Optical Liquid Level Detection with Fan-Assisted Steam Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid level detection systems in water dispensers and coffee makers cannot accurately detect the volume and body properties of containers, nor the liquid surface, leading to potential water leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid level detection system comprising a main body with a supporting platform, an optical sensor, a fan, and an operational processor that uses illumination beams and different exposure parameters to analyze detection images, distinguishing between transparent and opaque containers, and adjusting wind force and exposure settings to accurately determine container properties and liquid levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional proximity sensors or ultrasonic sensors are used to detect container position, then the container position can be detected, but the body property, volume, and liquid surface of the container cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional proximity sensors and ultrasonic sensors with an optical detection system comprising an optical sensor and illumination beam. This substitution enables the system to detect not only container position but also body property (transparent/opaque), volume, and liquid surface characteristics, thereby resolving the limitation of insufficient detection versatility while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting exposure parameters of the optical sensor based on container body properties. The system detects illumination features and determines whether the container is transparent or opaque, then adjusts exposure parameters accordingly to accurately detect liquid levels. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between detecting diverse container properties and maintaining precise measurement across different container types.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensor is used to detect container and liquid level, then detection accuracy is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to hot steam and reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful factors affecting image quality by introducing a fan to blow away hot steam and gaseous matter from the detection area. This separation of the harmful steam from the optical detection path resolves the contradiction by eliminating the interference while preserving the high detection accuracy provided by the optical sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fan as an intermediary element between the heating element and the optical sensor. The fan acts as a mediator that removes hot steam and gaseous matter from the optical path, preventing these harmful factors from degrading image quality while allowing the optical sensor to maintain high detection accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fan is used to remove hot steam, then image quality is improved, but detection speed decreases due to additional processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by actuating the fan before optical detection begins. By removing hot steam and gaseous matter from the detection area in advance, the system ensures high image quality from the start of detection, eliminating the need for repeated detection cycles and thereby maintaining high detection speed despite the additional fan operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the operational processor actuates or shuts down the fan according to image quality of the detection image, and adjusts wind force according to image quality. This feedback mechanism ensures the fan operates only when necessary to maintain image quality, optimizing the balance between image quality improvement and detection speed.
4Measurement precision
If exposure parameters are adjusted for transparent containers, then detection accuracy for transparent containers is improved, but detection accuracy for opaque containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the exposure parameters adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The operational processor detects illumination features to determine container body property (transparent or opaque), then dynamically adjusts exposure parameters accordingly. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing detection accuracy for each container type while maintaining versatility across different container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting exposure parameters based on detected container body properties. The system detects whether the container is transparent or opaque through illumination feature analysis, then changes exposure parameters to optimize detection accuracy for the specific container type. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between high accuracy for transparent containers and versatility for different container types.
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 precise and rapid detection of liquid levels in various containers, preventing leakage by effectively differentiating between container types and adjusting detection parameters to ensure clear image quality, even in the presence of hot steam or reflective surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor is disposed above the supporting platform and adapted to output a detection image containing the target container
Implementation Method 2
the illumination beam is projected onto a lateral surface of the target container, and the operational processor analyzes an illumination feature of the illumination beam inside the detection image
Implementation Method 3
gaseous matter above the supporting platform is removed by an attraction force or an exhaust force provided by the fan
Implementation Method 4
the heater is an infrared heater, and a wavelength of a heating beam output by the infrared heater is ranged between 2000-4000 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid level detection system of detecting a target container includes a main body, an optical sensor, a fan and an operational processor. The main body has a supporting platform whereon the target container is disposed. The optical sensor is disposed above the supporting platform and adapted to output a detection image containing the target container. The fan is disposed on the main body and faces the supporting platform. The operational processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor, and adapted to analyze the detection image generated within an operation period of the fan and further to acquire an effective feature of the target container inside the detection image.