Shaped seal, apparatus having shaped seal and method of using shaped seal

Abstract

A shaped seal, an apparatus having the shaped seal and a method of using the shaped seal. A shaped seal, an apparatus including the shaped seal, and a method of using the shaped seal are described for sealing a gap between a component and a part, the component being inserted into a recess of the part open to the environment and having a groove arranged on an outer side, and the part delimiting the recess from the periphery on the outer side. The profiled seal comprises: an annular first sealing region for sealing an environment-facing front region of the gap, comprising a front region adjoining a front side of the profiled seal, the outer dimension of the front region decreasing in the direction of the front side; a second sealing region protruding inwardly on the inner side of the first sealing region and designed as a spring portion complementary to the groove of the component; and a third sealing region for supporting the rear portion of the molded seal and which adjoins the first sealing region on a side of the first sealing region facing away from the front side.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a formed seal for sealing a gap between a component and a part that surrounds the component on the outside all around, to a device comprising the formed seal, the component, and the part, and to a method of using at least one formed seal in the device. Background Art

[0002] There are various devices in which a component is inserted into a recess of a part (such as a housing or a fitting) that surrounds the component on the outside all around.

[0003] Such examples include sensors, measuring devices, measuring arrangements, and measuring systems for metrological detection of measured variables of a medium, which typically include components that come into contact with the medium during the measuring operation, such as windows, membranes, or measuring elements. For example, sensors such as optical sensors, photometers, and spectrometers typically have windows that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation, and the electromagnetic radiation for measuring the measured variable passes through the windows. Examples thereof are calorimetric sensors, turbidity sensors, sensors for measuring the spectral absorption coefficient, and sensors for measuring the concentration of an analyte contained in a medium, such as, for example, sensors for measuring the nitrite content, nitrate content, or ammonium content. Another example is a sensor such as a conductivity sensor, the components of which include electrode surfaces that come into contact with the medium during the measurement, and sensors, the components of which include a membrane that comes into contact with the medium during the measuring operation.

[0004] These components are typically inserted into a part such as a housing or a fitting such that the part at least partially surrounds the component all around.

[0005] In particular, for components that come into contact with a medium (such as a process medium or a measuring medium), it is generally necessary to ensure reliable sealing of the gap that exists between the component and the part. Depending on the location, the seal may also have to meet special hygiene requirements.

[0006] The gap can be sealed, for example, by bonding, welding, or press-fitting. However, if the component and the part are made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion, these forms of sealing may cause thermomechanical stresses depending on the temperature. Such an example is a glass window inserted into a metal housing. To avoid damage to the seal and / or the component caused by thermomechanical stresses, it is generally necessary to limit the operating temperature range of the device sealed in this way.

[0007] Another alternative form of sealing that can be used is to insert the component into the part and place a seal, such as an O-ring.

[0008] In applications with high requirements for hygiene and cleanliness, components are typically inserted into a part and a seal is placed such that a small area of the clamped seal bulges outwards. This avoids undercuts into which media could seep and which cannot be easily removed again by cleaning from the outside. However, the disadvantage is that the bulging partial area can affect the flow behavior of the media along the outside of the component. The latter is particularly disadvantageous for sensors and measuring devices with components flush with the front of the housing of the sensor and measuring device, such as windows or measuring elements, where the flow shadow and / or turbulence caused by the bulging partial area can have an adverse effect on the measurement performance.

[0009] Another disadvantage of this form of sealing is that, in order to achieve front-side sealing of the gap between the component and the part, the seal must be regularly inserted together with the component through a rear opening of the part opposite the front side into the part.

[0010] For example, DE 10 2016 103 750 A1 describes a sensor cover that includes a component designed to be insertable, the end face of which has a membrane that comes into contact with the medium during the measurement operation. The insertable component is inserted flush with the front of a sleeve-shaped part and a seal, such as an O-ring, is placed. Sealing of the end region of the gap facing the medium between the insertable component and the sleeve-shaped part is achieved by inserting the seal into an annular groove of the insertable component, which is arranged on the outside at the front. Then, the insertable component together with the seal is inserted through the rear opening of the sleeve-shaped part into the sleeve-shaped part and fastened therein.

[0011] However, the requirement for front-side sealing of the gap by the seal and for the component together with the seal to pass through the rear opening of the part inevitably means that any necessary replacement of the seal must also be carried out through the rear opening of the part. For this purpose, the rear opening of the part must be made accessible. However, this requirement is not always easily met. For example, if we consider a sensor with a component flush with the front of the sensor housing and a seal placed between them, such as a window or a measuring element, replacing the seal requires opening the sensor housing. This not only requires a lot of effort but may also cause other components in the sensor housing, such as electronic components, to be affected and / or exposed to adverse environmental conditions, such as high humidity. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a seal that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and is used to seal the gap between a component and a part that surrounds the component on the outside all around.

[0013] In this regard, in particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seal that meets high requirements for hygiene and / or cleanliness, which allows for a flush installation of the seal and / or components, with which a high-quality seal can be achieved without the sealing area bulging outwards, and / or the seal can be replaced without having to access the rear opening of the part for this purpose.

