Reserve detection type storage device

Abstract

The application relates to a storage detecting type storage device which can detect the storage amount of food bags in a microgravity environment so as to timely remind passengers to supplement and ensure smooth dining. The storage detecting type storage device comprises a storage container, a force-sensitive sensor, a sliding piece and an elastic piece. The storage container is provided with a first end, a second end arranged at a distance from the first end, a food storage cavity extending from the first end to the second end and a taking and placing opening arranged adjacent to the second end and communicated with the food storage cavity. The force-sensitive sensor is arranged at the first end of the storage container. The sliding piece is slidably arranged in the food storage cavity. The two ends of the elastic piece are connected to the force-sensitive sensor and the sliding piece respectively, so that the sliding piece can slide between the first end and the second end under the action of the elastic piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of cooking technology, and in particular to a storage device for detecting storage capacity. Background Technology

[0002] As a special group of people, astronauts work in a microgravity environment, which severely limits not only the diversity of their food but also the methods of food storage. On the space station, food packs are essential for the survival of astronauts, and the storage of various food packs is rather casual, such as placing them in individual canvas bags for periodic access.

[0003] Currently, the biggest drawback of food storage on the space station is the lack of information on the remaining food packets. Astronauts are unaware of the remaining quantities of various food packets, making timely replenishment difficult. Replenishing food packets only when they become insufficient is cumbersome and can disrupt mealtimes. While on Earth, due to gravity, determining the remaining quantity of food can be easily achieved by weighing, this is clearly impractical in a microgravity environment where gravity is absent. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, in order to address the problem that existing food weighing solutions cannot be used in microgravity environments, this application provides a storage capacity detection device that can detect the storage capacity of food packages in microgravity environments, so as to remind passengers to replenish the food in a timely manner and ensure a smooth dining experience.

[0005] According to one aspect of this application, one embodiment of this application provides a storage device for detecting storage capacity, comprising: a storage container having a first end, a second end spaced apart from the first end, a food storage cavity extending from the first end to the second end, and a loading / unloading port disposed adjacent to the second end and communicating with the food storage cavity; a force sensor disposed at the first end of the storage container; a slider slidably disposed within the food storage cavity; and an elastic member having two ends connected to the force sensor and the slider respectively, such that the slider can slide between the first end and the second end under the action of the elastic member.

[0006] In one embodiment of this application, the storage capacity detection device further includes an alerting device communicatively connected to the force sensor; the alerting device is a control panel.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the force sensor is a strain gauge sensor.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the elastic element is a spring whose two ends are respectively fixedly connected to the force sensor and the sliding element.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the storage capacity detection storage device further includes a magnetic attractor disposed at the second end of the storage container and magnetically attracted to the slider.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the maximum compression of the spring is twice the maximum extension of the spring.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the magnetic attractor is a magnet; the sliding member is a metal baffle.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the storage capacity detection device further includes a limiting member located within the food storage cavity and protruding from the first end.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the storage container includes a first end plate defining the first end, a second end plate spaced apart from the first end plate and defining the second end, a base plate fixedly connected at both ends to the first end plate and the second end plate respectively, a pair of side plates fixedly connected to the base plate and the first end plate and spaced apart, and a cover plate connected to the side plates and arranged opposite to the base plate; one end of the cover plate is arranged seamlessly with the first end plate, and the other end of the cover plate is spaced apart from the second end plate, so as to form the opening for taking out and putting in food while enclosing the food storage cavity.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, the cover plate is rotatably connected to the side plate; one end of the side plate is fixedly connected to the first end plate, and the other end of the side plate is spaced apart from the second end plate.

[0015] In summary, when the food storage cavity of the storage container contains a sufficient number of food packets, the elastic element is compressed and deformed to apply opposing forces to the sliding element and the force sensor. This allows the sliding element to compress the food packets, ensuring they are neatly stacked between the sliding element and the second end, preventing them from floating and forming disordered storage in a microgravity environment. Subsequently, when a food packet stored in the food storage cavity is retrieved through the retrieval port, the sliding element will slide towards the second end under the action of the elastic element to continuously compress the remaining food packets. This not only ensures that the food packets are always neatly stacked between the sliding element and the second end, facilitating user retrieval from the retrieval port near the second end, but also allows the force sensor to detect changes in the force of the elastic element. The deformation degree of the elastic element indicates the amount of food packets stored in the food storage cavity, prompting the user to replenish the food packets when the supply is insufficient.

