阅读说明：本技术 水质硬度检测探头、传感器、检测方法及软水机 (Water hardness detection probe, sensor, detection method and water softener ) 是由 郭民 李国平 夏雪 于 2019-04-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开一种水质硬度检测探头、传感器、检测方法及软水机。传感器包括控制单元,控制单元包括处理模块和电势检测模块；检测探头包括第一探头和第二探头,第一探头和第二探头均处于原水中,第一探头和第二探头的电势差为第一电势差；第一探头处于原水中,第二探头处于软化水中,第一探头和第二探头的电势差为第二电势差；电势检测模块确定第一探头与第二探头的电势差；处理模块根据第一电势差和第二电势差之间的差值确定软化水的水质硬度。本发明的传感器,可实时检测软水机的水质硬度,并消除因制造以及检测探头因漂移产生的测试误差。(The invention discloses a water hardness detection probe, a sensor, a detection method and a water softener. The sensor comprises a control unit, wherein the control unit comprises a processing module and an electric potential detection module; the detection probe comprises a first probe and a second probe, the first probe and the second probe are both positioned in raw water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a first potential difference; the first probe is positioned in raw water, the second probe is positioned in softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a second potential difference; the potential detection module determines the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe; the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference. The sensor of the invention can detect the water hardness of the water softener in real time and eliminate the test error caused by the drift of the manufacturing and detection probe.)

1. The probe for detecting the water hardness is characterized by comprising a substrate and a coating, wherein the coating is positioned on the surface of the substrate, the substrate is made of metal titanium, and the coating is made of ruthenium-iridium alloy or lead oxide or tin oxide.

2. The inspection probe of claim 1 including a housing, said housing being of an insulating material and being located outside of said coating.

3. The test probe of claim 1, wherein the probe is inserted into a pipeline through a connector, the connector is a three-way structure, a first end and a second end of the connector are used for connecting the pipeline, the probe is inserted into a third end of the connector, and water in the connector is in contact with the probe.

4. The inspection probe of claim 1, wherein the plating is 0.1 to 200nm thick.

5. The detection probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection probe comprises a first probe and a second probe, the first probe and the second probe are both in raw water, and the potential difference of the first probe and the second probe is a first potential difference; the first probe is positioned in raw water, the second probe is positioned in softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a second potential difference.

6. A sensor having the detection probe of claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises the water hardness detection probe and a control unit, the control unit comprising a processing module and a potential detection module;

the potential detection module determines the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe;

the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water based on a difference between the first and second potential differences and a relationship between the difference and the water hardness.

8. The sensor of claim 7, wherein obtaining the relationship comprises:

obtaining the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference of a plurality of groups and the water quality hardness of softened water corresponding to the difference;

and fitting the difference and the water hardness to obtain the relational expression.

9. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the control unit further comprises a pre-processing module, the electric potential detection module is connected with the pre-processing module, and the pre-processing module is connected with the processing module;

The preprocessing module preprocesses the first potential difference and the second potential difference, and the preprocessing comprises impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift and noise processing.

10. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the control unit further comprises a regeneration module coupled to the treatment module, the regeneration module coupled to a regeneration system of the water softener.

11. The sensor of claim 6, further comprising a display unit, wherein the display unit is connected to the control unit.

12. The sensor according to claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a raw water pipeline, a softened water pipeline and a converging pipeline, and the raw water pipeline and the softened water pipeline are respectively communicated with the converging pipeline;

a first valve is arranged on the raw water pipeline, and a first probe communicated with the raw water pipeline is arranged between the first valve and the outlet of the raw water pipeline;

a second valve is arranged on the softened water pipeline;

a second probe communicated with the converging pipeline is arranged on the converging pipeline;

the first valve and the second valve are respectively connected with the control unit.

