Proximity Sensor Fixing Member With Inclined Guide Faces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity sensor fixation methods require inserting screws deeply into the sensor and screwing them from the inside, which is cumbersome, and may result in screws being loose or falling out, especially when attaching to hollows larger than the sensor, leading to reduced sensitivity and potential scratches on the detection surface.
Innovation Solution
A proximity sensor design where the detection face is pressed against the bottom of a hollow, eliminating the need for screwing and allowing for a narrower sensor width, facilitating easier insertion and alignment, and incorporating inclined guide faces on the fixing member to secure the sensor without forming thread grooves, ensuring sensitivity and preventing scratches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw is inserted deeply into the proximity sensor and screwed from the inside to fix it, then the sensor can be securely fixed, but the attaching operation becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is extracted from the sensor body and relocated to the mounting surface. The mounting surface now contains a screw hole instead of the sensor, allowing the screw to be accessed and operated from the outside rather than requiring insertion through the sensor body. This eliminates the troublesome attaching operation while maintaining secure fixation.
2Reliability
If the sensor contour is made larger than the groove opening to allow fixation, then the sensor can be fixed in the groove, but the sensor width increases and insertion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation mechanism is moved from the sensor's longitudinal dimension to the mounting surface dimension. Instead of requiring the sensor contour to be larger than the groove opening, the fixation is achieved by positioning the sensor against the mounting surface which contains the screw hole. This allows the sensor width to be reduced while maintaining fixation capability.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is inserted through the groove end and slid to the detection point, then the sensor can be positioned, but the attaching operation becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting surface with the screw hole is prepared in advance at the desired detection point location. The sensor can be directly inserted and fixed at this pre-prepared location without needing to be slid through the groove from the end. This preliminary preparation simplifies the attaching operation while maintaining precise detection point positioning.
4Ease of operation
If the screw is left loosened in rotatable state before attachment, then the sensor can be positioned, but the screw may drop out of the screw hole
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting surface acts as an intermediary structure that retains the screw in a loosened state. The screw hole in the mounting surface allows the screw to be inserted and held in position without threading into the sensor body. This enables the screw to remain in place in a rotatable state during positioning, eliminating the risk of the screw dropping out while maintaining positioning flexibility.
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
The solution allows for easy attachment and detachment of the proximity sensor, maintains sensitivity by avoiding scratches, and enables downsizing of the sensor while ensuring secure fixation without the need for screwing, thus addressing the challenges of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the first abutting portion is pressed by a reaction force produced when the inclined guide faces of the second abutting portions are pressed against the second fixed area
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
A fixing member 12 has a securing portion 40 to be placed in a space 23 formed between a first fixed area 21 and a second fixed area 22, the second fixed area being placed facing opposite to and being apart from the first fixed area 21, having an opening 24, and not being allowed to displace relative to the first fixed area 21. The securing portion 40 is formed in a shape rotatable with respect to the first fixed area around the rotational axis L that extends in a direction penetrating the opening 24, and has a first abutting portion 51 abutting on the first fixed area 21 and a plurality of second abutting portions 52 at a plurality of positions on the circumference of the opening 24 at the end. The plurality of the second abutting portions 52 have inclined guide faces 42 around the rotational axis L, the inclined guide faces inclining in circumferential direction, with one rotational directional coming closer to the opening 24, and also in radial direction, with positions closer to the rotational axis L coming closer to the opening 24. Each inclined guide face 42 is made to abut on the second fixed area 22 by means of rotation, thereby fixing the securing portion 40.