Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Andrew F Willner

Prasanth Ambady

Giovanni Fraone

Lauren Snedeker

Eric J Giasson

Raymond E Mandeville

Andrew Legendre

Alan G Amore

Dedde Hedzer Wiersma

Mark W McBrine

Daniel Goncalves

George P Krajewski

Andrew Amatruda

Stephen P Greene

Ernie Schoot Uiterkamp

Shuo Robert Chen

Calvin S Reuter

Louis Tomasso

Maxwell C Geary

Brian Wilkie

Gifford Plume

Costas Hadjiloucas

James I Ogilvie

David J Field

Max L Kotula

Brent R Chinnock

Ted Medeiros

Vanvisa Attaset

Matt Nelson

A haptic feedback mechanism for steering by wire system includes a motor. Electronic circuitry includes a node and switches for controlling the motor. A voltage sensor at the node and a motion sensor for the DC motor feed a motor control logic module that is operative to: determine if the voltage at the node is above a predetermined threshold; determine if the input motion is above a predetermined speed; and change the switches into an overcurrent protection mode if the voltage is above the predetermined threshold or the input motion is above the predetermined speed. In overcurrent protection mode, electrical power, generated by the input motion, passes through resistance and/or the motor to dissipate while maintaining haptic feedback. An endstop mechanism includes a position sensor coupled to the haptic feedback mechanism for detecting an angular position of the motor to increase feedback torque near an endstop of the motor.

Steer by wire system with dynamic braking and endstop cushioning for haptic feel

In an embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a tip secured to a port. The tip includes an opening for receiving pressure to be measured by the pressure sensor. The port includes a threaded section for mounting the pressure sensor in a fixture such as, for example, a rail. The port also includes a flexible section, a cavity, and an opening. The opening in the tip receives pressure from an outside source and channels the pressure to the opening of the port. The opening of the port receives the pressure from the tip and channels the pressure to the cavity. The pressure received in the cavity applies a force to the flexible section which flexes in response to the force. Moreover, forces are provided by the tip and the threaded section to keep the tip secured to the port.

Pressure sensor comprising a tip secured to a port

In an embodiment, a stepped spring contact may have a first portion, a transition portion, and a second portion. The first portion may include a plurality of windings whose pitch may vary. The second portion may include a plurality of windings that are closely wound. A pitch of the windings contained in the second portion may be, for example, constant. The transition portion may include a winding that may make mechanical and electrical contact with a first electrical conductor (e.g., a pad contained on a printed circuit board (PCB)). The first portion may include a tip. The tip may be, for example, flat shaped or conically shaped. The tip may make electrical contact with a second electrical conductor (e.g., a terminal connector). In operation, the stepped spring contact may provide electrical continuity between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor.

Stepped spring contact

A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.

Pressure sensor

A differential liquid pressure sensor () has an upper housing () that mounts a connector portion () and receives in a recess a sense element module (). The sense element module is a body in which a generally U-shaped oil filled passageway () is formed with openings at opposite ends provided on respective first and second diaphragm mounting surfaces. A fluid pressure sense element, such as a piezoresistive sense element () is disposed in one of the passageway openings and flexible metal diaphragms () are mounted on the respective diaphragm mounting surfaces of the module facing a common direction. A lower housing () having first and second port connections for the respective diaphragms is disposed on the lower surface of the module.

Differential fluid pressure measurement apparatus

A pressure sensing device () is shown having a ceramic capacitive sensing element () received in a chamber formed in a hexport housing (). The hexport housing has a fluid passageway () communicating with a recessed chamber () formed in a bottom wall circumscribed by an annular platform shoulder (). A thin flexible metal diaphragm () is hermetically attached to the bottom wall along the platform shoulder. A curable adhesive resin having a thermal coefficient of expansion and modulus of elasticity appropriately matching that of sensing element (), such as polyurethane, is cast between the sensing element () and the metal diaphragm () forming, when cured, a layer bonded to both members resulting in a sensor that is effective in monitoring negative as well as positive fluid pressures. In one embodiment a ring is used to define layerlaterally and in a second embodiment an insulator sleeve () and shield sleeve () which receives pressure sensing element () each have an open end with an inwardly extending lip () that define layerlaterally.

Hermetic pressure sensing device

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Attleboro, MA, United States of America

Andrew F Willner