Water level detection device and water storage container

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of water level measurement, and discloses a water level detection device and a water storage container, the water level detection device comprises a metal detection strip, at least one metal detection sheet and a detection module; the metal detection strip is arranged on the outer wall of the water storage container in the height direction, the metal detection strip is led out through an electric wire, and the metal detection strip is connected with the detection module through the electric wire; the metal detection sheets are arranged along the metal detection strip, and each metal detection sheet is connected with the metal detection strip; the detection module is used for receiving detection signals generated by the metal detection strip and the metal detection piece through the electric wire and determining the water level height in the water storage container according to the detection signals. The utility model aims to improve the accuracy of water level measurement and improve the use experience and safety of related products with water storage containers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water level measurement technology, and in particular to a water level detection device and a water storage container. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most household appliances with water storage containers require water level detection, such as kettles. To ensure safe use and prevent heating from starting when the water level is too high or too low, the kettle has markings indicating maximum and minimum water levels. The kettle alerts the user when the water level exceeds the maximum or falls below the minimum. Furthermore, some products can more accurately measure the water level, allowing users to visually determine the amount of water in the container.

[0003] However, as products are used, current measuring devices will gradually produce measurement errors due to issues such as component aging or temperature drift, resulting in inaccurate water level detection results and affecting the user experience and safety of related products with water storage containers. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water level detection device and a water storage container to solve one or more technical problems existing in the prior art, and at least provide a beneficial option or create conditions.

[0005] The solution to the technical problem of this utility model is:

[0006] A water level detection device is provided for use in a water storage container. The water level detection device includes: a metal detection strip, at least one metal detection piece, and a detection module.

[0007] The metal detection strip is disposed on the outer wall of the water storage container along the height direction, and the metal detection strip is connected to the detection module by an electric wire.

[0008] The metal detection strips are arranged along the metal detection strips, and each metal detection strip is connected to the metal detection strips;

[0009] The detection module is used to receive detection signals generated by the metal detection strip and the metal detection piece through the wire, and to determine the water level in the water storage container based on the detection signals.

[0010] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip and / or the metal detection piece are made of copper.

[0011] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip and / or the metal detection piece are made of aluminum.

[0012] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip and / or the metal detection sheet are made of a thin metal film.

[0013] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip is circular in shape, and the metal detection bar passes through the center of each metal detection strip.

[0014] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip is spindle-shaped, and the metal detection strip passes through the center point of each metal detection strip.

[0015] In some embodiments, the water level detection device further includes a circuit board disposed on the outer wall, and the metal detection strip and the metal detection piece are both disposed on the circuit board.

[0016] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip includes at least a first detection strip and a second detection strip, wherein the height of the first detection strip is level with the highest water level in the water storage container, and the height of the second detection strip is level with the lowest water level in the water storage container.

[0017] In some embodiments, the top of the metal detection strip is higher than the highest water level in the water storage container, and the bottom of the metal detection strip is lower than the lowest water level in the water storage container.

[0018] To achieve the above objectives, another aspect of the embodiments of this application proposes a water storage container, which includes a water level detection device as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: A water level detection device is constructed by a metal detection strip, at least one metal detection piece, and a detection module. The metal detection strip is set along the height direction on the outer wall of the water storage container and is connected to the detection module by an electric wire. The metal detection pieces are set along the metal detection strip, and each metal detection piece is connected to the metal detection strip. Compared with kettles where measurement errors are gradually becoming more obvious due to problems such as component aging or temperature drift, this application, through the combination of the metal detection strip and the metal detection piece, allows the metal detection strip to generate a linearly changing signal according to the water level change. The metal detection piece can amplify the signal change when the water level covers the height of the metal detection piece. This change re-anchors the correspondence between water level and signal strength, improves measurement accuracy, reduces measurement errors caused by component aging and temperature drift, and improves the user experience and safety of related products with water storage containers. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly explained below. Obviously, the described drawings are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Those skilled in the art can obtain other design schemes and drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water level detection device of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the signal strength of the detection signal and the water level height according to this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the water level detection device of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit board of the water level detection device of this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: Metal detection strip - 100, Metal detection plate - 200, Detection module - 300, Wire - 400, Circuit board - 500. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0027] It should be noted that although functional modules are divided in the system diagram and the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in a different order than the module division in the system or the order in the flowchart. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and the aforementioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0028] In related technologies, household appliances with water storage containers generally require water level detection, such as kettles. To ensure safe use and prevent issues like dry burning or overflowing when the water level is too high or too low, kettles typically have maximum and minimum water level markings. When the water level exceeds the maximum or falls below the minimum, the kettle will alert the user to add or empty the water. Furthermore, some products can more accurately measure the water level, displaying it as a percentage of the maximum water level, allowing users to intuitively assess the amount of water remaining.

