Measuring Element Contacting Unit for Modular Transmitter Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices face challenges in modularity and ease of component exchange, particularly in explosive environments, where ensuring explosion-proof design and easy assembly are critical.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device design featuring a firmly connected contacting unit with network and signal contact elements, allowing for easy assembly and replacement, and a self-centering plug connection between the electronic devices, ensuring secure and efficient electrical connections while maintaining explosion-proof standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a modular electronics unit with separate terminal space and electronics space is used, then explosion-proof safety is improved by preventing explosion spread, but device complexity increases due to the need for partition walls and separate mounting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion-proof safetyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the terminal space and electronics space into a single housing without a partition wall. The first electronic device (terminal device) and second electronic device (electronics unit) are mounted in the same housing and connected via a detachable contacting unit, eliminating the need for complex partition structures while maintaining explosion-proof safety through adequate separation distances between circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the electronic devices into separate modular units (first electronic device for terminals and second electronic device for sensor control) that can be independently mounted and replaced. This modular approach allows maintenance and replacement without affecting the entire device, while the detachable contacting unit enables easy disconnection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If electronic devices are firmly connected to ensure stable electrical connection, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of repair and component exchange deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidcomponent exchangeability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a detachable contacting unit with plug connections that provides stable electrical connection during operation but allows easy disconnection when needed. This dynamic connection system enables the first and second electronic devices to be firmly connected during use for reliability, yet easily separated for repair or replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable contacting unit acts as an intermediary between the first electronic device and second electronic device. It provides stable electrical connection through properly designed contact elements while enabling easy separation for maintenance, thus mediating between the requirements for connection stability and repairability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If adequate separation distances are maintained between circuits for intrinsic safety, then explosion-proof safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to spacing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintrinsic safetyVSAvoidcircuit layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the high-voltage terminal circuits and low-voltage sensor control circuits into separate modular electronic devices. By physically separating these circuits into different devices connected via detachable contacting unit, adequate separation distances for intrinsic safety are naturally achieved without complex layout constraints within a single circuit board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3425346B1Measuring element, transmitter housing and method for manufacturing a measuring element
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 KROHNE MESSTECHNICK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3425346B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425346B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3425346B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device (1) with at least one sensor (3) and with at least one transmitter housing (4), wherein the transmitter housing (4) has at least one terminal compartment (5) and an electronics compartment (6) adjacent to the terminal compartment (5) and connected via a partition (29), wherein at least one first electronic device (8) for connecting supply and/or I/O lines (33) is arranged in the terminal compartment (5) and wherein at least one second electronic device (16) with electronics for controlling the sensor (3) is arranged in the electronics compartment (6), wherein the first electronic device (8) and the second electronic device (8) are electrically connected to each other via a contacting unit (12), wherein the contacting unit (12) is detachably inserted into a recess (30) of the partition (29).The task of specifying a measuring instrument that is easy to manufacture and whose components are particularly easy to replace is solved by permanently connecting the contacting unit (12) with the first electronic device (8).