CN117190620A - Container with liquid level detection function, ice maker and liquid amount adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to a container with liquid level detection function, an ice maker and a liquid level adjusting method, wherein the container with liquid level detection function comprises: a container body for storing a liquid; the emitter and the receiver are respectively arranged on two opposite outer walls of the container body, the emitter is used for emitting light signals towards the inside of the container body, and the receiver is used for receiving the light signals emitted by the emitter; a controller connecting the transmitter and the receiver; the light signal sent by the transmitter passes through the liquid in the container body and is received by the receiver when the liquid level of the container body reaches a preset liquid level. According to the container with the liquid level detection function, the controller can judge whether the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver or the time length of the light signal received by the receiver, so that the accuracy of liquid level detection is improved.

Description

Container with liquid level detection function, ice maker and liquid amount adjusting method

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of ice making devices, in particular to a container with a liquid level detection function, an ice making machine and a liquid level adjusting method.

Background

At present, the water level detection assembly of the ice machine mainly comprises a floater, a magnet, a limiting cover, a water level switch and other elements, and the water level detection assembly is generally arranged on the inner wall of a water tank of the ice machine so as to directly detect the water level of the water tank.

The water level detection assembly has the following defects: on one hand, electrical elements such as a water level switch in the water level detection assembly are easy to damage and lose efficacy when placed in water for a long time, so that the water level detection assembly cannot accurately detect the water level of the water tank; on the other hand, the water temperature of the water for ice making in the water tank is low, and some elements in the water level detection assembly are easily damaged in a long-term low-temperature environment, which also affects the accuracy of water level detection.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, the application provides the container with the liquid level detection function, the ice maker and the liquid level adjusting method, and the accuracy of liquid level detection can be improved.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a container having a liquid level detection function, comprising:

a container body for storing a liquid;

the emitter and the receiver are respectively arranged on two opposite outer walls of the container body, the emitter is used for emitting light signals towards the inside of the container body, and the receiver is used for receiving the light signals emitted by the emitter;

a controller connecting the transmitter and the receiver;

the light signal sent by the transmitter passes through the liquid in the container body and is received by the receiver when the liquid level of the container body reaches a preset liquid level, and the controller can judge whether the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver.

The container with liquid level detection function according to the first aspect of the application has at least the following advantages:

according to the container with the liquid level detection function, the emitter used for emitting the light signal and the receiver used for receiving the light signal are arranged on the outer wall of the container body, and the light signal emitted by the emitter passes through the liquid in the container body and is received by the receiver when the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level, so that the liquid in the container body can be prevented from being directly contacted with the emitter and the receiver, the damage of the liquid to the performance of the emitter and the receiver is reduced, the accuracy of light signal transmission between the emitter and the receiver is ensured, and the controller can judge whether the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level according to the fact that the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver when the liquid level of the container body does not reach the preset liquid level or the time length of the light signal received by the receiver is inconsistent with the time of reaching the preset liquid level, so that judgment on whether the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level is realized, and the accuracy of liquid level detection is improved.

In some embodiments, the opposite side walls of the container body respectively have a first light-transmitting surface and a second light-transmitting surface for the light signal to pass through, the transmitting end of the transmitter faces the first light-transmitting surface, and the receiving end of the receiver faces the second light-transmitting surface.

In some embodiments, a plurality of preset liquid levels are arranged on the container body at intervals along the height direction, the transmitter and the receiver are correspondingly provided with a plurality of groups, and at least one of the transmitter and the receiver in each group is soaked by the preset liquid level when the liquid level of the container body reaches the corresponding preset liquid level.

In some embodiments, the two opposite outer walls of the container body are respectively provided with a plurality of first clamping grooves and a plurality of second clamping grooves along the height direction, wherein the first clamping grooves are used for installing the emitter, and the second clamping grooves are used for installing the receiver.

