DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE FILL LEVEL OF A MEDIUM IN A CONTAINER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container, which device comprises a sensor device for detecting fill level information describing the fill level of a medium in a container and a fastening device for fastening the sensor device in a container.

[0002] Devices for determining the fill level of a medium in a container are known in principle from the prior art in a multitude of different embodiments.

[0003] Improvements and further development of such devices are particularly needed in connection with their installation within a container. This applies especially to ensuring the desired alignment and orientation of the respective sensor devices within the container.

[0004] The fastening devices of known devices thus generally enable the realization of a stable fastening of a respective sensor device in a container, however, the assembly effort - this applies in particular with regard to ensuring a desired alignment or orientation of the sensor device within the container - of the devices is comparatively high.

[0005] Devices of this type are known from documents DE 10 2019 126 38 A1, JP S5748616 A and US 2008 / 134778 A1. DE10352159A1 discloses a sensor module in which a fastening element is rotatably mounted on a sensor body.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container, particularly with regard to ensuring a desired alignment or orientation of the sensor device within a container.

[0007] The problem is solved by a device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the device.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container. The device is thus configured to determine the fill level of a fluid medium, such as a gas and / or a liquid, in a container, such as a tank. The device can, in particular, be configured to determine the fill level of, for example, oily or aqueous liquids, such as operating fluids, of a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, or of a machine, especially a construction or agricultural machine.

[0009] The device comprises a sensor assembly for detecting level information describing the fill level of a medium in a container. The sensor assembly is thus configured to detect level information describing the fill level of a medium in a container. The sensor assembly typically comprises at least one active or passive sensor element configured to detect such level information. This level information is typically transmitted via suitable, known connecting elements, such as signal lines, to an evaluation unit implemented in hardware and / or software that is associated with or linked to the device. Such an evaluation unit is typically configured to evaluate the level information with regard to the fill level of a medium in a container to be determined.Furthermore, a corresponding evaluation unit is typically configured to generate evaluation information describing an evaluation result and to output it to a user and / or a user-side terminal device via a suitable output device, such as a display device and / or a wired or wireless communication device. The device may therefore also include a corresponding evaluation unit and / or output device.

[0010] The device further comprises a mounting device for securing the sensor device in a container that can be filled with, or is already filled with, a medium whose fill level is to be determined. The mounting device is thus configured to secure the sensor device in a suitable container. In particular, the mounting device is configured to secure the sensor device in a defined orientation within a suitable container or within a suitable interior space, especially relative to a medium located in the container or interior space.

[0011] The fastening device comprises a housing body, in particular a hollow cylindrical or cylindrical shape. The housing body typically has a symmetrical, i.e., rotationally symmetrical, basic shape, particularly due to its hollow cylindrical or cylindrical shape, and thus typically defines a symmetry or central axis. The symmetry or central axis of the housing body may coincide with a longitudinal axis of the housing body.

[0012] The housing body comprises at least one mounting interface for attaching the sensor device to the housing body and at least one mounting element rotatably mounted on the housing body for attaching the mounting device, i.e., in particular the housing body together with the sensor device attached thereto, to or in a container. Functionally and structurally, the housing body is thus designed, on the one hand, via the mounting interface, such that the sensor device can be attached to the housing body, and on the other hand, via the mounting element, such that the housing body together with the sensor device attached thereto can be attached to or in a container.

[0013] The mounting interface for attaching the sensor assembly to the housing body can be, for example, a threaded connection, such as an external or internal thread. This threaded connection is designed to interact with a corresponding mating thread, such as an internal or external thread, on the sensor assembly to create a stable attachment of the sensor assembly to the housing body. In principle, any mounting interface that allows for a form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit attachment of the sensor assembly to the housing body is suitable.

[0014] From the above explanations, it follows that the mounting interface can be designed for the (damage-free or non-destructive) detachable attachment of the sensor assembly to the housing body. However, it is also conceivable that the mounting interface is designed for the (damage-free or non-destructive) permanent attachment of the sensor assembly to the housing body. As mentioned, form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit fastening methods are generally suitable for attaching the sensor assembly to the housing body.

