Sensor device

Abstract

Sensor device for use in a military vehicle with a sensor head (1) for detecting a measured variable and a plug (2) connected to the sensor head (1) by a cable for connection to a processing unit, characterized by an adapter (3) for mechanically adapting (3) the sensor head (1) to the plug (2).

Description

The invention relates to a sensor device for use in a military vehicle, having a sensor head for detecting a measurement variable and a plug which is cable-connected to the sensor head and is intended for connection to a processing unit.Sensor devices consist essentially of two elements, namely the actual sensor head, which detects a specific measured variable, and a plug, which is generally cable-connected to the sensor head and via which the sensor device can be connected to a processing unit, such as a computer, for displaying or further processing the measurement signals. Corresponding sensor devices are available on the market as firmly connected components in a wide range, i.e. the respective sensor head and the plug are firmly connected to one another.Such sensor devices are used in quite different fields of technology. Military vehicles, such as for example, are a specific field of application. These are wheel vehicles, track vehicles or also watercraft, since special requirements are placed on the sensor devices here. In order to be able to use corresponding sensor devices in military vehicles, these must specifically meet certain military standards and in particular these must be very robust and reliable. This is because particularly when used in military vehicles, severe vibrations and vibrations often occur, but also high temperatures, high air humidity and a high risk of mistraining can make the sensor devices available. Corresponding sensor devices therefore have both a plug and a sensor head, both of which conform to a military standard.Sensor devices which do not correspond to a military standard, but only to an industrial standard, for example, cannot generally be used in military vehicles. In this respect, it is necessary to rely on sensor devices, which are sometimes very expensive and which take into account the required military standard.Such sensor devices have certain safety features, in particular with regard to the configuration of the connectors, so that it is not possible, for example even in the case of vibrations or vibrations, for the connector to be able to become detached from the processing unit.The invention is based on this and aims at providing a sensor device which can be used in a military vehicle and which in this respect meets the applicable military standards, but which can furthermore be produced at low costs.This object is achieved in a sensor device of the type mentioned at the beginning in that an adapter is provided for the mechanical adaptation of the sensor head to the plug.By means of the adapter, different sensor heads can be combined with different plugs. The adapter thus enables a connection of a specific sensor head to a specific plug. In this respect, sensor heads and connectors can be combined with one another in a variable manner and a dependence on combinations available on the market is dispensed with. In particular, for sensor devices which must conform to the military standard, it is no longer necessary to purchase such devices on the market at high prices. This is because it is often sufficient if the plug meets a military standard, and the adapter then allows the sensor head that otherwise cannot be used in a military vehicle to be adapted to the plug. Sensor heads and connectors can thus be selected on the basis of the specific requirements of an individual case and adapted to one another via the adapter.Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the plug can be mechanically coupled to the sensor head via the adapter. Due to the mechanical coupling, the plug and the sensor head can be firmly connected to one another after the adaptation, so that the sensor device can then be used and used as a coherent part. A relative movement between the sensor head and the plug is then no longer possible. The sensor head and the connector may be cable-connected to each other, so that the signal output from the sensor head may be guided to the connector through the cable. The signals can then be conducted to the processing unit via the plug for further processing.The further processing unit can be, for example, a display, an evaluation unit, a storage unit, a data logger, a communication unit or the like. Overall, the further processing unit can thus be designed as a computing unit.According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the plug is designed as a safety plug. A safety plug is characterized in that it does not unintentionally release from the processing unit even in the case of strong vibrations over a longer period of time. When using a normal industrial plug, on the other hand, there may be the risk that it unintentionally detaches from the processing unit.The plug can have a connection section for connection to the processing unit, via which connection section it can be detachably connected to the processing unit. In particular, this connection section can be designed in such a way that unintentional detachment of the plug is prevented. For this purpose, the plug can be clamped or screwed, for example to the processing unit. The end section is preferably designed as a clamping section, as a screw section or as a bayonet section for producing a bayonet connection with the processing unit. These connections prevent an axial movement of the plug relative to the processing unit, so that the plug cannot be easily removed and, in this respect, cannot be detached from its own as far as possible. Nevertheless, a tool-free disassembly or detachment of the plug and the processing unit is preferably provided. For visual connection, the connection section can be provided with a thread. To realize a bayonet connection, the connection section can have a plurality of, in particular at least two, laterally projecting bayonet bolts.It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the plug, in particular the connection section, meets a military