DEVICE FOR CONVERTING A FORCE OR A PRESSURE INTO AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for converting a force or a pressure into an electrical signal, the device (1) having a first deformation element (10), in particular a first membrane (12), by means of which the force or the pressure can be applied to the device (1), and a second deformation element (20), in particular a second membrane (22), by means of the deflection of which the force or the pressure can be converted into an electrical signal, wherein the first deformation element (10) has a first force transmitting means (14) and the second deformation element (20) has a second force transmitting means (24) for transmitting the force from the first deformation element (10) to the second deformation element (20). The device is characterized in that the first force transmitting means (14) is rigidly connected at the end thereof distant from the first deformation element (10) to the end of the second force transmitting means (24) distant from the second deformation element (20), and in that both compressive forces and tensile force can be transmitted from the first deformation element (10) to the second deformation element (20) by means of the first and second force transmitting means (14, 24). The invention further relates to a method for producing such a device.

Description

The invention relates to a device for converting a force or a pressure into an electrical signal and a method for producing such a device.

Devices of this kind are typically based on the fact that the force and/or pressure causes a deformation of a deformation element intended for this purpose, and said deformation is converted into an electrical signal. For example, a cantilever beam can be provided for a measurement of pure force, a membrane for a measurement of pressure.

For certain applications, particularly in the fields of processing and food engineering, a flush-mounted sensor is advantageous, where no medium is able to collect in the otherwise customary connection channel to the deformation element of the apparatus. With such sensors, the deformation of a flush-mounted deformation element, for example a flush-mounted membrane, is usually forwarded by means of a non-compressible transmission medium, for example oil, to the actual pressure sensing structure with strain gauges. From a production engineering perspective, these kinds of sensors are quite complex with regard to the required oil filling step, and they suffer from further disadvantages, such as, for example, the undesired influence of the expansion of the transfer medium on the sensor signal in the event of a temperature increase.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a device that remedies the disadvantages of the prior art and ensures, in particular, reliable operation and a high level of measurement precision. Furthermore, a method shall be provided for producing such a device that generates reproducibly robust, yet very precise devices in simple process steps.

This task is achieved by the device as specified in claim 1, as well as the production method as specified in the related coordinated claim. Special embodied examples of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

In one embodied example, a first deformation element, which typically does not include any sensor elements, is connected to a second deformation element having at least one sensor element. The first deformation element is deformable by the impact of the force or the pressure that is to be measured, wherein the deformation is preferably exclusively elastic. The deformation of the first deformation element is transmitted by means of force transmission means to the second deformation element. The deformation of the second deformation element is converted into an electrical signal, for example by using strain gauges. Each deformation element constitutes one section of the force transmission means, respectively; in the course of the production of the device, these sections

are rigidly connected to each other, either directly or indirectly, for example by using an intermediate piece.

For example, it is typically possible to provide a pot-shaped, first deformation element without sensor elements for the contact with the medium the pressure of which is to be detected. The first deformation element forms a membrane with a thickness that is adjusted to the nominal pressure of the device, and that has a sufficiently high overload strength. The first deformation element can be produced as a turned part. During the turning process, it is possible, for example, to preserve a tappet in a central position as a force transmission means, and by which the bending action of the first deformation element consequent to the application of a pressure or a force can be transmitted to the second deformation element.

The second deformation element can be constituted of a cantilever beam, or it can have a membrane and also be substantially configured, for example, as pot-shaped. The second deformation element can also include a tappet as a second force transmission means, which is formed, for example, in one piece with the membrane. By the connection of the two free ends of the tappets to each other, a transmission of the compressive forces as well as tensile forces is possible from the first deformation element to the second deformation element. The connection of the two force transmission means can be achieved, for example, by welding, gluing, glass soldering, metallic soldering, eutectic alloying, or the like. Using an adhesive with a filler material of defined grain size, it is also possible to ensure a defined adhesive gap.

In one embodied example, both deformation elements include a membrane, and they can both be configured as pot-shaped. The force transmission means can be cylindrical in sections and/or formed in one piece with the respective membrane. The free end of the force transmission means can be flush with the edge of the membrane. In this case, the second deformation element is without deflection, unless it is not subjected to a force or pressure application, and can, depending on the stress that is acting on the first deformation element (tensile or compressive force, negative or positive pressure), be deflected in both directions, while providing a high level of linearity in the relationship between deflection and application of force or pressure.

