Detection probe and consumable stock detection device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of material management, in particular to a detection probe and a consumable stock detection device. The consumable stock detection device comprises a detection probe and a host which are electrically connected through a flexible dielectric medium. The detection probe comprises an inductive switch and an inductive consumable; the main body is detachably connected with the consumables; the main body and the cover body are matched to form an accommodating cavity, and the inductive switch is partially accommodated in the accommodating cavity. The detection probe structure provided by the utility model is high in reliability and relatively low in cost; the detection probe elastically clamps the consumables, so that the self-locking function is realized, and the disassembly is convenient; the detection probe is provided with the elastic ribs, so that the assembly difficulty between the detection probe and the consumables is reduced; meanwhile, the elastic ribs can absorb external vibration or impact, and the contact stability of the inductive switch and the consumables is maintained; the detection probe is electrically connected with the host through the flexible dielectric medium, so that the environmental adaptability is high.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to the field of materials management technology, and in particular to a detection probe and a consumable inventory detection device. [Background Technology]

[0002] In many production and daily life scenarios, people tend to stockpile consumables, such as bottled water, to save time and energy. However, the consumption rate of consumables is unstable, leading to situations such as untimely replenishment and repeated checks of inventory levels, which disrupts the rhythm of production and daily life. Furthermore, the actual inventory of consumables, especially large and heavy items, is also related to the supplier's supply plan and has certain significance for both the production and supply processes of the consumables themselves.

[0003] Some related technical solutions utilize infrared detection and other methods to detect whether consumables have been used, thereby estimating the inventory of consumables. However, infrared detection and similar methods require consumables to be stored in specific locations and are costly, hindering widespread adoption.

[0004] Therefore, how to conveniently detect the usage status of consumables is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. [Utility Model Content]

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a detection probe and a consumable inventory detection device.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a detection probe, which includes: a sensor switch that senses a consumable; a body that is detachably connected to the consumable; and a cover that forms a receiving cavity with the body and the cover, wherein the sensor switch is partially housed in the receiving cavity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the main body includes a wiring portion, a connecting portion, and a locking portion, wherein the wiring portion and the locking portion are fixedly connected to each other as an integral structure through the connecting portion.

[0008] In some embodiments, the connecting portion has an opening on the side near the engaging portion, through which the sensor switch is partially exposed.

[0009] In some embodiments, the main body is provided with a wiring hole, which is disposed opposite to the opening and connects the receiving cavity to the external space.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the receiving cavity is provided with a plurality of protrusions on two opposite sides of the wiring portion along the radial direction, and the protrusions are arranged alternately along the tangential direction of the wiring portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the engaging portion includes spaced-apart clamping arms, one end of which is fixedly connected to the connecting portion, and the other end is suspended. The engaging portion has a C-shaped or U-shaped structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the opening is located between the clamping arms, and the maximum distance between the clamping arms is less than the size of the grip portion of the consumable, so that the engaging portion clamps and secures the grip portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the wiring portion, the connecting portion, and the engaging portion are formed into an integral structure by injection molding.

[0014] In some embodiments, the detection probe further includes an elastic rib, which is disposed on one side of the clamping arms that are opposite to each other, and the extension direction of the elastic rib is consistent with the extension direction of the clamping arms.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a consumable inventory detection device, which includes: any of the detection probes described above; and a host, wherein the host and the detection probe are electrically connected via a flexible dielectric.

[0016] The detection probe provided in this application has high reliability and low cost; the detection probe elastically engages with consumables, achieving a self-locking function while facilitating disassembly; the detection probe is equipped with elastic ribs, reducing the assembly difficulty between the detection probe and the consumables; at the same time, the elastic ribs can also absorb external vibrations or impacts, maintaining the contact stability between the inductive switch and the consumables; the detection probe and the host are electrically connected via a flexible dielectric, exhibiting strong environmental adaptability; through the cooperative operation of the detection probe and the host, the usage status of consumables can be conveniently detected. [Attached Image Description]

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a consumable inventory monitoring system provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 These are structural diagrams of some common consumables.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a consumable inventory detection device provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows an exploded three-dimensional structure of the consumable inventory detection device.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial three-dimensional structure of the host computer.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial three-dimensional structure of the detection probe.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the consumables inventory detection device.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0024] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0026] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this application involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," such descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features.

