Accurate turbidity measurement system and method, using speckle pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional turbidity sensors struggle to accurately measure micro-turbidity and biological contamination in wash water due to irregular light intensity variations and limited measurement ranges, leading to inefficient water usage and performance issues in washing machines.
Innovation Solution
An accurate turbidity measurement system using a speckle pattern with an optical dilution member to optically dilute sample concentration, combined with a measuring container and cameras to measure micro-turbidity and biological contamination through speckle pattern variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional optical sensor is used to measure light intensity, then the measurement process is simple, but the precision of micro-turbidity measurement deteriorates due to irregular variations in brightness caused by foreign matter positions and irregular travel paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light scattering medium as an intermediary between the light source and the sample. This medium causes multiple scattering of light, creating a speckle pattern that is highly sensitive to changes in sample turbidity. The speckle pattern acts as an intermediary signal that amplifies the effect of small turbidity changes, enabling precise measurement without requiring direct measurement of light intensity through the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct light intensity to speckle pattern characteristics. By analyzing the spatial distribution and statistical properties of the speckle pattern rather than simple light intensity, the system achieves high sensitivity to micro-turbidity changes. The speckle pattern's statistical parameters (such as contrast and correlation length) serve as the new measurement parameters that directly reflect sample properties.
2Device complexity
If a conventional optical sensor measures light intensity, then the setup is simple, but the detection capability for biological contamination deteriorates as it can only measure macro-turbidity
Solution Approach 1:
The light scattering medium serves as an intermediary that enhances the interaction between light and biological contaminants. The multiple scattering process amplifies the optical effects caused by bacteria and microorganisms, making them detectable through speckle pattern analysis. This intermediary mechanism enables the detection of biological contamination that would be invisible to conventional direct transmission sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from macro-turbidity to micro-turbidity by analyzing speckle pattern statistics. This parameter change enables the detection of small particles and biological contaminants that cause subtle changes in the speckle pattern, even when they don't significantly affect overall light transmission. The statistical analysis of speckle patterns provides sensitivity to biological contamination at the micro-scale.
3Measurement precision
If a speckle detection method is used to detect biological contamination, then measurement precision is high, but the measurement range deteriorates as it cannot measure high-concentration samples such as wash water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a variable optical path length mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the interaction length between light and sample. By changing the optical path length, the system can adapt to different sample concentrations: longer paths for low-concentration samples to enhance sensitivity, and shorter paths for high-concentration samples to avoid saturation. This dynamic adjustment extends the measurement range while maintaining high precision across different concentration levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical path length parameter dynamically to adapt to different sample concentrations. For high-concentration samples like wash water, a shorter optical path is used to prevent complete light blocking and maintain measurable signal. For low-concentration samples, a longer optical path enhances the speckle pattern sensitivity. This parameter adjustment enables the system to measure across a wide concentration range while maintaining measurement precision.
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 precise micro-turbidity measurement and detection of bacterial contamination, optimizing wash water usage and enhancing washing machine performance by accurately determining cleanliness levels.
Implementation Method 1
a speckle pattern which is generated when laser light is made to pass through a sample
Implementation Method 2
multiple reflection or multiple scattering of the laser light through multiple paths
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an accurate turbidity measurement system and method, using a speckle pattern, in which a speckle pattern may be used for turbidity measurement, thereby enabling turbidity and bacterial or microbial contamination to be measured with high accuracy. The system may include: a measuring container which has a light input part formed in one side thereof, has a light scattering space formed therein, and has a light output part formed in the other side thereof; and an optical dilution member which is formed in at least a portion of the light scattering space, has a sample receiving part formed in one side thereof, and comprises an optical dilution medium having a role of optically diluting a speckle pattern of the sample.