Water tank detection device and cleaning equipment

Abstract

According to the water tank detection device and the cleaning equipment provided by the invention, in the continuous conduction process of a sewage tank, two probes are intermittently short-circuited to release charged ions gathered near a positive electrode probe, so that the charged ions continuously move to generate current in the continuous conduction process of the sewage tank; or the IO1 and the IO2 are configured through the main control chip to alternately conduct electricity on the sewage tank. It is ensured that the voltage at the two ends of the sewage tank rises within a certain range during the conduction period of the sewage tank, but is always below the water fullness detection preset value, and the situation that the scrubber misjudges that the sewage tank is cleaned is avoided. The problems that the sewage amount cannot be continuously detected after the sewage touches the probe, and misjudgment is likely to happen to the water fullness detection function are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of cleaning equipment technology, specifically relating to a water tank detection device and cleaning equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the development and popularization of smart homes, more and more smart cleaning devices are entering people's lives, and smart floor scrubbers are an important part of this.

[0003] Floor scrubbers are typically equipped with a removable wastewater tank to collect and store wastewater generated during the cleaning process. The floor scrubber monitors the water level in the wastewater tank in real time and can promptly remind the user to clean the wastewater tank when the water level exceeds the preset water level line.

[0004] Currently, there are two main types of wastewater detection methods. One is buoyancy-based, which involves placing a float inside the wastewater tank. When the water level rises, the float will move due to the buoyancy of the water. The displacement of the float causes changes in electrical signals to identify the amount of wastewater in the tank. However, buoyancy-based detection methods have obvious drawbacks. First, the float occupies a large space in the wastewater tank, reducing its capacity. Second, the wastewater tank contains various types of dirt, and after long-term use, the float becomes dirty, making it difficult to move smoothly and affecting the wastewater detection results. In addition, the direction of the float's movement must be consistent with the direction of the rising water level, so the tilt angle of the floor scrubber cannot be too large, making it impossible to clean areas with limited height, such as under beds or sofas.

[0005] Another wastewater detection method is conductive. Two probes are placed in the wastewater tank, which is considered as a large resistor. When the wastewater has not reached the preset water level, the medium between the two probes is only air, and the impedance is equivalent to infinite. When the wastewater reaches the preset water level, the probes come into contact with the wastewater. Since the conductivity of wastewater is far superior to that of air, the impedance at both ends of the probes will decrease sharply. Therefore, the two probes can be made conductive, and the amount of water in the wastewater tank can be determined by reading the voltage across the probes.

[0006] However, there is a problem with conductivity-based detection methods: the sewage tank can only generate a large current for a short period of time after it becomes conductive. After continuous conduction, all charged ions will gradually gather near the positive electrode probe, and the conduction current will become smaller and smaller, eventually becoming 0.

[0007] The current common solution is to stop conducting electricity to the probe as soon as the wastewater comes into contact with it and the probe is full. However, this method is prone to misjudgment, especially when the floor scrubber is tilted at a large angle or even laid flat to clean areas with limited height, such as under beds or sofas. The wastewater in the wastewater tank will shake violently, and the wastewater can easily come into contact with the probe during the shaking. As soon as the wastewater comes into contact with the probe, it will be misjudged as full, resulting in a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the shortcomings of the prior art, this application provides a water tank detection device and cleaning equipment. By intermittently short-circuiting two probes during the continuous conduction of the sewage tank, charged ions that have accumulated near the positive electrode probe are released, so that charged ions continuously move and generate current during the continuous conduction of the sewage tank, thus maintaining its impedance within a certain range.

[0009] In a preferred first aspect, this application provides a water tank detection device, the water tank detection device comprising:

[0010] First probe and second probe; both the first probe and second probe are placed in the sewage tank;

[0011] The first probe and the second probe are both connected to the same I / O port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are also connected to the same I / O port by a control module and a detection module.

[0012] When the water tank is in operation, the power supply module continuously conducts electricity to the sewage tank, and the control module intermittently conducts electricity to the sewage tank. During periods of non-conduction, the probes at both ends are short-circuited.

