Flowmeter capable of automatically detecting water flow direction

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of flow statistics, and provides a flow meter capable of automatically detecting the water flow direction, which comprises a shell, a magnetic rotor, a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor and an MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit), the shell is provided with an inner cavity, the magnetic rotor is arranged in the inner cavity, and the magnetic rotor is provided with a plurality of magnetic curved-surface blades; the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are arranged at intervals along the axis direction of the magnetic rotor, and the distance between the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor is smaller than the height of the magnetic rotor but not equal to one half of the height of the magnetic rotor. The beneficial effects or advantages of the technical scheme of the utility model are that the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor which are in unique position relation are arranged, the MCU calculates the time of the two Hall sensors for sensing the magnetic curved-surface blade, and whether the magnetic rotor rotates anticlockwise or clockwise is judged by comparing the time; therefore, whether the water flow direction is forward or reverse is automatically detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flow statistics technology, and specifically to a flow meter that automatically detects the direction of water flow. Background Technology

[0002] A flow meter is an instrument used to measure the flow rate of fluid in a pipeline. A traditional flow meter includes a housing with a rotor inside the housing. When water enters the flow meter from the pipeline, the water pushes multiple curved blades of the rotor, causing the rotor to rotate. The rotor speed is directly proportional to the water flow rate. By detecting the rotor speed, the water flow rate is determined, and combined with the water flow time, the water flow rate is obtained.

[0003] Traditional flow meters require a specified flow direction; water can only enter and exit the flow meter in a prescribed direction. For example, if water flows from top to bottom and the rotor rotates counterclockwise, the flow meter accurately measures the flow rate. However, if water enters and exits the flow meter from the opposite direction—that is, from bottom to top and the rotor rotates clockwise—the flow direction deviates from the prescribed direction, and the accuracy of the flow measurement cannot be guaranteed. This is because the specific structure of the rotor results in different forces pushing the rotor forward and backward, leading to different flow rates per rotor revolution.

[0004] There are certain application scenarios for flow meters in the market that restrict the installation direction of the flow meters, causing the water flow direction to be inconsistent with the direction specified by the flow meter; or when the staff installs the flow meter, due to negligence, the inlet and outlet of the flow meter are reversed. This results in the low flow measurement accuracy of traditional flow meters, and the flow meter can still display the flow even when it is installed backwards, so it is difficult for the staff to detect the reversed flow meter in time, which is not conducive to the flow statistics of industrial production.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this technical field for a flow meter that can automatically detect the direction of water flow. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a flow meter that automatically detects the direction of water flow.

[0007] This utility model is implemented as follows: a flow meter for automatically detecting the direction of water flow, comprising:

[0008] Housing, magnetic rotor, first Hall sensor, second Hall sensor, and MCU;

[0009] The housing is provided with an inner cavity, the magnetic rotor is disposed in the inner cavity, and the magnetic rotor has multiple magnetic curved blades;

[0010] The first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are both fixedly disposed on the outside of the flow meter housing and are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the magnetic rotor. The distance between the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor is less than the height of the magnetic rotor, but not equal to half the height of the magnetic rotor.

[0011] Both the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor can sense the magnetic curved blade, and are connected to the MCU via a first signal line and a second signal line, respectively. The MCU can calculate the time when the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor sense the magnetic curved blade.

[0012] Furthermore, the distance between the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor is equal to one-third of the height of the magnetic rotor.

[0013] Furthermore, the first Hall sensor is aligned with the top of the magnetic rotor, and the second Hall sensor is offset from the spacing towards the bottom of the magnetic rotor.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a display screen, which is connected to the MCU via a third signal line.

[0015] Compared with the background technology, the beneficial effects or advantages of the present invention are as follows: a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor with a unique positional relationship are set, the MCU calculates the time for the two Hall sensors to sense the magnetic curved blades, and by comparing the time, it is determined whether the magnetic rotor is rotating counterclockwise or clockwise, thereby automatically detecting whether the water flow direction is forward or reverse, which helps to promptly remind the staff whether the flow meter is installed backward. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the flow meter in this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the flow meter in this utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram comparing the first sensing time and the second sensing time in this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the first Hall sensor, the second Hall sensor, the MCU, and the display screen in this utility model.

