Cylinder Cover with Integrated Sensor and Floating Mount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cylinder arrangements in pneumatic or hydraulic systems face challenges in assembly due to manufacturing tolerances, requiring complex and time-consuming processes to ensure proper sealing and sensor integration.

Innovation Solution

A cover for cylinder arrangements is designed with an integrated sensor unit, featuring a coil that generates sensor signals by induction, and a fastening device to simplify assembly by compensating for manufacturing tolerances and providing a floating mount, allowing for easy alignment and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sensor unit is integrated into the cover, then the assembly process is simplified and production time is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to tolerance compensation needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed with a floating mount capability that allows dynamic adjustment of the sensor unit position relative to the cylinder. This dynamic positioning compensates for manufacturing tolerances in both the cylinder and cover, enabling easy assembly without requiring high precision while maintaining proper sensor alignment through the flexible mounting interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle geometry is specifically designed to accommodate position variations within tolerance ranges. By changing the geometric parameters of the receptacle (size, shape, positioning features), the system can absorb manufacturing variations and still achieve proper sensor unit integration without requiring tight tolerance control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the coil is arranged around a receptacle with fastening device, then the sensor unit can be securely mounted, but the cover structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor mounting reliabilityVSAvoidcover structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle and fastening device are merged into a single integrated feature of the cover. Instead of being separate components, the receptacle incorporates the fastening functionality directly, simplifying the overall cover structure while ensuring reliable sensor unit mounting through the combined geometric design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables easier and quicker assembly of cylinder arrangements by integrating the sensor unit into the cover, reducing the need for additional assembly steps and ensuring accurate positioning, while maintaining reliable sealing and pressure resistance.

Implementation Method 1

A coil makes it possible to generate sensor signals based on induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2655897B1Cover for a cylinder arrangement, cylinder arrangement, and automatic transmission
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP2655897B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2655897B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2655897B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cover (20; 52) for a cylinder arrangement having at least one cylinder (10; 80, 82, 84), wherein the cover (20; 52) is suitable for sealingly covering a cylinder opening (18) of the cylinder (10; 80, 82, 84), and wherein at least one sensor unit (28) for capturing a measurement variable within the cylinder (10; 80, 82, 84) is integrated in the cover (20; 52). The invention further relates to a cylinder arrangement having such a cover.