Apparatus for sensing polar liquid

Abstract

According to the present disclosure, a device for sensing a polar liquid is provided, comprising a sensor that outputs a larger voltage signal as the content of the polar liquid mixed in the liquid increases, and a controller that determines that the polar liquid is contained in the non-polar liquid when the magnitude of the voltage signal exceeds a reference value, wherein the sensor may use a droplet-type sensor or a dipping-type sensor.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for sensing polar liquids. Background Technology

[0002] Liquids can be classified into polar and non-polar liquids. If the molecules composing a liquid are polar, it is classified as a polar liquid, and if the molecules composing it are non-polar, it is classified as a non-polar liquid. For example, water is classified as a polar liquid, while oil is classified as a non-polar liquid.

[0003] When refueling a vehicle with gasoline or diesel at a gas station, water may become mixed in. Since fuel storage facilities are located underground, water can mix in due to factors such as temperature differences. Alternatively, water may enter the fuel through the walls of the storage tank due to reasons such as damage to the facility. If gasoline or diesel mixed with water enters the engine, it can cause engine failure. To prevent accidents caused by water mixing in the fuel, it is necessary to determine whether water is present in the fuel. Prior art literature

[0004] (Patent Document 0001) KR 10-2011-0129876 A The problem to be solved

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device for sensing polar liquids is provided that can determine whether water is mixed in oil by utilizing a voltage signal generated when a droplet of oil and water mixed falls onto a sensor. means of solving the problem

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device for sensing a polar liquid may include a sensor that outputs a larger voltage signal as the content of the polar liquid mixed in the liquid increases, and a controller that determines that the polar liquid is contained in the non-polar liquid when the magnitude of the voltage signal exceeds a reference value.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the polar liquid comprises water, and the non-polar liquid may comprise one of gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, aviation fuel, marine fuel, crude oil, and edible oil.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the sensor may include a container for storing a liquid, a nozzle for discharging the liquid stored in the container in the form of a droplet, a substrate positioned at an angle with respect to the direction of falling from the nozzle, a first electrode formed on the substrate, an energy conversion layer formed on the substrate while covering the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the energy conversion layer and spaced apart from the first electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode may generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of polar liquid contained in the droplet as the droplet flows over the substrate.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the second electrode may be formed on a substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode, and the energy conversion layer may be formed on the substrate while covering the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the sensor comprises an energy conversion layer formed in the shape of a container that stores a liquid inside, a first electrode formed on the outer surface of the energy conversion layer, a second electrode positioned toward the interior of the container shape, and a driving unit that performs the operation of immersing one end of the second electrode in the liquid to a predetermined depth and the operation of removing the second electrode from the liquid.

[0011] The first electrode and the second electrode can generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of polar liquid contained in the liquid during the process in which one end of the second electrode is immersed in and removed from the liquid.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a plurality of unit electrodes composed of the first electrode and the second electrode may be arranged in parallel in the direction in which the liquid flows, and the controller may determine that the liquid contains a polar liquid if the average value of the magnitudes of the voltage signals output by the plurality of unit electrodes exceeds the reference value.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a plurality of unit structures composed of the energy conversion layer, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the driving unit may be arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the container shape, and the controller may determine that the non-polar liquid contains a polar liquid if the average value of the magnitudes of the voltage signals output from the plurality of unit structures exceeds the reference value.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the controller performs a plurality of measurements using the sensor, and if the average value of the magnitudes of the plurality of voltage signals exceeds the reference value, it can determine that the liquid contains a polar liquid.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the controller can determine the content of polar liquid contained in the droplet by determining which voltage range the magnitude of the voltage signal generated by the sensor belongs to among a plurality of voltage ranges matched with the content of polar liquid stored in advance.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the controller may further include a display unit that indicates to the user that a polar liquid is included based on a control signal output when the controller determines that the non-polar liquid contains a polar liquid.

