A sensor having a carrier and a metal sheet element fixed on the carrier.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor having a metal sheet element (2) and a carrier (1), the metal sheet element (2) being disposed on a first side of the carrier (1) and extending within a ring located between an inner circumference and an outer circumference, the metal sheet element (2) having cutting structures (211, 221) that cut into retaining elements (11, 12) of the carrier (1) for fixing the metal sheet element (2) to the carrier (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor having a metal sheet element and a carrier, wherein the metal sheet element is disposed on a first side of the carrier.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method and tool for fixing a metal sheet element of a sensor onto a carrier of the sensor. Background Technology

[0003] In particular, inductive sensors used to detect rotational motion and / or rotational angles incorporate sheet metal elements that are securely fixed to a carrier, such as a shaft. Document DE202006007778U1, for example, discloses stamped sheet metal elements that are welded, brazed, or bonded to a carrier.

[0004] The methods for fixing metal sheet components are complex. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a sensor in which a metal sheet element is fixed to a carrier in a relatively simple manner.

[0006] According to the present invention, this task is solved by having a metal sheet element having a cutting structure that cuts into a holding element of the carrier in order to fix the metal sheet element to the carrier.

[0007] The metal sheet element is fixed to the carrier by cutting its structure into the retaining element, using both form-locking and force-locking mechanisms. This cutting can be achieved through movement of the metal sheet element relative to the carrier. Welding devices, brazing devices, or adhesives are no longer necessary for this fixation.

[0008] In principle, the sheet metal elements and carrier can be designed in different ways to connect them via relative motion. The sheet metal elements and carrier can be designed such that they are interconnected by linear motion or rotation, in which the cutting element of the sheet metal element is embedded in the carrier. The cutting element can have a straight or substantially straight cutting edge for linear motion. If fixation is achieved by rotation, it is advantageous for the cutting element to have a curved cutting edge.

[0009] The sheet metal element can extend within a ring located between the inner and outer circumferences. The cut structure of the sheet metal element can be at least partially an internal cut structure extending along the inner circumference and / or at least partially an external cut structure extending along the outer circumference.

[0010] The carrier's retaining element may protrude on its first side and have at least one internal retaining element that is at least partially protruding, the internal retaining element being substantially disposed within the inner circumference and extending slightly outward beyond the inner circumference, and / or have an external retaining element that is at least partially protruding, the external retaining element being substantially disposed outside the outer circumference and extending slightly inward beyond the outer circumference.

[0011] The internal cutting structure can be inserted into the internal retaining element. Alternatively, the external cutting structure can be inserted into the external retaining element. A particularly robust connection is achieved when both an internal cutting structure and a retaining element are provided.

[0012] Preferably, at least three internal cutting structures and one retaining element and / or at least three external cutting structures and retaining elements are provided.

[0013] To simplify the connection between the carrier and the metal sheet element, it is advantageous that the internal retaining elements are spaced apart from each other along the inner circumference, the distance being exactly equal to or greater than the area through which the internal cutting structure extends along the inner circumference, and / or that the external retaining elements are spaced apart from each other along the outer circumference, the distance being exactly equal to or greater than the area through which the external cutting structure extends along the outer circumference.

[0014] The sensor according to the invention can be an inductive sensor for detecting rotational motion or rotation angle. In this case, the sheet metal element can be part of a rotating component or a rotor. The sheet metal element can form a conducting loop, and the field changes by the rotation of this conducting loop in an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field is generated by a stationary component or a stator. The field change caused by the movement of the sheet metal element can be detected by the conducting loop in the stationary component.

[0015] The end of the cutting and holding element in the cutting structure can be formed into a cutting edge. This makes cutting particularly easy.

[0016] In the metal sheet element of the sensor according to the invention, notches may be provided between the inner and outer circumferences. These notches may be created by extending a closed conductive ring formed by the metal sheet element. These notches may be used to place a tool onto the metal sheet element, by means of which a force required to cause movement of the metal sheet element relative to the carrier may be introduced into the metal sheet element, and the movement of the metal sheet element relative to the carrier may cause the cutting structure to cut into the holding element.

