Conductive Washer Manifold Layout for Pump EMI Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wash systems face challenges in effectively shielding electromagnetic fields generated by pumps, which can interfere with fluid level sensors, leading to inaccurate fluid level detection and reduced cleaning efficiency, and also generate noise that affects passenger experience.
Innovation Solution
A wash assembly with a manifold constructed of electrically conductive material, including carbon nanostructures, that separates pump compartments and fluid chambers, provides a common ground for the pumps, and includes impellers to direct fluid for cleaning, while shielding electromagnetic fields and minimizing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pumps are used to generate electromagnetic fields for fluid pumping, then fluid pumping function is achieved, but electromagnetic field interference with fluid level sensors occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically conductive shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the pumps and fluid level sensors. This shield acts as a mediator that blocks electromagnetic fields generated by the pumps from interfering with the sensors, while allowing the pumps to continue their pumping function. The shield is positioned strategically to intercept electromagnetic radiation before it reaches the sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic field interference into a beneficial grounding function. By providing a common ground attachment connected to the vehicle body, the electromagnetic fields generated by the pumps are directed to ground, preventing them from interfering with sensors. The harmful electromagnetic radiation is thus converted into a controlled electrical path to ground.
2Device complexity
If pumps are disposed in close proximity to sensors for compact design, then device compactness is improved, but electromagnetic field interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive shield serves as a protective intermediary that enables close proximity placement of pumps and sensors without electromagnetic interference. The shield is positioned between these components, allowing them to be housed in a compact manifold assembly while maintaining electromagnetic isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin electrically conductive shield that provides electromagnetic protection without adding significant bulk to the assembly. This thin film approach allows for compact design while maintaining effective electromagnetic field blocking between pumps and sensors.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple pumps are housed in a single manifold for integration, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but electromagnetic field shielding becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is segmented into multiple pump compartments by internal dividers, with each compartment housing a separate pump. This segmentation allows each pump to be electrically isolated from the others, making it easier to implement individual grounding and shielding strategies for each pump, thereby simplifying electromagnetic field management in a multi-pump configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses multiple pumps, provides structural support, and acts as an electromagnetic shield when constructed from electrically conductive material. This multi-functionality simplifies manufacturing by consolidating several components into one integrated assembly.
4Device complexity
If a common ground is provided for all pumps, then electrical connection simplicity is improved, but electromagnetic field shielding effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ground attachments from individual pump compartments are merged into a single common ground connection that attaches to the vehicle body. This consolidation maintains electrical connection simplicity while the distributed ground attachments across the electrically conductive manifold structure ensure effective electromagnetic field shielding.
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 effectively shields electromagnetic fields, reduces noise, and ensures accurate fluid level sensing, enhancing the wash system's efficiency and passenger experience by maintaining the wash assembly's flexibility in location and increasing fluid volume.
Implementation Method 1
The manifold is constructed of an electrically conductive material to shield electromagnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
A pump is disposed within each compartment and configured to generate the electromagnetic fields when activated
Implementation Method 3
A common ground attachment is coupled to the vehicle body proximate to the manifold
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wash system includes a manifold having pump compartments separated by dividers. The manifold is constructed of an electrically conductive material to shield electromagnetic fields. A pump is disposed within each compartment and configured to generate the electromagnetic fields when activated. A power connector is coupled to the manifold. The power connector is configured to power each pump and is a common ground for the manifold. An upper level sensor is proximate to the manifold. A lower level sensor is proximate to the manifold. The upper level sensor and the lower level sensor are configured to sense fluid level in a washer bottle.