Water Battery Powered Moisture Sensor for Steering Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering systems consume power continuously due to the constant operation of moisture sensors, even when no water has infiltrated into the housing, leading to inefficiency and potential issues like frozen belts in winter.
Innovation Solution
A moisture sensor with a water battery that generates power only when water enters the housing, using the water battery to supply power to a transmission circuit for signal output, thus reducing power consumption and enabling detection of water infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the moisture sensor operates continuously to detect water infiltration, then the detection reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture sensor operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when water infiltration is detected. The sensor uses a water battery that generates power when water enters the housing, triggering periodic detection cycles only when needed, thus maintaining detection reliability while significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture sensor utilizes the infiltrated water itself as a power source through the water battery. When water enters the housing, it activates the water battery which generates electrical power to run the sensor and transmission circuit, creating a self-powered detection system that eliminates continuous external power requirements.
2Reliability
If the moisture sensor is constantly activated, then water infiltration can be detected promptly, but energy is wasted during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous operation to periodic operation triggered by water infiltration events. The sensor remains dormant during normal operation and activates periodically only when water enters the housing, ensuring prompt detection when needed while eliminating energy waste during dry periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The infiltrated water, which represents a harmful condition, is converted into a beneficial power source. The water battery uses the presence of water to generate electrical power, transforming the harmful infiltration event into the energy needed for detection and signal transmission.
3Device complexity
If a conventional moisture sensor with constant power supply is used, then the system is simple in design, but the power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture sensor system serves itself by using the infiltrated water as an internal power source. The water battery generates power from the water presence, eliminating the need for external continuous power supply while maintaining detection functionality, thus reducing power consumption without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter from continuous external electrical power to water-dependent chemical energy conversion. The water battery converts chemical energy from water into electrical power dynamically, adjusting power availability based on water infiltration conditions rather than maintaining constant power supply.
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 allows the moisture sensor to operate only when water is present, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for continuous power supply, while effectively detecting water infiltration and alerting the driver through the air pressure monitoring system.
Implementation Method 1
a water battery that is internally supplied with liquid to generate power
Data Source
AI summary
A recessed portion is formed in an inner wall surface of a lower portion of a reduction gear housing (a lower wall in FIG. 2) in the direction of gravity and between a bearing 44 and an outer wall of the reduction gear housing (a right side wall in FIG. 2). The recessed portion is formed to have such a depth that the recessed portion does not penetrate the reduction gear housing. The recessed portion is formed in the reduction gear housing within a given range in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis of a rack shaft serving as the center. A moisture sensor is mounted in the recessed portion to detect water infiltrating into a housing. The moisture sensor has a transmission circuit that operates using a water battery as a power supply source. The water battery generates power when water flows into the water battery.