JP2016200597A - Sensor, driver component with sensor, driver with driver component, and method for determination - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor to be incorporated in a driver component, especially in the combination of an electric motor and a speed changer.SOLUTION: A sensor (10) includes: partial conductive paths (21a, 21b) for forming an electrostatic capacity; and an insulating material (20) containing the partial conductive paths (21a, 21b), the partial conductive paths (21a, 21b) being located at a side (11) of the sensor (10) near a detector, and the side being at least partially in contact with the inner space of the driver component (100) while being incorporated in the inner space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor incorporated in a drive device component, a drive device component including the sensor, a drive device including the drive device component, and a method for determining a signal of the sensor.

  According to the prior art, devices and methods for detecting liquid flowing out of a part of a drive device are well known. Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid leakage / discharge groove from a motor. A sensor is disposed in the leakage / discharge groove. When the liquid flows from the motor to the leakage / discharge groove, the detector side of the sensor gets wet, and the wetness of the liquid can be detected by determining the sensor signal.

European Patent Application Publication No. 1562031

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sensor or an improved method for determining a signal from a sensor. In particular, it is necessary to improve the detection reliability by the simplest possible method as compared with the conventional case.

  The problem is solved by a sensor incorporated in a drive device component according to claim 1 or by a sensor signal determination method according to another claim. That is, the said subject is solved by the structure to following (1)-(15).

  (1) A sensor incorporated in a drive device component, in particular, a combination of an electric motor and a transmission, comprising a partial conductor path for forming a capacitance and an insulating material for housing the partial conductor path, The partial conductor path is arranged on the detector side of the sensor, and the detector side is in a state where at least a part thereof is in contact with the internal space of the drive device component in the assembled state.

  (2) The sensor according to (1), wherein the insulating material is formed to be bendable.

  (3) The sensor according to (1) or (2), wherein the sensor includes a pin in which the insulating material having the partial conductor path is disposed at a tip.

  (4) The sensor according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the insulating material is formed as a ring.

  (5) The sensor according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the sensor includes a determination electronic circuit.

  (6) The sensor according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the partial conductor path has an interdigital structure having at least partially meshed partial conductor paths.

  (7) A drive device component as an adapter plate having the sensor according to any one of (1) to (6).

  (8) The drive device component according to (7), wherein the sensor is directly disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the drive device component.

  (9) In the sensor, the detector side is formed and / or arranged so that the liquid wets at least a part of the sensor side of the sensor when the liquid flows into the internal space. ) Or the drive device component according to (8).

  (10) The drive device component is formed so as to be in contact with a transmission region, and the transmission region includes a transmission space sealed against the internal space of the drive device component. Thru | or 9 drive device components of any one of (9).

  (11) A drive device having the drive device component according to any one of (7) to (10) and a transmission fixed to the drive device component.

  (12) The drive device according to (11), wherein the drive device includes an electric motor, and the drive device component is disposed between the electric motor and the transmission.

  (13) A method for determining a signal of the sensor according to any one of (1) to (6) or the sensor incorporated in the drive device component according to any one of (7) to (10). A method for determining a signal of a sensor, comprising: measuring a capacitance of a partial conductor path; and comparing the measured capacitance with a predetermined comparison value.

  (14) The determination method according to (13), further including a step of classifying a type of liquid that has wetted at least a part of the sensor side of the sensor by comparison.

  (15) The sensor according to any one of (1) to (6), including the determination electronic circuit that executes the determination method according to (13) or (14), or (7) to (10) The drive device component according to any one of (1) or (11) or (12).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an improved sensor to be mounted on a drive device and an improved method for determining a signal from the sensor, and detection of liquid due to a leakage of lubricant in the drive device as compared with the prior art. Can be detected reliably and with high sensitivity.

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a drive device including a sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged view of a part including the sensor of the first embodiment of FIG. Schematic plan view on the detector side of the sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a drive device including a sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a sensor incorporated within a drive component is described. The sensor includes a conductor path that forms a capacitance and an insulating material that receives the conductor path, and the conductor path is disposed on the detector side of the sensor. The portion is in contact with the internal space of the drive device component.

  Another aspect of the present invention describes a method for determining the signal of the typical sensor described above. The determination method includes a step of measuring the capacitance of the conductor path and a step of comparing the measured capacitance with a preset comparison value.

