Exhaust Sensor Fluid Shield Deflecting Liquid Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor probes in exhaust systems are exposed to environmental conditions, leading to potential damage from fluid intrusion, which can cause failure, especially in vertical exhaust systems where the outlet is open and exposed.
Innovation Solution
A sensor probe design that includes a fluid shield integrally coupled to the sensor cup, positioned to deflect fluid away from the outlet, ensuring that exhaust gases can exit while preventing fluid from entering the sensor probe, thereby reducing the risk of damage and maintaining accurate emission monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor probe outlet is open and exposed to monitor emissions, then emission monitoring accuracy is maintained, but fluid intrusion damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the sensor probe outlet. The shield deflects fluid away from the outlet while maintaining exhaust gas flow, thereby protecting the sensor from fluid intrusion damage without compromising emission monitoring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid shield is positioned specifically at the outlet region where fluid intrusion risk is highest, providing localized protection only where needed. This allows the sensor probe to remain exposed for monitoring while protecting the vulnerable outlet area from harmful fluid contact.
2Reliability
If a fluid shield is added to protect the sensor outlet, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid shield is integrally formed with the sensor probe body as a single unified component. This merging of the shield and probe into one piece eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces the number of parts, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it deflects fluid away from the outlet, maintains exhaust gas flow paths, and protects the sensor probe structure. This multi-functionality allows a single added component to provide comprehensive protection while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the fluid shield deflects fluid away from the outlet, then harmful factors are reduced, but exhaust gas flow may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid shield features a curved upper portion that extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle, forming an overhang that effectively deflects fluid away from the outlet. This curved geometry is optimized to redirect fluid flow while maintaining adequate clearance for exhaust gas to exit the outlet unrestricted.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid shield extends into a third dimension (vertically upward) beyond the plane of the outlet, creating an overhang structure. This dimensional extension allows the shield to intercept and deflect fluid before it can reach the outlet, while the strategic positioning ensures exhaust gases can still pass through the outlet without restriction.
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 fluid shield effectively prevents fluid intrusion, reducing failure modes and allowing the sensor probe to continue monitoring emissions with the same accuracy as if no shield were present, while ensuring exhaust gases are released back into the exhaust system to prevent gaseous build-up.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid shield deflects fluid away from the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor probe for an exhaust system including a sensor body, a sensor cup, and a fluid shield. The sensor body defines a conduit and having a plurality of apertures formed through a sidewall of the sensor body. The sensor cup is coupled to an end of the conduit of the sensor body and is in fluid communication with the conduit. The sensor cup includes an outlet formed therein. The fluid shield may be integrally coupled to the sensor cup and positioned relative to the outlet formed in the sensor cup such that the fluid shield deflects fluid away from the outlet.