Ellipsoid Droplet Sensor Uniform Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing droplet sensors face challenges in manufacturing due to complex shapes and achieve non-uniform detection sensitivity, making it difficult to accurately detect droplets like raindrops across varying areas.

Innovation Solution

A droplet sensor with an optical cover having an ellipsoid surface, a light source at one focal point, and a light detector at the other, utilizing a transmission scattering surface to achieve uniform detection sensitivity by adjusting the eccentricity of the spheroid to maximize the effective detection area, ensuring total reflection conditions are met with gas but not with liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex shape is used for the optical element to achieve uniform detection sensitivity, then the detection precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivity uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an ellipsoidal optical element with a specific curvature profile defined by the equation x²/a² + y²/b² + z²/c² = 1. This curved surface geometry enables uniform light reflection across the detection area, achieving consistent detection sensitivity while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding techniques for curved surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters of the ellipsoid (semi-axes lengths a, b, and c) to achieve uniform detection sensitivity. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves both uniform detection performance and ease of manufacture through standard fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the detection area is increased to detect droplets across a larger area, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection area coverageVSAvoidshape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ellipsoidal shape with its mathematically defined curvature allows the optical element to maintain a relatively simple geometric form while providing a large effective detection area. The smooth continuous surface of the ellipsoid avoids complex features that would difficult to manufacture, enabling both large coverage and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The ellipsoidal optical element serves multiple functions: it reflects light uniformly across a large detection area, maintains structural integrity, and can be manufactured using standard processes. This multi-functionality allows the single component to achieve both large detection area and manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables a highly sensitive and easily manufacturable droplet sensor with uniform detection sensitivity, capable of accurately detecting droplets across a large area, including raindrops, condensation, and ink, by optimizing the irradiance distribution and refractive index considerations.

Implementation Method 1

an optical cover (2) having an ellipsoid surface (2a) which is a portion of a spheroid, a light source (3) disposed at or in proximity to a first focal point of the ellipsoid surface (2a), and a light detector (4) disposed at or in proximity to a second focal point of the ellipsoid surface (2a). The ellipsoid surface (2a) includes an effective detection area configured to reflect light emitted by the light source (3) toward the light detector (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The hemispherical surface includes a transmission scattering surface on a region that receives the light reflected by the effective detection area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS11486827B2Droplet sensor
Publication Date: 2022.11.01 MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • US11486827B2 patent drawing
  • US11486827B2 patent drawing
  • US11486827B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A droplet sensor includes an optical cover having an ellipsoid surface that is a portion of a spheroid, a light source disposed at or in proximity to a first focal point of the ellipsoid surface, and a light detector disposed at or in proximity to a second focal point of the ellipsoid surface. The ellipsoid surface includes an effective detection area configured to reflect light emitted by the light source toward the light detector, and an amount of light reflected by the effective detection area changes in accordance with adhesion of droplets on the ellipsoid surface. The optical cover includes a space having a hemispherical surface, the space being centered at the second focal point. The hemispherical surface includes a transmission scattering surface on a region that receives the light reflected by the effective detection area.