[0014] To this end, the present invention comprises a molded seal for sealing a gap between a component and a part, the component being inserted or capable of being inserted into a recess that is open towards the environment on the front side of the part, and the component having a groove arranged on the outer side, the part delimiting the recess all around on the outer side, wherein the molded seal comprises: An annular first sealing area for sealing the front area of the gap facing the environment, the first sealing area comprising a front area adjacent to the front side of the molded seal, the outer dimension or outer diameter of the front area of the first sealing area decreasing in the direction of the front side, A second sealing area that projects radially inwards on the inner side of the first sealing area and is designed as a spring part complementary to the groove of the component, and A third sealing area for supporting the molded seal at the rear, the third sealing area adjoining the first sealing area on the side of the first sealing area facing away from the front side.

[0015] The advantage of this molded seal is that it can be inserted into the recess together with the component from the outside, and the component is held in the recess by the molded seal. Another advantage is that, if required, the molded seal can be replaced from the outside without having to access the opening on the rear part.

[0016] Furthermore, the advantage of this molded seal is that it can be installed flush with the front part and thus meets high requirements for hygiene and / or cleanliness. Compared with the O-rings known in the prior art, this molded seal can achieve a high-quality seal of the gap without any sealing area of the molded seal bulging outwards.

[0017] One design is that the first sealing area comprises a rear area on the side of the front area facing away from the front side of the molded seal, the second sealing area adjoins the rear area on the inner side, and the radial width of the rear area corresponds to the maximum radial width of the front area of the first sealing area.

[0018] According to a first development example, the second sealing area is formed with a protrusion on its inner edge, which protrusion bulges in the direction facing away from the front side of the molded seal.

[0019] According to the second development example, over the entire axial height in the radial direction of the third sealing region, the outer dimension of the third sealing region is smaller than the outer dimension of the first sealing region.

[0020] The third development example lies in that: The cross-sectional geometry of the third sealing region corresponds to the basic shape of a triangle, which has one side facing the first sealing region and two sides each inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the formed seal. The third sealing region has a rounded or flat rear side facing away from the first sealing region, and / or In the region of the third sealing region facing the first sealing region, the third sealing region has a radially inward-facing inner surface, which extends in parallel partition with the radially inward-facing inner surface of the front region of the first sealing region adjacent to the front side, and / or is arranged to be offset outward by a distance in the radial direction relative to the inner surface of the front region of the first sealing region, where the distance is a predetermined distance and is from 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, and / or the distance is dimensioned such that: when the formed seal surrounding the component on the outside is compressed and / or clamped in the recess in the radial direction, only the inner surface partition of the third sealing region abuts against the component.

[0021] According to the fourth development example, in the transition region of the second sealing region adjacent to between the first sealing region and the third sealing region, the formed seal has an annular circumferential groove on the inside, and the annular circumferential groove has a rounded cross-sectional geometry.

[0022] In the fifth development example, the formed seal is designed such that the front side of the formed seal is planar, and / or the dimensions of the formed seal are set such that: in the assembled state of the formed seal, the front side of the formed seal facing the environment is planar, flush with the front side of the component facing the environment, and / or flush with the outer surface of the part surrounding the front side of the formed seal from all around.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention includes a device, which has a formed seal according to the present invention, a component having a groove arranged on the outside, and a part having a recess open towards the environment, the component is inserted into the recess and the formed seal is placed, and the formed seal surrounds the component on the outside from all around.

[0024] The first development example of the device lies in that the recess includes a region facing the environment, and the dimension or diameter of this region decreases in the direction facing the environment.

[0025] The second development example of the device lies in that: The second sealing region has a protrusion formed on its inner edge, which protrudes in a direction away from the front side of the molded seal, and The component has a recess adjacent to the groove, and the recess has a shape complementary to the shape of the protrusion.

[0026] In a third development example of the device, a first cavity surrounding the third sealing region on the outer side abuts the third sealing region in the recess, and / or a second cavity surrounded by the third sealing region on the outer side abuts the third sealing region.

[0027] A development example of the device is that: The front side of the molded seal facing the environment is flat, flush with the front side of the component facing the environment, and / or flush with the outer surface of the part that surrounds the front side of the molded seal from all around, and / or The third sealing region abuts a stop surface on the side facing away from the first sealing region, where: The molded seal has an axial height in the axial direction in the radial region including the third sealing region, and the axial height is adapted to the depth of the radial region of the recess delimited by the stop surface at the rear. The stop surface is the surface of the part having the recess, or the surface of another part of the device, and / or At least the outer edge of the component rests against the stop surface.

