Housing, component arrangement, sensor arrangement, pressure sensor arrangement and gas sensor arrangement

Abstract

Housing having an interior with a first area and a second area, wherein the housing has an outer opening to the first area, an intermediate opening is formed between the first area and the second area, wherein the outer opening has a larger cross-section than the intermediate opening.

Description

[0001] The present application relates to an enclosure, a component assembly, a sensor assembly, a pressure sensor assembly and a gas sensor assembly.

[0002] Housings, which can be used for sensors such as pressure sensors, or other housings, are often exposed to various external influences. In many applications, it is necessary to create pressure equalization between the interior of a housing and the environment. In certain applications, the problem can arise that moisture or dirt or similar substances to which the exterior of the housing is exposed are not allowed to penetrate into the interior of the housing, or only to a small extent. Previous solutions for simultaneously creating pressure equalization and protecting the interior from dirt have various disadvantages. In certain cases, for example, there may be a risk that a construction can easily become clogged by dirt or similar. In other cases, such constructions can be mechanically or technically quite complex.

[0003] In view of this, an improved enclosure is provided. In particular, according to claim 1 and the independent claims, an enclosure or component arrangement and sensor arrangements and the like are provided which can at least partially overcome some or all of the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] Further advantageous embodiments and further technical advantages of the invention, which are present in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned problems to be overcome, are dealt with in embodiments, exemplary embodiments or subclaims.

[0005] All embodiments described below are designed to be combined with respect to their features, regardless of whether this is explicitly stated or not. However, the embodiments are not limited to this and may, as described, be present with isolated features.

[0006] According to a first embodiment, a housing is described. It has an interior space. This interior space is suitable for accommodating components in the housing. In particular, one or more electronic components can be accommodated in the interior space of the housing or housed in the interior space. The housing can have a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region can each have, for example, a chamber-like structure. The first region can, for example, be a pre-chamber and the second region can be a main chamber. However, the invention is not limited to chamber-like regions. The first region and the second region can generally be considered to be separated from one another, for example by structural or functional differences.

[0007] According to a further embodiment, which can build in particular on the aforementioned embodiment, an external opening can be formed in the housing. This can provide access between the first outer area and the exterior.

[0008] An external opening can be understood in this context, particularly in the general technical sense. In particular, it can be realized as one or more hole-like openings. These openings can be covered or sealed by nets, grids, or membranes. However, membranes or nets are preferably not provided. Such membranes or nets represent structures susceptible to clogging.

[0009] According to a further embodiment, which can build on the previously mentioned embodiments, an intermediate opening can be formed between the first region and the second region.

[0010] This design with an outer opening and an intermediate opening can have the advantage that it is more difficult for liquids or other contaminating substances to penetrate from the outside into the second area than if only a single outer opening were formed and if only a common interior space were formed without a first area and a second area.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, which in turn can build on the above-mentioned, the outer opening can have a larger cross-section than the intermediate opening.

[0012] The two-stage system shown here, with a larger outer opening and a smaller intermediate opening, makes the outer opening less likely to become clogged. At the same time, the second section can be well protected against penetrating contaminants by the narrower intermediate opening.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, which can build on the above-mentioned features, but in its most general form is not limited to what has been said about the intermediate opening, a labyrinth seal is formed between the first region and the second region.

[0014] A labyrinth seal is generally not limited and can, in particular, be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, however, a labyrinth seal can have at least one angled section in a cross-section of the housing. In this case, it can cause a change in the direction of the air path, which connects the second area to the second area.

[0015] A labyrinth seal or such an angled arrangement can provide improved sealing of the second area against any contaminants penetrating the first area.

[0016] As mentioned, the labyrinth seal is not limited to having a smaller cross-section than the outer opening. However, it may be preferred that an opening of the labyrinth seal be narrower in at least one direction than the widest direction of the outer opening.

[0017] In all embodiments described here, pressure equalization or pressure adjustment of the second region with the environment can be achieved via the outer opening and the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal. Thus, the second region can always be maintained at ambient pressure. This can be particularly important for a pressure sensor arrangement in which a relative pressure relative to the ambient pressure is determined. The embodiments described here can be comparatively resistant to clogging, while still providing good contamination protection for components in the second region.

