Crossed Linear Light Source Optical Detection for Liquid Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water dispensers and coffee makers cannot detect the volume of a container or the liquid surface within it, leading to potential water leakage issues, as they rely on proximity and ultrasonic sensors that fail to measure these parameters effectively.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection device is developed, comprising a first and second linear light source, an optical sensor array, and a processor that projects and analyzes long strip illumination and detection beams to determine the relative distance and volume of a target container, including the liquid surface, by analyzing intensity distribution and using stored optical parameters for accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional proximity sensors or ultrasonic sensors are used to detect container position, then the device can detect whether the container is in the right position, but it cannot detect the volume of the container or the liquid surface level
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor array is divided into multiple independent sensing units arranged in an array, where each unit detects light intensity at a specific position. This segmentation allows the system to capture spatial distribution of reflected light, enabling both container position detection and liquid surface level measurement simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-based detection (proximity sensors) to area-based detection (optical sensor array). By projecting a long strip illumination beam and capturing the reflected light distribution across multiple sensor elements, the system adds spatial dimensionality to the detection process, enabling volume and liquid surface detection in addition to position detection.
2Reliability
If no optical detection device is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the user must manually watch the container to prevent water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection device performs multiple functions using a unified system: container presence detection, container position verification, volume measurement, and liquid surface level detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection mechanisms and provides comprehensive monitoring to prevent water leakage automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual visual monitoring (mechanical/human operation) with an automated optical detection system. The processor analyzes light intensity distribution from the optical sensor array to automatically determine container and liquid surface positions, eliminating the need for users to manually watch the container.
3Measurement precision
If a single light source and sensor are used, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision for volume and liquid surface detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor array segments the detection area into multiple measurement points along the long strip illumination beam. Each sensor element provides independent intensity measurement, and the processor analyzes the spatial distribution pattern to precisely determine liquid surface level and container volume with high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The long strip illumination beam creates a distributed optical pattern that is reflected from different heights within the container. The optical sensor array captures this reflected pattern, creating an optical copy of the container's internal structure that the processor can analyze to extract precise volume and liquid surface information.
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 device effectively detects the size and liquid level in a container, preventing leakage by providing precise volume and liquid surface measurements, enhancing the functionality of water dispensers and coffee makers.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor array is adapted to receive a first long strip detection beam and a second long strip detection beam reflected from the target container
Data Source
AI summary
An optical detection device includes a first linear light source, a second linear light source, an optical sensor array and a processor. The first linear light source is adapted to project a first long strip illumination beam onto the target container. The second linear light source is adapted to project a second long strip illumination beam onto the target container, and the second long strip illumination beam is crossed with the first long strip illumination beam. The optical sensor array is adapted to receive a first long strip detection beam and a second long strip detection beam reflected from the target container. The processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor array. The processor is adapted to analyze intensity distribution of the first long strip detection beam and the second long strip detection beam to acquire a relative distance between the optical sensor array and the target container.