Flexible Waveguide Sheath for Compact Magnetostrictive Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position sensor assemblies with rigid waveguide shafts require significant space for installation and transport, especially in hydraulic systems with long piston strokes, leading to increased packaging and transport costs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible waveguide sheath made of a hose with a bending radius of less than 250 mm, allowing the sensor to be wound up for compact packaging and installed in confined spaces, with lengths up to 20 meters, and incorporating a flexible metallic shield and liquid-tight coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid waveguide shaft is used, then the sensor provides stable measurement, but it requires significant space for installation and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid waveguide shaft with a flexible hose that can be bent and wound up. This flexible hose maintains the necessary measurement functionality while allowing compact packaging and installation in confined spaces, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement stability and installation space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is transformed from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible hose that can adapt its shape. The hose can be bent to various degrees and wound up for transport, providing both measurement stability during operation and compact form factor during logistics
2Strength
If the waveguide shaft is made rigid, then the sensor maintains structural integrity, but transport and packaging costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose replaces the rigid shaft while incorporating a metallic shield and liquid-tight coating to maintain structural integrity and protection. This allows the sensor to be packaged in compact cardboard boxes rather than expensive wooden crates, significantly reducing packaging costs
3Volume of moving object
If a flexible hose is used, then the sensor can be compactly packaged, but electromagnetic shielding may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose is constructed as a composite structure incorporating a metallic shield (such as braided metal mesh) within the hose wall. This composite design provides both flexibility for compact packaging and effective electromagnetic shielding to protect the sensor signals from interference
4Area of stationary object
If the waveguide is made flexible, then installation in confined spaces is enabled, but liquid-tight sealing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose is manufactured with an integrated liquid-tight coating or lining (such as Teflon or polyurethane) applied to its inner surface. This integrated sealing solution maintains hydraulic tightness while preserving the hose's flexibility, enabling installation in confined spaces without compromising sealing performance
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 handling and reduced space requirements for transport and installation, accommodating longer measuring lengths while maintaining protection and functionality, suitable for diverse applications including curved paths.
Implementation Method 1
the position sensor detects the position of a magnet axially displaceable on a waveguide sheath with respect to a waveguide axially arranged in the waveguide sheath
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a position sensor assembly (1) of a hydraulic or machine system, comprising at least one magnetostrictive position sensor, in which the position sensor detects the position of a magnet (4) axially displaceable on a waveguide sheath (3) relative to a waveguide (3.3) axially arranged in the waveguide sheath, wherein the waveguide sheath is flexible.