Waterproof methane sensor

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of sensors, and discloses a waterproof methane sensor, which comprises a casing, a methane sensor, a methane sensor, a methane sensor, a methane sensor, a methane sensor, a methane sensor and a methane sensor, and is characterized in that the casing comprises a top plate; the sensing element penetrates through the top plate and is arranged in the shell; the waterproof shell is an open cylinder and wraps the sensing element, and a plurality of first through holes are formed in the peripheral side of the part, exposed out of the top plate, of the waterproof shell; and the waterproof breathable film is arranged at one end of the opening of the waterproof shell and wraps the peripheral side, exposed out of the top plate, of the waterproof shell. The waterproof performance of the methane sensor in a humid environment is improved, the service life of the sensor is prolonged, and the performance stability of the sensor is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of sensors, and particularly to a waterproof methane sensor. Background Art

[0002] In existing industrial and environmental monitoring applications, methane sensors are an important tool. Methane is a colorless and odorless gas with high flammability and can form an explosive mixture at a certain concentration. Therefore, effective monitoring of it is crucial for ensuring safety. However, existing methane sensors often face many challenges in complex usage environments, especially in humid or water-rich environments, where their reliability and accuracy may be significantly affected.

[0003] For example, the published text CN201320802488.0 discloses a new type of methane sensor: "Comprising a methane sensor main body, a handle and an alarm lamp are arranged at the top end of the methane sensor main body, a display screen is arranged on the methane sensor main body, a buzzer alarm is arranged below the display screen, and a sensor is arranged at the bottom end of the methane sensor main body. It is characterized in that: a waterproof device with upper and lower openings and a hollow structure is arranged below the sensor, air inlet holes are arranged on the waterproof device, grooves are arranged on the inner wall of the waterproof device, and the air inlet holes are vertically connected by the grooves." It can be seen from the above published text that the design of the waterproof device of the existing methane sensor is relatively simple, and the waterproof performance often depends only on a single waterproof structure, lacking multiple protection mechanisms. In extremely harsh humid environments, the sensor may still be damaged, thus affecting its normal operation. Secondly, the existing methane sensor has air inlet holes on the waterproof device but does not conduct detailed waterproof treatment on the air inlet holes, which may cause water molecules to penetrate into the sensor through the air inlet holes, thereby damaging the sensing element and reducing the service life and performance of the sensor.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new type of waterproof methane sensor to solve the above problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The main object of the utility model is to provide a waterproof methane sensor, aiming to solve the technical problem of insufficient waterproof performance of existing methane sensors in humid environments.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the utility model provides a waterproof methane sensor, comprising:

[0007] A housing, including a top plate, and a receiving cavity is arranged inside the housing;

[0008] A sensing element, the sensing element penetrates through the top plate and is arranged inside the housing;

[0009] A waterproof housing, which is an open cylinder, is arranged to wrap the sensing element, and several first through holes are arranged on the peripheral side of the part of the waterproof housing exposed from the top plate;

[0010] A waterproof breathable membrane is arranged at one end of the opening of the waterproof housing and wraps the peripheral side of the waterproof housing exposed from the top plate.

[0011] Further, the housing further includes a side plate, the side plate includes a first part and a second part, the first part is a semi-circular plate, and the second part is a rectangular plate;

[0012] The first part and the second part are connected by an integral molding method, and an included angle is formed at the peripheral connection of the first part and the second part, and the included angle is an acute angle.

[0013] Further, a chip and pins are further included, the chip and the pins are both arranged in the accommodation cavity, and the pins penetrate through the housing and extend outwards;

[0014] The chip is electrically connected to the sensing element, is used for converting the data of the sensing element into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to an external device through the pins.

[0015] Further, the accommodation cavity includes a first accommodation cavity and a second accommodation cavity, the sensing element, the waterproof housing and the waterproof breathable membrane are all arranged in the first accommodation cavity, and the chip and the pins are both arranged in the second accommodation cavity.

[0016] Further, several second through holes are arranged on the peripheral side of the second part of the side plate, and the second through holes are arranged staggeredly with respect to the peripheral side of the first part.

[0017] Further, the housing further includes a bottom plate, and the sensing element and the waterproof housing are both fixedly installed on the bottom plate;

[0018] An air duct is arranged at the position of the bottom plate corresponding to the sensing element, the air duct is a multi-folded structure, and a waterproof coating is arranged on the surface of the air duct.

