Electronic Module Locking Mechanism for Vehicle Wheel Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic units for measuring vehicle wheel parameters face challenges in ensuring high resistance to tearing away without requiring additional tools or complex assembly processes, particularly when using 'snap-in' type inflation valves with elastomer materials.
Innovation Solution
The electronic unit incorporates a latch plate with transversal detents and elastic means that maintain a locking position naturally, allowing for easy unlocking and relocking without additional tools, ensuring high resistance to tearing away and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a locking mechanism with additional removable members (elastic ring, spring ring, screw clamp) is used to ensure high resistance to tearing away, then the strength of attachment is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of assembly/disassembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the locking function from complex additional members and concentrates it into a single integrated latch plate with locking tooth. This simplified component engages with a corresponding locking element in the valve body, providing high tearing resistance without requiring multiple separate locking parts or specialized tools for assembly and disassembly.
2Reliability
If a strong locking mechanism is used to prevent detachment at high vehicle speeds, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch plate is designed to automatically engage with the locking element when the electronic module is mounted on the valve body, providing self-locking functionality. For disassembly, the user simply needs to press the release button on the latch plate, which automatically disengages the locking tooth from the locking element. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable attachment during operation while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly without requiring specialized tools.
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
This solution provides a robust and efficient locking mechanism that increases with vehicle speed, allowing for secure attachment and easy fitting/dismantling of the electronic module without specific tools, enhancing the reliability and usability of the electronic unit.
Implementation Method 1
the latch plate is associated with elastic means designed, in the absence of stresses, to exert on this latch plate a force maintaining the latter in its locking position
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic unit includes an inflation valve (2) designed to be attached to a wheel rim (J) and an electronic module (1) assembled with the inflation valve. The inflation valve includes a rigid tube (12) extending in the extension of the valve, on the periphery of which is formed at least one transversal detent (20, 21), and the electronic module is attached to a ring (15) slideably mounted around the rigid tube. A latch plate (22) having a locking tooth (24) for insertion into a transversal detent, is mounted on the electronic module with a capacity to travel between a locking position and an unlocking position, the latch plate being associated with elastic elements designed, in the absence of stresses, to exert a force maintaining the latch plate in its locking position, and, upon an action exerted on these elastic elements, to displace this latch plate to its unlocking position.