  A typical sensor is or can be incorporated within the drive component. In a typical sensor, the detector side of the sensor is at least partially in contact with the interior space of the drive component. Typically, the conductor track that is arranged on the detector side of the sensor to form a capacitance is part of the surface of the internal space of the drive device component. In the present embodiment, the conductor path is embedded in an insulating material and typically insulated from the internal space of the drive device component by the insulating material. In yet another embodiment, the conductor track is arranged without constraint or has an inherent insulation independent of the insulation. However, there are typically no other layers between the detector side of the sensor and the interior space of the drive component.

  If liquid, e.g. oil, is present in the internal space of the drive component, it can enter the internal space and cause a leak, and in a typical embodiment, the detector side of the sensor is wetted directly. “Wet” does not necessarily mean that the liquid is dispersed over the entire surface on the detector side. To be precise, “wet” means a small amount of liquid present in only a small part on the detector side of the sensor, for example a small oil droplet of 100 μL or more than 50 μL.

  For example, the liquid to be detected as a leaked liquid that wets the detector side of the sensor in the event of a leak typically has a relative dielectric constant and is relative to the media present in the interior space of the drive component in normal drive conditions. It is different from the dielectric constant. Typically, in normal driving conditions, this medium is air. When the liquid wets the detector side of the sensor, the dielectric constant of the half space in contact with the conductor path contained in the sensor insulation changes. Thereby, the capacitance of the conductor path changes. Capacitance measurement or capacitance change measurement is typically used to detect liquid on the detector side of a sensor.

  In an exemplary embodiment, it is advantageous that the detection of liquid flowing into the interior space of the drive component can be performed directly in the interior space itself. Normally, the inflow of liquid into the interior space of the drive component is undesirable, i.e., typically the detection of the liquid by the sensor is the detection of a leak.

  Typically, in the present invention, for example, the sensor arrangement does not include a leakage / discharge groove, and particularly the interior space or the drive device component or drive device does not have the leak / discharge groove. When liquid, particularly leaked liquid, flows into the drive device components, the detector side of the sensor is directly wetted without having to guide the liquid through the leak / discharge grooves in advance.

  In a conventional leakage / discharge groove, for example, when there is only a small amount of lubricant, the liquid that flows in or out undesirably may not be detected or may not be detected accurately. On the other hand, the sensor side of the sensor of the present invention is typically at least partially in contact with the internal space of the drive component. Direct detection of liquid in the interior space of the drive component itself improves detection accuracy, response time in case of leakage or detection sensitivity.

  The liquid to be detected may be an external liquid that has flowed into the drive device component due to external environmental conditions. Typically, such extraneous liquid is water and / or a cleaning agent that encloses a gasket placed on the drive component in an undesirable manner during the cleaning process.

  In some embodiments, the insulating material is formed to be easy to bend. In another embodiment, a rigid insulation is provided. The insulating material may be formed, for example, from a polyimide foil material or another synthetic resin as a flat flexible circuit board. The conductor path forming the capacitance may be embedded in the circuit board material. The flexibility of the insulating material allows the sensor to adapt to the contour of the interior space of the drive device component.

  In one embodiment, the sensor includes a pin, and an insulating material including a conductor path is disposed at the tip of the pin. In an exemplary embodiment, the pins include bolts or threaded bolts. Typically, the pin is insertable into an opening in the drive component, such as an opening having a hole or internal thread in the drive component.

  In some embodiments, the sensor insulation is formed as a ring. The conductor track may be formed on the side surface of the ring and may be formed on the entire circumference of one surface of the ring. The side is the inside of the ring which, when assembled, faces the interior space. In another embodiment, the conductor track is formed on the axial side of the ring. In the assembled state, the ring is arranged on one side of the drive device component that functions as a gasket, facing the internal space of the drive device component. The ring may perform part or all of this gasket function.

  In some embodiments, the sensor comprises decision electronics. The determination electronic circuit may be formed inside the sensor, for example, inside an insulating material. Alternatively, the determination electronic circuit may be formed in direct contact with the insulating material. For example, the determination electronic circuit may be formed on the side of the sensor facing the detector side.

  In a typical determination method, the capacitance of a conductor track is measured, and the measured capacitance is compared with a predetermined value.

  A typical decision electronics has a capacitance measurement function for the capacitance of the sensor conductor path. For example, the determination electronic circuit is configured to measure the capacitance of the conductor path and compare the measured capacitance with a predetermined value.

  In a typical decision electronics or typical decision method, the pre-given value is a pre-given capacitance or a value associated with the pre-given capacitance. The pre-given value may be determined in advance or given during operation. In another embodiment, the rate of change of capacitance is compared to a threshold value. The comparison is carried out continuously or repeatedly with a fixed or determinable time interval.

