Sensor Clamping Body Groove Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors are limited to fastening in T-shaped grooves and are prone to electrical or electronic failures due to potential insulation issues between the sensor and fastening body, affecting their electromagnetic compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A sensor with a metallic clamping body connected to a defined electrical potential, such as ground potential, which eliminates insulation between the clamping and fastening bodies, using expandable elements like threaded pins or pins to secure the sensor in various groove geometries without undercuts, ensuring reliable and stable attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are fastened in T-shaped grooves using prior art methods, then the sensor can be securely attached, but the sensor is limited to specific groove geometries and requires complex fastening devices with multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroove geometry compatibilityVSAvoidfastening device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping body is designed with a universal geometry that can accommodate various groove shapes (T-shaped, U-shaped, rectangular) without requiring different fastening devices. The clamping body's expandable design allows it to adapt to different groove geometries while maintaining a consistent fastening mechanism across all applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: the clamping body that provides the expanding force and the groove that provides the mounting interface. This segmentation allows the clamping body to be designed independently to work with various groove geometries, increasing versatility while keeping the overall system simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the clamping body is made of metal and connected to a defined electrical potential, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved and electrical failures are reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection function is merged into the clamping body itself by making it metallic and connecting it to a defined electrical potential. This eliminates the need for separate insulation components or additional electrical connection elements, thereby improving reliability while keeping the manufacturing process simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping body is made of homogeneous metallic material that provides both mechanical clamping function and electrical connection function. This material homogeneity simplifies manufacturing compared to composite structures that would require multiple materials and joining processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Strength

If an expanding threaded pin is used to actuate the clamping body, then secure fastening is achieved, but the fastening process requires threading operations which increase manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded pin mechanism replaces a complex multi-component fastening system with a simple screw-thread actuation system. The threading provides mechanical advantage to generate strong clamping forces while requiring minimal manufacturing complexity, as threading is a standard, well-established manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the sensor housing protrudes into the fastening groove, then the sensor can be securely attached, but the sensor design becomes more complex and requires precise dimensional matching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidsensor housing design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping body is designed to be dynamically expandable and contractible, allowing the sensor housing to protrude into the groove during operation while maintaining secure attachment. The dynamic expansion capability provides reliable fastening without requiring precise static dimensional matching between the housing and groove.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enhances electromagnetic compatibility and reduces the risk of sensor failure by providing a secure, force-fit attachment in any groove geometry, including U-shaped or C-shaped grooves, while allowing for easy exchange of clamping bodies for different applications.

Implementation Method 1

an expandable metallic clamping body (8) is provided on the sensor housing (2), with the clamping body (8) having means for spreading (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the clamping body (8) being connected to a defined electrical potential of the sensor (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2940433B1Sensor with clamping body
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 SICK AG
  • EP2940433B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2940433B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2940433B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sensor with a sensor housing (2), wherein the sensor housing (2) or a part of the sensor housing (2) projects into a mounting groove (4) in a metallic mounting body (6) for mounting the sensor (1), wherein a spreadable metallic clamping body (8) is provided on the sensor housing (2), wherein the clamping body (8) has means for spreading (10), and wherein the clamping body (8) is connected to a defined electrical potential of the sensor (1).