Urea Sensor Sealing Structure Against Water Ingress and Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urea pressure and temperature sensors suffer from leakage, water ingress, and urea accumulation issues, leading to reduced performance and lifespan, failing to meet industry standards.
Innovation Solution
The sensor incorporates a sealing gasket and connector seal, particularly made of silicon and high-grade rubber, to prevent water ingress and urea accumulation, ensuring improved sealing and accurate performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing designs are used in urea pressure and temperature sensors, then the sensor structure remains simple, but water ingress and urea accumulation occur leading to reduced sensor life and inaccurate performance
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple independent sealing elements: a first sealing element (sealing gasket) located at the top area cavity near the pressure sensor, and a second sealing element (connector seal) located at the connector assembly. This segmentation allows each sealing element to address specific sealing needs independently, preventing both water ingress and urea accumulation effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing grommets are introduced as intermediary components between the housing and the pressure sensor, and between the housing and the connector assembly. These grommets act as mediators that provide reliable sealing interfaces, preventing harmful factors (water and urea) from reaching critical components while maintaining structural integrity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If no connector seal is provided, then the connector assembly structure remains simple, but water ingress occurs during disengagement of mating connector reducing product life
Solution Approach 1:
The connector seal is pre-installed on the connector assembly before the mating connector is connected. This preliminary sealing action ensures that when the mating connector is later disconnected, water cannot ingress into the connector assembly, thereby protecting the product during the disengagement phase when vulnerability is highest.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector seal is made of flexible elastomeric material that can deform to accommodate connection and disconnection cycles. This flexible sealing element maintains continuous sealing protection throughout the connector's operational life, preventing water ingress even during mechanical stress of mating and unmating operations.
3Measurement precision
If O-ring sealing is used in top area cavity, then the sealing structure is simple, but urea accumulation occurs in the cavity affecting pressure sensor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The first sealing element (sealing gasket) is strategically positioned to seal the top area cavity where urea accumulation previously occurred. By extracting and sealing this specific cavity, the design eliminates the harmful accumulation zone while maintaining necessary fluid flow paths, thereby protecting pressure sensor measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sealing elements are applied at different locations with specific functions: the first sealing element addresses urea accumulation at the top cavity near the pressure sensor, while the second sealing element addresses water ingress at the connector assembly. This localized quality approach ensures each sealing element optimally addresses the specific harmful factor at its location.
4Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are added to prevent water ingress and urea accumulation, then sealing performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into modular components (first sealing element, second sealing element, sealing grommets) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each sealing component while simplifying the overall assembly process, as each element can be pre-positioned or pre-installed on sub-assemblies before final assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a urea pressure and temperature sensor (100) with improved sealing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a urea pressure and temperature sensor (100) comprising of a connector seal (7) and a sealing gasket (4) that improves the sealing and prevents any water ingress or urea accumulation.