Parallel shunting tipping bucket rainfall measuring device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of rainfall metering equipment, in particular to a parallel shunting tipping bucket rainfall measuring device. A water container of the parallel shunting tipping bucket rainfall measuring device is arranged above a main tipping bucket metering unit and an auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit, and a shunting container is arranged below the water container. The flow dividing container is provided with a water storage cavity used for containing rainwater flowing out of the water container. A first connecting pipe is arranged at the bottom of the water storage cavity. And the main tipping bucket metering unit is arranged below the first connecting pipe. And a second connecting pipe is arranged on the side wall of the water storage cavity. And the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit is arranged below the second connecting pipe. The diversion container is configured to buffer rainwater by using the water storage cavity, guide the rainwater to the main tipping bucket metering unit by using the first connecting pipe, and divert and guide the rainwater to the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit by using the second connecting pipe. The parallel shunting tipping bucket rainfall measurement device dynamically adapts to rainfall intensity, meets the measurement requirements of different rainfall intensities, and improves the accuracy of rainfall measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of rainfall measurement equipment technology, specifically to a parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device. Background Technology

[0002] Precipitation is an important meteorological element, and its observation is of great significance to meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and transportation. Tipping bucket rain gauges are widely used in precipitation monitoring due to their simple structure, good stability, and easy maintenance. Their working principle is as follows: rainwater enters the water collector through the inlet, falls into the funnel, and flows into the tipping bucket through the funnel opening. When the accumulated water reaches a certain amount (usually 0.1 mm), the tipping bucket loses its balance and tipes over. Each tipping triggers a magnet to engage a reed switch and generate a pulse signal. The cumulative rainfall can be obtained by counting the pulses.

[0003] In practical applications, traditional tipping bucket rain gauges have ample time to tip and drain under low rainfall intensity, resulting in minimal measurement error. However, under heavy rainfall conditions, the volume of rainwater in the collector increases, and the water flow into the metering bucket accelerates. This causes rainwater to flow into the metering bucket before all the water has drained during a single tipping, quickly replenishing the water level to the tipping volume of 0.1mm. This repeated tipping creates a chain reaction, leading to errors.

[0004] A search revealed a dual-counting tipping bucket rainfall measurement device in Chinese patent document CN212933022U. This device employs a serial structure of upper and lower tipping buckets, with the upper bucket having a smaller capacity and the lower bucket a larger capacity. The counting by the two buckets adapts to different rainfall amounts. However, this device still has shortcomings in practical use: First, regardless of the rainfall intensity, rainwater must first fill the upper bucket before flowing into the lower bucket, resulting in a measurement response lag. Second, the upper bucket counts accurately at lower rainfall intensity levels, while the lower bucket counts accurately at higher rainfall intensity levels, making it difficult to determine whether to use the upper or lower bucket data as the final rainfall amount during actual statistical analysis. Third, while the lower bucket has a larger capacity, theoretically sufficient for heavy rainfall, its low rainfall resolution leads to significant errors during heavy rainfall. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the above problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a rainfall metering device that can dynamically adapt to rainfall intensity, meet the measurement needs under different rainfall intensities, and improve the accuracy and reliability of rainfall measurement under different rainfall intensities.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device, which includes a water container, a diversion container, a main tipping bucket metering unit, and a secondary tipping bucket metering unit arranged inside the cylinder.

[0007] The water container is positioned above the main tipping bucket metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit. The diversion container is positioned below the water container. The diversion container is provided with a water storage chamber for receiving and accommodating rainwater flowing out of the water container. A first connecting pipe is provided at the bottom of the water storage chamber. The main tipping bucket metering unit is positioned below the first connecting pipe. A second connecting pipe is provided on the side wall of the water storage chamber. The auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit is positioned below the second connecting pipe.

[0008] The diversion container is configured to buffer rainwater using a water storage chamber, guide rainwater to the main tipping bucket metering unit using a first connecting pipe, and divert rainwater to the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit using a second connecting pipe.

[0009] In use, rainwater flows into the diversion container through the water container. During light rain, the rainwater falls through the first connecting pipe at the bottom of the diversion container to the main buffer funnel of the main tipping bucket metering unit. After buffering, it flows into the main tipping bucket and the corresponding rainfall is recorded. During heavy rain, the water level in the diversion container rises. After exceeding a certain height, the rainwater falls through the second connecting pipe on the side of the diversion container to the secondary buffer funnel of the secondary tipping bucket metering unit. After buffering, it flows into the secondary tipping bucket and the corresponding rainfall is recorded. For example, if the main and secondary tipping buckets have the same resolution, the pulse counts corresponding to the main and secondary tipping buckets are added together, and the rainfall is obtained after data conversion.