In some embodiments, the container body is provided with a plurality of preset liquid levels at intervals along the height direction, the emitters are provided with a plurality of emitters and are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the container body, the preset liquid levels are higher than the corresponding emitters, and the receivers are arranged to be capable of receiving light signals emitted by all the emitters.

In some embodiments, the container with level detection function further comprises a position adjustment assembly configured to adjust the position of the emitter and/or the receiver on the container body outer wall.

In some embodiments, the position adjustment assembly includes a slide rail and a slider, the slide rail is disposed on an outer wall of the container body and extends in a height direction, the transmitter is slidably mounted on the slide rail through the slider, and the receiver is configured to receive a light signal emitted when the transmitter is at any position of the slide rail.

In some embodiments, the sliding rail is provided with a magnetic attraction groove, and the sliding block is provided with a magnetic attraction protrusion matched with the magnetic attraction groove.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an ice maker, which includes the container with a liquid level detection function as described above.

The ice maker according to the second aspect of the application has at least the following advantageous effects:

the ice maker has the same technical effect brought by the container with the liquid level detection function because the container with the liquid level detection function is arranged, namely, the ice maker can correspondingly adjust the amount of ice making liquid in the container body according to whether the liquid level of the container body in the ice maker detected by the controller reaches the preset liquid level or not, so as to meet the ice making liquid requirement of each round of ice making process.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a liquid amount adjustment method for adjusting an ice making liquid supply amount of the ice maker described above, the liquid amount adjustment method including:

the transmitter sends out a light signal to the inside of the container body, and the receiver receives the light signal sent by the transmitter;

the controller judges whether the liquid level of the container body reaches a preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver;

and when the liquid level of the container body does not reach the preset liquid level, adding ice making liquid to the container body to the preset liquid level, and when the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level, stopping adding the ice making liquid to the container body.

The liquid amount adjusting method according to the third aspect of the present application has at least the following advantageous effects:

according to the liquid amount adjusting method, whether the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level is judged by the controller according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver or the time length of the light signal received by the receiver, so that the ice making liquid amount in the container body is correspondingly adjusted, and the ice making liquid requirement of each round of ice making process is met.

The foregoing description is only an overview of the present application, and is intended to be implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present application in order that the same may be more clearly understood and to make the same and other objects, features and advantages of the present application more readily apparent.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the application. Also, like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a container with a liquid level detection function according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a container with a liquid level detection function according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a container with a liquid level detecting function according to an embodiment of the present application at another view angle.

Fig. 4 is another schematic structural view of a container with a liquid level detecting function according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 is another schematic structural view of a container with a liquid level detecting function according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is a partial enlarged view at a in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a slider according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart of a liquid amount adjusting method according to an embodiment of the application.

Reference numerals illustrate: a container body 100; a first clamping groove 110; a second clamping groove 120; a first light-transmitting surface 130; a second light-transmitting surface 140; a transmitter 200; a receiver 300; a position adjustment assembly 400; a slide rail 410; a magnetic attraction groove 411; a slider 420; a magnetic attraction protrusion 421; a mounting groove 422; the height direction Z.

Detailed Description

In order that the above objects, features and advantages of the application will be readily understood, a more particular description of the application will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. The present application may be embodied in many other forms than described herein and similarly modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the application, whereby the application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

In the description of the present application, it should be understood that, if any, these 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., are used herein with respect to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, these terms refer to the orientation or positional relationship for convenience of description and simplicity of description only, and do not indicate or imply that the apparatus or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the application.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, if any, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present application, the terms "plurality" and "a plurality" if any, mean at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present application, unless explicitly stated and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly. For example, the two parts can be fixedly connected, detachably connected or integrated; can be mechanically or electrically connected; either directly or indirectly, through intermediaries, or both, may be in communication with each other or in interaction with each other, unless expressly defined otherwise. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

In the present application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the meaning of a first feature being "on" or "off" a second feature, and the like, is that the first and second features are either in direct contact or in indirect contact through an intervening medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "over" and "on" a second feature may be a first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is level higher than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may be the first feature being directly under or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is less level than the second feature.