standard. The plug can thus be designed as a military plug. The military standard can ensure that the entire sensor device can be used in a military vehicle. Only if an element complies with a military standard can it be used in a military vehicle. The corresponding elements are thus provided and also intended for use in a military vehicle. In this respect, it has proven to be advantageous if the sensor head, on the other hand, corresponds only to one industry standard. The sensor head can thus be a civilian or an industrial sensor head or a civil sensor head or an industrial sensor head. Such sensor heads are available on the market very widely and are comparatively inexpensive. However, sensor devices available on the market with such sensor heads generally cannot be used in military vehicles, since the corresponding sensor devices then do not meet the military standard overall. The sensor head per se is therefore not provided and intended for use in a military vehicle.In this respect, the adapter can achieve the result that a comparatively cost-effective sensor head without special military suitability can be combined with a plug which has special military suitability and which corresponds to the relevant military standards. The suitability of the plug may already be sufficient to be able to use the entire sensor device in a military area. Since in this respect only the plug must meet the high military requirements, but the sensor head can be designed as a normal sensor head used in an industrial wide area and in particular does not have to be suitable and intended for use in a military vehicle, the overall costs can be significantly reduced.The sensor head can detect a predetermined physical quantity. For example, a temperature, a pressure, the absolute or relative humidity, a distance, a weight or also a chemical composition can be measured via the sensor head. The sensor head can generate measurement signals from the determined variables, which can then be conducted to the plug via a cable connection. The sensor head can be designed, for example, as an inductive proximity switch or as a pressure sensor.The adapter can each have a corresponding mechanical interface for connection to the plug and to the sensor head. The interface for connecting the adapter to the plug can be designed as a plug connecting section and the interface for connecting the adapter to the sensor head can be designed as a sensor connecting section. The plug and / or the sensor head can be detachably connected, in particular screwed, to the corresponding interfaces of the adapter. It can be provided that the plug and / or the sensor head is screwed into the respective interface or screwed onto the latter. Alternatively or additionally, an inseparable connection can also be provided, for example an adhesive connection. The adapter can be connected to the plug and the sensor head via the respective interfaces according to a military standard. Furthermore, the adapter itself can also conform to a military standard, so that advantageously only the sensor head per se does not meet any military standard and cannot be used alone in a military vehicle.With regard to the connection between adapter and sensor head, it has proven advantageous from a constructional point of view if the adapter has a screw-in section, via which it can be screwed into the sensor connection section of the adapter. The sensor head can be firmly connected to the adapter by a corresponding screw connection. The screw-in section can be provided with an external thread and the adapter or the sensor connecting section can accordingly be provided with an internal thread, so that the sensor head can be screwed into the adapter in the manner of a screw. The sensor head cannot be screwed completely into the adapter, but the actual measurement section, i.e. the part of the sensor head which detects the measurement variable to be recorded, cannot be screwed into the adapter, but rather protrude therefrom.In order to prevent the entry of dirt or even water, a sealing element, in particular a sealing ring, can be provided, which seals the sensor head with respect to the adapter. Furthermore, it can be provided that the sensor head or the screw-in section is additionally glued into the adapter. For this purpose, an adhesive can be applied to the screwing-in section, which adhesive dries and cures after screwing-in. In this embodiment, the sensor head is then non-detachably connected to the adapter. In addition, this embodiment also offers advantages with regard to the introduction of dirt and / or water.To secure the sensor head in or on the adapter, a union nut can furthermore be provided. This can be screwed onto the sensor head from the outside until it abuts the adapter. The union nut represents a further or an alternative possibility for fixedly connecting the sensor head to the adapter. When the union nut is tightened, the sensor head is secured in the adapter, so that the latter cannot be detached again from the adapter even after a long time. In order to screw the union nut onto the sensor head, the measuring section can also be provided, at least partially, with an external thread onto which the union nut can be screwed.Overall, the connection between adapter and sensor head is mechanically so stable that it corresponds to a military standard and can be used in a military vehicle. A detachment of the sensor head from the adapter can therefore be reliably prevented even in the case of a greater or long-lasting force effect.With regard to the connection between adapter and plug, it has proven to be advantageous if the plug connection section is designed as a flange, wherein the plug can be connected to the flange via a screw connection. The plug can be screwed to the adapter or to the flange via a plurality of screws, in particular via four screws, which are arranged uniformly distributed around the circumference of the plug. The flange can have a substantially square cross section and thus provide a certain bearing surface for the plug. The plug can have a connecting flange which can be adapted with respect to its geometrical extent to the size of the flange of the adapter. The connecting flange can lie