WATER INTAKE AMOUNT MANAGEMENT DEVICE

A water intake amount management device includes a cup body and a cup cover. The cup body is used to store water, and includes at least one communicating tube and at least one float. The communicating tube is in communication with the stored water. The float is disposed in the communicating tube, and floats on a surface of the stored water. The cup cover is combined with the cup body, and includes a man-machine control interface. When driven, the man-machine control interface senses a distance between the cup cover and the float, converts the distance to a plurality of water amount values, calculates a water intake amount according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompts a user according to the water intake amount.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No(s). 097151829 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Dec. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid flow management device, and more particularly to a water intake amount management device.

2. Related Art

Human body is composed of various substances, in which water occupies the largest amount. The percentage of water in the body is different by reason of the age, gender, and obesity degree. For example, for an obese female adult, the percentage is 45 percent, and for a thin infant, the percentage is 80 percent. For male adults, the average percentage of water in the body is approximately 60 percent, which is higher than that of female adults (50 percent). The percentage of water in the body of an infant is 70 percent, so the water loss in the infant body relatively easily results in complications.

Each cell in the body contains a large amount of water, which approximately occupies two thirds of the water content in the body. The water out of the cells, for example, blood is one of the well-known body fluids, and the rapid loss of blood may be fatal. In addition, for example, gastric juice, cerebrospinal fluid, and intercellular fluid are body fluids in the body. In the human body, the water may freely flow among different parts, so as to reach a balanced state. When the capability of tending to be balanced is obstructed, pathological phenomena may occur.

Many medical researches prove that drinking more water is beneficial to physiological circulation and metabolism, but if excessive water is drunk, the water content in the body cannot be properly adjusted, such that the electrolyte of the body fluid is unbalanced. A correct water drinking habit is required to control the water intake amount properly, so as to free the body from burden and to help the metabolism.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,959 has disclosed a hydration insuring system for human beings. The system includes an oral-suction-activated flow meter, which is used to measure and display a volume of the fluid drawn through a tube from a reservoir. An optional check valve prevents the fluid from flowing from the mouth of a user back to the reservoir. Mode and control buttons control the operation of a microprocessor and a display. Alphanumeric and graphical displays display the volume withdrawn as a function of time or other events. Drink reminder alarms are provided through a display or a loudspeaker to alert the user when it is time for a drink to ensure proper hydration.

However, the patent still needs improvement. Therefore, it is a problem to be solved by the researchers to provide a water intake amount management device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problem, the present invention is a water intake amount management device, which is capable of measuring, recording, and displaying water intake amount information of each time of a human body, so as to prevent diseases and manage health conditions, and is capable of prompting a user to complement water content for the body at proper time and with a proper amount, thereby achieving a correct water drinking concept and manner.

Accordingly, the water amount management device of the present invention comprises a cup body and a cup cover. The cup body is used to store water, and comprises at least one communicating tube and at least one float. The communicating tube is in communication with the stored water, and the float is disposed in the communicating tube and floats on a surface of the stored water. The cup cover is combined with the cup body, and comprises a man-machine control interface. When driven, the man-machine control interface is used to sense a distance between the cup cover and the float, convert the distance to a plurality of water amount values, calculate a water intake amount according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompt a user according to the water intake amount.

In the water intake amount management device, a distance sensing module, the communicating tube, and the float are utilized. If a flow rate exists in the cup body, the float is made to have a displacement. Thus, a volume flow rate may be calculated by measuring changes of a water level in the cup body. In addition, standard water intake amount parameters of a normal person or a patient are set through the man-machine control interface, such that after the user drinks an amount of water, according to the set parameters, comprising a single water intake amount and a cumulative water intake amount, a monitoring function and a displaying function are performed. The water intake amount is calculated by a controller, and a time monitoring and alarming module prompts the user to complement the water content at the proper time and with the proper amount, so as to solve the problem that a person cannot determine the water intake amount each day, thereby achieving the correct water drinking concept and manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic combined three-dimensional view of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit of a man-machine control interface of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a water level and a volume of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a water intake amount management device 100 of the present invention comprises a cup body 10 and a cup cover 20.

