Hydraulic Cylinder Sensor Mounting with Inclined Locking Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor mounting devices for hydraulic cylinders face issues with misalignment and deformation due to rotational forces when fastening screws are tightened, leading to instability and potential misalignment of the position sensor.

Innovation Solution

A sensor mounting device featuring a metal belt-shaped band with opposing sensor holding portions and reinforcing plates, where the reinforcing plates have inclined ends that lock against the band's edges, preventing relative rotation and ensuring secure attachment without misalignment, even under rotational forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fastening screw is tightly fastened to secure the position sensor, then the fixing reliability is improved, but rotational force causes misalignment between the reinforcing plates and the fitting band

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful rotational force into a beneficial locking mechanism. The inclined portion of the reinforcing plate, when pressed by the fastening screw, automatically engages with the inclined surface of the reinforcing plate attaching portion, transforming the problematic rotation into a self-locking action that prevents misalignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetric inclined surfaces on the reinforcing plate and reinforcing plate attaching portion. This asymmetric design creates a one-way locking mechanism where the inclined portion can engage with the inclined surface to prevent rotation, while maintaining ease of assembly in the opposite direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If spot welding is used to fix the reinforcing plates to the fitting band, then the structural strength is improved, but the complexity of manufacturing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal welding process with a mechanical locking system. Instead of using spot welding to fix the reinforcing plates to the fitting band, the design uses the inclined portion and inclined surface mechanism to achieve both structural strength and positioning through pure mechanical engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of structural reinforcement and positioning into a single integrated component design. The reinforcing plate serves both to provide structural strength and, through its inclined portion, to prevent rotation by engaging with the inclined surface of the attaching portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10113569B2Sensor mounting device for hydraulic cylinder

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 SMC CORP

AI summary

A fitting band includes an annular portion wound and attached around an outer periphery of a cylinder tube, a pair of sensor holding portions that are formed at both ends of the annular portion and that pinches a position sensor, the pair of sensor holding portions being fastened from both sides with a fastening screw, the sensor holding portions being formed by providing reinforcing plates on outer surfaces of reinforcing plate attaching portions at end portions of the band main body in a superposed manner, tip edges of the reinforcing plate attaching portions being formed in straight lines, inclined portions being formed in distal end portions of the reinforcing plates, the tip edges of the reinforcing plate attaching portions extending along folding lines of the inclined portions.