Compliant mechanism for suspension height sensor
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorsDouglas Nordman, Peter Hawkins, Julian Pitt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compliant mechanism is provided for monitoring the position of a suspension of a vehicle. The compliant mechanism can include a body for coupling to both an angle sensor and the suspension of the vehicle. The body can have at least two first portions and at least one second portion. The second portion is coupled to both of the two first portions and is more flexible than the two first portions.
Claims24
A compliant mechanism for monitoring a position of a suspension of a vehicle, comprising:
- at least a first link and a second link forming at least a portion of the compliant mechanism;
- the first link having a first end configured for securement to a sensor attached to a frame of the vehicle;
- the second link having a first end;
- a separate flexible joint made from a flexible material and coupled between the first and second links to allow relative movement between the first and second links through flexing of the flexible joint, wherein the flexible joint is over molded with the first and second links;
- wherein the sensor is configured to monitor angular position of the first link relative to the frame.
A compliant mechanism for monitoring a position of a suspension of a vehicle, comprising:
- at least a first link and a second link forming at least a portion of the compliant mechanism;
- the first link having a first end configured for securement to a sensor attached to a frame of the vehicle;
- the second link having a first end;
- a separate flexible joint made from a flexible material and coupled between the first and second links to allow relative movement between the first and second links through flexing of the flexible joint, wherein the flexible joint includes rubber;
- and
- wherein the sensor is configured to monitor angular position of the first link relative to the frame.
A compliant mechanism for monitoring a position of a suspension of a vehicle, comprising:
- at least a first link and a second link forming at least a portion of the compliant mechanism;
- the first link having a first end configured for securement to a sensor attached to a frame of the vehicle;
- the second link having a first end;
- a separate flexible joint made from a flexible material and coupled between the first and second links to allow relative movement between the first and second links through flexing of the flexible joint, wherein the first link has a second end having an engagement structure, and the second link has an engagement structure at the first end, the flexible joint being coupled to both engagement structures;
- and
- wherein the sensor is configured to monitor angular position of the first link relative to the frame.
A compliant mechanism for monitoring a position of a suspension of a vehicle, comprising:
- at least a first link and a second link forming at least a portion of the compliant mechanism;
- the first link having a first end configured for securement to a sensor attached to a frame of the vehicle;
- the second link having a first end;
- a separate flexible joint made from a flexible material and coupled between the first and second links to allow relative movement between the first and second links through flexing of the flexible joint;
- wherein the second link has a second end, and the compliant mechanism further comprises:
- a third link having a first end configured for securement to the suspension of the vehicle;
- and
- a second flexible joint coupled between the second end of the second link and the third link so as to allow relative movement between the second and third links;
- and
- wherein the sensor is configured to monitor angular position of the first link relative to the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.