Ultrasonic Drain Sensor for Filling Level Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance practices for drainage elements are inefficient, as they often require periodic maintenance of entire drainage networks, leading to over-maintenance of some elements and under-maintenance of others, and rely on citizen notifications for issues.
Innovation Solution
A drain sensor assembly for remote monitoring of filling levels in drainage elements, utilizing an ultrasound emitter and sensor to determine the filling level based on the time interval between signal emission and reflection, and communicating this data to a remote monitoring device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If periodic maintenance is scheduled for whole drainage networks, then maintenance coverage is ensured, but maintenance efficiency deteriorates due to over-maintenance of some elements and under-maintenance of others
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage network is segmented into individual drainage elements, each equipped with independent sensors that monitor their own filling levels. This allows each element to be managed independently rather than as a monolithic system, enabling precise scheduling of maintenance only when and where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor filling levels and provide real-time feedback to a central system. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of maintenance schedules based on actual conditions, triggering maintenance only when filling levels indicate necessity rather than following fixed periodic schedules.
2Measurement precision
If remote monitoring is implemented for individual drainage elements, then maintenance planning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can be deployed in various drainage elements throughout the network. The same sensor type and processing module are used across different locations, simplifying deployment and reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication module acts as an intermediary between the simple ultrasound sensing components and the central monitoring system. This intermediary handles data transmission and processing, allowing the sensor assembly itself to remain relatively simple while achieving sophisticated remote monitoring capabilities.
3Use of energy by moving object
If ultrasound-based remote monitoring is used, then energy consumption is reduced compared to continuous physical inspection, but measurement reliability may be affected by environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical or visual inspection methods with ultrasound-based detection. This substitution dramatically reduces energy consumption compared to continuous physical monitoring while providing reliable, automated measurement of filling levels through acoustic wave reflection principles.
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 more efficient planning of maintenance by providing real-time data on filling levels for individual drainage elements, reducing unnecessary maintenance and improving the overall functioning and cost-effectiveness of drainage networks.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound emitter configured and to be arranged to emit an ultrasound signal downwards, preferably from an upper region of the drainage element, into an interior of the drainage element; an ultrasound sensor configured and to be arranged in the drainage element, preferably the upper region thereof, to sense a reflected ultrasound signal due to reflection (e.g. upwards reflection) of the ultrasound signal inside the interior of the drainage element
Implementation Method 2
a processing module communicatively coupled with the ultrasound emitter and the ultrasound sensor and configured to determine a filling level value indicative of the filling level of the drainage element based on a time interval between emitting of the ultrasound signal by the ultrasound emitter and sensing of the reflected ultrasound signal by the ultrasound sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~8
AI summary
A drain sensor assembly (2) for remote monitoring of a filling level of a drainage element when arranged in the drainage element comprises: - an ultrasound emitter (17) configured and to be arranged to emit an ultrasound signal downwards from an upper region of the drainage element into an interior of the drainage element; - an ultrasound sensor (16) configured and to be arranged in the upper region of the drainage element to sense a reflected ultrasound signal due to reflection of the ultrasound signal inside the interior of the drainage element; - a processing module (25) communicatively coupled with the ultrasound emitter and the ultrasound sensor and configured to determine a filling level value indicative of the filling level of the drainage element based on a time interval between emitting of the ultrasound signal by the ultrasound emitter and sensing of the reflected ultrasound signal by the ultrasound sensor; and - a communication module (26) communicatively coupled with the processing module and configured to communicate the filling level value to a monitoring device remote from the drain sensor assembly.