Latchable Sensor With Stepped Latching Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap-in sensors face challenges in securely fastening into housings with varying wall thicknesses without play, as existing latching mechanisms are not adaptable to different thicknesses and are costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A latchable sensor design featuring latching elements with steps along their length, allowing for compensation of wall thickness differences, with optional configurations including different lengths, angular spacings, and symmetrical arrangements to ensure stable locking, and an optional spring element for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional latching mechanisms are used, then the sensor can be fastened in the housing, but the sensor cannot securely fasten into housings with varying wall thicknesses without play
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element incorporates steps at different positions along its length, allowing the effective latching position to be adjusted according to the wall thickness. This parameter change in the latching element's geometry enables adaptation to varying housing wall thicknesses while maintaining secure fastening without play.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching element is divided into multiple segments or steps at different positions along its length. Each step can engage with the housing at a different depth, allowing the sensor to be securely fastened in housings with different wall thicknesses. This segmentation enables the latching mechanism to adapt to varying thicknesses while maintaining reliable connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If latching elements with multiple steps are used, then wall thickness differences can be compensated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is segmented into multiple steps along its length, where each step represents a different engagement position. This segmentation allows compensation for wall thickness differences while keeping the overall structure relatively simple, as the steps are integrated into a single latching element rather than requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-step latching element serves multiple functions: it provides latching engagement at different depths to compensate for wall thickness variations, maintains secure fastening, and does so within a single integrated component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional adjustment mechanisms or multiple different latching elements for different wall thicknesses.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional latching mechanisms are used, then the sensor can be fastened, but production costs increase due to lack of adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element with integrated steps can be manufactured as a single piece using standard molding or machining processes. This segmentation approach eliminates the need for multiple different latching elements or complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby keeping production costs low while providing adaptability to different wall thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-step latching element is designed to be universal, working with housings of various wall thicknesses without requiring different components. This universality reduces inventory requirements and simplifies manufacturing, as a single latching element design can serve multiple applications with different wall thicknesses, thereby reducing production costs.
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 sensor effectively compensates for varying wall thicknesses, ensuring secure and stable attachment in different housings, while being simple and cost-effective to produce.
Implementation Method 1
latching elements which are arranged on the sensor body and extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis over a length, the latching elements having steps
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
AI summary
Latchable sensor for latching into the recess (12) of a housing (10), said sensor having a sensor body (14) and latching elements (16, 17) which are arranged on the sensor body (14) and extend over a length (L1, L2) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (A). The latching elements (16, 17) have steps (18, 18', 19, 19'), and at least two steps (18, 18', 19, 19') are arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A).