Enclosure, component arrangement, sensor arrangement, pressure-sensor arrangement and gas-sensor arrangement

Abstract

An enclosure with a first region and a second region is provided, wherein the enclosure has an outer opening in relation to the first region, an intermediate opening or a labyrinth seal is formed between the first region and the second region, and wherein, in the case of the intermediate opening, the outer opening has a larger cross section than the intermediate opening.

Description

[0001] P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Enclosure, component arrangement, sensor arrangement, pressure sensor arrangement and gas sensor arrangement

[0005] The present application relates to an enclosure, a component arrangement, a sensor arrangement, a pressure sensor arrangement and a gas sensor arrangement.

[0006] Enclosures, such as those used for sensors like pressure sensors, or other types of enclosures, are frequently exposed to various external influences. In many applications, it is necessary to equalize pressure between the interior of an enclosure and the surrounding environment. In various applications, the problem can arise that moisture, dirt, or similar substances to which the exterior of the enclosure is exposed must not, or only to a limited extent, penetrate the interior. Existing solutions that simultaneously create pressure equalization and protect the interior from contamination have several disadvantages. In some cases, for example, there is a risk that such a design could easily become clogged by dirt or similar substances. In other cases, such designs can be mechanically or technically quite complex.

[0007] In light of this, an improved enclosure is provided. In particular, according to claim 1 and / or the dependent claims, an enclosure or component arrangement and sensor arrangements and the like are provided, which incorporate some P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0008] 2 or at least partially overcome some of the problems mentioned above.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments and further technical advantages of the invention, which exist in addition to or instead of the aforementioned problems to be overcome, are discussed in embodiments, examples or dependent claims.

[0010] All implementation forms described below are designed to be combined with respect to their features, regardless of whether this is explicitly stated or not. However, the implementation forms are not limited to this and can, as described, exist with isolated features.

[0011] According to a first embodiment, an enclosure is described. This enclosure has an interior space. This interior space is suitable for accommodating components within the enclosure. In particular, one or more electronic components can be accommodated within the interior space of the enclosure. The enclosure can have a first area and a second area. The first area and the second area can each, for example, have a chamber-like structure. The first area can, for example, be an antechamber and the second area can be a main chamber. However, the invention is not limited to chamber-like areas. The first area and the second area can generally be considered to be separated from each other, for example, by structural or functional differences. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0012] 3

[0013] According to another embodiment, which can build upon the aforementioned embodiment in particular, an external opening can be formed in the enclosure. This can provide access between the first external area and the outer surface.

[0014] An external opening can be understood here in a general technical sense. In particular, it can be realized as one or more hole-like openings. These openings can be covered or closed by meshes, grids, or membranes. Preferably, however, no membranes or meshes are used. Such membranes or meshes represent structures prone to clogging.

[0015] According to another design form which can build on the previously mentioned design forms, an intermediate opening can be formed between the first area and the second area.

[0016] This design with an outer opening and an intermediate opening can have the advantage that liquids or other contaminating substances are more difficult 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 without a first and second area were formed.

[0017] According to another embodiment, which in turn can build upon the aforementioned one, the outer opening can have a larger cross-section than the intermediate opening. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0018] 4

[0019] The two-stage system described above, with a larger outer opening and a smaller intermediate opening, makes it less likely that the outer opening will become clogged. At the same time, the narrower intermediate opening provides good protection against the ingress of contaminants in the second area.

[0020] According to another 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 area and the second area.

[0021] A labyrinth seal is not inherently limited and can be understood, particularly by those skilled in the art. Specifically, a labyrinth seal can exhibit at least one angled section in the cross-section of the housing. In this case, it can cause a change in the direction of the air path, connecting the second area with the first.

[0022] A labyrinth seal or such an intricate design can provide an improved seal for the second area against any contaminants that might penetrate into the first area.

