Fluid Conduit With Printed Sensors For Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid conduits in vehicles often lack integrated sensors to monitor critical operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, and leakage, which can lead to disruptions in vehicle systems and reduce the conduit's reliability and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit with printed sensors on its exterior wall that can detect operating parameters like temperature, pressure, and leakage, combined with a protective layer to safeguard the sensors from external damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are physically attached to the conduit to monitor operating parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor functionality directly into the conduit wall by integrating printed electronic material during the manufacturing process. This merging eliminates the need for separate physically attached sensors, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity and avoiding additional mounting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the fluid transport channel and the sensing element. The printed electronic material embedded in the conduit wall enables the conduit to monitor temperature, pressure, and other operating parameters directly, making the conduit a multi-functional component that reduces overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are integrated into the conduit wall, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensor vulnerability to external damage
Solution Approach 1:
The printed electronic sensor material is nested within the conduit wall structure itself, embedded during the manufacturing process. This nesting protects the sensors from external damage while maintaining their monitoring functionality, as the conduit wall acts as a protective enclosure for the integrated electronic elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit wall structure provides beforehand cushioning and protection to the integrated printed sensors against external mechanical damage, environmental factors, and wear. By embedding the sensors within the wall during manufacturing, the design anticipates and prevents potential sensor vulnerability before operation begins.
3Manufacturing precision
If printed electronic material is deposited on the conduit exterior, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The printed electronic material is deposited on the conduit exterior surface as a preliminary action during the manufacturing process, before the conduit is assembled or installed. This timing allows for precise sensor placement to be achieved while the conduit is still in production, and the subsequent protective layer application seals and protects these pre-positioned sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process utilizes parameter changes in the form of printed electronic material deposition, transforming the conduit surface properties by adding functional electronic layers. This approach allows precise sensor placement through printing technology while integrating the process into the existing manufacturing workflow, balancing precision requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to a fluid conduit that incorporates sensors printed on an exterior wall of the fluid conduit. The sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the fluid conduit. A protective layer is arranged to be deposited over at least selected portions of the printed electronic material.