Modular Media Coupling With Sensor Receptacle for Accurate Temperature Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media guide couplings face challenges in efficiently integrating temperature sensors, leading to increased complexity, cost, and variety of parts, as well as reduced thermal conductivity due to glass fiber reinforcement, which affects sensor accuracy and response time.
Innovation Solution
A modular media guide coupling design featuring two or three interconnected coupling elements, with one or more elements having a sensor receptacle, allowing for flexible adaptation to different sensors and applications, using fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts and O-ring sealing for media-tight connections, enabling easy recombination of existing parts without extensive redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a through-hole is provided in the quick coupling for the NTC thermistor transducer, then temperature transfer from the medium to the transducer is improved, but sealing complexity and leak risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The quick coupling is divided into two separate coupling elements, with the sensor receptacle integrated into one element. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned in a dedicated receptacle area rather than requiring a through-hole through the entire coupling structure, simplifying the sealing design while maintaining thermal contact with the medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor receptacle acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates thermal transfer from the medium to the transducer without requiring direct penetration through the coupling wall. The receptacle provides a controlled environment for the transducer to contact the medium while maintaining system sealing through integrated sealing elements.
2Device complexity
If the NTC thermistor transducer is located in a recess of the quick coupling, then sealing is simplified, but thermal conductivity from the medium to the transducer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element exhibiting thermal behavior is specifically designed with optimized local properties in the sensor receptacle area. This element is configured to exhibit minimal thermal resistance and maximum thermal conductivity in the region surrounding the sensor receptacle, ensuring efficient heat transfer from the medium to the transducer while other parts of the coupling maintain their structural and sealing functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If temperature sensors are integrated directly into injection-molded hose couplings, then manufacturing is simplified, but material selection is limited due to thermal conductivity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hose coupling system is segmented into multiple coupling elements, where at least one element is specifically designed with sensor integration capabilities. This allows the use of glass fiber-reinforced plastics in coupling elements that do not require sensor integration, while the sensor-equipped element uses materials optimized for thermal conductivity, thus maintaining both structural strength and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor receptacle is designed as a universal feature that can accommodate different types of temperature sensors (NTC thermistors, PT100 sensors, thermocouples) and can be integrated into different coupling element configurations. This universal design allows the same receptacle structure to work with various sensor types and material combinations.
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies adaptation to various applications, maintains high thermal conductivity, and allows for intuitive implementation of temperature sensors, enhancing sensor accuracy and response time while minimizing the need for new materials and tools.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element, preferably an O-ring, is arranged between the two second connecting elements
Implementation Method 2
The two coupling elements can be connected to one another in a media-tight manner
Implementation Method 3
insert a temperature sensor, usually in the form of an NTC thermistor (negative temperature coefficient thermistor), into the opening of a quick-action coupling
Implementation Method 4
maintains high thermal conductivity, and allows for intuitive implementation of temperature sensors, enhancing sensor accuracy and response time
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a media guidance coupling (1) with a first coupling element (10) having a flow opening (10a) for guiding a medium through it, and with a first connecting element (10b) for connection to a second media-carrying device (2), preferably a hose (2), pipe (2) or assembly, and with a second coupling element (11) having a flow opening (11a) for guiding the medium through it, and with a first connecting element (11b) for connection to a third media-carrying device, preferably a hose, pipe or assembly, wherein the two coupling elements (10, 11) are connected to each other in such a media-tight manner that their flow openings (10a, 11a) form a common flow opening (10a, 11a) of the media guidance coupling (1).and wherein the first coupling element (10) has a sensor receptacle (10d) and/or the second coupling element (11) has a sensor receptacle (11d).