[0018] According to the current state of the art, pressure equalization with the ambient air is often achieved through a small bore, which is prone to clogging and can lead to distorted measurement signals in sensor applications. Simply enlarging the bore can lead to increased dirt or moisture ingress. Covering the bore with membranes, grids, or similar devices can also have the disadvantage of increasing susceptibility to clogging.

[0019] On the other hand, the arrangement according to the invention can provide an improvement here, at least in individual application scenarios.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the labyrinth seal can represent or have an intermediate opening with the features defined therefor. It is preferred that a labyrinth seal be formed and, at the same time, the intermediate opening contained therein or consisting of it has a smaller cross-section than the outer opening. This can have the aforementioned advantages; in particular, the angled configuration of the labyrinth seal and the smaller cross-sectional opening result in improved sealing of the second region.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, which may be preferred, the labyrinth seal can have or describe a double-angled pressure equalization path in at least one cross-sectional direction of the component. The at least double or even greater angle can ensure good sealing of the second region. For example, the double angle can be realized in a Z-like structure in cross-section, with the angle of the lines to each other not being limited. It can, for example, be oriented perpendicular to the other two sections of the Z, but can also be angled.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the labyrinth seal can block a linear path between the outer opening and the second region. Similarly, according to another embodiment, the labyrinth seal can also be designed to block a linear path between the first region and the second region. In both cases, the direct propulsion of such contaminants into the second region can be reduced or prevented, particularly in the case of splashing or jet water or other corresponding media.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the housing embodiments described here can comprise a housing and a cover. The cover can be designed to close the housing. The housings are not limited to an installed state with a closed cover, but also relate to an ensemble consisting of an unassembled housing and cover.

[0024] In a case of an enclosure with a housing and a cover, according to one embodiment, the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal can be formed by the interaction of a housing structural component and a cover structural component.

[0025] In general, the intermediate opening or labyrinth seal can be formed by structural components inside the enclosure. For example, this can be achieved by the cover and housing. For example, both the housing and the cover can have a protruding structural component between which the intermediate opening or labyrinth seal is formed, thus structurally separating the first region from the second region. A corresponding offset of two such structural components, e.g., the housing structural component and the cover structural component, can contribute to the labyrinth seal being formed with at least one angled portion.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, according to one embodiment, a recess can be provided in each of the structural components, for example in the housing structural component and the cover structural component. In the case of the housing structural component and the cover structural component, this can be referred to as a housing structural component recess and a cover structural component recess. These recesses can form part of the connecting path between the first region and the second region. An intermediate opening can preferably also be defined in this way. For example, the housing structural component and the cover structural component can bear tightly against one another except for a region that is defined by the recesses and forms the connecting path or the intermediate opening.

[0027] Forming a labyrinth seal or an intermediate opening by a cover structural component and a housing structural component can be advantageous since these can be easily formed as part of the housing or the cover in terms of process technology.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the external opening can be formed in a side of the housing that is opposite a side on or in which the cover is arranged, or that is intended to be arranged on or in this side. This side can, for example, be an underside of the enclosure. This underside often faces other components within an application, which is why it is less directly exposed to environmental influences. This can better prevent contamination.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, a connection piece can be formed in the side opposite the cover side, which can be an underside of the housing. The connection piece can be designed in particular for a gas sensor or a pressure sensor application for connection to a system. In this case, one use can be, for example, a relative pressure sensor arrangement, wherein the connection piece is suitable for being connected to a system whose pressure is to be detected. Accordingly, in the case of a gas sensor arrangement, this can be connected to a system to be detected. In particular, an advantageous interaction with the aforementioned embodiment can result, since the outer opening and the connection piece are formed on the same side.This can have the advantage of allowing the external opening to face parts of the system, which can help make the external openings difficult to access for contamination.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the outer opening can be 3 mm 2 or larger. The inventors of the present invention have found that with the above-mentioned measures it may be possible to achieve comparatively large external openings of 3 mm 2 or larger. Alternatively, a single opening can also be at least 3 mm 2 large. In this case, several openings can be provided, of which at least one 3 mm 2 or larger.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the outer opening can be designed as two slots or as at least two slots. The term "slot" can correspond to the general technical understanding here. In particular, this can be a type of opening that is longer in one direction than in another direction perpendicular to it. The slots can, for example, and preferably, have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. One or the sum of both slots can have the above-mentioned cross-sectional area. Slots of this size can be used with the above-mentioned measures without a great risk of excessively high levels of contamination in the second area.

