Temperature and passive infrared sensor module

• US 6,082,894 A
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Baldwin, John R., Batko, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US09/107,045
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 374/142, 374/135, 374/138, 250/342, 250/349, 250/DIG. 1, 250/339.04, 250/339.14, 340/567, 236/51, 236/47, 236/DIG. 19
• US Class Current: 374/142
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/16 Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0201 Thermal arrangements, e.g. for cooling, heating or preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 236/19 Ventilated thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

A temperature and passive infrared sensor module in which a temperature sensor is mounted so as to not be adversely affected by heat generating electrical components of the sensor module. One embodiment comprises a wallswitch-mounted unit which is designed to be mounted in a wallswitch electrical outlet box with a semi-cylindrical front of the sensor projecting forwardly therefrom. A top section of the projecting semi-cylindrical front has a front curved window, behind which a passive infrared sensor and an ambient light sensor are positioned. A bottom section of the projecting semi-cylindrical front is formed by a removable clip-in door which is provided with air flow vents in a bottom surface and also in projecting front and side surfaces thereof to provide a circulating air flow around a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor and the passive infrared sensor are mounted on a front electrical-lead side of a vertically positioned PC board, and heat generating electrical components are mounted on an opposite, back component side of the PC board. A second embodiment comprises a round ceiling-mounted unit in which heat generating electrical components are mounted on one radial side of a circular PC board, and the temperature sensor is mounted on the opposite radial side thereof circular PC board, as far away therefrom as possible. A shield is also provided to section off and isolate the temperature sensor.

Claims

1. A temperature and passive infrared sensor comprising:

a. a sensor module housing having air flow vents therein to allow air to circulate through the sensor housing;

b. a temperature sensor for detecting temperature;

c. a passive infrared sensor for detecting passive infrared radiation;

d. a printed circuit board defining a front electrical lead side, and an opposite back electrical component side, wherein the printed circuit board is positioned in the sensor module housing extending in a substantially vertical direction such that the printed circuit board defines upper and lower sections of both the front electrical lead side and the opposite back electrical component side thereof, the printed circuit board having heat generating electrical components mounted thereon on the back component side of the printed circuit board, and the temperature sensor and the passive infrared sensor are mounted on the front electrical lead side of the printed circuit board, such that the printed circuit board shields the temperature sensor and the passive infrared sensor from the heat generating components, and wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on a lower section of the electric lead side of the printed circuit board.

2. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor has a projecting semi-cylindrical front projecting forwardly therefrom.

3. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a wallswitch-mounted unit which is designed to be mounted in a wallswitch electrical outlet box with a projecting semi-cylindrical front of the sensor projecting forwardly therefrom.

4. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensor is mounted within the wallswitch electrical outlet box by screws which extend through projecting lugs on the sensor into threaded openings in the outlet box.

5. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein a top section of the projecting semi-cylindrical front has a front curved window, behind which the passive infrared sensor is positioned.

6. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 5, wherein an ambient light sensor is also positioned behind the front curved window.

7. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein a bottom section of the projecting semi-cylindrical front is formed by a removable clip-in door.

8. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 7, wherein air flow vents are provided in a bottom surface and in projecting front and side surfaces of the clip-in door to provide a circulating air flow around the temperature sensor.

9. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on the printed circuit board to project into the enclosed space behind the clip-in door.

10. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 7, wherein an LED, which signals motion detection and is also used in service, is positioned centrally above the lower clip-in door.

11. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plastic conformal coating is deposited over the printed circuit board and components mounted thereon to provide electrical and thermal insulation and physical protection for the coated components, provide thermal insulation for the passive infrared sensor, and to protect the coated components from moisture.

12. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passive infrared sensor and the temperature sensor are mounted projecting from the front electrical lead side of the printed circuit board.

13. A ceiling mounted temperature and passive infrared sensor comprising:

a. a circular sensor housing having vertically elongated air flow vents spaced around its circumference to allow air to circulate through the sensor housing;

b. a temperature sensor for detecting temperature;

c. a passive infrared sensor for detecting passive infrared radiation;

d. a circular printed circuit board mounted substantially horizontally in a circular sensor module housing, wherein the printed circuit board has heat generating electrical components mounted thereon on a first circumferential side of the printed circuit board, and the temperature sensor is mounted on a second opposite circumferential side of the printed circuit board, such that the temperature sensor is mounted as far as practical from the heat generating components.

14. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the temperature sensor is mounted at a circumferential edge of the printed circuit board directly adjacent to the air flow vents which extend to a mounting surface of the printed circuit board.

15. A temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sensor housing includes an internal partition on the inside of the sensor housing which extends around and encloses the temperature sensor, to further isolate the temperature sensor from heat generating components on the printed circuit board.

16. The temperature and passive infrared sensor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the passive infrared sensor is mounted near the center of the circular printed circuit board and is mounted behind a central window of the sensor housing.