flat on the flange and the screws can extend into or through the flange for connection through the connecting flange.Overall, the connection between adapter and plug is mechanically so stable that it corresponds to a military standard and can be used in a military vehicle. A release of the plug from the adapter can therefore be reliably prevented even in the event of a greater or long-lasting force effect.The connection section of the plug can protrude opposite the connecting flange and in this respect not be arranged within the adapter. The connection section is thus accessible from the outside and can be connected to the processing unit in a comparatively simple manner. In the end opposite the connection section, the plug can have an insertion section which advantageously has a cylindrical geometry and which can project as far as into the interior of the adapter. The plug connection portion can have a circular opening into which the plug connection portion can enter. When the plug-in portion is inserted accordingly, the flange can abut on the connecting flange and the plug can then be connected to the adapter by means of screws. In order to protect the interior of the adapter from dirt and water, suitable sealing elements can be provided. For example, a flat seal can be provided between the flange and the connecting flange.According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the cables for connecting the sensor head and the plug extend through the adapter. The adapter thus ensures protection of the cables from external influences and in particular from the action of forces from the outside. The adapter is advantageously dust- and water-tight overall, so that the cables are well protected from external influences on the inside. The adapter can thus have an inner cavity which connects the two interfaces or the sensor connecting section and the plug connecting section to one another, so that the cables can extend from the sensor head through the adapter to the plug. The adapter can surround the cables on the circumferential side.With regard to the adapter, it has furthermore proven to be advantageous if the adapter is designed as an adapter housing. The adapter housing can thus provide the sensor device with sufficient stability and also enable a firm connection to the plug on the one hand and the sensor head on the other hand. The adapter housing may be disposed between the sensor head and the connector, that is, the sensor head and the connector may be disposed on opposite sides of the adapter housing. The adapter housing can be made of metal, in particular steel, in order to thus firmly connect the components to one another and have sufficient mechanical stability to be able to be used in a military vehicle as well. The wall thickness of the adapter or of the adapter housing can be selected such that it resists force influences to be expected even in the military sector. In the case of adapters which only meet one industry standard or one civil standard, this is not the case. These cannot be used in a military vehicle. The adapter housing can be adapted to the plug and / or to the sensor head in a geometric manner. Thus, the size of different sensor heads and / or plugs can also be taken into account.Furthermore, adequate shielding against environmental influences and also against electromagnetic radiation can be achieved via the adapter housing. The adapter housing can be configured as a milling or as a turned part. Overall, the adapter housing can have a rectangular or a square cross section.According to an advantageous development, it is provided that the sensor head and the plug lie in one axis. In this embodiment, the sensor device can have a more elongate geometry overall. The adapter can thus be tubular and the adapter can extend in the longitudinal direction between the plug and the sensor head.According to an alternative embodiment, however, it is also possible for the sensor head and the plug to be arranged at an angle, in particular at a right angle, to one another. Depending on the external circumstances, for example depending on the alignment of the connections of the processing unit and the required alignment of the sensor head for detecting the relevant measurement variables, an angular arrangement may be advantageous compared to an arrangement in an axis. The adapter can be angled accordingly in this embodiment. When the plug and the sensor head are arranged at a right angle to each other, the adapter may have a substantially L-shaped geometry in a side view.Furthermore, with regard to the object mentioned at the beginning, a method for producing a sensor device, in particular for producing a sensor device, as has been described above, is proposed. The method comprises the following steps:providing a sensor head (1), in particular providing a sensor unit having a sensor head (1) and a connector plug, and removing the sensor head (1) from the connector plug;removing the sensor head from the connector plug;providing a plug, in particular a safety plug;providing an adapter for adapting the sensor head to the plugconnecting the sensor head and the plug via a cable;mechanically connecting the sensor head and the plug to the adapter.The sequence of the method steps is not limited to the sequence indicated above.First, a sensor head is provided. This is in particular a sensor head which does not meet any military standard and which in this respect cannot be readily used in a military vehicle. Reference is also made to the above explanations concerning the sensor head of the sensor device. The sensor head can be provided by extracting a sensor head from a sensor unit, which in particular is civilian and only satisfies one industrial city. For this purpose, a sensor unit may first be provided. This sensor unit comprises a sensor head and a connector plug and in particular does not meet any military standard, so that this sensor unit cannot be used or is not allowed to be used in a military vehicle. Rather, this is a comparatively favorable sensor unit, which is usually used in the civil sector or in industry.In a next step, the connector plug is removed from the sensor head. As a rule, the connector plug and the sensor head are