13. A method for detecting water hardness according to claim 12, comprising:

opening the first valve, closing the second valve, introducing raw water into the raw water pipeline, wherein the first probe and the second probe are both positioned in the raw water, and detecting the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe as a first potential difference;

opening the second valve, closing the first valve, introducing softened water into the softened water pipeline, enabling the first probe to be located in raw water and the second probe to be located in softened water, and detecting the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe to serve as a second potential difference;

the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first potential difference and the second potential difference are preprocessed before being input to the processing module,

the pretreatment comprises impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift and noise treatment.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the control unit starts a regeneration system of the water softener through a regeneration module if the water hardness reaches a preset value.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the water hardness of the softened water is displayed through a display unit.

17. A water softener comprising a sensor according to any one of claims 6 to 12.

18. The water softener of claim 17 wherein the raw water line is connected to the raw water main of the water softener, the softened water line is connected to the softened water main of the water softener, and the converging line is connected to the drain of the water softener.

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the field of water quality detection, and particularly relates to a water hardness detection probe, a water hardness detection sensor, a water hardness detection method and a water softener.

Background

The water hardness refers to the concentration (converted into calcium carbonate) of calcium and magnesium ions in water, and the high-hardness water refers to water with higher calcium and magnesium ion content in water. High hardness water scales during use, especially after heating (calcium carbonate precipitation, commonly referred to as scale). A common water hardness treatment device is a water softener. The water softener is water treatment equipment which utilizes ion exchange resin to exchange calcium and magnesium ions in water so as to reduce the water hardness. After the water softener is filled with resin and a certain amount of water is treated, calcium and magnesium ions on the resin are saturated, and at the moment, the resin needs to reversely exchange the calcium and magnesium ions by using salt solution (sodium chloride), and the process is called regeneration.

The current water softener product is still imperfect in technology. Mainly shows that the product can not monitor and display the hardness of the water outlet quality of the water softener in real time. The regeneration and maintenance of the water softener resin are operated by a consumer only according to simple time reminding set by a factory or experience and feel perception of the use of the water softener, so that the water softener is unscientific, inconvenient and unreasonable to use, and the working efficiency of the water softener is reduced. The existing water softener has the problems of inconvenient product use, low maintenance efficiency, poor user experience effect and the like due to technical defects.

The existing water softener usually adopts the mode of setting the initial hardness value of raw water and estimating the service life of resin by calculating the water yield with the aid of a flowmeter, and the service life is used as a reference for regeneration starting and maintenance of the water softener. However, due to different user regions and large difference of water quality, the method cannot objectively reflect the saturation state of calcium and magnesium ions on the ion exchange resin. Premature regeneration will cause waste of water resources and salt, and excessive salt discharge will also cause environmental problems. The resin is excessively ineffective after the delayed regeneration, and the effluent quality has high hardness.

When the water hardness is detected by the instrument, the detection result of different instruments has larger deviation, the biggest reason is that the difference is possibly slight but influences the detection result due to the test error of the detection probe caused by drift and the difference between different detection probes of the same type. The main causes of drift generation: the deposition of the substance in the water on the detection probe, the influence of the bubbles in the water, and the like also interfere with the detection result. How to eliminate errors generated by different detector probes and drift is a problem which is not solved in the field.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a novel probe which can be used for detecting water hardness, a sensor and a detection method.

The embodiment of the invention provides a water hardness detection probe, which comprises a substrate and a plating layer, wherein the plating layer is positioned on the surface of the substrate, the substrate is made of metal titanium, and the plating layer is made of ruthenium-iridium alloy or lead oxide or tin oxide.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the probe includes a housing, and the housing is made of an insulating material and is located outside the plating layer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the probe is inserted into the pipeline through a joint, the joint is in a three-way structure, a first end and a second end of the joint are used for connecting the pipeline, the probe is inserted into a third end of the joint, and water in the joint is in contact with the probe.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the plating layer is 0.1 to 200 nm.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the detection probe comprises a first probe and a second probe, the first probe and the second probe are both in raw water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a first potential difference; the first probe is positioned in raw water, the second probe is positioned in softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a second potential difference.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a sensor with the detection probe, which comprises the water hardness detection probe and a control unit, wherein the control unit comprises a processing module and an electric potential detection module; the potential detection module determines the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe; the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference and the relation between the difference and the water hardness.

