A sensor

Abstract

The sensor provided by the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application comprises a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity and the second cavity are not communicated, the pressure sensing element is arranged in the first cavity communicated with the outside and / or in the cavity communicated with the first cavity, the pressure sensing element does not need to be sealingly connected with the connecting piece, the leakage points are reduced, and the sealing performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sensing technology, and in particular to a sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Sensors are used to sense pressure or temperature within a system. They can convert the measured pressure or temperature signals into electrical signals, which serve as input signals to a host computer to control the system. Since sensors come into direct or indirect contact with the object being measured, sealing performance is a crucial indicator of sensor performance. Improving the sealing performance of sensors is a technical challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a sensor that improves the sensor's sealing performance.

[0004] One embodiment of the technical solution of this application provides a sensor, including a conductor, a connector, a housing, and a pressure sensing component. At least a portion of the pressure sensing component is located within the housing. The sensor has a first cavity and a second cavity, which are not in communication. The first cavity is used to communicate with the outside. The pressure sensing component includes a pressure sensing element, which is electrically connected to a first end of the conductor. Along the axial direction of the sensor, the first cavity is located on one side of the connector, and the second cavity is located on the other side of the connector. At least a portion of the pressure sensing element is located in the first cavity and / or in a cavity communicating with the first cavity. The second end of the conductor is closer to the second cavity than the first end of the conductor, and the second end of the conductor is exposed in the connector.

[0005] The sensor proposed in the above embodiments of this application includes a first cavity and a second cavity, which are not connected. The pressure sensing element is disposed in the first cavity that is connected to the outside and / or in the cavity that is connected to the first cavity. The pressure sensing element does not need to be sealed to the connector, which reduces leakage points and helps to improve sealing performance. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of one implementation of the sensor;

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a sensor from one perspective;

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another perspective breakdown diagram of the sensor;

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A three-dimensional structural diagram of a sensor from one perspective;

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross section along AA;

[0011] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the connector from one perspective;

[0012] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the connector from another perspective;

[0013] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a connector. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Please see Figures 1-8One embodiment of this application provides a sensor 10, including a housing 11, a conductor 12, a connector 13, and a pressure sensing assembly 14. At least a portion of the pressure sensing assembly 14 is located within the housing 11. The sensor 10 has a first cavity 101 and a second cavity 102, which are not connected. The pressure sensing assembly 14 includes a pressure sensing element 141, which is electrically connected to a first end of the conductor 12. Along the axial direction of the sensor 10, the first cavity 101 is located on one side of the connector 13, and the second cavity 102 is located on the other side of the connector 13. At least a portion of the pressure sensing element 141 is located within the first cavity 101. 01. In this embodiment, the first cavity 101 is connected to the outside, for example, to the component under test. The pressure sensor 141 can measure the pressure of the fluid in the first cavity 101. In other embodiments, the pressure sensor 141 can also be located in a cavity connected to the first cavity 101. For example, the connector 13 has a receiving cavity connected to the first cavity 101, and the pressure sensor 141 is located in the receiving cavity of the connector 13. In this way, the pressure sensor 141 can also measure the pressure of the fluid entering the first cavity 101. Alternatively, a part of the pressure sensor 141 may be located in the first cavity 101, and another part may be located in a cavity connected to the first cavity 101. This will not be described in detail. The second end of the conductor 12 is closer to the second cavity 102 than the first end. The second end of the conductor 12 is exposed to the connector 13. The term "exposed to the connector" here includes: the second end of the conductor 12 protrudes from the connector 13, is flush with the connector 13, or is located in the groove of the connector 13, so that the conductor 12 can be electrically connected to the pin 18, the circuit board 16, or the wire. The pressure sensor 141 is located in the first cavity 101, which is not connected to the second cavity 102. In contrast, if the pressure sensor 141 is located in the second cavity 102, and the connector 13 has a channel communicating with the first cavity 101, the pressure sensor 141 senses pressure through this channel. In this case, the pressure sensor 141 needs to be sealed to the connector 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, sealing between the pressure sensor 141 and the connector 13 is unnecessary, reducing leakage points, improving sealing performance, and extending the lifespan of the sensor 10. Furthermore, in practical applications, the pressure sensor 141 may break, causing communication between the first cavity 101 and the second cavity 102. This would allow the fluid being measured to enter the second cavity 102, damaging the components within it. However, the pressure sensor 141 proposed in this application will not leak even if damaged.

