TW201927354A - Drip detecting device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A drip detecting device is disclosed. The device includes an accommodating space, a light emitting module, a light reflecting module and a light receiving module. The accommodating space is provided to receive a drip flow regulator, the light emitting module and the light receiving module are disposed next to each other on a first surface inside the accommodating space, and the light reflecting module is disposed on a second surface inside the accommodating space to face the light emitting module and the light receiving module. A first light beam emitted from the light emitting module and reflected by the light reflecting module turns becomes a second light beam which subsequently passes through the drip flow regulator. A ratio of the area covered by the second light beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to a falling path of drips to a cross-sectional area of the drip flow regulator taken along the direction is at least 90%.

Description

Drip detection device and method

The invention relates to a drip detection device and method, in particular to a drip detection device and method with a photoelectric conversion unit.

Intravenous drip, commonly known as drip, is a container or drip bottle containing a liquid drug suspended from an upright stand, and delivered through a drip flow regulator, a catheter, and a needle inserted in a patient's vein. To the patient. In the course of intravenous drip, whether the drug delivery is smooth and whether it needs to be replenished, etc. must be monitored to avoid the occurrence of blood reflux or air injection in the patient and causing harm to the patient.

In order to monitor the process of intravenous drip, a drip detector with a photoelectric sensor is usually installed on the drip flow regulator. Some drip detectors are used to detect whether the liquid level of the drip volume in the drip flow regulator is lower than a set height and then send a warning signal to the medical staff, such as disclosed in the Republic of China New Bulletin No. M499928; and some drips The detector is used to detect the drip rate of the drip flow regulator and then send a warning signal to the medical staff, for example, disclosed in the Republic of China New Bulletin No. M524723.

These drip detectors with photoelectric sensing elements use the photoelectric sensing elements arranged oppositely to send and receive optical signals respectively for detection. However, such a configuration method causes the transmission and reception of optical signals to be limited to a specific range (hereinafter referred to as the light detection range). When the dripping dots are not within the light detection range, they cannot be detected. For example, when the size of the drip flow regulator is too narrow, the light detection range is too narrow, or when the drip flow regulator is shaken due to incomplete installation, it is easy to run out of the light detection range. Causes false spot detection results. On the other hand, in order to improve the accuracy of spot detection, in the process of spot detection, how to prevent the same drop from being detected twice is also a problem that needs attention.

Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the patient's life, more effectively monitor the process of intravenous drip and improve the efficiency of medical work, eliminate possible errors in the process of drip detection and improve the accuracy of drip detection, it is the technical problem to be solved by the present invention. .

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a drip detection device and method, which uses a unique optical method to detect and uses an electrical signal processing method to interpret an electrical signal converted by photoelectricity, thereby improving the accuracy of the interpretation.

In one embodiment, the drip detection device provided has an accommodation space, a light emitting module, a light reflecting module, and a light receiving module. The accommodating space is used for the drip flow regulator to be inserted from a first direction, and the first direction is substantially parallel to at least a dripping path of the drip flow regulator. The light emitting module is disposed on a first surface in the accommodating space to emit a first light beam. The light reflection module is disposed on a second surface of the accommodation space facing the light emitting module, and is configured to reflect the first light beam into a second light beam. The light receiving module is disposed on the first surface adjacent to the light emitting module and faces the light reflecting module to receive the second light beam. In particular, a coverage area of the second light beam in a second direction is larger than a coverage area of the first light beam in the second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and when the drip flow regulator is placed in the accommodation space and the first After a light beam is emitted, the second light beam penetrates the drip flow regulator, and the coverage area of the second beam in the second direction is at least 90% of the cross-sectional area of the drip flow regulator in the second direction.

In one embodiment, the light reflection module has a flat surface with high reflectivity.

In one embodiment, the light reflection module has a reflection plane coated with aluminum.

In one embodiment, the first light beam is infrared light.

In one embodiment, the light emitting module has a light emitting diode.

In one embodiment, the drip detection device further has a photoelectric conversion unit, which is connected to the light receiving module and converts the optical signal of the second light beam received by the light receiving module into an electrical signal.

