A probe modular quick-change ocean temperature sensor

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of ocean temperature sensor of probe modularization quick replacement, including head end cover, probe, shell, circuit board, tail end cover and navigation plug, the both ends of the shell are connected with the head end cover and the tail end cover by bolt respectively, the probe is threadedly connected with the head end cover, and the probe penetrates and extends the head end cover;Special groove is formed in the shell inner wall, the circuit board is inserted into the special groove, the navigation plug and the communication and / or power supply interface welding of the circuit board are welded and conducted.In the technical scheme of the utility model, the bolt connection of the both ends of shell and head end cover, tail end cover can realize the quick disassembly and stable assembly of sensor shell, and the threaded connection structure of probe and head end cover breaks the limitation of traditional integrated design, without the whole disassembly sensor, probe replacement can be completed, which greatly improves equipment maintenance efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of marine environmental monitoring technology, and in particular to a marine temperature sensor with modular and quick-change probes. Background Technology

[0002] Existing ocean temperature sensors suffer from three core problems: First, the stability of the sensing elements is insufficient, relying heavily on non-domestic components. Differences in thermal expansion coefficients lead to high internal stress, resulting in annual offsets exceeding 0.05%R0, which fails to meet the requirements of high-precision observation. Second, the packaging and protection are poorly adaptable. The outer shell is mostly made of a single stainless steel material, which has weak resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling. Furthermore, the sealing structure is simple (only a single-stage O-ring), making it prone to waterproof failure in the ocean temperature range of -2℃ to +35℃. Third, maintenance efficiency is low. The probe and the main body are mostly integrated designs, requiring complete disassembly for replacement. There is a lack of dedicated calibration compatibility, making it impossible to quickly meet the requirements of high-precision calibration. This results in rapid accuracy decay after long-term use, high maintenance costs, and difficulty in supporting the long-term stable operation of ocean observation systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art or related technologies.

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a modular and quick-change ocean temperature sensor that is suitable for accurate seawater temperature acquisition in scenarios such as nearshore hydrological stations and ocean buoys, and is compatible with multi-parameter ocean observation systems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor, comprising a head cap, a probe, a housing, a circuit board, a tail cap, and a flight connector. The two ends of the housing are respectively connected to the head cap and the tail cap via bolts. The probe is threadedly connected to the head cap, and the probe penetrates and extends beyond the head cap. A dedicated groove is formed on the inner wall of the housing, through which the circuit board is inserted. The communication and / or power supply interface of the flight connector is soldered to the circuit board for connection.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the aircraft connector is an aircraft connector female head, the outer wall of the aircraft connector female head has an annular protrusion, the central hole of the tail end cover is provided with an adapter slot, after the aircraft connector female head is inserted into the central hole of the tail end cover, the annular protrusion is engaged with the adapter slot to achieve axial fixation, forming a sealed assembly structure.

[0007] In any of the above technical solutions, preferably, the probe includes two probes with different specifications, wherein the outer diameter of one probe is smaller than the outer diameter of the other probe.

[0008] In any of the above technical solutions, preferably, a limiting protrusion is formed on one component of the dedicated groove and the circuit board, and a limiting groove is formed on the other component. After the circuit board is fully inserted into the dedicated groove, the limiting protrusion is engaged in the limiting groove.

[0009] In any of the above technical solutions, preferably, symmetrically arranged screw holes are formed on the head end cap and the tail end cap, and threaded holes that are adapted to the screw holes are formed at both ends of the housing. The head end cap and the tail end cap are fixed to both ends of the housing by the matching screw holes, threaded holes and screws.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the screw hole is a countersunk hole.

[0011] In any of the above technical solutions, preferably, the portion of the probe extending out of the head end cap is a hollow structure with multiple through holes.

[0012] In any of the above technical solutions, preferably, the aviation connector has five wires at the loose ends, the five wires are respectively soldered to five communication and / or power supply interfaces preset on the circuit board, and the solder joints are wrapped with insulating glue to form an electrical connection structure.

