Water dispenser for pets

Abstract

The utility model provides a pet water dispenser capable of automatically feeding water. A water inlet switching pipeline capable of being connected with an external water source is arranged on the shell, an electric valve is arranged on the water inlet switching pipeline and comprises a closed state for cutting off the water inlet switching pipeline and an open state for opening the water inlet switching pipeline, and the controller senses water level information of the water storage tank based on the water level sensor so as to control the state of the electric valve. Therefore, the pet water dispenser can automatically replenish water from the external water source and can automatically stop water replenishment, and manual operation troubles are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pet equipment technology, and more particularly to a pet water fountain that can achieve self-filling water. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, pet water fountains on the market consist of a water bowl and a water tank. Water from the tank is pumped into the water bowl to keep it full, ensuring the pet has access to water. However, the water tank has a limited capacity. Once the water in the tank is depleted, the owner needs to disassemble the machine and manually refill it, which is inconvenient and can reduce the machine's stability with repeated disassembly. Furthermore, when the owner needs to be away for an extended period, the water level in the tank may not be sufficient for the pet's daily drinking needs.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing technology to overcome the aforementioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of the aforementioned technologies, this application provides a pet water fountain that can automatically draw water from an external water source.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted in this application is:

[0006] A pet water fountain, characterized in that it comprises:

[0007] The enclosure includes a water tank defining a water storage space; a water bowl mounted on the enclosure and in fluid communication with the water tank, the water bowl being open for pets to drink from the water contained therein; a water inlet pipe disposed on the enclosure, one end of the water inlet pipe connecting to the water tank, and the other end of the water inlet pipe adapted to connect to an external water source; and an electric valve disposed on the water inlet pipe, the electric valve including a closed state that cuts off the water inlet pipe and an open state that opens the water inlet pipe. A water level sensor is installed in the water storage tank to sense the water level in the storage space and generate a water level signal. A controller is communicatively connected to both the electric valve and the water level sensor. The controller receives the water level signal and outputs a valve control signal to control the electric valve to be in the open or closed state. When the electric valve is in the open state, an external water source is connected to the water storage tank, and the external water source can replenish the water storage tank. When the electric valve is in the closed state, the connection between the external water source and the water storage tank is cut off.

[0008] In one embodiment, the water level sensor includes a float, a first optical sensor, and a second optical sensor. The water storage tank is provided with a float channel, and the float is placed in the float channel. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are respectively disposed at different positions in the float channel. The position of the first optical sensor corresponds to a preset minimum water level, and the position of the second optical sensor corresponds to a preset maximum water level.

[0009] In one embodiment, both the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are a pair of infrared sensors.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second optical sensor is located at the same level as or slightly higher than the port at the other end of the water inlet adapter pipe.

[0011] In one embodiment, the external water source includes municipal water supply or bottled water.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pet water dispenser includes a wireless communication unit that is communicatively connected to the electric valve. The wireless communication unit can transmit external control commands to the electric valve to control the electric valve to be in the open state or the closed state.

[0013] In one embodiment, the pet water dispenser includes a pump disposed in a water-tight space within the water storage tank, for pumping water from the water storage space into the feeding bowl; the feeding bowl is provided with a drain outlet, which is in fluid communication with the water storage space.

[0014] In one embodiment, the pet water fountain includes a first filter disposed at the outlet of the water inlet for filtering water flowing from the water bowl to the water storage space.

[0015] In one embodiment, the pet water fountain includes a second filter disposed at the outlet of the pump for filtering water flowing from the water storage space to the water bowl.

