Method for coating a sensor unit, and associated sensor unit

Abstract

A sensor unit including a sensor element; a sensor body supporting the sensor element; an output cable mounted inside the sensor body and extending outward relative to the sensor body; and a coating layer covering an outer surface of the sensor element, an outer surface of the sensor body, and an entire outer surface of the output cable.

1 . A sensor unit comprising:
 a sensor element;   a sensor body supporting the sensor element;   an output cable mounted inside the sensor body and extending outward relative to the sensor body; and   a coating layer covering an outer surface of the sensor element, an outer surface of the sensor body, and an entire outer surface of the output cable.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor element is mounted into the sensor body and flush with an annular inner surface of the sensor body. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein the output cable comprises a plurality of wires connected to the sensor element and extending through the entire length of the output cable, the plurality of wires being bundled together within an insulated sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor unit of  claim 3 , wherein the entire outer surface of the output cable comprises the insulated sheath. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein the coating layer comprises a coating made of one of an FSC coating or a DCA coating. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor unit of  claim 1 , wherein the coating layer has a thickness of between 30 μm and 110 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor unit of  claim 3 , wherein the output cable further comprises a plug connector located at an end opposite the sensor body, the plug connector encasing ends of the plurality of wires on the end opposite the sensor body, the ends of the plurality of wires being free ends. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor unit of  claim 7 , wherein the plug connector connects to a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor unit of  claim 8 , wherein the coating layer additionally covers the plug connector and the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         10 . A sensor bearing unit having:
 a bearing comprising:
 an inner ring, 
 an outer ring, and 
 an encoder unit comprising a target and an annular target holder; and 
   a sensor unit secured to either the inner ring or the outer ring comprising:
 a sensor element; 
 a sensor body supporting the sensor element; 
 an output cable mounted inside the sensor body and extending outward relative to the sensor body; and 
 a coating layer covering an exterior surface, the exterior surface covering the sensor element, the sensor body, and the output cable. 
   
     
     
         11 . The sensor bearing unit of  claim 10 , wherein a small radial gap lies between the sensor element and the target of the encoder unit. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor bearing unit of  claim 10 , wherein the target comprises a plastic molded part including alternating North and South poles. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor bearing unit of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor element is mounted into the sensor body and flush with an annular inner surface of the sensor body. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor unit of  claim 10 , wherein the output cable comprises a plurality of wires connected to the sensor element and extending through the entire length of the output cable, the plurality of wires maintained together by an insulated sheath. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor unit of  claim 14 , wherein the entire outer surface of the output cable is the insulated sheath. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor unit of  claim 10 , wherein the coating layer comprises a coating made of one of an FSC coating or a DCA coating. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor unit of  claim 10 , wherein the coating layer has a thickness between 30 μm and 110 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor unit of  claim 14 , wherein the output cable further comprises a plug connector located at an end opposite the sensor body, the plug connector encasing ends of the plurality of wires on the end opposite the sensor body, the ends of the plurality of wires being free ends. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor unit of  claim 18 , wherein the plug connector connects to a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor unit of  claim 19 , wherein the coating layer additionally covers the plug connector and the printed circuit board.