Oil Separator Liquid Level Detection via Magnetic Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil separators require manual visual inspection to determine the amount of collected liquid, which is inconvenient and cannot be checked during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

An oil separator with a housing and impingement member that uses purge air to separate oil from air, incorporating a detecting member, such as a level gauge with a reed switch and magnet, to detect the liquid level and notify the user through a display device, allowing for easy monitoring of the collected liquid without leaving the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual visual inspection is used to check liquid level, then the structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must exit the vehicle to check

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of liquid level checkingVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated detection system using a level sensor and notification device. The level sensor automatically detects liquid level and triggers a notification device (buzzer, light, or display) to alert the user, eliminating the need for manual checking and exiting the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection of liquid level by the level sensor provides information back to the user through notification devices. This closed-loop feedback system allows users to monitor liquid levels remotely without direct observation, improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If periodic checking is implemented, then the reliability of liquid level monitoring is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to frequent manual checks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid level monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidtime for periodic checks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous monitoring of liquid levels through the level sensor, which constantly detects the liquid level and provides real-time feedback. This eliminates the need for periodic manual checks, allowing users to monitor liquid levels continuously without time loss while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If a detection system is added to the oil separator, then the ease of operation improves for monitoring, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring convenienceVSAvoidoil separator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection and notification functions from the main oil separator structure, making them separate, modular components. The level sensor and notification device are added as independent elements that can be integrated without fundamentally redesigning the oil separator, thus minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If visual checking from outside the vehicle is required, then the manufacturing cost remains low, but the safety deteriorates as users must exit during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for physical external checking with an electronic detection and notification system. The level sensor and notification device allow users to monitor liquid levels from inside the vehicle, eliminating safety risks associated with exiting during operation while maintaining relatively low manufacturing costs through simple electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the driver to easily check the amount of collected liquid without exiting the vehicle, simplifies the detection process, and provides a contactless detection method, enhancing operational convenience and safety.

Implementation Method 1

causes the purge air to strike the impingement member to separate oil from the introduced purge air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpingement: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

a detecting member, such as a level gauge with a reed switch and magnet, to detect the liquid level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9568352B2Oil separator

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 NABTESCO AUTOMOTIVE CORP

AI summary

An oil separator introduces purge air from an air dryer into a housing, separates oil from the purge air, and recovers collected liquid containing the oil. The oil separator is equipped with a detecting member. The detecting member detects the amount of the collected liquid in the housing and outputs the result of the detection to a reporting member.