Electrostatic Liquid Presence Detection for Compact Low-Power Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detection methods, such as float, optical, ultrasonic, capacitive, and resistive sensors, are bulky, expensive, require high computational resources, have low sensitivity, and high power consumption, making them unsuitable for accurate and scalable liquid level measurement and leak detection.
Innovation Solution
A detection device using a processing module, reference electrode, and sensing electrodes that measure electric and/or electrostatic charge variations, employing a bias circuit to filter noise and accurately detect liquid presence through charge variation signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive sensors are used to detect liquid presence, then measurement can be performed, but the sensor becomes bulky and cumbersome due to fixed capacitor design constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical capacitor structure with an electrostatic field-based detection system using a sensing electrode and reference electrode. Instead of using a physical capacitor with fixed plates, the system uses voltage application and charge variation measurement to detect liquid presence, eliminating the need for bulky capacitor components while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from capacitance measurement to voltage/charge variation measurement. By applying a voltage between sensing and reference electrodes and measuring the resulting charge variations, the system achieves liquid detection without being constrained by fixed capacitor geometry, enabling miniaturization.
2Measurement precision
If resistive sensors are used to detect liquid presence, then detection can be performed, but power consumption becomes high due to bias current requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic voltage application and charge variation measurement instead of continuous bias current. The sensing electrode is periodically activated with voltage pulses, and charge variations are measured during these periods, reducing average power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy through time-multiplexed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the resistive measurement system with an electrostatic field-based system. Instead of measuring resistance changes through bias current, the system uses voltage application and charge variation detection, eliminating the need for continuous current flow and associated power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensors are used to measure liquid level, then measurement can be performed, but high computational resources are required for data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic acoustic field system with an electrostatic field-based detection system. Instead of using ultrasonic waves and complex signal processing to measure liquid level, the system uses electric field interactions with the liquid to directly detect presence and level, eliminating the need for complex computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical charge variation as a direct copy or equivalent of the liquid presence condition. Rather than measuring physical distance through ultrasonic travel time and requiring complex processing, the system directly translates liquid presence into electrical charge variations that can be easily processed.
4Measurement precision
If float sensors are used to detect liquid level, then measurement can be performed, but the sensor becomes bulky and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical float-based detection system with an electrostatic field-based system. Instead of using a physical float that moves with liquid level and requires mechanical linkages, the system uses electric field interactions to detect liquid presence and level, eliminating mechanical components and achieving both miniaturization and improved accuracy.
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 solution provides accurate, scalable, low-power, and cost-effective detection of liquid presence and level, reducing false positives and enabling efficient detection of leaks, suitable for containers and machinery surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
detect an environmental electric and/or electrostatic charge variation indicative of the presence of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a liquid on a main surface of a body. The method is performed through a detection device including a processing module, a reference electrode at a reference electric voltage and a first sensing electrode on the main surface and configurated to detect an environmental electric and/or electrostatic charge variation indicative of the presence of the liquid. The method includes the steps of: biasing the first sensing electrode to a bias electric voltage; while the first sensing electrode is at the bias electric voltage, acquiring a first charge variation signal indicative of the electric and/or electrostatic charge variation detected by the first sensing electrode; verifying whether the first charge variation signal is indicative of the presence of the liquid on the main surface, at the first sensing electrode; and, if it is, determining the presence of the liquid on the main surface at the first sensing electrode.