Vehicle Liquid Level Sensing Using Capacitive Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid level sensing systems in recreational vehicles, particularly those using resistive and capacitive sensing technologies, suffer from low resolution and compatibility issues with various tank shapes, limiting accurate measurement and display of liquid levels.
Innovation Solution
A liquid level sensing system utilizing capacitive sensors and a controller to drive visual indicators in a modulation pattern, providing higher resolution and compatibility with both capacitive and resistive sensors, including a digital display unit with wireless capabilities for enhanced measurement and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If capacitive sensing is used to improve measurement precision, then resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical resistive sensing systems with capacitive sensing technology. The capacitive sensors detect liquid levels through changes in capacitance rather than electrical resistance, providing higher resolution measurements (up to 6 bits) while eliminating the need for physical probe insertion and reducing mechanical wear and corrosion issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from electrical resistance to electrical capacitance. By measuring capacitance changes as the liquid level rises and falls, the system achieves superior resolution compared to traditional resistive methods. The controller processes capacitance values to determine precise liquid levels, enabling 6-bit resolution display.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing display panels are used to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the display system universal by enabling existing display panels to work with both traditional resistive sensors and new capacitive sensors. The controller is designed to accommodate multiple sensor types, allowing manufacturers to upgrade sensing precision without replacing the entire display assembly. This multi-functionality approach maintains ease of manufacture while improving measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic scanning of capacitive sensor values to determine liquid levels. The controller periodically reads capacitance changes and updates the display accordingly, enabling high-resolution measurements to be displayed on existing panel infrastructure through time-multiplexed operation.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution sensing is implemented to improve measurement precision, then information accuracy is improved, but loss of information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring capacitance changes and updating the display in real-time. The controller reads capacitive sensor values, processes the information to determine liquid levels, and feeds this information back to the display panel. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate representation of actual liquid levels with 6-bit resolution, preventing information loss.
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 system achieves a higher resolution of up to 6 bits, improving accuracy and compatibility with existing systems, allowing for precise liquid level measurement and display across different tank configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of capacitive sensors may be coupled to the vehicle tank to sense a second number of possible liquid levels
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid level sensing system for a vehicle tank may include a liquid level display including a display panel and a first number of visual indicators carried by the display panel. The system may also include capacitive sensors to be coupled to the vehicle tank to sense a second number of possible liquid levels being greater than the first number of visual indicators. In addition, the system may include a controller configured to drive the visual indicators in a modulation pattern based upon the capacitive sensors to thereby display a sensed liquid level having a resolution corresponding to the second number of possible liquid levels.