Ultrasonic Sensor for Liquid Level Detection in Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual inventory of contents in food and beverage containers is laborious, imprecise, and error-prone, particularly challenging for commercial settings where determining the remaining amount of liquid in bottles is difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device, such as a container cover or bottle cap, that electronically measures the liquid level using ultrasonic signals, featuring a transmitter and receiver protected by a barrier film, and an accelerometer to initiate measurements upon container movement, allowing for accurate and efficient determination of the fill level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual inspection is used to determine content remaining in containers, then no additional equipment is required, but the process is laborious, imprecise, and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated sensor system that uses acoustic waves to measure content levels. The sensor device includes a transmitter that generates acoustic waves and a receiver that detects reflections, automatically determining the level of contents in containers without requiring human visual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is designed to autonomously measure content levels and trigger notifications or actions based on predetermined thresholds. The system self-monitors container levels and can automatically initiate replenishment processes or alert users, eliminating the need for continuous manual checking.
2Productivity
If manual inventory checking is performed periodically, then no additional equipment is needed, but time is lost and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device continuously or periodically automatically monitors content levels in containers without interruption. Unlike manual checking which occurs only at scheduled intervals, the automated system maintains constant surveillance of inventory levels, immediately detecting when containers need replenishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously performs inventory monitoring and can automatically trigger notifications or replenishment actions, eliminating the need for employees to dedicate time to manual inventory checking and significantly improving operational efficiency.
3Reliability
If visual determination of liquid amount is attempted, then no equipment is required, but reliability and accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable human visual assessment with an automated sensor system that uses acoustic wave transmission and reflection detection. The transmitter sends acoustic waves through the container and the receiver measures the reflection patterns to accurately determine content levels, providing consistent and reliable measurements regardless of human factors.
4Measurement precision
If automated sensor measurement is implemented, then measurement precision and productivity improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures content levels, determines when containers need replenishment, triggers notifications, and can integrate with broader inventory management systems. This multi-functionality justifies the initial complexity by providing comprehensive automated monitoring and management capabilities in a single device.
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 sensor device provides precise and efficient measurement of the remaining content in containers, reducing labor costs and errors, and enabling automated inventory management and replenishment processes.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter and receiver protected by a barrier film
Implementation Method 2
an accelerometer to initiate measurements upon container movement
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement device includes a sensor configured to detect triggering of the device. The measurement device further includes a transmitter configured to transmit an interrogation signal in response to the triggering of the device, and a receiver configured to detect a received signal that captures one or more reflections of the interrogation signal. A processor of the measurement device is configured to select a selected reflection among a plurality of identified potential reflections captured in the received signal, and provide an identifier corresponding to the selected reflection that is associated with an amount of content included in a container engaged by the content measurement device.