DE102018214707A1 - Sensor arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (4) for a container (2), the container (2) being designed to receive a liquid and having an opening (14), the sensor arrangement (4) having a lid (6), wherein in a fill level sensor (20) is integrated in the cover (6), the cover (6) being engageable with the opening (14), the opening (14) of the container (2) being closed with the cover (6) The fill level sensor (20) is designed to measure a fill level of the liquid in an interior of the container (2) when the opening (14) of the container (2) is closed with the lid (6).

Description

The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for a container and a container for holding a liquid.

To operate a motor vehicle, at least one liquid is usually required, which is filled into a container of the motor vehicle and is also removed from it during operation of the motor vehicle. A sensor is usually used to check a fill level of the liquid in the container.

A method for determining a fill level of a liquid in a container with an ultrasonic sensor is known from the document DE 10 2015 114 288 A1 known.

A method and system for controlling an engine cooling system are in the document DE 10 2015 122 216 A1 described.

The publication DE 10 2016 217 256 A1 describes a waste heat recovery system with a circuit for a working medium, which comprises an expansion tank.

Against this background, it was an object to provide a container for a liquid with a sensor for measuring a level of the liquid in the container.

This object is achieved by a sensor arrangement and a container with the features of the independent claims. Embodiments of the sensor arrangement and the container emerge from the dependent patent claims.

The sensor arrangement according to the invention is provided for a container designed to hold a liquid and which has an opening. The sensor arrangement has a cover, a fill level sensor being integrated in the cover. The lid can be brought into engagement with the opening of the container. The fill level sensor is designed to determine and / or measure a fill level of the liquid in an interior of the container when the opening of the container is closed with the lid.

The opening of the container can be closed or closed with the cover, for example in a liquid-tight and detachable manner, the container or the opening also being reclosable with the cover. The container can also be opened again by removing the lid. In an embodiment, the cover and the opening are designed to fit each other. The lid can be a simple attachment lid that can be placed on the opening and / or inserted into the opening.

In an embodiment, the opening, for example a screw opening, of the container has a first screw thread. Depending on the definition, the cover of the sensor arrangement is then designed as a screw cover or screw-in cover, and has a second screw thread, the first screw thread and the second screw thread being designed to fit each other.

The fill level sensor is designed to determine and / or measure the fill level of the liquid within the container from its distance from the liquid or its surface. In an embodiment, the fill level sensor is designed as an ultrasonic sensor, which can measure the fill level using ultrasonic signals. It is also possible for the fill level sensor to be designed as an optical sensor which can measure the fill level using optical signals.

In this case, an electrical interface, in particular an electrical connection, for example an electrical plug or an electrical socket, for the fill level sensor is arranged on an outside of the cover, via which the fill level sensor communicates with an external device for exchanging signals, in particular signals from the fill level sensor, to connect or is connectable. Sensor signals, for example ultrasound signals, input signals and / or output signals, can be exchanged as signals between the level sensor and the external device. Such signals can be evaluated by the level sensor and / or the external device.

It is also possible for the cover to have a valve insert in which the fill level sensor is arranged. It is possible to optionally use a valve, for example a pressure relief valve, in the valve insert and thus also in the cover, which opens at a definable or defined pressure and / or differential pressure, thereby preventing a pressure or internal pressure can rise above a defined absolute pressure or absolute pressure in the container.

In an embodiment, the sensor arrangement has at least one calming sleeve, which projects into the interior of the container when the container is closed with the lid and encloses a calming area or calming space when the opening of the container is closed with the lid of the sensor arrangement. This calming body or this calming sleeve is hollow on the inside and encloses the calming area as a sleeve or wall along a central axis of the cylindrical, for example Calming cover, wherein the calming cover is open on one side, usually in the direction of the interior of the container. The at least one calming sleeve is configured in a rotationally symmetrical manner and, for example, as a calming tube, calming cylinder and / or calming sleeve and / or to be designated.

The calming cover serves to protect the liquid located in the calming space enclosed by the calming cover, as far as possible from influences that cause movement, and therefore to calm it down.

It is possible for the central axis of the at least one calming cover and thus a cylindrical calming area enclosed by the at least one calming cover, which comprises a corresponding measurement section, and a central axis of a detection area of the fill level sensor, for example, designed as an ultrasonic sensor are arranged coaxially. In an embodiment, the calming area of the at least one calming sleeve overlaps at least partially with the detection area of the fill level sensor or the detection area of the fill level sensor is encompassed by the settled area, the fill level being detected and / or determined by the fill level sensor in the calming area.

