Integrated sensor device

Details Integrated sensor device Integrated sensor device

1997-10-10

2001-07-31

Fuller, Benjamin R. (Department: 2855)

Measuring and testing

Fluid pressure gauge

Mounting and connection

C073S708000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06267010

ABSTRACT:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 8-271095 filed on Oct. 14, 1996, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated sensor device that includes a plurality of sensor units and that can be attached to one portion of an external apparatus.
2. Related Art
A conventional air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle is, as shown in
FIG. 17
, composed of a compressor
1
, a heat exchanger
2
, an expansion valve
3
, a receiver
4
, a condenser
5
, and the elements. These components are connected in that order via conduits A
1
to A
5
, to transport refrigerant therethrough, thereby forming a refrigerating cycle.
A temperature sensor
100
and a pressure sensor
101
are disposed on a wall of the conduit A
3
connecting the receiver
4
and the expansion valve
3
. Output wiring extending from the sensors
100
and
101
are connected to an electronic control unit (hereinbelow referred to as an ECU)
6
to which a plurality of wires are connected from a sensor group
7
. The refrigerant is suddenly expanded by the expansion valve
3
to be a low temperature and low pressure liquid, and its temperature and pressure are respectively detected by the temperature sensor
100
and the pressure sensor
101
. An on-off control of the compressor
1
and a control of the valve position of the expansion valve
3
are performed based on the detected values of the temperature sensor
100
and the pressure sensor
101
. The temperature sensor
100
and the pressure sensor
101
are respectively attached to hole portions formed in the wall of the conduit A
3
.
In this case, however, the temperature sensor
100
and the pressure sensor
101
have to be attached to the respective hole portions of the conduit A
3
, and attaching process is complicated. Further, in a case where several properties of the refrigerant are to be detected by respective sensors, there will be a need to form several hole portions in the wall of the conduit to respectively connect the sensors, and then, the sensors respectively have to be attached to the hole portions. As a result, the attachment process of the sensors to the hole portions becomes more complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-mentioned problem in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to simplify a process for attaching several sensors to a specified portion of an attachment device.
According to the present invention, an integrated sensor device, which is to be attached to an attachment device holding a medium therein, includes a housing, and first and second measuring units held in the housing for respectively detecting first and second states of the medium. The housing has a joint portion to be attached to the attachment device and a conducting hole for conducting the medium into the housing so that both of the first and second measuring units can detect the state of the medium.
Preferably, the housing has first and second housings respectively holding the first and second measuring units therein and respectively having first and second joint portions. In a case where the first joint portion of the first housing is joined to the attachment device, the second joint portion of the second housing is joined to the first housing. on the other hand, in a case where the second joint portion of the second housing is joined to the attachment device, the first joint portion of the first housing is joined to the second housing. More preferably, the first and second joint portions of the first and second housings are external threads having the same diameter each other. Further, a third housing holding a third measuring unit therein may be disposed between the first and second housings. The order combining the above-mentioned housings may be changed as required, as well. As a result, the housings including the respective measuring units can be attached to one portion of the attachment device, and the attachment process can be simplified.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4563902 (1986-01-01), Kohnlechner
patent: 4797007 (1989-01-01), Elmore, III
patent: 4936147 (1990-06-01), EerNisse et al.
patent: 5063784 (1991-11-01), Ridenour
patent: 5597091 (1997-01-01), Mah et al.
patent: 54-153084 (1979-12-01), None
patent: 59-154617 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 1-290948 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 2-242121 (1990-09-01), None
patent: 3-125219 (1991-12-01), None
patent: 5-187946 (1993-07-01), None
patent: 7-239278 (1995-09-01), None
patent: 7-270253 (1995-10-01), None

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