Housing and method for filling an open receiving space of a housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) having an open receiving space (3), the receiving space having a surrounding edge (10) acting as a creep barrier on the open upper side (5), wherein the receiving space (3) is filled with a filler, and wherein the aged filler forms a recessed surface relative to the surrounding edge (10) on the open upper side (5); and the invention relates to a sensor having such a housing (1) and a method for filling the open receiving space (3) of such a housing (1). Here, the open receiving space (3) has a through-hole (7) at one end leading to a closed inner space (9) adjoining the open receiving space (3), wherein the closed inner space (9) is filled with a filler and the open upper side (5) of the receiving space (3) has a different height at the transition region relative to the closed inner space (9), wherein the surrounding edge (10) has an outwardly inclined ramp (12) and has a continuous bend (14) formed by a tangential transition region to overcome the height difference (dh), and wherein the surrounding edge (10) allows the receiving space (3) to be temporarily overfilled during the filling process with a stable raised filler surface being formed.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing having an open receiving space. A sensor having such a housing and a method for filling the open receiving space of such a housing are also the subject of the present invention. Background Art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to fill electronic components with a sealing material, such as epoxy resin, silicone, in order to prevent moisture, corrosion and electrical leakage. Thus, a popular technique is to fill the open receiving space in a housing, such as a sensor housing, with an epoxy resin potting compound or a silicone potting compound in order to prevent moisture, corrosion, electrical leakage, wherein the open receiving space houses the electronic components of the sensor.

[0003] Especially for sensors with a small structure, such as a rotational speed sensor, a combination formed by small-sized capillary phenomena, complex geometries and / or recessed edges and hydrophilic wetting characteristics may cause overflow of the filler during the filling process. Thus, it may occur that the products and devices are contaminated by the filler.

[0004] A workpiece composite structure for a pressure sensor is known from document DE 10 2008 042 489 B4. The workpiece composite structure includes a preform and a gel, which is received in a void in the preform. The void is surrounded by at least one edge serving as a creep barrier in order to prevent the diffusion of the gel. At least one face enclosed by the edge is provided with a coating made of an oleophobic material in the region adjacent to the edge. The coating made of the oleophobic material prevents the gel from creeping on this face. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The housing according to the invention has the following advantages: The circumferential edge is adapted to hold the filler in a defined area even if the open upper side of the receiving space has different heights and thus a height difference has to be overcome. The circumferential edge thus prevents the spillage of the filler and contamination of the product and the equipment by means of an outwardly inclined ramp and a continuous bend for overcoming the height difference. In addition, a stable and robust filling process with a faster cycle time is achieved for the temporarily permitted overfilling of the receiving space and for the filling of the closed inner space adjacent to the open receiving space. By forming a continuous bend for overcoming the height difference, the crack tendency occurring in this area due to thermo-mechanical tensile stresses or different thermal expansions of the filler can be reduced. The continuous bend of the edge for overcoming the height difference allows sufficient deformation of the filler and thus prevents crack formation, leak-tightness and corrosion. In addition, due to the height difference at the end of the open receiving space, a higher and thus larger through-hole or channel leading to the closed inner space can be formed. Due to the larger through-hole or channel, the shear load can be significantly reduced.

[0006] In addition, an embodiment of the housing according to the invention has a simple geometry in the area of the open receiving space, which can be simply adapted to different design variants, which may differ, for example, in terms of housing length, housing width, shape of the through-hole, number of electronic or electrical components to be received. In addition, the housing can be manufactured as a free-falling injection molding.

[0007] An embodiment of the invention provides a housing having an open receiving space, the open receiving space having a circumferential edge as a creep barrier on the open upper side. The receiving space is filled with a filler, wherein the filler age-hardened on the open upper side forms a recessed surface relative to the circumferential edge. Here, the open receiving space has a through-hole at one end, which leads to a closed inner space adjacent to the open receiving space. The closed inner space is filled with a filler, and the open upper side of the receiving space has different heights in the transition zone relative to the closed inner space. The circumferential edge has an outwardly inclined ramp and a continuous bend formed by a tangential transition zone for overcoming the height difference, wherein the circumferential edge allows the receiving space to be temporarily overfilled during the filling process with a stable raised filler surface being formed.

[0008] In addition, a sensor having such a housing is proposed, in which at least one electronic or electrical component, such as a sensor element, a control and evaluation unit, etc., is arranged.

[0009] In addition, a method for filling the open receiving space of such a housing is proposed. Here, the filler is continuously filled into the receiving space until the receiving space is filled and a stable raised filler surface is formed on the surrounding edge of the open upper side. Subsequently, the filled filler is age-hardened. Before age-hardening, the filler is distributed into the closed inner space through through-holes, so that a recessed filler surface is formed on the surrounding edge of the open upper side of the receiving space.