[0017] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description based on the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. Effects of the invention

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily determine whether water is mixed in oil, such as gasoline or kerosene.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of water mixed in oil, such as gasoline or kerosene, can be measured. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a device for sensing polar liquid according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a droplet-type sensor according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the locations of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the energy conversion layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure in which both the first electrode and the second electrode are covered by an energy conversion layer according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a droplet-type sensor having a plurality of unit electrodes arranged according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a dipping type sensor according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of a dipping type sensor according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of a dipping type sensor in which a plurality of unit structures are arranged according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail (with reference to the attached drawings). However, this is merely illustrative and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described illustratively.

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a device (10) for sensing a polar liquid according to one embodiment.

[0025] According to one embodiment, a device (10) for sensing a polar liquid may include a sensor (20) that outputs a larger voltage signal as the content of the polar liquid (1) mixed in the liquid increases, and a controller (30) that determines that the polar liquid (1) is contained in the non-polar liquid (2) when the magnitude of the voltage signal exceeds a reference value.

[0026] The polar liquid (1) contains water, and the non-polar liquid (2) may contain one of gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, aviation fuel, marine fuel, crude oil, or edible oil. The polar liquid (1) may be mixed with the non-polar liquid (2) due to various causes. When the polar liquid (1) is mixed with the non-polar liquid (2) used for a specific purpose, it may be difficult to exhibit the performance expected of the non-polar liquid (2). A device (10) for sensing the polar liquid according to one embodiment has a simple structure, making it easy to manufacture and requiring a short time for inspection, so it can easily check whether the polar liquid (1) is mixed with the non-polar liquid (2). For example, if oil from a gas station is put into the sensor (20), it can be confirmed within a short time whether water is mixed with the oil.

[0027] The sensor (20) may include a first electrode (110), a second electrode (120), and an energy conversion layer (130) located between the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120). When a mixed liquid (3) in which a polar liquid (1) and a non-polar liquid (2) are mixed comes into contact with the energy conversion layer (130), the energy conversion layer (130) may be charged according to the content of the polar liquid (1). Accordingly, a voltage signal may be generated between the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120). That is, a voltage signal may be generated by triboelectricity.

[0028] The controller (30) can receive voltage signals generated by the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120). The controller (30) may include an A / D converter for measuring the magnitude of the voltage signal, a processor, memory, an input / output interface for receiving user input and outputting information, etc.

[0029] The controller (30) compares the magnitude of the voltage signal with a reference value and can determine that the polar liquid (1) is included if the magnitude of the voltage signal is higher than the reference value. The controller (30) can determine that the polar liquid (1) is not included if the magnitude of the voltage signal is equal to or smaller than the reference value.

[0030] Conversely, when a non-polar liquid (2) is included in the polar liquid (1), the sensor (20) can output a voltage signal smaller than the voltage signal that occurs when only the polar liquid (1) is present. Therefore, the controller (30) can determine whether the non-polar liquid (2) is mixed with the polar liquid (1) by comparing the voltage signal with a reference value. Although this document primarily focuses on determining whether the polar liquid (1) is mixed with the non-polar liquid (2), it can be understood that it is also possible to determine whether the non-polar liquid (2) is mixed with the polar liquid (1).

[0031] According to one embodiment, the device (10) for sensing polar liquid may further include a display unit (40) that indicates to the user that polar liquid (1) is included based on a control signal output by a controller (30) when it is determined that polar liquid (1) is included in the non-polar liquid (2).

[0032] The display unit (40) may include a display, a speaker, etc. The controller (30) may indicate to the user through the display unit (40) whether polar liquid (1) is included. The controller (30) may notify a designated target of whether polar liquid (1) is included via a wired or wireless network.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a droplet-type sensor (20A) according to one embodiment.

[0034] A droplet-type sensor (20A) may include a container (140) for storing liquid, a nozzle (150) for discharging liquid stored in the container (140) in the form of a droplet (4), a substrate (160) positioned in a tilted state with respect to the direction of falling from the nozzle (150), a first electrode (110) formed on the substrate (160), an energy conversion layer (130) formed on the substrate (160) while covering the first electrode (110), and a second electrode (120) formed on the energy conversion layer (130) and spaced apart from the first electrode (110), and the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) may generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of polar liquid (1) contained in the droplet (4) as the droplet (4) flows over the substrate (160).

