Vehicle speed sensor

Details Vehicle speed sensor Vehicle speed sensor

1999-11-24

2001-03-27

Moller, Richard A. (Department: 2856)

Measuring and testing

Speed, velocity, or acceleration

Magnetic speed measuring or mechanical speed measuring with...

C324S173000, C324S174000, C324S207150

Reexamination Certificate

active

06205858

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to vehicle speed sensors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Transmission-mounted vehicle speed sensors have been provided to sense the speed of a vehicle. Because exposed portions of such sensors typically contact the transmission fluid to permit the sensor to function as intended, and unexposed portions of the sensors can be damaged by contact with contaminated transmission fluid, it is important to establish a seal between the fluid and the unexposed portions or to filter out the contaminants in the fluid. For instance, metal particles in the transmission fluid, were the fluid to leak into a sensor housing that houses an electric coil (a typical sensor component), could be detrimental to the functioning of the coil by shorting it out.
As understood herein, an o-ring (a toroidal rubber or plastic ring) can be used to establish a fluid seal to prevent leakage of transmission fluid into the housing, but o-rings can fail, or be damaged, thereby losing their effectiveness. Moreover, incorporating an o-ring into a sensor entails an added part as well as an added manufacturing step, thus increasing the cost of the sensor. The present invention recognizes that it is possible to provide a sensor having a portion exposed to engine fluid while blocking contaminants in the fluid from contacting the coil, without requiring o-rings or separate sealing devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle sensor is disclosed that is insertable into a vehicle transmission fluid. The sensor includes a spool that is disposed within a sensor housing, and the spool holds electromagnetic sensing structure including at least one coil. At least one rib extends outwardly from the spool and engages, in an interference fit, an interior surface of the housing, such that transmission fluid leakage past the rib onto the coil is impeded.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5278496 (1994-01-01), Dickmeyer
patent: 5507089 (1996-04-01), Dickmeyer
patent: 5563510 (1996-10-01), Gorrell et al.
patent: 5675248 (1997-10-01), Kurita et al.
patent: 5742159 (1998-04-01), Babin et al.
patent: 5744951 (1998-04-01), Babin et al.
patent: 5929629 (1999-07-01), Hiraoka et al.
patent: 5998988 (1999-12-01), Dickmeyer et al.
patent: 6003375 (1999-12-01), Ouchi et al.

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