Sensor module and system

Abstract

The invention provides a sensor module and a system. The invention proposes a sensor module (100) comprising a sensor housing (102), a Hall sensor (104) and a magnet (106), and a motion transmission device (108) projecting from the sensor housing (102), where the Hall sensor (104) or the magnet (106) is attached to the motion transmission device (108) for common movement, and the other of the Hall sensor (104) and the magnet (106) is arranged in a fixed manner relative to the sensor housing (102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sensor module and a system. Background Technology

[0002] Hall sensors are known. Electromagnets that use Hall sensors to sense armature travel position are also known. However, Hall sensors typically require significant installation space, especially when integrated into the housing of the electromagnet. Furthermore, the development cost of such Hall sensors is high because they constitute specific solutions. Additionally, Hall sensors mounted in this manner often require complex handling during assembly. Moreover, known Hall sensors may have a distance between the sensor and the target due to installation space constraints, resulting in insufficient resolution. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to improve upon existing technologies accordingly.

[0004] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved using a sensor module and a system according to the present invention. The implementation involves configuration.

[0005] The present invention proposes a sensor module comprising a sensor housing, a Hall sensor and a magnet, and a motion transmission device protruding from the sensor housing, wherein the Hall sensor or the magnet is attached to the motion transmission device to move together, and the other of the Hall sensor and the magnet is arranged in a fixed manner relative to the sensor housing.

[0006] Because of its own sensor housing, there is no need to integrate the sensor module into another housing of the component to be sensed, such as within an electromagnet housing. The motion and / or position of the component to be sensed can be easily transmitted to the Hall sensor within the sensor housing via a motion transmission device. Due to the compact arrangement of the Hall sensor and magnet within the sensor housing, the sensor module is capable of very accurate position detection with high resolution quality. Furthermore, the sensor module can be understood as a structural unit, which significantly reduces assembly costs. Since the sensor module can also be arranged externally within another housing, the sensor system is no longer limited by the installation space constraints within the housing. Moreover, the sensor module avoids extensive verification and construction work, as it only needs to be constructed and verified once for subsequent use in a universal manner.

[0007] This provides a versatile and compact sensor module that can be easily attached to the outside of another housing (e.g., to an electromagnet) and can very accurately assess the motion and / or position (e.g., armature travel position) of the part to be sensed.

[0008] The advantages of sensor modules are obvious, especially when combined with electromagnets. Compact sensor modules can be attached to the electromagnet housing like a backpack to pick up the armature's position from the outside using motion transmission devices. Furthermore, sensor modules require almost no construction or adaptation work due to their inherent scalability.

[0009] The magnet can be a permanent magnet. The magnet is the sensor target of the Hall sensor. The Hall sensor and the magnet are arranged in the sensor housing, preferably in any operating position. The Hall sensor and the magnet are movably arranged relative to each other.

[0010] According to one improvement, the motion transmission device can be a connecting rod. Advantageously, only a single component is needed for motion transmission. Furthermore, the length and / or diameter of the rod can be scaled very easily. The rod can also extend deep into another housing to pick up motion there.

[0011] According to one improvement, the motion transmission device can carry a Hall sensor or magnet at one end and can have a motion-introducing surface at the other end, preferably on the end face of the motion transmission device. Motion force can be introduced into the motion transmission device via the motion-introducing surface. Therefore, the motion transmission device must be exactly the same size as required. It is conceivable that the motion-introducing surface is a contact surface. Another component can rest on the contact surface without connection. Advantageously, no connection is required to introduce motion force.

[0012] According to one improvement, the motion transmission device can be an injection-molded part comprising a magnet as an insert. Preferably, the motion transmission device is injected around the magnet. This allows for off-tool and simple manufacturing of the part. Loosening or relative movement of the motion transmission device and the magnet is prevented. The motion transmission device can be a plastic injection-molded part (thermoplastic or thermosetting). This is associated with low weight. The magnet from the sensor / magnet pair can also advantageously be an insert, as it does not require any electrical contact.

[0013] According to one conceivable improvement, the motion transmission device may have a longitudinal guide and / or an anti-rotation device on the sensor module side. The longitudinal guide is used to control and guide the motion transmission device in its longitudinal direction. The anti-rotation device prevents the motion transmission device from rotating about its longitudinal axis. This enables the performance of consistently high-quality sensing.

