DE202023102030U1 - rainfall sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

Rain amount sensor (1) comprising
- a rainwater tank (2) with a tank wall (2.1) having a sensor (2.2) and a bottom surface (2.3),
- a drain pipe (3) open at the front, which protrudes on the inside and the outside of the floor area (2.3),
- An overflow cup (4), which overflows the drain pipe (3) on the inside of the bottom surface (2.3) to form a cavity (4.4) between the drain pipe (3) and the inner wall (4.1) of the overflow cup (4) and the cup rim ( 4.2) rests on the bottom surface (2.3), and
- At least one inlet opening (5), which is formed by a cup wall (4.3) of the overflow cup (4) and the bottom surface (2.3).

Description

The invention relates to a rainfall sensor.

A large number of measuring principles are known from the prior art for detecting a quantity of rain by means of a quantity of rain sensor.

For example, rainwater is collected in a funnel-shaped container and fed to a measuring container in order to record the filling level there using a sensor. The measuring cylinder is emptied cyclically, e.g. by means of a drain valve or an electrically operated suction device. For this purpose, the DE 27 20 602 A1 , the DE 39 11 152 A1 and the DE 42 31 235 A1 called.

Furthermore, it is proposed to carry out the emptying of the measuring container automatically, for example DE 89 00 782 U1 , the EP 3 355 084 A1 or the EP 2 720 070 A1 Proposed seesaw systems in which a measuring bowl fills with rainwater and tilts due to the weight, thereby emptying the collected rainwater. At the same time, an empty measuring bowl is pivoted or rotated into the measuring area in order to carry out the process again. Since the volume of the measuring bowl is known, the amount of rain can be determined by counting the tipping processes.

It is the object of the invention to specify a rain quantity sensor in which no moving parts, such as rockers or valves, are required to empty the rain collection tank and the collected rain quantity can nevertheless be detected with sufficient accuracy.

This object is achieved by a rain amount sensor according to claim 1.

• - einen Regensammelbehälter mit einer einen Sensor aufweisenden Innenwandung und einer Bodenfläche,
• - ein jeweils stirnseitig offenes Abflussrohr, welches auf der Innenseite und der Außenseite der Bodenfläche übersteht,
• - einen Überlaufbecher, welcher das Abflussrohr auf der Innenseite der Bodenfläche unter Bildung eines Hohlraums zwischen dem Abflussrohr und der Innenwandung des Überlaufbechers überstülpt und dessen Becherrand auf der Bodenfläche aufliegt, und
• - wenigstens eine Einlauföffnung, welche von einer Becherwand des Überlaufbechers und der Bodenfläche gebildet ist.

Such a rainfall sensor includes:

• - a rainwater tank with an inner wall having a sensor and a bottom surface,
• - a drain pipe, open at the front, which protrudes on the inside and outside of the floor area,
• - an overflow cup, which slips over the drain pipe on the inside of the bottom surface to form a cavity between the drain pipe and the inner wall of the overflow cup and the cup rim rests on the bottom surface, and
• - At least one inlet opening, which is formed by a cup wall of the overflow cup and the bottom surface.

In this rain quantity sensor according to the invention, neither moving parts, such as rockers, nor valves are required for emptying the rain collection container, since the principle of the Phytagorean cup is implemented. The rainwater collected in the rainwater tank flows through the at least one inlet opening into the cavity between the drain pipe and the inner wall of the overflow cup and, due to the principle of communicating tubes, rises at the same height as the rainwater outside the overflow cup. If this rise reaches the height of the area of the cavity above the front side of the drain pipe - this corresponds to the maximum fill level of the rain collector, all the rainwater collected in the rain collector flows out of the rain collector via the drain pipe according to the siphon principle. If the precipitation continues, this process is repeated.

The filling level of the rainwater tank is measured and evaluated without contact using the sensor. Thus, both the current fill level and the number of emptyings can be detected, which means that a very high level of measurement accuracy can be achieved.

A further advantage of this rain quantity sensor according to the invention is that the filling level detection can be calibrated anew each time it is emptied.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the overflow cup is detachably connected to the bottom surface of the rainwater tank. This means that the overflow cup can be removed from the rainwater tank and the rainwater tank can be cleaned in addition to the overflow cup, especially in the area of the drain pipe.

