Integrated rain gauge

Abstract

The utility model relates to an integrated rain gauge, including casing, rain collector, lid, flap unit, first raindrop sensor, second raindrop sensor and control unit, rain collector is close to the top setting of casing, the lid is located the top of rain collector, the flap unit is fixed with casing and the output is connected with the lid, the first raindrop sensor is fixed in the upside of lid, the second raindrop sensor is fixed in the side of rain collector towards the lid, control unit is electrically connected with flap unit, first raindrop sensor and second raindrop sensor, when control unit receives the raindrop signal of first raindrop sensor detection, control flap unit operation, remove the lid from the top of rain collector, the utility model discloses the rain gauge opens the lid only when the first raindrop sensor detects the raindrop, judges whether the second raindrop sensor is blocked on this basis, reduces the possibility of rain collector being blocked and improves the accuracy of judging the blockage, is favorable to the accurate development of maintenance work and saves maintenance cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of rain gauge technology, and in particular to an integrated rain gauge. Background Technology

[0002] A rain gauge is an instrument used by meteorologists and hydrologists to measure the amount of precipitation in a region over a period of time. Common types of rain gauges on the market include tipping bucket rain gauges, siphon rain gauges, and weighing rain gauges, among others.

[0003] However, during use, the rain gauge's rain catcher nozzle is often blocked by leaves, mud, insects, debris, and dirt, resulting in inaccurate rainfall readings. It requires regular manual inspection and cleaning, which leads to high maintenance costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an integrated rain gauge. By opening the cover only when the first raindrop sensor detects raindrops, the cover unit effectively prevents debris from falling into the rain collector and causing blockage when there is no rain. Furthermore, by installing a second raindrop sensor inside the rain collector, it is further determined whether the rain collector is blocked. If the first raindrop sensor continuously detects raindrops while the second raindrop sensor does not detect raindrops, it is determined that the rain collector is blocked. Through the combined action of the cover unit, the first raindrop sensor, and the second raindrop sensor, the possibility of the rain collector being blocked is reduced and the accuracy of determining the rain collector blockage is improved, which is conducive to the precise conduct of maintenance work and helps to save maintenance costs.

[0005] An integrated rain gauge includes a housing, a rain collector, a cover, a flip-top unit, a first raindrop sensor, a second raindrop sensor, and a control unit. The rain collector is positioned near the top of the housing, and the cover is located above the rain collector. The flip-top unit is fixed to the housing, and its output is connected to the cover. The first raindrop sensor is fixed to the upper side of the cover, and the second raindrop sensor is fixed to the side of the rain collector facing the cover. The control unit is electrically connected to the flip-top unit, the first raindrop sensor, and the second raindrop sensor. When the control unit receives a raindrop signal detected by the first raindrop sensor, it controls the flip-top unit to move the cover away from above the rain collector.

[0006] The rain gauge described in this invention opens the cover only when the first raindrop sensor detects raindrops, effectively preventing debris from falling into the rain collector and causing blockage when there is no rain. Furthermore, a second raindrop sensor inside the rain collector further determines if blockage exists. If the first raindrop sensor continuously detects raindrops while the second raindrop sensor does not, the rain collector is considered blocked. Through the combined action of the cover unit, the first raindrop sensor, and the second raindrop sensor, the likelihood of blockage is reduced and the accuracy of blockage determination is improved, facilitating precise maintenance and saving maintenance costs.

[0007] Furthermore, the flip-top unit includes a motor, a rotating shaft, and a connecting part. The motor is fixed to the housing, and the rotating shaft is connected to the output shaft of the motor. The rotating shaft is located on the side of the housing and is parallel to the cover. One end of the connecting part is fixed to the side wall of the rotating shaft, and the other end of the connecting part is fixed to the top of the cover. The output shaft of the motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate, which in turn drives the connecting part to rotate around the rotating shaft, thereby causing the cover to rotate around the rotating shaft. The opening and closing of the cover are achieved by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor.

[0008] Furthermore, the system also includes a solar panel and a lithium battery. The housing is cylindrical, with the solar panel fixed to the outside of the housing and closely attached to its outer surface. The lithium battery is fixed inside the housing, and both the solar panel and the lithium battery are electrically connected to the control unit. By using a flexible solar panel to directly fix the solar panel to the cylindrical housing, the installation steps for the solar panel bracket are eliminated during rain gauge installation, improving the convenience of rain gauge installation.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a waterproof sealing strip, which is located between the solar panel and the housing, and is arranged around the outer perimeter of the solar panel. By setting the waterproof sealing strip, on the one hand, rainwater is prevented from seeping into the gap between the solar panel and the housing to create a humid environment, thus creating a relatively good operating environment for the solar panel and the housing; on the other hand, it effectively prevents rainwater from seeping into the housing through the gap between the solar panel and the housing, causing corrosion and damage to the internal structure of the housing.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a sealed box and a waterproof socket. The sealed box is located inside the housing, and the waterproof socket extends through the sealed box. The control unit is located inside the sealed box, and the flip-top unit, the first raindrop sensor, and the second raindrop sensor are all electrically connected to the control unit via the waterproof socket. By sealing the control unit with the sealed box and connecting it via the waterproof socket, corrosion and damage to the control unit caused by rainwater are effectively prevented, ensuring the long-term stable operation of the rain gauge.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes an antenna, which is fixed to the outside of the housing and electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit also includes a signal conversion module and a communication module. The signal conversion module converts data into electrical signals and sends them to the communication module. The communication module sends the electrical signals to the monitoring center through the antenna.