  Typically, the pre-given value is related to the theoretical capacitance when the detector side of the sensor is not wetted with liquid. The value given in advance when a particular liquid is used to eliminate at least a portion of another liquid that has entered the interior space of the drive component is the value when the detector side of the sensor is wet with the particular liquid. It is also related to the theoretical capacitance. This means that when a specific liquid or other liquid having a different relative dielectric constant wets a conductor path on the detection side of the sensor, the capacitance of the conductor path differs depending on the liquid.

  In an embodiment of an exemplary determination method or an embodiment of exemplary determination electronics, the measurement of the capacitance of the conductor track includes a measurement signal that enters the conductor track. Typically, a voltage is applied to the conductor track to measure the capacitance of the conductor track. Typically, the capacitance measurement is associated with a reference capacitance, and a conversion of the ratio measured at the measurement voltage is performed.

  A typical decision electronics may include a capacitance-voltage converter for capacitance measurement functions. Typically, the capacitance of the conductor track is related to the reference capacitance.

  In one embodiment, the determination electronic circuit includes any one of a constant power source, a time measurement circuit, and a voltage measurement circuit. Typically, electric charge from a constant power source is supplied to the conductor path, and the time elapsed until a predetermined voltage is reached is measured. The capacitance of the conductor path is typically calculated from the measured time, the predetermined voltage, and the power supply current value from the constant power supply.

  The comparison may be performed continuously by typical decision methods or typical decision electronics, or repeated at time intervals that can be determined or determined. During comparison, it is typically determined how much the measured value deviates above or below the comparison value. Typically, the comparison value includes a comparison range around the average value. When the comparison determines that the measured capacitance is not within the comparison value range, a corresponding signal, for example, a warning signal is output.

  In an exemplary sensor embodiment, the conductor track includes an interdigital structure in which the partial conductor tracks are at least partially engaged. In other words, it can be said that the conductor path includes a plurality of partial conductor paths each functioning as an electrode. Typically, the plurality of partial conductor tracks may comprise two partial conductor tracks formed as a first electrode or as a second electrode. Each electrode is electrically connected to the determination device. In another embodiment, electrodes are further provided for position resolution with respect to the surface wetted by the leaking liquid.

  In some embodiments, the drive component includes the exemplary sensors described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive component is a transmission or adapter plate. A typical adapter plate is used when the electric motor and the transmission are connected or when the transmission and the transmission are connected. In a typical connection between the electric motor and the transmission, the shaft from the electric motor protrudes, and the adapter plate has an opening through which the shaft passes. In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter plate includes a first fixed surface so that it can be attached to the drive side of the electric motor. A typical adapter plate includes a second fixed surface for attachment to the transmission.

  In one embodiment, the sensor is placed directly on the inner peripheral surface of the drive component. The sensor may be disposed directly on the inner peripheral surface of the driving device component together with the determination electronic circuit. The inner peripheral surface of the drive device component is typically the surface itself that is part of the boundary of the internal space of the drive device component. This inner peripheral surface may be, for example, an inner cylindrical surface or an inner cylindrical surface of a drive device component, particularly an inner cylindrical surface of an adapter plate. The inner peripheral surface is typically provided to form an internal space through which the shaft passes. The detector side of the sensor and the inner peripheral surface are in contact with each other in at least a part of the internal space arranged to pass the shaft. The signal from the sensor or the signal from the determination electronic circuit that is a part of the sensor may be derived from the internal space by wiring. For example, a suitable conduit may be provided. Typically, the conduit may be provided in a fixture hole that is inserted from the outside into the opening in the side of the drive component.

  In some embodiments, the sensor contacts or is formed and / or disposed within the driver component so that the detector side of the sensor is at least partially liquid when it flows into the interior space. Get wet. Liquid, particularly lubricant, that has flowed into the interior space is typically radially distributed in the interior space of the drive component by a shaft that rotates during operation. Typically, the function of the sensor does not depend on the state of incorporation considering the orientation of the drive component, i.e. the sensor is incorporated on the top, bottom or side of the drive component. do not do.

  In one embodiment, the drive device component is mounted in contact with the transmission area, and the transmission area includes a sealed transmission internal space that opposes the internal space of the drive device component. Typically, the lubricant is supplied to the transmission internal space during operation.

