A smart breather plug and hubcap assembly incorporating the same

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of intelligent vent plug and the hub cover assembly comprising it, including the cover body and shell that are mutually covered and form containing cavity, and battery, PCB board and probe located in containing cavity, temperature sensor is fixed in the one end of the probe towards PCB board, the battery is between PCB board and cover body, one end of the probe is located in containing cavity, the other end extends shell, the PCB board is fixed in containing cavity, the shell has the first limiting portion of the probe limiting, the first limiting portion makes the end of probe and temperature sensor surface adhere. The utility model will probe and PCB board split body setting, utilize the first limiting portion of shell and squeeze probe after and temperature sensor surface adhere, the installation of probe does not need to use welding technology, installation is simple, and probe will not be affected by transportation vibration, will not cause temperature sensing effect to reduce due to welding fracture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of wheel hub cover design technology, and in particular to an intelligent vent plug and a wheel hub cover assembly including the same. Background Technology

[0002] A hubcap is a cover installed on the wheel bearing of a car to prevent lubricant loss and the entry of external debris. With the increasing prevalence of smart technology, installing temperature sensors on hubcaps has become a trend. With a temperature sensor, the axle temperature can be monitored periodically, promptly reminding the user to replace or maintain the bearing or lubricant. For more accurate temperature detection, a temperature probe needs to be inserted into the hubcap cavity, and a reliable connection between the probe and the temperature sensor is required to ensure efficient heat transfer from the probe to the sensor's sensing surface.

[0003] Existing technologies, such as the utility model patent with patent number CN222085260U entitled "An intelligent vent plug and a hubcap assembly including it": The probe is soldered to the PCBA as a whole. The probe is a slender cantilever structure, which makes it difficult to ensure that it is centered and perpendicular to the PCBA during soldering. If it is not centered or perpendicular, it is easy to be damaged or unable to be assembled during assembly. The cantilever probe is prone to tilting under force during installation or operation, which can lead to cracking at the solder joint and thus impair the heat conduction effect.

[0004] Furthermore, the intelligent vent plug operates under prolonged vibration, making the weld joints prone to fatigue cracking and damage. The probe and housing are rigidly fixed or have a clearance fit. When the aforementioned weld cracks occur, the probe cannot obtain force toward the sensor, thus preventing it from fitting tightly against the sensor again.

[0005] In addition, there is no seal between the probe and the housing, so the sealing effect cannot be guaranteed, and lubricating oil may enter the housing cavity and contaminate the PCBA. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the technical problem in existing smart vent plugs where the solder joint between the probe and the PCB board is prone to cracking, leading to reduced heat conduction, this invention provides a smart vent plug and a hubcap assembly including it to solve the aforementioned problem.

[0007] This utility model proposes an intelligent vent plug, including a cover and a shell that overlap each other to form a receiving cavity, and a battery, a PCB board and a probe located in the receiving cavity. A temperature sensor is fixed to one end of the PCB board facing the probe. The battery is located between the PCB board and the cover. One end of the probe is located in the receiving cavity and the other end extends out of the shell. The PCB board is fixed in the receiving cavity. The shell has a first limiting part that limits the probe, and the first limiting part makes the end of the probe fit against the surface of the temperature sensor.

[0008] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the probe includes a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section, and a shoulder is formed at the connection between the large-diameter section and the small-diameter section to cooperate with and abut against the first limiting part. The large-diameter section is located in the receiving cavity, and the small-diameter section passes through the shell.

[0009] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the first limiting part is an annular column located at one end of the housing and extending into the cavity. The center of the annular column forms a through hole for a small diameter section to pass through, and the shoulder abuts against the inner end face of the annular column.

[0010] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, a first sealing ring is further provided between the shoulder and the inner end face of the annular column.

[0011] In an optional embodiment of this invention, the surface of the probe that contacts the temperature sensor is a plane.

[0012] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the housing and the cover are connected by threads, and there is a sealing groove between the connecting surfaces of the housing and the cover to accommodate the second sealing ring.

[0013] In an optional embodiment of this invention, one end of the probe that contacts the temperature sensor is coated with a flexible thermally conductive material.

[0014] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the housing has a limiting surface that abuts against the PCB board, and the PCB board is pressed between the limiting surface and the cover.

[0015] In an optional embodiment of this utility model, the outer surface of the housing at the end away from the cover is provided with a plurality of buckles that engage with the rubber valve in the hub cover assembly.

[0016] This utility model also proposes a hubcap assembly, including the intelligent vent plug described above.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: (1) The present invention separates the probe from the PCB board. The probe is pressed and attached to the surface of the temperature sensor by the first limiting part of the shell. The installation of the probe does not require the use of welding process, the installation is simple, and the probe will not be affected by transportation vibration, and the temperature sensing effect will not be reduced due to the breakage of the welding point.

