Oil Port Position Sensing Device for Heavy Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods require two people to position an oil port on a rotating element of heavy equipment for maintenance tasks, making the process time-consuming when only one person is available, as they need to drive and manually check the port's position.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus with a position sensor and wireless transmitter that allows a single operator to determine the correct angular position of the oil port using indicia and indicators, enabling wireless communication and positioning without leaving the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual monitoring of oil port position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sensor that detects the angular position of the oil port and provides real-time feedback signals to indicate when the oil port reaches the correct position for various service actions. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual monitoring and enables automated position detection, directly improving productivity while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical monitoring system with an electronic sensing system. The sensor uses magnetic or optical fields to detect the position of the oil port, substituting human visual inspection and manual operation with automated electronic detection, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing time consumption.
2Measurement precision
If two people are used for positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is mounted on the rotating element itself, allowing it to self-detect its own position relative to the oil port. The system serves itself by providing automated position detection without requiring external human operators, thereby maintaining measurement precision while greatly simplifying operation to a single person or even fully automated operation.
3Productivity
If automated sensors are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to detect multiple different positions of the oil port corresponding to different service actions (filling, draining, sampling, level checking). A single multi-functional sensor replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors or manual operations, achieving high productivity while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through consolidation of functions.
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
Enables a single person to efficiently position the oil port for various service actions, reducing time and effort by providing real-time feedback on the port's correct alignment, facilitating solo operation and reducing the need for multiple apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a position sensor in electrical communication with a wireless transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A portable apparatus for sensing position of an oil port on a rotating element (e.g. the wheel or track of a heavy vehicle) has a position sensor in electrical communication with a wireless transmitter. The wireless transmitter is configured to receive signals from the position sensor and to send signals to a wireless receiver. The apparatus further has a mounting structure (e.g. a magnet) for temporarily mounting the apparatus on the rotating element. An indicium on the apparatus associated with a desired service action to be performed on the rotating element correlates an angular position of the oil port to a pre-determined reference position of the position sensor, the angular position of the oil port being a correct position for performing the desired service action. In use, the apparatus is mounted on the rotating element so that the indicium points at the oil port and then the rotating element is rotated until the receiver indicates that the oil port is in the correct position.