Spiral spring and electric connection structure
By adopting a coil spring structure in the pressure sensor, the sparsely coiled elastic part and the tightly coiled rigid part are used to achieve reliable electrical connection between the electrical terminals, electromagnetic shielding covers and electronic module components, and the existing solutions are solved The problem of complex and unstable electrical connections in the technology.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421075787.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-05-17
AI Technical Summary
In existing pressure sensors, electronic module components need to be electromagnetic shielded and electrically connected through multiple welding. The process is complex and there is a lack of a simple and reliable electrical connection structure, especially for electrical terminals, electromagnetic shielding covers and electronic module components. The electrical connection between them is difficult to achieve.
A coil spring structure is adopted, including a sparsely coiled elastic portion and a tightly coiled rigid portion, and the central axis of these portions is arranged collinearly to achieve electrical connection to the three elements. Specifically, the second elastic portion of the coil spring forms a flare-shaped crimping surface through the vias of the second element, and elastically contacts the tapered outer contour of the second rigid portion to achieve electrical connection.
The electrical connection process of the pressure sensor is simplified, the reliability and simplicity of the electrical connection are improved, the complex process of multiple welding is avoided, and the stable electrical connection of the three components is achieved.
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Figure CN222502500U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to a coil spring and an electrical connection structure. Background Art
[0002] In the prior art, the pressure sensor usually includes a pressure interface, a shell and an electrical connector that enclose an inner cavity, and a pressure sensitive element and an electronic module assembly are arranged in the inner cavity. In order to avoid electromagnetic shielding protection for the electronic module assembly, it is necessary to surround the electronic module assembly with a metal shielding cover. These metal shielding covers need to be fixed in the inner cavity and preferably electrically connected to the ground terminal, which requires multiple welding and the process is relatively complicated. On the other hand, the electronic module assembly also needs to be electrically connected to the electrical terminal. In this way, the three elements arranged in sequence, namely the electrical terminal, the electromagnetic shielding cover and the electronic module assembly, need to be electrically connected. At present, there is no relatively simple electrical connection structure to reliably electrically connect these three elements. Utility Model Content
[0003] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides a coil spring and an electrical connection structure to reliably electrically connect three elements.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present application provides the following technical solution: a coil spring, comprising:
[0005] A sparsely coiled first elastic portion;
[0006] A tightly coiled first rigid part and a second rigid part, which are respectively and integrally connected to two axial ends of the first elastic part, and whose outer diameters gradually decrease toward a side away from the first elastic part to form a tapered outer profile;
[0007] and a sparsely coiled second elastic portion, which is integrally connected to an end of the second rigid portion away from the second rigid portion and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first elastic portion;
[0008] The central axes of the first elastic part, the first rigid part, the second rigid part and the second elastic part are arranged collinearly.
[0009] The present application also provides an electrical connection structure, which includes a coil spring according to the claim and a first element, a second element and a third element arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the coil spring, the second element is provided with a via hole allowing the second elastic part to pass through, a bell-mouth-shaped crimping surface facing the first terminal is formed in the via hole, and the bell-mouth-shaped crimping surface is elastically electrically contacted with the conical outer contour of the second rigid part toward the middle winding part; one end of the third elastic part away from the middle winding part is elastically electrically contacted with the first element, and one end of the second elastic part away from the middle winding part is elastically electrically contacted with the third element.
[0010] Preferably, the electrical connection structure further includes a fourth element, and a retaining groove for retaining the coil spring is provided in the fourth element.
[0011] Preferably, the first elastic portion is held in the holding groove.
[0012] Preferably, the first element is fixed to the fourth element.
[0013] Preferably, the first element is fixed to the bottom of the retaining groove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the pressure sensor of the first embodiment;
[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a pressure sensor according to a second embodiment;
[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a pressure sensor according to a third embodiment;
[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first coil spring of a third embodiment;
[0018] Figure 5 A partial structural schematic diagram of a pressure sensor according to a third embodiment;
[0019] 6(a) to (c) are schematic structural diagrams of some variant embodiments of the electrical connection structure of the third embodiment;
[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a pressure sensor according to a fourth embodiment;
[0021] Figure 8 A top view of a portion of the structure of the fourth embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and cannot be interpreted as limiting the present application. In the following description, the same symbols are used to represent the same or equivalent elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted.
[0023] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", "left", "right", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientations or positional relationships in which the products of the present application are conventionally placed when in use, or are the orientations or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art. They are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.
[0024] In addition, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0025] It should be further understood that the term “and / or” used in the specification and corresponding claims of this application refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items.
