Vacuum Liquid-Level Sensor Layout to Prevent Contact Breakage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices face issues with sensor contact exposure leading to breakage and potential damage to dirt bags when collecting liquids, necessitating a safer and more reliable method for liquid level detection.

Innovation Solution

The sensor contacts are integrated into the collector housing part with a connecting line to the motor housing part, allowing for secure signal transmission without exposing them, and are designed to be protected from damage, ensuring reliable operation and preventing liquid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor contacts are protruding into the collecting space, then liquid level detection is enabled, but the sensor contacts are exposed and at increased risk of breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor contact durabilityVSAvoidsensor contact accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is divided into two segments: the sensor contact element that protrudes into the collecting space for detection, and the sensor housing that remains protected in the motor housing part. This segmentation allows the detection function to be exposed while the sensor body remains protected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connecting line serves as an intermediary element that transmits signals between the protected sensor in the motor housing part and the collecting space boundary wall. This mediator allows the sensor to function remotely without being directly exposed to the harsh environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sensor contacts are placed in the collecting space, then liquid level detection is achieved, but the dirt bag may be damaged causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid level detection accuracyVSAvoiddirt bag damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing and electrical components are extracted from the collecting space environment and placed in the protected motor housing part. Only the minimal necessary detection element protrudes into the collecting space, reducing the risk of dirt bag damage while maintaining detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor contact element is designed with a flexible, thin profile that allows it to protrude into the collecting space without being rigid or protruding excessively. This flexible design reduces the risk of damaging the dirt bag while still enabling effective liquid level detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If sensor contacts are long and exposed, then detection range is improved, but the risk of breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidsensor contact robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system transitions from a single long exposed contact to a distributed arrangement where the sensing function is achieved through multiple shorter elements or a different geometric configuration in three-dimensional space, reducing the leverage and stress on individual contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2229856B1Suction device with at least one sensor

Publication Date: 2015.11.11 FESTOOL GMBH

Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a~7

AI summary

The device has a suction motor arranged in a motor housing part of a suction device housing for producing suction stream (13), and a sensor with a connection line from measuring parts to an external side (127) of a collecting chamber limiting wall. The measuring units are arranged in a collecting chamber (110), and the connection line penetrates into the limiting wall. A signal line (116) is provided for a sensor signal from the connection line in a collector housing part (31) of the suction device housing to a control device arranged in the motor housing part.