Wheel speed sensor

Claim 2

A wheel speed sensor assembly for installation in association with a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle comprising a ring member having discontinuities on one radial face, said ring member being adapted to be connected to said wheel for rotation therewith with said discontinuities facing axially inwardly, a magnetic sensing assembly, mounting means operatively securing said magnetic sensing assembly on said axle and permitting axial movement of said sensing assembly inwardly while preventing axial movement of said sensing assembly outwardly whereby said sensing assembly is automatically adjusted in predetermined relationship with said radial face of said ring in response to axial movement of said ring inwardly, said mounting means including bracket means connected to said axle, at least one mounting pin connected to said sensing assembly and axially slidably mounted on said bracket means, said retaining means permitting inward axial movement of said pin but preventing outward axial movement thereof.

Claim 3

The assembly as defined in claim 1, said mounting means including spring means for biasing said sensing assembly in an outward axial direction.

Claim 4

The assembly as defined in claim 1, comprising spring means on said bracket means for biasing said sensing assembly in an outward axial direction.

Claim 5

The assembly as defined in claim 1, said retaining means comprising a one-way clutch element associated with said pin.

Claim 6

The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein a layer of dielectric material is provided on at least a portion of the radial surface of said sensing assembly which faces said one radial face of said ring member, said layer of dielectric material being engaged by said one radial face of said ring member when the wheel is mounted on the axle.

Claim 7

The assembly as defined in claim 1, comprising stationary shield means positioned adjacent to said sensing assembly.

Claim 8

The assembly as defined in claim 1, comprising annular retainer means for connecting ring member to said wheel.

Claim 9

The assembly as defined in claim 1, said mounting means including spring means for biasing said sensing assembly in an outward axial direction, and said retainer means including one-way clutch means which permits inward axial movement of said sensing assembly but prevents outward axial movement thereof.

Claim 10

A wheel speed sensor assembly for installation in association with a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle comprising a ring member having discontinuities on one radial face and being adapted to be connected to said wheel for rotation therewith with said discontinuities facing axially inwardly, a self-adjusting magnetic sensing assembly, means for mounting said magnetic sensing assembly on said axle, said mounting means including bracket means connected to said axle, at least one mounting pin connected to said sensing assembly and axially slidably mounted on said bracket means, retaining means permitting inward axial movement of said pin but preventing outward axial movement thereof, spring means on said bracket means for biasing said sensing assembly in an outward axial direction, and a layer of dielectric material on at least a portion of the radial surface of said sensing assembly which faces said one radial face of said ring member, said layer of dielectric material being engaged by said one radial face of said ring member to cause said sensing assembly to be automatically axially adjusted in response to axial movement inwardly of said ring member.

Claim 11

A wheel speed sensor assembly for installation in association with a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle comprising a ring member having discontinuities on one radial face and being adapted to be connected to said wheel for rotation therewith with said discontinuities facing axially inwardly, a self-adjusting magnetic sensing assembly, means for mounting said magnetic sensing assembly on said axle, said mounting means including bracket means connected to said axle, at least one mounting pin connected to said sensing assembly and axially slidably mounted on said bracket means, retaining means permitting inward axial movement of said pin but preventing outward axial movement thereof, spring means on said bracket means for biasing said sensing assembly in an outward axial direction, and a layer of dielectric material on at least a portion of the radial surface of said sensing assembly which faces said one radial face of said ring member, said layer of dielectric material being engaged by said one radial face of said ring member to cause said sensing assembly to be automatically axially adjusted in response to axial movement inwardly of said ring member.

Claim 12

The assembly as defined in claim 9, said retaining means comprising a one-way clutch Element associated with said pin.

Claim 13

The assembly as defined in claim 9, comprising shield means positioned adjacent said sensing assembly.