Expandable Sensor Guard for Narrow Groundwater Wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective devices for groundwater monitoring sensors lack versatility, are large in size, and are difficult to use in narrow wells, leading to potential damage during installation due to scratches, bumps, and attachment of foreign materials, with insufficient protection for internal components.

Innovation Solution

A sensor guard comprising a sensor fixing module and an expansion module with elastic parts that can be adjusted to fit various sensor sizes, providing protection by buffering external forces and preventing damage during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional protective devices are used, then sensors are protected during storage, but the devices are large in size and difficult to use in narrow wells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidprotective device size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into multiple sections that can be collapsed into each other, allowing the device to reduce its volume for insertion into narrow wells while expanding to provide full protection during sensor installation and retrieval operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device employs a telescopic structure where protective sections are nested within each other like dolls, enabling compact storage and insertion while maintaining the capability to extend for comprehensive sensor protection during operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If conventional protective devices are used, then specific types of sensors are protected, but the devices lack versatility for various sensor types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidsensor type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device incorporates adjustable components and modular sections that can be configured to accommodate different sensor types, sizes, and shapes, making a single device suitable for protecting various groundwater monitoring sensors including pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and water quality monitors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If sensors are inserted without proper protective devices, then installation is simpler, but sensors are damaged by scratches, bumps, and foreign materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsensor damage from scratches and bumps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is pre-assembled with the sensor before insertion into the well, creating a protected assembly that prevents damage from scratches, bumps, and foreign materials during the insertion process while maintaining straightforward installation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If excessive pressure is applied during sensor insertion, then installation is faster, but internal electronic components are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinternal component integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device includes cushioning elements positioned around the sensor that absorb and distribute insertion forces, preventing excessive pressure from reaching the internal electronic components while allowing rapid installation through controlled force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 sensor guard effectively protects groundwater monitoring sensors from damage by absorbing impacts and fitting various sensor diameters, ensuring safe installation and operation in narrow wells.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic part bendable in an inward or outward direction of the groundwater monitoring sensor may be connected to each of the horizontal parts, and a degree of expansion of the elastic part outward from the groundwater monitoring sensor may be determined according to an interval between the plurality of sensor fixing modules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260085951A1Sensor guard for protecting groundwater monitoring sensor

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 ENIN CO LTD

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor guard installable on various types of groundwater monitoring sensors inserted into a groundwater well may include at least one sensor fixing module fixed to the groundwater monitoring sensor in one direction of the groundwater monitoring sensor, and an expansion module connected to the sensor fixing module to expand in an outward direction of the groundwater monitoring sensor according to an operation of the sensor fixing module, wherein an external force applied to the sensor guard is buffered by the expansion module.