TW202044298A - Float level switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

A float level switch device for determining a liquid level. The float level switch device includes a rod, a first float, a first circuit, and a detector. The rod has a hollow region and a first sensing segment. The first float has at least one first magnetic element, wherein the first float is slidable over the first sensing section. The first circuit includes a plurality of first switches and a plurality of resistors. The first switches are spaced apart in the hollow region corresponding to the first sensing section. The resistors are disposed in the hollow region corresponding to the first sensing section, wherein both ends of each of the resistors are individually connected to one of the first switches. The detector is connected to the first circuit, wherein when the first float is at the same level as one of the first switches such that one of the first switches is turned on, the detector determines a liquid level based on the turned on first switch.

Description

Float ball liquid level switch device

The disclosure relates to a float level switch device, especially a float level switch device capable of detecting liquid level.

In modern society, float level switch devices are used in solution tanks, such as water towers, cooling liquid tanks, and chemical solution tanks. The float level switch device is usually only used to detect a fixed level, such as high level, low level, etc. For example, when the amount of solution in the solution tank is too low, the float level switch device will send a low level alarm. When the amount of solution in the solution tank is too high, the float level switch device will send a high level alarm.

However, the conventional floating ball liquid level switch device cannot detect other liquid levels to notify the user of the current liquid level of the solution tank. Usually, an additional liquid level detection device is required to obtain the solution level of the solution tank, thereby increasing additional costs. Therefore, there is a need for an improved float level switch device.

The present disclosure provides a liquid level detection device for determining the liquid level. The liquid level detection device includes a rod, a first float, a first circuit and a detector. The shaft has a hollow area and a first sensing section. The first floating ball has at least one first magnetic element, wherein the first floating ball can slide on the first sensing section. The first circuit includes a plurality of first switches and a plurality of resistors. The first switch is arranged at intervals in the hollow area corresponding to the first sensing section. The resistors are arranged in the hollow area corresponding to the first sensing section, wherein both ends of each of the resistors are individually connected to one of the first switches. The detector is connected to the first circuit, wherein when the first float and one of the first switches are on the same level, so that one of the first switches is turned on, the detector determines according to which one of the first switches is turned on Liquid level.

The above content is not intended to represent every embodiment or every viewpoint of the present disclosure. Specifically, the foregoing contents are only examples of some of the novel ideas and features described herein. With reference to the drawings and the scope of the attached patent application, from the subsequent detailed description of the representative embodiments and modes for implementing the present invention, the above-mentioned features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure can be apparent.

This disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement different features of the case. The following disclosure describes specific examples of each component and its arrangement to simplify the description. Of course, these specific examples are not meant to be limiting. For example, if this disclosure describes that a first feature is formed on or above a second feature, it means that it may include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or it may include There are embodiments in which additional features are formed between the first feature and the second feature, and the first feature and the second feature may not be in direct contact. In addition, the same reference symbols and/or marks may be used repeatedly in different examples of the following disclosure. These repetitions are for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and are not used to limit the specific relationship between the different embodiments and/or structures discussed.

For the detailed purpose of this disclosure, unless specifically denied, singular words include plural words, and vice versa. And the word "include" means "include without limitation". In addition, approximation terms such as "approximation", "almost", "approximately", "approximately", etc., can be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and their meaning is such as "in, close to, or close to" or " Within 3 to 5%" or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances" or any logical combination.

In addition, it is related to space terms. For example, "below", "below", "lower", "above", "higher" and similar terms are used to facilitate the description of one element or feature and another element(s) in the figure. Or the relationship between features. In addition to the orientations depicted in the diagrams, these spatially related terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the schematic diagram is reversed, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will also become "above" other elements or features. In this way, the model term "below" will cover two ways of reading upward and downward. In addition, the device may be turned to different orientations (rotated by 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related words used here can be interpreted in the same way.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a float level switch device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The float level switch device 100 includes a rod body 102, a float 104 (including floats 104-1 to 104-3), and a ring 106 (including the ring 106-1 to 106-5). It should be understood that in the float level switch device 100, other configurations and different objects may be used, or certain items may be omitted, and the float level switch device 100 is only an example and does not limit the disclosure.