It will be understood that if an element is referred to as being "fixed" or "disposed" on another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. If an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and the like as used herein, if any, are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent a unique embodiment.

Currently, water level detection assemblies for ice making machines have the following drawbacks: on one hand, electrical elements such as a water level switch in the water level detection assembly are easy to damage and lose efficacy when placed in water for a long time, so that the water level detection assembly cannot accurately detect the water level of the water tank; on the other hand, the water temperature of the water for ice making in the water tank is low, and some elements in the water level detection assembly are easily damaged in a long-term low-temperature environment, which also affects the accuracy of water level detection.

In view of the above problems, referring to fig. 1 and 2, the present application provides a container having a liquid level detection function, which includes a container body 100, a transmitter 200, a receiver 300, and a controller (not shown in the drawings).

The container body 100 is used for storing a liquid. The transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 are respectively arranged on two opposite outer walls of the container body 100, the transmitter 200 is used for transmitting light signals towards the inside of the container body 100, and the receiver 300 is used for receiving the light signals transmitted by the transmitter 200.

And a controller connecting the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300.

The light signal sent by the transmitter 200 passes through the liquid in the container body 100 and is received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, and the controller can determine whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver 300 or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver 300.

In the present application, the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 may be a laser transmitter and a laser receiver, respectively, or may be an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, respectively, which is not particularly limited.

The container body 100 may be configured as a fully transparent container body, such as a transparent glass container body or a transparent plastic container body, for light signals to pass through. The container body 100 may also be configured as a semi-transparent container body, such as the container body 100 is provided with a transmissive region or a transmissive surface at a position corresponding to the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 for the light signal to pass through. The container body 100 may be, but is not limited to, square, cylindrical in shape.

The controller can be a singlechip or a computer based on control of a PLC system. The controller can control the transmitter 200 to transmit the light signal and can acquire the light signal received by the receiver 300.

The container with the liquid level detection function can be applied to equipment needing liquid level detection, such as ice machines, washing machines, water dispensers, coffee machines and the like. In the present application, the liquid stored in the container body 100 may be, but not limited to, purified water, carbonated beverage, or the like.

It should be noted that, when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, that is, when the liquid level of the liquid in the container body 100 is lower than the preset liquid level, the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 does not pass through the liquid in the container body 100, but passes through the air above the liquid level of the container body 100 and is received by the receiver 300. When the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, that is, when the liquid level of the container body 100 is higher than or level with the preset liquid level, the light signal sent by the transmitter 200 passes through the liquid in the container body 100 and is received by the receiver 300.

The light signal propagation path between the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 is required to satisfy the condition that the light signal emitted from the transmitter 200 passes through the liquid in the container body 100 and is then received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, and passes through the air above the liquid level of the container body 100 and is then received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, can be achieved by pre-adjusting the relative positions of the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 on the two opposite outer walls of the container body 100, the orientation of the transmitting end of the transmitter 200, and the orientation of the receiving end of the receiver 300.

Specifically, the propagation path of the light signal between the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 may be adjusted in such a way that the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 are respectively disposed on the left and right outer walls of the container body 100, and when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, the propagation path of the light signal emitted from the transmitter 200 to the receiver 300 and received by the receiver 300 is as follows:

at this time, the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 is reflected and refracted at the interface between the emitting end of the emitter 200 and the left outer wall of the container body, the interface between the left inner wall of the container body and the air above the liquid level of the container body 100, the interface between the air above the liquid level of the container body 100 and the right inner wall of the container body, and the interface between the right outer wall of the container body and the receiving end of the receiver 300 in sequence, and finally received by the receiver 300.

It will be appreciated that the light signal received by the receiver 300 is a light signal that has undergone multiple reflections and refractions, and the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver 300 is reduced compared to the light signal initially transmitted by the transmitter 200. The light signal of the transmitter 200 received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level is defined as a first light signal.

