Sensor Assembly Breathable Seal Pressure Equalization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies for detecting impacts, such as those in motor vehicles, face challenges in reliably determining pressure changes caused by impacts while protecting the internal housing from dust, fluid, and moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing that includes a hollow body with fluid communication through formed connections, a printed circuit board carrying a pressure sensor, and ventilation connections with breathable seals to equalize pressure and prevent the ingress of dust, fluid, and moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is sealed to protect internal components from fluid and dust ingress, then protection reliability is improved, but pressure equalization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a breathable seal (flexible membrane) in the ventilation connection that allows pressure equalization while blocking fluid and dust ingress. This thin film structure enables the housing to maintain both protection reliability and pressure equalization capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable seal utilizes porous or micro-perforated material structure that permits gas molecules to pass through for pressure equalization while physically blocking larger fluid particles and dust, achieving both functions through the same component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ventilation connections are provided for pressure equalization, then pressure equalization capability is improved, but protection against fluid and dust ingress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The breathable seal acts as an intermediary element in the ventilation connection, mediating between the internal hollow body and external environment. It selectively permits pressure equalization while blocking harmful fluid and dust ingress, resolving the contradiction between ventilation and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
By placing a flexible breathable seal in the ventilation connection, the patent creates a barrier that maintains pressure equalization capability while preventing direct contact between the internal components and external fluid/dust contaminants.
3Reliability
If a breathable seal is added to prevent fluid and dust ingress, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breathable seal performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective barrier against fluid and dust ingress, enables pressure equalization through breathability, and maintains structural integrity in the ventilation connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable seal is implemented as a thin film or membrane that provides protection without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the housing assembly, minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced protection reliability.
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 effectively protects the internal sensor components from fluid, dust, and moisture while maintaining ventilation and allowing for reliable detection of pressure changes caused by impacts.
Implementation Method 1
A further breathable seal is placed in the ventilation connection to avoid as well ingress of fluid, moisture, dirt or dust into the hollow body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor assembly (1) comprising a housing (2) which defines a hollow body (12) and a formed connection (5) which defines a fluid communication (14) from outside of the hollow body (12) into the hollow body (12). A printed circuit board (8) is placed in the hollow body (12), wherein the printed circuit board (8) carries a pressure sensor (10). The housing (2) as a well a ventilation connection (16). A breathable seal (20) which is placed such that in relation to the connection (5), the fluid communication (14) has to pass the breathable seal (20) prior to causing a signal of the pressure sensor (10) due to a pressure change in the hollow body (12).