Optical Sensor Oil Deterioration Threshold Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil deterioration monitor devices lack clear criteria for determining the deterioration state of oil and machines, as they do not specify when oil is considered deteriorated, and fail to account for impurity substances that indicate machine failure.
Innovation Solution
A state determination method and device using optical sensors to calculate brightness, maximum color difference, and maximum color ratio, which compare these values to threshold values to determine the deterioration state of oil and machines, allowing for easy identification of deterioration and machine failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to detect RGB absorbance continuously, then the sensitivity of deterioration monitoring is improved, but the difficulty of determining when the liquid is deteriorated increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the continuous absorbance data into discrete deterioration states by establishing threshold values. The determination unit compares measured absorbance values against predefined thresholds to classify the liquid into specific deterioration stages (e.g., normal, slightly deteriorated, deteriorated, severely deteriorated), converting continuous measurement into discrete actionable categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a determination unit as an intermediary between the optical sensor and the user. This unit processes the raw absorbance data, applies threshold comparisons, and outputs clear deterioration state conclusions, mediating between the complex continuous measurement and the simple binary decision of whether deterioration has occurred.
2Measurement precision
If multiple parameters (brightness, color components) are calculated and compared, then the accuracy of deterioration determination is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deterioration determination process into distinct computational steps: first calculating brightness from RGB values, then calculating color components, then comparing each against separate thresholds. This segmentation allows each parameter to be processed independently through simple comparison operations rather than requiring complex integrated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the three-dimensional RGB color space into two separate scalar parameters (brightness and color components) that can be independently thresholded. This parameter transformation simplifies the determination logic by converting a multi-dimensional comparison problem into multiple one-dimensional threshold comparisons.
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 easy determination of oil and machine deterioration by comparing calculated values with threshold values, effectively identifying when oil is deteriorated and machines are failing due to impurity contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The monitor detects a red-green-blue (RGB) absorbance in visible light that travels through oil
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of determining a deterioration state of an object, the deterioration state of the object is determined by determining whether a calculated value reaches a state determination threshold value or not, the calculated value utilizing at least one of brightness and a color component value calculated from a detection value detected by an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an examination section containing liquid, a light emitting element emitting detection light toward the examination section, and a light receiving element detecting color information of the detection light traveled through the liquid.