Ultrasonic Sensor Housing With Shielded Circuit Board Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic sensors face issues with design restrictions due to epoxy filler enveloping the substrate, inability to disassemble the circuit board, and inverter noise entering through open ends, leading to inefficiencies and disposal of the entire sensor when problems arise.
Innovation Solution
A sensor apparatus design featuring a shield body to enclose the main board, a waterproof cushion, and a shield tape to prevent noise and moisture ingress, along with a guide structure for the circuit board insertion, eliminating the need for epoxy filling and direct connections for noise shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epoxy filler is used to envelop the substrate for waterproofing and dustproofing, then the sensor achieves waterproof and dustproof protection, but the design freedom is restricted and the circuit board cannot be disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple segments: the case, the cover, and the shield body with integrated circuit board housing. This segmentation allows the circuit board to be accessed and replaced without disposing of the entire sensor, while still achieving waterproof and dustproof protection through the sealed interfaces between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is extracted from the epoxy filler environment by providing a dedicated housing space within the shield body. This extraction allows the circuit board to be separated from the waterproofing structure, enabling disassembly and replacement while maintaining the overall waterproof integrity through the shield body's sealed design.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a thin sheet of copper material is wrapped around the oscillator for noise shielding, then some noise protection is achieved, but inverter noise still enters through the open bottom end
Solution Approach 1:
The noise shielding function is merged with the structural housing by making the shield body itself from a conductive material. This integrates the shielding function into the main structural component, creating a complete enclosed space that prevents noise entry from all directions including the bottom end, rather than using a separate wrapped sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive material that forms the shield body is used to both structure and shield. By making the housing itself conductive and enclosing the circuit board, the structure that provides mechanical support also provides complete noise shielding, converting the potential harm of noise entry into a beneficial complete shield.
3Reliability
If the filler wraps around the circuit board, then waterproofing is achieved, but separate UV-coating is required to prevent damage to electric elements
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is taken out from the epoxy filler environment by providing a dedicated housing space within the shield body. This extraction eliminates the need for UV-coating on the circuit board while maintaining waterproofing, as the circuit board resides in a sealed compartment formed by the shield body and cover interface.
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
Enhances productivity by avoiding epoxy filling, ensures secure circuit board positioning, prevents noise and moisture ingress, and allows for easy assembly and disassembly, reducing the need for ground wire connections.
Implementation Method 1
a waterproof cushion interposed between a rear end of the cover and a front end of the shield body
Implementation Method 2
a shield body enclosing at least a portion of the main board, to shield noise introduction
Implementation Method 3
an ultrasonic sensor is a sensor that generates a sound with a high frequency of about 20 kHz or higher
Implementation Method 4
receives sound waves reflected back from an object to generate a voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises: an oscillator configured to generate and transmit signals for detection; a main board electrically connected to the oscillator, and on which is mounted a control chip for interpreting and processing signals transmitted by the oscillator; a cover housing the oscillator; a case housing the main board and having an end to which the cover is inserted and coupled; a shield body enclosing at least a portion of the main board, to shield noise introduction; and a waterproof cushion interposed between a rear end of the cover and a front end of the shield body.