Liquid level detection device and water consumption equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a liquid level detection device and water utilization equipment. The liquid level detection device comprises a liquid storage unit and a control unit which are connected with each other, wherein the liquid storage unit comprises a liquid storage container, a first probe, at least one second probe and a matched load; the first probe is arranged at the bottom or the side wall of the liquid storage container in an insulating manner; the second probe is arranged on the side wall of the liquid storage container in an insulating manner; the distance from any second probe to the bottom of the container is greater than that from the first probe to the bottom of the container; the first probe is connected with the liquid storage container through the matched load, and the liquid storage container is grounded; the first probe and the second probe are respectively connected with the control unit; the control unit is used for detecting the liquid level height in the liquid storage container according to voltage signals input by the first probe and the second probe. According to the scheme, the accuracy of liquid level detection can be guaranteed, and the use experience of a user is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to circuit technical field especially relates to a liquid level detection device and water using equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, the electric appliance (such as water dispenser, water heater etc.) with liquid storage container has become the necessity of people's daily life, and with the progress of science and technology, these electric appliances are more intelligent. Among them, the detection of liquid level in the liquid storage container is an important embodiment of the intelligence of electric appliances, and is also the basis for ensuring the safe operation of electric appliances.

[0003] The existing liquid level detection technology mainly sets liquid level probe in the liquid storage container, and determines the liquid level height by the conductivity detected by the liquid level probe. However, affected by the nature of liquid, external environment and other factors, the conductivity detected by the liquid level probe is prone to large error, resulting in inaccurate detection result and affecting the user's experience. INVENTION CONTENTS

[0004] The utility model provides a liquid level detection device and water using equipment, can guarantee the accuracy of liquid level detection, improves the user's experience.

[0005] According to an aspect of the utility model, a kind of liquid level detection device is provided, comprising: mutually connected liquid storage unit and control unit;Wherein, liquid storage unit includes liquid storage container, first probe, at least one second probe and matching load;First probe is insulated and arranged at the bottom or side wall of liquid storage container, and second probe is insulated and arranged at the side wall of liquid storage container;The distance of any one second probe to container bottom is greater than the distance of first probe to container bottom;First probe is connected with liquid storage container by matching load, and liquid storage container is grounded;First probe and second probe are connected with control unit respectively;Control unit is used to detect the liquid level height in liquid storage container according to the voltage signal input by first probe and second probe.

[0006] Optionally, the liquid storage unit further includes a heater; the heater is arranged outside the liquid storage container and directly contacts the liquid storage container; the heater is connected with the control unit and is used to heat the liquid in the liquid storage container under the control of the control unit.

[0007] Optionally, the liquid level detection device further includes a liquid supplementing unit; the liquid supplementing unit is connected with the control unit and is used to deliver liquid to the liquid storage container under the control of the control unit.

[0008] Optionally, when the number of the second probes is one, the distance from the second probe to the bottom of the container is equal to the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container; when the number of the second probes is at least two, the distance from one of the second probes to the bottom of the container is equal to the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container, and the distance from the remaining second probes to the bottom of the container is less than the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container.

[0009] Optionally, the matching load is any one of the following: a constant resistance, an equivalent resistance, and a variable resistance.

[0010] Optionally, the resistance value of the matching load is determined according to the resistance value of the liquid in the liquid storage container.

[0011] Optionally, the resistance value of the matching load is equal to the product of the resistance value of the liquid in the liquid storage container and a preset coefficient, and the preset coefficient is in the range of [0.01, 0.1].

[0012] Optionally, when the liquid in the liquid storage container is pure water, the preset coefficient is 0.01, and the resistance value of the matching load is 2 kΩ.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present application, a water-using device is provided, which comprises the liquid level detection device of any one of the above embodiments.

[0014] Optionally, the water-using device is any one of the following: a tea bar machine, a hot water kettle, a water heater, and a water purifier.

