Lubricant Deterioration Sensor Using Logarithmic Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricant deterioration sensors face challenges in accurately determining the deterioration state of lubricants with low transmissivity, as the change in color sensor output is small with respect to transmissivity changes, leading to reduced sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a logarithmic amplifier to amplify the detection value from the light receiving element, which increases the sensitivity to changes in transmissivity, and using a collimator lens to ensure stable light reception, along with a determination unit to assess brightness and color-component differences for precise deterioration detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a linear amplifier is used to amplify the color sensor output, then the circuit is simple, but the sensing accuracy deteriorates at low transmissivity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the amplification parameter from linear to logarithmic. The logarithmic amplifier uses a logarithmic function to amplify the detection value from the color sensor, which transforms the compression of signal values at low transmissivity into an expanded scale, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the linear amplification mechanism with a logarithmic amplification mechanism. This substitution fundamentally changes how the signal is processed, allowing the system to maintain high sensing accuracy across a wide range of transmissivity values including low transmissivity conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light receiving element receives less light (low transmissivity), then the sensor can detect stained lubricant, but the color sensor output change becomes extremely small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies logarithmic transformation to the detection value parameter. This changes the parameter scale from linear to logarithmic, which expands the dynamic range and makes small changes in color sensor output at low transmissivity levels detectable and measurable, preventing information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The logarithmic amplifier acts as an intermediary between the color sensor and the determination unit. It processes the detection value by applying logarithmic amplification, which restores the relationship between the color sensor output and transmissivity changes, enabling accurate determination even when light transmission is low
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 enables accurate detection of lubricant deterioration even at low transmissivity levels, allowing for timely identification of rapid deterioration and machine damage, with improved sensing accuracy and reduced external noise.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting element for emitting detection light into the inspection unit
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving element for obtaining a detection value indicating color information of the detection light having passed through the lubricant
Data Source
AI summary
One object is to provide a lubricant deterioration sensor that can maintain accuracy of sensing the deterioration of a lubricant having low transmissivity and an optical sensor used therein for sensing the amount of received light. The lubricant deterioration sensor is used for determining deterioration state of a lubricant. The lubricant deterioration sensor includes an optical sensor having: an LED for emitting detection light; an oil entering gap in which the detection light passes through a lubricant to be inspected; a color sensor for sensing color information of the detection light having passed through the lubricant; and a logarithmic amplifier for logarithmically amplifying the detection value sensed by the color sensor and outputting the amplified detection value.