A vehicle ride height sensor

Abstract

The utility model discloses a vehicle chassis height sensor, include: the casing, its inside has a main containing chamber, the partition board is fixedly arranged in the main containing chamber, and the main containing chamber is divided into the upper sensing assembly sealed cavity and the lower magnetic element sealed cavity, the sealing washer is set up in the below of partition board, is used for sealing magnetic element sealed cavity, the end cover is sealed fixed on the outside of casing, to close sensing assembly sealed cavity, sensing assembly is contained in sensing assembly sealed cavity, the magnetic element is contained in magnetic element sealed cavity, and is opposite setting with sensing assembly to carry out electromagnetic induction, the lever arm is rotatably connected in the lower part of casing, and magnetic element can drive sensing assembly movement relative to. The utility model discloses through the cooperation of partition board and sealing washer, has realized the differentiation independent sealing of sensing assembly and magnetic element, has improved the long -term reliability and signal stability of sensor significantly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to a vehicle chassis height sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle height sensors are key components of automotive electronic control systems, especially air suspension systems, used to detect real-time changes in the relative height between the vehicle chassis and the axles. These sensors are typically installed in the vehicle chassis area, operating in harsh environments and requiring long-term exposure to vibration, water, mud, and chemical corrosion. Therefore, the reliability of their sealing directly determines the sensor's lifespan and signal stability.

[0003] In the development of sensor technology, ensuring the reliability of internal sensing components and mechanical moving parts during long-term operation remains a persistent challenge. Existing height sensor structural designs have significant limitations in terms of sealing: First, the sensing elements within the sensing assembly are susceptible to particle effects from wear on mechanical parts, leading to decreased signal acquisition accuracy; second, the operating environment requirements of the sensing assembly and magnetic components differ, making it difficult for existing sealing designs to simultaneously meet the dual requirements of airtightness (protecting the sensing elements and circuit board) and oil resistance (protecting the mechanical magnetic field environment); third, existing sealing solutions are prone to fatigue failure at the sealing interface under long-term vibration environments, allowing external contaminants to penetrate the sensor's interior.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field for an innovative sensor sealing solution that can provide targeted sealing protection for different functional components inside the sensor, while ensuring long-term sealing stability under harsh operating conditions, thereby improving the overall reliability and service life of the sensor. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle chassis height sensor. This invention achieves differentiated and independent sealing of the sensing components and magnetic elements through the coordinated operation of a partition plate and a sealing gasket, significantly improving the long-term reliability and signal stability of the sensor.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives and effects, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution: A vehicle chassis height sensor, comprising: The housing has a main accommodating cavity inside; A partition plate is fixedly disposed in the main accommodating cavity, dividing the main accommodating cavity into an upper sensing component sealing cavity and a lower magnetic element sealing cavity; A sealing gasket is disposed below the partition plate to seal the sealing cavity of the magnetic element; An end cap, which is sealed and fixed to the outside of the housing to close the sealing cavity of the sensing component; A sensing component, which is housed within a sealed cavity of the sensing component; A magnetic element is housed within a sealed cavity of the magnetic element and is positioned opposite to the sensing component to perform electromagnetic induction. A lever arm, rotatably connected to the lower part of the housing, is capable of moving the magnetic element relative to the sensing assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, the sensing component sealing cavity is formed by the end cap, the upper cavity wall of the main accommodating cavity of the housing, and the partition plate, and the end cap is connected to the upper end of the main accommodating cavity of the housing.

[0008] Furthermore, the magnetic element sealing cavity is formed by the partition plate, the sealing gasket, and the lower cavity wall of the main accommodating cavity of the housing.

[0009] Furthermore, the partition plate is fixedly connected to the housing by welding.

[0010] Furthermore, the lever arm is rotatably connected to the lower part of the housing via a pivot inserted into the housing.

[0011] Furthermore, the sealing gasket is fitted onto the rotating shaft and fixed to the internal structure of the housing by a clamping ring snapped onto the rotating shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, the magnetic element is mounted on the upper end of the rotating shaft.

[0013] Furthermore, the housing is also provided with an electrical interface, and the contact pins in the electrical interface are integrally formed with the housing through an insert injection molding process and are electrically connected to the sensing component.

