Liquid Reservoir Level Sensor Layout for Higher Detection Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid surface detection devices face limitations in increasing the number of thermistor resistive layers due to wiring complexity and constraints, leading to reduced detection resolution and limited spacing between sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-heating sensors positioned at different heights within the liquid reservoir, arranged in a zigzag pattern to reduce wiring constraints and allow for a larger number of sensors, enhancing detection resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of thermistor resistive layers is increased to enhance detection accuracy, then detection resolution is improved, but wiring becomes complicated and routing constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple thermistor resistive layers are bundled within a single sheath tube, merging multiple sensing elements into one integrated structure. This reduces wiring complexity by consolidating multiple cables into a single bundled arrangement that passes through one sheath tube, while maintaining high detection resolution through the multiple layered sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple thermistor resistive layers inside a sheath tube structure, with each layer containing multiple sensors at different heights. This nested arrangement allows numerous sensors to be accommodated within a compact configuration, reducing overall wiring complexity while preserving high detection capability through the multi-layered sensor arrangement.
2Device complexity
If cables of thermistor resistive layers are bundled in a long sheath tube, then wiring is simplified, but the inner diameter constraint limits the number of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging thermistor resistive layers in a single vertical line within one sheath tube, the patent utilizes multiple sheath tubes arranged in different spatial positions. This dimensional transition from one-dimensional vertical stacking to three-dimensional distributed arrangement allows many more sensors to be accommodated while maintaining manageable cable bundling within each individual sheath tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensing array into multiple sheath tubes, each containing a subset of thermistor resistive layers. This segmentation distributes the wiring load across multiple smaller bundles rather than one large bundle, allowing more total sensors to be implemented while keeping each individual cable bundle manageable in size and complexity.
3Device complexity
If thermistor resistive layers are arranged in one sheath tube, then structure is simplified, but interval between adjacent layers cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-sheath-tube vertical stacking to multi-sheath-tube three-dimensional arrangement. This allows thermistor resistive layers to be positioned at multiple height levels across different spatial locations, reducing the vertical interval between adjacent sensing layers and thereby improving detection resolution while maintaining structural organization through the modular sheath tube configuration.
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
This configuration improves the detection resolution and allows for early detection of refrigerant leakage, particularly in systems using environmentally harmful refrigerants, thereby protecting the global environment.
Implementation Method 1
A known technology to determine presence or absence of liquid utilizing a characteristic of a thermistor of which temperature changes depending on the presence or absence of the liquid when the thermistor self-heats
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid reservoir includes at least one liquid surface level detection unit in the liquid reservoir. The at least one liquid surface level detection unit includes a plurality of liquid surface level detection units. The plurality of liquid surface level detection units each include a plurality of self-heating sensors. The plurality of self-heating sensors are positioned at different heights.