Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-23
2001-05-22
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S429000, C340S540000, C340S566000, C340S669000, C340S682000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236329
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting drive line system imbalances, and more particularly to a drive line vibration sensor which activates a warning when the drive line experiences a predetermined level of vibration.
A drive shaft typically includes an elongated tubular member which is operatively coupled to the transmission and axle assembly through a pair of universal joints or other similar coupling disposed on either end of the shaft. Alternatively, the drive shaft may include two or more elongated tubular members which are connected together by a universal joint or some other similar coupling device and connected between the transmission and wheel assembly.
The individual components of the drive line system discussed above often include inherent or residual imbalances due to variations in manufacturing tolerances. While steps can be taken to balance the individual components, residual imbalances often still remain. It is further known to balance the drive line system prior to, and after, installation into the vehicle. Typically, such balancing is effective to practically eliminate objectional vibration in the drive line system of a fully assembled vehicle. However, mechanical wear, residual imbalances, and road conditions may eventually lead to the disruption of the drive line balance. Vehicle drive line systems which become unbalanced are unacceptable as they produce drive line vibrations which could eventually lead to failure.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a vibration sensor which alerts an operator of the drive line imbalances as early as possible to prevent drive line damage from system vibration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a vibration sensor which activates a warning when the drive line experiences a predetermined level of vibration.
The vibration sensor of the present invention is preferably fabricated using micro machining technology such that the sensor is preferably fabricated as an integrated circuit chip. Accordingly, the micro machined vibration sensor can be readily located in many small inaccessible locations of a vehicle drive line. The vibration sensor of the present invention generally includes a housing having an opening, and a movable trigger retained within the housing by a resilient member. The moveable trigger includes a projection of a dimension to fit at least partially through the opening.
The resilient member retains the movable trigger within the housing until overcome by a predetermined vibration level. Whereas the moveable trigger is maintained within the housing the vibration sensor is minimally affected by radial acceleration as the projection abuts the housing. The resilient member provides a calibrated resistance which must be overcome by a vibration of predetermined severity along the desired direction. The vibration level will be seen as an acceleration level at the sensor. Accordingly, the resilient member prevents the sensor from being activated until a sufficient acceleration in the measured direction is experienced.
If the sensor experiences a predetermined acceleration, the trigger slides within the housing until the projection encounters the opening. The projection then “pops” through the opening such that the projection closes a switch. The switch preferably awakes and activates a transmitter which sends a signal to a warning device. In an alternate embodiment, the warning device is hard wired to the sensor such that the trigger is configured to close an electric circuit when the projection encounters contacts wired to the warning device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4237454 (1980-12-01), Meyer
patent: 4464935 (1984-08-01), McHugh
patent: 5034729 (1991-07-01), Lundquist
patent: 5686669 (1997-11-01), Hernandez et al.
patent: 5691707 (1997-11-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5880351 (1999-03-01), Orita et al.
patent: 6069560 (2000-05-01), Larsson
Carlson Gaskey & Olds P.C.
Hofsass Jeffery
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
Nguyen Hung
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