Flow Velocity Sensor With Centrifugal Dust Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-velocity measuring devices face issues with accuracy due to dust accumulation, are bulky in size, and have complex structures, which affect their performance and installation in electronic cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A flow-velocity measuring device with a three-dimensional flow channel structure, featuring an inlet port, introducing channel, branch channel, and measuring channel with overlapping sections, utilizing inertia to separate dust and reduce size, and eliminating the need for additional sealing components by integrating the sensor element within a storage section on the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor element is arranged in a flow channel to measure flow velocity, then flow velocity measurement is achieved, but dust accumulates on the sensor element causing accuracy to lower
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is divided into multiple sections: a first flow channel for dust-laden air, a separation channel with centrifugal force to remove dust, and a second flow channel for cleaned air to the sensor. This segmentation isolates the sensor from dust while maintaining measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
A separation channel acts as an intermediary between the dust-laden flow and the sensor. This intermediate channel uses centrifugal separation to remove dust particles before air reaches the sensor, protecting the sensor while allowing flow velocity measurement of the cleaned air.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a trap wall is provided in the flow channel to catch dust by inertia, then dust is separated from airflow, but the device becomes long in length and dust may clog the flow channel
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the flow channel length for dust separation, the invention uses a three-dimensional arrangement where the separation channel branches off from the first flow channel and merges back before the sensor. This vertical/dimensional approach to separation reduces the linear length requirement while maintaining effective dust removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation channel is designed with an arcuate shape that utilizes centrifugal force to separate dust particles. The curved geometry enables compact dust separation in a shorter distance compared to straight-line trap wall designs, reducing the overall device length.
3Device complexity
If the flow channel is defined by closing an upper opening with a circuit board, then the structure is simplified, but steps cannot be provided between channels and leakage occurs requiring packing
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is integrated with the housing to form a unified structure that defines the flow channels. The sensor element is mounted on the circuit board which simultaneously serves as a structural component and electrical connection medium, eliminating the need for separate packing materials while maintaining sealing through the integrated design.
4Volume of moving object
If the device is made compact in size, then installation space is reduced, but the flow channel may become too short for effective dust separation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channels are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration with the separation channel branching vertically or laterally from the main flow channel. This spatial arrangement enables effective dust separation within a compact footprint by utilizing vertical space rather than extending the device length, maintaining separation effectiveness while reducing overall device volume.
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 device achieves accurate flow velocity measurement while being compact in size, reducing the risk of dust attachment on the sensor and simplifying the structure, allowing for efficient airflow measurement in electronic cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
dust contained in a fluid is gathered to the outside of the arc of the arcuate flow channel by a centrifugal force (inertia force)
Implementation Method 2
the airflow is introduced to a sensor element after having caught dust in the airflow by a trap wall utilizing inertia of the dust
Data Source
AI summary
A flow-velocity measuring device of a simple structure in which the size in the direction of flow of a measured fluid is small and the size of a surface area for blocking the flow of the measured fluid is small includes: an inlet port formed on a surface of a main body and opening toward the upstream of a measured fluid; an introducing channel extending in the main body from the inlet port; a branch channel branched from the introducing channel and connected at a terminal end thereof to a first discharge port opening on the surface of the main body; a discharge channel extending from the introducing channel and connected at a terminal end thereof to a second discharge port opening on the surface of the main body; and a sensor element provided in the branch channel or in a measuring channel further branched from the branch channel and connected at a terminal end thereof to a third discharge port opening on the surface of the main body, and at least any one of the discharge channel, the introducing channel, the branch channel, and the measuring channel comprises a part overlapped with other flow channels in the direction at a right angle with respect to the direction of flow of the introducing channel and the direction of flow of the branch channel at a branch point from the introducing channel to the branch channel.