Molded Magnet Retainer Assembly for In-Cylinder Sensor Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear fluid cylinders with in-cylinder position sensors are prone to malfunction, damage, or failure due to improperly installed or displaced magnets within the sensor rod assembly, which can contact the sensor rod.
Innovation Solution
A retainer assembly comprising an annular body with a bore and a sleeve, where one or more magnets are fixedly molded between the body and the sleeve in a radial direction, ensuring they remain in place and do not contact the sensor rod, thus preventing damage and ensuring accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets are assembled into the rod bore assembly, then the position sensor can function, but the magnets may be damaged, improperly installed, or displace from their intended location
Solution Approach 1:
The magnets are pre-assembled into the rod bore assembly during the manufacturing process rather than being installed separately during final assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper magnet positioning and prevents installation errors, directly addressing the contradiction by improving manufacturing precision while maintaining sensor reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The rod bore assembly is nested within the piston rod assembly, with the magnets embedded in the rod bore assembly. This nested structure protects the magnets during assembly and operation, preventing damage and displacement while maintaining the position sensor's functional reliability
2Reliability
If magnets are assembled into the rod bore assembly, then the position sensor can function, but the magnets or metal retainer may contact the sensor rod causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive retainer is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnets and the sensor rod. This retainer prevents direct contact between the magnetic components and the sensor rod, eliminating the harmful factor of magnetic attraction or contact damage while allowing the position sensor to function reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful magnetic interaction with the sensor rod is extracted or removed by using a non-conductive retainer that isolates the magnets from the sensor rod. This separates the magnetic function from the potential harmful contact, protecting the sensor rod while maintaining sensor reliability
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 effectively retains the magnets in position, preventing contact with the sensor rod and minimizing the risk of malfunction or damage during assembly and operation, thereby enhancing the reliability of the linear fluid cylinder's position sensing system.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor rod (35) having a magnetorestrictive element or waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, assemblies, and methods can involve a retainer assembly adapted to interface with a sensor rod of an in-cylinder position sensor assembly of a fluid cylinder. The retainer assembly can comprise an annular body that defines a bore extending from a first end of the annular body to a second end of the annular body opposite the first end; a sleeve disposed in the bore at an inner wall of the annular body; and one or more magnets fixedly provided between the annular body and the sleeve in a radial direction of the annular body. Each of the one or more magnets may be fixedly molded in place between the annular body and the sleeve in the radial direction of the annular body.