Integrated pressure and temperature sensor

Abstract

The utility model relates to an integrated pressure and temperature sensor. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor comprises a shell made of metal; a connector; the pressure detection module comprises a pressure sensing element and is configured to be used for detecting the pressure of fluid and generating a pressure signal, and the pressure sensing element comprises a sensing surface configured to be used for sensing the pressure of the fluid and an anti-freezing layer attached to the sensing surface to cover the sensing surface; the anti-freezing layer can transmit the received fluid pressure to the sensing surface; the temperature detection module is configured to detect the temperature of the fluid and generate a temperature signal; and an electronic module assembly configured to generate a pressure detection electrical signal based on the pressure signal and a temperature detection electrical signal based on the temperature signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of vehicle sensors. More specifically, this disclosure relates to an integrated pressure and temperature sensor. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, integrated pressure and temperature sensors have been widely used in fields such as air conditioning systems for motor vehicles, coolant systems for fuel cells, and engine lubrication systems due to their advantages such as small size, long service life, and high compatibility with control systems.

[0003] However, in practice, the environment in which existing integrated pressure and temperature sensors are used may have a certain impact on the operation of the sensors. For example, when an integrated pressure and temperature sensor is used to measure the pressure and temperature of a fluid, the fluid being measured may be at a low ambient temperature, which may cause the sensing surface of the sensor's pressure-sensing element to deform due to the expansion force generated by the freezing of condensed liquid. This can lead to a decrease in the accuracy of pressure measurement, or even damage to the pressure-sensing element. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this disclosure provides an integrated pressure and temperature sensor. By providing an antifreeze layer on the sensing surface of the pressure-sensing element, liquid condensation or freezing on the pressure-sensing element can be effectively prevented, thereby ensuring the accuracy of pressure measurement. Furthermore, the integrated pressure and temperature sensor described in this disclosure, by constructing the temperature-sensing element to extend from the temperature-sensing element carrier into the sensor port on the outer periphery of the pressure-sensing element, not only has a simple structure but also ensures the temperature measurement accuracy and reliability of the temperature-sensing element.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an integrated pressure and temperature sensor is provided, the integrated pressure and temperature sensor comprising:

[0006] A housing made of metal defines a sensor port at the bottom of the housing, the sensor port being configured to receive fluid;

[0007] A connector is attached to the top of the housing, and the housing, the connector, and the sensor port together define the internal cavity of the sensor;

[0008] A pressure detection module is encapsulated in the cavity and includes a pressure sensing element. The pressure detection module is configured to detect the pressure of a fluid and generate a pressure signal. The pressure sensing element includes a sensing surface configured to sense the fluid pressure and an antifreeze layer attached to the sensing surface to cover the sensing surface. The antifreeze layer is capable of transmitting the received fluid pressure to the sensing surface.

[0009] A temperature detection module, encapsulated within the cavity and comprising a temperature sensing element and a temperature sensing element carrier supporting the temperature sensing element, the temperature detection module being configured to detect the temperature of the fluid and generate a temperature signal; and

[0010] An electronic module assembly encapsulated in the cavity, the electronic module assembly being configured to generate a pressure detection electrical signal based on a pressure signal and a temperature detection electrical signal based on a temperature signal.

[0011] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the antifreeze layer is made of a hydrophobic material.

[0012] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the antifreeze layer is composed of a gel.

[0013] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the antifreeze layer is made of a solid fluorosilicone elastomer.

[0014] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the temperature sensing element is configured to extend from the temperature sensing element carrier into the sensor port outside the outer peripheral edge of the pressure sensing element.

[0015] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the connector and the temperature sensing element carrier are integrally integrated into a base, and the temperature sensing element is fixed to the base by welding.

[0016] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the temperature sensing element carrier is an annular component defining an opening, the temperature sensing element is disposed in the annular edge portion of the temperature sensing element carrier, and the electronic module assembly and the pressure sensing element are assembled to the connector via the opening.

[0017] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the connector and the temperature sensing element carrier are made of plastic.

[0018] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the temperature sensing element includes a thermistor.

[0019] In one embodiment of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor, the pressure-sensing element is a ceramic pressure-sensing element. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The various objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely illustrative of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, the same reference numerals always denote the same or similar parts.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the integrated pressure and temperature sensor according to this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is an exploded view of an integrated pressure and temperature sensor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein, Figure 2A This shows the state before the temperature sensing element is attached to the base. Figure 2B This shows the state in which the temperature sensing element has been attached to the base.

