Pressure Sensor Calibration via Stored Frequency Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensors for household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, are complex, costly, and bulky, and provide inaccurate water level measurements despite calibration efforts.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor with a body that includes pressure receiving and frequency emitting means, and readable storage means like barcodes or a memory chip, allowing for simplified calibration by recording and interpolating known pressure and frequency response values, reducing the need for full calibration and ensuring accurate readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex electronic circuits with non-volatile memory units are added to correct processed values, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the correction functionality from complex electronic circuits and relocates it to a simple readable storing means (barcode label or memory chip) that contains pre-calculated correction values. This separates the calibration complexity from the operational sensor, allowing accurate measurements without complex onboard electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs calibration and generates correction values in advance during manufacturing, storing them on the sensor body before deployment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time correction circuits, as the correction data is prepared beforehand and simply read during operation.
2Measurement precision
If extensive calibration procedures are performed, then measurement accuracy is improved, but calibration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the extensive calibration procedure once during manufacturing, storing the results as correction values on the sensor body. This preliminary calibration action eliminates the need for repeated calibration during installation or maintenance, reducing calibration time to simply reading the pre-stored values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the calibration data in the form of correction values stored on a readable medium (barcode or memory chip). This copying allows the calibration information to be rapidly accessed without repeating the time-consuming calibration process.
3Measurement precision
If additional electronic components are added for correction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sensor size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the correction functionality from bulky electronic components and places it on a compact readable storing means attached to the sensor body. This extraction maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing the size of additional components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, compact storage media such as barcode labels or small memory chips instead of complex electronic correction circuits. These simple storage devices provide the necessary correction data without the size and cost of traditional electronic correction systems.
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 solution results in a reliable, cost-effective, and accurate pressure measurement system that eliminates the need for extensive calibration, providing precise water level detection in household appliances.
Implementation Method 1
means 3 for receiving a pressure to be measured... and means 8 emitting an electric frequency signal proportional to the pressure received by the receiving means 3
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A pressure sensor including a body (2), pressure receiving means (3) associable with a tube connected to a tank of an electric household appliance (5), in which there is collected in use a fluid, the level of which it is intended to be measured, and means (8) emitting an electric frequency signal proportional to the pressure received by the receiving means; the sensor further including readable storing means carried aboard the body, on which a plurality of response frequency values emitted by the emitting means (8) associated with corresponding pressure values which were present each time at the pressure receiving means, were recorded; the sensor is associated in use with a pressure reading system and including first reading means for the pressure and frequency values recorded on the readable storing means, second reading means for the electric frequency signal present at the emitting means, and processing means for interpolating the pressure value associated with the signal read each time by the second reading means on the basis of the values read by the first reading means.