[0035] The container (140) can store liquid inside at least temporarily. The liquid stored in the container (140) is the liquid that the user wants to test whether the polar liquid (1) is mixed. The user can input a non-polar liquid (2) that may contain the polar liquid (1) into the container (140). The user can input a polar liquid (1) that may contain the non-polar liquid (2) into the container (140). The user can input a mixed liquid (3) in which the polar liquid (1) and the non-polar liquid (2) are mixed into the container (140).

[0036] A nozzle (150) may be connected to the lower part of the container (140). The nozzle (150) may drop liquid stored in the container (140) in the form of droplets (4). The nozzle (150) may be formed in the form of a narrow tube connected to the container (140). The length and diameter of the nozzle (150) may be determined according to the physical properties of the polar liquid (1) or non-polar liquid (2) to be measured. The droplets (4) falling from the nozzle (150) may be directed toward a substrate (160) on which the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) are formed.

[0037] The substrate (160) may be positioned obliquely so that the droplet (4) falling from the nozzle (150) flows along one surface. A first electrode (110), a second electrode (120), and an energy conversion layer (130) may be formed on the substrate (160). The distance of the substrate (160) relative to the container (140) or the nozzle (150) may be relatively fixed so that the distance (D1) between the end of the nozzle (150) and the point where the droplet (4) falls is fixed. Thus, the distance (D1) until the droplet (4) falling from the nozzle (150) contacts the substrate (160) may be maintained constant.

[0038] The substrate (160) may be formed of silicon, glass, a polymer material, or ceramic. The polymer material substrate (160) may be a plastic substrate (160) or film comprising at least one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyarylate (PAR), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethersulfone (PES), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), or fiber reinforced plastics (FRP).

[0039] The ceramic substrate (160) may use a ceramic material comprising at least one of alumina (Al2O3), beryllia (BeO), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon carbide, mullite, or silicon. Additionally, a fabric material such as nylon, cotton, or polyester may be used as the substrate (160).

[0040] The first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) may be formed of a material having electrical conductivity. The first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) may constitute a unit electrode (170). The unit electrode generates a polarization phenomenon and generates electrical energy through a change in a contact state including a contact angle, contact surface, and contact area with the electrodes according to the flow of a predetermined liquid droplet on the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) which are patterned at intervals on the substrate (160). The first electrode (110) or the second electrode (120) may be composed of a conductive metal or a conductive fabric electrode in the form of copper, nickel, silver, etc. coated on the fabric.

[0041] The first electrode (110) or the second electrode (120) is an inorganic electrode comprising at least one of ITO, IGO, chromium, aluminum, IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide), ZnO, ZnO2, or TiO2, or a metal electrode comprising at least one of platinum, gold, silver, aluminum, iron, or copper, or PEDOT (polyethylenedioxythiophene), carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, polyacetylene, polythiophene (PT), polypyrrole, polyparaphenylene (PPV), polyaniline, polysulfur nitride, stainless steel, an iron alloy containing 10% or more chromium, SUS 304, SUS 316, SUS 316L, It may be an organic electrode comprising at least one of a Co-Cr alloy, a Ti alloy, nitinol (Ni-Ti), or polyparaphenylenevinylene.

[0042] The energy conversion layer (130) is composed of an inorganic layer and / or an organic layer stacked thereon. Preferably, the formation of this energy conversion layer (130) may be achieved using methods such as patterning, deposition, or spin coating.