[0010] Preferably, the main tipping bucket metering unit includes a main buffer funnel, a main tipping bucket, a support, a reed switch, and a magnet. The main buffer funnel is installed on top of the support, and the main tipping bucket is installed on the support and located below the main buffer funnel. The main tipping bucket is configured to switch from a balanced state to tipping and drain water as rainfall accumulates, and to return to a balanced state after tipping and draining water. The reed switch is installed on the support, and the magnet is installed on the main tipping bucket. The magnet is configured to change position with the tipping movement of the main tipping bucket and the reed switch, thereby controlling the state change of the reed switch through the magnetic field, so that the reed switch generates a pulse electrical signal.

[0011] Preferably, both the main tipping bucket metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit are installed at the bottom of the cylinder via a base.

[0012] Preferably, the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit has the same structure as the main tipping bucket metering unit.

[0013] Preferably, the diversion container has an inverted frustum shape, with the bottom of the inverted frustum shape being an inclined surface.

[0014] As a preferred option, the water outlet of the water container is equipped with a filter.

[0015] Preferably, the tipping capacity of the main tipping bucket metering unit is the same as that of the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device provided by this utility model has the following substantial features and advancements: This parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device achieves rainfall intensity threshold-triggered diversion through a diversion container. Under light rainfall intensity, the bottom of the diversion container prioritizes drainage, while under heavy rainfall intensity, the side of the diversion container overflows and diverts the water, avoiding overload of the main tipping bucket metering unit. By utilizing the main tipping bucket metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit together to measure rainfall, it overcomes the limitations of traditional tipping bucket rainfall sensors in terms of measurement range, dynamically adapts to rainfall intensity, meets the measurement needs under different rainfall intensities, and improves the accuracy and reliability of rainfall measurement under different rainfall intensities. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a reference diagram showing the usage state of a parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device in this utility model embodiment, where only the main tipping bucket metering unit is used for rainfall measurement when the rainfall intensity level is not high.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a reference diagram showing the usage state of a parallel tipping bucket rainfall measurement device in this embodiment of the invention, where the main tipping bucket metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit work together to measure rainfall under conditions of high rainfall intensity.

[0020] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Cylinder; 2. Water container; 3. Filter; 4. Diversion container; 5. First connecting pipe; 6. Second connecting pipe; 7. Main buffer funnel; 8. Main tipping bucket; 9. Secondary buffer funnel; 10. Secondary tipping bucket; 11. Support; 12. Reed switch; 13. Magnet; 14. Base. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] To address the errors caused by the continuous jumping of the metering bucket in traditional tipping bucket rain gauges under heavy rainfall, and the problems of response lag, difficulty in data selection, and large errors under heavy rainfall in dual-counting tipping bucket rain gauge devices, this invention proposes a parallel diversion tipping bucket rain gauge device. This device aims to dynamically adapt to rainfall intensity, meet the measurement needs under different rainfall intensities, and improve the accuracy and reliability of rainfall measurements under varying rainfall intensities.

[0023] The parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device proposed in this embodiment prioritizes drainage from the bottom of the diversion container during light rainfall. During heavy rainfall, the water level in the diversion container rises, and once it exceeds a certain height, rainwater falls from the second connecting pipe on the side of the diversion container to the auxiliary tipping bucket metering unit for additional measurement. This parallel diversion design distributes rainwater during heavy rainfall to both the main and auxiliary tipping bucket metering units for separate measurement, avoiding the measurement bottleneck caused by excessive rainwater flow in a single tipping bucket. It achieves dynamic adaptation to rainfall intensity, meets the measurement needs under different rainfall intensities, and effectively improves measurement accuracy under extreme rainfall conditions.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, a parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device includes a water container 2, a diversion container 4, a main tipping bucket 8 metering unit, and a secondary tipping bucket 10 metering unit, all installed inside the cylinder 1.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the water container 2 is positioned above the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit. The diversion container 4 is positioned below the water container 2. The diversion container 4 has a storage chamber for receiving and containing rainwater flowing from the water container 2. A first connecting pipe 5 is located at the bottom of the storage chamber. The main tipping bucket 8 metering unit is positioned below the first connecting pipe 5. A second connecting pipe 6 is located on the side wall of the storage chamber. The auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit is positioned below the second connecting pipe 6.

