A pump controller based on capacitive sensing

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of controller for pump based on capacitor induction, including control circuit board and shell;The shell includes at least two cavities, respectively first cavity and second cavity, the control circuit board is located in the first cavity, liquid through-hole is equipped between the first cavity and the second cavity, the control circuit board includes at least one induction area, signal processing module, single-chip module and power control module;The induction area of the control circuit board is located outside the liquid through-hole;The first cavity and the second cavity are all sealed with sealant, the wire is connected with the power control module, the induction area is PCB copper face, and is electrically connected with the signal processing module by PCB wiring, the signal processing module is electrically connected with the single-chip module, the signal processing module, the single-chip module are electrically connected with the power control module, and the wire is used for connecting external power supply and water pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water pump control technology, and in particular to a pump controller based on capacitive sensing. Background Technology

[0002] Most existing technologies use float-type level switches to control the start and stop of water pumps. However, float-type level switches cannot achieve low-level control due to the limited stroke of the float. Currently, there are also low-level control switches on the market that use an external copper sheet as a sensing element. The copper sheet is directly soldered to the control circuit or connected via wires to transmit the capacitance change signal to the control circuit. After signal processing, the signal is sent to the microcontroller module. The microcontroller module reads and analyzes the signal and issues a control signal. However, existing capacitive sensing technology is mostly used for level monitoring. In the field of water pump control technology, using capacitive level sensing technology to control the start and stop of water pumps is still immature. This is because water pumps generate water waves during operation and backflow occurs when they stop. Especially at the moment of stopping, the liquid in the pipeline is diverted, causing very large fluctuations in the water surface, which can lead to false triggering of the sensor.

[0003] In addition, existing technical solutions use the outer surface of the controller as the sensing area. In actual use, the outer surface of the controller is easily covered or stuck by other debris in the water, which can also cause false triggering of the sensor and cause the water pump to stop running. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a pump controller based on capacitive sensing. By setting up liquid through holes and designing an integrated control circuit, the frequency of false triggering of sensing is greatly reduced. At the same time, the integrated structure design reduces production and assembly costs. In addition, the impact of water surface fluctuation caused by liquid backflow when the pump stops can be completely solved by setting up multiple sensing zones.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model patent adopts the following technical solution: a pump controller based on capacitive sensing, including a control circuit board and a main housing; the main housing includes at least two cavities, namely a first cavity and a second cavity, the control circuit board is vertically inserted into the second cavity, a liquid passage is provided between the first cavity and the second cavity, the control circuit board includes at least one sensing area, a signal processing module, a microcontroller module and a power control module; the sensing area of ​​the control circuit board is located outside the liquid passage; both the first cavity and the second cavity are potted with sealant, the sensing area is electrically connected to the signal processing module, the signal processing module is electrically connected to the microcontroller module, the signal processing module and the microcontroller module are both electrically connected to the power control module, and the control circuit board is connected to an external power supply and a water pump via a cable.

[0006] Preferably, it includes a third cavity, which is disposed on the side of the second cavity.

[0007] Preferably, the sensing area is a copper-plated surface of a PCB, and the area of ​​the copper-plated surface is not less than 30 mm2.

[0008] Preferably, the area of ​​the copper-plated surface is not less than 60 mm².

[0009] Preferably, the control circuit board includes two sensing areas, a first sensing area and a second sensing area, which are arranged on the same plane. The first sensing area and the second sensing area can be electrically connected to the signal processing module simultaneously, or they can be electrically connected to different signal processing modules respectively. Depending on the performance of the signal processing module, there are single-signal-channel and multi-signal-channel options on the market, and the configuration is made according to actual needs.

[0010] Preferably, the distance between the sensing area and the wall of the liquid passage is less than 5 mm.

[0011] Preferably, the distance between the sensing area and the wall of the liquid passage is less than 3 mm.

[0012] Preferably, it includes counterweight packing material, which is used to fill the first cavity and the third cavity.

[0013] Preferably, it includes an outer casing, which is disposed outside the main housing, and the top of the outer casing is provided with a wire hole and a vent hole.

[0014] Preferably, the vent is located outside the wire hole.

[0015] In summary, this utility model significantly reduces the frequency of false triggering of sensors through the design of liquid through holes and integrated control circuits; at the same time, the integrated structure design reduces production and assembly costs and improves product competitiveness.

[0016] In particular, by setting up multiple sensing zones, the impact of water surface fluctuations caused by liquid backflow when the water pump stops can be effectively solved. This is generally achieved by setting up high-point sensing zones and low-point sensing zones. The signal from the low-point sensing zone is used to control the water pump to stop, and the signal from the high-point sensing zone is used to control the water pump to start. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, 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 utility model. For users of ordinary skills in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control circuit board of Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of each module of the control circuit board in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control circuit board in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of each module of the control circuit board in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0028] Reference numerals: 1. Main housing; 2. First cavity; 3. Second cavity; 3a. First slot; 3b. Second slot; 4. Liquid channel; 5. Control circuit board; 5a. Power control module; 5b. Microcontroller module; 5c. First signal processing module; 5d. First sensing area; 5e. Second signal processing module; 5f. Second sensing area; 6. Third cavity; 7. Outer housing; 7a. Wire hole; 7b. Vent hole; 8. Liquid balance through hole; 9. Cable. Detailed Implementation Example 1:

[0029] Combination Figures 1 to 3The diagram illustrates a pump controller based on capacitive sensing, comprising a control circuit board 5 and a main housing 1. The main housing includes two cavities: a first cavity 2 and a second cavity 3. The control circuit board 5 is vertically inserted into the second cavity 2. A liquid passage 4 is provided between the first cavity 2 and the second cavity 3. The control circuit board 5 includes a first sensing area 5d, a first signal processing module 5c, a microcontroller module 5b, and a power control module 5a. The first sensing area 5d is located outside the liquid passage 4. Both the first cavity 2 and the second cavity 3 are encapsulated with sealant. The first sensing area 5d is electrically connected to the first signal processing module 5c, which is electrically connected to the microcontroller module 5b. Both the first signal processing module 5c and the microcontroller module 5b are electrically connected to the power control module 5a. The control circuit board 5 is connected to an external power source and a water pump via a cable.

[0030] The working principle of the above-mentioned pump controller based on capacitance sensing is as follows: when liquid enters the liquid passage 4 and reaches a certain height, the capacitance value of the first sensing area 5d changes. The first signal processing module 5c receives the capacitance signal and performs signal processing. The common signal processing method is to convert the change in capacitance signal into a high or low level signal and transmit it to the microcontroller module 5b. The microcontroller module 5b outputs a control signal to the power control module 5a after performing logical operations based on the received signal. The power control module 5a not only provides low-voltage power to the microcontroller module 5b and the first signal processing module 5c, but also executes the control signal sent by the microcontroller module 5b to control the power supply of the external water pump. Example 2:

[0031] Combination Figures 4 to 7 The pump controller based on capacitive sensing shown, in addition to Embodiment 1, also includes a third cavity 6, a second sensing area 5f, and a second signal processing module 5e; the second sensing area 5f is electrically connected to the second signal processing module 5e, and the second signal processing module 5f is electrically connected to the microcontroller module 5b and the power control module 5a.

[0032] The third cavity 6 is located on the side of the second cavity 3, and the first sensing area 5d and the second sensing area 5f are arranged on the same plane.

[0033] Preferably, the first sensing area 5d and the second sensing area 5f are both copper-plated surfaces of a PCB, the area of ​​the copper-plated surface is not less than 30mm2, and the distance between the first sensing area 5d, the second sensing area 5f and the hole wall of the liquid through hole 4 is less than 5mm.

[0034] More preferably, the copper-plated surface area is not less than 60 mm2, and the distance between the first sensing area 5d, the second sensing area 5f and the wall of the liquid through hole 4 is less than 3 mm.