The shaft 102 is a straight shaft, and the shaft 102 is hollow (not shown). Specifically, there is a hollow area (not shown) in the rod body 102 to provide a circuit therein. The rod body 102 may be a metal tube, and the material of the metal tube includes iron, copper, stainless steel or other suitable metal materials. As shown in Figure 1, the rod 102 is perpendicular to the liquid surface of the solution 116 in the solution tank 114 (or the long axis of the rod 102 is perpendicular to the liquid surface of the solution 116 in the solution tank 114) and is immersed in the solution 116.

As shown in Figure 1, there is a float 104 on the shaft 102. Specifically, the floating ball 104 has perforations (it can also be considered that the floating ball 104 is annular), and the rod body 102 passes through the floating ball 104. The floating ball 104 can slide up and down on the rod body 102 (it can also be regarded as the float ball 104 being outside the rod body 102 and sliding along the rod body 102). Specifically, the floating ball 104-1 can slide on the sensing section 108 of the shaft 102; the floating ball 104-2 can slide on the sensing section 110 of the shaft 102; the floating ball 104-3 can slide on the shaft 102. The sensing section 112 of the body 102 slides up.

The material of the floating ball 104 may be stainless steel, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, the material of the floating ball 104 is determined according to which solution the floating ball liquid level switch device 100 will be used for, so as to prevent the floating ball 104 from being affected (eroded or damaged) by the solution.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a floating ball according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The floating ball 104 has a hollow area 202 so that the floating ball 104 as a whole constitutes a low-density object and can float in the solution 116. Therefore, when the floating ball liquid level switch device 100 is installed in the solution tank 114, the floating ball 104 will move up and down on the rod body 102 with the liquid level of the solution. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2A, the floating ball 104 may further include a magnetic element 204 disposed in the hollow area 202. The magnetic element 204 is ring-shaped and is used in the circuit in the hollow area of the rod body 102 (described later). In some embodiments, the float ball 104 includes a plurality of magnetic elements 204, and the float ball 104 is arranged in the hollow area 202 at intervals, as shown in the top cross-sectional view of the float ball 104 in FIG. 2B. The magnetic element 204 may be a magnet, and its material may be ferrite, AlNiCo or other suitable ferromagnetic materials.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the ring 106 is provided on the rod body 102. The ring 106 is used to individually confine the float 104 on the sensing sections (sensing sections 108 to 112). Specifically, the ring 106-1 and the ring 106-2 are arranged at the two ends of the sensing section 108 to restrict the floating ball 104-1 from moving on the sensing section 108; the ring 106 -2 and the ring 106-3 are arranged at both ends of the sensing section 110 to restrict the floating ball 104-2 from moving on the sensing section 110; the ring 106-4 and the ring 106- 5 is provided at the two ends of the sensing section 112 to restrict the floating ball 104-3 to move on the sensing section 112. The ring 106 may be a plastic ring, a metal ring, or a rubber ring (O-ring). In some embodiments, the ring 106 is an annular bump of the rod 102 (ie, the ring 106 is a part of the rod 102). In other embodiments, the rod body 102 only protrudes partly (non-annular bump) instead of the ring 106.

3A to 3D are cross-sectional views of the float level switch device and schematic diagrams of related circuits according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The float level switch device 300 is immersed in the solution 304 in the solution tank 302. The float level switch device 300 includes a rod body 306, a float 316 (including floats 316-1 to 316-3), a ring 320 (including the ring 320-1 to 320-5), and a circuit 322. The float level switch device 300 further includes a hollow area 308 and sensing sections 310 to 314. Each of the floating balls 316-1 to 316-3 includes a magnetic element 318, which is similar to the magnetic element 204, and will not be described in detail here. The rod 306 is similar to the rod 102, the float 316 is similar to the float 104, and the ring 320 is similar to the ring 106, which will not be described in detail.

