Submersion Sensor with Opposing Float Sink Force Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing submersion sensors in fluids are prone to corrosion, provide false positives due to humidity or fluid exposure, are not reusable, and are sensitive to fluid quality or cleanliness, limiting their effectiveness and applicability.

Innovation Solution

A submersion sensor system comprising float and sink members with force sensors arranged in an octahedron configuration, paired with high-resistance resistors, and a controller that determines submersion based on opposite directional movement, minimizing false alerts and corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional submersion sensors are used in fluids, then submersion detection is achieved, but the sensors are prone to corrosion and provide false positives due to humidity or fluid exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubmersion detection accuracyVSAvoidcorrosion and false positives from fluid exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is divided into separate functional modules: float members for buoyancy detection, sink members for weight detection, and force sensors for measuring forces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and protects the electronics from direct fluid exposure while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation mechanism that processes signals from multiple sensors (float position sensors, sink position sensors, and force sensors) before triggering a submersion alarm. This intermediary layer filters out false positives by requiring consistent signals across multiple sensors, thereby reducing the impact of corrosion and fluid exposure on detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sensors are exposed to the environment for continuous monitoring, then real-time submersion detection is achieved, but the sensors are subject to corrosion and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsensor lifespan and reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing incorporates protective shells and thin film barriers that isolate the electronic components from direct contact with water and humidity. This allows the sensor to maintain real-time monitoring capability while protecting the internal components from corrosion and degradation, thereby extending the sensor's operational lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the sensor with replaceable components and a durable overall structure that can be easily replaced if degraded. The cost-effective design allows for disposable or easily replaceable sensors that can be deployed continuously without requiring long-term durability, thus maintaining real-time monitoring while accepting limited lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If the sensor is designed for single-use in a particular fluid, then simplicity is maintained, but reusability and adaptability to different fluids are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor design simplicityVSAvoidreusability across different fluids

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is designed with universal components that can function across different fluid types. The float members, sink members, and force sensors are configured to detect submersion in various fluids with different densities and properties. This multi-functional design maintains relative simplicity while enabling reuse and adaptability to different fluid environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates adjustable parameters and configurable detection thresholds that can be modified to adapt to different fluid conditions. By allowing parameter changes in the sensor system, it maintains a relatively simple basic design while achieving versatility and reusability across different fluid types through software or configuration adjustments rather than hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The system effectively detects submersion with reduced false positives and corrosion resistance, providing accurate and reliable readings across various fluid densities without sensitivity to fluid quality or cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

at least one float member and at least one sink member... positioned at distal ends of the at least one float member and the at least one sink member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11756405B2Submersion sensor

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 ZELLMAN MATTHEW

AI summary

A submersion sensor for detecting submersion in a fluid is disclosed. The submersion sensor includes at least one float member and at least one sink member. The submersion sensor includes force sensors positioned at distal ends of each of the at least one float member and the at least one sink member. Further, the submersion sensor includes a controller. The controller determines submersion of the submersion sensor upon obtaining signals from the force sensors corresponding to opposite directional movement of the at least one float member and the at least one sink member in the fluid.