Modular Sensor Adapter for Sealed Optical and Pneumatic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical analysis devices struggle to facilitate the exchange of electromagnetic radiation, electrical signals, and media like compressed air or inert gas between measuring devices and a process environment while maintaining a robust and sealed connection.
Innovation Solution
A sensor adapter with integrated connection modules and a fixing element allows for the modular assembly of different connection elements, enabling electrical, optical, and pneumatic connections, and includes a cooling device for thermal shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robust housing is used to protect the measuring arrangement, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because the housing cannot be easily opened for different measurement configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a robust sealed housing containing the measuring arrangement, and a separate sensor adapter that can be coupled to the housing. This segmentation allows the housing to remain protected while the adapter provides adaptability for different measurement configurations and process environment couplings.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter acts as an intermediary component between the sealed housing and the process environment. It provides the necessary connection elements for electromagnetic radiation, electrical signals, and media exchange without requiring the housing to be opened, thus maintaining both protection and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection elements are integrated into the sensor adapter, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection elements for different functions (electromagnetic radiation transmission, electrical signal transmission, and media flow) are merged into a single sensor adapter component. This consolidation provides adaptability for exchanging multiple types of signals and media while avoiding the complexity of separate adapters for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple types of connections simultaneously - optical connections for electromagnetic radiation, electrical connections for signals, and pneumatic connections for media. This multi-functionality improves adaptability without requiring multiple specialized components.
3Reliability
If the housing remains sealed, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because modifications require opening the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static sealed housing to a dynamic configuration where the sensor adapter can be coupled and decoupled from the housing. This dynamic design allows modifications and different measurement configurations to be implemented by simply attaching or detaching the adapter without opening the sealed housing, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining the sealed environment.
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
Enables flexible and efficient coupling of sensors and actuators to a wide range of measurement tasks without opening the housing, ensuring a sealed and thermally protected environment for the measuring arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
includes a cooling device for thermal shielding
Implementation Method 2
a measurement beam emitted by a radiation source is guided through the measurement medium
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor adapter for providing electrical, optical, electro-optical and/or pneumatic connection elements which can be connected to components of a measuring assembly accommodated in a housing, and via which the measuring assembly can be coupled to a process environment. The connection elements are integrated in connection modules which are fixed in position in a fixing element in the interior of the sensor adapter. The connection modules are advantageously part of a modular system of standardized components.