Light-Curing Sensor Fastening Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening methods for attaching sensors to structures, such as rails, are costly and require significant logistical effort due to the need for energy-intensive equipment and materials that are not suitable for remote or difficult-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element with a base support element, a sealing frame, and a cavity for receiving a light-curing adhesive, which is illuminated to cure the adhesive, allowing for a secure and efficient attachment of sensors to structures without the need for high-energy equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal adhesion methods are used to attach fastening elements to rails, then the adhesive connection is strong and reliable, but the energy input required is high and the equipment is bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal adhesion methods with light-curing adhesion. Instead of using heat to activate the adhesive (which requires bulky thermal equipment), the invention uses light sources (LEDs or lasers) to trigger the adhesive curing process. This substitution eliminates the need for complex thermal equipment while maintaining reliable adhesive connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation parameter from thermal energy (heat) to optical energy (light). By using light-curing adhesives instead of heat-curing adhesives, the system requires fundamentally different energy input, enabling the use of compact light sources rather than bulky thermal equipment.
2Reliability
If inductive heating is used to cure adhesive, then the adhesive connection is achieved, but the energy consumption is high and equipment transport is logistically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inductive heating with direct light illumination. Instead of using electromagnetic induction to generate heat (which consumes significant energy), the system uses direct light sources to cure the adhesive. This substitution dramatically reduces energy consumption while maintaining adhesive connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are integrated directly into the fastening element, allowing the system to cure the adhesive at the point of application without requiring external energy supply equipment. The fastening element essentially serves itself by containing the light sources needed for adhesive curing.
3Reliability
If hot wire heating is used to cure adhesive, then the adhesive connection is created, but the heat input is localized and energy inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hot wire heating with light illumination. Instead of using resistive heating through hot wires (which loses significant energy to the surrounding environment), the system uses light sources that directly activate the adhesive curing process. This substitution eliminates the energy loss associated with thermal conduction and convection.
4Reliability
If elastic adhesives are used to fasten sensors, then the adhesive has high weathering resistance and compensates for expansion, but the adhesive cannot provide the rigidity needed for force measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the adhesive type from elastic to rigid light-curing adhesive. By using light-curing adhesives that provide high rigidity after curing, the system achieves the necessary stiffness for force measurement while maintaining weathering resistance through the adhesive's chemical composition and curing process.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective and logistically efficient method for attaching sensors to structures, enabling secure and durable connections while minimizing energy consumption and equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a cavity (20) for receiving a light-curing adhesive (24), the cavity being delimited on one side by the base support element (14) and peripherally by the sealing frame (18), and at least one light-emitting surface (28) for coupling light beams (36) into the cavity (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening element for a sensor is disclosed, which fastening element can be fastened to a structure by means of a light-curing adhesive. The light-curing adhesive is cured within the cavities provided for receiving the light-curing adhesive by direct and/or indirect illumination. Furthermore, a sensor unit having a sensor and a fastening element, an arrangement having a sensor unit and a structure, and a method for providing an arrangement is disclosed.