Sensor control housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor control housing (1) comprising: - a sensor housing (10), which extends along a first axis (X) and has a first housing end (11) and a second housing end (12), the sensor housing (10) being open at the first housing end (11), a securing region (13) being formed at the first housing end (11), and the sensor housing (10) having a first plug opening (14), - a first plug (20), which is situated in the first plug opening (14), - an electronics housing (30), which is secured to the securing region (13) and can be axially rotated relative to the sensor housing (10), and - an electronics cup (40) which extends along the first axis (X) and has a first cup end (41) and a second cup end (42), the electronics cup (40) being open at the first cup end (41), and the electronics cup (40) being designed and situated in the sensor housing (10) such that an axial channel (44) is formed between the sensor housing (10) and the electronics cup (40).

Description

[0001] Sensor control housing

[0002] The invention relates to a sensor control housing.

[0003] In analytical measurement technology, particularly in water management, environmental analysis, and industrial applications (e.g., food technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals), as well as for a wide variety of laboratory applications, measured parameters such as pH, conductivity, or the concentration of analytes (e.g., ions or dissolved gases) in a gaseous or liquid medium are of great importance. These parameters can be measured and / or monitored using electrochemical sensors, such as optical, potentiometric, amperometric, voltammetric, or coulometric sensors, or conductivity sensors.

[0004] If such sensors are to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, it is essential that the relevant standards regarding the design of the sensor and its housing for use in these environments are fully complied with. Therefore, when developing, for example, a sensor and its housing, safety plays a more important role than, for example, ease of use for the user. If the sensor housing has a separate cable connection for connecting to other sensors, it is usually of secondary importance whether this cable connection impairs the ease of use of the sensor.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a housing that is suitable for potentially explosive environments and at the same time allows for optimal user comfort.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a sensor control housing according to claim 1.

[0007] The sensor control housing according to the invention comprises: a sensor housing extending along a first axis and having a first housing end and a second housing end, wherein the sensor housing is open at the first housing end, wherein a mounting area is formed at the first housing end and the sensor housing has a first connector opening, a first connector arranged in the first connector opening, an electronics housing attached to the mounting area and axially rotatable relative to the sensor housing, an electronics cup extending along the first axis and having a first cup end and a second cup end, wherein the electronics cup is open at the first cup end, wherein the electronics cup is designed and arranged in the sensor housing such that an axial channel is formed between the sensor housing and the electronics cup, an electronics unit with at least one third connector,wherein the electronic unit is arranged in the electronic cup such that the third connector is located at the first end of the cup, a flexible circuit board with a first circuit board end and a second circuit board end, wherein the first circuit board end is electrically connected to the first connector, wherein the flexible circuit board has a fourth connector at the second circuit board end which is compatible with the third connector, wherein the flexible circuit board is arranged in the axial channel, wherein the fourth connector is connected to the third connector.

[0008] The sensor control housing according to the invention enables data to be read into and out of the sensor control housing via the first connector, while simultaneously guaranteeing maximum ease of use for the user through the rotatability of the electronics housing. For example, rotating the electronics housing does not cause any cable connected to the first connector to rotate along with it.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible circuit board has a rigid section and a flexible section, and the rigid section is arranged at the first end of the circuit board and the flexible section at the second end of the circuit board.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the flexible circuit board has an arc of essentially 90° at the flexible section. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first connector opening is arranged radially on the sensor housing.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor housing has an inner diameter transverse to the first axis, and the electronics cup has an outer diameter transverse to the first axis, wherein the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor housing has a second connector opening and the sensor control housing has a second connector, wherein the second connector is arranged in the second connector opening and is connected to the electronic unit.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronics housing has a display.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor control housing is suitable for potentially explosive environments and has a potting compound which fills the electronic unit with the electronic cup in such a way that the third connector can be connected to the fourth connector.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first plug is suitable for use in a potentially explosive environment and has a glass barrier which insulates the plug contacts of the first plug to a plug socket of the first plug.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following description of figures. The figures show:

[0017] - Fig. 1 : a schematic sectional view of a sensor control housing according to the invention,

[0018] - Fig. 2: an exemplary perspective view of a flexible circuit board from Figure 1 ,

[0019] - Fig. 3: a front view of the flexible circuit board from Figure 2, Fig. 4: a rear view of the flexible circuit board from Figure 2.

[0020] The sensor control housing 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 and comprises a sensor housing 10, at least one first connector 20, an electronics housing 30, an electronics cup 40, an electronics unit 50 and a flexible circuit board 60.

[0021] The sensor housing 10 extends along a first axis X and has a first housing end 11 and a second housing end 12. The sensor housing 10 is open at the first housing end 11. A mounting area 13 is formed at the first housing end 11. The mounting area 13 allows the electronics housing 30 to be rotatable about the first axis X relative to the sensor housing 10. The mounting area 13 includes, for example, an axially circumferential groove 16 (see Figure 1).