[0016] Furthermore, while ensuring that the overall storage capacity of the food storage cavity remains unchanged, the length of the spring can be shortened so that after the spring returns to its original shape, the sliding member can continue to slide toward the second end under the magnetic attraction of the magnetic member to stretch the spring. This can reduce the maximum deformation of the spring as a whole and help extend the service life of the spring. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a capacity detection storage device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the open state of the capacity detection storage device according to the above embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the state in which the food storage chamber of the storage device according to the above embodiment of this application is filled with food packets is shown.

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the state of the storage detection type storage device according to the above embodiments of this application when the number of food packets is sufficient is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the state of the storage detection type storage device according to the above embodiment of the present application when the number of food packets is insufficient is shown.

[0022] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0023] 1. Storage device for detecting storage capacity; 10. Storage container; 101. First end; 102. Second end; 103. Food storage cavity; 104. Inlet / outlet; 11. First end plate; 12. Second end plate; 13. Base plate; 14. Side plate; 15. Cover plate; 20. Force sensor; 30. Sliding component; 40. Elastic component; 41. Spring; 50. Reminder device; 60. Magnetic component; 70. Limiting component.

[0024] The above description of the main component symbols, together with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0026] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] Existing methods that rely on weight detection to determine food remaining quantity become impractical in microgravity environments due to the absence of gravity. Therefore, this application provides a quantity detection storage device that can detect the quantity of food packets stored in a microgravity environment, so as to promptly remind passengers to replenish the food and ensure a smooth dining experience.

[0030] Specifically, see the attached document. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a storage device 1 for detecting storage capacity, which may include a storage container 10, a force sensor 20, a slider 30, and an elastic member 40. The storage container 10 may have a first end 101, a second end 102 spaced apart from the first end 101, a food storage cavity 103 extending from the first end 101 to the second end 102, and a loading / unloading port 104 disposed adjacent to the second end 102 and communicating with the food storage cavity 103. The force sensor 20 is disposed at the first end 101 of the storage container 10. The slider 30 is slidably disposed within the food storage cavity 103. The two ends of the elastic member 40 are respectively connected to the force sensor 20 and the slider 30, allowing the slider 30 to slide between the first end 101 and the second end 102 under the action of the elastic member 40.

[0031] Thus, as Figure 3 As shown, when the food storage cavity 103 of the storage container 10 is full of food packets W, the elastic member 40 is compressed and deformed to apply opposite forces to the sliding member 30 and the force sensor 20. This allows the sliding member 30 to compress the food packets W, constraining them to stack neatly between the sliding member 30 and the second end 102, preventing the food packets W from floating and forming disordered storage in a microgravity environment. Subsequently, as... Figure 4As shown, when a food package W stored in the food storage cavity 103 is taken out through the retrieval port 104, the slider 30 will slide towards the second end 102 under the action of the elastic member 40 to continuously compress the remaining food package W. This not only ensures that the food package W is always neatly stacked between the slider 30 and the second end 102, making it convenient for the user to take out the food package W from the retrieval port 104 near the second end 102, but also allows the force sensor 20 to detect the change in the force of the elastic member 40, so as to determine the storage amount of the food package W in the food storage cavity 103 based on the degree of deformation of the elastic member 40, and to promptly remind the user to replenish the food package when the storage amount is insufficient.

[0032] More specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the storage capacity detection type storage device 1 may further include an alert device 50 communicatively connected to the force sensor 20. The alert device 50 is used to issue an alert signal when the force sensor 20 detects that the force of the elastic member 40 has reached a preset value, to remind the user that the number of food packets stored in the food storage cavity 103 is insufficient and needs to be replenished in time to avoid affecting the user's smooth dining experience. It is understood that the preset value mentioned in this application can be obtained based on experience or experimentation. It is sufficient to ensure that when the force of the elastic member 40 reaches the preset value, the number of food packets stored in the food storage cavity 103 is at least sufficient to meet the user's needs for one meal. This application will not elaborate further on this point.

[0033] It is worth noting that the reminder device 50 mentioned in this application can be, but is not limited to, implemented as a control panel communicatively connected to the force sensor 20, used to remind the user to replenish the food pack W in a timely manner via voice or pop-up window. It is understood that the control panel mentioned in this application can be integrated into the storage container 10, or it can be the screen of other product modules.

[0034] Furthermore, the force sensor 20 mentioned in this application can be, but is not limited to, implemented as a strain gauge sensor to convert the applied pressure or tension into a measurable electrical signal through the piezoresistive effect or strain gauge effect.

