Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems – Speed-controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-31
2001-05-29
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems
Speed-controlled
C188S18100R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238015
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to anti-lock brake sensors mounted on a vehicle axle, and more particularly to a holder for an anti-lock brake sensor.
Sensor brackets mounted to a vehicle axle are typically mounted to an axle to hold a sensor that monitors rotation of a wheel and compares rotation of the wheel hub to a referenced rotation. The sensor communicates with an anti-lock braking system, so that when the wheel is not rotating, the system determines that the wheel has been locked, and as a result the brakes can be released by the system. Sensor brackets have typically been fixed blocks welded to an axle which are provided with a receptacle for holding the sensor. These sensor brackets are typically machined or molded metal pieces capable of being welded, and are expensive to manufacture.
Most anti-lock braking systems utilize multiple anti-lock brake sensors, usually one at each end of an awe. Therefore a relatively large member of brackets are required, thus a reduction in manufacturing costs is desirable.
Accordingly, this invention provides an anti-lock brake sensor holder having a reduced manufacturing cost.
This invention further provides a sensor holder design which is capable of accommodating various sensors with minimal modification to a sensor holder.
This invention further provides a “universal” sensor holder which can be utilized in standard braking systems as well as reduced envelope brake systems, thereby providing common parts.
This invention further provides an anti-lock brake sensor holder which is releasably mounted to an axle housing to allow for part replacement and repairs.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a two-piece anti-lock brake sensor holding device having a bracket member with a mounting portion for mounting the bracket member to an axle housing of a wheel in a vehicle anti-lock brake system. A sensor holder has a holding portion for holding an anti-lock brake sensor. Attachment members for attaching the sensor holder to the bracket member are provided.
The attachment members allow the sensor holder to be releasably connected to the bracket member.
The bracket member is a sheet metal stamping and the mounting portion includes a mounting surface on the sheet metal stamping having a preformed shape which matches the shape of the axle housing.
The sensor holding device is provided with the attachment members which include at least one male part extending from either the sensor holder or the bracket member and a corresponding female part formed in the other of the sensor holder or the bracket member for each male part. The male part engages with the female part in a snap-fit engagement to attach the sensor holder to the bracket member.
The male part includes a protrusion having a lip portion on an outer end thereof and the female part includes an aperture or a recessed portion. The protrusion extends into the female part and the lip portion releasably connects the male part to the female part.
The invention further provides in a vehicle anti-lock brake system, a mounting device for an anti-lock brake sensor. The mounting device includes a mounting member welded to an axle housing, a sensor holder attached to the mounting member, an anti-lock brake sensor supported by the sensor holder, and attachment members for connecting the mounting member and the sensor holder.
The mounting member has an axle housing mounting surface which is shaped to fit against a mounting surface of the axle housing, and a sensor holder mounting surface positioned radially outward from the axle housing and the axle housing mounting surface.
The device has attachment members including a male part engaging with a female part in a snap-fit engagement to connect the sensor holder to the bracket member.
The male part can be integral with the sensor holder and the female part can be integral with the mounting member, and male part has a releasable engagement with the female part.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification.
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patent: 5733044 (1998-03-01), Rose et al.
patent: 5763787 (1998-06-01), Gravel et al.
Garcia Francisco J.
Wenstrup Leo J.
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Oberleitner Robert J.
Talavera Melanie
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