[0013] In any of the above technical solutions, preferably, the probe has a plurality of sealing grooves that accommodate sealing gaskets, and the head end cap and the probe form a sealing structure through the sealing gaskets accommodated in the sealing grooves.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this modular, quick-replacement ocean temperature sensor are as follows: First, it enables modular, quick-disassembly of the probe. The probe and head cap are connected by threads, allowing for probe assembly and disassembly without the need for complete sensor disassembly. It also features two probes with different outer diameters, allowing for customized temperature response speeds for different scenarios, significantly improving maintenance efficiency and scenario adaptability. Second, it offers stronger sealing and protection. The head and tail caps are bolted to the housing, and a double- or multi-stage sealing assembly is formed between the center hole of the head cap and the probe. Compared to traditional single-stage O-ring seals, this effectively resists seawater intrusion and can stably adapt to ocean temperatures ranging from -2℃ to +35℃. Third, it facilitates circuit board maintenance. The dedicated groove is equipped with limiting protrusions and limiting slots, allowing the circuit board to be precisely snapped in and fixed, and can be disassembled and inspected independently. This avoids the drawback of damaging the outer shell during maintenance and ensures the installation stability of the circuit board under vibration. Fourth, the electrical connection is more stable. The five wires of the aircraft plug are welded to the communication / power supply interface of the circuit board and protected with insulating glue. The tail end cap forms a double axial fixation for the aircraft plug, reducing the risk of contact failure in the high humidity and high salinity environment of the ocean. Fifth, it can be equipped with 100% domestically produced high-precision thin-film thermistor elements, which solves the accuracy problem of traditional sensors relying on non-domestic components and the annual offset exceeding 0.05%R0 due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients. It achieves a balance between high precision and domestic production, and can better support the long-term stable operation of the marine observation system. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 A structural diagram of the ocean temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the ocean temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A structural diagram of the housing involved in an embodiment of this utility model is shown; Figure 4 A structural diagram of the circuit board involved in an embodiment of this utility model is shown; Figure 5 A structural diagram of the aircraft insert involved in the embodiment of this utility model is shown; Figure 6 A structural diagram of the tail end cap according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the tail end cap according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the connection structure between the probe and the head cap according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; in, Figures 1 to 8The correspondence between the reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings is as follows: 1. Head end cap; 2. Probe; 21. Sealing groove; 22. Sealing gasket; 3. Housing; 31. Special groove; 4. Circuit board; 5. Tail end cap; 51. Adapter slot; 6. Aviation plug female head; 61. Annular protrusion; 71. Limiting protrusion; 72. Limiting groove; 8. Screw hole; 9. Through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0017] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0018] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a head cap 1, a probe 2, a housing 3, a circuit board 4, a tail cap 5, and a flight connector. The two ends of the housing 3 are respectively connected to the head cap 1 and the tail cap 5 by bolts. The probe 2 is threaded to the head cap 1, and the probe 2 penetrates and extends out of the head cap 1. A dedicated groove 31 is formed on the inner wall of the housing 3, penetrating the housing 3. The circuit board 4 is inserted into the dedicated groove 31. The communication and / or power supply interface of the flight connector is soldered to the circuit board 4 for conduction.

[0019] In this embodiment, the sensor housing can be quickly disassembled and securely assembled by bolting the two ends of the housing 3 to the head end cap 1 and the tail end cap 5. At the same time, the threaded connection structure between the probe 2 and the head end cap 1 breaks the limitations of the traditional integrated design, allowing the probe 2 to be replaced without disassembling the entire sensor, which greatly improves the equipment maintenance efficiency. The assembly method of inserting the circuit board 4 into the dedicated groove 31 of the housing 3 provides a stable installation space for the circuit board 4 and facilitates its subsequent individual removal for maintenance. The soldering connection between the aviation plug and the circuit board 4 ensures the basic stability of electrical signal transmission.

