Pressure / temperature sensor

The sensor design addresses intake rate and pressure drop issues by using radially arranged acute-angled blades, ensuring consistent medium intake and reduced pressure loss for accurate temperature and pressure detection.

DE112019003635B4Active Publication Date: 2025-12-31DENSO CORP
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
DE112019003635
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2018-07-19
Filing Date
2019-06-13
Publication Date
2025-12-31
Estimated Expiration
2039-06-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional pressure/temperature sensors face issues with varying intake rates and pressure drops due to the orientation of vanes relative to the flow direction of the measuring medium, affecting detection accuracy and efficiency.

Method used

The sensor design incorporates an inlet section with radially arranged blades having acute angles, ensuring the medium is drawn in effectively regardless of vane orientation, reducing pressure loss and maintaining intake rate.

Benefits of technology

Ensures consistent intake rate and reduces pressure drop by aligning acute-angled sections of blades with the flow direction, enhancing temperature detection accuracy and minimizing pressure differences.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
    Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Pressure / temperature sensor that features: a sensor circuit (150) comprising a pressure detection unit (152) configured to detect the pressure of a measuring medium and a temperature detection unit (152) configured to detect the temperature of the measuring medium, a retaining element (110, 120, 130) having a tube (113), wherein the retaining element (110) is configured to hold the sensor circuit to be positioned inside the tube and to attach the sensor circuit to a tube (200) to which the tube is attached, and an inlet section (170) which is provided in the retaining member which is to be positioned on an inside of the tube with respect to the sensor circuit and is arranged inside the tube when the tube is attached to the tube, wherein the inlet section contains a plurality of blades (175) having blade surfaces (174) extending along a projection direction of the inlet section with respect to the sensor circuit, and the multitude of blades is arranged radially on a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the direction of projection, and the angles defined by the blade surfaces of the adjacent blades are all acute angles.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Cross-reference to a related registration

[0001] This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2018-135706, which was filed on July 19, 2018, and hereby incorporates its contents. Technical field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a pressure / temperature sensor configured to detect the pressure and temperature of a measuring medium.

[0003] A conventional sensor for detecting the pressure and temperature of a medium has been proposed, for example, in US 2009 / 0178487 A1. The sensor includes a diffuser extending from the tubular port. The diffuser contains four vanes extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular port. The four vanes are arranged circumferentially around an axis of the tubular port along its longitudinal axis at equal angles. This means that the angle between adjacent vanes is 90° in the circumferential direction. The medium is drawn into the tubular port along the vane surfaces of the diffuser.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 11 2016 001 650 T5 discloses a second housing with a projection that extends on the opposite side of a threaded section of the second housing, which is located opposite a first housing, wherein the projection is arranged in a passage when the second housing is mounted on a mounting element. An opening is formed in a visible area of ​​an outer circumferential surface of the projection, which is visible when viewing the outer circumferential surface in a flow direction of the measuring medium after the second housing has been mounted on the mounting element, wherein the projection has a flow direction change section that changes the flow direction of the measuring medium, which is introduced from the passage through the opening into an inlet hole, from a direction along the passage to a direction towards the sensor unit. Summary of the invention

[0005] However, in the conventional technique mentioned above, it is difficult to know at what angle each blade of the diffuser is positioned with respect to the flow direction of the measuring medium until the sensor is attached to a mounting target.

[0006] For example, if the sensor is attached to a mounting point with the blades inclined at 45° relative to the flow direction of the measured medium, the medium tends to collect at a corner section formed by two adjacent blades. In this case, the measured medium is easily drawn into the tubular connection along the blade surface. Therefore, the intake volume of the measured medium can be maximized.

[0007] In contrast, when the two blades are inclined at 90° relative to the flow direction of the measuring medium, they point towards the flow of the medium. Therefore, some of the medium that collides with the blade surface is drawn into the tubular connection, while the rest bypasses the diffuser. Consequently, the amount of medium drawn in is reduced. As a result, the temperature detection accuracy of the sensor may decrease.

