Sensing assembly removably securable to a bearing mechanism

Abstract

A sensing assembly senses varying parameters of a bearing mechanism. The bearing mechanism includes a circular bearing housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensor case. The sensor case is fixedly secured to the bearing mechanism. The sensor case includes a peripheral surface and a top plate with extensions protruding outwardly therefrom. The sensing assembly also includes a sensor housing that is removably insertable into the sensor case. The sensor housing selectively engages the extensions of the sensor case to secure the sensor housing in the sensor case at a location spaced from the bearing mechanism. The sensing assembly includes a sensor that is disposed within the sensor housing. The sensor senses the parameters of the bearing mechanism, wherein the sensor and the sensor housing may be removed from the bearing mechanism and replaced without replacing the bearing mechanism. The extensions may be bosses that have channels allowing heat stakes to extend therethrough or, in an alternative arrangement, the extensions may be notches that receive latches therein to removably lock the sensor in place.

1 . A sensing assembly for sensing parameters of a bearing mechanism including a circular bearing housing, said sensing assembly comprising: 
 a sensor case fixedly secured to the bearing mechanism, said sensor case including a peripheral surface and a top plate with extensions protruding outwardly therefrom, said top plate defining an outward surface and an inward surface;    a sensor housing having an upper housing surface abuttable with a portion of said inward surface of said sensor case removably insertable into said sensor case, said sensor housing selectively engaging said extensions of said sensor case to secure said sensor housing in said sensor case at a location spaced from the bearing mechanism;    a sensor disposed within said sensor housing to sense the parameters of the bearing mechanism;    a housing window in the peripheral surface of said sensor case to allow said sensor and said sensor housing to be removed from the bearing mechanism and replaced without replacing the bearing mechanism; and    guide plates extending inwardly from said peripheral surface to guide said sensor housing as said sensor housing moves into and out of said sensor case.    
   
   
       2 . A sensing assembly for sensing parameters of a bearing mechanism including a circular bearing housing, said sensing assembly comprising: 
 a sensor case fixedly secured to the bearing mechanism, said sensor case including a peripheral surface and a top plate with notches protruding outwardly therefrom, and guide plates with notches extending inwardly from said peripheral surface;    a sensor housing removably insertable into said sensor case, said sensor housing including receptors for selectively engaging said notches of said sensor case to secure said sensor housing in said sensor case at a location spaced from the bearing mechanism, said receptors including a plurality of latches engagable with said notches of said sensor case to lock said sensor housing to said sensor case; and    a sensor disposed within said sensor housing to sense the parameters of the bearing mechanism wherein said sensor and said sensor housing may be removed from the bearing mechanism and replaced without replacing the bearing mechanism.