O-ring Internal Seal for Pressure Sensor Stress Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure sensors are prone to performance degradation due to stress from their housings, especially under temperature changes and vibrations, which existing assembly methods fail to adequately mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly is designed with two compressible O-rings between the sensor and its housings, allowing the sensor to float without vertical contact, thereby isolating it from housing-induced stress, and using a snap-fit mechanism to maintain O-ring compression for sealing and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sensor is rigidly mounted between housing components, then assembly strength and sealing are improved, but the sensor is subjected to stress from housing expansion/contraction under temperature changes and vibrations, degrading performance
Solution Approach 1:
Compressible O-rings are placed between the sensor and housing components to provide beforehand cushioning. The O-rings are pre-compressed to create a compliant interface that absorbs stress from housing expansion and contraction under temperature changes and vibrations, protecting the sensor from stress-related performance degradation while maintaining assembly strength and sealing.
2Reliability
If the sensor is isolated from housing stress using compliant elements, then sensor performance is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The O-rings are pre-compressed between the sensor and housing components to create a dual-function interface: the compression provides stress isolation to protect sensor performance while simultaneously creating a reliable seal. The compliant material deforms to fill gaps and maintain sealing under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring material properties are selected to provide appropriate compliance - soft enough to isolate stress from the sensor but firm enough to maintain sealing. The compression force and O-ring geometry are designed to balance stress isolation and sealing requirements.
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 effectively protects the sensor from stress-related performance degradation, ensuring accurate pressure detection while withstanding vibrations and temperature changes without compromising the seal or assembly strength.
Implementation Method 1
a first O-ring configured to be compressed between the housing and the sensor; a second O-ring configured to be compressed between the housing and the sensor
Implementation Method 2
two compressible O-rings between the sensor and its housings, allowing the sensor to float without vertical contact
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sensing pressure, and protecting a sensor within a sensor assembly. A sensor assembly may comprise a sensor having at least one pressure input port; a first housing configured to encapsulate the sensor; a second housing configured to attach to the first housing to encapsulate the sensor; a first O-ring located between the first housing and the sensor; a second O-ring located between the second housing and the sensor; and a printed circuit board configured to receive detected pressure information from the sensor.