Rotatable Display Connector Sealing for Process Transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial process control transmitters in harsh environments face challenges in sealing and rotating display modules while maintaining electrical connections, as existing designs often require multiple pins and orientations, making it difficult to prevent environmental exposure.
Innovation Solution
The process variable transmitter incorporates a rotatable connector system with multiple conductors and seals, allowing for easy rotation and sealing of the display module, using circular connectors with insulators and elastic seals to maintain a secure electrical connection despite environmental exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display module is made rotatable to achieve desired orientations, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in preventing environmental exposure during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic seal member (O-ring) is employed to provide flexible sealing between the display module and transmitter housing. The elastic material deforms to accommodate the rotatable connection while maintaining a continuous seal, preventing moisture and environmental elements from entering during rotation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A connector assembly acts as an intermediary between the display module and transmitter housing, integrating both electrical connection and sealing functions. This intermediary component allows the display to rotate while maintaining both electrical continuity and environmental protection through the integrated elastic seal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pins and orientations are used for the display connection, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases making sealing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated connector assembly. The connector includes multiple conductors for electrical connection and an elastic seal member for environmental protection, eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms for each connection point and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connector assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connection through multiple conductors, enables rotational movement for orientation adjustment, and maintains sealing through the elastic seal member. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If the display is sealed to prevent environmental exposure, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in rotation and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic seal member (O-ring) provides flexible sealing that can deform and accommodate rotational movement. This flexible sealing mechanism maintains reliable protection from environmental elements while allowing the display module to rotate and adjust to desired orientations without compromising the seal.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A process variable transmitter (12) for use in measuring a process variable of an industrial process includes a display (50). The transmitter (12) comprises a housing (20), a process variable sensor (40) configured to sense the process variable of the industrial process, transmitter circuitry (42) coupled to the process variable sensor (40) configured to provide a transmitter output and a connection member (44) in the housing (20) configured to couple to the transmitter circuitry. A first rotatable connector (62) on the connection member (44) includes a plurality of first conductors. A display module (22) includes a second rotatable connector (60) having a plurality of second conductors. The plurality of first and second conductors are configured to electrically connect together.