[0015] The mounting interface can be located on or in the area of ​​a free end of the housing body. The free end can, for example, be a first free end of the housing body that is located opposite a second free end of the housing body. An evaluation device, as mentioned above, can be located on or in the area of ​​the second free end of the housing body.

[0016] Crucially, the fastening element is rotatable on the housing body with respect to its symmetry or central axis. The fastening element is thus rotatable about an axis of rotation, typically defined by the housing body's symmetry or central axis. This rotatable arrangement or mounting allows the fastening element to be rotated independently of the housing body. In particular, this rotatable arrangement or mounting allows the fastening element to be moved during the attachment of the device to or within a container without changing the alignment or orientation of the housing body and any attached sensor assembly. As mentioned, the fastening element is rotatable independently of the housing body, which, for example,This allows the fastening element to be screwed into a screw receptacle on or in a container without twisting the housing body and the attached sensor device, and thus changing its alignment or orientation.

[0017] This allows for a stable mounting of the sensor device to or inside a container with relatively simple assembly effort, ensuring the desired alignment or orientation of the sensor device within the container even during installation. Overall, this results in an improved device for determining the fill level of a medium in a container.

[0018] The housing body can have at least one stepped section radially oriented or extending with respect to a symmetry or central axis of the housing body; the housing body can therefore have different cross-sectional geometries. The fastening element can have at least one corresponding radially oriented or extending counter-stepped section; the fastening element can therefore have different cross-sectional geometries. The at least one stepped section on the housing body side and the at least one counter-stepped section on the fastening element side can be configured to interact by forming an axial stop. The axial stop is, in turn, configured to prevent axial movement of the fastening element towards a free end of the housing body opposite the at least one fastening interface.The stop device can also be described or considered a locking device, which—especially during the installation of the device—ensures a captive arrangement of the fastening element on the housing body. The at least one stepped section on the housing body side can therefore also be described or considered a stop element, and the at least one counter-step section on the fastening element side can also be described or considered a counter-stop element.

[0019] The stepped geometries of the housing body and the mounting element, resulting from the stepped and counter-stepped sections—that is, in particular the stepped outer geometry of the housing body and the stepped inner geometry of the mounting element—can be adapted to each other in such a way that the mounting element can be slid axially onto the housing body or moved or shifted relative to it (this typically occurs before the sensor assembly is attached to the housing body). However, axial movements of the mounting element relative to the housing body can be limited by a corresponding interaction of the respective stepped and counter-stepped sections, or the respective stop and counter-stop elements, and the resulting stop mechanism.

[0020] The interaction of the at least one stepped section on the housing body and the at least one counter-step section on the fastening element side further enables forces acting axially on the device, i.e., in particular the fastening device, to be converted at least partially into radial forces. In this way, the fastening element can be clamped onto the housing body.

[0021] The fastening element, which as will become apparent later may also be described or considered a clamping or clamping screw, in particular an internal clamping or clamping screw, can, analogous to the housing body, have a hollow cylindrical or cylindrical basic shape and thus a symmetrical, i.e., in particular a rotationally symmetrical, basic shape, and thus define a symmetry or central axis. The symmetry or central axis of the fastening element can coincide with a longitudinal axis of the fastening element.

[0022] The fastening element comprises a hollow cylindrical or hollow-shaped first fastening element section and at least one hollow cylindrical or hollow-shaped further or second fastening element section. The first fastening element section is provided with an engagement structure for a tool. The further or second fastening element section is provided with an external thread structure. Such an engagement structure can be formed by or comprise mutually oriented surfaces against which a tool, such as a wrench, pliers, etc., can engage. Such a thread structure can be formed by or comprise a threaded device, in particular an external threaded device.

[0023] The second fastening element section has at least one recess, in particular a slot-like or slot-shaped recess, extending axially at least partially towards the free end of the second fastening element. Due to a weakening intentionally created by a corresponding recess, the second fastening element section exhibits a certain degree of deformability or malleability, which allows it to deform or compress through interaction with a counter-fastening element of a container when the device is attached to or in a container. This results in the second fastening element section clamping or clamping the outer circumference of the housing body in the assembled state of the device, where it is attached to or in a container.

