Integrated Sensor Design for Fluid Composition and Flow Measurement
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Summary
Problems
Existing hot film air mass meters require additional sensors to determine qualitative properties of fluid media, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation solutions
A sensor system that integrates a second micro-electro-mechanical sensor chip within the electronics module to determine the qualitative composition of the fluid medium, including gas and solid components, without the need for additional sensors.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If additional sensors are used to determine qualitative properties of fluid media, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent combines multiple sensor chips (first sensor chip for flow parameters, second sensor chip for qualitative composition) into a single integrated sensor device with a common housing and electronics module. This merging approach enables simultaneous measurement of both quantitative flow parameters and qualitative fluid composition without requiring separate standalone sensors, thereby improving measurement capability while managing device complexity through integration.
Principle concept:
If additional sensors are used to determine qualitative properties of fluid media, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Why choose this principle:
The sensor device is designed as a multi-functional system where the first sensor chip measures flow parameters (volume flow rate, mass flow rate) and the second sensor chip measures qualitative composition (gas components, particles). This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple measurement functions that would traditionally require separate specialized sensors, enhancing versatility while consolidating hardware.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A sensor system that integrates a second micro-electro-mechanical sensor chip within the electronics module to determine the qualitative composition of the fluid medium, including gas and solid components, without the need for additional sensors.
Abstract
The invention relates to a sensor (10) for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium flowing through a measurement channel (30), particularly of an intake air mass flow of an internal combustion engine. The sensor (10) comprises a sensor housing (12), in particular a plug-in sensor which is introduced or can be introduced into a flow tube, in which the measurement channel (30) is formed, at least one first sensor chip (42) arranged in the measurement channel (30) for determining the parameter of the fluid medium, and an electronics module (38). The electronics module (38) comprises a control and/or evaluation circuit (50). The sensor (10) further comprises a second sensor chip (54) for determining a qualitative composition of the fluid medium. The second sensor chip (54) is connected to the control and/or evaluation circuit (50).