[0029] However, as the product is used, problems such as component aging or temperature drift may occur, causing the water level measuring device to gradually produce errors in water level measurement. This results in inaccurate water level detection results that deviate more and more from the actual water level height, affecting the user experience and safety of related products with water storage containers.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water level detection device provided in an embodiment of this application. This water level detection device is applied to a water storage container. Figure 1 Water level detection devices may include, but are not limited to:

[0031] Metal detection strip 100, at least one metal detection piece 200, and detection module 300;

[0032] The metal detection strip 100 is installed on the outer wall of the water storage container along the height direction. The metal detection strip 100 is connected to the detection module 300 via the wire 400.

[0033] Metal detection strips 200 are arranged along metal detection strips 100, and each metal detection strip 200 is connected to the metal detection strip 100;

[0034] The detection module 300 is used to receive detection signals generated by the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection piece 200 via the wire 400, and to determine the water level in the water storage container based on the detection signals.

[0035] In this embodiment, the metal detection strip 100 and at least one metal detection piece 200 constitute a sensor for sensing water level height. Both are disposed on the outer wall of the water storage container. In this embodiment, being disposed on the outer wall of the water storage container includes being disposed on the outer wall or on a structure based on the outer wall, i.e., being close to the outer wall, or on the inside of a handle or grip, or disposed inside the handle or grip, etc. The metal detection strip 100 is disposed along the height direction, and the metal detection pieces 200 are disposed along the metal detection strip 100. If there is more than one metal detection piece 200, the spacing between each metal detection piece 200 is at least a preset spacing, such as 1 cm or 2 cm, etc., and they are disposed one by one along the metal detection strip 100, as per [reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 The illustration shows the case where there are five metal detection plates 200. The metal detection strips 100 and 200, both made of metal, are connected to form the sensor for sensing water level height. In this embodiment, the length and width of the metal detection strips are not limited, nor are the shape and size of the metal detection plates limited. In some embodiments, the metal detection strips may also be designed as metal detection lines, depending on their width. Figure 1The circular metal detection piece 200 in the text is only an example of one possible shape of the metal detection piece 200, and does not constitute a limitation on the shape of the metal detection piece 200, nor does it constitute a limitation on the number of metal detection pieces 200.

[0036] The detection module 300 can also be installed on the outer wall of the water storage container, so that the water level in the kettle can be detected when the kettle body and the base of the product are separated. Alternatively, it can be installed in another part of the product, such as the base of the kettle, so that the detection is performed when the user places the kettle body on the base and starts heating. The detection module includes an MCU, which is used to analyze the detection signal and determine the water level.

[0037] On the other hand, the outer wall of the water storage container is made of glass, which is non-conductive. The inner wall of the water storage container is insulated from the metal detection strip 100 and metal detection piece 200 on the outer wall, forming the two electrodes of a capacitor. When water is added to the container, the metal detection strip 100, being positioned along the height direction, will exceed the height of the metal portion as the water level rises. Based on this capacitor, the metal detection strip 100 and metal detection piece 200 can generate corresponding detection signals according to the water level in the container. Furthermore, the metal detection strip 100 is connected by a wire 400, the connection point of which can be the midpoint or bottom of the metal detection strip, etc., without limitation. The metal detection strip 100 is connected to the detection module 300 through the wire 400, thereby transmitting the detection signal to the detection module 300 for analysis, and determining the water level in the container based on the detection signal. It should be noted that the algorithm used by the detection module 300 to determine the water level change in the container based on signal changes is a prior art algorithm, and this application embodiment does not propose any algorithm improvement.

