Sensor housing
By forming a recess in the clamping area of the sensor housing, and using the gap between the locking element and the housing to prevent axial movement, the problem of vibration and impact in the fluid system is solved, and a low-cost installation solution is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411737121.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2018-11-13
- Filing Date
- 2019-11-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing sensor housings are susceptible to vibration and impact in fluid systems, making installation difficult and costly, especially in limited spaces.
By forming a recess in the clamping area of the sensor housing, a gap between the locking element and the housing is used to prevent axial movement and reduce production costs.
The provision of recesses in the clamping area of the sensor housing at low cost is achieved, simplifying the installation process and suitable for remote installations with limited spaces.
Smart Images
Figure CN119595032A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with application number 201980071456.8 (date of entering the Chinese national phase: April 28, 2021; invention name: sensor housing). Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to a sensor housing comprising a longitudinal axis, a clamping region around the longitudinal axis, and a recess in the clamping region, which extends in a circumferential direction. Background Art
[0003] The sensor housing may be used as part of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor which may be mounted on a fluid system, for example a refrigeration system, a hydraulic system or an engine.
[0004] Sensors arranged in fluid systems may be subject to vibrations and / or shocks.
[0005] In order to overcome or at least reduce the problems caused by such vibrations and / or shocks, it has been proposed not only to mount the sensor housing on the fluid system but also to fasten the sensor housing to a rigid structure or a vibration-damping element by using screws, threaded bolts and nuts.
[0006] However, such components are difficult to install in systems or remote locations where limited space exists to manipulate the parts and necessary tools.
[0007] A more complex solution is to use a hose clamp around the clamping area. In order to reduce the possibility of axial movement of the sensor housing, the hose clamp is provided with a radially inwardly extending projection, which, however, requires a corresponding recess in the clamping area of the sensor housing. The recess can be in the form of a circumferentially extending groove. When the projection of the hose clamp or a similar clamping ring has been inserted into the recess, the sensor housing is locked against movement in the axial direction.
[0008] However, it is difficult and expensive to produce such a recess or groove in the clamping area, especially in the case where the clamping area is located on a large flange portion of the housing, which flange portion usually has a polygonal outer surface for mounting tools. Furthermore, the longitudinal extension of the large flange may be too limited to accommodate such a recess or groove, but still serve as a surface for mounting tools and / or for product marking. Summary of the invention
[0009] The underlying object of the invention is to provide a recess in the clamping region of a sensor housing at low production costs.
[0010] This object is solved by a sensor housing as described in the opening paragraph, wherein a recess is formed between a part of the housing and a locking element fixed to the housing.
[0011] Such a solution has the advantage that it is no longer necessary to form a recess or a corresponding groove by machining the housing. It is only necessary to fix the locking element to the housing so that a gap is formed between the locking element and a part of the housing in the clamping area. The width of the gap can be determined by the mounting position of the locking element. A projection of a hose clamp or any other retaining ring can then be inserted into the gap between the locking element and the housing, thereby preventing an axial movement of the sensor housing, i.e. a movement parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises an extension, the cross-sectional area of which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the clamping area, wherein the locking element is fixed to the extension. The locking element can then be fixed at a circumferential and axial position of the extension, i.e. a position in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensor housing, which defines the width of the gap or recess between the locking element and the above-mentioned part of the housing.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the extension is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis. This has the advantage that the locking element can also be arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis, thereby facilitating installation.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the locking element at least partially surrounds the extension. This means that the recess or gap formed between the locking element and the above-mentioned portion of the housing in the clamping area is formed at least on the same circumferential portion of the extension on which the locking element is arranged.
[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the extension has a cylindrical form. The cylindrical form is simple to produce, for example, by turning. The locking element can be mounted on the cylindrical extension without regard to the angular position of the locking element. The extension may have a tapered section at the end facing away from the housing.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the extension extends perpendicularly from a face of the housing. This face of the housing, which defines one side of the groove or recess that receives the projection of the snap ring, may be referred to as a "permanent clamping surface".