[0018] (2) The present invention provides a first sealing ring at the connection between the housing and the probe, which can both increase the pressure of the probe through the elasticity of the first sealing ring and prevent lubricating oil from entering the cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a specific embodiment of the intelligent vent plug described in this utility model; Figure 2 This is an axial sectional view of a specific embodiment of the intelligent vent plug described in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the probe in this utility model; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of a specific embodiment of the hubcap assembly described in this utility model; Figure 5 This is an axial sectional view of a specific embodiment of the hubcap assembly described in this utility model.

[0021] In the diagram, 1. Cover, 2. Housing, 3. Smart vent plug, 4. Receiving cavity, 5. Battery, 6. PCB board, 7. Probe, 701. Large diameter section, 702. Small diameter section, 8. Temperature sensor, 9. Shoulder, 10. Annular cylinder, 11. Through hole, 12. Limiting surface, 13. Second sealing ring, 14. Sealing groove, 15. Buckle, 16. First sealing ring, 17. Hub cover, 18. Oil level indicator cover, 19. Pressure cap, 20. Rubber valve, 21. Inner sealing ring, 22. Flange face, 23. Screw. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0023] Example 1 like Figures 1-3 As shown, an intelligent vent plug includes a cover 1 and a housing 2 that overlap each other to form a receiving cavity 4, and a battery 5, a PCB board 6, and a probe 7 located within the receiving cavity 4. A temperature sensor 8 is fixed to one end of the PCB board 6 facing the probe 7. The probe 7 is made of a thermally conductive material and is used to conduct the temperature inside the hubcap assembly to the surface of the temperature sensor 8. The PCB board 6 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 8. The battery 5 is located between the PCB board 6 and the cover 1. One end of the probe 7 is located inside the receiving cavity 4, and the other end extends out of the housing 2. The PCB board 6 is fixed inside the receiving cavity 4. The housing 2 has a first limiting part that limits the probe 7, and the first limiting part makes the end of the probe 7 fit against the surface of the temperature sensor 8.

[0024] The difference between this invention and existing technologies lies in the fact that the probe 7 and the PCB board 6 are changed from being integrally welded to being separately set. The probe 7 is limited by the first limiting part of the housing 2, and under this limiting action, the end of the probe 7 is made to fit against the surface of the stable sensor. The probe 7 is no longer a cantilever structure, which improves stability and eliminates the need for welding operations, thus avoiding the problem of cracking at the weld joint due to long-term vibration. In addition, since the housing 2 is a molded product, it has very good consistency, which can improve the installation accuracy of the probe 7. The welding accuracy is greatly affected by the process and is not as dimensionally stable as that of the molded product.

[0025] In this embodiment, the mating structure between the probe 7 and the housing 2 is as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the probe 7 includes a large-diameter section 701 and a small-diameter section 702. A shoulder 9 is formed at the connection between the large-diameter section 701 and the small-diameter section 702, which abuts against the first limiting part. The large-diameter section 701 is located within the receiving cavity 4, and the small-diameter section 702 passes through the housing 2. The first limiting part applies an axial clamping force to the shoulder 9, ensuring that the probe 7 remains in contact with the temperature sensor 8. Simultaneously, the combined action of the small-diameter section 702 with the housing 2, the first limiting part, and the shoulder 9 ensures the vertical arrangement of the probe 7 with the PCB board 6, preventing the probe 7 from tilting.

[0026] In a further design, the first limiting part is an annular column 10 located at one end of the housing 2 and extending into the receiving cavity 4. A through hole 11 is formed at the center of the annular column 10 for the small-diameter section 702 to pass through, and a shoulder 9 abuts against the inner end face of the annular column 10. The annular column 10 is relatively long and extends inward from the end of the housing 2. Without increasing the thickness of the housing 2, the contact area between the housing 2 and the small-diameter section 702 can be increased, preventing the probe 7 from tilting. At the same time, an end face that abuts against the shoulder 9 can be formed at the end of the annular column 10.

[0027] The installation of the PCB board 6 and battery 5 within the receiving cavity 4 can be the same as in CN222085260U, i.e., the battery 5 is pressed into the battery 5 holder at the end of the PCB board 6, and the housing 2 has a limiting surface 12 that abuts against the PCB board 6, with the PCB board 6 pressed between the limiting surface 12 and the cover 1. Similarly, to prevent the PCB board 6 from moving in the horizontal plane, the housing 2 also has a circumferential limiting surface 12 that limits the outer surface of the PCB board 6 and limiting ribs for preventing rotation (not shown in the accompanying drawings of this utility model, please refer to CN222085260U for details).

[0028] Connection between shell 2 and cover 1: The housing 2 and the cover 1 are connected by threads, and the connecting surfaces of the housing 2 and the cover 1 have a sealing groove 14 to accommodate the second sealing ring 13, such as... Figure 2As shown, the cover 1 is located above the housing 2, and the outer ring of the housing 2 is threadedly connected to the cover 1, forming a sealing groove 14 below the threaded connection. The second sealing ring 13 can prevent external impurities from entering the receiving cavity 4 through the connection between the housing 2 and the cover 1.