[0032] According to a further aspect, at least parts of the interior or the entire interior or at least either the entire first region or the entire second region can have a roughness Rz of greater than or equal to 10.5. Such roughness can contribute to incoming contamination having a harder time hitting or touching any arranged components, but rather, for example, contamination in the first region can more easily stick to the walls and remain there. The inventors have discovered that a rough surface can contribute to reducing the contamination that reaches the second region. The inventors suspect that the effect could be caused, for example, by the "breaking" of surface tension of liquids. They suspect that this influences the transport of liquids in the component. For example, capillary forces could be reduced.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, a component arrangement is described. The component arrangement has the aforementioned housing. An electronic component is arranged in the housing. In one embodiment, this component can preferably be arranged in the second region of the housing. By arranging the electronic component in the second region, contamination of the component can be reduced, resulting in the aforementioned advantages. The electronic component can, for example, be a printed circuit board or a component on a printed circuit board.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the component arrangement, at least a portion of the surface of the electronic component facing the inlet of the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal in the second region can be covered by a passivation. Thus, it may be preferred for one side of the electronic component to face a bottom surface of the housing. Another side of the electronic component can be at least partially covered by a passivation. Such a passivation can protect the electronic component or any particularly sensitive electronic components or subcomponents of the electronic components from penetrating media or contamination that overcomes the aforementioned measures. In particular, such a passivation can contribute to the particularly advantageous use of the aforementioned measures, since contamination-prone measures such as membranes do not need to be used.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the passivation can preferably cover all surfaces of the electronic component exposed relative to the entrance of the intermediate opening or labyrinth seal into the second region. The passivation can generally completely cover the electronic component or several electronic components. The above-mentioned advantages are enhanced accordingly.

[0036] In general, passivation is not limited and can, for example, be any type of encapsulation. According to a preferred embodiment, a gel can be used for the passivation. Alternatively, solid or foam-like passivations can be used. The gel can be, for example, a silicone gel. Alternative passivations can be, for example, a fluorosilicone or an encapsulation made of epoxy or polyurethane. These can be gel-like, foam-like, or solid in individual cases. It can be, for example, a gel encapsulation.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, a sensor arrangement is provided. This arrangement has the aforementioned features of the component arrangements. Thus, in particular, a sensor arrangement comprising a previously described housing and an electronic component is described. Furthermore, the sensor arrangement has a sensor function, which is provided, for example, by a suitable sensor component.

[0038] Accordingly, according to a further embodiment, a pressure sensor arrangement is described which has the features of the above-mentioned component arrangement and additionally has a pressure sensor function. Thus, the pressure sensor arrangement has, in particular, an electronic component which is arranged in the second region of the housing. In particular, a pressure-sensitive element can be provided to implement the pressure sensor function. The pressure sensor arrangement can, in particular, represent a relative pressure sensor which measures the pressure relative to the external pressure. In such a case, a connection to a medium or a system containing the medium whose pressure is to be determined can be established via the above-described connecting piece.

[0039] Accordingly, according to a further embodiment, a gas sensor arrangement can also be provided that has the features of the aforementioned component arrangement. In particular, the gas sensor arrangement has the previously described housing, with an electronic component arranged in the second region thereof. Furthermore, the gas sensor arrangement has a gas sensor function.

[0040] Furthermore, the use of the above-mentioned housing for the component arrangement, the sensor arrangement, the gas sensor arrangement and the pressure sensor arrangement with the associated features is generally described.

