KR20240096254A - Turbidity sensor and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A turbidity sensor according to one aspect of the disclosed invention includes a light emitting unit that emits light in a plurality of wavelength ranges; a light receiving unit that receives light in the plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit and outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range received; and a control unit that determines, as the turbidity of the solution, turbidity corresponding to a voltage within a predetermined voltage range among the voltages in each wavelength region output from the light receiving unit.

Description

Turbidity sensor and its control method {TURBIDITY SENSOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The disclosed invention relates to a turbidity sensor and a control method thereof, and relates to a turbidity sensor capable of measuring turbidity more precisely and a control method thereof.

Some home appliances that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers, are equipped with turbidity sensors to measure water turbidity and change the washing process or wash cycle according to the turbidity. These home appliances change the number of washes or washes according to the turbidity measured by the turbidity sensor, thereby reducing water waste and ensuring an optimal washing or washing cycle.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the turbidity sensor is provided with a light emitting part that emits light and a light receiving part that receives the light emitted from the light emitting part, and the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting part and the light received by the light receiving part are measured. The turbidity of water is measured using the intensity of light.

That is, when the light emitting unit emits light at a certain intensity, the remaining light excluding the light scattered by particles floating in the water is received by the light receiving unit to measure the turbidity of the water.

When the turbidity is high as shown in Figure 1a, a large amount of the light emitted from the light emitting unit is scattered by particles in the water and only a portion of the light is received by the light receiving unit, and when the turbidity is low as shown in Figure 1b, a lot of the light emitted from the light emitting unit is Positive light passes through the water and is received by the light receiving unit.

The sensor output of the turbidity sensor according to this turbidity is shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the lower the turbidity (C), the higher the sensor output, and conversely, the higher the turbidity (D), the lower the sensor output.

These conventional turbidity sensors emit light of a specific wavelength and measure turbidity according to the voltage corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiver. However, when light is emitted with a single wavelength, the amount of change in turbidity value depending on voltage is large, making accurate measurement of turbidity difficult.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a turbidity sensor and a control method thereof that enable more accurate measurement of turbidity of a solution by measuring turbidity by emitting light in a plurality of wavelength ranges.

A turbidity sensor according to one aspect of the disclosed invention includes a light emitting unit that emits light in a plurality of wavelength ranges; a light receiving unit that receives light in the plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit and outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range received; and a control unit that determines, as the turbidity of the solution, turbidity corresponding to a voltage within a predetermined voltage range among the voltages in each wavelength region output from the light receiving unit.

The control unit may control the light emitting unit to simultaneously emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges.

The light receiving unit may receive light in the plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit and output a voltage corresponding to the amount of light for each wavelength range.

The control unit may control the light emitting unit to sequentially emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges.

The light emitting unit may include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided to emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges, and the light receiving unit may include a photo diode (Photo Diode) provided to receive light in the plurality of wavelength ranges. You can.

The plurality of light emitting diodes may be arranged in a circle at regular intervals around the photo diode.

The control unit may control the light emitting unit to emit different amounts of light for each of the plurality of wavelength regions.

The light in the plurality of wavelength regions includes light in the red wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the blue wavelength region, light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelength region. Can include light in the area.

A method of controlling a turbidity sensor according to one aspect of the disclosed invention includes emitting light in a plurality of wavelength ranges; receiving the emitted light in the plurality of wavelength ranges; outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range received; determining a voltage within a predetermined voltage range among the output voltages in each wavelength range; It may include determining the turbidity corresponding to the voltage within the predetermined voltage range as the turbidity of the solution.

Emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges may include simultaneously emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges.

Outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of light may include receiving the emitted light in the plurality of wavelength ranges and outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of light for each wavelength range.

Emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges may include sequentially emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges.

A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided to emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges; and a photo diode configured to receive light in the plurality of wavelength ranges, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes may be arranged in a circle at regular intervals around the photo diode.

Emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges may include emitting different amounts of light for each of the plurality of wavelength ranges.

The light in the plurality of wavelength regions includes light in the red wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the blue wavelength region, light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelength region. Can include light in the area.

According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, the turbidity of a solution can be measured more accurately by emitting light in a plurality of wavelength ranges to measure turbidity.

In addition, by accurately determining the turbidity of the solution, the operation time, water usage, and energy usage can be reduced through optimization of the cleaning cycle of a dishwasher, etc.

