Liquid Container Detection Chamber Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers with flexible members fail to accurately detect the remaining volume of liquid due to non-uniform deformation, leading to inaccurate detection of the inner capacity change and potential misdetection of the liquid level falling to or below a preset level.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a liquid chamber with a flexible member, a sub-chamber, and a communication path that keeps the detection-associated member in an unaffected area, preventing capacity changes from affecting the detection, and an air inlet positioned above the communication path to prevent bubble-induced errors, ensuring accurate detection of the remaining liquid volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible member is used to form the liquid chamber, then the liquid container can reduce inner capacity through deformation, but the detection accuracy of remaining liquid volume deteriorates due to non-uniform deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is divided into two independent chambers: a flexible liquid chamber for storage and a rigid detection chamber for measurement. The detection chamber is separated from the flexible chamber by a partition wall with a communication hole, allowing liquid to pass through while isolating the detection prism from deformation effects. This segmentation enables the flexible chamber to change capacity while the detection chamber maintains stable geometry for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication hole in the partition wall acts as an intermediary between the flexible liquid chamber and the rigid detection chamber. It allows liquid to flow between chambers while preventing direct transmission of deformation forces to the detection chamber. The air inlet positioned above the communication hole further mediates by preventing bubble formation that could interfere with detection.
2Device complexity
If the detection-associated member is located in the liquid chamber with the flexible member, then detection is integrated, but misdetection occurs due to capacity changes from deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection chamber is segmented as a separate space from the flexible liquid chamber, divided by a partition wall. This segmentation places the detection prism in a rigid environment isolated from the flexible member's deformation, ensuring reliable detection while maintaining integrated design through the communication hole connection.
3Ease of operation
If air inlet is positioned to allow air entry, then negative pressure can be released, but bubbles may form and interfere with detection
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is positioned at a specific location above the communication hole in the partition wall. This local positioning ensures that air enters the liquid chamber above the liquid level, allowing negative pressure release without creating bubbles in the detection chamber. The localized air entry point prevents harmful bubble formation while maintaining pressure regulation functionality.
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 design enhances the accuracy of detecting the remaining liquid volume by maintaining a consistent detection value regardless of flexible member deformation, preventing misdetection and improving reliability in liquid level detection.
Implementation Method 1
detect the reflection state of light by the prism and thereby detect the remaining volume of the liquid in the liquid container
Implementation Method 2
decreasing a liquid contained in the liquid container changes the bent state of the flexible member to reduce the inner capacity of the liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a liquid chamber and a flexible member. The liquid chamber is configured to contain the liquid. The flexible member is subject to deformation with a decrease in internal pressure of the liquid chamber. The liquid container includes a negative pressure generator configured to maintain negative pressure in the liquid chamber by applying pressure to the flexible member. The liquid container includes a liquid outlet configured to feed the liquid out of the liquid chamber. The liquid container includes an air inlet configured to introduce air into the liquid chamber when the internal pressure of the liquid chamber is lowered to or below a preset level. The liquid container includes a detection-associated member for detection of the remaining volume of the liquid in the liquid chamber. The detection-associated member can be located inside the liquid chamber on a wall of the container body.