Sensor mounting apparatus for minimizing parasitic stress

Abstract

A compliant interface () for vehicular seat weight sensors minimizes parasitic stresses affecting sensor output. In one embodiment, an integral compliant interface () has an annular flange () attached to a post extending from the sensor body with a first compliant member () disposed between the annular flange and an upper elongated flange () of a mounting bracket () and a second compliant member () disposed between the annular plate and a lower elongated flange () to allow pivotal movement of the sensor limited by a motion stop member () of annular flange () engaging the lower flange. An overload cage () may be placed over the sensor and attached to an additional flange () to contain the sensor in the event of a failure of the mount in a catastrophic high speed crash. According to another preferred embodiment, an interface having upper and lower body members are formed with a sensor post receiving bore () for attachment to the post. The body members are formed with spaced apart, radially extending face surfaces, each formed with an annular recess aligned with each other and with a compliant member received therein and fixed to the respective body members and extending beyond the face surfaces. The interface is received through a bore of a support plate to which the sensor is mounted with the compliant members engaging opposite face surfaces of the support plate allowing limited pivotal motion and with a compliant member limiting lateral movement of the interface relative to the support plate.