Sensor positive latch

• US 20020125881A1
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: TenBrink, Jay T., Stroeters, Kurt H., Burns, Richard P., Trotter, Loren M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,570,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/026 for speed measuring devices, e.g. pulse generator
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/443 mounted in bearings bearings F16C

Abstract

A wheel speed sensor latch for securing a wheel speed sensor to a bearing cap of a vehicle speed sensing assembly. The latch includes a main body having a collar section adapted for receiving the wheel speed sensor therethrough. The latch further includes a pair of bifurcated legs extending from the main body. The pair of bifurcated legs being engageable with a pair of latching members formed on the bearing cap such that the pair of latching members and the pair of bifurcated legs cooperate to secure the wheel speed sensor on the bearing cap.

Claims

1. An apparatus for latching a wheel speed sensor to a bearing cap of a vehicle speed sensing assembly, said apparatus comprising:

a main body having a collar section capable of receiving the wheel speed sensor therethrough; and

a pair of bifurcated legs extending from said main body, said pair of bifurcated legs being engageable with a pair of latching members formed on the bearing cap such that said pair of latching members and said pair of bifurcated legs cooperate to retain the wheel speed sensor with the bearing cap.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pair of bifurcated legs each comprise:

a pair of side members integrally formed with said main body; and

an end member interconnecting said pair of side members, said end member directly engageable with at least one of said pair of latching members.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said end member comprises:

a generally flat surface engageable with one of said pair of latching members; and

a tapered surface opposite from said generally flat surface, said tapered surface adapted to slide over one of said pair of latching members.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a shoulder section downwardly-extending from said main body, said shoulder section adapted to generally enclose a portion of the bearing cap when said pair of bifurcated legs engage said pair of latching members.

5. A wheel speed sensor assembly comprising:

a bearing cap having an integrally formed sensor-receiving cavity;

at least one latching member extending from said bearing cap;

a wheel speed sensor disposed within said sensor-receiving cavity; and

a sensor retaining latch operable for securing said wheel speed sensor within said sensor-receiving cavity, said sensor retaining latch having a main body and at least one bifurcated leg extending from said main body, said at least one bifurcated leg engaging said at least one latching member when said wheel speed sensor is within said sensor-receiving cavity.

6. The wheel speed sensor assembly according to claim 5 wherein said at least one bifurcated leg comprises:

a pair of side members integrally formed with said main body; and

an end member interconnecting said pair of side members, said end member operable to engage said at least one latching member to secure said wheel speed sensor within said sensor-receiving cavity.

7. The wheel speed sensor assembly according to claim 6 wherein said end member comprises:

a generally flat surface engageable with said at least one latching member; and

a tapered surface opposite from said generally flat surface, said tapered surface sliding over said at least one latching member during installation of said sensor retaining latch.

8. The wheel speed sensor assembly according to claim 5, further comprising:

an O-ring seal coupled to said wheel speed sensor, said O-ring seal engaging a surface within said sensor-receiving cavity.

9. The wheel speed sensor assembly according to claim 5, further comprising:

a bearing cap slot formed in said bearing cap, said bearing cap slot being open to said sensor-receiving cavity;

a sensor slot formed in a side of said wheel speed sensor, said sensor slot being substantially aligned with said bearing cap slot when said wheel speed sensor is disposed within said sensor-receiving cavity; and

a spring clip positioned in said bearing cap slot and engaging said sensor slot for retaining said wheel speed sensor within said sensor-receiving cavity.

10. A sensor positive latch for retaining a wheel speed sensor within a bearing cap of a vehicle speed sensing assembly, said sensor positive latch comprising:

a main body having a collar section capable of receiving the wheel speed sensor therethrough;

a pair of side members integrally formed with said main body;

an end member interconnecting said pair of side members, said end member directly engageable with one of said pair of latching members to retain the wheel speed sensor with the bearing cap; and

a shoulder section downwardly-extending from said main body, said shoulder section adapted to generally enclose a portion of the bearing cap when said pair of bifurcated legs engage said pair of latching members.

11. The sensor positive latch according to claim 10 wherein said end member comprises:

a generally flat surface engageable with one of said pair of latching members; and

a tapered surface opposite from said generally flat surface, said tapered surface adapted to slide over one of said pair of latching members.

12. The sensor positive latch according to claim 10 being made of glass-filled plastic.