Figure 1a is a conceptual diagram of a conventional turbidity sensor, showing a case where turbidity is high.
Figure 1b is a conceptual diagram of a conventional turbidity sensor showing a case where turbidity is low.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing the output waveform of a conventional turbidity sensor.
FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.
Figure 3b is a diagram showing another example of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.
FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating another example of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing a control block diagram of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing an output waveform when light in a multi-wavelength range is emitted according to an embodiment.
6 and 7 are diagrams showing determining a voltage within a predetermined voltage range according to one embodiment.
8 and 9 are flowcharts showing a method of controlling a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment.

The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and at the time of filing this application, there may be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings in this specification.

In addition, the same reference numbers or symbols shown in each drawing of this specification indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

Additionally, the terms used herein are used to describe embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or limit the disclosed invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. The existence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not excluded in advance.

Additionally, in this specification, when a component is said to be “connected” or “coupled” with another component, this includes not only cases where it is directly connected or combined, but also cases where it is indirectly connected or combined.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first”, “second”, etc. used in this specification may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms It is used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component without departing from the scope of the present invention, and similarly, the second component may also be named a first component. The term “and/or” includes any of a plurality of related stated items or a combination of a plurality of related stated items.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram of a conventional turbidity sensor showing a case where turbidity is high, FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram of a conventional turbidity sensor showing a case of low turbidity, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the output waveform of a conventional turbidity sensor.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the turbidity sensor 3 has a light emitting unit 3a that emits light and a light receiving unit 3b that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 3a. The turbidity of water is measured using the intensity of light emitted from the light receiving unit 3a and the intensity of light received from the light receiving unit 3b.

That is, when the light emitting unit 3a emits light at a certain intensity, the remaining light excluding the light scattered by particles floating in the water is received by the light receiving unit 3b to measure the turbidity of the water. At this time, the measured turbidity (F) can be obtained as a function value according to [Equation 1] below.

[Equation 1]

F (turbidity) = a ㅧ (Amount of light received by the light receiver / Amount of light emitted by the light emitter)

Here, a is a proportionality constant, and as the turbidity of water increases, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 3b decreases compared to the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 3a, and the function value of [Equation 1] becomes smaller.

When the turbidity is high as shown in Figure 1a, a large amount of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 3a is scattered by particles in the water and only a portion of the light is received by the light receiving unit 3b, so the function value of [Equation 1] is small. When the turbidity is low as shown in Figure 1b, a large amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 3a passes through the water and is received by the light receiving unit 3b, so the function value of [Equation 1] becomes large. The sensor output of the turbidity sensor 3 according to this turbidity is shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the lower the turbidity (C), the higher the sensor output, and conversely, the higher the turbidity (D), the lower the sensor output.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another example of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

In FIG. 3A, the turbidity sensor 40 includes a cover 46 that covers the turbidity sensor 40 and forms the exterior of the turbidity sensor 40 so that the turbidity sensor 40 does not come into direct contact with water, and the inside of the cover 46. A substrate 44 is installed perpendicular to the cover 46 and fixes the light emitting portion 41 and the light receiving portion 47, and one light emitting portion is installed on the substrate 44 and emits light in the visible light region ( 41) and a light receiving unit 47 that receives light in the visible light region emitted from the light emitting unit 41.

The light emitting unit 41 can typically use a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode, and the light receiving portion 47 can typically use a light receiving device such as a photo transistor or photo diode.

The light emitting unit 41 can be arranged inside the light emitting unit case 43 in a structure that allows light to travel straight in a narrow range, and the light receiving unit 47 is positioned within the range where the light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 travels straight. It may be disposed opposite to the light emitting unit 41. The light emitting unit case 43, which allows light to travel straight in a narrow range, and the light receiving unit case 49, which allows light to enter the light receiving unit, may have different structures as long as they perform the same function.

In addition, the turbidity sensor 40 receives the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 47, obtains the ratio of the amount of light, uses this ratio of the amount of light to determine the turbidity of the water, and determines the turbidity of the water. It may further include a control unit 45 that determines the amount.

Therefore, when the light emitting unit 41 emits light in the visible light range at a certain intensity, the light passing straight through the water in the container 30 is received by the light receiving unit 47. Accordingly, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 47 is input from the control unit 45, and the ratio of the light quantity is calculated to measure the turbidity of the water. At this time, the measured turbidity (F) can be obtained as a function value according to [Equation 2] below.

[Equation 2]

F (turbidity) = a

Here, a is a proportionality constant, and the amount of light in the visible ray region emitted from the light emitting part is the voltage measured at the light receiving part when the light in the visible ray range emitted from the light emitting part is incident on the light receiving part with no obstacles in between. It means the value, and the amount of light in the visible light region received by the light receiver is the value of the voltage measured at the light receiver when the light in the visible light region emitted from the light emitter passes through a solution, etc., is partially scattered, and then enters the light receiver. it means. This can equally be applied to light in the infrared region.

