A V-shaped liquid level sensor

Abstract

This application relates to the field of liquid level sensor technology and discloses a V-type liquid level sensor, comprising: a light-emitting diode (LED) and an embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe respectively installed in a mounting groove; the LED is tilted relative to the horizontal line; the LED and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe are connected to an electronic circuit board; and a light-transmitting plate is respectively installed on the outer opening of the mounting groove. The embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe consists of two or more embedded polarization-maintaining fibers. The split polarization-maintaining fiber of the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber is connected to the front end of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber through a split end taper, and the rear end of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber is connected to a single-mode fiber through a combined end taper. This application reduces the interference of environmental moisture on the refracted light path by using an infrared LED and an tilted incident design. By using an embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe and a tapered coupling structure of the split and combined end tapers, environmental interference is removed, and the light beam is efficiently focused to the single-mode fiber, thereby improving the light signal intensity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of liquid level sensor technology, and specifically to a V-type liquid level sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid level sensors have wide applications in industrial automation, environmental monitoring, and other fields. Traditional V-type liquid level sensors primarily detect liquid levels through the principle of optical refraction. When liquid enters the V-shaped channel, the angle of refraction of light at the gas-liquid interface changes, and the liquid level is determined by the change in light intensity at the receiving end. However, existing technology has significant drawbacks: low sensitivity and susceptibility to environmental interference leading to misjudgments. In humid environments with large temperature differences, condensation or water droplets easily form on the surface of the V-shaped channel. The optical refraction characteristics of these micro-droplets are similar to those of real liquid, causing the sensor to misjudge the presence of liquid, triggering system malfunctions. Structural limitations also exist; traditional optical probes are susceptible to ambient light interference, and light intensity attenuation is severe during signal transmission, further reducing the signal-to-noise ratio and reliability. These problems limit the application of V-type liquid level sensors in high-precision scenarios.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an improved solution with strong anti-interference capabilities and high sensitivity to solve the technical bottlenecks of false triggering by fog and water droplets and insufficient detection accuracy. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a V-type liquid level sensor, which aims to solve the problem that the original V-type liquid level sensor has low sensitivity and will cause false judgment in the case of mist and water droplets.

[0005] In one embodiment, a V-type liquid level sensor is provided, comprising:

[0006] V-shaped housing, mounting ears, mounting slot, light-transmitting plate, light-emitting diode, embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe and electronic circuit board;

[0007] The lugs are installed at both ends of the V-shaped housing, and the mounting slots are set on both sides of the V-groove of the V-shaped housing;

[0008] The light-emitting diode and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe are respectively installed in the mounting slots on both sides of the V-groove of the V-shaped housing. The light-emitting diode is tilted relative to the horizontal line. The light emitted by the light-emitting diode is refracted by the medium and then enters the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe. The light-emitting diode and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe are connected to the electronic circuit board. The light-transmitting plate is respectively installed on the outer opening of the mounting slot.

[0009] The embedded polarization-maintaining fiber sensing probe consists of two or more embedded polarization-maintaining fibers. The embedded polarization-maintaining fiber includes a single-mode fiber, a cladding, a split polarization-maintaining fiber, a split end taper, a combined polarization-maintaining fiber, and a combined end taper. The split polarization-maintaining fiber is connected to the front end of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber through the split end taper. The rear end of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber is connected to the single-mode fiber through the combined end taper. The cladding wraps around the single-mode fiber, the split polarization-maintaining fiber, the split end taper, the combined polarization-maintaining fiber, and the combined end taper. The rear end of the single-mode fiber is connected to an electronic circuit board.

[0010] In one design, the splitting end taper and the combining end taper are tapered connection structures formed by fusion splicing two optical fibers.

[0011] In one scheme, the length of the split polarization-maintaining fiber is 40 mm, and the length of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber is 20 mm.

[0012] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit board includes a photoelectric conversion amplifier circuit, a logic control circuit, a light-emitting diode control circuit, and a communication module circuit.

