Polar Liquid Sensor Using Voltage Signals for Water Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively determine if non-polar liquids like gasoline or diesel are mixed with polar liquids such as water, which can lead to engine failure due to performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A polar liquid sensing apparatus using a sensor with a first and second electrode and an energy conversion layer generates a voltage signal proportional to the content of polar liquid, with a controller determining the presence of water based on a reference value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor outputs a voltage signal proportional to the content of polar liquid, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for electrodes and energy conversion layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of polar liquid contentVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex chemical analysis methods with an electrical sensing system. The sensor uses voltage signal generation through interaction between the liquid and electrode structure to detect polar liquid content, substituting mechanical/chemical detection methods with electrical measurement, thereby achieving high measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from direct physical measurement to electrical voltage signal measurement. By converting the presence and content of polar liquid into a voltage signal magnitude, the system achieves precise measurement through electrical parameters rather than complex physical or chemical measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the sensor structure includes multiple components (container, nozzle, substrate, electrodes, energy conversion layer), then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of polar liquid contentVSAvoidsensor manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensor into distinct functional modules: container for liquid storage, nozzle for droplet formation, substrate as mounting platform, electrodes for electrical measurement, and energy conversion layer for signal generation. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for electrodes, acts as an insulating layer, and serves as the mounting surface for the energy conversion layer. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If the sensor uses droplet flow method, then inspection time is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected by droplet variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection timeVSAvoiddetection accuracy affected by droplet variability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the voltage signal from each droplet is processed and compared against reference values. The system accumulates multiple measurements and uses feedback control to compensate for droplet variability, maintaining high measurement precision while keeping inspection time short through rapid sequential measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses multiple unit electrodes arranged side by side, where each electrode processes droplets independently. This parallel processing approach allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through aggregated data from multiple partial measurements, while the overall inspection time remains short due to simultaneous processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 apparatus rapidly and accurately detects the presence of water in non-polar liquids, preventing engine failure by ensuring the liquids are not mixed, with a simple structure and quick inspection time.

Implementation Method 1

an energy conversion layer formed on the substrate while covering the first electrode... the first electrode and the second electrode may generate a voltage signal proportional to the amount of the polar liquid included in the droplet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectric effect: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260002901A1Polar liquid sensing apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 KOREA ELECTRONICS TECH INST

AI summary

Disclosed is a polar liquid sensing apparatus including a sensor configured to output a voltage signal proportional to the content of a polar liquid in a liquid and a controller configured to determine that a non-polar liquid includes the polar liquid if the magnitude of the voltage signal exceeds a reference value, wherein the sensor may be a droplet type sensor or a dipping type sensor.