Telescopic Damper Sensor Module for Easy Washer Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing displacement sensors for household appliances, such as washing machines, are complex to handle and mount, leading to increased assembly time and production costs, and are difficult to replace during maintenance or when defective.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembled displacement sensor module for telescopic-type dampers, comprising a coil element and electronic detection unit, which can be easily mounted and replaced by slipping or screwing onto the damper, with attaching means like snap-fitting or screw-on mechanisms, reducing the need for additional tools and allowing for modular replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a displacement sensor is mounted on a telescopic-type damper in a washing machine, then the displacement or lowering of the tub can be determined, but the sensor is complex to handle and mount, leading to increased assembly time and production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coil element, electronic detection unit, and attaching means into a single integrated displacement sensor module. This merging of components simplifies handling and mounting operations, as the entire sensor assembly can be installed as one unit rather than assembling multiple separate components, thereby reducing assembly time and production costs while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If a displacement sensor is mounted on a telescopic-type damper, then the displacement can be detected, but the sensor is difficult to replace during maintenance or when defective
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement sensor is designed as a modular, self-contained unit with integrated components (coil element, electronic detection unit, and attaching means) that can be easily detached and replaced as a single module. This segmentation allows the sensor to be quickly swapped during maintenance or when defective without requiring complex disassembly or specialized tools, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining detection precision
3Ease of operation
If additional attaching means are added to the displacement sensor, then the sensor can be easily mounted and replaced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching means are integrated into the displacement sensor module design itself, combining the mounting function with the sensor structure. This merging allows the sensor to be easily mounted and replaced using built-in attaching mechanisms without requiring separate external attaching devices, thereby improving ease of operation while avoiding additional structural complexity
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 solution simplifies the handling and mounting of displacement sensors, reduces assembly and production costs, and facilitates easy replacement, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, especially for high-priced dampers like spring or oil-hydraulic ones.
Implementation Method 1
the value of the inductance of the coil depends on the axial penetration of the piston within the volume of the coil
Implementation Method 2
At least a part of a piston of the damper, which is located inside the coil, comprises ferromagnetic material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a displacement sensor module 1 for mounting on a telescopic-type damper 30, a damper/detector assembly comprising such a displacement sensor module and a telescopic-type damper, and a household appliance comprising such a damper/detector assembly, wherein the displacement sensor module 1 comprises at least one coil element 4, an electronic detection unit 8 connected to the at least one coil element 4 and adapted to detect an impedance change of the at least one coil element, and a coil housing 2 for receiving and additionally or alternatively a coil support 6 for supporting the at least one coil element 4 and for supporting the electronic detection unit 8, wherein the displacement sensor module 1 is adapted to be mounted on a telescopic-type damper 30, wherein in particular the housing 2 or support 6 is adapted to fit over a portion of a pre-assembled damper 30.