[0026] First embodiment:
[0027] like Figure 1 As shown. The pressure sensor 100 of the first embodiment includes a shell (not marked) surrounding a mounting cavity 10, and the shell includes a pressure interface 11, an electrical connector 15, and a metal shell 12 that seals and connects the pressure interface 11 and the electrical connector 15. The pressure interface 11 is located on the lower side of the electrical connector 15, and includes a pressure introduction channel 110, the outer end of the pressure introduction channel 110 is connected to the pressure medium to be measured, and the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 110 is sealed and coupled to a pressure sensitive element 102. The pressure sensitive element 102 is used to convert the pressure of the pressure medium into an electrical signal. A seat 13 and an electronic module assembly 14 fixed to the seat 13 are provided in the mounting cavity 10. The electronic module assembly 14 is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive element 102 to process the electrical signal measured by the pressure sensitive element 102. When the pressure sensitive element 102 is a passive device (resistance element, capacitance element, etc.), the electronic module assembly 14 also supplies power to its pressure sensitive element 102. In this embodiment, a metal diaphragm can be used as a pressure sensitive element, and a measuring circuit composed of strain resistors is insulatedly arranged on its upper surface to convert the strain generated by the metal diaphragm under the action of the pressure medium into an electrical signal. The measuring circuit is electrically connected to the electronic module assembly 14. Preferably, the metal diaphragm is arranged horizontally.
[0028] The pressure interface 11 includes at least one metal part, and the metal shell 12 includes at least one circle of welding part 121 sealed and welded with the metal part of the pressure interface 11, the outer edge of the welding part 121 extends upward to form a circle of outer part 122, and the inner edge of the welding part 121 extends upward toward one side of the installation cavity 10 to form an inner part 123 integrally molded in the seat 13. A groove 12a is formed between the inner part 123, the welding part 121 and the outer part 122. The pressure interface 11 is preferably made of metal material. The metal shell 12 can be made by stamping.
[0029] The pressure interface 11 may include an interface portion 111 forming the above-mentioned pressure introduction channel 110 and a plate-like portion 112 (i.e., the above-mentioned metal portion) connected to the interface portion 111 and welded to the welding portion 121. For example, the upper portion of the interface portion 111 may protrude outward to form a disc-shaped connecting portion 11a, and the disc-shaped connecting portion 11a is sleeved and welded to a hole 11c formed on the plate-like portion 112. The lower end of the disc-shaped connecting portion 11a may extend outward to form a supporting flange 11b for supporting the plate-like portion 112 upward. The lower surface of the welding portion 121 is welded to the upper surface of the plate-like portion 112 to form a weld 12c. In some other schemes, the interface portion 111 may also be integrally connected to the plate-like portion 112.
[0030] The electrical connector 15 includes a plug-in portion 151 connected to an external device, a cover portion 152 covering the electronic module assembly 14, and a support portion 153 formed by the cover portion 152 extending toward one side of the metal shell 12. The lower end 15a of the support portion 153 is supported on the bottom 12b of the groove 12a (i.e., the upper surface of the welding portion 121). The upper end of the outer portion 122 extends inward to form a crimping portion 125, and the crimping portion 125 presses the upward step surface 15b formed on the outer side of the cover portion 152 downward to the welding portion 121. The step surface 15b and the crimping portion 125 are sealed by setting a sealing ring 101. The crimping portion 125 presses the sealing ring 101 downward to the step surface 15b.
[0031] A hole 13a is formed on the seat 13 for accommodating at least a part of the pressure sensitive element 102. The electronic module assembly 14 includes a horizontally arranged circuit board 141, an electronic element 142 and a plurality of conductive connecting parts 144 arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board 141. The conductive connecting part 144 is electrically connected to the measuring circuit through an electrical connecting wire 143. The circuit board 141 may be provided with a hole 14a that allows the electrical connecting wire 143 to pass through. The pressure sensitive element 102 can be sealed and fixed on a convex seat 113 formed by the inner end (i.e., the upper end) of the pressure introduction channel 110 protruding inwardly, so as to minimize the plane height difference between the measuring circuit and the upper surface of the circuit board 141. The circuit board 141 may be provided with a plurality of connection holes (not marked), and the seat 13 may be formed with a connection structure that is matched with the connection holes of the circuit board 141. For example, the seat 13 may be formed with a connection column 131 that is tightly matched with the connection hole of the circuit board 141. Alternatively or additionally, the seat 13 may be formed with a riveted column 132 that is riveted with the connection hole of the circuit board 141. A gap 109 is left between the bottom of the seat 13 and the disc-shaped connection portion 11a.
[0032] Among them, in some other schemes, a positioning connection can be formed between the electrical connector 15 and the seat 13, for example, the outer wall of the seat 13 forms at least one snap-fitting portion 15c (for example, a snap-fitting groove extending up and down) spaced circumferentially, and the inner side of the support portion 153 forms a plurality of snaps 154 for circumferential positioning with the snap-fitting portion 15c, and at the same time, the snaps 154 can also abut against the outer periphery of the seat 13 in the radial direction to form horizontal positioning. Preferably, the inner part 223 may include a molded connection portion (not marked) and an inner cylinder portion 124 close to one side of the welding portion 121. The inner cylinder portion 124 can be close to the lower end 15a of the support portion 153 to horizontally position it.
