Sensor mounting apparatus for minimizing parasitic stress

摘要

A compliant interface ( 14,16 ) for vehicular seat weight sensors minimizes parasitic stresses affecting sensor output. In one embodiment, an integral compliant interface ( 14 ) has an annular flange ( 14 a) attached to a post extending from the sensor body with a first compliant member ( 14 r) disposed between the annular flange and an upper elongated flange ( 14 h) of a mounting bracket ( 14 l) and a second compliant member ( 14 s) disposed between the annular plate and a lower elongated flange ( 14 k) to allow pivotal movement of the sensor limited by a motion stop member ( 14 f) of annular flange ( 14 b) engaging the lower flange. An overload cage ( 14 u) may be placed over the sensor and attached to an additional flange ( 14 l) 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 ( 16 c) 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.