[0013] The control module is a transistor Q1; the collector of the transistor Q1 is connected to the power supply module and the first probe; the emitter is connected to ground, and the emitter is also connected to the second probe; the base is connected to the same IO port of the main control chip.

[0014] The detection module is resistor R2; resistor R2 acts as a coupling resistor to connect the ADC interface of the main control chip to the first probe and the second probe.

[0015] The power supply module includes a power supply VDD and a resistor R1; the power supply VDD is the power source that conducts electricity to the sewage tank, and the resistor R1 is a voltage divider resistor.

[0016] Preferably, in the water tank detection device described in this application, when the IO port outputs a low level, the transistor Q1 is cut off, and the power supply VDD conducts electricity to the first and second probes of the sewage tank through the resistor R1.

[0017] If the sewage tank is not full, resistor R3 is equivalent to an infinitely large resistor, and the voltage AD value of the sewage tank read by the ADC interface of the main control chip is equal to the power supply VDD voltage.

[0018] If the sewage tank is full, the voltage of the first probe is greater than that of the second probe, and an electric field is formed inside the sewage tank. The charged ions inside the sewage tank move towards the first probe. At this time, the voltage AD value is equal to the power supply VDD / (R1+ R3)*R3.

[0019] When the IO port outputs a high level, transistor Q1 is turned on, and the first and second probes are connected to the ground terminal GND. There is no voltage on the probes, and the charged ions inside the sewage tank gather near the first probe. The solution near the first probe is negatively charged, and the voltage is lower than that of the solution near the second probe. The charged ions gathered near the first probe will diffuse towards the second probe.

[0020] In a preferred second aspect, this application provides a water tank detection device, the water tank detection device comprising: a first probe and a second probe; both the first probe and the second probe are placed in a sewage tank; and a power supply switching module; the power supply switching module comprising resistor R3 and resistor R4;

[0021] The first probe and the second probe are respectively connected to the first I / O port and the second I / O port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are also connected to the detection module; a resistor R3 is also connected between the first probe and the first I / O port; a resistor R4 is also connected between the second probe and the second I / O port.

[0022] When the water tank is in operation, the first and second I / O ports of the main control chip conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch between positive and negative terminals.

[0023] In a preferred third aspect, this application provides a cleaning device, which includes a main control chip, a detection module, and a wastewater tank; the cleaning device also includes a power supply module and a control module as described in the first aspect of the water tank detection device; or a power supply switching module as described in the second aspect of the water tank detection device.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this application are as follows:

[0025] This application provides a water tank detection device and cleaning equipment. By intermittently short-circuiting two probes during continuous conductive conduction of the wastewater tank, charged ions accumulated near the positive probe are released, ensuring continuous movement of charged ions and generating current during the continuous conductive process. Alternatively, the main control chip can be configured to alternately conduct electricity to the wastewater tank via IO1 and IO2. Although the voltage across the wastewater tank rises within a certain range during conductive conduction, it always remains below the preset value for full water detection, preventing the floor scrubber from falsely determining that the tank is clean. This solves the problem that the wastewater volume cannot be continuously detected after touching the probe, leading to false judgments in the full water detection function in some applications. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water tank detection device in one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is for Figure 1A circuit diagram of the water tank detection device described above.

[0028] Figure 3 This is for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the water tank detection device.

[0029] Figure 4 This is for Figure 1 The main control chip reads the voltage distribution across the wastewater tank.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a water tank detection device in another embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 This is for Figure 5 A circuit diagram of the water tank detection device described above.

[0032] Figure 7 This is for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the water tank detection device.

[0033] Figure 8 This is for Figure 5 The main control chip reads the voltage distribution across the wastewater tank.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning device in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] Example 1, as Figure 1-2 As shown, this application proposes a water tank testing device, which includes:

[0037] First probe and second probe; both the first probe and second probe are placed in the sewage tank;

[0038] The first probe and the second probe are both connected to the same I / O port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are also connected to the same I / O port by a control module and a detection module.

