Metal shield and housing for optical proximity sensor with increased resistance to mechanical deformation

Abstract

An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit and a light detector operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit. A metal housing or shield formed of metal and comprising first and second apertures surrounds the light emitter and the light detector such that at least a first portion of light emitted by the light detector passes through the first aperture, and at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through the second aperture for detection by the light detector. The metal housing or shield further comprises first and second modules within which the light detector and light detector are disposed, respectively. The first and second modules comprise adjoining optically opaque metal inner sidewalls that provide optical isolation between the first and second modules, where the first and second inner sidewalls are separated from one another by at least one metal tab foldably disposed therebetween. The at least one metal tab is configured to transfer a vertical force applied to one end of one module to an opposite end of the other module.