Wireless Beacon Fluid Level Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fluid delivery systems, it is challenging to monitor the remaining amount of fluid product in containers, especially in automated dispensing systems where the product container is separate from the dispensing location, making it difficult to detect when the product is low or depleted.

Innovation Solution

The system uses wireless beacons, where a transmitter inside the product container broadcasts a signal that is received by external receivers, analyzing the signal strength and frequency to determine the product level, generating alerts when the product is low or depleted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual monitoring of fluid product levels is used, then the system complexity is low, but the productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to frequent manual checks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-monitoring of fluid product levels through wireless beacons that automatically detect and report product presence and levels without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with wireless electronic beacon technology, substituting physical inspection methods with automated signal-based detection that continuously monitors product levels and transmits data without mechanical contact or human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the product container is separate from the dispensing location, then the adaptability and versatility improve, but the measurement precision of product level deteriorates due to monitoring difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer placement flexibilityVSAvoidproduct level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless beacon acts as an intermediary device placed within the separate product container, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the remote container and the dispensing location, enabling accurate product level detection despite physical separation through wireless signal transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from direct physical contact monitoring to wireless spatial monitoring, adding the dimension of wireless signal propagation through fluid media to enable measurement across distances, allowing the beacon to detect product levels remotely through the container walls and fluid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If automated dispensing systems are used, then the productivity improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in monitoring remaining product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidproduct monitoring ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless beacon provides continuous feedback about product presence and levels by transmitting signal strength data that correlates with fluid quantity, enabling the automated dispensing system to automatically detect when product is low or depleted without requiring operator intervention for monitoring

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

This method allows for accurate detection of fluid product presence, absence, or level, reducing the need for manual checks and ensuring timely replenishment, enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining consistent cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

one or more wireless beacon transmitters are placed on or within a product container containing a fluid product to be dispensed. The beacon transmitter periodically broadcasts a wireless beacon signal.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The signal strength of the received beacon signal and/or the reception frequency of the beacon signal (and/or other parameter(s) associated with the beacon signal) is indicative of an amount of fluid product in the product container.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20240183701A1Detection of fluid product using wireless beacons

Publication Date: 2024.06.06 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes techniques for the detection of presence or absence of a fluid product in a product container using wireless beacons. One or more wireless beacon transmitters are placed on or within a product container containing a fluid product to be dispensed. The beacon transmitter periodically broadcasts a beacon signal. The signal strength of the received beacon signal, the reception frequency of the beacon signal, and/or other parameter(s) associated with the beacon signal are indicative of an amount of fluid product in the product container.