Sensor Housing Locking Element for Axial Clamp Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing sensor housings in fluid systems, such as refrigeration or hydraulic systems, are costly and difficult to manufacture due to the need for machining recesses or grooves in the clamping area, especially when space is limited and tools are hard to handle.
Innovation Solution
A sensor housing design where a recess is formed between the housing and a locking element fixed to it, eliminating the need for machining, with the locking element's position determining the gap width, allowing a hose clamp or clamping ring to secure the housing against axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a recess or groove is machined into the clamping area of the sensor housing to accommodate the protrusion of a hose clamp, then the sensor housing can be securely locked against axial movement, but the manufacturing process becomes difficult and expensive, especially when the clamping area is in a massive flange portion with limited space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a recess in the housing to receive the protrusion, the invention inverts the approach by providing a protrusion on the housing that receives the recess in the hose clamp. This inversion eliminates the need for difficult machining operations on the sensor housing while achieving the same axial locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary element - the extension with a circumferential groove - that mediates between the hose clamp and the housing. The groove in the extension accommodates the protrusion of the hose clamp, serving as an intermediate structure that simplifies the overall design and manufacturing process.
2Area of stationary object
If the clamping area is made massive to provide sufficient surface area for tool mounting and product marking, then the housing has adequate mounting surfaces, but there is insufficient space to accommodate a machined recess or groove
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the housing structure by adding a separate extension element that carries the groove feature. This segmentation allows the main clamping area to remain massive and provide sufficient mounting surface area, while the extension provides the necessary groove accommodation without compromising the main structure's integrity or surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the space constraint by transitioning to another dimension - adding an extension that protrudes from the clamping area in the axial direction. This dimensional addition provides the necessary space for the groove without reducing the radial dimensions available for tool mounting and marking surfaces.
3Reliability
If screws, threaded bolts and nuts are used to secure the sensor housing to a rigid structure or vibration damping element, then the sensor housing is secured against vibrations and shock, but the mounting becomes difficult in systems with limited space and hard-to-reach locations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional clamping approach by providing the groove in an extension rather than in the main housing body. This inversion creates a more accessible mounting structure that can be easily engaged by hose clamps in tight spaces, eliminating the need for difficult-to-install fasteners while maintaining vibration resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor housing (1) including a longitudinal axis (2), a clamping area (3) surrounding the longitudinal axis (2) and a recess (4) in the clamping area (3) is described, the recess (4) running in circumferential direction. In such a sensor housing a recess in the clamping area (3) should be provided with low production costs. To this end the recess (4) is formed between a part 6 of the housing (1) and a locking element (5) fixed to the housing (1).