Oil Level Sensor Cover With Tool-Free Hook Locking and Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil level sensor covers are prone to damage from external impacts, require separate tools for attachment, and expose fastening components, leading to potential deformation and oil leakage.
Innovation Solution
An oil level sensor cover designed with hooks that fit into locking grooves on the sensor, allowing tool-free attachment and protection from impacts by seating on a nut, with the nut being concealed beneath the sensor body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional bolt and nut fastening method is used to attach the oil level sensor cover, then the cover can be securely fastened, but the fastening process requires separate tools and the exposed bolt ends can cause deformation and sealing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional bolt-nut mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit mechanism. The cover includes elastic protrusions that engage with recesses on the sensor body, eliminating the need for tools and exposed fastening components. This substitution maintains secure attachment while improving ease of operation and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic exposed bolt and nut components from the fastening system. By using an integrated snap-fit design where the cover itself provides the fastening mechanism, the design eliminates external fastening elements that could cause deformation or sealing failures.
2Ease of manufacture
If the oil level sensor cover is made from a thin plate material, then it is easy to manufacture and lightweight, but it is easily damaged by external impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cover structure into multiple functional elements: a main cover body, elastic protrusions for fastening, and a separate sensor housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the plate-like cover structure with elastic material properties in the protrusions. The main body can be made from lightweight, easy-to-manufacture materials while the elastic components provide impact resistance and mechanical strength, achieving both ease of manufacture and durability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the oil level sensor cover is directly attached to the sensor body, then the attachment is secure, but external impacts are transmitted to the sensor causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cushioning elements in the form of elastic protrusions that engage with the sensor body. These elastic components are designed to absorb and dampen external impacts before they can be transmitted to the sensor, providing beforehand protection while maintaining secure attachment through the same elastic engagement mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An oil level sensor cover according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted below an engine oil pan to protect an oil level sensor that measures an oil level. The oil level sensor cover may be formed with plates of predetermined sizes, including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, wherein a plurality of seating portions and a plurality of hook are formed on the upper surface. An engine according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises the above-described oil level sensor cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, an engine oil fan, and an oil level sensor mounted below the engine oil fan to measure the oil level. The oil level sensor cover can be separated from or coupled to the oil level sensor without the use of a separate tool.