In the alternative, the connection between the two deformation elements can also be achieved in that, already without the impact of a force or a pressure, particularly the second deformation element exhibits a preload, particularly a preload against the deflection of the second deformation element, as is occurring when a force or a pressure is in effect. This is especially advantageous if only tensile or compressive forces must be transferred during operation. In this case, a suitable preload helps to fully utilize the total highly linear range of the relationship between force or pressure and deflection of the deformation element, namely from −100% to +100% of the nominal deflection, not only from 0 to 100%. This preload can be provided, for example, by the use of a part inserted between the two free ends of the two force transmission means, by the use of a part inserted between the edge regions of the two deformation elements that must be connected to each other, or by an adjusted length of at least one force transmission means.

The force transmission means are preferably disposed in the center of the deformation element, thereby simplifying, in particular, the production of the deformation elements as a turned part. The force transmission means are preferably formed in one piece with the membranes or cantilever beams.

In one embodied example, the first deformation element has a higher resistance to deflection than the second deformation element. For example, the membrane of the first deformation element can have a larger thickness and/or smaller lateral dimensions than the membrane of the second deformation element. The first deformation element, with the high resistance to deflection thereof, thus provides the overload strength of the apparatus.

The second deformation element is adjusted with regard to the resistance to deflection thereof to the desired measuring range of the device. It is also advantageous therein that one and the same first deformation element can be used for different measuring ranges, and that said first deformation element is merely connected to varying second deformation elements in order to provide devices that are usable for different nominal ranges. The same second deformation element can be combined correspondingly, vice versa, with varying first deformation elements.

In one embodied example, the first deformation element, which comes into contact with the medium the pressure of which is to be measured, is made of a suitable material, for example stainless steel, titanium or ceramics. In contrast, the second deformation element can be produced of a material that is commonly used for sensor elements,

for example steel of specification 1.45.42, that can be readily worked with regard to mounting sensor elements.

In one embodied example, sensor elements are disposed on a surface of the second deformation element that is directed away from the first deformation element, for example piezoresistive film resistors. The sensor elements can be configured as strain gauges. The sensor elements can be manufactured using thick film technology or thin film technology. The sensor elements can also be provided by applying, particularly an adhesively applied, strain gauge film.

In one embodied example, the second deformation element is formed as a membrane or as a cantilever beam. The membrane or the cantilever beam can have, preferably formed centrally and in one piece therewith, a tappet that protrudes in the direction of the first deformation element, and which constitutes the second force transmission means.

In one embodied example, the device includes a preferably annular step on the exterior of the first and/or second deformation element, by which the apparatus can be fixed in place in a pre-definable position inside a housing. The step can be configured, for example, as an annular shoulder. A step that is disposed on the first deformation element can serve to provide a flush-mounted and flat arrangement of the device inside a housing. A step that is disposed on the second deformation element can serve as a contact stop for a fastening means by which the device can be fitted inside a housing.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a device as described above. In one embodied example, the two force transmission means are initially rigidly connected to each other, and the two deformation elements are first connected to each other, preferably by their edges, subsequently. If the force transmission means as well as the edge are welded together, the two force transmission means can be connected to each other by means of resistance welding, while the edges of the two deformation elements are electrically insulated from each other, for example, in that, prior to connecting the two force transmission means to each other, an electrically insulating layer is applied to at least one of the two deformation elements. Alternately, the insertion of thin insulation bodies, annular mica discs, for example, is also possible.

After the two force transmission means have been connected to each other, the edges of the two deformation elements are welded together, preferably in a vacuum or under a protective gas atmosphere, for example by electron beam welding or laser welding. Any insulation layer that was applied in the edge region can first be removed, for example utilizing wet-chemical means. Welding the edges occurs, preferably, on the exterior of the deformation element. If both deformation elements are formed as pot-shaped membranes, the circumferential weld seam is able to provide a vacuum-tight connection. If a vacuum-tight connection is not necessary, point-type or line-type welding is possible as well to create the connection. The depth of the weld seam therein is preferably less than 80%, particularly less than 50%, of the width of the edge in order to reduce the influence of any mechanical stresses that are induced by the welding step.

In one embodied example, at least one of the deformation elements includes, in the area of the weld seam, a flange-type widening, and the depth of the weld seam is less than 200% of the radial extension of the flange, preferably less than 150%, particularly less than 120%, such that the mechanical stresses generated due to the welding step extend essentially only in the area of the flange, thus not causing any distortion of the measured signal.

Further advantages, characteristics and details according to the invention can be derived from the dependent claims and the following description that outlines several embodiments in detail, with reference to the drawings. The characteristics that are addressed therein can be of essential significance for the invention, either individually or in any combination thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a device as shown in FIG. 1, installed inside a housing;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two different production states of a device according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention that includes a first deformation element 10, which forms in one piece a first membrane 12. The first deformation element 10 is substantially shaped as a pot;

it forms, in one piece with the membrane 12, a first force transmission means 14 and a circumferential edge 16. The first force transmission means 14 is centrally disposed in the area of the preferably circular first membrane 12, and it is at least in sections cylindrical. The first force transmission means 14 widens in a cone-shaped manner at the transition to the first membrane 12, and the transition to the first membrane 12 can additionally be rounded.

