Capacitive Condensed-Water Sensing for Air Conditioner Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners face issues with water level sensing devices malfunctioning due to foreign matter attachment and inability to accurately detect condensed water levels, leading to inefficient drainage pump operation.

Innovation Solution

A method using a water level sensing device installed in a condensed water partition wall, which senses capacitance through electrode pads without contacting the water, allowing for accurate level detection and control of the drainage pump based on sensed data, including calculation of condensed water generation per unit time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the water level sensing device directly contacts the condensed water to sense the water level, then the sensing function is achieved, but foreign matter attaches to the float causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater level sensing reliabilityVSAvoidforeign matter attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (capacitive sensing through electrode pads in the partition wall) that allows the sensing device to detect water level without direct contact with condensed water. The electrode pads sense capacitance changes caused by water proximity, enabling reliable detection while preventing foreign matter attachment to the sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical float-based magnetic sensing system with a capacitive sensing system using electrode pads. This substitution eliminates the mechanical float that would直接接触 condensed water and accumulate foreign matter, while maintaining accurate water level detection capability through electrical field sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If the magnetic sensor senses only when the float reaches a predetermined height, then the sensing mechanism is simple, but the condensed water level detection is inaccurate for drainage control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing mechanism complexityVSAvoidcondensed water level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensing function into multiple electrode pads positioned at different heights in the partition wall. Each electrode pad can detect water level at its specific position, providing segmented measurement points that enable more accurate determination of water level and drainage timing compared to a single predetermined height threshold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the drainage pump operates based on predetermined water level thresholds, then the control logic is simple, but the pump cannot adapt to varying condensed water generation rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage control simplicityVSAvoidadaptation to water generation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the capacitive sensing data from multiple electrode pads continuously monitors condensed water accumulation rate. The control system uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust drainage pump operation timing and duration, adapting to varying water generation rates while maintaining simple overall control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables precise control of the drainage pump, reducing noise and power consumption, preventing malfunctions from foreign matter, and optimizing drainage operations based on real-time condensed water levels and generation rates.

Implementation Method 1

a water level sensing device installed in a condensed water partition wall defining a condensed water storage part, in a state of not contacting condensed water, for sensing capacitance of the condensed water through a plurality of electrode pads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2985543B1Method of controlling air conditioner and air conditioner controlled thereby

Publication Date: 2019.10.23 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

Disclosed is a method of controlling an air conditioner including a step of sensing the capacitance of condensed water through a plurality of electrode pads to sense the level of condensed water stored in a condensed water storage part during cooling, a step of comparing the sensed level of the condensed water with a drainage level stored in a memory, and a step of, upon determining that the sensed level of the condensed water is within an error range of the drainage level, operating a drainage pump. A water level detecting device of the air conditioner more accurately senses the level of condensed water based on the capacitance of the condensed water, thereby effectively controlling the drainage pump.