  In one embodiment, a drive device is provided that includes the exemplary drive device component described above and a transmission fixed or attached to the drive device component. Typically, a transmission of a drive device includes a transmission region, which includes a sealed transmission internal space opposite the internal space of the drive device components. Typically, a lubricant is supplied to the transmission internal space. The lubricant may be oil, and the transmission internal space may be filled with the oil.

  In an embodiment, the drive device includes an electric motor, and the drive device component is disposed between the electric motor and the transmission. A typical electric motor of this embodiment may be a synchronous motor, an asynchronous motor, or a servo motor.

  The transmission is typically formed as a planetary gear, wave gear, coaxial transmission or linear transmission, or also as a hydraulic or fluid transmission. Typically, the transmission area includes an inlet for a shaft that passes through the drive components.

  A typical determination method may be performed in a determination electronics that contacts or is incorporated within the sensor. Instead, a typical determination method may be executed in an external determination device.

  In some embodiments, the method further comprises a liquid type classification function that, by comparison, wets at least partially the detector side of the sensor. Classification can be made, for example, by checking whether the measured capacitance is greater or less than the comparison value, or whether it is above or below the range of the comparison value range, for example during the comparison. Done. Thereby, for example, whether the liquid is polar or not is roughly determined. During classification, for example, an accurate comparison or ranking of values may be performed. For example, a fine determination of the type of liquid is made as to which type or class of lubricant the detected liquid is classified into.

  Hereinafter, advantages and features of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples, but rather the scope of the invention is determined by the claims.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a driving apparatus including a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  A transmission 150 shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a transmission region 151 together with a driven shaft 155 protruding from the transmission 150. The transmission area 151 is formed as a transmission unit and includes, for example, a planetary gear or a wave gear.

  In order to connect the electric motor 160 provided with the shaft 165 for driving the transmission 150 and the transmission 150, a driving device component 100 formed as an adapter plate 101 is provided.

  The adapter plate 101 is configured such that the electric motor 160 side can be fixed corresponding to the electric motor 160. Similarly, the adapter plate 101 is configured such that the transmission 150 side can be fixed corresponding to the transmission 150. The shaft 165 of the electric motor 160 passes through the adapter plate 101 in a fixed state. The shaft 165 is inserted into the transmission 150 to drive the transmission.

  Typically, the internal space of the transmission is filled with a lubricant that lubricates the transmission, and its leakage implies a transmission failure. By detecting such a leak early, the life of the transmission is increased and safety is improved.

  Characteristically, the driving device may affect and stop the process while driving. Such an influence on the process is due to, for example, a substance that contaminates the driving device. During cleaning of the driving device for removing contamination, cleaning liquid or the like may enter the internal space of the transmission 150 and cause corrosion. Early detection of such intrusion of liquid also increases the life of the transmission and improves safety.

  In order to allow the transmission 150 to be mounted on the adapter plate 101, the adapter plate 101 is provided with an opening 130 having an internal screw for inserting the pin 30. The pin 30 includes the sensor 10 and is formed as a bolt in the illustrated embodiment.

  An enlarged pin 30 is illustrated in FIG. For simplicity, no screw is shown in the pin barrel 32. Depending on the embodiment, the pin may include a plug-in type locking member, or another fixing device that fixes the pin to the adapter plate in cooperation with an opening formed in the adapter plate.

  The tip 31 of the front end of the body 32 of the pin 30 is provided with the sensor 10 described in more detail with reference to FIG. The tip 31 of the pin 30 forms the sensor 10. The detector side 11 of the sensor 10 is placed unconstrained on the tip 31 in the illustrated embodiment and is part of the surface of the tip 31 of the pin.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the detector side 11 of the sensor 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The sensor 10 includes an insulating material 20 as a planar circular flexible substrate made of polyimide. The flexible substrate has a thickness in the direction perpendicular to the surface, for example, less than 1.5 mm, or 1 mm, or 0.5 mm.

  The insulating material 20 includes a conductor path having two partial conductor paths 21 a and 21. The partial conductor paths 21a and 21b are formed inside the insulating material 20, and are entirely covered with the insulating material.

  The thickness of the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b may be thinner than 1 mm, 0.5 mm, or 0.25 mm, for example. On the side of the tip 31 of the pin 30 to which the sensor 10 is fixed and the detector side 11 shown in FIG. 3, the partial conductor paths 21 a and 21 b are covered with a thin film of the insulating material 20. This film covering the partial conductor tracks 21a, 21b is, for example, less than 0.5 mm, or 0.3 mm, or 0.1 mm. The partial conductor paths 21a and 21b are constrained.

