Thin Magnet Fixing Implement for Center-Aligned Analog Meter Needles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnet fixing implements for analog meters are limited by their thickness, require additional components and molds for adaptation to different meter sizes, and are cumbersome to install, especially when the gap between the indicator needle and transparent plate is narrow.
Innovation Solution
A magnet fixing implement with a disk-shaped main body featuring a slit, magnet holder, rotation shaft holder, and indicator needle restricting portion, allowing for easy attachment and alignment of a magnet at the rotation center of the indicator needle, and a positioning device for sensor units that adjusts to different meter sizes and gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is provided above the magnet to protect it, then the magnet is protected from damage, but the thickness of the magnet fixing implement increases and it cannot be installed when the gap between the indicator needle and transparent plate is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cover component from the magnet fixing implement, extracting the protective function while eliminating the thickness constraint. The magnet is held securely by the magnet holder structure without requiring an enclosing cover, thus reducing the overall thickness to fit narrow gaps between the indicator needle and transparent plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet fixing implement is divided into separate functional components: the magnet holder that secures the magnet, the main body that provides structural support, and the indicator needle restricting portion that limits rotation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring a bulky cover structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the dimensions of each part are adapted to a particular indicator needle size, then the magnet fixing implement fits that specific size, but it cannot be used for general purpose with indicator needles of various sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet fixing implement is designed with universal dimensions and features that allow it to accommodate indicator needles of various sizes. The magnet holder, main body, and restricting portion are dimensioned to provide a general fit that works across different indicator needle specifications, enabling one-size-fits-all application rather than requiring size-specific variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator needle restricting portion is designed to dynamically adapt to different indicator needle sizes through elastic deformation. The restricting portion can flex to accommodate variations in indicator needle dimensions while maintaining its function of preventing excessive rotation, providing versatility without sacrificing fitting precision.
3Reliability
If a replacement transparent plate with the same external shape as the original transparent plate is provided, then the magnet fixing implement can be installed, but additional costs for components and molds are required
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet fixing implement is designed to be universally compatible with the original transparent plate without requiring a replacement plate. The implement fits within the existing transparent plate structure, eliminating the need for additional transparent plate components and associated molding costs while maintaining installation compatibility.
4Measurement precision
If the conventional method of determining center position and attaching magnetic sensor is used, then the magnetic sensor can be positioned, but the process is troublesome to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet fixing implement comes pre-positioned with the magnet holder and restricting portion already configured at the correct center position. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for operators to perform complex center-finding measurements and attachments during installation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining precise center positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet fixing implement features self-aligning characteristics where the slit and restricting portion automatically guide the indicator needle into the correct centered position during installation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual center position determination and attachment procedures, making the installation process straightforward while ensuring accurate positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnet fixing implement for fixing a magnet for rotation angle detection, attached to a rotation center portion of an indicator needle of an analog meter, includes a main body, a magnet holder provided on an upper surface of the main body, and configured to hold the magnet at a rotation center of the indicator needle, a slit formed in the main body in a flat shape perpendicular to the rotation center, and configured to accommodate the rotation center portion of the indicator needle, a rotation shaft holder provided below the slit of the main body, and configured to hold a rotation shaft of the indicator needle, and an indicator needle restricting portion protruding toward an outer side from an outer peripheral edge of the main body, and configured to restrict a rotation of the indicator needle with respect to the main body.