As the turbidity of water increases, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 47 decreases compared to the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 41, and the function value of [Equation 2] becomes smaller.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the turbidity sensor 40 according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention may include a structure that does not include the control unit 45. In this case, the role of the control unit 45 can be performed by a device including the turbidity sensor 40.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating another example of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention. Parts that are identical to the configuration shown in FIG. 3A are given the same reference numerals and the same names, thereby omitting redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the turbidity sensor 40 includes a cover 46 that forms the exterior of the turbidity sensor 40, a substrate 44a installed horizontally with respect to the cover 46 inside the cover 46, and a substrate ( A U-shaped case 44b installed on 44a) to fix the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 47, a light emitting unit 41 installed on the case 44b to emit light in the visible ray region, and a light emitting unit ( It may include a light receiving part 47 that receives the light emitted from 41).

The light emitting unit 41 outputs a predetermined amount of light according to an input control signal, and the light receiving unit 47 outputs an electrical signal of a predetermined size according to the received amount of light. Specifically, the light receiving unit 47 outputs a large electrical signal in clear water that does not contain contaminants, and outputs a small electrical signal as turbidity increases.

Additionally, the light receiving unit 47 outputs an electrical signal of a predetermined size according to the amount of light received. Therefore, even if the sensitivity of the light receiving unit 47 decreases due to a change with the passage of time, in order to maintain sensitivity above a certain level, the light receiving unit 47 must be electrically operated at its maximum size in clear water containing no contaminants. It is necessary to perform calibration to output a signal.

Calibration of the light receiver 47 can be performed by measuring the electrical signal output from the light receiver 47 while adjusting the control signal input to the light emitter 41 in clear water that does not contain contaminants. That is, the turbidity sensor 40 can set a reference value for the control signal input to the light emitting unit 41 when the electrical signal output from the light receiving unit 47 reaches its maximum size.

By performing calibration of the light receiver 47 in this way, the sensitivity of the turbidity sensor 40 is improved.

Hereinafter, a process for measuring the turbidity of a solution by emitting light in a plurality of wavelength ranges according to an embodiment will be described in detail.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing a control block diagram of a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment.

The turbidity sensor 40 may include a light emitting unit 41, a light receiving unit 47, and a control unit 45. The control unit 45 may include a processor 45-1 and a memory 45-2.

The light emitting unit 41 may emit light in multiple wavelength ranges. The light emitting unit 41 may typically use a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode, and may include a plurality of light emitting devices that emit light in each wavelength range to emit light in a plurality of wavelength ranges. The light emitting device may include a light emitting diode (LED).

Here, light in a plurality of wavelength regions includes light in the red wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the blue wavelength region, light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region, and light in the ultraviolet wavelength region. may include.

This is just an example, and light in more diverse wavelength ranges can be emitted to measure turbidity.

The light emitting unit 41 may include LEDs of each wavelength to emit light in each wavelength range.

Additionally, the light in a plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit 41 may emit the same amount of light or different amounts of light for each of the plurality of wavelength ranges.

The light receiving unit 47 may receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit 41 . The light receiving unit 47 may include a photo diode configured to receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges.

Here, the plurality of light emitting diodes may be arranged in a circle at regular intervals around the photo diode.

Accordingly, light in a plurality of wavelength ranges is uniformly received by the light receiving unit 47, thereby reducing errors due to differences in the amount of light received in each wavelength range.

The arrangement of the plurality of light emitting diodes in a circle is only an example, and they may be arranged in various shapes so that the light receiving unit 47 can uniformly receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges.

The light receiving unit 47 may output a voltage corresponding to the amount of light received. When light in a plurality of wavelength ranges is received, a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range received can be output.

The control unit 45 determines the turbidity based on the voltage and includes a memory 45-2 that stores a control program and control data for controlling the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 47. It may include at least one processor 45-1 that generates a control signal according to the stored control program and control data. The memory 45-2 and the processor 45-1 may be provided integrally or may be provided separately.

The memory 45-2 can store various information such as predetermined voltage range information, turbidity detection results, and the wavelength of emitted light, determines turbidity based on the voltage, and uses the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 47. Programs and data for control can be stored.

The memory 45-2 may include volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-Lab) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory 45-2 is a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory: EPROM), and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) for long-term storage of data. May contain memory.

The processor 45-1 may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, process data according to a program provided from memory, and generate control signals according to the processing results.

