CN219714556U - Temperature sensor and quick connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a temperature sensor and a quick connector. The temperature sensor includes: a housing including a first housing member which is hollow and is internally filled with an insulating medium, and a second housing member which is at least partially inserted into and fixed to the first housing member; and a thermosensitive unit including a thermosensitive element and an electric terminal. Wherein the thermal element is arranged within the first housing member, the electrical terminal is at least partially embedded in and integrally formed with the second housing member, and the thermal element is electrically connected to the electrical terminal. The quick connector includes the temperature sensor. According to the temperature sensor and the quick connector, the electric terminal can be firmly kept on the shell, so that the position of the thermosensitive element connected with the electric terminal is prevented from being influenced due to loosening of the electric terminal, and further the measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor is improved.

Description

Temperature sensor and quick connector

Technical Field

The present utility model relates generally to temperature sensors and quick connectors including temperature sensors.

Background

Quick connectors are commonly used to establish fluid communication between fluid conduits. The quick connector is provided with a temperature sensor, so that the temperature of the fluid in the pipeline can be conveniently monitored. The temperature sensor generally includes a housing, a thermal element for measuring a temperature of the fluid, and an electrical terminal electrically connected with the thermal element to electrically connect the temperature sensor to an external temperature reading system. The location of the thermal element inside the temperature sensor is important for accurately measuring the temperature of the fluid in which the temperature sensor is located.

In some existing temperature sensors, the electrical terminals are secured within the housing by being inserted into and glued to a receiving channel of a plastic component within the housing. However, the adhesive is susceptible to aging, resulting in loosening of the electrical terminals, which in turn can cause displacement of the heat sensitive element connected to the electrical terminals, which is detrimental to accurate measurement of fluid temperature.

Disclosure of Invention

The present utility model aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to propose an improved temperature sensor and a quick connector with such a temperature sensor.

To this end, a first aspect of the utility model provides a temperature sensor adapted to be at least partially inserted into a receiving channel of a device into which the temperature sensor is to be integrated. The temperature sensor includes: a housing comprising a first housing member which is hollow and is internally filled with an insulating medium, and a second housing member which is at least partially inserted into and fixed to the first housing member; and a thermosensitive unit including a thermosensitive element and an electric terminal. Wherein the thermal element is disposed within the first housing member, the electrical terminal is at least partially embedded in and integrally formed with the second housing member, and the thermal element is electrically connected to the electrical terminal.

Compared with the temperature sensor in which the electric terminal is fixed by bonding in the prior art, the electric terminal of the temperature sensor is integrally formed with the second shell member of the shell, so that the electric terminal is firmly kept on the shell, the position of a thermosensitive element connected with the electric terminal is prevented from being influenced by loosening of the electric terminal, and the measurement precision of the temperature sensor is further improved.

According to the above technical idea, the first aspect of the present utility model may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

In some alternative forms, the first housing member is made of a metallic material and the second housing member is made of a polymeric material.

In some alternatives, the electrical terminal is integrally molded with the second housing member by insert molding.

In some alternatives, the temperature sensor includes a seal ring received in an annular receiving space defined by an inner surface of the first housing member and an outer surface of a portion of the second housing member inserted into the first housing member, the annular receiving space having a generally triangular cross-section.

In some alternatives, the first housing member includes an annular stepped portion and the second housing member includes a frustoconical portion, an inner surface of the annular stepped portion and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion together defining the annular receiving space.

In some alternatives, the first housing member includes an annular receiving recess disposed at an outer periphery of the first housing member and adapted to receive a seal, the seal being adapted to be disposed between an outer surface of the first housing member and an inner surface of the receiving channel.

In some alternatives, the second housing member includes a first circumferential flange disposed on an outer periphery thereof, an end of the first housing member proximate the second housing member locking with the first circumferential flange by bending to have a shape that matches the first circumferential flange.

In some alternatives, the temperature sensor is adapted to be locked to the device by a locking element, the second housing member further comprising a second circumferential flange disposed on an outer periphery thereof, the second circumferential flange being further from the first housing member than the first circumferential flange, the first and second circumferential flanges defining a locking groove therebetween adapted to engage the locking element; wherein the outer peripheral contour of the housing at the first circumferential flange is smaller than the outer peripheral contour of the housing at the second circumferential flange for insertion of the housing into the receiving channel.

