Protruding Contact Fastening for Ultrasonic Sensor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastening devices for ultrasonic sensors, such as those used in vehicles, face challenges in precise positioning due to the use of double-sided adhesive tapes, which can lead to misalignment and reduced workability, especially when trying to attach the sensors to curved surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a contact part that protrudes further than the fastening part, allowing it to contact the target device first, thereby preventing the adhesive from misaligning and enabling easier adjustment and attachment of the ultrasonic sensor, improving workability by allowing the holder parts to be positioned correctly relative to the aperture on the target device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If double-sided adhesive tape is used for fastening the fastening device to the target device, then the fastening process is simplified, but positioning precision deteriorates due to potential misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening process simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact part protrudes from the fastening device to contact the target device first, establishing the correct position before the adhesive tape is applied. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the fastening device is accurately aligned with the aperture on the target device before bonding occurs, preventing misalignment while maintaining the simplicity of the adhesive fastening process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the fastening device is designed with a simple structure using only adhesive tape, then device complexity is reduced, but workability deteriorates due to difficulty in position adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening device structureVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is segmented into distinct functional parts: a contact part for positioning and a fastening part for bonding. The contact part protrudes to provide mechanical positioning guidance, while the fastening part applies adhesive. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural simplicity while significantly improving workability by enabling easy position adjustment through the protruding contact part before final bonding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the contact part has a fixed protruding length, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for different target device surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact part dimensionVSAvoidsurface adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding length of the contact part is made variable rather than fixed. The contact part can elastically deform or adjust its protrusion distance according to the curvature and surface characteristics of the target device. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the fastening device to adapt to different surfaces (flat or curved) while maintaining precise positioning through the contact part

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enhances the workability of attaching ultrasonic sensors by ensuring accurate positioning and secure bonding, even on curved surfaces, by allowing the contact part to engage the target device before the adhesive, thus preventing misalignment and facilitating easier attachment.

Implementation Method 1

the contact part contacting the target device before the fastening part contacts the target device when being fastened to the target device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

when double-sided adhesive tape 610 is used for fastening onto target device 503, double-sided adhesive tape 610 is previously attached to one surface of fastening member 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3101442B1Fastening member, and obstacle detection device employing fastening member

Publication Date: 2020.03.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

A fastening device is configured to be used for fastening an object to a target device. The fastening device includes a holder part configured to hold the object, a fastening part configured to be bonded to the target device, a contact part allowing the fastening part to be located between the contact part and the holder part, and a connecting part for connecting the contact part with the fastening part while allowing the protruding length to be variable. The contact part protrudes toward the target device more than the fastening part by a protruding length, the contact part contacting the target device before the fastening part contacts the target device when being fastened to the target device. This fastening device improves workability.