Sensor Guard with Arcuate Barrier for Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors used for machine monitoring, particularly those with elongated bodies projecting from machine surfaces, are vulnerable to damage from impacts and levering actions due to their mounting arrangement, which can cause dislodgement.
Innovation Solution
A sensor guard comprising a base with a bore and a barrier that occupies an arcuate or cylindrical space around the sensor, preventing contact and dislodgement by positioning itself between the sensor and adjacent surfaces, with adjustable features to accommodate different mounting configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is mounted with an elongated body projecting from the machine surface, then the sensor can detect machine operating parameters effectively, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to impacts and levering actions that can dislodge it
Solution Approach 1:
A guard structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the sensor and potential harmful objects. The guard includes a base mounted on the machine surface and a barrier portion that extends to protect the sensor body from impacts and levering actions, while allowing the sensor to maintain its mounting and detection function
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is divided into functional segments: a base portion for mounting to the machine surface and a barrier portion for protecting the sensor. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the protection problem
2Reliability
If a guard structure is added to protect the sensor, then the sensor is protected from impacts, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard structure merges the mounting function and protection function into a single integrated component. The base portion provides both the mounting interface to the machine surface and the structural support for the barrier portion, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure
3Reliability
If the barrier extends fully around the sensor, then maximum protection is achieved, but visual access to the sensor and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier portion provides protection selectively in the directions where the sensor is most vulnerable to impacts, rather than extending uniformly in all directions. This localized protection approach maintains ease of installation and visual access while providing adequate protection against the most likely harmful actions
Data Source
AI summary
A guard is for a sensor having an elongated body with a centerline and opposing ends spaced apart along the centerline, one end of the sensor body being mountable on a mounting surface of a machine such that the centerline is perpendicular to the mounting surface. The guard includes a base having a bore with a central axis, the bore being configured to receive at least a portion of the sensor body such that the base is disposed at least partially about the sensor and the central axis is collinear with the centerline. A barrier is coupled with the base and configured to occupy at least an arcuate portion of a cylindrical space about the central axis of the base so as to prevent contact with the sensor body. Preferably, the barrier includes a body formed either as a trapezoidal prism or generally frustoconical.