Suspension Joint Sensor Layout for Protected Position Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chassis components with measuring devices face challenges in protecting the sensor receiver from environmental influences such as moisture, snow, or mechanical damage, and often struggle with maintaining a suitable proximity to the signal emitter, leading to potential positioning issues and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The chassis component incorporates a sensor device with a signal receiver positioned within a through-opening in the structural component, which minimizes exposure to environmental influences and mechanical damage while maintaining close proximity to the signal emitter, and includes a bearing shell to reduce friction and wear, with the signal emitter integrated into the joint, allowing for precise relative position determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor device is positioned in a groove-like recess on the outer surface, then the sensor receiver is protected to some extent, but the protection against environmental influences and mechanical damage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of signal receiverVSAvoidexposure to moisture, snow, mechanical damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device is nested within a through-opening that penetrates the structural component. The signal receiver is positioned inside the through-opening, effectively placing it within a protective cavity formed by the structural component walls, while still maintaining functional proximity to the signal emitter on the joint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a surface-level groove-like recess to a three-dimensional through-opening that penetrates the structural component. This dimensional change allows the signal receiver to be positioned inside the component rather than on its surface, providing superior protection while maintaining measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the sensor device is positioned deeper within the structural component for better protection, then environmental protection improves, but the distance to the signal emitter increases reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of signal receiverVSAvoidrelative position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The through-opening provides a protective nested environment for the signal receiver while maintaining a compact configuration. The signal receiver is positioned inside the through-opening at a controlled distance from the signal emitter, balancing protection requirements with measurement precision needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The design optimizes the geometric parameters of the through-opening (size, shape, position) to achieve the ideal balance between protection and measurement accuracy. By carefully controlling the dimensions and positioning of the through-opening, the signal receiver is protected while maintaining suitable proximity to the signal emitter for accurate relative position detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a through-opening is created in the structural component for optimal sensor positioning, then protection and measurement accuracy improve, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of signal receiverVSAvoidstructural component strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The through-opening is strategically positioned and dimensioned to minimize its impact on the overall structural integrity. The structural component is designed with appropriate wall thicknesses and reinforcement in critical areas, ensuring that the local modification for sensor accommodation does not compromise the global structural strength and stiffness requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The walls of the through-opening are designed with sufficient thickness to maintain structural integrity while providing adequate protection for the signal receiver. The structural component material and wall geometry are optimized to ensure that the through-opening does not create weak points that would compromise the overall strength of the suspension component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12179547B2Suspension component with a measuring device and method for producing a suspension component of this kind

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG

AI summary

Disclosed is a chassis component (1, 38) having a measuring device (9) for determining a relative position of two chassis components connected movably with one another. For example, a first chassis component is a joint (2) with at least one rotation axis (8) and a second chassis component is a structural component (3), the structural component (3) being mounted by means of the joint (2) so that it can pivot around the rotation axis (8) of the joint (2). The measuring device (9) has a signal emitter (13) and a sensor device (10, 28) with a signal receiver (21), where the sensor device (10, 28) is arranged on the structural component (3) and the signal emitter (13) is arranged on the joint (2). To improve an arrangement of the sensor device (10, 28) on the structural component (3), the sensor device (10, 28) extends through a through-opening (11).