Actuating Device Sealing via External Inductive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuating devices in the vehicle body construction industry face issues with incomplete sealing during sensor replacement, leading to dirt and humidity entry, which can degrade moving parts and reduce device lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The actuating device features a housing with sensing means external to the device, and a sealed reading opening covered by a non-magnetic, adhesive material, ensuring constant sealing even during sensor replacement, using inductive sensing elements and leveraging mechanisms for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the sensor is housed inside the actuating device with an opening for insertion/extraction, then the sensor can be replaced, but the housing cannot be absolutely sealed allowing dirt and humidity to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing elements are extracted from the interior of the actuating device and mounted on the exterior housing surface. This allows the housing to be completely sealed while the sensing elements remain accessible for detection functions. The sensing elements can be replaced without requiring opening the housing, thus maintaining both sealing integrity and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed mounting structure acts as an intermediary between the housing interior and the sensing elements. This intermediary allows the sensing elements to be mounted on the exterior while maintaining the absolute seal of the housing, enabling both protection from environmental factors and accessibility for replacement.
2Measurement precision
If the sensing elements are positioned outside the sensor body at predefined sensing positions, then the actuating element can be detected at end positions, but the housing opening remains unsealed during sensor replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing elements are taken out from the interior sensor housing and mounted directly on the exterior housing surface at the predefined sensing positions. This extraction allows the housing to be completely sealed while the sensing elements maintain their position detection function on the exterior, preventing dirt and humidity entry while preserving measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If the sensor is substantially housed inside the actuating device, then the device structure is compact, but the housing cannot be absolutely sealed due to interstices between housing and sensor surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing elements are extracted from the interior housing and mounted on the exterior surface. This eliminates the need for internal sensor housing and the associated sealing interstices, allowing the housing to be absolutely sealed while maintaining a compact structure. The sensing elements remain positioned to detect the actuating element's end positions.
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
This configuration maintains a reliable seal during both normal operation and sensor replacement, preventing dirt and humidity entry and extending the lifespan of moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
a sealed reading opening covered by a non-magnetic, adhesive material
Implementation Method 2
The sensing elements typically are of the inductive type and can be triggered by metal parts or, more generally, parts made of ferromagnetic material
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating device which comprises a housing inside of which a slidably displaceable actuating element and sensing means adapted to detect the positioning of the actuating element are provided, wherein the actuating element is coupled to at least one triggering part and the housing comprises at least one reading opening through which the positioning of the at least one triggering part at at least one sensing position can be detected; further wherein the sensing means are placed outside the housing at the reading opening and the at least one triggering part is completely housed inside the housing, the at least one reading opening being sealed with a cover made of a material adapted to allow the detection of the triggering part when placed at the at least one sensing position.