Sensor for dispensing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems face issues with false triggering due to ambient light interference, leading to wasteful and inconvenient dispensing of materials, as they struggle to differentiate between light transmitted by the emitter and ambient light.
Innovation Solution
The dispensing system employs a detector that takes alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) coupled measurements to determine the difference between light measurements with and without emitter transmission, allowing it to discern ambient light saturation and prevent false positives by disabling dispense events when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detector uses simple light detection to trigger dispensing, then the system is simple and responsive, but false triggering occurs due to ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The detector alternates between AC coupling mode for rapid ambient light saturation detection and DC coupling mode for precise light transmission measurement. This periodic switching enables the system to adapt to varying ambient light conditions while maintaining detection accuracy, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by using simple operational modes at different times rather than a continuously complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the detector's coupling parameter (AC or DC) based on ambient light conditions. When ambient light is detected, the system switches to AC coupling to prevent saturation, then transitions to DC coupling for accurate measurement of emitter light transmission. This parameter change enables reliable dispensing triggering without requiring a permanently complex detection system
2Reliability
If the detector continuously monitors light to prevent false positives, then dispensing accuracy improves, but response time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detector performs preliminary AC coupled measurements to detect ambient light saturation conditions before attempting DC coupled measurements for dispensing trigger detection. This preliminary action prevents false positives by identifying unsuitable lighting conditions in advance, allowing the system to skip unnecessary DC measurements and maintain rapid response times when conditions are favorable
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses AC coupled measurements, which are faster but less precise, to partially monitor ambient light conditions and only activates the more time-consuming DC coupled precise measurement when necessary. This partial monitoring approach prevents false positives while minimizing the time loss associated with continuous high-precision monitoring
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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of dispensing systems by reducing false triggers, conserving material, and preventing messy dispensing errors, ensuring that materials are dispensed only when intended.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter may be configured to transmit light (e.g., and/or one or more other signals)
Implementation Method 2
The detector may be configured to measure light, for example
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for improving performance of a dispensing system are provided herein. The dispensing system may comprise an emitter and a detector. The emitter may be configured to transmit light (e.g., and/or one or more other signals). The detector may be configured to measure light, for example. The detector may determine a first measurement of light while the emitter is not transmitting light. The detector may determine a second measurement of light responsive to the emitter transmitting light. The detector may determine a third measurement of light based upon a comparison of the first measurement of light with the second measurement of light. The detector may be direct current (DC) coupled while determining the third measurement of light.