KR20220049265A - Sensor element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor element. The present invention, as a sensing element which can precisely measure physical quantities such as a temperature and a pressure of a fluid in a vehicle, relates to the sensor element which can be used as a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor. The sensor element of the present invention comprises: a sensor body having a suction hole through which a fluid is introduced; a measurement unit disposed on the sensor body; a PCB disposed on the sensor body and connected to the measurement unit; and a polymer member coupling the measurement unit and the PCB to the sensor body.

Description

sensor element {SENSOR ELEMENT}

The present invention relates to a sensor element, and more particularly, to a sensor element that can be used as a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor as a sensing element capable of precisely measuring physical quantities such as temperature and pressure of a fluid in a vehicle.

In general, a sensor element is an information conversion means that detects and collects a physical quantity of a measurement target and converts it into a signal readable by an observer or a device.

The sensor element includes a measuring unit that substantially measures a physical quantity, a printed circuit board physically and electrically coupled to the measuring unit (PCB: PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD), and a sensor body supporting the measuring unit and the printed circuit board .

In particular, as the minimum element of a device for acquiring information about an object, the measuring unit should respond sensitively to a physical quantity and exhibit stable performance even under repeated loads.

As devices to which the sensor element is attached become lighter and smaller, there is a demand for a technology capable of mass-producing the volume or size of the measurement unit itself.

In measuring sensor element information on physical quantity, sensing precision is important, but technology capable of mass production due to shape and structural characteristics is also required.

Traditionally, when these sensor elements are coupled to the surface of the sensor body of the measurement unit, they are coupled in the GLASS BONDING method.

In the glass bonding method, glass powder is applied to the surface of the sensor body and heated to a high temperature to melt the glass powder.

Then, after arranging and attaching the measuring part to a predetermined position on the melted glass powder, the measuring part is coupled to the sensor body as the glass powder is hardened.

On the other hand, the method of coupling the measuring part to the sensor body using this glass powder has a high probability of causing an error when selecting the location of the measuring part on the sensor body.

In particular, after arrangement of the measuring part on the sensor body, there is a possibility that the position of the measuring part may be deformed according to the hardening of the glass powder.

In addition, if the glass powder is applied unequally to the surface of the sensor body, a deviation may occur in the height of the measuring part, and the measurement of the measuring part may be measured inaccurately.

The present invention for solving the problems as described above is to provide a sensor element that can accurately couple the pressure measuring resistance to the element body.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention, and a method for achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

A sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes: a sensor body having a suction hole through which a fluid is introduced; a measurement unit disposed on the sensor body; a PCB disposed on the sensor body and connected to the measurement unit; and a polymer member coupling the measuring unit and the PCB to the sensor body.

The sensor body may include: a support part on which the measuring part is seated on an upper surface; and a flange portion extending outwardly from the lower periphery of the support portion and on which the PCB is mounted on the upper surface.

A plurality of coupling protrusions to which the polymer member is coupled are formed on the circumference of the support part and are spaced apart from each other at a distance from each other.

The measuring unit may include: a first pressure measuring unit detecting the pressure of the fluid introduced from the suction hole; and a second pressure measuring unit disposed at a position spaced apart from the first pressure measuring unit on the upper part of the sensor body, diagnosing a failure, and transmitting a fault code to an external control unit through a lead terminal.

The second pressure measuring unit compares a preset value with the measured value measured by the first pressure measuring unit, and diagnoses a malfunction when a signal abnormality occurs.

The polymer member is made of a flexible material.

The polymer member surrounds the support portion and the flange portion.

In the polymer member, a plurality of coupling grooves are formed at positions corresponding to the coupling protrusions, and coupling grooves into which the coupling protrusions are respectively inserted are formed.

The PCB is soldered to the sensor body.

According to the present invention, the second pressure measuring device compares the preset value with the measured value of the first pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the fluid introduced through the suction hole and diagnoses a malfunction when a deviation occurs in a certain signal. , it is possible to more precisely sense the fluid pressure of the first pressure measuring unit through fault diagnosis of the second pressure measuring unit.

And, since the PCB is coupled to the flange part of the sensor body by soldering, the PCB is firmly coupled to the sensor body, thereby effectively preventing the PCB from being easily separated from the sensor body due to repeated vibrations during vehicle driving. .

In addition, since the polymer member is made of a flexible material, even if the support part is excessively deformed by the pressure of the fluid introduced through the suction hole, it is possible to effectively prevent the position of the measuring part from being misaligned or the measuring part from being separated from the sensor body. It works.