It is possible that the at least one calming sleeve is arranged on an inside of the cover when the container is closed with the cover and / or on an inner wall of the container and is arranged coaxially to the central axis of the detection area of the fill level sensor when the cover is in the opening of the container is inserted, for example screwed in and / or placed on the opening, the at least one calming sleeve protruding into the container.

The container according to the invention is designed to hold a liquid and has an embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention.

The container is provided, for example, for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle or car, and is designed to hold a liquid for supplying at least one device of the vehicle.

It is alternatively or additionally possible that the container is designed to hold a liquid for cooling at least one fuel cell. The fill level sensor designed, for example, as an ultrasonic fill level sensor is accordingly arranged in a cover of a filler, for example, designed as a coolant expansion tank. The container and the sensor arrangement are usually provided for a vehicle which is driven with the aid of energy from the at least one fuel cell, which in turn can be cooled with the liquid from the container.

In an embodiment, the fill level sensor is integrated in the valve insert of the lid of the container, the fill level sensor being arranged on an inside of the cover, which in turn faces the interior of the container when the cover is inserted into the opening of the container, for example screwed in and / or is placed on the opening. The detection area of the level sensor is thus also oriented into the interior of the container.

By providing the at least one calming sleeve, for example at least one calming tube, the liquid, which is designed as a coolant, is protected against influences such as sloshing during certain driving maneuvers of the vehicle. Thus, the liquid is calmed down by the at least one calming sleeve, whereby a comparatively exact detection and measurement of the fill level can be carried out with the fill level sensor. The at least one calming sleeve is arranged on the cover, in particular on an insert, in particular on the inside of the cover. However, it is also possible for the at least one calming cover to be part of the container, it possibly being possible to dispense with a calming cover on the cover and / or insert or cover insert. Regardless of where the at least one calming sleeve is arranged, when the container is closed with the lid, it encloses, for example, a cylindrical measuring section or, for example, the cylindrical calming area, which is arranged coaxially with the usually axially symmetrical detection area of the fill level sensor. It is thus possible for the fill level to be measured by the fill level sensor within the calming range of the at least one calming sleeve.

To measure the fill level, the fill level sensor, which is designed as an ultrasonic sensor, emits an ultrasonic signal that is reflected by the surface of the liquid and received again by the fill level sensor. If the fill level sensor is designed as an optical sensor, it accordingly sends out an optical signal, reflects it from the surface of the liquid and receives it again from the fill level sensor. The fill level is determined depending on the transit time of this ultrasound signal or this optical signal.

In addition, the electrical interface, for example an electrical plug, into the cover, usually an outside of the cover, integrated, which faces away from the inside of the lid.

The sensor arrangement can also be subsequently integrated into a container of any vehicle, a liquid, for example a coolant, which is used and / or consumed during the operation of the vehicle being stored in the container.

In an embodiment, it is possible to provide each container, which has an opening, for example with a screw thread, with a lid of an embodiment of the sensor arrangement presented. Thus, the strength of the container is not impaired, since it is not necessary to create an additional interface, for example on a wall of the container, since this interface for the fill level sensor is arranged in the lid. Since no space is required in the container for the level sensor, it is also not necessary to completely redesign it. Thus, it is not necessary, for example, to hold the level sensor specially in mind or to take it into account when developing the container, since the container can also be modularly supplemented with the cover of the sensor arrangement. Accordingly, it is also not necessary to provide for an integration of the electrical plug and thus the electrical connection for the fill level sensor in the lid during the development of the container and thus, for example, to incorporate it into the container, as a result of which the container can be manufactured simply and inexpensively, since the electrical Plugs need not be taken into account here either. In addition, this eliminates the need for an additional interface between the container and the surroundings, as a result of which a risk of potential leakage of the container can be avoided.

If a liquid for cooling the at least one fuel cell is filled into the container, it is necessary for this liquid to have the lowest possible electrical conductivity, thereby avoiding a risk of a short circuit in the at least one fuel cell to be cooled. The liquid is conveyed from the container via a coolant circuit to the at least one fuel cell. Since the liquid has the low conductivity, its level in the container cannot be detected using conventional measurement technology. In one embodiment of the sensor arrangement, the fill level sensor, in particular the detection area of the fill level sensor, is introduced into the interior of the container via the cover. The fill level can be determined and / or measured without contact by the fill level sensor, i. H. without the level sensor coming into contact with the liquid.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

• 1 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine erste Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters mit einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Sensoranordnung.
• 2 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters mit einer zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Sensoranordnung.