[0039] When the water tank is in operation, the power supply module continuously conducts electricity to the sewage tank, and the control module intermittently conducts electricity to the sewage tank. During periods of non-conduction, the probes at both ends are short-circuited.

[0040] This application utilizes intermittent short-circuiting of two probes during the continuous conduction of the wastewater tank to release charged ions accumulated near the positive probe. This ensures a continuous flow of charged ions generating current within the wastewater tank, maintaining its impedance within a certain range. The main control chip reads the voltage AD value across the wastewater tank and controls the intermittent short-circuiting or energizing of the probes via a control module. The power supply module powers the wastewater tank, and the detection module detects the voltage across the wastewater tank.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the power supply module includes a power supply VDD and a resistor R1; the power supply VDD is the power source for conducting electricity to the sewage tank, and the resistor R1 is a voltage divider resistor. The sewage tank is equivalent to a large resistor R3 in the circuit; R2 is a detection module used to detect the voltage across the sewage tank, and R2 acts as a coupling resistor to connect the ADC interface of the main control chip to the sewage tank probe; transistor Q1 is a control module.

[0042] The control module is a transistor Q1; the collector of the transistor Q1 is connected to the power supply module and the first probe; the emitter is connected to ground, and the emitter is also connected to the second probe; the base is connected to the same IO port of the main control chip.

[0043] The resistor R2 serves as a coupling resistor, connecting the ADC interface of the main control chip to the first and second probes.

[0044] Preferably, the water tank detection device described in this application is controlled by the IO port of the main control chip. When the IO port outputs a low level, the transistor Q1 is cut off, and the power supply VDD conducts electricity to the first and second probes of the sewage tank through the resistor R1.

[0045] If the sewage tank is not full, resistor R3 is equivalent to an infinitely large resistor, and the voltage AD value of the sewage tank read by the ADC interface of the main control chip is equal to the power supply VDD voltage.

[0046] If the sewage tank is full, the voltage of the first probe is greater than that of the second probe, and an electric field is formed inside the sewage tank. The charged ions inside the sewage tank move towards the first probe. At this time, the voltage AD value is equal to the power supply VDD / (R1+ R3)*R3.

[0047] When the I / O port outputs a high level, transistor Q1 conducts, connecting the first and second probes to ground (GND). There is no voltage on the probes, and charged ions inside the wastewater tank accumulate near the first probe. Since the solution near the first probe is negatively charged and its voltage is lower than that near the second probe, the charged ions accumulated near the first probe will diffuse towards the second probe. This ensures that there are sufficient free charged ions to form a conducting current when the wastewater tank is powered on again.

[0048] To further explain the operation process of the water tank testing device of this application, as follows: Figure 3 As shown: After the floor scrubber starts, the main control chip controls the power supply module to continuously conduct electricity to the wastewater tank. The main control chip synchronously reads the voltage value of the wastewater tank. When the voltage value of the wastewater tank read by the main control chip is lower than the preset voltage value, the control module begins to intermittently conduct electricity to the wastewater tank. During the non-conducting period, the two probes are short-circuited to release the charged ions that have accumulated near the positive probe, so that the voltage across the wastewater tank will not rise due to continuous conduction. When the time for detecting that the wastewater is full is greater than the set water full detection delay, the water full alarm is triggered, the floor scrubber stops working, and the power supply module stops powering the wastewater tank and reminds the user to clean the wastewater tank, waiting for the floor scrubber to start again.

[0049] The voltage across the wastewater tank read using the main control chip of this application is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, although the voltage across the wastewater tank rises within a certain range during the conduction of the wastewater tank, it remains below the preset value for full water detection, preventing the floor scrubber from misjudging that the wastewater tank has been cleaned.

[0050] The purpose of this application is to provide a more accurate and applicable method for detecting the water volume of a sewage tank to improve the user experience. This application improves the user experience by intermittently short-circuiting two probes during the continuous conduction of the sewage tank, releasing charged ions that have accumulated near the positive probe. This ensures that charged ions continuously move and generate current during the continuous conduction of the sewage tank, thus solving the problem that the sewage volume cannot be continuously detected after the sewage touches the probe, which leads to misjudgments in the full water detection function in some application scenarios.