For the detachable connection of the overflow cup to the bottom surface of the rainwater tank, the implementation of a bayonet lock, a snap-in connection or a clamp attachment is recommended.

Both the overflow cup and the rainwater tank can each be manufactured in one piece as a plastic injection molded part.

• - der Überlaufbecher einstückig mit der Bodenfläche verbunden ist, wobei die Bodenfläche innerhalb des Überlaufbechers eine Bodenöffnung aufweist,
• - das Abflussrohr mit einem Tellerflansch derart ausgebildet ist, dass auf einer Seite des Tellerflansches das Abflussrohr in den Überlaufbecher ragt und auf der anderen Seite das Abflussrohr auf der Außenseite der Bodenfläche übersteht, und
• - der Tellerflansch mit einem randseitigen Bereich der Bodenöffnung flüssigkeitsdicht und lösbar verbunden ist.

Another particularly advantageous development of the invention is that

• - the overflow cup is integrally connected to the bottom surface, the bottom surface has a bottom opening inside the overflow cup,
• - the drain pipe is designed with a plate flange in such a way that on one side of the plate flange the drain pipe protrudes into the overflow cup and on the other side the drain pipe protrudes on the outside of the bottom surface, and
• - the plate flange is connected to a peripheral area of the bottom opening in a liquid-tight and detachable manner.

This development according to the invention is characterized in that the overflow cup is produced in one piece together with the rainwater tank as a plastic injection molded part, that is to say it is integrally connected to the floor surface. In this case, the bottom surface has a bottom opening in the area of the overflow cup, the diameter of which preferably corresponds to the diameter in the area of the transition from the wall surface of the overflow cup to the bottom surface.

The drain pipe formed with a support flange is inserted into this bottom opening from outside the bottom surface until the support flange closes the bottom opening, ie is detachably connected at the edge to the edge region of the bottom opening. This drain pipe, which is designed with the support flange, can also be produced as a plastic injection molded part.

The advantage of this development according to the invention is that when the rain quantity sensor is dismantled, ie when the rain collector and the drain pipe removed via the floor opening are present as separate components, they can be cleaned.

It is advantageous if, in this last-mentioned development according to the invention, the support flange of the drain pipe forms a labyrinth connection with the edge area of the floor opening, as a result of which the assembly of the support flange with the floor surface is improved. According to a further development, a liquid-tight connection is achieved with a sealing ring which is arranged either inside the labyrinth connection or outside the labyrinth connection on the carrier flange.

The detachability of the connection of the support flange of the drain pipe with the bottom surface of the rainwater tank is advantageously achieved with a bayonet lock.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that an inner wall of the drain pipe tapers conically, starting from the outside of the bottom surface. This speeds up the emptying process.

A capacitive sensor is proposed as a sensor for measuring the fill level in the rainwater tank, with which the fill level can be measured without contact.

• 1: eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Regenmengensensors eines Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der Erfindung,
• 2 eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung gemäß Schnitt A-A nach 1,
• 3 eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung gemäß Schnitt A-A nach 1, jedoch ohne Überlaufbecher,
• 4 eine perspektivische Teilansicht auf den Regenmengensensor gemäß 1
• 5 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Regenmengensensors eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der Erfindung,
• 6 eine Schnittdarstellung gemäß Schnitt B-B nach 5
• 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines mit einem Flanschteller ausgebildeten Abflussrohres in einer ersten Ausführung,
• 8 eine perspektivische Darstellung in einer Unteransicht des Regenmengensensors gemäß 5,
• 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines mit einem Flanschteller ausgebildeten Abflussrohres in einer zweiten Ausführung, und
• 10 eine Teilansicht in einer Schnittdarstellung eines mit einem Regensammelbehälter eines Regenmengensensors gemäß 5 lösbar verbundenen Flanschtellers eines Abflussrohres gemäß 9.