[0024] A corresponding recess can, for example, extend at least 50% of the axial length of the second fastening element section along it. In particular, a corresponding recess extends completely within the area of ​​a corresponding thread structure.

[0025] The second fastening element section can have several recesses, particularly those evenly distributed around its outer circumference, extending axially at least partially towards the free end of the second fastening element, and in particular having slot-like or slot-shaped recesses. The deformability of the second fastening element section described above is further enhanced by several such recesses. The respective recesses can be aligned parallel or non-parallel to one another.

[0026] The second or subsequent section of the fastener, which, like the entire fastener, is typically hollow cylindrical or cylindrical, usually has a constant inner diameter. This facilitates the manufacture of the fastener, which does not require any expansion in the area of ​​the second or subsequent section. The same applies to the first section of the fastener.

[0027] Returning to the mounting interface for attaching the sensor assembly to the housing body, it should be noted that this interface can be configured to mount the sensor assembly at an angle relative to a symmetry or central axis of the housing body. The mounting interface, which, as mentioned, can be a threaded connection such as an external or internal thread that interacts with a corresponding threaded connection on the sensor assembly, such as an internal or external thread, can itself be oriented at an angle relative to a symmetry or central axis of the housing body, resulting in the angled mounting of the sensor assembly to the housing body. This angled mounting can mean that the angle between the symmetry or central axis of the housing body and the sensor assembly is approximately 1 / 2 of its diameter.The central axis of the sensor device lies within a range between 0 and 180°, specifically between 1 and 179°, further specifically between 1 and 90°, further specifically between 10 and 60°, and further specifically between 15 and 50°. The aforementioned ranges encompass all angles between 0 and 180°, meaning the angle can, in principle, assume any value between 0 and 180°. Specifically, the angle between the symmetry or central axis of the housing and the symmetry or central axis of the sensor device is typically chosen with regard to a specific mounting situation. The angled arrangement typically necessitates an appropriate orientation of the sensor device within a fillable or filled volume enclosed by a container, in order to ensure the validity of the corresponding measurement results.

[0028] In all embodiments, the housing body and / or the fastening element can be made of a metallic material, such as an aluminum- or iron-based metallic material. However, housing bodies and / or fastening elements can also be made of other materials, such as plastics. Composite materials, i.e., materials made of chemically different materials or material groups, are also conceivable. The same applies to the sensor assembly.

[0029] A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a device according to the first aspect of the invention for determining the fill level of a medium in a container. The use of the device can also implement a method for determining the fill level of a medium in a container. The use or the method can also constitute an independent aspect of the invention.

[0030] All statements relating to the device according to the first aspect of the invention apply analogously to the use or the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0031] The invention is explained again with reference to exemplary embodiments in the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to an exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 2, 3 A schematic representation of a fastening element according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment in a longitudinal section view.

[0033] Device 1 is designed to determine the fill level of a fluid medium, such as a gas and / or a liquid, in a container (not shown), such as a tank. Device 1 can be configured, in particular, to determine the fill level of, for example, oily or aqueous liquids, such as operating fluids, in a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, or in a machine, especially a construction or agricultural machine.

[0034] The device 1 comprises a sensor device 2 for detecting level information describing the fill level of a medium in a container. The sensor device 2 is thus configured to detect level information describing the fill level of a medium in a container. The sensor device 2 typically comprises at least one active or passive sensor element 2.1, which is configured to detect corresponding level information. Corresponding level information is typically transmitted via suitable, known connecting elements 2.2, such as contacts, signal lines, etc., to an evaluation device 3 implemented in hardware and / or software. The evaluation device 3 is typically configured to evaluate corresponding level information with regard to the fill level of a medium in a container to be determined.Furthermore, the evaluation unit 3 is typically configured to generate evaluation information describing an evaluation result and to output it to a user and / or a user-side terminal device via a suitable output device (not shown), such as a display device and / or a wired or wireless communication device. The device 1 therefore also includes a corresponding evaluation unit 3 and / or output device.