The cup body 10 has a cylinder shape. The cup body 10 is a hollow structure, and is used to store water or a liquid. The cup body 10 comprises a first communicating tube 11. The first communicating tube 11 is formed on an inner wall of the cup body 10.

The first communicating tube 11 is in communication with the water or the liquid stored in the cup body. A water inlet 11a (as shown in FIG. 4) is opened in a bottom end of the first communicating tube 11. An exhaust port 11b is opened in a top end of the first communicating tube 11. The water inlet 11a is used to enable the water or the liquid in the cup body 10 to flow in. The exhaust port 11b is used to exhaust air in the first communicating tube 11.

A float 13 is an inverted cone structure. The float 13 is correspondingly disposed in the first communicating tube 11, and floats on a surface of the stored water. With changes of a water level in the first communicating tube 11, the float 13 in the first communicating tube 11 has a corresponding displacement. The float 13 is the inverted cone structure, so as to prevent the problem of bubbles, and enhance the measurement accuracy.

The cup cover 20 is combined with the cup body 10, and the cup cover 20 comprises a man-machine control interface 22.

The man-machine control interface 22 comprises a first distance sensing module 220, a press key module 222, a controller 223, a timer 224, a memory 225, a display module 226, an alarming module 227, and a power source module 228.

When driven, the man-machine control interface 22 is used to sense a distance between the cup cover 20 and the float 13. The man-machine control interface 22 converts the distance continually sensed by the first distance sensing module 220 to a plurality of water amount values. The man-machine control interface 22 calculates a water intake amount (single and/or cumulative water intake amount) according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompts a user according to the water intake amount. The prompt may be provided, for example, through flickering display or a sound generated by a speaker. In addition, the user may also press the press key module 222 to drive the man-machine control interface 22 after opening the cover and drinking up the water. The man-machine control interface 22 may be driven by the user or the timer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a water intake amount management device 100 of the present invention comprises a cup body 10, a cup cover 20, and a straw 30.

The cup body 10 has a cylinder shape. The cup body 10 is a hollow structure, and is used to store water or a liquid. The cup body 10 comprises a first communicating tube 11 and a second communicating tube 12. The first communicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12 are respectively formed on an inner wall of the cup body 10.

A water inlet 11a is opened in a bottom end of the first communicating tube 11. An exhaust port 11b is opened on a top end of the first communicating tube 11. The water inlet 11a is used to enable the water or the liquid in the cup body 10 to flow in. The exhaust port 11b is used to exhaust air in the first communicating tube 11. Similarly, the second communicating tube 12 has the same structure as the first communicating tube 11, so it is not described again here.

Floats 13 are inverted cone structures. The floats 13 are respectively correspondingly disposed in the first communicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12, and float on a surface of the stored water. With changes of a water level in the first communicating tube 11, the float 13 in the first communicating tube 11 has a corresponding displacement. Similarly, with changes of a water level in the second communicating tube 12, the float 13 in the second communicating tube 12 has a corresponding displacement. The floats 13 are the inverted cone structure, so as to prevent the problem of bubbles, and enhance the measurement accuracy.

The cup cover 20 is combined with the cup body 10, and the cup cover 20 comprises a man-machine control interface 22.

A hole 21 is formed on the central position of the cup cover 20. The hole 21 is a round shape. A size of the hole 21 is corresponding to an outer diameter of the straw 30, such that the straw 30 passes through the cup cover 20.

The man-machine control interface 22 comprises a first distance sensing module 220, a second distance sensing module 221, a press key module 222, a controller 223, a timer 224, a memory 225, a display module 226, an alarming module 227, and a power source module 228. When driven, the man-machine control interface 22 is used to sense a distance between the cup cover 20 and the float 13. The man-machine control interface 22 converts the distance continually sensed by the first distance sensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221 to a plurality of water amount values. The man-machine control interface 22 calculates a water intake amount (single and/or cumulative water intake amount) according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompts a user according to the water intake amount. The prompt may be provided, for example, through flickering display or a sound generated by a speaker. In addition, the user may also press the press key module 222 to drive the man-machine control interface 22 after opening the cover and drinking up the water. The man-machine control interface 22 may be driven by the user or the timer.

The straw 30 passes through the hole 21 of the cup cover 20, such that the user may suck the water in the cup body 10. The straw 30 of the present invention is a disposable straw, so it is relatively sanitary on using.