In one embodiment, the drip detection method provided for a drip flow regulator has the following steps: a first light beam is emitted to make it penetrate the drip flow regulator; and the reflection penetrates the first of the drip flow regulator. The light beam is a second light beam, so that the second light beam penetrates the drip flow regulator, and the area covered by the second beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drip path of at least a bit of droplet in the drip flow regulator is larger than the first beam The coverage area in a direction perpendicular to the drip path of at least a drop in the drip flow regulator, and the coverage area of the second light beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drip path in the drip flow regulator is at least the drip flow 90% of the cross-sectional area of the regulator in a direction substantially perpendicular to the dripping path of the drip flow regulator; receiving a second beam and converting it into an electrical signal; determining whether the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than a set voltage Threshold value; and when the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than the set voltage threshold, it is recorded as a drop and continues to be judged after a set time delay; When the pressure is lower than the set voltage threshold, the recording times of zero is dropped, and continue processing.

In one embodiment, the set voltage threshold is 100 millivolts to 500 millivolts, and the set time is 10 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds.

In one embodiment, the provided dot detection method further includes the following steps before judging whether the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than a set voltage threshold: filtering out the electrical signal that is less than or equal to a first frequency portion; reversing the voltage of the electrical signal Phase; and filtering out a portion of the electrical signal that is greater than or equal to a second frequency, the second frequency being 10 to 30 times the first frequency.

In one embodiment, the first frequency is 1 Hz and the second frequency is 30 Hz.