[0021] Reference numerals: housing 1; inner cavity 11; magnetic rotor 2; magnetic curved blade 21; first Hall sensor 3; second Hall sensor 4; MCU 5; display screen 6. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This utility model embodiment provides a flow meter for automatically detecting the direction of water flow. The overall concept of the technical solution is as follows:

[0023] A magnetic rotor with multiple magnetic curved blades is installed inside the flow meter's housing. A first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor are installed on the outside of the flow meter's housing, spaced apart along the axis of the magnetic rotor. Water entering the flow meter pushes the magnetic curved blades, causing the magnetic rotor to rotate. The difference between the time points when the first Hall sensor senses two magnetic curved blades is taken as the first sensing time. The difference between the time point when the second Hall sensor first senses a magnetic curved blade and the time point when the first Hall sensor first senses a magnetic curved blade is taken as the second sensing time. Since the distance between the first and second Hall sensors is less than the height of the magnetic rotor, but not equal to half the height of the magnetic rotor, when the second sensing time is less than half of the first sensing time, the magnetic rotor rotates counterclockwise, and the water flow direction is forward; when the second sensing time is greater than half of the first sensing time, the magnetic rotor rotates clockwise, and the water flow direction is reverse. By comparing the sensing times of the Hall sensors, the direction of water flow in the flow meter is automatically detected.

[0024] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0025] See Figures 1 to 4 The preferred embodiment of this utility model.

[0026] A flow meter that automatically detects the direction of water flow includes:

[0027] Housing 1, magnetic rotor 2, first Hall sensor 3, second Hall sensor 4, and MCU 5;

[0028] The housing 1 is provided with an inner cavity 11, the magnetic rotor 2 is disposed in the inner cavity 11, and the magnetic rotor 2 has a plurality of magnetic curved blades 21;

[0029] The first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 are both fixedly disposed on the outside of the flow meter housing 1 and are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the magnetic rotor 2. The distance between the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 is less than the height H of the magnetic rotor 2, but not equal to half of the height H of the magnetic rotor 2.

[0030] Both the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 can sense the magnetic curved blade 21, and are connected to the MCU 5 via a first signal line and a second signal line, respectively. The MCU 5 can calculate the time when the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 sense the magnetic curved blade 21.

[0031] The beneficial effects or advantages of this utility model's technical solution are as follows: The first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 are set with a unique positional relationship. The MCU5 calculates the time that the two Hall sensors sense the magnetic curved blades. By comparing the time, it is determined whether the magnetic rotor is rotating counterclockwise or clockwise, thereby automatically detecting whether the water flow direction is forward or reverse, which helps to promptly remind staff whether the flow meter is installed backward.

[0032] When the magnetic rotor is rotating, multiple magnetic curved blades enter the sensing area of ​​the Hall sensor in sequence and then leave the sensing area of ​​the Hall sensor in sequence. The Hall sensor feeds back the sensing information to the MCU.

[0033] Furthermore, the distance between the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 is equal to one-third of the height H of the magnetic rotor 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, water enters the flow meter, pushing the magnetic curved blades 21 and causing the magnetic rotor 2 to rotate. The first Hall sensor 3 senses the difference between the two magnetic curved blades 21 at different times, which is taken as the first sensing time t1. The difference between the first sensing time of the second Hall sensor 4 and the first sensing time of the first sensing time of the magnetic curved blades 21 is taken as the second sensing time t2. If the second sensing time t2 is one-third of the first sensing time t1, that is, less than half of the first sensing time t1, the magnetic rotor 2 rotates counterclockwise and the water flow direction is positive. If the second sensing time t2 is two-thirds of the first sensing time t1, that is, greater than half of the first sensing time t1, the magnetic rotor 2 rotates clockwise and the water flow direction is negative.

