Sensor device and sensor device bracket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor device (100) for detecting the level of a medium in a container, a sensor device holder (130) for the sensor device (100), an IBC container (200) having the sensor device (100) and the sensor device holder (130), and use of the sensor device holder (130) for fixing a probe (110) of the sensor device (100) near a discharge outlet (202) of the container (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of level measurement by means of sensors, in particular by means of capacitive, inductive or TDR sensors or limit level sensors. In particular, the invention relates to an optionally pivotable sensor device for detecting the level of a medium in a container, a sensor device holder for the sensor device, a container with a sensor device and a sensor device holder, and the use of the sensor device holder for fixing a probe of the sensor device near a discharge opening of the container. Background Art

[0002] TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) sensors or capacitive or inductive level measuring devices or probes of limit level sensors are often used for level measurement in mobile containers such as IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers). In many applications, the probe protrudes freely into the container. In order to avoid mechanical damage or to ensure better measurement, especially when using the probe in movable or tiltable containers, a stable design of the probe is required.

[0003] The probe can be mechanically fixed in the container by mounting and thus fixing the sensor in the opening of the container. Additionally, provision can be made so that the end of the probe is connected to the shape of the container bottom in a key shape. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device and a sensor device support which can be flexibly deployed.

[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to a sensor device which may be pivotable and is provided for detecting the level of a medium in a container having at least one discharge or outlet, such as an IBC container. The sensor device comprises a sensor and, if necessary, a pivoting device.

[0006] The sensor comprises a probe which can be designed as a rod, tube or rope and which extends into the container. In addition, the probe can also be extendable.

[0007] The probe may be a radar probe or a microwave probe.

[0008] The pivoting device is provided for attaching the sensor to the container opening and for pivoting the sensor after the sensor has been attached to the container opening. The pivotability of the sensor or the probe protruding into the container allows the probe to be tilted relative to the outlet of the container, for example in an overturned container, or to be optimally arranged. This is advantageous because, with such a tilt detection device, optimal measuring results can be achieved even in the case of small filling levels up to an empty container.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises a TDR level sensor.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, the pivoting means of the sensor device comprises a ball joint.

[0011] The ball joint may be arranged or attached to an opening provided at the top of the container. Essentially, the ball joint may include an annular or pot-shaped joint housing, in which a spherical shell is arranged in the cylindrical interior of the annular or pot-shaped joint housing, and a torque-based shaft. If the sensor is accommodated in the ball joint, the probe of the sensor can slide in the container and can be freely positioned.

[0012] The probe head is configured to be fastened to a fastening element of a sensor device holder.

[0013] The probe may comprise a coupling element, the coupling element being configured for fixing the probe to a fixing element of the sensor device holder. If the coupling element of the probe comprises a ferromagnetic element, the coupling element is ferromagnetic or magnetic.

[0014] As an alternative to magnetic material, the coupling element may also comprise a magnetizable material.

[0015] The coupling element can be arranged at the free end of the probe. Advantageously, the coupling element is designed to correspond to the shape of the fastening element of the sensor holder in order to produce an optimal connection.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention relates to a sensor device holder for a sensor device, the sensor device holder comprising an anchor, a fixation element and a spacer arranged between the anchor and the fixation element.

[0017] The anchor is configured for anchoring the sensor device holder on or in the discharge opening of the container. The fixing element is configured for fixing the probe of the sensor device. The spacer is configured for attaching the fixing element to the anchor.

[0018] The sensor device holder can be inserted through the outlet, and the spacer and the fixing element of the sensor device holder extend into the container. The probe of the sensor device can be guided in or on the fixing element. By arranging the sensor device holder, the probe can be fixed in a predetermined position in the container. As a result, the probe can be installed obliquely near the outlet or near the outlet without turning the container over.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the sensor device holder is not attached to the bottom of the container but is attached laterally at the outlet.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the anchoring element of the sensor device holder is designed in the form of a cap or other closure element for attaching the sensor device holder container at the outlet or outlet of the container.

[0021] The anchoring element may have a thread, by means of which the anchoring element or the sensor device holder may be screwed to the outlet. In different containers with corresponding outlets, the thread and the corresponding dimensions may be used individually for mounting the sensor device holder.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the anchor is designed in annular form in order to detect the fill level of the medium during emptying or filling of the container.

