Patent ID: 9535130
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: G01R,H01R

Claim:
1. A battery current sensor comprising a battery post connection clamp portion comprising a split tubular clamping body configured to be clamped around a terminal post of a battery, flanges extending from free ends of the split tubular clamping body, configured to be biased together for tightening the tubular clamping body on a battery terminal post, a current sensing portion comprising an annular magnetic core with an air gap, a magnetic field sensor comprising a magnetic field detector inserted in the air gap, an insulating sensor housing portion surrounding the magnetic core and at least a portion of the tubular clamping portion, and a connector having a housing portion integrally formed with said sensor housing portion and configured for releasable pluggable connection to a connector of external circuitry, wherein the flanges have a height (H 2 ) that is less than a height (H 1 ) of the tubular clamping body and wherein the magnetic core with air gap encircles a portion of the tubular clamping body adjacent the flanges, and wherein the flanges are positioned at a top end of the tubular clamping body and the magnetic core is positioned below the flanges towards a bottom end of the clamping body, such that when the current sensor is mounted on a battery post, the magnetic core is proximate and adjacent an upper outer surface of the battery, the magnetic field sensor further comprising a circuit board on which the magnetic field detector is mounted, the circuit board being oriented substantially parallel to a central axis of the split tubular clamping body.