Press-fit of sensor assembly in electronic throttle control application

• US 7,506,633 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2007
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada Inc (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada Inc (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Cowan, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie; Mahmoud
• Application Number:
  US11/798,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20070295304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 123/337, 123/399, 123/494, 123/612, 731/143.6
• US Class Current: 123/399
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0294 Throttle control device with provisions for actuating electric or electronic sensors

Abstract

An electronic throttle control housing structure (10) for a vehicle includes an upper housing (12), a lower housing (14) mating with the upper housing, and a sensor assembly (20) clamped between the upper housing and the lower housing. One of the upper housing or the lower housing has surfaces defining slot structure (22, 24) therein. A portion of the sensor assembly is received in the slot structure in interference fit relation with the surfaces defining the slot structure. Thus, no screws or glue is needed to mount the sensor assembly in the housing structure.

Claims

1. An electronic throttle control housing structure for a vehicle, the housing structure comprising:

an upper housing,

a lower housing mating with the upper housing, and

a sensor assembly clamped between the upper housing and the lower housing,

wherein one of the upper housing or the lower housing having surfaces defining slot structure therein, a portion of the sensor assembly being received in the slot structure in interference fit relation with the surfaces defining the slot structure, and

wherein the sensor assembly has a deformable portion such that when the portion of the sensor assembly is in the interference fit relation, the deformable portion is deformed ensuring retention of the sensor assembly in the slot structure.

2. The housing structure of claim 1, wherein the lower housing includes the slot structure.

3. The housing structure of claim 1, wherein the lower housing includes a pair of slot structures disposed in spaced relation, the sensor assembly having opposing ends, each end being received in an associated slot structure in interference fit relation with the surfaces defining the slot structure.

4. The housing structure of claim 3, wherein each end has a said deformable portion such that when the ends are in the interference fit relation, the deformable portions are deformed ensuring retention of the sensor assembly.

5. The housing structure of claim 2, wherein the upper housing includes a clamping surface engaging a surface of the sensor assembly.

6. The housing structure of claim 3, wherein the upper housing includes a clamping surface engaging a surface of the sensor assembly.

7. The housing structure of claim 6, wherein the clamping surface includes teeth structure.

8. The housing structure of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor constructed and arranged to sense an angle of the throttle plate of the throttle valve.

9. The housing structure of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a circuit board and a frame generally surrounding the circuit board and wherein the upper and lower housings clamp on the frame.

10. An electronic throttle control housing structure for a vehicle, the housing structure comprising:

an upper housing,

a lower housing mating with the upper housing, and

sensor assembly clamped between the upper housing and the lower housing,

wherein the lower housing has surfaces defining slot structure therein, a portion of the sensor assembly being received in the slot structure in interference fit relation with the surfaces defining the slot structure, and the upper housing include a clamping surface engaging a surface of the sensor assembly,

wherein the clamping surface includes teeth structure.

11. An electronic throttle control housing structure for a vehicle, the housing structure comprising:

an upper housing,

a lower housing mating with the upper housing,

a sensor assembly clamped between the upper housing and the lower housing, and

means, associated with one of the upper housing or the lower housing, for receiving a portion of the sensor assembly in interference fit relation,

wherein the sensor assembly has a deformable portion such that when the portion of the sensor assembly is in the interference fit relation, the deformable portion is deformed ensuring retention of the sensor assembly with respect to the means for receiving.

12. The housing structure of claim 11, wherein said means for receiving are surfaces defining slot structure in the lower housing.

13. The housing structure of claim 12, wherein the slot structure includes a pair of slots disposed in spaced relation, the sensor assembly having opposing ends, each end being received in an associated slot in interference fit relation with the surfaces defining the slot.

14. The housing structure of claim 13, wherein each end has a said deformable portion such that when the ends are in the interference fit relation, the deformable portions are deformed ensuring retention of the sensor assembly.

15. The housing structure of claim 12, wherein the upper housing includes clamping surfaces engaging surfaces of the sensor assembly.

16. The housing structure of claim 15, wherein the clamping surfaces include teeth structure.

17. The housing structure of claim 11, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor constructed and arranged to sense an angle of the throttle plate of the throttle valve.

18. The housing structure of claim 11, wherein the sensor assembly includes a circuit board and a frame generally surrounding the circuit board and wherein the upper and lower housings clamp on the frame.

19. A method of retaining a sensor assembly in an electronic throttle control housing structure for a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a first housing, and a second housing constructed and arranged to mate with the second housing, the second housing having surfaces defining at least one slot structure therein, the first housing having a clamping surface,

providing a sensor assembly having a deformable portion,

inserting a portion of the sensor assembly in the slot structure so that the portion is in interference fit relation with the surfaces defining the slot structure with the deformable portion being deformed ensuring retention of the sensor assembly in the slot structure, and

coupling the first housing to the second housing with the clamping surface engaging a surface of the sensor assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of providing the second assembly include a sensor assembly having opposing ends, a pair of slot structures being provided, the inserting step including inserting an end, defining said portion, into an associated slot structure.