Miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor

Abstract

The present invention discloses a miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor, comprising a shell, electronic components, and a mainboard. The shell is a hollow structure with an opening at one end. A limit seat is provided in the shell. The electronic components are loaded from the opening of the shell. The electronic components are installed or connected to the limit seat. The mainboard is loaded into the shell and the pins of the electronic components are accurately plugged into the mainboard. This ultrasonic sensor is provided with a limit seat in the shell for installing or connecting electronic components. The electronic components loaded into the shell from the opening can be limited in the shell by the limit seat without the need for other fixing operations. The mainboard is loaded into the shell after the electronic components are installed. The electronic components are plugged into the mainboard through pins without the need for wire welding. The shell size can be appropriately reduced, making the sensor structure more compact and easy to assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ultrasonic sensors, and in particular to a miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor. Background Art

[0002] As we all know, the exhaust gas emitted by cars contains harmful substances such as nitrogen oxides that can easily pollute the environment. Especially for buses, trucks and other vehicles that burn diesel, their pollution emissions are particularly serious.

[0003] The most basic function of automotive urea solution is to convert nitrogen oxides in automobile exhaust into harmless nitrogen and water, which is energy-saving and environmentally friendly, allowing car owners to meet the national exhaust emission standards. Through the intelligent control of the SCR system, when pollutants such as diesel, water, and ethylene glycol are mixed with urea solution, urea reduces NO in the exhaust. x The ability to reduce the risk will be weakened, causing irreversible damage to the SCR reduction system. Therefore, in order to reduce the risk and ensure the normal operation of the SCR system, the solution in the urea tank must be monitored. Ultrasonic sensors have become the best choice for monitoring the quality of automotive urea solution.

[0004] At present, ultrasonic sensors are too large to be conveniently installed, and their circuit layout is unreasonable. They not only take up a lot of space but also have messy wiring harnesses that make subsequent maintenance inconvenient.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, it is necessary to provide an ultrasonic sensor with a compact structure and easy assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic sensor with a compact structure and easy assembly.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor, including a shell, electronic components and a main board. The shell is a hollow structure with an open end. A limit seat is provided in the shell. The electronic components are loaded from the opening of the shell. The electronic components are installed or connected to the limit seat. The main board is loaded into the shell and the pins of the electronic components are accurately plugged into the main board.

[0008] Compared to existing technologies, this ultrasonic sensor incorporates a retaining block within the housing for mounting or connecting electronic components. Electronic components inserted through the housing's opening are retained within the housing by the retaining block, eliminating the need for additional securing. The mainboard is then installed into the housing after the electronic components are assembled. The electronic components are connected to the mainboard via pins, eliminating the need for wire soldering within the housing. This reduces the housing's size, making the sensor more compact and simplifying assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the electronic components include an ultrasonic transducer and a temperature sensor.

[0010] Specifically, the limiting seat includes a first limiting seat with an opening facing the open end of the shell, and the temperature sensor is inserted into and positioned in the first limiting seat.

[0011] Specifically, the limiting seat includes a second limiting seat, in which a transducer wiring seat is installed, and the transducer wiring seat is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer.

[0012] Preferably, the miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor further comprises a signal output terminal block connected to the mainboard, and a window for the wires of the signal output terminal block to pass through is provided on the side of the housing.

[0013] Specifically, a third limiting seat is further provided in the housing, and the signal output terminal socket is inserted into and positioned in the third limiting seat.

[0014] Preferably, there is a positioning groove in the shell, and the miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor also includes a transducer positioning seat and a pressing member. The transducer is installed on the transducer positioning seat, and the transducer positioning seat is inserted into the positioning groove. The pressing member is inserted into the positioning groove and presses the transducer positioning seat.

[0015] Specifically, the transducer positioning seat has a first inclined surface, and the pressing piece is an insert having a second inclined surface matching the first inclined surface. The insert is inserted into the positioning groove from the opening of the shell and presses the transducer positioning seat through the cooperation of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

[0016] Specifically, the transducer positioning seat has an elastic sheet, and the pressing member is a plug that is sealingly inserted into the side wall of the shell. One end of the plug extends into the positioning groove and presses against the elastic sheet to compress the transducer positioning seat.

