Ultrasonic Level Sensor Sunken Reflector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound-echo principle devices for measuring liquid levels in containers face challenges in achieving reliable measurements due to interference between the actual measuring distance and the reference distance, leading to inaccurate sound velocity determination.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sunken portion in the container bottom beneath the ultrasonic transducer is used as a reflecting surface, creating a fixed reference distance that minimizes interference and allows for clear distinction between liquid surface and bottom reflections, employing a piezoelectric transducer with integrated switching circuitry and housing adaptations for enhanced signal transmission and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ultrasonic transducer is positioned close to the container bottom for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference between measuring distance and reference distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sunken portion in the container bottom, creating a third spatial dimension for the reference reflector. This allows the reference distance to be established at a different vertical level than the main measurement area, eliminating interference between the two distances while maintaining compact overall device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The container bottom is segmented into a regular bottom surface and a sunken portion containing the reference reflector. This segmentation separates the reference distance function from the main measurement function, allowing independent optimization of each without interference.
2Measurement precision
If the ultrasonic transducer is positioned far from the container bottom to avoid interference, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sunken portion acts as an intermediary structure that houses the reference reflector. This intermediary element allows the reference reflector to be positioned at an optimal distance from the transducer without interfering with the main liquid level measurement, while the housing integrates both functions into a single compact unit.
3Reliability
If multiple reflections are used to determine sound velocity, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference reflector into a separate sunken portion, isolating the reference echo signal from the liquid surface reflection signals. This extraction simplifies the signal processing requirements by providing a clean, distinct reference signal that can be easily separated from measurement signals, reducing the complexity of handling multiple reflections.
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 enables reliable and accurate liquid level measurement by preventing echo interference and allowing for precise sound velocity determination, improving the reliability of ultrasound-echo principle measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic transducer is preferably designed as a piezoelectric transducer. In particular, piezoelectric ceramics or also piezoelectric crystals are used for this.
Implementation Method 2
a device for measuring the level of a liquid according to the ultrasound-echo principle
Implementation Method 3
echo signals split into peaks are detected as a result of multiple reflections at the liquid surface and in the region of the container bottom
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for measuring the level of liquid in a container by means of an ultrasonic converter, comprising an ultrasonic converter which is disposed at a distance from the base such that it radiates towards the surface of the liquid and also towards a lower reflector. The ultrasonic converter is, preferably, integrated into a housing which has a large upper opening and a small lower opening. A cavity is arranged in the base of the device below the lower opening.