[0033] A plurality of connection terminals 150 are fixed on the electrical connector 15, and one inner end thereof is exposed to the installation cavity 10 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 141 through the flexible electrical connection element 145. Preferably, the flexible electrical connection element 145 includes a plurality of coil springs, and a retaining hole 15d for accommodating and retaining the coil spring is provided on one side of the cover portion 152 facing the circuit board 141, and an inner end of the connection terminal 150 is exposed to the bottom (i.e., the upper end) of the retaining hole 15d, and the lower end of the retaining hole 15d can continue to extend toward the installation cavity 10 to form an outer extension portion 15e. One end of the coil spring is electrically in contact with the inner end 15f of the connection terminal 150, and the other end is electrically in contact with the circuit board 141. In some other schemes, the flexible electrical connection element 145 can also alternatively include a flexible plate or a plurality of leaf springs.
[0034] Second embodiment:
[0035] like Figure 2As shown. The pressure sensor 200 of the second embodiment includes a shell (not marked) surrounding a mounting cavity 20, and the shell includes a pressure interface 21, an electrical connector 25, and a metal shell 22 that seals and connects the pressure interface 21 and the electrical connector 25. The pressure interface 21 is located on one side below the electrical connector 25, and includes a pressure introduction channel 210, the outer end of the pressure introduction channel 210 is connected to the pressure medium to be measured, and the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 210 is sealed and coupled to a pressure sensitive element 202. The pressure sensitive element 202 is used to convert the pressure of the pressure medium into an electrical signal. A seat 23 and an electronic module assembly 24 fixed to the seat 23 are provided in the mounting cavity 20. The electronic module assembly 24 is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive element 202 to process the electrical signal measured by the pressure sensitive element 202. When the pressure sensitive element 202 is a passive device (resistance element, capacitance element, etc.), the electronic module assembly 24 also supplies power to its pressure sensitive element 202. In this embodiment, a semiconductor pressure chip can be used as a pressure sensitive element, which includes a diaphragm. A measurement circuit composed of diffusion resistors is arranged on the upper surface of the diaphragm to convert the strain generated by the pressure medium into an electrical signal. The semiconductor pressure chip is electrically connected to the electronic module assembly 24.
[0036] The metal shell 22 at least includes a circle of welding portion 221 sealed and welded with the pressure interface 21, the outer edge of the welding portion 221 extends upward to form a circle of outer portion 122, and the inner edge of the welding portion 221 extends upward toward one side of the installation cavity 20 to form an inner portion 223 integrally molded on the outside of the seat 23. A groove 22a is formed between the inner portion 223, the welding portion 221 and the outer portion 222.
[0037] The pressure interface 21 may include an interface portion 211 forming the pressure introduction channel 210 and a plate portion 212 connected to the interface portion 211 and welded to a welding portion 221, wherein the plate portion 212 is integrally connected to the upper portion of the interface portion 211. The lower surface of the welding portion 221 is welded to the upper surface of the plate portion 212 to form a weld 22c.
[0038] The electrical connector 25 includes a plug-in portion 251 connected to the outside, a cover portion 252 covering the electronic module assembly 24, and a support portion 253 formed by the cover portion 252 extending toward one side of the metal shell 22. The lower end 25a of the support portion 253 is supported on the bottom 22b of the groove 22a (i.e., the upper surface of the welding portion 221). The upper end of the outer portion 222 extends inward to form a crimping portion 225, and the crimping portion 225 presses the upward step surface 25b formed on the outer side of the cover portion 252 downward to the welding portion 221. The step surface 25b and the crimping portion 225 are sealed by setting a sealing ring 201. Preferably, the lower part of the inner portion 223 can be recessed inward to form an annular cavity (not marked) between the inner portion 223 and the support portion 253, and a sealing ring 26 is sealed in the annular cavity to seal between the inner portion 223 and the support portion 253. In this way, a double seal can be formed to better protect the components in the installation cavity 20.
[0039] The electronic module assembly 24 includes a horizontally arranged circuit board 241, an electronic component 242 and a plurality of conductive connecting parts 244 arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board 241. The conductive connecting part 244 is electrically connected to the measuring circuit through an electrical connecting wire 243. The circuit board 241 may be provided with a hole 24a for allowing the electrical connecting wire 243 to pass through. The pressure sensitive element 202 may be sealedly arranged on a convex seat 213 formed by the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 210 protruding inwardly to minimize the plane height difference between the measuring circuit and the upper surface of the circuit board 241. A hole 23a is formed on the seat 23 for the convex seat 213 to pass upward. The circuit board 241 may be arranged in a depression formed downward at the top of the seat 23, and the edge of the circuit board 241 may be locked on the seat 23 by a plurality of buckles 233. A gap 209 is left between the bottom of the seat 23 and the plate-like portion 212.
[0040] In some other solutions, a positioning connection may be formed between the electrical connector 25 and the seat 23 , for example, the electrical connector 25 and the seat 23 may be positioned together by a plurality of positioning holes and positioning posts respectively disposed on the electrical connector 25 and the seat 23 .