[0019] Further, the air duct includes a plurality of air duct segments, there is a gap between each air duct segment, and some of the air duct segments have multiple turns.

[0020] Further, an air cavity is formed by enclosing the inner wall of the waterproof housing and the waterproof breathable membrane, and the sensing element is arranged in the air cavity.

[0021] Further, a cotton layer is filled inside the waterproof housing.

[0022] Further, it further includes a heat dissipation component, which is arranged in the accommodation cavity and is attached to the waterproof housing.

[0023] Advantageous effects:

[0024] For a waterproof methane sensor of the present utility model, a design combining a waterproof breathable membrane and a waterproof housing is adopted to effectively protect the interior of the methane sensor. The waterproof breathable membrane can block the entry of water molecules while allowing gas molecules to pass through, ensuring the normal detection of methane gas by the sensor. The setting of the waterproof housing not only enhances the waterproof performance of the sensor but also, through the design of the first through holes, enables the sensor to maintain good air permeability while being waterproof, avoiding damage to the interior of the sensor due to moisture accumulation. In addition, several first through holes are provided on the peripheral side of the part of the waterproof housing exposed on the top plate, making the gas exchange between the inside and outside of the waterproof housing more uniform, further improving the stability and reliability of the sensor.

[0025] In summary, the advantageous effects of the present application are mainly reflected in improving the waterproof performance of the methane sensor in a humid environment, extending the service life of the sensor, and enhancing its performance stability. At the same time, through a reasonable structural design, the present utility model also ensures the air permeability of the methane sensor, thereby ensuring that the sensor can still work accurately and stably in a complex environment. In addition, the waterproof methane sensor of the present utility model has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture and install, has a low cost, and has good market promotion prospects. Description of the drawings

[0026] Figure 1 is the overall structural schematic diagram of a waterproof methane sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 is the structural schematic diagram of a waterproof methane sensor according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 is the structural schematic diagram of a waterproof methane sensor according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 is the structural schematic diagram of the bottom plate of a waterproof methane sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 is the exploded structural schematic diagram of a waterproof methane sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 is the sectional structural schematic diagram of a waterproof methane sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0032] Wherein: 1. Housing; 11. Top plate; 12. Side plate; 121. First part; 122. Second part; 13. Bottom plate; 131. Air passage; 14. First accommodation cavity; 15. Second accommodation cavity; 2. Sensing element; 3. Waterproof housing; 31. First through hole; 4. Waterproof breathable membrane; 5. Chip; 6. Pin; 7. Air cavity.

[0033] The realization, functional features and advantages of the present utility model will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in combination with embodiments. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present utility model and are not used to limit the present utility model.

[0035] In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation of the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present utility model, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0036] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "coupling" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection, a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0037] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1-6 , a waterproof methane sensor in an embodiment of the present utility model includes: a housing 1 including a top plate 11, and an accommodation cavity is provided inside the housing 1; a sensing element 2, the sensing element 2 penetrates through the top plate 11 and is disposed inside the housing 1; a waterproof housing 3, the waterproof housing 3 is an open-ended cylinder, is disposed to wrap the sensing element 2, and a plurality of first through holes 31 are provided on a part of the peripheral side of the waterproof housing 3 exposed from the top plate 11; a waterproof breathable membrane 4, the waterproof breathable membrane 4 is disposed at one open end of the waterproof housing 3 and wraps the peripheral side of the waterproof housing 3 exposed from the top plate 11.

[0039] In this embodiment, the sensing element 2 is used to detect the concentration of methane gas and is fixed in the accommodation cavity of the housing 1 by penetrating through the top plate 11, so as to ensure that the sensing element 2 can operate normally and collect methane data. At the same time, the waterproof housing 3 is designed as an open-ended cylinder and tightly wraps the outside of the sensing element 2. This design not only protects the sensing element 2 from the intrusion of external moisture, but also allows the sensing element 2 to work normally. The plurality of first through holes 31 provided on a part of the peripheral side of the waterproof housing 3 exposed from the top plate 11 not only provide connectivity between the sensing element 2 and the external environment, but also ensure the air circulation inside the waterproof housing 3, preventing the performance degradation of the sensing element 2 caused by excessive humidity. These through holes allow the air inside and outside the waterproof housing 3 to exchange, thereby preventing the waterproof failure problem caused by the pressure difference. The waterproof breathable membrane 4 is tightly attached to the open end of the waterproof housing 3, which can block the intrusion of external moisture and dust, and at the same time allow air molecules to pass through, ensuring the gas exchange inside and outside the waterproof housing 3. At the same time, the waterproof breathable membrane 4 also wraps the peripheral side of the waterproof housing 3 exposed from the top plate 11, forming a complete waterproof barrier and further improving the waterproof effect of the entire sensor.

