CN111208260A

CN111208260A - Hydrogen sensor

Info

Publication number: CN111208260A
Application number: CN201811389322.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 牛东
Original assignee: Vitesco Automotive Changchun Co Ltd
Current assignee: Vitesco Automotive Changchun Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-21
Filing date: 2018-11-21
Publication date: 2020-05-29

Abstract

A hydrogen sensor includes a first housing, a terminal fixed to the first housing, a second housing fixed to the first housing, a circuit board in signal connection with the terminal, and a sensor part fixed to the circuit board. The first shell comprises a main body part provided with a groove, a plug-in part which is formed by extending forwards from the main body part and is provided with a plug-in port, and a side edge surrounding the groove. The second shell is provided with a fixing part which is connected with the side edge in a sealing way and a through hole for the sensor component to extend into. The sensor part includes a housing provided with a communication hole communicating the inside of the housing with the outside, and a sensor element disposed in the housing. The hydrogen sensor further comprises an annular sealing ring arranged between the second shell and the shell. The sealing washer is used for preventing that external gas from getting into and acceping the chamber. The hydrogen sensor can prevent hydrogen from entering the containing cavity of the hydrogen sensor and contacting with an electronic element in the containing cavity to cause explosion while detecting the hydrogen.

Description

Hydrogen sensor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hydrogen sensor, and more particularly to a hydrogen sensor for detecting a vehicle fuel cell.

Background

The fuel of the traditional internal combustion engine at present causes great pollution to the environment. To improve the current situation, hydrogen fuel cells are one of the possible power sources for new energy. Hydrogen fuel is an ideal alternative to conventional internal combustion engines, which can achieve zero emission solutions. But during the use of hydrogen fuel, it may cause explosion due to hydrogen leakage (1.3% concentration explosion limit).

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a hydrogen sensor which can detect hydrogen, has a simple structure and can prevent the hydrogen from entering the inside to cause explosion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen sensor comprising a first housing, a terminal fixed to the first housing, a second housing fixed to the first housing, a circuit board in signal connection with the terminal, and a sensor part fixed to the circuit board, the first housing comprising a main body portion provided with a recess, an insertion portion formed to extend forward from the main body portion and having an insertion opening into which the terminal extends, and a side surrounding the recess, the second housing being provided with a fixing portion sealingly connected to the side and a through hole into which the sensor part extends, the sensor part comprising a housing provided with a communication hole communicating an inside of the housing with an outside, and a sensor element disposed in the housing, the first housing and the second housing forming a housing chamber, the hydrogen sensor further comprising an annular seal ring provided between the second housing and the housing, the sealing ring is used for preventing external gas from entering the accommodating cavity.

Preferably, the second shell is provided with a first clamping part, the shell is provided with a second clamping part, and the sealing ring is arranged between the first clamping part and the second clamping part.

Preferably, the housing comprises a first housing located above and a second housing connected together with the first housing, the second catch being located at the connection of the first and second housings.

Preferably, the sensor element is disposed in the second housing, and the communication hole is provided in the first housing.

Preferably, the first and second catches are horizontally disposed.

Preferably, the second housing further comprises a connecting part connecting the fixing part and the first clamping part, and the fixing part is connected with the side edge by means of laser welding.

Preferably, the side edge is provided with an accommodating groove positioned outside the fixing part, a first upper surface positioned outside the accommodating groove and a second upper surface positioned inside the accommodating groove, the first upper surface is higher than the second upper surface, and the fixing part is connected with the second upper surface.

Preferably, the circuit board further comprises a press pin fixed to the first housing, and the circuit board is fixed to the press pin by means of press fit connection.

Preferably, the cross section of the sealing ring is elliptical.

Preferably, the integrated circuit chip is arranged in the accommodating cavity and is in signal connection with the circuit board.

The hydrogen sensor provided by the invention can prevent hydrogen from entering the containing cavity of the hydrogen sensor and contacting with an electronic element in the containing cavity to cause explosion while detecting the hydrogen.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrogen sensor of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the hydrogen sensor of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line "a-a" in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of fig. 3 at "B".

