Donut-Casing Vibration Sensor Layout for Compact, Stable Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors attached to diagnosis target devices are not compact enough and are difficult to attach, failing to meet the requirements for efficient information acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design featuring a doughnut-shaped casing with a central cylinder and a rigid substrate, along with holding portions and a wire configuration that allows for efficient vibration transmission and easy attachment, utilizing a MEMS-type acceleration sensor for detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional sensor structure is used, then the sensor can perform basic detection function, but the sensor size is large and attachment is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidattachment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into distinct functional modules: a substrate module holding the sensor element, a casing module with doughnut shape for mounting, and a connecting portion for wire attachment. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall size while maintaining attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate is nested within the casing's internal space, and the central cylinder portion is nested within the doughnut-shaped casing. The wire passes through the connecting portion which is integrated into the casing structure. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and minimizes the sensor's external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the sensor structure is compacted, then the sensor size is reduced, but the positional variation increases affecting detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sizeVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is designed with specific local features including recesses that fit into protrusions on the casing interior, and the central cylinder portion is positioned at a specific location within the doughnut-shaped casing. These localized structural qualities ensure fixed positional relationships between components, maintaining detection accuracy despite compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid substrate is used, then the sensor structure is stable, but the wire connection becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidwire connection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting portion acts as an intermediary structure between the rigid casing and the wire. It features a doughnut shape with an opening that facilitates wire insertion and connection, while being integrally formed with the rigid casing. This intermediary design maintains structural stability while enabling easy wire connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11326984B2Sensor and sensor fixing structure

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

There is provided a sensor including a sensor element, a substrate on which the sensor element is disposed, and a casing that accommodates the substrate. The casing has a doughnut shape, and has a connecting portion for externally connecting a wire. In a doughnut-shaped internal space of the casing, the substrate is disposed, and the wire is disposed in the connecting portion from a side of the substrate far from the connecting portion. A central cylinder portion is interposed between the substrate and the wire.