As an embodiment of the present invention, obtaining the relation includes: obtaining the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference of a plurality of groups and the water quality hardness of softened water corresponding to the difference; and fitting the difference and the water hardness to obtain the relational expression.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further includes a pre-processing module, the electric potential detection module is connected to the pre-processing module, and the pre-processing module is connected to the processing module; the preprocessing module preprocesses the first potential difference and the second potential difference, and the preprocessing comprises impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift and noise processing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further comprises a regeneration module, the regeneration module is connected to the treatment module, and the regeneration module is connected to a regeneration system of the water softener.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor further includes a display unit, and the display unit is connected to the control unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor includes a raw water pipeline, a softened water pipeline, and a converging pipeline, where the raw water pipeline and the softened water pipeline are respectively communicated with the converging pipeline; a first valve is arranged on the raw water pipeline, and a first probe communicated with the raw water pipeline is arranged between the first valve and the outlet of the raw water pipeline; a second valve is arranged on the softened water pipeline; a second probe communicated with the converging pipeline is arranged on the converging pipeline; the first valve and the second valve are respectively connected with the control unit.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for detecting water hardness according to the sensor, including: opening the first valve, closing the second valve, introducing raw water into the raw water pipeline, wherein the first probe and the second probe are both positioned in the raw water, and detecting the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe as a first potential difference; opening the second valve, closing the first valve, introducing softened water into the softened water pipeline, enabling the first probe to be located in raw water and the second probe to be located in softened water, and detecting the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe to serve as a second potential difference; the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first potential difference and the second potential difference are preprocessed and then input to the processing module, where the preprocessing includes impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift, and noise processing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the hardness of the water reaches a predetermined value, the control unit starts the regeneration system of the water softener through the regeneration module.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water hardness of the softened water is displayed by a display unit.

The embodiment of the invention also discloses a water softener applying the sensor.

In the above water softener, the raw water pipeline is connected with the raw water main pipeline of the water softener, the softened water pipeline is connected with the softened water main pipeline of the water softener, and the converging pipeline is connected with the sewage discharge port of the water softener.

The water hardness detection probe can accurately detect a divalent ion in water; the potential difference between the two probes is changed, and the sensor can calculate the water hardness of the soft water according to the change of the potential difference; the real-time monitoring of the water outlet hardness of the water softener is realized. By adopting the detection probe, the sensor and the detection method, when the water softener detects the water hardness, the detection error caused by the drift of the detection probe can be overcome, particularly the difference between different detection probes with the same type is eliminated, the interference of the deposition of substances in water on the detection probe and the influence of bubbles in water on the detection result is overcome, and the errors caused by different detector probes and the drift are eliminated.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water hardness measuring probe according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a water hardness testing probe connector according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the water softener of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a sensor of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the control unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a preprocessing module of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the regeneration scheme of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the change of the treated water amount and the difference signal value of the water softener.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples, is provided to enable the invention and its various aspects and advantages to be better understood. However, the specific embodiments and examples described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the invention.

The term "connected", as used herein, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, is to be construed broadly, as meaning either directly or through an intermediate connection. In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", and the like are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the water hardness detecting probe 100 of the present embodiment includes a base 101 and a plating layer 102. The material of the substrate 101 is metallic titanium, the plating layer 102 is located on the surface of the substrate 101, and the material of the plating layer 102 may be ruthenium-iridium alloy, lead oxide or tin oxide. The ruthenium iridium alloy, lead oxide or tin oxide can be made of the existing materials. The thickness of the plating layer 102 is 0.1 to 200nm, and preferably, the thickness of the plating layer 102 is 1 to 100 nm.

