GB2035553A

GB2035553A - A temperature sensor

Info

Publication number: GB2035553A
Application number: GB7934411A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-11-06
Filing date: 1979-10-04
Publication date: 1980-06-18
Also published as: IT1162595B; FR2441157B3; FR2441157A1; IT7926912A0; DE7832863U1

Abstract

A temperature sensor provided with a temperature-dependent resistor (10) is in use incorporated in an aperture in a wall (8) in contact with a medium the temperature of which is to be measured. A housing (1) is provided with a finger-like projection (3), which has a thin outside wall by comparison with that of the housing (1) and receives the temperature-dependent resistor (10). The outside surface (4) of the projection is generally shaped for contact with the medium. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A temperature sensor The present invention relates to a temperature sensor comprising a temperature-sensitive resistor.

AT-Patent Application 2326/65 (Serial No 1099938) discloses a temperature sensor in which electrical connections in appliances equipped with modern wiring and connecting elements, especially the domestic appliances manufactured in large numbers entail problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a temperature sensor comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having an end wall provided with an alongate projection which has a wall thickness which is less than that of the housing and which in use is disposed in a medium the temperature of which is to be sensed, and a temperaturesensitive resistor disposed within the projection.

The housing may be provided with a tubular element and a radial projection for locating the housing against the wall opening, the tubular element surrounding the elongate projection over part of the length thereof and at a spacing therefrom.

The temperature sensor may comprise a conductor plate provided with plug connector means and disposed within the housing, the temperature-sensitive resistor being provided with connecting wires soldered to the plug connector means.

The housing which may be generally potshaped may be a simple injection-moulded part. The temperature-sensitive resistor may be introduced into the elongate projection and be in intimate contact with the thin outside wall of this projection. The thin wall is responsible for the temperature sensor having a low thermal inertia relative to temperature fluctuations. In that case, the elongate projection enables the temperature sensor to be incorporated into an opening of a wall set back so far that the projection protrudes only slightly beyond the clear space profile of rubber seal between the wall and the sensor. Thereby, this projection is hardly endangered against mechanical loading.

The temperature sensor can be fastened in an opening of a wall by means of the tubular element. The finger-like projection is thereby, in spite of circumcirculation by a medium, the temperature of which is to be sensed, so protected by a hard component of the temperature sensor that mechanical damage is inhibsited.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows a temperature sensor.

A temperature sensor comprises an injection moulded body comprising a housing 1 provided with a projection 2 and a further fingerlike projection 3, the outside wall of which is very thin by comparison with the remaining parts of the housing 1. The projection 3, when the temperature sensor is in a wall stands by its outside surface 4 in contact with the medium bounded by the wall. Incorporated in the projection 3 is the temperaturesensitive resistor 10, connecting wires 11 of which are soldered to conductor tracks 6 of a conductor plate 5. At the oppositely disposed end of the conductor plate 5, the conductor tracks 6 are in the form of contact blades which are suitable for the direct connection of a plug connection component (not shown) equipped with spring contacts. A recess 9 is provided for the reception of such a plug connection component in the housing 1.

A tubular prolongation 7, partially envelops the finger-like projection 3 at a spacing thereof. Thereby, very good protection of the projection 3 against mechanical loading is assured, although almost the entire outside surface can come into contact with the medium. The tubular prolongation 7 also serves for mounting the sensor in an opening of the wall 8 by means of a rubber seal 1 2.

The individual parts of the temperature sensor offer the bets prerequisites for simple manufacture and assembly. The housing 1 comprises a simply shaped injection-moulded part; it is merely augmented by the temperature sensor 10 soldered onto the conductor plate 5. Thereafter, the temperature sensor housing is merely grouted up to about half the height of the conductor plate with a synthetic resin in order that the temperaturedependent resistor and the conductor plate are located in the housing.

The above described embodiment has the advantage of being simple to produce and assemble. Furthermore, the thermal inertia with which heat transfer takes place from the medium to the temperature-sensitive resistor, is low. The housing receiving the temperaturesensitive resistor extends very far through the wall holding the temperature sensor so that as intimate as possible a contact with the heatconducting medium exists.

A device, which obviates the special arrangement of a multiple plug connecting component may be integrated in the temperature sensor. Plug connectors of that kind, for example flat conductor tape lines, are needed for modern wiring techniques.

