Sensors, in particular angle sensors or torque sensors, comprising a support for the stator to prevent rotation

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor, in particular a rotation angle sensor or a torque sensor, comprising a stator which is stationary relative to the environment and a rotor which is rotatable relative to the environment and the stator, wherein the stator has a support by means of which the stator is fixed against rotation relative to the environment and a circuit board (1) on which an electronic circuit arrangement of the stator is arranged, the support being a pin (3), and the electronic circuit arrangement and the pin (3) are at least partially enclosed by an encapsulation (2), one end of the pin (3) protruding from the encapsulation, and the pin (3) is fastened in or on the circuit board (1) or in or on the encapsulation (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor, particularly an angle sensor or a torque sensor, the sensor comprising at least one stator stationary relative to the environment and at least one rotor rotatable relative to the environment and the stator, wherein the stator has: a support member by means of which the stator is fixed to prevent rotation relative to the environment; and a circuit board on which the electronic circuitry of the stator is arranged. Background Technology

[0002] An angle sensor for determining a relative angular position with respect to a reference position is disclosed in document DE 10 2012 105 966 ​​A1. The angle sensor comprises: a housing; at least one rotor rotatably supported within the housing; a circuit board having a circuit arrangement consisting of electrical and / or electronic components; and one or more stators corresponding to the number of rotors. The housing is protected from rotation relative to the sensor's environment by means of a support member—referred to as a connecting member in document DE 10 2012 105966A1—i.e., supported in a recess in a fixed component of the vehicle. Clearance-free support is maintained under all possible operating conditions. This is achieved by the plastic spring of the support member being supported by a metal spring, and the two springs compensating for tolerances in the recess and / or the support member.

[0003] The support component (which includes the two springs) is costly to construct. Although the support component can be manufactured as an injection-molded part made of plastic in addition to metal springs, assembly is costly, especially due to the use of metal springs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention begins here.

[0005] The objective of this invention is to find a simpler construction, particularly for gapless support of the stator of the sensor mentioned at the beginning.

[0006] The task is solved according to the invention by the following: the support is a pin or other protruding component; and the electronic circuit arrangement and the pin are at least partially encased in castable, wherein one end of the pin or other protruding component protrudes from the castable; and the pin or other protruding component is fastened in or on the circuit board or in or on the castable.

[0007] Pins or other protruding parts can be manufactured and fastened to the circuit board in a simple manner. For example, pins or other protruding parts can be fastened to the circuit board by riveting or by snap-fit ​​connections. Alternatively, the pins or other protruding parts can simply be inserted into holes in the circuit board and further secured by casting with a resin. Pins or other protruding parts can also be fastened solely to the resin.

[0008] The circuit layout can be completely or partially encased by the castable material, so the housing is not necessary to protect the circuit layout from environmental influences.

[0009] With the aid of this invention, very similar sensors according to the invention can be manufactured in a simple manner, differing only in the design of the pins or other protruding parts and the position of the pins or other protruding parts from the castable. This makes it possible to manufacture sensors adapted to different environments without significant expense.

[0010] The pin or other protruding component may be at least partially composed of an elastomer, particularly a thermoplastic elastomer. Preferably, at least the end of the pin or other protruding component protruding from the castable is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, or it has a covering layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer. Using the elastomer-composed end of the pin or other protruding component, it is possible, in a simple manner, to achieve gapless support of the stator in or on the environment.

[0011] The pin or other protruding part may also consist of two plastic components: a rigid base and a resilient end. Alternatively, the additional (ansonsten) non-resilient end of the pin or other protruding part may carry a cover made of an elastomer, thereby giving the end a resilient characteristic.

[0012] The base for fastening the pin or other protruding component in or on the circuit board may be made of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the casting material or a similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the end of the pin protruding from the casting material.

[0013] Preferably, the castable is composed of thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic plastic.

[0014] The end of the pin or other protruding component may protrude from the castable in any direction. For it to function as a support, the end must engage with a groove, hole, slot, or other cavity in the environment. Preferably, the end of the pin or other protruding component protrudes from the thermosetting plastic along or parallel to the rotor's axis of rotation. It is also possible that the end of the pin or other protruding component protrudes from the thermosetting plastic radially to the rotor's axis of rotation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The invention is further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 A top view showing a portion of the sensor according to the invention; and

[0017] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The cross-section of that part. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The portion of the sensor according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings includes a portion of a circuit board 1. Circuit board 1 is an assembly of the sensor's stator, which also includes a rotor, but no portion of the rotor is shown. The shown portion of circuit board 1 is cast into a casting 2. Holes are formed in the casting 2. Pins 3 are fastened into these holes in a riveting manner. Pins 3 protrude from the casting 2 parallel to the axis of rotation. In a variant shown in dashed lines, pins 3 protrude radially from the casting 2.

[0019] The sensor may have a central recess through which a shaft or axle, such as a steering column, is guided. The rotor may be secured to the shaft or axle. The stator is torsionally secured to or within the shaft or axle environment. Rotation of the stator relative to the environment is prevented by a pin 3, which forms a support for the stator to prevent rotation.

[0020] The casting material 2 is composed of thermosetting plastic, while the pin 3 is made of thermoplastic elastomer. The pin 3 can be oversized relative to the groove in the body within the sensor's environment. If the pin 3 is inserted into the groove in the body, it is positioned within the groove without any clearance. This compensates for any clearance tolerance between the pin 3 and the groove. The stator thus has a clearance-free support to prevent rotation.

[0021] List of reference numerals ( Figure 1 ):

[0022] 1 Circuit board

[0023] 2. Castable refractory

[0024] 3. Selling

Claims

1. A sensor comprising a stator stationary relative to an environment and a rotor rotatable relative to both the environment and the stator, wherein, The stator has: a support member for fixing the stator to prevent rotation relative to the environment; and a circuit board (1) on which the electronic circuitry of the stator is arranged. Its features are, The support is a pin (3) or other protruding component; and the electronic circuit arrangement and the pin or other protruding component are at least partially encased in castable (2), with one end of the pin or other protruding component protruding from the castable (2); and the pin or other protruding component is fastened to the circuit board (1) or fastened in the castable (2). The pin (3) or other protruding component, at least at the end protruding from the castable, is composed of an elastomer, and The pin (3) or other protruding part is configured to have an oversized dimension relative to the groove in the environment of the sensor, such that when the pin (3) or other protruding part is inserted into the groove, the pin (3) or other protruding part is in the groove without gap, in order to compensate for the gap tolerance between the pin (3) or other protruding part and the groove.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin (3) or other protruding part has at least one end protruding from the castable material made of thermoplastic elastomer, or the end of the pin (3) or other protruding part has a cover or pressure-molded encapsulation made of thermoplastic elastomer.

3. The sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pin (3) or other protruding part consists of two plastic components.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base for fastening the pin (3) or other protruding part to the circuit board (1) is made of a material having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the castable (2) or a similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the end of the pin (3) or other protruding part protruding from the castable (2).

5. The sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The casting material (2) is composed of thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic plastic.

6. The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The end of the pin (3) or other protruding component protrudes from the thermosetting plastic along or parallel to the direction of the rotor's rotation axis.

7. The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The end of the pin (3) or other protruding component protrudes from the thermosetting plastic in a direction radial to the rotor's axis of rotation.

8. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor is an angle sensor or a torque sensor.

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