The device 1 includes a second deformation element 20, which constitutes, formed in one piece, a second membrane 22, a second force transmission means 24 and an edge 26. The thickness of the second membrane 22 is less than the thickness of the first membrane 12. The second force transmission means 24 widens at the transition to the second membrane 22 in a cone-shaped fashion. The transition to the second membrane 22 is rounded.

The introduction of the force or pressure 30, respectively, which must be measured, occurs via the surface of the first membrane 12 that is directed away from the second deformation element 20. The two force transmission means 14, 24 are rigidly connected, particularly welded to each other, at the free ends thereof that are directed toward each other. This way, a deformation of the first membrane 12 is transmitted from the former by means of the two force transmission means 14, 24 to the second membrane 22, irrespective of whether these are pressure forces or tensile forces.

At least one sensor element 32 is applied on the surface of the second membrane 22 that is directed away from the first deformation element 10; using this sensor element, it is possible to convert a deformation of the second membrane 22 into an electrical signal. The sensor element 32 is, for example, a resistor that is sensitive to strain. It is possible to electrically interconnect two sensor elements

32 to form a half-bridge, or four sensor elements 32 to form a full-bridge. The utilization of other converter principles is possible as well, for example piezoelectric sensors or an optical detection of the deflection of the second membrane 22.

The two deformation elements 10, 20 are disposed contacting each other at the edges 16, 26 thereof; they are connected to each other on the exterior side thereof, particularly welded together. The second deformation element 20 exhibits an outer flange 28 at the edge section that is directed toward the first deformation element 10. The connection seam 34, which can be a weld seam, for example, extends radially, essentially corresponding to the radial extension of the flange 28. This way, it is prevented, that any mechanical stresses that are induced by the connection seam 34 cause a deformation of the second membrane 22 that could compromise the measured result; instead, the mechanical stresses are relieved in the area of the outer flange 28. In addition, the outer flange 28 forms an annular step 36 by which the device 1 can be fixed in place in a pre-definable position of a housing (FIG. 2).

In the area of the edge 16, the first deformation element 10 has a preferably annular outer flange 18 by which the device 1 can be fixed in a pre-definable position inside a housing. For example, the device 1 can be inserted in a correspondingly sized cutout in a housing, such that the surface of the first membrane 12 is flush with the front side of the housing (FIG. 2). Alternately or additionally,

it is possible for the outer flange 18 and/or the step 38 formed by the same to serve as a receptacle for a sealing means.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the device 1 from FIG. 1 in an installed state inside a housing 40. On the front side thereof, the housing 40 includes a recess 42 with an inside width that is smaller than the outside diameter of the first deformation element 10, but larger than the remaining outside diameter of the first membrane 12 in the front region with regard to the outer flange 18, such that the device 1 can be inserted in the recess 42 and can come to lie flush with the front side of the housing 40. A fastening means 44 is inserted into the housing 40 on the inside, for example a screw nut with an external thread 48 or a hollow screw bolt; and the fastening means is in contact by the front end thereof with the step 36, which is formed by the outer flange 28 of the second deformation element 20. This way, it is possible for the device 1 to be detachably mounted in the depicted pre-definable position within the housing 40. A sealing means that may be necessary can be inserted, for example, between the step 38 of the first deformation element 10 and the housing 40, and/or between the fastening means 44 and the step 36 of the second deformation element 20.

FIGS. 3 and 4 demonstrate two different stages in the production of a device 1 according to the invention. After the two deformation elements 10, 20 have been produced as separate parts, for example as turned parts, a spacer layer 46 is applied on the edge 16 of the first deformation element 10 and/or the edge 26 of the second deformation element 20. Subsequently, the two force transmission means 14, 24 are brought in contact against each other;

for example, the second membrane 22 is deflected by a punch until the second force transmission means 24 is in contact against the first force transmission means 14. Due to the different resistances to deflection of the two membranes 12, 22, essentially only the second membrane 22 is deflected. In the state that is represented in FIG. 3, the two force transmission means 14, 24 are connected to each other. If the connection is achieved by means of resistance welding, the spacer layer 46 is electrically insulating.

After creating the connection between the force transmission means 14, 24, the spacer layer 46 is removed. The result is the state as depicted in FIG. 4. Based on this, it is now possible to connect the edges 16, 26 of the two deformation elements 10, 20 to each other. For example, one possibility is a circumferential connecting seam 34 that is generated by electron beam welding.