[0008] Furthermore, because the blade surfaces of the two blades partially block the flow of the measuring medium, a pressure difference occurs before and after the flow of the measuring medium in the diffuser. As a result, a pressure drop can occur in the measuring medium.

[0009] As described above, since the conventional sensor has four vanes, the amount of the measuring medium drawn into the tubular connection varies depending on the direction of each vane relative to the flow of the measuring medium. Naturally, the same applies in the case of three vanes.

[0010] In view of the above points, it is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a pressure / temperature sensor that can reduce the pressure loss of the measured medium while ensuring the intake rate of the measured medium, regardless of the angle at which the vanes are mounted with respect to the flow direction of the measured medium.

[0011] To achieve the above task or goal, a pressure / temperature sensor according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor circuit having a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of a measurement medium and a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the measurement medium.

[0012] The pressure / temperature sensor includes a retaining element that has a tube and is configured to hold the sensor circuitry to be positioned inside the tube and to attach or fix the sensor circuitry to a tube to which the tube is attached.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressure / temperature sensor includes an inlet section provided in the retaining member to be positioned on an inside of the tube with reference to the sensor circuit, and is located inside the tube when the tube is attached or fixed to the pipe.

[0014] The inlet section contains a plurality of blades, each with blade surfaces extending along a projection direction of the inlet section with respect to the sensor circuit. The plurality of blades are arranged radially on a perpendicular surface that is perpendicular to the projection direction, and the angles defined by the blade surfaces of adjacent blades are all acute angles.

[0015] Accordingly, regardless of the angle at which the blade is mounted with respect to the flow direction of the measuring medium, an acute-angled section of any adjacent blades is directed towards the flow direction of the measuring medium. Therefore, the measuring medium can be effectively drawn into the tube by the acute-angled section of the adjacent blades along the blade surface. Consequently, the required intake rate of the measuring medium can be ensured.

[0016] Furthermore, regardless of the angle at which each blade is mounted with respect to the flow direction of the measured medium, the protruding area of ​​the blade surfaces on a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the measured medium is smaller than with four or fewer blades. Since the flow of the measured medium is less likely to be blocked by the blade surface than in a case where the number of blades is four or fewer, a pressure difference before and after the inlet section in the flow of the measured medium is less likely to occur. Therefore, the pressure drop of the measured medium can be reduced. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The above and other tasks, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become even clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings IsFig. 1 a sectional view of a pressure / temperature sensor according to a first embodiment, is Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view along a line II-II in Fig. 1 is taken, is Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view showing pressure areas generated on an upstream side and a downstream side of an inlet section, is Fig. 4 a diagram showing a relationship between the number of blades and a pressure loss, is Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view showing the flow of a measuring medium in a case of four blades as a comparative example, is Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view showing pressure areas generated on an upstream side and a downstream side of an inlet section in the case of four blades as the comparison example, is Fig. 7 a cross-sectional view in which a housing and an inlet section are integrated as a modified example of the first embodiment, is Fig. 8 a cross-sectional view when twelve blades are used as a modified example of the first embodiment, is Fig. 9 a cross-sectional view showing a through-hole provided in the introductory section as a modified example of the first embodiment, is Fig. 10 a side view showing a base having a tapered side surface as a modified example of the first embodiment, is Fig. 11 a side view showing a hemispherical base as a modified example of the first embodiment, is Fig. 12 a side view of an introductory section according to a second embodiment, and is Fig. 13 a side view showing an introductory section according to a modified example of the second embodiment. Description of embodiments

[0018] The following describes embodiments for implementing the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the corresponding embodiments, parts corresponding to items already described in the preceding embodiments are given reference numerals identical to those of the items already described. The same description is therefore omitted depending on the circumstances. In a case where only one part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the other embodiments described above can be applied to the other part of the configuration. The present disclosure is not limited to combinations of embodiments that combine parts explicitly described as combinable.As long as there is no problem, the different embodiments can be partially combined with each other, even if it is not explicitly described. First embodiment

[0019] A first embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. A pressure / temperature sensor according to the present embodiment is configured to detect both the pressure and temperature of a measuring medium. The pressure / temperature sensor is attached to or fixed in a pipe and detects the pressure and temperature of the measuring medium within the pipe. The measuring medium is, for example, a coolant used in automobiles. Other measuring media may include, for example, a lubricating oil, such as engine oil and transmission oil, gas, and the like.

