Sensor Fastening Device with Axial Immobilization and Fluid Conduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensors in machine tools and automated manufacturing lines are frequently disrupted by polluting environments, leading to malfunctions and significant production stoppages due to deposits on the sensor's distal end, which existing fastening devices fail to adequately protect without increasing the device's footprint.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a tubular body and axial immobilization means that maintains the sensor's distal end at a predetermined distance from a radial flared portion, allowing for fluid conduction and diversion to clean and protect the sensor, while maintaining a compact design and allowing for continuous or controlled fluid injection to prevent and address malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a radial flared portion is added to block the detection face, then sensor protection is improved, but the cylindrical protective barrier is interrupted and sensor disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier is segmented into multiple sections: an upstream cylindrical barrier and a downstream radial flared portion, with a gap between them. This segmentation allows the distal end of the sensor to be positioned within the gap, protected by both barriers simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between blocking harmful factors and maintaining sensor operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensor is moved closer to the flared portion, then protection is improved, but the sensor may contact the flared portion and block the orifice
Solution Approach 1:
Axial immobilization means are introduced as an intermediary element between the sensor and the flared portion. These means maintain a predetermined distance between the distal end of the sensor and the flared portion, ensuring the sensor is protected while preventing contact that would block the orifice, thus resolving the contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If axial immobilization means are positioned to prevent sensor contact with flared portion, then orifice functionality is maintained, but sensor protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges two protective mechanisms: the upstream cylindrical protective barrier and the downstream radial flared portion, with the sensor positioned in the gap between them. This combination allows the axial immobilization means to maintain orifice functionality while the sensor benefits from dual protection, resolving the contradiction.
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
The solution effectively reduces sensor disruptions, maintains sensor operation, and prevents deposits, ensuring continuous production by providing enhanced protection and cleaning capabilities without increasing the device's footprint, while also cooling the sensor when exposed to high heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
a space for radial conduction of fluid is formed between the flared portion and the distal end of the sensor; means for carrying a fluid inside the tubular body and into the space for radial conduction of fluid between the flared portion and the distal end of the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The injected fluid also allows the sensor to be effectively cooled, and particularly the frontal distal end surface of the sensor when said surface is exposed to high heat sources through the orifice arranged in the second end of the tubular body
Implementation Method 3
The injected fluid also allows the sensor to be effectively cooled, and particularly the frontal distal end surface of the sensor when said surface is exposed to high heat sources
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening device for holding a sensor has a cylindrical form limited by a proximal end and a distal end. The fastening device includes a tubular body extending along a median longitudinal axis (I-I) between a first end and a second end, and including a longitudinal through passage for receiving the sensor. At the second end of the tubular body there is a flared portion extending radially inwards and defining an orifice with a cross-section of smaller dimensions than the cross-section of the sensor. The fastening device also includes a device for axially immobilizing the sensor in the longitudinal through passage. The axial immobilization device is shaped so as to keep the distal end of the sensor at a longitudinal distance (E) from the flared portion. The fastening device is a device for bringing a fluid inside the tubular body and into the space between the flared portion and the distal end of the sensor.