FIG. 3 is a schematic combined three-dimensional view of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the cup body 10 does not store the water or liquid, so the floats 13 are respectively located on the bottom positions of the first communicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12. The positions of the floats 13 may be detected through the first distance sensing module 220 or the second distance sensing module 221, and the positions may be defined as a lowest water amount value by the memory 225 and the controller 223. Similarly, when the cup body 10 stores the water or liquid, the floats 13 are respectively located on the top positions of the first communicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12, and the positions may be defined as a highest water amount value by the memory 225 and the controller 223.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the cup body 10 stores the water 40, so the water 40 flows into the first communicating tube 11 through the water inlet 11a, and the float 13 has the corresponding displacement with the changes of the water level. Finally, the position of the float 13 is corresponding to the water surface height of the water 40 out of the first communicating tube 11 (according to the communicating tube principle). The exhaust port 11b is used to exhaust air in the first communicating tube 11. Similarly, the water 40 flows into the second communicating tube 12 through the water inlet 12a, and the float 13 has the corresponding displacement with the changes of the water level height. Finally, the position of the float 13 is corresponding to the water surface height of the water 40 out of the second communicating tube 12 (according to the communicating tube principle). The exhaust port 12b is used to exhaust air in the second communicating tube 12. Here, the positions of the floats 13 are detected through the first distance sensing module 220 or the second distance sensing module 221, and the positions are defined as an initial water amount value by the memory 225 and the controller 223.

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded three-dimensional view of a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a water intake amount management device 200 of the present invention comprises a cup body 10, a cup cover 20, and a straw 30. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment lies in that top ends of a first communicating tube 11 and a second communicating tube 12 of the third embodiment are connected to the cup cover 20, and the remaining structure is the same as that of the second embodiment, so it is not described again here.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the water intake amount management device 200 of the present invention comprises a cup body 10, a cup cover 20, and a straw 30. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment lies that the top ends of the first communicating tube 11 and the second communicating tube 12 of the third embodiment are connected to the cup cover 20, and the remaining structure is the same as the second embodiment, so it is not described again here.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit of the man-machine control interface 22 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the man-machine control interface 22 of the present invention comprises a first distance sensing module 220, a second distance sensing module 221, a press key module 222, a controller 223, a timer 224, a memory 225, a display module 226, an alarming module 227, and a power source module 228.

The first distance sensing module 220 is connected to the controller 223. The first distance sensing module 220 senses the current water level in the cup body 20 in a non-contact sensing manner (for example, infrared sensing, laser sensing, or ultrasonic sensing), so as to acquire the water amount values. The first distance sensing module 220 comprises a sensor (for example, infrared, laser source, or ultrasonic) circuit, a signal amplifying circuit, a filter, and an analog-to-digital converting circuit. The first distance sensing module 220 adopts the non-contact sensing manner, so as to reduce the error caused by the suction force of an air flow, and to avoid the abrasion of movable mechanical parts. Therefore, the life of the first distance sensing module 220 is relatively long.

The second distance sensing module 221 is connected to the controller 223. The second distance sensing module 221 senses the current water level in the cup body 20 in the non-contact sensing manner (for example, infrared sensing, laser sensing, or ultrasonic sensing), so as to acquire the water amount values. The second distance sensing module 221 comprises a sensor (for example, infrared, laser source, or ultrasonic) circuit, a signal amplifying circuit, a filter, and an analog-to-digital converting circuit. The second distance sensing module 221 adopts the non-contact sensing manner, so as to reduce the error caused by the suction force of an air flow, and to avoid the abrasion of movable mechanical parts. Therefore, the life of the second distance sensing module 221 is relatively long. In addition, the man-machine control interface 22 of the present invention may also use a group of distance sensing modules and floats to sense the water amount values.

The press key module 222 is connected to the controller 223. The press key module 222 is used to enable the user to input parameter values. The parameter values comprise water drinking time, current time, age, weight, gender, disease, and/or a standard water intake amount. The press key module 222 comprises a power source switch, a reset switch, a confirm key, a cancel key, and number keys.

