Multi-Electrode Capacitive Sensor for Compressor Oil-Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil level sensors in compressors require multiple installations to accurately detect oil levels, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage due to insufficient oil recovery.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing a cap with facing electrodes and pins to accurately measure oil concentration, height, and amount within a compressor, employing capacitance detection methods to optimize oil detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple oil level sensors are installed at various locations inside the compressor to accurately detect the amount of oil, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple electrodes (first electrode, second electrode, third electrode, fourth electrode) arranged at different heights and positions. Each electrode pair detects oil level at different locations, allowing the sensor to monitor oil distribution across multiple zones without requiring separate sensors at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
A single sensor unit with multiple electrodes performs the function of multiple separate oil level sensors. The sensor can detect oil levels at various heights and locations simultaneously, making one sensor equivalent to multiple sensors while reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single oil level sensor is installed to reduce device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single sensor is segmented into multiple functional electrodes (first, second, third, fourth electrodes) positioned at different heights and locations. This segmentation allows the sensor to measure oil levels at multiple points simultaneously, maintaining high measurement precision while using only one sensor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor transitions from detecting oil level at a single point to detecting oil levels across multiple dimensions (different heights and horizontal positions). By arranging electrodes in three-dimensional space, the sensor captures comprehensive oil distribution data that would otherwise require multiple separate sensors.
3Device complexity
If oil recovery operation is performed based on single-point oil level detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to insufficient oil recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor monitors oil levels at multiple segmented zones within the compressor using different electrode pairs. This segmented monitoring provides comprehensive oil distribution data, enabling reliable detection of oil deficiency conditions and ensuring appropriate oil recovery operations are performed to protect the compressor.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides feedback information about oil levels at multiple locations to the control system. Based on this comprehensive feedback, the control system can determine when oil recovery operations are necessary, improving the reliability of compressor protection while maintaining simple sensor installation.
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
Enhances oil detection accuracy and reduces unnecessary recovery operations, improving energy efficiency and compressor reliability by ensuring optimal oil levels.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor system utilizing a cap with facing electrodes and pins to accurately measure oil concentration, height, and amount within a compressor, employing capacitance detection methods
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sensor. The sensor according an aspect of the present disclosure may include: a cap; electrodes facing the cap and spaced apart from each other; and pins penetrating the cap and electrically connected to the electrodes, wherein the electrodes may include: an upper electrode in a shape of a vertical plate; a first ground electrode facing one surface of the upper electrode; a lower electrode located below the upper electrode; and a shield electrode disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, wherein the shield electrode may cover a lower edge of the upper electrode and a lower edge of the first ground electrode.