Embedded Moisture Sensor Layout for Long-Life Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leakage detection systems are inefficient in terms of space and energy consumption, and often fail to provide reliable, long-term operation with minimal maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A leakage detector system comprising a moisture sensor embedded in an enclosing material, such as a moisture barrier, with a transmitter and charging unit, utilizing wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and NFC, and incorporating sensor wires for redundancy and efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a moisture sensor is embedded in an enclosing material like a moisture barrier, then the detection reliability is improved by placing the sensor on the dry side where leakage would be problematic, but the device complexity increases due to the embedding structure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is embedded within the enclosing material structure, with the moisture sensor positioned on the dry side of the moisture barrier. The transmitter and battery are integrated within the same housing, creating a nested configuration that improves detection reliability while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosing material acts as an intermediary structure that houses the sensor unit components. This mediator provides protection and structural integration, allowing the sensor to function reliably in the intended location while simplifying the overall installation process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and NFC are used, then the energy consumption is reduced enabling battery life exceeding 10 years, but the device complexity increases due to multiple communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic wireless communication instead of continuous transmission. The transmitter sends data packets at intervals, and the sensor unit wakes up periodically to check for moisture conditions. This periodic operation dramatically reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is designed to support multiple wireless communication protocols (BLE and NFC) within a single device. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware platform to serve different communication needs, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate devices for different protocols.
3Reliability
If sensor wires are incorporated for redundancy, then the reliability is improved through backup detection paths, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensor components
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensing elements: the primary moisture sensor and the sensor wires. Each segment can independently detect leakage conditions, providing redundancy. The segmentation allows failure of one element without compromising overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor wires are installed as a backup detection path before the primary sensor might fail. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the main moisture sensor becomes defective, the sensor wires provide continued detection capability, cushioning against total system failure.
4Volume of moving object
If the sensor unit is embedded in the moisture barrier, then the space utilization is improved by integrating the detector into the existing structure, but the ease of manufacture worsens due to embedding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is pre-assembled with the transmitter, battery, and moisture sensor integrated in a housing before being installed in the moisture barrier. This preliminary action simplifies the embedding process, as the entire sensor unit can be installed as a single component rather than assembling multiple parts in-situ.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosing material housing the sensor unit is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the moisture barrier structure. This flexible design allows the sensor unit to be integrated into various moisture barrier configurations without requiring rigid, complex embedding structures.
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 compact, energy-efficient leakage detection with a battery life exceeding 10 years, capable of real-time data transmission and early leak detection with reduced false alarms.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture sensor arranged on a sealed side of a moisture barrier
Implementation Method 2
utilizing wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and NFC
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a leakage detector system 1 comprising a sensor unit 2, said sensor unit 2 comprising a moisture sensor 20 and a transmitter, said leakage detector system also comprising an enclosing material 3 embedding the sensor unit 2.