Tamper evident connector for an engine radiator

Abstract

The present invention includes a system and method for providing assurance and evidence that a particular part has been installed and properly maintained. In particular, automotive sensing systems may be incorporated into two-part sensor assemblies that are disposable within a vehicle. The sensor assemblies are adapted to provide evidence of tampering via mechanical, electrical and temperature-based means. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor assembly is disposed about an automotive heat exchanger and a plurality of thermal sensors measure the temperature of the heat exchanger. Any alteration in the orientation or placement of the sensor assembly causes a variance between the temperatures measured by the thermal sensors, which in turn provides clear indication of tampering to the driver.

1 . A tamper evident system connectable to heat exchanger having cooling fins, the system comprising: 
 a sensor case disposed on a first side of a heat exchanger;    an attachment member disposed on a second side of a heat exchanger;    a first thermistor and a second thermistor disposed within the sensor case, the first thermistor adapted to measure a first temperature and the second thermistor adapted to measure a second temperature; and    a signal processor in communication with the first and second thermistor, the signal processor adapted to receive signals indicative of the first temperature and the second temperature, the signal processor further adapted to provide evidence of tampering in response to a predetermined variance between the first temperature and the second temperature.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the attachment member further comprises a projection adapted to project through the cooling fins of the heat exchanger, the projection further adapted to be received by the sensor case.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the sensor case further comprises a receptacle adapted for receiving the projection.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the projection and the receptacle are adapted to lock together in interference when the projection is inserted into the receptacle.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the projection is electrically conductive.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a circuit board disposed within the sensor case, the circuit board in electrical communication with the signal processor.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the first thermistor and the second thermistor are disposed on the circuit board and further wherein the first thermistor and the second thermistor are in electrical communication with the signal processor through the circuit board.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the first thermistor is disposed on a first end of the circuit board and the second thermistor is disposed on a second end of the circuit board.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the circuit board is disposed within the sensor case such that the circuit board can be aligned in a substantially coplanar fashion with the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a third thermistor adapted to measure a third temperature.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the signal processor is in communication with the first, second, and third thermistors, the signal processor adapted to receive signals indicative of the first temperature, the second temperature and the third temperature, the signal processor further adapted to provide evidence of tampering in response to a predetermined variance between the first temperature, the second temperature and the third temperature.  
   
   
       12 . A tamper evident system connectable to heat exchanger having cooling fins, the system comprising: 
 a sensor case disposed on a first side of a heat exchanger;    an attachment member disposed on a second side of a heat exchanger;    means for measuring a temperature of the heat exchanger;    means for measuring electrical conductivity; and    means for providing evidence of tampering with the system in response to predetermined changes in the measured temperature or electrical conductivity.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the means for measuring the temperature of the heat exchanger includes an array of thermistors disposed on within the sensor case and adjacent to the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the array of thermistors is disposed on a circuit board housed within the sensor case.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the array of thermistors includes two thermistors.  
   
   
       16 . The system of claim.  13  wherein the array of thermistors includes at least two thermistors.  
   
   
       17 . A method of determining the presence of a sensor assembly relative to a heat exchanger, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sensor assembly including a first thermistor and a second thermistor;    orienting the first and second thermistor relative to the heat exchanger;    detecting a first temperature with the first thermistor and a second temperature with the second thermistor;    calculating a variance between the first temperature and the second temperature; and    determining the presence of the sensor assembly relative to the heat exchanger in response to the variance between the first temperature and the second temperature.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of forming an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit formed around a portion of the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of determining the presence of the sensor assembly relative to the heat exchanger in response to a break in the electrical circuit.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing a third thermistor in the sensor assembly.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of orienting the first thermistor and the second thermistor relative to the heat exchanger includes disposing the first thermistor and the second thermistor on a substantially planar surface and further orienting the substantially planar surface relative to the heat exchanger.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the substantially planar surface is a circuit board.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the substantially planar surface is oriented substantially coplanar to the heat exchanger.