[0027] In many production and daily life scenarios, people tend to stockpile consumables, such as bottled water, to save time and energy. However, the consumption rate of consumables is unstable, leading to situations such as untimely replenishment and repeated checks of inventory levels, which disrupts the rhythm of production and daily life. Furthermore, the actual inventory of consumables, especially large and heavy items, is also related to the supplier's supply plan and has certain significance for both the production and supply processes of the consumables themselves.

[0028] Based on this, the following embodiments of this application provide a consumable inventory monitoring system.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a consumable inventory monitoring system according to an embodiment of this application. The consumable inventory monitoring system 1 is used to monitor the inventory of consumables 2, which can be either industrial or daily consumables. Specifically, they can be bottled, canned, or barrelled consumables such as bottled drinking water, canned compressed gas, or chemical reagents. For hygiene or safety reasons, the consumables 2 are generally not repackaged for storage; instead, the contents are taken directly from their original packaging. Figure 2 The three sections (a), (b), and (c) respectively showcase some common consumables. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the consumable 2 typically includes packaging 21 and contents (not shown). The packaging is provided with a grip 211, which is a part that facilitates the application of external force with one hand when picking up the consumable 2.

[0030] The consumable inventory monitoring system 1 includes a consumable inventory detection device 11 and a monitoring platform 13. The consumable inventory detection device 11 communicates with the monitoring platform 13 and is detachably connected to the consumables. In a first state, the consumable inventory detection device 11 is connected to the consumables 2; in a second state, the consumable inventory detection device 11 and the consumables 2 are not connected. When switching from the first state to the second state, the control module of the consumable inventory detection device 11 counts. If the count exceeds a preset threshold, it sends a signal to the monitoring platform 13 as an early warning. After receiving the early warning signal from the consumable inventory detection device 11, the monitoring platform 13 analyzes and statistically processes the location information, historical purchase quantity, historical purchase time, and other information of the consumable inventory detection device. Based on this, it can rationally arrange supply or purchase plans and replenish the inventory of the consumables 2 in a timely manner.

[0031] It is understood that the consumable inventory detection device has an independent identification code (Board ID). After a specific procurement activity is completed, the monitoring platform will collect relevant procurement information based on the identification code, so as to facilitate analysis and statistics after receiving the early warning signal from the inventory detection device 11.

[0032] Specifically, in this embodiment, the grip portion 211 of the consumable 2 is provided with an identification tag (not shown). In a first state, the consumable inventory detection device 11 is engaged and fixed to the grip portion 211 to continuously sense the identification tag; in a second state, the consumable inventory detection device 11 is detached from the grip portion 211, and the identification tag is not sensed. The consumable inventory detection device 11 determines whether it is in the first or second state based on the sensing state of the identification tag, and then counts the inventory. In this embodiment, the identification tag can be an RFID tag; in other embodiments, the identification tag can also be a magnetic tag.

[0033] In other embodiments, the consumable 2 may not have an identification tag. The consumable inventory detection device 11 may also determine whether it is in the first state or the second state through other sensing methods, such as sensing methods based on pressure changes or sensing methods based on light and shadow changes.

[0034] It is understood that the preset threshold is an integer value and can be set according to the total amount of consumables in the same procurement batch. For example, the preset threshold can be set to 10%, 20%, or 50% of the total amount of consumables in the same procurement batch. Of course, other setting methods can also be used, such as using machine learning to obtain the consumption pattern curve of consumables and then dynamically setting the preset threshold.

[0035] The following embodiments of this application provide a consumable inventory detection device.

[0036] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a consumable inventory detection device provided in one embodiment of this application. Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows an exploded perspective view of the consumable inventory detection device. The consumable inventory detection device 3 includes a main unit 31 and multiple detection probes 33. Each probe 33 includes a body 331, a sensor switch 333, and a cover 335. The body 331 is detachably connected to the consumable 2, and the body 331 and the cover 335 cooperate to form a receiving cavity 337. The sensor switch 333 is partially housed in the receiving cavity 337 and senses the consumable 2. The main unit 31 includes a counter. The main unit 31 is electrically connected to the probes 33 to receive electrical signals sent by the multiple probes 33 to the main unit 31. The counter counts the number of probes that received electrical signals or the number of probes that did not receive electrical signals, and issues a warning signal when the count exceeds a preset threshold.

