Patent ID: 8047054

Claim:
A particulate matter sensor for an exhaust system of an engine, comprising: a casing having an attachment feature for mounting the particulate matter sensor to the exhaust system; an insulator disposed within the casing; a sensing rod having a hollow portion extending between a first end and a second end of the sensing rod, the first end of the sensing rod being inserted into the insulator and the second end of the sensing rod extending away from the insulator; and an electrical connector assembly engaging the first end of the sensing rod, wherein a portion of the first end of the sensing rod is disposed over an extension of the electrical connector assembly and wherein the portion of the first end of the sensing rod contacts an inner surface of the insulator and wherein the electrical connector assembly being configured to transmit a signal generated by the sensing rod; and wherein the extension of the electrical connector has a first dimension and another portion of the electrical connector has a second dimension the second dimension being greater than the first dimension and wherein the another portion contacts the insulator and the extension does not contact the insulator.