Sensor Support Body Film Hinge Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor device manufacturing methods are inefficient and not well-suited for automated production, with complex assembly processes and limited adaptability to installation spaces.

Innovation Solution

A sensor device design featuring a support body composed of a main body and a receiving body connected via a film hinge, allowing for alignment and improved fixation of the sensor element, with guide channels and fixing elements for precise electrical contacting and overmolding with a plastic housing for protection and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor element is attached to a support body and then arranged in a plastic housing, then the sensor device is protected and stabilized, but the assembly process becomes complex and not suitable for automated production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection and stability of sensor deviceVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support body is divided into a main body and a receiving body that are connected to form an integrated structure. The receiving body is positioned at an angle relative to the main body, creating a unified component that simplifies assembly while maintaining protection and stability functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving body is pre-positioned at a specific angle relative to the main body during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning allows the sensor element to be automatically aligned and secured in the correct orientation when inserted, eliminating complex alignment procedures during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If the receiving body is positioned at an angle to the main body, then the sensor element can be automatically aligned and secured, but the structural design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic alignment and securing of sensor elementVSAvoidstructural design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving body is pre-positioned at a specific angle relative to the main body during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning allows the sensor element to be automatically aligned and secured in the correct orientation when inserted, eliminating complex alignment procedures during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The angled receiving body automatically guides and aligns the sensor element during insertion. The geometric configuration of the receiving body relative to the main body creates self-aligning features that automatically position the sensor element correctly without requiring external alignment tools or complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If guide channels and fixing elements are added to the main body, then electrical connection precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide channels and fixing elements are integrated directly into the main body as part of the molded structure. This merging of features into a single component eliminates the need for separate manufacturing steps to add these elements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high precision for electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide channels are designed with specific geometric parameters that precisely control the position and orientation of the cable's electrical conductors. By optimizing these geometric parameters during the molding process, high-precision electrical connections are achieved without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor device is designed to be adaptable to various installation spaces, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to installation spacesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support body is segmented into a main body and a receiving body that can be positioned at specific angles. This segmentation creates a modular structure that can be adapted to different installation configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall design. The angled receiving body can be adjusted to accommodate various installation spaces without requiring complex reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2607859B1Support body for holding a sensor
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 HIRSCHMANN AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP2607859B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1f
  • EP2607859B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f

AI summary

Sensor device (1) comprising a sensor element (2) attached to a support body (5), wherein the sensor element (2) has at least one connection contact (4) which is electrically contacted on at least one electrical conductor (14) of a cable (12), wherein the sensor element (2) and the support body (5) are arranged in a housing made of a plastic material, characterized in that the support body (5) is formed by a main body (6) and a receiving body (7) for the sensor element (2) and the main body (6) and the receiving body (7) are connected to each other in a way that allows for alignment.