The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawings using embodiments and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawings.

• 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the container according to the invention with a first embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention.
• 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the container according to the invention with a second embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention.

The figures are described coherently and comprehensively. The same components are assigned to the same reference numbers.

1a shows in a schematic representation, here sectional view, the first embodiment of the container according to the invention 2 and the first embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention 4 that are a first example of a lid 6 which also in 1b is schematically shown isometrically.

The second embodiment of the container according to the invention 8th with the second embodiment of the sensor arrangement according to the invention 10 including a second example of a lid 12 are in 2 shown schematically.

Both presented embodiments of the container 2 . 8th have in common that this is an opening 14 with a screw thread 16 having. The container 2 . 8th is provided for storing a liquid, for example a coolant, for a vehicle, for example, a motor vehicle, the opening 14 of the container 2 . 8th , when it is installed in the vehicle, with respect to the force of gravity on an upper side or upper side of a wall, for example the outer wall, of the container 2 . 8th or the container 2 . 8th is arranged.

Both based on the 1 and 2 featured examples of the lid 6 . 12 also have a screw thread 18th on. It is therefore possible to remove the lid 6 . 12 about the cooperating screw threads 16 . 18th into the opening 14 of the container 2 . 8th screw in and also unscrew it again.

It is also on the inside of the lid 6 . 12 a fill level sensor designed here, for example, as an ultrasonic sensor 20th arranged and thus in the lid 6 . 12 integrated. Here is the level sensor 20th via a valve insert 22 of the lid 6 . 12 integrated into this. It is also on the outside of the lid 6 . 12 an electrical plug 24 arranged as an interface.

If the lid 6 . 12 in the container 2 . 8th is screwed in, the inside with the level sensor 20th the interior of the container 2 . 8th facing, whereas an outside of the lid 6 . 12 with the electrical plug 24 an environment of the container 2 . 8th facing and facing away from its interior.

It is further provided that both embodiments of the sensor arrangement 4 . 10 a rotationally symmetrical calming cover here 26 . 28 have, each at one end, in the container 2 . 8th protrudes, for example, is open on one side. There is such a calming cover 26 in the first embodiment of the sensor arrangement 4 on the inside of the lid 6 , here explicitly on the level sensor 20th arranged. In contrast, the calming cover is 28 in the second embodiment of the sensor arrangement 10 on an inner wall below, here on a lower side, ie on a bottom of the container 8th arranged.

In both embodiments is for the calming cover 26 . 28 a central axis is provided, with a calming area 30th . 32 to the central axis of the at least one calming sleeve 26 . 28 arranged coaxially and from the at least one calming sleeve 26 . 28 is enclosed. The same applies to the level sensor 20th here a detection area with a central axis is also provided. The first embodiment of the sensor arrangement 4 or in the first example of the cover 6 the central axis of the level sensor 20th coaxial to the central axis of the at least one calming sleeve 26 arranged as this on the lid 6 and also on the level sensor 20th is attached. In the second embodiment of the sensor arrangement 10 is the central axis of the at least one calming sleeve 28 then coaxial to the central axis of the level sensor 20th arranged when the lid 12 into the opening 14 of the container 8th is screwed in.

In both embodiments of the sensor arrangement 4 . 10 or the container 2 . 8th the level in the container 2 . 8th liquid located within the of the at least one calming sleeve 26 . 28 enclosed calming area 30th . 32 measured, which is designed to calm any movement of the liquid. If the container 2 . 8th is arranged in the vehicle, when the vehicle is traveling, it results that the liquid is inside the container 2 . 8th moved and thus sloshes back and forth. However, within the of the at least one sedative 26 . 28 enclosed calming area 30th . 32 a comparatively stable liquid column can be provided, within which the level or level of the liquid from the level sensor 20th can be recorded and measured. For this purpose, starting from the fill level sensor designed here, for example, as an ultrasonic sensor 20th an ultrasonic signal is emitted parallel to its central axis, reflected back from the surface of the liquid and from the level sensor 20th receive.