[0012] Furthermore, the control unit includes a data receiving module, a data processing module, a data storage module, and an instruction sending module. The data receiving module receives information on whether it is raining from the first raindrop sensor and the second raindrop sensor, and sends it to the data processing module. The data processing module combines the data collected by the first raindrop sensor and the second raindrop sensor to determine whether the rain gauge is operating normally. After processing the data, the data processing module sends the relevant data to the data storage module for storage. The instruction sending module sends an open cover instruction and a close cover instruction to the flip cover unit based on the information collected by the first raindrop sensor and the second raindrop sensor.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a funnel, a water storage pipe, a water measuring pipe, and an acoustic sensor located within the housing. The funnel is fixed below the rain collector, and both the water storage pipe and the water measuring pipe are fixed below the funnel. The upper end of the water storage pipe is connected to and communicates with the water outlet of the funnel, and the lower end of the water storage pipe is connected to and communicates with the lower end of the water measuring pipe. The acoustic sensor is located below the water measuring pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a chassis, the bottom end of the housing is fixed to the chassis, and the chassis is provided with drainage holes.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a support foot, which is L-shaped, with its upper end facing the housing and fixed to the housing, and its lower side facing the ground.

[0016] To better understand and implement this invention, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a rain gauge according to one embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a rain gauge according to one embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a rain gauge according to one embodiment; The components include: housing 1, chassis 2, antenna socket 3, support foot 4, antenna 5, rain collector 6, cover 7, motor 8, rotating shaft 9, connecting part 10, first raindrop sensor 11, second raindrop sensor 12, bracket 13, normally open water valve 14, funnel 15, water storage pipe 16, water measuring pipe 17, sound wave sensor 18, lithium battery 19, solar panel 20, sealed box 21, waterproof socket 22, and control unit 23. Detailed Implementation

[0018] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0019] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0020] In the following description, when referring to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims. In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0021] Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0022] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from their scope. The scope of the embodiments of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

