Sensor Mounting Structure With Friction Reduction Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor apparatuses lack a mechanism to provide clear feedback on completion of installation, leading to potential incomplete installation due to high torque requirements and lack of sensory feedback, such as mechanical vibration or sound, making it difficult for operators to confirm successful installation.
Innovation Solution
The sensor apparatus includes a sensor protruding portion, a support, a retainer with a through-hole, inner and outer seals, and friction reducers that decrease the torque required for installation by increasing the interval between the support and retainer, allowing for clear perception of completion through engagement of protrusions in fitting grooves and generation of mechanical vibration or sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the torque required to turn the retaining wing and support element relative to each other is high, then the sensor apparatus can be securely installed in the wall, but it becomes difficult for the operator to clearly perceive whether the installation work is completed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration and sound generation during the installation process to provide sensory feedback to the operator. When the retaining wing engages with the support element, the design creates audible clicking sounds and mechanical vibrations that clearly indicate completion of installation, solving the problem of perceptibility while maintaining secure attachment
2Reliability
If the torque required to turn the retaining wing and support element relative to each other is high, then the sensor apparatus can be securely installed in the wall, but the operator may fail to turn the retaining wing sufficiently, leading to insufficient installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through audible clicking sounds and mechanical vibrations that occur during the turning operation. These feedback signals provide real-time information to the operator about the engagement status, enabling them to determine when sufficient turning has been achieved without requiring excessive force or uncertainty about completion
3Ease of operation
If a mechanism is added to generate mechanical vibration or sound upon completion of installation, then the operator can clearly perceive completion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the installation components themselves (the retaining wing and support element) to generate the sensory feedback during the installation process. The mechanical interaction between these components naturally produces clicking sounds and vibrations when properly engaged, eliminating the need for separate feedback generation mechanisms and keeping the device complexity low while achieving clear operator perception
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 design reduces the torque needed for installation, ensuring stable attachment and providing a clear sense of completion, thereby preventing incomplete installations and enhancing operator confidence in the installation process.
Implementation Method 1
a friction reducer (70) which works to increase an interval between the sensor support and the retainer to reduce a degree of friction created by the inner seal before the sensor support is placed in the installed state
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor apparatus has a sensor protruding portion and a sensor support which are formed integrally with each other. The sensor apparatus also includes a retainer, an inner seal, an outer seal, a fastener, and a friction reducer. The retainer is rotatable relative to the sensor protruding portion and the sensor support. The inner seal is disposed between the sensor support and the retainer. The outer seal is disposed between a wall and the retainer. The fastener includes a fitting groove formed in one of the sensor support and the retainer and a protrusion formed on the other of the sensor support and the retainer. The protrusion is engaged in the fitting groove to achieve installation of the sensor apparatus in the wall. The friction reducer works to increase an interval between the sensor support and the retainer to reduce a degree of friction produced by the inner seal when the sensor support is turned relative to the retainer to install the sensor apparatus in the wall. This permits a sensor installing operator to easily confirm completion of his or her work to install the sensor apparatus in the wall.