[0035] Furthermore, the first Hall sensor 3 is aligned with the top of the magnetic rotor 2, and the second Hall sensor 4 is offset from the spacing towards the bottom of the magnetic rotor 2.

[0036] The beneficial effects of this technical solution are: rapid positioning and installation of the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4.

[0037] It also includes: a display screen 6, which is connected to the MCU 5 via a third signal line.

[0038] The beneficial effects of this technical solution are: MCU5 sends the water flow direction signal to display screen 6. After the flow meter is installed, the staff can see whether the flow meter is installed backwards during the debugging phase through display screen 6. When it is confirmed that the flow meter is installed backwards, the staff can quickly disassemble the flow meter and reinstall it correctly.

[0039] After the flow meter of this invention is installed in the water pipe, it can automatically detect the direction of water flow. When the direction of water flow is the specified direction, i.e., the positive direction, the flow meter accurately measures the water flow rate. When the direction of water flow is reversed, i.e., the flow meter is installed backwards, the staff can quickly remove the flow meter and reinstall it correctly to avoid the low accuracy of the measured water flow rate caused by the flow meter being installed backwards.

[0040] Under otherwise identical conditions, the flow rate measured by the flow meter will differ depending on whether the water flow direction is forward or reverse, resulting in an error. The following provides a method for automatic detection and error compensation of the water flow direction in the flow meter. When the water flow direction is reversed, there is no need to disassemble and reinstall the flow meter. By compensating for the error, the accuracy of the flow measurement is improved.

[0041] A method for automatic detection and error compensation of water flow direction in a flow meter, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0042] S1. A magnetic rotor 2 is provided in the inner cavity 11 of the housing 1 of the flow meter. The magnetic rotor 2 has multiple magnetic curved blades 21. When water enters the inner cavity 11 of the housing 1 of the flow meter, it pushes the magnetic curved blades 21, causing the magnetic rotor 2 to rotate.

[0043] S2, the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 are located outside the housing 1 of the flow meter, and the first Hall sensor 3 and the second Hall sensor 4 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the magnetic rotor 2;

[0044] When the first Hall sensor 3 first senses the magnetic curved blade 21, and the second Hall sensor 4 does not sense the magnetic curved blade 21, the first Hall sensor 3 sends a first feedback signal to the MCU5, and the second Hall sensor 4 sends a second feedback signal to the MCU5. The MCU5 then starts calculating the time and generates an initial time point.

[0045] When the first Hall sensor 3 does not detect the magnetic curved blade 21, and the second Hall sensor 4 detects the magnetic curved blade 21 for the first time, the first Hall sensor 3 sends a third feedback signal to the MCU5, and the second Hall sensor 4 sends a fourth feedback signal to the MCU5. The MCU5 generates the process time point.

[0046] When the first Hall sensor 3 senses the next magnetic curved blade 21, and the second Hall sensor 4 does not sense the magnetic curved blade 21, the first Hall sensor 3 sends a fifth feedback signal to the MCU5, and the second Hall sensor 4 sends a sixth feedback signal to the MCU5, and the MCU5 generates a termination time point.

[0047] S3. Calculate the difference between the termination time point and the initial time point to obtain the first sensing time t1;

[0048] The difference between the process time point and the initial time point is calculated to obtain the second sensing time t2(T2);

[0049] S4. When the second sensing time t2 is less than half of the first sensing time t1, it is determined that the water flow direction of the flow meter is positive.

[0050] When the second sensing time T2 is greater than half of the first sensing time t1, it is determined that the water flow direction of the flow meter is reversed;

[0051] S5. When the water flow direction of the flow meter is positive, the MCU calls the positive parameter table and, in combination with the rotational speed of the magnetic rotor, performs compensation calculations to obtain the flow value.

[0052] When the water flow direction of the flow meter is reversed, the MCU calls the reverse parameter table and, in conjunction with the rotational speed of the magnetic rotor, performs compensation calculations to obtain the flow value.