[0017] In order to fix the metal sheet element of the sensor according to the invention onto the carrier of the sensor, the metal sheet element and the carrier are first positioned relative to each other in a first position, in which the holding element is located between the cutting structures. A rotational movement can then be performed, through which the carrier and the metal sheet element move relative to each other, particularly rotate, thereby causing the cutting structures to cut into the holding element located in the direction of rotation.

[0018] The tool used to fix the metal sheet element of the sensor to the carrier of the sensor may have a first surface, and actuating elements protrude from the first surface. When the metal sheet element is fixed to the carrier, these actuating elements are embedded in the recesses of the metal sheet element. When the tool moves, force can be introduced into the metal sheet element through the actuating elements embedded in the recesses. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:

[0020] Figure 1 An end view of a rotating element for a sensor according to the invention is shown, the rotating element comprising a sheet metal element and a carrier, the sheet metal element being mounted on the rotating element;

[0021] Figure 2 An end view of the metal sheet element is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 An end view of the carrier is shown;

[0023] Figure 4 Showing the corresponding Figure 1 The end view, but before the metal sheet element and carrier are connected;

[0024] Figure 5 The tool is shown in an end view along with the metal sheet element inserted therein;

[0025] Figure 6 A perspective view showing the tool along with the metal sheet element inserted therein;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the carrier, the metal sheet element, and the tool before the metal sheet element is fixed to the carrier. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The rotating parts 1 and 2 of the sensor according to the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings consist of a metal sheet element 2 and a carrier 1.

[0028] Metal sheet element 2 forms a conductor ring. This conductor ring has a zigzag extension between an inner and outer circumference around the central axis of rotating parts 1 and 2. Such conductor rings are known from inductive sensors. Through the zigzag extension of the conductor ring, it has six inner segments 22 and six outer segments 21, the six inner segments being more or less located on the inner circumference and the six outer segments being more or less located on the outer circumference. The inner segments 22 have inward-facing cut structures 221, and the outer segments 21 have outward-facing cut structures 211. The inner segments 22 and outer segments 21 are connected by other segments 23 extending from the inside out. The outer cut structure 211 protrudes to the outer circumference, and the inner cut structure 221 protrudes to the inner circumference.

[0029] The carrier 1 has a generally cylindrical shape. Holding elements 11 and 121 are provided on the first side surface, i.e., the end face, more specifically, an inner holding element 12 and an outer holding element 11 are provided. The holding elements 11 and 12 protrude from the first side surface of the carrier 1.

[0030] The external retaining element 11 is formed by bow-shaped tabs that are substantially located on the outer side of the outer circle surrounding the central axis of the carrier 1 or the rotating parts 1, 2 and extend along that circle. The inner edge 111 of the tabs or external retaining element 11 extends inward beyond the outer circle.

[0031] The internal retaining element 12 is formed by a star-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the first side of the carrier at the center of the outer and inner circles. The star-shaped protrusion has serrations 121 that extend outward beyond the inner circle surrounding the central axis of the carrier 2 or the rotating parts 1, 2.

[0032] An annular groove 13 is provided between the inner circle and the outer circle, and the annular groove is provided in the first side surface.

[0033] The tool 3 used to fix the metal sheet element 2 to the carrier 1 is also generally cylindrical. The tool has a drive element 31 on its first side. These drive elements are formed by cylindrical protrusions that extend beyond the first side. The drive element 31 is located between the inner and outer circles surrounding the tool's central axis. A circular recess is provided at the center of the first side.

[0034] To secure the metal sheet element 2 to the carrier 1, the metal sheet element 2 is placed into the tool 3. The connecting section 23 of the conductor ring, extending from the inside to the outside, is located between the driving elements 31.