[0022] The sensor housing 10 has a first connector opening 14. The first connector opening 14 is preferably arranged radially, i.e., transversely to the first axis X with respect to an axis passing centrally through the first connector opening 14. The first connector opening 14 is located outside the mounting area 13. The first connector opening 14 is axially spaced from the mounting area 13. The sensor housing 10 preferably has a second connector opening 15, which is preferably arranged axially, i.e., at the first housing end 12. The sensor housing 10 has a wall thickness that complies with the regulations for potentially explosive atmospheres. The material of the sensor housing 10 is preferably metal. The sensor housing 10 has an outer diameter DA that extends transversely to the first axis X. Preferably, the outer diameter DA extends parallel to a second axis Y, which is orthogonal to the first axis X.

[0023] The first connector 20 is located in the first connector opening 14. The first connector 20 is connected to the electronic unit 50 via the flexible circuit board 60. The first connector 20 has an internal glass barrier 21 or other insulating barrier that isolates the plug contacts 22 from each other and from the connector socket 23. The first connector 20 complies with the regulations for potentially explosive atmospheres. The connector socket 23 is preferably made primarily of metal. The connector socket 23 is preferably welded to the sensor housing 10. The first connector 20 is, for example, an M12 8-pin socket, which is installed in the sensor housing 10 in such a way that the first connector opening 14 is pressure-tight and gas-tight. The first connector 20 is suitable for connection to a pressure gauge, an SPI-capable device, the sensor electronics of another sensor, or a service tool for raw data acquisition.Digital signals are preferably transmitted between the above-mentioned external units and the electronic unit 50 via the first connector 20.

[0024] The electronics housing 30 is attached to the mounting area 13 and is axially rotatable relative to the sensor housing 10. The electronics housing 30 preferably has a display 31 and / or other operating elements that allow the user to parameterize a sensor 2 connected to the electronics unit 50. Thanks to the rotatability of the electronics housing 30, the sensor 2 can be parameterized more easily by the user.

[0025] The electronic cup 40 is arranged in the sensor housing 10, extends along the first axis X, and has a first cup end 41 and a second cup end 42. The electronic cup 40 is open at the first cup end 41. The electronic cup 40 has an outer diameter DA, which extends transversely to the first axis X, preferably parallel to the second axis Y. The outer diameter DA is smaller than the inner diameter DI of the sensor housing 10. When the electronic cup 40 is arranged in the sensor housing 10, an axial channel 44 is formed between the sensor housing 10 and the electronic cup 40.

[0026] The electronic unit 50 is arranged in the electronic cup 40. The electronic unit 50 comprises, for example, a circuit board. The electronic unit 50 comprises, for example, a control unit such as a microcontroller. The second connector 51 is arranged on the electronic unit 50 such that it remains accessible for connection even after the electronic cup 40 and the electronic unit 50 have been potted. For this purpose, the electronic unit 50 is positioned in the electronic cup 40 such that the third connector 51 is located at the first end 41 of the cup. The third connector 51 is arranged so that it remains accessible for connection even after the electronic unit 50 has been potted.

[0027] The sensor control housing 1 preferably has a second connector 25. The second connector 25 is arranged in a second connector opening 15 of the sensor housing 10. In this case, the electronic cup 40 has a third connector opening 43 at the second cup end 42. The second connector 25 is arranged in the third connector opening 43 and is suitable for being partially encapsulated by potting compound 70. The second connector 25 is connected to the electronic unit 50. Preferably, the second connector 25 is soldered directly onto the electronic unit 50. The second connector 25 has an internal glass barrier 26 or another insulating barrier that isolates the connector contacts from each other. The second connector 25 complies with the regulations for potentially explosive atmospheres. The second connector 25 is preferably connected to the electronic cup 40 in a fluid-tight manner, for example, via a gasket.The second connector 25 is suitable for connection to a sensor 2. The sensor 2 is, for example, a differential pressure sensor. Analog signals are preferably transmitted from the sensor 2 to the electronic unit 50 via the second connector 25.

[0028] The electronic unit 50 preferably has a fifth connector 52, which is connected to the electronic housing 30, in particular to the display 31. The fifth connector 52 is arranged on the electronic unit 50 such that it remains accessible for connection even after the electronic housing 40 has been potted. For example, the fifth connector 52 is arranged on the electronic unit 50 such that when the electronic unit 50 is located in the electronic housing 40, the fifth connector 52 is positioned at the first end 41 of the housing. The fifth connector 52 is arranged such that it remains accessible for connection even after the electronic unit 50 has been (partially) potted.

[0029] Figures 2 to 4 show the flexible circuit board 60 with the first connector 20. The flexible circuit board 60 has a first circuit board end 61 and a second circuit board end 62, the first circuit board end 61 being electrically connected to the first connector 20. A fourth connector 63, which is compatible with the third connector 51, is arranged at the second circuit board end 62. The flexible circuit board 60 is preferably soldered to the first connector 20 at the first circuit board end 61. The flexible circuit board 60 preferably has a rigid section 64 and a flexible section 65. The rigid section 64 is located at the first circuit board end 61, and the flexible section 65 is located substantially at the second circuit board end 62, preferably between the first circuit board end 61 and the second circuit board end 62. The flexible circuit board 60 preferably has an arc of substantially 90° at the flexible section 65 when the fourth connector 63 is connected to the third connector 51 of the electronic unit 50.The rigid section 64 preferably extends between the arc and the second circuit board end 62. This allows the flexible circuit board 60 and the electronics cup 40 to be easily inserted into the sensor housing 10. Furthermore, this creates an extremely space-saving connection between the first connector 20 and the third connector 51.