[0016] In one embodiment, the electric valve is a solenoid valve, which is disposed on the communication channel between one end and the other end of the water inlet adapter pipe.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this application are:

[0018] This application provides a self-filling pet water fountain with a water inlet pipe on the casing that can be connected to an external water source. The water inlet pipe is equipped with an electric valve that has an open and closed state. The controller receives water level information sensed by a water level sensor and outputs a valve control signal to control the electric valve to be in an open or closed state, so as to connect or disconnect the fluid connection between the external water source and the water storage tank. This enables the pet water fountain to automatically replenish water from the external water source and automatically stop replenishing water, reducing manual water filling operations and further improving the intelligence level of the pet water fountain. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the self-filling pet water fountain proposed in this application;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a self-filling pet water fountain. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0023] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0024] In this invention, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "top," and "bottom" are generally used in relation to the direction shown in the accompanying drawings, or in relation to the vertical, perpendicular, or gravitational direction of the component itself; similarly, for ease of understanding and description, "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours of each component itself, but the above directional terms are not intended to limit this invention.

[0025] Please see Figures 1 to 2One embodiment of this application provides a self-filling pet water fountain. This self-filling pet water fountain, by incorporating a water inlet pipe, an electric valve, a water level sensor, and a controller, automatically switches the electric valve between open and closed states based on the water level in the storage tank. This automatically starts and stops replenishing water from an external water source, avoiding the disadvantage of requiring manual replenishment. The external water source includes municipal water supply (i.e., tap water) or bottled water.

[0026] In this embodiment, a self-filling pet water fountain 100 includes a housing 10, a water bowl 30, a water inlet pipe 40, an electric valve (not shown), a water level sensor, and a controller (not shown). The housing 10 forms a water storage tank with a defined space, specifically including a water storage space 14. The water storage space 14 defines the space for storing water and can hold a certain amount of water.

[0027] A water bowl 30 is mounted on the housing 10 and is in fluid communication with the water storage space 14. The water bowl is open to allow the pet to drink the water contained within it. In this embodiment, the water bowl 30 is positioned above the water storage space 14, and its shape is adapted to the shape of the water storage space. A drain outlet 305 is provided at the upper end of the water bowl 30, allowing water to flow into the water storage space 14 when the water bowl 30 is full. Preferably, a first filter 52 is provided at the outlet 305 facing the water storage space 14. The first filter 52 filters the water flowing from the water bowl 30 to the water storage space 14, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the water in the water storage space 14.

[0028] A water inlet adapter pipe 40 is mounted on the housing 10. The water inlet adapter pipe 40 is constructed similarly to a connecting channel, including one end 404 connecting to the water storage space 14, and the other end 402 adapted to connect to an external water source. An electric valve is mounted on the water inlet adapter pipe 40, having a closed state that cuts off the water inlet adapter pipe 40 and an open state that opens the water inlet adapter pipe 40. When the electric valve is in the closed state, there is no fluid communication between one end 404 and the other end 402 of the water inlet adapter pipe 40; when the electric valve is in the open state, there is fluid communication between one end 404 and the other end 402 of the water inlet adapter pipe 40.

[0029] In one specific embodiment, the electric valve can be a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is disposed on the communication channel between one end 404 and the other end 402 of the water inlet adapter pipe 40, and is used to connect or disconnect the communication channel. In another embodiment, the electric valve can also be an electrically driven valve body, which connects or disconnects the communication channel through the movement of the valve body.

[0030] The pet water fountain 100 also includes a water level sensor. The water level sensor can sense the water level in the water storage space 14 and generate a water level signal. In this specific embodiment, a float channel 144 is also provided in the water storage space 14. The bottom of the float channel 144 is connected to the main space of the water storage space 14, thus keeping the water level in the float channel 144 consistent with the water level in the main space of the water storage space 14. The water level sensor includes a float 70, a first optical sensor 81, and a second optical sensor 83. The float 70 is placed in the float channel 144 and can float up and down according to the water level in the float channel 144. The first optical sensor 81 and the second optical sensor 83 are respectively disposed at different positions in the float channel 144. The location of the first optical sensor 81 corresponds to a preset minimum water level. When the float 70 is at the location of the first optical sensor 81, it indicates that the water level in the water storage space 14 is too low and needs to be replenished. The location of the second optical sensor 83 corresponds to a preset maximum water level. When the float 70 is at the location of the second optical sensor 83, it indicates that the water level in the water storage space 14 has reached the required level and replenishment can be stopped. Preferably, the location of the second optical sensor 83 is flush with or slightly higher than the port of the other end 402 of the water inlet adapter pipe 40.

