HVAC Sensor Shield with Mounting Tabs for Environmental Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective shields for sensor subassemblies in HVAC systems are costly, difficult to install, and may compromise sensor sensitivity and accuracy due to weather resistance and electromagnetic interference issues, leading to potential false alarms and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A protective shield with a cover member and mounting tabs that securely engage with the sensor housing, providing airflow channels and made of heat-reflective material to enhance sensor protection while maintaining sensitivity and ease of installation, and reducing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing protective shields are used to protect sensors, then sensor protection from environmental damage is improved, but sensor sensitivity and accuracy deteriorate due to weather resistance and electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidsensor sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield employs a thin-walled cylindrical structure that provides environmental protection while maintaining sensor sensitivity. The thin wall design allows gas molecules to penetrate through to the sensor surface, ensuring accurate detection while still providing a protective barrier against environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield incorporates selective surface treatments and material properties in different regions. The thin-walled structure allows gas permeability in specific areas while providing structural protection, creating localized properties that simultaneously enable sensitivity and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If existing protective shields are used, then sensor protection is improved, but installation difficulty increases especially in older buildings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield is designed as a modular assembly consisting of a thin-walled cylindrical body with integrated mounting features. This segmented structure allows for easy installation by simply attaching the shield to the sensor housing, particularly facilitating installation in challenging environments like older buildings with difficult-to-reach areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If existing protective shields are used, then sensor protection is improved, but maintenance cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidmaintenance cost and time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The thin-walled protective shield is designed to be lightweight and easily replaceable. When maintenance is required, the entire shield assembly can be quickly removed and replaced without complex disassembly procedures, significantly reducing maintenance time and costs while continuing to provide reliable sensor protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If existing protective shields are used, then sensor protection from electromagnetic interference is attempted, but susceptibility to electromagnetic interference remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from electromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield creates a controlled environment around the sensor that isolates it from external electromagnetic interference. The thin-walled structure combined with strategic placement of grounding elements and shielding materials provides an electromagnetic barrier while maintaining gas permeability for sensor operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 robustness and reliability of sensors by protecting them from environmental and electromagnetic interference, maintaining sensitivity, and facilitating easy installation and maintenance, thus improving the detection of refrigerant leaks and other hazardous conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the existing protective shields may not be equipped to protect the sensors from electromagnetic interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

made of heat-reflective material to enhance sensor protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250003776A1Protective shield for a sensor subassembly

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 CARRIER CORP

AI summary

A protective shield for a sensor subassembly is disclosed. The protective shield includes a cover member and a plurality of mounting tabs. The plurality of mounting tabs extend from the cover member. Each of the plurality of mounting tabs is adapted to engage with a sensor housing of the sensor subassembly, such that the cover member is adapted to cover at least one sensor accommodated in the sensor subassembly. The provision of the cover member prevents at least one of heat, ambient particulate matter, particles or spray of liquid that may be present in the HVAC environment (such as water, oil, and refrigerant), vibration, electrical noise, and other emissions within the environment of the HVAC system from directly contacting the at least one sensor accommodated in the sensor housing.