Fuel Property Sensor Wiring Member Impurity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel property sensors are limited in their ability to detect impurities, especially those that are hardly soluble in water, resulting in low versatility and inability to assess fuel quality comprehensively.
Innovation Solution
A fuel property sensor comprising a substrate, first and second lead wires, and a wiring member that connects them, where the wiring member is made of a material that reacts with impurities to electrically disconnect the lead wires, allowing for the detection of impurities and water presence, including those hardly soluble in water, through a determiner unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sensor using ion-exchange material and protective member is used to detect fuel degradation, then water-soluble oxide detection is improved, but detection of substances hardly soluble in water (versatility) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed with multiple detection mechanisms: the wiring member detects substances that react with it (e.g., sulfides), while the ion-exchange material detects water-soluble oxides. This multi-functional approach allows a single sensor to detect various fuel impurities including both water-soluble and water-insoluble substances, thereby improving versatility without sacrificing detection precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different sensors are used to detect various impurities (substances hardly soluble in water, water-soluble oxides), then detection versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single integrated sensor structure. The wiring member and ion-exchange material are incorporated into one sensor unit, allowing simultaneous detection of different fuel impurities through different mechanisms. This merging approach achieves high versatility while maintaining simple device structure and avoiding the need for multiple separate sensors
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple sensor structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but detection capability for various impurities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor employs local quality differentiation by using different materials with specific properties in different regions: the wiring member is made of a material that reacts with certain impurities (e.g., sulfides), while the ion-exchange material is placed in specific areas to detect water-soluble oxides. This localized functional differentiation enables comprehensive detection capability while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of manufacture
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 sensor provides a more versatile and effective means to detect fuel impurities and water, enhancing the ability to assess fuel quality and detect substances like sulfur, sulfides, oxides, and chlorine, thereby improving the detection capabilities beyond conventional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the wiring member is configured to electrically disconnect the first lead wire and the second lead wire from each other by reaction with impurities contained in the fuel
Implementation Method 2
The ion-exchange material has low electrical conductivity and the electrode pair is in contact with the ion-exchange material. Oxidization of the fuel by water in the fuel tank causes a water-soluble oxide to move from outside of the protective member to inside of the protective member
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel property sensor including a substrate, a first lead wire, a second lead wire, a wiring member, and a determiner. The substrate is disposed in such a position as to be in contact with the fuel. The first lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is spaced from the first lead wire. The wiring member is provided on the substrate. The wiring member connects the first lead wire and the second lead wire. The wiring member is configured to electrically disconnect the first lead wire and the second lead wire from each other by reaction with impurities contained in the fuel. The determiner is configured to determine whether the first lead wire and the second lead wire are electrically connected.