[0014] Furthermore, the rotation axis direction of the lever arm is defined as the axial direction of the sensor, and the insertion direction of the electrical interface is configured to be parallel to or perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0015] Furthermore, a wear-resistant washer is provided between the surface of the lever arm facing the bottom of the housing and the bottom of the housing.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The main housing is physically divided into two independent chambers by a partition plate, allowing for targeted sealing based on the different operating characteristics and sealing requirements of the sensing components and magnetic elements. The upper sensing component sealing chamber achieves a high airtightness seal through the cooperation of the end cap and the partition plate, effectively preventing moisture and dust and protecting precision electronic components. The lower magnetic component sealing chamber is sealed with a sealing gasket, offering greater resistance to vibration and oil contamination, achieving a reliable dynamic seal. This differentiated sealing design simultaneously meets the dual requirements of airtightness for electronic components and oil resistance for mechanical parts.

[0017] This invention utilizes the physical barrier formed by the partition plate, combined with the independent sealing of the upper and lower parts of the main accommodating cavity, to block the upward diffusion of wear particles that may be generated by moving parts and contaminate the sensing components. At the same time, it prevents moisture from eroding the magnetic elements downward, achieving bidirectional protection and ensuring the stability of the magnetic field and the accuracy of signal acquisition.

[0018] This invention forms a sealing and protection system consisting of a "partition plate + end cap + sealing gasket". This multi-level sealing structure significantly enhances the sealing reliability of the sensor under harsh conditions such as long-term vibration and temperature changes, and effectively addresses the problem of fatigue failure at the sealing interface. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle chassis height sensor of Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the vehicle chassis height sensor according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle chassis height sensor of Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the vehicle chassis height sensor in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram, 1: housing; 101: main cavity; 1011: sensor assembly sealing cavity; 1012: magnetic element sealing cavity; 2: partition plate; 3: sealing gasket; 4: end cap; 5: sensor assembly; 6: magnetic element; 7: lever arm; 8: rotating shaft; 9: magnetic element support; 10: clamping ring; 11: sealing ring; 12: wear-resistant gasket; 13: sleeve; 14: electrical interface; 15: contact pin. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0025] Example 1 like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment 1 provides a vehicle chassis height sensor with a radial interface. It includes a housing 1, a partition plate 2, a sealing gasket 3, an end cap 4, a sensing assembly 5, a magnetic element 6, and a lever arm 7.

[0026] The upper part of the housing 1 has a main accommodating cavity 101. The partition plate 2 is fixedly installed in the main accommodating cavity 101 by welding, dividing the main accommodating cavity 101 into an upper sensing component sealing cavity 1011 and a lower magnetic element sealing cavity 1012.

[0027] Specifically, the sensing component sealing cavity 1011 is formed by the end cap 4, the upper cavity wall of the main accommodating cavity 101 of the housing 1, and the upper side of the partition plate 2. The end cap 4 is sealed and fixed to the outside of the housing 1 (the cavity opening of the main accommodating cavity 101) by laser welding to close the sensing component sealing cavity 1011. The sensing component 5 is housed in the sensing component sealing cavity 1011, and includes a printed circuit board and a sensing element disposed thereon.

[0028] The magnetic element sealing cavity 1012 is formed by the lower side of the partition plate 2, the sealing gasket 3 located below the partition plate, and the lower cavity wall of the main accommodating cavity 101 of the housing 1. The magnetic element 6 is housed in the magnetic element sealing cavity 1012 and is arranged opposite to the sensing component 5 for electromagnetic induction. In this embodiment, the magnetic element 6 is a magnet.

[0029] The lever arm 7 is rotatably connected to the lower part of the housing 1 via a pivot 8 inserted into the lower part of the housing 1. The pivot 8 and the lever arm 7 are integrally formed by injection molding. A magnetic element support 9 is provided at the upper end of the pivot 8, and the magnetic element 6 is fixed on the magnetic element support 9.

[0030] The sealing gasket 3 is fitted onto the upper part of the rotating shaft 8 and is pressed and fixed onto the internal stepped structure of the housing 1 by a clamping ring 10 that is snapped onto the rotating shaft 8, thereby achieving a reliable seal of the magnetic element sealing cavity 1012.