[0020] As it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, a pressure / temperature sensor 100 contains a housing 110, a sensor body 120, a potting part 130, a casting resin section 140, a sensor chip 150 and an inlet section 170.

[0021] The housing 110 is a hollow casing that is machined with a metal material, such as SUS (stainless steel), by cutting or the like. The housing 110 has a projecting section 111 on one end and an opening 112 on the other end. The projecting section 111 has a tube 113. The tube 113 communicates with the opening 112. A threaded insertion section 114 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the tube 113 for screwing into a tube 200, which is a mounting element to be attached.

[0022] The opening 112 of the housing 110 is configured to be surrounded by a circumferential wall 115. The housing 110 is attached to or fixed in a through-bore 202 provided in a thick section 201 of the tube 200, to which a portion of the tube 113 is attached. Consequently, an open end section 113a of the tube 113 is located inside the tube 200.

[0023] The method for attaching or fixing the pressure / temperature sensor 100 to the pipe 200 is not limited to the screw fastening described above. For example, a method such as flange fastening or a retaining ring can be used.

[0024] The sensor body 120 is a component that forms a connecting element for electrically connecting the pressure / temperature sensor 100 to an external device. The sensor body 120 is made of a resin material, such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfite). One end of the sensor body 120 is formed as a mounting section 121, which is attached to the opening 112 of the housing 110, and the other end of the sensor body 120 is formed as a connecting element section 122. The mounting section 121 has a recess 123 that extends to one side of the connecting element section 122.

[0025] Furthermore, a terminal 124 is form-fitted into the sensor body 120. The terminal 124 is formed in the sensor body 120 such that one end of the terminal 124 is sealed in the mounting section 121 and the other end of the terminal 124 is exposed within the connecting element section 122. One end of the terminal 124 is connected to an electrical component of the cast resin section 140 by accommodating a portion of the cast resin section 140 in the recess 123.

[0026] Furthermore, the measuring sensor body 120 is sealed in such a way that the end part of the circumferential wall 115 of the housing 110 presses the fastening part 121 into a state in which the fastening part 121 is fitted into the opening 112 of the housing 110 by means of an O-ring 125.

[0027] A potting compound 130 is a sealing element that fills the gap or space between the recess 123 of the sensor body 120 and the cast resin section 140. The potting compound 130 is made of a resin material, such as an epoxy resin. The potting compound 130 seals and protects a portion of the cast resin section 140, a connecting section of the port 124, and the like from the oil that is the measuring medium.

[0028] The resin casting section 140 is a component that holds the sensor chip 150. The resin casting section 140 is formed in a column shape, having one end section 141 and the other end section 142 on the opposite side of the first end section 141. The resin casting section 140 seals the first end section 141 of the sensor chip 150.

[0029] Furthermore, the cast resin section 140 seals part of a conductor frame 143 and a circuit chip 160. The conductor frame 143 is a base element on which the sensor chip 150 and the circuit chip 160 are mounted. The sensor chip 150 is mounted on one end of the conductor frame 143, and the circuit chip 160 is mounted on the other end of the conductor frame 143.

[0030] A pointed end section of the conductor frame 143 on the opposite end is exposed by the other end section 142 of the cast resin section 140 and is connected to one end of the terminal 124. The conductor frame 143 can be divided into multiple parts. In this case, the electrical connection can be made by means of a connecting cable. The conductor frame 143 and the terminal 124 can also be connected by connecting cables.