[0023] As mentioned, the labyrinth seal is not limited to having a smaller cross-section than the outer opening. However, it may be preferable for an opening of the labyrinth seal to be narrower in at least one direction than the widest direction of the outer opening. P2024, 0772 WO N 4 August 2025

[0024] 5

[0025] In all the designs described here, pressure equalization or pressure matching of the second area with the environment can occur via the external opening and the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal. This allows the second area to be kept at ambient pressure at all times. This can be particularly important for a pressure sensor arrangement in which a relative pressure is measured relative to the ambient pressure. The designs described here can be relatively resistant to clogging, while still providing good protection against contamination for components in the second area.

[0026] According to current technology, pressure equalization with the environment is often achieved via 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 it with membranes, grilles, or similar materials can also have the disadvantage of increased susceptibility to clogging.

[0027] However, the arrangement according to the invention can provide an improvement in at least some application scenarios.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the labyrinth seal can form or have an intermediate opening with the features defined for this purpose. It is preferred that a labyrinth seal is formed and that the intermediate opening contained therein or consisting of it has a smaller cross-section than the outer opening. This can provide the aforementioned advantages. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0029] 6 have, in particular the angularity of the labyrinth seal and the smaller cross-sectional opening result in an improved sealing of the second area.

[0030] According to another 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 double or even greater degree of angulation allows for effective sealing of the second area. For example, the double angulation can be realized in a Z-shaped cross-section, where the angles between the lines are not limited. It can be oriented, for example, perpendicular to the other two sections of the Z, but also at an angle.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the labyrinth seal can block a linear path between the outer opening and the second area. Similarly, according to another embodiment, the labyrinth seal can also be designed to block a linear path between the first area and the second area. In both cases, particularly with splashing or jet water or other similar media, the direct propulsion of such contaminants into the second area can be reduced or prevented.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the enclosures described here can have a housing and a lid. The lid can be designed to close the housing. The enclosures are not intended for an installed state with the lid closed (P2024, 0772 WO N 4, August 2025).

[0033] 7 limited, but also affect an ensemble of unassembled housing and lid.

[0034] In the case of an enclosure with housing and lid, the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal can be formed by the interaction of a housing structure component and a lid structure component, according to one design.

[0035] In general terms, the intermediate opening or labyrinth seal can be formed by structural components within the enclosure. For example, this can be achieved by the lid and the housing. Both the housing and the lid can have a protruding structural component between which the intermediate opening or labyrinth seal is formed, thus structurally separating the first area from the second. A corresponding offset between two such structural components, e.g., the housing structural component and the lid structural component, can contribute to the labyrinth seal having at least one angle.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, according to one embodiment, a recess can be provided in each of the structural components, e.g., in the housing structure component and the cover structure component. In the case of the housing structure component and the cover structure component, one can speak of a housing structure component recess and a cover structure component recess. These recesses can form part of the connection path between the first area and the second area. Preferably, this can be done in accordance with P2024, 0772 WO N 4, August 2025.

[0037] 8. An intermediate opening may also be defined. For example, the housing structure component and the cover structure component can fit snugly against each other except for an area defined by the recesses, which forms the connection path or the intermediate opening.

[0038] Forming a labyrinth seal or an intermediate opening through a cover structure component and a housing structure component can be advantageous, as these can be easily formed as part of the housing or the cover in terms of process engineering.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the external opening can be formed on a side of the housing that is opposite the side on or in which the cover is located, or which is intended to have the cover located. This side can, for example, be the underside of the enclosure. Within an application, this underside is often oriented towards other components, and therefore less directly exposed to environmental influences. This helps to prevent contamination.

[0040] According to another embodiment, a connector can be formed on the side opposite the cover, which may be the underside of the housing. The connector may be designed, in particular, for a gas sensor or pressure sensor application for connection to a system. One use in this case could be, for example, a relative pressure sensor arrangement, where the connector is suitable for connection to a system whose pressure is to be measured. (See P2024, 0772 WO N 4 August 2025)

[0041] 9. In the case of a gas sensor arrangement, this can be connected to a system to be detected. In particular, an advantageous interaction can result with the aforementioned embodiment, since the external opening and the connection piece are formed on the same side. This can have the advantage that the external opening can face parts of the system, which can help to make the external openings difficult to access for contamination.