[0028] A fifth development example of the device requires that: The device is a sensor, measuring instrument, measuring device, measuring arrangement or measuring system for metrological detection of a measurement variable of a medium. The component is a window, a film, a sensor element, a sensor element including at least one electrode, or a probe, and / or The part is a housing or a fitting.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention includes a method of using at least one molded seal according to the present invention in a device according to the present invention, wherein the usage method includes an assembly method, in which: The molded seal is pushed onto the component such that the molded seal surrounds the component from all around on the outer side, and the second sealing region designed as a spring portion engages in the groove of the component. By axially pushing the component together with the molded seal pushed onto the component into a sleeve, the molded seal is compressed in the radial direction, and the cross-sectional area of the sleeve decreases in the axial direction, wherein the minimum cross-sectional area presented at one end of the sleeve is less than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the opening of the recess adjacent to the environment, and The part is inserted into the recess of the part through the sleeve which is correspondingly positioned in front of the recess together with a radially compressed formed seal.

[0030] Development examples of the method include: The part together with the formed seal pushed onto the part is pushed into the sleeve by means of a punch, and inserted through the sleeve into the recess, and The punch has a punch surface on the end face, and the punch surface includes an inner surface and an edge surface surrounding the inner surface, wherein: The inner surface has a shape adapted to the shape of the front side of the part facing the environment, and The edge surface has a shape adapted to the shape of the front side of the formed seal, and extends a predetermined distance or a distance of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm from the inner surface in the axial direction.

[0031] According to another development example of the method, the formed seal is removed from the recess by using a tool or a hook, the formed seal is replaced with the same replacement seal at least once, and the replacement seal is installed in the recess together with the part or the same replacement part by this assembly method. Description of the Drawings

[0032] The present invention and its advantages will now be explained in detail with the aid of the figures in the drawings which show several exemplary embodiments. In the figures, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0033] Figure 1 Shows: a formed seal;

[0034] Figure 2 Shows: Figure 1 The cross-section of the formed seal shown in;

[0035] Figure 3 Shows: including Figure 1 The cross-section of the device with the formed seal;

[0036] Figure 4 Shows: Figure 3 The parts of the device in;

[0037] Figure 5 Shows: Figure 3 The recess in the parts of the device in;

[0038] Figure 6 Shows: a housing with two recesses;

[0039] Figure 7 Shows: for assembling Figure 1 The method of the formed seal;

[0040] Figure 8 shows: a component with a curved front side and a punch; and

[0041] Figure 9 shows: a component with an extension and a punch with a recess. Detailed Description

[0042] The present invention relates to a formed seal 1 for sealing a gap between a component 5 and a part 7, the component 5 being inserted or insertable into a recess 3 that is open towards the environment on the front side of the part 7, the part 7 delimiting the recess 3 from all sides on the outside. Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the formed seal 1 is shown. Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 an enlarged view of a cross-section A of the formed seal 1 circled in.

[0043] The formed seal 1 described herein can be used in various types of devices 100, such as sensors, measuring instruments, measuring devices, measuring arrangements, and measuring systems for metrological detection of measurement variables of a medium, each device having a part 7 (such as a housing or fitting) including a recess 3 that is open towards the environment, and a component 5 at least partially inserted into the recess 3, such as a probe, a membrane, a measuring element, or a window, and the formed seal 1 is inserted between the component 5 and the recess 3.

[0044] Figure 3 A cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a device 100 including the formed seal 1, the recess 3 of the part 7, and the component 5 is shown. FIG. 4 shows the component 5 of the device 100 as a single part, and Figure 5 shows the recess 3 in the part 7. Of course, the device 100 can also have: two or more recesses 3 for receiving one of the respective components of the component 5; and / or two or more parts 7, each part 7 having at least one such recess 3.

[0045] Depending on the type of the device 100, the component 5 is, for example, a sensor element such as a membrane, for example an analyte-sensitive membrane of a sensor (for example, a photochemical sensor), or the component 5 is, for example, a sensor element including at least one electrode, for example a sensor element including at least one measuring electrode of a conductivity sensor.

[0046] In combination with a device 100 designed as an optical measuring device or designed as an optical sensor, the component 5 is, for example, a window, through which transmitted radiation is sent to a medium adjacent to the outside of the window and / or through which measuring radiation is received by a correspondingly designed device 100. In this case, Figure 3The device 100, only partially shown herein, is designed, for example, as an optical sensor, such as a photometer or a spectrometer, for measuring electromagnetic radiation of a measurement variable passing through a component 5 of the device 100 designed as a window. In this case, the optical sensor is, for example, a calorimetric sensor, a turbidity sensor, a sensor for measuring the spectral absorption coefficient, or a sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte contained in a medium, such as, for example, a sensor for measuring the nitrite content, the nitrate content, or the ammonium content.

[0047] Depending on the type of the device 100, the part 7 is, for example, a fitting or a housing having at least one recess 3 for receiving the component 5. As an exemplary embodiment, Figure 6 a housing 9 having two recesses 3 is shown, in each of which one of the previously described components 5 can be inserted and a molding seal 1 described herein can be placed in a manner described later.

[0048] As Figure 2 shown, the molding seal 1 includes an annular first sealing region 11, a second sealing region 13 protruding radially inwardly on the inner side of the first sealing region 11, and a third sealing region 15.

