Measuring and testing – Simulating operating condition – Marine
Patent
1998-06-16
2000-03-07
Chapman, John E.
Measuring and testing
Simulating operating condition
Marine
338164, G01D 5165
Patent
active
060325216
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to position sensors used for the detection of the angle of rotation of rotating objects and more particularly to a position sensor have a smaller number of components.
Potentiometer-type position sensors are widely used for measurements of angle of rotation of throttle valves in automotive engines. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional position sensor 100 disclosed in Japanese Utility model Publication No. 92-92601. The position sensor 100 comprises a main housing 102 supporting a rotor 104 which can rotate therein. Sliding brushes 106 are fixed to ore end of the rotor, and a base plate 110 is secured to main housing 102 on whose surface resistor elements 108 are located which are in electrical contact with sliding brushes 106. A cover housing 116 encloses the base plate 110 and other internal components and electrical terminals 114 are located on the outside of the main housing 102 which are connected to the base plate 110 by means of electrical conductors 112. In addition, the position sensor has a lever 118 connecting the rotor 104 to the throttle valve (not shown) and a torsion coil spring 120 whose purpose is to return the rotor to an initial position. The point between the main housing 102 and the cover housing 116 is sealed by adhesive 124.
A large number of components in the conventional position sensor 100 results in difficulty in reduction of its cost because of complicated parts inventory management, large number of assembly operations, high cost of materials, etc. In addition, since a layer of air 122 is present between the outer side of the base plate 110 and the cover housing 116 which prevents that generated by the base plate 110 from dissipating, there is a danger that due to thermal expansion of the base plate 110, the position sensor 100 will provide erroneous operation. In order to improve heat dissipation, it is possible to make the base plate 110 from a ceramic material, but it will result in a higher price of the position sensor and in a more complicated manufacturing process.
Conductors 112 connecting base plate 110 and terminals 114 are joined in several locations by rivets, soldering or other means. This results in a reduced reliability of electrical connections.
Therefore, the first purpose of this invention is to provide a position sensor which would have a smaller number of components, which would require fewer assembly operations, which would have a lower price and which provides reliable operation.
The second purpose of this invention is to offer a position sensor having an improved reliability of electrical connections by substantially reducing the number of electrical connections.
A position sensor according to the present invention comprises a housing, a rotor having brushes fixed to it and an integral sleeve for a shaft attachment which is support in the housing in such a manner that it can rotate, and a cover member in the form of a base plate having on its surface a resistor element making contact with the brushes wherein the outside surface of the base plate is directly exposed to the outside.
A position sensor according to the present invention includes a terminal unit connector to the resistor element through an electrical connection means intended for the connection to mating contacts wherein the terminal unit is an integral part of base plate.
A position sensor according to the present invention wherein the electrical connection means and the terminal unit are made as conductive patterns formed on a bottom surface of the base plate.
A position sensor comprises a housing, a rotor having brushes thereon rotatably mounted in the housing, a base plate mounted to the housing, and conductive members on the base plate in electrical connection with the brushes, wherein the base plate is a cover member for the housing so that an outer surface thereof is exposed to the outside and the conductive members extend along a bottom surface of the base plate.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with refere
REFERENCES:
patent: 4688420 (1987-08-01), Minagawa
patent: 4703649 (1987-11-01), Eitoku et al.
patent: 4719795 (1988-01-01), Eitoku et al.
patent: 5567874 (1996-10-01), Suzuki et al.
Miwa Akihide
Takahashi Yoshiyuki
Chapman John E.
The Whitaker Corporation
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