In addition, since the polymer member is fixed to the sensor body by the mutual coupling of the coupling protrusion of the sensor body and the coupling groove of the polymer member, it is possible to effectively prevent the measuring part from being displaced from the position initially placed on the sensor body during the curing of the polymer member. This has the effect of minimizing assembly defects in the process of assembling the measuring part to the sensor body.

1 is a perspective view showing a sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a plan view showing a sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an enlarged view showing a sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Examples of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following examples may be modified in various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is as follows It is not limited to an Example. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art. In addition, in the following drawings, each configuration is exaggerated for convenience and clarity of description, and the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in the drawings. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of one or more of those listed items.

The terminology used herein is used to describe specific embodiments, not to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the singular form may include the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used herein, “comprise” and/or “comprising” refers to specifying the presence of the recited shapes, numbers, steps, actions, members, elements, and/or groups thereof. and does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, movements, members, elements and/or groups.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a plan view showing an element, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4 , the sensor element according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor body 100 , a measurement unit 200 , a PCB 300 , and a polymer member 400 .

The sensor body 100 has a suction hole 130 formed therein through which a fluid flows, and may have any one material selected from among various materials.

For example, the sensor body 100 is made of a metal material or an alloy material, or is made of a semiconductor material that causes an electrical resistance change according to the application of a load of temperature or pressure, which is a stress, by the piezoresistive effect, or The metal or alloy material may be made of a composite material in which the semiconductor material is incorporated.

Since the material of the sensor body 100 may be an element material of a typical automotive pressure sensor or temperature-pressure complex sensor, it may not be limited to the characteristic material in this embodiment, and the pressure sensor or temperature-pressure complex sensor listed above. It can be made of the general-purpose material used for manufacturing.

The sensor body 100 includes a support part 110 and a flange part 120 .

The support part 110 supports the measuring part 200 by seating the measuring part 200 on the upper surface, and is formed on and around the suction hole 130 to define the suction hole 130 .

The support unit 110 is deformed according to the pressure to measure the pressure of the environment in which the measurement unit 200 is installed by the fluid introduced through the suction hole 130 .

A coupling protrusion 111 is formed around the support 110 .

The coupling protrusions 111 are formed in plurality, and are formed to be spaced apart from each other at a distance along the circumference of the support unit 110 .

Specifically, the coupling protrusion 111 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends outwardly from the circumference of the support part 110 .

The polymer member 400 is coupled to these coupling protrusions 111 .

The flange part 120 extends outwardly from the lower periphery of the support part 110 , and the PCB 300 is seated on the upper surface.

The flange portion 120 serves to reinforce the structural rigidity of the outer peripheral surface of the sensor body 100, thereby preventing deformation due to pressure.

That is, the flange part 120 may be a rigid body that is not deformed due to stress caused by pressure on the outer peripheral surface of the sensor body 100 .

The measuring unit 200 is disposed on the sensor body 100 and may be a type of resistor in the form of a semiconductor resistance chip.

The measuring unit 200 may be implemented using a Wheatstone bridge circuit principle technology for measuring a partial pressure by using a change in resistance due to tension or compression of the support unit 110 .

The measuring unit 200 includes a first pressure measuring unit 210 and a second pressure measuring unit 220 .

The first pressure measuring part 210 is disposed on the upper surface of the support part 110 and detects the pressure as a resistance value at which the support part 110 is deformed by the fluid introduced from the suction hole 130 .

The second pressure measuring unit 220 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the first pressure measuring unit 210 on the upper surface of the sensor body 100 , that is, the support unit 110 .

Specifically, the second pressure measuring unit 220 is disposed symmetrically with the first pressure measuring unit 210 with respect to the center of the support unit 110 .

Then, the second pressure measuring unit 220 diagnoses the failure and transmits the failure code to the external control unit through the lead terminal.

Specifically, the second pressure measuring device compares a predetermined value with the measured value of the first pressure measuring unit 210 that measures the pressure of the fluid introduced through the suction hole 130, and when a deviation occurs over a certain signal , fault diagnosis.

For this reason, the measurement unit 200 can more precisely sense the fluid pressure of the first pressure measurement unit 210 through fault diagnosis of the second pressure measurement unit 220 .

On the other hand, the measuring unit 200 may include a separate lead terminal (not shown) to transmit the measured values measured from the first pressure measuring unit 210 and the second pressure measuring unit 220 to the outside. there is.

