Texas Instruments Corporation

Other

Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Peter A Weise

Thomas Richard Maher

Hidde Walstra

David J DiPaola

Chris D Wagner

Timothy J Breitenbach

Thomas R Maher

A multi-channel pressure sensor module () for integration in a hydraulic/electrical control unit of a vehicular braking system is shown. A body or manifold () mounts a plurality of strain gauge sense element assemblies () each having a port for connection to a fluid pressure source to be monitored. An electronic module assembly () has a contact printed circuit board () and a sense element printed circuit board () sandwiching a spacer/support member () and electrically coupled together by a flexible circuit board (). The spacer/support member () is formed with pockets () for receipt of discrete electronic components and to provide access to wire bond pads () and sense element openings (). First and second sets of guide posts () extend from the spacer/support member for alignment of the circuit boards as well as the electronic module assembly on the base. A cover () is received on the base over the electronic module assembly and provides access to contact pads of the contact printed circuit board through a shroud ().

Multi-channel pressure sensing apparatus

A port fitting is formed with a closed, pedestal end forming a diaphragm on which a strain gauge sensor is mounted. A support member is received on the pedestal end and is formed with a flat end wall having an aperture aligned with the sensor. A portion of a flexible circuit assembly is bonded to the flat end wall with a connector disposed over the support member. A tubular outer housing is fitted over the several components and its bottom portion is welded to the port fitting while its top portion places a selected load on an O-ring received about the connector as well as internal components of the transducer. In one embodiment, a loading washer ( ) is disposed over the O-ring on a first portion ( ) of a two portion connector ( ) and retained by a second connector portion ( ). Protrusions ( ) formed on the tubular housing ( ) pass through cut-outs in the second connector portion to place a load on the loading washer. To facilitate assembly, the connector is attachable to the support member in one embodiment by legs of an EMC shield ( ), with the shield coupled to the connector by wedging tabs ( ) and in another embodiment by direct engagement of legs of the connector. In one embodiment a shroud ( ) is removably received on the connector to protect elongated terminals extending therefrom. One embodiment is provided with an enhanced environmental seal including a resilient grommet ( ) retained by a snap cap ( ).

Hermetic pressure transducer

A port fitting ( ) is formed with a closed, pedestal end forming a diaphragm ( ) on which a strain gauge sensor ( ) is mounted. A support member ( ) is received on the pedestal end and is formed with a flat end wall ( ) having an aperture ( ) aligned with the sensor. A portion of a flexible circuit assembly ( ) is bonded to the flat end wall. An electronics chamber is formed in a connector ( ) which is inverted and maintained at a selected height adjacent to the flat end wall of the support member to facilitate soldering of the flexible circuit to terminals ( ) in the connector and electronic components to the flexible circuit. The port fitting, when assembled to the support member, is also maintained at the selected height adjacent to the inverted connector to facilitate wire bonding the sensor to the bonded portion of the flexible circuit. The connector ( ) is then turned over, bending the flexible circuit assembly ( ) into a generally U-configuration, and attached to the support member. In one embodiment, as a last step in assembling the transducer, a tubular outer housing ( ) is fitted over the connector/support member sub-assembly and its bottom portion is welded to a support flange of the port fitting while its top portion places a selected load on an O-ring ( ) received about the connector as well as internal components of the transducer.

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Attleboro, MA, United States of America

Peter A Weise