[0049] The molding seal 1, or the first sealing region 11, the second sealing region 13, and / or the third sealing region 15 are each made of a sealing material, such as an elastomer, a plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polypropylene (PP), or another sealing material.

[0050] The first sealing region 11 is designed to seal the front region of the gap facing the environment and is positioned within the recess 3. Thus, preferably, the dimensions of the first sealing region 11 are set such that when the first sealing region 11 is installed in the device 100, the first sealing region 11 is clamped in the front region of the gap between the inner surface partition 17 of the part 7 (which circumferentially delimits the recess 3 on the outside) and the outer surface partition of the component 5 in the radial direction.

[0051] Optionally, in the assembled state of the molding seal 1, the front side 19 of the first sealing region 11 has, for example, a planar shape. Alternatively or additionally, the dimensions of the molding seal 1 are optionally set such that, for example, the front side 19 of the first sealing region 11 is substantially flush with the front side 21 of the component 5 facing the environment and / or is substantially flush with the outer surface 23 of the part 7 surrounding the front side 19 of the molding seal 1 all around.

[0052] This avoids undercuts into which media could penetrate and which cannot be easily removed again by cleaning from the outside. Compared to O-rings known from the prior art, which usually have to be clamped so that partial regions of the O-ring bulge out of the gap to be sealed in order to avoid undercuts, the dimensions of the molded seal 1 described herein are optionally set such that, in the assembled state of the molded seal 1, the front side 19 of the first sealing region 11 is substantially flat. This avoids the aforementioned disadvantages associated with the bulging partial regions of O-rings. In a device 100 for metrological detection of measurement variables of media, it is particularly advantageous if the front side 19 of the first sealing region 11 is substantially flat, since in such a device, bulging partial regions would have an adverse effect on the measurement characteristics.

[0053] The first sealing region 11 has a reduced outer dimension at least in the front region 11a adjacent to its front side 19, in the axial direction extending in the direction of the front side 19.

[0054] In this regard, it is preferably the case that the recess 3 of the part 7 of the device 100 has a reduced dimension at least in the region 3a facing the environment, in the axial direction facing the environment.

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the front region 11a of the first sealing region 11 has a conical outer surface section 25. For this purpose, the outer diameter of the front region 11a decreases in the axial direction in the direction of the front side 19. Figure 3 shows the recess 3 of the part 7, which is designed to be complementary to the front region 11a, the diameter of the recess 3 decreasing as a whole or at least in the region 3a facing the environment, in the axial direction facing the environment. The region 3a of the recess 3 facing the environment is thus delimited all around by a conical region of the inner surface section 17 of the part 7.

[0056] This shape is actually not conducive to inserting the molded seal 1 through the opening 49 facing the environment of the recess 3 from the outside, but it has the advantage that the inner surface section 17 of the part 7, which delimits the recess 3 on the outside, forms a mating support for the molded seal 1 inserted into the recess 3, on which the outer surface section 25 of the first sealing region 11 is seated in the inserted state. This results in the fixing of the molded seal 1 in the recess 3, as a supplement to the radial clamping of the first sealing region 11 in the front region of the gap, which prevents the molded seal 1 clamped in the gap from protruding from the recess 3 in the direction facing the environment.

[0057] To achieve such a fixation acting in the axial direction, optionally, the first sealing region is designed such that: over the entire axial height of the first sealing region, the outer dimensions of the first sealing region decrease in the axial direction extending towards the front side. In this case, the front region is the same as the first sealing region.

[0058] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An alternative embodiment is shown, in which on the side of the front region 11a facing away from the front side 19 of the formed seal 1, the first sealing region 11 includes a rear region 11b, the second sealing region 13 is adjacent to the rear region 11b on the inner side, and the radial width b of the rear region 11b corresponds to the maximum radial width of the front region 11a of the first sealing region 11. The larger radial width b achieves a high degree of stability in the transition region between the first sealing region 11 and the second sealing region 13. At the same time, the limitation of the radial width b also limits the radial compression of the rear region 11b required for inserting the formed seal 1 into the recess 3.

[0059] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment is shown, in which the outer diameter of the rear region 11b is constant over its entire axial height and is equal to the maximum outer diameter of the front region 11a. Figure 5 A recess 3 designed to be complementary to the front region 11a is shown. In the direction facing away from the environment, the rear region 3b of the recess 3 (which receives the rear region 11b of the first sealing region 11 and the third sealing region 15) is adjacent to the region 3a of the recess 3 facing the environment. In Figure 5 it, the diameter of the rear region 3b of the recess 3 also increases in the direction facing away from the environment. Alternatively, it can also have a different shape.

[0060] The second sealing region 13 is designed as a spring part which, when the formed seal 1 is pushed onto the component 5, engages in a complementary outer groove 27 of the component 5. This establishes a positive connection between the formed seal 1 and the component 5. This provides the advantage that by pushing the formed seal 1 onto the component 5, an assembly is formed which can then be inserted into the recess 3 from the outside. Another advantage is that the component 5 is held in the recess 3 by clamping the formed seal 1 in the part 7 and the dovetail connection.