Similarly, when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, the propagation path of the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 to the receiver 300 and received by the receiver 300 is as follows:

the light signal sent by the emitter 200 will reflect and refract at the interface between the emitting end of the emitter 200 and the left outer wall of the container body, the interface between the left inner wall of the container body and the liquid below the liquid level of the container body 100, the interface between the liquid below the liquid level of the container body 100 and the right inner wall of the container body, and the interface between the right outer wall of the container body and the receiving end of the receiver 300 in sequence, and finally be received by the receiver 300.

It can be understood that the light signal received by the receiver 300 is a light signal after multiple reflection and refraction, compared with the light signal originally sent by the transmitter 200, since the light signal passes through the liquid in the container body 100, and the density of the liquid in the container body 100 is greater than that of air, the intensity of the light signal is greatly weakened due to the blocking effect of the liquid molecules in the liquid, so that the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver 300 is greatly weakened. The light signal of the transmitter 200 received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level is defined as a second light signal.

Obviously, the intensity of the second optical signal received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level is smaller than the intensity of the first optical signal received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level. The controller determines whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level by comparing the intensity of the first optical signal and the intensity of the second optical signal, so as to detect whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level.

It should be noted that, the receiver 300 may send the intensity of the first optical signal and the intensity of the second optical signal to the controller by converting the intensity of the first optical signal and the intensity of the second optical signal to a high-low level signal, for example, when the receiver 300 receives the first optical signal, the receiver 300 converts the first optical signal to a high-level signal and sends the high-level signal to the controller, and when the receiver 300 receives the second optical signal, the receiver 300 converts the second optical signal to a low-level signal and sends the low-level signal to the controller, so as to facilitate the controller to determine whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level.

In addition, it should be further noted that, since the propagation speed of the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 in the air above the liquid surface of the container body 100 is different from the propagation speed in the liquid below the liquid surface of the container body 100, that is, the propagation speed of the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 in the air above the liquid surface of the container body 100 is greater than the propagation speed in the liquid below the liquid surface of the container body 100.

Therefore, in both cases where the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level and where the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, the duration in which the receiver 300 receives the light signal emitted from the emitter 200 is also different, and it is apparent that the duration in which the receiver 300 receives the light signal is shorter when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level than when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level. Therefore, the controller can also determine whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level according to the duration of the light signal received by the receiver 300.

As can be understood from the above description, the container with a liquid level detection function according to the present application, by disposing the transmitter 200 for transmitting the light signal and the receiver 300 for receiving the light signal on the outer wall of the container body 100, and making the light signal transmitted by the transmitter 200 pass through the liquid in the container body 100 and be received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, not only can the liquid in the container body 100 be prevented from directly contacting the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300, the performance damage of the liquid to the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 is reduced, the accuracy of the light signal transmission between the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 is ensured, but also the controller can judge whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level according to the inconsistent light signal intensity received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver 300, thereby realizing the judgment of whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level or not, and improving the accuracy of the liquid level detection.

In some embodiments of the present application, referring to fig. 3 and 4, opposite side walls of the container body 100 respectively have a first light-transmitting surface 130 and a second light-transmitting surface 140 through which a light signal passes, an emitting end of the emitter 200 faces the first light-transmitting surface 130, and a receiving end of the receiver 300 faces the second light-transmitting surface 140.

Specifically, the container body 100 includes a casing, and a first light-transmitting glass and a second light-transmitting glass respectively disposed on left and right sidewalls of the casing, where the first light-transmitting glass and the second light-transmitting glass are detachably mounted on the casing by means of screws or buckles, so that the tightness of the container body 100 is ensured, and meanwhile, the container body is convenient to disassemble and assemble. Of course, the first light-transmitting glass and the second light-transmitting glass may be integrally formed with the housing.

