communicate with the controller 5. The touch chip judges the water level height by detecting the change of the capacitance signal. If the change of the detected capacitance signal exceeds the set threshold, it is considered that the water level reaches the corresponding height, and the communication pin of the touch chip will output a voltage signal, and this voltage signal is input to the controller 5.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a connection structure block diagram of a water level detection module, a controller and a display module shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, including: a water level detection module 4, a sensing sheet 41, a signal processing module 42, a controller 5, a microprocessor 51, and a display module 8. As Figure 2 shown, the signal processing module 42 is also connected to an external circuit, and the external circuit is a circuit necessary to maintain the normal operation of the touch chip, such as: resistors, capacitors, power supplies, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0038] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, the sensing sheets 42 are longitudinally arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe 2; the number of the sensing sheets 41 is at least two;

[0039] The lowermost sensing sheet 41 has its lower end flush with the bottom of the inner tank 3; and / or

[0040] The uppermost sensing sheet 41 has its upper end flush with the highest water level line of the inner tank 3.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the height of the water level is characterized by the height of the position of the induction sheet 41. Therefore, the induction sheet 41 needs to be longitudinally arranged on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe 2. The number of induction sheets 41 can be selected according to the number of input interfaces of the touch control chip. A larger number of induction sheets can provide higher measurement accuracy. However, the number of induction sheets 41 is at least two. For the induction sheet at the bottom, the lower end can be flush with the bottom of the inner container; for the induction sheet at the top, the upper end can be flush with the highest water level line of the inner container. The states of the inner container being empty and full of water are detected by these two induction sheets 41 respectively. The distance between the induction sheets 41 can be kept consistent, and the wiring lengths of the connection lines between different induction sheets 41 and the input interfaces of the touch control chip can be kept as consistent as possible.

[0042] In FIG. 1, taking the use of 4 induction sheets 41 as an example, the material of the induction sheet 41 should be a material with good electrical conductivity. For example: copper foil. When the water in the water outlet pipe approaches the copper foil, the capacitance of the water will form a capacitive coupling system with the copper foil; when the water level changes, the capacitance signal of the capacitive coupling system will change accordingly.

[0043] The capacitance signal where ε is the relative permittivity, which is the product of the permittivity of the induction sheet coating layer and the permittivity of the water outlet pipe wall in this solution. s is the area of the induction sheet electrode facing the water, and d is the distance between the induction sheet electrode and the water. In this solution, d is the sum of the area of the induction sheet coating layer and the thickness of the water outlet pipe wall. That is, the higher the water level, the larger the capacitance signal C.

[0044] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned kettle further includes: a display module 8;

[0045] The display module 8 is located on the outer wall of the housing 1 and is connected to the controller 5;

[0046] The controller 5 is configured to determine the display mode of the display module 8 according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet 41 and control the display module 8 to display the corresponding water level.

[0047] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, after the controller 6 determines the water level detection result, it can control an alarm when the water level is too low, or display the water level situation in real time, that is, control the display module 8 to display the water level situation in real time. There can be various display modes provided by the display module 8. For example: display by a number representing the percentage of the remaining water volume, etc. This is not limited here.

[0048] In FIG. 1, the position of the display module 8 is set on the back of the kettle. This is only for illustration and can be set at any position of the kettle according to needs.

[0049] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the display module 8 includes light-emitting devices corresponding to the induction sheets 41 respectively; the arrangement order of the light-emitting devices is the same as the arrangement order of the corresponding induction sheets 41 on the water outlet pipe 2; each light-emitting device is connected to a corresponding pin of the controller 5;

[0050] The controller 5 is configured to determine a first induction sheet where a capacitance change is sensed according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet 41, and control the light-emitting device corresponding to the first induction sheet to emit light.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to make the real-time display of the water level more intuitive, light-emitting devices corresponding to each induction sheet 41 can be provided, and the arrangement order of the light-emitting devices is the same as the arrangement order of the corresponding induction sheets 41 on the water outlet pipe 2. Taking the number of induction sheets 41 as 4 as an example, assuming that the arrangement order of the induction sheets 41 on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe 2 from bottom to top is 1 to 4, then the arrangement order of the corresponding 4 light-emitting devices in the display module 8 is also from bottom to top as 1 to 4. In this way, assuming that the 1st induction sheet 41 at the bottom senses water and the 2nd to 4th induction sheets 41 do not sense water, only the bottom 1st light-emitting device is lit, so that the user can intuitively feel the current water level situation, improving the user experience.