[0041] A plurality of connection terminals 250 are fixed on the electrical connector 25, and one inner end thereof is exposed to the mounting cavity 20 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 241 through a flexible electrical connection element 245. Preferably, the flexible electrical connection element 245 is a coil spring, and a retaining hole 25d for accommodating and retaining the coil spring is provided on one side of the cover portion 252 facing the circuit board 241, and an inner end of the connection terminal 250 is exposed to the bottom (i.e., the upper end) of the retaining hole 25d, and the lower end of the retaining hole 25d can continue to extend into the mounting cavity 20 to form an outer extension portion 25e. One end of the coil spring is electrically in contact with the inner end 25f of the connection terminal 250, and the other end is electrically in contact with the circuit board 241. In some other schemes, the flexible electrical connection element 245 can also be a flexible plate or a leaf spring.
[0042] Preferably, the pressure sensor 200 of the present embodiment further comprises a metal cover 27 fixedly disposed in the mounting cavity 20 and covering the electronic module assembly 24. The cover 27 can be fixed to the seat 23, for example, its edge portion 272 can be provided with a connection hole (not marked), and the connection hole is tightly fitted on the connection column 231 protruding upward from the seat 23; the cover 27 is preferably electrically connected to the upper end 226 of the inner portion 223, for example, the outer edge of the edge portion 272 can extend downward to form a cylindrical portion 271, and the cylindrical portion 271 is electrically in contact with the outer periphery of the upper end 226 to be electrically connected to the metal shell 22. The outer edge of the cover 27 is preferably partially overlapped or joined with the upper edge of the upper end 226 of the inner portion 223 to enclose the electronic module assembly 24 inside.
[0043] In this way, the electronic module assembly 24 can be effectively electromagnetically shielded by the cover 27, the pressure interface 21 and the metal shell 22. The cover 27 is provided with a through hole (not marked) through which the flexible electrical connection element 245 can pass. In addition, the cover 27 can be preferably grounded to release static electricity. For example, the cover 27 can be electrically connected to the ground terminal on the circuit board 241 through a ground connector 203. The ground connector 203 can be a conductive sheet, one end of which can be welded to the ground terminal on the circuit board 241, and the other end can be penetrated by the connecting column 231 and clamped between the cover 27 and the seat 23.
[0044] Third embodiment:
[0045] like Figure 3 As shown. The pressure sensor 300 of the third embodiment includes a shell (not marked) surrounding a mounting cavity 30, and the shell includes a pressure interface 31, an electrical connector 35, and a metal shell 32 that seals and connects the pressure interface 31 and the electrical connector 35. The pressure interface 31 is located on one side below the electrical connector 35, and includes a pressure introduction channel 310, the outer end of the pressure introduction channel 310 is connected to the pressure medium to be measured, and the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 310 is sealed and coupled to a pressure sensitive element 302. The pressure sensitive element 302 is used to convert the pressure of the pressure medium into an electrical signal. A seat 33 and an electronic module assembly 34 fixed to the seat 33 are provided in the mounting cavity 30. The electronic module assembly 34 is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive element 302 to process the electrical signal measured by the pressure sensitive element 302. When the pressure sensitive element 302 is a passive device (resistance element, capacitance element, etc.), the electronic module assembly 34 also supplies power to its pressure sensitive element 302. In this embodiment, a semiconductor pressure chip can be used as a pressure sensitive element, which includes a diaphragm. A measurement circuit composed of diffused resistors is arranged on the upper surface of the diaphragm to convert the strain generated by the pressure medium into an electrical signal. The semiconductor pressure chip is electrically connected to the electronic module assembly 34.
[0046] The metal shell 32 at least includes a circle of welding portion 321 sealed and welded with the pressure interface 31, the outer edge of the welding portion 321 extends upward to form a circle of outer portion 122, and the inner edge of the welding portion 321 extends upward toward one side of the installation cavity 30 to form an inner portion 323 integrally molded on the outside of the seat 33. A groove 32a is formed between the inner portion 323, the welding portion 321 and the outer portion 322.
[0047] The pressure interface 31 may include an interface portion 311 forming the pressure introduction channel 310 and a plate portion 312 connected to the interface portion 311 and welded to a welding portion 321, wherein the plate portion 312 is integrally connected to the upper portion of the interface portion 311. The lower surface of the welding portion 321 is welded to the upper surface of the plate portion 312 to form a weld 32c.