In some alternatives, the second circumferential flange includes a first interlock adapted to engage with a second interlock at an inner surface of the receiving channel to block rotation of the temperature sensor relative to the receiving channel, wherein one of the first interlock and the second interlock is in the form of a recess and the other of the first interlock and the second interlock is in the form of a protrusion.

In some alternatives, the thermal element has a pair of electrical pins, the thermal unit has a pair of electrical terminals, and each electrical pin is connected to a respective electrical terminal; wherein the second housing member includes a spacer protruding toward an interior of the first housing member, the spacer configured to space and support the pair of electrical pins.

A second aspect of the utility model provides a quick connector comprising a connector body and a temperature sensor according to the first aspect of the utility model, wherein the connector body comprises a receiving channel for receiving the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor being at least partially inserted into the receiving channel and locked to the connector body.

According to the temperature sensor and the quick connector, the electric terminal can be firmly kept on the shell, so that the position of the thermosensitive element connected with the electric terminal is prevented from being influenced due to loosening of the electric terminal, and further the measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor is improved.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present utility model will be better understood from the following detailed description of alternative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify the same or similar parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a temperature sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 2A is a schematic exploded view of a temperature sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of area A of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a temperature sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of region B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a quick connector with a temperature sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 4B is a partial enlarged view of the region C in fig. 4A; and

fig. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of a quick connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, respectively, taken along different planes.

Detailed Description

The making and using of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating a particular manner of making and using the utility model, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. The structural position of the various components as described, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, etc., is not absolute, but rather relative. These orientation expressions are appropriate when the various components are arranged as shown in the figures, but when the position of the various components in the figures is changed, these orientation expressions are also changed accordingly.

Fig. 1 to 3B illustrate a temperature sensor 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. 4A to 5B show a quick connector 1 with a temperature sensor 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model.

Referring to fig. 4A, the temperature sensor 10 may be at least partially inserted into a receiving channel 12 of a device in which the temperature sensor 10 is to be integrated. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4A, a temperature sensor 10 is integrated in the quick connector 1 for sensing the temperature of the fluid within the quick connector 1. The quick connector 1 may include a temperature sensor 10 and a connector body 14. The connector body 14 may include a receiving channel 12 for receiving the temperature sensor 10 and a fluid channel 16 for passage of a fluid. The receiving channel 12 and the fluid channel 16 communicate with each other. The temperature sensor 10 is at least partially inserted into the receiving channel 12 and extends into the fluid channel 16 to sense the temperature of the fluid in the fluid channel 16. The temperature sensor 10 may be locked to the connector body 14 by a locking element 18. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4A, the temperature sensor 10 is locked to the connector body 14 by a locking element 18 in the form of a locking spring. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the temperature sensor 10 may be secured to the connector body 14 in other suitable ways. In other embodiments, the temperature sensor 10 may be integrated in other devices than a quick connector to sense the temperature within the device. The temperature sensor according to the present utility model will be described below by taking an example in which the temperature sensor according to the present utility model is applied to a quick connector.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3B, the temperature sensor 10 includes a housing 102 and a thermo-sensitive unit 104. The housing 102 includes a first housing member 106 and a second housing member 108, the first housing member 106 being hollow and internally filled with an insulating medium, the second housing member 108 being at least partially inserted into the first housing member 106 and secured to the first housing member 106. The thermo-sensitive unit 104 comprises a thermo-sensitive element 110 and an electrical terminal 112. The thermal element 110 is disposed within the first housing member 106, the electrical terminal 112 is at least partially embedded in the second housing member 108 and integrally formed with the second housing member 108, and the thermal element 110 is electrically connected to the electrical terminal 112.

Compared with the temperature sensor in which the electric terminals are fixed by bonding in the prior art, the electric terminals 112 of the temperature sensor 10 according to the utility model are integrally formed with the second housing member 108 of the housing 102, so that the electric terminals 112 are firmly held on the housing 102, the positions of the thermosensitive elements 110 connected with the electric terminals 112 are prevented from being influenced by loosening, and the measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor 10 is further improved.