[0043] The energy conversion layer (130) is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly(4-vinylphenol (PVP)) or polyethersulfone (PES), poly(4-methoxyphenylacrylate) (Poly(4-methoxyphenylacrylate; PMPA), poly(phenylacrylate; PPA), poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate) (Poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate; PTFMA), cyanoethylpullulan (CYEPL), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and poly(parabanic acid) resin. resin (PPA), poly(t-butylstyrene) (Poly(t-butylstyrene; PTBS), polythienylenevinylene (PTV), polyvinylacetate (PVA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (Poly(vinyl alcohol; PVA), poly(Rmethylstyrene) (Poly(Rmethylstyrene; PAMS), poly(vinyl alcohol)-co-poly(vinyl acetate)-co-poly(itaconic acid) (Poly(vinyl alcohol)-co-poly(vinyl acetate)-co-poly(itaconic acid); PVAIA), polyolefin, polyacrylate, parylene-C, polyimide, octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), poly(triarylamine) (Poly(triarylamine);PTTA), Poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT), cross-linked Poly-4-vinylphenol (cross-linked PVP), Poly(perfluoroalkenylvinyl ether), Nylon-6, n-Octadecylphosphonic acid;An organic layer comprising at least one of the following materials: ODPA, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, polyurethane, latex, cellulose acetate, PHEMA (poly(hydroxy ethyl methacrylate)), polylactide (PLA), PGA (polyglycolide), or PGLA (polyglycolide-co-lactide), and silicon oxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), tantalum (Ta2O5), tantalum pentoxide, zinc oxide (ZnO), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), cerium oxide (CeO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2). Barium titanate (BaTiO3), barium zirconate titanate (BZT), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), hafnium silicate (HfSiO4), lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3), silicon nitride (Si3N4), and perovskite materials include strontium titanate (SrTiO3), barium strontium titanate (BST), lead zirconate titanate (PZT), calcium copper titanate (CCTO), hafnium oxide (HfO2), and apatite (A; 10 (MO4)6(X)2), hydroxyapatite (Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2), tricalcium phosphate (Ca3() 42 )), Na 2O It may include an inorganic layer comprising at least one of CaO-SiO2 or bioglass (CaO-SiO2-P2O5). Furthermore, it is also possible to use polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), or perfluoroalkoxy copolymer.

[0044] The organic layer may be made of a material with a dielectric constant (K) of 4 or less, and the inorganic layer may be made of a material with a dielectric constant (K) of 5 or more. The inorganic layer and the organic layer are stacked on the first electrode (110) or the second electrode (120), and while the order does not matter, it is preferable that they be stacked adjacently. The energy conversion layer (130) may be formed by repeatedly stacking the inorganic layer and the organic layer.

[0045] A unit electrode including a first electrode (110) and a second electrode (120) and an energy conversion layer (130) generates energy according to a change in the contact state of a droplet (4). As the droplet (4) flows over the first electrode (110) or the second electrode (120), a change in capacitance occurs due to the change in the contact state, and a voltage signal can be generated from the movement of electrons that occurs to compensate for the potential difference generated by this.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the locations of the first electrode (110), the second electrode (120), and the energy conversion layer (130) according to one embodiment.

[0047] A first electrode (110) may be formed on a substrate (160). An energy conversion layer (130) may be formed on the substrate (160) to cover the first electrode (110). A second electrode (120) may be formed on the energy conversion layer (130). Since the second electrode (120) is formed on the energy conversion layer (130), a droplet (4) can come into direct contact with the second electrode (120).

[0048] A voltage signal is generated as the droplet (4) comes into contact with the second electrode (120), and a voltage signal in the opposite direction can be generated as the droplet (4) moves away from the second electrode (120) and passes through the first electrode (110). This voltage signal (V1) can be generated between the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) and input to the controller (30).

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure in which both the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) are covered by an energy conversion layer (130) according to one embodiment.

[0050] A first electrode (110) may be formed on a substrate (160), and a second electrode (120) may be formed on the substrate (160) and spaced apart from the first electrode (110). An energy conversion layer (130) may be formed on the substrate (160) while covering the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120). After the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) are spaced apart by a predetermined distance and formed on the substrate (160), the energy conversion layer (130) may be formed to cover both the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120).

[0051] As the droplet (4) falls and passes through the second electrode (120), a voltage signal is generated, and as the droplet (4) leaves the second electrode (120) and passes through the first electrode (110), a voltage signal in the opposite direction may be generated. This voltage signal (V2) can be generated between the first electrode (110) and the second electrode (120) and input to the controller (30).