[0029] The outer surface of the housing 2 away from the cover 1 is usually provided with several buckles 15 that are engaged with the rubber valve 20 in the hub cover assembly.

[0030] Example 2 Based on Embodiment 1, a first sealing ring 16 is further provided between the shoulder 9 and the inner end face of the annular column 10. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the shoulder 9 abuts against the first sealing ring 16, forming a sealing fit. The other side of the first sealing ring 16 also forms a sealing fit with the housing 2. The end face of the annular column 10 has pressure contact with the first sealing ring 16, i.e., sealing pressure. The first sealing ring 16 is compressed by the housing 2 and the probe 7, with a compression amount typically between 15% and 30%. The cross-sectional shape of the first sealing ring 16 can be arbitrarily changed. In this embodiment, an O-ring seal is used, which is simple in structure and inexpensive. This achieves a sealing fit between the probe 7 and the housing 2. At the same time, because the first sealing ring 16 generates elastic force after being compressed and deformed by the probe 7, this elastic force ensures that the inner end face of the probe 7 always presses against the temperature sensing surface of the temperature sensor 8. Since this elastic force is always present, the probe 7 can always maintain good contact with the temperature sensing surface of the temperature sensor 8, thereby ensuring the reliability of heat conduction.

[0031] In this embodiment, a spring can also be provided at the location of the first sealing ring 16, with both ends of the spring abutting against the shoulder 9 and the annular column 10 respectively, thereby increasing the preload force pressing against the probe 7.

[0032] Example 3 Based on the above embodiment, the surface of the probe 7 that contacts the temperature sensor 8 is flat, so that the contact area between the probe 7 and the temperature sensor 8 is as large as possible. The temperature sensor 8 can be purchased commercially and is centrally mounted on the PCB board 6. The temperature sensor 8 is usually very thin, not exceeding 2mm.

[0033] In a further design, one end of the probe 7 that contacts the temperature sensor 8 is coated with a flexible thermally conductive material. The flexibility of this material allows for adjustments to the surface condition based on the actual installation. This design is to prevent the inner end face of the probe 7 from failing to tightly adhere to the temperature-sensing surface of the temperature sensor 8 if the probe 7 is slightly tilted.

[0034] Example 4 A hubcap assembly includes the aforementioned smart vent plug 3, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the hubcap assembly also includes a hubcap 17, an oil level indicator cap 18, a gland 19, and a rubber valve 20. One end of the hubcap 17 is a flange face 22 for mounting to the hub, and the other end of the hubcap 17 is fixed to the gland 19 by screws 23. The rubber valve 20 is located outside the housing 2 of the smart vent plug 3 and is fastened to the housing 2 by a snap-fit ​​15. The oil level indicator cap 18 is connected radially between the rubber valve 20 and the hubcap 17, isolating the interior of the hub from the outside. The oil level indicator cap 18 is axially pressed by the hubcap 17 and the gland 19. An inner sealing ring 21 is directly provided on the axial contact surface between the oil level indicator cap 18 and the hubcap 17.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "inner", "outer", "axial", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0038] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A smart vent plug, characterized in that: The device includes a cover (1) and a housing (2) that cover each other to form a receiving cavity (4), and a battery (5), a PCB board (6) and a probe (7) located in the receiving cavity (4). A temperature sensor is fixed to one end of the PCB board (6) facing the probe (7). The battery (5) is located between the PCB board (6) and the cover (1). One end of the probe (7) is located in the receiving cavity (4) and the other end extends out of the housing (2). The PCB board (6) is fixed in the receiving cavity (4). The housing (2) has a first limiting part that limits the probe (7). The first limiting part makes the end of the probe (7) fit against the surface of the temperature sensor.

2. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe (7) includes a large diameter section (701) and a small diameter section (702). The connection between the large diameter section (701) and the small diameter section (702) forms a shoulder (9) that abuts against the first limiting part. The large diameter section (701) is located in the receiving cavity (4), and the small diameter section (702) passes through the shell (2).

3. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first limiting part is an annular column (10) located at one end of the housing (2) and extending into the cavity (4). The center of the annular column (10) forms a through hole (11) for the small diameter section (702) to pass through. The shoulder (9) abuts against the inner end face of the annular column (10).

4. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first sealing ring (16) is also provided between the shoulder (9) and the inner end face of the annular column (10).

5. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the probe (7) that contacts the temperature sensor is a plane.

6. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (2) and the cover (1) are connected by threads, and there is a sealing groove (14) between the connecting surfaces of the housing (2) and the cover (1) to accommodate the second sealing ring (13).

7. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 5, characterized in that: The probe (7) has a flexible thermally conductive material coated on one end of the surface that contacts the temperature sensor.

8. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (2) has a limiting surface (12) inside that abuts against the PCB board (6), and the PCB board (6) is pressed between the limiting surface (12) and the cover (1).

9. The intelligent vent plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the housing (2) away from the cover (1) is provided with several buckles (15) that engage with the rubber valve in the hub cover assembly.

10. A hubcap assembly, characterized in that: Includes the smart vent plug (3) as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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