Non-contact sensor

Abstract

The utility model provides a non-contact sensor which is used for being installed on a pipeline and comprises a waterproof head, a shell, a tail cover and a detection assembly, the detection assembly is contained in the inner space of the shell, the tail cover is connected with the shell, one side of the waterproof head is attached to the end, away from the tail cover, of the shell, and the other side of the waterproof head is attached to the outer side wall of the pipeline. In the application, the waterproof head is arranged, the gap between the waterproof head and the shell and the gap between the waterproof head and the pipeline are sealed, and the detection assembly is accommodated in the internal space of the shell and is sealed by the tail cover, so that water vapor and thin ice can be effectively prevented from appearing on the detection surface of the detection assembly, and the detection precision of the sensor is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of feed sensor technology, and in particular to a non-contact sensor. Background Technology

[0002] With automation being adopted in agriculture, livestock farming now largely utilizes machinery to transport feed to animals, with pipelines being a common method. This machinery inevitably requires feed detection sensors to determine the presence of feed within the pipeline before performing any operations. To avoid feed contamination caused by sensor operation, the feed sensor installation must not alter the internal surface of the pipeline; in other words, the feed sensor must perform non-contact feed detection. The working principle of a non-contact feed detection sensor is: it measures whether the capacitance between the sensor's sensing surface and the surrounding material exceeds a threshold to determine the presence of the measured substance. This is called a non-contact sensor. Its electrical principle is that a capacitance is formed between the sensing surface and the surrounding material, and its value is directly proportional to the conductivity (dielectric constant) of the surrounding material and inversely proportional to the distance between the material and the sensing surface.

[0003] Because of the special environment of aquaculture (lots of organic dust and high humidity), a layer of organic dirt or water vapor can easily form on the sensor's detection surface. Or, when the temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius, a thin layer of ice often forms on the sensor's detection surface.

[0004] Existing non-contact sensors can meet the requirements for non-contact detection of feed, but they cannot overcome the interference of organic dust, water vapor, and thin ice, especially water vapor and thin ice. This is because the conductivity of water vapor and thin ice is much higher than that of feed, and only a small amount is needed to exceed the feed's judgment threshold, causing the sensor to misjudge the state of the feed. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a non-contact sensor, which aims to solve the problem of inaccurate detection of feed by capacitive sensors in the special environment of aquaculture.

[0006] This utility model provides a non-contact sensor for installation on a pipeline, comprising a waterproof head, a housing, a tail cap, and a detection component. The housing has a hollow structure, and the detection component is housed within the internal space of the housing. The detection component is used to detect the amount of material in the pipeline. The tail cap is connected to the housing and is used to seal the internal space of the housing. One side of the waterproof head is attached to the end of the housing away from the tail cap, and the other side is attached to the outer wall of the pipeline. The waterproof head is used to seal the gap between the waterproof head and the housing, as well as the gap between the waterproof head and the pipeline.

[0007] Furthermore, the waterproof head is recessed inward to form a recessed portion, the shape of which is adapted to the shape of the end of the outer shell, and the inner wall of the recessed portion is attached to the end of the outer shell.

[0008] Furthermore, the waterproof head has an arc-shaped surface, the shape of which is adapted to the outer wall of the pipe, and the arc-shaped surface is attached to the outer wall of the pipe.

[0009] Furthermore, the waterproof head is soft and insulated.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a snap-fit ​​ring, which is threadedly connected to the housing and is used to snap-fit ​​the waterproof head to fix the waterproof head onto the housing.

[0011] Furthermore, the snap ring is provided with a plurality of first through holes, which penetrate the snap ring along the axial direction of the snap ring, and the plurality of first through holes are evenly spaced around the central axis of the snap ring.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes fasteners for securing the waterproof head to the pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the fastener includes a threaded steel strip, a threaded assembly, and a pressure plate. The pressure plate has a second through hole and a third through hole. After the outer shell passes through the second through hole, the pressure plate presses against the waterproof head. There are two third through holes, which are located on both sides of the second through hole. The threaded steel strip is wound around the pipe, and both ends of the threaded steel strip pass through the two third through holes and are threadedly connected to the threaded assembly. The threaded assembly is used to tighten to fix the waterproof head to the pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the detection component includes a sensing disk, a circuit board, and a shielding cover. One side of the sensing disk is closely attached to the inner bottom surface of the housing, and the other side is connected to the end of the shielding cover. The circuit board is electrically connected to the sensing disk and is located inside the shielding cover. The shielding cover is housed within the internal space of the housing.

