Vehicle Speed Sensor Clamping Sleeve Anti-Rotation Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary encoder arrangements face challenges in preventing rotation of the sensor head within the clamping sleeve without relying on a connection adapter that protrudes radially beyond the clamping sleeve, which can complicate the design and increase dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The sensor head features a non-cylindrically symmetrical cross-section with an orientation surface, interacting with inwardly pointing orientation elements in the clamping sleeve, allowing for torsion-proof axial displacement without the need for a radially protruding connection adapter, utilizing clamping and positioning elements like rigid domes and spring elements for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connection adapter with radially protruding guide pins is used to prevent rotation of the sensor head, then the sensor head is securely positioned in terms of orientation, but the device complexity increases and the radial dimension is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational positioning securityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the anti-rotation function from the connection adapter and relocates it to the clamping sleeve itself. The clamping sleeve incorporates outwardly bent tabs that engage with recesses in the holder bore, eliminating the need for radially protruding guide pins on the connection adapter. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining secure rotational positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the anti-rotation function with the clamping sleeve structure. The outwardly bent tabs on the clamping sleeve integrate the positioning and clamping functions into a single component, eliminating the need for separate guide pins on the connection adapter. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a connection adapter with radially protruding guide pins is used to prevent rotation, then the sensor head orientation is fixed, but the radial dimension of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational positioning securityVSAvoidradial dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the radially protruding guide pins from the connection adapter by extracting the anti-rotation function and implementing it within the clamping sleeve structure. The outwardly bent tabs on the clamping sleeve engage with the holder bore to provide the necessary rotational constraint without increasing the radial dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor head is made axially displaceable in the clamping sleeve, then the encoder can adjust to tolerances and thermal expansion, but the sensor head may rotate freely without proper orientation constraint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial displacement capabilityVSAvoidrotational positioning security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor head is divided into two functional sections: a first section with a non-cylindrically symmetrical cross-section that engages with orientation elements in the clamping sleeve to prevent rotation, and a second cylindrically symmetrical section that allows axial displacement. This segmentation enables the sensor head to maintain proper orientation while accommodating axial movement for tolerance compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first section of the sensor head features a non-cylindrically symmetrical cross-section with an orientation surface that interacts with corresponding orientation elements in the clamping sleeve. This asymmetry ensures that the sensor head can only be inserted into the clamping sleeve in the correct rotational orientation, preventing free rotation while allowing axial displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If outwardly bent tabs on the clamping sleeve are used for anti-rotation, then the sensor head is securely positioned, but the clamping sleeve structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational positioning securityVSAvoidclamping sleeve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outwardly bent tabs on the clamping sleeve combine the clamping and anti-rotation functions into a single integrated structure. These tabs engage with recesses in the holder bore to prevent rotation of the clamping sleeve, while the spring elements provide the necessary clamping force. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 arrangement ensures the sensor head is held in a torsion-proof and axially displaceable manner, maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing for space-saving design and robust construction, suitable for various environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one clamping and positioning element, in particular comprising at least one rigid dome and a spring element opposite it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the rotary encoder with a sensor head is held axially displaceable in the clamping sleeve by frictional locking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3642634B1Arrangement of vehicle speed sensor and clamping sleeve for sensing the speed of rotation of a rotor
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3642634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3642634B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3642634B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement of a rod-shaped vehicle speed sensor (20) and clamping sleeve (10) in a bore (2) of a holder (1) in order to sense the speed of rotation of a rotor (4), wherein the clamping sleeve (10) is secured against rotation in the bore (2) and a sensor head (22) of the vehicle speed sensor (20) is interlockingly retained in the clamping sleeve (10) so as to be axially movable. The invention is characterised in that the sensor head (22) has at least in some sections a cross-section that is not cylindrically symmetrical, and the clamping sleeve (10) comprises at least one inward-facing position-setting element (17), by means of which the sensor head (22) is secured against rotation in the clamping sleeve (10).