  Each of the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b serves as an electrode formed by being insulated from each other. Each electrode includes a portion formed in an arc shape around the insulating material 20. Starting from the respective arc-shaped portions, a number of parallel conductor paths extend to the arc-shaped portion of the other electrode facing each other, but the facing arc-shaped portions Not reached. Each of the parallel conductor paths is electrically connected to a portion formed in an arc shape starting from the starting point. The parallel conductor paths extend in mesh with each other without contacting the opposing conductor paths. As a result, an interdigital structure is exhibited.

  A determination electronic circuit (not shown) is incorporated in the sensor 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. The determination electronic circuit is formed on the side facing the detector side 11 on the insulating material 20, is electrically connected to the partial conductor path 21a as the first electrode, and the partial conductor path 21b as the second electrode. Both are electrically connected.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the pin 30 is provided with a hole (not shown) for passing a decision signal coupled to a decision electronic circuit from the area of the drive component 100.

  The determination electronic circuit is wired so as to determine a signal from the partial conductor path, that is, the first electrode and the second electrode. Therefore, the measurement of the capacitance between the partial conductor paths and the comparison between the measured capacitance and the comparison value are provided. In some embodiments, the determination electronic circuit includes a capacitance-voltage conversion circuit. The capacitance-voltage conversion circuit grasps the capacitance of the conductor path by using a reference capacitance incorporated in the capacitance-voltage conversion circuit or provided outside.

  Typical values for the reference capacitance are 5 pF to 1 nF. The capacitance between the partial conductor tracks is, for example, in the range of a few picofarads, for example 0.5 pF, and a few nanofarads, for example 5 nF. The capacitance-voltage conversion circuit is driven by a direct current in the range of, for example, several volts, for example, 3 to 12 V, and outputs a similar value in the range of 1 to 5 V as a measured value. The inference of this measured value is made possible by the capacitance between the partial conductor paths measured by the capacitance-voltage conversion circuit. The capacitance-voltage conversion circuit may be an analog circuit or a digital circuit that outputs a digital signal that enables reverse inference based on the capacitance between the partial conductor paths.

  The determination electronic circuit compares the measured capacitance with a preset comparison value following measurement of the capacitance, that is, grasping of the capacitance by the capacitance-voltage conversion circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the comparison value corresponds to a range of values emanating from the non-wetting detector side of the sensor. If the range is exceeded or does not reach the range, the decision electronics outputs a decision signal based on the comparison. The judgment electronic circuit can be wired so as to output a judgment signal based on appropriate coding for notifying a normal state for each comparison when it is normal (that is, when it exceeds the above range or does not reach the above range). . If the above range is exceeded or the above range is not reached, the coding of the decision signal signals a fault condition.

  The capacitance is measured at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 5 seconds or every 10 seconds. Measurements can be made continuously or with varying time intervals depending on the situation. It is also possible to select a time interval that is not monotonous.

  Since the comparison with the measured comparison value of the capacitance of the conductor path is performed at a fixed time interval in this embodiment, the comparison belonging to each measurement is put in the determination circuit in advance.

  In a typical embodiment, the capacitance between the partial conductor paths depends on the conductor path surface and the total dielectric, which is related to the electric field between the partial conductor paths that affects the capacitance. On the other hand, the insulating material is involved in the total dielectric, that is, the capacitance between the partial conductor paths depends on the relative dielectric constant of the insulating material.

  Since the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b of the sensor 10 on the detector side 11 are covered only by a relatively thin layer of the insulating material 20, the medium on the detector side 11 beyond the insulating material 20 is also capacitive. Affects. When charges are present in the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b, the electric field lines extend at least in a half space on the other side of the insulating material 20. If the medium is sufficiently present in the vicinity of the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b, the medium in the half space affects the measurement of the capacitance between the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the pin 30 is inserted into the opening 130 with the tip 31 at the top. Thereby, in the state in which the sensor 10 is incorporated, the detector side 11 of the sensor 10 becomes a part of the surface 110 of the internal space of the drive device component 100, that is, the adapter plate 101.

  In the present embodiment, the adapter plate 101 is in contact with the transmission region 151 in the assembled state. Without the gasket, the lubricant flows out from the internal space of the transmission area 151 as a leaking liquid. The leaked liquid flows into the internal space of the adapter plate 101 that is in contact therewith. In a typical driving state, the shaft 165 passing through the adapter plate 101 rotates. Therefore, the lubricant that has flowed out is dispersed in the inner space, more precisely, the inner peripheral surface of the inner space that forms the surface 110 of the inner space.