With continued reference to fig. 1-3B, in the illustrated embodiment, the thermal unit 104 includes a thermal element 110 having a pair of electrical pins 114 and a pair of electrical terminals 112 electrically connected to the thermal element 110, wherein each electrical pin 114 is connected to a respective electrical terminal 112. The thermal element 110 may be, for example, an NTC-type thermistor or a PTC-type thermistor. A pair of electrical terminals 112 may be used to electrically connect the thermal element 110 to a temperature reading system (not shown) external to the temperature sensor 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing member 106 and the second housing member 108 are two separately molded components. The first housing member 106 may be made of a metallic material, and the second housing member 108 may be made of a polymeric material. The first housing member 106 made of the metal material has better thermal conductivity, which is helpful to improve the measurement sensitivity of the thermosensitive element 110 in the first housing member 106; while the second housing member 108 of polymeric material may reduce the overall weight of the temperature sensor 10. This is particularly advantageous in applications where weight reduction is sought, for example, when the temperature sensor 10 is used in a vehicle, an aircraft, or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first housing member 106 is generally cylindrical in shape. The interior of the first housing member 106 is filled with an insulating medium to ensure electrical insulation of the heat sensitive unit 104 inside the housing. The insulating medium may be, for example, an electrical insulating oil, in particular an electrical insulating oil having good thermal conductivity. The first housing member 106 has a closed first end 116 and an open second end 118.

Referring to fig. 4A and 4B, the first housing member 106 may include an annular receiving recess 120. An annular receiving recess 120 is provided at the outer periphery of the first housing member 106 and is adapted to receive a seal 122 described below: the seal 122 is adapted to be disposed between the outer surface of the first housing member 106 and the inner surface of the receiving channel 12 to ensure a seal between the temperature sensor 10 and the connector body 14 to avoid fluid leakage within the connector body 14. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4B, the first housing member 106 may include an annular shoulder 124 and an annular step portion 126 disposed at intervals in a longitudinal direction thereof, the annular shoulder 124 and the annular step portion 126 defining an annular receiving recess 120 therebetween. By providing the annular accommodation recess 120 at the outer periphery of the first housing member 106, it is possible to restrict movement of the seal 122 when, for example, the temperature sensor 10 is inserted into the receiving passage 12, improving the sealing effect.

Referring to fig. 3A, the second housing member 108 may include a substantially solid first section 128 and a hollow second section 130, the first section 128 and the second section 130 abutting one another in a longitudinal direction of the second housing member 108.

Each electrical terminal 112 may be disposed at least partially within the second housing member 108 along a longitudinal direction of the second housing member 108. Each electrical terminal 112 may include a first longitudinal end 132 for electrically connecting with the electrical pin 114 of the thermal element 110, a second longitudinal end 134 for electrically connecting with an external temperature reading system, and an intermediate portion 136 between the first and second longitudinal ends 132, 134.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 3A, each electrical terminal 112 is integrally formed with the second housing member 108 by insert molding. The mode of fixing the electric terminal and the shell body with each other has simple process, lower cost and stable size and structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate portion 136 of each electrical terminal 112 is embedded in the first section 128 to ensure secure securement of the electrical terminal 112 with the housing 102, the first longitudinal end 132 extending out of the second housing member 108 for connection with the electrical pin 114 of the thermal element 110, and the second longitudinal end 134 extending into the interior space of the second section 130 of the second housing member 108 for connection with an external temperature reading system.

Referring to fig. 2A, 2B, and 3A, the first section 128 of the second housing member 108 may further include a spacer 138 protruding toward the interior of the first housing member 106, the spacer 138 configured to space and support the pair of electrical pins 114. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2B, the spacer 138 includes a spacer wall 140 and two pairs of limiting protrusions 142 respectively located on both sides of the spacer wall 140. The partition wall 140 may separate the two electrical pins 114 from each other to avoid shorting the two electrical pins 114 to each other. The thickness of the spacer wall 140 may be approximately equal to or slightly less than the spacing between the portions of the two electrical pins 114 corresponding to the spacer wall 140 to provide support for the pair of electrical pins 114 by the spacer wall 140. Each pair of limit protrusions 142 may limit movement of the corresponding electrical pin 114, further reducing the risk of shorting the two electrical pins 114 to each other.

