Ultrasonic Fluid Measuring Structure Flat Wave Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatuses face disturbances in ultrasonic waves due to fluid flow, particularly caused by steps and gaps in the channel design, which can lead to inaccurate flow rate measurements.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure features a channel member with a continuous rectangular opening and an ultrasonic measuring section, where the first and second ultrasonic wave input/output sections are adjacent and covered by an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane, eliminating steps and gaps that could cause disturbances, and integrating the channel's components to reduce complexity and prevent fluid-induced disturbances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a pillar portion is provided between the first and second ultrasonic wave output sections in the first side wall part, then the ultrasonic wave output sections are supported structurally, but disturbance occurs in the fluid flow and ultrasonic waves due to steps and gaps formed by the pillar portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidflow rate measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the pillar portion that protrudes into the channel from the first side wall part. By extracting this harmful structural element, the steps and gaps that caused fluid disturbance and ultrasonic wave interference are eliminated, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of the pillar portion by redesigning the mounting structure. The ultrasonic wave output sections are now mounted in a way that does not require protruding pillars, transforming the harmful structural support method into a beneficial streamlined design that maintains strength while eliminating disturbance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If the first and second ultrasonic wave output sections are arranged adjacent to each other in the first side wall part, then the device complexity is reduced, but steps and gaps are formed that cause disturbance in fluid flow and ultrasonic waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidultrasonic wave transmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful pillar portion that was necessary to support adjacent ultrasonic wave output sections. By removing this protruding structure and redesigning the mounting approach, the device maintains its simplified component arrangement while eliminating the steps and gaps that caused measurement errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by modifying only the specific mounting area of the ultrasonic wave output sections. The first side wall part is redesigned locally to accommodate adjacent output sections without protruding pillars, maintaining simplicity elsewhere in the device while improving measurement precision at the critical ultrasonic transmission interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 prevents disturbances in ultrasonic waves, ensuring precise measurement of fluid flow rates by securing the ultrasonic wave path flatly and reducing the number of components, thus enhancing measurement accuracy and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

a first transmitter/receiver that transmits ultrasonic waves to the reflecting surface through the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting surface, and a second transmitter/receiver that transmits the ultrasonic waves to the reflecting surface through the second ultrasonic wave input/output section and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission and reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane through which the ultrasonic waves pass covers both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission through membrane: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP2505968B1Ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure and ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2505968B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2505968B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2505968B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus and an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus that can prevent the disturbance from occurring in the ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid. An ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure (12) includes an ultrasonic measuring section (16) adjacent to a channel member. The channel member includes a first ultrasonic wave input/output section (32) and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section (33) provided in a first side wall part (21), and a reflecting surface (35) provided on an inner surface of the second side wall part (22). Further, it is configured so that the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are adjacent to each other, and an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane (38) through which the ultrasonic waves (36, 37) pass covers together both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section.