Adjustable Sensor Enclosure for Power Bus Thermal Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies for power busses are limited in utility due to their fixed size and shape compatibility, complexity, and difficulty in adjusting to various power bus configurations, leading to increased costs and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with an adjustable enclosure and fastening mechanism, including a housing, base, and elongated fastener, which can securely couple to power busses of different sizes and shapes, featuring a movable cover and adjustable base to accommodate various power bus dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed enclosure design is used for sensor assembly, then the manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but the adaptability to different power bus sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure incorporates adjustable components including a movable base relative to the housing and a movable cover that can be positioned at different locations. These dynamic elements allow the enclosure to adapt to various power bus sizes and shapes while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is designed with universal adaptability through adjustable features that enable it to accommodate multiple power bus configurations. The same enclosure structure can serve different applications with different power bus dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized enclosure designs.
2Reliability
If a complex sensor assembly design is used, then the reliability and protection of components are improved, but the ease of operation and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable base and cover components enable easy adjustment and repositioning of the sensor assembly without compromising reliability. These dynamic elements allow operators to quickly adapt the sensor position while the enclosure structure maintains secure component protection and thermal coupling when in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is divided into separable components including a movable base, housing, and cover. This segmentation allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and adjustment while maintaining the integrity and protective function of each component, thereby preserving reliability during operation and maintenance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed sensor assembly design is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with movable base and cover components facilitates easy maintenance and repair operations. Operators can quickly access, remove, and replace components without compromising the simplicity of the overall design, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable and movable components enable straightforward maintenance procedures while keeping the manufacturing process simple. The dynamic elements allow for quick field adjustments and component replacements without requiring complex disassembly procedures, balancing manufacturing cost-effectiveness with maintenance ease.
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 for effective thermal and mechanical coupling of sensors to power busses, enhancing flexibility and reducing maintenance costs by providing a simple and adjustable mechanism for securing sensors to a wide range of power bus configurations.
Implementation Method 1
thermally coupling the temperature sensor to the power bus
Implementation Method 2
a power supply structured to cooperate with the power bus to provide electrical power to the at least one sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A sensor assembly (2, 102) is provided for a power bus (200). The power bus (200) exhibits a number of characteristics, such as a temperature. The sensor assembly (2,102) includes an enclosure (4,104) having a housing (6,106) and a base (8,108). At least one sensor (70) such as, for example, a temperature sensor, is housed within the enclosure (4,104). The sensor (70) (e.g., temperature sensor) senses a corresponding one of the number of characteristics (e.g., temperature) of the power bus (200). A power supply (80,180) is housed within the enclosure (4,104), and cooperates with the power bus (200) to provide electrical power to the sensor (70). An elongated fastener (90) fastens the enclosure to the power bus (200). The base (8,108) of the enclosure (4,104) is adjustable with respect to the housing (6,106) of the enclosure (4,104) in order to secure the power bus (200) between the housing (6,106) and the base (8,108). The elongated fastener (90) extends around the enclosure (4,104) and the power bus (200) in order to secure the enclosure (4,104) to the power bus (200).