[0052] Both the structure shown in FIG. 3 and the structure shown in FIG. 4 are available. In the structure shown in FIG. 3, since the droplet (4) can come into direct contact with the second electrode (120), the polar liquid (1) inside the droplet (4) can come into direct contact with the second electrode (120), so the magnitude of the voltage signal (V1) can be greater than the magnitude of the voltage signal (V2) generated in the structure of FIG. 4.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a droplet-type sensor (20A) having a plurality of unit electrodes (170) arranged according to one embodiment.

[0054] A plurality of unit electrodes (170), composed of a first electrode (110) and a second electrode (120), may be arranged in parallel in the direction in which the droplet (4) flows. A plurality of unit electrodes (170a, 170b, 170c) may be formed on a substrate (160). A plurality of unit electrodes (170a, 170b, 170c) may be formed in the structure shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. A plurality of unit electrodes (170a, 170b, 170c) may be positioned in parallel along the slope of the substrate (160) in the direction in which the droplet (4) flows. That is, a single droplet (4) may pass through a plurality of unit electrodes (170a, 170b, 170c).

[0055] When a droplet (4) passes through a plurality of unit electrodes (170a, 170b, 170c), a voltage signal can be output for each unit electrode (170a, 170b, 170c). For example, the first unit electrode (170a) includes the first electrode (110a) and the second electrode (120a) and can output a voltage signal (Va). The second unit electrode (170b) includes the first electrode (110b) and the second electrode (120b) and can output a voltage signal (Vb). The third unit electrode (170c) includes the first electrode (110c) and the second electrode (120c) and can output a voltage signal (Vc).

[0056] The controller (30) can determine that the liquid contains polar liquid (1) if the average value of the magnitudes of the voltage signals output by a plurality of unit electrodes (170) exceeds a reference value. Since errors in measurement may occur due to various causes, the controller (30) can reduce the error by using a method of averaging the voltage signals output by a plurality of unit electrodes (170).

[0057] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a dipping type sensor (20B) according to one embodiment.

[0058] A dipping type sensor (20) according to one embodiment comprises an energy conversion layer (230) formed in the shape of a container that stores liquid inside, a first electrode (210) formed on the outer surface of the energy conversion layer (230), a second electrode (220) positioned toward the inside of the container shape, and a driving unit (240) that performs the operation of immersing one end of the second electrode (220) in the liquid to a predetermined depth and the operation of removing the second electrode (220) from the liquid, and the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220) can generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of polar liquid (1) contained in the liquid during the process in which one end of the second electrode (220) is immersed in and removed from the liquid.

[0059] The energy conversion layer (230) may be formed in the shape of a container capable of storing liquid inside. Liquid may be stored at least temporarily inside the energy conversion layer (230), and a first electrode (210) may be formed on the outside of the energy conversion layer (230). The first electrode (210) may be formed to cover the outer surface of the energy conversion layer (230). A second electrode (220) is spaced apart from the first electrode (210), and the second electrode (220) may be immersed in the liquid stored in the container-shaped energy conversion layer (230).

[0060] When one end of the second electrode (220) is immersed in a liquid, the electrical capacitance between the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220) changes according to at least one change among the contact surface, contact angle, and contact area where the liquid and the energy conversion layer (230) come into contact, and a voltage signal can be generated. When one end of the second electrode (220) is immersed in a liquid, changes such as a change in the contact area and a change in the contact angle between the energy conversion layer (230) and the liquid occur, and this can generate a voltage signal between the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220).

[0061] The materials of the first electrode (210), the second electrode (220), and the energy conversion layer (230) have been described above, so they are omitted.

[0062] The depth (D1) at which one end of the second electrode (220) is immersed in the liquid is a fixed value. The second electrode (220) can be moved by a driving unit (240). The driving unit (240) can move the second electrode (220) in a direction (A1) of immersion in the liquid or in a direction (A2) of detachment from the liquid. The driving unit (240) may include a motor, an arm, a gear, a shaft, etc.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of a dipping type sensor (20B) according to one embodiment.

[0064] The driving unit (240) of the dipping type sensor (20B) can repeat the operation of immersing the second sensor (20) in a liquid to a predetermined depth and then removing it. When one end of the second sensor (20) is immersed in the liquid to a predetermined depth (D2), a voltage signal can be generated between the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220). When one end of the second sensor (20) is removed from the liquid, a voltage signal in the opposite direction can be generated between the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220).