[0040] In another embodiment, a circuit board is further provided inside the waterproof methane sensor for processing the methane data collected by the sensing element 2. The circuit board is connected to the sensing element 2 through a waterproof connector, ensuring the stability and reliability of data transmission. At the same time, the design of the waterproof connector also takes into account the waterproof performance, effectively preventing moisture from entering the sensor through the connector and causing short circuits or damage to the circuit. The waterproof methane sensor further includes a corresponding signal processing circuit and an output device to achieve real-time monitoring and data output of the methane concentration. The methane concentration data collected by the sensing element 2 can be processed by the signal processing circuit and displayed or sent through the output device to meet the actual needs of users.

[0041] In summary, the waterproof methane sensor in this embodiment has the characteristics of a compact structure, excellent waterproof performance, stable and reliable operation, etc. The sensing element 2 is protected by the double protection of the waterproof housing 3 and the waterproof breathable membrane 4, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of moisture and dust, ensuring the stability and reliability of the sensor in harsh environments. At the same time, its structural design is reasonable and easy to install, meeting the requirements for waterproof methane sensors in practical applications.

[0042] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 2 , the housing 1 further includes a side plate 12, the side plate 12 includes a first part 121 and a second part 122, the first part 121 is a semi-circular plate, and the second part 122 is a rectangular plate; the first part 121 and the second part 122 are connected by an integral molding method, and an included angle is formed at the peripheral connection of the first part 121 and the second part 122, and the included angle is an acute angle.

[0043] In this embodiment, the side plate 12 of the housing 1 is composed of the first part 121 of the semi-circular plate and the second part 122 of the rectangular plate. This combination method not only ensures the structural strength of the housing 1 but also makes the whole sensor have a more beautiful appearance. The first part 121 and the second part 122 are connected by an integral molding method, making the whole side plate 12 more solid and durable, and not easily prone to breakage or deformation. At the same time, an included angle is formed at the peripheral connection of the first part 121 and the second part 122, and this included angle is an acute angle, making the whole housing 1 more compact, which is beneficial to reducing the volume of the sensor and facilitating installation and use in practical applications. In addition, the presence of the acute angle also makes the waterproof performance of the housing 1 more excellent, which can more effectively prevent moisture from seeping into the sensor through the side plate 12, further improving the overall performance and service life of the waterproof methane sensor.

[0044] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 3, further comprising a chip 5 and a pin 6, both the chip 5 and the pin 6 are disposed in the accommodating cavity, and the pin 6 penetrates through the housing 1 and extends outward; the chip 5 is electrically connected to the sensing element 2, configured to convert the data of the sensing element 2 into an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal to an external device through the pin 6.

[0045] In this embodiment, the waterproof methane sensor includes a chip 5 and a pin 6. The chip 5 is disposed in the accommodating cavity of the housing 1, ensuring the stability and safety of its operation. An electrical connection is established between the chip 5 and the sensing element 2, enabling the chip 5 to receive in real time the methane concentration data collected by the sensing element 2 and quickly convert this data into an electrical signal. The pin 6 serves as a bridge between the chip 5 and the external device. The pin 6 penetrates through the housing 1 and extends outward, allowing the chip 5 to be conveniently connected to the external device and transmit data. In this way, the waterproof methane sensor can output the detected methane concentration data to the external device in real time for the user to perform real-time monitoring and analysis. In addition, at the part where the pin 6 penetrates through the housing 1, a waterproof sealing technology is adopted, effectively preventing moisture from entering the sensor interior through the pin 6, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the entire waterproof methane sensor, enabling the sensor to operate normally even in harsh outdoor environments, and providing a strong technical guarantee for the monitoring of methane concentration.