The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

• 1 : a perspective view of a rain amount sensor of an embodiment according to the invention,
• 2 a perspective sectional view according to section AA 1 ,
• 3 a perspective sectional view according to section AA 1 , but without overflow cup,
• 4 a perspective partial view of the rain sensor according to 1
• 5 a perspective view of a rain rate sensor of a further embodiment according to the invention,
• 6 a sectional view according to section BB 5
• 7 a perspective view of a drain pipe designed with a flange plate in a first embodiment,
• 8th a perspective representation in a view from below of the rain quantity sensor according to FIG 5 ,
• 9 a perspective view of a drain pipe designed with a flange plate in a second embodiment, and
• 10 a partial view in a sectional representation with a rain collector of a rain quantity sensor according to FIG 5 according to detachably connected flange plate of a drain pipe 9 .

The amount of rain sensor 1 according to the 1 until 4 consists of a plastic injection molded housing with a rain collector 2 in a rectangular shape and comprises four side walls and a bottom surface 2.3, which serves as a measuring surface for the rain collected in the rain collector 2. The four side surfaces of the rainwater tank 2 form a tank wall 2.1.

To realize the principle of a Phytagorean cup is a through the bottom surface each end open drain pipe 3 according to 2 and 3 out, so that part of the drain pipe 3 protrudes inwards, ie into the rainwater tank 2 and part of the drain pipe 3 protrudes on the outside of the bottom surface 2.3, ie protrudes outwards in relation to the rainwater tank 2.

That part of the drain pipe 3 which projects beyond the bottom surface 2.3 into the rainwater tank 2 is covered by an overflow cup 4, so that a cavity 4.4 is created between the drain pipe 3, i.e. its outer wall 3.2 and the inner wall 4.1 of the overflow cup 4. To complete the above principle, several inlet openings 5 are provided, which create a connection between the exterior of the overflow cup 4 and the cavity 4.4 mentioned.

These inlet openings 5 are formed by a cup wall 4.3 of the overflow cup 4 and the bottom surface 2.3. For this purpose, the overflow cup 4 has grooves on a cup edge 4.2, so that each of these grooves forms an inlet opening 5 with the cup edge 4.2 of the overflow cup 4 on the bottom surface 2.3.

The overflow cup 4 is detachably connected to the bottom surface 2.3, for example by means of a bayonet lock. For this purpose, bayonet locking means 2.4 are arranged diametrically opposite to the drain pipe 3 on the bottom surface 2.3 and corresponding bayonet locking means 3.4 on the overflow cup 4, which work together as a bayonet lock.

The detachable connection between the overflow cup 4 and the bottom surface 2.3 can also be realized by means of a latching connection or by means of a clamp attachment.

Fixing means 2.5 are also arranged on the bottom surface 2.3, also diametrically opposite to the drain pipe 3, which facilitate the positioning of the overflow cup 4 for its assembly.

The rainwater collected in the rainwater tank 2 flows through the inlet openings 5 into the cavity 4.4 between the drain pipe 3 and the inner wall 4.1 of the overflow cup 4 and, due to the principle of communicating tubes, rises at the same height as the rainwater outside of the overflow cup 4. If this height of rise reaches the height of the area of the cavity 4.4 above the end face of the drain pipe 3 - this corresponds to the maximum fill level of the rain collector 2 - all of the rainwater collected in the rain collector 2 flows down via the drain pipe 3 according to the siphon principle from the rain collector 2 . This process is repeated if the maximum fill level is reached again due to persistent precipitation.

On one of the outer sides of one of the four side walls of the rainwater tank 2, which is directly adjacent to the overflow cup 4, a capacitive sensor circuit board is arranged as a sensor 2.2 by means of clip elements.

With such a sensor 2.2, the fill level of the rainwater tank 2 is measured without contact and made available to a microcontroller for data processing and evaluation. Thus, both the current fill level and the number of emptying processes can be recorded and the amount of rain collected in the rain collector 2 can be determined from this with great accuracy.

The 5 until 10 show another exemplary embodiment of a rainfall sensor 1.

This amount of rain sensor 1 is also according to that 1 constructed and consists of a plastic injection molded housing with a rain collector 2 in a rectangular shape and includes four side walls and a bottom surface 2.3, which serves as a measuring surface for the rain collected in the rain collector 2 rain. The four side surfaces of the rainwater tank 2 form a tank wall 2.1.

In order to implement the principle of a Phytagorean cup, the rain amount sensor 1 according to 1 a drain pipe 3 and an overflow cup 4 are provided.

