A MEMS digital float flowmeter
By introducing a guide rod and limiting plate structure into the float flow meter to buffer the float movement, and combining it with an infrared ranging sensor for real-time monitoring, the problem of float damage under high flow conditions is solved, and high-precision and automated flow measurement is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUXI CONSENSIC ELECTRONICS
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
When the fluid flow rate suddenly increases or exceeds the limit, the float of a traditional float flow meter is easily damaged by violently impacting the top of the tapered tube or other components, affecting its service life and measurement accuracy.
The MEMS digital float flowmeter uses a guide rod and limit plate structure to buffer the rapid upward movement of the float, and uses an infrared ranging sensor to monitor the displacement of the float in real time, thus achieving non-contact measurement.
This effectively avoids damage to the float caused by violent impacts, improves measurement accuracy and equipment lifespan, and achieves fully automated flow monitoring.
Smart Images
Figure CN224455892U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of float flowmeter technology, specifically a MEMS digital float flowmeter. Background Technology
[0002] As a flow measurement device based on the principle of buoyancy, the float flow meter has been widely used in industrial production, municipal engineering, environmental monitoring and other fields due to its simple structure, low cost and wide range of applications. Its traditional working principle is as follows: when the fluid flows from bottom to top through the vertically installed conical tube, it will generate an upward thrust on the float inside the tube. At the same time, the float is subjected to the combined action of gravity and buoyancy. When the three reach equilibrium, the float will stabilize at a certain height. This height corresponds to the fluid flow rate. The flow rate can be obtained by reading the scale on the conical tube corresponding to the float.
[0003] A search revealed that patent publication number CN218381134U discloses a float flowmeter with several evenly distributed ribs on the wall, extending axially along the tube body, and the outer circumferential surface of the float fitting with each rib with a clearance. This structure provides a float flowmeter with fewer components and a simple, stable design.
[0004] In practical use, when fluid flows through the existing float flowmeter, if the fluid flow rate suddenly increases or exceeds the flowmeter's range, the float will move rapidly upward under the force of the fluid (i.e., "over-limit floating"). Traditional structures lack effective buffering or limiting mechanisms, and the float may be damaged due to violent impacts on the top of the conical tube or other components. This not only affects the service life of the flowmeter but may also lead to a decrease in subsequent measurement accuracy due to float deformation, or even cause equipment failure. Therefore, a MEMS digital float flowmeter is designed. Utility Model Content
[0005] In view of the defects or shortcomings of existing float flow meters, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a MEMS digital float flow meter that can accurately capture the minute displacement changes of the float, improve the device's ability to monitor dynamic flow, and avoid the situation where the float is damaged due to the rapid rise of the float and collision with other structures caused by the fluid flow exceeding the limit.
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0007] This utility model provides a MEMS digital float flowmeter, including a housing, with an upper end cover and a lower end cover installed at both ends of the housing, a digital display instrument provided on one side above the upper end cover, an inverted frustum-shaped hole opened at the center of the end wall of the housing, an air flotation component provided inside the inverted frustum-shaped hole, and an infrared ranging sensor provided at the bottom of the digital display instrument, with the bottom end of the infrared ranging sensor penetrating the surface of the upper surface and extending into the inverted frustum-shaped hole;
[0008] The air flotation assembly is provided with a guide rod. Limiting plates are provided above and below the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod. A float is provided between the two limiting plates and is located on the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod. An mounting plate is installed at the bottom end of the guide rod. Springs are provided between the mounting plate and the limiting plate below the guide rod, and between the inner top end of the upper cover and the limiting plate above the guide rod. The springs are sleeved on the outer side of the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod.
[0009] Preferably, the housing is threadedly connected to both the upper and lower end caps, and a sealing ring is provided at each connection point between the housing and the upper and lower end caps.
[0010] Preferably, an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe are provided on one side of the outer circumferential wall of the housing, and the air inlet pipe is located below the air outlet pipe.
[0011] Preferably, a sealing ring is provided at the connection between the infrared ranging sensor and the upper cover.
[0012] Preferably, the top end of the guide rod is installed on the inner top end of the upper end cover, and the guide rod and the upper end cover are connected by a threaded connection, and the guide rod and the mounting plate are connected by a threaded connection.
[0013] Preferably, the guide rod has limiting grooves arranged in a ring array above and below its circumferential outer wall, and limiting blocks arranged in a ring array on the circumferential inner wall of the limiting plate. The other end of the limiting block is located in the limiting groove, and the outer wall of the limiting block and the groove wall of the limiting groove are in clearance fit.
[0014] Preferably, the inner circumferential wall of the limiting plate and the inner circumferential wall of the float are all clearance fits with the outer circumferential wall of the guide rod.
