Elastic Sensor Mounting Member for Rolling Guide Device Track Rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fixing sensors to track rails in rolling guide devices are costly, difficult to apply to existing devices, and pose challenges in removal and alignment, including increased production costs for screw holes, adhesion issues, and misalignment risks with magnetic fixation.

Innovation Solution

A sensor mounting member with a sensor holding portion and elastically deformable leg portions that sandwich the track rail to securely hold the sensor in place without additional work on the rail, allowing easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screw fixation method is used to mount sensor to track rail, then sensor fixation reliability is improved, but production cost increases and applicability to existing devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor fixation reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor mounting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor and track rail. This mounting member features elastic leg portions that sandwich the track rail, providing reliable fixation without requiring screw holes in the rail itself, thereby avoiding additional production costs and enabling application to existing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor mounting member is divided into distinct functional segments: a sensor holding portion that secures the sensor and leg portions that attach to the track rail. This segmentation allows the mounting member to be independently manufactured and installed without modifying the track rail structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If adhesive bonding method is used to fix sensor to track rail, then fixation simplicity is improved, but sensor removal difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation simplicityVSAvoidsensor removal difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The leg portions are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to dynamically adjust during installation and removal. During installation, the legs are compressed to sandwich the rail; during removal, the elastic legs can be expanded to release the grip, enabling easy sensor removal without damaging the rail or sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If magnetic fixation method is used to mount sensor to track rail, then installation ease is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsensor alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces magnetic fixation with a mechanical sandwiching mechanism. The elastic leg portions physically clamp the track rail from both sides, providing precise positioning and alignment through direct mechanical contact, while still allowing for easy installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables easy and secure mounting of sensors to track rails with no additional production costs, applicable to both new and existing devices, ensuring reliable and efficient sensor placement and removal.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of leg portions, which are formed at both ends of the sensor holding portion, respectively, and are configured to sandwich the track rail from both sides in a width direction of the track rail while being elastically deformed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11174897B2Sensor attachment member and sensor attachment method for rolling guide device

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 THK CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a sensor mounting member and a sensor mounting method for easily fixing a sensor of a type among various types to a track rail of a rolling guide device in one operation. The sensor mounting member includes: a sensor holding portion configured to cover the sensor so as to hold the sensor between a top surface of the track rail and the sensor holding portion; and a pair of leg portions, which are formed at both ends of the sensor holding portion, respectively, and are configured to sandwich the track rail from both sides in a width direction of the track rail while being elastically deformed. Further, along with sandwiching of the track rail by the pair of leg portions, the sensor holding portion presses the sensor onto the top surface of the track rail.