Capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of containing a substance
阅读说明:本技术 附连到能够容纳物质的容器的电容传感器 (Capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of containing a substance ) 是由 吉野博史 太田垣贵康 于 2020-01-07 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明题为“附连到能够容纳物质的容器的电容传感器”。本发明涉及附连到能够容纳物质的容器的电容传感器。本技术的各种实施方案可提供沿着容器的多个平面形成的电容传感器以创建感测场。该电容传感器提供附连到容器并从容器的水平底板延伸到容器的竖直侧板的第一电极,以及附连到容器的竖直侧板并与第一电极间隔开的第二电极。(The invention provides a capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of holding a substance. The present invention relates to a capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of containing a substance. Various implementations of the present technology may provide capacitive sensors formed along multiple planes of a container to create a sensing field. The capacitive sensor provides a first electrode attached to the container and extending from a horizontal bottom panel of the container to a vertical side panel of the container, and a second electrode attached to the vertical side panel of the container and spaced apart from the first electrode.)
1. A capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of holding a substance, comprising:
a first electrode attached to the container and extending from a bottom portion of the container to a sidewall connected to and extending upward from the bottom portion, wherein the first electrode comprises:
a first end attached to the bottom portion of the container; and
a second end attached to the sidewall of the container;
a second electrode attached to the container and comprising:
a third end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned adjacent to the second end of the first electrode; and
a fourth end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned upwardly from and vertically aligned with the third end;
wherein:
the first electrode and the second electrode form a first capacitance; and is
The first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a first gap.
2. A capacitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first capacitance varies as a function of the height of the surface of the substance relative to the bottom portion.
3. A capacitive sensor according to claim 1 wherein the position of the first gap corresponds to a first indicator level.
4. A capacitive sensor according to claim 1 wherein the change in the first capacitance is greatest when the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the first gap.
5. A capacitive sensor according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode has a first polarity and the second electrode has an opposite polarity.
6. The capacitive sensor of claim 1 further characterized by comprising a third electrode attached to the container and having the first polarity, wherein the third electrode comprises:
a fifth end attached to a top portion, wherein the top portion is positioned substantially parallel to and above the bottom portion; and
a sixth end attached to the sidewall and adjacent the fourth end.
7. A capacitive sensor according to claim 6, wherein:
the second electrode and the third electrode form a second capacitance;
the fourth end and the sixth end are separated by a second gap; and is
The position of the second gap corresponds to a second indicator level.
8. The capacitive sensor of claim 7 wherein the change in the second capacitance is greatest when the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the second gap.
9. A capacitive sensor according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode comprises a plurality of conductive elements of the same polarity.
10. A capacitive sensor according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode comprises a single continuous conductive element.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of containing a substance.
Background
Capacitive sensors operate by detecting a change in capacitance formed between two electrodes, commonly referred to as a transmit electrode and a sense electrode. As an object approaches and/or contacts the capacitive sensor, the sensing circuit may identify the object and may be configured to determine the position, pressure, direction, velocity, and acceleration of the object.
Capacitive sensors may also be used to detect the volume and/or level of a substance, such as a fluid or powder, within a container. In this application, the sensing circuit detects a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor when the level of the substance in the container changes. Capacitive sensors for such applications may provide more accurate measurements and may be more reliable and less expensive than conventional indicators.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention relates to a capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of containing a substance.
Various embodiments of the present technology provide capacitive sensors formed along multiple planes of a container to create a sensing field. The capacitive sensor provides a first electrode attached to the container and extending from a horizontal bottom panel of the container to a vertical side panel of the container, and a second electrode attached to the vertical side panel of the container and spaced apart from the first electrode.
The technical problem solved by the present invention is that conventional indicators for measuring or detecting the volume and/or level of a substance, such as a fluid or a powder, inside a container are expensive and inaccurate.
According to one aspect, a capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of holding a substance comprises: a first electrode attached to the container and extending from a bottom portion of the container to a sidewall connected to and extending upward from the bottom portion, wherein the first electrode comprises: a first end attached to a bottom portion of the container; and a second end attached to the sidewall of the container; a second electrode attached to the container and comprising: a third end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned adjacent to the second end of the first electrode; and a fourth end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned upwardly from and vertically aligned with the third end; wherein: the first electrode and the second electrode form a first capacitor; and the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a first gap.
In one embodiment, the first capacitance varies as a function of a height of the surface of the substance relative to the bottom portion.
In one embodiment, the position of the first gap corresponds to a first indicator level.
In one embodiment, the change in the first capacitance is greatest when the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the first gap.
In one embodiment, the first electrode has a first polarity and the second electrode has an opposite polarity.
In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor further comprises a third electrode attached to the container and having the first polarity, wherein the third electrode comprises: a fifth end attached to the top portion, wherein the top portion is positioned substantially parallel to and above the bottom portion; and a sixth end attached to the sidewall and adjacent the fourth end.
In one embodiment, the second electrode and the third electrode form a second capacitance; the fourth end and the sixth end are separated by a second gap; and the position of the second gap corresponds to the second indicator level.
In one embodiment, the change in the second capacitance is greatest when the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the second gap.
In one embodiment, the first electrode comprises a plurality of conductive elements of the same polarity.
In one embodiment, the first electrode comprises a single continuous conductive element.
The technical effect achieved by the present invention is to provide a capacitive sensor attached to a container for detecting the volume and/or level of a substance in the container in a manner that improves the accuracy of the detection.
