Rotatable Leakage Ring for Sensor Alignment and Fluid Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the food industry and sterile applications, connecting sensors to units containing fluids poses a challenge due to the risk of microbiological contamination from fluid leakage, where traditional leakage indicators are not easily positionable at the lowest point, hindering sensor alignment and readability.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a rotatable leakage ring allows for adjustable positioning of the leakage outlet to the lowest point, enabling easy alignment of the sensor for optimal readability and cabling accessibility while maintaining a hermetically sealed connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the leakage hole is fixed to the unit by welding to ensure the lowest position, then fluid drainage is improved, but rotational alignment of the sensor is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a leakage ring with leakage outlets fixed to the unit, and a sensor mounting portion that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows the leakage ring to maintain its fixed position for drainage while the sensor portion can be rotated for proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting portion is designed with rotational capability relative to the leakage ring, transforming a static connection into a dynamic one. This allows the sensor to be rotated to optimal reading and cabling positions while the leakage ring remains fixed at the lowest position for fluid drainage.
2Ease of operation
If the leakage hole is positioned on the sensor, then sensor alignment is flexible, but the leakage hole cannot be positioned at the lowest point
Solution Approach 1:
The leakage function is extracted from the sensor and placed in a separate leakage ring that is fixed to the unit. This allows the sensor to be freely aligned for optimal reading and cabling positions while the leakage ring independently ensures fluid drainage at the lowest position.
Solution Approach 2:
The leakage ring acts as an intermediary component between the unit and the sensor. It provides the leakage outlet function separately from the sensor mounting, allowing both functions to optimize their positions independently - the leakage ring at the lowest point for drainage and the sensor at the optimal alignment position.
3Strength
If the sensor is screwed to the unit with fixed thread ending, then connection is secure, but leakage hole position and sensor orientation cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a leakage ring fixed to the unit and a sensor mounting portion with rotational capability. This allows the threaded connection to provide secure mounting while the rotational portion enables optimization of both leakage hole position and sensor orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting portion incorporates rotational movement capability while maintaining secure threaded connection. This dynamic feature allows the sensor and leakage outlets to be positioned optimally for both drainage and readability/cabling after the initial secure mounting.
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 device ensures effective drainage of leaked fluid and allows for optimal sensor alignment, meeting industry standards for contamination prevention and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the leakage outlet can be provided to be located in the region of a lowest position of the periphery of the leakage ring in an operating position to allow any fluid present to drain off
Implementation Method 2
the leakage ring being sealed and rotatable relative to the central portion
Data Source
AI summary
To enable easy alignment of a leakage outlet according to known guidelines, a connecting device (1) for connecting a sensor (3) to a unit (2) containing a fluid is provided, comprising a first mounting portion (1a) to which the sensor (3) is mountable, a second mounting portion (1b) which is mountable to the unit (2), a central portion (1c) located between the first and second mounting portions (1a and 1b) and a leakage ring (1e) covering the bore (1d) of the central portion (1c), the leakage ring (1e) being sealed and rotatable relative to the central portion (1c), wherein the leakage ring (1e) has a leakage outlet (1f) on its periphery, the leakage outlet (1f) being provided to be located in the region of a lowest position of the periphery of the leakage ring (1e) in an operating position to allow any fluid present to drain.