[0035] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the elastic element 40 can be implemented as a spring 41 with its two ends fixedly connected to the force sensor 20 and the sliding element 30 respectively, so that the deformation x of the spring 41 can be calculated from the force F detected by the force sensor 20 based on Hooke's law F=kx (where F is the elastic force, k is the spring constant, and x is the deformation), thereby determining the storage amount of the food package W in the food storage cavity 103.

[0036] It is worth noting that, in order to maximize the overall storage capacity of the food storage cavity 103, the spring 41 of this application undergoes significant deformation during use. Over time, the overall elasticity will decrease, which will affect the strain gauge signal and reduce the accuracy of the storage capacity detection. To address this issue, such as... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the storage capacity detection type storage device 1 of this application may further include a magnetic attractor 60 disposed at the second end 102 of the storage container 10 and magnetically attracted to the sliding member 30. In this way, while ensuring that the overall storage capacity of the food storage cavity 103 remains unchanged, the length of the spring 41 can be shortened, so that after the spring 41 returns to its original shape, the sliding member 30 can continue to slide toward the second end 102 under the magnetic attraction of the magnetic attractor 60 to stretch the spring 41, thereby reducing the maximum deformation of the spring 41 as a whole and helping to extend the service life of the spring 41.

[0037] Furthermore, although the spring 41 will decay rapidly after a period of use, especially the end force of the spring 41, which can easily affect the signal fluctuation of the strain gauge, the magnetic attraction force decays much less over time. Therefore, even if the end force of the spring 41 fails in the middle and later stages of the detection process, it will not affect the strain gauge segment. This is because the force sensor 20 can still perform stable detection by relying on magnetic attraction force in the later stages of the entire detection process, so as to ensure the space station's requirements for its service life.

[0038] It should be understood that the maximum deformation mentioned in this application refers to the maximum value of the maximum compression and maximum extension of the spring 41; the total deformation of the spring 41 is equal to the sum of the maximum compression and maximum extension, and corresponding to the maximum storage capacity of the food package W in the food storage cavity 103, the deformation x of the spring 41 can still be calculated based on Hooke's law by the force F detected by the force sensor 20, and then the storage capacity of the food package W in the food storage cavity 103 can be determined.

[0039] For example, the preset value of the reminder device 50 is essentially zero. That is, when the spring 41 returns to its original state, the force sensor 20 detects zero force. At this time, the reminder device 50 issues a reminder signal to remind the user that the number of food packets stored in the food storage cavity 103 is insufficient and needs to be replenished promptly. In other words, if... Figure 4 As shown, when the food storage cavity 103 is filled with food package W, the slider 30 is positioned near the first end 101. At this time, the spring 41 is compressed, causing the force sensor 20 to detect the pressure applied by the spring 41; Figure 5As shown, when the food package W stored in the food storage cavity 103 is insufficient, the sliding member 30 is positioned near the second end 102 under the magnetic attraction of the magnetic member 60. At this time, the spring 41 is stretched, so that the force sensor 20 detects the pressure applied by the spring 41.

[0040] Preferably, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the maximum compression of the spring 41 is twice the maximum extension of the spring 41. Thus, when the remaining food package W in the food storage cavity 103 is greater than one-third, the spring 41 is compressed, causing the force sensor 20 to detect the pressure applied by the spring 41; when the remaining food package W in the food storage cavity 103 is less than one-third, the spring 41 is stretched under magnetic attraction, causing the force sensor 20 to detect the pressure applied by the spring 41.

[0041] Furthermore, since the maximum extension of the spring 41 is less than the maximum compression of the spring 41, the spring 41 will not be stretched too much in the reverse direction, which is beneficial to further extend the service life of the spring 41.

[0042] Optionally, the magnetic attractor 60 is implemented as a magnet; the slider 30 is implemented as a metal baffle such as iron. It is understood that in other examples of this application, the slider 30 may also be implemented as a non-metallic baffle embedded with a magnet. In this case, the magnetic attractor 60 may be implemented as a metal block fixed to the second end 102 of the storage container 10 or another magnet arranged with the opposite polarity to the magnet on the non-metallic baffle, as long as it can ensure that a magnetic attraction is generated between the slider 30 and the magnetic attractor 60. This application will not elaborate further on this.

[0043] Optionally, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the storage capacity detection type storage device 1 also includes a limiting member 70 located inside the food storage cavity 103 and protruding from the first end 101, which is used to abut against the sliding member 30 when the food storage cavity 103 is full of food package W, so as to prevent the sliding member 30 from sliding further toward the first end 101 and excessively squeezing the spring 41, and to avoid the spring 41 from exerting too much pressure on the force sensor 20 and damaging the sensor.