[0023] If the anchor of the sensor device holder is provided with a hole, the anchor can be screwed onto the outlet as a threaded annular cover or inserted or screwed onto the outlet as an annular insert. Thus, during level changes by emptying or filling, level measurements can also be performed with the aid of a fixed probe.

[0024] Advantageously, no complicated redesign of the container is necessary for fixing the probe, and the sensor device holder can be used or replaced flexibly.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the anchoring element of the sensor device holder is detachably attached to the spacer element. This allows simplified replacement of the anchoring element in the form of a cover or annular insert, depending on the application.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the fixing element of the sensor device holder comprises a magnetic element, which is configured as a ferromagnetic coupling element for fixing the probe head.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the fixing element is a ring or an eyelet A pivotable ball provided with one or more holes or a cylindrical sleeve configured to hold the probe vertically.

[0028] In addition, the fixing element may include a plurality of housings which are mounted at predetermined intervals and at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the attachment. Alternatively, the fixing element may be designed so that it is slidably connected to the spacer. With the aid of a predetermined distance scale, the distance from the end of the fixed probe to the outlet can be determined. In addition, telescopic control of the distance is allowed.

[0029] A further aspect of the invention relates to a container having a sensor device and a sensor device holder for the sensor device, the sensor device being configured for detecting a fill level of a medium in the container.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a sensor device holder for fixing a probe of a sensor device in the vicinity of a discharge opening of a container.

[0031] In the following, further embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. If the same reference numerals are used in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar elements are indicated. The illustrations of the drawings are schematic and not to scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a container having a sensor device and a sensor device holder according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sensor of the sensor device according to the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram showing a sensor device bracket according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram showing a sensor device bracket according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3c is a schematic diagram showing a sensor device bracket according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3d is a schematic diagram showing a sensor device bracket according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a container with a pivotable sensor device 100 and a sensor device holder 130 according to an embodiment is shown.

[0039] The container 200, for example an IBC container, comprises a container opening 210 in the upper region and a discharge opening 202 at the side, wherein the pivotable sensor device 100 can be attached to the container opening 210 and the sensor device holder 130 can be fixed to or in the discharge opening 202 by means of an anchor 131. The container 200 can be filled with a filling material having a specific fill level.

[0040] The pivotable sensor device 100 comprises a sensor 110 and a pivot device 120 .

[0041] The sensor 110 includes a probe 111 extending into the container 200 and an electronic device 113, wherein the probe 111 is configured to guide the pulse signal of the radar to the filling material without interference, and the electronic device 113 is configured to determine the level based on the reflected signal according to the propagation time principle. In addition, the probe 111 can be designed in the form of a rod, a tube or a rope.

[0042] The pivot device 120 is arranged on the container opening 210 and is configured to fix the sensor 110 on the container opening 210 and pivot the sensor 110 after fixation. To this end, the pivot device 120 includes a joint housing having an annular or pot shape. A ball joint 121 of a torque-based shaft is provided, in which a spherical shell is arranged in the cylindrical inner space of the joint housing. The sensor 110 is accommodated by the ball joint 121. Thus, the probe 111 in the container 200 can slide and can be freely positioned.

[0043] The sensor device bracket 130 arranged on or in the exhaust port 202 includes an anchor 131 at one end, a fixing element 133 at the other end, and a spacer 132 between the anchor 131 and the fixing element 133, wherein the anchor 131 is configured to anchor the sensor device bracket 130 and the fixing element 133 is configured to fix the probe 111.

[0044] The anchor 131 may be in the form of a cap. The anchor 131 may be screwed onto the discharge port 202 by means of a specified thread. Alternatively, the anchor 131 may be designed in a ring shape to detect the filling level during emptying or filling of the container 200.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the sensor 110 or the pivotable sensor device 100 is fixed by accommodating the probe 111 in the fixing element 133. Thus, the arrangement of the sensor device holder 130 can fix the probe 111 at a predetermined position in the container 200. In particular, the probe 111 can be installed tilted or installed near the discharge opening 202 without turning over the container.