It can be understood that the first transparent glass defines the first transparent surface 130, the second transparent glass defines the second transparent surface 140, the emitting end plane of the emitter 200 is attached to the first transparent surface 130, and the receiving end plane of the receiver 300 is attached to the second transparent surface 140, so that the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 can normally penetrate through two opposite sidewalls of the container body 100 and be accurately received by the receiver 300.

The shape of the case is not limited, and is preferably a square body, but may be a sphere, a cone, or the like. The outer wall of the housing is provided with a non-light transmissive structure, such as a layer of ink over the housing. By setting the outer wall of the shell to be of a non-light-transmitting structure, external light can be effectively prevented from entering the transmitter 200 or the receiver 300 through the shell and interfering with light signals of the transmitting end of the transmitter 200 and/or the receiving end of the receiver 300, interference influence of the external light on the intensity of the light signals received by the receiver 300 is eliminated, and accuracy of liquid level detection is further improved.

In some embodiments of the present application, referring to fig. 1 and 2, a plurality of preset liquid levels are provided on the container body 100 at intervals along the height direction Z, and the transmitters 200 and the receivers 300 respectively have a plurality of groups, and at least one of the transmitters 200 and the receivers of each group is submerged by the preset liquid level when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level.

That is, it can be understood that when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level, at least one of the emitter 200 and the receiver of each group is located below the preset liquid level, so that after the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level, the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 passes through the liquid below the preset liquid level and is received by the receiver 300, so that the receiver 300 can determine whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level according to the intensity of the received light signal.

For example, in one embodiment, when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level, the corresponding emitter 200 is located below the preset liquid level, that is, the light signal emitted by the emitting end of the emitter 200 must pass through the liquid below the preset liquid level and then be received by the receiver 300.

Similarly, in another embodiment, when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level, the corresponding receiver 300 is located below the preset liquid level, i.e. the light signal received by the receiver 300 arrives after having passed through the liquid below the preset liquid level. So set up, guarantee the accuracy of liquid level detection.

In addition, it should be noted that, in the present application, by setting multiple groups of transmitters 200 and receivers 300 corresponding to multiple preset liquid levels one by one, each group of transmitters 200 and receivers 300 independently work and do not interfere with each other, and multiple groups of independent transmitters 200 and receivers 300 are used for correspondingly detecting multiple liquid levels in the container body 100, so as to realize accurate detection of multiple liquid levels in the container body 100, meet actual use requirements, and improve compatibility and universality of the container with liquid level detection function.

For example, in one embodiment, when the container with the liquid level detection function of the present application is configured in an ice maker, the ice maker is provided with a plurality of ice making processes, and the amount of water used in each ice making process is different. Based on the water level, the ice maker can correspondingly adjust the water amount in the container body according to whether the liquid level of the container body in the ice maker detected by the container with the liquid level detection function reaches the preset liquid level, so as to meet the water amount requirement of each round of ice making process.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, referring to fig. 1, 2 and 3, the opposite outer walls of the container body 100 are respectively provided with a plurality of first clamping grooves 110 and a plurality of second clamping grooves 120 in the height direction Z, the first clamping grooves 110 being used for mounting the transmitter 200 and the second clamping grooves 120 being used for mounting the receiver 300.

Specifically, the plurality of first clamping grooves 110 are spaced along the left outer wall of the container body 100, and the plurality of second clamping grooves 120 are spaced along the right outer wall of the container body 100. Correspondingly, a plurality of first light-transmitting surfaces 130 are arranged on the left side wall of the container body 100 along the height direction Z at intervals, a plurality of second light-transmitting surfaces 140 are arranged on the right side wall of the container body 100 along the height direction Z at intervals, the upper end and the lower end of the first light-transmitting surface 130 are correspondingly flush with the upper end and the lower end of the first clamping groove 110, and the upper end and the lower end of the second light-transmitting surface 140 are correspondingly flush with the upper end and the lower end of the second clamping groove 120.