According to the drip detection device and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention, after the drip detection device is turned on, since the light detection range is at least the cross-sectional area of the drip flow regulator in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drip path of the drip 90%, so all drips in the drip flow regulator can be detected without missed or mis-measured conditions. In addition, by converting a light signal into an electric signal and setting a voltage threshold and delaying a set time for the converted electric signal, it is possible to avoid the situation where the same drop is detected twice. In particular, in the case of a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator, as long as the converted electrical signal is further subjected to high-pass, rectified, and / or low-pass signal processing, the setting of a voltage threshold can also be applied. And delay detection for a set time. Therefore, the drip detection device and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention eliminate possible errors in the drip detection process and improve the accuracy of the drip detection. It is possible to effectively monitor the process of intravenous drip and improve the efficiency of medical work. Reached.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, embodiments are hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention discloses a drip detection device and method. The drip method and photoelectric conversion principle of the drip are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the description in the following will not be fully described. At the same time, the accompanying drawings contrasted below are intended to express the meanings related to the features of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a drip detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the drip detection device 10 has an accommodating space 101 and an electric signal processing module 102. The electric signal processing module 102 can be optionally set together with the accommodating space 101 (as shown in the figure). ) Or set separately (not shown). The accommodating space 101 is used for the drip flow regulator 11 to be inserted from a first direction. The first direction is, for example, the Y coordinate direction shown in FIG. 1. The upper and lower ends of the drip flow regulator 11 are respectively connected to a drip bottle (not shown) and a catheter (not shown), which are used to control the drip flow rate and drip rate of the liquid medicine in the drip bottle before entering the catheter. . The drip flow regulator 11 mainly has a drip storage tank 111, which receives a drip flow and speed regulating valve 112, and a drop 113 is dropped inside. In one embodiment, the accommodating space 101 has the same or similar outline as that of the drip flow regulator 11, so as to fit into the drip flow regulator 11. In addition, the first direction is preferably substantially parallel to the drip path R of the droplet 113.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the drip detection device 10 further includes a light emitting module 12, a light reflecting module 13 and a light receiving module 14. The light emitting module 12 is disposed on a first surface 1011 in the accommodating space 101 to emit a first light beam 121; the light reflection module 13 is provided in a accommodating space 101 that faces the light emitting module 12 The second surface 1012 is used to reflect the first light beam 121 into a second light beam 131. The light receiving module 14 is disposed on the first surface 1011 in the accommodation space 101 and is adjacent to the light emitting module 12 and faces the light. The reflection module 13 is configured to receive the second light beam 131. The closer the distance between the light receiving module 14 and the light emitting module 12 is, the better. In another embodiment, a third surface 1011a extends from the first surface 1011 near the place where the light emitting module 12 is disposed, and an obtuse angle is formed between the third surface 1011a and the first surface 1011, and the light receiving module 14 is set on the third surface 1011a instead, so that the light receiving module 14 can more easily receive the reflected second light beam 131.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 along the X-coordinate direction of FIG. 1, showing the positions of the drip flow regulator 11, the light emitting module 12, and the light reflection module 13 and their mutual relationship. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 at the same time. In an embodiment, when the drip flow regulator 11 is placed in the accommodating space 101 and the first light beam 121 is emitted, the first light beam 121 and the second light beam 131 both penetrate the drip flow regulator. The storage area of the 11 spot storage tank 111 and the second light beam 131 in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, that is, the area covered by the included angle b is larger than that of the first light beam 121 in the second direction. Covered area, that is, the area covered by the angle a. The so-called first direction is, for example, the Y-coordinate direction shown in FIG. 1, and the so-called second direction is, for example, the X-coordinate direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In an embodiment, the coverage area of the second light beam 131 in the second direction is at least 90% of the cross-sectional area of the drip storage tank 111 of the drip flow regulator 11 in the second direction, and even through the design of the mechanism, the second light beam The coverage area of 131 in the second direction may also be larger than the cross-sectional area of the drip storage tank 111 of the drip flow regulator 11 in the second direction.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the light reflection module 13 has a plane 130 or a curved surface with high reflectivity, such as a plane or curved surface coated with aluminum, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the light emitting module 12 has a light emitting diode, and the first light beam 121 is, for example, infrared light, but is not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG. 1 again. In one embodiment, the electrical signal processing module 102 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 1021, a high-pass unit 1022, a rectifier unit 1023, and a low-pass unit 1024. The photoelectric conversion unit 1021 is connected to the light receiving module 14 and is used to convert the optical signal of the second light beam 131 received by the light receiving module 14 into an electrical signal. The high-pass unit 1022 is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion unit 1021 and is used for The low-frequency part of the electric signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 1021 is filtered out; the rectification unit 1023 is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion unit 1021 and is electrically connected to the high-pass unit 1022, and is used to convert the electricity converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 1021 The signal or the voltage phase of the electrical signal processed by the high-pass unit 1022 is reversed; the low-pass unit 1024 is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion unit 1021 and is electrically connected to the rectification unit 1023 to convert the photoelectric conversion unit 1021. The high-frequency part of the subsequent electric signal or the electric signal processed by the rectifying unit 1023 is filtered out. The frequency of the high-frequency portion is 10 to 30 times the frequency of the low-frequency portion, and it can be adjusted according to actual needs. For example, the frequency of the low-frequency portion is less than or equal to 1HZ, and the frequency of the high-frequency portion is greater than or equal to 30HZ.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing a possible voltage change of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the dot detection device of FIG. 1 with time and a set voltage threshold. Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, after the drip detection device is turned on, since the coverage area of the second light beam 131 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drip path of the drip is at least the drip storage tank 111 of the drip flow regulator 11 With 90% of the cross-sectional area in the same direction, the second light beam 131 has covered all the dripping paths, so as long as a little 113 drops in the drip storage tank 111 of the drip flow regulator 11, the light receiving module 14 The received optical signal of the second light beam 131 will change, which in turn will cause a voltage change in the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 1021. As shown in FIG. 3, a voltage surge P0, a voltage surge P0 represents a drop. drop. Therefore, by setting a voltage threshold VT between the lowest voltage level and the highest voltage level of the electrical signal, for example, 100 millivolts to 500 millivolts, it can be determined whether the droplet 113 is dripping. In detail, when the rising voltage of the electric signal exceeds the set voltage threshold VT, it can be recorded as one drop, and when the rising voltage of the electric signal is lower than the set voltage threshold VT, it can be recorded as zero drops. The voltage threshold can be adjusted according to actual needs. In this way, the number of drips and the flow rate of the drip 113 can be detected and recorded, and then it can be known whether the drip of the drip 113 is normal.