[0015] The technical scheme of the present application embodiment, by designing the structure of the liquid level detection device, the liquid level detection device comprises a liquid storage unit and a control unit connected to each other: the liquid storage unit comprises a liquid storage container, a first probe, at least one second probe, and a matching load; wherein the first probe is insulated and arranged at the bottom or side wall of the liquid storage container, the second probe is insulated and arranged at the side wall of the liquid storage container, and the distance from any one of the second probes to the bottom of the container is greater than the distance from the first probe to the bottom of the container; the first probe is connected to the liquid storage container through the matching load, and the liquid storage container is grounded; the first probe and the second probe are connected to the control unit; the control unit is used to detect the liquid level height in the liquid storage container according to the voltage signals input by the first probe and the second probe. On the one hand, since the matching load is arranged between the first probe and the liquid storage container, the electrical safety of the liquid storage container can be guaranteed, and the ground disturbance signal caused by the matching load shielding the ground of the liquid storage container can be shielded, thereby improving the accuracy of liquid level detection. On the other hand, since the number of the second probes is at least one, the detection of different liquid levels can be realized by flexibly setting the positions of the second probes, thereby improving the user experience.

[0016] It should be understood that the content described in this part is not intended to identify the key or important features of the embodiments of the present application, nor is it used to limit the scope of the present application. Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a liquid level detection device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of another liquid level detection device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of still another liquid level detection device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 4 is an ideal equivalent model of a liquid level detection device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 is an actual equivalent model of a liquid level detection device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 6 is a simulation schematic diagram of a liquid level detection device without setting a matching load provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 7 is a simulation schematic diagram of a liquid level detection device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the person skilled in the art better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor should be within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the like in the description and in the claims of the utility model and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not have to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not have to be limited to the clearly listed steps or units, but can include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0027] Embodiment one

[0028] Figure 1 It is a structure schematic view of a liquid level detection device provided by the utility model embodiments. The liquid level detection device is used for detecting the liquid level height in a liquid storage container. As shown in the figure, Figure 1 The liquid level detection device includes a liquid storage unit 100 and a control unit 200 connected with each other.

[0029] The liquid storage unit 100 includes a liquid storage container 101, a first probe 102, at least one second probe 103 and a matching load 104. Among them, Figure 1 One second probe is taken as an example for drawing. The liquid storage container 101 can be a kettle, a water storage tank or any container with liquid storage function. The liquid storage container 101 can be made of metal / metal alloy material, so as to heat the liquid therein, and at the same time, due to the high strength, hardness and stability of the metal / metal alloy material, the service life of the liquid storage container 101 can be prolonged, and it is also convenient for cleaning.

[0030] The first probe 102 is insulated and arranged at the bottom or side wall of the liquid storage container 101. The first probe 102 can be understood as a common probe. The second probe 103 is insulated and arranged at the side wall of the liquid storage container 101. The distance from any one second probe 103 to the bottom of the container is greater than the distance from the first probe 102 to the bottom of the container.

[0031] That is to say, when the first probe 102 is insulated and arranged at the bottom of the liquid storage container 101, the distance from the first probe 102 to the bottom of the container is 0, and since all the second probes 103 are insulated and arranged at the side wall of the liquid storage container 101, the distance from all the second probes 103 to the bottom of the container is greater than 0. When the first probe 102 is insulated and arranged at the side wall of the liquid storage container 101, the first probe 102 is the probe closest to the bottom of the container among all the probes.

[0032] In the utility model, the first probe 102 and the second probe 103 can be installed in a vertical, horizontal or inclined manner. The specific installation manner depends on the shape structure of the liquid storage container 101 and the requirement of liquid level detection, and the utility model embodiment does not make specific limitation on this.

[0033] The first probe 102 is connected with the liquid storage container 101 through a matching load 104, and the liquid storage container 101 is grounded. Since the liquid storage container 101 is made of metal / metal alloy material and has certain conductivity, grounding the liquid storage container 101 can ensure electrical safety. However, since the liquid storage container 101 is grounded, it will introduce interference signals from the ground. The utility model sets a matching load 104 between the first probe 102 and the liquid storage container 101, and the matching load 104 is used to shield the ground interference signals caused by the grounding of the liquid storage container 101, so as to improve the accuracy of liquid level detection.

[0034] The first probe 102 and the second probe 103 are respectively connected with a control unit 200; the control unit 200 is used for detecting the liquid level height in the liquid storage container 101 according to the voltage signals input by the first probe 102 and the second probe 103. Specifically, the principle of the control unit 200 detecting the liquid level height is that when the liquid level detection device works, the control unit 200 collects the voltage signals input by the first probe 102 and the second probe 103, and detects whether the liquid level height in the liquid storage container 101 reaches any height corresponding to the second probe 103 by detecting and analyzing the relationship between the power supply voltage vcc and the voltage signals input by the probes.