In addition, the first clamping groove 110 and the second clamping groove 120 are both configured into a channel structure with two ends penetrating and being closed up and down, the transmitting end plane of the transmitter 200 is attached to the first light-transmitting surface 130, and the receiving end plane of the receiver 300 is attached to the second light-transmitting surface 140. By the arrangement, interference of light signals between two adjacent emitters 200 and two adjacent receivers 300 can be reduced or even eliminated, interference of external light to the light signals of the emitters 200 and the receivers 300 can be reduced or even eliminated, propagation of the light signals of each group of emitters 200 and the receivers 300 is relatively independent and complementary, and accuracy of liquid level detection of the container body 100 is further improved.

Of course, when the container with the liquid level detection function of the present application is applied to a device that only needs to detect a preset liquid level, by providing the two opposite outer walls of the container body 100 with the plurality of first clamping grooves 110 and the plurality of second clamping grooves 120 along the height direction Z, it is convenient for a user to adjust the positions of the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 along the height direction X, so that the light signal propagation path between the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300 satisfies that the light signal sent by the transmitter 200 passes through the liquid in the container body 100 and is received by the receiver 300 after the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, that is, the user is convenient to debug the light signal propagation path between the transmitter 200 and the receiver 300, and the functionality is enhanced.

In addition, referring to fig. 3, the shape and size of each first slot 110 may be configured differently, so as to adapt to the generators 200 with different shapes and specifications; similarly, the shape of each second slot 120 may be configured differently to accommodate different shapes and specifications of the receiver 300.

In some embodiments of the present application, referring to fig. 1 and 3, a plurality of preset liquid levels are provided on the container body 100 at intervals along the height direction Z, the emitters 200 are provided in plurality and are arranged at intervals along the height direction Z of the container body 100, the preset liquid levels are higher than the corresponding emitters 200, and the receiver 300 is configured to be capable of receiving light signals emitted from all of the emitters 200.

Specifically, the plane defined by the receiving end of the receiver 300 can cover the propagation paths of the light signals to all the emitters 200, so that the receiver 300 can be arranged to receive the light signals emitted by all the emitters 200, linear matching of a plurality of emitters 200 and a single receiver 300 is realized, corresponding arrangement cost is reduced, and meanwhile, accurate detection of a plurality of liquid levels of the container body 100 is realized.

It can be understood that when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, the light signal emitted by the emitter 200 will be received by the receiver 300 after passing through the liquid in the container body 100 when the liquid level of the container body 100 is higher than the corresponding emitter 200, so as to ensure the accuracy of liquid level detection.

In some embodiments of the present application, referring to fig. 5 and 6, the container with liquid level detection function of the present application further includes a position adjustment assembly 400, the position adjustment assembly 400 being configured to adjust the position of the transmitter 200 and/or receiver 300 on the outer wall of the container body 100.

It can be understood that, by setting the position adjusting assembly 400, the position of the transmitter 200 or the receiver 300 on the outer wall of the container body 100 can be correspondingly adjusted according to the position of the preset liquid level of the actual requirement, so that the light signal sent by the transmitter 200 passes through the liquid in the container body 100 and is received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level, thereby meeting the detection requirement of different liquid levels of the container body 100, and further improving the compatibility and universality of the container with the liquid level detection function.

Further, referring to fig. 6, the position adjusting assembly 400 includes a slide rail 410 and a slider 420, the slide rail 410 is disposed on an outer wall of the container body 100 and extends along a height direction Z, the transmitter 200 is slidably mounted on the slide rail 410 through the slider 420, and the receiver 300 is configured to receive a light signal emitted when the transmitter 200 is located at any position of the slide rail 410.

Specifically, the plane defined by the receiving end of the receiver 300 can cover the propagation path of the light signal emitted when the transmitter 200 is located at any position of the slide rail 410 by increasing the receiving end area of the receiver 300.