[0031] Circuit chip 160 is an integrated circuit (IC) chip on which a semiconductor-integrated circuit, such as a memory, is formed. Circuit chip 160 is formed using a semiconductor substrate or the like. Circuit chip 160 supplies a constant current as a power source to sensor chip 150, receives a pressure signal and a temperature signal from sensor chip 150, and performs signal processing on each signal based on a preset signal processing value. The signal processing value is a setting for amplifying or calculating the signal value of each signal. Circuit chip 160 is electrically connected to sensor chip 150 via a connecting cable (not shown) through the wiring frame 143.

[0032] The sensor chip 150 is an electronic component that detects the temperature of the measuring medium. The sensor chip 150 is mounted on the conductor frame 143 using, for example, silver paste. The sensor chip 150 is configured to have a plate-shaped substrate formed by laminating multiple layers. These layers are laminated as a wafer-level pack, processed by a semiconductor process or similar method, and then diced and cut for each sensor chip 150.

[0033] The sensor 150 has a thin-walled membrane 151. A multitude of piezoresistive elements 152 are formed on the membrane 151. Each piezoresistive element 152 is a diffusion resistor formed by ion implantation into a semiconductor layer. Each piezoresistive element 152 can be configured as a thin-film resistor formed on the membrane 151. The sensor chip 150 also includes conductor sections, contact points, and the like (not shown) that are connected to the piezoresistive elements 152.

[0034] Each piezoresistive element 152 is a resistive element whose resistance changes according to the stress on the membrane 151, upon which the pressure of the measuring medium is applied. Furthermore, each piezoresistive element 152 is an element whose resistance changes according to the temperature of the measuring medium. Each piezoresistive element 152 is electrically connected to configure a Wheatston bridge circuit. The Wheatston bridge circuit is supplied with constant current power from the circuit chip 160. This allows the piezoresistive effect of each piezoresistive element 152 to be used to detect a voltage corresponding to a deformation or temperature of the membrane 151.

[0035] In particular, the sensor chip 150 detects a change in the resistance of the plurality of piezoresistive elements 152 in response to the deformation of the diaphragm 151 as a change in the mean voltage of the Wheatston bridge circuit and outputs the mean voltage as a pressure signal. On the other hand, the sensor chip 150 detects the change in resistance of the plurality of piezoresistive elements 152 due to the heat received from the measuring medium as the bridge voltage of the Wheatston bridge circuit and outputs the bridge voltage as a temperature signal.

[0036] Therefore, in the present embodiment, each piezoresistive element 152 has the functions of both a pressure detection unit and a temperature detection unit. The sensor chip 150 is sealed at one end section 141 of the cast resin section 140 such that the sections corresponding to the pressure detection unit and the temperature detection unit are exposed.

[0037] The cast resin section 140 is held by the sensor body 120 and the potting part 130, so that the pressure detection unit and the temperature detection unit of the sensor chip 150 are located inside the tube 113.

[0038] The inlet section 170 is a segment provided in the tube 113 to be located adjacent to the cast resin section 140 in the same direction of projection as the protruding section 111. In other words, the inlet section 170 is provided in the tube 113 to be located on the inside or inner side of the tube 200 with respect to the sensor chip 150. The direction of projection of the protruding section 111 is the same as the orientation of the cast resin section 140 or the sensor chip 150 and the inlet section 170. The inlet section 170 is arranged inside the tube 200 by attaching or fixing the tube 113 to the tube 200. A portion of the inlet section 170 protrudes from the open end section 113a of the tube 113. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the inlet section 170 has a bucket section 171, a bottom 172 and an arm 173.

[0039] The blade section 171 has a plurality of blades 175 with a flat blade surface 174. The blade surface 174 is a surface along the projection direction. The blade surface 174 along the projection direction includes not only a surface that is parallel to the projection direction, but also a surface that is inclined with respect to the projection direction. The blade section 171 is configured to form a flow passage 176 that guides the measuring medium to flow along the blade surface 174 towards the sensor chip 150.