The control unit 45 can determine whether the voltage in each wavelength region output from the light receiving unit 47 falls within a predetermined voltage range.

As a result of the determination, the turbidity corresponding to the voltage within the predetermined voltage range can be determined as the turbidity of the solution.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an output waveform when light in a multi-wavelength range is emitted according to an embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a case where light in the blue wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the red wavelength region, and light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region are emitted.

Unlike the case of emitting light of a single wavelength as shown in Figure 2, when light of multiple wavelength regions is emitted, each wavelength region is optimized to detect the turbidity range of a different region, so the amount of change in turbidity according to voltage As it is not too small or too large, turbidity can be measured more accurately.

For example, light in the blue wavelength range is suitable for measuring the amount of change in turbidity depending on voltage when the turbidity is in the range of about 0 to 1200 [NTU], and light in the green wavelength range is suitable for measuring the amount of change in turbidity depending on voltage. It is suitable for measuring the change in turbidity according to voltage when it is within the range of 2000[NTU].

In addition, light in the red wavelength range is suitable for measuring the amount of change in turbidity depending on voltage when the turbidity is in the range of about 2000 to 3200 [NTU], and light in the infrared (IR) wavelength range is suitable for measuring the amount of change in turbidity depending on the turbidity of about 1200 to 2000 [NTU]. It is suitable for measuring the change in turbidity according to voltage when it is within the [NTU] range.

Accordingly, it is possible to precisely measure more granular turbidity by emitting light in the blue wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the red wavelength region, and light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region. there is.

The control unit 45 may control the light emitting unit 41 to simultaneously emit light in a plurality of wavelength ranges.

If the light receiving unit 47 can receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges and output voltages for each wavelength range, it is possible to simultaneously emit light in a plurality of wavelength ranges and output voltages for each wavelength range at once. there is.

The light receiving unit 47 may receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit 41 and output a voltage corresponding to the amount of light for each wavelength range.

If the light receiving unit 47 cannot receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges and output voltages for each wavelength range separately, and can output only one voltage for light in a single wavelength range, the control unit 45 may receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges. The light emitting unit 41 can be controlled to sequentially emit light in the wavelength range.

In other words, light in each wavelength range can be emitted separately and voltage for each wavelength range can be output separately.

6 and 7 are diagrams showing determining a voltage within a predetermined voltage range according to one embodiment.

As described above, the control unit 45 determines whether the voltage in each wavelength region output from the light receiving unit 47 falls within a predetermined voltage range, and as a result of the determination, determines the turbidity corresponding to the voltage falling within the predetermined voltage range. It can be determined by the turbidity of the solution.

At this time, the predetermined voltage range can be set to an appropriate range to reduce errors that may occur when measuring turbidity. For example, the predetermined voltage range may be in the range of 0.5 [V] to 4 [V].

If the output voltage is less than 0.5 [V], the amount of change in turbidity according to the change in voltage is too large and an error may occur, and if the output voltage is greater than 4 [V], the amount of change in turbidity according to the change in voltage is too large. Since the error may occur because it is small, the error can be reduced by determining the turbidity corresponding to the voltage as the turbidity of the solution only when the output voltage is in the range of 0.5 [V] to 4 [V].

In addition, overlapping areas may occur, such as outputting different voltages at the same turbidity in multiple wavelength regions. In this case, accuracy can be increased by using the voltage value with the highest accuracy for turbidity measurement.

Referring to Figure 6, when the turbidity value is about 500 [NTU], the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the blue wavelength region can be output at about 1.2 [V], and the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the green wavelength region can be output. The voltage can be output at about 4.5 [V].

At this time, the turbidity corresponding to about 1.2 [V], which is the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the blue wavelength region within the predetermined voltage range, can be determined as the turbidity of the solution.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the turbidity value is about 2500 [NTU], the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the red wavelength region can be output at about 1.3 [V], and the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the green and blue wavelength regions can be output. The corresponding voltages may be output at about 0.2 [V] and 0.3 [V], respectively. Additionally, the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the infrared wavelength range can be output at about 4.5 [V].

At this time, the turbidity corresponding to about 1.3 [V], which is the voltage corresponding to the amount of light in the red wavelength region within the predetermined voltage range, can be determined as the turbidity of the solution.

In this way, light in multiple wavelength ranges is emitted, and the turbidity corresponding to the voltage within a predetermined voltage range among the voltage values corresponding to the light in each wavelength range is determined as the turbidity of the solution, compared to when light of a single wavelength is emitted. The turbidity of the solution can be measured more accurately.

8 and 9 are flowcharts showing a method of controlling a turbidity sensor according to an embodiment.