For example, referring to fig. 6, the sliding rails 410 have two sliding rails and are disposed on the left side wall of the container body 100 at a parallel interval, a movable space for the movement of the emitter 200 is defined between the two sliding rails 410, the portion of the left side wall of the container body 100 corresponding to the movable space is disposed as the first light-transmitting surface 130, and the emitter 200 faces the first light-transmitting surface 130, i.e. the vertical projection of the movable space relative to the left side wall of the container body 100 is completely coincident with the first light-transmitting surface 130. The right side wall of the container body 100 is provided with a second light-transmitting surface 140, the vertical projection of the second light-transmitting surface 140 relative to the left side wall of the container body 100 is completely overlapped with the first light-transmitting surface 130, and a plane defined by the receiving end of the receiver 300 is overlapped and attached with the second light-transmitting surface 140. Further, the receiving end of the receiver 300 defines a planar width that is greater than or equal to the height of the container body 100.

The arrangement is such that the plane defined by the receiving end of the receiver 300 can cover the propagation path of the light signal emitted when the transmitter 200 is located at any position of the slide rail 410, so that the receiver 300 can receive the light signal emitted when the transmitter 200 is located at any position of the slide rail 410.

In addition, it can be understood that, by the sliding fit arrangement of the sliding block 420 and the sliding rail 410, the position of the emitter 200 on the outer wall of the container body 100 can be correspondingly adjusted according to the position of the preset liquid level of the actual requirement, so that the light signal sent by the emitter 200 passes through the liquid in the container body 100 and is received by the receiver 300 when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the corresponding preset liquid level, thereby meeting the detection requirement of different liquid levels of the container body 100 and further improving the compatibility and universality of the container with the liquid level detection function.

Further, referring to fig. 6 and 7, the slide rail 410 is provided with a magnetic attraction groove 411, and the slide block 420 is provided with a magnetic attraction protrusion 421 matching with the magnetic attraction groove 411. Through the magnetic attraction matching effect of the magnetic attraction grooves 411 and the magnetic attraction protrusions 421, the emitter 200 can be fixed at any position of the sliding rail 410, and the phenomenon that the emitter 200 slides down during operation to influence the detection accuracy of the liquid level is avoided.

In addition, the slider 420 is provided with a mounting groove 422 for placing the emitter 200, so that stable mounting of the emitter 200 is facilitated.

In addition, the embodiment of the application also provides an ice machine, which comprises the container with the liquid level detection function.

Specifically, the container body 100 may be provided as a water tank for an ice maker. The bottom of the water tank is provided with a water inlet pipe connected with water supply equipment. The water supply device may be a water pump. The controller is electrically connected with the water supply equipment to control the work of the water supply equipment.

Obviously, since the ice maker of the present application is provided with the container having the liquid level detecting function, the same technical effect is achieved by the container having the liquid level detecting function, namely, the ice maker can correspondingly increase or not increase the ice making liquid in the container body according to whether the liquid level of the container body 100 in the ice maker detected by the controller reaches the preset liquid level.

When the container body of the ice maker does not reach the preset liquid level, the controller controls the water supply equipment to increase the ice making liquid into the container body 100 until the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, so that the adjustment of the ice making liquid in the container body is realized, and the ice making liquid requirement of each round of ice making process is met.

Referring to fig. 8, an embodiment of the present application further provides a liquid amount adjustment method for adjusting an ice making liquid supply amount of the ice maker, the liquid amount adjustment method including the steps of:

s1, the transmitter 200 sends out a light signal to the inside of the container body 100, and the receiver 300 receives the light signal sent by the transmitter 200;

s2, the controller judges whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches a preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver 300 or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver 300;

and S3, when the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, adding ice making liquid to the container body 100 to reach the preset liquid level, and when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, stopping adding the ice making liquid to the container body 100.

Specifically, the container body 100 may be provided as a water tank for an ice maker. The ice maker further includes a water pump connected to the container body 100, and a controller electrically connected to the water pump to control the action of the water pump.

Therefore, the controller can judge whether the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver 300 or the time length of the light signal received by the receiver 300, and when the liquid level of the water tank does not reach the preset liquid level, the controller can control the water pump to supply ice making liquid into the container body 100 so that the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches the preset liquid level, thereby meeting the ice making liquid requirement of each round of ice making process.

