Temperature Sensor Anti-Rotation Stop Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensors for motor vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles face difficulties in correct orientation and rotation during assembly, leading to fitting challenges and increased time due to separate components for sealing and rotation prevention.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor design featuring a stop with a lug that integrates both sealing and rotation prevention functions, allowing for simplified fitting and maintaining constant orientation by inserting the lug into a slot in the engine interface element, preventing rotation and ensuring correct positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate stop component is used for sealing, then sealing function is achieved, but device complexity increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and rotation prevention function into a single integrated stop component. The stop includes a sealing element that provides sealing between the sensor and engine interface element, while also incorporating a rotation prevention feature (such as a protrusion fitting into a slot or keyway) to prevent sensor rotation. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing components and rotation prevention mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and assembly time while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a separate rotation prevention component is used, then rotation is prevented, but device complexity increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the rotation prevention function directly into the stop component. The stop includes structural features such as a protrusion, tab, or key that fits into a corresponding slot, groove, or keyway in the engine interface element. This integrated design prevents sensor rotation during installation and operation without requiring separate rotation prevention components, thereby reducing device complexity and assembly time while ensuring stable orientation.
3Ease of operation
If correct orientation is not ensured during assembly, then fitting is difficult and time is lost, but adding orientation features increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric orientation features such as a protrusion on the stop that fits into a corresponding slot or keyway in the engine interface element. This asymmetric design provides a unique correct orientation for sensor installation, guiding the installer to position the sensor correctly without requiring complex alignment procedures. The asymmetric feature ensures that only one orientation allows proper engagement, thereby improving assembly ease while adding minimal complexity through the simple geometric feature.
4Reliability
If the sensor rotates during tightening, then correct orientation is lost and electrical connection is compromised, but adding rotation prevention increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rotation prevention function with the sealing stop component. The stop includes a protrusion or tab that fits into a slot or keyway in the engine interface element, preventing sensor rotation during tightening and operation. This integrated rotation prevention mechanism ensures that the electrical connector maintains correct orientation and connection throughout installation and use, thereby improving electrical connection reliability without requiring separate rotation prevention components or complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The temperature sensor includes a temperature-sensitive element, two electrical wires connecting the temperature-sensitive element to an electrical connector, an insulating sheath surrounding the two electrical wires, a protective endpiece including a closed end in which the temperature-sensitive element is housed, and a fixing means through which the insulating sheath passes. The fixing means has a threaded element to be screwed into a threaded orifice provided in a vehicle engine interface element to fix the temperature sensor to the engine interface element and a stop fixed to the insulating sheath. The stop surrounds the insulating sheath and provides sealing between the inside of the engine interface element and the outside, the threaded element being capable of rotating with respect to the stop. The stop comprises at least one lug that goes into a slot provided in the engine interface element to prevent the temperature sensor from rotating with respect to the engine interface element.