Multi-Column Interface Position Sensor for High-Resolution Level Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water level sensors require a large number of electrodes and conducting lines to achieve high resolution, leading to a cumbersome and complex setup.

Innovation Solution

The sensor configuration includes K sensor blocks with M(k) pairs of electrodes and n(k)+1 conducting lines, arranged in a specific pattern to reduce the total number of conducting lines to less than the number of observation points, using a formula to determine the arrangement of electrodes and conducting lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of pairs of electrodes are arranged one-to-one at the levels of multiple observation points to locate water level with high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the large number of conducting lines required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater level detection resolutionVSAvoidnumber of conducting lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrodes at different observation levels are electrically connected in parallel to a single conducting line. This merging approach allows multiple electrodes to share common conducting lines, significantly reducing the total number of conducting lines required while maintaining the ability to detect water levels at multiple discrete levels with high resolution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each conducting line is designed to serve multiple functions by being connected to multiple electrodes at different observation levels. A single conducting line can detect water level conditions at multiple levels simultaneously, making the conducting line multi-functional and reducing the overall complexity of the wiring system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 configuration allows for high-resolution water level detection with a reduced number of conducting lines, simplifying the setup and reducing the complexity of the sensor system.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the determination means 11 to 17 has a function of determining whether a capacitance value of a corresponding one among the pairs P1 to P7 of electrodes exceeds a predetermined reference value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250207967A1Sensor for locating interface position, and liquid level gauge
Publication Date: 2025.06.26 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD
  • US20250207967A1 patent drawing
  • US20250207967A1 patent drawing
  • US20250207967A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A sensor unit includes n columns of sensors in which electrode pairs are arranged. The electrode pairs are positioned at boundaries of regions and at boundaries of division regions. A sensor in a first column has a1 division regions, a second column has a1 regions corresponding to the division regions in the first column and each of the regions has a2 division regions. An n-th column has regions whose number is obtained by multiplying numbers from a1 to an−1 and which correspond to division regions in an n−1-th column and each of the regions has an division regions.