GAS DETECTOR WITH A COMPACT DESIGN

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gas measuring device with at least one measuring channel in which at least one sensor unit is arranged.

[0002] Gas detectors are used, for example, to test exhaust gases or combustible gases for specific substances, aerosols, or particles. Typically, all components in the gas detector are connected via hoses. However, these hoses can become kinked or pinched. Particularly in complex gas detector designs, hoses can be connected incorrectly or become loose at the connection point. This can complicate the exhaust gas test.

[0003] Plasticizers can dissolve from the hose material, causing it to become brittle and leaky. The cross-sections of the hoses vary at the transitions, resulting in different flow velocities and turbulence. This can distort the analysis results and complicate exhaust gas testing.

[0004] Conventional gas detectors typically use a variety of materials. The arrangement of components within the gas detector via tubing typically requires a large amount of installation space, which can make space-saving component arrangement difficult and also result in high manufacturing costs.

[0005] US 2014 / 309947 A1 discloses a gas measuring device in which two flat parts form a measuring channel.

[0006] Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to provide a gas measuring device with a simplified and compact design.

[0007] To achieve this object, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention. In particular, to achieve the stated object, in a gas measuring device of the type described at the outset, the invention proposes that the gas measuring device have a base body with a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is joined to the second part at an interface and the at least one measuring channel is formed in the interface, wherein at least one capillary is arranged in the at least one measuring channel, and the at least one capillary is formed as an insert part.

[0008] The advantage here is that the gas path can be realized via a base body and not via tubing. This means that the various components can be easily arranged in the base body without screw connections. This enables the creation of compact functionality. Another advantage here is that any hoses cannot be kinked or detached from the hose connection because there are no hoses. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the compact and space-saving design means that the space required for the assembly can be kept very small, which can reduce manufacturing costs. It is particularly advantageous if the interface is flat. This way, a relatively tight closure of at least one measuring channel can be achieved. Alternatively or additionally, the interface can be flat. This makes it possible to define a simple parting plane that separates the first part from the second part.An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that at least one dilution flow channel is additionally formed in the base body. This allows the measurement gas to be diluted to adapt to the sensitivity of the sensor.

[0009] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the second part of the base body is designed as a cover. The first part and the second part of the base body are joined together by means of a material-to-material connection. The invention takes advantage of the compact design that allows the individual components to be integrated into the gas measuring device in a material-to-material manner. This ensures that the components remain in place even when subjected to vibrations and impacts.

[0010] An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that the or a material-to-material connection of the interface is formed by laser welding. Alternatively, the material-to-material connection can be made by means of a different welding process. This has the advantage that no complex tubing needs to be plugged or installed. This can prevent manufacturing errors. In particular, one of the two parts of the base body can be transparent. Alternatively or additionally, the other part of the base body can be opaque. An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that the base body is designed as a carrier for at least one further connecting element, which is connected to the measuring channel via at least one connecting piece.

[0011] The invention provides that at least one capillary is arranged in the at least one measuring channel. Advantageously, the at least one capillary can act as a nozzle to regulate the measuring flow.

[0012] The invention provides that the at least one capillary is designed as an insert part. In particular, it is provided that a sealing wall of the at least one capillary is aligned in the direction of demolding of an injection-molded part. In this way, injection molding can be made possible without sliding parts. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one capillary can be connected back into the at least one measuring channel from the outside via the at least one connecting piece and the at least one connecting element. It is advantageous in this case that crossing points can also be formed along the course of the measuring channels.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that the at least one measuring channel has at least one pump designed to generate a volume flow. The pump can be a diaphragm pump, for example. This is advantageous because it allows for a sufficient volume flow and prevents damage caused by any liquid substances in the gas.

[0014] In particular, the volume flow is intended to be at least 100 ml per minute, preferably at least one standard liter per minute. The invention takes advantage of the fact that, on the one hand, gases are processed here and, on the other hand, the mass flows are much larger than, for example, in microfluidics.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that a damping volume of at least 75 ml is arranged in the at least one measuring channel. This is advantageous in that it can counteract the generated pumping pulses, allowing the pulses to be dampened. Alternatively or additionally, a mass flow meter can be arranged in the at least one measuring channel.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that the at least one sensor unit comprises a particle separator (impactor). This is advantageous because heavy particles can be separated by a redirected air flow or deflected air flow, and their mass or frequency can be evaluated.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that the at least one sensor unit comprises an optochemical sensor. This enables the detection of gaseous, for example, toxic and / or flammable, substances. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sensor unit can comprise an optoelectronic sensor. For example, scattered light measurement is also provided. This enables precise particle size analysis.

[0018] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from combining the features of one or more claims with one another and / or with one or more features of the exemplary embodiments.

[0019] It shows: Fig. 1 a gas measuring device with a base body made of two parts in an oblique view from the side, Fig. 2 a gas measuring device with a base body made of two parts according to Fig. 1 in a cross section in X and Z axes, where a measuring channel is visible, Fig. 3 a gas measuring device with a base body made of two parts according to Fig. 1 in a cross section in Y and Z axes, wherein the assembly of the first part with the second part can be seen at an interface in which a measuring channel is formed, Fig. 4 a gas measuring device with a base body made of two parts according to Fig. 1 in a cross-section in X and Y axes, where a capillary arranged in the measuring channel can be seen.

