Water level detection device of cleaning robot

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water level detection device for a cleaning robot. The device comprises a water level sensor assembly, a water tank body, a water pipe and a water gauge assembly. The water level sensor assembly is installed in the water tank body, the water gauge assembly is installed outside the water tank body, and the interior of the water tank body is communicated with the water gauge assembly through a water pipe. The water level sensor assembly comprises a water level sensor support and a plurality of water level sensors installed on the water level sensor support. Through the combination of a novel sensor and a water gauge and an accurate algorithm in a microprocessor, the problem that water level detection is inaccurate under the dynamic conditions of movement, vibration and the like of the cleaning robot is solved, and more accurate water level measurement is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model application relates to the technical field of cleaning robots, in particular to a water level detection device for a cleaning robot. Background Art

[0002] Currently, cleaning robots require water to clean the floor when performing tasks such as mopping. Accurately detecting the water level in the cleaning tank is crucial. Traditional water level detection methods have several issues in cleaning robot applications, such as low detection accuracy, susceptibility to vibration and shaking of the cleaning robot, and poor long-term reliability. Some existing water level detection devices may not be able to adapt to the complex working environment of the cleaning robot, including dust and water splashes, resulting in misjudgments or failures, affecting the normal operation of the cleaning robot.

[0003] In existing technologies, most water level monitoring methods rely on a single water level sensor to monitor whether the remaining water volume exceeds a threshold (CN201721761670.0). This method can only monitor a single level and cannot monitor the entire water usage process, making it very prone to errors. Alternatively, the remaining water volume is calculated by monitoring water consumption (CN202011245121.4). This conversion relies on the accuracy of data monitored by multiple sensors. When one or more sensors fail, the conversion result will be directly affected. Especially when multiple cleaning robots are working together, if one of the cleaning robots fails to plan its work due to a sensor failure, it will interfere with the work plans of other cleaning robots and may even paralyze the entire system. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the existing problems, the present invention provides a water level detection device for a cleaning robot. By combining multiple sensors and a multi-axis automatic leveling device, the device can ensure the real-time and accurate measurement of the water level. To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] A water level detection device for a cleaning robot, comprising a water level sensor assembly, a water tank body, a water pipe, and a water level gauge assembly;

[0006] The water level sensor assembly is installed inside the water tank body. The water level sensor assembly includes a water level sensor bracket and multiple water level sensors installed on the water level sensor bracket; it is used to monitor the water level inside the water tank.

[0007] The water level gauge assembly is installed on the outside of the water tank body, and the inside of the water tank body is connected to the water level gauge assembly through a water pipe; it is used to intuitively display the water level inside the water tank on the water level gauge for direct observation by personnel.

[0008] Preferably, the water level sensor assembly is strip-shaped, its length slightly shorter than the depth of the water tank, and multiple water level sensors are evenly spaced along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the longer direction) of the water level sensor assembly. This allows for real-time monitoring of water loss and the rate of loss within the water tank. Conventional single water level sensors can only monitor whether the water in the tank has been used up, but cannot provide more precise monitoring.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom surface of the water tank body is provided with a hole for accommodating the water level sensor assembly, and a detachable fastening device is provided around the hole. The detachable fastening device facilitates the maintenance and replacement of the water level sensor assembly during subsequent use.

[0010] Preferably, further: a penetrating water outlet is provided at the bottom of the side of the water tank body, one end of a water pipe is connected to the water outlet, and the other end is connected to the water level gauge assembly.

[0011] Preferably, support shafts are provided on the tops of opposite sides of the water tank body, and the support shafts are inserted into U-shaped slide rails. The water tank body can slide on the U-shaped slide rails, ensuring that the water level in the water tank remains level in the left and right directions even when the vehicle is traveling on uneven surfaces, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of the sensor.