[0017] More specifically, the transducer plate positioning seat includes an outer ring portion, a central portion located in the middle of the outer ring portion, and a plurality of connecting portions extending from the central portion and fixed to the outer ring portion, wherein the central portion and the connecting portions form the elastic sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a side view of the shell of the miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a top view of the shell.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of the temperature sensor, transducer terminal block, and signal output terminal block after being installed in the housing.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a top view of the motherboard after it is installed in the housing.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper part of the sensor.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the side of the sensor and an enlarged view of the ultrasonic transducer, transducer positioning seat and pressing piece.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the side of the sensor in the second embodiment of the present invention and an enlarged view of the ultrasonic transducer, the transducer positioning seat and the pressing member.

[0025] Description of labels

[0026] 1-housing, 11-first limiting seat, 12-second limiting seat, 13-third limiting seat, 14-window, 15-positioning groove, 2-ultrasonic transducer, 21-wire, 3-transducer terminal block, 4-temperature sensor, 5-mainboard, 6-signal output terminal block, 71, 72-transducer positioning seat, 711-first inclined surface, 721-outer ring, 722-center portion, 723-connecting portion, 81, 82-pressing member, 811-second inclined surface, 821-sealing ring DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention provides a miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor that can be used to detect urea solution in an automobile urea tank. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor includes a housing 1, electronic components, and a mainboard 5 (PCBA) equipped with a controller. The housing 1 is a hollow structure with an open end. A retaining seat is provided in the housing 1, and the electronic components are mounted or connected to the retaining seat. The mainboard 5 is installed in the housing 1, and the pins of the electronic components are accurately plugged into the mainboard 5. The electronic components include an ultrasonic transducer 2, a transducer terminal block 3, and a temperature sensor 4. All three components are disposed within the housing 1. The ultrasonic transducer 2 is electrically connected to the transducer terminal block 3 via a wire 21. The transducer terminal block 3 and the temperature sensor 4 are installed through the opening of the housing 1 and mounted to corresponding retaining seats, thereby securing the transducer terminal block 3 and the temperature sensor 4 in the housing 1. After the mainboard 5 is installed in the housing 1, the pins of the transducer terminal block 3 and the temperature sensor 4 are respectively plugged into the mainboard 5.

[0029] The retaining seat in the housing 1 includes a first retaining seat 11 and a second retaining seat 12, both of which have openings toward the open end of the housing 1. The temperature sensor 4 is inserted into and positioned in the first retaining seat 11, while the transducer terminal block 3 is inserted into and positioned in the second retaining seat 12. Providing the first retaining seat 11 and the second retaining seat 12 in the housing 1 facilitates installation of the temperature sensor 4 and the transducer terminal block 3. Positioning can be achieved by simply inserting the temperature sensor 4 and the transducer terminal block 3 from the open end of the housing 1.

[0030] This miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor also includes a signal output terminal block 6. A third stopper 13 is also provided within the housing 1. The signal output terminal block 6 is assembled before the mainboard 5 and is inserted and positioned within the third stopper 13. A window 14 is provided on the side of the housing 1 for the wires of the signal output terminal block 6 to pass through. The measurement signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2 is transmitted back to the mainboard 5 via the transducer terminal block 3 and output through the signal output terminal block 6. Signal transmission from the signal output terminal block 6 and the emission and reception of sound waves by the ultrasonic transducer 2 are controlled by a controller on the mainboard 5.

[0031] In the current common assembly method, the mainboard is usually installed first, wires are led from the mainboard, and finally the ultrasonic transducer is assembled and soldered. However, this method requires a large amount of wires to be reserved for soldering, which leads to cluttered wiring within the sensor after assembly. It also requires a large operating space in the housing, resulting in a larger sensor. This embodiment, however, first connects the ultrasonic transducer and transducer terminal block as a whole, then installs them into the housing and then installs them into the mainboard, effectively avoiding these problems.

[0032] Preferably, the miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor further includes a transducer positioning seat 71 and a pressing member 81. The housing 1 has a positioning groove 15 for accommodating the transducer positioning seat 71. The transducer positioning seat 71 has a first inclined surface 711, and the pressing member 81 is an insert having a second inclined surface 811 that matches the first inclined surface 711. During assembly, the ultrasonic transducer 2 is first mounted on the transducer positioning seat 71, and then the transducer positioning seat 71 is inserted into the positioning groove 15 through the opening of the housing 1. The pressing member 81 is then also inserted into the positioning groove 15. The pressing member 81 can compress the transducer positioning seat 71 into position by utilizing the cooperation of the second inclined surface 811 and the first inclined surface 711. Figure 6 shown.

