Piston-Cylinder Sensor Connector Layout for Flexible Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing piston-cylinder units face challenges in connection options, component variability, assembly and disassembly effort, and operating conditions, particularly due to the rigid housing of the piston movement sensor, which limits adaptability and increases manufacturing and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a detachable sensor cable and flexible housing connectors, along with a positioning and alignment element, allows the same piston movement sensor to be used across different piston-cylinder units with varying dimensions, ensuring precise positioning and orientation while facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid housing is used for the piston movement sensor, then the sensor is protected and stable, but the adaptability to different piston-cylinder unit dimensions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing is divided into a first housing part and a second housing part that can be detachably connected. This segmentation allows the sensor to be adapted to different piston-cylinder unit dimensions by selectively assembling or disassembling the housing parts, while maintaining protection and stability when connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic configurable structure through detachable connections. The housing can be assembled or disassembled based on the specific dimensions and requirements of different piston-cylinder units, providing both stability during operation and adaptability across applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the piston movement sensor is integrated directly into the cylinder head, then assembly is simplified, but the connector accessibility and connection options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnector accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is positioned to extend radially outward from the cylinder head, utilizing the radial dimension to improve accessibility. This dimensional arrangement allows the connector to be reached from the side rather than requiring access from the axial direction, simplifying both assembly and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different piston-cylinder units are designed for different purposes with customized components, then specific requirements are met, but component variety and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidcomponent variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piston movement sensor is designed with universal adaptability through its detachable housing structure, allowing the same sensor to be used across different piston-cylinder units with varying dimensions and purposes. This reduces component variety while maintaining the ability to meet specific requirements through configurable assembly rather than custom-designed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances the adaptability and versatility of piston-cylinder units, reducing component variety and assembly complexity, while maintaining measurement accuracy and reliability under harsh operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The piston movement sensor 28 sends out a high-frequency signal which passes through the sensor signal channel 26 and through the partial chamber 25 as well as through the pressure chamber 33 onto the end face of the piston 7 or the piston rod 8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-frequency electromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a collimator be arranged in the beam path for the high-frequency signal, which serves to increase the measurement accuracy of the piston movement sensor 28

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeam collimation: Lens

Implementation Method 3

DE 10 2019 122 121 A1 relates to a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit 1, so that the interior space 3 is filled with a hydraulic fluid 29, in particular oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4246001B1Piston cylinder unit, set comprising a piston-cylinder unit and a group of piston-cylinder units
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 PACOMA GMBH
  • EP4246001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246001B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4246001B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a piston-cylinder unit (1). The piston-cylinder unit (1) has a piston motion sensor (28) arranged in a transverse bore (27) of a cylinder head (4) having a longitudinal axis (53). According to the invention, the piston motion sensor (28) is detachably connected to a housing connector (44) via a sensor cable (43). The housing connector (44) is L-shaped. One leg of the housing connector (44) extends into the transverse bore (27) of the cylinder head (4), while another leg extends outside the cylinder head (4). The invention enables the piston-cylinder unit (1) to be operated with housing connectors (44) of different types. The piston-cylinder unit (1) according to the invention is used, for example, in a work machine, construction machine, agricultural machine, maritime machine, wheel loader, excavator, tipper truck, crane, forklift or lifting platform.