The probe 100 may further include a housing 103, and the housing 103 may be made of an insulating material and located outside the plating layer 102. The probe 100 includes a sensing end and a terminal end to which a lead wire may be connected. The probe 100 of the embodiment can easily detect the monovalent ions and the divalent ions in water, wherein the monovalent ions are mainly K, Na ions, the divalent ions are mainly Ca ions and Mg ions, the probe 100 can quickly and sensitively reflect the potential signals, and the water hardness of softened water can be reflected in a water softener through calculation.

The shape of the probe 100 may be a cylindrical shape, a square column shape, or a needle type, and the shape of the probe 100 is not limited by the present invention. The size of the probe 100 is determined according to the specific situation, and taking the probe 100 as a cylinder as an example, the diameter of the detection end of the probe 100 is 5 mm.

As shown in fig. 2, the probe 100 may be accessed into a pipeline through a fitting 200. The connector 200 is a three-way-like structure, and a first end 201 and a second end 202 of the connector are used for connecting pipelines, so that water in the pipelines can pass through the connector 200, a detection end of the probe 100 is inserted into a third end 203, and the water in the connector 200 is contacted with the probe 100.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the present embodiment provides a sensor 300, and the sensor 300 performs water hardness detection by using the detection probe. The detection probe comprises a first probe 312 and a second probe 331, the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are probes with the same model, and when the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both in water, a potential difference is formed between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331. Even if the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are located in the same water, a weak potential difference is formed between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 because the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are not identical.

The sensor 300 is applied to a water softener, the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both in raw water, and the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is a first potential difference; the first probe 312 is in raw water, the second probe 331 is in softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a second potential difference.

The sensor 300 further comprises a control unit 400, as shown in fig. 5, the control unit 400 comprising a potential detection module 401 and a processing module 402.

The first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are connected to the potential detection module 401, the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is detected by the potential detection module 401, and the control unit 400 determines the first potential difference and the second potential difference by the potential detection module 401.

In this embodiment, the processing module 402 may include an MCU, and perform operation processing on data. The processing module 402 determines the water hardness of the softened water based on the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

Optionally, the sensor 300 includes a raw water line 310, a softened water line 320, and a junction line 330. The raw water pipe 310 and the softened water pipe 320 are respectively connected to the merging pipe 330, and both the raw water passing through the raw water pipe 310 and the softened water passing through the softened water pipe 320 flow through the merging pipe 330. The raw water pipeline 310 and the softened water pipeline 320 are respectively provided with an electromagnetic valve for opening or stopping the water flow, so that the pipeline switch can be effectively controlled, and the liquid backflow is avoided to influence the testing precision. The control unit 400 controls the operation of the sensor 300. The arrows in fig. 3 and 4 represent the direction of the water flow.

The raw water pipe 310 is provided with a first valve 311, and the first valve 311 can open or stop the raw water flowing through the raw water pipe 310. The softened water line 320 is provided with a second valve 321, and the second valve 321 can open or stop the flow of the softened water through the softened water line 320. The first valve 311 and the second valve 321 are respectively connected to the control unit 400, and the control unit 400 controls the first valve 311 and the second valve 321 to open or close.

The raw water pipe 310 is provided with a first probe 312, and the first probe 312 is positioned between the first valve 311 and the outlet of the raw water pipe 310. The first probe 312 may be connected to the raw water pipeline 310 through the joint 200 such that the first probe 312 is connected to the raw water pipeline 310, i.e., the first probe 312 may contact the water in the raw water pipeline 310.

The second probe 331 is disposed on the merging pipe 330, and the second probe 331 can be connected to the merging pipe 330 through the joint 200, so that the second probe 331 is communicated with the merging pipe 330, that is, the second probe 331 can contact the water in the merging pipe 330.

When the first valve 311 is opened and the second valve 321 is closed, raw water (untreated water) of the water softener may flow into the confluence line 330 through the raw water line 310. At this time, the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both in the raw water, and the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is used as the first potential difference.