[0030] The flexible circuit board 60 is preferably inserted through the first connector opening 14 with its first end 61 before the electronics cup 40 is inserted into the sensor housing 10. Thanks to the rigid section 64, the fourth connector 63 does not fall into the sensor housing 10 after the flexible circuit board 60 is inserted, and the electronics cup 40 can thus be easily inserted into the sensor housing 10. Connecting the fourth connector 63 to the third connector 51 of the electronics unit 50 is very easy thanks to the flexible section 65.

[0031] If the sensor control housing 1 is to be used in a potentially explosive atmosphere, it has a potting compound 70. The potting compound 70 fills the electronics cup 40 so that the third connector 51 can be connected to the fourth connector 63. The potting compound 70 connects the electronics cup 40 and the electronics unit 50, so that the electronics unit 50 is essentially protected from moisture and forms a single unit with the electronics cup 40. The potting compound 70 comprises an insulating material. The barrier for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere is shown schematically by the dashed line. Reference numeral list

[0032] 1 Sensor control housing

[0033] 2 Sensor

[0034] 10 sensor housings

[0035] 11 first end of housing

[0036] 12 first case end

[0037] 13 Mounting area

[0038] 14 first plug opening

[0039] 15 second plug opening

[0040] 16 Nut

[0041] 20 first plug

[0042] 21 glass barrier

[0043] 22 plug contacts

[0044] 23 Plug socket

[0045] 25 second plug

[0046] 26 glass barriers

[0047] 30 electronic enclosures

[0048] 31 Display

[0049] 40 electronic mugs

[0050] 41 first cup end

[0051] 42 second cup end

[0052] 43 third plug opening

[0053] 44 axial channel

[0054] 50 electronic units

[0055] 51 third plug

[0056] 52 fifth connector 60 flex board

[0057] 61 first circuit board end

[0058] 62 second end of circuit board

[0059] 63 fourth plug 64 rigid section

[0060] 65 flexible section

[0061] 70 Potting DA Outer diameter

[0062] DI inner diameter

[0063] X first axis

[0064] Y second axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sensor control housing (1) comprising: - a sensor housing (10) which extends along a first axis (X) and has a first housing end (11) and a second housing end (12), wherein the sensor housing (10) is open at the first housing end (11), wherein a mounting area (13) is formed at the first housing end (11) and the sensor housing (10) has a first connector opening (14), - a first plug (20) which is arranged in the first plug opening (14), - an electronics housing (30) which is attached to the mounting area (13) and is axially rotatable relative to the sensor housing (10), - an electronic cup (40) which extends along the first axis (X) and has a first cup end (41) and a second cup end (42), wherein the electronic cup (40) is open at the first cup end (41), wherein the electronic cup (40) is designed and arranged in the sensor housing (10) such that an axial channel (44) is formed between the sensor housing (10) and the electronic cup (40), - an electronic unit (50) with at least one third connector (51) , wherein the electronic unit (50) is arranged in the electronic cup (40) such that the third connector (51) is located at the first cup end (41) , - a flexible circuit board (60) with a first circuit board end (61) and a second circuit board end (62), wherein the first circuit board end (61) is electrically connected to the first connector (20), wherein the flexible circuit board (60) has a fourth connector (63) at the second circuit board end (62) which is compatible with the third connector (51), wherein the flexible circuit board (60) is arranged in the axial channel (44), wherein the fourth connector (63) is connected to the third connector (51).

2. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit board (60) has a rigid section (64) and a flexible section (65), and the rigid section (64) is arranged at the first circuit board end (61 ) and the flexible section (65) is arranged at the second circuit board end (62).

3. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the flexible circuit board (60) has an arc of substantially 90° at the flexible section (65).

4. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connector opening (14) is arranged radially on the sensor housing (10).

5. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor housing (10) has an inner diameter (DI) transverse to the first axis (X), and the electronics cup (40) has an outer diameter (DA) transverse to the first axis (X), wherein the inner diameter (DI) is larger than the outer diameter (DA).

6. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor housing (10) has a second connector opening (15) and the sensor control housing (1 ) has a second connector (25), wherein the second connector (25) is arranged in the second connector opening (15) and is connected to the electronic unit (50).

7. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronics housing (30) has a display (31 ).

8. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor control housing (1 ) is suitable for potentially explosive environments and has a potting compound (70) which fills the electronic unit (50) with the electronic cup (40) in such a way that the third connector (51 ) can be connected to the fourth connector (63).

9. Sensor control housing (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connector (20) is suitable for use in an explosive atmosphere and has a glass barrier (21 ) which insulates plug contacts (22) of the first connector (20) to a plug socket (23) of the first connector (20).

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