Magnet Retention Member for Gear Position Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of magnet retention members and position sensor arrangements for gear mechanisms is complex and costly due to the need for screw connections and specific magnet orientations, which complicates the determination of gear states in automotive systems.
Innovation Solution
A magnet retention member with retention arms and a magnet housing that can be injection-molded with or around a magnet, allowing for secure fitting onto a locking sleeve without screws, using magnetic and mechanical retention forces, and incorporating auxiliary positioning elements for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw connections are used to fix the magnet retention member to the locking sleeve, then the connection strength is improved, but the production complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw connection system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The magnet retention member uses magnetic attraction forces to secure the magnet to the locking sleeve, eliminating the need for threaded openings and screw fastening operations. This substitution of mechanical fastening with magnetic field interaction resolves the contradiction by maintaining strong connection while dramatically simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the screw connection components (threaded openings, screws, and associated assembly steps) from the system. By taking out the mechanical fastening elements and replacing them with a magnet-based retention mechanism, the production complexity is reduced while the essential function of secure connection is maintained through magnetic forces.
2Ease of manufacture
If threaded openings are provided in the locking sleeve or magnet retention member, then the screw connection is enabled, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threaded openings and screw fastening requirements from the design. The magnet retention member and locking sleeve are manufactured without complex threading features, eliminating the need for specialized threading operations and reducing production complexity while maintaining ease of assembly through magnetic attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical screw connection system requiring threaded openings is replaced with a magnetic field-based retention system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex threading operations and allows for simpler manufacturing processes while achieving the same functional goal of secure connection.
3Strength
If manual screwing operation is used, then the magnet retention member can be fixed securely, but the automation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manual screwing operation is replaced with a magnetic field-based retention system that enables automatic assembly. The magnet retention member can be automatically positioned and secured to the locking sleeve through magnetic attraction forces, eliminating the need for manual screw fastening operations and enabling full automation of the assembly process while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic retention system enables the components to self-align and self-secure through magnetic attraction forces. When the magnet retention member approaches the locking sleeve, the magnetic field automatically guides and secures the components in the correct position without requiring manual intervention or complex automated screwing mechanisms.
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 simplifies the production and reduces costs by eliminating the need for screw openings and allows the use of magnets with less precise magnetic field orientations, ensuring reliable gear state determination while withstanding dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one of the retention arms (2, 3) is constructed with a magnet housing (8) for a magnet (40)
Implementation Method 2
the locking sleeve (27) amplifies the magnetic field of the magnet (40). Since the orientation of the wall (28) of the locking sleeve (27) is generally substantially more precise than the anticipated error of the orientation of the magnetic field of the magnet (40) alone, the amplification of the better orientated locking sleeve (27) ensures an orientation of the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a magnet retention member (1) which can be fitted to a wall (28) of a locking sleeve (27) for a gear mechanism, a locking sleeve (27) and a position sensor arrangement (37) for a gear mechanism. In order to be able to produce the position sensor arrangement (37) with the magnet retention member (1) and/or the locking sleeve (27) in the most cost-effective manner possible, there is provision according to the invention for the magnet retention member (1) to have a retention slot (4) for receiving a wall (28) of the locking sleeve (27), which is flanked by retention arms (2, 3) of the magnet retention member (1), the wall (28) having a securing portion (32) for the magnet retention member (1) and the position sensor (37) having a magnet retention member (1) according to the invention and/or a locking sleeve (27) according to the invention.