[0040] As it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the plurality of blades 175 are arranged radially on a vertical circumferential surface that is perpendicular to the direction of projection, and the blade surfaces 174 are perpendicular to the vertical surface. In this embodiment, six blades 175 are arranged at equal angles with an interval of 60°. Furthermore, the angle formed by the blade surfaces 174 of adjacent blades 175 is always an acute angle.

[0041] The base 172 secures or fixes the plurality of blades 175 on one side, which is opposite to the cast resin section 140 in the direction of projection. The base 172 has a mounting surface 177 for securing or fixing each blade 175.

[0042] The arm 173 is a section for holding the inlet section 170 within the tube 113. One end of the arm 173 is integrated with the blade section 171. The other end of the arm 173 extends until it reaches the sensor body 120 and is provided with a hook structure. The hook structure is, for example, a snap-fit ​​connection. Then, as described in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the other end of the arm 173 is hooked onto a stepped section 116 formed inside the tube 113. Consequently, the inlet section 170 is held inside the tube 113, while a portion of the inlet section 170, containing the base 172, protrudes from the tube 113. The above is the overall configuration of the pressure / temperature transmitter 100.

[0043] Next, the operation and effect of a configuration in which the angles formed by the blade surfaces 174 of the adjacent blades 175 are all acute angles will be described. First, as is seen in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, since the angle defined by the blade surfaces 174 of the adjacent blades 175 is an acute angle, each acute-angled section of the blades 175 is oriented in the flow direction of the measuring medium, even if the blades 175 are mounted at any angle relative to the flow direction of the measuring medium. Therefore, the measuring medium is collected at the acute-angled section that is oriented in the flow direction of the measuring medium. The measuring medium collected at the acute-angled section is then drawn in along the blade surfaces 174 of the blades 175 towards the sensor chip 150. As a result, the flow velocity of the measuring medium near the detection unit of the sensor chip 150 is improved, and the temperature detection accuracy and temperature sensitivity are enhanced.

[0044] Furthermore, as is stated in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, a prominent area of ​​the blade surface 174 on a surface 178 that is perpendicular to the flow direction of the measuring medium is smaller than in a case where the blade surface 174 is oriented perpendicular to the flow direction of the measuring medium. For this reason, the high-pressure area on the upstream side of the inlet section 170 in the flow direction of the measuring medium and the low-pressure area on the downstream side in the flow direction of the measuring medium are smaller compared to a case where the blade surface 174 is oriented perpendicular to the flow direction of the measuring medium. This means that the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the inlet section 170 becomes small. Consequently, the pressure drop of the measuring medium is reduced. Fig. In section 3, where a cross-sectional view is shown, area 178 is represented as a two-dimensional line.

[0045] The inventors of the present disclosure investigated the pressure loss of the measuring medium in the pipe 200 when the number of blades 175 is changed. A plurality of pressure temperature sensors 100 were prepared for each number of blades 175 such that the blade surfaces 174 of the blades 175 were randomly oriented with respect to the flow direction of the measuring medium.

[0046] As it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, when the number of blades 175 is four, the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the pressure drop of the measured medium becomes large. This means that the variation in the pressure drop of the measured medium becomes large. This indicates that the orientation of the blade surface 174 of the blade 175 varies with respect to the flow direction of the measured medium. When the number of blades 175 is six, eight, or ten, the pressure drop of the measured medium is smaller than when the number of blades 175 is four. Additionally, in this case, the variation in the pressure drop of the measured medium is reduced. Based on this result, the number of blades 175 can preferably be eight or ten.

[0047] As described above, five or more blades 175 are required for the angles formed by the adjacent blades 175 to be acute. If the inlet section 170 has at least five or more blades 175, the pressure drop of the measured medium is reduced, and the variation in pressure drop is also reduced. From the result of Fig. 4. The pressure loss of the measuring medium is reduced by increasing the number of blades 175 from four to six. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the measuring medium by providing the inlet section 170 with five or more blades 175.

