BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a electronic throttle control housing structure for housing a sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing the sensor assembly being inserted into a lower housing of the housing structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the sensor assembly fully inserted into the lower housing of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a view of the sensor assembly being clamped by an upper housing of the housing structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows a clamping surface of the upper housing of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
With reference to FIG. 1, an exploded view of an electronic throttle control housing structure, generally indicated at 10, is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The housing structure 10 is employed in a vehicle (not shown) having electronic throttle control. The housing structure 10 includes an upper housing 12 and a lower housing 14. The upper housing 12 has a portion 16 that is constructed and arranged to mate with a portion 18 of the lower housing 14 to define a throttle valve housing portion. A conventional throttle valve (not shown) is housed in this housing portion.
A sensor assembly, generally indicated at 20, is retained in the housing structure 10 by means of only an interference fit. The sensor assembly 20 includes a sensor 15 that senses the angle of the throttle plate of the throttle valve and outputs an analog signal that is proportional to this angle. A powertrain control module (not shown) of the vehicle uses this information in closed-loop control with a DC motor in the throttle body to drive the throttle plate to a desired angle. The sensor 15 is associated with a circuit board 19 and a plastic frame 17 generally surrounds the circuit board 19.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower housing 14 includes upstanding bosses 21 having surfaces defining slot structure 22 and 24 constructed and arranged to receive in press-fit relation, a respective opposing end 26, 28 of the sensor assembly 20. Thus, the slot structure 22 and 24 define a pair of slots in spaced relation. Each end 26, 28 of the sensor assembly 20 has a deformable portion 30, constructed and arranged to deform upon engagement with the surfaces defining the slot structure 22, 24 so as to ensure retention of the sensor assembly 20 in the lower housing 14. FIG. 3 shows the sensor assembly fully inserted into the slot structure 22, 24 with the deformable portions 30 deformed.
With reference to FIG. 4, once the sensor assembly 20 is inserted fully into the slot structure 22, 24, the upper housing 12 is coupled with the lower housing 14 so as to be in clamping engagement with surfaces of the sensor assembly 20. More particularly, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, a clamping surface 31 of the upper housing 12 engages surface 34 of the end 26 of the sensor assembly clamping the sensor assembly between the upper and lower housings. Another surface (not shown) similar to clamping surface 31 engages surface 32 of the sensor assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamping surfaces (such as surface 31) that engage the sensor assembly 20 can have surface features such as teeth structure 36 to facilitate clamping. The upper housing 12 and the lower housing 14 clamp on the frame 17 of the sensor assembly 20.
Although in the embodiment, the lower housing 14 includes the slots 22, 24 and the upper housing 12 includes the clamping surfaces 31, it can be appreciated that the slots 22, 24 can be provided in the upper housing 12 with the clamping surfaces 31 provided in the lower housing 14. In addition, although a pair of slots structures are shown, one or more than two slots structures can be provided with corresponding portions of the sensor assembly 20 received therein.
Thus, due to the interference fit and clamping of the sensor assembly 20 in the housing structure 10 there is no need for fasteners or glue to mount the sensor assembly 20 in the housing structure 10. Hence cost is reduced and the overall packaging size can be reduced.
The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention, as well as illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and are subject to change without departing from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit of the following claims.
Patent Application
20070295304