However, due to gravity, the dripping droplets have a certain length, and a dripping droplet starts to pass through the first beam 121 (if the droplet is located on the light path of the first beam 121) or the second beam 131 (if the droplet is not located) On the optical path of the first light beam 121) or even in the extremely short course of completely passing through the second light beam 131, each voltage spike P0 may contain several small voltage changes, as shown in the small voltage spikes P1 and P2 in FIG. In this case, the actual dripping may be recorded as two drippings, causing misjudgment. In order to avoid this problem, in an embodiment, in the process of judging the number of drips based on the set voltage threshold VT, after completing the judgment of the number of drips, the drip is continued after a set time TS Judgment of times. Here, the set time TS is less than the interval time T between the number of dripping times and can be adjusted according to actual needs. TS is, for example, 10 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds.

FIG. 4A is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 without any water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator in an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. As shown in FIG. 4A, in an embodiment, when there is no other water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator 11 except for the dripping drips, the apparent voltage surge of an electrical signal represents a drip dripping, so that Spot detection is performed by using the aforementioned method of setting a voltage threshold value higher than the minimum voltage level V1 of the electrical signal and delaying it for a set time.

FIG. 4B is a waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in the case where there is a small amount of water vapor interference in the drip flow regulator in an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. As shown in FIG. 4B, in an embodiment, when there is a small amount of water vapor interference in the drip flow regulator 11 except for dripping drips, a significant voltage surge of an electrical signal represents a drip dripping, but the disturbance The water vapor may cause a small voltage drop, as shown in D in FIG. 4B. However, these small amounts of disturbing water and gas have no effect on the voltage surge as a whole. Therefore, in this case, drip detection can still be performed by using the aforementioned method of setting a voltage threshold value higher than the minimum voltage level V2 of the electrical signal and delaying a set time.

FIG. 4C is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in the case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator in an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. As shown in FIG. 4C, in an embodiment, when there is a large amount of water vapor interference in the drip flow regulator 11 except for dripping drips, the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit will show an increase in the highest voltage level V3. It is a waveform that is several times of the lowest voltage level V1 without moisture interference shown in FIG. 4A and is inverted. In order to make this situation also applicable to the aforementioned method of setting a voltage threshold and delaying a set time for spot detection, signal processing must be performed on the converted electrical signal.

FIG. 5A is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal processed by the high-pass unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in a case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Change of time. As shown in FIG. 5A, in an embodiment, when there is a large amount of water vapor interference in the drip flow regulator, the electric signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit is further transmitted to the high-pass unit 1022, so as to filter the low-frequency part of the electric signal. Divide and reduce the highest voltage level from V3 to 0. The frequency of the so-called low-frequency part is, for example, less than or equal to 1 Hz, and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

FIG. 5B is a waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal processed by the rectification unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in a case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Change of time. As shown in FIG. 5B, in an embodiment, the electric signal processed by the high-pass unit 1022 can be further transmitted to the rectifying unit 1023, thereby inverting the voltage phase of the electric signal to convert the potential of the negative polarity into the positive Potential.

FIG. 5C is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal processed by the low-pass unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in a case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. As shown in FIG. 5C, in one embodiment, the electric signal processed by the rectifying unit 1023 can be further transmitted to the low-pass unit 1024, so as to filter out the high-frequency part of the electric signal, and to lower the minimum voltage level of the electric signal. V4 is pulled above 0 volts. The frequency of the so-called high-frequency part is, for example, 30 Hz or more, and can be adjusted according to actual needs. Then, as described above, the spot detection can be performed by setting a voltage threshold value higher than the minimum voltage level V4 of the electrical signal and delaying the setting time.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a dot detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 at the same time. In one embodiment, when there is no water vapor or a small amount of water vapor interference in the drip flow regulator, the drip detection method has the following steps:

