Cam/crank sensor that allows for multiple orientations of a plastic over-molded bracket relative to a molded sensor terminal assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor, comprising:
- at least one sensor element configured for generating a signal representative of an angular position of a rotatable shaft;
a terminal assembly;
a housing and bracket assembly engaged with the terminal assembly in a desired one of plural predetermined discrete orientations and in no other orientations, the sensor element being supported by the terminal assembly and/or housing and bracket assembly;
a connector formed on the terminal assembly and holding at least one electrical connector, the connector being configured for engaging a connector of a vehicle to provide a pathway for communication between the sensor element and a vehicle receiver;
a bracket formed on the housing and bracket assembly and configured for mounting the sensor to a vehicle;
plural discrete orientation-establishing terminal orientation elements on the terminal assembly; and
plural discrete orientation-establishing bracket orientation elements on the housing and bracket assembly and being configured for engaging respective terminal orientation elements to establish the desired one of plural predetermined discrete orientations.
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Abstract
A vehicle camshaft/crankshaft sensor has a plastic terminal assembly defining a connector and a plastic housing and bracket assembly engaged with the terminal assembly and defining a plastic bracket. Various structures are disclosed for establishing one of plural discrete orientations between the bracket and the connector.
5 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor, comprising:
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at least one sensor element configured for generating a signal representative of an angular position of a rotatable shaft; a terminal assembly; a housing and bracket assembly engaged with the terminal assembly in a desired one of plural predetermined discrete orientations and in no other orientations, the sensor element being supported by the terminal assembly and/or housing and bracket assembly; a connector formed on the terminal assembly and holding at least one electrical connector, the connector being configured for engaging a connector of a vehicle to provide a pathway for communication between the sensor element and a vehicle receiver; a bracket formed on the housing and bracket assembly and configured for mounting the sensor to a vehicle; plural discrete orientation-establishing terminal orientation elements on the terminal assembly; and plural discrete orientation-establishing bracket orientation elements on the housing and bracket assembly and being configured for engaging respective terminal orientation elements to establish the desired one of plural predetermined discrete orientations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of making a shaft sensor, comprising:
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supporting a sensor element in a terminal assembly and/or a housing and bracket assembly; rotating one of the assemblies relative to the other assembly until a desired one of predetermined orientations between the assemblies is established; preventing translationally moving one assembly into the other assembly in any orientation other than one of the predetermined orientations; translationally moving one assembly into the other assembly; and fastening the assemblies together in the desired orientation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vehicle camshaft or crankshaft angular position sensor, comprising:
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a plastic terminal assembly defining a connector; a plastic housing and bracket assembly engaged with the terminal assembly and defining a plastic bracket; and means formed on the assemblies for establishing one of plural discrete orientations between the bracket and the connector. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification