Water Discharge Module Infrared Sensing for Narrow Rim Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purifiers face challenges in accurately measuring the height of a container's rim, particularly when it is narrow, leading to splashing of purified water and hygiene issues due to contact between the water discharge module and the container.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an infrared transmitter and receiver at different positions on a vertically moving water discharge module to sense the container's inlet height accurately, allowing the module to discharge water at a safe distance to prevent contact and splashing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a contact sensor is disposed on the lower surface of a water discharge module to measure the height of the container rim, then the height measurement can be obtained, but proper hygiene cannot be ensured due to contact between the sensor and container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight measurementVSAvoidhygiene contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact sensor system with an optical sensing system using infrared transmitters and receivers. The infrared transmitter emits infrared rays that reflect off the container rim and are detected by the infrared receiver, enabling non-contact height measurement. This substitution eliminates the hygiene contamination issue while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces infrared rays as an intermediary medium to transfer information about the container rim height without physical contact. The infrared transmitter and receiver use the reflected infrared rays to determine the rim height, acting as a mediator that bridges the measurement need while avoiding direct contact between the discharge module and container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ToF signals such as ultrasonic signals are used to measure the height of the container rim, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but the height of the rim of a container having a thin rim cannot be measured accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact-free measurementVSAvoidthin rim detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter used for measurement from ultrasonic waves to infrared light. Infrared radiation has different interaction properties with thin rim materials compared to ultrasonic waves, allowing for accurate detection of thin rims that are difficult to detect with acoustic methods. The infrared system can detect the reflection from thin rim edges more effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the water discharge module moves to a point near the rim of a container to discharge purified water, then water discharge efficiency is improved, but water can splash from the container causing inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge efficiencyVSAvoidwater splashing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the infrared sensor continuously monitors the container rim height, and this information is fed back to the controller to adjust the vertical position of the water discharge module. The controller uses this feedback to maintain the optimal discharge position that prevents splashing while ensuring efficient water delivery to the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures accurate measurement of the container's inlet height, preventing water splashing and maintaining hygiene by spacing the water discharge nozzle appropriately from the container's rim, even for narrow rims.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver are disposed at different positions of a water discharge module moving vertically, thereby sensing a height of the inlet of a container accurately

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

an infrared transmitter configured to transmit first infrared rays, and an infrared receiver configured to receive the first infrared rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11999607B2Liquid dispenser

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A water purifier or other liquid dispenser may sense a height of the inlet of a container accurately through an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver that are disposed at different positions of a water discharge module moving vertically. Additionally, in the water purifier, the water discharge module may discharge purified water at a point spaced a certain distance apart from the inlet of the container, based on infrared sensing, thereby preventing the inlet of the container from contacting the lower surface of the water discharge module.