connected to one another via a cable. This cable can be cut through, so that the sensor head and the connector are then no longer contiguous. If the connector plug and the sensor head are also mechanically coupled to one another, this coupling can also be canceled, so that two separate components are present at the end. Both the connector plug and the sensor head can be elements from the civil or industrial sector. These are therefore not suitable and intended for use in a military vehicle. At the end, a sensor head was thus extracted from a sensor unit, so that it can be used as a single part for producing the sensor device. With regard to the configuration of the sensor head, reference is made to the above explanations relating to the described sensor device.In a next step, a plug, in particular a safety plug, is provided. With regard to the configuration of this plug, reference is made to the above explanations relating to the described sensor device. The plug thus advantageously satisfies a military standard and is thus usable in a military vehicle or suitable and intended for a corresponding use.In a next step, an adapter is provided for adapting the sensor head to the plug. With regard to the configuration of the adapter, reference is made to the above explanations relating to the described sensor device.Then, the sensor head and the connector are connected to each other via a cable, so that an electrical contact prevails between the sensor head and the connector. In this case, it can be provided that the cable of the sensor head is used, which cable was initially connected to the connector plug of the civilian sensor unit. Furthermore, it can be provided that the cable is stripped in order to connect it to the new plug.Finally, the sensor head and the plug are mechanically connected to one another via the adapter. The sensor head and the plug are for this purpose firmly connected to the adapter, as has also been described above. It can also be provided that first the plug or the sensor head is connected to the adapter, then the sensor head and the plug are connected to one another via a cable, and then the corresponding second element is connected to the adapter.For the rest, with regard to the configuration of the sensor unit, reference is made to the above.Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The following shows: FIG. 1 shows an adapter for a sensor device in various perspective views according to a first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 shows a sensor device in a perspective view according to a first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 3 shows the sensor device according to FIG. 2 in a plan view; FIG. 4 shows an adapter for a sensor device in various perspective views according to a second exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 shows a sensor device in a perspective view according to a second exemplary embodiment; FIG. 6 shows the sensor device according to FIG. 5 in a plan view; FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a sensor device; FIG. 8 shows a flow chart with the steps for producing a sensor device.The illustrations of FIG. 1 initially show an adapter 3 designed as a housing, by means of which an sensor head 1 can be mechanically connected to a plug 2. The adapter 3 has an L-shaped geometry in a side view, as can also be seen from the illustration of FIG. 3. That is, the sensor head 1 and the connector 3 are arranged at a right angle to each other. The illustration in FIG. 2 reveals the sensor head 1 connected to the adapter 3 and also the plug 2. The adapter 3 together with the sensor head 1 and the plug 3 together form a sensor device 10.In the exemplary embodiments shown, the sensor head 1 is designed as a proximity switch and of cylindrical geometry. The sensor head 1 and the plug 2 can also be seen in the exploded view according to FIG. 7. The plug 2 essentially consists of three different sections, namely a connection section 2.2, via which the plug 2 can be connected to a processing unit, a plug-in section 2.3, which in the connected state extends into the adapter 3, and a connecting flange 2.1, arranged therebetween, via which the plug 2 can be connected to the adapter 3.For connection, the adapter 3 has a plug connection section 3.2 which has a flange, as can be seen in the illustrations. For connection, the plug-in section 2.3 of the plug is now first inserted into the adapter 3. For this purpose, the adapter 3 has a corresponding opening in the region of the plug connection section 3.2. The connection section 2.2 thus also leads to a certain centering effect of the plug 2. The threaded sections of the screws 5 are not shown in the illustration of FIG. 7. The four screws provided in the exemplary embodiment extend through the connecting flange 2.1 of the plug 2 and can then be screwed into the adapter 3. In addition, a seal not shown in the illustrations can also be provided, so that no dirt or water can penetrate from the plug connection section 3.2 into the interior of the adapter 3.The connection section 2.2 of the plug 2 is of cylindrical geometry and has a plurality of bayonet bolts projecting in the radial direction. These bayonet bolts make it possible to produce a bayonet connection to a processing unit which cannot unintentionally be detached again or in the event of long-lasting vibrations. Accordingly, the plug 2 is designed as a safety plug.On the other hand, the housing or adapter 3 has an interface for the sensor head 1, which interface is designed as a sensor connecting section 3.1. The sensor head 1 has a screw-in section 1.1, which can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 7. This is provided with an external thread, so that the sensor head 1 can be screwed into the adapter 3. However, a part of the sensor head 1 still protrudes from the adapter 3 even after screwing in. This part is the actual measurement section, by means of which the distance to another element can be determined.In order to reliably secure the sensor head 1 in the adapter 3, a union nut 4 is provided. This can be screwed onto the measuring section, which can likewise be equipped with a thread. After the sensor head 1 has been screwed