[0010] For a conventional housing with an open receiving space known from the prior art, the surrounding edge defining the open upper side of the receiving space does not have an outwardly inclined ramp. Thus, when overfilled, the filled filler forms an unstable raised filler surface, which spills over the conventional edge onto the adjacent faces of the receiving space when the contact angle caused by the material is exceeded, contaminating the housing and the device. The liquid front or the protruding filler remains until the contact angle caused by the material with respect to the next face, here the adjacent face of the receiving space, is satisfied. This means that as long as the receiving space is not overfilled, the conventional simple surrounding edge holds the filler only inside the receiving space at a 90° angle with respect to the adjacent faces.

[0011] The embodiment of the housing can preferably be applied to a rotational speed sensor of a small structure. Of course, the embodiment of the housing can also be used for other sensors of small structures or electrical or electronic circuits.

[0012] Through the measures and improvements listed, advantageous improvements of the described housing and the described method for filling the open receiving space of such a housing can be achieved.

[0013] Particularly advantageously, the edge of the receiving space along the rising direction can be configured as a rounded portion. Thus, the receiving space can have, for example, a base surface with a circular or recessed corner region. By forming a rounded portion along the rising direction of the filler, sharp edges are avoided, which may contribute to the spillage of the filler during the filling process.

[0014] In an advantageous design of the housing, the outwardly inclined ramp can have an inclination angle, for example, in the range of 20° to 70°, preferably 45°. In addition, the surrounding edge can have a height in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0015] In a further advantageous design of the housing, the receiving space and / or the interior space can accommodate at least one electrical or electronic component that can be protected by an age-hardened filler. The at least one electronic or electrical component can for example be configured as a sensor element or as an ASCI component (ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like.

[0016] In a further advantageous design of the housing, the through-hole can be partially configured as circular and / or elliptical and / or stepped or provided with other suitable shapes in order to match different enclosed interior spaces to be filled with filler.

[0017] In an advantageous design of the method, the filled filler fills the enclosed interior space after age hardening and forms a recessed filler surface on the surrounding edge of the open upper side. Description of the Drawings

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in detail in the following description. Identical reference numerals in the drawings denote components or elements that perform the same or similar functions.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a speed sensor having an embodiment of a housing according to the invention, the housing having a filler filled into the receiving space.

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of detail II of a housing according to the invention, the housing without the filled filler.

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 1 and 2 a schematic perspective partial sectional view of a cut-out portion of a housing according to the invention.

[0022] Figure 4 is Figures 1 to 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of the open receiving space of a housing according to the invention after being filled with filler, the filler forming a stable raised filler surface.

[0023] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the open receiving space of a housing according to the invention after the filled filler has been age hardened, the filler forming a stable recessed filler surface. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] As shown by Figures 1 to 5It can be seen that the illustrated embodiments of the housing 1 according to the invention each include an open receiving space 3 which has a surrounding edge 10 as a creep barrier at the open upper side 5. The receiving space 3 is filled with a filler 18, wherein the filler 18 aged on the open upper side 5 forms a recessed surface 18A relative to the surrounding edge 10, as shown by Figure 1 and 5 visible. Here, the open receiving space 3 has a through-hole 7 at one end, which leads to a closed inner space 9 adjacent to the open receiving space 3. The closed inner space 9 is filled with the filler 18 and the open upper side 5 of the receiving space 3 has different heights in the transition region relative to the closed inner space 9, wherein the surrounding edge 10 has an outwardly inclined ramp 12 and has a continuous bend 14 formed by a tangential transition region in order to overcome the height difference dh. The surrounding edge 10 allows the receiving space 3 to be temporarily overfilled during the filling process with a stable raised filler surface 18B formed, as shown by Figure 4 visible.

[0025] Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the situation of the receiving space 3 before the filling process or before filling with the filler 18. Figure 1 and 5 show the situation of the receiving space 3 after the filler 18 has aged with a stable recessed filler surface 18A formed. Figure 4 shows the overfilling of the receiving space 3 with the filler 18 with a stable raised filler surface 18B formed.

[0026] According to the method for filling the open receiving space 3 of such a housing 1 according to the invention, the filler 18 is continuously filled into the receiving space 3 until the receiving space 3 is full and a formation occurs on the surrounding edge 10 of the open upper side 5 of the receiving space 3 in Figure 4The stable, raised packing surface 18B shown in the figure. Subsequently, the packing 18 filled into the receiving space 3 is age-hardened. Before the age-hardening process, the filled packing 18 is distributed through the through-holes 7 into the internal space 9 until the internal space is filled with the packing 18, thereby forming a recessed packing surface 18A on the surrounding edge 10 of the open upper side 5 of the receiving space 3. Here, the packing 18 also flows into cavities and undercuts (not shown) in the receiving space 3 and the internal space 9. After the age-hardening process, the filled packing 18 fills the closed internal space 9 and forms a recessed packing surface 18A on the surrounding edge 10 of the open upper side 5 of the receiving space 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the through-holes 7 have a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners. It goes without saying that the through-holes 7 can also have other shapes that are suitable for filling the closed internal space 9 with the packing.