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, a groove is formed in the extension and the locking element is in the form of a clip element that snaps into the groove. The groove on the cylindrical part can be easily produced. Due to the smaller cross-section of the extension, the groove is shorter in the circumferential direction than the corresponding groove on the outer circumference of the clamping area. The groove only needs to be relatively small in depth, because it is only provided for holding the locking element.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the clip element is E-shaped. In other words, it is in the form of a ring (not necessarily in circular form) having a plurality of protrusions directed radially inwards, wherein the protrusions are inserted into the grooves. The angular distance between the outermost protrusions is greater than 180°, so that by elastically deforming the clip, the clip element can be pushed into the groove on the extension until the clip element snaps around the bottom surface of the groove of the extension. The axial surface of the clip element facing the permanent clamping surface can be called a "temporary clamping surface". The permanent clamping surface and the temporary clamping surface together limit a recess in the axial direction, which is intended to receive the protrusion of the clamp ring.
[0019] In another embodiment, the locking element is in the form of a locking washer mounted on the extension. The locking washer includes an outer ring element having a number of elastically deformable sections protruding from the ring in a radially inward direction. The inner diameter of the washer is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the extension. The locking washer can be mounted on the cylindrical extension and pushed against the permanent clamping surface until the distance between the outer ring of the washer and the permanent clamping surface corresponds to a predetermined distance or width of the recess. The inner end surface of the deformable section will engage with the surface of the extension and deform in an axial direction opposite to the installation direction. Thereby, the washer will be locked to prevent movement in this direction. The washer will be able to withstand the axial loads generated by the clamping element under normal operation of the fluid system.
[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the working section of the sensor extends from the extension portion. The working section may include the sensor itself and / or determine the physical properties of the fluid in the system. Alternatively, the working section may form a channel that guides the fluid into other parts of the sensor housing.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the cross section of the working section is smaller than the cross section of the extension. When the locking element is mounted, the working section does not interfere.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the working section comprises a threaded portion. The threaded portion may comprise an external thread or an internal thread. The threaded portion may be used to connect the sensor housing to a fluid system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a sensor housing is shown partially cut away,
[0025] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sensor housing,
[0026] Figure 3 A second embodiment of a sensor housing is shown partially cut away, and
[0027] Figure 4 A perspective view of a second embodiment of a sensor housing is shown.
[0028] In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The sensor housing 1 comprises a longitudinal axis 2 and a clamping region 3 around the longitudinal axis 2. A recess 4 is provided in the clamping region 3. The recess 4 extends in the circumferential direction, which does not necessarily mean that it is continuous in the circumferential direction.
[0030] The recess 4 is formed between the locking element 5 and a portion 6 of the housing 1. The portion 6 of the housing comprises a permanent clamping surface 7. The locking element 5 comprises a temporary clamping surface 8.
[0031] The extension 9 extends perpendicularly from the permanent clamping face 7, ie from the part 6 of the housing. As can be seen, the part 6 of the housing may be provided with a polygonal outer surface 10, for example a hexagon, which may be used for mounting a tool.
[0032] The cross section of the extension 9 is smaller than the cross section area of the clamping area 3 , more precisely smaller than the cross section area of the housing part 6 . The extension 9 has a cylindrical outer form. The extension 9 extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis 2 .
[0033] The extension 9 is provided with a groove 11 extending in the circumferential direction. The locking element 5 is in the form of a spring ring having projections 12, 13, 14 protruding radially inwards. The outermost projections 12, 14 have an angular distance of more than 180°. Accordingly, the locking element 5 is in the form of an E-shaped clip element which can be pushed into the groove 11 by pressing the locking element into the groove 11 in a radial direction (relative to the longitudinal axis 2). During this mounting process, the locking element 5 is elastically deformed and the projections 12, 13, 14 snap around the bottom surface of the groove 11.