When the first valve 311 is closed and the second valve 321 is opened, the treated softened water of the water softener flows into the confluence line 330 through the softened water line 320. At this time, the first probe 312 is in the raw water, the second probe 331 is in the softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is used as the second potential difference.

In the above process, the first probe 312 is always in the raw water, the second probe 331 is first in the raw water and then in the softened water, the environment of the second probe 331 is a variable, so that the first potential difference and the second potential difference are different, and the variation of the first potential difference and the second potential difference can reflect the water hardness of the softened water. The control unit 400 determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

The difference between the traditional detection probes and the influence of the environment can cause great errors of detection results. According to the method, the two detection probes are firstly positioned in the same water environment, and then the water environment where the second probe is positioned is changed, so that errors of detection results caused by manufacturing differences and drifting of the first probe and the second probe can be eliminated, and the detection structure is more accurate.

As shown in fig. 3, the water softener has the sensor 300 connected to a pipe of the water softener. The raw water pipeline 310 is connected with a raw water main pipeline 501 of the water softener, the softened water pipeline 320 is connected with a softened water main pipeline 502 of the water softener, and the converging pipeline 330 is connected with a sewage discharge port 503 of the water softener. The water in the confluence line 330 is discharged through the drain 503.

Optionally, the processing module 402 stores the relation between the difference and the water hardness. When determining the relation between the difference and the water hardness, firstly, collecting a large amount of differences and the water hardness of softened water corresponding to the differences, fitting the differences and the water hardness, and determining the relation. After the processing module 402 obtains the difference, the hardness of the softened water is determined according to the relation.

Preferably, the control unit 400 further includes a preprocessing module 403, the electric potential detection module 401 is connected to the preprocessing module 403, and the preprocessing module 403 is connected to the processing module 402. The preprocessing module 403 preprocesses the potential difference signals of the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 collected by the potential detection module 401, and the processed signals are sent to the processing module 402 for calculation.

As shown in fig. 6, the pre-processing module 403 includes an impedance transformation matching sub-module, a linear amplification sub-module, a level shift sub-module, and a noise processing sub-module. The preprocessing of the preprocessing module 403 includes impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift, and noise processing, and the processing on the signal may be performed sequentially. The parameters of the sub-modules can be set according to actual conditions. If the impedance transformation matching parameter is 10 omega, the linear amplification factor is 10-30 times, the level shift parameter is 1.5V, the noise processing is low-pass filtering, and the cut-off frequency is 1000 Hz.

Optionally, the control unit 400 further comprises a regeneration module 404, the regeneration module 404 is connected to the treatment module 402, and the regeneration module 404 is connected to the regeneration system 600 of the water softener. When the hardness of the softened water obtained by the processing module 402 reaches a preset value (e.g., 120ppm), a start signal is sent to the regeneration module 404, and the regeneration module 404 controls the regeneration system 600 to start, so as to regenerate and maintain the ion exchange resin in the water softener.

As shown in FIG. 7, the work flow of the regeneration system 600 includes:

A. and (4) backwashing, wherein water enters the water softener from the softened water outlet to backwash the resin, and the wastewater is discharged from the sewage discharge outlet.

B. And (4) absorbing salt and slowly washing, wherein the softened water main pipeline absorbs salt water to wash the resin.

C. And (4) positively flushing, wherein water enters the water softener from the raw water inlet to clean the resin and the salt water in the pipeline.

D. And supplementing water, namely supplementing the saline water of the regeneration system 600.

The sensor of this embodiment may further include a display unit (not shown), which is connected to the control unit 400 and can display the hardness of the softened water and the working state of the sensor in real time. The display unit may be a display of the water softener.