[0033] Figure 7The second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the structure of the transducer positioning seat 72 and the pressure member 82 differs from the previous embodiment. The transducer positioning seat 72 includes an outer ring portion 721, a central portion 722 located in the middle of the outer ring portion 721, and a plurality of connecting portions 723 extending from the central portion 722 and fixed to the outer ring portion 721. The central portion 722 and the connecting portions 723 form a spring that can undergo a certain degree of elastic deformation, while the pressure member 82 is a plug. During assembly, the ultrasonic transducer 2 is also first mounted on the transducer positioning seat 72 and the transducer positioning seat 72 is inserted into the positioning groove 15. The pressure member 82 is then inserted through a through hole in the side wall of the housing 1. One end of the pressure member 82 extends into the positioning groove 15 and presses against the spring to compress the transducer positioning seat 72. A sealing ring 821 is also mounted on the pressure member 82 to form a sealed connection between the pressure member 82 and the housing 1.

[0034] While only one ultrasonic transducer is provided in this embodiment, in practice, two ultrasonic transducers can be provided, depending on the desired functionality. These transducers can be positioned in different positions within the housing, emitting sound waves in different directions. Specifically, one transducer can be positioned longitudinally and the other transversely, enabling separate detection of the urea solution concentration and level.

[0035] Compared to existing technologies, this miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor utilizes an integrated design that first assembles the ultrasonic transducer 2 and transducer connector 3 into a single unit, then installs this unit into the housing 1 before installing it into the mainboard 5. This avoids the wiring clutter caused by soldering transducer wires to the mainboard 5, simplifies the assembly process, reduces the internal operating space required, and makes the entire sensor more compact. Furthermore, this sensor incorporates a temperature sensor 4, which provides temperature compensation during ultrasonic transducer measurements, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

[0036] The above disclosure is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is intended to facilitate understanding and implementation by those skilled in the art. It certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of rights of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention still fall within the scope covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor, characterized by: It includes a shell, electronic components and a mainboard, the shell is a hollow structure with an open end, a limit seat is provided in the shell, the electronic components are loaded from the shell opening, the electronic components include an ultrasonic transducer, a transducer terminal block and a temperature sensor, the ultrasonic transducer, the transducer terminal block and the temperature sensor are all arranged in the shell, the ultrasonic transducer and the temperature sensor are installed or connected to the limit seat, and then the mainboard is installed in the shell and the pins of the electronic components are accurately plugged into the mainboard; wherein, the limit seat includes a first limit seat and a second limit seat, the temperature sensor is inserted and positioned in the first limit seat, the transducer terminal block is installed in the second limit seat, and the transducer terminal block is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer.

2. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The opening of the first limiting seat faces the open end of the shell.

3. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor further comprises a signal output terminal block connected to the mainboard, and a window for the wiring of the signal output terminal block to pass through is provided on the side of the shell.

4. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 3, wherein: A third limiting seat is further provided in the shell, and the signal output terminal seat is inserted into and positioned in the third limiting seat.

5. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The shell has a positioning groove, and the miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor also includes a transducer positioning seat and a pressing member. The transducer is installed on the transducer positioning seat, and the transducer positioning seat is inserted into the positioning groove. The pressing member is inserted into the positioning groove and presses the transducer positioning seat.

6. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 5, wherein: The transducer positioning seat has a first inclined surface, and the pressing piece is an insert having a second inclined surface matching the first inclined surface. The insert is inserted into the positioning groove from the opening of the shell and presses the transducer positioning seat through the cooperation of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

7. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 5, wherein: The transducer positioning seat has an elastic sheet, and the pressing member is a plug that is sealedly inserted into the side wall of the shell. One end of the plug extends into the positioning groove and presses against the elastic sheet to compress the transducer positioning seat.

8. The miniaturized multifunctional ultrasonic sensor according to claim 7, wherein: The transducer plate positioning seat includes an outer ring portion, a central portion located in the middle of the outer ring portion, and a plurality of connecting portions extending from the central portion and fixed to the outer ring portion. The central portion and the connecting portions form the elastic sheet.

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