[0023] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the temperature sensing element attached to the base.

[0024] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of an integrated pressure and temperature sensor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the temperature sensing element carrier is an annular component defining an opening, and the temperature sensing element is disposed in the annular edge portion of the temperature sensing element carrier.

[0025] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view showing the temperature sensing element carrier and the temperature sensing element disposed in the annular edge portion of the temperature sensing element carrier. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the technical features in the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments. Those skilled in the art can appropriately modify the details without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0027] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0028] Unless otherwise stated, the terminology used herein (including technical and scientific terms) should have the meaning that would be normally understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Unless otherwise stated, the terms “comprising” and “including” as used in the specification and claims should be interpreted in an open-ended sense, that is, “comprising” and “including” should be interpreted as synonymous with the terms “at least comprising” or “at least comprising”.

[0029] Unless otherwise stated, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., used in this disclosure refer only to the relative orientation of the device and its related components in the state shown in the figure.

[0030] The ordinal words “first”, “second”, etc., used in this disclosure are merely for distinguishing terms and do not impose any restrictions on the order, importance, or compositional differences of the features being modified.

[0031] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0032] To address the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art, this disclosure provides an integrated pressure and temperature sensor. Embodiments for implementing this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, a first embodiment of this disclosure provides an integrated pressure and temperature sensor 100, which includes a connector 1 and a housing 2. The connector 1 is attached to the top of the housing 2 and may be made of plastic. The housing 2 is typically made of metal. A sensor port is defined at the bottom of the housing 2, which is configured to receive fluid. Thus, the connector 1, the housing 2, and the sensor port together define the internal cavity of the sensor.

[0034] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, a temperature detection module, a pressure detection module, and an electronic module assembly (EMA) 4 are encapsulated within the cavity of the sensor 100. The temperature detection module is configured to detect the temperature of the fluid and generate a temperature signal. The temperature detection module includes a temperature sensing element carrier 31 and a temperature sensing element 32 mounted on the temperature sensing element carrier 31. The temperature sensing element carrier 31 may be made of plastic. The temperature sensing element 32 may include a thermistor, such as a negative temperature coefficient thermistor (NTC). Additionally, the temperature sensing element 32 may include a metal sleeve configured to protect the thermistor. The pressure detection module includes a pressure sensing element 5 and is configured to detect the pressure of the fluid and generate a pressure signal. The pressure sensing element 5 may be a ceramic pressure sensing element. The electronic module assembly 4 is configured to generate a pressure detection electrical signal based on the pressure signal and a temperature detection electrical signal based on the temperature signal. The pressure detection electrical signal and temperature detection electrical signal generated by the electronic module assembly 4 can be output to a client host computer (e.g., an ECU) for subsequent processing.

[0035] Furthermore, such as Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the pressure-sensing element 5 includes a sensing surface configured to sense fluid pressure. To more effectively prevent liquid condensation or freezing on the pressure-sensing element 5, the pressure-sensing element 5 also includes an antifreeze layer 7 attached to the sensing surface to cover it. The antifreeze layer 7 can be made of a hydrophobic material to which liquid (water) does not readily adhere, thereby preventing liquid from adhering to the sensing surface of the pressure-sensing element 5 and ensuring the accuracy of fluid pressure measurement. For example, the antifreeze layer 7 can be made of a gel. Alternatively, the antifreeze layer 7 can also be made of a solid fluorosilicone elastomer. Thus, the elastic deformation of the antifreeze layer 7 can help mitigate the adverse effects caused by the expansion force generated by the freezing of condensed liquid. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the antifreeze layer 7 is not limited to the above examples, but can be made of any suitable material in the art.

[0036] Preferably, the antifreeze layer 7 can completely cover the sensing surface so that liquid cannot adhere to the sensing surface. In this case, the antifreeze layer 7 will be exposed to the fluid to be measured and receive the pressure of the fluid to be measured, and the antifreeze layer 7 can transmit the received fluid pressure of the fluid to be measured to the sensing surface of the pressure sensing element so that the sensor 100 can perform pressure measurement operations normally.

[0037] The sensor 100 may also include a first sealing ring 6 and a second sealing ring 8. The first sealing ring 6 and the second sealing ring 8 are configured to achieve radial sealing of related components such as the pressure-sensing element 5, the antifreeze layer 7, and the housing 2.