[0013] The photoelectric conversion amplifier circuit converts the optical pulse signal into an electrical pulse signal and then amplifies the signal. The function of the logic control circuit is to distinguish each pulse signal, convert the input pulse signals into corresponding "high potential" or "low potential", and output the converted counting pulses to the reversible counter, which are then transmitted to external devices through the communication module circuit.

[0014] In one design, the light-transmitting panel uses a polycarbonate microstructure anti-fog panel, which prevents water mist condensation through surface micron or nanoscale structural design.

[0015] In one design, the light-emitting diode is an infrared LED.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are:

[0017] By using infrared LEDs and an oblique incident design, interference from ambient moisture on the refracted light path is reduced. An embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe is employed, and environmental interference is removed through a tapered coupling structure of a splitter end cone and a combiner end cone. The beam is efficiently focused onto a single-mode fiber, increasing the light signal intensity. The light pulse signal is amplified to ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio for long-distance transmission. This solves the problem of false triggering of traditional sensors in humid environments and improves detection sensitivity. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the V-type liquid level sensor of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the V-shaped liquid level sensor of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the embedded polarization-maintaining optical fiber structure of the V-type liquid level sensor of this application.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electronic circuit of the V-type liquid level sensor of this application.

[0023] Labels for each item in the figure:

[0024] 1. V-shaped outer shell; 2. Light-transmitting plate; 3. Hanging ear; 4. Light-emitting diode; 5. Embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensor probe; 501. Single-mode fiber; 502. Cladding; 503. Bundled polarization-maintaining fiber; 504. Bundled end taper; 505. Bundled polarization-maintaining fiber; 506. Bundled end taper; 6. Electronic circuit board; 7. Mounting slot. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this application, but are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Similarly, the following examples are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "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 are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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 utility model.

[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 indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly 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, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; 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 explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0030] In this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0031] This application makes improvements and innovations, and proposes the following embodiments.

[0032] In some implementations, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 It provides V-type liquid level sensors, including:

[0033] 1. V-shaped housing; 3. Hanging ear; 2. Light-transmitting plate; 4. Light-emitting diode; 5. Embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensor probe; 6. Electronic circuit board; 7. Mounting slot.

[0034] The ear loops 3 are installed at both ends of the V-shaped housing 1, and the mounting grooves 7 are set on both sides of the V-groove of the V-shaped housing 1.

[0035] The light-emitting diode 4 and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensor probe 5 are respectively installed in the mounting slots 7 on both sides of the V-groove of the V-shaped housing 1. The light-emitting diode 4 is an infrared LED, and it is tilted relative to the horizontal line. The light emitted by the light-emitting diode 4 is refracted by the medium and then enters the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensor probe 5. The light-emitting diode 4 and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensor probe 5 are connected to the electronic circuit board 6. The light-transmitting plate 2 is installed on the outer opening of the mounting slot 7. The light-transmitting plate 2 is a polycarbonate microstructure anti-fog plate, which prevents water mist condensation through surface micron or nanometer-level structure design.

[0036] The embedded polarization-maintaining fiber sensing probe 5 is composed of two or more embedded polarization-maintaining fibers. The embedded polarization-maintaining fibers include a single-mode fiber 501, a cladding 502, a bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 503, a bundled end taper 504, a bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 505, and a bundled end taper 506. The bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 503 is connected to the front end of the bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 505 through the bundled end taper 504. The rear end of the bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 505 is connected to the single-mode fiber 501 through the bundled end taper 506. The cladding 502 wraps around the single-mode fiber 501, the bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 503, the bundled end taper 504, the bundled polarization-maintaining fiber 505, and the bundled end taper 506. The rear end of the single-mode fiber 501 is connected to the electronic circuit board 6. Among them, the split polarization-maintaining fiber 503 has a length of 40 mm, and the combined polarization-maintaining fiber 505 has a length of 20 mm; the split end taper 504 and the combined end taper 506 are tapered connection structures formed by fusion splicing two optical fibers.