[0035] On the basis of the above embodiment, Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of another liquid level detection device provided by the utility model embodiment. As shown in Figure 2 The liquid storage unit 100 further comprises a heater 105. The heater 105 is arranged outside the liquid storage container 101 and directly contacts the liquid storage container 101; the heater 105 is connected with the control unit 200 and is used for heating the liquid in the liquid storage container 101 under the control of the control unit 200.

[0036] On the basis of the above embodiment, Figure 3 is a structural schematic view of another liquid level detection device provided by the utility model embodiment. As shown in Figure 3 The liquid level detection device further comprises a liquid supplementing unit 300. The liquid supplementing unit 300 is connected with the control unit 200 and is used for delivering liquid to the liquid storage container 101 under the control of the control unit 200.

[0037] In an embodiment, the control unit 200 can be a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU is a microcomputer system integrating a processor core, memory, input / output interface and other peripheral functions, with the advantages of high integration, low power consumption, low cost, easy development, etc., and can be widely used in the liquid level detection device.

[0038] The liquid supplementing unit 300 can be a water pump, and the number of the liquid supplementing unit 300 can be one or multiple. The water inlet of the liquid supplementing unit 300 is connected to a water source (such as a water bucket, a faucet, etc.), and the water outlet can be connected to the liquid storage container 101 through a pipeline or can be arranged above the water inlet of the liquid storage container 101.

[0039] Optionally, the liquid level detection device can further include a heat preservation device connected to the control unit 200, for preserving the liquid in the liquid storage container 101 under the control of the control unit 200.

[0040] In an embodiment, the distance from the second probe 103 to the bottom of the container is less than or equal to the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container 101. Specifically, when the number of the second probe 103 is one, the distance from the second probe 103 to the bottom of the container is equal to the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container 101, so that whether the liquid in the liquid storage container 101 is full can be detected, thereby avoiding the overflow of the liquid. When the number of the second probe 103 is at least two, the distance from one of the second probes 103 to the bottom of the container is equal to the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container 101, and the distance from the remaining second probes 103 to the bottom of the container is less than the corresponding highest liquid level of the liquid storage container 101, so that not only whether the liquid in the liquid storage container 101 is full can be detected, but also the detection of different liquid levels can be flexibly realized, thereby improving the user experience.

[0041] In order to further improve the shielding effect of the matching load 104 on the interference signal, the utility model establishes an equivalent model of the liquid level detection device for research. Figure 4 is an ideal equivalent model of the liquid level detection device provided by the utility model embodiment, Figure 5 is an actual equivalent model of the liquid level detection device provided by the utility model embodiment. As shown in Figure 4 , in an ideal case, whether the liquid level height in the liquid storage container 101 reaches the height corresponding to the second probe is detected according to Vout, Vout = R 待测 / (R 待测 +R 采样 )*vcc. However, since the liquid storage container 101 is made of metal / metal alloy, the metal / metal alloy can conduct electricity through the liquid, so the liquid storage container 101 needs to be grounded, and therefore the actual equivalent model is as follows. Figure 5As shown, Vout=R 待测 / (R 待测 +R 采样 )*vcc, R 待测 =R1 / (R2+R3).

[0042] Because the liquid storage container 101 is grounded, interference signals from the ground are introduced, so a constant current source is used to simulate the interference signals.

[0043] Specifically, Figure 6 is a simulation schematic diagram of a liquid level detection device without a matching load provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 7 is a simulation schematic diagram of a liquid level detection device provided with a matching load provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the interference signals are simulated by a 50uA, 50hz constant current source, and the resistance of the liquid is 200KΩ, which is the resistance of water. Figure 6 The output signal of the oscilloscope XSC1 in the middle shows obvious fluctuations, that is, the output signal of the liquid level detection device without a matching load is severely disturbed. Figure 7 The output signal of the oscilloscope XSC1 in the middle is relatively stable, and it can be seen that the interference is obviously absorbed by using the parallel matching load, that is, by setting the matching load (resistor 2KΩ).

[0044] Therefore, the matching load 104 in the present application is any one of the following: a fixed resistor, an equivalent resistor, and a variable resistor.

[0045] In an embodiment, the resistance value of the matching load 104 is equal to the product of the resistance value of the liquid in the liquid storage container 101 and a preset coefficient, and the value of the preset coefficient is in the range of [0.01, 0.1].

[0046] When the liquid in the liquid storage container 101 is pure water, the value of the preset coefficient is 0.01, and the resistance value of the matching load 104 is 2KΩ.

