Fastening Adapter for Bar-Shaped Sensor with Rotational Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for bar-shaped sensors, such as flow sensors, face challenges in ensuring reproducible flow rate measurements and secure attachment to components, particularly in maintaining the rotational orientation of sensors during replacement.
Innovation Solution
The fastening adapter features a flattened area extending through the hole, with a D-shaped fastening opening and a protruding edge section that diminishes the hole's cross-section, allowing for defined rotational positioning and secure fixation of the sensor, which is achieved by aligning the sensor's flattened area with the oblong hole and using a union nut for axial retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bar-shaped sensor is inserted through a circular hole in a fastening adapter to measure flow rate, then the sensor can be replaced, but the rotational orientation cannot be maintained leading to non-reproducible measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing the fastening adapter with a flattened area on its outer circumference that corresponds to a flattened area on the sensor. This asymmetric configuration within the otherwise circular hole allows the sensor to be positioned with a defined rotational orientation when inserted, ensuring reproducible flow rate measurements while still allowing for straightforward sensor replacement.
2Measurement precision
If a rotationally fixating means is inserted into the hole to fixate the sensor, then rotational position is defined, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotationally fixating function with the fastening adapter body itself. The flattened area on the outer circumference of the fastening adapter serves dual purposes: it provides structural integrity for the adapter and simultaneously defines the rotational position of the sensor. This integration eliminates the need for separate rotationally fixating components, maintaining device simplicity while achieving precise rotational positioning.
3Measurement precision
If the fastening opening has a D-shaped contour to define rotational position, then rotational orientation is maintained, but the fastening section cannot be rotationally symmetrical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining rotational symmetry for the majority of the fastening adapter body while introducing a localized asymmetric feature in the form of a flattened area on the outer circumference. This localized asymmetry is sufficient to define rotational position without compromising the overall structural stability and symmetry of the fastening adapter, allowing it to function effectively as both a symmetric fastening component and an asymmetric positioning element.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for fastening a bar-shaped sensor, in particular a flow sensor, to a component, which has a fastening section that can be inserted into a fastening opening of the component, a hole extending through the fastening section and a retaining section for inserting the sensor, wherein the hole is open to an end face of the fastening section and to an end face of the retaining section. In order to be able to change out a sensor with a reproducible rotational position, it is proposed that the wall of the hole in the fastening section have an opening, into which a section of the edge of the fastening opening protrudes in the free cross-section of the hole for rotationally fixating the sensor in the hole.