[0031] In this embodiment, both the first light sensor 81 and the second light sensor 83 are a pair of infrared sensors. Figure 2 As shown, the first optical sensor 81 includes two infrared sensors respectively disposed on the inner wall of the float channel 144, one for emitting infrared light and the other for receiving infrared light. When the water level is higher than the position of the first optical sensor 81, the float is also higher than the position of the first optical sensor 81, and infrared light can be emitted and received normally. When the water level reaches the position of the first optical sensor 81, the float is also at the position of the first optical sensor 81, and the float will block the emitted infrared light, so the infrared sensor cannot complete the reception of infrared light. As a result, the first optical sensor 81 generates a different signal, and the water level signal at this time can be defined as the preset minimum water level. The controller receives the preset minimum water level and outputs a valve control signal to control the electric valve to be in the open state, so that external water can be injected into the water storage space 14.

[0032] The second optical sensor 83 includes two infrared sensors respectively disposed on the inner wall of the float channel 144, one for emitting infrared light and the other for receiving infrared light. The position of the second optical sensor 83 is higher than that of the first optical sensor 81. When the water level is lower than the position of the second optical sensor 83, the float is also lower than the position of the second optical sensor 83, and infrared light can be emitted and received normally; when the water level reaches the position of the second optical sensor 83, the float is also at the position of the second optical sensor 81, and the float will block the emitted infrared light, so the infrared sensor cannot complete the reception of infrared light, and thus the second optical sensor 83 generates a different signal. The water level signal at this time can be defined as the preset maximum water level. The controller receives the preset maximum water level and outputs a valve control signal to control the electric valve to be in the closed state, cutting off the water inlet transfer pipe 40, so that external water cannot flow into the water storage space 14.

[0033] In this embodiment, the float is used to follow the water level and block light. The water level signal at a specific location is transmitted by setting the positions of the first light sensor 81 and the second light sensor 83. This method is not only simple to implement, but also low in cost.

[0034] The pet water fountain 100 also includes a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to both an electric valve and a water level sensor. The controller receives the water level signal generated by the water level sensor and outputs a valve control signal to the electric valve to control the electric valve to be in the open or closed state. When the water level signal generated by the water level sensor is less than or equal to a preset minimum water level, the controller controls the electric valve to enter the open state, connecting one end 404 of the inlet pipe 40 to the other end 402, thereby allowing water from an external water source to enter the water storage space 14 through the inlet pipe 40. When the water level signal generated by the water level sensor is greater than or equal to a preset maximum water level, the controller controls the electric valve to enter the closed state, disconnecting one end 404 of the inlet pipe 40 from the other end 402, thereby preventing water from an external water source from entering the water storage space 14 through the inlet pipe 42. In one embodiment, the water storage tank also includes a water-proof space 12, which defines a space separated from water and can house some parts of the pet water fountain that are not suitable for contact with water. Specifically, the water-proof space 12 can be arranged adjacent to the water storage space 14, and the controller can be installed in the water-proof space 12 of the water storage tank.

[0035] In other embodiments, the controller can also be a mobile controller, such as a mobile phone, computer, or tablet. Preferably, the pet water fountain 100 includes a wireless communication unit (not shown in the figure), which is communicatively connected to the valve. The wireless communication unit can transmit external control commands to the valve, thereby controlling the electric valve to switch between an open and closed state to connect or disconnect one end 404 of the water inlet transfer pipe 40 from the other end 402. The external control commands can be generated by a mobile controller such as a mobile phone, computer, or tablet, specifically an application (app), web application, or WeChat mini-program adapted to the pet water fountain 100 and installed on the mobile controller.

