Air Treatment Device Drain Pan Dirt Detection Using Light Emitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is difficult to determine the state of dirt on imaging targets, such as a drain pan, in image data captured by imaging devices, especially when the dirt color is similar to the drain pan's color, leading to unclear image data due to reflected light.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment device with a drain pan that includes a light emitter, emitting visible light from its surface, and an imaging device that captures images of the light emitter and acquires image data, using a dual operation method where the light source is turned on and off to differentiate between clean and dirty areas based on the presence and density of the emission color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging is used to capture images of the drain pan, then the imaging device can capture the overall structure, but it is difficult to determine the state of dirt when the dirt color is similar to the drain pan color
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is designed with a light emitter that emits visible light from its surface. The imaging device captures images of this light emitter, and by analyzing the presence and density of the emission color in the captured images, the state of dirt can be determined. This color-based detection method overcomes the limitation of conventional imaging where dirt color similarity to the drain pan color caused detection difficulties.
2Measurement precision
If a light emitter is added to the drain pan to improve dirt detection, then dirt presence and thickness can be accurately determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter is integrated into the drain pan structure, merging the detection function with the existing drain pan component. This combination approach allows the drain pan to serve dual purposes: its original drainage function and the new dirt detection function through the embedded light emitter, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pan with the light emitter performs self-detection of its own dirt state. The light emitter embedded in the drain pan enables the drain pan to autonomously provide detection information about its own condition, eliminating the need for separate external detection systems and reducing overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If dual operation method with light source on and off is used, then dirt location and thickness can be differentiated, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device performs dual operation by alternately capturing images with the light source on and off. This periodic action allows differentiation between dirt location and thickness: images with light on show the light emitter's emission, while images with light off show the underlying structure. The comparison of these periodic captures enables accurate dirt characterization without requiring complex real-time adjustment operations.
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 allows for accurate determination of dirt presence, location, thickness, and type on the drain pan, improving image clarity and reducing misidentification of dirt due to similar color tones, and helps prevent clogging of the drain pump's suction portion.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging target includes a light emitter configured to emit visible light from a surface of the imaging target
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging target includes a light emitter configured to emit visible light from a surface of the imaging target, and an imaging device captures an image of at least the light emitter of the imaging target and acquires image data including the light emitter.