[0065] The controller (30) can receive a voltage signal generated by the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220). The controller (30) compares the magnitude of the voltage signal with a reference value and can determine that the polar liquid (1) is included if the magnitude of the voltage signal is higher than the reference value. The controller (30) can determine that the polar liquid (1) is not included if the magnitude of the voltage signal is equal to or smaller than the reference value.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of a dipping type sensor (20B) in which a plurality of unit structures are arranged according to one embodiment.

[0067] A unit structure composed of an energy conversion layer (230), a first electrode (210), a second electrode (220), and a driving unit (240) can be arranged in multiple parallel in a lateral direction in the form of a container (140). A single driving unit (240) can operate multiple second electrodes (220) of multiple unit structures collectively. Multiple first electrodes (210) can be spaced apart from each other between unit structures. Multiple second electrodes (220) can also be spaced apart from each other. Substantially, one unit structure can be considered a single dipping type sensor (20B), and multiple unit structures can be considered multiple dipping type sensors (20B).

[0068] The controller (30) can determine that the polar liquid (1) is included in the non-polar liquid (2) if the average value of the magnitudes of the voltage signals output from multiple unit structures exceeds a reference value. Since errors in measurement may occur due to various causes, the controller (30) can reduce the error by using a method of averaging the voltage signals output from multiple unit structures.

[0069] As described, the device (10) for sensing polar liquid according to one embodiment may utilize two structures: a droplet-type sensor (20A) and a dipping-type sensor (20B). Regardless of the type of sensor (20), the controller (30) may perform multiple measurements and average the magnitudes of multiple voltage signals.

[0070] The controller (30) can perform multiple measurements using the sensor (20), and if the average value of the magnitudes of multiple voltage signals exceeds a reference value, it can determine that the liquid contains polar liquid (1).

[0071] For example, even if multiple unit electrodes (170) are not formed, if droplets (4) fall from the nozzle (150) multiple times, the droplet-type sensor (20A) can output voltage signals multiple times. Also, even if multiple unit structures (dipping-type sensor (20B)) are not formed, if the driving unit (240) performs the operation of dipping the second electrode (220) multiple times, the dipping-type sensor (20B) can output voltage signals multiple times. The controller (30) receives multiple voltage signals being output in sequence, stores them at least temporarily, and can average the multiple voltage signals.

[0072] The controller (30) can determine the amount of polar liquid (1) contained in the droplet (4) by determining which voltage range the magnitude of the voltage signal generated by the sensor (20) belongs to among a plurality of voltage ranges matched with the amount of polar liquid (1) stored in advance.

[0073] The controller (30) can store multiple voltage ranges. Each of the multiple voltage ranges can be matched with a corresponding polar liquid (1) content. When the magnitude of the voltage signal received from the sensor (20) falls within a specific voltage range, the controller (30) can determine that the liquid contains a polar liquid (1) in an amount equal to the polar liquid (1) content that matches the specific voltage range.

[0074] The content of the polar liquid (1) can also be expressed as a range. For example, if the voltage range is from x1 (V) to x2 (V), the content of the polar liquid (1) can be matched as a range from y1 (%) to y2 (%). The controller (30) can display the content of the polar liquid (1) to the user through the display unit (40).

[0075] The controller (30) can compare the maximum magnitude of the voltage signal with a reference value. The controller (30) receives the voltage signal output by the sensor (20) using an ADC, stores the maximum magnitude at least temporarily, and compares it with a reference value.

[0076] Since the magnitude of the voltage signal output by the sensor (20) is proportional to the content of the polar liquid (1), the reference value used to determine whether the polar liquid (1) is included in the non-polar liquid (2) and the reference value used to determine whether the polar liquid (1) is included in the non-polar liquid (2) are different. In addition, to determine whether the polar liquid (1) is included in the non-polar liquid (2), when the controller (30) compares the magnitude of the voltage signal with the reference value, if the magnitude of the voltage signal is smaller than the reference value, it can be determined that the polar liquid (1) is included in the non-polar liquid (2). The reference value may be determined differently depending on the intended use of the polar liquid (1) and the non-polar liquid (2). For example, having about 2% water mixed in the oil at a gas station may not be a relatively big problem, but having about 20% water mixed in the oil may be a problem. Therefore, the reference value may be determined in advance according to the characteristics of the liquid being inspected.