The spacer layer 46 can be obtained, for example, by the masked application of a film or an oxide layer onto the edges 16, 26. The spacer layer 46 can be removed by wet-chemical means, for example by dissolving a film layer with a solvent or removing an oxide layer with an acid or a base.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of a device 101, which provides for a preload or pre-deformation, respectively, of the second membrane 23 even without the application of a force or a pressure 30. This can be provided, for example, by a non-flush length of at least one of the force transmission means 14, 24

in relation to the edge region 16, 26 of the respective deformation element 10, 20. Alternately or additionally, it is also possible to incorporate insertion parts, for example between the force transmission means 14, 24 and/or between the edges 16, 26 of the deformation elements 10, 20. If a force is applied in the direction of arrow 30 in FIG. 5, the membrane 22 is deflected from the represented concavely deflected position, first to the un-stressed flat position, then, with further increasing force or pressure 30, it is arched into a convex shape. This way, it is possible to utilize the range of maximum linearity between effective force 30 and deflection of the membrane 22, whereby the measuring precision of the device 101 is increased.

Claims

1. A device (1) for converting a force or a pressure into an electrical signal, wherein the device (1) includes a first deformation element (10), in particular a first membrane (12), by means of which the force or the pressure can be applied to the device (1), and a second deformation element (20), in particular a second membrane (22), by means of the deflection of which the force or the pressure can be converted into an electrical signal, and wherein the first deformation element (10) has a first force transmitting means (14) and the second deformation element (20) has a second force transmitting means (24) for transmitting the force from the first deformation element (10) to the second deformation element (20), characterized in that the first force transmitting means (14) is rigidly connected at the end thereof distant from the first deformation element (10) to the end of the second force transmission means (24) distant from the second deformation element (20), and in that compressive as well as tensile force can be transmitted from the first deformation element (10) to the second deformation element (20) by means of the first and second force transmission means (14, 24).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, without application of a force or a pressure on the first deformation element (10), the second deformation element (20) has a preload, in particular a preload against the deflection of the second deformation element (20), which occurs as a consequence of the application of a force or pressure upon the first deformation element (10).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first force transmitting means (14) is welded by the end thereof that is distant relative to the first deformation element (10) to the end of the force transmitting means (24) that is distant relative to the second deformation element (20), in particular in that the ends are connected to each other by resistance welding.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first force transmitting means (14) is flush at the end thereof that is distant relative to the first deformation element (10) with the edge (16) of the first deformation element (10), and/or in that the second force transmitting means (24) is flush at the end thereof that is distant relative to the second deformation element (20) with the edge (26) of the second deformation element (20).

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge (16) of the first deformation element (10) is rigidly connected to the edge (26) of the second deformation element (20), in particular welded, preferably on the outer side of the edges (16, 26) of the deformation elements (10, 20) that are directed away from the force transmitting means (14, 24).

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first force transmitting means (14) is disposed in the center of the first deformation element (10), and/or in that the second force transmitting means (24) is disposed in the center of the second deformation element (20).

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first deformation element (10) has a higher deflection resistance than the second deformation element (20), in particular in that the first deformation element (10) is thicker than the second deformation element (20).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that on a surface of the second deformation element (20), which is directed away from the first deformation element (10), there is disposed at least one sensor element (32), particularly where at least on piezoresistive film resistor is applied.

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) includes on the exterior side a preferably annular step (36, 38) by means of which the device (1) can be, preferably detachably, mounted in a pre-definable position inside a housing (40).

10. A method for producing a device (1) for converting a force or a pressure into an electrical signal, wherein the device (1) includes a first deformation element (10), in particular a first membrane (12), by which the force can be applied to the device (1), and a second deformation element (20), in particular a second membrane (22), by the deflection of which the force or the pressure is convertible into an electrical signal, and wherein the first deformation element (10) includes a first force transmitting means (14), and the second deformation element (20) includes a second force transmitting means (24) for transmitting the force from the first deformation element (10) to the second deformation element (20), characterized in that the first force transmitting means (14) is rigidly connected, at the end thereof that is distant relative to the first deformation element (10), to the end of the second deformation element (20) that is distant relative to the second force transmitting means (24), in particular welded, and in that compressive as well as tensile forces can be transmitted by means of the first and second force transmitting means (14, 24) from the first deformation element (10) to the second deformation element (20).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the two force transmitting means (14, 24) are connected to each other by resistance welding.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, when connecting the two force transmitting mean (14, 24), the edges (16, 26) of the two deformation elements (10, 20) are electrically insulated from each other, in particular in that, prior to creating the connection, an electrically insulating layer is applied to the surfaces of the edges (16, 26) of the two deformation elements (10, 20) that are directed toward each other.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, subsequent to connecting of the two force transmitting means (14, 24), the edge (16) of the first deformation element (10) and the edge (26) of the second deformation element (20) are rigidly connected to each other, in particular welded.