Pressure Compensation Element for Liquid-Resistant Sensor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensors face errors due to liquid ingress during cleaning processes and unpredictable spatial orientations, which can lead to incorrect pressure readings and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A pressure equalization element with a fastening element, filter element, and protective cap is introduced, featuring a design where the filter element is attached to cover an axial bore and the protective cap has circumferential recesses to ensure liquids drain off, allowing for mounting in any orientation and preventing liquid ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a PTFE membrane is installed in the reference pressure supply to prevent liquid ingress, then liquid penetration is prevented, but liquid can still collect in depressions or pockets formed with the housing wall, leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap extends the protection from a two-dimensional membrane level to a three-dimensional spatial structure that actively directs liquid away from the reference pressure supply opening through its inclined outer surface, preventing liquid collection in any orientation
2Measurement precision
If the gauge is designed for fixed spatial orientation to prevent liquid collection, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the gauge cannot be mounted in various orientations as required by different application scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap with its inclined outer surface performs multiple functions: it protects the reference pressure supply opening, directs liquid away from the opening, and maintains measurement accuracy - all while allowing the gauge to be mounted in any spatial orientation without requiring specific orientation considerations
3Ease of operation
If the reference pressure supply opening is left open for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but liquid and material ingress during cleaning processes causes measurement errors and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap acts as a flexible protective shell that covers the reference pressure supply opening during cleaning operations to prevent liquid ingress, while still allowing the reference pressure to equalize with the surrounding environment through its design
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 effectively prevents liquid ingress while allowing gas permeability, ensuring accurate pressure readings and meeting hygiene and protection standards, including withstanding high-pressure cleaning and maintaining functionality across various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
It is known, for example from DE 20 2011 108 899 U1, to install a PTFE membrane in the reference pressure supply. This allows air to pass through but prevents liquids from penetrating.
Implementation Method 2
the protective cap, which protects the filter element against environmental influences, has at least one circumferential recess which is arranged such that the area of the at least one recess facing the filter element is located substantially on the plane of the outer surface of the filter element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor (1) for metrological detection of a pressure (p) to be measured as relative pressure (pR) in relation to a reference pressure (pref) prevailing in the surroundings of the sensor (1), comprising a housing (2), a relative pressure sensor (3) arranged in the housing (2), a pressure supply via which the pressure (p) to be measured is supplied to the relative pressure sensor (3), and a reference pressure supply (5) via which the reference pressure (pref) is supplied to the relative pressure sensor, wherein the reference pressure supply (5) opens in an opening of the outer wall (2a) of the housing (2), wherein the reference pressure (pref) acts upon the outer side of the outer wall, being characterised in that a pressure compensation element (6) is inserted into the opening of the reference pressure supply (5) and that the pressure compensation element (6) has a fastening element (7), a filter element (8) and a protective cap (9).