Sensor Mounting Unit With Reference Surfaces For Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor mounting technologies face challenges in achieving secure, exact, and reproducible attachment, requiring additional work and precision due to the reliance on positioning pins and complex alignment procedures, which complicates the exchange and positioning of sensors.

Innovation Solution

A mounting unit with reference surfaces arranged in different planes and at acute angles, combined with a conical fastening screw and optional grub screw, ensures precise and reproducible positioning of sensors, allowing for easy installation and removal, and enhanced mechanical stability through symmetrical and wedge-shaped configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If positioning pins are used to achieve accurate sensor positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and additional work are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioning accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes positioning pins from the mounting structure and replaces them with integrated reference surfaces on the housing. This extraction eliminates the need for separate positioning components while maintaining positioning accuracy through precisely machined reference surfaces that directly guide sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reference surfaces are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the positioning function with the housing itself. This consolidation eliminates separate positioning pins and reduces the number of components, thereby decreasing manufacturing complexity while preserving positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If complex alignment procedures are used to ensure secure attachment, then attachment reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidsensor exchange ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reference surfaces are designed to automatically guide the sensor into the correct position during installation. The sensor's mounting features naturally align with the reference surfaces without requiring external alignment tools or complex procedures, enabling the system to self-align and simplify the attachment operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The reference surfaces are pre-machined into the housing with precise geometries that encode the correct sensor position and orientation. This preliminary preparation of alignment features eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during sensor installation, as the geometry itself guides proper placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple reference surfaces in different planes are used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple reference surfaces are integrated directly into the housing structure rather than being separate components. This merging of reference surfaces with the housing eliminates the need for additional positioning fixtures or attachments, reducing device complexity while maintaining the benefits of multi-plane reference geometry for enhanced positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3082331B1Sensor with casing
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 SICK AG
  • EP3082331B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3082331B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3082331B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sensor with a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) has a receptacle (3) for a holder (4), wherein the receptacle has at least one first reference surface (5) and at least one second reference surface (6), wherein the holder (4) has at least one corresponding first reference surface (7) and at least one second reference surface (8), wherein the receptacle (3) of the housing (2) has at least one fastening screw (9) and the fastening screw (9) is arranged opposite the second reference surface (6) on the receptacle (3) and when fastened by the fastening screw the first reference surfaces and the second reference surfaces are in contact with each other.