Electromagnetic Valve with Conductivity Electrodes for Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid devices, such as valves, face issues with liquid leakage and clogging due to crystal deposition, requiring regular maintenance and lacking effective detection methods for flow rate and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid device with electrodes measuring the degree of electrical conductivity between the liquid on the inflow and outflow sides, allowing for detection of liquid leakage and flow rate by measuring the conductivity, which varies with the flow path area and flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional valves are used without detection functions, then the device structure remains simple, but liquid leakage and clogging cannot be detected early requiring regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid control function (valve) with the detection function (electrodes for measuring electrical conductivity) into a single integrated device. The electrodes are embedded within the valve structure, allowing simultaneous fluid control and leakage/flow rate detection without requiring separate detection devices, thereby improving reliability while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid device is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls fluid flow (valve function) and simultaneously detects liquid leakage and flow rate (detection function) through integrated electrodes. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate components, addressing the contradiction between improved detection capability and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are added to measure electrical conductivity, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection electrodes are merged with the valve structure itself, rather than being added as separate external components. This integration allows electrical conductivity measurement functionality to be incorporated into the existing fluid control device, improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Facilitates accurate detection of liquid leakage and flow rate, enabling early maintenance and preventing worsening of issues like clogging and leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode electrically in contact with the liquid on the upstream side and a second electrode electrically in contact with the liquid on the downstream side
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic valve as a fluid device is provided with a valve seat and a valve body midway of a flow path where a liquid flows, and closes the valve with the valve body pressed onto the valve seat and opens the valve by causing a gap between the valve seat and the valve body. The electromagnetic valve includes, as electrodes for measuring a degree of electrical conductivity between a liquid on an upstream side and a liquid on a downstream side of the valve seat and the valve body in the flow path, a first electrode electrically conductive to the liquid on the upstream side and a second electrode electrically conductive to the liquid on the downstream side. By using the first and second electrodes, detection of liquid leakage can be easily performed.