The embodiment also provides a method for detecting water hardness by using the sensor, which comprises the following specific steps:

1. In the initial detection, the first valve 311 is opened, the second valve 321 is closed, raw water is introduced into the raw water pipeline 310, and the raw water flows through the confluence pipeline 330 and is discharged through the sewage outlet 503. The first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both in the raw water, and a potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is detected as a first potential difference.

2. And (3) performing secondary detection, namely opening the second valve 321, closing the first valve 311, introducing softened water into the softened water pipeline 320, and discharging the softened water from the sewage discharge opening 503 after the softened water flows through the converging pipeline 330. The first probe 312 is in raw water, the second probe 331 is in softened water, and a potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is detected as a second potential difference.

3. The control unit 400 obtains the first potential difference and the second potential difference, and the processing module determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

The difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 and the environmental influence can cause errors in the test results. Through the initial detection process, the two probe phases are kept in the same water environment, the two probe phases are detected in different water environments for the second time, and the first potential difference is subtracted from the second potential difference, so that the test error caused by manufacturing and drift of the detection probes can be eliminated.

In the above-described step 1 and step 2, the first potential difference and the second potential difference are detected by the potential detection module 401 of the control unit. The processing module 402 determines the hardness of the softened water according to the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference and the relation between the difference and the hardness of the softened water.

If the first potential difference obtained by the initial detection is 10mV, the second potential difference obtained by the secondary detection is 30mV, and the difference value between the first potential difference and the second potential difference is 20mV, the water hardness of the softened water can be calculated to be 110ppm according to the relational expression.

Optionally, after the first potential difference signal and the second potential difference signal are sent to the processing module, the 12-bit analog-to-digital converter performs AD conversion, then the difference value is obtained between the first potential difference signal and the second potential difference signal, and then the function processing is performed according to the relational expression, so that the water outlet hardness value of the water softener is obtained.

The above relation can be obtained by processing big data, specifically:

obtaining a large number of differences between the first potential difference and the second potential difference and the water hardness of softened water corresponding to the differences; fitting the difference and the water hardness to obtain a relation y ═ f (x).

For example, fitting a large amount of data yields the relationship:

y＝A×(-2.4395x³+5.3328x²-3.9047x +1), wherein A is the raw water hardness value, x is the proportion of the difference signal value to a reference value (x is between 0 and 1), the reference value is in direct proportion to the raw water hardness value, and y is the water hardness of the softened water.

The reference value is 8A/3, and the preferable range of the reference value is 500-1000. The raw water hardness value A can be obtained through actual measurement.

The raw water hardness value A is 300ppm, and the reference value is 800.

When the difference signal value is 80, and x is 0.1, the hardness of the effluent is 198ppm, and the error of 190ppm from the measurement result of an atomic absorption spectrum ICP instrument is only 4.5%;

when the difference signal value is 160 and x is 0.2, the hardness of the effluent is 124ppm, and the error of the hardness and the measurement result 118ppm of an atomic absorption spectrum ICP instrument is only 4.8%;

when the difference signal value is 400, and x is 0.5, the current water hardness is 23ppm, and the error of 24ppm from the measurement result of an atomic absorption spectrum ICP instrument is only 4.3%;

as shown in FIG. 8, the measured change of the treated water amount of the water softener and the difference signal value is shown. The change rule of the difference signal value accords with the change of the working state of the softening resin. The initial processing efficiency of the resin is highest, and the difference signal value is high and stable; after a certain amount of water is treated, an inflection point appears, which indicates that the resin efficiency begins to decline, and the hardness value of softened water is continuously increased along with the increase of the treated water amount, the trend is faster and faster, and the difference signal value is reduced; when the resin reaches a saturated state, the difference signal value tends to be stable and reaches the lowest limit.

Optionally, the first potential difference and the second potential difference are preprocessed by the preprocessing module and then input to the processing module, where the preprocessing includes impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift, and noise processing. And sending the pre-processed signal to a processing module to perform AD conversion by a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter, then taking a difference value between the first potential difference and the second potential difference, and performing function processing according to a relational expression to obtain the water outlet hardness value of the water softener.