[0048] As a comparative example, if four shovels are provided, 175, as in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the angles formed by the adjacent blades 175 are either right angles or obtuse angles. Then, for example, if the blade surface 174 of the blade 175 is arranged perpendicular to the flow direction of the measuring medium, the measuring medium colliding with the blade surface 174 of the blade 175 escapes through the flow around the inlet section 170 to the outside. That is, the measuring medium bypasses the inlet unit 170. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the intake rate of the measuring medium. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the flow is blocked. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the prominent area of ​​the blade surface 174, which projects onto surface 178a perpendicular to the flow direction of the measuring medium, is maximized, thus maximizing the entire blade surface 174. Consequently, a large pressure difference is generated between the upstream and downstream sides of the inlet section 170. As a result, the pressure drop of the measuring medium is large.

[0049] In contrast, in the present embodiment, regardless of the angle at which each blade 175 is mounted with respect to the flow direction of the measuring medium, the acute-angled section of any adjacent blades 175 is directed towards the flow direction of the measuring medium. Therefore, the measuring medium can be effectively drawn into the tube 113 by the acute-angled section of the adjacent blades 175 along the blade surface 174. Consequently, the required intake rate of the measuring medium can be ensured.

[0050] Furthermore, since the prominent area of ​​the blade surface 174 on the surface perpendicular to the flow direction of the measuring medium is smaller than in the case of four or fewer blades 175, the flow of the measuring medium is less likely to be disturbed by the inlet section 170 compared to the case of four or fewer blades 175. Therefore, it is possible to limit the generation of a pressure difference before and after the inlet section 170 in the flow of the measuring medium. Consequently, the pressure loss of the measuring medium can be reduced.

[0051] The sensor chip 150 of this embodiment corresponds to a sensor circuit, and the piezoresistive element 152 corresponds to a pressure detection unit and a temperature detection unit. Furthermore, the housing 110, the sensor body 120, and the potting section 130 correspond to a retaining element.

[0052] As a modification, the inlet section 170 need not include the base 172. Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the ends of corresponding blades 175 on a central side of the base 172 can be separated from each other, so that the blades 175 do not need to be connected to each other. This means that the inlet section 170 can be provided with a hole corresponding to a space due to the structure in which the blades 175 are not connected. The hole defines a flow path through which the measuring medium passes along the vertical direction. Consequently, the measuring medium passes through the holes, so that a pressure loss of the measuring medium can be further reduced.

[0053] As a modification, the planar shape of the introductory section 170 can be a polygon, such as a quadrilateral, instead of a circle in the vertical direction. The planar shape of the base 172 is the same.

[0054] As a modification, as it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the inlet section 170 is integrated with the housing 110. For example, the inlet section 170 is formed as part of the tube 113. Accordingly, the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the inlet section 170 can be made of the same material as the housing 110.

[0055] As a modification, as it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, twelve blades 175 are provided. By increasing the number of blades 175, the inlet section 170 can be formed to have a pseudocylindrical shape. As a result, the measuring medium flows smoothly from the upstream side to the downstream side of the inlet section 170, thus improving or promoting the effect of reducing the pressure loss of the measuring medium.

[0056] As a modification, as it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 9, the inlet section 170 is a through-bore 179 formed in a connecting section of the corresponding blades 175, extending along the direction of projection. Accordingly, the measuring medium can be drawn into the tube 113 through the through-bore 179 due to the pressure difference between the outside of the inlet section 170 and the inside of the tubes 113.

[0057] As a modification, as it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 10, the side surface 172a of the base 172 is formed in a tapered shape. In this case, the entire side surface 172a can be a tapered surface, or a portion of the side surface 172a can be a tapered surface. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 11, the base 172 is formed in a hemispherical shape. Consequently, the flow of the measuring medium along the tapered surface and the hemispherical surface of the base 172 is smooth, so that the pressure loss of the measuring medium can be effectively reduced. Second embodiment

[0058] In the present embodiment, configurations different from those of the first embodiment are described. As described in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 12, the inlet section 170 has a flat, tapered surface 180. The blade surfaces 174 of the blades 175 and a mounting surface 177 of the base 172 are connected by a tapered surface 180. Consequently, the measuring medium entering the acute-angled section formed by the adjacent blades 175 can easily move along the tapered surface 180 to the sensor chip 150.