[0051] Example 2, as Figure 5 As shown, this application proposes a second feasible method for a water tank detection device, including a main control chip, a power supply switching module, a detection module, and a sewage tank. The power supply switching module includes resistors R3 and R4;

[0052] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more comprehensive description will be provided below:

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, the water tank detection device described in this application includes: a first probe and a second probe; both the first probe and the second probe are placed in a sewage tank;

[0054] The first probe and the second probe are respectively connected to the first I / O port and the second I / O port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are also connected to the detection module; wherein, a resistor R3 is also connected between the first probe and the first I / O port; and a resistor R4 is also connected between the second probe and the second I / O port.

[0055] When the water tank is in operation, the first and second I / O ports of the main control chip conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch between positive and negative terminals.

[0056] R2 is a detection module used to detect the voltage across the wastewater tank. R2 also acts as a coupling resistor, connecting the ADC interface of the main control chip to the wastewater tank probe. The wastewater tank is equivalent to a large resistor R4 in the circuit. R1 and R3 are power supply switching modules, controlled by IO1 and IO2 of the main control chip to conduct electricity to the wastewater tank and switch between positive and negative terminals. The relationship between IO1, IO2, and the AD values ​​of the voltage across the wastewater tank read by the ADC port is shown in Table 1.

[0057]

[0058] When IO1=1 and IO2=0, the current flows from IO1 through R1, R4, and R3 to IO2. If the sewage tank is not full, R4 is equivalent to a resistor with infinite resistance, and the AD value is 0. If the sewage tank is full, the AD value is equal to VDD / (R1+R4+R3)*R3. During this process, the charged ions in the sewage tank will move towards probe 1.

[0059] When IO1=0 and IO2=1, the current flows from IO2 through R3, R4, and R1 to IO1. If the sewage tank is not full, R4 is equivalent to a resistor with infinite resistance, and the AD value is equal to VDD. If the sewage tank is full, the AD value is equal to VDD / (R1+R4+R3)*(R3+R4). During the conduction process, the charged ions in the sewage tank will move towards probe 2. Since the charged ions in the sewage tank will move back and forth between the two probes during the alternating conduction process, they will not accumulate near a certain probe. Therefore, the impedance of the sewage tank will not gradually increase to infinity during the continuous conduction process, which would lead to a false detection of full water.

[0060] In the process of conducting electricity through the sewage tank, this application avoids the accumulation of charged ions near one end of the probe by alternating the positive and negative electrodes, so that charged ions continuously move and generate current during the continuous conduction process of the sewage tank, thus maintaining its impedance within a certain range.

[0061] To fully illustrate, the operational process of this case is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, after the floor scrubber starts, the main control chip is configured with IO1=0 and IO2=1 to conduct electricity to the wastewater tank in one direction. The main control chip synchronously reads the voltage value of the wastewater tank. When the voltage value of the wastewater tank read by the main control chip is lower than the preset voltage value, the main control chip is configured with IO1 and IO2 to conduct electricity to the wastewater tank alternately. When the time for detecting that the wastewater is full is greater than the set water full detection delay, the water full alarm is triggered, the floor scrubber stops working, and the power supply module stops powering to the wastewater tank and reminds the user to clean the wastewater tank, waiting for the floor scrubber to start again.

[0062] The voltage across the wastewater tank read using the main control chip in this case is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, although the voltage across the wastewater tank will rise within a certain range during the conduction of the wastewater tank, it will always remain below the preset value for the full water detection, and will not cause the floor scrubber to misjudge that the wastewater tank has been cleaned.

[0063] The main control chip is used to read the voltage AD value at both ends of the sewage tank and control the power supply switching module to alternately conduct electricity to the sewage tank. The detection module is used to detect the voltage at both ends of the sewage tank. The power supply switching module is used to conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch the positive and negative terminals. It should be noted that the main control chip can be used to directly conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch the positive and negative terminals, or an external power supply can be used to conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch the positive and negative terminals in conjunction with the positive and negative terminal switching circuit.

