Single-Element Ultrasound Humidity Sensor for Compact Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-contact humidity sensors using ultrasound waves require separate transmitter and receiver elements, leading to increased size and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
A humidity sensor design that incorporates a single sound wave element capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves, with a reception circuit to measure the arrival time of reflected waves and a humidity analysis circuit that calculates humidity based on the arrival time, distance, and temperature, integrated into an air-conditioning apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate transmitter and receiver elements are used for non-contact humidity measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmitter and receiver functions into a single integrated unit. The transmitter transmits ultrasound waves and the receiver receives reflected waves, both functions being performed by the same physical component rather than requiring separate elements. This merging eliminates the need for two distinct components facing each other, thereby reducing the overall device size while maintaining the non-contact humidity measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transmitter for sending out ultrasound waves and the receiver for detecting reflected waves. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, achieving size reduction without sacrificing measurement functionality.
2Measurement precision
If separate transmitter and receiver elements are arranged to face each other, then non-contact measurement is enabled, but arrangement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the transmitter and receiver into a single integrated unit, the system gains greater arrangement flexibility. The unified design eliminates the strict requirement for two separate components to be precisely positioned facing each other, allowing the sensor to be installed in more varied locations and orientations while maintaining non-contact measurement capability.
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 design reduces the size of the humidity sensor, enhances usability by allowing non-contact humidity measurement, and improves the arrangement flexibility of the sensor, enabling more accurate and efficient humidity monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a sound wave element configured to transmit a sound wave and receive the sound wave reflected by a reflector
Implementation Method 2
a humidity analysis circuit configured to calculate humidity by using the arrival time, a distance from the sound wave element to the reflector, and a temperature of a space from the sound wave element to the reflector
Data Source
AI summary
A humidity sensor includes a sound wave element configured to transmit a sound wave and receive the sound wave reflected by a reflector, a reception circuit configured to obtain an arrival time of the reflected wave received by the sound wave element, and a humidity analysis circuit configured to calculate humidity by using the arrival time, a distance from the sound wave element to the reflector, and a temperature of a space from the sound wave element to the reflector.