[0041] Further embodiments may emerge from the explanations of the exemplary embodiments described below. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown below. In particular, one exemplary embodiment is explained with reference to various figures. In the figures, both absolute dimensions and ratios may be distorted. The invention is not limited to the dimensions or ratios shown. Unless otherwise stated, no dimensions or ratios can generally be inferred from the figures. Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a pressure sensor arrangement. Fig. 2 shows a view of the underside of the embodiment of the pressure sensor arrangement. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view centrally along the longitudinal axis through the pressure sensor arrangement according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a perspective oblique view of the underside of the cover of the embodiment of the pressure sensor arrangement.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a pressure sensor arrangement. Fig. 2 shows a view from the bottom of the pressure sensor assembly. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view, which follows the cutting direction from left to right through the center of the Fig. 2 shown view perpendicular to the plane of the illustration. The corresponding cover 3 of the pressure sensor assembly is shown separately in Fig. 4 shown.

[0043] The pressure sensor assembly has a housing 1. The housing 1 consists of a casing 2, which forms a lower part, and a cover 3, which closes the casing 2. Further components are arranged in the housing 1. For example, a printed circuit board 4 is arranged at the bottom of a main chamber 22 of the interior of the casing 2 by means of an adhesive bond 8.

[0044] The adhesive 8 here is a circumferential adhesive following the shape of the underside of the circuit board 4. The adhesive 8 shown, which is arranged along the lower circumferential line of the circuit board 4, has the advantage that it can enable bubble-free venting if a corresponding exhaust hole is provided in the bottom of the housing 2. This is not shown here. In principle, any adhesive can be used to attach the circuit board 4.

[0045] The printed circuit board 4 itself represents a type of electronic component. It also has various electronic components mounted on or in the printed circuit board 4. These can be identified as the small structures in the figures, but are not given a reference number for ease of illustration. Connecting lines 6 are provided in the housing 2. These are connected to electronic components or corresponding contact points on the printed circuit board via wiring 5. The lines 6 lead to a contact plug 10. The contact plug 10 can be used to contact the electronics with a complementary connector, for example, to be read or controlled.

[0046] Furthermore, the housing 2 has a connector 9. This is designed to connect the pressure sensor assembly 1 to a system to be measured. This allows the pressure of the corresponding system to be determined relative to the external pressure. The connection to the external system can be established using the seal 11. The corresponding connection structure can be designed as a stuffing seal.

[0047] As particularly in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the circuit board 4 with the electronic components contained therein is arranged in the main chamber 22. The entire upper side is covered with a form-fitting gel layer 7. This gel layer 7 extends from all outer walls of the space bounding the main chamber over all otherwise exposed parts of the circuit board 4. The gel layer 7 represents a form of passivation.

[0048] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, a pressure sensor 13 is arranged inside the main chamber 22 on the bottom surface at the chamber-side end of the connecting piece 9. This sensor measures a relative pressure between the pressure of the system to be measured acting on the interior of the connecting piece 9 and the external pressure present in the main chamber 22.

[0049] The external pressure in the main chamber 22 is maintained by the Fig. The prechamber 21 communicates with the environment via the outer openings 24a, 24b shown in Figure 2, which together generally form the outer opening 24. In other words, the outer opening 24 leads into the prechamber 21.

[0050] The pre-chamber 21 represents a possible configuration of the first region, as defined above. The main chamber 22 represents a possible configuration of the second region, as defined above.

[0051] The main chamber 22 is separated from the prechamber 21 by the structures of a labyrinth seal. For this purpose, the cover 3 has a cover structural component 33. The housing 2 also has a housing structural component 23. These are formed by wall sections that protrude into the interior of the housing. The position of the housing structural component 23 and the cover structural component 33 forms the labyrinth seal, which forms a double-angled path between the prechamber 21 and the main chamber 22.

[0052] The labyrinth seal can basically be formed solely by the housing structure component 23 and the cover structure component 33 having a certain offset to each other, whereby a kind of gap and thus the intermediate opening 12 is formed, as shown in Fig. 3. At least along one direction, the intermediate opening 12 thus formed has a smaller opening than the outer openings 24.