Referring to fig. 2A, 3A, and 4A, the first section 128 of the second housing member 108 may be at least partially inserted into the interior of the first housing member 106 and secured to the first housing member 106. The first section 128 of the second housing member 108 may include a first circumferential flange 144 disposed at an outer periphery thereof. The second end 118 of the first housing member 106 proximate the second housing member 108 may be locked/connected to each other with the first circumferential flange 144 by being bent to have a shape that matches the first circumferential flange 144, thereby achieving the locking/connection of the first housing member 106 and the second housing member 108 to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the first circumferential flange 144 extends along the entire periphery of the second housing member 108 to have a generally annular shape. The first section 128 of the second housing member 108 may also include a second circumferential flange 146 disposed at an outer periphery thereof. The second circumferential flange 146 is farther from the first housing member 106 than the first circumferential flange 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the second circumferential flange 146 extends substantially along the entire periphery of the second housing member 108 to have a generally annular shape. The first and second circumferential flanges 144, 146 define a locking groove 148 therebetween that is adapted to engage the locking element 18.

Referring to fig. 3A and fig. 5A and 5B, the outer peripheral contour of the housing 102 at the first peripheral flange 144 is smaller than the outer peripheral contour of the housing 102 at the second peripheral flange 146, which can avoid unnecessary mechanical interference of the housing 102 of the temperature sensor 10 with the receiving channel 12 of the quick connector 1 when integrating the temperature sensor 10 into the quick connector 1 by the locking element 18, thereby allowing the housing 102 to be smoothly inserted into the receiving channel 12. In this context, the outer circumferential profile of the housing 102 at the first circumferential flange 144 being smaller than the outer circumferential profile of the housing 102 at the second circumferential flange 146 means: the outer circumferential contour of the housing 102 at the first circumferential flange 144 will be obscured from view when the housing 102 is viewed in the direction of arrow a in fig. 3A (which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 102).

Referring to fig. 2A and 5B, the second circumferential flange 146 may further include a first interlock 150, the first interlock 150 being adapted to engage with the second interlock 13 at the inner surface of the receiving channel 12 to block rotation of the temperature sensor 10 relative to the receiving channel 12, thereby helping to securely retain the temperature sensor 10 in the receiving channel 12, thereby reducing the risk of fluid leakage within the quick connector 1. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5B, the first interlocking portion 150 is in the form of a recess and the second interlocking portion 13 is in the form of a protrusion. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the first interlock may be in the form of a protrusion and the second interlock correspondingly in the form of a recess.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5B, the second circumferential flange 146 also has a planar cut-out 147 that mates with the inner surface of the receiving channel 12 to inhibit rotation of the temperature sensor 10 relative to the receiving channel 12.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, the temperature sensor 10 includes a seal ring 152, and the seal ring 152 is accommodated in an annular accommodation space 154 defined by an inner surface of the first housing member 106 and an outer surface of a portion of the second housing member 108 inserted into the first housing member 106 to ensure sealing between the first housing member 106 and the second housing member 108 to prevent leakage of an insulating medium within the housing 102. The annular receiving space 154 has a substantially triangular cross-section, and the cross-sectional area of the annular receiving space 154 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the sealing ring 152. As shown in fig. 3B, the triangular cross-section of the annular receiving space 154 increases the contact area of the seal ring 152 with the first and second housing members 106, 108, so that a better sealing effect can be achieved.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first section 128 of the second housing member 108 includes a frustoconical portion 156, and an inner surface of the annular stepped portion 126 of the first housing member 106 and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion 156 of the second housing member 108 cooperate to define an annular receiving space 154. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the housing may also be configured such that: the second housing member includes an annular stepped portion, the first housing member includes a frustoconical portion, and an outer surface of the annular stepped portion and an inner surface of the frustoconical portion cooperatively define an annular receiving space.

It is understood that the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 5B shows only the shape, dimensions and arrangement of the various optional components of the temperature sensor and the quick connector according to the utility model, which is however only illustrative and not limiting, other shapes, dimensions and arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model.

