Conical Bushing Sensor Assembly for Reliable Pressure and Temperature Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of combination sensors for detecting pressure and temperature in fluid media faces challenges such as alignment errors, adhesive application issues, and risk of damage during assembly, leading to reliability concerns and complex positioning processes, especially in tight spaces.

Innovation Solution

A device with a common housing containing a temperature sensor and pressure sensor, featuring a conical passage for easy installation and sealing of the temperature sensor, and a sealing compound that encloses the connection lines to prevent mechanical stress and ensure a pressure-tight seal, allowing for reliable and automatic operation in confined areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a dosing needle is positioned and inserted into the deep-drawn sleeve to apply adhesive, then adhesive application is achieved, but alignment errors and positioning tolerances cause the dosing needle to touch the wall, leading to bending and process reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive applicationVSAvoiddosing process reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive to the flange of the threaded connector before inserting the deep-drawn sleeve, rather than attempting to dose adhesive inside the narrow sleeve later. This preliminary action eliminates the need for a long dosing needle insertion and avoids alignment and positioning tolerance issues entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the adhesive application step from the interior of the deep-drawn sleeve and relocates it to the exterior flange surface. This separation removes the dosing needle from the problematic tight space, eliminating the risk of needle bending and contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If the dosing needle is inserted deep into the deep-drawn sleeve for adhesive dosing, then adhesive can be applied internally, but the dosing needle becomes soiled by meniscus formation and wall contact, and adhesive may be carried over into the pressure sensor element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal adhesive applicationVSAvoidcontamination and adhesive carry-over
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the dosing needle from the internal adhesive application process entirely and relocates adhesive application to the external flange surface. This eliminates all sources of needle contamination (meniscus formation, wall contact) and prevents adhesive carry-over into the pressure sensor element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flange acts as an intermediary surface for adhesive application. Instead of applying adhesive directly inside the sleeve where contamination risks exist, the adhesive is applied to the flange which then serves as the bonding surface, mediating between the adhesive and the assembly components without requiring needle insertion into the sensitive interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex measurements and positioning processes are used to automatically add the temperature sensor module, then accurate positioning can be achieved, but the process complexity increases and the risk of damaging the pressure sensor element during joining increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the housing with pre-formed receptacles and flanges that guide component insertion and positioning. The deep-drawn sleeve and flange structures are prepared in advance with appropriate geometries that automatically align components during assembly, eliminating the need for complex real-time measurements and positioning processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs self-aligning and self-positioning features in the housing design, such as the flange geometry and receptacle shapes, that enable components to automatically find their correct positions during assembly without requiring external measurement and positioning systems. This simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enhances process reliability by simplifying the assembly and ensuring accurate positioning of sensors, preventing damage and contamination, while maintaining a pressure-tight seal that protects electronics from the medium, eliminating the need for separate insulation.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing compound flowing around the connection lines of the temperature sensor is provided at least in sections in the conical passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing compound enclosure:

Implementation Method 2

The conical passage is designed to receive the temperature sensor and to enclose the connection lines of the temperature sensor with a sealing compound flowing around the connection lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-tight sealing:

Data Source

PatentEP2932220B1Apparatus for detecting the pressure and the temperature of a medium
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2932220B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for detecting the pressure and the temperature of a medium and to a method for producing such an apparatus (10). The described apparatus (10) has a temperature sensor (26) and a pressure sensor (28) arranged in a common housing (16), wherein the housing (16) also comprises at least one measurement space (24). The measurement space (24) is connected, via a pressure port (20), to a space (22) which accommodates the medium, wherein the pressure sensor (28) is arranged in the measurement space (24). The temperature sensor (26) also has connection lines (32). Corresponding connection contacts (38) are provided in the housing (16) for making contact with the connection lines (32) of the temperature sensor (26). At least one conical bushing (30) which opens into the pressure port (20) is also arranged in the housing (16) for the purpose of accommodating the temperature sensor (26), wherein the conical bushing (30) widens towards the pressure port (20). Provision is likewise made for a sealing compound (40) which surrounds the connection lines (32) of the temperature sensor (26) to be introduced into the conical bushing (30) at least in sections.