Moisture amount detection device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional moisture detection devices in clothes dryers are slow in processing moisture levels, hindering efficient drying of clothes.
Innovation Solution
A moisture detection device incorporating a semiconductor light source that flickers at a predetermined frequency, a light receiver, amplifier, lock-in amplifier, A/D converter, and a controller with a changeable low-pass filter to enhance processing speed by adjusting the passband and amplification factor based on signal intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional moisture detection methods are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but processing speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the low-pass filter's passband variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the passband width based on the detected signal intensity: using a wider passband for strong signals to enable faster processing, and a narrower passband for weak signals to maintain measurement precision. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between processing speed and detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the low-pass filter (passband width) based on signal intensity conditions. By switching between different passband settings (first passband for strong signals, second passband for weak signals), the system optimizes both processing speed and measurement precision for different operating conditions, thereby resolving the speed-precision tradeoff.
2Productivity
If signal processing is accelerated, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the low-pass filter characteristics based on signal intensity. For strong signals where precision is less critical, a wider passband enables faster processing. For weak signals where precision is crucial, a narrower passband maintains measurement accuracy. This dynamic behavior simultaneously improves productivity when possible and preserves measurement precision when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different signal conditions. Strong signals receive faster processing with wider bandwidth, while weak signals receive more careful processing with narrower bandwidth. This localized quality adjustment ensures that productivity is maximized for strong signals while measurement precision is preserved for weak signals.
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 allows for faster moisture detection, improving the efficiency of the drying process by optimizing signal processing speed and maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
a light source including a semiconductor light emitting element that emits light, the light source projecting the light toward an object, the light flickering at a predetermined frequency
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver that receives the light reflected by the object and outputs a detection signal
Implementation Method 3
a lock-in amplifier that receives the amplified signal and outputs an extracted signal obtained by extracting a signal of the predetermined frequency from the amplified signal
Data Source
AI summary
A moisture amount detection device includes: a light source that projects light that flickers at a predetermined frequency toward an object; a light receiver that receives the light reflected by the object and outputs a detection signal; an amplifier that outputs an amplified signal obtained by amplifying the detection signal by a predetermined amplification factor; a lock-in amplifier that outputs an extracted signal obtained by extracting a signal of a predetermined frequency from the amplified signal; an A/D converter that performs A/D conversion on the extracted signal, and outputs a digital signal; a second low-pass filter whose passband is changeable, and that allows a signal of a frequency in the passband in the digital signal to pass therethrough; and a controller that performs first control to change the passband according to a signal intensity indicated by the digital signal.