RU2758622C2 - Device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: kitchen equipment.

SUBSTANCE: technical solution relates to devices that provide automatic water filling; it can be used, in particular, in a device for preparing drinks, such as a kettle, a thermopot, an electric samovar, a coffee pot. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement includes a stand case and a device tank case, a node for connecting a water source, a water supply node, a device for water volume measurement, a power supply unit, a heating element. At the same time, a water inlet node and a device for measuring water temperature are built into the tank case, the water supply node is electronically controlled. A measuring device for determining the water volume is built into the stand. A control board and at least one indication and illumination device are built in the stand, while providing bidirectional information exchange over a radio channel and receiving water from the source by the device.

EFFECT: technical result is the creation of a more simplified (compared to analogues) device for automatic water intake, which provides control of water amount due to weight measurement.

18 cl, 2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technical solution relates to devices providing automatic filling of water, and can be used, in particular, in a device for preparing drinks, such as a kettle, thermopot, electric samovar, coffee pot and the like.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Basically, devices for heating water with autodial take into account the time of water intake, but do not take into account the amount of water collected earlier. They calculate the volume that is collected over a certain time, and regulate the water supply over time.

A device for making tea is known (CN 204232762 U, priority date 12/05/2014, IPC A47G 19/16; A47J 31/00; A47J 31/46; A47J 31/56). The device contains a base (also called a base), a water tank and a kettle. The heating unit included in the device is used to heat tap water. The water tank is split, located on the base (base) and connected to the central water supply through the first valve. The teapot is also detachable, located on the base (base) and connected to the water supply outlet through a second valve. The kettle consists of a body and a lid.

The tea maker ensures that water is automatically poured into the kettle from the water tank, which is filled from the central water supply.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is the lack of control of the amount of water in the device itself, which affects the ease of use.

A device for preparing drinks is known (WO 2004008922, priority date 07.24.2002, IPC A47J 27/21; A47J 31/057; A47J 31/44; A47J 31/54) comprising a base having a water inlet, an electric heater at the base and a water pipe in contact with the heater. The pipe has an inlet connected to the inlet of the base and an outlet above the base. The water kettle has a removable support on the base and an upper opening for placement under the pipe outlet and a lower outlet for connecting to the inlet of the base on the kettle supported thereon. This allows the water in the kettle to enter the pipe to be heated by the heater and then out through the pipe outlet. There is also a coffee pot that can be installed on the base or over the base and which has an upper opening to fit under the pipe outlet so that water from it can enter the container.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is the lack of control of the amount of water in the device itself, which affects the ease of use.

An electric kettle with an automatic water supply device is known (CN 106551623 A, priority date 06/10/2017, IPC A47J 7/21). An electric kettle contains a base and a kettle body on the base. The base is electrically connected to the boiler drum via a 360-degree wireless electrical connector. The protective cover is located at the bottom of the boiler drum. The outer ring of the protective cover is uniformly provided with a plurality of gear teeth in the circumferential direction. The outer side wall of the boiler body is equipped with a water inlet section. The water inlet section contains a water inlet cavity. The water inlet communicates with the kettle cavity. The water release and transfer unit is located on the base and contains a water outlet section, a transmission gear, an engine and a transmission shaft for connecting the transmission gear to the engine. When the kettle body is installed on the base, the transmission gear on the base meshes with the teeth of the boiler body wheel.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is the lack of control of the amount of water in the device itself, which affects the ease of use.

An electric kettle with a stand is known (RU 95237 U1, priority date 11.01.2010, IPC A47J 31/54), taken as a prototype because of its closest characteristics. The stand additionally has a water connection unit; an electrovalve connected to the water connection unit; a branch pipe connected to the outlet of the electrovalve and going to the upper part of the stand, the end of the branch pipe is bent so that it is directed towards the spout of the kettle; current-carrying contacts for current-collecting contacts of electrodes of kettle water levels; Control block; timer; the kettle additionally has: water level electrodes located inside the kettle body height; control key for the number of positions equal to the number of electrodes of the water levels in the kettle, excluding the common electrode; collector contacts of electrodes of water levels. In this case, the kettle itself has a system that prevents water from overflowing into the kettle, which is a float that sets in motion a magnet acting on a reed switch that opens the control circuit of the solenoid valve.

The disadvantage of this technical solution is a complex system for controlling the amount of water in the device itself, which is a float that drives a magnet acting on a reed switch, which opens the control circuit of the solenoid valve, which affects the convenience of use.

The objective of the proposed technical solution is to create a more simplified (in comparison with analogs) device for automatic water intake, which ensures control of the amount of water by measuring the weight.

DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The technical solution to the above problem is achieved by creating a device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement, which includes a stand body and a device container body, a unit for connecting a water source, a water supply unit, a water volume measuring device, a power unit, a heating element, and characterized in that a water inlet unit and a water temperature measuring device are built into the tank body, the water supply unit is electronically controlled, a water volume measuring device is built into the stand, a control board is built into the stand, which includes at least one light sensor, at the same time, a bi-directional exchange of information over a radio channel is provided.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the water temperature is measured using a sensor built into the tank. The sensor type determines the measurement error and dynamics, as well as the cost of the technical solution. Thus, the use of platinum resistance thermometers is the most accurate and costly way to measure temperature. At the same time, it ensures the durability of the device, in contrast to the NTC resistance, which degrades over time due to high temperatures.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the body of the stand is made of thermoplastic and glass, and the body of the container is made of glass, metal and silicone seals.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the electric power is connected to the heater using an electromagnetic relay under the control of the power board. The use of a semiconductor relay or triac makes the device more durable.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the supply of water from the supply line with water under pressure is carried out using an electromagnetic valve. In the case of pumping water from another container where it is not under pressure, an impeller, diaphragm or any other type of pump is used. Inside the tube for supplying water to the device, a filter is provided to protect against contamination and prevent salt deposition.

A variant of the technical solution is possible in which strain gauge-type weight sensors are installed in the legs of the stand, forming a bridge circuit for measuring the weight of water in a container on a stand, for example, in a kettle. Once, before filling the container with water, the device calibrates in order to correctly determine the amount of water without taking into account the weight of the stand and container.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which inductance coils with a hole for the core are installed in the stand body. The magnetic core is spring-loaded and acts as a support for the stand. When the container is filled with water, due to the weight of the structure, the core is immersed inside the coil. The control board measures the inductance of the coil and recalculates its change into the volume of water.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the legs of the stand are mechanically connected to the caps of the capacitors. As the weight of the structure increases, the capsules deform elastically, increasing their electrical capacity. The control board measures the electrical capacity and recalculates it into the volume of water. There is also a correction of the calculations for the ambient temperature, since the measurement method is sensitive to it.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which a window for the light sensor is provided in the body. The control board, according to the readings of the sensor, adjusts the intensity of the glow of the indicators and / or the backlight, if such is provided in the design, so as not to dazzle the user in the dark.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the body of the device provides for control buttons of the device, which, depending on the design of the device, are made in the form of clock, touch, or their combination. The number of buttons depends on the functionality supported by the product.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the water supply is carried out through a coaxial connector, in the center of which a channel for water is provided. In this case, when the container is separated from the support, the channel is mechanically closed both in the container and in the support. Due to metal contacts and concentric contacts on the counterpart, the connector provides electrical connection of the temperature sensor in the tank and the heater.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which water is supplied to the container through a window in its lid. To do this, after placing the container on the stand, the rotary mechanism inserts the water supply pipe into the center of the container lid. In this case, under the action of the branch pipe in the lid, a window opens, the curtain or door of which is spring-loaded and in the normal state is closed for safety reasons.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which an intermediate device is used for data transmission, which provides an increase in the distance of data transmission and data conversion for different protocols. For example, a Wi-Fi - Bluetooth gateway can act as such a device.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which, for communication with an intermediate device, an application on a smartphone or a user's computer, components are installed in the control board that provide radio communication using the Wi-Fi protocol. The implementation can be both in the form of a separate module, and in the form of separate microcircuits installed on a printed circuit board.

A variant of the technical solution is possible, in which the backlighting and indication in the device are made using RGB-LEDs. The status indication is carried out by color and light intensity. If it is possible to control the color and glow of each LED or a group of LEDs individually, it is possible to implement additional lighting effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the technical solution are disclosed in the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the device and in the drawings attached to the description and not limiting the scope of this solution.

FIG. 1 shows a device for automatic water intake with an example of the implementation of a technical solution in the form of a kettle.

Pos. 1 - a device for automatic water intake, consisting of a kettle and

coasters.

Pos. 2 - legs with a sensor

Pos. 3 - water supply pipe

Pos. 4 - pump

Pos. 5 - control board

Pos. 6 - Bluetooth communication module

Pos. 7 - power board

Pos. 8 - coaxial contact group with a water supply channel

Pos. 9 - heater

Pos. 10 - temperature sensor

Pos. 11 - a line of backlighting from colored LEDs

Pos. 12 - button

FIG. 2 shows the device for measuring the amount of water.

Pos. 13 - strain gauge weight sensor installed in the leg of the kettle

Pos. 14 - strain gauge

Pos. 15 - a leg attached to the sensor 13

Pos. 16 - cover of the capacitive weight sensor

Pos. 17 - the cover of the capacitive weight sensor, deformable or displaced by the leg 15

Pos. 18 - leg-core of an inductive weight sensor

Pos. 19 - inductor

Pos. 20 - spring pushing out the core 18

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The stand (1) has 4 legs (2), which are strain gauges, and a fitting for connecting a water supply pipe (3). Inside the stand are a pump (4), a control board (5) with a Bluetooth module (6), a power supply board (7), a coaxial contact group (8). Through the contact group, electricity is supplied to the kettle heater (9), the temperature sensor (10) is connected, and water is supplied to the kettle. The contact block also provides independent overheating protection.