[0038] For a water level sensing device composed of a metal detection strip 100 and a metal detection piece 200, it can be understood that when the inner wall of a container at a certain point is submerged in water, it will affect the metal on the outer wall of the container at that point, generating a corresponding detection signal. Therefore, the signal strength of the detection signal is related to the area of ​​the metal covered by the water level. For example, a kettle has two metal detection pieces 200 set on the outside of the kettle wall. The two metal detection pieces 200 are two circles with different radii, that is, the area of ​​the metal detection pieces 200 is different. When the water level covers the corresponding kettle wall, the signal strength of the detection signal generated by the two metal detection pieces 200 is different. The metal detection piece 200 with a larger area generates a stronger detection signal. In this embodiment, the metal detection strip 100 is arranged along the height direction to generate a signal with linearly varying intensity based on changes in water level. Combined with the metal detection piece 200 arranged along the metal detection strip 100, this effectively adds signal amplification at a certain water level. When the water level reaches that height, the intensity of the detection signal is amplified, producing a change easily recognizable by the detection module 300. This amplified detection signal then re-anchors the correspondence between the water level and the detection signal at that height, avoiding measurement errors caused by component aging and temperature drift. (Refer to...) Figure 2 , Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the change in signal strength of the detection signal with water level. The dashed line in the diagram represents the signal strength change when only the metal detection strip 100 is present and the metal detection piece 200 is absent. The broken line represents the signal strength change when the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection piece 200 are combined for detection. There are three locations where the slope of this broken line changes significantly, and these three locations are where the metal detection piece 200 is present.

[0039] Compared to current products where measurement errors are becoming increasingly apparent due to issues such as component aging or temperature drift, this application combines a metal detection strip 100 and a metal detection plate 200. The metal detection strip 100 generates a linearly changing signal based on water level changes, while the metal detection plate 200 amplifies this signal change when the water level covers the height of the metal detection plate 200. Ultimately, the signal strength of the detection signal received by the detection module exhibits multiple distinct changes as the water level in the container rises. This change re-anchors the correspondence between water level and signal strength, improving measurement accuracy, reducing measurement errors caused by component aging and temperature drift, and enhancing the user experience and safety of related products with water storage containers.

[0040] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip 100 and / or the metal detection piece 200 are made of copper.

[0041] In order for the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection piece 200 to function as a capacitor as described in the above embodiments and to form a sensor for sensing water level height, the metal detection strip 100 and / or the metal detection piece 200 can be made of copper. Taking advantage of the good conductivity and low cost of copper, the accuracy of water level measurement of the water level detection device can be improved and the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0042] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip 100 and / or the metal detection piece 200 are made of aluminum. Aluminum is a common anode material for capacitors, which enables the capacitor to have a large capacitance value and has low material cost. Therefore, the above advantages of aluminum can be used to improve the accuracy of water level measurement and reduce the cost of the water level detection device.

[0043] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip 100 and / or the metal detection piece 200 are made of a metal film, such as a metallized polyester film or a metallized polypropylene film. Electrodes are formed by depositing a metal layer on the film. The resulting capacitor has the advantages of high precision, high stability and high frequency, which can improve the accuracy of water level measurement in the water level detection device.

[0044] In other embodiments, the metal detection strip 100 and / or the metal detection sheet 200 may also be made of other materials, or the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection sheet 200 may be made of one of the following materials: copper, aluminum, or a thin metal film.

[0045] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip 200 is circular in shape, and the metal detection strip 100 passes through the center of each metal detection strip 200, for reference. Figure 1 , Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection strip 200 is shown when the metal detection strip 200 is circular. It can be understood that compared with the metal detection strip 100, the circular metal detection strip 200 increases the area of ​​metal that can be affected when the water level covers the height, thereby achieving the effect of amplifying the signal strength of the detection signal as described in the above embodiment and improving the accuracy of water level measurement of the water level detection device.

[0046] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip 200 is spindle-shaped, and the metal detection strip 100 passes through the center point of each metal detection strip 200, for reference. Figure 3 , Figure 3The schematic diagram of the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection strip 200 is shown when the metal detection strip 200 is in the shape of a spindle. Compared with the circular metal detection strip 200, the spindle-shaped metal detection strip 200 can also increase the area of ​​metal that the water level can affect when covering the height. On the other hand, the spindle shape design can reduce the distance occupied by each metal detection strip 200 in the height direction and instead extend it in the horizontal direction, making it closer to the scale line. Therefore, it is beneficial for the staff to calibrate the correspondence between the water level and the signal strength, and further improve the accuracy of water level measurement.

[0047] In other embodiments, the metal detection strip 200 may also be designed in a shape other than circular or spindle-shaped, such as rectangular.

