Combined Temperature and Pressure Sensor with Bellows Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors for pressure and temperature measurement in applications like electric vehicles and liquid cooling systems are often bulky, costly, and lack sufficient media isolation, leading to inaccurate readings and potential damage from corrosive fluids.

Innovation Solution

A compact sensor apparatus featuring a media isolation chamber with a bellows member and insulator media, housing a MEMS pressure sensing element and temperature sensing element on a circuit board, providing separate outputs for pressure and temperature while isolating the sensing elements from corrosive media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate pressure and temperature sensors are used, then measurement capability is provided, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a pressure sensing element and a temperature sensing element into a single integrated sensor device. The pressure sensing element includes a diaphragm and piezoresistors for pressure detection, while the temperature sensing element uses a thermistor for temperature detection. Both sensing elements are housed together in a single package with shared circuitry, enabling simultaneous pressure and temperature measurement without requiring separate sensors, thus reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If sensing elements are exposed to corrosive media, then direct measurement is achieved, but sensor accuracy deteriorates and damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect measurementVSAvoidsensor protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hermetically sealed enclosure as an intermediary barrier between the sensing elements and the corrosive media. The enclosure contains the pressure and temperature sensing elements in a protected environment, isolating them from direct contact with corrosive fluids while still allowing accurate measurement of the media's pressure and temperature. This hermetic barrier prevents chemical degradation and physical damage to the sensing elements, ensuring long-term reliability and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If compact sensor design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but media isolation capability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmedia isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the sensing elements are contained within a hermetically sealed enclosure that is itself housed within a compact external casing. The pressure sensing element with its diaphragm and the temperature sensing element with its thermistor are nested together in the same sealed environment. This nested arrangement provides effective media isolation through the hermetic barrier while maintaining a compact overall device footprint, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution offers improved accuracy and protection of sensing elements from corrosive media, reducing thermal loss and providing a compact design suitable for applications in electric vehicles and liquid cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

A compact sensor apparatus featuring a media isolation chamber with a bellows member and insulator media, housing a MEMS pressure sensing element and temperature sensing element on a circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4036545B1Combined temperature and pressure sensing device

Publication Date: 2024.12.18 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

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Figure 2A

AI summary

Example methods, apparatuses and systems for a combined temperature and pressure sensing device are provided. An example apparatus includes a media isolation chamber assembly having a sleeve member and a bellows member, a first circuit board element disposed in the bellows member and encapsulated by insulator media in the bellows member, a pressure sensing element disposed in the bellows member and electrically coupled to the first circuit board element; and a temperature sensing element disposed in the sleeve member and electrically coupled to the first circuit board element.