Fluid Sensor Housing With Integrated Reflecting Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor devices for optically detecting fluid characteristics, such as turbidity in washing machines, have complex and costly production processes due to separately manufactured reflecting surfaces in the appendages of the housing.

Innovation Solution

The reflecting surfaces are integrated into the housing appendages during the injection molding process, allowing the optical path to extend at an angle, preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal directions, eliminating the need for additional components and simplifying production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If reflecting surfaces are manufactured separately and mounted in the appendages, then the optical beam can be deflected along the longitudinal direction of the appendages, but the production process becomes complicated and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidnumber of separate components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflecting surfaces are merged with the appendages of the housing by making them integrally formed during the injection molding process. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of reflecting surfaces, directly reducing production complexity and cost while maintaining the optical beam deflection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If the optical path extends in a plane parallel to the longitudinal directions of the appendages, then the beam transmission is straightforward, but the production complexity increases due to separate reflecting surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical path is reoriented to extend in a plane at an angle (preferably orthogonal) to the longitudinal directions of the appendages. This dimensional change in the optical path configuration, combined with integrally formed reflecting surfaces, simplifies the overall structure and reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If separate reflecting surfaces are used in the appendages, then the optical function can be achieved, but additional components and assembly steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflecting surfaces are integrated into the appendages of the housing as a single monolithic structure formed during injection molding. This merging of functions maintains the optical beam deflection capability while eliminating separate components, thereby improving reliability by reducing potential failure points from assembly interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach reduces production costs and complexity while maintaining optical performance, enabling efficient detection of fluid characteristics with improved beam orientation and reduced unnecessary radiation effects.

Implementation Method 1

first and second optoelectronic devices capable of transmitting and receiving radiation, respectively, mounted in the housing, in the first and second appendages, which are at least partially made of a material transparent to said radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

sensor device for optically detecting the characteristics of a fluid, such as the turbidity of the washing bath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbidity detection: Tyndall Effect

Implementation Method 3

the arrangement being such that in use a radiation beam transmitted by the first optoelectronic device propagates in an optical path which includes a portion crossing the fluid between said appendages and reaches the second optoelectronic device, wherein said optical path comprises at least one reflecting surface adapted to deflect the radiation beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10184889B2Sensor device for optically detecting characteristics of a fluid

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 ELBI INT

AI summary

A sensor device for optically detecting characteristics of a fluid. The device includes a housing with a base portion from which first and second appendages extend at least partially facing one another, and between which in use a fluid is present, and first and second optoelectronic devices adapted to transmit and receive radiation, respectively, mounted at the first and second appendages of the housing, respectively. The arrangement is such that in use a radiation beam transmitted by the first optoelectronic device propagates in an optical path which includes a portion crossing the fluid between said appendages and reaches the second optoelectronic device. This optical path includes at least one reflecting surface made integrally in an appendage of the housing and adapted to deflect the radiation beam between the associated optoelectronic device and the fluid crossing portion.