Abstract
A pressure sensor suitable for installation in a shaping part, such as an injection mold, from a pressure measurement side thereof is defined by a dimension measured perpendicular to its longitudinal axis at the measurement end that is greater than or equal to all other dimensions measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along the longitudinal axis of the sensor. A method for installing the pressure sensor in a shaping part is also disclosed.
Claims
1. A pressure sensor adapted for being installed in a shaping part and electrically connected to a contact member that is external to the shaping part, the pressure sensor comprising: a measurement end where the pressure to be measured is detected; a contact end connected to the measurement end and configured for connection to the contact member, wherein the measurement end is aligned with the contact end along a longitudinal axis, wherein a dimension along the longitudinal axis as measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the measurement end is greater than or equal to all other dimensions of the pressure sensor between the measurement end and the contact end measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a contact configured for contacting the contact member, wherein the contact is connected to the contact end and aligned along the longitudinal axis.
2. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is adapted for being installed in an injection mold (25) from an injection mold cavity side.
3. The pressure sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a mold insert in which the pressure sensor is arranged in a cableless manner.
4. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a securing means.
5. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a thread.
6. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a snap-fit member configured to form a snap-fit connection with a respective counterpart.
7. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor defines a recess configured for receiving a securing element.
8. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated temperature sensor.
9. An injection mold configured for connection to a contact member, the injection mold comprising: a base plate configured for connection to the contact member; a shaping part defining a pressure measurement side and an outer side disposed spaced apart in a first direction along a longitudinal axis, the shaping part further defining a recess extending from the pressure measurement side toward the outer side along the longitudinal axis; a pressure sensor including a measurement end where the pressure to be measured is detected, a contact end connected to the measurement end and configured for connection to the contact member, wherein the measurement end is aligned with the contact end along the longitudinal axis, wherein a dimension along the longitudinal axis as measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the measurement end is greater than or equal to all other dimensions of the pressure sensor between the measurement end and the contact end measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a contact connected to the contact end and aligned along the longitudinal axis and configured for contacting the contact member, wherein the contact is connected to the pressure sensor.
10. The injection mold (25) according to claim 9 further comprising a contact member connected to the contact.
11. A method for installing a pressure sensor in a shaping part defining a pressure measurement side, the method comprising the steps of: a) creating a recess in the shaping part from the pressure measurement side, b) inserting the pressure sensor in the recess in the shaping part from the pressure measurement side of the shaping part, and c) securing the pressure sensor in the shaping part or in a base plate which can be connected to the shaping part.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the shaping part is an injection mold or a part thereof, and the pressure measurement side of the shaping part is an inner side of the injection mold.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the recess is a bore or at least partially comprises a bore.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the securing step is selected from: screwing in, snapping in, and inserting a securing element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0067] The drawings used to illustrate the exemplary embodiments show:
[0068] FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor provided with a thread and form-locking element in the area of the measurement end of the pressure sensor
[0069] FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor provided with a thread and form-locking element in the area of the contact end of the pressure sensor,
[0070] FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor with a securing element shown in an elevation view at the top of FIG. 3,
[0071] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor with a snap-fit connection,
[0072] FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the pressure sensor with a spacer sleeve,
[0073] FIG. 6 an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
[0074] FIG. 7 an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 2,
[0075] FIG. 8 an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 3,
[0076] FIG. 9 an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, and
[0077] FIG. 10 an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 5,
[0078] FIG. 11 a schematic representation of an assembly of a pressure sensor connected to an evaluation element.
[0079] Like parts are always designated by the same reference numerals throughout the Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0080] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the pressure sensor 1 generally indicated therein by the numeral 1 and comprising a thread 2 and a form-locking element 3. The dimensions of the pressure sensor 1 are such that it can be installed in a recess 4 of a shaping part 5 virtually without any play. The pressure sensor 1 defines at one axially opposite end thereof a measurement end 7 on which is defined a sensor front face 8 of the pressure sensor 1, both being also located on the pressure measurement side 6 of the shaping part 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the form-locking element 3 is located at the measurement end 7, in particular on the sensor front face 8. The form-locking element 3 is shaped as a groove so that for example a screwdriver may engage the form-locking element 3 for screwing the pressure sensor 1 into the recess 4 according to the thread 2. A cover 9 may be positioned on the sensor front face 8 after the pressure sensor 1 has been screwed into the recess 4 so that the pressure measurement side 6 is smooth and even also in the area of the recess 4 and the pressure sensor 1, respectively. Advantageously, the pressure sensor 1 includes a pressure transducer 10 that is disposed in the region of the pressure measurement end 7 of the pressure sensor 1. A thread 11 is formed in the recess 4 so that the pressure sensor can be screwed into the recess 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the recess 4 is a stepped bore having a larger diameter in the region of the measurement end 7 and/or in the region of the pressure transducer 10 than in the region of the thread 11 of the shaping part 5. The bore is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis 12 of the pressure sensor 1. The pressure sensor 1 defines a contact end 13, which is disposed axially opposite the measurement end 7 along the longitudinal axis 12. With its contact end 13, the pressure sensor 1 sits flush on the outer side 14 of the shaping part 5. A base plate 15 bearing a contact member 16 may be arranged on the outer side 14 of the shaping part 5. The contact member 16 contacts the pressure sensor 1 and permits transmission of a sensor signal from the pressure sensor 1 to a cable 26. The cable 26 transmits the sensor signal to an evaluation element 27 as shown in FIG. 11. Evaluation element 27 uses the sensor signal to detect the pressure at the measurement end 7 of the pressure sensor 1 with a sampling rate of typically between 10 kHz and 30 kHz. As a result, the pressure at the measurement end 7 of the pressure sensor 1 may be monitored by the evaluation element 27 as a smooth curve, for example while a medium is being filled into an injection mold 25. The evaluation element 27 is used for analysis or optimization or monitoring or documentation or control of a process that is carried out by means of the shaping part 5. The shaping part 5 and base plate 15 form an injection mold 25.
