Method and apparatus for probe sensor assembly
First Claim
1. A sensor package comprising:
- a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing, said sensor component including a sensor body having a sensor tip at one end;
a sensor housing having a cavity for receiving said sensor component therein and a snap-fit interface with said sensor component, said interface configured to admit and secure said sensor tip therein, said housing disposed in a substrate and is aligned with an object to be sensed; and
a bracket mechanically fixable to said substrate at a first end and in operable communication with said sensor tip at a second end, said bracket configured to bias said sensor tip towards said object to be sensed for elimination of an internal air gap between said sensor tip and housing formed during assembly thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor package and method of making the same is disclosed in which the sensor package includes a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing having a sensor body with a sensor tip at one end. A sensor housing having a cavity for receiving the sensor component is disposed in a substrate and is aligned with an object to be sensed. The housing further includes a snap-fit interface with the sensor component that is configured to admit and secure the sensor tip during assembly thereof. A bracket is mechanically fixable to the substrate at a first end and is in operable communication with the sensor tip at a second end. The bracket is configured to bias the sensor tip towards the object to be sensed for elimination of an internal air gap between the sensor tip and housing formed during assembly thereof.
34 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A sensor package comprising:
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a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing, said sensor component including a sensor body having a sensor tip at one end;
a sensor housing having a cavity for receiving said sensor component therein and a snap-fit interface with said sensor component, said interface configured to admit and secure said sensor tip therein, said housing disposed in a substrate and is aligned with an object to be sensed; and
a bracket mechanically fixable to said substrate at a first end and in operable communication with said sensor tip at a second end, said bracket configured to bias said sensor tip towards said object to be sensed for elimination of an internal air gap between said sensor tip and housing formed during assembly thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A sensor probe assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a housing having a central bore and a first end open to the central bore, said housing installed in a substrate, said housing having a second end opposite said first end, said second end aligned with an object to be sensed;
a first elastomeric media seal circumferentially disposed around said housing to form a hermetic seal between said substrate and said housing;
a sensor body within the bore of said housing having a sensor tip contiguous to said second end of said housing with a sensing area and a second opposing side extending from said bore for connection with patterned electrical leads in electrical communication with the sensing area, the sensing area in electromagnetic communication with the object to be sensed;
a second elastomeric media seal circumferentially disposed around said sensor body to form a hermetic seal between said sensor body and said housing;
a bracket assembly mechanically fixable to said substrate at a first end and in operable communication with said second opposing side of said sensor body, said bracket configured to bias said sensor tip towards said object to be sensed for elimination of an internal air gap between said sensor tip and housing formed during assembly thereof; and
a means for snap-fit assembly between said housing and said sensor body. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for elimination of an internal air gap between a sensor body and a sensor housing during assembly thereof while maintaining an air gap between the sensor housing and an object to be sensed, said system comprising:
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a bracket comprising a first bracket component having a first opening, and a second bracket component, said second bracket component configured to engage the sensor body and bias the sensor body toward the object when said first bracket component is biased in the same direction;
a mounting means for mounting said bracket upon a surface of a substrate which is parallel to a horizontal axis, said mounting means in operable communication with said first opening, said mounting means for attaching and translating said bracket with respect to said substrate, displacement means for displacing the first and second bracket components relative to each other along a vertical axis;
a housing securely fixed in said substrate, said housing having a cavity defined by an open first end configured for displacement of a sensor tip of said sensor body and a second closed end aligned for electromagnetic communication with said object when said sensor tip is proximate thereto; and
snap-fit means located at at least one of said periphery of the sensor body and a wall defining said cavity for snap-fit connection when sensor body is displaced in said cavity and said sensor tip is bottomed out against said second closed end, wherein said snap-fit means facilitates entry of said sensor body and limits exit with respect to said housing;
wherein said snap-fit means potentially allows an internal air gap after sensor tip is bottomed out that is eliminated when said mechanical fastener is tightened down with respect to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A method for elimination of an internal air gap between a sensor body and a sensor housing during assembly thereof while maintaining an air gap between the sensor housing and an object to be sensed, the method comprising:
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securing a housing in a substrate, said housing having a cavity defined by an open first end configured for displacement of a sensor tip of said sensor body and a second closed end aligned for electromagnetic communication with said object when said sensor tip is proximate thereto;
configuring a bracket having a first bracket component with a first opening for receipt of a mechanical fastener, and a second bracket component, said second bracket component configured to engage the sensor body and bias the sensor body toward the object when said first bracket component is biased in the same direction;
mounting said bracket upon a surface of said substrate which is parallel to a horizontal axis using first opening for attaching and translating said bracket with respect to said substrate, displacing the first and second bracket components relative to each other along a vertical axis;
locating snap-fit means on at least one of said periphery of the sensor body and a wall defining said cavity, said snap-fit means configured to allow snap-fit connection when sensor body is displaced in said cavity and said sensor tip is bottomed out against said second closed end, wherein said snap-fit means facilitates entry of said sensor body and limits exit with respect to said housing;
wherein said snap-fit means potentially allows an internal air gap after said sensor tip is bottomed out that is eliminated when said mechanical fastener is tightened down with respect to said substrate.
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34. A method for elimination of an internal air gap between a sensor body and a sensor housing during assembly thereof while maintaining an air gap between the sensor housing and an object to be sensed, the method comprising:
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securing a housing in a substrate, said housing having a cavity defined by an open first end configured for displacement of a sensor tip of said sensor body and a second closed end aligned for electromagnetic communication with said object when said sensor tip is proximate thereto;
configuring a bracket having a first bracket component with a first opening for receipt of a mechanical fastener, and a second bracket component, said second bracket component configured to engage the sensor body and bias the sensor body toward the object when said first bracket component is biased in the same direction;
mounting said bracket upon a surface of said substrate which is parallel to a horizontal axis using first opening for attaching and translating said bracket with respect to said substrate, displacing the first and second bracket components relative to each other along a vertical axis;
locating ratchet means on between the sensor body and a wall defining said cavity, said ratchet means configured to allow snap-fit connection when sensor body is displaced in said cavity and said sensor tip is bottomed out against said second closed end, wherein said ratchet means facilitates entry of said sensor body and limits exit with respect to said housing;
wherein said ratchet means potentially allows an internal air gap after sensor tip is bottomed out that is eliminated when said mechanical fastener is tightened down with respect to said substrate.
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Specification