[0061] An alternative design is that the second sealing region 13 is formed with a protrusion 29 on its inner edge, which protrudes in the direction facing away from the front side 19 of the formed seal 1. In combination with this alternative design, the component 5 has, for example, a recess 31 adjacent to the groove 27. As Figure 4As shown, preferably, the shape of the recess 31 is complementary to the shape of the projection 29. This alternative design has the following advantages: When the molded seal 1 is pushed onto the component 5, the projection 29 of the second sealing region 13 engages in or snaps into the recess 31. This strengthens the form-fitting mechanical connection between the molded seal 1 and the component 5.

[0062] On the side of the first sealing region 11 facing away from the front side 19 of the molded seal 1, the third sealing region 15 adjoins the first sealing region 11. The third sealing region 15 is designed as a rear support for the molded seal 1. In this regard, the third sealing region 15 in the device 100 adjoins a stop surface 33 of the device 100 (in particular the part 7), which delimits at least one outer edge region of the recess 3 facing away from the environment. This limits the insertion depth of the molded seal 1 into the recess 3 during the assembly of the molded seal and in the installed state.

[0063] To achieve the rear support, the molded seal 1 has an axial height h in the axial direction in the radial region thereof including the third sealing region 15, and this axial height h is adapted to the depth of the radial region of the recess 3 delimited by the stop surface 33 at the rear.

[0064] As Figure 3 shown, the molded seal 1 according to the invention is used, for example, in a device 100 of the above type. In this regard, the invention also includes a method of using at least one molded seal 1 described above in a device among the devices 100 described above Figures 3 to 6 described. Figure 1 and Figure 2 described.

[0065] The method of use includes Figure 7 the assembly method shown in. The assembly method includes a first method step in which: the molded seal 1 is mounted on the component 5. For this purpose, the molded seal 1 is pushed onto the component 5 such that the molded seal 1 surrounds the component 5 all around, and the second sealing region 13 designed as a spring part engages in the groove 27 of the component 5.

[0066] Subsequently, the molded seal 1 mounted on the component 5 is compressed in the radial direction. For this purpose, for example, the component 5 together with the molded seal 1 pushed onto the component 5 is pushed axially into a sleeve 35, the cross-sectional area of which decreases in the axial direction. The minimum cross-sectional area of the sleeve 35 presented at one end of the sleeve 35 is less than or equal to, preferably substantially equal to, the cross-sectional area of the opening 49 of the recess 3 adjoining the environment.

[0067] Then, the component 5 together with the formed seal 1 compressed in the radial direction is inserted into the recess 3 of the part 7 from the outside. For example, this step is performed such that the component 5 together with the compressed formed seal 1 is inserted into the recess 3 of the part 7 through a sleeve 35 positioned correspondingly in front of the recess 3. The insertion depth of the formed seal 1 in the recess 3 is limited by the stop of the third sealing region 15 on the stop surface 33 of the device 100.

[0068] Depending on the type of the device 100 and / or the component 5, the stop surface 33 also serves as the stop surface 33 of the component 5. In this case, the stop surface 33 of the part 7 extends radially inwards such that at least one outer edge of the component 5 of the device 100 abuts against the stop surface 33. Alternatively, the device 100 may also have a stop surface of the part 7 or another component of the device 100, which is separate from the stop surface 33, and the component 5 in the device 100 abuts against this stop surface.

[0069] The pushing-in of the assembly formed by the component 5 and the formed seal 1 pushed onto the component, and the pushing of this assembly through the sleeve 35 into the recess 3 can be carried out according to the axial length of the sleeve 35, for example, by hand or with the aid of a tool of appropriate shape. As an example, Figure 7 a punch 37 is shown, by means of which the component 5 together with the formed seal 1 pushed onto the component 5 is pushed into the sleeve 35 to effect radial compression of the formed seal 1, and then inserted through the sleeve 35 into the recess 3. As Figure 7 shown, the punch 37 has, for example, a punch surface 39 on the end face, which punch surface 39 includes an inner surface 41 and an edge surface 43 surrounding the inner surface 41.

[0070] Preferably, the shape of the inner surface 41 is adapted to the shape of the front side 21 of the component 5 facing the environment. As Figure 7 shown, in combination with a component 5 (such as a window) having a planar front side 21, the inner surface 41 is designed as a planar surface. Figure 8 An alternative embodiment is shown, in which the front side 21' of the component 5' is bent outwards and the inner surface 41' of the punch 37' has a complementary shape. Figure 9 Another alternative embodiment is shown, in which the component 5'' includes an extension 45 protruding from the front side 21'', where the front side 21'' is annular here. In this variant, the punch 37'' has a recess 47, such as a notch or a channel, for receiving the extension 45. Thus, the inner surface 41'' of the punch 37'' is annular here and has a shape complementary to the annular front side 21'' of the component 5''.

[0071] Regardless of whether the design of the punches 37, 37', 37'' is suitable for the geometry of the components 5, 5', 5'', the edge surfaces 43 of the punch surfaces 39 of the punches 37, 37', 37'' have a shape that is suitable for the shape of the front side 19 of the molded seal 1.