[0015] Compared with existing technologies, one or more of the above technical solutions have the following beneficial effects:
[0016] 1. In this utility model, through a series of coordinated structural arrangements, when the fluid flow exceeds the limit and causes the float to rise rapidly, it will exert a certain force on the limiting plate above the guide rod. When the limiting plate is subjected to a certain force, it will compress the spring above the guide rod. The elastic deformation of the spring can form a reverse buffer force, effectively slowing down the movement speed of the float and preventing it from being damaged due to violent impact with other structures. This reduces the mechanical wear of the float, extends the service life of the float and other structures, and also reduces the measurement deviation and equipment maintenance frequency caused by float damage, indirectly saving operation and maintenance costs.
[0017] 2. In this utility model, through a series of coordinated structural designs, the infrared ranging sensor monitors the displacement distance of the float in real time and non-contactly during the buoy's ascent. This avoids reading errors caused by viewing angle deviations and light interference when manually observing the scale, significantly improving the accuracy of flow measurement. The displacement data collected by the infrared ranging sensor is directly transmitted to the digital display instrument, which converts it into flow value after being converted by the built-in microcontroller and other modules, and then displays it intuitively. No manual conversion is required, realizing full automation of the "measurement-conversion-display" process. Thus, this utility model can not only accurately capture the minute displacement changes of the float, but also output stable measurement data in real time even in scenarios with frequent flow fluctuations, improving the device's ability to monitor dynamic flow. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this utility model, are used to provide a further understanding of this utility model. The illustrative embodiments of this utility model and their descriptions are used to explain this utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation of this utility model.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of this utility model.
[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of this utility model.
[0021] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of the air flotation component of this utility model.
[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the guide rod of this utility model.
[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the limiting plate of this utility model.
[0025] In the picture:
[0026] 100. Digital display instrument; 110. Infrared ranging sensor;
[0027] 200. Top cover;
[0028] 300. Shell; 310. Exhaust pipe; 320. Intake pipe; 330. Frustum-shaped hole;
[0029] 400. Lower end cap;
[0030] 500, Air flotation component; 510, Spring; 520, Limiting plate; 521, Limiting block; 530, Guide rod; 531, Limiting groove; 540, Float; 550, Mounting plate;
[0031] 600. Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0033] It should be noted that the following detailed description is exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.
[0034] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0035] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a MEMS digital float flowmeter includes a housing 300. An upper end cover 200 and a lower end cover 400 are respectively installed at both ends of the housing 300. A digital display instrument 100 is provided on one side above the upper end cover 200. An inverted frustum-shaped hole 330 is opened at the center of the end wall of the housing 300. An air flotation component 500 is provided inside the inverted frustum-shaped hole 330. An infrared ranging sensor 110 is provided at the bottom of the digital display instrument 100, and the bottom end of the infrared ranging sensor 110 penetrates the surface of the upper surface and extends into the inverted frustum-shaped hole 330.
[0036] The air flotation assembly 500 is provided with a guide rod 530. Limiting plates 520 are provided above and below the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod 530. A float 540 is provided between the two limiting plates 520 and is located on the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod 530. An mounting plate 550 is installed at the bottom end of the guide rod 530. Springs 510 are provided between the mounting plate 550 and the limiting plate 520 below the guide rod 530, and between the inner top of the upper end cover 200 and the limiting plate 520 above the guide rod 530. The springs 510 are sleeved on the outer side of the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod 530.
[0037] The housing 300 is connected to the upper end cover 200 and the lower end cover 400 by threaded engagement, and a sealing ring 600 is provided at each connection point between the housing 300 and the upper end cover 200 and the lower end cover 400. Because the housing 300 is connected to the upper end cover 200 and the lower end cover 400 by threaded engagement, it is convenient for maintenance personnel to disassemble and assemble the housing 300 and the upper end cover 200 and the lower end cover 400. The sealing ring 600 at each connection point between the housing 300 and the upper end cover 200 and the lower end cover 400 can seal the connection points between the housing 300 and the upper end cover 200 and the lower end cover 400.
[0038] An air inlet pipe 320 and an air outlet pipe 310 are provided on one side of the outer wall of the housing 300, and the air inlet pipe 320 is located below the air outlet pipe 310.
[0039] A sealing ring 600 is provided at the connection between the infrared ranging sensor 110 and the upper cover 200. Because the sealing ring 600 is provided at the connection between the infrared ranging sensor 110 and the upper cover 200, the connection between the infrared ranging sensor 110 and the upper cover 200 can be sealed.
[0040] The top end of the guide rod 530 is installed on the inner top end of the upper end cover 200, and the guide rod 530 and the upper end cover 200 are connected by a threaded engagement. Because the guide rod 530 and the upper end cover 200 are connected by a threaded engagement, it is convenient for maintenance personnel to disassemble and assemble the air flotation assembly 500. The guide rod 530 and the mounting plate 550 are connected by a threaded engagement. Because the guide rod 530 and the mounting plate 550 are connected by a threaded engagement, the mounting plate 550, the limiting plate 520 and the spring 510 can be disassembled and assembled.
