Magnetostrictive Waveguide Positioning via Elastic Recess

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetostrictive position sensors face challenges in maintaining precise positioning and stability of the waveguide within the housing, particularly in long measurement paths, due to unavoidable gaps and insufficient protection against shocks and vibrations, leading to potential kinking or jamming.

Innovation Solution

An elastic positioning element with a recess extending along the measurement path is used to securely hold and center the waveguide within the housing, allowing for lateral insertion and providing mechanical damping to prevent impairment from shocks and vibrations, eliminating the need for additional holder elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the waveguide is jacketed by an acrylic pipe or fiber glass pipe, then the waveguide is protected, but gaps between the waveguide and jacket cause the waveguide to move and become decentered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against shocks and vibrationsVSAvoidpositioning precision of waveguide

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic positioning element is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveguide and the housing. This positioning element features a recess that receives the waveguide and a slit that enables lateral insertion. The elastic material provides both mechanical support and precise positioning, eliminating the gaps present in direct jacketing arrangements while maintaining protection against shocks and vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning element utilizes elastic deformation to achieve both insertion and secure positioning. When compressed axially, the elastic material deforms to allow lateral insertion through the slit, then expands to firmly hold the waveguide in the recess, providing both ease of assembly and precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the waveguide is introduced into a housing over a large path, then the measurement path is covered, but the waveguide becomes difficult to center and position accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement path lengthVSAvoidcentering precision of waveguide

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented into multiple features of the elastic positioning element: a recess for receiving the waveguide, a slit for lateral insertion, and elastic deformation for securing. This segmentation allows the waveguide to be easily inserted laterally and maintains precise positioning throughout the entire length of the measurement path, even over distances of one meter or more.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If additional holder elements are used to secure the waveguide, then the waveguide is held more reliably, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding reliability of waveguideVSAvoidnumber of holder elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic positioning element combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides lateral insertion capability through the slit, secures the waveguide through elastic deformation, centers the waveguide within the housing, and protects against shocks and vibrations. This merging eliminates the need for separate holder elements, pressing sleeves, and centering devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ensures precise positioning and protection of the waveguide, simplifies assembly, and prevents falsification of measured values by allowing unimpeded propagation of mechanical pulses, while avoiding unwanted clamping or compression.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical pulse such as a longitudinal pulse and/or a torsion pulse can be generated in the waveguide and moves along the measurement path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Implementation Method 2

The positioning element is elastic at least regionally and is held in the housing while being deformed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10533880B2Position sensing using waveguide configured to conduct mechanical pulses triggered by magnetostriction

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 SICK ATECH GMBH

AI summary

A position sensor comprises a waveguide of a magnetostrictive material, which extends along a measurement path and which is configured for conducting mechanical pulses triggered by magnetostriction, and a housing for the waveguide. A positioning element is provided which is elastic at least regionally; which is held in the housing while being deformed; and which has a recess which extends along the measurement path and forms a receiver for the waveguide. In the position sensor in accordance with the invention, the recess has a slit which extends along the measurement path; which, viewed in a cross-sectional plane, reaches from a reception section up to a boundary of the positioning element; and which enables a lateral insertion of the waveguide into the reception section. The invention furthermore comprises a method of manufacturing a position sensor in accordance with the invention.