Differential Speed Sensor Mounting via Pulsar Ring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

All-terrain vehicles and similar vehicles face challenges in monitoring and sensing the differential components due to harsh off-road environments, leading to potential premature failure of equipment.

Innovation Solution

A differential assembly with a drive train and speed sensors to measure rotational speeds of drive shafts, including a first speed sensor for the ring gear and a second speed sensor for one of the drive shafts, integrated with a pulsar ring for accurate rotational speed measurement, which is robustly mounted to reduce failure risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If speed sensors are mounted on drive shafts in harsh off-road environments, then rotational speed measurement capability is improved, but equipment reliability deteriorates due to premature failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational speed measurementVSAvoidequipment durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A pulsar ring is introduced as an intermediary component that rotates with the drive shaft and interacts with a stationary speed sensor. The pulsar ring transfers the rotational information to the sensor without requiring the sensor itself to be mounted on the rotating drive shaft, thereby protecting the sensor from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical mounting of speed sensors on drive shafts with an optical or electromagnetic sensing system that detects rotational speed through the pulsar ring's interaction with the stationary sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical connection between the sensor and rotating components, improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If multiple speed sensors are installed to monitor both drive shafts, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifferential component monitoringVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speed sensor system is designed with universal mounting arrangements that can monitor both drive shafts using identical sensor and pulsar ring components. The same sensor type and mounting methodology applies to both left and right drive shafts, simplifying the overall system design while achieving comprehensive monitoring coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9751403B2Differential assembly and speed sensor mounting arrangement therefor

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A differential assembly for a vehicle includes a drive train for transferring motive power from an engine drive member to the right and left drive shafts which are coupled, respectively, to ground engaging members of the vehicle. The drive train includes a rotating element operatively engaged to the drive member and to the right and left drive shafts. The differential assembly further includes a first speed sensor is arranged to measure rotational speed of (i) the rotating element or (ii) one of the right and left drive shafts, and a second speed sensor arranged to measure rotational speed of one of the right and left drive shafts. The second speed sensor arranged to measure rotational speed of the other of the right and left drive shafts when the first speed sensor is arranged to measure rotational speed of one of the right and left drive shafts.