One-Handed Vibration Sensor Mounting via Detent Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for mounting triaxial vibration sensors on machines require two hands, which is inefficient and unsafe, especially in industrial environments where operators need to handle multiple machines quickly and safely, often in confined spaces with potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed mounting system using an attachment screw with a recessed socket and detent mechanism that retains a hex driver, allowing the sensor to be securely held and aligned with a mounting pad using a single hand, and a handheld device with a rotatable and slidable vibration sensor support for easy orientation and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional two-handed mounting method is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but mounting speed and operator safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: a sensor holder with alignment features, a specialized screw with integrated driver retention, and a driver tool with specific engagement geometry. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as a system that enables one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The specialized screw acts as an intermediary element between the sensor holder and the driver tool. It incorporates a recessed socket with detent mechanism that serves as the mediation interface, allowing the driver to be retained in the screw head during one-handed operation while maintaining secure fastening capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional two-handed mounting method is used, then proper alignment is achieved, but operator safety and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor holder is pre-equipped with alignment pins and the mounting surface has corresponding alignment holes positioned before the fastening operation. This preliminary alignment setup ensures that when the sensor is placed on the mounting surface, proper alignment is automatically achieved without requiring two-handed manipulation during the critical alignment phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features (pins and holes) are designed to self-align the sensor holder to the mounting surface when brought together. The geometry of these features ensures proper positioning automatically, eliminating the need for operator intervention to maintain alignment during the mounting process.
3Ease of operation
If specialized screw with driver retention is used, then one-handed operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver retention functionality is merged directly into the screw head structure through a recessed socket with detent mechanism. This integration eliminates the need for separate driver retention devices or complex tooling systems, allowing one-handed operation while keeping the added complexity minimal and confined to a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The specialized screw performs multiple functions: it provides the fastening function through threading, retains the driver during operation through the recessed socket and detent mechanism, and interfaces with the sensor holder. This multi-functionality consolidates several operations into a single component, enabling one-handed use without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to allow a one-handed operation of mounting a vibration sensor to a mounting pad adhered to a machine. An attachment screw includes a recessed socket with a detent to releasably retain a ball-end hex driver such that the driver can remain coupled to the attachment screw without force being applied by the user. Also, a handheld device includes a driver having a handle portion and a driver shaft extending therefrom, the driver shaft having a driver portion at a distal end, and a vibration sensor support configured to support the vibration sensor such that the driver portion has access to an attachment screw threaded through the vibration sensor, and coupled to the driver such that the vibration sensor support is rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the driver shaft and slidable along a longitudinal portion of the driver shaft.