[0047] The utility model discloses an embodiment provides a kind of liquid level detection device, including mutually connected liquid storage unit and control unit;Wherein, liquid storage unit includes liquid storage container, first probe, at least one second probe and matching load;First probe insulation is arranged at the bottom or side wall of liquid storage container, and second probe insulation is arranged at the side wall of liquid storage container;The distance of any one second probe to container bottom is greater than the distance of first probe to container bottom;First probe is connected with liquid storage container by matching load, and liquid storage container is grounded;First probe and second probe are connected with control unit respectively;Control unit is used to detect the liquid level height in liquid storage container according to the voltage signal input by first probe and second probe.The technical scheme of the utility model embodiment, by the structure of liquid level detection device is designed, make liquid level detection device include mutually connected liquid storage unit and control unit: liquid storage unit includes liquid storage container, first probe, at least one second probe and matching load;Wherein, first probe insulation is arranged at the bottom or side wall of liquid storage container, and second probe insulation is arranged at the side wall of liquid storage container, and the distance of any one second probe to container bottom is greater than the distance of first probe to container bottom;First probe is connected with liquid storage container by matching load, and liquid storage container is grounded;First probe and second probe are connected with control unit respectively;Control unit is used to detect the liquid level height in liquid storage container according to the voltage signal input by first probe and second probe.One side, since matching load is arranged between first probe and liquid storage container, so it can be guaranteed electrical safety while the ground of liquid storage container, by matching load shielding ground interference signal caused by the ground of liquid storage container, improve the accuracy of liquid level detection.The other side, since the number of second probe is at least one, so it can be detected to different liquid level height by the flexible setting of second probe position, improve the user's use experience.

[0048] Embodiment two

[0049] The utility model embodiment further provides a kind of water using equipment, including the liquid level detection device of any embodiment described above.

[0050] In an embodiment, water using equipment can be drinking water equipment or hot tank type equipment.Drinking water equipment can be any of the following: tea bar machine, kettle, water dispenser, kitchen under water purifier.Hot tank type equipment can be any of the following: water heater, heat preservation tank, water purifier.

[0051] Exemplarily, when water using equipment is tea bar machine or kettle, the liquid storage unit and control unit in liquid level detection device can be split structure, and connection is realized by socket.

[0052] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modification, equivalent substitution and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A liquid level detection device, characterized in that, include: Interconnected liquid storage units and control units; wherein, The liquid storage unit includes a liquid storage container, a first probe, at least one second probe, and a matching load; the first probe is insulated and disposed at the bottom or side wall of the liquid storage container, and the second probe is insulated and disposed at the side wall of the liquid storage container; the distance from any second probe to the bottom of the container is greater than the distance from the first probe to the bottom of the container; the first probe is connected to the liquid storage container through the matching load, and the liquid storage container is grounded; The first probe and the second probe are respectively connected to the control unit; the control unit is used to detect the liquid level in the storage container based on the voltage signals input by the first probe and the second probe.

2. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid storage unit also includes a heater; The heater is disposed on the outside of the liquid storage container and is in direct contact with the liquid storage container; the heater is connected to the control unit and is used to heat the liquid in the liquid storage container under the control of the control unit.

3. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid level detection device further includes: a liquid replenishment unit; The replenishment unit is connected to the control unit and is used to deliver liquid to the storage container under the control of the control unit.

4. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the number of the second probes is one, the distance from the second probe to the bottom of the container is equal to the highest liquid level corresponding to the storage container; When the number of the second probes is at least two, the distance from one of the second probes to the bottom of the container is equal to the highest liquid level corresponding to the storage container, and the distance from the remaining second probes to the bottom of the container is less than the highest liquid level corresponding to the storage container.

5. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The matched load can be any of the following: a fixed resistor, an equivalent resistor, or a variable resistor.

6. The liquid level detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The resistance value of the matching load is determined based on the resistance value of the liquid in the storage container.

7. The liquid level detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The resistance of the matching load is equal to the product of the resistance of the liquid in the storage container and a preset coefficient, wherein the preset coefficient ranges from [0.01, 0.1].

8. The liquid level detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the liquid in the storage container is pure water, the preset coefficient is 0.01 and the resistance of the matching load is 2 kΩ.

9. A water-using device, characterized in that, Includes the liquid level detection device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The water-using equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The water-using equipment can be any one of the following: a tea bar machine, a kettle, a water heater, or a water purifier.

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