[0037] In this embodiment, the case where the number of detection probes 33 is two is used as an example. It can be understood that in actual applications, the number of detection probes 33 is equivalent to the number of the same batch of consumables 2 purchased, and the number of detection probes 33 is at least two.

[0038] Please refer to the following: Figure 5 , Figure 5 for Figure 3 The schematic diagram shown is a partial three-dimensional structure of the host computer, for ease of explanation. Figure 5The second housing is not shown. The main unit 31 includes a first housing 311, a second housing 313, a control module 315, a battery 317, and an antenna 319. The first housing 311 and the second housing 313 are fixedly connected, for example, by bolts or snap-fit. The first housing 311 and the second housing 313 cooperate to form a receiving space 312, in which the control module 315, the battery 317, and the antenna 319 are housed. The battery 317 and the antenna 319 are electrically connected to the control module 315, respectively. The battery 317 supplies power to the control module 315, and the control module 319 controls the antenna 319 to transmit and receive wireless signals to enable communication between the consumable inventory detection device 3 and the monitoring platform.

[0039] To secure the battery 317, the first housing 311 has a first fixing part on the side near the second housing 313, and the second housing 313 has a second fixing part 3131 on the side near the first housing 311. The first fixing part and the second fixing part 3131 are disposed opposite to each other, and the first fixing part and the second fixing part 3131 cooperate to form a fixing groove 314, the inner wall of the fixing groove 314 engaging and securing the battery 317. In this embodiment, the battery 317 is a hard-pack cylindrical lithium battery; in other embodiments, it can also be a hard-pack square lithium battery or a soft-pack battery, etc.

[0040] The control module 315 includes a circuit board 3151, a control chip 3153, a data interface 3155, and a communication unit 3157. The control chip 3153, the data interface 3155, and the communication unit 3157 are electrically connected to the circuit board 3151, for example, by soldering or crimping. The battery 317 and the antenna 319 are electrically connected to the circuit board 3151 via conductors (not shown). The circuit board 3151 is fixedly connected to the first housing 311.

[0041] The first housing 311 has several fixing posts 3111, and the circuit board 3151 has connection holes corresponding to the fixing posts 3111. The circuit board 3151 is sleeved onto the fixing posts 3111 through the connection holes. In this embodiment, the inner wall of the connection hole is coated with adhesive, and the circuit board 3151 is fixedly connected to the first housing 311 by bonding with adhesive. The circuit board 3151 can be a printed circuit board (PCB), and in other embodiments, it can also be a ceramic circuit board.

[0042] The number of data interfaces 3155 corresponds to the number of detection probes 33. Each data interface 3155 is connected to the detection probe 33 via a flexible dielectric (not shown). The data interface 3155 can be an RS232 interface, RS422 interface, or USB interface, etc.; in this embodiment, it is an RS232 interface. The first housing 311 and the second housing 313 also cooperate to form a through hole 316. The through hole 316 connects the receiving space 312 to the external space. The through hole 316 corresponds to the data interface 3155. The flexible dielectric connects the data interface 3155 and the detection probe 33 through the through hole 316, thereby realizing the exchange of electrical signals between the host 31 and the detection probe 33. Through the connection of the flexible dielectric, the relative position of the detection probe 33 and the host 31 can be freely set, providing strong environmental adaptability.

[0043] The communication unit 3157 includes a card slot and card slot pins. The card slot is fixedly connected to the circuit board, for example, by adhesive bonding. The card slot pins are electrically connected to the circuit board 3151, for example, by metal soldering. There are multiple card slot pins, including power supply pins (VCC), ground pins (GND), input / output pins (I / O), card insertion detection pins (CD), and data communication pins (DATA), etc. The definitions of the card slot pins conform to the standards of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The communication unit 3157 cooperates with an IoT card plugged into the host 31. The card slot pins are electrically connected to the pins of the IoT card. Through signal exchange between the IoT card and an external base station, the communication unit 3157 realizes geolocation functionality.