[0027] In addition, as can be seen from Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the surrounding edge 10 of the housing 1 according to the invention has an inclination angle a in the range of 20° to 70° with respect to the next surface (here the ramp 12) by means of an outwardly inclined ramp 12. This allows overfilling of the receiving space 3 during the filling process and the formation of a stable, raised filling surface 18A, while the packing 18 does not spill out of the receiving space 3.

[0028] In particular, as can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The edge of the receiving space 3 along the upward direction is configured as a rounded portion 16. Thereby, sharp edges are avoided in the receiving space 3, and the sharp edges would facilitate the outflow of the packing 18 from the receiving space 3 during the filling process.

[0029] Furthermore, as can also be seen from Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated embodiment of the housing 1, the receiving space 3 has a rectangular base surface with rounded corner regions and has a through-hole 7 leading to the internal space 9 at one end. This means that the corner regions of the receiving space 3 are configured as rounded portions 16.

[0030] In addition, in an unillustrated embodiment of the housing 1, the receiving space 3 can have rounded recesses and / or rounded protrusions on the end side and / or the longitudinal side in addition to the rectangular base surface.

[0031] In addition, as can be seen from Figures 1 to 5It can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment of the housing 1, the outwardly inclined ramp 12 of the surrounding edge 10 exemplarily has an inclination angle a of 45°. The height of the surrounding edge 10 has a height in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm according to the other dimensions of the housing 1 or the dimensions of the accommodation space 3. In the illustrated embodiment of the housing 1, the surrounding edge 10 exemplarily has a height of 0.15 mm.

[0032] The illustrated embodiment of the housing 1 is preferably used for a rotational speed sensor. Here, at least one electronic component of the rotational speed sensor, such as an ASIC component (ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit), is accommodated in the accommodation space 3 and the internal space 9, and the electronic component is protected by the age-hardened filler 18.

Claims

1. A housing (1) having an open receiving space (3), the receiving space having a surrounding edge (10) on the open upper side (5) as a creep barrier, wherein the receiving space (3) is filled with a filler (18), and wherein the filler (18) aged on the open upper side (5) forms a filler surface (18A) recessed relative to the surrounding edge (10). Characterized in that the open receiving space (3) has a through-hole (7) at one end, the through-hole leading to a closed inner space (9) contiguous to the open receiving space (3), wherein the closed inner space (9) is filled with a filler (18), and the open upper side (5) of the receiving space (3) has a different height at the transition region relative to the closed inner space (9), wherein the surrounding edge (10) has an outwardly inclined ramp (12) and has a continuous bend (14) formed by a tangential transition region to overcome the height difference (dh), and wherein the surrounding edge (10) allows the receiving space (3) to be temporarily overfilled during the filling process with a stable raised filler surface (18B) being formed.

2. The housing (1) according to claim 1, Characterized in that the edge of the receiving space (3) along the ascending direction is configured as a rounded portion (16).

3. The housing (1) according to claim 2, Characterized in that the open receiving space (3) has a rectangular base surface with rounded corner regions.

4. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Characterized in that the outwardly inclined ramp (12) has an inclination angle (a) in the range of 20° to 70°.

5. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Characterized in that the surrounding edge (10) has a height in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

6. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Characterized in that the receiving space (3) and / or the inner space (9) houses at least one electronic or electrical component protected by the aged filler (18).

7. The housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Characterized in that the through-hole (7) is partially configured as circular and / or elliptical and / or stepped.

8. A sensor having a housing (1) and at least one electronic or electrical component arranged in the housing (1), Characterized in that the housing (1) is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method for filling the open receiving space (3) of a housing (1) configured according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method having the following steps: filling the filler (18) into the receiving space (3) and aging the filled filler (18), Characterized in that The filler (18) is continuously filled into the accommodation space (3) until the accommodation space (3) is filled and a stable raised filler surface (18B) is formed on the surrounding edge (10) of the open upper side surface (5), wherein the filler (18) is distributed into the closed internal space (9) via the through holes (7) before age hardening, so as to form a sunken filler surface (18A) on the surrounding edge (10) of the open upper side surface (5) of the accommodation space (3).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, the filled filler (18) fills the closed internal space (9) after age hardening and forms a sunken filler surface (18A) on the surrounding edge (10) of the open upper side surface (5) of the accommodation space (3).

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