[0052] As Figure 2 shown, the controller 5 can be a combination of a microprocessor 51 with signal processing capabilities and an external circuit. The microprocessor 51 can be a processing unit with the functions of receiving signals, processing signals, and sending signals, and can have a control module for executing preset instructions. The microprocessor 51 is respectively connected to the display module 8 and the water level detection module 4. Figure 2 Still taking the number of induction sheets 41 as 4 as an example, the microprocessor 51 is connected to the corresponding four light-emitting devices of the display module 8 through four pins.

[0053] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, the light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode LED.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the display module 8 includes light-emitting devices, which can be light-emitting diodes LED or liquid crystal displays, and there is no limitation here.

[0055] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, the above-mentioned kettle further includes a heating plate 6;

[0056] The heating plate 6 is located at the bottom of the inner container 3 and is used to heat the water in the inner container 3; and / or when the controller 5 detects that the water level in the kettle reaches the lowest water level, it receives a control signal to stop heating.

[0057] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, the above-mentioned kettle further includes a water pump 7;

[0058] The water pump 7 is located between the components connecting the water outlet pipe 2 and the inner tank 3, and is used to pump the water in the inner tank 3 into the water outlet pipe 2 and complete the water outlet through the water outlet 9 when receiving a water outlet request.

[0059] In another embodiment provided by the present disclosure, the water outlet pipe 2 is made of a non-metallic material, which can be glass or ceramic, and is not limited here; and / or the water outlet pipe 2 is U-shaped.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the water outlet pipe 2 can be a U-shaped pipe, one end of the U-shape is connected to the bottom of the inner tank 3, and the other end is connected to the water outlet 9.

[0061] Figure 3 It is the working process of detecting the water level shown in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is further elaborated by taking the example of starting to fill water into the kettle until the light-emitting element of the display module lights up. The specific steps are as follows;

[0062] In this embodiment, when there is no water in the inner tank, the capacitance value at the copper foil does not change, the signal processing module cannot detect the capacitance change, the circuit is in the off state, and at this time, the communication module of the touch chip has no voltage output;

[0063] Step 301, after filling water into the inner tank, since the inner tank is connected to the water outlet pipe, the water levels in the inner tank and the water outlet pipe are the same;

[0064] Step 302, when the water level reaches the detection position of the induction sheet, it causes a change in the capacitance of the induction sheet;

[0065] Step 303, the water level in the water outlet pipe approaches the copper foil, and the capacitance of the water and the copper foil directly form a capacitance coupling system; as the water level further rises, the capacitance value of the capacitance coupling system will also further increase;

[0066] Step 304, the touch chip receives the capacitance value signal detected by the induction sheet;

[0067] Step 305, if the capacitance value detected by the touch chip reaches the set threshold, the communication interface of the touch chip outputs a voltage signal;

[0068] Step 306, the touch chip sends the voltage signal to the controller;

[0069] Step 307, the voltage signal is transmitted to the controller, and the controller determines the corresponding light-emitting device;

[0070] Step 308, the controller controls the corresponding light-emitting device in the display module to light up;

[0071] It should be noted that the threshold for the touch chip to detect the capacitance value should be lower than the maximum value of the capacitance value of the capacitance coupling system formed by each induction sheet and water.

[0072] In this embodiment, taking the setting of four sensing chips as an example, each light-emitting diode LED represents 25% of the allowable water level of the kettle; when one light-emitting diode LED lights up, it indicates that the water level in the inner tank has reached more than 25%, and the heating plate can be started to boil water without causing dry burning; when all four light-emitting diodes LED are lit, it indicates that the water level in the inner tank has reached the highest water level line. At this time, starting the heating plate to boil water may cause overflow, and the water volume in the kettle should be checked.