[0012] Preferably, the support shaft head is embedded with a bearing, and the support shaft and bearing are inserted into a U-shaped slide rail. The water tank body can rotate about the bearing in the front-to-back direction and slide in the U-shaped slide rail. Even when the vehicle is traveling on uneven surfaces, the water level in the water tank can be maintained level in all four directions, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of the sensor.

[0013] Preferably, further: a counterweight is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank body, and the counterweight can help the water tank body to maintain a better level.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] 1. Improve water level detection accuracy

[0016] By combining a new sensor with a water level gauge and using precise algorithms in the microprocessor, the problem of inaccurate water level detection in dynamic situations such as movement and vibration of the cleaning robot can be solved, achieving more accurate water level measurement.

[0017] 2. Improve device adaptability

[0018] The adaptability of the sensor and water level gauge combination to different water tank shapes enables the water level detection device to be widely used in various models of cleaning robots, thereby improving the versatility of the product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the entire machine of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the water level sensor assembly of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the water level gauge and water level sensor assembly of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the entire machine structure of Example 2;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the U-shaped slide rail and support shaft of Example 2.

[0025] The meanings of the reference numerals in the figure are: 1. Water level sensor assembly; 1a. Water level sensor; 1b. Water level sensor bracket; 2. Water tank body; 3. Water pipe; 4. Water level gauge assembly; 5. Support shaft; 6. U-shaped slide rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, features, and advantages of this application more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] Example 1: This example is mainly aimed at daily indoor automatic cleaning scenarios. Indoor working surfaces are generally relatively flat and will not have a large range of inclination. In this application scenario, the following solution can be used to improve the accuracy of water tank water level change detection.

[0028] A water level detection device for a cleaning robot, comprising a water level sensor assembly 1, a water tank body 2, a water pipe 3, and a water level gauge assembly 4;

[0029] like Figure 1As shown, the water level sensor assembly 1 is installed inside the water tank body 2. The water level sensor assembly 1 is installed inside the water tank and can accurately detect water level changes. The water level gauge assembly 4 is installed on the outer shell and can clearly and accurately display the water level. A water outlet is provided at the bottom of the side of the water tank body 2. One end of the water pipe 3 is connected to the water outlet and the other end is connected to the water level gauge assembly 4, ensuring smooth water and information transmission.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the water level sensor assembly 1 comprises a water level sensor bracket 1b and multiple water level sensors 1a mounted on the bracket 1b. The water level sensor assembly 1 is strip-shaped, with the multiple water level sensors 1a arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the assembly 1. The sensor electrodes are mounted on the bracket according to design requirements, securely connected using screws or snaps. They are then connected to the electrodes of the water level sensors 1a via waterproof wires.

[0031] The sensing electrodes in multiple water level sensors 1a are arranged in a three-dimensional layout at different heights in the water tank. This layout can detect water level changes more comprehensively and accurately, and determine the water level through a comprehensive analysis of the changes in the capacitance values ​​of multiple electrodes, which is different from traditional single or simply distributed sensors.

[0032] The water level sensor 1a is equipped with a sealed shielding layer that is waterproof, anti-static, and can effectively shield external electromagnetic interference and internal interference. It can prevent dust, water splashes, electromagnetic interference, etc. from affecting the sensor performance, and ensure stable detection in the complex working environment of the cleaning robot.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the bottom surface of the water tank body 2 is provided with a hole for accommodating the water level sensor assembly 1 to pass through, and a detachable fastening device is provided around the hole to facilitate subsequent disassembly for maintenance and replacement.

[0034] When the cleaning robot is started and water is present in the water tank, the electrodes of the water level sensor 1a come into contact with the water. Because the dielectric constant of water is different from that of air, the capacitance between the electrodes changes. These changes in capacitance are detected by the sensor and transmitted to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit transmits digital signals to the microcontroller. The microcontroller analyzes these signals using a built-in algorithm and calculates the current water level. This detection process continues throughout the cleaning process. Once the water level reaches a warning value, the microcontroller immediately sends a corresponding signal to the main control system, which responds accordingly, such as prompting the user to add water on the display or controlling the water filling valve to stop water filling.

