Integrated Sensor Module for Motor Wet and Dry Chamber Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited space in motors, particularly those in vehicles, makes it difficult to install sensors effectively, as existing solutions require separate installation of rotational position sensors and temperature sensors within confined chambers, leading to installation challenges and increased error margins.

Innovation Solution

A sensor module with a holder for the rotational position sensor in the wet chamber and a temperature sensor in the dry chamber, connected via signal lines and a connector interface, utilizing a sealing element to facilitate installation across chamber boundaries, integrating both sensors in a single module to optimize space usage and reduce installation errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are installed separately in wet chamber and dry chamber, then sensor coverage is improved, but installation complexity and error margin increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor coverageVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rotational position sensor mounted on the holder in the wet chamber with the temperature sensor mounted on the housing in the dry chamber into a single integrated sensor module. This module includes a common connector interface and sealed signal line pathways, allowing both sensors to be installed as one unit rather than separately, thereby reducing installation complexity and error margin while maintaining comprehensive sensor coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If sensor module spans wet and dry chambers, then space utilization is improved, but sealing requirements become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidsealing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sealing element as an intermediary component that creates sealed pathways for signal lines to pass from the wet chamber through the holder to the dry chamber. This sealing element integrates multiple sealing functions into a single component, allowing the sensor module to span both chambers effectively utilize motor space while managing sealing requirements through a unified design rather than multiple separate sealing solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3812724B1Sensor module for mounting in a motor
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3812724B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3812724B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3812724B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a sensor module (1) for mounting in a motor (2). The sensor module (1) comprises a holder (6) adapted to be mounted in a wet chamber (8) of the motor (2) and a temperature sensor (7) adapted to be mounted in a dry chamber (9) of the motor (2). A rotational position sensor (14) is mounted on the holder (6) and the temperature sensor (7) is spaced apart from the holder (6), wherein the rotational position sensor (14) and the temperature sensor (7) are connected via a plurality of signal lines (13) to a connector interface (15) adapted to be plugged into a corresponding connector. The sensor module (1) further comprises a sealing element (17) arranged between the rotational position sensor (14) and the temperature sensor (7) and being sealingly penetrated by signal lines (13) from one of the rotational position sensor (14) and the temperature sensor (7).