Sensor Offset Electrode Terminal Force Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sensors with offset electrode terminal portions, the imbalance of forces exerted on the detection element during assembly can lead to incomplete electrical connections due to excessive impairment of force balance between the two main surfaces, causing inclination and loss of contact.

Innovation Solution

The sensor design includes terminal members with elongated frame bodies, folded portions, and element contact portions, where the distance between the detection element and specific frame body portions is greater than others, reducing the force on offset electrode terminal portions and maintaining balance through symmetrical force distribution across the detection element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electrode terminal portions are arranged with offset in the axial direction to ensure insulation distance, then insulation distance is improved, but force balance on the detection element is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation distanceVSAvoidforce balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally creating an uneven distribution of terminal members relative to the detection element. Specifically, the number of terminal members on the first main surface is made different from the number on the second main surface, and their positions are offset in the axial direction. This asymmetric arrangement allows sufficient insulation distance while the forces are engineered to balance overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making the terminal members have different configurations at different locations. The terminal members include variations in their elastic contact properties, frame body dimensions, and positioning to compensate for the offset arrangement. This localized differentiation ensures that forces are distributed to maintain balance despite the asymmetric overall arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If terminal members are inserted to contact offset electrode terminal portions, then electrical connection is achieved, but detection element inclination occurs due to force imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoiddetection element inclination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by designing the terminal members to exert compensating forces. The terminal members are configured with different elastic properties, contact areas, or positioning to create counterbalancing forces that offset the inclination-causing effects of the asymmetric arrangement, thereby maintaining the detection element in a stable, non-inclined state while ensuring electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of electrode terminal portions on one main surface differs from the other main surface, then functional requirements are met, but force balance during assembly is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidforce balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration mitigates the imbalance of forces, ensuring complete electrical connections by reducing the force on offset terminal portions and maintaining balance, preventing inclination and ensuring smooth assembly.

Implementation Method 1

Since the plurality of terminal members are in contact with the electrode terminal portions by making use of the spring properties (elasticity) of the plate materials thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9482637B2Sensor

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 NITERRA CO LTD

AI summary

A sensor including: a detection element; terminal members; and a separator, wherein at least one specific first electrode terminal portion and an other first electrode terminal portion are formed on a first main surface of the detection element, wherein a second electrode terminal portion formed on a second main surface of the detection element is disposed so as to be offset from the specific first electrode terminal portion and to overlap with the other first electrode terminal portion in the axial direction, and in a thickness direction, a distance between the detection element and a specific first frame body portion brought into electrical connection with the specific first electrode terminal portion is larger than a distance between the detection element and the other first frame body portion brought into electrical connection with the other first electrode portion.