[0042] According to another design, the entire 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 create comparatively large external openings of 3 mm. 2 or larger. Alternatively, a single opening can also be at least 3 mm. 2be large. In this case, several openings can be provided, at least one of which must be 3 mm. 2 or larger.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the external opening can be configured as two slots or as at least two slots. The term "slot" here can correspond to the general technical understanding. In particular, it can be a type of opening which is longer in one direction than in another perpendicular direction. The slots can, for example, and preferably, have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. One or the sum of both slots can have the aforementioned cross-sectional area. Slots of this size can be used with the above-mentioned measures without a significant risk of excessively high levels of contamination in the second area. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0044] 10

[0045] According to another aspect, at least parts of the interior, or the entire interior, or at least either the first area completely or the second area completely, can have a roughness Rz of greater than or equal to 10.5. Such roughness can help to make it more difficult for contaminants to hit or touch any installed components, but rather, for example, contaminants in the first area adhere more easily to the walls and remain there. The inventors have found that a rough surface can help to reduce the amount of contamination reaching the second area. The inventors suspect that this effect could be partly due to the "breaking" of surface tensions of liquids. They suspect that this influences the transport of liquids within the component. For example, capillary forces could be reduced.

[0046] According to another embodiment, a component arrangement is described. This component arrangement includes the aforementioned enclosure. An electronic component is arranged within the enclosure. In one embodiment, this component can preferably be located in the second area of ​​the enclosure. Arranging the electronic component in the second area reduces contamination and results in the aforementioned advantages. The electronic component can, for example, be a printed circuit board or a component on a printed circuit board.

[0047] According to another embodiment of the component arrangement, at least part of the surface of the electronics- P2024 , 0772 WO N 4 . August 2025

[0048] The component facing the inlet of the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal in the second area must be covered by a passivation layer. It may be preferred that one side of the electronic component faces a bottom surface of the enclosure. Another side of the electronic component may be at least partially covered by a passivation layer. Such passivation can protect the electronic component, or any particularly sensitive electronic components or sub-components thereof, from penetrating media or contaminants that would otherwise overcome the aforementioned measures. In particular, such passivation can facilitate the advantageous use of the aforementioned measures, as it eliminates the need for contamination-prone measures such as membranes.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the passivation can preferably cover all surfaces of the electronic component exposed in relation to the entrance of the intermediate opening or the labyrinth seal in the second region. The passivation can generally cover the entire electronic component or several electronic components. The aforementioned advantages are thus enhanced accordingly.

[0050] In general, passivation is not limited and can, for example, be any type of potting compound. According to a preferred implementation, a gel can be used for passivation. Alternatively, solid or foam passivations can be used. The gel can, for example, be a silicone gel. Alternative passivations include, for example, fluorosilicone or a potting compound made of P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0051] 12

[0052] These can be epoxy or polyurethane. Depending on the specific case, they can be gel-like, foam-like, or solid. It could, for example, be a gel casting.

[0053] According to another embodiment, a sensor arrangement is provided. This arrangement has the aforementioned characteristics of the component arrangements. Specifically, 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.

[0054] Accordingly, a pressure sensor arrangement is described in a further embodiment, which has the features of the aforementioned component arrangement and additionally includes a pressure sensor function. In particular, the pressure sensor arrangement includes an electronic component which is located in the second area of ​​the housing.

[0055] In particular, a pressure-sensitive element can be provided to implement the pressure sensor function. The pressure sensor arrangement can, in particular, be a relative pressure sensor that measures the pressure relative to the ambient 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 connector described above.

[0056] Accordingly, a gas sensor assembly can also be provided in another embodiment, which has the features of the aforementioned component assembly. In particular, the gas sensor assembly has the features previously described in P2024, 0772 WO N 4, August 2025.