into the adapter 3, the union nut 4 screwed onto the sensor head can then be moved against the adapter 3 by rotation from the outside. By tightening the union nut 4, so that it exerts a certain force on the adapter 3 in the region of the sensor connecting portion 3.1, the sensor head 1 can thus be reliably secured to the adapter 3. The sensor head 1 can therefore also not be detached from the adapter 3 even in the event of vibrations or vibrations which last for a longer period of time.The embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6 only with regard to the geometry of the adapter 3. The adapter 3 shown in the illustrations of FIGS. 4 to 6 is of elongate geometry, so that the sensor head 1 and the plug 2 lie in one axis. In both exemplary embodiments, however, the adapter 3 otherwise has an approximately square profile in cross section with beveled edges and with a free inner cross section. The free internal cross-section extending through the adapter connects the connector connecting portion on the one side to the sensor connecting portion on the other side and allows the cable connecting the sensor head 1 to the connector 2 to pass through the adapter 3 and be protected by it. Due to the watertight connection of the sensor head 1 and the plug 2 to the adapter 3, the adapter 3 protects the cable as well as the connections of the cable to the sensor head 1 and the plug 2 in the interior of the adapter 3 from environmental influences and also from electromagnetic influences.The sensor device 10 shown can be used in a military vehicle, that is to say it meets the military standards to be complied with overall. The illustration of FIG. 7 now schematically shows a flow chart with a few steps for producing the sensor device 10. This is rather an inexpensive industrial sensor head.In step S 1, a sensor unit usable in the civilian or industrial field is first provided. This is not suitable for use in a military vehicle, since it does not comply with the required standards. However, this sensor unit is of favorable design for this purpose and is available on the market in large numbers. The sensor unit has a sensor head 1 and a connector plug, via which the sensor unit can be connected to a processing unit. Both the sensor head 1 and the connector do not correspond to any military standard.In step S 2, the sensor unit is then disassembled into its individual parts, i.e. the sensor head 1 is disassembled in particular. In this case, the cables, which are sometimes provided, are separated from one another between the sensor head 1 and the connector plug, so that the sensor head 1, which cannot be used alone in a military vehicle, remains at the end.In step S 3, this sensor head 1 is then connected to a new plug 2 which can be used in a military vehicle. The remaining components of the sensor unit are no longer required or can be used in another way. Furthermore, the plug 2 and the sensor head 1 are then connected according to step S 4 to the adapter 3 shown in the illustrations of FIG. 1 or 4.Due to the stability of the adapter 3, the fixed mechanical connection of the sensor head 1 and the plug 2 to the adapter 3 and also due to the design of the plug 2 as a security plug which can be used in a military vehicle, the entire sensor device 10 can finally be used in a military vehicle. It is thus possible to use an inexpensive industrial sensor unit as a starting material for producing a sensor device 10 usable in a military vehicle. As a result, the sensor device 10 can also be produced itself comparatively inexpensively overall. Sensor devices 10 available on the market, which can be used in a military vehicle and which meet these standards, are, on the other hand, significantly more expensive.Reference Number:1 Sensor head 1.1 Screw-in section 2 Plug 2.1 Connecting flange 2.2 Connecting section 2.3 Plug-in section 3 Adapter 3.1 Sensor connecting section 3.2 Plug connecting section 4 Union nut 5 Screw 10 Sensor device S 1 Method step S 2 Method step S 3 Method step S 4 Method step

Claims

Sensor device for use in a military vehicle, having a sensor head (1) for detecting a measurement variable and a plug (2) which is cable-connected to the sensor head (1) and is intended for connection to a processing unit, characterized byan adapter (3) for mechanical adaptation (3) of the sensor head (1) to the plug (2).Sensor device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the plug (2) can be mechanically coupled to the sensor head (1) via the adapter (3).Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (2) is designed as a safety plug.Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (2) meets a military standard.Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor head (1) is a civilian or an industrial sensor head.Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (3) has a sensor connection section (3.1) for connection to the sensor head (1) and a plug connection section (3.2) for connection to the plug (2).Sensor device according to claim 6, characterised in that the sensor head (1) has a screw-in section (1.1) for connection to the adapter (3), via which it can be screwed into the sensor connection section (3.1) of the adapter (3).Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor head (1) is secured to the adapter (3) by means of a union nut (4).Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (2) is screwed onto the adapter (1).Sensor device according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the plug connection section (3.2) is designed as a flange, wherein the plug (2) can be connected to the flange by means of a screw connection.Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cables for connecting the sensor head (1) and the plug (2) run through the adapter (3).Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (3) is designed as an adapter housing.Sensor device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor head (1) and the plug (2) lie in one axis.Sensor device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sensor head (1) and the plug (2) are arranged at an angle, in particular at a right angle, with respect to one another.

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