Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Earth Connection Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine coolant temperature sensors fail to detect coolant loss, leading to potential engine damage due to overheating, as they only monitor temperature and not the presence of coolant, requiring separate sensors for level monitoring which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A dual-function engine coolant temperature sensor that detects both temperature and coolant presence by establishing an earth connection through the coolant, triggering an alarm when the coolant is absent, allowing for early detection of leaks and prevention of engine damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate coolant level sensor is provided to detect coolant absence, then the reliability of engine protection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coolant temperature sensing function and coolant presence detection function into a single integrated sensor assembly. The temperature sensor and earth connection system share a common housing and mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate coolant level sensors while maintaining reliable detection of both temperature and coolant absence conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it measures coolant temperature through the temperature sensor and detects coolant presence through the earth connection mechanism. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive engine protection without requiring additional separate sensors, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If a separate coolant level sensor is installed to monitor coolant presence, then the reliability of detecting coolant loss is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensing and coolant presence detection into one integrated component that is manufactured and installed as a single unit. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stocked, and installed separately, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable coolant loss detection through the earth connection mechanism.
3Device complexity
If only temperature monitoring is performed without coolant presence detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of engine operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the coolant itself as an intermediary medium that serves dual purposes: it is the object being monitored for temperature and simultaneously acts as the conductive path for the earth connection. This clever use of the coolant as a mediator enables presence detection without requiring additional sensing elements, maintaining simple device architecture while improving engine operation reliability.
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 dual-function sensor reduces complexity and cost by integrating coolant level monitoring into a single unit, enabling timely alerts and actions to prevent engine overheating and damage, such as triggering alarms and limiting engine output, thus ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
there is provided an earth wire in the temperature sensor which is configured to earth through the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
An engine coolant temperature sensor configured to earth through the engine coolant such that an alarm will trigger when coolant is absent.