Sensor device

• US 6,326,776 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2000
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yukawa, Junichi, Yoshiuchi, Shigehiro, Hatanaka, Masakazu, Nakagaki, Toshiya
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vinh P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, PARESH H
• Application Number:
  US09/424,306
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 324/765, 324/207-1-2, 324/156, 324/173, 324/174, 324/229, 324/251, 324/252, 738/661, 738/665, 439/620, 439/953, 439/954, 439/912, 174/59, 174/68, 174/69
• US Class Current: 324/156
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/02 with provision for altering or correcting the law of variation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/912 with testing means

Abstract

A sensor comprises a detecting element, a circuit board having digital correction function and having connection pads for digital correction for processing a signal of the detecting element, a connector connected electrically to the circuit board for exchanging signals between the circuit board and an external electric system, and holes through which connection pads for digital correction are visible. The holes are provided in the opening of the connector for contacting electrically with a probe for characteristic correction.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a detecting element,

a circuit board having digital correction function and having a connection pad for digital correction of a signal from said detecting element,

a connector connected electrically to said circuit board, said connector adapted for transmitting a signal between said circuit board and an external electric system, and

said connector having an opening with a hole disposed therein, so that said connection pad for digital correction is visible through said hole, and a probe for characteristic correction is capable of electrically contacting said connection pad through said hole.

2. The sensor of claim 1,

wherein an end of a lead wire is connected to said connection pad for correction of said circuit board,

other end of said lead wire is drawn out from said hole formed in the opening of said connector, and

said probe for digital correction may be connected to said other end of said lead wire.

3. The sensor of claim 1,

wherein a micro-header is used instead of the connection pad provided in said circuit board.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said connector is a water-proof connector.

5. A sensor of claim 1, wherein said connector is a shielded connector.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said digital correction function has a function for correcting an analog output of said detecting element into a specified value by microcomputer.

7. A sensor comprising:

a detecting element,

a circuit board having digital correction function and having a junction for digital correction for processing a signal from said detecting element,

a connector connected electrically to said circuit board, said connector exchanging a signal between said circuit board and an external electric system,

a terminal exposed through an opening of said connector and connected electrically to said junction for digital correction.

8. The sensor of claim 7, wherein said connector is a water-proof connector.

9. The sensor of claim 7, wherein said connector is a shielding connector.

10. A sensor comprising:

a detecting element,

a circuit board having digital correction function and having a connection pad for digital correction for processing a signal from said detecting element,

a connector connected electrically to said circuit board, said connector exchanging a signal between said circuit board and an external electric system, said connector having an opening, and

a lead terminal connected electrically to the connection pad of said circuit board,

wherein said lead terminal is visible through a hole formed in said opening of said connector so that a probe for characteristic correction is capable of electrically contacting said lead terminal.

11. The sensor of claim 10, wherein said connector is a water-proof connector.

12. The sensor of claim 10, wherein said connector is a shielding connector.

13. A sensor comprising:

a case,

a detecting element in said case,

a circuit board in said case, said circuit board having a terminal and a digital correction function, and

a connector disposed on said case, said connector including an opening, and said connector being connected electrically to said circuit board,

wherein said opening and said terminal are positioned so that a probe for characteristic correction is capable of contacting said terminal through said opening in said connector.

14. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said sensor has a function of analog output.

15. The sensor of claim 13, further comprising a lid placed in a second opening of said case, wherein said connector is placed in said lid.

16. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector is formed so that said opening of said connector may be sealed by a device when said connector is connected to said device.

17. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said opening extends through said connector.

18. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector has a hole formed in said opening,

said terminal is a connection pad placed on said circuit board, and

said hole and said connection pad are positioned so that said probe can observe said connection pad through said hole.

19. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector has a hole formed in said opening,

said circuit board has a connection pad,

said terminal is connected said connection pad at one end,

other end of said terminal passes through said hole, and projects at least one position of in said opening and outside of said connector, and

said other end of said terminal is positioned so that said probe may contact with said other end.

20. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector has a hole formed in said opening,

said terminal is a micro-connector placed on said circuit board, and

said hole and said micro-connector are positioned so that said probe can observe said micro-connector through said hole.

21. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said terminal has one end aligned with said opening of said connector, and

said one end of said terminal is placed so that said probe may contact said one end of said terminal.

22. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector has a hole formed in said opening,

said circuit board includes a connection pad,

said terminal is connected to said connection pad at one end,

other end of said terminal projects into said hole, and

said other end of said terminal is positioned so that said probe may contact with said other end.

23. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector has a water-proof function.

24. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said connector has a shielding function.

25. The sensor of claim 13, wherein said digital correction function has a function for correcting an analog output of said detecting element into a specified value.