Inductive Sensor Assembly for Fluid Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid-level sensors in the automotive industry face limitations, such as incompatibility with colder environments and agitated liquids, and design constraints, necessitating a cost-effective solution that can accurately measure fluid levels while allowing for various design configurations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a sealed housing containing processing circuitry and detection circuitry, featuring a conductive target that moves along a substrate to vary net voltage, providing a linear representation of fluid level, and is designed to be compatible with different fluid container geometries, including oil pans, with environmental protection to prevent malfunctioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound sensors are used to measure fluid level, then fluid level measurement is achieved, but the sensor becomes incompatible with colder environments and agitated liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasound sensors (acoustic field) with inductive sensors (electromagnetic field) for fluid level measurement. The inductive sensor uses a conductive target that moves with fluid level changes, varying the net voltage of the detection circuitry through electromagnetic induction, providing reliable measurement in colder environments and agitated liquids where ultrasound sensors fail.
2Measurement precision
If traditional fluid-level sensors are used, then fluid level measurement is provided, but design flexibility and compatibility with different container geometries are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive sensor assembly is designed with a sealed housing containing processing circuitry and detection circuitry that can be adapted to various fluid container geometries including oil pans. The sensor provides universal applicability across different automotive applications while maintaining measurement precision through its inductive detection mechanism.
3Reliability
If inductive sensor assembly is implemented, then environmental protection and robustness are improved, but device complexity increases due to sealed housing and circuitry integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates processing circuitry and detection circuitry within a sealed housing, merging multiple functional components into a single protected assembly. This integration enhances environmental protection and reliability while managing complexity through unified design, allowing the sensor to withstand harsh automotive conditions.
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 assembly effectively measures fluid levels with reduced noise and variance, ensuring accurate readings and robustness against environmental factors, while being compatible with diverse designs and operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A conductive target is movably coupled to the substrate to vary net voltage of the detection circuitry as the conductive target moves to provide an output signal
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly that includes a sealed housing. A printed circuit board assembly including a first section that includes processing circuitry is disposed within the sealed housing and a second section that includes detection circuitry extends from the sealed housing. The sensor assembly also includes a conductive target movably coupled to the second section of the printed circuit board to vary net voltage of the detection circuitry as the conductive target moves along the second section to provide an output signal. The processing circuitry detects the output signal and converts the output signal into a linear representation of position of the conductive target in relation to the second section.