[0035] The device 1 further comprises a fastening device 4 for securing the sensor device 2 in a container that can be filled with, or is already filled with, a medium whose fill level is to be determined. The fastening device 4 is thus configured to secure the sensor device 2 in a corresponding container. In particular, the fastening device 4 is configured to secure the sensor device 2 in a defined spatial orientation within a corresponding container or within a corresponding container interior, especially relative to a medium located in the container or container interior.

[0036] The fastening device 4 comprises a hollow cylindrical or sleeve-like housing body 4.1. Due to its hollow cylindrical or sleeve-like basic shape, the housing body 4.1 has a symmetrical, i.e., in particular a rotationally symmetrical, basic shape and thus defines a symmetry or central axis A1. In the exemplary embodiment, the symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the housing body 4.1.

[0037] The housing body 4.1 comprises a mounting interface 4.1.1 for attaching the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1 and a mounting element 4.2 rotatably mounted on the housing body 4.1 for attaching the housing body 4.1, together with the sensor device 2 attached thereto, to or in a container. Functionally and structurally, the housing body 4.1 is thus designed, on the one hand, via the mounting interface 4.1.1, such that the sensor device 2 can be attached to the housing body 4.1, and on the other hand, via the mounting element 4.2, such that the housing body 4.1, together with the sensor device 2 attached thereto, can be attached to or in a container.

[0038] In this exemplary embodiment, the mounting interface 4.1.1 is a threaded device, for example, in the form of an internal thread. The threaded device is designed to interact with a corresponding mating threaded device, for example, in the form of an external thread on the sensor device 2, thereby forming a stable mounting of the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1. In principle, any mounting interface 4.1.1 that enables a positive-locking, force-locking, and / or material-locking mounting of the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1 is suitable.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting interface 4.1.1 is configured for the (damage-free or non-destructive) detachable mounting of the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1. However, it is also conceivable that the mounting interface 4.1.1 is configured for the (damage-free or non-destructive) permanent mounting of the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1. As mentioned, form-fit, force-fit, and / or material-fit mounting methods are generally suitable for attaching the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1.

[0040] The fastening interface 4.1.1 is evidently arranged or formed in the exemplary embodiment at or in the area of ​​a first free end of the housing body 4.1. In the exemplary embodiment, the first free end is opposite a second free end of the housing body 4.1, at or in the area of ​​which the aforementioned evaluation device 3 is arranged or formed.

[0041] The essential feature is the rotatable arrangement or mounting of the fastening element 4.2 on the housing body 4.1 with respect to the symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1.

[0042] The fastening element 4.2 is thus rotatably arranged or mounted on the housing body 4.1 about an axis of rotation, typically defined by the symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1. The rotatable arrangement or mounting of the fastening element 4.2 therefore allows it to be rotated independently of the housing body 4.1. In particular, this rotatable arrangement or mounting of the fastening element 4.2 makes it possible to move the fastening element 4.2 during the attachment of the device 1 to or in a container without changing the alignment or orientation of the housing body 4.1 and the sensor device 2 attached to it. As mentioned, the fastening element 4.2 is rotatable independently of the housing body 4.1, which, for example, makes it possible to screw the fastening element 4.2 into a screw receptacle on or in a container without moving the housing body 4.1.1 together with the attached sensor device 2 to be rotated and thus changed in alignment or orientation.

[0043] In this way, a stable attachment of the sensor device 2 to or in a container is possible with comparatively simple assembly effort, which ensures a desired alignment or orientation of the sensor device 2 within the container even during assembly.

[0044] Based on Fig. 1 It is evident that the housing body 4.1 can have a stepped section 4.1.2 that is radially oriented or extending with respect to a symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1; the housing body 4.1 can therefore have different cross-sectional geometries. The fastening element 4.2 can have a corresponding radially oriented or extending counter-step section 4.2.1; the fastening element 4.2 can therefore have different cross-sectional geometries (see Figure 4.2). Fig. 3 , which shows the fastening element 4.2 in a longitudinal section view). The housing-side step section 4.1.2 and the fastening-element-side counter-step section 4.2.1 are designed to interact to form an axial stop device. The in Fig. 1 The visible axial stop device is designed to prevent axial movement of the fastening element 4.2 towards the second free end, and thus towards the free end of the housing body 4.1 facing away from the fastening interface 4.1.1. The stop device can therefore also be described or considered a locking device, which—this applies particularly to the assembled state of the device 1—ensures a captive arrangement of the fastening element 4.2 on the housing body 4.1. The stepped section 4.1.2 on the housing body side can thus also be described or considered a stop element, and the counter-stepped section 4.2.1 on the fastening element side can also be described or considered a counter-stop element.

