Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
PRESSURE SENSOR STRUCTURE

Applicant:
River Mobility Private Limited
A company based in India,
Having its address as:
No. 25/3, KIADB EPIP Zone, Seetharampalya, Hoodi Road, Mahadevapura, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India- 560048

The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

PRIORITY INFORMATION
[001] The present application does not claim priority from any other application.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[002] The present invention generally relates to a pressure sensor. More specifically, the present invention is related to a pressure sensor having an integrated structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[003] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
[004] Pressure transducers are widely used for measuring pressure across different systems. Based on pressure values measured by the pressure sensors, different operations of the systems are managed. This technology is commonly used for the measurement of highly dynamic pressure in a system. These sensors are used in many applications, such as in hydraulic as well as pneumatic systems.
[005] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of a conventional pressure sensor 100, in accordance with prior-art. The conventional pressure sensor 100 includes a housing/casing 102 including a pressure sensing element. An input-output cable 104 connected at one end of the conventional pressure sensor 100 powers the sensing element. At another end of the conventional pressure sensor 100, male threads 106 are present. With the help of such male threads 106, the conventional pressure sensor 100 is secured with an adaptor which may have female threads. The conventional pressure sensor 100 secured with the adaptor is then mounted over a system in which pressure is required to be measured. Therefore, the conventional pressure sensor 100 requires integration with additional components, such as the adaptor for mounting over a system, to measure the pressure. This increases the manufacturing process and assembly of components, and associated costs. Further, integration and disintegration of such components during installation or repairing also reduces their operational life.
[006] In view of the above mentioned shortcomings, there arises a need for a pressure sensor which doesn’t require any additional components for fitment, has lower cost, and whose installation is quick and easy.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[007] A general objective of the invention is to provide a pressure sensor which doesn’t require additional components for its fitment with a system.
[008] Another objective of the invention is to provide a pressure sensor having optimized cost, size, and weight.
[009] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a pressure sensor which can be installed quickly and easily.
[0010] Still another objective of the invention is to provide a pressure sensor having a large operational life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a pressure sensor, and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] In one embodiment, a pressure sensor comprises a sensing element positioned within a housing, and a banjo connector extending from a first end of the housing and an input-output cable extending from a second end of the housing. The input-output cable electrically powers the sensing element. The banjo connector allows connection of the pressure sensor with a system in which pressure is to be determined, and the sensing element senses the pressure.
[0013] In one aspect, the banjo connector is an integral part of the pressure sensor.
[0014] In one aspect, the sensing element senses the pressure through change in capacitance, inductance, or resistance.
[0015] In one aspect, the system is a pneumatic system or a hydraulic system.
[0016] In one aspect, the input-output cable communicates an amount of the measured pressure as a digital signal or an analog signal.
[0017] In one aspect, the second end of the housing is covered with a waterproof seal or a potting compound.
[0018] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the description and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention.
[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of a conventional pressure sensor, in accordance with prior-art.
[0021] Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate front views of a pressure sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] Fig. 3 illustrates an actual image of the pressure sensor integrated with an input-output cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration of the present invention, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
[0024] The present invention pertains to a pressure sensor comprising a sensing element positioned within a housing and a banjo connector extending from a first end of the housing. An input-output cable extends from a second end of the housing, and the input-output cable electrically powers the sensing element. The banjo connector allows connection of the pressure sensor with a system in which pressure is to be determined.
[0025] Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate front views of a pressure sensor 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pressure sensor 200 includes a sensing element positioned within a housing 202. The pressure sensor 200 further includes a banjo connector 204 extending from a first end 206 of the housing 202. The banjo connector 204 is an integral part of the pressure sensor 200. An input-output cable extends from a second end 208 of the housing 202. Further, the second end 208 of the housing 202 may be covered completely with a waterproof seal or a potting compound. The potting compound may also be used to completely fill the inside of the housing 202 for providing the pressure sensor 200 resistance to shock and vibration, and for exclusion of water, moisture, or corrosive agents. The potting compound may be a thermosetting plastic, silicone rubber gel, or an epoxy resin.
[0026] The input-output cable supplies electrical power to the sensing element, for example through a battery. The banjo connector 204 allows connection of the pressure sensor 200 with a system in which pressure is to be determined. Once the pressure sensor 200 is connected with the system, the sensing element senses the pressure in the system. The pressure sensor 200 may utilize different types of sensing elements, for example capacitance, inductance, or resistance based sensing elements. Based on a change in value of the capacitance, the inductance, or the resistance, the pressure sensor 200 measures the pressure. The input-output cable may communicate an amount of measured pressure as a digital signal or an analog signal to a required unit, for example a control unit responsible for activating brakes in a vehicle. An overall length of the pressure sensor 200 may be defined during fabrication of the pressure sensor 200 to suit a final application. In preferred implementations, the overall length may range from 30mm to 150mm.
[0027] The pressure sensor 200 may be used for measuring pressure in pneumatic or hydraulic systems. The pneumatic systems may include, but not limited to, vehicle tyres, compressors, compressed-air engines, and vacuum pumps, industrial gas storage systems, and air brakes used in buses, trucks, trains, large vehicles such as trucks, buses, trailers, semi-trailers, and railroad trains. The hydraulic systems may include, but not limited to, hydraulic brakes, fuel pressure lines, water pressure measurement systems, oil pressure gauges, power steering systems, shock absorbers, utility vehicles such as excavators and aerial platforms, lifts and industrial machinery such as hydraulic press, mobile hydraulics, and diesel and gas engines.
[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates an actual image of the pressure sensor 200 integrated with an input-output cable, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. From Fig. 3 and the details provided above, it must be understood that the proposed pressure sensor (the pressure sensor 200) has an integrated structure and doesn’t require additional components for its fitment with a system in which pressure is required to be determined. Such integrated structure of the proposed pressure sensor overcomes the need of using different components that are generally required along with conventional pressure sensors, such as an adaptor. Further, the integrated structure of the proposed pressure sensor also eliminates the need of threaded and sealing connections generally required for joining conventional pressure sensors with their adaptors. Also, the process of joining a threaded end with a housing/body of the pressure sensor is avoided. Because of using the least number of components, the proposed pressure sensor has a more compact design, can be installed quickly and easily, has an optimized length, cost, size, weight, and a large operational life.
[0029] Although implementations of the pressure sensor have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features or methods are disclosed as examples of implementations of the pressure sensor.
, Claims:We Claim:

1. A pressure sensor (200) comprising:
a sensing element positioned within a housing (202); and
a banjo connector (204) extending from a first end of the housing (202) and an input-output cable extending from a second end of the housing (202), the input-output cable electrically powers the sensing element,
wherein the banjo connector (204) allows connection of the pressure sensor (200) with a system in which pressure is to be determined, and the sensing element senses the pressure.

2. The pressure sensor (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the banjo connector (204) is an integral part of the pressure sensor.

3. The pressure sensor (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing element senses the pressure through change in capacitance, inductance, or resistance.

4. The pressure sensor (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is a pneumatic system or a hydraulic system.

5. The pressure sensor (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input-output cable communicates an amount of the measured pressure as a digital signal or an analog signal.

6. The pressure sensor (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the housing (202) is covered with a waterproof seal or a potting compound.