[0014] According to one improvement, the Hall sensor and magnet can be arranged within the sensor housing, preferably over the full adjustment stroke of the motion transmission device. This emphasizes a compact and modular design and prevents external influences on the sensor / magnet pair.

[0015] According to one improvement, the sensor housing can be integrally molded, preferably an injection-molded part, and the Hall sensor or magnet can preferably be an insert of the sensor housing. The overmolded part is then the insert. If the magnet is already an insert in the motion transmission device, then only the Hall sensor can be an insert in the sensor housing. The sensor housing can be a plastic injection-molded part (thermoplastic or thermosetting). This is associated with low weight. The magnet from the sensor / magnet pair can also advantageously be an insert because it does not require any electrical contacts.

[0016] According to one improvement, the sensor housing can be bottomless and can preferably be an electromagnet housing cover. Since the sensor module is adapted to be arranged outside the housing or together with another housing, it can use another housing (e.g., an electromagnet housing) to enclose its own internal space. Therefore, the sensor housing itself can be bottomless. The sensor housing itself can advantageously be a cover for the electromagnet housing. Thus, further weight savings are possible by the fact that the electromagnet housing is open at one end and the sensor housing is open at the bottom, resulting in both combining to enclose the internal space (e.g., the armature space).

[0017] It is conceivable that the sensor housing includes an annular disk section and a blind hole section. This reduces the required installation space, as the annular disk section can be flat, and the blind hole section forms an internal space for accommodating the Hall sensor, magnet, and motion transmission device. The Hall sensor and / or magnet and / or motion transmission device (the latter at least partially) can be arranged in the blind hole section.

[0018] It is conceivable that the sensor housing forms ribs extending in the radial direction. The reference point could be the longitudinal axis of the motion transmission device. The ribs serve to reinforce the sensor housing. This allows it to be pressure-sealed to another housing, thus withstanding internal pressure. This is especially true if the sensor housing pressure-seales the internal space of the electromagnet.

[0019] According to one improvement, the sensor housing can house the electrical contacts of the sensor module and / or the electrical contacts of the electromagnet. The contacts can be inserts. This results in functional integration within the sensor housing to optimize installation space. It is conceivable that the sensor housing is integrally formed with a control box. The control box can contain the electronic components of the sensor module and / or the electromagnet. This also results in functional integration within the sensor housing to optimize installation space.

[0020] According to one improvement, the sensor housing can be configured with attachment points for attaching to another housing. This reduces construction and fitting work, as only the attachment points of the sensor housing need to be fitted to the corresponding other housing for attachment. The other housing is separate from the sensor housing.

[0021] According to a conceivable improvement, a preloading device can be provided that preloads the motion transmission device in one direction (preferably in a direction away from the sensor module). The preloading device can preload the motion transmission device in the direction of the armature. This ensures interaction in each operating state. The preloading device can be a compression spring. The preloading device ensures a defined position relative to the part intended to pick up its motion. Therefore, the motion transmission device and the part to be sensed do not need to be attached to each other. The preloading device also serves for tolerance compensation. The preloading device can be arranged in a receiving canister formed by the motion transmission device, in which case this has a simple construction and saves installation space. The preloading device can be supported at one end on the sensor housing and at the other end on the motion transmission device, preferably in the receiving canister.

[0022] According to a conceivable improvement, the motion transmission device can be introduced by its motion to loosely abut the surface against the part to be sensed. Since a fixed connection is no longer required, assembly work is significantly reduced, and the failure of a fixed connection is avoided from the outset.

[0023] As a possible improvement, the sensor module can be a component. It can be assembled independently. It can then be attached to another housing. This reduces assembly work because the sensor module can be manufactured separately and independently.

[0024] According to a conceivable improvement, the sensor housing can have an annular recess in which the core of the electromagnet can be attached. This allows the sensor module and the electromagnet to reduce the installation space required.

[0025] The present invention also proposes a system comprising a sensor module according to the present disclosure and an electromagnet having an electromagnet housing, wherein the sensor housing is disposed on the end face of the electromagnet housing, and a motion transmission device protrudes into the electromagnet housing. This allows for the pickup of armature motion from the outside of the electromagnet housing in a very simple and high-quality manner. A Hall sensor and a magnet are disposed outside the electromagnet housing. The motion transmission device rests on the armature. The sensor housing may be press-fitted to the electromagnet housing. If the electromagnet housing has plastic components, it may alternatively be ultrasonically welded and laser welded or hot-stamped. The end face edge of the electromagnet housing may be rolled around the outer circumference of the sensor housing, preferably around an annular disk section. Another housing may be the electromagnet housing. The electromagnet housing and the sensor housing are separate housings from each other.