[0072] Figure 7 and Figure 8 shows a design in which the edge surface 43 projects a predetermined distance x in the axial direction from the inner surface 41. As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, for this purpose, the punches 37, 37' may include, for example, shoulders having a corresponding height on the outer side, and the end faces of the shoulders form the edge surfaces 43 of the punch surfaces 39. This embodiment facilitates the radial compression of the molded seal 1 when it is pushed through the sleeve 35 and reduces the force acting on the molded seal 1. The projecting edge surface 43 or step reduces the deformation of the molded seal 1 during installation and thus prevents damage to the molded seal 1. In addition, the projecting edge surface 43 ensures a torsion-free end position of the molded seal 1 in the recess 3. Depending on the dimensions of the molded seal 1, a relatively small distance x is sufficient to achieve this effect, such as a distance x of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0073] Another advantage is that the molded seal 1 is compressed in the axial direction by the projecting edge surface 43 during installation and assumes a clamping shape intended for compression after the punches 37, 37' are removed. This also ensures that the molded seal 1 is supported on the stop surface 33 on the rear side and / or clamped between the stop surface 33 and the inner surface 17 of the part 7 in the assembled state.

[0074] Figure 9 shows an alternative design in which the edge surface 43'' is arranged at the same height as the immediate outer edge of the inner surface 41'' of the punch 37''.

[0075] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown in, as an alternative or supplement to the shaping of the punch surface 39, optionally, additional measures may be taken to reduce the mechanical load acting on the molded seal 1 during assembly. Optional measures include corresponding optimization of the shape of the molded seal 1.

[0076] To this end, first consider an embodiment of the molded seal, the dimensions of which are set such that the molded seal inserted into the recess completely or at least almost completely fills the partial space on the side of the recess in the first sealing region facing away from the environment. In this embodiment, the first sealing region and the third sealing region must be radially compressed over their entire axial height during the assembly process to such an extent that they can be introduced into the recess through the front opening of the recess. In this process, a compressive force is applied to all the sealing regions whose outer dimensions exceed the cross-sectional area of the opening, and the larger the outer dimension compared to the cross-sectional area of the opening, the greater the compressive force.

[0077] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows an alternative design in which the outer dimension (such as the outer diameter) of the third sealing region 15 over its entire axial height in the radial direction is smaller than the outer dimension of the first sealing region 11. This embodiment provides an advantage over the foregoing embodiment, namely, the third sealing region 15 can perform its function as a rear support without having to be radially compressed during the assembly of the molded seal 1. This significantly reduces the mechanical stress acting on the molded seal 1 during insertion and avoids the corresponding assembly-related damage to the molded seal 1.

[0078] In combination with this embodiment of the third sealing region 15, as Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, the recess 3 of the device 100 is optionally dimensioned such that a first cavity 51 surrounding the third sealing region 15 on the outside is retained in the recess 3.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the third sealing region 15 is optionally dimensioned such that, for example, a second cavity 53 surrounded by the third sealing region 15 on the outside abuts the third sealing region 15 in the device 100.

[0080] The first cavity 51 and the second cavity 53 each offer the advantage that they can be used as raised spaces into which the sealing material of the molded seal 1 can expand as required, especially when the ambient temperature changes. Thus, the molded seal 1 is protected from damage, particularly also at extremely high temperatures and with large temperature fluctuations, and is held in place within the recess 3. The latter is particularly advantageous when the component 5 and the part 7 are made of materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion, which can in particular cause the gap width of the gap sealed by the molded seal 1 to vary with temperature. The raised space has the advantage that, even within a larger temperature range, it ensures reliable sealing of the gap by the molded seal 1 without the sealing material bulging outwards. In addition, the expansion of the sealing material into the raised space reduces the thermomechanical stresses that may occur with temperature and that would otherwise have an adverse effect on the molded seal 1 and / or the component 5.

[0081] The aforementioned alternative design of the third sealing region 15 can be achieved by different shapes of the cross-section of the third sealing region 15. Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment is shown in which the cross-sectional geometry of the third sealing region 15 corresponds to the basic shape of a triangle, which has one side facing the first sealing region 11 and two sides each inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L of the molded seal 1.

[0082] The cross-sectional geometry is optionally designed such that, in the region of the third sealing region 15 facing away from the first sealing region 11 and corresponding to one of the three vertices of the triangle, the third sealing region 15 has a rounded or flat rear side 55, which is particularly advantageous for the rear support of the molded seal 1 in the recess 3.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, the third sealing region 15 is designed such that, in the region of the third sealing region 15 facing the first sealing region 11, the third sealing region 15 has a radially inwards facing inner surface partition 57 that extends parallel to the radially inwards facing inner surface partition 59 of the front region 11a of the first sealing region 11.

