# US 12,111,201 B2 · Sensor system, use of a sensor system, device, and method for measuring a filling level

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- Number: US 12,111,201 B2
- Document ID: US12111201B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/636,738
- Filed: 2020-09-07
- Published: 2022-10-13
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-29
- Assignees: TDK Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: TDK Electronics AG
- Inventors: Michael Gebhart; Stefan Sax; Thomas Koidl; Michael Pirolt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111201B2

## CPC

- G01F 23/2962: Measuring transit time of reflected waves
- B65D 51/24: combined {or co-operating} with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D 77/0466: {the containers being mounted on a pallet}
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

In an embodiment a sensor system includes a housing, an electronic circuit and an ultrasonic distance sensor, wherein the electronic circuit and the ultrasonic distance sensor are arranged in the housing, and wherein the sensor system is configured to measure a distance between the sensor system and a surface of a material in a container by an echo propagation time of an ultrasonic burst in air.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor system comprising:
a housing having a middle section, a first end section and a second end section, wherein the middle section has a shape of a cylinder shell, wherein the first end section and the second end section are arranged at opposite openings of the middle section, wherein the first and second end sections are each disc-shaped, and wherein the first end section has at least one opening for receiving at least one locking element;
an electronic circuit; and
an ultrasonic distance sensor,
wherein the electronic circuit and the ultrasonic distance sensor are arranged in the housing,
wherein the sensor system is configured to measure a distance between the sensor system and a surface of a material in a container by an echo propagation time of an ultrasonic burst in air,
wherein the at least one opening is arranged on an outer side of the first end section facing away from the material,
wherein the at least one locking element is configured to connect to a fastening element,
wherein the fastening element is arranged in an inner region of the housing, and
wherein the fastening element is adapted to support the electronic circuit and to fasten the electronic circuit to the first end section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the ultrasonic distance sensor is configured to emit at least one ultrasonic burst,
wherein a frequency of the ultrasonic burst lies in a range B of 20 kHz<B≤100 kHz, and
wherein the ultrasonic distance sensor is configured to receive an echo generated by the ultrasonic burst at the surface of the material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to determine a filling level of the material from the measured distance, taking into account geometric parameters of the container.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to be arranged in a lid of the container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The sensor system according to claim 4, wherein a thread is located on an outer side of the housing, and wherein the thread is configured to mechanically connect the housing to the lid of the container.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1,
wherein the second end section has an opening, and
wherein the ultrasonic distance sensor is located in the opening in such a way that a membrane of the ultrasonic distance sensor is located in a plane with an outer side of the second end section facing the material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the second end section has a diameter which corresponds to 10 times an acoustic wavelength of the ultrasonic burst.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to monitor a temperature or a supply voltage.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to trigger an action at a predefined filling level value.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a closed surface or a protective membrane.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system is detachable and portable.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a supply unit or an energy harvester as a power supply.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to output a determined result to a user via a wireless interface or via a display.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The sensor system according to claim 13, wherein the display is located directly on an outer side of the sensor system.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A device comprising:
at least one sensor system according to claim 1; and
a lid configured to be detachably connected to the container,
wherein the lid has at least one opening,
wherein the sensor system is located in the opening of the lid, and
wherein the sensor system is detachably connected to the lid.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The device according to claim 15, wherein the opening has a screw thread, and wherein the sensor system is screwed to the lid via the thread of the housing.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The device according to claim 15, further comprising a sealing element arranged between the sensor system and the lid.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

A method for measuring a filling level of the material in the container, the method comprising:
providing the container with a lid, wherein the lid is screwed to the container, and wherein the lid has an opening with a screw thread;
providing the sensor system according to claim 1;
screwing the sensor system to the lid via the screw thread and the thread;
emitting the ultrasonic burst by the ultrasonic distance sensor and receiving an echo generated at the surface of the material by the ultrasonic distance sensor;
evaluating the distance between the sensor system and the surface of the material from the propagation time of the echo; and
determination of the filling level of the material by the electronic circuit.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, wherein emitting the ultrasonic burst and evaluating the distance is multiple times repeated, and wherein subsequently a plausibility evaluation of a distance measurement is carried out by the electronic circuit.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, further comprising outputting a determined result via an interface.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The method according to claim 18, further comprising comparing a determined result with predetermined conditions thereby triggering an event.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

A method for using the sensor system according to claim 1, the method comprising:
detachably connecting the sensor system with the container in a gas- and liquid-tight manner.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first end section is fastened to the middle section via the locking element and the fastening element.