[0015] Please refer to section 6 and... Figure 7The connector 13 includes a first hole 133, which has a first hole 1331. The first hole 1331 extends through the connector 13 along the axial direction of the sensor 10. At least a portion of the conductor 12 is located in the first hole 1331. The connector 13 and the conductor 12 are sealed together. The end of the conductor 12 may protrude from the connector 13, or the end of the conductor 12 may be located in the first hole 1331, or the end of the conductor 12 may be flush with the wall of the connector 13. The connector 13 includes a first wall 131 and a second wall 132, wherein the first wall 131 faces the first cavity 101, and the second wall 132 faces the second cavity 102. A first hole 1331 has an opening in the first wall 131 and the second wall 132. The first end of the conductor 12 protrudes relative to the first wall 131. A pressure sensing element 141 is located in the first cavity 101 and includes a pad. The first end 121 of the conductor 12 is welded and fixedly connected to the pad, and the pressure sensing element 141 is electrically connected to the conductor 12. In this embodiment, there are four conductors 12, and the specific number of conductors 12 can be set according to actual conditions. The material of the conductor 12 can be aluminum, copper, or other conductive materials, and the material of the connector 13 can be plastic, ceramic, or other non-conductive materials. The conductor 12 and the connector 13 can be injection molded as one piece or sealed together with sealant. In another specific embodiment, in addition to having openings on the first wall 131 and the second wall 132, the first hole 1331 also has an opening on the side wall of the connector 13, with at least a portion of the conductor 12 located within the first hole 1331. Alternatively, the conductor 12 can be integrally formed with the connector 13, with the material of the conductor 12 being partially the same as that of the connector 13. The conductivity of the conductor 12 is greater than that of the connector 13. For example, the conductor 12 can be made of conductive ceramic, while the connector 13 is made of ceramic but not conductive. The conductor 12 and the connector 13 can be integrally formed.

[0016] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The sensor 10 may further include a circuit board 16, which includes several electronic components. The circuit board 16 is located in the second cavity 102. The circuit board 16 is fixedly connected or limited to the housing 11. The circuit board 16 may also be fixedly connected or limited to the connector 13. The connection method can be adhesive, welding or snap-fit. The second end of the conductor 12 is electrically connected to the circuit board 16. In this way, the pressure sensing element 141 is electrically connected to the circuit board 16 through the conductor 12. The circuit board 16 can be used to collect sensing signals.

[0017] Please see Figure 5The sensor 10 also includes a pin 18, which is sealed to the housing 11. The housing 11 has a third cavity 103. Along the axial direction of the sensor 10, a second cavity 102 is closer to the first cavity 101 than the third cavity 103. The second cavity 102 and the third cavity 103 are not in communication. The first end of the pin 18 is located in the second cavity 102 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 16. The second end of the pin 18 is located in the third cavity 103 and is used for connection to the outside. In other embodiments, the sensor 10 may not include the circuit board 16, and the pin 18 may be directly electrically connected to the second end of the conductor 12.

[0018] Sensor 10 includes a first seal 15, and housing 11 includes a first step 113. The first surface of the first step 113 faces the first wall 131 and is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the axial direction of sensor 10. The first seal 15 contacts the first wall 131 and the first surface of the first step 113 respectively. Along the axial direction of sensor 10, the first seal 15 is pressed between the first wall 131 and the first surface of the first step 113. The first seal 15 can be a sealing ring or a sealing gasket, which can prevent fluid in the second cavity 102 from entering the first cavity 101 and damaging the devices in the first cavity 101, such as the circuit board 16. In other embodiments, connector 13 includes a third wall located on the periphery of connector 13, housing 11 includes sidewalls, and the first seal 15 contacts the third wall and the sidewall of housing 11 respectively. Along the radial direction of sensor 10, the first seal 15 is pressed between the sidewall and the third wall of housing 11.

[0019] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5The sensor 10 may further include a temperature sensing component 17. The conductor 12 includes a first conductor 1201 and a second conductor 1202. The first end of the first conductor 1201 is electrically connected to the pressure sensing element 141. At least a portion of the temperature sensing component 17 is located in the first cavity 101. The temperature sensing component 17 includes a spring 171, a temperature sensing element 172, and a base 173. The spring 171 and the base 173 are integrally structured, fixedly connected, or limitedly connected. The spring 171 includes a spring portion 1711 and a first end. The first end 1712 of the spring 171 is electrically connected to the connecting line of the temperature sensing element 172. The spring portion 1711 is electrically connected to the first end of the second conductor 1202. The base 173 includes a flared portion 1732 and a cylindrical portion 1731. The outer diameter of the flared portion 1732 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 1731. Along the axial direction of the sensor 10, the flared portion 1732 is closer to the connector 13 than the cylindrical portion 1731. The spring portion 1711 protrudes toward the connector 13 relative to the flared portion 1732. The temperature sensing element 172 is located inside the cylindrical portion 1731. At least a portion of the cylindrical portion 1731 is located in the first cavity 101. There is a gap between the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 1731 and the wall forming the first cavity 101. The gap is a channel for the fluid to be measured to enter the location of the pressure sensing element. The cylindrical portion 1731 has a protrusion that contacts the wall forming the first cavity 101, thus achieving radial limiting of the cylindrical portion 1731. The housing 11 includes a second step portion 114, the first surface of which faces the first wall 131. The first surface of the second step portion 114 is perpendicular to or nearly perpendicular to the axis of the sensor 10. Along the axis of the sensor 10, the flared portion abuts against the first surface of the second step portion 114 relative to the wall adjacent to the second step portion 114, thereby achieving axial positioning of the temperature sensing component 17.

