Capacitive sensing system and related method

#The present disclosure relates generally to fluid level detection in a solid-production system and, in particular, to a capacitive sensing system and related method for fluid level detection in a solid-production system.

#Solid-production systems, such as consumer ice-makers, typically employ a sensing mechanism in conjunction with a dispensing apparatus to automatically determine a fill level of fluid dispensed from the dispensing apparatus.

#For example, a capacitive sensor may be provided adjacent to a compartment of the fluid tray, but external to the fluid, such that the capacitive sensor is not submerged in the fluid. The capacitive sensor may comprise a non-conductive, dielectric substrate that conforms to the exterior of the compartment of the fluid tray. A plurality of electrodes may extend along a longitudinal axis of the substrate. An electrode of the plurality of electrodes may transmit a signal corresponding to dielectric changes in the electrode as the fill level of the fluid changes within the compartment of the fluid tray. The fill level of the fluid can then be determined based on the physical location of the transmitting electrode on the compartment up to a predetermined threshold fill level. A controller may be configured to close a valve in the dispensing apparatus in response to a determination that the predetermined threshold fill level is achieved. However, providing a sensor adjacent to the compartment of the fluid tray in this manner is problematic as the sensor may be measuring the sides of the compartment of the fluid tray, which does not take into account surface tension such that the fill level may be higher at the sides of the compartment than in the center. As such, some compartments may be filled inconsistently due to inaccurate determination of the fill level of the fluid across the whole compartment.

#Having thus described example implementations of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

#FIG. 1A illustrates an example schematic of a capacitive sensing system according to example implementations of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 1B illustrates an example schematic of a capacitive sensing system according to other example implementations of the present disclosure;

#Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, unless otherwise indicated, reference to something as being a first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order. Also, for example, reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, relationships or the like. Unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the like. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

#Example implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to a capacitive sensing system and related method. The capacitive sensing system may include a circuit board on which processing circuitry is provided and a capacitive sensor coupled to the processing circuitry. The capacitive sensor may be moveably aligned with a top surface of fluid in a fluid cup so that the capacitive sensor and the fluid in the fluid cup form elements of a capacitor, such that the processing circuitry is able to measure a change in signal corresponding to a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensing system. As such, a fluid fill level of the fluid in the fluid cup may be determined based on a magnitude of the change in signal.

#The capacitive sensing system disclosed herein may be advantageous as it may allow a fluid tray, a fluid mold, a fluid cup, and the like collectively referred to herein as “the fluid cup”) to be precisely filled to a predetermined threshold fill level independent of fluid pressure. More particularly, the capacitive sensing system is configured to determine the fill level of the fluid in the fluid cup based on a magnitude of the change in signal, the change in signal being measured as the fill level of the fluid in the fluid cup changes. As such, the change in signal may correspond to a change in capacitance of the capacitor. In this manner, the fluid may be filled to the predetermined threshold fill level, regardless of a length of time needed to fill the fluid cup (e.g., where only fluid pressure is relied on) and/or fluid pressure.