Non-Contact Pet Water Level Sensing for Stable Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet water dispensers rely on potting structures for sensor stability, increasing costs and maintenance complexity, and suffer from inaccurate water level detection due to capacitance drifts and environmental changes, lacking integrated embedded control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact type water level detection method that uses a reference capacitance value obtained in a waterless state, combined with real-time detection and comparison processing to accurately determine water levels, eliminating the need for potting and enabling intelligent pump control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electrode or capacitive water level detection methods are used, then automatic water supply and water pump control can be achieved, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to capacitance drifts and environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration to obtain a reference capacitance value in a waterless state before actual water level detection. This preliminary action establishes a baseline that compensates for capacitance drifts and environmental changes, enabling accurate detection without requiring complex real-time compensation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares real-time capacitance values with the reference capacitance value obtained during calibration. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust and maintain accurate water level detection despite environmental variations and capacitance drifts over time.
2Reliability
If potting and sealing structures are used for sensor stability, then sensor detection stability is improved, but manufacturing costs and production cycles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the potting and sealing structures from the sensor assembly. By using a non-contact detection method that compares capacitance changes against a reference value, the system achieves stable detection without requiring complex sealing structures, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical potting and sealing structure with an electrical field-based non-contact detection method. This substitution eliminates the need for physical sealing while maintaining detection stability through software-based reference comparison.
3Device complexity
If fixed thresholds or analog comparators are used for water level determination, then simple control logic is achieved, but system stability deteriorates due to misjudgment from capacitance drifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference parameter from a fixed threshold to a dynamically obtained reference capacitance value that is stored in memory. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to capacitance drifts while maintaining simple control logic through digital comparison operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual calibration methods are used, then capacitance calibration can be performed, but adaptability to automated production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically obtaining and storing the reference capacitance value in memory during the manufacturing process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual potentiometer adjustment and enables seamless integration with automated production lines.
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
Accurately distinguishes between watery and waterless states, reduces false pump triggers, and provides a low-cost, stable water management system with integrated control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
collecting a real-time detection capacitance value in water of the target pet water dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a non-contact type water level detection and management method, comprising: obtaining a reference capacitance value of a target pet water dispenser in a waterless state; collecting a real-time detection capacitance value in water of the pet water dispenser at preset intervals during regular operation of the pet water dispenser; comparing the reference capacitance value with the real-time detection capacitance value in water to determine a current water level state in the water dispenser; and controlling and managing an operation state of a water pump in the pet water dispenser based on the water level state. By using a no-load calibration value as a reference datum in combination with periodic detection, the invention can accurately distinguish between watery and waterless states, improve the accuracy of water level judgment, effectively avoid false triggering of water pump operation, and has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, and strong applicability.