Sensor Apparatus Pin Segmentation for Compact Injector Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensor apparatuses integrated with internal combustion engine injectors require a larger housing to accommodate the jig for engagement, limiting the ability to shrink the size of the sensor apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A sensor apparatus design that includes a housing with an insertion hole and pins, allowing the jig to screw the housing to the body after integration, eliminating the need for the housing to be larger than the electrical circuit section, thereby enabling size reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing is designed with a larger outer shape to accommodate the jig for engagement, then the jig can be engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the housing, but the sensor apparatus cannot be shrunk in size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejig engagement capabilityVSAvoidsensor apparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is divided into distinct segments: a first end inserted into the insertion hole of the housing, a second end protruding from the electrical circuit section, and a middle portion engaged with the jig. This segmentation allows the pin to serve multiple functions without requiring the housing to be larger than the electrical circuit section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pin acts as an intermediary element between the housing, electrical circuit section, and jig. It provides the engagement interface for the jig while maintaining compact housing dimensions, thus mediating the connection without requiring increased housing size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the housing outer shape is made larger than the electrical circuit section, then the jig can engage with the housing, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to larger component dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejig engagement capabilityVSAvoidhousing design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the housing larger to accommodate the jig engagement, the invention inverts the approach by using a pin that extends through the electrical circuit section to provide the engagement interface. This allows the housing to remain compact while still enabling jig engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement interface is moved from the outer peripheral surface of the housing to a different spatial dimension - through the electrical circuit section via the pin. This dimensional shift allows engagement without increasing the housing outer dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8656766B2Sensor apparatus integrated to injector of internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A sensor apparatus that outputs an electrical signal responding to a physical quantity is provided. The sensor apparatus includes: a housing being screwed to a body and having an insertion hole; an electrical circuit section having an electrical component used for processing the electrical signal, being disposed at an one end side of the housing and integrated with the housing; and a plurality of pins inserted through the electrical circuit section, a first end of the pin being inserted into the insertion hole to be fixed therewith, a second end of the pin being protruded from the electrical circuit section to be capable of engaging with a jig. The jig is used to screw the housing to the body after the housing and the electrical circuit are integrated with each other.