Household appliance with a sensor device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-bearing household appliances face issues with turbidity measurement inaccuracies due to bubble formation, which is caused by mechanical circulation and additives, leading to false readings in turbidity sensors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with at least two spatially separated radiation paths in a water-carrying household appliance, using radiation sources and detectors to determine turbidity by comparing transmission values, and employing filters and optical elements to mitigate the effects of bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single radiation path is used for turbidity measurement, then the device complexity is low, but measurement precision is reduced due to bubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The single radiation path is segmented into multiple spatially separated radiation paths (at least two) within the sensor device. Each path provides an independent measurement channel, allowing the system to distinguish between true turbidity signals and bubble-induced artifacts by comparing measurements across multiple paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach transitions from a single one-dimensional radiation path to multiple spatially separated paths, adding spatial dimensionality to the measurement. This dimensional expansion enables the system to statistically differentiate between transient bubble interference and genuine turbidity conditions.
2Productivity
If mechanical circulation is used to move process liquid, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase due to bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The system accepts that bubble formation is an inevitable byproduct of mechanical circulation but converts this harmful factor into a detectable signal pattern. By using multiple radiation paths, the system learns to recognize and filter out bubble-related measurement artifacts while maintaining the benefits of mechanical circulation for process liquid movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device provides feedback about bubble presence and turbidity conditions to the control system. This feedback loop enables the control system to adjust circulation parameters or compensate for measurement artifacts, maintaining productivity while mitigating the harmful effects of bubble formation.
3Measurement precision
If filters are used to remove bubbles, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using mechanical or physical filtration systems to remove bubbles, the patent substitutes a signal processing approach using multiple radiation paths. The system replaces physical bubble removal mechanisms with an optical measurement strategy that statistically differentiates between bubble interference and true turbidity through comparative analysis of multiple paths.
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 reduces the likelihood of false turbidity readings by minimizing interference from stationary bubbles, ensuring accurate turbidity measurements with a 99% probability of clear paths, thereby optimizing process control and resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic wave, in particular light, is sent along a radiation path from a source to a detector
Implementation Method 2
radiation is refracted at the transition due to the different refractive indices of the two phases
Implementation Method 3
The radiation can also be scattered by the bubble
Data Source
AI summary
A water-carrying household appliance (1) includes a process compartment (2) into which a process liquid (3) can be introduced and a sensor device (4). The sensor device (4) has at least one radiation source device (5) and at least one detector device (8). The sensor device (4) in each case determines a transmission value along at least two radiation paths through the process liquid (3). The two radiation paths run spatially separated from one another at least within the process liquid (3). A turbidity value of the process liquid (3) is determined from a comparison of the at least two transmission values.