Sensor mounting apparatus for minimizing parasitic stress

US7112749B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Sensata Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David J. DiPaola · Attleboro, US
• Peter H. Frackelton · Attleboro, US
• David E. Hyland · Douglas, US
• Timothy M. McBride · Sharon, US
• Nathan John Smith · Lewistown, US
• Chetak Reshamwala · Shrewsbury, US
• William S. Boyce · Foster, US
• Jonas Bautista · Norfolk, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2004
• Grant date: Sep 26, 2006
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S177/09
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A compliant interface (14,16) for vehicular seat weight sensors minimizes parasitic stresses affecting sensor output. In one embodiment, an integral compliant interface (14) has an annular flange (14a) attached to a post extending from the sensor body with a first compliant member (14r) disposed between the annular flange and an upper elongated flange (14h) of a mounting bracket (14l) and a second compliant member (14s) disposed between the annular plate and a lower elongated flange (14k) to allow pivotal movement of the sensor limited by a motion stop member (14f) of annular flange (14b) engaging the lower flange. An overload cage (14u) may be placed over the sensor and attached to an additional flange (14l) to contain the sensor in the event of a failure of the mount in a catastrophic high speed crash. According to another preferred embodiment, an interface having upper and lower body members are formed with a sensor post receiving bore (16c) for attachment to the post. The body members are formed with spaced apart, radially extending face surfaces, each formed with an annular recess aligned with each other and with a compliant member received therein and fixed to the respective …