[0081] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the pressure sensor 1 comprising a thread 2 and a further form-locking element 30 which, in contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, is arranged in the region of the contact end 13 of the pressure sensor 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the further form-locking element 30 is a hexagon, for example. This further form-locking element 30, i.e. the hexagon, is tapered as compared to the portion of the pressure sensor 1 on which the thread 2 is formed. With constant dimensions of the recess 4 which in this case is a bore a space remains for inserting a wrench, for example, for screwing the pressure sensor 1 into the recess 4. The arrangement of the other elements, in particular the thread 2 and the shaping part thread 11, is identical to the previous embodiment.
[0082] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the pressure sensor 1 devoid of any thread 2 as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprising a securing element 17. At the top of FIG. 3, a securing element 17 in the form of a securing ring is shown in a top view. In the lower part of FIG. 3, a dashed line indicates where the securing element 17 is positioned in the installed state, namely in a recess 18 being formed as a securing groove in the pressure sensor 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor 1 projects into the base plate 15 up to its contact end 13 above which is again located the contact member 16 which is in signal contact with the pressure sensor 1. However, in this case the contact member 16 is not flush with the lower side of the base plate 15. The shaping part 5 is removable and exchangeable. The base plate 15 and shaping part 5 are rigidly connected to one another during operation of the injection mold. When the shaping part 5 is removed the securing element 17 may be introduced into the recess 18, i.e. the securing groove, of the pressure sensor 1 to fasten and/or secure the pressure sensor 1 in the shaping part 5. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 1 sits in the recess 4 practically without any play over the entire thickness of the shaping part 5. The stepped, upwardly tapering shape of the recess 4 and the correspondingly stepped, upwardly tapering shape of the pressure sensor 1 ensure that the pressure sensor 1 is secured firmly in the shaping part 5 after the securing element 17 is attached.
[0083] The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that the securing element 17 and recess 18 are replaced by a snap-fit connection 19 consisting of a bulge 20 in the pressure sensor 1 and an elastic arm 21 of the contact member 16 for engaging the bulge 20.
[0084] In FIG. 4, a contact nipple 22 is indicated for the sake of completeness which may be connected to a measuring cable 26, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0085] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the pressure sensor 1 that comprises a spacer sleeve 23. Spacer sleeve 23 transmits the measurement signal from the pressure sensor 1 to the contact member 16. Spacer sleeve 23 comprises a crown-like snap-fit or clip closure 24.
[0086] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for illustrating the arrangement in particular of the pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 with recess 4, base plate 15, contact member 16 with respect to each other. The pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 and base plate 15 with the contact member 16 are shown spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 12.
[0087] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 for illustrating the arrangement in particular of the pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 with recess 4, base plate 15, contact member 16 to each other. The pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 and base plate 15 with the contact member 16 are shown spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 12.
[0088] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 for illustrating the arrangement in particular of the pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 with recess 4, securing element 17, base plate 15, contact member 16 to each other. The pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5, securing element 17 and base plate 15 with the contact member 16 are shown spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 12.
[0089] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 for illustrating the arrangement in particular of the pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 with recess 4, base plate 15, contact member 16 to each other. The pressure sensor 1, shaping part 5 and base plate 15 with the contact member 16 are shown spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 12.
[0090] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 for illustrating the arrangement in particular of the pressure sensor 1, spacer sleeve 23, shaping part 5 with recess 4, base plate 15, contact member 16 relative to each other. The pressure sensor 1, spacer sleeve, shaping part 5, and base plate 15 with the contact member 16 are shown spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 12.
[0091] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of an assembly of a pressure sensor 1 connected to an evaluation element 27 and including a temperature sensor 31 integrated into the pressure sensor 1 and schematically represented by the square in dashed outline. The pressure sensor 1 is in contact with the contact member 16. Contact member 16 is connected to a cable 26 by which the pressure sensor signal can be transmitted to the evaluation unit 27.
[0092] In summary, it should be noted that there are a plurality of possible combinations of the features explained above of the pressure sensor according to the invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0093] 1 pressure sensor
[0094] 2 Thread
[0095] 3 form-locking element
[0096] 4 Recess
[0097] 5 shaping part/mold insert
[0098] 6 pressure measurement side
[0099] 7 measurement end
[0100] 8 sensor front face
[0101] 9 Cover
[0102] 10 pressure transducer
[0103] 11 shaping part thread
[0104] 12 longitudinal axis
[0105] 13 contact end
[0106] 14 outer side
[0107] 15 base plate
[0108] 16 contact element
[0109] 17 securing element
[0110] 18 notch
[0111] 19 snap-fit connection
[0112] 20 Bulge
[0113] 21 elastic arm
[0114] 22 contact nipple
[0115] 23 spacer sleeve
[0116] 24 clip closure
[0117] 25 injection mold
[0118] 26 Cable
[0119] 27 evaluation element
[0120] 28 further form-locking element