[0045] The stepped geometries of the housing body 4.1 and the fastening element 4.2, resulting from the stepped and counter-stepped sections 4.1.2 and 4.2.1, i.e., in particular the stepped outer geometry of the housing body 4.1 and the stepped inner geometry of the fastening element 4.2, must be adapted to each other in such a way that the fastening element 4.2 can be slid axially onto the housing body 4.1 or moved or shifted relative to it (this typically occurs before the sensor device 2 is attached to the housing body 4.1). However, axial movements of the fastening element 4.2 relative to the housing body 4.1 can be limited by a corresponding interaction of the respective stepped and counter-stepped sections 4.1.2 and 4.2.1, respectively, and the respective stop and counter-stop elements and the resulting stop device.

[0046] The interaction of the at least one housing-side step section 4.1.2 and the at least one fastening-element-side counter-step section 4.2.1 further enables forces acting axially on the device 1, i.e., in particular the fastening device 4, to be converted at least partially into radial forces. In this way, the fastening element 4.2 can be clamped onto the housing body 4.1.

[0047] The fastening element 4.2, which as will become apparent in the following, may also be described or considered as a clamping or clamping screw, in particular as an internal clamping or clamping screw, has, analogous to the housing body 4.1, a hollow cylindrical or sleeve-like basic shape and thus a symmetrical, i.e., in particular a rotationally symmetrical, basic shape and therefore defines a symmetry or central axis A2, which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the fastening element 4.2 (cf. Fig. 3 ).

[0048] Based on the Fig. 1 , 2 , which shows the fastening element 4.2 in a perspective view (see Fig. 2 ) and a longitudinal section view (see Fig. 3 As shown in the figure, the fastening element 4.2 can have a first fastening element section 4.2.2, in particular a hollow cylindrical section, and a further fastening element section 4.2.3, in particular a hollow cylindrical section. In the exemplary embodiment, the first fastening element section 4.2.2 is provided with an engagement structure (not designated) for a tool. In the exemplary embodiment, the further fastening element section 4.2.3 is provided with an external thread structure. A corresponding engagement structure can be, as shown in the figure, Fig. 2 This shows that it is formed by or comprises surfaces oriented at angles to each other, against which a tool, such as a wrench, pliers, etc., can engage. A corresponding thread structure can be formed by or comprise a threaded device, in particular an external threaded device.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment, the further fastening element section 4.2.3 has several recesses 4.2.4, each extending axially at least partially towards a first free end of the second fastening element 4.2, and in particular slot-like or slot-shaped. Due to the weakening intentionally created by the corresponding recesses 4.2.4, the further fastening element section 4.2.3 exhibits a certain degree of deformability or malleability, which allows it to be deformed or compressed by interaction with a counter-fastening element of a container when the device 1 is attached to or in a container. This results in the further fastening element section 4.2.3 clamping or clamping the outer circumference of the housing body 4.1 in the assembled state of the device 1, in which it is attached to or in a container.

[0050] Based on Fig. 2 It is evident that the corresponding recess 4.2.4, for example, can extend over at least 50% of the axial length of the further fastening element section 4.2.3. In particular, the recesses 4.2.4 extend completely within the area of ​​the corresponding thread structure.

[0051] The further fastening element section 4.2.3, which, like the entire fastening element 4.2, is typically hollow cylindrical or cylindrical, has a constant inner diameter in the exemplary embodiment. This facilitates the manufacture of the fastening element 4.2, which does not require an expansion in the area of ​​the further fastening element section 4.2.3. The same applies to the first fastening element section 4.2.2.