[0057] The enclosure described in section 13 has an electronic component located in its second section. Furthermore, the gas sensor assembly has a gas sensor function.

[0058] Furthermore, the use of the above-mentioned enclosure for the component arrangement, the sensor arrangement, the gas sensor arrangement and the pressure sensor arrangement with the associated features is generally described.

[0059] Further embodiments may become apparent 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 derived from the figures.

[0060] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensor arrangement.

[0061] Figure 2 shows a view of the underside of the exemplary embodiment of the pressure sensor arrangement.

[0062] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view centered along the longitudinal axis through the pressure sensor arrangement according to the exemplary embodiment. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0063] 14

[0064] Figure 4 shows a perspective oblique view of the underside of the cover of the exemplary pressure sensor arrangement.

[0065] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a pressure sensor assembly. Figure 2 shows a view from the underside of the pressure sensor assembly. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view, which follows the left-to-right cutting direction through the center of the view shown in Figure 2, perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The associated cover 3 of the pressure sensor assembly is shown separately in Figure 4.

[0066] The pressure sensor assembly has an enclosure 1. The enclosure 1 consists of a housing 2, which forms a lower part, and a cover 3, which closes the housing 2. Further components are arranged within the enclosure 1. For example, a circuit board 4 is attached to the bottom of a main chamber 22 of the interior of the housing 2 by means of an adhesive bond 8.

[0067] The adhesive bond 8 is a circumferential bond following the shape of the underside of the circuit board 4. The illustrated adhesive bond 8, which is arranged along the lower circumferential line of the circuit board 4, has the advantage that it allows bubble-free venting if a corresponding exhaust hole is provided in the base of the housing 2. This is not shown here. In principle, any adhesive bond can be used to fasten the circuit board 4. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0068] 15

[0069] The printed circuit board 4 itself represents a type of electronic component. It also features various electronic components that are mounted on or within the printed circuit board 4. These can be identified as the small structures in the figures, but are not labeled for clarity. Connecting leads 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 leads 6 lead to a connector 10. The electronics can be connected to the connector 10 via a complementary connector, for example, to be read or controlled.

[0070] Furthermore, the housing 2 has a connection piece 9. This is designed so that the pressure sensor assembly 1 can be connected to a system to be measured. In this way, the pressure of the corresponding system can be determined relative to the external pressure. The connection to the external system can be made using the seal 11. The corresponding connection design can be implemented as a plug seal.

[0071] As can be seen particularly in Figure 3, the printed circuit board 4 with the electronic components contained therein is arranged in the main chamber 22. The entire top surface is covered with a gel layer 7 in a form-fitting manner. This gel layer 7 extends from all outer walls of the space bounding the main chamber over all otherwise exposed parts of the printed circuit board 4. The gel layer 7 represents a form of passivation. P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0072] 16

[0073] As can be seen in Figure 3, a pressure sensor 13 is arranged on the inside of the main chamber 22 at the bottom surface at the chamber-side end of the connector 9. This measures a relative pressure between the pressure of the system to be measured acting on the inside of the connector 9 and the external pressure present in the main chamber 22.

[0074] The external pressure in the main chamber 22 is maintained by connecting the antechamber 21 to the environment through the external openings 24a, 24b shown in Figure 2, which together generally form the external opening 24. In other words, the external opening 24 leads into the antechamber 21.

[0075] The antechamber 21 represents one possible configuration of the first region as defined at the outset. The main chamber 22 represents one possible configuration of the second region as defined at the outset.

[0076] The main chamber 22 is separated from the pre-chamber 21 by the structures of a labyrinth seal. For this purpose, the cover 3 has a cover structure component 33. Likewise, the housing 2 has a housing structure component 23. These are formed by wall sections projecting into the interior of the housing. The position of the housing structure component 23 and the cover structure component 33 forms the labyrinth seal, which creates a double-angled path between the pre-chamber 21 and the main chamber 22.