The controller 223 receives the distances sensed by the first distance sensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221, and converts the distances to the water amount values. When driven, the controller 223 converts the plurality of received water amount values to a time interval and a corresponding water intake amount. After comparing the water intake amount and the time interval with the suggested water intake amount and time value of the memory 225, the controller 223 prompts the user through the display module 226 and/or the alarming module 227.

In addition, the controller 223 may also receive the parameter values provided by the press key module 222 and perform an operation procedure. The controller 223 generates a control signal and data according to a result of the operation procedure. The controller 223 may also be replaced by a microprocessor.

The timer 224 is connected to the controller 223. The timer 224 is used to calculate the time. The timer 224 receives the control signal sent from the controller 223, so as to start to time or stop timing.

The memory 225 is connected to the controller 223. The memory 225 stores a plurality of time values and a plurality of corresponding suggested water intake amounts. In addition, the memory 225 may also store the data, the water amount values, the parameter values, the result of the operation procedure, and a water demand table (which, for example, is established corresponding to the water intake amount each day according to age, weight, gender, disease, and other conditions), such that the controller 223 may look up and read the stored content, thereby performing the relevant operation procedure.

The display module 226 is connected to the controller 223. The display module 226 receives the data sent from the controller, so as to display the water intake amount information (for example, the single water intake amount, the cumulative water intake amount, the water complementing time for the next time, the water complementing amount for the next time, etc.). The display module 226 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a touch display panel.

The alarming module 227 is connected to the controller 223. The alarming module 227 receives the control signal sent from the controller 223, so as to generate an alarming effect (for example, flickering display and/or a sound generated by a speaker) to prompt the user.

The power source module 228 is respectively connected to the first distance sensing module 220, the second distance sensing module 221, the press key module 222, the controller 223, the timer 224, the memory 225, the display module 226, and the alarming module 227. The power source module 228 is used to provide an electric power required by the operation of the first distance sensing module 220, the second distance sensing module 221, the press key module 222, the controller 223, the timer 224, the memory 225, the display module 226, and the alarming module 227. The power source module 228 may be, for example, a DC battery or a rectified electric power. In addition, a waterproof leakage circuit breaker may be installed in the water intake amount management device 100, so as to enhance the security.

A signal control process of the water intake amount management device 100 is described as follows. Firstly, the switch in the press key module 222 is pressed, and the first distance sensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221 sense the positions of the floats 13, so as to measure the water level. Then, the data measured by the first distance sensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221 is delivered to the controller 223 after being operated by the signal amplifying circuit, the filter, and the analog-to-digital converting circuit, so as to acquire the water amount values. Next, the controller 223 determines to drink the water or not according to the acquired water amount values (when the heights of the two water amount values are different, the water amount is reduced). If the water levels are different, the timer is started, and according to whether the two water amount values are the same or not, it is determined whether the drinking is stopped or not (if the heights represented by the two water amount values are the same, it indicates that the drinking is stopped, so the water amount value is not changed), and the timer 224 stops timing. Finally, the controller 223 calculates the water intake volume and the volume flow rate according to a relation between a liquid level signal and time.

A control process of the man-machine control interface 22 of the water intake amount management device 100 is described as follows. Firstly, the parameter values input by the user are acquired through the press key module 222, and the signal is output to the controller 223 for data analysis and judgment. For example, according to different weights of the user, the changes are performed, and the water intake amount data required by the user every day and every hour is calculated. Next, firstly the initial water amount in the water intake amount management device 100 is determined; when the water is drunk every time, the height difference change of the water level is sensed by the first distance sensing module 220 and the second distance sensing module 221, such that the single water intake amount is calculated by the controller 223, and is immediately displayed by the display module 226. At the same time, the measured data is sent to the memory 225 for storage and accumulation, and the controller 223 determines whether the water is complemented or the set standard water intake amount is reached according to the time interval between the two batches of data. If the standard water intake amount is not reached, the display module 226 displays the data, and the alarming module 227 sends the alarm. In addition, the controller 223 subtracts the cumulative water intake amount from the initial water amount, so as to acquire the remaining water intake amount in the water intake amount management device 100, and display the remaining water intake amount through the display module 226, such that the user knows whether to add the water or not. For example, the water drinking time is set to two hours, and if the user does not drink the water for two hours, the alarming module 227 sends the alarm.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the water level and the volume of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, an original volume V0 (i.e. the highest water amount value) in the cup body 10 of the present invention may be calculated through the following Formula (1):


V0=(r12+r1*r2+r22)/3*π*H  (1)

in which r1 is a radius of a bottom of the cup, r2′ is a radius of a middle of the cup, r2 is a radius of a top of the cup, and H is a height of the cup body.

