Coaxial Shaft Coupling for Durable Motion Sensor Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor installations for measuring linear or rotating movements have a limited service life due to mechanical stress and environmental vulnerabilities, which affects their reliability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor installation with a releasable coaxial connection between two shafts, featuring axial or radial toothing for a rotationally fixed form-fit, supported by a bearing installation with a central axis and cylindrical bearing face, which stabilizes and protects the connection from mechanical stress and environmental influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a traditional sensor installation is used for measuring linear or rotating movements, then the basic measurement function is achieved, but the service life is limited due to mechanical stress and environmental vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor installation is divided into two separately mountable shafts (first shaft with encoder, second shaft coupled to measurement object) that can be connected via the releasable connection. This segmentation allows independent optimization and replacement of components, extending overall service life while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable connection between the first and second shafts provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the connection to be released and reconnected based on service requirements. This enables maintenance and replacement without complete system disassembly, extending service life while preserving measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the shafts are rigidly connected to transmit rotation, then movement transmission is accurate, but mechanical stress and wear increase reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The releasable connection transforms the static rigid connection into a dynamic, conditionally connectable joint. The connection can be engaged for accurate measurement and disengaged for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between transmission accuracy and service life through temporal separation of these requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection state (engaged/disengaged) changes the mechanical parameters of the system. When engaged, rigid connection provides accurate movement transmission; when disengaged, mechanical stress is eliminated. This parameter change allows the system to alternate between precision measurement mode and maintenance mode.
3Productivity
If the connection is exposed to mechanical stress, then movement transmission is direct, but environmental vulnerabilities increase reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The releasable connection acts as an intermediary between the encoder shaft and measurement object shaft. It transmits movement when needed while providing protection against environmental factors when disengaged, mediating between productivity requirements and durability concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable connection design allows for beforehand protection against environmental damage. By disengaging the connection during periods of non-use or harsh conditions, the system prevents cumulative environmental damage while maintaining transmission efficiency when operational.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for measuring a linear/rotating movement (LRM) of a measurement object (MO): one sensor element (SE) to detect the LRM of the MO and emit measuring signals (MS), the sensor element having encoder element (EE) and sensitive element (SeE), the SE detecting a relative movement between the EE and SeE; an electronic evaluator to evaluate the MS of the SE; a first shaft (FS) coupled to the EE by a bearing; a second shaft (SS) coupled to the MO by a bearing; the FS/SS, by a releasable connection, are mutually coupled for rotation coaxially; the bearing has central axis (CA) and cylindrical bearing face (CBF) in the axial direction (AD) parallel with the CA has an axial extent (AE), and in the radial direction (RD) perpendicular to the CA has a bearing face (BF) internal diameter (ID); the connection has a “first axial”/“radial toothing” (FT) on one FS end, and a “second axial”/“radial toothing” (ST) on one SS end, the FT/ST mutually engaging form-fittingly; the connection in the RD is within the BF ID, and in the AD is within the AE of the BF; and the FS by another end facing away from the FT, and the SS by another end facing way from the ST, protrude axially from the BF.