[0084] An alternative embodiment consists in that the inner surface partition 57 of the third sealing region 15 extends radially outwards and is offset by a predetermined distance d, for example a distance d of 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, in the radial direction relative to the inner surface partition 59 of the front region 11a of the first sealing region 11. The distance d is dimensioned such that, when the molded seal 1 surrounding the component 5 all around is compressed in the radial direction and / or clamped in the recess 3, the inner surface partition 57 of the third sealing region 15 merely rests against the component 5.

[0085] Another alternative design lies in that the molded seal 1 has an annular circumferential groove 61 in the transition region adjacent to the second sealing region 13 between the first sealing region 11 and the third sealing region 15 on the inner side, and the circumferential groove 61 has a rounded cross-sectional geometry. The groove 61 is designed as a stress-relief groove in this way, having the following advantages: it helps the deformation of the molded seal 1 during the assembly process and thus reduces the stress peaks that occur within the molded seal 1.

[0086] Regardless of the shape of the third sealing region 15, mounting the molded seal 1 in the recess 3 that is open towards the environment and thus easily accessible from the outside provides the advantage that there is no need to access the region of the device 100 that is on the side of the recess 3 facing away from the environment. This provides the following advantage: the molded seal 1 can be replaced as needed without having to open the device 100.

[0087] In this regard, an alternative design of the aforementioned usage method includes, for example, another method step in which: when needed or at a predetermined time, the molded seal 1 mounted in the recess 3 of the device 100 in the above manner is replaced at least once.

[0088] In this case, the process is carried out in such a way that the molded seal 1 is removed from the recess 3 with the aid of a tool such as a hook. For this purpose, an O-ring hook known in the prior art for removing O-rings can be used. Then, the molded seal 1 is replaced with the same replacement seal, and the replacement seal is mounted in the recess 3 together with the component 5 or the same replacement component using the above-described assembly method.

[0089] Just as mounting the molded seal 1 in the recess 3 that is open towards the environment and thus easily accessible from the outside, the replacement of the molded seal 1 also has the advantage that there is no need to access the region of the device 100 that is on the side of the recess 3 facing away from the environment. This provides the advantage that the replacement can be carried out without having to open or at least partially disassemble the device 100.

[0090] List of reference numerals

[0091] 1 Formed seal 31 Recess 3 Recess 33 Stop surface 5 Component 35 Sleeve 7 Part 37 Punch 9 Housing 39 Punch surface 11 First sealing area 41 Inner surface 11a Front area 43 Edge partition 11b Rear area 45 Extension 13 Second sealing area 47 Recess 15 Third sealing area 49 Opening 17 Surface partition of the part 51 First cavity 19 Front side of the formed seal 53 Second cavity 21 Front part of the component 55 Rear side 23 Outer surface of the part 57 Inner surface partition 25 Surface partition of the front area 59 Inner surface partition 27 Groove of the component 61 Groove 29 Protrusion of the second sealing area

Claims

1. A molded seal (1) for sealing a gap between a component (5) and a part (7), the component (5) being inserted or insertable into a recess (3) of the part (7) which is open to the environment on the front side, and the component (5) having a groove (27) arranged on the outside, the part (7) delimiting the recess (3) on all sides on the outside, wherein: The molded seal (1) comprises: an annular first sealing area (11), the first sealing area (11) being used for sealing a front area of ​​the gap facing the environment, the first sealing area (11) comprising a front area (11a) adjoining a front side (19) of the molded seal (1), the outer dimensions or outer diameter of the front area (11a) of the first sealing area (11) decreasing in the direction of the front side (19), a second sealing area (13) which projects radially inwards on the inner side of the first sealing area (11) and is designed as a spring portion complementary to the groove (27) of the component (5), and A third sealing area (15) is provided for supporting the rear side of the profile seal (1), the third sealing area (15) adjoining the first sealing area (11) on a side of the first sealing area (11) facing away from the front side (19).

2. The molded seal (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The first sealing area (11) comprises a rear area (11b) on the side of the front area (11a) facing away from the front side (19) of the molded seal (1), the rear area (11b) being adjoined on the inner side by the second sealing area (13), and the radial width (b) of the rear area (11b) corresponds to the maximum radial width of the front area (11a) of the first sealing area (11).

3. The molded seal (1) according to claim 1 to 2, wherein: The second sealing area (13) has a projection (29) which is formed on the inner edge of the second sealing area (13) and projects in the direction facing away from the front side (19) of the molded seal (1).

4. The molded seal (1) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein: Over the entire axial height of the third sealing area (15) in the radial direction, the outer dimensions of the third sealing area (15) are smaller than the outer dimensions of the first sealing area (11).

5. The molded seal (1) according to claims 1 to 4, wherein: The cross-sectional geometry of the third sealing area (15) corresponds to the basic shape of a triangle, with one side facing the first sealing area (11) and two sides each inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the profiled seal (1), The third sealing area (15) has a rounded or flat rear side (55) facing away from the first sealing area (11), and / or In an area of ​​the third sealing area (15) facing the first sealing area (11), the third sealing area (15) has a radially inwardly facing inner surface partition (57), which extends parallel to a radially inwardly facing inner surface partition (59) of a front area (11a) of the first sealing area (11) adjacent to the front side (19), and / or the third sealing area (15) is arranged relative to the front area (11a) of the first sealing area (11). 11a) is offset outwardly by a distance (d) in the radial direction, wherein the distance (d) is a predetermined distance and is 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm, and / or the distance (d) is dimensioned such that: when the molded seal (1) surrounding the component (5) on the outside is compressed in the radial direction and / or clamped in the recess (3), the inner surface partition (57) of the third sealing area (15) only rests against the component (5).

