Drainage Fill-Level Sensing with Temperature Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices for determining liquid levels in drainage systems are prone to measurement errors due to weather influences and contamination, such as leaf deposition or soil contamination, which can cause short circuits and distort measurement results.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device comprising a conductor strip with insulated conductor strands and integrated temperature sensors, connected to a microcontroller for evaluating electrical properties and temperature measurements, allowing for reliable verification of fill levels by accounting for temperature variations caused by sedimentation or contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical contact elements are used to detect liquid level by short circuiting when submerged, then the measurement principle is simple and cost-effective, but measurement errors occur due to contamination and weather influences causing false short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature sensors as intermediary measurement elements that indirectly detect the state of the liquid level by measuring temperature differences caused by evaporation, conduction, and convection. This intermediary approach allows verification of contact element states without direct electrical contact, thereby preventing false measurements due to contamination while maintaining the simplicity of the original electrical short-circuit principle.
2Reliability
If temperature sensors are added to verify measurement states, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor strip is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the electrical contact element for level detection and as a thermal conduction path for temperature sensing. The same physical structure (conductor strip) is utilized for both electrical and thermal measurements, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensor housings or additional structural components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electrical contact function and temperature sensing function into a single integrated system. The conductor strip simultaneously provides electrical contact for level detection and thermal conduction for temperature measurement, merging two measurement functions into one unified structure. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
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
Enables reliable determination of liquid levels by detecting temperature deviations and sedimentation, facilitating corrective actions like cleaning processes and reducing measurement inaccuracies due to environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
at least two temperature sensors (10, 11) are assigned to the conductor strip (2)
Implementation Method 2
conductor strip (2) with at least two conductor strands (5, 6) extending in a longitudinal direction and electrically insulated from each other
Data Source
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AI summary
While it is generally known in the art to determine a fill level using a resistance decade box, it is not known how this can be used effectively for evaluating precipitation events in drainage systems. However, the present invention enables such a procedure to be used to gain further insights into the condition of the drainage system by considering at least two comparable temperature values in a lower and an upper region. These insights can be of great benefit both for interpreting the measurement results and for ensuring the operational readiness of the drainage system itself. This is achieved by a sensor device comprising a conductor strip with a resistance decade box, to which additional temperature sensors are assigned.By comparing the temperature values with each other and, if necessary, with other data, especially weather data, the aforementioned helpful insights can be gained.