Drawings
The present technology may be more fully understood with reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following exemplary figures. In the following drawings, like elements and steps in the various drawings are referred to by like reference numerals throughout.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a capacitive sensor system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technique;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a container used in conjunction with a capacitive sensor system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technique;
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technique;
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a container used in conjunction with a capacitive sensor system, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present technique;
FIG. 5 is a graph showing the change in first capacitance versus the change in liquid level according to the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the change in second capacitance versus the change in liquid level according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a container used in conjunction with a capacitive sensor system, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present technique; and is
FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the change in third capacitance versus the change in liquid level according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.
Detailed Description
The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and circuit diagrams. Such functional blocks and circuit diagrams may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present techniques may employ various types of capacitors, amplifiers, signal converters, switching devices, power sources, and the like, which may perform a wide variety of functions. The methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable system, such as a printer system or any other system that monitors the amount of a substance in a container.
Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in various embodiments of the present technology, the
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In various implementations, the strength (density) of the electric field may vary based on the position of the electrodes. For example, and referring to fig. 3, 5, 7 and 8, as the position of the gap changes and the corresponding change in the level of interest, the peak change (i.e., slope) of the capacitance also changes due to the change in the electric field. For example, in the present embodiment, the first and
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The particular embodiments shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connecting, manufacturing, and other functional aspects of the systems may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or steps between the various elements. There may be many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections in a practical system.
In the foregoing description, the technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described present technology. The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the described technology should be determined by the general embodiments described and their legal equivalents, rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process embodiment may be performed in any suitable order and are not limited to the precise order provided in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any system embodiment may be combined in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present techniques and are therefore not limited to the specific configuration set forth in the specific example.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element.
The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles thereof.
The present technology has been described above in connection with exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present techniques. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology.
According to a first aspect, a capacitive sensor attached to a container capable of containing a substance comprises: a first electrode attached to the container and extending from a bottom portion of the container to a sidewall connected to and extending upward from the bottom portion, wherein the first electrode comprises: a first end attached to a bottom portion of the container; and a second end attached to the sidewall of the container; a second electrode attached to the container and comprising: a third end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned adjacent to the second end of the first electrode; and a fourth end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned upwardly from and vertically aligned with the third end; wherein: the first electrode and the second electrode form a first capacitor; and the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a first gap.
In one embodiment, the first capacitance varies as a function of a height of the surface of the substance relative to the bottom portion.
In one embodiment, the position of the first gap corresponds to a first indicator level.
In one embodiment, the change in the first capacitance is greatest when the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the first gap.
In one embodiment, the first electrode has a first polarity and the second electrode has an opposite polarity.
In one embodiment, the capacitive sensor further comprises a third electrode attached to the container and having the first polarity, wherein the third electrode comprises: a fifth end attached to the top portion, wherein the top portion is positioned substantially parallel to and above the bottom portion; and a sixth end attached to the sidewall and adjacent the fourth end.
In one embodiment, the second electrode and the third electrode form a second capacitance; and the fourth end and the sixth end are separated by a second gap;
in one embodiment, the position of the second gap corresponds to the second indicator level.
In one embodiment, the change in the second capacitance is greatest when the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the second gap.
In one embodiment, the first electrode comprises a plurality of conductive elements of the same polarity.
In one embodiment, the first electrode comprises a single continuous conductive element.
According to a second aspect, a method of detecting a substance in a container using a capacitive sensor comprises: attaching a capacitive sensor to the container; wherein, the container includes: a bottom portion; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom portion; wherein, capacitive sensor includes: a first electrode, the first electrode comprising: a first end attached to a bottom portion of the container; and a second end attached to the sidewall of the container; and a second electrode, the second electrode comprising: a third end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned adjacent to the second end of the first electrode; and a fourth end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned upwardly from and vertically aligned with the third end; forming a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode; and detecting a change in capacitance based on the height of the surface of the substance.
In one embodiment, the second end and the third end are separated by a gap.
In one embodiment, the position of the gap corresponds to the indicator level.
In one embodiment, the change in capacitance is greatest when the height of the surface of the substance is within 5 millimeters of the gap.
According to a third aspect, a system for monitoring the amount of liquid in a container comprises: a capacitive sensor attached to the container; wherein, the container includes: a horizontal floor; and a side wall extending upwardly from the horizontal floor; wherein, capacitive sensor includes: a first electrode attached to the container and comprising: a first end attached to a horizontal floor of the container; and a second end attached to the sidewall of the container; and a second electrode attached to the container and forming a first capacitance with the first electrode, and including: a third end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned adjacent to the second end of the first electrode, wherein the third end and the second end are separated by a first gap; and a fourth end attached to the sidewall of the vessel and positioned upwardly from and vertically aligned with the third end; and a detection circuit connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to: measuring a first capacitance; calculating a change in the first capacitance from the measured capacitance; and determining the height of the liquid surface from the change in the first capacitance.
In one embodiment, the position of the first gap corresponds to the indicator level.
In one embodiment, the change in the first capacitance is greatest when the height of the surface of the liquid is substantially aligned with the first gap.
In one embodiment, the system further comprises a third electrode forming a second capacitance with the second electrode and comprising: a fifth end attached to the horizontal top plate, wherein the horizontal top plate is positioned parallel to and above the horizontal bottom plate; and a sixth end attached to the sidewall and adjacent the fourth end.
In one embodiment, the fourth end and the sixth end are separated by a second gap; and the change in the second capacitance is greatest when the height of the surface of the substance is substantially aligned with the second gap.
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