Capacitive Wheel Well Sensor for Water Depth Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water depth detection technologies in vehicles, such as ultrasonic sensors, lack precision and consume high power, making it difficult for drivers to determine safe passage through flooded terrain, which can lead to engine flooding or stalling.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive depth sensor system integrated into the vehicle's wheel well, utilizing capacitive sensors and a processor to detect changes in the electrostatic field caused by water, with low power consumption and the ability to differentiate between water and other substances, and provide accurate water depth measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensors are used to detect water depth, then water depth detection capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasonic sensors with capacitive sensors to detect water depth. The capacitive sensor system uses electrical fields rather than mechanical ultrasonic waves, enabling lower power consumption while achieving higher measurement precision through direct electrical field interaction with water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from ultrasonic wave reflection to capacitive coupling between the sensor and water. By measuring changes in capacitance caused by water's dielectric properties, the system achieves both high precision and low power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If capacitive sensors are integrated into wheel well molding, then measurement precision and power efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capacitive sensor directly into the wheel well molding structure, combining the sensor function with the existing vehicle body component. This integration approach reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel well molding serves dual purposes: as a structural vehicle body component and as a housing for the capacitive sensor. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating separate sensor housings and mounting structures.
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
The capacitive depth sensor system provides precise water depth detection with low power consumption, enabling drivers to avoid engine flooding and stalling, and includes a cleansing mechanism to maintain sensor accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensing mechanism including capacitive sensor pads integrated into a plastic wheel well
Implementation Method 2
detects rising and/or falling levels of liquids and/or solids within the plastic wheel well, in response to changes in an electrostatic field generated by the sensing mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for detecting a water depth level using capacitive sensors. The systems and methods disclosed herein receive a first capacitive signal from a first capacitive sensor in a wheel well of a vehicle. The systems and methods may determine that the first capacitive signal is not below a threshold value. The systems and methods display an image in a cab of the vehicle, wherein the image corresponds to a water depth level associated with the first capacitive signal. The systems and methods receive a second capacitive signal from a second capacitive sensor corresponding to a rising water level. The systems and methods display a warning message, on a display, indicating the rising water level.