[0031] The bottom of housing 1 connects to the upper stepped groove of lever arm 7, and a sealing ring 11 is provided between the outer bottom wall of housing 1 and the inner side wall of the stepped groove of lever arm 7. Furthermore, a wear-resistant washer 12 is provided between the surface of lever arm 7 facing the bottom of housing 1 (stepped surface) and the bottom of housing 1. A sleeve 13 is also provided between the rotating shaft 8 and the inner side wall of housing 1 to ensure smooth rotation.

[0032] In this embodiment 1, the electrical interface 14 is disposed on the side wall of the housing 1 and is configured with a radial plug, the insertion direction of which is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the lever arm 7 (the axial direction of the sensor). The contact pins 15 in the electrical interface 14 are integrally formed with the housing 1 by an insert injection molding process and are electrically connected to the sensing component 5.

[0033] Example 2 like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the main structure of Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, the difference being the configuration and installation position of the electrical interface 14. In Embodiment 2, the electrical interface 14 is located on the end cover 4 and is configured with an axial plug, with its insertion direction parallel to the rotation axis of the lever arm 7. The contact pins 15 inside the electrical interface 14 are integrally formed with the end cover 4 through an insert injection molding process and are electrically connected to the sensing component 5. The remaining structural features, including the housing 1, the partition plate 2, the sealing gasket 3, the sensing component 5, the magnetic element 6, the lever arm 7, etc., as well as the connection relationships and sealing methods between the components, are all the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0034] Working principle: During operation, the height sensor is fixed to the vehicle body via a mounting bracket, and the end of the lever arm 7 is connected to the vehicle's air suspension system via a connecting rod. When the vehicle load changes or the vehicle travels over bumpy roads, the suspension system drives the lever arm 7 to rotate around the pivot 8, thereby causing the magnetic element 6 to deflect at a corresponding angle via the magnetic element bracket 9. The change in the angle of the magnetic element 6 causes a change in its magnetic field distribution, which is detected by the sensing element in the sensing assembly 5 and converted into a corresponding electrical signal. This electrical signal is transmitted to the vehicle ECU via the electrical interface 14, and the ECU adjusts the air suspension height in real time accordingly to maintain the stability of the vehicle.

[0035] This invention achieves independent sealing of both cavities through a sealing and protection system consisting of a "partition plate + end cap + sealing gasket," thus providing bidirectional protection. This ensures the stability of the magnetic field and the accuracy of signal acquisition, effectively improving the reliability and lifespan of the sensor. Two interface configuration options provide users with more flexible choices to meet the installation space and wiring requirements of different vehicle models.

[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vehicle chassis height sensor, characterized in that, include: The housing has a main accommodating cavity inside; A partition plate is fixedly disposed in the main accommodating cavity, dividing the main accommodating cavity into an upper sensing component sealing cavity and a lower magnetic element sealing cavity; A sealing gasket is disposed below the partition plate to seal the sealing cavity of the magnetic element; An end cap, which is sealed and fixed to the outside of the housing to close the sealing cavity of the sensing component; A sensing component, which is housed within a sealed cavity of the sensing component; A magnetic element is housed within a sealed cavity of the magnetic element and is positioned opposite to the sensing component to perform electromagnetic induction. A lever arm, rotatably connected to the lower part of the housing, is capable of moving the magnetic element relative to the sensing assembly.

2. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing component sealing cavity is formed by the end cap, the upper cavity wall of the main accommodating cavity of the housing, and the partition plate. The end cap is connected to the upper end of the main accommodating cavity of the housing.

3. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic element sealing cavity is formed by the partition plate, the sealing gasket, and the lower cavity wall of the main accommodating cavity of the housing.

4. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The partition plate is fixedly connected to the shell by welding.

5. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lever arm is rotatably connected to the lower part of the housing via a pivot inserted into the housing.

6. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sealing gasket is fitted onto the rotating shaft and fixed to the internal structure of the housing by a clamping ring snapped onto the rotating shaft.

7. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The magnetic element is mounted on the upper end of the rotating shaft.

8. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is also provided with an electrical interface, and the contact pins in the electrical interface are integrally formed with the housing through an insert injection molding process and are electrically connected to the sensing component.

9. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 8, characterized in that, The rotation axis direction of the lever arm is defined as the axial direction of the sensor, and the insertion direction of the electrical interface is configured to be parallel to or perpendicular to the axial direction.

10. The vehicle chassis height sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, A wear-resistant washer is provided between the surface of the lever arm facing the bottom of the housing and the bottom of the housing.

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