Cassette seal assembly
A cassette seal assembly incorporating an element of a sensor system. The seal assembly includes an annular seal member and an annular shield member abutting the seal member to form a monolithic structure. The seal member has a base portion and at least one resilient portion extending from the base portion to resiliently engage another portion of the seal assembly, thereby forming a seal. The seal member and the shield member define an enclosure for receiving and securing at least a portion of the element of the sensor system therein. A cassette sensor system element assembly is also provided including an annular seal member, an annular shield member abutting the seal member to define an enclosure for receiving and maintaining at least a portion of a sensor system element therein, and a sensor system element having at least a portion thereof secured within the enclosure.
1 . A seal assembly for receiving at least a portion of an element of a sensor system therein, comprising:
an annular seal member; and
an annular shield member abutting the seal member.
2 . The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein the shield member is affixed to the seal member.
3 . The seal assembly of claim 2 wherein the shield member and the seal member form a monolithic structure.
4 . The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein an interference fit is formed between the shield member and the seal member.
5 . The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein the seal member comprises a base portion and at least one resilient portion extending from the base portion to resiliently engage another portion of the seal assembly, thereby forming a seal.
6 . The seal assembly of claim 5 wherein the seal member includes a plurality of resilient portions extending from the base portion to resiliently engage the other portion of the seal assembly.
7 . The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein the seal member and the shield member define an enclosure for receiving the at least a portion of the element of the sensor system therein.
8 . The seal assembly of claim 7 further comprising at least a portion of an element of a sensor system positioned within the enclosure.
9 . The seal assembly of claim 8 wherein the element of the sensor system comprises a target ring.
10 . The seal assembly of claim 9 wherein the target ring includes a magnetic encoder incorporated therein.
11 . The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein a cross-section of the seal assembly is substantially rectangular in shape.
12 . The seal assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one resilient portion extending from the base portion for engaging a portion of a second seal assembly.
13 . A cassette sensor system element assembly comprising:
an annular seal member;
an annular shield member abutting the seal member to define an enclosure for receiving and maintaining at least a portion of a sensor system element therein; and
a sensor system element having at least a portion thereof secured within the enclosure.
14 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 13 wherein the sensor system element comprises a target ring for use in a wheel speed sensor system.
15 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 13 wherein a portion of the seal member engages a portion of the sensor system element to form a seal.
16 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of passages extending between the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure, the passages being dimensioned so as to substantially prevent a flow of contaminants from the exterior of the enclosure into the enclosure.
17 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 16 wherein a passage of the plurality of passages extends between the shield member and the sensor system element.
18 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 16 wherein a passage of the plurality of passages extends between the sensor system element and the seal member.
19 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 16 wherein a first passage of the plurality of passages extends in a first direction, a second passage of the plurality of passages extends in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.
20 . The cassette sensor system element assembly of claim 16 further comprising a well positioned between a first passage of the plurality of passages and a second passage of the plurality of passages, for trapping contaminants migrating between the first and second passages.