[0035] Example 2: This example is designed for outdoor scenes. Outdoor working surfaces are mostly bumpy or uphill or downhill, so the water surface in the water tank will become bumpy, affecting the monitoring of the water level sensor 1a.

[0036] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, support shafts 5 are provided at the tops of the opposite sides of the outside of the water tank body 2. The support shafts 5 are inserted into U-shaped slide rails 6, and the U-shaped slide rails 6 are fixedly connected to the cleaning robot body. Therefore, the U-shaped slide rails 6 themselves also support the water tank body 2. The top of the support shaft 5 is a spherical protrusion that can slide up and down in the slide rail. In this way, when the cleaning robot tilts left or right during movement, its water tank body 2 will slide in the opposite direction along the U-shaped slide rails 6 under the action of the gravity of the water inside it, so that the water tank body 2 remains horizontal, thereby avoiding shaking of the water surface inside the water tank body 2 and improving the monitoring accuracy of the water level sensor 1a.

[0037] The spherical projection at the head of the support shaft 5 is embedded with a bearing. After the support shaft 5 is integrally connected to the spherical projection via the bearing, the spherical projection is inserted into the U-shaped slide rail 6. The support shaft 5 can rotate forward and backward around the bearing. This allows the cleaning robot to move up and down, and the water tank body 2, under the influence of the gravity of the water inside, to rotate in the opposite direction around the bearing. This keeps the water tank body 2 level, thereby preventing sloshing of the water surface inside the water tank body 2 and improving the monitoring accuracy of the water level sensor 1a.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, a counterweight block can be provided in the groove on the bottom surface of the water tank body 2. When there is less water in the water tank, the counterweight block can help the water tank to stabilize the center of gravity and maintain levelness as quickly as possible through the U-shaped slide rail 6 and the bearing, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of the water level sensor 1a.

[0039] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the present application can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present application. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, and the scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims, not the foregoing description, and all variations within the meaning and scope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein. Any reference sign in a claim should not be construed as limiting the claim to which it relates.

[0040] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A water level detection device for a cleaning robot, characterized by: The device comprises a water level sensor assembly (1), a water tank body (2), a water pipe (3), and a water level gauge assembly (4); The water level sensor assembly (1) is installed inside the water tank body (2), the water level gauge assembly (4) is installed outside the water tank body (2), and the inside of the water tank body (2) is connected to the water level gauge assembly (4) through a water pipe (3); The water level sensor assembly (1) comprises a water level sensor bracket (1b) and a plurality of water level sensors (1a) mounted on the water level sensor bracket.

2. The water level detection device for a cleaning robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water level sensor assembly (1) is strip-shaped, and a plurality of water level sensors are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the water level sensor assembly (1).

3. The water level detection device for a cleaning robot according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the water tank body (2) is provided with a hole capable of accommodating the water level sensor assembly (1) to pass through, and detachable fastening devices are provided around the hole.

4. The water level detection device for a cleaning robot according to claim 3, characterized in that: A penetrating water outlet is provided at the bottom of the side of the water tank body (2); one end of a water pipe (3) is connected to the water outlet, and the other end is connected to the water level gauge assembly (4).

5. The water level detection device for a cleaning robot according to claim 4, characterized in that: Support shafts (5) are provided on the tops of two opposite sides of the outside of the water tank body (2), and the support shafts (5) are sleeved into the U-shaped slide rails (6).

6. The water level detection device for a cleaning robot according to claim 5, characterized in that: A bearing is embedded in the head of the support shaft (5), and the support shaft (5) and the bearing are sleeved into the U-shaped slide rail (6).

7. The water level detection device for a cleaning robot according to claim 6, characterized in that: A counterweight is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank body (2).

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