[0041] The guide rod 530 has a ring-shaped array of limiting grooves 531 on its outer circumferential wall. The limiting plate 520 has a ring-shaped array of limiting blocks 521 on its inner circumferential wall. The other end of the limiting block 521 is located in the limiting groove 531. The outer wall of the limiting block 521 and the groove wall of the limiting groove 531 are in clearance fit. The limiting block 521 and the limiting groove 531 can limit and guide the movement of the limiting plate 520.
[0042] The inner circumferential wall of the limiting plate 520 and the inner circumferential wall of the float 540 are all clearance fits with the outer circumferential wall of the guide rod 530.
[0043] Working Principle: During use, when the fluid flow exceeds the limit, causing the float 540 to rise rapidly, it will exert a certain force on the limiting plate 520 above the guide rod 530. When the limiting plate 520 is subjected to a certain force, it will compress the spring 510 above the guide rod 530. The elastic deformation of the spring 510 can form a reverse buffer force, effectively slowing down the movement speed of the float 540, avoiding damage caused by violent impacts to other structures, reducing the mechanical wear of the float 540, extending the service life of the float 540 and other structures, and also reducing the measurement deviation and equipment maintenance frequency caused by float 540 damage, indirectly saving operation and maintenance costs. Infrared ranging sensor 110 This invention provides real-time, non-contact monitoring of the displacement distance of float 540 during its ascent, avoiding reading errors caused by viewing angle deviations and light interference when manually observing scales. This significantly improves the accuracy of flow measurement. The displacement data collected by infrared ranging sensor 110 is directly transmitted to digital display instrument 100, where it is converted into flow values by the built-in microcontroller and other modules and displayed intuitively. No manual conversion is required, achieving full automation of the "measurement-conversion-display" process. As a result, this invention can not only accurately capture minute displacement changes of float 540, but also output stable measurement data in real time even in scenarios with frequent flow fluctuations, thus improving the device's ability to monitor dynamic flow.
[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations can be made to this invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the protection scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A MEMS digital float flow meter comprising a housing (300), characterized in that: The housing (300) is equipped with an upper end cover (200) and a lower end cover (400) at its two ends respectively. A digital display instrument (100) is provided on one side above the upper end cover (200). An inverted frustum-shaped hole (330) is provided at the center of the end wall of the housing (300). An air flotation component (500) is provided inside the inverted frustum-shaped hole (330). An infrared ranging sensor (110) is provided at the bottom of the digital display instrument (100), and the bottom end of the infrared ranging sensor (110) penetrates the surface of the upper surface and extends into the inverted frustum-shaped hole (330). The air flotation assembly (500) is provided with a guide rod (530). Limiting plates (520) are provided above and below the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod (530). A float (540) is provided between the two limiting plates (520) and is located on the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod (530). An mounting plate (550) is installed at the bottom of the guide rod (530). A spring (510) is provided between the mounting plate (550) and the limiting plate (520) below the guide rod (530) and between the inner top of the upper end cover (200) and the limiting plate (520) above the guide rod (530). The spring (510) is sleeved on the outer side of the circumferential outer wall of the guide rod (530).
2. The MEMS digital float flow meter of claim 1, wherein: The housing (300) is threadedly connected to the upper end cover (200) and the lower end cover (400), and a sealing ring (600) is provided at the connection between the housing (300) and the upper end cover (200) and the lower end cover (400).
3. The MEMS digital float flow meter of claim 1, wherein: An air inlet pipe (320) and an air outlet pipe (310) are provided on one side of the outer circumferential wall of the housing (300), and the air inlet pipe (320) is located below the air outlet pipe (310).
4. The MEMS digital float flow meter of claim 1, wherein: A sealing ring (600) is provided at the connection between the infrared ranging sensor (110) and the upper end cover (200).
5. The MEMS digital float flow meter of claim 1, wherein: The top end of the guide rod (530) is installed on the inner top end of the upper end cover (200), and the guide rod (530) and the upper end cover (200) are connected by a threaded engagement. The guide rod (530) and the mounting plate (550) are also connected by a threaded engagement.
6. The MEMS digital float flow meter of claim 1, wherein: The guide rod (530) has a limiting groove (531) arranged in a ring array on the upper and lower sides of its circumferential outer wall. The limiting plate (520) has a limiting block (521) arranged in a ring array on its circumferential inner wall. The other end of the limiting block (521) is located in the limiting groove (531), and the outer wall of the limiting block (521) and the groove wall of the limiting groove (531) are in clearance fit.
7. The MEMS digital float flow meter of claim 1, wherein: The inner circumferential wall of the limiting plate (520) and the inner circumferential wall of the float (540) are all clearance fits with the outer circumferential wall of the guide rod (530).