In the method of this embodiment, if the hardness of the softened water reaches a predetermined value, the control unit starts the regeneration system 600 of the water softener through the regeneration module 404. The regeneration system 600 regenerates and maintains the ion exchange resin within the water softener.

The water hardness obtained by the processing module can be sent to a display unit, and the real-time water hardness of the softened water is displayed through the display unit.

The sensor of the embodiment can set the initial detection time, the secondary detection time and the interval time for starting the detection program according to the stability performance and the working environment of the probe. For example, the initial detection time and the secondary detection time may be set to a value between 10s and 60s, wherein the initial detection process and the secondary detection process are performed once to form a complete test cycle. The test cycle is continuously run in an interval-initiated manner. The time of the interval can be set according to requirements.

In the embodiment, only one group of probes is adopted, so that the structural mode of installing a plurality of groups of probes is avoided, and the test error is reduced. The safety and reliability of the probe are high, and the stability is good. The position and the structure of the probe are arranged, so that the pipeline arrangement is simplified, the cost investment is reduced, and the test stability is more effectively improved. The probe adopts a quick-insertion structure form, so that the probe is convenient to maintain, detect and replace.

The sensor of this embodiment realizes that the pipeline of sensor is washed, the factor that produces the error is eliminated automatically in step to the completion when measuring the start at every turn, simplifies the application of equipment and components and parts, need not to set up standard electrode in addition and makes the reference, also avoids simultaneously because the test of the previous time influences the test result of this time.

The embodiment provides a water hardness detection system, and the detection system utilizes the detection probe to detect the water hardness. The detection probe comprises a first probe 312 and a second probe 331, the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are probes with the same model, and when the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both in water, a potential difference is formed between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331. Even if the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are located in the same water, a weak potential difference is formed between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 because the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are not identical.

The detection system is applied to the water softener, the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both positioned in raw water, and the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is a first potential difference; the first probe 312 is in raw water, the second probe 331 is in softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe and the second probe is a second potential difference.

The detection system further comprises a control unit 400, as shown in fig. 5, the control unit 400 comprising a potential detection module 401 and a processing module 402.

The first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are connected to the potential detection module 401, the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is detected by the potential detection module 401, and the control unit 400 determines the first potential difference and the second potential difference by the potential detection module 401.

In this embodiment, the processing module 402 may include an MCU, and perform operation processing on data. The processing module 402 determines the water hardness of the softened water based on the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

Optionally, the system includes a raw water line 310, a softened water line 320, and a converging line 330. The raw water pipe 310 and the softened water pipe 320 are respectively connected to the merging pipe 330, and both the raw water passing through the raw water pipe 310 and the softened water passing through the softened water pipe 320 flow through the merging pipe 330. The raw water pipeline 310 and the softened water pipeline 320 are respectively provided with an electromagnetic valve for opening or stopping the water flow, so that the pipeline switch can be effectively controlled, and the liquid backflow is avoided to influence the testing precision. The control unit 400 controls the operation of the water hardness detecting system.

The raw water pipe 310 is provided with a first valve 311, and the first valve 311 can open or stop the raw water flowing through the raw water pipe 310. The softened water line 320 is provided with a second valve 321, and the second valve 321 can open or stop the flow of the softened water through the softened water line 320. The first valve 311 and the second valve 321 are respectively connected to the control unit 400, and the control unit 400 controls the first valve 311 and the second valve 321 to open or close.

The raw water pipe 310 is provided with a first probe 312, and the first probe 312 is positioned between the first valve 311 and the outlet of the raw water pipe 310. The first probe 312 may be connected to the raw water pipeline 310 through the joint 200 such that the first probe 312 is connected to the raw water pipeline 310, i.e., the first probe 312 may contact the water in the raw water pipeline 310.

