Sensor device and method for inspecting a liquid and washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices for washing machines lack an efficient method to examine and calm liquids for accurate turbidity and contamination detection without complex actuators, leading to incomplete analysis and potential clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a water duct, sensor chamber, and transverse lines that create a Venturi effect to calm the liquid flow, allowing for turbidity and contamination detection without mechanical valves, using a combination of inlet and outlet lines and a turbulence device to manage flow and impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If liquid flows through the sensor chamber in existing sensor devices, then the sensor can continuously monitor the liquid, but the liquid flow causes turbulence that disrupts accurate turbidity and contamination detection
Solution Approach 1:
The water duct is segmented into a main channel for bulk liquid flow and a separate sensor chamber with inlet/outlet lines that create a localized flow pattern. This segmentation allows the sensor chamber to have calm liquid suitable for measurement while the main channel continues to transport liquid, resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by creating a transverse flow path through inlet and outlet lines that are fluidly connected in parallel to the sensor chamber. This hydraulic arrangement naturally calms the liquid flow through pressure equalization and flow distribution, eliminating turbulence without requiring mechanical flow calming devices.
2Measurement precision
If complex actuators are used to calm liquid flow in existing sensor devices, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but the device complexity and potential clogging risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical flow calming actuators with a purely hydraulic flow path design. The transverse inlet and outlet lines create natural flow calming through pressure equalization and parallel fluid connection, eliminating the need for mechanical components that could clog or fail, thus improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor chamber design allows the liquid flow to self-calmer through the inherent hydraulic characteristics of the parallel-connected inlet and outlet lines. The system uses its own flow dynamics to achieve the desired calm state without external intervention or complex control mechanisms, enhancing reliability.
3Productivity
If high flow rate is maintained through the sensor chamber, then liquid transport efficiency is improved, but turbulence prevents accurate sensor examination of the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The water duct is divided into a main channel for high-speed liquid transport and a sensor chamber with separate inlet/outlet lines for calm liquid examination. This segmentation allows the main channel to maintain high flow rates for productivity while the sensor chamber provides a low-turbulence environment for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet and outlet lines act as intermediaries that connect the high-flow main channel to the sensor chamber. These lines create a transition zone that converts turbulent flow from the main channel into calm flow within the sensor chamber, enabling both high productivity and accurate measurement.
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
Enables accurate and efficient examination of liquids with reduced flow through the sensor chamber, minimizing clogging risks and allowing for precise detection of contaminants without the need for complex actuators, enhancing the reliability and simplicity of the sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
The water guide has a main channel, in which liquid flows in a flow direction, an inlet line, which branches off at an inlet opening from the main channel to the sensor chamber, an outlet line, which leads from the sensor chamber to an outlet opening at the main duct, and at least one transverse duct between the inlet duct and the outlet duct. This transverse conduit is fluidly connected in parallel to the sensor chamber with the outlet port being downstream of the inlet port.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
A sensor device (58) for examining a liquid comprises a water channel (62), a sensor chamber (69) therein, and a sensor (71, 73) in or on the sensor chamber (69) for examining a liquid. The water channel (62) has a main channel (64) in which liquid flows in one direction, an inlet line (67) that extends from the main channel (64) to the sensor chamber (69) at an inlet opening (66), and an outlet line (75) that extends from the sensor chamber (69) to an outlet opening (76) on the main channel (64), the outlet opening (76) being located downstream of the inlet opening (66). At least one transverse line (78) is provided between the inlet line (67) and the outlet line (75), wherein the transverse line (78) is connected in fluid-technical parallel to the sensor chamber (69).A flow through the transverse channel (78) can cause a reduced or even no flow to occur in the sensor chamber (69) when there is a continuous flow through the main channel (64).