The bottom surface 2.3 has a circular bottom opening 2.30, which is covered by the overflow cup 4 like a dome such that the diameter of the bottom opening 2.30 corresponds to the inner diameter of the overflow cup 4 in the area of the transition to the bottom surface 2.3. The rainwater tank 2 and the overflow cup 4 are made together in one piece as a plastic injection molded part.

The drainpipe 3, which is mounted on the rainwater tank 2, is in 7 shown. This drain pipe 3 has a circular plate flange 3.3 on which the drain pipe 3 is arranged centrally and divides the same into an upper part 3.5 and a lower part 3.6. This drain pipe 3 formed with the carrier flange 3.3 is also produced as a plastic injection molded part.

This drain pipe 3 according to 7 is inserted with its upper part 3.5 into the bottom opening 2.3 until the plate flange 3.3 closes the bottom opening 2.3 by the plate flange 3.3 being joined at the edge to the edge area of the bottom opening 2.3 by means of a labyrinth connection 6. A non-positive connection between the plate flange 3.3 and the bottom surface 2.3 is realized by means of a bayonet connection 8.

The labyrinth connection 6 is realized by labyrinth connection means 6.1 of the disk flange 3.3 and labyrinth connection means 6.2 on the bottom surface 2.3. The labyrinth connecting means 6.1 are designed in a step-like manner with web-like elevations which encircle the edge of the carrier flange 3.3 in a circle. The labyrinth connection means 6.2 of the bottom surface 2.3 are designed with the same contour as the labyrinth connection means 6.1 and also run around the bottom opening 2.3 in a circular manner.

In order to ensure a liquid-tight connection of the carrier flange 3.3 to the bottom surface 2.3, a sealing ring 7 designed as an O-ring adjoins the labyrinth connection means 6.1 on the inside.

The bayonet connection 8 (cf. 8th ) is secured by means of a bayonet fastener 8.1 of the plate flange 3.3 (cf. 7 ) and corresponding bayonet locking means 8.1 on the underside of the floor area 2.3 (cf. 8th ) realized.

If the drain pipe 3 is mounted together with its plate flange 3.3 on the floor opening 2.3, the upper part 3.5 of the drain pipe 3 protrudes into the overflow cup 4, forming a cavity 4.4 between this upper part 3.5 and the inner wall 4.1 of the overflow cup 4.

This cavity 4.4 is connected to the rain collector 2 outside of the overflow cup 4 via a plurality of inlet openings 5 in the cup wall 4.3 of the overflow cup 4. According to 5 these inlet openings 5 are close to the ground, i.e. in the plane of the ground surface 2.3, so that the fill level of the rainwater collecting in the rain collection tank 2 is identical at all times both in the cavity 4.4 and outside of the overflow cup 4.

From the 5 and 6 it can be seen that the overflow cup 4 has an oval shape in a sectional plane parallel to the bottom surface 2.3 and that the drain pipe 3 is arranged eccentrically with respect to this oval cross section.

The lower part 3.6 of the drainpipe 3 protrudes on the outside of the bottom surface 2.3 and protrudes outwards in relation to the rainwater tank 2.

An alternative embodiment of a drain pipe 3 designed with a plate flange 3.3 is shown in 9 and when mounted on the floor surface 2.3 in 10 shown.

In this plate flange 3.3, the sealing ring 7.1 designed as an O-ring is arranged at the edge and outside of the labyrinth connection means 6.1. The labyrinth connection means 6.2 are also realized on the bottom surface 2.3 in accordance with this arrangement.

The functionality of the in the 5 until 10 Rain amount sensor 1 shown corresponds to that of the first embodiment.

Even with this amount of rain sensor 1 according to the 5 until 10 the rainwater collected in the rainwater tank 2 flows through the inlet openings 5 into the cavity 4.4 between the upper part 3.5 of the drain pipe 3 and the inner wall 4.1 of the overflow cup 4 and, due to the principle of communicating tubes, rises to the same height as the rainwater outside of the overflow cup 4. If this height of rise reaches the height of the area of the cavity 4.4 above the end face of the drain pipe 3 - this corresponds to the maximum filling level of the rain collector 2 - all the rainwater collected in the rain collector 2 flows down via the drain pipe 3 according to the siphon principle from the rain collector 2 . This process is repeated if the maximum fill level is reached again due to persistent precipitation.