[0026] The diversion container 4 is configured to buffer rainwater using a water storage chamber, guide rainwater to the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit using a first connecting pipe 5, and divert rainwater to the auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit using a second connecting pipe 6.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit includes a main buffer funnel 7, a main tipping bucket 8, a support 11, a reed switch 12, and a magnet 13. The main buffer funnel 7 is mounted on top of the support 11. The main tipping bucket 8 is mounted on the support 11 and located below the main buffer funnel 7. The main tipping bucket 8 is configured to tip over and drain water as rainfall accumulates from a balanced state, and then return to a balanced state after draining water. The reed switch 12 is mounted on the support 11. The magnet 13 is mounted on the main tipping bucket 8. The magnet 13 is configured to change position with the tipping motion of the main tipping bucket 8 and the reed switch 12, thereby controlling the state change of the reed switch 12 through a magnetic field, causing the reed switch 12 to generate a pulse electrical signal.

[0028] For example, when rainwater falls from the first connecting pipe 5 of the diversion container 4 into the main buffer funnel 7, the funnel's expansion structure can slow down the impact speed of the rainwater, preventing the main tipping bucket 8 from overturning prematurely due to the impact force of the water flow. At the same time, the narrow diameter design of the funnel outlet allows the rainwater to form a stable, fine stream that flows evenly into the main tipping bucket 8, ensuring the accuracy of the rainfall accumulation process.

[0029] The main tipping bucket 8 is a symmetrical double-bucket structure, mounted on the support 11 via a fulcrum, and can freely tilt around the fulcrum. When the rainfall in one bucket reaches a set threshold, gravity breaks the balance, the bucket tilts to drain water, and the empty bucket on the other side enters the water-receiving state. Through the quantitative triggering mechanism of mechanical tilting, the continuous flow of rainwater is transformed into discrete "single tilting-measuring" actions, achieving precise measurement of rainfall in stages. The specific operation process of the main tipping bucket 8 is as follows.

[0030] Initially, the two hoppers on either side of the main tipping bucket 8 are empty and in a balanced state, waiting to collect water. Buffered rainwater continuously flows into one hopper. When the water volume reaches a set single-hopper metering threshold (e.g., the volume corresponding to 0.1mm of rainfall), the weight of that hopper exceeds that of the other side, triggering the tipping action. After the hopper tipps, the side filled with rainwater tilts downwards, and the rainwater drains through the opening at the bottom of the hopper. Simultaneously, the empty hopper on the other side rotates to below the main buffer funnel 7 and begins to collect new rainwater. After drainage is complete, the weight of the empty hopper decreases, and the main tipping bucket 8 returns to a balanced state due to the difference in gravity between the two sides, awaiting the next accumulation of rainfall.

[0031] When the main tipping bucket 8 is balanced, the magnet 13 and the reed switch 12 maintain a certain distance. The internal contacts of the reed switch 12 are open due to the absence of a magnetic field, resulting in no electrical signal output. When the main tipping bucket 8 flips, the magnet 13 moves closer to the reed switch 12 along with the bucket body. Once the magnetic field strength reaches a threshold, the internal contacts of the reed switch 12 are magnetized and attracted, the circuit is completed, and a pulse electrical signal is generated (representing one effective flip). After the bucket resets, the magnet 13 moves away from the reed switch 12, the magnetic field disappears, the contacts open due to elastic reset, the circuit is cut off, and the pulse signal ends.

[0032] The pulsed electrical signal is transmitted to the data acquisition system through a wire. The system calculates the total rainfall based on the number of pulses. For example, if a single pulse corresponds to 0.1 mm, then 10 pulses correspond to 1.0 mm of rainfall.

[0033] To further reduce the difficulty of measurement, the auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit has the same structure as the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit. Therefore, during heavy rainfall, the auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit, like the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit, measures rainfall through a stable tipping mechanism and a signal conversion mechanism between the magnet 13 and the reed switch 12, avoiding measurement deviations or asynchronous operation problems caused by structural differences.

[0034] When using, such as Figure 2 As shown, rainwater flows from the water container 2 into the diversion container 4. During periods of light rain, the rainwater falls through the first connecting pipe 5 at the bottom of the diversion container 4 into the main buffer funnel 7 of the metering unit of the main tipping bucket 8. After buffering, the rainwater flows into the main tipping bucket 8 and the corresponding rainfall is recorded. Figure 3As shown, during heavy rainfall, the water level in the diversion container 4 rises. After exceeding a certain height, the rainwater falls from the second connecting pipe 6 on the side of the diversion container 4 to the secondary buffer funnel 9 of the metering unit of the secondary tipping bucket 10. After buffering, it flows into the secondary tipping bucket 10 and the corresponding rainfall is recorded. For example, the resolution of the main and secondary tipping buckets 10 is the same. The pulse numbers corresponding to the main and secondary tipping buckets 10 are added together, and the rainfall is obtained after data conversion.