6. The molded seal (1) according to claims 1 to 5, wherein in a transition area between the first sealing area (11) and the third sealing area (15) adjacent to the second sealing area (13), the molded seal (1) has an annular circumferential groove (61) on the inner side, the annular circumferential groove (61) having a rounded cross-sectional geometry.

7. The molded seal (1) according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the front side (19) of the molded seal (1) is planar and / or the dimensions of the molded seal (1) are set so that: in the assembled state of the molded seal (1), the front side (19) of the molded seal (1) facing the environment is planar and flush with the front side (21) of the component (5) facing the environment and / or flush with the outer surface (23) of the part (7) surrounding the front side (19) of the molded seal (1) from all sides.

8. A device (100), comprising a molded seal (1) according to claims 1 to 7, a component (5) and a part (7), the component (5) having a groove (27) arranged on the outside, the part (7) having a recess (3) open to the environment, the component (5) being inserted into the recess (3) and the molded seal (1) being placed therein, the molded seal (1) surrounding the component (5) on all sides on the outside.

9. The device (100) according to claim 8, wherein The recess (3) comprises an area (3a) facing the environment, the size or diameter of which decreases in the direction facing the environment.

10. The device (100) according to claims 8 to 9, wherein The second sealing area (13) has a projection (29) formed on its inner edge, the projection (29) protruding in the direction facing away from the front side (19) of the profiled seal (1), and The component (5) has a recess (31) adjacent to the groove (27), and the recess (31) has a shape complementary to that of the protrusion (29).

11. The device (100) according to claims 8 to 10, wherein A first cavity (51) surrounding the third sealing area (15) on the outside and / or a second cavity (53) surrounded by the third sealing area (15) on the outside adjoins the third sealing area (15) in the recess (3).

12. The device (100) according to claims 8 to 11, wherein: The front side (19) of the molded seal (1) facing the environment is planar and flush with the front side (21) of the component (5) facing the environment and / or with the outer surface (23) of the component (7) surrounding the front side (19) of the molded seal (1) on the outside, and / or The third sealing area (15) adjoins a stop surface (33) on its side facing away from the first sealing area (11), wherein: The profile seal (1) has, in its radial region including the third sealing region (13), an axial height (h) in the axial direction, which is adapted to the depth of the radial region of the recess (3) delimited at the rear by the stop surface (33), The stop surface (33) is a surface of the part (7) having the recess (3), or a surface of another part of the device (100), and / or At least the outer edge of the component (5) rests against the stop surface (33).

13. The device (100) according to claims 8 to 12, wherein: The device (100) is a sensor, a measuring instrument, a measuring device, a measuring arrangement or a measuring system for the metrological detection of a measured variable of a medium. The component (5) is a window, a membrane, a sensor element, a sensor element comprising at least one electrode, or a probe, and / or The part (7) is a housing or an accessory.

14. A method for using at least one profile seal (1) according to claims 1 to 7 in an apparatus (100) according to claims 8 to 13, said method comprising an assembly method, in which: The molded seal (1) is pushed onto the component (5) so that the molded seal (1) surrounds the component (5) on all sides on the outside and the second sealing area (11) designed as a spring portion engages in the groove (27) of the component (5), By pushing the component (5) together with the profiled seal (1) pushed onto the component in the axial direction into the sleeve (35), the profiled seal (1) is compressed in the radial direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve (35) is reduced in the axial direction, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of ​​the sleeve (35) present at one end of the sleeve (35) is smaller than or equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening (49) of the adjacent environment of the recess (3), and The component (5) is inserted together with the radially compressed profile seal (1) into the recess (3) of the component (7) through the sleeve (35) which is positioned respectively in front of the recess (3) of the component (7).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The component (5) together with the molded seal (1) pushed onto the component is pushed into the sleeve (35) by means of a punch (37) and inserted through the sleeve (35) into the recess (3), and The punch (37) has a punch surface (39) on the end face, the punch surface (39) includes an inner surface (41) and an edge surface (43) surrounding the inner surface (41), wherein: The inner surface (41) has a shape adapted to the shape of the front side (21) of the component (5) facing the environment, and The edge surface (43) has a shape adapted to the shape of the front side (19) of the profiled seal (1), and protrudes from the inner surface (41) in the axial direction by a predetermined distance (x) or by a distance (x) of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

16. The method according to claims 14 to 15, wherein: The profiled seal (1) is removed from the recess (3) by means of a tool or a hook, the profiled seal (1) is replaced at least once with an identical replacement seal, and the replacement seal is installed in the recess (3) together with the component (5) or an identical replacement component by means of the assembly method.

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