Pressure Sensor Inlet Port Curvature for Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure sensors in waterlogged environments are prone to water accumulation and freezing, which can block the pressure inlet port due to their flat design, leading to icicle formation and obstruction.
Innovation Solution
The pressure sensor features a pressure inlet portion with a front wall, top wall, and side walls angled to facilitate water flow away from the inlet port, preventing water accumulation and ice blockage, with the opening end recessed in an arc shape and the top wall projected upward, ensuring water drains towards the side walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the port has a flat upper end and opening end, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but water accumulates at these surfaces and freezes into ice blocking the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the upper end of the port with an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the opening, and the opening end with a downward slope. This curved/angled design prevents water accumulation by directing water flow away from the opening, eliminating the flat surfaces that caused ice blockage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through molded features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change by adding vertical inclination to the port surfaces. The upper end inclines downward from top to bottom, and the opening end inclines downward from inside to outside, creating a three-dimensional water drainage path that prevents water pooling and subsequent freezing at critical locations.
2Ease of operation
If water flows along the exterior wall of the port, then water can be discharged, but it may freeze into ice and grow into an icicle blocking the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the port with pre-sloped surfaces that direct water away from the opening before freezing can occur. The inclined upper end and downward-sloping opening end create a drainage path that actively redirects water flow away from critical areas, preventing the preliminary condition for ice blockage from forming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of water flowing along the port wall into a beneficial drainage mechanism. By designing controlled inclination angles, the water flow that would normally cause ice accumulation is redirected to flow away from the opening, transforming a harmful process into a protective water discharge system.
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 minimizes water retention at the pressure inlet portion, preventing ice formation and blockage, even in wet conditions, ensuring continuous operation by directing water flow and drainage before it freezes.
Implementation Method 1
The top wall is connected to the side walls and angled in entirety toward an upper position with respect to the inlet port so as to be projected. The front wall has an opening end configuring the opening, the opening end being recessed toward the top wall in an arc shape, causing the front wall to be angled toward the side walls.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure sensor includes a sensor chip that detects a pressure of a pressure medium; and a case that accommodates the sensor chip and has an inlet port connected with the outside, the case having a pressure inlet portion surrounding the inlet port. The pressure inlet portion is configured from: a front wall placed forward of the case with a clearance; a top wall and a pair of side walls, each which is connected to the front wall; and an opening introducing the pressure medium into the inlet port from a lower position with respect to the inlet port. The top wall is connected to the side walls and angled in entirety toward an upper position with respect to the inlet port. The front wall has an opening end configuring the opening, the opening end being recessed toward the top wall in an arc shape.