[0026] According to a conceivable improvement, the motion transmission device can protrude through a through-hole in the core and can also protrude into the armature space, in which case its outer diameter in the region of the core is greater than or equal to its outer diameter in the region of the armature space. The motion transmission device can be used to guide the armature spring.

[0027] According to a conceivable improvement, the motion transmission device can be formed into a stroke limiter stop. The stroke limiter stop can strike the core. It serves to limit actuation motion and prevent uncontrolled slippage into the electromagnet. The stroke limiter stop can be formed from the wall of the receiving tank used for the preloading device.

[0028] It is also conceivable that an electromagnet according to the present disclosure is configured to be connected to a sensor module according to the present disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view through the system in its first state is shown, and

[0031] Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view through the system in its second state is shown.

[0032] List of reference numerals

[0033] 100 sensor modules

[0034] 102 Sensor Housing

[0035] 102.1 Electromagnetic housing cover

[0036] 102.2 Circular Disc Section

[0037] 102.3 Blind Hole Section

[0038] 102.4 Ribs

[0039] 104 Hall Sensor

[0040] 106 Magnets

[0041] 106.1 Through Hole

[0042] 108 Motion Transmission Device

[0043] 108.1 Connecting rod

[0044] 108.2 Longitudinal groove

[0045] 108.3 Travel limiter stop

[0046] 110 Motion introduced to the surface

[0047] 112 contacts

[0048] 114 Longitudinal guide device

[0049] 118 Preloading device

[0050] 118.1 Compression Spring

[0051] 120 Control Box

[0052] 122 Receiving Tank

[0053] 200 Electromagnets

[0054] 202 Electromagnetic housing

[0055] 204 Armature

[0056] 204.1 Armature rod

[0057] 206 core

[0058] 208 Coil Holder

[0059] 210 coil

[0060] 212 Contacts

[0061] 214 Armature spring

[0062] 216 Armature Space

[0063] 300 system

[0064] D direction

[0065] L longitudinal axis

[0066] R radial direction

[0067] W Adjust travel Detailed Implementation

[0068] In the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding elements are each indicated by the same reference numerals, and therefore will not be described again unless convenient. To avoid repetition, features already described will not be described again, and these features apply to all elements having the same or corresponding reference numerals, unless explicitly excluded. The disclosure in the specification as a whole can be similarly transferred to the same parts having the same reference numerals or the same part names. Similarly, the location indications chosen in the description (such as at the top, at the bottom, on the side, etc.) are related to the illustrated and currently described drawings, and will be similarly transferred to the new location if the location changes. Furthermore, various features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also constitute independent inventive solutions or solutions according to the invention.

[0069] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A single system 300 is shown, comprising a sensor module 100 and an electromagnet 200. The system 300 is traversed by a longitudinal axis L, wherein the radial direction R is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0070] The sensor module 100 includes an integral sensor housing 102 formed as a plastic injection molded part. The sensor housing 102 is bottomless on the electromagnet side and forms an electromagnet housing cover 102.1 as a separate housing. The sensor housing 102 includes an annular disk section 102.2 and a blind hole section 102.3, wherein the annular disk section 102.2 forms a rib 102.4 extending in the radial direction R. The sensor housing 102 carries the electrical contacts 112 of the sensor module 100 and the electrical contacts 212 of the electromagnet 200. The sensor housing 102 is integrally formed with a control box 120, which contains the electronic components of the sensor module 100 and / or the electromagnet 200. Furthermore, the sensor housing 102 forms a longitudinal guide 114 in the form of a longitudinal rib in the blind hole section 102.3, which engages in a corresponding longitudinal groove 108.2 in the motion transmission device 108. The sensor housing 102 has an annular recess 124, in which the core 206 of the electromagnet 200 is attached.

[0071] The sensor module 100 also includes a Hall sensor 104, which is fixedly arranged relative to the sensor housing 102 as it is housed there as an insert. The Hall sensor 104 is located in the blind hole section 102.3.