The second probe 331 is disposed on the merging pipe 330, and the second probe 331 can be connected to the merging pipe 330 through the joint 200, so that the second probe 331 is communicated with the merging pipe 330, that is, the second probe 331 can contact the water in the merging pipe 330.

When the first valve 311 is opened and the second valve 321 is closed, raw water (untreated water) of the water softener may flow into the confluence line 330 through the raw water line 310. At this time, the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 are both in the raw water, and the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is used as the first potential difference.

When the first valve 311 is closed and the second valve 321 is opened, the treated softened water of the water softener flows into the confluence line 330 through the softened water line 320. At this time, the first probe 312 is in the raw water, the second probe 331 is in the softened water, and the potential difference between the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 is used as the second potential difference.

In the above process, the first probe 312 is always in the raw water, the second probe 331 is first in the raw water and then in the softened water, the environment of the second probe 331 is a variable, so that the first potential difference and the second potential difference are different, and the variation of the first potential difference and the second potential difference can reflect the water hardness of the softened water. The control unit 400 determines the water hardness of the softened water according to the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

The difference between the traditional detection probes and the influence of the environment can cause great errors of detection results. According to the method, the two detection probes are firstly positioned in the same water environment, and then the water environment where the second probe is positioned is changed, so that errors of detection results caused by manufacturing differences and drifting of the first probe and the second probe can be eliminated, and the detection structure is more accurate.

As shown in fig. 3, the water hardness detecting system is connected to the pipeline of the water softener. The raw water pipeline 310 is connected with a raw water main pipeline 501 of the water softener, the softened water pipeline 320 is connected with a softened water main pipeline 502 of the water softener, and the converging pipeline 330 is connected with a sewage discharge port 503 of the water softener. The water in the confluence line 330 is discharged through the drain 503.

Optionally, the processing module 402 stores the relation between the difference and the water hardness. When determining the relation between the difference and the water hardness, firstly, collecting a large amount of differences and the water hardness of softened water corresponding to the differences, fitting the differences and the water hardness, and determining the relation. After the processing module 402 obtains the difference, the hardness of the softened water is determined according to the relation.

Preferably, the control unit 400 further includes a preprocessing module 403, the electric potential detection module 401 is connected to the preprocessing module 403, and the preprocessing module 403 is connected to the processing module 402. The preprocessing module 403 preprocesses the potential difference signals of the first probe 312 and the second probe 331 collected by the potential detection module 401, and the processed signals are sent to the processing module 402 for calculation.

As shown in fig. 6, the pre-processing module 403 includes an impedance transformation matching sub-module, a linear amplification sub-module, a level shift sub-module, and a noise processing sub-module. The preprocessing of the preprocessing module 403 includes impedance transformation matching, linear amplification, level shift, and noise processing, and the processing on the signal may be performed sequentially. The parameters of the sub-modules can be set according to actual conditions. If the impedance transformation matching parameter is 10 omega, the linear amplification factor is 10-30 times, the level shift parameter is 1.5V, the noise processing is low-pass filtering, and the cut-off frequency is 1000 Hz.

Optionally, the control unit 400 further comprises a regeneration module 404, the regeneration module 404 is connected to the treatment module 402, and the regeneration module 404 is connected to the regeneration system 600 of the water softener. When the hardness of the softened water obtained by the processing module 402 reaches a preset value (e.g., 120ppm), a start signal is sent to the regeneration module 404, and the regeneration module 404 controls the regeneration system 600 to start, so as to regenerate and maintain the ion exchange resin in the water softener.

The water hardness detecting system of the present embodiment may further include a display unit (not shown), which is connected to the control unit 400 and can display the water hardness of the softened water and the working state of the detecting system in real time. The display unit may be a display of the water softener.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments described with reference to the drawings are only intended to illustrate the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications and equivalent substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, unless the context indicates otherwise, words that appear in the singular include the plural and vice versa. Additionally, all or a portion of any embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other embodiment, unless stated otherwise.