In both embodiments of the sensor arrangement 4 . 10 is the plug 24 via an external line 34 with an external device 36 outside the container 2 . 8th connected. The device is used to measure the level 36 an input signal is provided and via the external line 34 , the plug 24 and an internal line 38 inside the lid 6 . 12 to the level sensor 20th sent, which sends the ultrasonic signal towards the surface of the liquid based on the input signal. Due to the reflection from the surface of the liquid and from the level sensor 20th received ultrasound signal, an output signal is provided, which via the internal line 38 , the plug 24 and the external line 34 back to the device 36 is sent, which is designed based on a time interval from the level sensor 20th transmitted ultrasound signal and that of the level sensor 20th received ultrasound signal and / or to determine the fill level on the basis of a time interval between the outgoing input signal and the incoming output signal.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the level of the liquid directly from the level sensor 20th is detected and evaluated by evaluating the transmitted, reflected by the surface of the liquid and received ultrasound signal, in this case the external device 36 Usually only one result is provided on the level detected.

Another embodiment of the sensor arrangement is conceivable, in which the cover 6 the first embodiment of the sensor arrangement 4 with the second embodiment of the container 8th is combined. In this case, a corresponding sensor arrangement has one on the cover 6 attached first calming cover 26 and one on the inside wall of the container 8th attached second calming cover 28 on, both of which are coaxially arranged when the lid 6 into the opening 14 of the container 8th is screwed in. In this case, the Level sensor 20th two calming areas arranged coaxially to one another 30th . 32 provided. Furthermore, it would be provided that a lower edge of the first calming cover 26 on the lid 6 above an upper edge of the second calming cover 28 on the inside wall of the container 8th is arranged, the two calming sleeves 26 . 28 , or their lower edge and upper edge, have a minimal distance from one another. If in the container 8th a first large amount of liquid is filled, the surface of which is in the first calming envelope 26 is located, the level from the level sensor 20th inside the first calming envelope 26 be measured. If in the container 8th however, a second comparatively small amount of liquid is filled, the surface of which is below the top edge of the second calming envelope 28 is located, the level from the level sensor 20th also within the second calming envelope 28 be measured.

Reference list

2

container

4

Sensor arrangement

6

cover

8th

container

10

Sensor arrangement

12th

cover

14

opening

16, 18

Screw thread

20th

Level sensor

22

Valve insert

24

plug

26, 28

Calming cover

30, 32

Calming area

34

management

36

device

38

management

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102015114288 A1 [0003]
• DE 102015122216 A1 [0004]
• DE 102016217256 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Sensor arrangement for a container (2, 8), the container (2, 8) being designed to receive a liquid and having an opening (14), the sensor arrangement (4, 10) having a lid (6, 12), wherein a fill level sensor (20) is integrated in the lid (6, 12), the lid (6, 12) being engageable with the opening (14), the opening (14) of the container (2, 8) with the The lid (6, 12) is to be closed, the fill level sensor (20) being designed to measure a fill level of the liquid in an interior of the container (2, 8) when the opening (14) of the container (2, 8) is closed with the lid (6, 12). Sensor arrangement after Claim 1 , in which the cover (6, 12) has a second screw thread (18), the second screw thread (18) of the cover (6, 12) being designed to fit a first screw thread (16) of the opening (14). Sensor arrangement after Claim 1 or 2 , in which the level sensor (20) is designed as an ultrasonic sensor. Sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which an electrical interface for the fill level sensor (20) is arranged on an outside of the cover (6, 12), via which the fill level sensor (20) communicates with an external device (36) for exchanging signals connect or is connectable. Sensor arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one calming sleeve (26, 28) which projects into the interior of the container (2, 8) and encloses a calming region (30, 32) when the opening (14) of the container (2 , 8) is closed with the cover (6, 12) of the sensor arrangement (4). Sensor arrangement after Claim 5 , in which the at least one calming sleeve (26) is arranged on an inner side of the cover (6), which projects into the interior of the container (2, 8) when the container (2, 8) is closed with the cover (6, 12) . Sensor arrangement after Claim 5 or 6 , in which the at least one calming sleeve (28) is arranged on an inner wall of the container (8). Container for holding a liquid, which has a sensor arrangement (4, 10) according to one of the preceding claims. Container after Claim 8 , which is provided for a vehicle and is designed to receive a liquid for supplying at least one device of the vehicle. Container after Claim 8 or 9 which is designed to hold a liquid for cooling at least one fuel cell.

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