[0023] This utility model embodiment provides a rain gauge; please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1-3 It includes a housing 1, a chassis 2, an antenna socket 3, a support foot 4, an antenna 5, a rain collector 6, a cover 7, a flip cover unit, a first raindrop sensor 11, a second raindrop sensor 12, a bracket 13, a normally open water valve 14, a funnel 15, a water storage pipe 16, a water measuring pipe 17, an acoustic sensor 18, a lithium battery 19, a solar panel 20, a sealed box 21, a waterproof socket 22, and a control unit 23; The housing 1 is cylindrical, and the bottom end of the housing 1 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the chassis 2 and sealed to the outer periphery of the chassis 2. The bottom end of the housing 1 is fixed to the chassis 2 by screws. The chassis 2 is provided with drainage holes. The antenna socket 3 is fixed on the chassis 2 and passes through the chassis 2. The antenna socket 3 is an aviation socket. The support foot 4 is L-shaped. The upper side of the L-shaped support foot 4 is fixed to the inner side of the chassis 2 by screws. The lower side of the L-shaped support foot 4 faces the ground. The three support feet 4 are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the chassis 2. The rain gauge is fixed to a specific fixed platform or fixed frame through the support feet 4. The antenna 5 is fixed on the support foot 4 and electrically connected to the antenna socket 3. In this embodiment of the utility model, the antenna 5 is a 4G antenna 5. The rain collector 6 is inserted at the top of the housing 1. The upper end of the rain collector 6 is located outside the housing 1 and is sealed to the housing 1. The cover 7 is located above the rain collector 6 and covers the upper end of the rain collector 6. The flip-top unit includes a motor 8, a rotating shaft 9, and a connecting part 10. The motor 8 is fixed to the outside of the housing 1 by a ring clamp. The rotating shaft 9 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 8. The rotating shaft 9 is located on the side of the housing 1 and is parallel to the cover 7. One end of the connecting part 10 is fixed to the side wall of the rotating shaft 9, and the other end of the connecting part 10 (i.e., the output end of the flip-top unit) is fixed to the top of the cover 7. When the output shaft of the motor 8 rotates, it will drive the rotating shaft 9 to rotate, and drive the connecting part 10 to rotate around the rotating shaft 9, thereby driving the cover 7 to rotate around the rotating shaft 9. The opening and closing of the cover are realized by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 8. The first raindrop sensor 11 is fixed on the upper side of the cover 7. The first raindrop sensor 11 is circular and located in the middle of the cover 7. The second raindrop sensor 12 is fixed on the side of the rain collector 6 facing the cover 7. The bracket 13 is located inside the housing 1, and its bottom end is fixed to the chassis 2. The normally open water valve 14 is located inside the bracket 13 and is fixed to the bracket 13 with screws. The funnel 15 is located between the rain collector 6 and the bracket 13. The outlet pipe of the funnel 15 is connected to and communicates with the normally open water valve 14. The water storage pipe 16 and the measuring pipe 17 are both fixed below the funnel 15 and fixed to the chassis 2. The upper end of the water storage pipe 16 is connected to and communicates with the outlet end of the normally open water valve 14, and the lower end of the water storage pipe 16 is connected to the lower end of the measuring pipe 17. The acoustic sensor 18 is located below the water measuring pipe 17 and fixed on the chassis 2. The lithium battery 19 is located inside the housing 1 and fixed on the bracket 13. The solar panel 20 is a flexible photovoltaic panel. The rectangular solar panel 20 is bent and closely attached to the outer side of the housing 1 and fixed to the housing 1 with screws. The battery capacity of the lithium battery 19 can ensure that the equipment can run for more than 90 days without charging. The solar panel 20 is set with the corresponding charging power wattage according to the capacity of the lithium battery 19. The sealed box 21 is located inside the housing 1 and fixed on the bracket 13. The waterproof socket 22 is installed through the sealed box 21. The control unit 23 is fixed inside the sealed box 21. The control unit 23 is electrically connected to the antenna 5, motor 8, first raindrop sensor 11, second raindrop sensor 12, sound wave sensor 18, lithium battery 19, and solar panel 20 through the waterproof socket 22. The control unit 23 includes a data receiving module, a data processing module, a data storage module, a command sending module, a charging / discharging module, a signal conversion module, and a communication module. The data receiving module receives information on rainfall status collected by the first raindrop sensor 11 and the second raindrop sensor 12, and information on changes in the liquid level in the measuring tube 17 collected by the acoustic sensor 18. This information is then sent to the data processing module. The data processing module integrates the data collected by the first raindrop sensor 11 and the second raindrop sensor 12 to determine whether the rain gauge is operating normally, and sends the determination result to the data storage module for storage. The data processing module also processes the liquid level in the measuring tube 17. The surface height change data is calculated and processed to obtain the rainfall amount at different times, and the relevant rainfall data is sent to the storage module for storage. The instruction sending module sends the opening and closing instructions to the flip cover unit based on the information collected by the first raindrop sensor 11 and the second raindrop sensor 12. The charging and discharging module controls and manages the charging process of the solar panel 20 to the lithium battery 19 and the discharging process of the lithium battery 19. The signal conversion module converts the data stored in the data storage module into an electrical signal and sends it to the communication module. The communication module sends the electrical signal to the monitoring center through the antenna 5. The communication module of this utility model embodiment adopts a 4G communication module. The usage process of the rain gauge in this embodiment includes the following steps: After fixing the three support feet 4 of the rain gauge in a specific position with screws, the solar photovoltaic panel begins to charge the lithium battery 19 under the action of sunlight. The first raindrop sensor 11 begins to collect information, while the second raindrop sensor 12 and the acoustic sensor 18 do not operate. When the first raindrop sensor 11 collects information about raindrops, the command sending module sends an opening command to the motor 8, causing the motor 8 to run and flip the cover 7 to abut against the outer wall of the housing 1. The charging and discharging module powers the second raindrop sensor 12 and the acoustic sensor 18, and begins to measure the rainfall. When the second raindrop sensor 12 cannot detect the raindrop signal, the command sending module sends a closing command to the motor 8, causing the motor 8 to run and close the cover. The cover 7 flips over and sits on the rain collector 6. If the first raindrop sensor 11 cannot detect raindrop signals after the cover is closed, the charging and discharging module de-energizes the second raindrop sensor 12 and the acoustic sensor 18. If the first raindrop sensor 11 still detects raindrop signals after the cover is closed, the command sending module sends the opening command to the motor 8 again. After the cover 7 is opened, if the second raindrop sensor 12 still cannot detect raindrop signals, the data processing module outputs the judgment result of the rain collector being abnormal. The judgment result is sent to the storage module for storage, and then converted into an electrical signal by the signal conversion module and sent to the communication module. The communication module sends the electrical signal to the monitoring center through the antenna 5 to inform the monitoring center that the rain collector is abnormal. The monitoring center promptly arranges personnel to handle the situation on-site.

