Sensor Neck Clamping Pin for Vibration-Stable Housing Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field devices face challenges in securely fastening sensor necks to housings, particularly in plastic materials, due to material fatigue and vibration-induced loosening, which can lead to leaks and instability.
Innovation Solution
A pin-shaped, rotationally symmetrical clamping element with an elastic region and a threaded connection is used to exert a clamping force between the housing and sensor neck, preventing axial movement and rotation, and is designed to maintain stability against vibrations and temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fastening means in the form of a screw or wedge is used to prevent rotation of the cylindrical insert, then the cylindrical insert is securely fixed, but material fatigue occurs in plastic housing leading to breaking or deforming
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is segmented into two independent parts: the clamp element prevents axial movement of the cylindrical insert, while the separate fastening means (screw or wedge) prevents rotation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without creating stress concentrations that would lead to material fatigue in the plastic housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp element acts as an intermediary component between the cylindrical insert and the housing. It provides a distributed contact surface that spreads the clamping force across a larger area of the housing, reducing stress concentration and preventing material fatigue while still effectively preventing axial movement.
2Reliability
If the cylindrical insert is screwed into the housing using threads, then the connection is secure, but the fixing degree depends on thread dimensions requiring precise coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is divided into two independent tasks: axial positioning via the clamp element and rotational prevention via a separate fastening means. This eliminates the need for precise coordination between thread dimensions and housing features, as each component handles a specific aspect of fastening independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational prevention function is extracted from the threading mechanism and handled by a separate fastening means (screw or wedge). This allows the threading to be optimized solely for axial clamping without the complexity of coordinating multiple functional requirements within a single threaded connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rubber seal in the form of an O-ring is used to provide holding force, then the connection is simple, but a defined fixing cannot be achieved and the connection can be loosened by vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into multiple functional components: the clamp element provides axial clamping, the O-ring seal provides vibration resistance and sealing, and the fastening means prevents rotation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system combines different material properties and mechanisms: the elastic clamp element provides mechanical clamping force, the rubber O-ring provides damping and vibration resistance, and the rigid fastening means provides rotational stability. This composite approach leverages the advantages of different materials to achieve both simplicity and vibration resistance.
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
The solution provides a reliable, vibration-stable, and long-lasting fastening mechanism that prevents sensor neck movement and rotation, enhancing the stability and durability of field device connections.
Implementation Method 1
a pin-shaped, rotationally symmetrical clamping element with a first end region, a second end region, an elastic region with a mean diameter
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a field device with a sensor for detecting a physical measured variable, comprising a housing with a sensor neck which is introduced into the housing. A rotationally symmetrical pin-shaped clamping element is introduced into a receiving element of the housing on a plane which is tangential to the rotational axis of the housing. The rotationally symmetrical pin-shaped clamping element is designed such that, by being inserted into the receiving element, the clamping element exerts a clamping force in the radial direction between the receiving element and the sensor neck so that both a movement of the sensor neck in the tubular section of the housing in the direction of the rotational axis as well as a rotation of the sensor neck in the tubular section of the housing about the rotational axis are prevented.