Load cells provide weighing of the structure and thereby measure the amount of water in the kettle.

The control board contains a microcontroller equipped with a radio channel, touch buttons, LEDs for indication, an analog-to-digital converter for scales. The power supply contains a relay for turning on and off the heater in the kettle.

Around the perimeter of the stand is a backlight strip (11), inside which there are 24 color LEDs with individual control of each of them. A separate light sensor (12) adjusts the light intensity so as not to dazzle the user in the dark.

The software provides for measuring the weight of the kettle, dialing, heating, displaying, radio communication and lighting control.

After calibrating, the kettle ensures the determination of the amount of water in the kettle with an error of 50 milliliters for a 2 liter capacity.

The kettle is a metal flask in a cylindrical body. An electric heater with a power of 2.2 kW is installed on the bottom of the flask (9). A temperature sensor (10) is hermetically installed in the bottom of the flask, and a pipe for water supply is passed through the handle.

The device for automatic water intake is based on weighing the water heating device and calculating the amount of water according to the mass of the required amount of water.

In contrast to the prototype in the claimed technical solution, the flow is regulated according to the actual volume of water with the measurement of the mass of the device for boiling with water, which is directly proportional to the mass of the required amount of water. Weighing and calculating the amount of water in the device for automatic water intake is solved in one of the embodiments by introducing a strain gauge sensor. The latter is a special elastic structure with a strain gauge attached to it and other auxiliary parts. After calibration by the change in the resistance of the strain gauge, it is possible to calculate the degree of deformation of the elastic structure, deformable under the weight of the device for heating water, which will be proportional to the force applied to the claimed device. The strain gauge itself is, in a preferred embodiment, located in all four legs. Or, depending on the device for heating water, it may be located in the body of the claimed device.

Another implementation option is a method for measuring the inductance of a coil, which depends on the depth of immersion in the core coil, which in turn mechanically depends on the weight of the water in the container.

The next implementation option is a method based on measuring the electrical capacitance of a capacitor, the distance between the plates of which depends on the amount of water in the tank.

The device for automatic water intake 1 has a water source connection unit 3, which is a hose. In order to add water to the body of the device for automatic water intake 1, it is necessary to connect water to the water connection unit 3. Water enters the 8-pin group (contact pair) with the help of pump 4. Or, instead of the pump, a solenoid valve is used to supply water from the network under pressure.

The boiling process is carried out according to the boiling algorithm. Measuring the weight of water is carried out by weight strain gauges in the legs 2. The program knows the weight of the claimed device 1 itself and its weight with the maximum volume of water (1 liter). Based on these data, the water level in the device 1 is determined. In case of insufficient water, the control board 5 turns on the water supply unit 4 until the weight of the device 1 becomes sufficient.

The proposed device for automatic water intake saves the user from unnecessary manipulations. The required amount of water is automatically provided by the control panel.

Claims (18)

1. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement, which includes a stand body and a device container body, a unit for connecting a water source, a water supply unit, a water volume measuring device, a power supply, a heating element, and characterized in that the body tanks have a water inlet unit and a water temperature measuring device, a water supply unit is electronically controlled, a water volume measuring device is built into the stand, a control board is built into the stand, at least one indication and illumination device is built into the stand, while bi-directional exchange is ensured information over the radio channel and the device receiving water from the source. 2. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurement means is, for example, a semiconductor sensor, a thermocouple, a thermal resistance. 3. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the container body is made of glass, metal and silicone seals. 4. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the stand is made of thermoplastic and glass. 5. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that an electromagnetic relay is used to connect the heating element to the power supply network as part of the power supply unit. 6. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one semiconductor device is used to connect the heating element to the power supply network as part of the power supply unit. 7. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronically controlled water supply unit is at least one solenoid valve. 8. Device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronically controlled water supply unit is at least one pump. 9. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring instrument for determining the volume of water implements a weighing method using at least one strain gauge. 10. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring instrument is based on measuring the inductance of at least one electromagnetic coil, the inductance of which depends on the depth of immersion of a spring-loaded core into it, the position of which is related to the volume of water in capacity. 11. Device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control board has at least one control button. 12. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control board contains at least one light sensor for adjusting the glow intensity of indicators and backlighting. 13. Device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit for water inlet into the container is made in the form of a central water inlet window in the upper part of the container with a mechanism for closing it. 14. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio communication is carried out through an intermediate communication device. 15. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control board contains at least one means for radio communication over a radio channel, for example Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth. 16. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 1, characterized in that the indication and illumination are carried out using LEDs of at least one color. 17. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one button is of a touch, clock or membrane type. 18. A device for automatic water intake with simultaneous weight measurement according to claim 16, characterized in that the light of the LEDs is controlled individually.

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