Plug Connector Labyrinth for Pressure-Equalized Leak Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices with pressure compensation elements, especially those with labyrinths, are costly and require additional space, complicating assembly and increasing housing size, while those without labyrinths lack protection from water jets.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a labyrinth function into the plug connection of the measuring device, eliminating the need for a separate pressure compensation element by using a membrane with a flange element and a hollow cylindrical inner section for precise alignment and pressure equalization, allowing for a compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate pressure compensation element with labyrinth is used, then protection from water jets is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure compensation element with the plug connection by integrating the labyrinth structure directly into the plug connection body. The plug connection now serves dual functions: electrical connection and pressure equalization with water jet protection, eliminating the need for a separate pressure compensation element.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug connection is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing electrical connection between the measuring device and external systems, enabling pressure equalization between the housing interior and environment, and protecting the membrane from water jets through its integrated labyrinth structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate pressure compensation element with labyrinth is used, then protection from water jets is improved, but housing size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compensation element is merged with the plug connection, which is already a necessary component for electrical connection. This integration eliminates the need for additional space-consuming separate elements and avoids modifications to the housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth structure is nested within the plug connection body itself, utilizing the existing space and structure of the plug connection. This nested design provides water jet protection without requiring additional external space or increasing housing dimensions.
3Reliability
If pressure compensation element with labyrinth is integrated into housing, then pressure equalization is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compensation function is merged into the plug connection, which is a standard component with established manufacturing and assembly processes. This approach maintains reliable pressure equalization while avoiding the complexity of integrating separate pressure compensation elements into the housing.
4Reliability
If pressure compensation element with labyrinth is used, then pressure equalization is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure compensation element is combined with the plug connection, eliminating the need for separate components. This reduces the total number of parts to manufacture, assemble, and inventory, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable pressure equalization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug connection is designed as a multi-functional component that provides both electrical connection and pressure equalization with water jet protection. This universality reduces the total component count and simplifies the bill of materials, leading to lower manufacturing costs.
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 integration simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and ensures effective pressure equalization and protection from water jets, meeting leak protection standards like IP69 without the need for additional housing modifications or separate pressure compensation elements.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane (4) provided on a wall (2a) of the housing (2) to cover a first opening (3a) in the wall (2a), wherein the membrane (4) is permeable to air and water vapor
Implementation Method 2
the flange element (6a) is configured to cover the first opening (3a) and to have at least one outlet bore (10), which is connected to the first opening (3a)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
To obtain a simple and cost-effective measuring device (1) with leak protection classes, a measuring device (1) for measuring a physical quantity in a unit containing a medium is provided, comprising a housing (2) having a wall (2a) for enclosing measuring electronics and a connection section (2b) for connecting the measuring device (1) to the unit, a membrane (4) provided on the wall (2a) to cover a first opening in the wall (2a), and a plug connector (5) provided and formed adjacent to the membrane (4) on the wall (2a) to provide an electrical connection between the measuring electronics and electrical plug contacts for a plug connectable to the measuring device (1), and a second opening (3b) into which the plug connector (5) can be inserted.wherein the plug connector (5) is formed with a fastening section (6) for fastening the plug connector (5) to the wall (2a) of the housing (2) and the fastening section (6) has a flange element (6a), wherein the flange element (6a) is arranged on an outside of the wall (2a), and the flange element (6a) is configured to cover the first opening (3a) and to have at least one outlet bore (10) which is connected to the first opening (3a).