[0044] According to the above embodiments of this application, as Figures 1 to 5As shown, the food storage cavity 103 can extend straight from the first end 101 to the second end 102 to form a linear storage cavity. Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the food storage cavity 103 can also extend curvedly from the first end 101 to the second end 102 to form a curved storage cavity; in this case, a guide rod or guide groove arranged along the extension trajectory can be provided in the food storage cavity 103 to guide the spring 41 to deform along the extension direction of the food storage cavity 103, ensuring the normal operation of the storage quantity detection.

[0045] Optionally, in the above embodiments of this application, as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the storage container 10 includes a first end plate 11 defining the first end 101, a second end plate 12 spaced apart from the first end plate 11 and defining the second end 102, a base plate 13 fixedly connected to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12 at both ends respectively, a pair of side plates 14 fixedly connected to the base plate 13 and the first end plate 11 and spaced apart, and a cover plate 15 connected to the side plates 14 and arranged opposite to the base plate 13; one end of the cover plate 15 is arranged without gaps with the first end plate 11, and the other end of the cover plate 15 is spaced apart from the second end plate 12, so as to form the opening 104 between the cover plate 15 and the second end plate 12 while forming the food storage cavity 103.

[0046] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the cover 15 is rotatably connected to the side plate 14, for example, one side of the cover 15 is hinged to the side plate 14. In this way, when the cover 15 is flipped to open the food storage cavity 103, the user can fill the food package W into the food storage cavity 103 at once, which helps to save the replenishment time of the food package W; and when the cover 15 is flipped to close the food storage cavity 103, the user can still take out the food package from the access port 104.

[0047] More preferably, such as Figure 1 As shown, one end of the side plate 14 is fixedly connected to the first end plate 11, and the other end of the side plate 14 is spaced apart from the second end plate 12 to form an enlarged opening 104 on the side adjacent to the second end plate 12, which facilitates better removal of the food package W.

[0048] In addition, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the force sensor 20 is installed on the inner side of the first end plate 11; the limiting member 70 protrudes from the inner side of the first end plate 11; and the magnetic suction member 60 protrudes from the inner side of the second end plate 12.

[0049] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0050] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and their descriptions are quite specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A storage device for detecting storage capacity, characterized in that, include: A storage container having a first end, a second end spaced apart from the first end, a food storage cavity extending from the first end to the second end, and a loading / unloading port arranged adjacent to the second end and communicating with the food storage cavity; A force-sensitive sensor is disposed at the first end of the storage container; A sliding element is slidably disposed within the food storage cavity; as well as An elastic element has its two ends connected to the force sensor and the sliding element, respectively, so that the sliding element can slide between the first end and the second end under the action of the elastic element.

2. The storage device for detecting reserves according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage device for detecting reserves also includes an alerting device communicatively connected to the force sensor; the alerting device is a control panel.

3. The storage detection type storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The force sensor is a strain gauge sensor.

4. The storage detection type storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring whose two ends are fixedly connected to the force sensor and the sliding element, respectively.

5. The storage device for detecting reserves according to claim 4, characterized in that, The storage device for detecting reserves also includes a magnetic attractor disposed at the second end of the storage container and magnetically attracted to the slider.

6. The storage device for detecting reserves according to claim 5, characterized in that, The maximum compression of the spring is twice the maximum extension of the spring.

7. The storage device for detecting reserves according to claim 5, characterized in that, The magnetic attractor is a magnet; the sliding element is a metal baffle.

8. The storage device for detecting reserves according to claim 4, characterized in that, The storage device for detecting storage capacity also includes a limiting member located inside the food storage cavity and protruding from the first end.

9. The storage capacity detection type storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The storage container includes a first end plate defining the first end, a second end plate spaced apart from the first end plate and defining the second end, a base plate fixedly connected to the first end plate and the second end plate at both ends respectively, a pair of side plates fixedly connected to the base plate and the first end plate and spaced apart, and a cover plate connected to the side plates and arranged opposite to the base plate; one end of the cover plate is arranged without gaps with the first end plate, and the other end of the cover plate is spaced apart from the second end plate, so as to form the opening for taking out and putting in food while enclosing the food storage cavity.

10. The storage device for detecting reserves according to claim 9, characterized in that, The cover plate is rotatably connected to the side plate; one end of the side plate is fixedly connected to the first end plate, and the other end of the side plate is spaced apart from the second end plate.

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