[0048] In some embodiments, the water level detection device further includes a circuit board 500, which is disposed on the outer wall of the water storage container, and the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection piece 200 are both disposed on the circuit board 500.

[0049] refer to Figure 4 By setting the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection piece 200 on the circuit board 500, which can be flat or curved, the shape of the outer wall of the water storage container can be adapted to the shape of the outer wall of the water storage container. This facilitates the setting of the metal detection strip 100 and the metal detection piece 200 on the outer wall of the water storage container, as well as the operation of leading the wire 400 from the metal detection strip 100 based on the circuit board 500, thereby improving the product stability of the water level detection device.

[0050] In some embodiments, the metal detection strip 200 includes at least a first detection strip and a second detection strip, wherein the height of the first detection strip is flush with the highest water level in the water storage container, and the height of the second detection strip is flush with the lowest water level in the water storage container.

[0051] Optionally, to correspond to the original highest and lowest water level lines in the water storage container and ensure the accuracy of water level detection at these locations, a first detection plate and a second detection plate are provided. The height of the first detection plate is such that the height of its center point is aligned with the highest water level line in the water storage container, and the height of the second detection plate is such that the height of its center point is aligned with the lowest water level line in the water storage container. This ensures that the signal strength of the detection signal is amplified when the water level reaches the highest or lowest water level line, ensuring that the water level at these two points can be identified by the detection module 300, thereby improving the accuracy of water level measurement by the water level detection device.

[0052] In other embodiments, the metal detection strip 200 may also include a third detection strip, a fourth detection strip, and a fifth detection strip, etc. The height of the other metal detection strips 200 besides the first and second detection strips may not be limited to the area between the lowest and highest water level lines, but may be limited to the area between the top and bottom of the metal detection strip 100. This height can be set by the operator according to their actual needs, thereby providing multiple signal strength amplification nodes for multiple detection signals in the height direction.

[0053] In some embodiments, the top of the metal detection strip 100 is higher than the highest water level in the water storage container, and the bottom of the metal detection strip 100 is lower than the lowest water level in the water storage container.

[0054] By making the top of the metal detection strip 100 higher than the highest water level in the water storage container and the bottom of the metal detection strip 100 lower than the lowest water level in the water storage container, the metal detection strip 100 can measure the water level in the water storage container that is above the highest water level and below the lowest water level. This ensures that users can still intuitively understand the water level when the water level in the container is too low or too high, thereby improving the applicability of the water level detection device and the user experience.

[0055] In other embodiments, the bottom end of the metal detection strip 100 can reach the bottom of the water storage container, from which a wire 400 is led out and connected to the detection module 300.

[0056] In addition, this application embodiment also provides a water storage container, which includes the water level detection device as described in any of the above embodiments, realizes the functions that the water level detection device can perform, and achieves the same effect.

[0057] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and these equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A water level detecting device applied to a water storage container, characterized in that, The water level detection device comprises a metal detection strip, at least one metal detection sheet and a detection module; The metal detection strip is arranged on the outer wall of the water storage container in the height direction, and is connected to the detection module through an electric wire; Each metal detection sheet is connected to the metal detection strip; The detection module is configured to receive the detection signals generated by the metal detection strip and the metal detection sheets through the electric wire, and determine the water level in the water storage container according to the detection signals.

2. The water level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein The metal detection strip and / or the metal detection sheet is made of copper.

3. The water level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein The metal detection strip and / or the metal detection sheet is made of aluminum.

4. The water level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein The metal detection strip and / or the metal detection sheet is made of a metal film.

5. The water level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The metal detection sheet is circular, and the metal detection strip passes through the center of each metal detection sheet.

6. The water level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The metal detection sheet is shuttle-shaped, and the metal detection strip passes through the center point of each metal detection sheet.

7. The water level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The water level detection device further comprises a circuit board, which is arranged on the outer wall, and the metal detection strip and the metal detection sheets are arranged on the circuit board.

8. The water level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The metal detection sheet comprises at least a first detection sheet and a second detection sheet, the height of the first detection sheet is flush with the highest water level line in the water storage container, and the height of the second detection sheet is flush with the lowest water level line in the water storage container.

9. The water level detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The top end of the metal detection strip is higher than the highest water level line in the water storage container, and the bottom end of the metal detection strip is lower than the lowest water level line in the water storage container.

10. A water storage container characterized by, The water storage container comprises the water level detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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