Rain Intensity Sensor Using Conductive Strips and Resistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rain sensors face limitations such as reliance on moving mechanisms, active electronic components, high costs, and inability to accurately distinguish between different rainfall intensities, leading to premature irrigation and false indications due to natural light interference.
Innovation Solution
A rain intensity sensor comprising electrically conductive strips and resistors configured as a voltage divider, where raindrops create a parallel resistive path reducing the voltage tap, allowing for measurement of rainfall intensity, with optional integration of a temperature sensor and angled design for efficient raindrop runoff.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If moving mechanisms and active electronic components are used in rain sensors, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces moving mechanical mechanisms (turbine wheels, rotating parts) with a static electrical circuit system. Raindrops bridge conductive strips to change resistance values, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining detection capability through electrical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive conductive strips and resistors that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, avoiding expensive active electronic components and complex mechanical assemblies.
2Ease of operation
If preset rainfall containers are used, then irrigation control is enabled, but ability to distinguish rainfall intensity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple conductive strips at different positions to detect changes in resistance values caused by raindrops. By measuring which strips are bridged and the resulting resistance changes, the system distinguishes between light and heavy rainfall intensities while maintaining ease of irrigation control.
3Speed
If optical sensors are used for rain detection, then detection speed is improved, but false indications from natural light occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems with an electrical resistance-based system. Conductive strips detect raindrops through electrical bridging, eliminating sensitivity to natural light while maintaining fast detection response through immediate resistance changes.
4Measurement precision
If turbine wheels with filters are used, then rain measurement is enabled, but mechanism jamming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates rotating turbine wheels and filters by using static conductive strips. Raindrops directly bridge the strips to change resistance, removing all moving parts that could jam or require maintenance while maintaining accurate rainfall measurement capability.
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 sensor effectively measures rainfall intensity and duration, reducing false triggers and operational costs, while providing accurate data for irrigation control and safety applications.
Implementation Method 1
a raindrop in contact with the conductive strips provides a reduced resistive path therebetween and which is electrically parallel with the first resistor
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a rain intensity sensor. The sensor includes a circuit, which includes a resistor and at least two spaced apart electrically conductive strips electrically connected in series to the resistor. The resistor is located between the conductive strips. The conductive strips are sufficiently spaced apart such that when a raindrop contacts with the conductive strips provides a resistive path therebetween and which is electrically parallel with the resistor.