[0036] Furthermore, the pet water fountain 100 also includes a pump 60 for pumping water from the water storage space 14 into the water bowl 30. Preferably, the water storage tank also includes a water-separating space 12, which defines a space separated from water and can house some parts of the pet water fountain that are not suitable for contact with water. Specifically, the water-separating space 12 can be arranged adjacent to the water storage space 14, and the pump 60 is disposed within the water-separating space 12. Specifically, a pump inlet 601 is provided at the bottom of the water storage space 14, and a pump outlet channel 603 is provided at the connection between the water storage space 14 and the water bowl 30, leading to the water bowl 30. When the pump 60 is activated, water from the water storage space 14 is pumped from the pump inlet 601 into the water bowl 30 through the pump outlet channel 603. Pump 60 is continuously running. When the water level in the water feeding basin 30 reaches the position of the drain outlet 305, the water in the water feeding basin 30 will flow into the water storage space 14 through the drain outlet 305, thus realizing the continuous circulation of water.

[0037] Furthermore, a second filter 54 is provided at the outlet of pump 60 to filter the water flowing from water storage space 14 to water bowl 30. The water can be filtered twice by the second filter 54 and the first filter 52, thereby effectively ensuring the cleanliness of the pet's drinking water.

[0038] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications without creative effort, and all such variations or modifications should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A pet water fountain, characterized in that, include: The shell includes a water storage tank, the water storage tank defining a water storage space; A water bowl is installed on the housing and is in fluid communication with the water tank. The water bowl is open to allow the pet to drink the water contained in the water bowl. A water inlet adapter pipe is installed on the housing, one end of the water inlet adapter pipe is connected to the water storage tank, and the other end of the water inlet adapter pipe is adapted to be connected to an external water source; An electric valve is installed in the water inlet transfer pipe, the electric valve including a closed state that cuts off the water inlet transfer pipe and an open state that opens the water inlet transfer pipe; A water level sensor is installed in the water storage tank to sense the water level in the water storage space and generate a water level signal. The controller is communicatively connected to the electric valve and the water level sensor respectively. The controller is used to receive the water level signal and output a valve control signal to control the electric valve to be in the open state or the closed state. When the electric valve is in the open state, the external water source is connected to the water storage tank and the external water source can replenish the water storage tank. When the electric valve is in the closed state, the connection between the external water source and the water storage tank is cut off.

2. The pet water fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water level sensor includes a float, a first optical sensor, and a second optical sensor. The water storage tank is provided with a float channel, and the float is placed in the float channel. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are respectively set at different positions in the float channel. The position of the first optical sensor corresponds to a preset minimum water level, and the position of the second optical sensor corresponds to a preset maximum water level.

3. The pet water fountain according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are a pair of infrared sensors.

4. The pet water fountain according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second optical sensor is located at the same level as or slightly higher than the port at the other end of the water inlet adapter pipe.

5. The pet water fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external water source includes municipal water supply or bottled water.

6. The pet water fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pet water dispenser includes a wireless communication unit, which is communicatively connected to the electric valve. The wireless communication unit can transmit external control commands to the electric valve to control the electric valve to be in the open or closed state.

7. The pet water fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pet water fountain includes a pump, which is located in the water-tight space inside the water storage tank and is used to pump water from the water storage space into the water feeding bowl; the water feeding bowl is provided with a drain outlet, which is in fluid communication with the water storage space.

8. The pet water fountain according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pet water fountain includes a first filter, which is located at the outlet of the water inlet and is used to filter water flowing from the water bowl to the water storage space.

9. The pet water fountain according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pet water fountain includes a second filter located at the outlet of the pump for filtering water flowing from the water storage space to the water bowl.

10. The pet water fountain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric valve is a solenoid valve, which is installed on the connecting channel between one end and the other end of the water inlet transfer pipe.

Images