KR20160054252A - Device and Method for Detecting and Removing Freezing - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a device and a method to sense and remove the freezing of a drain hole of an electronic communication device. The disclosed device includes: an ultrasonic circuit providing an ultrasonic signal; at least one ultrasonic transceiveing module electrically connected with the ultrasonic circuit, and combined with an inner wall of the drain hole; and at least one ultrasonic vibrator combined with the drain hole, and vibrating by receiving the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic circuit. The ultrasonic transceiveing module senses freezing in the drain hole by using a delay time between a transmitting signal and a receiving signal returning after reflection. If the freezing is sensed, the ultrasonic vibrator vibrates. According to the disclosed device, the present invention is capable of sensing and removing the freezing with higher reliability, and sensing and removing the freezing of the drain hole of the electronic communication device not making malfunction in use when use power is limited.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for detecting and removing freezing in a drain hole of an electronic communication equipment,

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting and removing ice, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for detecting and removing ice from a drain hole of an electronic communication device such as an antenna.

Among electronic communication equipments, antennas and antenna control devices are installed outdoors and moisture can penetrate inside due to rain or temperature change. The electronic communication equipment installed outdoors for discharging the infiltrated moisture to the outside has a drain hole.

The drain hole is formed in the lower portion of the electronic communication equipment and has a cylindrical hole shape having a predetermined diameter. The moisture penetrated into the electronic communication equipment is collected by gravity into the lower part of the electronic communication equipment, and the water collected at the lower part is discharged to the outside through the drain hole.

However, during the cold winter, moisture is discharged to the outside through the drain hole, and a phenomenon of freezing in the drain hole occurs. If the icing phenomenon occurs inside the drain hole, the drain hole is clogged due to the ice due to icing, and thus the moisture permeated into the electronic communication equipment can not be discharged to the outside.

In order to solve such a problem, an ice detection and removal device applied to a conventional electronic communication device measures the temperature and determines that freezing occurs when the temperature is less than 0 degree, and performs a freezing operation using a heating element.

However, since the temperature is not 0 ° C, it can not be said that the icing has always occurred. Therefore, the icing detection and removal device applied to the conventional electronic communication equipment has a problem of heating the heating element unnecessarily, There was a problem.

Particularly, since an antenna and an antenna control device installed outside are often provided with limited electric power from a remote location, defrosting using a heating body is an obstacle to using electric power of electronic communication equipment efficiently.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for detecting and removing ice in an electronic communication equipment drain hole capable of detecting and removing freezing with higher reliability.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for detecting and removing ice in a drain hole of an electronic communication equipment which does not cause a trouble in use even when power is limited.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and removing ice in an electronic communication equipment drain hole, comprising: an ultrasonic wave circuit for providing an ultrasonic signal; At least one ultrasonic transmission / reception module electrically connected to the ultrasonic wave circuit and coupled to an inner wall of the drain hole; And at least one ultrasonic transducer coupled to the drain hole and adapted to receive an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic wave circuit and to vibrate the ultrasonic wave, And an ice detection and removal device in an drain hole of an electronic communication equipment in which the ultrasonic vibrator is vibrated when it is detected that icing has occurred.

If the difference between the delay time and the predetermined reference time is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, it is determined that icing has occurred.

The thickness of the ice due to freezing occurring in the drain hole is calculated using the delay time.

When a plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules are used, each of the ultrasonic transmission / reception modules performs transmission and reception of transmission signals alternately.

The ultrasonic circuit is embedded in the housing of the electronic communication equipment.

The ultrasonic vibrator is molded in the drain hole housing.

The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element, and vibrates due to an electrode change applied to the piezoelectric element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice detection device for an electronic communication equipment drain hole, comprising: an ultrasonic wave circuit for providing an ultrasonic signal; And at least one ultrasonic transmission / reception module electrically connected to the ultrasonic wave circuit and coupled to an inner wall of the drain hole, wherein the ultrasonic transmission / reception module uses a delay time between a transmission signal and a reception signal reflected back, Wherein the ice detecting unit detects an occurrence of icing inside the drain hole of the electronic communication equipment and determines that icing occurs when the difference between the delay time and the preset reference time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

The thickness of the ice due to freezing occurring in the drain hole is calculated using the delay time.

