Non-Contact Fluid Level Sensor Shielding for Noise Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid level sensing technologies often require electrical contact with the fluid, which can be impractical or unsafe in certain applications, and are sensitive to temperature and external noise.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact fluid level sensor system using sensor electrodes, traces, and shield elements with consistent parasitic capacitance characteristics to reduce sensitivity to temperature and noise, employing self-capacitance measurement for precise fluid level determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical contact sensing is used for fluid level detection, then the sensing mechanism is simple, but it becomes impractical or unsafe in certain applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical contact-based sensing with a non-contact capacitive sensing system. The sensor uses sensor traces and shield traces to create an electric field that interacts with the fluid without physical contact, eliminating safety concerns while maintaining sensing capability through measurement of parasitic capacitance changes
2Device complexity
If conventional fluid level sensing is used, then the device structure is simple, but it becomes sensitive to temperature and external noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shield traces as intermediary elements between sensor traces and the environment. These shield traces are connected to ground and create a controlled electric field that blocks external noise and reduces temperature sensitivity, allowing the sensor to reliably measure fluid level through parasitic capacitance changes without direct environmental interference
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is segmented into multiple components: sensor traces for detection, shield traces for protection, and ground connections for reference. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function - the sensor traces measure capacitance changes while the shield traces actively protect against interference, improving overall reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-contact sensing is implemented, then safety and practicality improve, but the sensor requires additional shield elements and traces
Solution Approach 1:
The shield traces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as electromagnetic shields to block external noise, provide a reference plane for capacitance measurement, and reduce temperature sensitivity. This multi-functionality allows the non-contact sensing system to achieve high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
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 accurate and reliable fluid level detection with reduced sensitivity to temperature and external noise, suitable for various applications including vehicles, consumer products, and industrial systems.
Implementation Method 1
employing self-capacitance measurement for precise fluid level determination
Implementation Method 2
with consistent parasitic capacitance characteristics to reduce sensitivity to temperature and noise
Data Source
AI summary
One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods are provided. In an embodiment of the techniques presented herein, a fluid sensor has a sensor electrode, a first sensor trace connected to the sensor electrode, a second sensor trace adjacent the first sensor trace, a first ground electrode adjacent a first edge of the sensor electrode, a second ground electrode adjacent a second edge of the sensor electrode opposite the first edge, a first shield trace adjacent the first sensor trace, and a second shield trace adjacent the second sensor trace.