[0037] The infrared light emitted by the LED 4 is refracted by water and enters the beam-splitting polarization-maintaining fiber 503. After entering the cone structure of the beam-splitting end cone 504, the incident light field becomes mismatched due to the change in the refractive index distribution of the fiber core and cladding near the fused cone region caused by arc discharge. Part of the light energy is excited into the cladding of the fiber and propagates forward in the cladding, while the other part of the input light continues to propagate forward in the fiber core as the fiber core fundamental mode. The fiber core fundamental mode is relatively stable and not easily disturbed. After a certain distance of transmission, it is coupled back into the fiber core at the beam-combining end structure. The cone structure converges the input beam, removing environmental interference and converging the beam, which then enters the single-mode fiber 501 for long-distance transmission. The light intensity is calculated by the electronic circuit board 6 to obtain the true input light intensity, thereby improving the photosensitive coefficient of the sensor.

[0038] The electronic circuit board 6 includes a photoelectric conversion amplifier circuit, a logic control circuit, a light-emitting diode control circuit, and a communication module circuit. The photoelectric conversion amplifier circuit converts the optical pulse signal into an electrical pulse signal and then amplifies the signal. The function of the logic control circuit is to distinguish each pulse signal, convert the input pulse signals into corresponding "high potential" or "low potential", and output the converted counting pulse to the reversible counter. The pulse is then transmitted to the external device through the communication module circuit.

[0039] The above are merely optional embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application. Although embodiments of this utility model have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A V-shaped liquid level sensor, comprising a V-shaped housing, lugs, and mounting grooves, wherein the lugs are mounted on both ends of the V-shaped housing, and the mounting grooves are disposed on both sides of the V-groove of the V-shaped housing, characterized in that, Also includes: Transparent plate, light-emitting diode, embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe and electronic circuit board; The light-emitting diode and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe are respectively installed in the mounting slots on both sides of the V-groove of the V-shaped housing. The light-emitting diode is inclined relative to the horizontal line. The light emitted by the light-emitting diode is refracted by the medium and then enters the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe. The light-emitting diode and the embedded polarization-maintaining fiber optic sensing probe are connected to the electronic circuit board. The light-transmitting plate is respectively installed on the outer opening of the mounting slot. The embedded polarization-maintaining fiber sensing probe consists of two or more embedded polarization-maintaining fibers. Each embedded polarization-maintaining fiber includes a single-mode fiber, a cladding, a split polarization-maintaining fiber, a split end taper, a combined polarization-maintaining fiber, and a combined end taper. The split polarization-maintaining fiber is connected to the front end of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber through the split end taper. The rear end of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber is connected to the single-mode fiber through the combined end taper. The cladding wraps around the single-mode fiber, the split polarization-maintaining fiber, the split end taper, the combined polarization-maintaining fiber, and the combined end taper. The rear end of the single-mode fiber is connected to an electronic circuit board.

2. The V-type liquid level sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The splitting end taper and the combining end taper are tapered connection structures formed by fusion splicing two optical fibers.

3. The V-type liquid level sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the split polarization-maintaining fiber is 40 mm, and the length of the combined polarization-maintaining fiber is 20 mm.

4. The V-type liquid level sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic circuit board includes a photoelectric conversion amplifier circuit, a logic control circuit, a light-emitting diode control circuit, and a communication module circuit; The photoelectric conversion amplifier circuit converts the optical pulse signal into an electrical pulse signal and then amplifies the signal; the logic control circuit distinguishes each pulse signal, converts the input pulse signals into corresponding "high potential" or "low potential", and outputs the converted counting pulses to the reversible counter, which are then transmitted to external devices through the communication module circuit.

5. The V-type liquid level sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting panel is made of polycarbonate microstructure anti-fog panel, which prevents water mist condensation through surface micron or nanoscale structure design.

6. The V-type liquid level sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-emitting diode is an infrared LED.

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