  In the assembled state, the detector side 11 of the sensor is a part of the surface of the internal space, that is, a part of the inner peripheral surface in the present embodiment. The lubricant that has flowed into the interior space of the adapter plate 101 at least partially wets the detector side 11 of the sensor 10. The detected lubricant is detected in the internal space of the drive device component itself. The wetting of a small amount of lubricant causes a change in the capacitance measured between the partial conductor paths 21a and 21b of the sensor 10. For example, even if the amount of oil is 0.1 mL or less, it affects the change in capacitance.

[Example 2]
FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a driving apparatus including a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the sensor 10 does not include a pin that is inserted into the opening of the adapter plate 101. More precisely, the sensor 10 is arranged on one side of the ring 40, i.e. on the inner side 41 of the ring 40, in the assembled state, in front of the adapter plate 101 and in the internal space of the drive device part 100. Forming at least part of the surface 110 of In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the sensor 10 is formed on the inside 41 portion of the ring 40. In some embodiments, the sensor 10 may be formed so as to cover most of the inside of the ring 40, or the sensor 10 may be formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the inside 41 of the ring 40.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the detector side 11 of the sensor 10 corresponds to the inner side 41 of the ring 40 and directly contacts the transmission 150 in the assembled state. When the lubricant flows from the inside of the transmission into the internal space 110 of the adapter plate 101, a part of the ring surface, that is, a part on the detector side 11 of the sensor 10 is also wetted by the lubricant. From the change in capacitance due to the result, the outflow of liquid into the internal space 110 of the drive device component 100 can be detected reliably and with high sensitivity. For the measurement of capacitance, refer to another embodiment of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sensor 11 Detector side 20 Insulation material 21a, 21b Partial conductor path 30 Pin 31 (Pin) tip 32 (Pin) trunk 40 Ring 41 (Ring) inside 100 Drive device part 101 Adapter board 110 (Inside space) Surface 130 Opening 150 Transmission 151 Transmission region 155 Driven shaft 160 (of transmission) Electric motor 165 Shaft of (electric motor)

Claims (15)

A sensor (10) incorporated in the drive device component (100), in particular in the combination of an electric motor and a transmission,
An insulating material (20) for housing the partial conductor paths (21a, 21b) and the partial conductor paths (21a, 21b) for forming a capacitance;
The partial conductor paths (21a, 21b) are arranged on the detector side (11) of the sensor (10), and at least a part of the detector side is an internal space of the drive device component (100) in the assembled state. Sensor in contact with   The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the insulating material (20) is shaped to be bendable.   The sensor (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor (10) includes a pin (30) in which an insulating material (20) having a partial conductor path (21a, 21b) is arranged at a tip (31).   The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating material (20) is formed as a ring (40).   The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a determination electronic circuit.   The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductor path is an interdigital structure having at least partially meshed partial conductor paths (21a, 21b).   A drive device component (100) as an adapter plate comprising the sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The drive device component (100) according to claim 7, wherein the sensor (10) is arranged directly on the inner peripheral surface of the drive device component (100).   The sensor (10) is formed on the detector side so that the liquid wets at least part of the detector side (11) of the sensor (10) when the liquid flows into the internal space (110). 9. Drive device component (100) according to claim 7 or claim 8, arranged. The drive device component (100) is formed in a configuration in contact with the transmission region (151),
10. A drive device component (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the transmission area (151) comprises a transmission space sealed opposite the internal space of the drive device component (100). 100).   11. A drive device comprising a drive device component (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 10 and a transmission (150) fixed to the drive device component (100).   The drive device according to claim 11, wherein the drive device comprises an electric motor (160) and the drive device component (100) is arranged between the electric motor (160) and the transmission (150). A sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or a sensor (10) incorporated in a drive component (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 10. A method for determining a signal,
A method for determining a sensor signal, comprising: measuring a capacitance of the partial conductor paths (21a, 21b); and comparing the measured capacitance with a predetermined comparison value.   14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of classifying the type of liquid that has wetted at least part of the detector side (11) of the sensor (10) by comparison.   The sensor (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a determination electronic circuit for executing the determination method according to claim 13 or claim 14. Drive device part (100) according to claim 1, or drive device according to claim 11 or claim 12.

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