[0034] The temporary clamping surface 8 is the axial surface of the locking element which faces the permanent clamping surface 7 of the housing part 6. Accordingly, along the largest part of the circumference of the sensor housing 1, the locking element forms together with the axial surface of the housing part 6 the recess 4. The distance of the radial groove 11 from the permanent clamping surface 7 defines the width of the recess 4.
[0035] The connection of the locking element 4 and the extension 9 can withstand high axial loads. The locking element 5 is a cheap standard part and can be removed from the sensor housing 1 if no special vibration damping is required.
[0036] Figure 3 and Figure 4A second embodiment of the sensor housing 1 is shown, in which the locking element 5 is in the form of a locking washer. The locking element 5 comprises an outer ring element 15 having several elastically deformable sections 16 protruding from the ring 15 in a radially inward direction. The inner diameter of the locking element 5 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical extension 9 of the sensor housing 1. The locking element 5 can be pushed onto the cylindrical extension 9 and pushed towards the permanent clamping surface 7 until the distance between the temporary clamping surface 8 of the locking element 5 and the permanent clamping surface 7 of the housing section 6 corresponds to the predetermined or desired width of the recess 4. The inner end surface of the deformable section 16 will engage with the surface of the cylindrical extension 9 and deform in an axial direction opposite to the mounting direction. Thereby, the locking element 5 will be locked against movement in this direction.
[0037] The locking element 5 will be able to withstand axial loads from the clamping element. Under normal operation of the fluid system, the radially inwardly protruding portion of the hose clamp is inserted into the recess 4 .
[0038] Such a sensor housing 1 allows the use of relatively cheap components for the locking element 5 , enabling remote and rapid installation of the sensor arrangement in an opening of a fluid system.
[0039] The sensor housing 1 may include at least one sensor for determining a physical property of a fluid in the system, for example a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor arranged within the sensor housing 1 .
[0040] For this purpose, the sensor housing 1 is provided with a working section 17 which extends from the extension 9 and whose cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the extension 9. The working section 17 can also have a cylindrical outer form. It forms a step of the extension 9.
[0041] The working section 17 can be used to accommodate the above-mentioned sensor. In addition or alternatively, the working section 17 can be provided with a channel that guides fluid from the system into other parts of the sensor housing 1. In addition, the working section 17 can be provided with an internal or external thread that enables the sensor housing 1 to be installed in a fluid system.
Claims
1. A sensor housing (1), comprising: Longitudinal axis (2), a housing part which surrounds the longitudinal axis (2) and has an axially facing clamping surface (7), an extension (9) which surrounds the longitudinal axis and extends from the axially facing clamping surface (7), a circumferential groove (11) extending around the extension, the groove being axially spaced from the axially facing clamping surface (7), a locking element (5), which is located in the groove (11), Therein, a circumferential recess (4) is formed between the axially facing clamping surface (7) and the locking element (5).
2. The sensor housing according to claim 1, characterized in that The cross-sectional area of the extension (9) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the housing portion, wherein the locking element (5) is fixed to the extension (9).
3. The sensor housing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The extension (9) is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis (2).
4. The sensor housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locking element (5) at least partially surrounds the extension (9).
5. The sensor housing according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The extension (9) has a cylindrical form.
6. The sensor housing according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The extension (9) extends perpendicularly from an axially facing clamping surface (7) of the housing part.
7. The sensor housing according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that The locking element (5) is in the form of a clip element that snaps into the slot (11).
8. The sensor housing according to claim 7, characterized in that The clip element is E-shaped.
9. The sensor housing according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that The locking element (5) is in the form of a locking washer mounted on the extension (9).
10. The sensor housing according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that The working section (17) of the sensor housing (1) extends from the extension (9).
11. The sensor housing according to claim 10, characterized in that The cross-sectional area of the working section (17) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the extension portion (9).
12. The sensor housing according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The working section (17) comprises a threaded portion.