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the present invention provides a hydrogen sensor 100 including a first housing 2, a terminal 23 fixed to the first housing 2, a second housing 3 fixed together with the first housing 2, a circuit board 5 signal-connected to the terminal 23, and a sensor part 1 fixed to the circuit board 5. The first housing 2 includes a main body 22 having a groove 221, a plug 21 extending forward from the main body 22 and having a plug 211, and a side 222 surrounding the groove 221. The terminals 23 extend into the socket 211. The second housing 3 is provided with a fixing portion 31 sealingly connected to the side 222 and a through hole 34 into which the sensor part 1 protrudes. The sensor part 1 includes a housing 11 and a sensor element 12 disposed in the housing 11, and the housing 11 is provided with a communication hole 1111 that communicates the inside of the housing 11 with the outside. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 form a housing chamber 7. The hydrogen sensor 100 further includes an annular sealing ring 4 disposed between the second casing 3 and the outer casing 11, wherein the sealing ring 4 is used for preventing external gas (hydrogen) from entering the accommodating cavity 7. The hydrogen sensor 100 is used in places where there is a possibility of hydrogen leakage. Hydrogen is easy to explode when meeting electric sparks. According to the invention, the sealing ring 4 is arranged between the second shell 3 and the sensor component 1, so that the hydrogen can be prevented from entering the containing cavity 7 and contacting with an electronic element in the containing cavity 7 to cause explosion. When hydrogen exists in the atmosphere, the hydrogen enters the inside of the housing 11 through the communication hole 1111. The sensor element 12 inside the housing 11 detects the hydrogen gas and transmits a signal related to the hydrogen gas to an external device through the terminal 23.

In order to fix the hydrogen sensor 100, the hydrogen sensor 100 is provided with a first fixing leg 223 and a second fixing leg 224 formed to extend from the first housing 2 to both sides. The first fixing leg 223 and the second fixing leg 224 are respectively provided with fixing holes through which bolts or other members can be passed to fix the hydrogen sensor 100 to the member to be fixed. The first housing 2 includes a main body 22 having a groove 221, a plug 21 extending forward from the main body 22 and having a plug 211, and a side 222 surrounding the groove 221. In the present embodiment, the first fixing leg 223 and the second fixing leg 224 are formed to extend from the main body portion 22 to both sides. The side 222 is provided with a receiving groove 2221 located outside the fixing portion 31, a first upper surface 2222 located outside the receiving groove 2221, and a second upper surface 2223 located inside the receiving groove 2221, wherein the first upper surface 2222 is higher than the second upper surface 2223.

The second housing 3 is provided with a first catch 33, a fixing portion 31 fixed to the side, and a connecting portion 32 connecting the fixing portion 31 and the first catch 33. Preferably, the fixing portion 31 is connected to the side edge 222 by laser welding. This arrangement makes it possible to sealingly connect the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 together. In the present embodiment, the fixing portion 31 is horizontally disposed. The fixing portion 31 is fixed to the second upper surface 2223. When laser welding is used, waste generated by the laser welding enters the housing groove 2221 to reduce the flow of the waste to the outside to affect the appearance or performance of the product. A through hole 34 is formed above the second housing 3, and the sensor part 1 can extend into the through hole 34.

The sensor part 1 includes a housing 11 and a sensor element 12 disposed in the housing 11, and the housing 11 is provided with a communication hole 1111 that communicates the inside of the housing 11 with the outside. The housing 1 is provided with a second retaining portion 13, and the seal ring 4 is disposed between the first retaining portion 33 and the second retaining portion 13. Preferably, the first catch 33 and the second catch 13 are horizontally disposed. The housing 11 includes a first housing 111 located above and a second housing 112 connected with the first housing 111. The second catch 13 is located at the junction of the first housing 111 and the second housing 112. The sensor element 12 is disposed within the second housing 112. The first housing 111 is provided with a communication hole 1111 that communicates the inside of the housing 11 with the outside. Since the sealing ring 4 is annular and is sleeved on the periphery of the housing 11 and supported by the first retaining part 33, the sealing ring 4 does not move greatly when in use, and a better sealing effect can be obtained.

The sensor element 1 is further provided with pins 14 fixed to the circuit board 5.

