Sensor Access Element for Internal Trigger Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors with contact-based triggers face challenges in installation, particularly when attached to outer surfaces or behind metallic housings, which can be difficult to access and are prone to interference, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design featuring a contactless, internally arranged trigger with a recessed access element that allows for variable positioning within the housing, ensuring access while protecting internal components from damage and contamination, and optionally incorporating a light-guiding element for visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If triggers are attached to the outer surface or behind the housing, then the trigger can be accessed for teaching operations, but the installation becomes difficult in harsh environments and behind metallic housings due to shielding and accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger is moved from external attachment (surface or behind housing) to internal arrangement within the housing, changing the spatial dimension of trigger placement. This internal positioning with external access through the recess resolves the contradiction by making the trigger accessible from outside while being protected inside, eliminating shielding issues with metallic housings and improving installation flexibility in harsh environments
2Ease of operation
If the recess is made deep to ensure trigger access, then triggering reliability improves, but the risk of damage from objects like screwdrivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid base is provided at the bottom of the recess to prevent objects like screwdrivers from causing damage to internal components. This beforehand protective measure allows the recess to be sufficiently deep for reliable trigger access while preventing potential damage, as the rigid base absorbs and distributes the impact force before it reaches the trigger or other sensitive components
3Ease of operation
If the access element has open walls to allow trigger actuation, then triggering is enabled, but dirt and contaminants can penetrate into the housing interior
Solution Approach 1:
The access element features a continuously closed wall that encloses the recess, providing a barrier against dirt and contaminants while still allowing magnetic field penetration for contactless trigger actuation. This closed wall structure maintains the protective sealing of the housing interior while enabling external triggering through non-contact means
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional sealing elements are added within the access element to prevent contamination, then protection against dirt improves, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuously closed wall of the access element is designed as an integrated structure that combines the sealing function with the access structure itself. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate additional sealing elements, maintaining effective contamination protection while simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes
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
This design enhances installation flexibility, reduces the risk of accidental triggering, and maintains the sensor's internal integrity by allowing contactless actuation without external interference, while providing visual confirmation of the learning process.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide element (20), wherein, when the access element (3) is attached to the housing (1), the light guide element (20) starts in front of a light-emitting element (19), in particular an LED, and transmits the light emanating from the light-emitting element (19) to the outside of the housing (1)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to sensors with contactless triggers arranged within a housing. It is known to program certain sensors after installation. However, a disadvantage of existing sensors is that the triggers must be mounted on an outer surface of the housing or directly behind the housing, which, for some sensors, means that the triggers must be mounted in difficult-to-access locations. The object of the invention is to provide a solution that allows for more flexible installation of triggers. This object is achieved by an access element (3) for mounting in an opening (18) of a housing (1) of a sensor (2) with a contactless trigger (8) arranged within the housing (2), wherein the access element (3) forms an outwardly open recess (11) with a rigid base (13).