Liquid Detection Sensor With Exposed Separator Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid leakage detection systems face challenges in accurately detecting liquid leakage due to the need for a substantial amount of liquid to permeate through absorbable members or separators, which can lead to reduced detection accuracy and increased complexity with additional parts.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detection sensor is designed with a metal-air battery structure where the separator is formed larger than the overlapping area of the positive and negative electrode sheets, and the liquid contact area is exposed from the electrode sheets, allowing for improved liquid permeation and detection accuracy without increasing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water battery is disposed on an upper side of or inside an absorbable member, then the liquid can permeate to the absorbable member and generate electric power, but additional parts are required and detection accuracy decreases when liquid amount is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the separator with the liquid contact area, eliminating the need for a separate absorbable member. The separator is formed wider than the overlapping area of the positive and negative electrode sheets, creating an exposed liquid contact area that directly contacts the liquid. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining reliable liquid detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is segmented into two functional areas: a covered area (interposed between electrode sheets) and an exposed liquid contact area. This segmentation allows the separator to perform both its traditional function of isolating electrodes and its new function of directly contacting liquid for detection, eliminating the need for separate absorbable members.
2Ease of operation
If a liquid leakage sensor section is housed between adhesive bandages, then the structure is compact, but liquid permeation to the separator is unreliable and detection accuracy lowers
Solution Approach 1:
The exposed liquid contact area of the separator provides a dynamic liquid permeation path that adapts to the liquid flow direction and amount. Liquid can contact the separator directly through the exposed area without being constrained by the adhesive bandage structure, ensuring reliable detection while maintaining compact installation.
3Measurement precision
If the separator is formed the same size as the overlapping area of electrode sheets, then the structure is simple, but liquid contact area is limited and detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator has different functional zones: the covered area serves for electrochemical reactions between electrodes, while the exposed liquid contact area serves for direct liquid contact and detection. This local differentiation of function allows the separator to be larger than the electrode overlapping area, providing sufficient liquid contact area for accurate detection without excessive complexity.
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 detection accuracy by ensuring smooth liquid permeation to the separator, enabling precise liquid leakage detection with a reduced component count and improved installation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid such as blood widely permeates to the absorbable member, causes an electrochemical reaction inside the water battery, and thereby causes the water battery to generate electric power
Implementation Method 2
a leaking liquid permeates from the back adhesive bandage to an interior of the liquid leakage sensor section
Data Source
AI summary
Particularly, there is provided a liquid detection sensor in which a liquid contact area is formed integrally with a separator, and that improves detection accuracy with a small number of parts. A liquid detection sensor (1) according to the present invention includes a metal-air battery (2) formed by laminating a negative electrode sheet (3), a positive electrode sheet (5) and a separator (4) interposed between the negative electrode sheet (3) and the positive electrode sheet (5), and the separator (4) is formed wider than an area in which the positive electrode sheet (5) and the negative electrode sheet (3) overlap with the separator (4) interposed therebetween, and includes a liquid contact area (4′) exposed from at least one of the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet.