Sensor Mounting Arrangement for Fuel Injection Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Threaded connections for sensors in fuel injection systems require rotating the sensor, making mounting difficult and potentially disrupting cable connections, which can lead to reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

A mounting arrangement using an inner and outer mounting sleeve with threaded portions and shoulders, allowing the sensor to be fixed rotationally while tightening, eliminating the need to rotate the sensor or disconnect the cable, and ensuring a robust connection between the sensor and cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a threaded connection is used to firmly attach the sensor to the component, then the sensor connection reliability is improved, but the cable needs to be rotated with the sensor which makes the mounting difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor connection reliabilityVSAvoidmounting difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arrangement is divided into separate functional components: an inner mounting sleeve that attaches to the sensor and an outer mounting sleeve that attaches to the component. This segmentation allows the sensor to be secured without rotating the cable connection, as the inner sleeve rotates independently within the outer sleeve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner mounting sleeve acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the outer mounting sleeve. It transfers the rotational motion required for threading while isolating the sensor cable from this rotation, thereby maintaining cable integrity during the mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a removable cable is provided to address the rotation problem, then the mounting ease is improved, but the connection between the cable and the sensor may become unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidcable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner mounting sleeve serves as a mediator that decouples the rotational mounting process from the cable connection. This allows the cable to remain permanently attached to the sensor while the mounting sleeves rotate independently to secure the sensor in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system separates the cable connection function from the mechanical attachment function. The cable remains fixed to the sensor while the mounting sleeves provide the rotational attachment mechanism, eliminating the need for removable cables and their associated reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the sensor is rotated during tightening, then the threaded connection is secured, but the cable connection may be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreaded connection strengthVSAvoidcable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner mounting sleeve acts as an intermediary that absorbs the rotational force during tightening. It rotates within the outer mounting sleeve to engage the threads, while the sensor and its cable connection remain stationary, preventing cable disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system separates the rotation function (performed by the inner sleeve) from the sensor assembly. This segmentation allows the threaded connection to be secured through rotation of the mounting sleeve rather than the sensor itself, protecting the cable connection from disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy and reliable attachment of sensors to fuel injection system components without rotating the sensor or disconnecting cables, improving assembly efficiency and connection robustness.

Implementation Method 1

The inner mounting sleeve comprises a threaded portion with an internal thread that can be engaged with the external thread of the sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Implementation Method 2

The outer mounting sleeve comprises a threaded portion with an external thread for engaging the outer mounting sleeve with an internal thread of the component of the fuel injection system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Implementation Method 3

engaging an external thread of the outer mounting sleeve with an internal thread of the component of the fuel injection system, tightening the outer mounting sleeve against the component of the fuel injection system, holding the sensor in a fixed rotational position and simultaneously rotating the inner mounting sleeve in relation to the sensor and the outer mounting sleeve for pressing a shoulder of the inner mounting sleeve against a shoulder of the outer mounting sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact and force transmission: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3405668B1Mounting arrangement and method for connecting a sensor
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 WARTSILA FINLAND OY
  • EP3405668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3405668B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The mounting arrangement for connecting a sensor (1) to a component (4) of a fuel injection system comprises a sensor (1) comprising a portion (5) with an external thread, an inner mounting sleeve (2) arranged around the sensor (1) and comprising a portion (6) with an internal thread that can be engaged with the external thread of the sensor (1) and a shoulder (7) on an outer perimeter of the inner mounting sleeve (2), and an outer mounting sleeve (3) arranged around the inner mounting sleeve (2) and comprising a shoulder (8) on an inner perimeter of the outer mounting sleeve (3) configured to be engaged with the shoulder (7) of the inner mounting sleeve (2) and a portion (9) with an external thread for engaging the outer mounting sleeve (3) with an internal thread (10) of the component (4) of the fuel injection system.