Multi-Wavelength Optical Sensor for Fluid Product Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid dispensing systems lack an effective method to detect the presence or absence of products with varying colors, transparencies, or turbidities in fluid delivery mediums, leading to inefficiencies and potential overuse or underuse of products.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection sensor system that directs light into the fluid delivery medium, detects light in multiple wavelength ranges, calculates combination outputs, and compares these outputs with predefined thresholds to determine product presence or absence, generating alerts for out-of-product conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical detector is used to detect product presence, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates when detecting products with varying colors, transparencies, or turbidities
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system is segmented into multiple detectors, each responsible for detecting light in specific wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows the system to handle products with varying colors, transparencies, and turbidities by assigning specific detectors to specific wavelength bands, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a completely complex sensor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of wavelength range assignment to different detectors based on the optical properties of the product being detected. By adjusting which detector monitors which wavelength range, the system can adapt to products with varying colors, transparencies, and turbidities, maintaining high measurement precision across diverse product types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical detectors covering different wavelength ranges are used, then the adaptability to detect various products is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical detector in the system is designed with multi-functionality to detect light across different wavelength ranges. This universality allows a single detector to potentially monitor multiple wavelength bands or for different product types, thereby improving adaptability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through shared detection capabilities.
3Productivity
If optical detection is performed continuously to monitor product presence, then the productivity and continuous operation are improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system employs periodic action by alternating between active detection phases and inactive or low-power phases. During active phases, detectors monitor light transmission to determine product presence, while during inactive phases, power consumption is reduced. This periodic operation maintains productivity and continuous monitoring capability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuously active detection.
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 system accurately detects the presence or absence of products, preventing overuse or underuse by initiating alerts and automatic refill cycles, ensuring continuous operation and optimizing product usage across different types and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
directing light into a fluid delivery medium in which presence or absence of a product is to be determined, detecting light in each of a plurality of wavelength ranges transmitted through the fluid delivery medium
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
An optical detection sensor detects presence or absence of a product within a fluid delivery medium. An emitter directs radiation into the fluid delivery medium. Each of a plurality of detectors detects light within an associated one of a plurality of wavelength ranges transmitted through the fluid delivery medium. The output of each detector is further associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. A controller may further combine detector outputs, such as by multiplication, summation, or other mathematical operation, to produce additional measures of product presence or absence. Each combination output is also associated with at least one out-of-product threshold. The controller compares the output of each detector with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) and compares each combination output with the associated out-of-product threshold(s) to determine presence or absence of product within the fluid delivery medium. The sensor is able to determine presence or absence of a variety of products having different color, transparency or turbidity.