[0015] Furthermore, the Shore hardness of the waterproof head is less than or equal to 30.

[0016] Beneficial Effects: This utility model provides a non-contact sensor for installation on a pipeline, comprising a waterproof head, a housing, a tail cap, and a detection component. The detection component is housed within the internal space of the housing, and the tail cap is connected to the housing. One side of the waterproof head is attached to the end of the housing away from the tail cap, and the other side is attached to the outer wall of the pipeline. In this application, due to the waterproof head, the gaps between the waterproof head and the housing, as well as the gaps between the waterproof head and the pipeline, are sealed. Furthermore, the detection component is housed within the internal space of the housing and sealed by the tail cap, effectively preventing the formation of moisture and thin ice on the detection surface of the detection component, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the non-contact sensor of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 Exploded view of the structure of the non-contact sensor of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the fastener of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This utility model's outer shell and waterproof head are structural schematic diagrams.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Waterproof head; 11. Recessed part; 12. Arc-shaped surface; 2. Outer shell; 3. Tail cap; 4. Detection component; 41. Induction plate; 42. Circuit board; 43. Shielding cover; 5. Snap-fit ​​ring; 51. First through hole; 6. Fastener; 61. Threaded steel strip; 62. Threaded assembly; 621. Threaded screw; 622. Connecting sleeve; 63. Pressure plate; 631. Second through hole; 632. Third through hole; 7. Pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 4This utility model provides a non-contact sensor for installation on a pipe 7, including a waterproof head 1, a housing 2, a tail cap 3, and a detection component 4. The housing 2 has a hollow structure, and the detection component 4 is housed within the internal space of the housing 2. The detection component 4 is used to detect the amount of material in the pipe 7. The tail cap 3 is connected to the housing 2 and is used to seal the internal space of the housing 2. One side of the waterproof head 1 is attached to the end of the housing 2 away from the tail cap 3, and the other side is attached to the outer wall of the pipe 7. The waterproof head 1 is used to seal the gap between the waterproof head 1 and the housing 2, as well as the gap between the waterproof head 1 and the pipe 7.

[0024] Furthermore, the detection component 4 includes a sensing disk 41, a circuit board 42, and a shielding cover 43. One side of the sensing disk 41 is closely attached to the inner bottom surface of the outer shell 2, and the other side is connected to the end of the shielding cover 43. The circuit board 42 is electrically connected to the sensing disk 41 and is located inside the shielding cover 43, which is housed within the internal space of the outer shell 2. The shielding cover 43 is made of a material with good conductivity, and the outer shell 2 is made of a rigid insulating material. The sensing disk 41 is directly soldered to the circuit board 42 or indirectly electrically connected to the circuit board 42 via wires to form a capacitance detection circuit for the object under test. The rear end of the sensing disk 41 is closely attached to the front end of the shielding cover 43, thus shielding the rear side of the sensing disk 41 from external interference. The distance from the tail cover 3 to the sensing disk 41 is not less than the length of the shielding cover 43, thereby minimizing interference from substances outside the tail cover 3. In this application, the non-contact sensor works by detecting the capacitance between the sensing disk 41 and the surrounding material to determine the material quantity of the surrounding material. The capacitance between the sensing disk 41 and the surrounding material is directly proportional to the conductivity of the surrounding material and inversely proportional to the distance from the surrounding material to the sensing disk 41. Therefore, when there is a highly conductive material for isolation, changes in the external material have a negligible impact on the sensor's measurement. When the material that affects the measurement is far enough away from the sensing disk 41, the interference to the sensor's measurement can also be ignored without affecting the judgment result. In this application, the waterproof head 1 is tightly attached to the pipe 7 and the outer shell 2, and the outer shell 2 is sealed by the tail cap 3. Therefore, even in special environments such as breeding (high organic dust, high humidity, or low temperature with thin ice), the detection surface of the sensing disk 41 will not be affected by water vapor, dust, or thin ice, greatly improving the detection accuracy. In addition, in this embodiment, the shielding sleeve is soldered to the circuit board 42 by wires, so that the shielding sleeve and the circuit board 42 are at the same potential, completely shielding the rear end of the sensing disk 41 from interference from external materials on the side, further improving the detection accuracy.