The circuit 322 includes a switch 324 (including switches 324-1 to 324-8) and a complex resistor 326, and the circuit 322 is connected to the voltage source 330, the voltage source 332, and the detector 328. The switch 324 is a reed switch. When the magnetic element 318 of the float 316 and the switch 324 are on the same level, the switch 324 will be turned on (connected). The detector 328 can detect chips, computers, computing systems, etc., and can include processors, memory, etc., to detect various signals (voltage, current, etc.) or receive commands, and execute various commands, calculations, software, etc. .

As shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the switches 324-2 to 324-6 are arranged in the hollow area 308 (along the long axis of the rod body 302) of the corresponding measurement section 310 at intervals from top to bottom. One end of 324-2 to 324-6 is coupled to the voltage source 332, and the other end of the switches 324-2 to 324-6 is coupled to the detector 328. Both ends of each resistor 326 are individually connected to a switch 324, and each resistor 326 is coupled to a voltage source 332. These switches 324 (switches 324-2 to 324-6) coupled to the voltage source 332 and the resistor 326 constitute the first circuit of the circuit 322, wherein the resistor 326 constitutes a voltage dividing device, providing different voltage divisions to individual switches 324 (switches 324-2 to 324-6), when the float 316-1 and one of the switches 324 are substantially on the same level, so that one of the switches 324 is turned on, the detector 328 can receive the connected switch 324 Partial pressure. It should be understood that the first circuit may have more switches 324 and resistors 326, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The switch 324-1 is arranged in the hollow area 308 corresponding to the sensing section 310 and above the switches 324-2 to 324-6; the switch 324-7 is arranged in the hollow area 308 corresponding to the sensing section 312 and Below the switches 324-2 to 324-6; the switch 324-8 is arranged in the hollow area 308 of the corresponding measuring section 314 and below the switch 324-7. One end of the switch 324-1, the switch 324-7, and the switch 324-8 is coupled to the voltage source 330, and the other end of the switch 324-1, the switch 324-7, and the switch 324-8 is coupled to the detector 328. The switches 324 (switch 324-1, switch 324-7, and switch 324-8) coupled to the voltage source 330 constitute the second circuit of the circuit 322.

Since the floating ball 316 is buoyant in the solution 304, the floating ball 316 will move with the liquid level of the solution 304. When the magnetic element 318 of the float 316 and the switch 324 are substantially on the same level, the switch 324 will be turned on (connected) by the magnetic field of the magnetic element 318, and the detector 328 can be based on the detected voltage (divided voltage). ) Determine the liquid level or issue an alarm signal.

For example, as shown in Figure 3A, the float 316-1 moves with the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 to the same level as the switch 324-3, so that the switch 324-3 receives the magnetic element of the float 316-1. The magnetic field of 318 turns on (connects), and the port D of the detector 328 is connected to the voltage source 332. In this embodiment, the voltage output by the voltage source 332 is divided by the resistor 326 (voltage dividing device), and the detector 328 can determine the liquid level according to the divided voltage received by the opened switch 324 (in the detection The device 328 contains information about the partial pressure and its corresponding liquid level). For example, the voltage of the voltage source 332 is divided by the resistor 326. When the switch 324-3 is turned on, the detector 328 will receive the voltage (divided voltage) V ₂ , and the detector 328 can detect the solution based on the voltage V ₂ 304's level 334. When the switch 324-4 is turned on, the detector 328 will receive the voltage (divided voltage) of V ₃ , and the detector 328 can detect the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 based on the voltage V ₃ , and so on. In this embodiment, the voltage of the voltage source 332 is divided by a resistor 326 (voltage dividing device) at each switch 324 into voltages V ₁ to V ₂₀ (part not shown).

In addition, after the detector 328 detects the liquid level 334, it will display the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 on a display (not shown). In some embodiments, the detector 328 displays the current volume of the solution 304 on the display. In some embodiments, the first circuit of the circuit 322 may be connected to the detector 328 through a voltage/current converter. The output voltage (divided voltage) of the first circuit is converted into a current and input to the detector 328, and the detector 328 determines the liquid level according to the current.

