TURBIDITY SENSOR Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC D06F39/00 A47L15/42 B08B13/00 B08B3/04 G01N21/53 G01N21/01 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: turbidity sensor has a light source (210) for emitting light. The emitted light has a variable radiant intensity. The sensor further comprises a light-sensitive element (220) for receiving light emitted from the light source (210). The light source (211) and the light-sensitive element (220) are positioned relative to each other so that, when the light source (210) is in operation, light emitted from the light source (210) can propagate through a washing liquid contained in the washing machine (400) on its way to the light sensitive element (220). The light-sensitive element (220) is configured to measure the intensity of light received by the light-sensitive element (221). Furthermore, the sensor has a controller (230) which is communicatively connected to the light source (210) and the light-sensitive element (220). The controller (230) is configured to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the light source (210) depending on the measured intensity of light received by the light-sensitive element (220). A computer data storage medium contains program instructions which, when executed by a device with computational capabilities, realises the method of measuring liquid turbidity described above.

EFFECT: high accuracy of measurement and wider operating range of the sensor.

15 cl, 6 dwg