Sensor Adaptor Sealing Structure for Clean, Serviceable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor mounting structures face issues with maintenance due to intrusion of oil and foreign matter, which hinders the removal and reinstallation of sensors, especially in harsh environments like production lines where cutting work is performed.
Innovation Solution
A sensor mounting structure featuring a cylindrical case body with a closed front end and open rear end, a cap body, and a seal member that compresses and deforms to create a tight seal around the sensor, preventing external contaminants from entering the accommodation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is mounted using a conventional sensor adaptor without a seal member, then the sensor can be easily removed and reinstalled for maintenance, but oil and foreign matter can enter between the sensor and adaptor main body causing maintenance problems
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member in the form of a flexible ring is introduced between the sensor outer diameter surface and the adaptor main body inner diameter surface. This flexible seal member prevents oil and foreign matter from entering the adaptor main body while allowing the sensor to be easily inserted and removed, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and ease of maintenance.
2Reliability
If the sensor is tightly sealed within the adaptor main body, then oil and foreign matter are prevented from entering, but the sensor becomes difficult to remove and reinstall
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed as a flexible ring that provides effective sealing when the sensor is installed, preventing oil and foreign matter intrusion. However, due to its flexible nature, it allows for easy sensor removal and reinstallation without damaging either the sensor or the adaptor main body, thus maintaining ease of repair while ensuring reliable sealing.
3Device complexity
If the adaptor structure is simplified without a seal member, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensor positioning accuracy deteriorates due to oil or foreign matter interference
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is introduced as a simple ring structure that does not significantly increase the overall complexity of the adaptor. It effectively prevents oil and foreign matter from interfering with sensor positioning, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy without adding complex mechanisms to the adaptor structure.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance by ensuring the sensor can be removed and reinstalled without removing the adaptor from the mounting portion, while preventing oil and foreign matter from entering the sensor area, thus maintaining its functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the seal member is compressed and deformed at least in a forward and rearward direction of the case body by engaging the cap body with the case body, and thus the seal member is in close contact with the case body and the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The sensor adaptor includes a case body of which a front end is closed and a rear end is open, a cap body being engageable with the rear end of the case body, a seal member interposed between the case body and the cap body, and a fixing portion configured to fix the case body to the mounting portion. A part of the sensor is inserted into an accommodation space of the case body, and the remaining portion of the sensor is drawn out to the outside via an opening of the cap body. The seal member is disposed on a rear end side of the case body to surround the sensor. The seal member is brought into close contact with the case body and the sensor. Accordingly, a gap between the part of the sensor and the case body is sealed from an external space by the seal member.