Step 901: emit a first light beam to make it penetrate the drip flow regulator;

Step 902: Reflect the first light beam into a second light beam to make it penetrate the drip flow regulator, and the coverage range of the second light beam is larger than the coverage range of the first light beam. That is, the coverage area of the second light beam in the direction of the drip path of at least a drop in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator is larger than that of the first light beam in the direction of the drop path of at least a drop in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator. Covered area. In addition, the coverage area of the second light beam in the direction of the dripping path of the droplet in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator is at least the intercept of the drip flow regulator in the direction of the dripping path of the droplet in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator. 90% of the area;

Step 903: Receive the second light beam and convert it into an electrical signal;

Step 904: Determine whether the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than a set voltage threshold;

Step 905: when the voltage of the electric signal is higher than the set voltage threshold, it is recorded as a drop, and after a delay of a set time, the process returns to step 904;

Step 906: When the voltage of the electrical signal is lower than the set voltage threshold, record zero drops, and return to step 904.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a dot detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 at the same time. In one embodiment, when there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator, the drip detection method has the following steps:

Step 901: emit a first light beam to make it penetrate the drip flow regulator;

Step 902: Reflect the first light beam into a second light beam to make it penetrate the drip flow regulator, and the coverage range of the second light beam is larger than the coverage range of the first light beam. That is, the coverage area of the second light beam in the direction of the drip path of at least a drop in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator is larger than that of the first light beam in the direction of the drop path of at least a drop in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator. Covered area. In addition, the coverage area of the second light beam in the direction of the dripping path of the droplet in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator is at least the intercept of the drip flow regulator in the direction of the dripping path of the droplet in the substantially vertical drip flow regulator. 90% of the area;

Step 903: Receive the second light beam and convert it into an electrical signal;

Step 9031: filtering out a portion of the electric signal that is less than or equal to a first frequency;

Step 9032: Invert the voltage phase of the electrical signal;

Step 9033: filter out a portion of the electric signal that is greater than or equal to a second frequency, the second frequency is greater than the first frequency, and the second frequency is, for example, 10 to 30 times the first frequency, which can be adjusted according to actual needs;

Step 904: Determine whether the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than a set voltage threshold;

Step 905: when the voltage of the electric signal is higher than the set voltage threshold, it is recorded as one drop, and after a set time delay, the process returns to step 904;

Step 906: When the voltage of the electrical signal is lower than the set voltage threshold, record zero drops, and return to step 904.

According to the drip detection device and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention, after the drip detection device is turned on, since the light detection range is at least the cross-sectional area of the drip flow regulator in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drip path of the drip 90%, so all drips in the drip flow regulator can be detected without missed or mis-measured conditions. In addition, by converting the optical signal into an electrical signal and setting the voltage threshold and delaying the set time for the converted electrical signal as described above, it is possible to avoid the situation where the same drop is detected twice. In particular, in the case of a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator, as long as the high-pass, rectified, and / or low-pass signal processing is applied to the converted electric signal, the setting of a voltage threshold and the Drip detection is performed by delaying a set time. Therefore, the drip detection device and method provided by the embodiments of the present invention eliminate possible errors in the drip detection process and improve the accuracy of the drip detection. It is possible to effectively monitor the process of intravenous drip and improve the efficiency of medical work. Reached.

The various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed as above, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and decorations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