[0073] Furthermore, the controller can be connected to the heating plate. When there is no voltage signal input from the touch chip, the controller can control the heating plate not to start, achieving the purpose of preventing dry burning.

[0074] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the sensing chip and the signal processing module provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the controller and the display module provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] In summary, the kettle disclosed in this embodiment adopts non-contact detection, is less affected by water quality; the water level detection system has no mechanical structure, is simple in structure and high in reliability; adopts a capacitive induction method, and has good continuous detection performance; has a display module that can clearly reflect the water level in the kettle, effectively preventing situations such as dry burning and overflow.

[0076] Those skilled in the art can understand that the drawings are only schematic diagrams of a preferred embodiment, and the modules or processes in the drawings are not necessarily essential for implementing the present disclosure.

[0077] Those skilled in the art can understand that the modules in the device in the embodiment can be distributed in the device of the embodiment according to the description of the embodiment, or can be correspondingly changed to be located in one or more devices different from the present embodiment. The modules of the above embodiments can be combined into one module, or further split into multiple sub-modules.

[0078] The serial numbers of the above embodiments of the present disclosure are only for description and do not represent the advantages and disadvantages of the embodiments.

[0079] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalent technologies, the present disclosure also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A kettle, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing, an inner container, a water outlet pipe, a water level detection module and a controller; the water level detection module includes an induction sheet; The inner container and the water outlet pipe are arranged inside the housing; one end of the water outlet pipe is communicated with the inner container, and the other end of the water outlet pipe is connected to a water outlet; The induction sheet is arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe for real-time detection of an induction capacitance signal, so that the controller determines the water level in the kettle according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet.

2. The kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water level detection module further includes a signal processing module; the induction sheet is respectively connected to the signal processing module; the signal processing module is connected to the controller; The induction sheet is further used for transmitting the detection result to the signal processing module after detecting the induction capacitance signal; The signal processing module is used for performing analog-to-digital conversion processing on the received detection result and sending the processed signal to the controller, so that the controller determines the water level in the kettle according to the received signal.

3. The kettle according to claim 2, wherein, The signal processing module includes: a touch control chip; The touch control chip is connected to the corresponding induction sheet through a signal receiving pin for receiving the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet; and The touch control chip is connected to the controller through a communication pin for performing analog-to-digital conversion processing on the received induction capacitance signal and sending the processed signal to the controller.

4. The kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The induction sheets are longitudinally arranged at intervals on the outer wall of the water outlet pipe; the number of induction sheets is at least two; The lowermost induction sheet has its lower end flush with the bottom of the inner container; and / or The uppermost induction sheet has its upper end flush with the highest water level line of the inner container.

5. The kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a display module; The display module is located on the outer wall of the housing and is connected to the controller; The controller is used for determining the display mode of the display module according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet and controlling the display module to display the corresponding water level.

6. The kettle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The display module includes light-emitting devices corresponding to the induction sheets respectively; the arrangement order of the light-emitting devices is the same as the arrangement order of the corresponding induction sheets on the water outlet pipe; each light-emitting device is connected to the corresponding pin of the controller; The controller is used for determining the first induction sheet whose capacitance changes are sensed according to the induction capacitance signal detected by the induction sheet and controlling the light-emitting device corresponding to the first induction sheet to emit light.

7. The kettle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode LED.

8. The kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a heating disk; The heating disk is located at the bottom of the inner container for heating the water in the inner container; and / or when the controller detects that the water level in the kettle reaches the lowest water level, receiving a control signal to stop heating.

9. The kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a water pump; The water pump is located between the component connecting the water outlet pipe and the inner container and is used for pumping the water in the inner container into the water outlet pipe and completing water outlet through the water outlet in case of receiving a water outlet request.

10. The kettle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water outlet pipe is made of a non-metallic material; and / or the water outlet pipe is U-shaped.

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