When a plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules are used, each of the ultrasonic transmission / reception modules performs transmission and reception of transmission signals alternately.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting and removing ice in an electronic communication equipment drain hole, comprising: (a) transmitting an ultrasonic signal through an ultrasonic transmission / reception module coupled to an inner wall of a drain hole; A step (b) of receiving a reception signal in which an ultrasonic transmission signal is reflected and returned; (C) calculating a delay time between the transmission signal and the reception signal; (D) determining whether or not freezing occurs in the drain hole using the delay time; And (e) vibrating the ultrasonic vibrator coupled to the drain hole when it is determined that freezing has occurred.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to detect and remove freezing with higher reliability, and to detect and remove ice in the drain hole of an electronic communication equipment in which no trouble occurs in use even when the power used is limited .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an antenna phase control device among electronic communication devices to which an ice detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting and freezing drain holes in an electronic communication equipment.
3 is a view illustrating a process of transmitting and reflecting ultrasound signals when icing occurs in an ice detection and removal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view illustrating a process of transmitting and reflecting ultrasound signals when freezing does not occur in an ice detection and removal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view illustrating a structure of an ultrasonic vibrator applied to an ice detection and removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view illustrating operation of an ultrasonic vibrator in an apparatus for detecting and removing ice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an overall flow of a method for detecting and removing icing according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an antenna phase control apparatus among electronic communication apparatuses to which an ice detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The present invention can be applied to various electronic communication equipments using drain holes. For example, it may be applied to various electronic communication equipment in which drain holes are used, such as base station antennas, filters, repeaters, and the like.

The drain hole is a hole formed for discharging moisture permeated to the outside in case of moisture or other reasons due to rain or other reasons. The drain hole is located at the lower part of the electronic communication equipment. The moisture penetrated into the electronic communication equipment by the gravity flows to the lower part, and the water flowing to the lower part is discharged to the outside through the drain hole.

The drain hole has a typical hole shape and generally has a cylindrical shape. The drain hole is generally made of a dielectric material such as ceramic, but it may be made of a metal material when the housing of the electronic communication equipment to be applied is a metal material.

As described above, in the cold winter, the water discharged through the drain hole can be frozen in the drain hole, and when the ice is frozen in a large area, the drain hole is substantially clogged and the function can be exerted.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an antenna phase control apparatus applied to a base station antenna among electronic communication equipment to which the ice detection and removal apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic communication device to which the icing detection and removal device of the present invention can be applied includes a housing 100, a motor 110, a motor driver 120, a signal processing module 130, a communication module 140, A communication port 150, an ultrasonic circuit 160, a drain hole 170, an ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180, and an ultrasonic transducer 190.

The antenna phase control apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a device for controlling the phase of an antenna by receiving a control signal for controlling the phase of the antenna at a remote place. The base station antenna is provided with a phase adjustment device called a phase shifter, and the antenna phase control device shown in FIG. 1 drives the phase shifter using the motor 110.

For example, the phase shifter is provided with a rotary arm, which rotates the rotary arm to adjust the phase of the antenna.

The communication port 150 is a device coupled to the communication line. A control signal is transmitted to the antenna phase control device through the communication line, and the communication port 150 is coupled to the communication line. The control signal may be provided from a remote control center. For example, communication port 150 may be an RS-485 communication port.

The communication module 140 functions to receive a control signal transmitted from a remote control center. The communication module 180 demodulates the received signal and a general modem chip can be used as the communication module 140.

When the signal is demodulated in the communication module 140, the signal processing module 130 analyzes the demodulated control signal and generates a control command corresponding to the analyzed control signal. The signal processing module 130 may include a processor capable of analyzing a signal and generating control commands.

The control command corresponding to the control signal may be generated based on a predetermined algorithm or may be generated based on a lookup table that previously stores the relationship between the control signal and the control command.

In one example, the control command may be information on the number of revolutions of the motor. The control command generated in the signal processing module 130 is provided to the motor driver 120 and the motor driver 120 controls the rotation of the motor 110 based on the control command. Specifically, the motor driver 120 can rotate the motor 110 based on the rotation number information included in the control command.

The motor 110 is coupled to the arm of the phase shifter of the antenna and rotates the arm of the phase shifter so that the phase of the antenna can be adjusted.

The antenna phase control device is disposed vertically and the drain hole 170 is formed in the lower portion of the housing 100. The drain hole 170 has a cylindrical drain hole housing and a hole is formed therein. The water penetrated into the housing 100 through the holes formed therein is released.

An ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 and an ultrasonic oscillator 190 are coupled to the housing of the drain hole 170. The ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 and the ultrasonic transducer 190 are connected to the ultrasonic circuit 160 located inside the housing 100 of the antenna phase control device.

The ultrasonic circuit 160, the ultrasonic transducer 190, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 operate as the freeze detection and removal device of the present invention, and a more detailed operation of these components will be described with reference to FIG.

2 is a view illustrating a structure of a drain hole freezing detection and removal device applied to an electronic communication equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the apparatus for detecting and removing ice includes an ultrasonic circuit 160 (not shown in FIG. 2), a plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2, and an ultrasonic transducer 190).