[0046] In summary, the waterproof methane sensor in this embodiment not only has excellent waterproof performance, but also realizes the real-time collection, conversion, and output of methane concentration data through the introduction of components such as the chip 5 and the pin 6, providing a more convenient and reliable solution for the monitoring of methane concentration.

[0047] In one embodiment, the accommodating cavity includes a first accommodating cavity 14 and a second accommodating cavity 15. The sensing element 2, the waterproof housing 3, and the waterproof breathable membrane 4 are all disposed in the first accommodating cavity 14, and the chip 5 and the pin 6 are both disposed in the second accommodating cavity 15.

[0048] In this embodiment, the accommodation cavity is divided into a first accommodation cavity 14 and a second accommodation cavity 15. The partition design not only optimizes the internal structure of the sensor but also improves its overall performance. The sensing element 2, the waterproof housing 3, and the waterproof breathable membrane 4 are arranged in the first accommodation cavity 14, ensuring a stable working environment for the sensing element 2 and protecting it from external interference. This effectively protects the sensing element 2 and enables it to accurately and quickly collect methane concentration data. At the same time, the tightness of the first accommodation cavity 14 is fully guaranteed, further enhancing the waterproof performance of the sensor. On the other hand, the chip 5 and the pins 6 are arranged in the second accommodation cavity 15, making data processing and transmission more efficient. The chip 5 can quickly convert the data collected by the sensing element 2 into electrical signals and transmit this information to external devices through the pins 6. In addition, a partition board can be arranged between the first accommodation cavity 14 and the second accommodation cavity 15 to prevent direct contact between the sensing element 2 and the chip 5, thus avoiding possible electromagnetic interference and heat transfer. This not only extends the service life of the sensor but also improves its working stability and reliability.

[0049] In summary, the waterproof methane sensor in this embodiment optimizes the internal structure, improves the waterproof performance and working stability by adopting a partitioned accommodation cavity.

[0050] In another embodiment, the waterproof breathable membrane 4 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material, which has good air permeability and waterproof performance. The waterproof breathable membrane 4 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene material, which has excellent air permeability and waterproof performance. It can effectively balance the air pressure inside and outside the sensor and prevent the sensor from being damaged due to air pressure difference. At the same time, the polytetrafluoroethylene material also has good corrosion resistance and can maintain a stable working state in various harsh environments. In addition, the use of this material also extends the service life of the sensor and reduces the maintenance cost.

[0051] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 4 , the housing 1 further includes a bottom plate 13, and the sensing element 2 and the waterproof housing 3 are both fixedly installed on the bottom plate 13; an air passage 131 is arranged at the position of the bottom plate 13 corresponding to the sensing element 2. The air passage 131 is a multi-folded structure, and a waterproof coating is arranged on the surface of the air passage 131.

[0052] In this embodiment, the housing 1 further includes a bottom plate 13, which provides a stable support and installation foundation for the entire sensor. The sensing element 2 and the waterproof housing 3 are both fixedly installed on the bottom plate 13, ensuring the stability of the sensing element 2 and the sealing performance of the waterproof housing 3. An air passage 131 is provided at the position of the bottom plate 13 corresponding to the sensing element 2. The air passage 131 adopts a multi-folded structure, which can not only effectively extend the length of the air passage 131, but also enhance the strength and stability of the air passage 131. The multi-folded structure of the air passage 131 helps the gas to stay in the air passage 131, enabling the sensing element 2 to better obtain gas data and improving the measurement accuracy. In addition, a waterproof coating is provided on the surface of the air passage 131 to effectively prevent moisture from entering the air passage 131, ensuring the normal operation of the sensing element 2 and the measurement accuracy. In another embodiment, the waterproof coating can be a breathing membrane, which can form a microporous structure to allow gas to pass from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside, while preventing the penetration of liquid water. In a further design, the bottom plate 13 can be made of a metal material to enhance its structural strength and durability.

[0053] In one embodiment, the air passage 131 includes a plurality of air passage segments, and there is a gap between each of the air passage segments, and some of the air passage segments have multiple turns.