[0025] In one feasible embodiment, a snap-fit ​​ring 5 is further included. The snap-fit ​​ring 5 is threadedly connected to the housing 2 and is used to snap onto the waterproof head 1 to fix the waterproof head 1 to the housing 2. To maintain good sealing performance between the housing 2 and the waterproof head 1, the waterproof head 1 is typically formed by injection molding and simultaneously fixed to the housing 2. The threaded connection between the snap-fit ​​ring 5 and the housing 2 allows the snap-fit ​​ring 5 to be rotated to a preset position before injection. The injection is performed after the relative position of the snap-fit ​​ring 5 and the housing 2 is determined.

[0026] In one feasible embodiment, the retaining ring 5 has a plurality of first through holes 51, which penetrate the retaining ring 5 along its axial direction, and the plurality of first through holes 51 are evenly spaced around the central axis of the retaining ring 5. In this embodiment, the first through holes 51 facilitate the uniform and smooth filling of the entire mold by the colloid or other injection material when the waterproof head 1 is formed by injecting colloid, while avoiding the accumulation of air bubbles and uneven material distribution.

[0027] In one feasible embodiment, the waterproof head 1 is recessed inward to form a recess 11, the shape of which is adapted to the shape of the end of the outer shell 2, and the inner wall of the recess 11 is attached to the end of the outer shell 2. Specifically, the outer shell 2 has a columnar structure, including a bottom surface and a circumferential surface. Since the recess 11 is adapted to the shape of the end of the outer shell 2, the recess 11 is completely fitted to the bottom surface of the outer shell 2 and also partially fitted to the circumferential surface. This effectively prevents moisture and dust from entering the end face of the outer shell 2. At the same time, the outer shell 2 can be fixed to the waterproof head 1 to prevent the outer shell 2 from tilting.

[0028] In one feasible embodiment, the waterproof head 1 is provided with an arc-shaped surface 12, the shape of which is adapted to the outer wall of the pipe 7, and the arc-shaped surface 12 is attached to the outer wall of the pipe 7. In the aquaculture industry, the pipe 7 is usually cylindrical. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped surface 12 can adapt to the cylindrical structure of the pipe 7, fit tightly with the pipe 7, and improve the sealing performance.

[0029] In one feasible embodiment, the waterproof head 1 is soft and insulated. In this embodiment, the softer waterproof head 1 can better adapt to some minor unevenness on the pipe 7 or the outer casing 2, has better plasticity, can provide a good sealing effect over a larger surface contact area, and can effectively shield the sensor disk 41 from external influences.

[0030] Furthermore, the Shore hardness of the waterproof head 1 is less than or equal to 30. The waterproof head 1 with this Shore hardness can undergo appropriate compression and deformation under external pressure, thereby enhancing the contact force with the surface of the pipe 7 or the outer casing 2, further improving sealing performance, and better adapting to pressure changes while maintaining a sealing effect.

[0031] In one feasible implementation, a fastener 6 is also included for securing the waterproof head 1 to the pipe 7.

