Protective Housing Labyrinth Partitions for Pressure Sensor Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure sensor designs face challenges in maintaining accurate pressure measurements due to mechanical stress-induced membrane delamination and liquid film obstruction, which disrupts the balance between internal and atmospheric pressures.

Innovation Solution

A protective casing with 'labyrinth' partitions and evacuation grooves around the opening ensures the waterproof membrane remains exposed to atmospheric pressure, preventing liquid accumulation and delamination under mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a waterproof membrane is firmly fixed to the box to avoid detachment, then the membrane stability is improved, but the membrane becomes vulnerable to liquid film obstruction and delamination under mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane stabilityVSAvoidliquid film obstruction and delamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the protective structure into multiple components: a main box, a protective partition with labyrinthine passages, and an evacuation groove. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the partition provides mechanical protection while the groove manages liquid drainage, preventing both obstruction and delamination without compromising membrane stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective partition acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the waterproof membrane. It provides a labyrinthine path that blocks liquid while allowing air circulation, and the evacuation groove serves as an intermediary drainage path to remove accumulated liquid, thereby protecting the membrane from both obstruction and mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If an opening is provided in the box to maintain atmospheric pressure, then the pressure balance is improved, but the opening becomes vulnerable to liquid film obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure balanceVSAvoidliquid film obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a waterproof membrane as a flexible thin film that covers the opening while allowing gas permeation. This membrane maintains the pressure balance by allowing atmospheric air to circulate while blocking liquid water, preventing liquid film obstruction of the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective partition with labyrinthine passages serves as an intermediary structure around the opening. It provides a complex path that prevents liquid from reaching the membrane while maintaining air circulation, thereby protecting the pressure balance mechanism from liquid obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the membrane is exposed to atmospheric pressure, then the pressure measurement accuracy is improved, but the membrane becomes vulnerable to mechanical stress-induced delamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidmembrane strength under mechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides beforehand protection by positioning the waterproof membrane within a recess and covering it with a protective partition. This prior protective structure cushions the membrane against external mechanical stresses before they can cause delamination, while still allowing the membrane to be exposed to atmospheric pressure for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structure is segmented into a main box, a protective partition, and an evacuation groove. This segmentation allows the membrane to remain exposed to atmospheric pressure for measurement accuracy while the partition and groove provide mechanical protection against stress-induced delamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively maintains the membrane's exposure to atmospheric pressure, preventing liquid obstruction and delamination, thus ensuring accurate pressure measurements and protecting the electronic device from mechanical stress.

Implementation Method 1

A waterproof membrane, but permeable to gases, is placed on the opening to cover it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas permeation through waterproof membrane: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

at least one evacuation groove (9) arranged around the opening (2c)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid evacuation through groove: Groove

Implementation Method 3

combining 'labyrinth' protective partitions (8a, 8b) around the opening (2c)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLabyrinth protective partition: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3797275B1Housing for protecting an electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 A RAYMOND & CO SCS
  • EP3797275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3797275B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention concerns a protective housing (2) for protecting an electronic device (5). One of the walls of the housing, referred to as the main wall, has an opening (2c) for exposing a part of the measuring device (5) to atmospheric pressure. The housing (2) comprises, arranged on the outer surface of the main wall, a plurality of partitions (8a, 8b) separated from each other by passages and arranged around the opening (2c) to completely surround it and at least one flow groove (9) arranged next to the opening (2c), in order to allow liquid that may be likely to accumulate around the opening (2c) and/or against the partitions (8a, 8b) to be discharged. The invention also concerns a pressure sensor (1), in particular for a tank of a motor vehicle, using such a protective housing.