Ultrasound Sensor Adapter for Reliable Measuring Tube Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices require costly and complex adaptations to fit different vehicle types, particularly in manufacturing and installation, and often suffer from interference and reliability issues due to environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a sensor unit and measuring tube, utilizing a sensor adapter that allows for a universal sensor unit to be easily attached to various measuring tubes, ensuring protection and reliable installation, while using an anti-twist feature and locking mechanism for secure attachment, and incorporating a seal to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor device is specifically tailored to a corresponding cylinder, then functional reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into separate modular components: a sensor unit and a sensor adapter. The sensor adapter acts as an intermediary component that connects the sensor unit to different measuring tube types, allowing the sensor unit itself to remain universal and unchanged while adapting to various applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter serves as an intermediary component between the sensor unit and the measuring tube. It provides the necessary adaptation functionality without requiring modifications to the sensor unit, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If a sensor unit is specifically adapted to a corresponding cylinder, then functional reliability is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed as a universal component that can be used with different measuring tube types through the sensor adapter. The adapter provides the specific adaptation functionality, allowing the same sensor unit to serve multiple vehicle types and applications without modification.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the sensor unit from the adaptation functionality (placed in the sensor adapter), the system achieves both universality of the sensor unit and adaptability to different vehicle types through interchangeable adapters.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor unit is directly exposed to the environment, then installation simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is nested within the sensor adapter, which provides protective functionality. The adapter surrounds and shields the sensor unit from environmental factors such as moisture and contaminant particles, protecting it while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter acts as a protective intermediary between the sensor unit and the external environment, shielding the sensor from harmful factors while allowing the sensor to function properly.
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
Enables cost-effective, flexible, and reliable sensor installation across different measuring tubes, protecting the sensor from environmental interference, and providing accurate measurements for vehicle weight changes.
Implementation Method 1
During operation of the motion detection device, sound waves are emitted, and the propagation time of the emitted sound waves is a measure of the distance between a sound source of the motion detection device and a reflection body reflecting the emitted sound waves.
Implementation Method 2
a reflection body reflecting the emitted sound waves
Implementation Method 3
the arrangement of the sensor adapter at the tube end, which seals off the end of the tube, ensures that no interfering bodies, such as moisture or contaminant particles, can penetrate into the measuring chamber within the measuring tube from the sensor unit side
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor device 1 comprising a sensor unit 4 with an ultrasonic sensor 2 and a measuring tube 6, wherein the sensor unit 4 is arranged at a tube end 8 of the measuring tube 6. For a simple and reliable arrangement of the sensor unit 4 on the measuring tube 6 while simultaneously ensuring high functional reliability of the sensor device 1, it is proposed that the sensor unit 4 comprises a sensor adapter 10 and that the sensor adapter 10 has an adapter tube section 12 that encompasses the tube end 8 and is arranged to close the tube end 8. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle 42 comprising the aforementioned sensor device 1, a chassis, and a vehicle body.