1 A temperature sensor comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having an end wall provided with an elongate projection which has a wall thickness which is less than that of the housing and which in use is disposed in a medium the temperature of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A temperature sensor The present invention relates to a temperature sensor comprising a temperature-sensitive resistor. AT-Patent Application 2326/65 (Serial No 1099938) discloses a temperature sensor in which electrical connections in appliances equipped with modern wiring and connecting elements, especially the domestic appliances manufactured in large numbers entail problems. According to the present invention there is provided a temperature sensor comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having an end wall provided with an alongate projection which has a wall thickness which is less than that of the housing and which in use is disposed in a medium the temperature of which is to be sensed, and a temperaturesensitive resistor disposed within the projection. The housing may be provided with a tubular element and a radial projection for locating the housing against the wall opening, the tubular element surrounding the elongate projection over part of the length thereof and at a spacing therefrom. The temperature sensor may comprise a conductor plate provided with plug connector means and disposed within the housing, the temperature-sensitive resistor being provided with connecting wires soldered to the plug connector means. The housing which may be generally potshaped may be a simple injection-moulded part. The temperature-sensitive resistor may be introduced into the elongate projection and be in intimate contact with the thin outside wall of this projection. The thin wall is responsible for the temperature sensor having a low thermal inertia relative to temperature fluctuations. In that case, the elongate projection enables the temperature sensor to be incorporated into an opening of a wall set back so far that the projection protrudes only slightly beyond the clear space profile of rubber seal between the wall and the sensor. Thereby, this projection is hardly endangered against mechanical loading. The temperature sensor can be fastened in an opening of a wall by means of the tubular element. The finger-like projection is thereby, in spite of circumcirculation by a medium, the temperature of which is to be sensed, so protected by a hard component of the temperature sensor that mechanical damage is inhibsited. An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows a temperature sensor. A temperature sensor comprises an injection moulded body comprising a housing 1 provided with a projection 2 and a further fingerlike projection 3, the outside wall of which is very thin by comparison with the remaining parts of the housing 1. The projection 3, when the temperature sensor is in a wall stands by its outside surface 4 in contact with the medium bounded by the wall. Incorporated in the projection 3 is the temperaturesensitive resistor 10, connecting wires 11 of which are soldered to conductor tracks 6 of a conductor plate 5. At the oppositely disposed end of the conductor plate 5, the conductor tracks 6 are in the form of contact blades which are suitable for the direct connection of a plug connection component (not shown) equipped with spring contacts. A recess 9 is provided for the reception of such a plug connection component in the housing 1. A tubular prolongation 7, partially envelops the finger-like projection 3 at a spacing thereof. Thereby, very good protection of the projection 3 against mechanical loading is assured, although almost the entire outside surface can come into contact with the medium. The tubular prolongation 7 also serves for mounting the sensor in an opening of the wall 8 by means of a rubber seal 1 2. The individual parts of the temperature sensor offer the bets prerequisites for simple manufacture and assembly. The housing 1 comprises a simply shaped injection-moulded part; it is merely augmented by the temperature sensor 10 soldered onto the conductor plate 5. Thereafter, the temperature sensor housing is merely grouted up to about half the height of the conductor plate with a synthetic resin in order that the temperaturedependent resistor and the conductor plate are located in the housing. The above described embodiment has the advantage of being simple to produce and assemble. Furthermore, the thermal inertia with which heat transfer takes place from the medium to the temperature-sensitive resistor, is low. The housing receiving the temperaturesensitive resistor extends very far through the wall holding the temperature sensor so that as intimate as possible a contact with the heatconducting medium exists. A device, which obviates the special arrangement of a multiple plug connecting component may be integrated in the temperature sensor. Plug connectors of that kind, for example flat conductor tape lines, are needed for modern wiring techniques. CLAIMS

1 A temperature sensor comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having an end wall provided with an elongate projection which has a wall thickness which is less than that of the housing and which in use is disposed in a medium the temperature of which is to be sensed, and a temperaturesensitive resistor disposed within the projection.

2. A temperature sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a tubular element and a radial projection for locating the housing against a wall opening, the tubular element surrounding the elongate projection over at least a part of the length thereof and at a spacing therefrom.

3. A temperature sensor as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a conductor plate provided with plug connector means and disposed within the housing, the temperature-sensitive resistor being provided with connecting wires soldered to the plug connector means.

4. A temperature sensor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.