Radiant energy – Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling – Infrared responsive
Patent
1996-12-30
1998-09-22
Tokar, Michael J.
Radiant energy
Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling
Infrared responsive
250DIG1, G08C 2304
Patent
active
058118101
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an infrared sensor and a method of producing such a sensor. More particularly, it concerns a sensor installed in an automobile courtesy light and forming part of a centralized door-locking actuation device and/or an antitheft device.
2. Description of the Related Art.
It is already known to use infrared sensors to actuate the centralized door-locking system of a vehicle (and/or as an antitheft device). Currently, this type of sensor consists of three elements sensitive to infrared waves, arranged at 120.degree.0 with respect to one another. A dome made of a material transparent to infrared radiation completely covers these elements. The fact that the elements are distributed so as to cover 360.degree. makes it possible to pick up any infrared radiation directed towards the sensor, whatever the position of the device emitting radiation.
In order to produce such sensors, it is necessary to place the three sensitive elements so as to project from the plane of the courtesy light itself. This means that these sensitive elements are placed in a production step separate from that in which the other electronic components of the door-locking device are placed. However, it is not possible for the same automatic insertion machine to put into place electronic components lying not only in different planes but also on different faces. This is because the sensitive elements are generally placed on one face of the circuit while all the other components are placed on the other face. Consequently, although the infrared sensors known hitherto comprise a limited number of parts, their production is nevertheless lengthy and expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to alleviate all these drawbacks and to produce an infrared sensor not requiring any special placing technique for the infrared-wave-sensitive elements. It is furthermore sought to decrease the manufacturing time and costs.
For this purpose, the present invention relates to an infrared sensor of the type comprising a support plate provided with a printed circuit carrying a plurality of elements sensitive to infrared waves and a dome designed to cover the sensitive elements. According to the invention, this sensor is characterized in that: of these cutouts delimiting a tongue designed to be deployed outside the plane of the support plate and to interact with the dome in such a way that it adopts a defined position with respect to the other tongues.
By virtue of such arrangements, the sensitive elements are put in place on the support plate at the same time as the other electronic components and on the same face as the latter. This is because these sensitive elements are laid flat on the support plate. In a second step, the tongues carrying the sensitive elements are deployed and project from the plane of the support plate, beneath the latter.
According to the invention, the tongues for supporting the sensitive elements are produced by simply cutting the support plate. The predetermined positioning of the sensitive elements, with respect to one another, is advantageously achieved by orienting each cutout and by interaction of the dome with each of the sensitive elements.
Advantageously, it will be noted that the dome is fixed on the support plate by elastic fitting of fixing members forming part of the dome, in the cutouts which are produced in the support plate and are left free by the deployment of the tongues.
Also advantageously, in order to facilitate the deployment of the tongues, a thinned part is produced on the body of the latter in the region of their line of bending. The present invention extends to the method of manufacturing such sensors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will furthermore emerge from the description which follows, by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view along
REFERENCES:
patent: 4823051 (1989-04-01), Young
Hellemans Roel
Pierbon Michel
Greenberg Laurence A.
Hanig Richard
Lerner Herbert L.
Siemens Automotive S.A.
Tokar Michael J.
LandOfFree
Infrared sensor and method for making same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Infrared sensor and method for making same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Infrared sensor and method for making same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1624498