[0035] The first sensing area 5d and the second sensing area 5f Preferably, the second cavity 3 has a first slot 3a and a second slot 3b at both ends, and the first slot 3a and the second slot 3b are used to limit the control circuit board 5.

[0036] Preferably, it includes counterweight filler for filling the first cavity 2 and the third cavity 6. Example 3:

[0037] Combination Figures 8 to 10 The pump controller based on capacitive sensing shown, based on embodiment 2, further includes a housing 7, a liquid balance through hole 8, and a cable 9. The housing 7 is located outside the main housing 1. The main housing 1 and the housing 7 can be fixed by clips, screws, or directly bonded together with potting compound.

[0038] Preferably, the outer casing 7 is located on the upper part of the main casing 1, and the top of the outer casing 7 is provided with a wire hole 7a and an exhaust hole 7b; the function of the exhaust hole 7b is that when the capacitive sensing pump controller is immersed in water, the liquid rises through the liquid passage 4 and compresses the air, and the air is discharged through the exhaust hole 7b.

[0039] Preferably, the vent 7b is located outside the wire hole 7a, and the cable 9 is connected to the control circuit board 5 through the wire hole 7b.

[0040] In summary, this utility model significantly reduces the frequency of false triggering of sensors through the design of liquid through holes and integrated control circuits; at the same time, the integrated structure design reduces production and assembly costs and improves product competitiveness.

[0041] In particular, the dual sensing zone effectively solves the problem of water surface fluctuation caused by liquid backflow when the water pump stops. This is generally achieved by setting up a high-point sensing zone and a low-point sensing zone. The signal from the low-point sensing zone is used to control the water pump to stop, and the signal from the high-point sensing zone is used to control the water pump to start. This improves the control accuracy of the water pump and ensures the safety of water pump operation.

Claims

1. A capacitive sensing based pump controller comprising a control circuit board and a main housing; characterized in that: The main housing includes at least two cavities, namely a first cavity and a second cavity. The control circuit board is vertically inserted into the second cavity. A liquid passage is provided between the first cavity and the second cavity. The control circuit board includes at least one sensing area, a signal processing module, a microcontroller module, and a power control module. The sensing area of ​​the control circuit board is located outside the liquid passage. Both the first cavity and the second cavity are encapsulated with sealant. The sensing area is electrically connected to the signal processing module, the signal processing module is electrically connected to the microcontroller module, and both the signal processing module and the microcontroller module are electrically connected to the power control module. The control circuit board is connected to an external power supply and a water pump via a cable.

2. The capacitive-sensing based pump controller of claim 1, wherein: It includes a third cavity, which is located on the side of the second cavity.

3. The capacitive sensing based pump controller according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing area is a copper-plated surface of a PCB, and the area of ​​the copper-plated surface is not less than 30mm2.

4. The capacitive-sensing-based pump controller of claim 3, wherein: The area of ​​the copper-clad surface shall not be less than 60 mm2.

5. The capacitive-sensing based pump controller of claim 1, wherein: The control circuit board includes two sensing areas, a first sensing area and a second sensing area, which are arranged on the same plane.

6. The capacitive-sensing-based pump controller of claim 1, wherein: The distance between the sensing area and the wall of the liquid passage is less than 5 mm.

7. The capacitive-sensing based pump controller of claim 6, wherein: The distance between the sensing area and the wall of the liquid passage is less than 3 mm.

8. The capacitive-sensing based pump controller of claim 2, wherein: It includes counterweight packing material, which is used to fill the first cavity and the third cavity.

9. The controller for a capacitance-sensing-based pump of claim 1, wherein: It includes an outer casing, which is located outside the main housing, and the top of the outer casing has a wire hole and a vent hole.

10. The controller for a capacitance-sensing-based pump of claim 9, wherein: The vent is located on the outside of the wire hole.

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