[0054] In this embodiment, the air passage 131 includes a plurality of air passage segments, and a certain gap is maintained between each air passage segment. This design not only optimizes the gas flow path, but also enhances the structural stability of the air passage 131. At the same time, multiple turns are provided in some of the air passage segments, which can further extend the gas flow path, enabling the sensing element 2 to come into contact with the gas more fully, thereby improving the accuracy of methane concentration detection. In addition, this design helps to prevent moisture and impurities from entering the sensing element 2, further improving the stability and reliability of the sensor. In practical applications, this waterproof methane sensor can better adapt to various complex environments and provide accurate and reliable data support for the monitoring of methane concentration.

[0055] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 6 , an air cavity 7 is formed by enclosing the inner wall of the waterproof housing 3 and the waterproof breathable membrane 4, and the sensing element 2 is disposed in the air cavity 7.

[0056] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the waterproof housing 3 and the waterproof breathable membrane 4 together enclose an air cavity 7. The sensing element 2 is arranged in this air cavity 7, which not only ensures that the sensing element 2 is in a relatively stable and enclosed environment, protected from external environmental interference, but also enables the sensing element 2 to directly contact the gas permeating through the waterproof breathable membrane 4, so as to accurately detect the methane concentration. The existence of the air cavity 7 also plays a buffering and regulating role, which can balance the internal and external air pressure changes to a certain extent and maintain the stable working state of the sensing element 2. In addition, the tight combination of the waterproof housing 3 and the waterproof breathable membrane 4 effectively prevents the infiltration of moisture and other impurities, ensuring the working environment of the sensing element 2 and the accuracy of the measurement results. This design not only improves the waterproof performance of the sensor, but also enhances its working stability and reliability, providing a strong technical guarantee for the monitoring of methane concentration.

[0057] In one embodiment, the interior of the waterproof housing 3 is filled with a cotton layer.

[0058] In this embodiment, the interior of the waterproof housing 3 is filled with a cotton layer. This design aims to further enhance the waterproof performance of the sensor. The cotton layer has good hygroscopicity and water retention, and can effectively absorb and store the trace moisture that may penetrate into the housing 1, preventing it from directly contacting the sensing element 2. At the same time, the cotton layer also has a certain buffering effect, which can reduce the impact of external shocks on the sensing element 2 and improve its service life. In addition, the filling of the cotton layer makes the internal space of the waterproof housing 3 more uniform, which helps to maintain the stable working environment of the sensing element 2. In practical applications, this design can effectively improve the waterproof performance and working stability of the waterproof methane sensor, ensuring that it can accurately and reliably monitor the methane concentration in various harsh environments.

[0059] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention accordingly. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, shall be similarly included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A waterproof methane sensor, characterized in that: include: A housing, comprising a top plate, wherein a receiving cavity is provided inside the housing; A sensor element, the sensor element penetrates the top plate and is disposed in the housing; A waterproof housing, which is an open cylinder, wraps the sensor element, and a portion of the waterproof housing exposed from the top plate is provided with a plurality of first through holes; A waterproof breathable membrane is arranged at one end of the opening of the waterproof housing and wraps the peripheral side of the waterproof housing that is exposed from the top plate.

2. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing further comprises a side plate, the side plate comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being a semicircular plate, and the second portion being a rectangular plate; The first part and the second part are connected in an integrally formed manner, and an angle is formed at a peripheral connection between the first part and the second part, and the angle is an acute angle.

3. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a chip and a pin, wherein the chip and the pin are both arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the pin penetrates the shell and extends outward; The chip is electrically connected to the sensor element and is used to convert the data of the sensor element into an electrical signal and output it to an external device through the pin.

4. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The accommodating cavity comprises a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity. The sensor element, the waterproof housing and the waterproof breathable membrane are all arranged in the first accommodating cavity, and the chip and the pins are all arranged in the second accommodating cavity.

5. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing further comprises a bottom plate, and the sensing element and the waterproof housing are both fixedly mounted on the bottom plate; An airway is arranged at a position of the bottom plate corresponding to the sensor element. The airway is a multi-folding structure, and a waterproof coating is arranged on the surface of the airway.

6. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The airway includes a plurality of airway segments, each of the airway segments has a gap, and some of the airway segments have a plurality of turns.

7. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the waterproof shell and the waterproof breathable membrane enclose an air cavity, and the sensor element is arranged in the air cavity.

8. The waterproof methane sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interior of the waterproof shell is filled with a cotton layer.

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