After the water amount value is changed and is reduced to the liquid surface height h:

r2′=((H−h)/tan θ)+r1

The current volume V′ may be acquired through the following Formula (2):


V′=(r12+r1*r2′+r2′2)/3*π*(H−h).  (2)

The volume change amount is ΔV=V0−V′

A mass difference is ΔM=ΔV*ρ, in which ρ (water density: 4° C.=1(g/cm3), 15° C.=0.9991(g/cm3), 25° C.=0.9971(g/cm3), and wine density=0.79(g/cm3)).

An average mass flow is Fav=ΔM/Δt, in which Δt is a measurement time interval.

An angle θ=tan−1 (H/r12−r1), in which if the cup body 10 is a cylinder, the radius of the bottom of the cup r1=radius of the middle of the cup r2′=radius of the top of the cup r2.

To sum up, in the water intake amount management device of the present invention, through the water intake amount management device, the distance sensing module, the communicating tube, and the float are utilized. If a flow rate exists in the cup body, the float is made to have a displacement. Thus, a volume flow rate may be calculated by measuring changes of a water level in the cup body. In addition, standard water intake amount parameters of a normal person or a patient are set through the man-machine control interface, such that after the user drinks an amount of water, according to the set parameters, comprising a single water intake amount and a cumulative water intake amount, a monitoring function and a displaying function are performed. The water intake amount is calculated by a controller, and a time monitoring and alarming module prompts the user to complement the water content at the proper time and with the proper amount, so as to solve the problem that a person cannot determine the water intake amount each day, thereby achieving the correct water drinking concept and manner.

Claims

1. A water intake amount management device, comprising:

a cup body, for storing water, and comprising:
at least one communicating tube, in communication with the stored water; and
at least one float, disposed in the communicating tube and floating on a surface of the stored water; and
a cup cover, combined with the cup body, and comprising a man-machine control interface, wherein when driven, the man-machine control interface is used to sense a distance between the cup cover and the float, convert the distance to a plurality of water amount values, calculate a water intake amount according to the plurality of water amount values, and prompt a user according to the water intake amount.

2. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine control interface comprises:

at least one distance sensing module, sensing the distance between the cup cover and the float in a non-contact sensing manner;
a timer, for calculating time;
a memory, storing a plurality of time values and a plurality of corresponding suggested water intake amounts;
a controller, receiving and converting the distance to the water amount values, wherein when driven, the controller converts the plurality of received water amount values to a time interval and the corresponding water intake amount, and prompts the user after comparing the water intake amount and the time interval with the suggested water intake amount and the time value in the memory;
a press key module, for enabling the user to input a parameter value;
a display module, for displaying water intake amount information;
an alarming module, for generating a alarming effect to prompt the user; and
a power source module, for providing an electric power required by operation of the distance sensing module, the timer, the memory, the controller, the press key module, the display module, and the alarming module.

3. The water intake amount management device according to claim 2, wherein the parameter value comprises a water drinking time, a current time, an age, a weight, a gender, diseases, and a standard water intake amount.

4. The water intake amount management device according to claim 2, wherein the water intake amount information comprises a single water intake amount and a cumulative water intake amount.

5. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein a hole is opened in the cup cover.

6. The water intake amount management device according to claim 5, comprising a straw passing through the hole of the cup cover, such that the user sucks the water in the cup body.

7. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensing manner is infrared sensing, laser sensing, or ultrasonic sensing.

8. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the communicating tube is formed on an inner wall of the cup body.

9. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein a top end of the communicating tube is connected to the cup cover.

10. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust port is opened on a top end of the communicating tube.

11. The water intake amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the float is an inverted cone structure.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100163567
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 1, 2010
Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Hsinchu)
Inventors: Chung-Chien CHIANG (Taichung County), Hsing-Cheng CHANG (Taichung City)
Application Number: 12/372,882
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Drinking Device (220/703); Beverage (99/275)
International Classification: A47G 19/22 (20060101);