10‧‧‧ drip detection device

101‧‧‧accommodation space

1011‧‧‧ the first surface

1011a‧‧‧ Third surface

1012‧‧‧Second Surface

102‧‧‧ Electric Signal Processing Module

1021‧‧‧Photoelectric conversion unit

1022‧‧‧ Qualcomm unit

1023‧‧‧ Rectifier Unit

1024 ‧‧‧ Low Pass Unit

11‧‧‧ drip flow regulator

111 · ‧‧ drip storage tank

112‧‧‧ drip flow and rate control valve

119

12‧‧‧ light emitting module

121 · ‧‧ First Beam

13‧‧‧light reflection module

130‧‧‧plane

131‧‧‧Second Beam

14‧‧‧ light receiving module

901 ～ 906 ‧‧‧ steps

R‧‧‧ dripping dripping path

a‧‧‧ Coverage angle of the first beam

b‧‧‧ the coverage angle of the second beam

P0‧‧‧Voltage spike

P1‧‧‧Voltage spike

P2‧‧‧Voltage spike

V1‧‧‧Minimum voltage level

V2‧‧‧Minimum voltage level

V3‧‧‧Highest voltage level

V4‧‧‧Minimum voltage level

VT‧‧‧Set voltage threshold

T‧‧‧ Interval

TS‧‧‧Set time

X, Y, Z‧‧‧ coordinate directions

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a drip detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 along the X-coordinate direction of FIG. 1, showing the positions of the drip flow regulator, the light emitting module, and the light reflection module in the drip detection device and their mutual relationships. FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing a possible voltage change of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the dot detection device of FIG. 1 with time and a set voltage threshold. FIG. 4A is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 without any water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator in an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. FIG. 4B is a waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in the case where there is a small amount of water vapor interference in the drip flow regulator in an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. FIG. 4C is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in the case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator in an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. FIG. 5A is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal processed by the high-pass unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in a case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Change of time. FIG. 5B is a waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal processed by the rectification unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in a case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Change of time. FIG. 5C is a schematic waveform diagram showing a possible voltage of an electrical signal processed by the low-pass unit of the drip detection device of FIG. 1 in a case where there is a large amount of water and gas interference in the drip flow regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Change with time. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a dot detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a dot detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A drip detection device includes: an accommodating space for a drip flow regulator to be inserted from a first direction, the first direction being substantially parallel to at least a dripping path of the drip flow regulator; A light emitting module is disposed on a first surface in the accommodating space to emit a first light beam; a light reflecting module is disposed in a first surface of the accommodating space facing the light emitting module. Two surfaces for reflecting the first light beam into a second light beam; and a light receiving module disposed adjacent to the light emitting module on the first surface and facing the light reflecting module for receiving the light reflecting module A second light beam; wherein a coverage area of the second light beam in a second direction is larger than a coverage area of the first light beam in the second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The drip detection device according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the light reflection module has a flat surface with high reflectivity. The drip detection device according to item 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the high reflectance plane is plated with aluminum. The drip detection device according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the first light beam is infrared light. The drip detection device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein when the drip flow regulator is placed in the accommodating space and the first light beam is emitted, the second light beam penetrates the drip flow regulator. The coverage area of the two light beams in the second direction is at least 90% of the cross-sectional area of the drip flow regulator in the second direction. The drip detection device according to item 1 of the patent application scope further includes a photoelectric conversion unit connected to the light receiving module, and converts the optical signal of the second light beam received by the light receiving module into an electrical signal. signal. A drip detection method for a drip flow regulator includes: emitting a first light beam to penetrate the drip flow regulator; and reflecting the first light beam penetrating the drip flow regulator as a second beam So that the second light beam penetrates the drip flow regulator, and the area covered by the second light beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the drip path of at least a bit of droplets in the drip flow regulator is larger than the first beam in the direction Receive the second light beam and convert it into an electrical signal; determine whether the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than a set voltage threshold; and when the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than the set voltage threshold, record it once Dropping is continued after a set time delay; when the voltage of the electrical signal is lower than the set voltage threshold, zero drops are recorded and the judgment is continued. The drip detection method according to item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the set voltage threshold is 100 millivolts to 500 millivolts, and the set time is 10 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds. The drip detection method according to item 7 of the scope of patent application, wherein before determining whether the voltage of the electrical signal is higher than the set voltage threshold, the method further comprises: filtering out the electrical signal that is less than or equal to a first frequency portion; Invert the voltage phase of the electrical signal; and filter out a portion of the electrical signal that is greater than or equal to a second frequency, the second frequency being 10 to 30 times the first frequency. According to the drip detection method described in item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the coverage area of the second light beam in the direction is at least 90% of the cross-sectional area of the drip flow regulator in the direction.