Suction Regulator Contamination Signaling via Sensor Feedback
Solution Overview
Problem
Current suction regulator devices lack a method to identify contamination, requiring users to decide on cleaning or sanitizing without clear indication, potentially leading to contamination going undetected and affecting vacuum system performance.
Innovation Solution
A suction regulator device equipped with sensors and a processor that detect contamination and transmit alerts to an alerting device, allowing for autonomous signaling of contamination through visual, auditory, or haptic means, and optionally allowing user inspection through a transparent window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no contamination detection system is installed, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of vacuum system operation deteriorates due to undetected contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the suction regulator device for contamination, and the processor receives sensor indications to determine contamination status. This closed-loop feedback system automatically detects contamination and triggers alerts, resolving the contradiction by providing reliable contamination detection without requiring complex manual inspection procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction regulator device performs self-detection and self-alerting functions through integrated sensors and processors that autonomously monitor for contamination and generate alerts without external intervention. This self-service capability improves reliability by ensuring continuous monitoring while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Reliability
If contamination detection and alerting systems are added, then the reliability of contamination identification improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection mechanisms with automated sensor-based detection systems. Optical sensors, conductivity sensors, or other non-mechanical detection methods are used to identify contamination, eliminating the need for complex mechanical inspection apparatus while improving detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor serves multiple functions: it receives sensor indications, determines contamination status, and triggers alerting mechanisms. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated component, improving contamination identification reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Productivity
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then the productivity of contamination detection improves, but the use of energy increases due to continuous sensor operation and alerting
Solution Approach 1:
The system can implement periodic sampling of sensor data rather than truly continuous monitoring, checking for contamination at regular intervals. This periodic action maintains high contamination detection productivity by catching contamination events while reducing energy consumption compared to constant high-rate sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system can dynamically adjust its operation based on conditions - for example, increasing monitoring frequency when contamination is detected or when the device is actively in use, and reducing frequency during idle periods. This dynamic adaptation maintains detection productivity when needed while minimizing energy consumption during low-risk periods.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates generally to a suction regulator device and, more specifically, to a method and system for signaling responsive to sensing that the suction regulator device has become contaminated.