On the inside of one of the four side walls of the rainwater tank 2, a capacitive sensor printed circuit board is arranged as a sensor 2.2 by means of clip elements (cf. 5 ).

With such a sensor 2.2, the fill level of the rainwater tank 2 is measured without contact and made available to a microcontroller for data processing and evaluation. Thus, both the current fill level and the number of emptying processes can be recorded and the amount of rain collected in the rain collector 2 can be determined from this with great accuracy.

Reference List

1

rainfall sensor

2

rain collector

2.1

Wall of the rainwater tank 2

2.2

sensor

2.3

Bottom surface of the rainwater tank 2

2.30

Bottom opening of the bottom surface 2.3

2.31

edge area of the bottom opening 2.30

2.4

Bayonet connection means of the bottom surface 2.3

2.5

Means of fixing the floor surface 2.3

3

drain pipe

3.1

Inner wall of the drain pipe 3

3.2

Outer wall of the drain pipe 3

3.3

plate flange

3.4

Bayonet connector on overflow cup 4

3.5

upper part of the drain pipe 3 in relation to the disk flange 3.3

3.6

lower part of the drain pipe 3 in relation to the plate flange 3.3

4

overflow cup

4.1

Inner wall of the overflow cup 4

4.2

Cup rim of the overflow cup 4

4.3

mug wall

4.4

cavity

5

inlet opening

6

labyrinth connection

6.1

Disk flange labyrinth fasteners 3.3

6.2

Labyrinth connecting means of the bottom surface 2.3

7

sealing ring

7.1

sealing ring

8th

bayonet connection

8.1

Plate flange bayonet connection means 3.3

8.2

Bayonet connection means of the bottom surface 2.3

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 2720602 A1 [0003]
• DE 3911152 A1 [0003]
• DE 4231235 A1 [0003]
• DE 8900782 U1 [0004]
• EP 3355084 A1 [0004]
• EP 2720070 A1 [0004]

Claims (9)

Rainfall sensor (1) comprising - a rainwater tank (2) with a tank wall (2.1) having a sensor (2.2) and a bottom surface (2.3), - a drain pipe (3) open at the front, which protrudes on the inside and the outside of the floor area (2.3), - An overflow cup (4), which overflows the drain pipe (3) on the inside of the bottom surface (2.3) to form a cavity (4.4) between the drain pipe (3) and the inner wall (4.1) of the overflow cup (4) and the cup rim ( 4.2) rests on the bottom surface (2.3), and - At least one inlet opening (5), which is formed by a cup wall (4.3) of the overflow cup (4) and the bottom surface (2.3). Rain amount sensor (1) after claim 1 , in which the overflow cup (4) is detachably connected to the bottom surface (2.3). Rain amount sensor (1) after claim 1 , in which - the overflow cup (4) is connected in one piece to the bottom surface (2.3), the bottom surface (2.3) having a bottom opening (2.30) inside the overflow cup (4), - the drain pipe (3) with a plate flange (3.2) is designed in such a way that on one side of the plate flange (3.2) the drain pipe (3) protrudes into the overflow cup (4) and on the other side the drain pipe (3) protrudes on the outside of the bottom surface (2.3), and - the plate flange ( 3.2) is connected to a peripheral area (2.31) of the bottom opening (2.30) in a liquid-tight and detachable manner. Rain amount sensor (1) after claim 3 , in which the plate flange (3.2) forms a labyrinth connection (6) with the edge area (2.31) of the bottom opening (2.30). Rain amount sensor (1) after claim 4 , in which the plate flange (3.2) has a sealing ring (7) which is arranged within the labyrinth connection (6). Rain amount sensor (1) after claim 4 , in which the plate flange (3.2) has a sealing ring (7.1) which is arranged outside of the labyrinth connection (6). Rainfall sensor (1) according to one of claims 3 until 6 , in which the plate flange (3.2) is detachably connected to the bottom surface (2.3) by means of a bayonet catch (8). Rain quantity sensor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which an inner wall (3.1) of the discharge pipe (3) is designed to taper conically, starting from the outside of the bottom surface (2.3). Rain quantity sensor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor (2.2) is designed as a capacitive sensor for non-contact measurement of a filling level of the rain collection container (2).

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