[0024] The rain gauge of this utility model opens the cover 7 only when the first raindrop sensor 11 detects raindrops, effectively preventing debris from falling into the rain collector 6 and causing blockage. Furthermore, by installing a second raindrop sensor 12 inside the rain collector 6, it further determines whether the rain collector 6 is blocked. If the first raindrop sensor 11 continuously detects raindrops while the second raindrop sensor 12 does not, the rain collector 6 is determined to be blocked. Through the combined action of the flip-cover unit, the first raindrop sensor 11, and the second raindrop sensor 12, the possibility of the rain collector 6 being blocked is reduced, and the accuracy of determining blockage is improved, which is beneficial for precise maintenance and cost savings.

[0025] On the other hand, the rain gauge in this embodiment is easy to install, the whole set of equipment adopts an integrated design with high integration, which reduces the cost of the whole set of equipment and installation costs; it also reduces power consumption during idle time by reasonably switching on and off the power.

[0026] As a further embodiment, the rain gauge also includes a waterproof strip (not shown), which is located between the solar panel 20 and the housing 1, and surrounds the outer periphery of the solar panel 20. By providing the waterproof strip, on the one hand, rainwater is prevented from seeping into the gap between the solar panel 20 and the housing 1 to create a humid environment, thus creating a relatively good operating environment for the solar panel 20 and the housing 1. On the other hand, it effectively prevents rainwater from seeping into the housing 1 through the gap between the solar panel 20 and the housing 1, causing corrosion and damage to the internal structure of the housing 1.

[0027] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An integrated rain gauge characterized by, The device includes a housing, a rain collector, a cover, a flip-top unit, a first raindrop sensor, a second raindrop sensor, and a control unit. The rain collector is positioned near the top of the housing, and the cover is located above the rain collector. The flip-top unit is fixed to the housing, and its output is connected to the cover. The first raindrop sensor is fixed to the upper side of the cover, and the second raindrop sensor is fixed to the side of the rain collector facing the cover. The control unit is electrically connected to the flip-top unit, the first raindrop sensor, and the second raindrop sensor. When the control unit receives a raindrop signal detected by the first raindrop sensor, it controls the flip-top unit to move the cover away from above the rain collector.

2. The rain gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that The flip-top unit includes a motor, a rotating shaft, and a connecting part. The motor is fixed on the housing, the rotating shaft is connected to the output shaft of the motor, the rotating shaft is located on the side of the housing and is parallel to the cover, one end of the connecting part is fixed to the side wall of the rotating shaft, and the other end of the connecting part is fixed to the top of the cover.

3. The rain gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a solar panel and a lithium battery. The housing is cylindrical. The solar panel is fixed to the outside of the housing and is disposed close to the outer side of the housing. The lithium battery is fixed inside the housing. Both the solar panel and the lithium battery are electrically connected to the control unit.

4. The rain gauge according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a waterproof strip, which is located between the solar panel and the housing, and is arranged around the outer periphery of the solar panel.

5. The rain gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sealed box and a waterproof socket. The sealed box is located inside the housing, and the waterproof socket is disposed through the sealed box. The control unit is located inside the sealed box, and the flip-top unit, the first raindrop sensor, and the second raindrop sensor are all electrically connected to the control unit through the waterproof socket.

6. The rain gauge of claim 1, wherein, It also includes an antenna, which is fixed to the outside of the housing and electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit also includes a signal conversion module and a communication module. The signal conversion module converts the data into an electrical signal and sends it to the communication module. The communication module sends the electrical signal to the monitoring center through the antenna.

7. The rain gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that The control unit includes a data receiving module, a data processing module, a data storage module, and an instruction sending module. The data receiving module receives information on whether it is raining from the first raindrop sensor and the second raindrop sensor, and sends it to the data processing module. The data processing module combines the data collected by the first raindrop sensor and the second raindrop sensor to determine whether the rain gauge is operating normally. After processing the data, the data processing module sends the relevant data to the data storage module for storage. The instruction sending module sends open and close instructions to the flip cover unit based on the information collected by the first raindrop sensor and the second raindrop sensor.

8. The rain gauge of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a funnel, a water storage pipe, a water measuring pipe, and an acoustic sensor located inside the housing. The funnel is fixed below the rain collector, and the water storage pipe and the water measuring pipe are both fixed below the funnel. The upper end of the water storage pipe is connected to and communicates with the water outlet of the funnel, and the lower end of the water storage pipe is connected to and communicates with the lower end of the water measuring pipe. The acoustic sensor is located below the water measuring pipe.

9. The rain gauge of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a chassis, the bottom end of which is fixed to the chassis, and the chassis is provided with drainage holes.

10. The rain gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a support foot, which is L-shaped, with the upper end of the support foot facing the housing and fixed to the housing, and the lower side of the support foot facing the ground.

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