Metal shield and housing for optical proximity sensor with increased resistance to mechanical deformation
US8420999B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit and a light detector operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit. A metal housing or shield formed of metal and comprising first and second apertures surrounds the light emitter and the light detector such that at least a first portion of light emitted by the light detector passes through the first aperture, and at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through the second aperture for detection by the light detector. The metal housing or shield further comprises first and second modules within which the light detector and light detector are disposed, respectively. The first and second modules comprise adjoining optically opaque metal inner sidewalls that provide optical isolation between the first and second modules, where the first and second inner sidewalls are separated from one another by at least one metal tab foldably disposed therebetween. The at least one metal tab is configured to transfer a vertical force applied to one end…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.