Rotatable Process Transmitter Coupling With Over-Rotation Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotatable couplings in industrial process transmitters allow excessive rotation between the sensor body and main housing, leading to potential damage of wires and transmitter malfunction due to improper set screw installation or loosening from vibration.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable coupling design that includes a flange member within a groove and a compressible member to restrict axial movement and rotational limits, preventing excessive rotation and ensuring secure engagement between the sensor body and main housing, using threaded cylindrical projections and bores with a set screw for angular adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rotatable coupling is used to allow rotation between sensor body and main housing, then angular adjustment capability is improved, but excessive rotation occurs leading to wire damage and transmitter malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism pre-limits the rotational range through its mechanical design (threaded engagement with axial movement constraints). The set screw is pre-positioned to engage at a specific rotational angle, preventing over-rotation before it can cause wire damage. This preliminary structural constraint ensures that the system cannot exceed safe rotational limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The set screw acts as an intermediary element between the sensor body and main housing. It provides a controlled stopping mechanism that mediates the rotation between the two components. When the set screw engages with the coupling mechanism, it intermediates the rotational movement, allowing precise angular adjustment while preventing excessive rotation that would damage wires.
2Ease of manufacture
If set screw installation is simplified for ease of assembly, then assembly time is reduced, but vibration can cause the set screw to loosen leading to improper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed with a self-locking threaded structure that preliminarily counteracts the loosening tendency of the set screw. The thread geometry and engagement surfaces are configured to maintain constant contact pressure, creating a preliminary anti-action against vibration-induced loosening. This ensures the set screw remains securely engaged without requiring complex anti-loosening features.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling allows free rotation for positioning, then angular adjustment is easy, but wires can be damaged due to uncontrolled rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling structure preliminarily defines the maximum rotational range through its geometric constraints. The threaded portion and axial movement limitation are designed to permit sufficient rotation for positioning while automatically preventing rotation beyond the safe limit. This preliminary structural action protects wires from damage while maintaining ease of adjustment within the safe range.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism provides mechanical feedback through the set screw engagement. As rotation approaches the safe limit, the increasing engagement force between the set screw and coupling provides tactile feedback to the operator, indicating that the maximum adjustment range is being reached. This feedback mechanism prevents over-rotation by making the limit physically apparent during the adjustment process.
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 solution limits excessive rotation, preventing damage to wires and ensuring secure coupling, thereby enhancing the reliability and stability of the transmitter by restricting movement and rotation within defined axial distances.
Implementation Method 1
One of the first second threaded portions includes a threaded cylindrical projection, and the other of the first and second threaded portions includes a threaded cylindrical bore. Relative rotation between the sensor body and the main housing about an axis of the bore causes relative movement between the sensor body and the main housing along the axis.
Implementation Method 2
a compressible member compressed in a direction along an axis of the cylindrical bore. Rotation of the sensor body relative to the main housing is resisted by the compressible member.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An industrial process transmitter(100) includes a main housing(120), a sensor body(122), and a flange member(150). The main housing(120) contains transmitter circuitry(114) and includes a first threaded portion. The sensor body(122) includes a process sensor(112) and a second threaded portion in threaded engagement with the first threaded portion. One of the first and second threaded portions includes a threaded cylindrical projection(130), and the other includes a threaded cylindrical bore(132). The flange member(150) is received within a groove(152) of the projection(130). Movement of the sensor body(122) relative to the housing(120) along an axis(126) of the bore(132) is restricted to an axial distance(170) through engagement between the flange(150) and the first or second threaded portion that includes the threaded cylindrical bore(132), and engagement between the main housing(120) and the sensor body(122). Rotation of the sensor body(122) relative to the housing(120) about the axis(126) is limited by the axial distance(170).