If the liquid level 334 of the solution tank 302 is too high (that is, the current solution 304 in the solution tank 302 is too much), the detector 328 will issue a high liquid level alarm signal. For example, as shown in Figure 3B, the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 is too high, and the float 316-1 moves with the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 to substantially the same level as the switch 324-1, so that the switch 324 -1 is activated (connected) by the magnetic field of the magnetic element 318 of the float 316-1, and the port H of the detector 328 is connected to the voltage source 330. Port H can also be called a high-level alarm port. After the detector 328 receives the voltage (for example: 24V) of the voltage source 330 through the port H, the detector 328 will issue a high-level alarm signal. The high liquid level alarm signal can be received by the display, so that the display shows the high liquid level alarm. In some embodiments, the high liquid level alarm signal can be received by a buzzer, so that the buzzer emits a high liquid level alarm sound.

If the liquid level 334 of the solution tank 302 is too low (that is, the current solution 304 of the solution tank 302 is too low), the detector 328 will issue a low liquid level alarm signal. For example, as shown in Figure 3C, the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 is too low, and the float 316-2 moves with the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 to substantially the same level as the switch 324-7, so that the switch 324 -7 is activated (connected) by the magnetic field of the magnetic element 318 of the float 316-2, and the port L of the detector 328 is connected to the voltage source 330. The port L can also be called a low liquid level alarm port. After the detector 328 receives the voltage of the voltage source 330 through the port L, the detector 328 will issue a low liquid level alarm signal. The low liquid level alarm signal can be received by the display, so that the display shows the low liquid level alarm. In some embodiments, the low liquid level alarm signal can be received by a buzzer, so that the buzzer emits a low liquid level alarm sound.

If the liquid level 334 of the solution tank 302 is close to the bottom of the solution tank 302 (that is, the current solution 304 in the solution tank 302 will be exhausted), the detector 328 will issue a limit liquid level alarm signal. For example, as shown in Figure 3D, the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 will be close to the bottom of the solution tank 302, and the float 316-3 will move with the liquid level 334 of the solution 304 to the same level as the switch 324-8. , The switch 324-8 is turned on (connected) by the magnetic field of the magnetic element 318 of the float 316-3, and the port LL of the detector 328 is connected to the voltage source 330. The port LL can also be called a limit liquid level alarm port. After the detector 328 receives the voltage of the voltage source 330 through the port LL, the detector 328 will issue a limit liquid level alarm signal. The limit liquid level alarm signal can be received by the display, so that the display shows the limit liquid level alarm. In some embodiments, the high liquid level alarm signal may be received by a buzzer, so that the buzzer emits a limit liquid level alarm sound.

Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention provide multiple advantages, and it should be understood that other embodiments can provide different advantages. It is not necessary to discuss all the advantages here, and all the embodiments have no specific advantages.

Through the use of the disclosed embodiments, the float level switch device can not only issue an alarm to notify the user when the liquid level of the solution tank is too high, too low, or will approach the bottom of the tank, but also can be used when the float level switch device is usually used. Display the current level or solution capacity of the solution tank. In this way, the solution tank does not need to be provided with an additional level detection device to obtain the solution level of the solution tank, thereby increasing additional costs.

The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and do not limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms. In addition, as far as the terms "include", "include", "have", "have", "include" or their variants used in the detailed description and/or the scope of the patent application, these terms are intended to be similar It is inclusive in the way of "including".

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field. In addition, terms such as those defined in general-purpose dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as their meaning in the context of the relevant field, and will not be understood as idealized or overly formal, unless explicitly so definition.

The foregoing text summarizes the features of many embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present disclosure from various aspects. Those skilled in the art should understand, and can easily design or modify other processes and structures based on the present disclosure, and achieve the same purpose and/or the same as the embodiments introduced here. The advantages. Those skilled in the art should also understand that these equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed in this disclosure. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention of this disclosure, various changes, substitutions or modifications can be made to this disclosure.

