Optical Operating Fluid Detection Using Deflected Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held gardening, forestry, and construction processing devices lack effective optical detection systems for operating fluids, such as lubricants, which can lead to unnoticed depletion or contamination, potentially causing equipment failure and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical operating fluid detector is designed with a light source, an operating fluid line, and a light receiver, featuring an optical deflection device that allows for directional deflection of light beams, enabling automatic detection of operating fluid presence or absence, even with low or unknown absorption properties, and includes a circuit board for spatial flexibility and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a light source, operating fluid line, and light receiver are arranged in a straight line for optical detection, then the detection setup is simple, but the spatial arrangement flexibility is limited and cannot accommodate various orientations
Solution Approach 1:
A deflection device is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the operating fluid line. This deflection device redirects light beams at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to achieve optimal optical interaction with the fluid while allowing flexible spatial arrangement of the detector components relative to each other and to the fluid line.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light source, operating fluid line, and light receiver are fixed in a specific orientation, then the optical detection is straightforward, but adaptability to different fluid types with varying light absorption properties is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements, including variable angle deflection devices and adjustable light receiver positions, allowing the system to adapt its optical path configuration based on the specific detection requirements of different fluid types with varying light absorption characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for changing key optical parameters such as light beam angle, distance between components, and receiver sensitivity settings to optimize detection performance for different operating fluids with unknown or varying light absorption properties.
3Reliability
If manual monitoring of operating fluid levels is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of equipment operation decreases due to unnoticed depletion or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system enables automatic monitoring of operating fluid levels and conditions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates by continuously detecting fluid presence and triggering appropriate alerts or shutdowns, thereby improving equipment reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated operation.
4Volume of moving object
If the light source and light receiver are positioned close to each other for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the optical interaction path length with the operating fluid is insufficient for reliable detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses deflection devices to extend the optical path length in a direction perpendicular to the compact detector housing dimensions. By redirecting light beams through multiple passes or at angled trajectories along the fluid line, the system achieves sufficient interaction path length for reliable detection while maintaining a compact overall detector volume.
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 system provides reliable and user-friendly detection of operating fluid levels, reducing the risk of equipment failure by automatically outputting signals based on fluid presence or absence, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing maintenance interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
The operating fluid line, in particular an inner surface of the operating fluid line, is designed or configured, in particular aligned and/or shaped, for the optical detection of operating fluid, in particular for the various deflection, in particular directional deflection, of light rays
Implementation Method 2
at least one deflection device. This at least one deflection device is designed or configured to deflect, in particular redirect, light beams
Implementation Method 3
a light receiver, in particular an electrical one... The light receiver is designed or configured for the, in particular automatic, different reception of, in particular interacting, light beams
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical operating fluid detector (1) for the optical detection of operating fluid (BF) for a hand-held gardening, forestry and/or construction equipment (50), wherein the operating fluid detector (1) comprises: - a light source (2), wherein the light source (2) is configured to emit light rays (aLS), - an operating fluid line (3), wherein the operating fluid line (3) is configured for the optical interaction of light rays (aLS) from the light source (2) with operating fluid (BF) in the operating fluid line (3) for the optical detection of operating fluid (BF), - a light receiver (4), wherein the light receiver (4) is configured for the differential reception of light rays (tLS) from the operating fluid line (3) depending on the presence or absence of operating fluid (BF) in the operating fluid line (3), characterized in that- that the operating fluid detector (1) has at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b), wherein the at least one deflection device (5a, 5b) is configured to deflect light beams (aLS) from the light source (2) to the operating fluid line (3) and/or to deflect light beams (tLS) from the operating fluid line (3) to the light receiver (4), and/or - that the operating fluid line (3) is configured to deflect light beams (aLS) from the light source (2) differently depending on the presence or absence of operating fluid (BF) in the operating fluid line (3) for the optical detection of operating fluid (BF).