Measuring and testing – Instrument mechanism or transmission
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-09-04
Noland, Thomas P. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Instrument mechanism or transmission
C073S629000, C073S644000, C367S093000, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282969
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to a reduced cure time potting compound contained within an optically clear housing.
Traditional potting compounds used within a housing are generally a polyurethane type or similar polymeric compound. These compounds have to be cured by prolonged exposure to heat, which exposure can take up to 5 or more hours. The compounds also may not be as resilient/flexible as desired, and often may not be satisfactorily operative over as broad a temperature range as desired. This conventional type of potting compound has been known for use with proximity detectors because it protects vital components from the elements.
It is also known to provide one or more proximity detectors on the rear bumper and/or front and/or anywhere on the perimeter of a vehicle to detect an object within the perimeter of the vehicle when the vehicle or obstacle is in motion. Such devices are coupled to a control unit which calculates a distance measurement to the detected object and activates an audible alarm or a series of lights and/or camera/monitor provide an indication of the distance to the detected object.
Typically, the plurality of proximity detectors are mounted on the rear of the vehicle to cover an area slightly approximately as wide as the width of the vehicle. Generally, such proximity detectors are in the form of ultrasonic transceivers which transmit/receive an ultrasonic signal which is reflected by an object within the range of the transceiver. A suitable processing circuit determines the time between the transmission of the signal and the return of a reflected signal which is used to determine the distance to the detected object.
In the case of ultrasonic sensors, ice and snow build up on the bumper covering a portion or all of the outer surface of the ultrasonic transceiver, interfering with the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves which renders the object detector inoperative.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reduced cure time potting compound for use within a housing. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a potting compound which advantageously flexibly binds to a large number/type of different components. Yet further, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a potting compound which is satisfactorily operative over a broad temperature range. Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a housing which would advantageously facilitate use of such a potting compound within the housing.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle exterior object sensor with means to remove any ice or snow on the sensor mount. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle exterior object detector in which such means are easily incorporated in the sensor mount without requiring extensive modification to existing sensor designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses and solves the above-mentioned problems and meets the enumerated objects and advantages, as well as others not enumerated, by providing a sensor, comprising transceiver means for transmitting a signal and receiving a return signal reflected off of an object within a range of the transceiver means. The sensor further comprises an optically clear housing disposed about the transceiver means. A potting compound surrounds the transceiver means within the housing, which potting compound has a cure time less than that of a heat curable potting compound. The present invention further comprises an improved sensor apparatus for detecting an object exterior to a vehicle. Means are provided for mounting the transceiver on a support surface, such as the front and/or rear bumper and/or anywhere about the perimeter of a vehicle. Means are carried on the mounting means for elevating the temperature of the mounting means to remove ice and snow from the transceiver for proper operation of the transceiver.
In a preferred embodiment, the transceiver transmits an ultrasonic signal. The mounting means is in the form of a housing carrying the active components of the transceiver. A holder means is coupled to the housing for mounting the housing to a support surface, such as any of the front and/or rear bumper and/or anywhere on the perimeter of a vehicle. In a specific embodiment, the holder means has an enlarged diameter flange at one end of a through bore in which the end surface of the transceiver is disposed.
The means for elevating the temperature of the mounting means preferably comprises heating means carried on the housing for heating at least a portion of the housing surrounding the end surface of the transceiver. In one embodiment, the heating means comprises a resistive coil embedded (or carried on) in the enlarged diameter flange of the holder. In another embodiment, the heating means comprises a resistive film embedded within or carried on the enlarged diameter flange of the holder.
The apparatus of the present invention uniquely provides a means for using a UV light curable potting compound within a housing, which potting compound heretofore had been used substantially solely in exposed (not housed) applications. The apparatus of the present invention further uniquely provides a means of removing an exterior build up of ice and/or snow on the exterior portions of the transceiver and/or the holder to enable proper operation of the transceiver in all environmental conditions. The heating means is conveniently mounted on the enlarged flange of the holder without requiring extensive modification to existing sensor and sensor holder designs.
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Lewis J. Gordon
Noland Thomas P.
Veleo Electrical Systems, Inc.
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