100: float level switch device 102: Rod 104-1, 104-2, 104-3: float 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-5: cyclic 108, 110, 112: sensing section 114: Solution tank 116: solution 202: hollow area 204: Magnetic components 302: Solution tank 304: solution 306: Rod 308: hollow area 310, 312, 314: sensing section 316-1, 316-2, 316-3: float 318: Magnetic Components 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4, 320-5: ring 322: Circuit 324-1, 324-2, 324-3, 324-4, 324-5, 324-6, 324-7, 324-8: switch 326: Resistance 328: Detector 330: voltage source 332: voltage source 334: Liquid Level

In order to enable the description of the present disclosure to cover the above examples, other advantages and features, the principle of the above brief description will be described in more detail through specific examples in the drawings. The drawings shown here are only examples of this disclosure, and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. The principle of this disclosure is described and explained with additional features and details through the accompanying drawings. Among them: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a float level switch device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a floating ball according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2B is a top cross-sectional view of the float ball according to the embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a float level switch device and related circuits according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of the float level switch device and related circuits according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in which the solution level in the solution tank is too high. FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of the float level switch device and related circuits according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in which the solution level in the solution tank is too low. FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram of the float level switch device and related circuits according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the solution level in the solution tank is close to the bottom of the solution tank. The present disclosure allows various modifications and alternative forms, and some representative embodiments have been shown through examples in the drawings, and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood that the invention herein is not limited to a specific disclosure form. Specifically, the present disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the scope of the appended patent application.

100: float level switch device

102: Rod

104-1, 104-2, 104-3: float

106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-4, 106-5: cyclic

108, 110, 112: sensing section

114: Solution tank

116: solution

Claims (10)

A float liquid level switch device for determining liquid level, including: A rod having a hollow area and a first sensing section; A first floating ball having at least one first magnetic element, wherein the first floating ball is arranged in a manner capable of sliding on the first sensing section of the shaft; A first circuit, wherein the first circuit includes: A plurality of first switches are arranged in the hollow area corresponding to the first sensing section at intervals from top to bottom; A voltage dividing device arranged in the hollow region corresponding to the first sensing section and coupled to the first switch, wherein the voltage dividing device provides different voltage divisions to the individual first switches; and A detector connected to the first switch, wherein when the first float and one of the first switches are substantially on the same level, so that one of the first switches is turned on, the detector receives One of the opened first switches is connected to the partial pressure, and the detector determines the liquid level according to the detected partial pressure. The float level switch device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application further includes at least one ring, which is arranged on the shaft, and the ring defines the first sensing section of the shaft And restrict the first floating ball from sliding on the first sensing section of the shaft. The float level switch device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application further includes: A display is connected to the detector, wherein the display displays the liquid level determined by the detector. The float level switch device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application further includes: A second circuit connected to the detector, wherein the second circuit includes: A second switch is arranged in the hollow area corresponding to the first sensing section and above the first switch, wherein when the first float and the second switch are on the same horizontal plane, the second switch When the switch is turned on, the above-mentioned detector sends out a high liquid level alarm signal. The float level switch device described in item 4 of the scope of patent application includes: A second floating ball has at least one second magnetic element, wherein the second floating ball can slide on one of the second sensing sections of the shaft, and the second sensing section is in the first sensing section. Below the section; and A third switch, connected to the second circuit, and set in the hollow area corresponding to the second sensing section, wherein when the second float and the third switch are on the same horizontal plane, the third switch When turned on, the above-mentioned detector sends out a low liquid level alarm signal. The float level switch device described in item 5 of the scope of patent application includes: A third floating ball has at least one third magnetic element, wherein the third floating ball can slide on one of the third sensing sections of the shaft, and the third sensing section is in the second sensing section. Below the section; and A fourth switch, connected to the second circuit, and set in the hollow area corresponding to the third sensing section, wherein when the third float and the fourth switch are on the same horizontal plane, the fourth switch When turned on, the above-mentioned detector sends out a limit liquid level alarm signal. The float level switch device as described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are reed switches. According to the float level switch device described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, the first magnetic element, the second magnetic element and the third magnetic element are ring-shaped. According to the float level switch device described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, the first magnetic element, the second magnetic element, and the third magnetic element are magnets. The float level switch device described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein the material of the first float, the second float and the third float is stainless steel, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene Vinyl fluoride.

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