Offset Sensor Attachment Device for Emission Control Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enable the replacement of a sensor device connected to a vehicle radiator without causing damage, particularly in scenarios where a standard radiator is used as a replacement for a catalytically coated one, while ensuring compliance with emission regulations and preventing errors in the on-board diagnosis system.
Innovation Solution
A sensor attachment device with offset pin and holding finger recesses is designed to securely attach the sensor device, allowing for the removal and replacement of the sensor without damage, using a pair of holding fingers and pins with offset recesses, ensuring a reliable connection through adhesive and latching mechanisms, and enabling the use of a standard sensor device as a replacement without significant changes to the sensor lines or structural adaptations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor device is permanently fixed to the coated radiator to prevent unauthorized removal, then the reliability of the emission control system is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates when the sensor device needs replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device is divided into a first sensor attachment device and a second sensor attachment device, each with distinct pin and holding finger recess configurations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable sensor attachment while enabling replacement through switching between the two devices, resolving the contradiction between permanent fixation and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the attachment device by providing offset pin recesses and offset holding finger recesses in the second sensor attachment device compared to the first. This parameter change enables compatibility with both original and replacement sensors, allowing repair while maintaining system reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standard radiator is used as replacement for a catalytically coated radiator, then the cost of repair is reduced, but the on-board diagnosis system may generate error messages due to sensor device incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The dual sensor attachment device configuration provides universal compatibility - the first attachment device works with the original sensor on the coated radiator, while the second attachment device with offset recesses enables compatibility with replacement sensors on standard radiators. This multi-functionality allows cost-effective replacement while maintaining on-board diagnosis compliance.
3Strength
If the sensor device is made permanently attached to prevent damage during removal, then the strength of the connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when sensor replacement is legally permitted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static permanent attachment concept to a dynamic replacement system. The first sensor attachment device provides strong initial attachment, while the second sensor attachment device with offset recesses enables legal replacement when required, balancing connection strength with operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor attachment device is provided for attaching a sensor device in such a way that removal of the sensor device without damage is ruled out, whereby the sensor device has a pair of holding fingers and a pin. The sensor attachment device has a first and a second pin recess corresponding to the pin of the sensor device. The sensor attachment device has a first and a second pair of holding finger recesses corresponding to the pair of holding fingers of the sensor device, whereby the second pin recess is offset by an offset distance with respect to the first pin recess and whereby the second pair of holding finger recesses is offset by the offset distance with respect to the first pair of holding finger recesses.