Water Sensor Early Detection via Arcuate Conductive Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water sensors fail to detect water presence before a flood condition occurs, as they typically sense water only when it reaches a certain level, not providing early warning.
Innovation Solution
A water sensor system comprising a continuity sensor with electrically conductive elements and a controller that transitions to a new logical state when water bridges an elongate gap between these elements, triggering a wireless detection signal, and communicates with a web service for remote alarms and status alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional water sensors are used to detect water presence, then the sensor can detect water when it reaches a certain level, but it cannot provide early warning before a flood condition occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs preliminary detection of water presence before flood conditions occur. The elongate gap is positioned to detect water accumulation at an early stage, allowing the system to trigger alerts and take preventive actions before the water level reaches dangerous flood thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional point-based water detection to an elongate gap configuration that detects water presence across a extended area. This dimensional change allows the sensor to detect water in the early accumulation phase rather than waiting for water to reach a specific height at a single point.
2Measurement precision
If the elongate gap between conductive elements is reduced to improve sensitivity, then water detection becomes more sensitive, but the risk of false positives from contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure creates a controlled local environment around the elongate gap, directing water flow patterns to ensure consistent contact with the conductive elements. The top and bottom portions of the housing work together to channel water in a specific manner, ensuring that detection occurs only when actual water presence is detected rather than from random contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the conductive elements. It controls how water interacts with the sensing elements, filtering out false signals from contamination while allowing genuine water detection to trigger the alarm.
3Loss of information
If wireless communication components are added to enable remote alerts, then the system can provide remote notifications, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes sensor signals from the conductive elements, determines water presence based on electrical continuity, and manages wireless communication for remote alerts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication capability is integrated into the existing controller unit rather than being implemented as a separate module. This merging of functions allows the system to provide remote alerting capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity and power consumption.
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
Enables early detection of water presence, allowing for timely alerts and reducing the risk of flooding by transmitting signals when water is detected before it reaches a flood level, thereby providing proactive notification.
Implementation Method 1
control logic structured to transition from a first logical state to a second logical state responsive to water bridging the elongate gap
Data Source
AI summary
A water sensor comprises a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion; a controller positioned within the housing; a power source electrically coupled to the controller to energize the controller; and a continuity sensor electrically coupled to the controller and including an inner arcuate portion and an outer arcuate portion, the inner arcuate portion having an electrically conductive surface spanning at least 300 degrees, the outer arcuate portion having an electrically conductive surface spanning at least 300 degrees and substantially surrounding the inner arcuate portion to define an elongate gap therebetween, wherein the water sensor is structured to transition from a first logical state to a second logical state responsive to water bridging the elongate gap, and wherein the controller is structured to transmit a wireless water detection signal responsive to the water sensor transitioning to the second logical state.