The turbidity sensor 40 according to an embodiment emits light in a plurality of wavelength ranges (1001), receives the emitted light in the plurality of wavelength ranges (1003), and responds to the amount of light in the plurality of wavelength ranges received. The turbidity of the solution can be determined based on the intensity of the voltage (1005).

First, light in multiple wavelength ranges can be emitted (1101). At this time, in order to emit light in a plurality of wavelength ranges, it may include a plurality of light emitting devices that emit light in each wavelength range. The light emitting device may include a light emitting diode (LED).

Here, the light in the plurality of wavelength regions may include light in the red wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the blue wavelength region, and light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region.

The light receiving unit 47 may receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit 41 (1103). The light receiving unit 47 may include a photo diode configured to receive light in a plurality of wavelength ranges.

The light receiving unit 47 may output a voltage corresponding to the amount of light received. When light in a plurality of wavelength ranges is received, a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range can be output (1105).

The control unit 45 can determine whether the voltage in each wavelength region output from the light receiving unit 47 falls within a predetermined voltage range.

At this time, the predetermined voltage range can be set to an appropriate range to reduce errors that may occur when measuring turbidity. For example, the predetermined voltage range may be in the range of 0.5 [V] to 4 [V].

As a result of the determination, the turbidity corresponding to the voltage (example of 1107) falling within the predetermined voltage range can be determined as the turbidity of the solution (1109).

According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, the turbidity of a solution can be measured more accurately by emitting light in a plurality of wavelength ranges to measure turbidity.

In addition, by accurately determining the turbidity of the solution, the operation time, water usage, and energy usage can be reduced through optimization of the cleaning cycle of a dishwasher, etc.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. Instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may create program modules to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media storing instructions that can be decoded by a computer. For example, there may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings. A person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

40: Turbidity sensor
41: light emitting unit
45: control unit
47: light receiving unit

Claims (15)

A light emitting unit that emits light in a plurality of wavelength ranges;
a light receiving unit that receives light in the plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit and outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range received; and
A turbidity sensor comprising: a control unit that determines, as the turbidity of the solution, a turbidity corresponding to a voltage within a predetermined voltage range among the voltages in each wavelength range output from the light receiving unit. According to clause 1,
The control unit,
A turbidity sensor that controls the light emitting unit to simultaneously emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges. According to clause 2,
The light receiving unit,
A turbidity sensor that receives light in the plurality of wavelength ranges emitted from the light emitting unit and outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of light for each wavelength range. According to clause 1,
The control unit,
A turbidity sensor that controls the light emitting unit to sequentially emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges. According to clause 1,
The light emitting part,
It includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges,
The light receiving unit,
A turbidity sensor including a photo diode configured to receive light in the plurality of wavelength ranges. According to clause 5,
The plurality of light emitting diodes are,
A turbidity sensor is arranged in a circle at regular intervals around the photo diode. According to clause 1,
The control unit,
A turbidity sensor that controls the light emitting unit to emit different amounts of light for each of the plurality of wavelength regions. According to clause 1,
Light in the plurality of wavelength ranges is,
A turbidity sensor including light in the red wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the blue wavelength region, light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region, and light in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength region. emitting light in a plurality of wavelength ranges;
receiving the emitted light in the plurality of wavelength ranges;
outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of light in each wavelength range received;
determining a voltage within a predetermined voltage range among the output voltages in each wavelength region;
A method of controlling a turbidity sensor comprising: determining turbidity corresponding to a voltage within the predetermined voltage range as turbidity of the solution. According to clause 9,
Emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges,
A method of controlling a turbidity sensor comprising simultaneously emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges. According to clause 10,
Outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of light,
A method of controlling a turbidity sensor comprising receiving the emitted light in the plurality of wavelength ranges and outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of light for each wavelength range. According to clause 9,
Emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges,
A method of controlling a turbidity sensor comprising sequentially emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges. According to clause 9,
A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) provided to emit light in the plurality of wavelength ranges; and
It includes a photo diode provided to receive light in the plurality of wavelength ranges,
The plurality of light emitting diodes are,
A method of controlling a turbidity sensor arranged in a circle at regular intervals centered on the photo diode. According to clause 9,
Emitting light in the plurality of wavelength ranges,
A method of controlling a turbidity sensor comprising emitting different amounts of light for each of the plurality of wavelength regions. According to clause 9,
Light in the plurality of wavelength ranges is,
Turbidity sensor including light in the red wavelength region, light in the green wavelength region, light in the blue wavelength region, light in the infrared (IR) wavelength region, and light in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength region. Control method.

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