Pressure Sensor Housing Segmentation for Aggressive Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure-sensor systems face complexity and additional component requirements to prevent electrical connections from contacting aggressive media, necessitating a spatial separation of hydraulic and electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
The connecting pins are guided through an additional housing part, allowing the hydraulic and electrical connections to be on different sides of the housing, with electrical connections established using a circuit substrate and flexible or spring-based connecting means during assembly, eliminating the need for additional separation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical connections are made through the housing base on the same side as hydraulic connection, then electrical connection is simple, but electrical connections may contact aggressive media causing chemical attack
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate parts: the base for hydraulic connection and the cover for electrical connection. This segmentation physically separates the hydraulic and electrical connection sides, preventing electrical connections from contacting aggressive media while eliminating the need for additional protective tubes or components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connections are moved from the traditional planar arrangement (same side as hydraulic connection) to a different spatial dimension (the cover side). By guiding connecting pins through the cover rather than the base, the patent creates spatial separation in the vertical dimension, achieving protection without additional components.
2Device complexity
If connecting pins are guided through the housing cover, then hydraulic and electrical connections are separated, but electrical connection between sensor element and connecting pins becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit substrate is pre-assembled with the sensor element and bonding wires inside the housing base before the cover is attached. The connecting pins are prepared in the cover with corresponding contact surfaces. This preliminary arrangement of electrical connections simplifies the final assembly process, as the connections are already positioned and ready for engagement when the housing parts are joined.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit substrate acts as an intermediary component that bridges the sensor element and the connecting pins. It provides a standardized interface with contact surfaces that easily engage with the connecting pins during assembly, simplifying the electrical connection process while maintaining the spatial separation between hydraulic and electrical sides.
3Reliability
If additional components like small tubes are used to extend hydraulic connection, then electrical connections are protected from media contact, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing cover serves a dual function: it protects the electrical connections from aggressive media while simultaneously providing the mounting structure for the connecting pins. This merging of protective and connective functions into a single component eliminates the need for additional protective tubes or separators, reducing the total number of components while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-sensor system having a sensor element and a hermetic housing for the sensor element has a particularly uncomplicated installation, in particular even under aggressive ambient conditions. The housing of this pressure-sensor system includes a first housing part having a housing bottom, and at least one additional housing part. The sensor element is installed on the housing bottom, and the pressure is supplied via an opening in the housing bottom. The at least one additional housing part is disposed above the sensor element and is connected to the first housing part. Apart from this, connecting pins for the electrical contacting of the sensor element are provided. The connecting pins are guided through the additional housing part.