[0048] The electrical connector 35 includes a plug-in portion 351 connected to the outside, a cover portion 352 covering the electronic module assembly 34, and a support portion 353 formed by the cover portion 352 extending toward one side of the metal shell 32. The lower end 35a of the support portion 353 is supported on the bottom 32b of the groove 32a (i.e., the upper surface of the welding portion 321). The upper end of the outer portion 322 extends inward to form a crimping portion 325, and the crimping portion 325 presses the upward step surface 35b formed on the outer side of the cover portion 352 downward to the welding portion 321. The step surface 35b and the crimping portion 325 are sealed by setting a sealing ring 301. Preferably, the lower part of the inner portion 323 can be recessed inward to form an annular cavity (not marked) between the inner portion 323 and the support portion 353, and a sealing ring 36 is sealed in the annular cavity to seal between the inner portion 323 and the support portion 353. In this way, a double seal can be formed to better protect the components in the installation cavity 30.
[0049] The electronic module assembly 34 includes a horizontally arranged circuit board 341 and electronic components (not marked) and a plurality of conductive connecting parts (not marked) arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board 341. The conductive connecting part is electrically connected to the measuring circuit through an electrical connecting wire 343. The circuit board 341 may be provided with a hole 34a for allowing the electrical connecting wire 343 to pass through. The pressure sensitive element 302 may be sealedly arranged on a convex seat 313 formed by the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 310 protruding inwardly to minimize the plane height difference between the measuring circuit and the upper surface of the circuit board 341. The seat 33 is formed with a hole 33a for the convex seat 313 to pass upward. The circuit board 341 may be arranged in a depression formed downward at the top of the seat 33, and the edge of the circuit board 341 may be locked on the seat 33 by a plurality of buckles 333. A gap 309 is left between the bottom of the seat 33 and the plate-shaped portion 312.
[0050] In some other embodiments, a positioning connection may be formed between the electrical connector 35 and the seat 33 , for example, the electrical connector 35 and the seat 33 may be positioned together by a plurality of positioning holes (not marked) and positioning posts (not marked) respectively provided on the electrical connector 35 and the seat 33 .
[0051] A plurality of connection terminals 350 are fixed on the electrical connector 35, and one inner end thereof is exposed to the mounting cavity 30 and electrically connected to the circuit board 341 through a flexible electrical connection element. Preferably, the flexible electrical connection element includes a plurality of coil springs 38, and a retaining hole 35d for accommodating and retaining the coil spring 38 is provided on one side of the cover portion 352 facing the circuit board 341, and one inner end of the connection terminal 350 is exposed to the bottom (i.e., the upper end) of the retaining hole 35d, and the lower end of the retaining hole 35d can continue to extend toward the mounting cavity 30 to form an outer extension portion 35e. One end of the coil spring 38 is electrically in contact with one inner end 35f of the connection terminal 350, and the other end is electrically in contact with the circuit board 341.
[0052] Preferably, the pressure sensor 300 of this embodiment further comprises a metal cover 37 fixedly disposed in the mounting cavity 30 and covering the electronic module assembly 34. The cover 37 is provided with a through hole (not marked) through which the coil spring 38 can pass. A bulge (not marked) is formed upwardly in the middle of the cover 37, and the bulge is fixed to a concave cavity (not marked) formed at the bottom of the cover portion 252. The edge portion 372 of the cover 37 is arched downwardly to form a first abutment portion 37a, and the first abutment portion 37a is electrically contacted downwardly to the upper end 326 of the inner portion 323, and the first abutment portion 37a can be in the shape of a convex point; in some other schemes, alternatively or additionally, the cover 37 can be torn downwardly to form a sheet-like third abutment portion 37c, and the third abutment portion 37c is electrically contacted downwardly to the upper end 326 of the inner portion 323. The middle part of the cover shell 37 can also be pressed upward to form a cup-shaped part 371 and the cup-shaped part 371 can be fixedly buckled in the concave cavity 356 formed by the upward depression of the lower end of the cover part 352. The cup-shaped part 371 and the inner wall of the concave cavity 356 can be conveniently fixed together through the cooperating clamping action between the cup-shaped part 371 and the inner wall of the concave cavity 356.