The ultrasonic circuit 160 generates an ultrasonic signal and provides the ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 and the ultrasonic transducer 190. [ The ultrasonic circuit 160 is preferably located in the housing of the electronic communication equipment to which the drain hole freezing detection and removal apparatus of the present invention is applied. The ultrasonic circuit 160 is embedded in the housing 100 of the antenna phase control apparatus.

The ultrasonic wave circuit 160 is connected to the plurality of ultrasonic wave transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 through a conductive line.

The ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 transmit ultrasonic signals and receive reflection signals of the transmitted ultrasonic signals. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 are coupled to the inner wall of the drain hole.

Although FIG. 2 shows a case where two ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 are used, the number of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules can be appropriately adjusted. Only one ultrasonic transmission / reception module may be used as needed.

The plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 are for detecting freezing in various areas. For example, when only one ultrasonic transmission / reception module is used, it is impossible to detect the icemen formed on the opposite side to the position where the ultrasonic transmission / reception module is coupled. For this, FIG. 2 shows a case where two ultrasonic transmission / reception modules 180-1 and 180-2 are provided opposite to each other. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that three or more ultrasonic transmit / receive modules may be used to more accurately detect freezing.

A more detailed operation of the ultrasonic transmission / reception module will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig.

3 is a diagram illustrating a process of transmitting and reflecting ultrasound signals when icing occurs in the icing detection and removal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a part of the drain hole is formed with ice due to icing, and a part of the drain hole is filled with air.

The ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 receives an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic circuit 160 and transmits the ultrasonic signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, when ice is formed in a certain region, the ultrasonic transmission signal 300 is reflected in the boundary region between ice and air. Reflection of ultrasonic signals occurs when different media are encountered. Since ice and air are different media, reflection occurs in the boundary region between ice and air.

The ultrasonic reflection signal 302 is directed to the ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 and the ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 receives the ultrasonic reflection signal 302.

A time delay occurs in the ultrasonic reception due to the transmission and reflection of the ultrasonic waves, and the thickness of the ice can be calculated using the delay time. For example, the ice thickness can be estimated using known ultrasonic velocity and delay time.

Of course, the lookup table for the delay time and the thickness of the ice before transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves may be stored in advance, and the thickness of the ice can be calculated using the information of the lookup table.

In this way, it is possible to estimate whether or not icing has occurred through the delay time up to reception due to transmission and reflection of ultrasonic waves and the ice thickness due to icing.

4 is a view illustrating a process of transmitting and reflecting ultrasound signals when freezing does not occur in the freeze detection and removal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, when freezing does not occur, the ultrasonic transmission signal 400 is transmitted to the inner wall opposite to the drain hole, and reflection is performed on the inner wall opposite to the inner wall. The ultrasound reflection signal 402 reflected at the opposite inner wall is received by the ultrasonic transmission / reception module 180 again.

The delay time when the ultrasonic transmission signal 400 is reflected on the inner wall opposite to the drain hole due to no freezing is stored in advance. If it is determined that the pre-stored delay time and the measured delay time are equal to or less than the preset threshold value, it is determined that no ice is generated.

The operation of detecting the freezing and determining the freezing thickness using the delay time for transmission and reception may be performed in the signal processing module 130 in the electronic communication equipment or may use a separate processor (not shown).

When a plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules are used, it is preferable that the respective ultrasonic transmission / reception modules operate alternately and not operate at the same time. It is impossible to distinguish whether the received signal is a reflection signal for a transmission signal or a signal for which a signal transmitted from another ultrasonic transmission / reception module is received.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 190 receives an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic wave circuit 160 and vibrates.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer 190 is preferably molded in the drain hole housing. Of course, the ultrasonic transducer 190 may be coupled to the inner wall of the drain hole. When provided in the drain hole housing, a better ice removing function can be provided.

When it is determined that freezing has occurred, the ultrasonic circuit 160 provides an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic vibrator 190, and the ultrasonic vibrator 190 vibrates. The ice layer stacked on the inner wall by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 190 can be removed.

The vibration intensity of the ultrasonic vibrator 190 can be set based on the estimated thickness of the ice.

Although only one ultrasonic oscillator is shown in FIG. 2, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of ultrasonic oscillators can be appropriately adjusted.

5 is a view illustrating a structure of an ultrasonic vibrator applied to an apparatus for detecting and removing ice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, an ultrasonic vibrator 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a piezoelectric ceramic 500, a first electrode plate 510 coupled to a first side of the piezoelectric ceramic 500, And a second electrode plate 520 coupled to a second side of the first electrode plate 520. [

The first electrode plate 510 and the second electrode plate 520 are electrically connected to the ultrasonic circuit and the piezoelectric ceramic 500 is vibrated based on the polarity provided by the ultrasonic power source of the ultrasonic circuit 160.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an operation of an ultrasonic vibrator in an apparatus for detecting and removing ice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the first electrode 510 is fed with a positive polarity and the second electrode 520 is fed with a polarity, the piezoelectric ceramic is bent in the right direction. In addition, when the first electrode is fed with negative polarity and the second electrode 520 is fed with the positive polarity, the piezoelectric ceramic is bent in the left direction.