[0077] The labyrinth seal can, in principle, be formed solely by the fact that the housing structure component 23 and P2024 , 0772 WO N 4 . August 2025

[0078] 17 The cover structure component 33 have a certain offset from each other, thereby forming a kind of gap and thus the intermediate opening 12, as can be seen in Figure 3. At least along one direction, the intermediate opening 12 thus formed has a smaller opening than the outer openings 24.

[0079] Preferably, and as can be seen in the exploded view in Figure 1 and the separate drawing of the cover in Figure 4, both the cover structure component 33 and the housing structure component 23 have a cover structure component recess 33a and a housing structure 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 slit-like shape, which would be formed by a purely offset housing structure component and cover structure component, that it seals the main chamber 22 even better.

[0080] The common cross-section or cross-sectional area of ​​the external openings 24a and 24b is at least 3 mm². The intermediate opening 12 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of ​​the external openings.

[0081] Furthermore, the labyrinth seal here features a double-angled deflection of the air or external pressure path connecting the pre-chamber 21 with the main chamber 22. The path described by the air or the access here is quasi-Z-shaped, with the central part of the "Z" not slanted to the other parts, but perpendicular. P2024, 0772 WO N 4 August 2025

[0082] 18

[0083] This arrangement has several advantages. Firstly, the size difference makes it difficult for a medium such as moisture, which enters the antechamber 21 from the outside, to reach the main chamber 22. Furthermore, the gel 7 provides additional protection for the electronic components should a medium nevertheless penetrate the structure.

[0084] In particular, the design of the labyrinth seal can block a direct path between the outer openings 24 and the main chamber 22, thus preventing, for example, splashing water or directly linearly penetrating dirt from entering the main chamber 22.

[0085] Furthermore, the entire interior, i.e. all components of the lid 3 and the housing 2, has a roughness greater than or equal to 10.5, which has the advantage that, as explained at the beginning, contaminants cannot easily enter the interior.

[0086] P2024, 0772 WO N 4. August 2025

[0087] 19

[0088] Reference character list

[0089] 1 Enclosure

[0090] 2 cases

[0091] 3 lids

[0092] 4 circuit boards

[0093] 5 wiring connections

[0094] 6 lines

[0095] 7 Gellage

[0096] 8 Adhesive

[0097] 9 connector

[0098] 10 contact plugs

[0099] 11 Seal

[0100] 12 Intermediate opening

[0101] 21 Antechamber

[0102] 22 Main Chamber

[0103] 23 Housing structure component

[0104] 23a Housing structure component recess

[0105] 24, 24a, 24b External opening

[0106] 33 Cover structure component

[0107] 33a Cover structure component recess

Claims

P2024, 0772 WO N August 4, 2025 20 Patent claims 1. Enclosure comprising an interior space with a first area and a second area, wherein the enclosure has an outer opening to the first area, and 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 space 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. Enclosure 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. Enclosure according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the labyrinth seal blocks a linear path between the outer opening and the second area. P2024, 0772 WO N August 4, 2025 21 6. Enclosure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the labyrinth seal blocks a linear path between the first area and the second area.

7. Enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second area is configured to accommodate an electronic component.

8. Enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a housing and a cover, wherein the intermediate opening or labyrinth seal is formed by the interaction of a housing structure component and a cover structure component.

9. Enclosure according to claim 8, wherein a housing structure component and / or a recess is formed in the cover structure component.

10. Enclosure according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the outer opening is formed in an underside of the enclosure opposite the side of the cover.

11. Enclosure according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the enclosure has a connecting piece in a bottom of the enclosure opposite the side of the cover.

12. Enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the outer opening has a cross-sectional area of ​​at least 3 mm² 2 exhibits .

13. Enclosure according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the outer opening is designed as at least two slots. P2024, 0772 WO N August 4, 2025 22 14. Enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least parts of the interior of the enclosure 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 area of ​​the enclosure 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 any 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 any 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 any one of claims 15 to 17 and which has a gas sensor function.

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