[0053] The edge of the cover 37 is torn downward to form a second abutting portion 37b in a sheet shape, and the second abutting portion 37b is electrically in contact with a grounding terminal 346 on the electronic module assembly 34, so that the cover 37 is electrically connected to the grounding terminal of the electronic module assembly 34. The second abutting portion 37b can be omitted, and the cover 37 is directly connected to the grounding terminal in the connection terminal 350. For details, please refer to Figure 4. The above-mentioned multiple coil springs 38 include a first coil spring 381 and a plurality of second coil springs 382. The above-mentioned multiple connection terminals 350 include a first terminal 354 and a plurality of second terminals 355. Among them, one end of the first coil spring 381 is electrically contacted to the first terminal 354, and the other end of the first coil spring 381 is electrically contacted to the conductive connecting part 344 on the circuit board 341; one end of the second coil spring 382 is electrically contacted to one of the second terminals 355, and the other end is electrically contacted to the conductive connecting part 345 on the circuit board 341. Among them, the second coil spring 382 can be an ordinary metal coil spring, and the structure of the first coil spring 381 is different from that of the second coil spring 382, please refer to Figure 5 The first coil spring 381 includes a sparsely coiled first elastic portion 38b, and its axial ends are integrally connected with a relatively tightly coiled first rigid portion 38a and a second rigid portion 38c, and the outer diameters of the first rigid portion 38a and the second rigid portion 38c gradually decrease toward the side away from the first elastic portion 38b to form a tapered outer profile. The end of the second rigid portion 38c away from the first elastic portion 38b is also integrally connected with a sparsely coiled second elastic portion 38d, and the outer diameter D2 of the second elastic portion 38d is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the first elastic portion 38b. The housing 37 is provided with a through hole 374 for the second coil spring 382 to pass through. The housing 37 is also provided with a through hole 375 to allow the second elastic portion 38d of the first coil spring 381 to pass downward. The edge of the through hole 375 is concave toward the side away from the first elastic portion 38b to form a bell-shaped crimping surface 373 that elastically and electrically contacts the tapered outer profile of the second rigid portion 38c upward, and compresses the first elastic portion 38b upward. Since the cover 37 is fixed to the electrical connector 35, the electrical connector 35 can also compress the second elastic portion 38d toward the side of the circuit board 341 during assembly. Through such an electrical connection structure, the present embodiment can conveniently achieve electrical contact and connection between the first terminal 354, the conductive connecting portion 344 and the cover 37 through the first coil spring 381. The cross section of the bell-shaped crimping surface 373 (a cross section taken perpendicular to the spring plane) gradually increases toward the first terminal 354, and it is preferably a tapered surface.
[0054] 6(a) to (c) also respectively show three variations of the electrical connection between the first terminal 354, the housing 37, and the conductive connecting portion 344 through other electrical connection structures. The first element 391, the second element 392, and the third element 393 are abstractly described as the first terminal 354, the housing 37, and the conductive connecting portion 344, respectively. It should be understood that the aforementioned connection relationship between the first terminal 354, the housing 37, and the conductive connecting portion 344 is also applicable after being replaced by the first element 391, the second element 392, and the third element 393.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 6(a), in the first variation embodiment of the electrical connection structure, the electrical connection structure includes three elements arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the first coil spring 381, namely, the first element 391, the second element 392 and the third element 393. The first coil spring 381 includes a sparsely coiled first elastic portion 38b, and its two ends are connected with a relatively tightly coiled first rigid portion 38a and a second rigid portion 38c, and the outer diameters of the first rigid portion 38a and the second rigid portion 38c gradually decrease toward the side away from the first elastic portion 38b to form a tapered outer profile. The end of the second rigid portion 38c away from the first elastic portion 38b is also connected with a sparsely coiled second elastic portion 38d, and the outer diameter of the second elastic portion 38d is smaller than the outer diameter of the first elastic portion 38b. The first coil spring 381 also includes a sparsely coiled third elastic portion 38e connected to the side of the first elastic portion 38b away from the second elastic portion 38d. The second element 392 is provided with a through hole 39b to allow the second coil spring 382 to pass through. A bell-shaped crimping surface 39a formed in the through hole 39b and facing the first elastic part 38b is elastically and electrically contacted with the conical outer contour of the first rigid part 38a, and the first elastic part 38b and the second elastic part 38c are axially compressed toward the third element 393. The outer end of the third elastic part 38e (i.e., the end away from the first elastic part 38b) is elastically and electrically contacted with the first element 391, and the outer end of the second elastic part 38d (i.e., the end away from the first elastic part 38b) is elastically and electrically contacted with the third element 393. The third elastic part 38e is retained in a retaining hole 39c formed on the fourth element 394. The fourth element 394 can be fixedly connected to the first element 391. The first element 391 is preferably located at the bottom of the retaining groove 39c. The third elastic part 38e is compressed by the first element 391 toward the first elastic part 38b. In this way, the first element 391, the second element 392 and the third element 393 can be electrically connected to each other through the elastic parts and the tapered outer contour provided on both sides in contact with the third element.
[0056] As shown in Figure 6(b), the second variation embodiment of the electrical connection structure differs from the first variation embodiment in that a trumpet-shaped crimping surface 39a formed in the through hole 39b facing the third elastic part 38e is elastically electrically contacted with the conical outer contour of the second rigid part 38c, and causes the first elastic part 38b to be axially compressed toward the third element 393.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 6( c ), the first variation embodiment of the electrical connection structure is different from the second variation embodiment in that the retaining groove 39c can be omitted, and the first coil spring 381 is instead fixed directly to the second element 392 through the fourth element 395, so that the axial direction of the first coil spring 381 maintains a suitable posture. Specifically, a through hole 39d is formed on the fourth element 395 to allow the third elastic part to pass upward, and the edge of the through hole 39d is pressed toward the side away from the second element 392 to form a bell-shaped crimping surface 39e toward the side of 38b, and the bell-shaped crimping surface 39e elastically contacts (either electrically or non-electrically) the conical outer contour of the first rigid part 38a toward the side of the second element 392 (i.e., toward the side of the first elastic part 38b). Among them, the fourth element 394 can be an electrical conductor or an electrical insulator.
