Proximity Sensor Assembly With Parallel Plug-In Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity sensor arrangements are bulky and sensitive to mechanical damage due to the need for exposed plug connectors, which complicates assembly and maintenance, and they lack space-saving and robust designs.
Innovation Solution
A proximity sensor arrangement featuring a substrate with a circuit board and a support with complementary contact surfaces, allowing for a parallel plugging mechanism that reduces the height of the construction space and simplifies assembly, while providing stability and easy replacement of defective sensors without cabling. The support can be secured to the substrate using screws, and the electrodes are arranged to shield against interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the circuit board lies on the substrate with exposed plug connectors, then electrical contact can be established, but the assembly becomes bulky and sensitive to mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical support function and electrical connection function into a single integrated support component. The support structure with complementary contact surfaces serves both as mechanical support for the proximity sensor and as an electrical connector, eliminating the need for separate exposed plug connectors and reducing structural complexity while improving robustness
2Ease of operation
If the plug connector projects from the exposed outer side, then electrical contact can be established, but the assembly becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the plugging direction from perpendicular to the substrate surface to parallel with the substrate surface. This dimensional change allows the plug connection to be established within the plane of the substrate, avoiding projection in the height direction and thus minimizing the construction space height while maintaining electrical connectivity
3Volume of moving object
If the support is plug-connected parallel to the surface, then the construction space height is minimized, but the contact surfaces must be precisely aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional properties to different parts of the support structure. The contact surfaces are specifically designed with complementary geometries and appropriate material properties (such as conductivity and friction characteristics) to ensure reliable electrical and mechanical connection, while other parts of the support provide structural support. This localized optimization allows tolerance compensation at the connection interface
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 results in a space-saving, robust, and easily maintainable proximity sensor arrangement that is less prone to mechanical damage, with improved stability against vibrations and oscillations, and allows for efficient detection of objects from multiple directions, enabling precise localization of approaching objects.
Implementation Method 1
one of the contact surfaces can be designed as an electrically conductive spring which, when plugging in the support, is pushed onto a complementary contact surface and, in that it deforms elastically, contributes to the frictional locking of the plugged connection
Implementation Method 2
The shield electrode serves to shield the measuring electrode against interference fields, which can affect the function of the measuring electrode, and causes a reduction in stray fields in that the measuring field of the measuring electrode is concentrated in a direction facing away from the shield electrode
Implementation Method 3
The rigid base plate offers a basis for fixing of the electrodes as a whole and lends the proximity sensor arrangement stability, in particular with respect to detachment phenomena affecting the proximity sensors caused by vibrations and oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a proximity sensor arrangement (1) comprising a substrate (2), a circuit board (4) carrying contact surfaces (35, 37) which is mounted on a surface (3) of the substrate (2) and at least one support (5) which carries contact surfaces (36, 38) complementary to the contact surfaces (35, 37) of the circuit board (4) and at least one proximity sensor (7) with a measuring electrode (8) and a shield electrode (9) extending between measuring electrode (8) and surface (3). In order to bring the contact surfaces (35, 36, 37, 38) of the circuit board (4) and of the support (5) into contact, the substrate (2) and support (5) are plug-connected in a plugging direction (R, L) running parallel to the surface (3) of the substrate (2).