Water Quality Sensor Self-Cleaning Through Threshold Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water quality detection sensors are prone to impurity deposition, leading to sensing errors and increased maintenance costs due to the need for manual cleaning and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A water quality detection device equipped with a sensor and a cleaner, controlled by a processor, that automatically determines the cleanliness of the sensor and initiates cleaning when sensing values reach a threshold, using a brush to remove impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and monitoring is performed, then sensor maintenance is required, but labor costs and operation maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor cleaning system performs self-cleaning operations automatically. The controller monitors sensor performance and activates the cleaning mechanism without human intervention, allowing the sensor to maintain itself and eliminating manual cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor sensing values and compares them against threshold criteria. When degradation is detected, the controller automatically triggers the cleaning mechanism, creating a closed-loop feedback system that responds to sensor condition in real-time.
2Ease of operation
If automatic cleaning is implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism serves multiple functions: it cleans the sensor surface, maintains sensing accuracy, and extends sensor lifespan. The same mechanical structure performs both cleaning and maintenance operations, reducing the need for separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-regulating and self-cleaning. The controller automatically monitors sensor performance and activates cleaning without external intervention, simplifying operation despite the added complexity of the automatic cleaning mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If sensor cleaning is performed frequently, then sensing accuracy is maintained, but device operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from sensor readings to determine when cleaning is actually needed. By continuously monitoring sensing values against established thresholds, the system performs cleaning only when degradation occurs, avoiding unnecessary cleaning operations and minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and assessment before initiating cleaning. By evaluating sensor performance trends and predicting when cleaning will be needed, the system can schedule cleaning operations optimally to maintain accuracy while minimizing interruptions to device operation.
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
Automated cleaning reduces labor costs and maintains sensing accuracy over time by ensuring the sensor's cleanliness is maintained without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
using a brush to remove impurities
Implementation Method 2
using a brush to remove impurities
Data Source
AI summary
A water quality detection device including a detection tank, a sensor, the cleaner and a processor is provided. The sensor is disposed on the detection tank and is configured to sense a to-be-detected liquid within the detection tank. The cleaner is configured to clean the sensor. The processor is electrically connected to the sensor and the cleaner and is configured to: execute an initialization procedure, which includes driving the sensor to sense the to-be-detected liquid to obtain a number of initial sensing values and calculating a threshold value according to the initial sensing values; drive the sensor to sense the to-be-detected liquid to obtain a sensing value of the to-be-detected liquid, and determine whether the sensing value of the to-be-detected liquid reaches the threshold value; drive the cleaner to operate when the sensing value of the to-be-detected liquid reaches the threshold value.