[0058] In various variations of the electrical connection structure: each elastic part is compressed; in addition, when the third elastic part 38e exists, it can also be replaced by a tightly coiled third rigid part (not marked), in which case the third elastic part 38e is compressed; the third rigid part and the first elastic part 38b can be collectively referred to as the middle coiled part, or included by the middle coiled part. The central axis of each part of the first coil spring 381 extends in the same direction (i.e., the arrangement direction of the first element 391, the second coil spring 382, and the third element 393), i.e., is collinear; preferably, the through hole 39b accommodates at least a part of the first elastic part 38b to retain the first elastic part 38b.
[0059] Fourth embodiment:
[0060] like Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown. The pressure sensor 500 of the fourth embodiment includes a shell (not marked) surrounding a mounting cavity 50, and the shell includes a pressure interface 51, an electrical connector 55, and a metal shell 52 that seals and connects the pressure interface 51 and the electrical connector 55. The pressure interface 51 is located on the lower side of the electrical connector 55, and includes a pressure introduction channel 510, the outer end of the pressure introduction channel 510 is connected to the pressure medium to be measured, and the inner end of the pressure introduction channel 510 is sealed and coupled to a pressure sensitive element 502. The pressure sensitive element 502 is used to convert the pressure of the pressure medium into an electrical signal. A seat 53 and an electronic module assembly 54 fixed to the seat 53 are provided in the mounting cavity 50. The seat 53 includes a first part 531 and a second part 532, and the second part 532 extends substantially vertically. The electronic module assembly 54 is electrically connected to the pressure sensitive element 502 to process the electrical signal measured by the pressure sensitive element 502. When the pressure sensitive element 502 is a passive device (resistance element, capacitance element, etc.), the electronic module assembly 54 also supplies power to the pressure sensitive element 502. In this embodiment, a metal diaphragm can be used as a pressure sensitive element, and a measuring circuit composed of strain resistors is insulated on its side surface to convert the strain generated by the metal diaphragm under the action of the pressure medium into an electrical signal. The measuring circuit is electrically connected to the electronic module assembly 54. Preferably, the pressure sensitive element 502 includes a vertical diaphragm 503, and the above-mentioned measuring circuit is arranged on a vertical surface 504 arranged outside the vertical diaphragm 503, and the inner side of the vertical diaphragm 503 is connected to the pressure introduction channel 510.
[0061] The pressure interface 51 includes at least one metal part, and the metal shell 52 includes at least a circle of welding part 521 sealed and welded with the metal part of the pressure interface 51. The outer edge of the welding part 521 extends upward to form a circle of outer part 122, and the inner edge of the welding part 521 extends upward toward one side of the installation cavity 50 to form an inner part 523 integrally molded in the first part 531. A groove 52a is formed between the inner part 523, the welding part 521 and the outer part 522. Preferably, the inner part 523 may include a molded connection part (not marked) and an inner cylinder part 524 close to one side of the welding part 521. The inner cylinder part 524 may be close to the lower end 55a of the support part 553 to horizontally position it. A gap 509 is left between the bottom of the seat 53 and the plate-like part 512.
[0062] The pressure interface 51 may include an interface portion 511 forming the pressure introduction channel 510 and a plate-like portion 512 (the metal portion) connected to the interface portion 511 and welded to the welding portion 521. For example, the upper portion of the interface portion 511 may protrude outward to form a disc-shaped connecting portion 51a, and the disc-shaped connecting portion 51a is sleeved and welded to a hole 51c formed on the plate-like portion 512. The lower end of the disc-shaped connecting portion 51a may extend outward to form a supporting flange 51b for supporting the plate-like portion 512 upward. The lower surface of the welding portion 521 is welded to the upper surface of the plate-like portion 512 to form a weld 52c. In some other schemes, the interface portion 511 may also be connected to the plate-like portion 512 in one piece.
[0063] The electrical connector 55 includes a cover portion 552 and a support portion 553 formed by the cover portion 552 extending toward one side of the metal shell 52. The lower end 55a of the support portion 553 is supported on the bottom 52b of the groove 52a (i.e., the upper surface of the welding portion 521). The upper end of the outer portion 522 extends inward to form a crimping portion 525, and the crimping portion 525 presses the upward step surface 55b formed on the outer side of the cover portion 552 downward to the welding portion 521. The step surface 55b and the crimping portion 525 are sealed by setting a sealing ring 501. Among them, the support portion 553 of the electrical connector 55 is circumferentially positioned and covered outside the seat 53. For example, a vertically extending positioning groove 534 can be set on the outer wall of the second portion 532, and the inner wall of the support portion 553 is extended inward to form a vertical positioning portion 555, and the positioning portion 555 is set in the positioning groove 534.