[0059] As a modification, as it is in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 13, the introductory section 170 has a curved surface 181. The curved surface 181 is a curved surface that is recessed at a connecting corner between the blade surface 174 of the blade 175 and the mounting surface 177 of the bottom 172.

[0060] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and various modifications may be made as follows within a scope that does not deviate from the meaning of the present disclosure.

[0061] For example, the blades 175 do not need to be arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction, but can be arranged at unequal angles in the circumferential direction.

[0062] Although a variety of piezoresistive elements 152 are configured to detect both pressure and temperature, the piezoresistive element 152 that detects pressure and the piezoresistive element 152 that detects temperature can be configured separately. Furthermore, a capacitive pressure-sensing element can be used as a means of detecting pressure. Additionally, a thermistor or thermocouple can be used as a means of detecting temperature. In this case, a capacitive pressure-sensing element corresponds to a pressure detection unit, and a thermistor or thermocouple corresponds to a temperature detection unit. This means that the pressure detection unit and the temperature detection unit can be provided separately on the sensor chip 150.

[0063] The electrical connection component between the circuit chip 160 and the sensor chip 150 is not limited to the conductor frame 143. For example, the circuit chip 160 and the sensor 150 can be mounted on a printed circuit board.

[0064] The pressure / temperature sensor 100 can be configured not to include the cast resin section 140. In this case, the pressure detection unit and the temperature detection unit, which form the sensor, are held together by parts such as the housing 110, the sensor body 120, and the potting unit 130.

[0065] Although the present disclosure has been described in accordance with the embodiments, it shall be assumed that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and structures disclosed therein. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and variations within an equivalent range. In addition, other combinations and configurations, including more, fewer, or only a single element, are also within the meaning and scope of the present disclosure, in addition to the various combinations and configurations that are preferred.

Claims

[1] Pressure / temperature sensor which features: a sensor circuit (150) comprising a pressure detection unit (152) configured to detect the pressure of a measuring medium and a temperature detection unit (152) configured to detect the temperature of the measuring medium, a retaining element (110, 120, 130) having a tube (113), wherein the retaining element (110) is configured to hold the sensor circuit to be positioned inside the tube and to attach the sensor circuit to a tube (200) to which the tube is attached, and an inlet section (170) which is provided in the retaining member which is to be positioned on an inside of the tube with respect to the sensor circuit and is arranged inside the tube when the tube is attached to the tube, wherein the inlet section contains a plurality of blades (175) having blade surfaces (174) extending along a projection direction of the inlet section with respect to the sensor circuit, and the multitude of blades is arranged radially on a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the direction of projection, and the angles defined by the blade surfaces of the adjacent blades are all acute angles. [2] Pressure / temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades is five or more blades. [3] Pressure / temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades is six blades. [4] Pressure / temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades is eight blades. [5] Pressure / temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of vanes of the inlet section includes a base (172) which is fixed on a side which is opposite to the sensor circuit in the direction of projection. [6] Pressure / temperature sensor according to claim 5, wherein the ground has a mounting surface (177) to which the multitude of shovels are attached, and the blade surface and the mounting surface are connected by a flat tapered surface (180) or by a curved surface (181) which is recessed at a connecting corner between the blade surface and the mounting surface. [7] Pressure / temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inlet section is part of the retaining element. [8] Pressure / temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a cast resin section (140) to which the sensor circuit is attached in order to expose part of the sensor circuit, corresponding to the pressure detection unit and the temperature detection unit, wherein the pressure detection unit is configured by a piezoresistive element (152) in which a resistance value changes according to the pressure of the measuring medium, and the temperature detection unit is configured by a piezoresistive element (152) in which a resistance value changes according to the temperature of the measuring medium. [9] Pressure / temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the measuring medium is a gas.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR MOUNTING STRUCTURE

    DE112016001650T5