When the polarities of the first electrode 510 and the second electrode 520 are continuously changed, the ultrasonic transducer 190 vibrates while repeatedly bending to the right and bending to the left.

Meanwhile, when the ultrasonic motor is used as the motor 110, the ultrasonic circuit can also supply power to the motor 110, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing cost.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an ice detection and removal method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 7, the ultrasonic transmission / reception module periodically transmits an ultrasonic signal to calculate a delay time between a transmission time and a reception time (step 700).

When the delay time is calculated, it is determined whether icing has occurred based on the calculated delay time (step 702). When the difference between the delay time and the reference time when no pre-stored freezing occurs is less than a preset threshold value, it is judged that no freezing occurs. However, if the difference between the delay time and the reference time when no pre-stored freezing occurs is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, it is determined that freezing has occurred.

If it is determined that icing has occurred, the thickness of the ice by freezing is calculated using the delay time between the ultrasonic transmission time and the reception time (step 704). As described above, the thickness of the ice may be calculated by a preset calculation formula or a lookup table may be used. If necessary, the thickness of ice may not be calculated.

If it is determined that icing has occurred, the ultrasonic circuit 160 provides an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic transducer 190 (step 706).

When the ultrasonic signal is provided, the ultrasonic vibrator 190 vibrates, and the ice formed inside the drain hole can be removed. The vibration intensity of the ultrasonic vibrator 190 is based on the thickness of the ice produced.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, such as specific elements, and specific embodiments and drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above- And various modifications and changes may be made thereto by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described, and all of the equivalents or equivalents of the claims, as well as the following claims, belong to the scope of the present invention .

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for detecting and removing ice in an electronic communication equipment drain hole,
An ultrasonic circuit for providing an ultrasonic signal;
At least one ultrasonic transmission / reception module electrically connected to the ultrasonic wave circuit and coupled to an inner wall of the drain hole;
And at least one ultrasonic transducer coupled to the drain hole and receiving an ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic wave circuit,
Wherein the ultrasonic transmission / reception module senses the occurrence of icing inside the drain hole by using a delay time between a transmission signal and a reception signal reflected back, and when the icemaker senses that icing has occurred, the ultrasonic transmitter / Device for detecting and removing ice in drain holes.
The method according to claim 1,
And when it is determined that the difference between the delay time and the preset reference time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that freezing occurs.
3. The method of claim 2,
And the thickness of the ice due to icing occurring in the drain hole is calculated using the delay time.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules are used, each of the ultrasonic transmission / reception modules performs transmission and reception of transmission signals alternately.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the ultrasonic circuit is housed in a housing of the electronic communication equipment.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is molded in the drain hole housing.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the ultrasonic vibrator includes a piezoelectric element and vibrates due to a change in an electrode applied to the piezoelectric element.
An icing sensing device for an electronic communication equipment drain hole,
An ultrasonic circuit for providing an ultrasonic signal; And
And at least one ultrasonic transmission / reception module electrically connected to the ultrasonic wave circuit and coupled to an inner wall of the drain hole,
The ultrasonic transmission / reception module senses the occurrence of freezing in the drain hole by using a delay time between a transmission signal and a reception signal reflected back,
And when it is determined that the difference between the delay time and a preset reference time is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, it is determined that freezing has occurred.
9. The method of claim 8,
And the thickness of the ice due to icing occurring in the drain hole is calculated using the delay time.
9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein when the plurality of ultrasonic transmission / reception modules are used, each of the ultrasonic transmission / reception modules performs transmission and reception of transmission signals alternately.
1. A method for detecting and removing ice in an electronic communication equipment drain hole,
(A) transmitting an ultrasonic signal through an ultrasonic transmission / reception module coupled to an inner wall of a drain hole;
A step (b) of receiving a reception signal in which an ultrasonic transmission signal is reflected and returned;
(C) calculating a delay time between the transmission signal and the reception signal;
(D) determining whether or not freezing occurs in the drain hole using the delay time;
(E) vibrating the ultrasonic vibrator coupled to the drain hole when it is determined that freezing has occurred.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the ultrasonic transmission / reception module is a plurality of modules, and each of the ultrasonic transmission / reception modules operates alternately.
11. The method of claim 10,
And determining the ice thickness due to icing using the delay time when it is determined that icing has occurred, wherein the vibration intensity of the ultrasonic vibrator is adjusted based on the ice thickness, A method for detecting and removing ice from a hole.

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