Resilient Mount for Electric Machine Temperature Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting arrangements for thermal sensors on electric machines, such as starter motors, require a large area on the base plate, limit sensor orientation, and involve multiple components and assembly steps, making them costly and space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A unitary mount made of resilient material, such as spring steel, with a retention surface and arms that engage the base plate's perimeter and holes, allowing for secure attachment without additional fasteners and enabling flexible sensor orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional mounting bracket with ears and fasteners is used, then the thermal switch is securely mounted, but a large area on the base plate is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket integrates the retention surface and mounting arms into a single unitary structure made of resilient material, eliminating the need for separate ears and fasteners. This consolidation reduces the space required on the base plate while maintaining secure mounting through the resilient arms that engage with holes in the base plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is made of resilient material that can flex during assembly and operation. This flexibility allows the arms to engage with holes in the base plate and provide secure retention without requiring large flat mounting surfaces, thus reducing the base plate area needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional mounting bracket with fixed geometry is used, then the structure is simple, but the sensor orientation options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket utilizes resilient material that allows dynamic adjustment during assembly. The arms can flex and adapt to different orientations, enabling the thermal sensor to be mounted in various orientations while maintaining a relatively simple unitary structure without complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple fasteners and mounting components are used, then the mounting is secure, but the assembly process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket combines multiple functions (retention, mounting, securing) into a single unitary structure made of resilient material. This eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners and mounting components, simplifying the assembly process to a single component installation while maintaining secure mounting through the resilient arms that engage with the base plate holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient material in the mounting bracket provides self-securing functionality. The arms naturally flex and engage with the holes in the base plate, providing their own retention force without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly steps, thus simplifying manufacturing while ensuring secure mounting.
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 reduces the space and component requirements, simplifies assembly, and allows for flexible sensor orientation, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs while ensuring secure sensor attachment.
Implementation Method 1
A unitary mount made of resilient material, such as spring steel
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for sensing temperature in an electric machine comprises a plate member including a first side, a second side, a perimeter portion, and at least one hole extending through the plate member from the first side to the second side. A mount is coupled to the plate member. The mount includes a retention surface, at least one first arm, and at least one second arm. The retention surface is removed from the first side of the plate member. The at least one first arm extends from the retention surface and engages the perimeter portion of the plate member. The at least one second arm extends from the retention surface and through the at least one hole of the plate member. A temperature sensor is positioned between the first side of the plate member and the retention surface of the mount.