Sealed Plug Gauge Contact Design Against Debris Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug gauges face issues with debris ingress during bore measurements, which can affect their operation and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A sealed plug gauge design is implemented, featuring a housing with a contact element and a plunger that includes a sealing member between the contact element and the housing to prevent debris from entering the internal volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the contact element projects through openings in the housing to enable measurement, then the measurement function is achieved, but debris and contaminants can enter the housing through these openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebore measurement accuracyVSAvoiddebris ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the contact element and the housing. This sealing member allows the contact element to project through the housing for measurement while preventing debris from entering the internal volume, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement access and contamination protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member functions as a flexible barrier that accommodates the projection of the contact element through the housing opening. The flexible nature of the sealing member allows it to seal around the contact element while maintaining the protective function against debris ingress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If openings are provided in the housing for contact element projection, then the plug gauge can perform its measuring function, but the internal volume becomes vulnerable to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member serves as a mediator that enables the opening to exist for measurement purposes while simultaneously protecting the internal volume. This allows the plug gauge to maintain both operational capability and reliability by preventing contamination through the necessary opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the contact element is sealed within the housing to prevent debris ingress, then protection is improved, but the ability to measure bore diameter is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris preventionVSAvoidbore measurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible sealing member allows the contact element to project through the housing opening while maintaining the seal. This flexibility enables the contact element to move for measurement purposes while the sealing member maintains the protective barrier against debris

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member acts as an intermediary that reconciles the conflicting requirements of protection and measurement. It allows the contact element to access the bore for measurement while preventing debris from entering the housing, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing and measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11346644B2Plug gauge and associated method for sealing the same

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A plug gauge includes a housing defining an internal volume and a longitudinal axis AH. The housing includes an opening into the internal volume. The plug gauge also includes a contact element at least partially received in the opening. The plug gauge further includes a plunger at least partially received in the internal volume. The plunger is biased into engagement with the contact element to urge the contact element radially outward from the housing through the opening. The plug gauge additionally includes a sealing member between the contact element and the housing.