The PCB 300 is disposed on the upper surface of the sensor body 100 , ie, the flange part 120 , and is electrically connected to the measurement part 200 .

The PCB 300 receives the pressure sensing signal from the measuring unit 200 and processes the signal to calculate a measured value.

Then, the measured value calculated from the PCB 300 is transmitted to a vehicle main controller, for example, an ECU, or a sub-controller that performs a specific function.

On the other hand, this PCB 300 is coupled to the sensor body 100 after coupling the measuring part 200 and the PCB 300 to the sensor body 100 and finally coupled to the flange part 120 of the sensor body 100 by a soldering method.

As a result, the PCB 300 is firmly coupled to the sensor body 100 , thereby effectively preventing the PCB 300 from being easily separated from the sensor body 100 due to repeated vibrations while the vehicle is driving.

The polymer member 400 couples the measuring unit 200 and the PCB 300 to the sensor body 100 .

Specifically, the polymer member 400 wraps the support part 110 and the flange part 120 , and thus the measuring part 200 disposed on the upper surface of the support part 110 and the PCB disposed on the upper surface of the flange part 120 . (300) is prevented from being separated from the sensor body (100).

The polymer member 400 is formed in a liquid phase in the initial stage of coupling the measurement unit 200 and the PCB 300 to the sensor body 100 and is cured over time.

The polymer member 400 is preferably made of a soft material having elasticity even after hardening.

For example, the polymer member 400 is made of a flexible material such as silicone.

Therefore, since the polymer member 400 is made of a flexible material, even if the support part 110 is excessively deformed by the pressure of the fluid introduced through the suction hole 130, the position of the measurement part 200 is shifted, It is possible to effectively prevent the measurement unit 200 from being separated from the sensor body 100 .

A polymer member 410 is formed on the polymer member 400 .

The polymer member 410 is formed in plurality to correspond to the coupling protrusion 111 , and is formed at a position corresponding to the coupling protrusion 111 in the polymer member 400 .

In addition, it is preferable that the polymer member 400 is cured in a state in which the coupling protrusion 111 is inserted into the polymer member 410 .

Therefore, even when the polymer member 400 is cured, the polymer member 400 is fixed to the sensor body 100 by the coupling of the coupling protrusion 111 and the polymer member 410 , thereby curing the polymer member 400 . It is possible to effectively prevent the measurement unit 200 from being displaced from the position initially disposed on the sensor body 100 .

Accordingly, in the process of assembling the measuring unit 200 to the sensor body 100 , it is possible to minimize assembly defects in which the measuring unit 200 is displaced from the sensor body 100 .

As such, the embodiments disclosed in this specification should be considered from an exemplary point of view for description rather than a limiting point of view. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: sensor body 110: support
111: coupling projection 120: flange portion
130: suction hole 200: measuring unit
210: first pressure measuring unit 220: second pressure measuring unit
300: PCB 400: no polymer
410: coupling groove

Claims (9)

a sensor body having a suction hole through which the fluid is introduced;
a measuring unit disposed on the sensor body;
a PCB disposed on the sensor body and connected to the measurement unit; and
A sensor element comprising a polymer (POLYMER) member for coupling the measuring unit and the PCB to the sensor body.
According to claim 1, wherein the sensor body,
a support part on which the measuring part is seated on an upper surface; and
The sensor element including a flange portion extending outwardly from the lower periphery of the support portion, the PCB is seated on the upper surface.
3. The method of claim 2,
A sensor element in which a plurality of coupling protrusions are formed on the circumference of the support part to be spaced apart from each other at a distance from each other and to which the polymer member is coupled.
According to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit,
a first pressure measuring unit for detecting the pressure of the fluid introduced from the suction hole; and
and a second pressure measuring unit disposed at a position spaced apart from the first pressure measuring unit at an upper portion of the sensor body, diagnosing a failure and transmitting a fault code to an external control unit through a lead terminal.
The method of claim 4, wherein the second pressure measuring unit,
A sensor element for diagnosing a malfunction when a predetermined signal abnormal deviation occurs by comparing a preset value with a measured value measured by the first pressure measuring unit.
4. The method of claim 3,
The polymer member is a sensor element made of a flexible material.
7. The method of claim 6,
The polymer member is a sensor element surrounding the support portion and the flange portion.
7. The method of claim 6,
In the polymer member, a plurality of sensor elements are formed at positions corresponding to the coupling protrusions, and polymer members into which the coupling protrusions are respectively inserted are formed.
According to claim 1,
The PCB is a sensor element coupled to the sensor body by a soldering method.

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