Rotary Sensor Arrangement for Pivot Arm Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrangements for pivoting arm arrangements in heavy vehicles are prone to mechanical wear and design limitations, making them unreliable and difficult to retrofit onto different pivoting arm designs, especially when mechanical interaction between components degrades over time.
Innovation Solution
A rotary sensor arrangement with a sensor arm member and sensor element that reads relative rotational displacement in a non-contact manner, using an adaptor element to fit various pivoting arm designs, allowing for post-assembly mounting and easy modification, featuring a disc-shaped adaptor with a threaded recess and circumferential flange for versatile attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical transfer shaft and slit arrangement is used to read rotational displacement, then the sensor arrangement can be mounted to the pivot shaft, but mechanical wear degrades the fit between the transfer shaft and slit over time, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical transfer shaft and slit interaction with a non-contact optical sensing system. The sensor arrangement uses optical fields to detect rotational displacement without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear between the sensor components and the pivot shaft assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light field) between the sensor and the rotating component. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the optical field serves as the mediator to transmit rotational information from the pivot shaft area to the sensor, avoiding wear while maintaining measurement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor arrangement requires a specific pivot shaft design with a slit, then the sensor can be mounted, but it cannot be retrofitted to other pivoting arm arrangements with different pivot shaft designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensor arrangement that can be adapted to multiple pivot shaft designs without requiring modifications to the pivot shaft itself. The sensor assembly is designed to accommodate various configurations through adjustable mounting mechanisms, making it versatile across different pivoting arm arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensor arrangement into separate modular components: the sensing element, the mounting bracket, and the positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows the sensor unit to be independently configured and mounted on different pivot shaft designs without redesigning the entire system.
3Measurement precision
If a mechanical transfer shaft arrangement is used, then rotational displacement can be read, but the mechanical interaction is compromised over time due to wear and vibration fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical transfer shaft system with an optical measurement system that uses light fields to detect rotational displacement. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes wear and fatigue, thereby extending the service life while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a sensor arrangement where the sensing components are designed to be non-wearing and potentially replaceable without affecting the main pivot shaft assembly. The optical sensors and their mounting structures are designed for easy replacement if needed, while the critical pivot shaft remains intact.
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 provides accurate and reliable positional data for pivoting arm arrangements, is cost-effective, and adaptable to multiple designs, ensuring precise positioning even in heavy-duty applications with minimal wear and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one sensor device is arranged to read the relative rotational displacement of the sensor element with regards to the sensor device in a non-contact manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a rotary sensor arrangement (1) for mounting to a pivot arm arrangement (3), which comprises a fixed arm member (5) and a pivoting arm member (7), the pivoting arm member (7) being arranged to pivot about a pivot shaft (9), which is rotationally fixed to the fixed arm member (5). The rotary sensor arrangement (1) is arranged to be mounted at an end portion (11) of the pivot shaft (9), the sensor arrangement (1) comprising a sensor arm member (15) comprising a base (17) and an arm (19), the base (17) being arranged to rotate about the pivot shaft (9) wherein the arm (19), extending away from the base (17) is rotationally coupled to the pivoting arm member (7), at least one sensor device (21) arranged at the base (17) of the sensor arm member (15), and a sensor element (23), arranged rotationally fixed to the fixed arm member (5) along an axis of rotation (13) extending through the elongation of a centre of the pivot shaft (9). The rotary sensor arrangement (1) further comprises an adaptor element (25), wherein the sensor element (23) is attached rotationally fixed to the axis of rotation (13) by means said adaptor element (25), and that the at least one sensor device (21) is arranged to read the relative rotational displacement of the sensor element (23) with regards to the sensor device (21) in a non-contact manner. The invention further relates to a pivoting arm arrangement (3) comprising such a rotary sensor arrangement (1), a vehicle (49) comprising such a pivoting arm arrangement (3), and a method for mounting a rotary sensor arrangement (1) according to the invention to a pivoting arm arrangement (3).