Humidity Sensor Lookup Table Reduces Dew Condensation Processing Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Humidity detectors in internal combustion engine intake systems face increased processing loads due to high temperatures and rapid environmental changes, leading to delays and inaccuracies in dew condensation prevention, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A humidity detector configuration that includes a microprocessor, humidity sensor, and heating resistor, where the microprocessor stores pre-calculated target temperatures for the heating resistor based on measured conditions, reducing the need for real-time dew point calculations and minimizing processing load, while ensuring accurate humidity detection and prevention of dew condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dew point temperature is calculated in real-time using a polynomial formula, then dew condensation prevention accuracy is improved, but microprocessor processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedew condensation prevention accuracyVSAvoidmicroprocessor processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates dew point temperatures for various temperature and humidity combinations and stores them in a lookup table before the microprocessor operates. During runtime, the microprocessor simply retrieves pre-computed values from the table rather than calculating dew point in real-time using polynomial formulas, significantly reducing processing load while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the complex dew point calculation by storing pre-computed dew point values in a lookup table. Instead of performing complex polynomial calculations, the system uses a simplified data structure (table) that contains copies of dew point information for various conditions, enabling fast retrieval without heavy computation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If heating resistor is continuously activated to prevent dew condensation, then dew condensation prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedew condensation preventionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic control of the heating resistor by comparing current temperature and humidity conditions against pre-stored threshold values in the lookup table. The heating element is activated only when conditions indicate dew condensation risk (when temperature-dew point difference falls below thresholds), rather than operating continuously, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature and humidity sensor inputs, comparing them against pre-stored threshold data from the lookup table, and adjusting heating resistor activation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the heating element operates only when necessary to prevent dew condensation, optimizing energy usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If microprocessor performance is improved for multifunctionality, then control capabilities are enhanced, but processing load for dew condensation prevention increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilitiesVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the computationally intensive dew point calculation process from the real-time microprocessor operations and places it in a pre-computed lookup table. This separates the heavy computational task (done offline) from the real-time control tasks (done online), allowing the microprocessor to handle multiple functions with minimal processing load for dew condensation prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration significantly reduces the processing load for preventing dew condensation, maintains accurate humidity detection, and avoids overheating, thereby enhancing the reliability and performance of the humidity detector in harsh engine intake environments.

Implementation Method 1

heating, by a heating unit included therein, the humidity detecting unit to a temperature at which there is a certain difference between a sensor temperature and the dew point temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

A humidity detector which includes a microprocessor unit, a humidity sensor, and a heating resistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3128318B1Humidity detection device
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3128318B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3128318B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3128318B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce a load of preventing dew condensation, and to provide a highly reliable humidity detection device. In order to achieve the purpose, this humidity detection device is provided with: a humidity sensor having a humidity detection unit and a temperature detection unit; a heating resistor that heats the humidity sensor; and a heating control unit that controls a heating temperature of the heating resistor. The humidity detection device is characterized in having a target temperature storage unit that stores target temperatures of the heating resistor, said target temperatures having been determined corresponding to temperatures and humidities.