Pressure sensor intergrated into an electro-hydraulic control unit

• US 6,591,684 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co. (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Co. (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Bolitho, Marc, Gegalski, Helmut, Babala, Michael, Baron, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/062,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20020124655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 737/00--56
• US Class Current: 73/715
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/3675 integrated in modulator units
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/028 for controlling the actuating force F15B11/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0803 Modular units
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2013/004 Cartridge valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6313 the pressure being a load pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0007 Fluidic connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/003 using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0084 to the outside of the housing other details about the housing see G01L19/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/14 Housings G01L19/0007, G01L19/0084, G01L19/0092, G01L19/04, G01L19/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/142 Multiple part housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/147 Details about the mounting of the sensor to support or covering means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/148 Details about the circuit board integration, e.g. integrated with the diaphragm surface or encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0051 using variations in ohmic resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0072 using variations in capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/716 Coupling device provided on the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence

Abstract

A pressure sensor is mounted upon a hydraulic valve body. The sensor has a base which extends into a bore formed in the valve body. The valve body bore is in communication with a pressurized hydraulic fluid. A cover that is removably attached to the valve body encloses the pressure sensor. A circuit substrate is disposed within the cover and electrically connected to the pressure sensor.

Claims

1. A hydraulic control unit for a vehicle brake system, the control unit comprising:

a valve body that is adapted to be connected to the vehicle brake system, the valve body carrying at least one solenoid valve and having a bore formed therein that communicates with hydraulic brake fluid;

a pressure sensor mounted in said valve body bore;

a removable housing attached to said valve body, said housing enclosing said pressure sensor when attached to said valve body;

a circuit substrate carried by said housing, said circuit substrate carrying electrical traces; and

an electrical connector mounted upon said circuit substrate and cooperating with said pressure sensor when said housing is mounted upon said valve body to form an electrical connection between said substrate electrical traces and said pressure sensor, said electrical connection being enclosed by said housing and said valve body.

2. The hydraulic control unit according claim 1 wherein said pressure sensor includes a body having a first portion that is received by said valve body bore and further wherein said first portion of said sensor body carries a resilient seal that forms a seal with said valve body.

3. The hydraulic control unit according to claim 2 wherein said valve body bore includes a threaded surface and further wherein said first portion of said pressure sensor body also has a threaded surface that cooperates with said bore threaded surface to retain said pressure sensor in said valve body bore.

4. The hydraulic control unit according to claim 3 wherein said pressure sensor includes an electrical connector mounted upon an end thereof, said pressure sensor electrical connector cooperating with said electrical connector mounted upon said circuit substrate to form an electrical connection between electrical traces disposed upon said circuit substrate and said pressure sensor.

5. The hydraulic control unit according to claim 4 wherein said pressure sensor electrical connector is a male coaxial connector and said electrical connector mounted upon said circuit substrate is a female coaxial connector.

6. The hydraulic control unit according to claim 5 also including a first member of a motor electrical connector mounted upon said circuit substrate and a second member of said motor electrical connector carried by said valve body, said first and second members cooperating when said housing is mounted upon said valve body to form an electrical connection between said substrate electrical traces and a pump motor, said pump motor electrical connection being enclosed by said housing and said valve body.