In addition, the embodiment of the application also provides a liquid amount monitoring system, which comprises the container or the ice maker with the liquid level detection function, so as to realize the real-time monitoring of the liquid amount of the container body 100.

For example, the controller has a warning lamp, and when the liquid level of the container body 100 reaches a preset liquid level, the warning lamp of the controller displays green. When the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, the warning lamp of the controller displays red, and of course, the controller can prompt that the liquid level of the container body 100 does not reach the preset liquid level in a buzzing alarm mode, so that the real-time monitoring of the liquid level of the container body 100 is realized.

The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined, and all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are not described for brevity of description, however, as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features, they should be considered as the scope of the description.

The above examples illustrate only a few embodiments of the application, which are described in detail and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. It should be noted that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the application, which are all within the scope of the application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present application is to be determined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A container having a liquid level detection function, comprising:

a container body for storing a liquid;

the emitter and the receiver are respectively arranged on two opposite outer walls of the container body, the emitter is used for emitting light signals towards the inside of the container body, and the receiver is used for receiving the light signals emitted by the emitter;

a controller connecting the transmitter and the receiver;

the light signal sent by the transmitter passes through the liquid in the container body and is received by the receiver when the liquid level of the container body reaches a preset liquid level, and the controller can judge whether the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver.

2. The container with liquid level detection function according to claim 1, wherein the opposite side walls of the container body are respectively provided with a first light-transmitting surface and a second light-transmitting surface for the light signal to pass through, the transmitting end of the transmitter faces the first light-transmitting surface, and the receiving end of the receiver faces the second light-transmitting surface.

3. The container with liquid level detection function according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of preset liquid levels are arranged on the container body at intervals along the height direction, the transmitter and the receiver are correspondingly provided with a plurality of groups, and at least one of the transmitter and the receiver in each group is soaked by the preset liquid level when the liquid level of the container body reaches the corresponding preset liquid level.

4. The container with liquid level detection function according to claim 1, wherein the two opposite outer walls of the container body are respectively provided with a plurality of first clamping grooves and a plurality of second clamping grooves in a height direction, the first clamping grooves being used for mounting the emitter, and the second clamping grooves being used for mounting the receiver.

5. The container with liquid level detection function according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of preset liquid levels are arranged on the container body at intervals along the height direction, the emitters are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the container body, the preset liquid levels are higher than the corresponding emitters, and the receiver is configured to be capable of receiving light signals emitted by all the emitters.

6. The liquid level detection enabled container according to claim 1, further comprising a position adjustment assembly configured to adjust the position of the transmitter and/or the receiver on the outer wall of the container body.

7. The container with liquid level detecting function according to claim 6, wherein the position adjusting assembly comprises a slide rail and a slider, the slide rail is provided on an outer wall of the container body and extends in a height direction, the transmitter is slidably mounted on the slide rail through the slider, and the receiver is provided to be able to receive a light signal emitted when the transmitter is at an arbitrary position of the slide rail.

8. The container with liquid level detection function according to claim 7, wherein the sliding rail is provided with a magnetic attraction groove, and the sliding block is provided with a magnetic attraction protrusion matched with the magnetic attraction groove.

9. An ice maker comprising the container having a liquid level detecting function as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A liquid amount adjusting method for adjusting an ice making liquid supply amount of the ice maker as claimed in claim 9, comprising:

the transmitter sends out a light signal to the inside of the container body, and the receiver receives the light signal sent by the transmitter;

the controller judges whether the liquid level of the container body reaches a preset liquid level according to the intensity of the light signal received by the receiver or the duration of the light signal received by the receiver;

and when the liquid level of the container body does not reach the preset liquid level, adding ice making liquid to the container body to the preset liquid level, and when the liquid level of the container body reaches the preset liquid level, stopping adding the ice making liquid to the container body.