Respiratory Humidifier Water-Level Detection Using Float Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory humidification apparatuses suffer from inaccurate and unreliable water level detection due to environmental factors affecting temperature-based estimation methods, leading to potential dryness in the respiratory tract and reduced apparatus lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A method involving grayscale processing of float position images captured by a camera to generate a grayscale reference line and image curve, determining the float's height based on their relative position, thereby accurately detecting the water level in the humidification chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature-based estimation method is used to detect water level, then the detection can be performed with simple equipment, but the accuracy of water level detection is poor due to environmental factors affecting temperature parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the temperature-based estimation method (thermal field measurement) with an optical measurement method using a camera to capture float position images. This substitution eliminates the influence of environmental temperature factors on water level detection, significantly improving measurement accuracy by directly observing the float position rather than indirectly inferring it from temperature parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture images of the float position. This intermediary enables direct optical measurement of water level, bypassing the temperature-based indirect inference method and its associated environmental sensitivities, thereby achieving more accurate and reliable water level detection.
2Loss of time
If temperature-based indirect inference method is used, then the equipment structure can be simplified, but the water level detection takes a long time and cannot detect water storage condition in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow temperature-based indirect inference process with rapid optical imaging using a camera. The camera captures float position images instantaneously, and through grayscale processing and curve analysis, quickly determines water level. This eliminates the time delay inherent in temperature measurement and inference, enabling real-time water level monitoring and timely detection of water storage conditions.
3Measurement precision
If grayscale processing and curve analysis method is used, then the water level detection accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential grayscale information from the captured float position image to create a grayscale image curve. By focusing on the grayscale values along the vertical axis and plotting them as a curve, the method simplifies the processing complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy. This extraction approach avoids the need for complex full-image analysis while still enabling precise float position determination.
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 approach enables timely and precise water level detection, independent of environmental influences, enhancing the safety and reliability of respiratory humidification apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a float position image captured by a current camera
Implementation Method 2
performing a grayscale processing on the float position image to obtain a current grayscale image data
Data Source
AI summary
A water level detection method, device, equipment, storage medium and system, which are applied to a respiratory humidification apparatus, the respiratory humidification apparatus including a humidification chamber that includes a float, where the method includes: obtaining a float position image captured by a current camera; performing a grayscale processing on the float position image to obtain a current grayscale image data; generating a grayscale reference line and a grayscale image curve based on the current grayscale image data, where the grayscale image curve is a relationship curve between the current grayscale image data and a height value of the humidification chamber; determining a height value of the float according to a relative position relationship between the grayscale reference line and the grayscale image curve.