[0046] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a sensor 110 of a sensor device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 As an alternative to the sensor 110 shown with the probe 111 and the electronic device 113, a coupling element 112 is arranged at the free end of the probe 111, the coupling element 112 comprising a ferromagnetic element or a magnetizable material. The coupling element 112 is designed according to the shape of the fixing element 133 of the sensor device holder 130 to produce an optimal connection by magnetic coupling. Therefore, the fixing element 133 comprises a magnetic element or a magnetizable material.

[0047] Figure 3a to Figure 3d Several exemplary embodiments of sensor device holders 130 with different configurations of fastening elements 133 are shown. The fastening elements 133 can also be designed as rings or eyelets ( Figure 3a ) or pivotable ball ( Figure 3b ), the pivotable ball is provided with one or more holes for accommodating the probe 111. Alternatively, the fixing element 133 can be designed as a cylindrical sleeve ( Figure 3c ), the cylindrical sleeve is used to vertically hold the probe 11. In addition, as Figure 3d As shown, the fixing element 133 may include a plurality of receiving portions which are installed at predetermined intervals and at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the spacer 132 .

[0048] It should be noted that "comprising" or "having" does not exclude other elements, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that the features described with reference to the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features of other above embodiments. The reference signs in the claims should not be seen as limiting.

[0049] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0050] This application claims the benefit of priority from German patent application 10 2018 219366.5, filed on November 13, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A sensor device (100) configured to detect a level of a medium in a container (200), wherein: The container (200) comprises a container opening (210) in the upper region and an outlet opening (202) laterally located at the container wall, the sensor device (100) comprising: A sensor (110) comprising a probe (111), and a pivoting device (120), and A sensor device support (130) having a fixing element (133) and a spacer (132); wherein the probe (111) is configured to be fixedly fixed on the fixing element (133) of the sensor device support (130), and the sensor device support (130) is arranged laterally on or in the discharge port (202) of the container (200); wherein the pivoting device (120) is configured to attach the sensor (110) to the container opening (210) in the upper region of the container (200) and to pivot the sensor (110) after the sensor (110) is attached to the container opening (210); The sensor device bracket (130) is configured to be inserted through the discharge port (202), and the spacer (132) and the fixing element (133) extend into the container (200), and allow the probe (111) to be installed obliquely near the discharge port (202) of the container (200) without turning over the container (200).

2. The sensor device (100) according to claim 1, in, The pivoting device (120) comprises a ball joint (121).

3. The sensor device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a coupling element (112) for fixing the probe (111) to the fixing element (133), Wherein, the coupling element (112) comprises a ferromagnetic element.

4. The sensor device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The probe (111) is designed as a radar probe or a microwave probe.

5. A sensor device holder (130) for the sensor device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: an anchor (131) configured to anchor the sensor device holder (130) on or in the discharge port (202) of the container (200); A fixing element (133) is configured to fix the probe (111) of the sensor device (100).

6. The sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5, further comprising: A spacer (132) configured to attach the fixation element (133) to the anchor (131).

7. The sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5 or 6, in, The anchor (131) is designed in the form of a cover for attaching the sensor device holder (130) to the outlet (202) of the container (200).

8. The sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5 or 6, in, The anchor (131) is designed in an annular shape in order to detect the level of the medium during emptying or filling of the container (200).

9. The sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5, in, The anchor (131) of the sensor device holder (130) is detachably attached to a spacer (132).

10. The sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5 or 6, in, The fixing element (133) comprises a magnetic element configured as a ferromagnetic coupling element for coupling to the probe (111) of the sensor (110).

11. The sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5, in, The fixing element (133) is a ring or an eyelet, a pivotable ball provided with one or more holes or a cylindrical sleeve configured to hold the probe (111) vertically, or The fixing element (133) comprises a plurality of receiving portions, which are installed at predetermined intervals and at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the spacer (132).

12. A container (200) having a sensor device (100) according to claim 1 or 2 and a sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5 or 6.

13. Use of the sensor device holder (130) according to claim 5 or 6 for fixing a probe (111) of a sensor device according to claim 1 or 2 near an outlet (202) of a container (200).

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