[0020] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in the above embodiment, preferably, the aircraft connector is an aircraft connector female head 6, the outer wall of the aircraft connector female head 6 is formed with an annular protrusion 61, the central hole of the tail end cover 5 is provided with an adapter slot 51, after the aircraft connector female head 6 is inserted into the central hole of the tail end cover 5, the annular protrusion 61 is engaged with the adapter slot 51 to achieve axial fixation, forming a sealed assembly structure.

[0021] In this embodiment, the engagement structure between the annular protrusion 61 of the female connector 6 and the matching slot 51 of the center hole of the tail end cap 5 can reliably limit the axial movement of the connector, preventing it from shifting during ocean current impact or equipment vibration. At the same time, this engagement can also enhance the sealing effect of the tail, effectively preventing seawater from entering through the gap between the connector and the tail end cap 5, further ensuring the stability and safety of the electrical connection between the connector and the circuit board 4, and adapting to the harsh working conditions of high humidity and high salinity in the ocean.

[0022] In any of the above embodiments, preferably, the probe 2 includes two probes 2 with different specifications, wherein the outer diameter of one probe 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the other probe 2.

[0023] In this embodiment, the two probes 2 with different outer diameters can meet the temperature measurement requirements of different scenarios. The probe 2 with a smaller outer diameter has a smaller volume in contact with seawater and has a faster temperature measurement response speed, which is suitable for scenarios such as dynamic temperature measurement on marine research vessels that require high-frequency capture of water temperature changes. The probe 2 with a larger outer diameter has a greater advantage in structural stability and can be adapted to scenarios with higher requirements for equipment durability, such as long-term monitoring of nearshore hydrological stations. It can be flexibly switched without replacing the entire set of sensors, which improves the scenario adaptability and reusability of the equipment.

[0024] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in any of the above embodiments, preferably, a limiting protrusion 71 is formed on one component of the dedicated groove 31 and the circuit board 4, and a limiting groove 72 is formed on the other component. After the circuit board 4 is fully inserted into the dedicated groove 31, the limiting protrusion 71 is engaged in the limiting groove 72.

[0025] In this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​between the limiting protrusion 71 and the limiting groove 72 enables the circuit board 4 to be accurately positioned in the dedicated groove 31, preventing the circuit board 4 from shifting or loosening under continuous vibration in the marine environment, ensuring that the signal transmission path between it and the probe 2 and the aviation plug remains stable. At the same time, this structure does not affect the quick insertion and removal of the circuit board 4, and the circuit board 4 can be directly removed during subsequent maintenance without damaging the overall structure of the sensor, reducing the difficulty and cost of maintenance.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, in any of the above embodiments, preferably, symmetrically arranged screw holes 8 are formed on the head end cap 1 and the tail end cap 5, and threaded holes that are adapted to the screw holes 8 are formed at both ends of the housing 3. The head end cap 1 and the tail end cap 5 are fixed at both ends of the housing 3 by the matching screw holes 8, threaded holes and screws.

[0027] In this embodiment, the head end cap 1, the tail end cap 5, and the housing 3 are fastened together by symmetrically distributed screw holes 8, threaded holes, and screws. This makes the connection between the end cap and the housing 3 more uniform in terms of force, avoids component deformation caused by local stress concentration, and the symmetrical hole design facilitates quick alignment during installation, improves assembly efficiency, and provides convenience for subsequent disassembly and maintenance of the end cap, ensuring the overall sealing and structural strength of the sensor housing.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, in the above embodiment, preferably, the screw hole 8 is a countersunk hole.