[0035] According to some preferred embodiments of this utility model, the tipping capacity of the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit and the tipping capacity of the auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit are the same. Therefore, the consistency of the tipping capacity avoids measurement scale confusion caused by capacity differences, eliminates potential accuracy deviations that may occur when different metering units work alternately, and ensures that the data maintains high accuracy and consistency throughout the entire measurement range from light rainfall to heavy rain.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, both the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering unit are mounted on the bottom of the cylinder 1 via the base 14. This tight connection between the base 14 and the bottom of the cylinder 1 ensures that the main and auxiliary tipping bucket 10 metering units receive stable support during rain impacts and frequent tipping, preventing structural loosening from affecting metering accuracy and ensuring long-term stable operation of the measuring device.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the diversion container 4 has an inverted frustum shape with an inclined bottom. This shape, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, aligns with the natural flow of rainwater, effectively converging and guiding the incoming rainwater. The larger opening at the top quickly catches the rainwater flowing from the water container 2, preventing splashing or overflow due to rainwater impact. The gradually narrowing design at the bottom guides the water flow towards the bottom connecting pipe, reducing turbulence and eddies within the container and ensuring that rainwater flows into the main tipping bucket 8 metering unit at a stable speed and direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the inclined surface at the bottom further enhances the guiding effect, allowing rainwater to flow faster towards the first connecting pipe 5 under the action of gravity, effectively shortening the residence time of rainwater in the diversion container 4, and improving the measurement response speed and accuracy under light rain intensity.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the outlet of the water container 2 is equipped with a filter 3. The filter 3 is used to intercept larger particles of impurities such as leaves, insects, and mud mixed in with rainwater, preventing foreign objects from entering the diversion container 4 and the tipping metering unit.

[0040] This utility model is not limited to the specific technical solutions described in the above embodiments. Besides the above embodiments, this utility model may have other implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A parallel split-flow tipping bucket rainfall measurement device, characterized in that, It includes a water container (2), a diversion container (4), a main tipping bucket (8) metering unit, and a secondary tipping bucket (10) metering unit installed inside the cylinder (1); The water container (2) is positioned above the main tipping bucket (8) metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket (10) metering unit. The diversion container (4) is positioned below the water container (2). The diversion container (4) is provided with a water storage chamber for receiving and accommodating rainwater flowing out of the water container (2). A first connecting pipe (5) is provided at the bottom of the water storage chamber. The main tipping bucket (8) metering unit is positioned below the first connecting pipe (5). A second connecting pipe (6) is provided on the side wall of the water storage chamber. The auxiliary tipping bucket (10) metering unit is positioned below the second connecting pipe (6). The diversion container (4) is configured to buffer rainwater using a water storage chamber, guide rainwater to the main tipping bucket (8) metering unit using a first connecting pipe (5), and divert rainwater to the auxiliary tipping bucket (10) metering unit using a second connecting pipe (6).

2. The parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main tipping bucket (8) metering unit includes a main buffer funnel (7), a main tipping bucket (8), a support (11), a reed switch (12) and a magnet (13). The main buffer funnel (7) is installed on the top of the support (11), and the main tipping bucket (8) is installed on the support (11) and located below the main buffer funnel (7). The main tipping bucket (8) is configured to tip over and drain water as rainfall accumulates from a balanced state, and to return to a balanced state after tipping over and draining water. The reed switch (12) is mounted on the bracket (11), and the magnet (13) is mounted on the main tipping bucket (8). The magnet (13) is configured to change the position of the reed switch (12) with the flipping motion of the main tipping bucket (8), thereby controlling the state change of the reed switch (12) through the magnetic field, so that the reed switch (12) generates a pulse electrical signal.

3. The parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main tipping bucket (8) metering unit and the auxiliary tipping bucket (10) metering unit are both installed at the bottom of the cylinder (1) via a base (14).

4. The parallel diversion tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The secondary tipping bucket (10) metering unit has the same structure as the main tipping bucket (8) metering unit.

5. The parallel split-flow tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diversion container (4) has an inverted frustum-shaped structure, and the bottom of the inverted frustum-shaped structure is an inclined surface.

6. The parallel split-flow tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the water container (2) is equipped with a filter (3).

7. The parallel split-flow tipping bucket rainfall measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main tipping bucket (8) metering unit has the same tipping bucket capacity as the auxiliary tipping bucket (10) metering unit.

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