# US 2019/0356311 A1 · Sensor device for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive substance in a space region, and applications thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0356311 A1 - Document ID: US20190356311A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/094,512 - Filed: 2017-04-19 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-19 - Assignees: Bitron S.P.A. - Applicants: BITRON S.p.A. - Inventors: Paolo VERDESIO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190356311A1 ## CPC - H03K 17/94: characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated - A47L 15/0018: {Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control (for control of water softening or water softener regeneration A47L15/4229; for control of water level A47L15/4244; for control of bad smells or odours A47L15/4276; for control of water temperature A47L15/4287; for control of water pressure A47L15/4289; for control of condition of crockery or tableware A47L15/4295; for control of condition of washing water A47L15/4297)} - A47L 15/4409: {by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer} - A47L 2401/24: Spray arms status, e.g. detection of spray arm rotation - D06F 2103/00: Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers - G01N 27/121: {for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity, of the fluid (moisture content of the tested material G01N27/048)} - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A sensor device for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive substance in a space region, and applications thereof. The sensor device includes a detecting circuit, including at least first and second foils or sheets of an electrically conductive material; and a control circuit coupled with said detecting circuit and having an output connected with one of the foils for applying a first electric radiofrequency signal thereto and an input connected to other one of the foils for receiving a second radiofrequency signal induced in said other foil. The control circuit generates an information signal indicative of the strength of the second signal, which varies as a function of the presence of a body or a substance on or at said other foil. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor device (1) for detecting the presence of a body or substance in a spatial region (A), in particular for detecting an electrically conductive liquid flow in a washing machine such as a washing bath flow emitted by a spraying impeller into a dishwasher machine, comprising a detecting circuit (2), including at least first and second foils or sheets (A, B) of an electrically conductive material; and a controller coupled with said detecting circuit (2) and having an output (4) connected with one (B) of said foils (A, B) for applying a first electric radiofrequency signal thereto and an input (6) connected to another one (A) of said foils (A, B) for receiving a second radiofrequency signal induced in said other foil (A); said controller being arranged to generate an information signal indicative of the strength of said second signal, which varies as a function of the presence of a body or a substance on or near said other foil (A). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said detecting circuit comprise at least one circuit support board (2). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A sensor device according to claim 2, wherein said foils (A, B) are disposed on opposite faces (2a, 2b) of said circuit support board (2). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A sensor device according to claim 3, wherein said foils (A, B) are at least partially juxtaposed with each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprise a microcontroller (MC). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A sensor device according to claim 5, wherein said microcontroller (MC) is arranged to convert said second electric signal into a digital form. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A dispensing device (40) for washing agents of a washing machine, in particular a dishwasher machine, comprising a device according to claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A home appliance, comprising a device according to claim 1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A tactile type control device, comprising a device according to claim 1.