In order to obtain a good detection effect, a heating device (not shown) may be provided around the sensor element 12. The heating device can heat the sensor element 12 to obtain a better detection effect.

The hydrogen sensor 100 further includes a crimp pin 6 fixed to the first housing 2 and an integrated circuit chip 24 provided in the housing chamber 7. The circuit board 5 is fixed to the press-fit pins 6 by means of press-fit connection, and the integrated circuit chip 24 is in signal connection with the circuit board 5.

The cross section of the sealing ring 4 is elliptical. In other embodiments, the cross section of the seal ring 4 may be circular or rectangular.

During assembly, the first housing 2 is first manufactured by injection molding and the sensor assembly 1 is fixed to the circuit board 5. Next, the circuit board 5 is fixed to the crimping pins 6 by means of press-fit connection. Next, the seal ring 4 is fitted to the periphery of the housing 11 and placed on the second retaining portion 13. Next, the second housing 3 is placed on the side 222 of the first housing 2, and the upper portion of the sensor assembly 1 passes through the through hole 34, at this time, the sealing ring 4 is pressed between the first retaining portion 33 and the second retaining portion 13, and the sealing ring 4 is elastically deformed by the pressure. Next, the fixing portion 31 of the second housing 3 is welded to the side 222 by laser welding.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hydrogen sensor comprises a first shell (2), a terminal (23) fixed to the first shell (2), a second shell (3) fixed to the first shell (2), a circuit board (5) in signal connection with the terminal (23) and a sensor component (1) fixed to the circuit board (5), wherein the first shell (2) comprises a main body part (22) provided with a groove (221), an inserting part (21) which extends forwards from the main body part (22) and is provided with an inserting port (211) and a side edge (222) surrounding the groove (221), the terminal (23) extends into the inserting port (211), the second shell (3) is provided with a fixing part (31) connected with the side edge (222) in a sealing mode and a through hole (34) for the sensor component (1) to extend into, the sensor component (1) comprises a shell (11) and a sensor element (12) arranged in the shell (11), the shell (11) is provided with a communicating hole (1111) which communicates the inside of the shell (11) with the outside, the first shell (2) and the second shell (3) form a containing cavity (7), the hydrogen sensor is characterized by further comprising an annular sealing ring (4) arranged between the second shell (3) and the shell (11), and the sealing ring (4) is used for preventing the outside gas from entering the containing cavity (7).

2. The hydrogen sensor according to claim 1, wherein the second housing (3) is provided with a first retaining portion (33), the housing (1) is provided with a second retaining portion (13), and the seal ring (4) is interposed between the first retaining portion (33) and the second retaining portion (13).

3. The hydrogen sensor according to claim 2, wherein the housing (11) includes a first housing (111) located above and a second housing (112) connected to the first housing (111), and the second catch (13) is located at a connection of the first housing (111) and the second housing (112).

4. A hydrogen gas sensor according to claim 3, wherein the sensor element (12) is disposed in the second housing (112), and the communication hole (1111) is provided in the first housing (111).

5. The hydrogen sensor according to claim 2, wherein the first catch (33) and the second catch (13) are horizontally disposed.

6. The hydrogen sensor according to claim 2, wherein the second housing (3) further comprises a connecting portion (32) connecting the fixing portion (31) and the first retaining portion (33), the fixing portion (31) being connected to the side edge (222) by laser welding.

7. The hydrogen sensor according to claim 6, wherein the side edge (222) is provided with a receiving groove (2221) located outside the fixing portion (31), a first upper surface (2222) located outside the receiving groove (2221), and a second upper surface (2223) located inside the receiving groove (2221), the first upper surface (2222) is higher than the second upper surface (2223), and the fixing portion (31) and the second upper surface (2222) are connected together.

8. A hydrogen sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a crimp pin (6) fixed to the first housing (2), the circuit board (5) being fixed to the crimp pin (6) by means of a press-fit connection.

9. Hydrogen sensor according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of the sealing ring (4) is oval.

10. Hydrogen sensor according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises an integrated circuit chip (24) arranged in the housing chamber (7), said integrated circuit chip (24) being in signal connection with the circuit board (5).