Pressure Sensor Tubular Insert Mechanical Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relative pressure sensors face challenges in achieving a reliable seal without impairing measuring accuracy due to mechanical stresses and are susceptible to moisture ingress and temperature-related deformations, which affect measurement signals.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tubular insert in the housing section for the sensor electronics, using a ceramic insert that provides thermal and electrical insulation, and a foam casting compound for moisture protection, along with an electrically conductive coating for electromagnetic interference shielding, ensures mechanical decoupling of sensor and main electronics, reducing temperature-related distortions and maintaining measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the sensor and sensor electronics are arranged in the same housing section with direct mechanical connection, then the device structure is simple, but mechanical stresses from temperature changes are transferred to the sensor causing measurement distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a first housing section for the sensor and a second housing section for the sensor electronics, with a mechanical decoupling between them. This segmentation prevents mechanical stresses from being transferred to the sensor while maintaining electrical connection through flexible cables, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible cable or flexible printed circuit board is introduced as an intermediary element between the sensor and sensor electronics. This intermediary provides electrical connection while mechanically decoupling the two components, allowing them to be in different housing sections without direct mechanical contact, thereby preventing stress transfer and maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reference air is supplied to the pressure chamber, then relative pressure measurement is enabled, but moisture can enter the chamber and condense on the sensor at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first sealed housing section containing the sensor and a second housing section for electronics. The reference air supply is directed to the second section, keeping the moisture source separated from the sensor chamber. This segmentation allows relative pressure measurement while preventing moisture from reaching the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible cable serves as an intermediary that allows electrical signals to pass between the sensor and electronics while being impermeable to moisture. This intermediary enables the reference air supply system to be positioned away from the sensor without compromising measurement capability, thus preventing moisture ingress.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor is mechanically connected to the housing for structural support, then the sensor is stable, but temperature-induced length changes in mechanical components affect the measurement signal
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection between the sensor and housing is replaced with a flexible cable connection. This substitution eliminates the transmission of temperature-induced mechanical stresses to the sensor while maintaining electrical connectivity and signal transmission, thus preserving both stability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible cable is introduced as an intermediary connection element between the sensor and the housing/electronics. This intermediary provides the necessary mechanical flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without transmitting stress to the sensor, thereby maintaining both structural stability and measurement accuracy.
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 enhances the reliability and accuracy of pressure measurements by minimizing the impact of environmental influences, such as temperature changes and moisture, while maintaining mechanical and electrical integrity, thus improving hysteresis and voltage-related drift issues.
Implementation Method 1
the insert made of a suitable material provides thermal and electrical insulation between the outer housing and the sensor electronics
Implementation Method 2
an electrically conductive coating for electromagnetic interference shielding
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for determining and/or monitoring a physical and/or chemical measurand of a medium, having a, particularly longitudinal, housing, having a sensor arranged in the housing, wherein the sensor serves to record the measurand, wherein the housing has at least one opening through which the sensor comes in contact with the medium, wherein the housing has a first housing section in which the sensor and the electronics thereof are arranged, wherein the sensor electronics are arranged on a first support element, wherein the sensor electronics serve to convert the measurand into an analog electrical signal, wherein an insert is inserted into the first housing section where the sensor electronics are arranged, and wherein the insert consists of a tube-shaped base body.