[0029] In this embodiment, the screw hole 8 is set as a countersunk hole, which allows the head of the fastening screw to be completely sunk into the hole, avoiding the screw protruding outward and interfering with the overall installation of the sensor. At the same time, it can prevent the protruding screw from being damaged by water flow impact, biological scratches, etc. in the marine environment, maintain the flatness of the sensor housing surface, and reduce the risk of the screw being damaged by external force and affecting the sealing of the end cap connection.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, in any of the above embodiments, preferably, the portion of the probe 2 extending out of the head end cap 1 is a hollow structure with multiple through holes 9.

[0031] In this embodiment, the portion of the probe 2 extending out of the head end cap 1 adopts a hollow through-hole 9 structure, which can significantly increase the contact area between the probe 2 and seawater, accelerate the water temperature conduction rate, and improve the timeliness and accuracy of temperature measurement response. At the same time, the hollow design can reduce the overall weight of the probe 2, reduce the load on the head end cap 1, reduce the connection loosening problem caused by the weight of the probe 2 during long-term use, and further ensure the stability of temperature measurement data.

[0032] In any of the above embodiments, preferably, the aviation connector has five wires at the loose ends, the five wires are respectively soldered to five pre-set communication and / or power supply interfaces on the circuit board 4, and the solder joints are wrapped with insulating glue to form an electrical connection structure.

[0033] In this embodiment, the soldering of the five wires of the aircraft connector to the corresponding interfaces of the circuit board 4 ensures the independent transmission of communication and power supply signals, avoiding signal crosstalk. The insulating glue wrapping at the solder joints effectively isolates water vapor and salt in the marine environment, preventing corrosion, short circuits and other faults at the solder joints, greatly improving the durability and reliability of the electrical connection, and providing electrical protection for the long-term stable operation of the sensor.

[0034] like Figure 8 As shown, in any of the above embodiments, preferably, the probe 2 has a plurality of sealing grooves 21 that accommodate sealing gaskets 22, and the head end cap 1 and the probe 2 form a sealing structure through the sealing gaskets 22 accommodated in the sealing grooves 21.

[0035] In this embodiment, the combination of multiple sealing grooves 21 on the probe 2 and the built-in sealing gasket 22 can form multiple sealing barriers at the connection between the head end cap 1 and the probe 2. Compared with the traditional single-stage seal, it can more effectively prevent seawater from seeping into the sensor from the threaded connection gap, significantly improve the waterproof rating of the device, avoid the internal circuit board 4 and probe 2 components from malfunctioning due to water ingress, and extend the overall service life of the sensor.

[0036] The working principle of the modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor with probe 2 provided by this utility model is as follows: The sensor housing consists of a head end cap 1, a housing 3, and a tail end cap 5, which are rigidly fastened by screws through symmetrically distributed countersunk screw holes 8. The force is evenly distributed when the three are connected, which can avoid local stress deformation. The circuit board 4 is precisely engaged with the housing 3 through the limiting protrusion 71 and the limiting groove 72 in the special groove 31, which not only achieves radial fixation but also does not affect subsequent individual disassembly and assembly. The aircraft plug female head 6 is first axially initially fixed by engaging with the center hole groove of the tail end cap 5 through the annular protrusion 61 on the outer wall. Then, it is double fixed by the screws locking the tail end cap 5 and the housing 3, providing a stable structural foundation for electrical connection.

[0037] The probe 2 extends out of the perforated structure of the head cap 1 to directly contact the seawater. Its built-in thermal element senses changes in water temperature and converts them into electrical signals. The signals are transmitted to the circuit board 4 via a pluggable two-core white terminal. After processing and calibrating the electrical signals, the circuit board 4 transmits the temperature data and power supply signals to the marine observation system terminal via five dedicated wires with insulating glue at the solder joints of the docking cable to prevent signal interference and corrosion. This completes the core process of water temperature acquisition and data reporting. The two probes 2 with different outer diameters can be switched as needed. The smaller probe 2 achieves rapid temperature measurement due to its larger contact area, while the larger probe 2 ensures long-term monitoring stability due to its structural strength.

