Sensor assembly with insert molded bead

Abstract

A sensor assembly suitable for a vehicle fuel module assembly includes a plastic body defining a bore therethrough and having a barrier with a continuous peripheral edge encapsulated in the body. An aperture extends through the plate. A sensor chip is bonded to the plate over the aperture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the sensor assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly taken in the direction indicated by line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly taken in the direction indicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary. cross-sectional view of the edge of a metal bead in the sensor assembly; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to that of FIG. 5, but illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly comprising: a body defining a bore therethrough;a barrier covering an end of said bore, said barrier including first and second faces on opposite sides thereof, and a peripheral edge surface, said barrier further defining an aperture extending therethrough between said first and second faces in flow communication with said bore; anda peripheral portion of said barrier being substantially completely encapsulated in said body, including said peripheral edge surface of said barrier and peripheral surface portions of said first and second faces adjacent said peripheral edge surface.

2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, said aperture and said bore having an aperture diameter and a bore diameter, respectively, and said aperture diameter being smaller than said bore diameter.

3. The sensor assembly of claim 1, peripheral surface portions of said first and second faces establishing first and second interfaces with said body, said first and second interfaces having first and second interface widths, respectively; and, said first and second interface widths being different.

4. The sensor assembly of claim 3, including a substantially continuous strip of sealant bonded to said body and said barrier.

5. The sensor assembly of claim 4, said substantially continuous strip of sealant being provided on said face establishing a narrower width interface with said body.

6. The sensor assembly of claim 1, said body being plastic.

7. The sensor assembly of claim 1, said barrier being metal.

8. The sensor assembly of claim 1, said body being plastic and said barrier being metal.

9. A sensor assembly comprising: a body of plastic material defining a bore therethrough;a metal bead across said bore, said bead including opposite faces and a peripheral edge surface; andperipheral portions of said first and second faces and said peripheral edge surface being encapsulated in plastic material of said body.

10. The sensor assembly of claim 9, said bead defining an aperture therethrough in flow communication with said bore.

11. The sensor assembly of claim 10, including a pressure sensing chip attached to said bead and covering said aperture.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 9, including a sealant strip along a juncture between said body and one of said first and second faces.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 12, said bead defining an aperture therethrough in flow communication with said bore.

14. A fuel tank pressure sensor assembly comprising: a body having a bore therethrough;a barrier across said bore, said barrier defining an aperture therethrough in flow communication with said bore;said body defining a pocket on one side of said barrier opposite said bore, said pocket defined by a sidewall; andsaid barrier having an edge portion encapsulated in said body, said encapsulated edge portion extending beyond said sidewall of said pocket.

15. The sensor assembly of claim 14, including a substantially continuous strip of sealant bonded to said sidewall and said barrier in said pocket.

16. The sensor assembly of claim 14, said body being plastic.

17. The sensor assembly of claim 14, said barrier being metal.

18. The sensor assembly of claim 14, said body being plastic and said barrier being metal.

19. The sensor assembly of claim 18, including a pressure sensing chip in said pocket attached to said barrier and covering said aperture.

20. The sensor assembly of claim 14, including a pressure sensing chip in said pocket attached to said barrier and covering said aperture.