Gully Sensor Single Body Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roadside gully sensors are prone to malfunction due to solid objects interfering between light sources and detectors, and their separate body arrangement makes maintenance difficult, especially when materials solidify around the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A gully sensor with a single elongate body housing both light sources and detectors, configured to allow matter to intersect the light path, preventing solid objects from lodging between them and ensuring alignment is maintained, using infra-red or ultra-violet light for detection, and equipped with electronic components on a printed circuit board for efficient signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate bodies are used for light source and detector, then the apparatus can detect matter in the gully, but solid objects may intercede between source and detector causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source and light detector into a single integrated body, eliminating the gap between them where solid objects could intercede. This merging prevents leaves and litter from becoming stuck between separate components while maintaining the detection function through internal light path configuration.
2Ease of operation
If separate bodies are used for light source and detector, then the apparatus can be configured for detection, but it becomes difficult to remove for maintenance when material solidifies around the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the light source and detector into one unified body with a streamlined configuration, the apparatus prevents material from solidifying around multiple separate components. The merged design reduces complexity and improves ease of removal during maintenance while maintaining full detection functionality.
3Reliability
If a single elongate body is used for both light source and detector, then solid object interference is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light source and detector within a single elongate body, ensuring stable alignment by eliminating relative movement between separate components. The internal configuration maintains optical path integrity while preventing the complexity that would arise from multiple separate bodies requiring precise positioning and alignment.
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 solution effectively prevents misalignment and solid object interference, allowing for accurate detection of matter and turbidity levels in gullies while facilitating easy removal and maintenance, as the sensor is designed to be encapsulated to the IP68 standard for durability in high moisture environments.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (13) configured to emit light in a light path (17)... a light detector (15) for detecting light emitted from the one or more light sources (13) along a light path (17) toward the detector (15)
Implementation Method 2
The gully sensor may be configured such that the turbidity of the matter in the gully is measured
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is presented a gully sensor for deployment within, and detecting the presence of matter contained in, a gully. The gully sensor may be arranged to detect when the gully has become blocked, and may further be arranged to notify an external party of such an event. The gully sensor may comprise an elongate body, the body further comprising a first portion which accommodates a light source and a second portion which accommodates a light detector for detecting light emitted from the light source along a light path towards the detector. The gully sensor may further comprise a cross section that is orientated along at least a portion of the light path shaped to allow the matter to intersect at least a portion of the light path, and which joins the first and second portions via the elongate body.