Waterproof Rain Sensor With Integrated MID Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rain sensors face challenges in effectively protecting their electronic components from water and moisture, leading to potential penetration and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A rain sensor design featuring a waterproof housing with a Molded Interconnect Devices (MID) component part, where the sensor conductor elements are integrated into the upper housing part, forming a capacitive or resistive sensor element, and a sealing mechanism to prevent liquid ingress, along with a dome-shaped configuration for increased rigidity and liquid runoff.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rain sensors use separate housing parts and sensor elements, then assembly and sealing complexity increases, but production cost and reliability are improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor element and the housing into a single integrated component. The sensor conductor elements are formed directly on or in the housing body, eliminating the need for separate sensor assemblies and their associated sealing requirements. This integration removes sealing interfaces that would otherwise be potential failure points for liquid penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, acts as part of the sensor element itself, and eliminates the need for separate sealing components. The housing body is both a structural element and an active participant in the sensing function through the integrated conductor elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensor elements are integrated into the housing, then production is simplified, but protection against liquid penetration may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sensor element and housing into one component, the patent eliminates multiple assembly steps and associated sealing operations. The sensor conductor elements are formed directly on or in the housing body, creating an integral structure that is both easier to manufacture and inherently more reliable against liquid penetration due to the absence of assembly interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing body itself serves as the mounting structure for the sensor elements, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and sealing elements. The integrated design means the housing creates its own protection without requiring additional sealing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used in rain sensor, then assembly flexibility is improved, but number of sealing points and potential failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (housing, sensor element, mounting structure, and sealing elements) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates all the sealing points that would exist between separate components, removing potential failure points while the integrated nature of the component allows for straightforward assembly as a single unit.
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 provides robust protection against water penetration, simplifies production, and enhances the sensor's reliability by integrating sensor elements and conductor paths within a single component, ensuring effective detection of humidity and triggering appropriate actions.
Implementation Method 1
forming a capacitive or resistive sensor element
Implementation Method 2
forming a capacitive or resistive sensor element
Data Source
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AI summary
Rain sensor having a housing (3, 3') closed all around and in a waterproof manner, comprising a lower housing part (10, 10') and an upper housing part (20, 20') separate therefrom, wherein the lower housing part (10, 10') and the upper housing part (20, 20') are connected to each other especially along a housing division line (5, 5') thereby forming the housing (3, 3'), and wherein the upper housing part (20, 20') comprises an MID component part comprising a base body (22, 22') made of an electrically insulating material, which describes the external shape of the upper housing part, and sensor conductor elements (24, 25, 24', 25') made of an electrically conductive material, formed on and/or in the base body (22, 22'), which sensor conductor elements form at least part of a sensor element for detecting humidity, especially rain.