[0044] The control chip 3153 may include, or may be one or more combinations of various processors such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Microcontroller Unit (MCU), and a Central Processing Unit (CPU). In this embodiment, the control chip 3153 may be a single-chip microcomputer. The control chip 3153 includes a clock circuit, which controls the control module 315 to operate intermittently to save energy. The control chip 3153 also includes a counter, which counts the number of probes that receive electrical signals or the number of probes that do not receive electrical signals, and issues a signal as an early warning when the count exceeds a preset threshold.

[0045] It is understood that the control module 315 also includes a charging interface, which is electrically connected to the circuit board 3151. An external power supply is connected to the charging interface to charge the battery 317 and simultaneously power the control module 315. When the external power supply is removed, the battery 317 powers the control module 315 to maintain the normal operation of the consumable inventory detection device 3.

[0046] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 and Figure 6 , Figure 6 for Figure 3 The schematic diagram shown is a partial three-dimensional representation of the detection probe, intended for ease of illustration. Figure 6 The cover is not shown. The detection probe 33 includes a main body 331, a sensor switch 333, and a cover 335. The main body 331 and the cover 335 cooperate to form a receiving cavity 337. The sensor switch 333 is partially housed in the receiving cavity 337 and partially exposed through an opening 339.

[0047] The main body 331 includes a wiring portion 3311, a connecting portion 3313, and a locking portion 3315. The wiring portion 3311 and the locking portion 3315 are fixedly connected as an integral structure through the connecting portion 3313. The wiring portion 3311 has a circular structure, the locking portion 3315 has a C-shaped structure, and the connecting portion 3313 connects and transitions the wiring portion 3311 and the locking portion 3315. The wiring portion 3311 and the connecting portion 3313 cooperate with the cover 335 to form the receiving cavity 337. The connecting portion 3313 has an opening 339 on the side near the locking portion 3315. The sensor switch 333 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the receiving cavity 337, for example, by welding or adhesive bonding. The sensor switch 333 is partially exposed through the opening 339.

[0048] The engaging portion 3315 includes two spaced-apart clamping arms 33151. One end of each clamping arm 33151 is fixedly connected to the connecting portion 3313, while the other end is suspended. The engaging portion 3315 is generally C-shaped. In other embodiments, the engaging portion 3315 may also be U-shaped. The opening 339 is located between the two clamping arms 33151. The maximum distance between the two clamping arms 33151 is less than the size of the grip portion of the consumable 2, so that the engaging portion 3315 clamps and fixes the grip portion, and the sensor switch 333 exposed through the opening 339 abuts against the grip portion.

[0049] The main body 331 is made of a lightweight rigid material, such as polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic resin (ABS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or carbon fiber, etc. In this embodiment, the wiring part 3311, the connecting part 3313, and the engaging part 3315 are injection molded from carbon fiber material, so that the main body 331 is an integral structure.

[0050] The detection probe 33 also includes an elastic rib 334, which is located on one side of the two clamping arms 33151 facing away from each other. The extension direction of the elastic rib 334 is consistent with the extension direction of the clamping arms 33151. Since the maximum distance between the two clamping arms 33151 is less than the size of the gripping part of the consumable 2, the engaging part 3315 will undergo a certain deformation during the assembly process of the detection probe 33 and the consumable 2. The elastic rib 334 can store a certain amount of potential energy through its own elastic deformation, preventing the clamping arms 33151 from undergoing plastic deformation or breakage during the deformation process, thus reducing the assembly difficulty between the detection probe 33 and the consumable 2. At the same time, the elastic rib 334 can also absorb external vibrations or impacts, maintaining the contact stability between the inductive switch 333 and the gripping part. When purchasing consumables in bulk, they can be quickly assembled with the detection probe; when picking up a particular consumable, the detection probe can be quickly disassembled.

[0051] The elastic rib 334 is made of a soft, elastic material, such as silicone or rubber. In this embodiment, the elastic rib 334 is integrally formed with the main body 331 through a liquid silicone injection molding process.

