Fluid Level and Quality Sensor Using Ultrasonic and Conductive Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for determining the quality of fluids, such as deionized or demineralized water for internal combustion engines, lack precision and reliability in assessing fluid purity and contamination, particularly in detecting electrical properties.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating electrically controllable electrodes in direct contact with the fluid, combined with ultrasonic sound transducers and a control unit, to independently determine fluid level and quality by measuring electrical properties and sound velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic sensors are used to detect fluid level, then the fluid level can be determined non-contactly, but the fluid quality and purity cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is designed to perform multiple functions: ultrasonic transducers measure fluid level non-contactly, while additional electrodes in direct contact with the fluid measure electrical conductivity and temperature. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to determine both fluid level and fluid quality, resolving the contradiction between non-contact level measurement and quality detection capability
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are added to detect electrical properties of fluid, then fluid quality determination is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines ultrasonic transducers and electrical contact sensors (electrodes) into a single integrated sensor device. The control unit processes signals from both ultrasonic measurements and electrical property measurements, enabling comprehensive fluid monitoring (level and quality) without requiring separate independent systems, thus managing complexity while enhancing measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensor is used to measure fluid temperature, then fluid quality assessment is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes serve dual purposes: measuring electrical conductivity for fluid quality assessment and measuring temperature for fluid condition evaluation. By making the electrodes multi-functional, the device reduces the need for separate dedicated temperature sensors, thereby improving measurement precision while managing energy consumption through shared sensor resources
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 simple, reliable, and precise monitoring of fluid quality, ensuring correct fluid composition and detecting contamination, such as salts, during refueling.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic waves, and the level is determined based on the sound waves reflected from the oil surface and their travel time
Implementation Method 2
it can be advantageous to use a temperature sensor to measure the fluid's temperature, which is then correlated with the speed of sound determined using a provided reference distance
Implementation Method 3
These electrodes are in direct contact with the fluid and are designed to detect the fluid's electrical properties
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (100) and a method for determining a fluid level and the quality of a fluid in a fluid container. The device comprises: a fluid level determining device (110) for determining the fluid level, with at least one sound transducer (112); a fluid quality determining device (114) for determining the quality of the fluid with two electrodes (122, 124) which are designed to be in direct contact with the fluid and to sense electrical properties of the fluid; two electrically conductive functional elements (140), which are each designed to provide a main function independent of determining the fluid level and the quality of the fluid; and a control unit (130), which is designed to determine the fluid level and the quality of the fluid. The at least two electrodes (122, 124) are electrically connected to the control unit (130) via the at least two functional elements (140).