[0064] Example 3, as Figure 9 As shown, this application proposes a cleaning device, which includes a main control chip, a detection module, and a wastewater tank; the cleaning device also includes a power supply module and a control module in the water tank detection device as described in the first aspect; or a power supply switching module in the water tank detection device as described in the second aspect.

[0065] Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application as claimed in the appended claims.

[0066] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0067] Although the description of this application has been given in conjunction with the specific embodiments described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many substitutions, modifications, and variations can be made based on the foregoing. Therefore, all such substitutions, modifications, and variations are included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water tank detection device characterized by comprising: The water tank detection device comprises: a first probe and a second probe; the first probe and the second probe are both arranged in the sewage tank; the first probe and the second probe are both connected to the same IO port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are further connected to the control module and the detection module; alternatively, the first probe and the second probe are respectively connected to the first IO port and the second IO port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are further connected to the detection module; when the water tank is in a working state, the power supply module continuously conducts electricity to the sewage tank, and the control module starts to intermittently conduct electricity to the sewage tank, and the two probes are short-circuited during the non-conduction period; or the first IO port and the second IO port of the main control chip conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch the positive and negative electrodes.

2. The water tank detection device according to claim 1, characterized by The control module is a triode Q1; the collector of the triode Q1 is connected to the power supply module and the first probe; the emitter is connected to the ground, and the emitter is further connected to the second probe; and the base is connected to the same IO port of the main control chip.

3. The water tank detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detection module is a resistor R2; the resistor R2 is used as a coupling resistor to connect the ADC interface of the main control chip with the first probe and the second probe.

4. The water tank detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The power supply module comprises a power supply VDD and a resistor R1; the power supply VDD is a power supply for conducting electricity to the sewage tank, and the resistor R1 is a voltage dividing resistor.

5. A water tank detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein Further comprising: when the IO port outputs a low level, the triode Q1 is cut off, and the power supply VDD conducts electricity to the first probe and the second probe of the sewage tank through the resistor R1.

6. A water tank detection device according to claim 5, wherein Further comprising: if the sewage tank is not full, the resistor R3 is equivalent to a resistor with an infinite resistance, and the voltage AD value read by the ADC interface of the main control chip is equal to the voltage of the power supply VDD.

7. A water tank detection device according to claim 6, wherein Further comprising: if the sewage tank is full, the voltage of the first probe is greater than that of the second probe, an electric field is formed in the sewage tank, the charged ions in the sewage tank move to the first probe, and the voltage AD value is equal to power supply VDD / (R1+ R3)*R3.

8. The water tank detection device according to claim 7, characterized by Further comprising: when the IO port outputs a high level, the triode Q1 is turned on, the first probe and the second probe are connected to the ground terminal GND, and there is no voltage on the probes, the charged ions in the sewage tank gather around the first probe, the solution near the first probe is negatively charged, the voltage is lower than that of the solution near the second probe, and the charged ions gathered around the first probe will diffuse to the second probe.

9. A water tank detection apparatus characterized by comprising: The water tank detection device comprises: a first probe and a second probe; the first probe and the second probe are both arranged in the sewage tank; and a power supply switching module; the power supply switching module comprises a resistor R3 and a resistor R4; wherein the first probe and the second probe are respectively connected to the first IO port and the second IO port of the main control chip, and the first probe and the second probe are further connected to the detection module; the resistor R3 is further connected between the first probe and the first IO port; and the resistor R4 is further connected between the second probe and the second IO port; when the water tank is in a working state, the first IO port and the second IO port of the main control chip conduct electricity to the sewage tank and switch the positive and negative electrodes.

10. A cleaning apparatus characterized by, The cleaning device comprises a master control chip, a detection module and a sewage tank; the cleaning device further comprises a power supply module and a control module in the water tank detection device according to any one of claims 1-8; or a power supply switching module in the water tank detection device according to claim 9.

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