[0053] Due to the specific structure of the magnetic rotor in the flow meter, the force with which water pushes the magnetic rotor in the forward direction is different from the force with which water pushes it in the reverse direction, resulting in different flow rates per revolution of the magnetic rotor. In this embodiment, the rotational speed of the magnetic rotor is measured by sensing the number of magnetic curved blades passed per unit time using a first Hall sensor or a second Hall sensor. During the production and debugging phase of the flow meter, when adjusting the water flow rate, the rotor speed is calibrated for both forward and reverse flow directions, and the corresponding data is collected to form a correct parameter table and a reverse parameter table. In actual use, the correct parameter table and the reverse parameter table are pre-stored in the MCU. In the forward and reverse parameter tables, the rotor speed and the water flow rate are mapped one-to-one. The MCU selects the corresponding parameter table based on the current water flow direction, selects the corresponding water flow rate based on the currently measured magnetic rotor speed, and finally calculates the water flow rate by combining the time taken for the current flow rate.

[0054] Even if the staff installs the flow meter upside down on the water pipe, the flow meter can still accurately measure the water flow rate without needing to reinstall it, thus improving the measurement stability of the flow meter.

[0055] Combination Figure 3 When the water flow direction in the flow meter is forward, the magnetic rotor rotates counterclockwise, and the second sensing time is the time corresponding to t2 in the diagram. When the water flow direction in the flow meter is reverse, the magnetic rotor rotates clockwise, and the second sensing time becomes the time corresponding to T2 in the diagram.

[0056] The forward parameter table is replaced with a forward function expression, and the reverse parameter table is replaced with a reverse function expression. Since the rotor speed and water flow rate are directly proportional, the water flow rate is determined by detecting the rotor speed, and the water flow time is combined to obtain the water flow rate. The rotor speeds for both forward and reverse flow directions entering the flow meter are calibrated, and forward and reverse function expressions are generated based on the collected data for subsequent practical use.

[0057] It also includes: S6, a watering timer is preset with a water usage threshold, the MCU sends the flow rate value to the watering timer, when the watering timer opens the valve to water at a specified time, the watering timer compares the flow rate value with the water usage threshold, and when the flow rate value reaches the water usage threshold, the watering timer closes the valve to stop watering.

[0058] The beneficial effects of this technical solution are as follows: the valves of the flow meter and the watering timer are pre-installed in the same water pipe. The watering timer is used to open the valve at regular intervals so that water flows out of the pipe to water the plants. After receiving the flow value signal from the MCU, the watering timer can water the plants according to the amount of water. When the valve is opened at regular intervals, the watering timer keeps the valve open when the flow value is lower than the water usage threshold. When the flow value reaches the water usage threshold, the watering timer automatically closes the valve to stop watering.

[0059] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that the specific embodiments described are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Equivalent modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the spirit of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow meter for automatically detecting the direction of water flow, characterized in that, include: Housing, magnetic rotor, first Hall sensor, second Hall sensor, and MCU; The housing is provided with an inner cavity, the magnetic rotor is disposed in the inner cavity, and the magnetic rotor has multiple magnetic curved blades; The first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are both fixedly disposed on the outside of the flow meter housing and are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the magnetic rotor. The distance between the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor is less than the height of the magnetic rotor, but not equal to half the height of the magnetic rotor. Both the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor can sense the magnetic curved blade, and are connected to the MCU via a first signal line and a second signal line, respectively. The MCU can calculate the time when the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor sense the magnetic curved blade.

2. The flow meter for automatically detecting water flow direction according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor is equal to one-third of the height of the magnetic rotor.

3. The flow meter for automatically detecting water flow direction according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first Hall sensor is aligned with the top of the magnetic rotor, and the second Hall sensor is offset from the distance towards the bottom of the magnetic rotor.

4. A flow meter for automatically detecting water flow direction according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The display screen is connected to the MCU via a third signal line.

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