[0052] In connection with the geometric-structural design of the fastening element 4.2, in connection with the one in the Fig. 2, 3 In the illustrated embodiment, it should also be mentioned that the first fastening element section 4.2.2 can be separated from the further fastening element section 4.2.3 by an intermediate fastening element section (not labeled). The fastening element 4.2 can therefore be – as shown in the illustration – Fig. 2, 3 evidently - exhibiting several geometrically distinguishable fastening element sections.

[0053] In connection with the mounting interface 4.1.1 for attaching the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1, it should be added that this – as shown by… Fig. 1As can be seen, the sensor device 2 can be set up to be attached to the housing body 4 at an angle relative to the symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1. In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting interface 4.1.1 itself is aligned at an angle relative to the symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1, resulting in the angled attachment of the sensor device 2 to the housing body 4.1. The angled attachment can, for example, mean that the angle between the symmetry or central axis A1 of the housing body 4.1 and the symmetry or central axis A3 of the sensor device 2 lies in a range between 1 and 179°, particularly in a range between 10 and 90°, further particularly in a range between 10 and 60°, and further particularly in a range between 15 and 50°. The angled arrangement typically necessitates a corresponding determination or measurement method with regard to the significance of the results.Measurement results: appropriate alignment of the sensor device 2 in a filling volume enclosed by a container and capable of being filled with a medium or already filled.

[0054] The housing body 4.1 and / or the fastening element 4.1 can be made of a metallic material, such as an aluminum- or iron-based metallic material. However, versions of the housing body 4.1 and / or the fastening element 4.2 made of other materials, such as plastics, are also conceivable. Composite materials, i.e., materials made of chemically different materials or material groups, are also conceivable. The same applies to the sensor device 2.

[0055] From the foregoing explanations in connection with the embodiments shown in the Fig., it can be seen that the fastening device 4, which can be implemented or has been implemented, for fastening the sensor device 2 to or in a container differs from known flange-like fastenings in that, apart from corresponding threads, no further fastening points on the container are necessary.

[0056] By using the device 1, a method for determining the fill level of a medium in a container can be implemented.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for determining the level of a medium in a container, comprising: - a sensor device (2) for detecting the level of a medium in a container descriptive level information; - a fastening device (4) for fastening the sensor device (2) in a container, the fastening device (4) comprises a housing body (4.1), in particular hollow cylinder-like or -shaped, with a fastening interface (4.1.1) for fastening the sensor device (2) to the housing body (4.1) and a rotatably mounted on the housing body (4.1) fastening element (4.2) for fastening the fastening device (4) to a container, wherein the fastening member (4.2) has a hollow cylindrical or -shaped first fastening member portion (4.2.2) and a hollow cylindrical or -shaped further or second fastening member portion (4.2.3), wherein the first fastening member portion (4.2.2) is provided with an attack structure for a tool and the further or second fastening member portion (4.2.3) with an external thread structure, characterized in that the further or second fastening element portion (4.2.3) has at least a slot-like or -shaped recess (4.2.4) extending at least axially in the direction of the free end of the further or second fastening element portion (4.2.3).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing body (4.1) has a symmetry or central axis (A1).

3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing body (4.1) has at least one with respect to the or a symmetry or central axis (A1) of the housing body (4.1) radially aligned or extending step portion (4.1.2) and the fastening element (4.2) has at least one corresponding radially aligned or extending counter step portion (4.2.1), wherein the at least one step portion (4.1.2) and the at least one counter step portion (4.2.1) are arranged to cooperate forming an axial stop device.

4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further or second fastening element portion (4.2.3) has several, in particular uniformly, externally distributed or formed, each at least axially in the direction of the free end of the further or second fastening element portion (4.2.3) extending, in particular slot-like or -shaped, recesses (4.2.4).

5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further or second fastening element portion (4.2.3) has a constant inner diameter.

6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting interface (4.1.1) is arranged to attach the sensor device (2) angularly relative to the or a symmetry or central axis (A1) of the housing body (4.1) to the housing body (4.1).

7. Use of an apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for determining the level of a medium in a container.