[0020] The housing 11 includes a first housing 111 and a second housing 112. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are riveted together. A first step portion 113 and a second step portion 114 are located in the first housing 11. The pin 18 is fixedly connected to the second housing 11. The second housing 11 includes a third step portion 115. The first surface of the third step portion 115 abuts against the second surface of the connector 13 to achieve axial positioning of the connector 13.

[0021] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising a conductor, a connector, a housing, and a pressure sensing assembly, wherein at least a portion of the pressure sensing assembly is located within the housing, the sensor having a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity and the second cavity not communicating, the first cavity being for communicating with the outside, the pressure sensing assembly including a pressure sensing element electrically connected to a first end of the conductor, the first cavity being located on one side of the connector along the axial direction of the sensor, the second cavity being located on the other side of the connector, at least a portion of the pressure sensing element being located in the first cavity and / or in a cavity communicating with the first cavity, the second end of the conductor being closer to the second cavity than the first end of the conductor, the second end of the conductor being exposed in the connector; the connector being sealed to the conductor.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector includes a first hole portion having a first hole along the axial direction of the sensor, the first hole penetrating the connector, at least a portion of the conductor being located in the first hole, and the connector being sealed to the conductor. Alternatively, the conductor and the connector are integrally formed, the material of the conductor is partially the same as that of the connector, and the conductivity of the conductor is greater than that of the connector.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connector includes a first wall and a second wall, the first wall facing the first cavity and the second wall facing the second cavity. The first end of the connector protrudes relative to the first wall. The pressure sensing element is located in the first cavity. The pressure sensing component includes a pad, the pad is fixedly connected to the pressure sensing element, and the first end is welded and fixed to the pad.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sensor includes a first seal, and the housing includes a first step portion. The first surface of the first step portion faces the first wall. The first surface of the first step portion is perpendicular to or tends to be perpendicular to the axial direction of the sensor. The first seal portion contacts the first wall and the first surface of the first step portion. Along the axial direction of the sensor, the first seal portion is pressed against the first wall and the first surface of the first step portion. Alternatively, the connector includes a third wall located on the periphery of the connector, the housing includes a side wall, the first seal contacts the third wall, the first seal contacts the side wall of the housing, and along the radial direction of the sensor, the first seal presses against the side wall of the housing and the third wall.

5. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The sensor includes a circuit board, which includes several electronic components. The circuit board is located in the second cavity and is fixedly or limitedly connected to the housing or the connector. The second end of the conductor is electrically connected to the circuit board.

6. The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The conductor includes a first conductor and a second conductor, and the first end of the first conductor is electrically connected to the pressure sensing element. The sensor includes a temperature sensing component, at least a portion of which is located in the first cavity. The temperature sensing component includes a spring, a temperature sensing element, and a substrate. The spring is integrally formed with the substrate, or is fixedly connected or limitedly connected. The spring includes a spring portion and a first end portion. The first end portion of the spring is electrically connected to the connection line of the temperature sensing element. The spring portion is electrically connected to the first end portion of a second conductor. The second end portion of the second conductor is electrically connected to the circuit board.

7. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base includes a flared portion and a cylindrical portion. The outer diameter of the flared portion is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. Along the axial direction of the sensor, the flared portion is closer to the connecting body than the cylindrical portion. The elastic portion protrudes towards the connecting body relative to the flared portion. The temperature sensing element is located inside the cylindrical portion. The housing includes a second stepped portion, and the connecting body includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall faces the first cavity, and the second wall faces the second cavity. The first surface of the second stepped portion faces the first wall. The first surface of the second stepped portion is perpendicular to or tends to be perpendicular to the axis of the sensor. Along the axis of the sensor, the flared portion abuts against the first surface of the second stepped portion relative to the wall adjacent to the second stepped portion.

8. The sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing are riveted together, the housing includes a first stepped portion, the first stepped portion and the second stepped portion are located in the first housing, the second housing includes a third stepped portion, the first surface of the third stepped portion abuts against the second wall of the connecting body.

9. The sensor according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sensor includes a pin that is sealed to a second housing. The second housing has a third cavity along the axial direction of the sensor. The second cavity is closer to the first cavity than the third cavity. The second cavity and the third cavity are not in communication. The first end of the pin is located in the second cavity and is electrically connected to the circuit board. The second end of the pin is located in the third cavity.

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