[0020] In the Figures 1 to 4 a gas measuring device 1 with a base body 2 is shown in various designs.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a gas measuring device 1 with a base body 2 in an oblique view from the side. Fig. 1It can be seen that the gas measuring device 1 comprises a base body 2 with a first part 3 and a second part 4. The second part 4 of the base body 2 is designed as a cover.

[0022] The first part 3 and the second part 4 of the base body 2 are held together by atomic or molecular forces, so that a material connection is created, whereby the connecting partners can only be separated by destroying the connecting means.

[0023] The Fig. 1 to 4 show that individual components of the gauge 1 are embedded and enclosed in the base body 2. In the embodiments according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2It can be seen that the component can be a filter 5, a pump 6, another pump 7, a damping volume 8, a mass flow meter 9 and a particle separator (impactor) 10. Further examples of the component of the gas measuring device 1 can be a capillary 11 and a connecting element 12, as shown in the Figs. 3 and 4 shown.

[0024] Out of Fig. 2 to 4 It is further evident that the first part 3 is joined to the second part 4 at a preferably flat and / or planar interface 13, in which a measuring channel 14 is formed. Through the formed measuring channel 14, the measuring gas can be guided to the damping volume 8 via a pump 6 and a mass flow meter 9, as can be seen from Fig. 2 The pump 6 is designed to generate a volume flow. The damping volume 8 arranged in the base body 2 can counteract the generated pumping surges, thus dampening the pulses.

[0025] In order to dilute the measuring gas and thus adapt it to the sensitivity of the sensor, in addition to the at least one measuring channel 14, at least one channel of a dilution flow 15 is formed in the base body, as the Fig. 2 shows. Accordingly, the base body 2 contains a further pump 7, a further mass flow meter 16 and a further damping volume 17 for the dilution gas.

[0026] The Fig. 1 , 3 and 4 show that at least one connecting element 12 is formed in the base body, which is connected to the measuring channel 14 via at least one connecting piece 18. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1It can be seen that three connecting elements 12, each with two connecting pieces 18, are formed in the base body 2. In further embodiments, a different number of connecting elements 12, for example, more than three or fewer than three, and a different number of connecting pieces 18, for example, more than two or fewer than two, are present. Thus, in special space conditions, the measuring channel 14 can be selectively connected to the corresponding connecting elements via existing connecting pieces.

[0027] Out of Fig. 3 It is also evident that a capillary 11 is arranged in the measuring channel 14. The capillary 11 can be

[0028] Nozzle regulates the measuring flow. The capillary 11 and the measuring channel 14 are sealed gas-tight against each other by a seal 19. To allow for intersection points in the measuring channel, the capillary 11 is connected from the outside back to the measuring channel 14 via the connecting piece 18 and the connecting element 12, as shown in the Fig. 3 shown.

[0029] The Fig. 1 further shows that a sensor unit (not shown here) arranged in the measuring channel 14 comprises a particle separator (impactor) 10 for detecting particles in the measuring gas.

[0030] According to the invention, it is therefore proposed to provide a gas measuring device 1 with at least one measuring channel 14 in which at least one sensor unit is arranged, wherein the gas measuring device 1 has a base body 2 with a first part 3 and a second part 4, wherein the first part 3 is assembled with the second part 4 at a preferably flat and / or planar interface 13 and the at least one measuring channel 14 is formed in the interface 13, wherein at least one capillary 11 is arranged in the at least one measuring channel 14 and the at least one capillary 11 is formed as an insert part. List of reference symbols

[0031] 1Gas measuring device 2Main body 3First part of the main body 2 4Second part of the main body 2 5Filter 6Pump 7Further pump 8Damping volume 9Mass flow meter 10Particle separator (impactor) 11Capillary 12Connecting element 13Interface 14Measuring channel 15Channel of a dilution stream 16Further mass flow meter 17Further damping volume 18Connecting nozzle 19Seal

Claims

1. A gas measuring apparatus (1), comprising: at least one measuring channel (14), including at least one sensor unit, a core body (2) including a first part (3) and a second part (4), wherein the first part (3) is assembled at the second part (4) at a flat or planar interface (13) and the at least one measuring channel (14) is configured in the flat or planar interface (13), characterized in that at least one capillary (11) is arranged in the at least one measuring channel (14) and the at least one capillary (11) is configured as an insert.

2. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the core body (2) includes at least one dilution flow channel (15).

3. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (4) of the core body (2) is configured as a cover, wherein the first part (3) and the second part (4) of the core body (2) are bonded together by a bonded connection.

4. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bonded connection is formed by laser welding, and in particular, wherein one or both parts of the core body (2) are configured transparent, and / or the other part is configured non-light permeable.

5. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core body (2) supports at least one additional connection element (12) that is connected through at least one connection spout (18) to the measuring channel (14).

6. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing wall of the at least one capillary (11) is oriented in a mold extraction direction of an injection molded component, and / or the at least one capillary (11) is connected through the at least one connection spout (18) and the at least one connection element (12) from an outside back into the at least one measuring channel (14).

7. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one measuring channel (14) includes a pump (6), advantageously a membrane pump configured to generate a volume flow, in particular, wherein the volume flow is at least 100 ml per minute, advantageously at least one standard liter per minute.

8. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one measuring channel (14) includes a damping volume (8) of at least 75 ml and / or a mass flow measuring device (9).

9. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit includes a particle precipitator (10).

10. The gas measuring apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit includes an opto-chemical and / or an opto-electronic sensor.