[0032] Specifically, the fastener 6 includes a threaded steel strip 61, a threaded assembly 62, and a pressure plate 63. The pressure plate 63 has a second through hole 631 and a third through hole 632. After the outer shell 2 passes through the second through hole 631, the pressure plate 63 presses against the waterproof head 1. There are two third through holes 632, located on opposite sides of the second through hole 631. The threaded steel strip 61 is wound around the pipe 7. Both ends of the threaded steel strip 61 pass through the two third through holes 632 and are threadedly connected to the threaded assembly 62. The threaded assembly 62 is used to tighten and fix the waterproof head 1 to the pipe 7. Specifically, the threaded assembly 62 includes a threaded screw 621 and a connecting sleeve 622. The connecting sleeve 622 is rotatably connected to the threaded screw 621. Both ends of the threaded steel strip 61 pass through the third through hole 632 of the clamping plate and then enter the connecting sleeve 622 to be threadedly connected to the threaded screw 621. After the threaded steel strip 61 clamps the waterproof head 1 and the pipe 7 together, the threaded screw 621 is tightened. The threaded screw 621 presses against the pressure plate 63, and at the same time, the threaded steel strip 61 is tightened, thus fixing the waterproof head 1 onto the pipe 7. Since the waterproof head 1 is a stretchable and compressible soft insulating material with a Shore hardness of no more than 30, when the steel strip screw is tightened, the threaded screw 621 presses against the pressure plate 63. The waterproof head 1 at the front end of the pressure plate 63 is compressed and deformed, expanding and filling the space between the pipe 7 and the front end of the outer shell 2. The waterproof head 1 is compressed and deformed, creating a space larger than its original outer diameter. When the capacitive sensor in this application is working, external substances (including dust and water vapor) cannot enter the area at the front end of the sensing disk 41 that is smaller than the outer diameter of the waterproof head 1 from the center of the sensing disk 41. This makes the measurement interference of external substances (including water vapor) on the sensor negligible and does not affect the judgment result.

[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that this application can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this application. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this application is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be included within this application. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0034] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A non-contact sensor for installation on a pipe (7), characterized in that: The device includes a waterproof head (1), a housing (2), a tail cap (3), and a detection component (4). The housing (2) is a hollow structure. The detection component (4) is housed within the internal space of the housing (2) and is used to detect the amount of material in the pipe (7). The tail cap (3) is connected to the housing (2) and is used to seal the internal space of the housing (2). One side of the waterproof head (1) is attached to the end of the housing (2) away from the tail cap (3), and the other side is attached to the outer wall of the pipe (7). The waterproof head (1) is used to seal the gap between the waterproof head (1) and the housing (2) as well as the gap between the waterproof head (1) and the pipe (7).

2. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waterproof head (1) is recessed inward to form a recess (11), the shape of the recess (11) is adapted to the shape of the end of the outer shell (2), and the inner wall of the recess (11) is attached to the end of the outer shell (2).

3. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waterproof head (1) is provided with an arc-shaped surface (12), the shape of which is adapted to the outer wall of the pipe (7), and the arc-shaped surface (12) is attached to the outer wall of the pipe (7).

4. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waterproof head (1) is soft and insulated.

5. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a snap ring (5), which is threadedly connected to the housing (2) and is used to snap onto the waterproof head (1) to fix the waterproof head (1) onto the housing (2).

6. The non-contact sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The snap ring (5) is provided with a plurality of first through holes (51), the first through holes (51) penetrate the snap ring (5) along the axial direction of the snap ring (5), and the plurality of first through holes (51) are evenly spaced around the central axis of the snap ring (5).

7. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a fastener (6) for securing the waterproof head (1) to the pipe (7).

8. The non-contact sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fastener (6) includes a threaded steel strip (61), a threaded assembly (62), and a pressure plate (63). The pressure plate (63) has a second through hole (631) and a third through hole (632). After the outer shell (2) passes through the second through hole (631), the pressure plate (63) presses onto the waterproof head (1). There are two third through holes (632), which are located on both sides of the second through hole (631). The threaded steel strip (61) is wrapped around the pipe (7). The two ends of the threaded steel strip (61) pass through the two third through holes (632) and are threadedly connected to the threaded assembly (62). The threaded assembly (62) is used to screw to fix the waterproof head (1) onto the pipe (7).

9. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection component (4) includes a sensing disk (41), a circuit board (42), and a shield (43). One side of the sensing disk (41) is in close contact with the inner bottom surface of the outer shell (2), and the other side is connected to the end of the shield (43). The circuit board (42) is electrically connected to the sensing disk (41) and is located inside the shield (43). The shield (43) is housed within the internal space of the outer shell (2).

10. The non-contact sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Shore hardness of the waterproof head (1) is less than or equal to 30.

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