Optical Fluid Line Detection With Deflected Light Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an effective optical operating fluid detector for hand-guided garden, forestry, and construction machining appliances that can accurately detect the presence or absence of operating fluid, particularly lubricating fluids, with improved properties and flexibility in spatial arrangement of components.
Innovation Solution
An optical operating fluid detector is designed with a light source, operating fluid line, and light receiver, incorporating an optical deflecting device for directional deflection of light rays, allowing for optical detection of fluid presence or absence, even with low or unknown absorption of light, and featuring a one-piece optical body with a reflection coating and a printed circuit board for alignment flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a straight-line spatial arrangement of light source, operating fluid line, and light receiver is used, then the optical path is simple, but the spatial flexibility and adaptability of the device are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical deflecting devices (mirrors or prisms) as intermediary elements to redirect the light path. These deflecting devices enable the light to travel from the light source to the operating fluid line and then to the light receiver along a non-linear path, providing spatial flexibility while maintaining a manageable optical path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional straight-line arrangement to a multi-dimensional spatial configuration by using optical deflecting devices. This allows the light path to bend in different directions (e.g., 90-degree angles), enabling the components to be arranged in three-dimensional space rather than constrained to a single linear axis.
2Reliability
If the operating fluid line is made transparent with high transmittance, then optical detection is enabled, but the structural strength and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs transparent materials with high light transmittance (such as transparent plastics or glass) for the operating fluid line while incorporating reinforcement structures or composite material compositions. This combination maintains the necessary mechanical strength and durability while preserving the optical transparency required for light transmission and fluid detection.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If electrical detection methods are used, then the detection is automatic, but the ability to detect fluids with low or unknown light absorption is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical detection methods with an optical detection system. By using light sources and light receivers to detect changes in light transmission through the operating fluid line, the system can automatically detect the presence or absence of fluid regardless of its electrical properties, thereby expanding adaptability to various fluid types including those with low or unknown light absorption characteristics.
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 detector enables reliable detection of operating fluid presence or absence, providing user-perceptible signals and allowing for flexible spatial arrangement of components, reducing installation complexity and enhancing detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The operating fluid line is designed or configured for the optical interaction of, radiated, rays of light from the light source with operating fluid, if present, in the operating fluid line for the optical detection of, in particular the, operating fluid
Implementation Method 2
The at least one deflecting device is designed or configured for the deflection, in particular directional deflection, of, in particular radiated, rays of light from the light source to the operating fluid line and/or for the deflection, in particular directional deflection, of, in particular interacted, rays of light from the operating fluid line to the light receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An optical operating fluid detector for optical detection of operating fluid for a hand-guided garden, forestry and/or construction machining appliance includes a light source, an operating fluid line and a light receiver. The light source is designed for radiation of rays of light. The operating fluid line is designed for optical interaction of rays of light from the light source with operating fluid in line for the optical detection of operating fluid. The light receiver is designed for differing reception of rays of light from the line in dependence on the presence or the absence of operating fluid in the line. The operating fluid detector has an optical deflecting device. The deflecting device is designed for deflection of rays of light from the light source to the operating fluid line and/or for deflection of rays of light from the line to the light receiver. The operating fluid line is designed for differing diversion of rays of light from the light source in dependence on the presence or the absence of operating fluid in the line for optical detection of operating fluid.