[0038] In the first embodiment, as Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 As shown, connector 1 and temperature sensing element carrier 31 are integrally integrated into a base, and temperature sensing element 32 is fixed to the base by welding. This not only improves the integration of the sensor and simplifies its structure, but also reduces costs.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the temperature sensing element 32 is configured to extend from the temperature sensing element carrier 31 into the sensor port on the outer periphery of the pressure sensing element 5. This not only ensures, with a simple structure, that the antifreeze layer 7 completely covers the sensing surface of the pressure sensing element 5, but also ensures the temperature measurement accuracy and reliability of the temperature sensing element.

[0040] Figure 4 and Figure 5 An integrated pressure and temperature sensor 100 according to a second embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Components identical to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and symbols as in the first embodiment.

[0041] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the temperature sensing element carrier 31A is not integrally integrated with the connector 1 as a base, but is instead constructed as an annular component defining an opening. The temperature sensing element 32 is disposed in the annular edge portion of the temperature sensing element carrier 31A, thereby configuring the temperature sensing element 32 to extend from the temperature sensing element carrier 31A to the sensor port outside the outer peripheral edge of the pressure sensing element 5. The electronic module assembly 4 and the pressure sensing element 5 can be assembled to the connector 1 through the opening in the temperature sensing element carrier 31A. For example, the connector 1, the temperature sensing element carrier 31A, the electronic module assembly 4, and the pressure sensing element 5 can be welded together.

[0042] The other structures and configurations of the ceramic capacitor assembly 1A according to the second embodiment of this disclosure are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0043] Compared to existing sensors, the integrated pressure and temperature sensor described in this disclosure, by integrating temperature and pressure measurement functions and providing an antifreeze layer on the sensing surface of the pressure sensing element, effectively prevents liquid condensation or freezing on the pressure sensing element, thereby ensuring the accuracy of pressure measurement. Furthermore, the integrated pressure and temperature sensor described in this disclosure, by constructing the temperature sensing element to extend from the temperature sensing element carrier into the sensor port on the outer periphery of the pressure sensing element, not only further simplifies the sensor structure but also reduces costs.

[0044] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Various variations and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from the scope and definition of this disclosure. The appended claims should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense to include all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An integrated pressure and temperature sensor, characterized by, The integrated pressure and temperature sensor comprises: a housing made of metal, a sensor port being defined at a bottom of the housing, the sensor port being configured to receive a fluid; a connector attached to a top of the housing, the housing, the connector and the sensor port collectively defining an inner cavity of the sensor; a pressure detection module encapsulated in the inner cavity and including a pressure sensing element, the pressure detection module being configured to detect a pressure of the fluid and generate a pressure signal, the pressure sensing element including a sensing surface configured to sense the pressure of the fluid and an anti-freezing layer attached to the sensing surface to cover the sensing surface, the anti-freezing layer being capable of transmitting the received pressure of the fluid to the sensing surface; a temperature detection module encapsulated in the inner cavity and including a temperature sensing element and a temperature sensing element carrier carrying the temperature sensing element, the temperature detection module being configured to detect a temperature of the fluid and generate a temperature signal; and an electronic module assembly encapsulated in the inner cavity, the electronic module assembly being configured to generate a pressure detection electrical signal based on the pressure signal and a temperature detection electrical signal based on the temperature signal.

2. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 1, wherein, The anti-freezing layer is made of a hydrophobic material.

3. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 2, wherein, The anti-freezing layer is made of a gel.

4. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 2, wherein, The anti-freezing layer is made of a solid fluorosilicone elastomer.

5. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The temperature sensing element is configured to extend from the temperature sensing element carrier into the sensor port outside an outer peripheral edge of the pressure sensing element.

6. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 5, wherein, The connector is integrally integrated with the temperature sensing element carrier as a base, the temperature sensing element being fixed to the base by welding.

7. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 5, wherein, The temperature sensing element carrier is an annular member defining an opening, the temperature sensing element being disposed in an annular edge portion of the temperature sensing element carrier, the electronic module assembly and the pressure sensing element being assembled to the connector via the opening.

8. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 5, wherein, The connector and the temperature sensing element carrier are made of plastic.

9. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 5, wherein, The temperature sensing element includes a thermistor.

10. The integrated pressure and temperature sensor of claim 5, wherein, The pressure sensing element is a ceramic pressure sensing element.

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