Fluid Quality Sensor Mounted to Pump Output for Injection Point Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid quality sensors for diesel exhaust fluids are unreliable in cold temperatures and exposed positions, as they are unable to accurately measure the quality of the fluid at the point of injection in the exhaust system due to external influences and temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid quality sensor is mounted to the output side of a pump, allowing it to measure the fluid quality at the high-pressure side where the actual injection occurs, and is protected from external influences, using ultrasonic or infrared technology with a reflector structure for accurate measurement, and integrated with temperature and pressure sensors for comprehensive data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the fluid quality sensor is located in the tank at an exposed position, then the sensor can measure the fluid quality in the storage area, but the measurement reliability deteriorates in cold temperatures and exposed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs measurements preliminarily at the injection point rather than in the tank, ensuring that the fluid quality is assessed under actual injection conditions (high pressure, temperature) before the fluid is injected into the exhaust system. This preliminary measurement at the point of use ensures reliability in cold temperatures by avoiding exposure to extreme environmental conditions in the tank area.
2Measurement precision
If the fluid quality sensor is mounted at the injection point in the exhaust system, then the measurement accuracy improves for actual injection conditions, but the sensor becomes exposed to harsh environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
A measurement section is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor and the harsh exhaust environment. This measurement section allows the sensor to measure fluid quality at the injection point while being protected from direct exposure to harmful factors such as high temperatures, pressure fluctuations, and chemical exposure in the exhaust system.
3Device complexity
If the fluid quality sensor measures at the tank location, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement does not reflect the actual fluid quality at the injection point
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement location is shifted from the spatial dimension of the tank to the functional dimension of the injection point. By mounting the sensor at the pump output side where the fluid is actually injected, the system captures the true fluid quality under injection conditions (high pressure, temperature) without significantly increasing overall system complexity, as the sensor integrates into the existing fluid path.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid quality sensor for measuring a quality of a fluid comprises a measurement section mounted to an output side of a pump for the fluid.