[0072] The sensor module 100 further includes a magnet 106, which is a permanent magnet and represents the sensor target of the Hall sensor 104. The magnet 106 is also located in the blind aperture section 102.3, but is movable relative to the Hall sensor 104.

[0073] The sensor module 100 further includes a motion transmission device 108 in the form of a connecting rod 108.1. The motion transmission device 108 is a plastic injection-molded part, in which case the magnet 106 is its insert. At one end, the motion transmission device 108 carries the magnet 106, and at the opposite end along the longitudinal axis L, a motion introduction surface 110 is formed on the end face. The motion introduction surface 110 is a contact surface because it rests loosely on the armature 204 of the electromagnet 200 without connection. The motion transmission device 108 protrudes from the sensor housing 102 and enters the electromagnet 200. The motion transmission device 108 forms a receiving can 122 arranged in a blind hole section 102.3. The motion transmission device 108 forms a travel limiter stop 108.3.

[0074] The sensor module 100 also includes a preloading device 118 in the form of a compression spring 118.1, which preloads the motion transmission device 108 in a direction D away from the sensor module 100. The preloading device 118 is arranged in the receiving tank 122 and is supported at one end on the sensor housing 102 and at the other end on the motion transmission device 108.

[0075] The electromagnet 200 includes an electromagnet housing 202 in which an armature 204, having an armature rod 204.1, is movably mounted along a longitudinal axis L. Adjacent to this, a core 206 has a through-hole 206.1 through which a motion transmission device 108 protrudes. A coil support 208 carries a coil 210, which can be optionally energized for adjusting the armature 206 along an adjustment stroke W. An armature spring 214 is supported between the core 206 and the armature 204 to fulfill its function (exhibition). The armature 206 is located in an armature space 216.

[0076] Sensor housing 102 is disposed on the end face of electromagnet housing 202 and seals the internal space of electromagnet 200 by pressure sealing. Hall sensor 104 and magnet 106 are disposed within sensor housing 102 over the entire adjustment stroke W. Hall sensor 104 and magnet 106 are disposed outside electromagnet housing 202. Motion transmission device 108 has an outer diameter in the region of core 206, which is greater than or equal to the outer diameter in the region of armature space 216. Stroke limiter stop 108.3 can strike core 206.

[0077] This invention is not limited to any of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in various ways. All features and advantages that are apparent from the claims, description, and drawings (including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps) are important to this invention, either individually or in a very wide combination.

[0078] The present invention includes all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the specification, claims and / or drawings.

[0079] To avoid duplication, features disclosed regarding the apparatus are also considered to be disclosed regarding the method and are therefore protected. Similarly, features disclosed regarding the method are considered to be disclosed regarding the apparatus and are therefore protected.

Claims

1. A sensor module (100), the sensor module (100) comprising: - Sensor housing (102). - Hall sensor (104) and magnet (106). - and a motion transmission device (108) protruding from the sensor housing (102), - In this embodiment, the Hall sensor (104) or the magnet (106) is attached to the motion transmission device (108) to move together, and the other of the Hall sensor (104) and the magnet (106) is arranged in a fixed manner relative to the sensor housing (102).

2. The sensor module (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motion transmission device (108) is a connecting rod (108.1).

3. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The motion transmission device (108) carries the Hall sensor (104) or the magnet (106) at one end and has a motion introduction surface (110) at the other end, preferably having a motion introduction surface (110) on the end face of the motion transmission device (108).

4. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The motion transmission device (108) is an injection-molded component that includes a magnet (106) as an insert.

5. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The Hall sensor (104) and the magnet (106) are arranged inside the sensor housing (102), preferably within the sensor housing (102) over the full adjustment stroke (W) of the motion transmission device (108).

6. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sensor housing (102) is integrally formed, preferably an injection-molded component, and the Hall sensor (104) or the magnet (106) is preferably an insert of the sensor housing (102).

7. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sensor housing (102) is bottomless and is preferably an electromagnet housing cover (102.1).

8. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sensor housing (102) carries the electrical contacts (112) of the sensor module (100) and / or the electrical contacts (212) of the electromagnet (200).

9. The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The sensor housing (102) forms an attachment point for attaching to another housing.

10. A system (300) comprising: -The sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, and - An electromagnet (200) having an electromagnet housing (202). -in, The sensor housing (102) is arranged on the end face of the electromagnet housing (202), and - The motion transmission device (108) protrudes into the electromagnet housing (202).

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