GB2137390A - Sensor assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A sensor assembly e.g. an alarm assembly for detecting fire or smoke comprises a terminal block carrying a plurality of terminals, a base carried by the terminal block and carrying electrical components and a sensing device, a speaker carried by the base and substantially enclosing the components and sensing device, and electrical bussing means, e.g. spring clips, extending through apertures in the base to connect the components to the terminals. A sensor assembly having a neat and compact terminal arrangement is thus provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sensor Assembly The present invention relates to a sensor assembly especially an assembly which is useful in smoke or fire detection as an alarm assembly, and more particularly to an electrical terminal arrangement for such an assembly.

Present day sensor assemblies for applications such as fire and smoke detectors have become increasingly complicated requiring complicated electrical circuitry. While such developments have greatly aided in smoke and fire detection, it has led to packaging problems especially in the area of lead wire connections.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a sensor assembly having an electrical terminal arrangement which is neat and compact.

The present invention provides a sensor assembly which comprises a terminal block carrying a plurality of electrical terminals; a base carried by the terminal block and carrying electrical components and a sensing device; a speaker carried by the base and substantially enclosing the electrical components and sensing device; apertures in the base; and electrical bussing means connected to the electrical components, extending through the apertures, and engaging the electrical terminals.

Preferably the electrical bussing means of a sensor assembly according to the invention includes spring clips frictionally engaging the electrical terminals.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a sensor assembly embodying the invention. It will be realised that this assembly has been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a sensor assembly embodying the invention; Figure2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure land Figure 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a sensor assembly 10 which in general includes a terminal block 12, a base member 14, carried by the terminal block and a speaker 16, circular in crosssection,carried by the base member. Electrical components 18 are carried on the base member 14 through a printed circuit board 20. Also carried on the base member is a sensing device 22 which, in the iliustrative assembly, comprises an ion detector which detects ions resulting from a fire, for example, in a manner well known in the fire detection art. The base member 14 is carried on the terminal block 12 through a rim 24.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block 12, which is circular in cross section, includes a central opening 26 which opens into a cavity 28 which contains a circular shelf 30 having a ledge 31 extending from the shelf 30. As shown, a plurality of electrical terminals 32 are carried on the shelf 30, spaced round the opening 26, through set screws 34.

The distal end 32' of each terminal fits into a slot 36 provided in the ledge 31 of the shelf 30.

Referring to Figures 1,3 and 4, the base member 14 has a plurality of apertures 38 extending through the base member for communication between the electrical terminals 32 and the printed circuit board 20. As shown a plurality of bussing means 40 consisting of spring means including spring clips 42, electrically conductive spring clips 42, extend through the apertures 38 and slots 43,44 of the printed circuit board. The spring clips 42 engage the distal end 32' of the electrical terminals 32 through the loops 46 of the spring clips.

To assemble the sensor assembly, the base member 14 is inserted into the terminal block 12 with the spring clips 42 being aligned with their respective electrical terminals. Alignment of the spring clips with the electrical terminals is aided by a guide means 48 which includes a rib 50 provided in the terminal block and along which a notch 52 in the rim of a base member is fed. The speaker 16 is then placed in position over the base member 14. Electrical leads can be connected to the electrical terminals through the set screws 34.

1. Asensor assembly comprising: a. a terminal block carrying a plurality of electrical terminals, b. a base carried by said terminal block and carrying electrical components and a sensing device.

c. a speaker carried by said base and substantially enclosing said electrical components and said sensing device, d. apertures in said base, and e. electrical bussing means connected to said electrical components, extending through said apertures, and engaging said electrical terminals.

2. A sensor assembly according to claim 1 wherein said electrical bussing means includes spring means.

3. A sensor assembly according to claim 2 wherein said spring means includes spring clips.

4. An assembly according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein said speaker is circular in cross-section, said terminal block includes a centrally disposed aperture therein, and said electrical terminals are spaced around said aperture.

5. An assembly according to any one ofthe preceding claims further including guide means insuring proper alignment between said electrical terminals and said electrical bussing means.

6. A sensor assembly constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sensor Assembly The present invention relates to a sensor assembly especially an assembly which is useful in smoke or fire detection as an alarm assembly, and more particularly to an electrical terminal arrangement for such an assembly. Present day sensor assemblies for applications such as fire and smoke detectors have become increasingly complicated requiring complicated electrical circuitry. While such developments have greatly aided in smoke and fire detection, it has led to packaging problems especially in the area of lead wire connections. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a sensor assembly having an electrical terminal arrangement which is neat and compact. The present invention provides a sensor assembly which comprises a terminal block carrying a plurality of electrical terminals; a base carried by the terminal block and carrying electrical components and a sensing device; a speaker carried by the base and substantially enclosing the electrical components and sensing device; apertures in the base; and electrical bussing means connected to the electrical components, extending through the apertures, and engaging the electrical terminals. Preferably the electrical bussing means of a sensor assembly according to the invention includes spring clips frictionally engaging the electrical terminals. There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a sensor assembly embodying the invention. It will be realised that this assembly has been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a sensor assembly embodying the invention; Figure2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure land Figure 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a sensor assembly 10 which in general includes a terminal block 12, a base member 14, carried by the terminal block and a speaker 16, circular in crosssection,carried by the base member. Electrical components 18 are carried on the base member 14 through a printed circuit board 20. Also carried on the base member is a sensing device 22 which, in the iliustrative assembly, comprises an ion detector which detects ions resulting from a fire, for example, in a manner well known in the fire detection art. The base member 14 is carried on the terminal block 12 through a rim 24. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block 12, which is circular in cross section, includes a central opening 26 which opens into a cavity 28 which contains a circular shelf 30 having a ledge 31 extending from the shelf 30. As shown, a plurality of electrical terminals 32 are carried on the shelf 30, spaced round the opening 26, through set screws 34. The distal end 32' of each terminal fits into a slot 36 provided in the ledge 31 of the shelf 30. Referring to Figures 1,3 and 4, the base member 14 has a plurality of apertures 38 extending through the base member for communication between the electrical terminals 32 and the printed circuit board 20. As shown a plurality of bussing means 40 consisting of spring means including spring clips 42, electrically conductive spring clips 42, extend through the apertures 38 and slots 43,44 of the printed circuit board. The spring clips 42 engage the distal end 32' of the electrical terminals 32 through the loops 46 of the spring clips. To assemble the sensor assembly, the base member 14 is inserted into the terminal block 12 with the spring clips 42 being aligned with their respective electrical terminals. Alignment of the spring clips with the electrical terminals is aided by a guide means 48 which includes a rib 50 provided in the terminal block and along which a notch 52 in the rim of a base member is fed. The speaker 16 is then placed in position over the base member 14. Electrical leads can be connected to the electrical terminals through the set screws 34. CLAIMS

1. Asensor assembly comprising: a. a terminal block carrying a plurality of electrical terminals, b. a base carried by said terminal block and carrying electrical components and a sensing device.

c. a speaker carried by said base and substantially enclosing said electrical components and said sensing device, d. apertures in said base, and e. electrical bussing means connected to said electrical components, extending through said apertures, and engaging said electrical terminals.

2. A sensor assembly according to claim 1 wherein said electrical bussing means includes spring means.

3. A sensor assembly according to claim 2 wherein said spring means includes spring clips.

4. An assembly according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein said speaker is circular in cross-section, said terminal block includes a centrally disposed aperture therein, and said electrical terminals are spaced around said aperture.

5. An assembly according to any one ofthe preceding claims further including guide means insuring proper alignment between said electrical terminals and said electrical bussing means.

6. A sensor assembly constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.