[0038] The probe 2 is threaded to the head end cap 1 and there is no overall structural locking restriction. When the probe 2 needs to be replaced or calibrated, simply unscrew the connecting screws between the head end cap 1 and the housing 3, and directly unscrew the old probe 2 to complete the disassembly and assembly. There is no need to disassemble the entire sensor or damage the internal circuit. If the circuit board 4 needs to be repaired, the head or tail end cap 5 can be removed and pulled directly from the special groove 31 of the housing 3. After the repair is completed, it can be reset by the limiting protrusion 71. The integrity of other components of the sensor is not affected throughout the process, which greatly reduces maintenance time and cost.

[0039] The sensor features a multi-layered sealing structure. First, multiple sealing gaskets 22 within the sealing groove 21 of the probe 2 prevent seawater from entering through the threaded gap between the probe 2 and the head end cap 1. Second, when the head and tail end caps 5 are connected to the housing 3, the screws compress the flange surface of the end caps, deforming the sealing gaskets 22 and forming a radial sealing barrier. Third, the slotted engagement structure between the aircraft plug and the tail end cap 5 enhances the sealing performance of the tail electrical interface. The entire sealing system is adaptable to a marine temperature range of -2℃ to +35℃, and its protection level meets the requirements of harsh marine conditions with high humidity and high salinity, ensuring long-term stable operation of the sensor.

[0040] In this utility model, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; the term "multiple" refers to two or more unless otherwise explicitly defined. Terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "joining" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "back," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying 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 unit 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.

[0042] In this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "specific embodiments," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor, characterized in that, The device includes a head end cap (1), a probe (2), a housing (3), a circuit board (4), a tail end cap (5), and an aviation connector. The two ends of the housing (3) are connected to the head end cap (1) and the tail end cap (5) respectively by bolts. The probe (2) is threaded to the head end cap (1) and the probe (2) penetrates and extends out of the head end cap (1). A special groove (31) is formed on the inner wall of the housing (3) that penetrates the housing (3). The circuit board (4) is inserted into the special groove (31). The communication and / or power supply interface of the aviation connector and the circuit board (4) are soldered and connected.

2. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aircraft connector is an aircraft connector female head (6). The outer wall of the aircraft connector female head (6) has an annular protrusion (61). The center hole of the tail end cap (5) is provided with an adapter slot (51). After the aircraft connector female head (6) is inserted into the center hole of the tail end cap (5), the annular protrusion (61) is engaged in the adapter slot (51) to achieve axial fixation and form a sealed assembly structure.

3. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The probe (2) includes two probes (2) with different specifications, one of which has a smaller outer diameter than the other.

4. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A limiting protrusion (71) is formed on one component of the dedicated groove (31) and the circuit board (4), and a limiting groove (72) is formed on the other component. After the circuit board (4) is fully inserted into the dedicated groove (31), the limiting protrusion (71) is engaged in the limiting groove (72).

5. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Symmetrically arranged screw holes (8) are formed on the head end cap (1) and the tail end cap (5). Threaded holes that match the screw holes (8) are formed at both ends of the housing (3). The head end cap (1) and the tail end cap (5) are fixed to both ends of the housing (3) by the matching screw holes (8), threaded holes and screws.

6. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The screw hole (8) is a countersunk hole.

7. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The portion of the probe (2) extending out of the head end cap (1) is a hollow structure with multiple through holes (9).

8. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The aircraft connector has five wires at the end of a loose wire. The five wires are respectively soldered to five communication and / or power supply interfaces preset on the circuit board (4), and the solder joints are wrapped with insulating glue to form an electrical connection structure.

9. The modular, quick-change ocean temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The probe (2) has a plurality of sealing grooves (21) that accommodate sealing gaskets (22), and the head end cap (1) and the probe (2) form a sealing structure through the sealing gaskets (22) accommodated in the sealing grooves (21).

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