[0053] Preferred and recognizable by the exploded view in Fig. 1 and the separate drawing of the lid in Fig. 4, both the cover structural component 33 and the housing structural component 23 have a cover structural component recess 33a and a housing structural component recess 23a, respectively. These semicircular recesses form the intermediate opening 12, which thereby has a channel-like shape. The channel-like shape formed here has the advantage over the previously described gap-like shape, which would be formed by a purely offset housing structural component and cover structural component, that it seals the main chamber 22 even better.

[0054] The common cross-section or the common cross-sectional area of ​​the outer openings 24a and 24b is at least 3 mm 2 . The intermediate opening 12 has a smaller cross-section than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outer openings.

[0055] Furthermore, the labyrinth seal here features a double-angled deflection of the air or external pressure path, which connects the pre-chamber 21 with the main chamber 22. The path described by the air or access here is essentially Z-shaped, with the center part of the "Z" not slanted to the other parts, but perpendicular.

[0056] This arrangement has several advantages. First, due to the difference in size, a medium such as moisture that enters the pre-chamber 21 from the outside has difficulty entering the main chamber 22. Furthermore, the gel 7 provides additional protection for the electronic components should a medium penetrate the structure.

[0057] In particular, the design of the labyrinth seal can block a direct path between the outer openings 24 and the main chamber 22, whereby, for example, splash water or directly linearly penetrating dirt cannot enter the main chamber 22.

[0058] Furthermore, the entire interior, i.e. all components of the cover 3 and the housing 2, has a roughness of greater than or equal to 10.5, which has the advantage that, as explained at the beginning, dirt can hardly penetrate into the interior. List of reference symbols 1 enclosure 2 housings 3 lids 4 circuit board 5 wirings 6 lines 7 Gellage 8 Bonding 9 Connector 10 contact plugs 11 Seal 12 Intermediate opening 21 Antechamber 22 Main Chamber 23 Housing structural component 23a Housing structural component recess 24, 24a, 24b Outer opening 33 Lid structural component 33a Cover structural component recess

Claims

[1] Enclosure comprising an interior with a first area and a second area, wherein the housing has an outer opening to the first area, an intermediate opening is formed between the first area and the second area, wherein the outer opening has a larger cross-section than the intermediate opening. [2] Enclosure comprising an interior with a first area and a second area, wherein the enclosure has an external opening to the first area, and a labyrinth seal is formed between the first area and the second area. [3] Enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the labyrinth seal is or has an intermediate opening and wherein the outer opening has a larger cross-section than the intermediate opening. [4] Housing according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the labyrinth seal describes a double-angled pressure equalization path at least in one cross-sectional direction of the component. [5] An enclosure according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the labyrinth seal blocks a linear path between the outer opening and the second region. [6] An enclosure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the labyrinth seal blocks a linear path between the first region and the second region. [7] Housing according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second region is adapted to receive an electronic component. [8] Enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 7, which comprises a housing and a cover, wherein the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal is formed by the interaction of a housing structural component and a cover structural component. [9] Housing according to claim 8, wherein a recess is formed in the housing structural component and / or in the cover structural component. [10] Enclosure according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the outer opening is formed in a bottom side of the housing opposite the side of the cover. [11] Enclosure according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the housing has a connector in a bottom side of the housing opposite the side of the cover. [12] Enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the outer opening has at least a cross-sectional area of ​​3 mm 2 has. [13] Enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the outer opening is designed as at least two slots. [14] Housing according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least parts of the interior of the housing have a roughness Rz of greater than or equal to 10.

5. [15] Component arrangement comprising an electronic component which is arranged in the second region of the housing according to at least one of claims 1 to 14. [16] Component arrangement according to claim 15, wherein at least a part of the surface of the electronic component facing the inlet of the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal is covered by a passivation. [17] Component arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the passivation is a gel. [18] Sensor arrangement which is or comprises the component arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 17 and which has a sensor function. [19] Pressure sensor arrangement which is or comprises the component arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 17 and which has a pressure sensor function. [20] Gas sensor arrangement which is or comprises the component arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 17 and which has a gas sensor function.

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