[0064] A hole 53a is formed on the first part 531 for accommodating at least a part of the pressure sensitive element 502. The lower end of the second part 532 is connected to the left and right sides of the first part 531. The electronic module assembly 54 includes a vertically arranged circuit board 541, an electronic component 542 and a plurality of first conductive connecting parts 544 arranged on a surface of one side of the circuit board 541. The measuring circuit on the vertical surface 504 is located on the upper side of the upper end of the first part 531, and the vertical surface 504 is arranged parallel to the circuit board 541. The first conductive connecting part 544 is electrically connected to the measuring circuit through an electrical connecting wire 543. The pressure sensitive element 502 can be sealedly arranged on a convex seat 513 formed by protruding inward from one end of the inner side of the pressure introduction channel 510.
[0065] The two lateral ends of the circuit board 541 are respectively inserted downward and fixed in two insertion slots 53e formed on the second part 532. The opening directions of the two insertion slots 53e are arranged opposite to each other. The lower end of the circuit board 541 is positioned and supported on the upper end of the first part 531. In this way, the circuit board 541 is stably fixed on the seat 53. In some other solutions, the circuit board 541 can also be additionally fixed in the insertion slot 53e by adhesive.
[0066] A plurality of connection terminals 550 are fixed on the electrical connector 55, and one end of the inner side thereof is electrically connected to the circuit board 541. For example, a first electrical contact element 546 may be molded on the second portion 532, and the first electrical contact element 546 has a first vertical portion 54c disposed on the side wall of the insertion slot 53e facing the circuit board 541, and a first transverse portion 54a disposed on the upper surface of the second portion 532, and the first vertical portion 54c is electrically connected to a second conductive connection portion 545 disposed on the circuit board 541 through an electrical connection wire 548; a second electrical contact element 547 may also be molded on the second portion 532, and the second electrical contact element 547 has a second vertical portion 54d disposed on the side wall of the second portion 532, and a second transverse portion 54e exposed on the upper surface of the second portion 532 and extending horizontally, and the second vertical portion 54d is electrically connected to a second conductive connection portion 545 disposed on the circuit board 541 through an electrical connection wire 549. The inner end 55f of the connection terminal 550 is connected to the first transverse portion 54a or the second transverse portion 54e through the flexible electrical connection element 540. The horizontal cross-section of the second portion 532 is roughly arc-shaped, and an opening 533 is formed in the circumferential direction and is laterally opposite to the vertical surface 504, so as to facilitate the electrical connection of the measurement circuit on the outer surface of the vertical surface 504 with the first conductive connection portion 544 through the electrical connection wire 543. The first transverse portion 54a and the first vertical portion 54c can be connected through the embedded portion 54b embedded in the second portion 532. The second transverse portion 54e can be arranged on the side wall of the extension portion 53d formed by the circumferential side edges of the opening 533 extending toward the side away from the circuit board 541.
[0067] The flexible electrical connection element 540 may be a flexible plate, a coil spring or a leaf spring. In the present embodiment, the flexible electrical connection element 540 may be an electrical contact spring whose lower end forms elastic electrical contact with the first transverse portion 54a or the second transverse portion 54e, and whose upper end is tightly coiled to form a rigid portion with a conical outer profile. The above-mentioned connection terminal 550 may also be integrally connected with the above-mentioned rigid portion and has a certain rigidity due to the tight coiling, so that it can be plugged with an external device. Correspondingly, a stepped retaining hole 55d may be formed in the electrical connector 55, and a downwardly facing crimping surface (not marked) is formed on the inner wall of the retaining hole 55d, and the crimping surface is elastically electrically contacted downwardly on the rigid portion.
[0068] The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are construed as being included in the disclosure.
Claims
1. A coil spring, characterized in that: include: A sparsely coiled first elastic portion; A tightly coiled first rigid part and a second rigid part, which are respectively and integrally connected to two axial ends of the first elastic part, and whose outer diameters gradually decrease toward a side away from the first elastic part to form a tapered outer profile; and a sparsely coiled second elastic portion, which is integrally connected to an end of the second rigid portion away from the second rigid portion and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first elastic portion; The central axes of the first elastic part, the first rigid part, the second rigid part and the second elastic part are arranged collinearly.
2. An electrical connection structure, comprising a coil spring according to claim 1 and a first element, a second element and a third element arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the coil spring, the second element being provided with a via hole for allowing the second elastic part to pass through, a bell-mouth-shaped crimping surface facing the first terminal side being formed in the via hole, the bell-mouth-shaped crimping surface being elastically electrically contacted with the conical outer contour of the second rigid part facing the middle winding part side; one end of the third elastic part away from the middle winding part is elastically electrically contacted with the first element, and one end of the second elastic part away from the middle winding part is elastically electrically contacted with the third element.
3. The electrical connection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A fourth element is also included, in which a retaining groove for retaining the coil spring is arranged.
4. The electrical connection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first elastic portion is held in the holding groove.
5. The electrical connection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first element is fixed to the fourth element.
6. The electrical connection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first element is fixed to the bottom of the holding groove.