While the foregoing has disclosed the subject matter and the features of the utility model, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining the teachings of the utility model, may make variations and improvements to the concepts disclosed herein, and fall within the scope of the utility model. The above description of embodiments is illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the utility model is defined by the claims.

Claims (11)

1. A temperature sensor (10), the temperature sensor (10) being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a receiving channel (12) of a device to which the temperature sensor (10) is to be integrated, characterized in that the temperature sensor (10) comprises:

-a housing (102), the housing (102) comprising a first housing member (106) and a second housing member (108), the first housing member (106) being hollow and filled with an insulating medium inside, the second housing member (108) being at least partially inserted into the first housing member (106) and fixed to the first housing member (106); and

a thermo-sensitive unit (104), the thermo-sensitive unit (104) comprising a thermo-sensitive element (110) and an electrical terminal (112);

wherein the heat sensitive element (110) is arranged within the first housing member (106), the electrical terminal (112) is at least partially embedded in the second housing member (108) and integrally formed with the second housing member (108), and the heat sensitive element (110) is electrically connected to the electrical terminal (112).

2. The temperature sensor (10) of claim 1, wherein the first housing member (106) is made of a metallic material and the second housing member (108) is made of a polymeric material.

3. The temperature sensor (10) of claim 2, wherein the electrical terminal (112) is integrally formed with the second housing member (108) by insert injection molding.

4. The temperature sensor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor (10) comprises a sealing ring (152), the sealing ring (152) being housed in an annular housing space (154) defined by an inner surface of the first housing member (106) and an outer surface of a portion of the second housing member (108) inserted into the first housing member (106), the annular housing space (154) having a substantially triangular cross section.

5. The temperature sensor (10) of claim 4, wherein the first housing member (106) includes an annular stepped portion (126) and the second housing member (108) includes a frustoconical portion (156), an inner surface of the annular stepped portion (126) and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion (156) together defining the annular receiving space (154).

6. The temperature sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first housing member (106) comprises an annular receiving recess (120), the annular receiving recess (120) being provided at an outer periphery of the first housing member (106) and being adapted to receive a seal (122), the seal (122) being adapted to be provided between an outer surface of the first housing member (106) and an inner surface of the receiving channel (12).

7. The temperature sensor (10) of claim 2, wherein the second housing member (108) includes a first circumferential flange (144) disposed on an outer periphery thereof, an end (118) of the first housing member (106) proximate the second housing member (108) locking with each other by bending to have a shape that matches the first circumferential flange (144).

8. The temperature sensor (10) of claim 7, wherein the temperature sensor (10) is adapted to be locked to the device by a locking element (18), the second housing member (108) further comprising a second circumferential flange (146) disposed at an outer periphery thereof, the second circumferential flange (146) being further from the first housing member (106) than the first circumferential flange (144), the first circumferential flange (144) and the second circumferential flange (146) defining a locking groove (148) therebetween adapted to engage the locking element (18);

wherein the outer peripheral profile of the housing (102) at the first circumferential flange (144) is smaller than the outer peripheral profile of the housing (102) at the second circumferential flange (146) for insertion of the housing (102) into the receiving channel (12).

9. The temperature sensor (10) of claim 8, wherein the second circumferential flange (146) comprises a first interlock (150), the first interlock (150) being adapted to engage with a second interlock (13) at an inner surface of the receiving channel (12) to hinder rotation of the temperature sensor (10) relative to the receiving channel (12), wherein one of the first interlock (150) and the second interlock (13) is in the form of a recess and the other of the first interlock (150) and the second interlock (13) is in the form of a protrusion.

10. The temperature sensor (10) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thermal element (110) has a pair of electrical pins (114), the thermal unit (104) has a pair of electrical terminals (112), and each electrical pin (114) is connected to a respective electrical terminal (112); wherein the second housing member (108) comprises a spacer (138) protruding towards the interior of the first housing member (106), the spacer (138) being configured for spacing and supporting the pair of electrical pins (114).

11. A quick connector (1), characterized in that the quick connector (1) comprises a connector body (14) and a temperature sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connector body (14) comprises a receiving channel (12) for receiving the temperature sensor (10), the temperature sensor (10) being at least partially inserted into the receiving channel (12) and locked to the connector body (14).