[0077] By using the device (10) for sensing polar liquid according to the described embodiment, the user can conveniently check in a short time whether water is mixed with oil. Conversely, the user can also check whether oil is mixed with water. In the sensor (20), the first electrode (110, 210), the second electrode (120, 220), and the energy conversion layer (130, 230) are configured to be replaceable so that they can be used as disposables. The unit cost of the disposable sensor (20) can be lowered by mass production.

[0078] The present disclosure has been described in detail through specific embodiments. The description above is merely an example of applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other configurations may be further included without departing from the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0079] 1: Polar liquid 2: Non-polar liquids 3: Mixed liquid 4: Droplet 10: Device for sensing polar liquids 20: Sensor 30: Controller 40: Display unit 20A: Droplet sensor 110: First electrode 120: Second electrode 130: Energy conversion layer 140: Container 150: Nozzle 160: Substrate 170: Unit electrode 20B: Dipping type sensor 210: First electrode 220: Second electrode 230: Energy conversion layer 240: Drive unit

Claims

Claim 1 A device for sensing polar liquid, comprising: a sensor that outputs a larger voltage signal as the content of polar liquid mixed in the liquid increases; and a controller that determines that polar liquid is contained in a non-polar liquid when the magnitude of the voltage signal exceeds a reference value, wherein the sensor comprises: a container for storing liquid; a nozzle for discharging the liquid stored in the container in the form of a droplet; a substrate positioned in a tilted state with respect to the direction of falling from the nozzle; a first electrode formed on the substrate; an energy conversion layer formed on the substrate while covering the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on the energy conversion layer and spaced apart from the first electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of polar liquid contained in the droplet as the droplet flows over the substrate. Claim 2 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 1, wherein the polar liquid comprises water and the non-polar liquid comprises one of gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, aviation fuel, marine fuel, crude oil, and edible oil. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is formed on a substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode, and the energy conversion layer is formed on the substrate while covering the first electrode and the second electrode. Claim 5 A device for sensing polar liquid, comprising: a sensor that outputs a larger voltage signal as the content of polar liquid mixed in the liquid increases; and a controller that determines that polar liquid is contained in a non-polar liquid when the magnitude of the voltage signal exceeds a reference value, wherein the sensor comprises: an energy conversion layer formed in the shape of a container that stores liquid inside; a first electrode formed on the outer surface of the energy conversion layer; a second electrode positioned toward the interior of the container shape; and a driving unit that performs the operation of immersing one end of the second electrode in the liquid to a predetermined depth and the operation of removing the second electrode from the liquid, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of polar liquid contained in the liquid during the process in which one end of the second electrode is immersed in and removed from the liquid. Claim 6 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of unit electrodes composed of a first electrode and a second electrode are arranged in parallel in the direction in which the liquid flows, and the controller determines that the liquid contains a polar liquid when the average value of the magnitudes of the voltage signals output by the plurality of unit electrodes exceeds the reference value. Claim 7 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of unit structures composed of an energy conversion layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a driving unit are arranged in parallel in the lateral direction of the container shape, and the controller determines that the non-polar liquid contains a polar liquid when the average value of the magnitudes of the voltage signals output from the plurality of unit structures exceeds the reference value. Claim 8 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the controller performs a plurality of measurements using the sensor and determines that the liquid contains a polar liquid when the value obtained by averaging the magnitudes of the plurality of voltage signals exceeds the reference value. Claim 9 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines which voltage range the magnitude of the voltage signal generated by the sensor belongs to among a plurality of voltage ranges matched with a pre-stored polar liquid content, and determines the polar liquid content contained in the droplet. Claim 10 A device for sensing a polar liquid according to claim 1 or 5, further comprising a display unit that indicates to a user that a polar liquid is included based on a control signal output by the controller when it determines that the non-polar liquid contains a polar liquid.

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