[0052] On the side away from the opening 339, the main body 331 is provided with a wiring hole 332, which connects the receiving cavity 337 to the external space. The wiring portion 3311 has a circular structure, and the inner wall of the receiving cavity 337 is provided with multiple protrusions 3371 on two opposite sides along the radial direction of the wiring portion 3311. The protrusions 3371 are staggered along the tangential direction of the wiring portion 3311. The inductive switch 333 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the receiving cavity 337, for example, by welding or adhesive bonding. One end of the flexible dielectric is connected to the inductive switch 333, and the other end extends through the wiring hole 332 after passing around the protrusions 3371, then enters the receiving space 312 through the through hole 316, and finally is electrically connected to the data interface 3155 to realize the exchange of electrical signals between the host 31 and the detection probe 33. The protrusion 3371 makes the wiring of the detection probe 33 neat and easy to maintain later.

[0053] The inductive switch 333 can be a pressure sensor, a photosensitive sensor, or a radio frequency signal reader, etc. In this embodiment, the inductive switch 333 can be a pressure sensor. When the detection probe 33 is connected to the consumable 2, the engaging part 3315 clamps and fixes the gripping part, and the inductive switch 333 exposed through the opening 339 abuts against the gripping part. The inductive switch 333 senses the pressure signal and converts it into an electrical signal, which is then sent to the host 31. After the detection probe 33 is disassembled from the gripping part, the inductive switch 333 exposed through the opening 339 no longer contacts the gripping part, and the inductive switch 333 can no longer sense the pressure signal and no longer sends an electrical signal to the host 31. The control module 315 of the consumable inventory detection device 3 counts, and if the count exceeds a preset threshold, it sends a wireless signal to the monitoring platform through the antenna 319 as an early warning. Based on the early warning from the monitoring platform, the inventory of the consumable 2 can be replenished in a timely manner without repeated confirmation or manual counting of the consumable inventory, which is convenient and quick.

[0054] Since the detection probe 33 is electrically connected to the host 31 via the flexible dielectric, when the detection probe 33 is separated from the gripping part, the flexible dielectric is subjected to tensile stress for a long time under the influence of the detection probe 33's own weight, which can easily lead to poor contact. Therefore, the consumable inventory detection device 3 also includes a magnet 35. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 7 , Figure 7 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the consumable inventory detection device. Multiple magnets 35 are respectively installed on the first housing 311 and the main body 331, for example, by adhesive bonding or snap-fit ​​fixing. In the second state, after the detection probe 33 is separated from the gripping part, the detection probe 33 is attracted and fixed to the outer surface of the main body 31 by the attraction of opposite poles of the magnets 35, making it convenient to use and neatly stored, thus extending the service life of the consumable inventory detection device 3.

[0055] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A detection probe, characterized in that, include: Inductive switch, the inductive switch sensing consumables; The main body is detachably connected to the consumable; and The cover, the main body and the cover cooperate to form a receiving cavity, and the inductive switch part is received in the receiving cavity.

2. The detection probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body includes a wiring section, a connecting section, and a locking section, and the wiring section and the locking section are fixedly connected to each other as an integral structure through the connecting section.

3. The detection probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting part has an opening on the side near the engaging part, and the sensor switch is exposed through the opening.

4. The detection probe according to claim 3, characterized in that, The main body is provided with a wiring hole, which is arranged opposite to the opening and connects the receiving cavity with the external space.

5. The detection probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner wall of the receiving cavity is provided with a plurality of protrusions on two opposite sides along the radial direction of the wiring section, and the protrusions are arranged alternately along the tangential direction of the wiring section.

6. The detection probe according to claim 3, characterized in that, The engaging part includes spaced-apart clamping arms, one end of which is fixedly connected to the connecting part, and the other end is suspended. The engaging part has a C-shaped or U-shaped structure.

7. The detection probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The opening is located between the clamping arms, and the maximum distance between the clamping arms is less than the size of the grip portion of the consumable, so that the engaging portion clamps and fixes the grip portion.

8. The detection probe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The wiring section, the connecting section, and the engaging section are formed into an integral structure through injection molding.

9. The detection probe according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection probe also includes an elastic rib, which is located on one side of the clamping arms that are opposite to each other, and the extension direction of the elastic rib is consistent with the extension direction of the clamping arms.

10. A consumable inventory detection device, characterized in that, include: The detection probe as described in any one of claims 1-9; and The host is electrically connected to the detection probe via a flexible dielectric.

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