[0035] In another installation step, tool 3, along with the inserted metal sheet element 2, is fitted onto carrier 1. More precisely, it is fitted such that the cutting structure 211 of the outer section of the conductor ring is positioned between the outer retaining elements 11, and the cutting structure 221 of the inner section 22 of the conductor ring is positioned between the serrations 121 of the inner retaining element 12. Then, tool 3, along with the inserted metal sheet element 1, is rotated, and the cutting structure 211 of the outer section 21 of the metal sheet element 2 cuts into the outer retaining element 11 of carrier 1. Simultaneously, the cutting structure 221 of the inner section 22 of the metal sheet element 2 also cuts into the inner retaining element of carrier 1. Through this cutting, metal sheet element 2 and carrier 1 are connected to each other.

[0036] List of reference numerals

[0037] 1 carrier

[0038] 11 External Holding Elements

[0039] 111 Inner edge of external retaining element

[0040] 12 Internal retaining elements

[0041] 121 serrations

[0042] 13 grooves

[0043] 2. Metal sheet components, conductor rings

[0044] 21 External Sections

[0045] Cutting structure of the external section 211

[0046] 22 internal sections

[0047] 221 Internal section cutting structure

[0048] 23 Connecting Section

[0049] 3 tools

[0050] 31 drive components

Claims

1. A sensor having a metal sheet element (2) and a carrier (1), wherein The sheet metal element (2) is arranged on a first side of the carrier (1), characterized in that the sheet metal element (2) has a cutting structure (211) which cuts into at least one holding element of the carrier (1) in order to fix the sheet metal element (2) on the carrier (1), the sheet metal element (2) extends within a ring between an inner circumferential line and an outer circumferential line, the cutting structure of the sheet metal element (2) is at least partially an inner cutting structure (211) which extends along the inner circumferential line and / or at least partially an outer cutting structure (221) which extends along the outer circumferential line.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein, The holding elements of the carrier (1) protrude on a first side of the carrier and have: at least one at least partially protruding inner holding element (12) which is arranged substantially within the inner circumferential line and extends slightly beyond the inner circumferential line to the outside, and / or at least one at least partially protruding outer holding element (11) which is arranged substantially outside the outer circumferential line and extends slightly beyond the outer circumferential line to the inside.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein, The inner cutting structure (221) cuts into the inner holding element (12) and / or the outer cutting structure (211) cuts into the outer holding element (11).

4. The sensor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The structures (121) of the inner holding element (12) which are cut into by the inner cutting structure (221) are spaced apart from one another along the inner circumferential line by a distance which is exactly equal to or greater than the area which the inner cutting structure (221) extends along the inner circumferential line, and / or the outer holding element (11) is spaced apart from one another along the outer circumferential line by a distance which is exactly equal to or greater than the area which the outer cutting structure (211) extends along the outer circumferential line.

5. The sensor of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The sensor is an inductive sensor for detecting movement, angle or length.

6. The sensor of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The end of the cutting structure which cuts into the holding element forms a blade.

7. The sensor of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The sheet metal element (2) has a recess.

8. The sensor of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The sheet metal element (2) has a recess between the inner circumferential line and the outer circumferential line.

9. Method for fixing the metal sheet element (2) of a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8 on the carrier (1) of the sensor, characterized in that, The sheet metal element (2) and the carrier (1) are first arranged in a first position in which the holding elements are located between the cutting structures, and subsequently moved relative to one another by a movement of the carrier (1) and the sheet metal element (2) relative to one another, as a result of which the cutting structures cut into the holding elements or the structures (111, 121) of the holding elements in the direction of rotation.

10. Tool (3) for fixing a metal sheet element (2) of a sensor according to claim 8 on a carrier (1) of the sensor according to the method of claim 9, characterized in that The tool (3) has a first surface from which the driving elements protrude, which driving elements engage in the recess of the sheet metal element (2) when fixing the sheet metal element (2) on the carrier (1).

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