RV Sensor Probe Geometry Reduces Leakage Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid level measurement systems in recreational vehicle wastewater holding tanks are prone to false readings due to leakage currents caused by conductive residue buildup, leading to inaccurate fluid level indications and potential tank overflows.
Innovation Solution
The design of sensor probes with improved geometry and materials that increase the resistivity factor between the probe tip and the tank wall, minimizing leakage currents by lengthening the conductive residue path and reducing its perimeter, thereby reducing sensitivity to conductive residue buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensor probes are mounted close to the tank wall for simple installation, then installation ease is improved, but leakage currents increase due to short conductive residue paths causing false readings
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating barrier (mediator) is introduced between the sensor probe and the tank wall to block the conductive residue path. This insulating barrier prevents leakage currents from traveling along the tank wall to the probe, thereby eliminating false readings while maintaining simple installation geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin insulating film or coating is applied to the portion of the sensor probe that contacts or nears the tank wall. This thin film creates sufficient electrical insulation to prevent leakage currents while minimally affecting the probe's overall structure and installation.
2Device complexity
If the conductive residue path is shortened for simpler probe design, then device complexity is reduced, but leakage currents increase causing false conductance readings
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating barrier serves as an intermediary element that blocks the conductive path without requiring complex probe structures. By placing this simple insulating element between the probe and conductive residue, the system achieves reliable readings while maintaining design simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A simple, inexpensive insulating coating or barrier is applied to the probe surface. This low-cost solution effectively prevents leakage currents without adding mechanical complexity to the probe structure.
3Volume of stationary object
If probe tips are positioned closer to the tank wall for compact design, then volume is reduced, but sensitivity to conductive residue buildup increases causing false readings
Solution Approach 1:
A thin insulating film is applied to the probe surfaces that are exposed to conductive residue. This thin coating provides sufficient electrical insulation to prevent leakage currents while allowing the probe to maintain a compact position close to the tank wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating barrier acts as a mediator between the compact probe positioning and the conductive residue environment, allowing close proximity for space efficiency while blocking harmful electrical leakage paths.
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 solution effectively reduces false readings caused by conductive residue, providing more accurate fluid level measurements and preventing unnecessary drainage or overflow risks in wastewater holding tanks.
Implementation Method 1
Measuring the existence of a conductive path between sensor probes mounted at various levels in a recreational vehicle holding tank is a simple and cost-effective way to determine the level of fluid in the tank. The principle is that there should only be conductance between pairs of probe tips that are submerged in the wastewater.
Implementation Method 2
The design of sensor probes with improved geometry and materials that increase the resistivity factor between the probe tip and the tank wall, minimizing leakage currents by lengthening the conductive residue path and reducing its perimeter
Data Source
AI summary
A wastewater holding tank sensor probe for use in determining the presence of a conductive liquid held within a wastewater holding tank in a recreational vehicle is disclosed. The probe is less sensitive to the presence of conductive residue as a result of an improved geometry and/or choice of materials that reduce the leakage currents between the probe tip and the sensor probe attachment surface, typically the wall of the tank. This reduction in sensitivity to conductive residue buildup can be measured by a geometrically determined resistivity factor between the probe tip and the mounting surface of the probe. The reduction in sensitivity can also be measured by the length of the path through the conductive residue between the probe tip and the mounting surface of the probe. A variety of geometries and material choices to reduce the sensitivity of electrical conductance based sensor probes to conductive residue are disclosed.