Heraeus Electro-nite International N.v.

Heraeus Sensor Technology Gmbh

Gerhard Damaschke

Karlheinz Wienand

Matthias Muziol

Karlheinz Ullrich

Frank Schlag

Bruno Rudnizki

Michael Hoschkara

A temperature probe is provided having a sensor element formed from a ceramic substrate and a platinum thin-film resistor arranged thereon. The platinum thin-film resistor is electrically connected with at least two terminal wires, with the at least two terminal wires each being electrically and mechanically connected with a contact pin in a connection area on their side facing away from the sensor element. The diameter of the terminal wires is smaller than the diameter of the contact pins, and the connection area is covered by a glass bead. Use of the temperature probe in a temperature range of about &#x2212;70&#xb0; C. to +600&#xb0; C. is ideal.

Temperature probe and its use

A sensor, especially a temperature sensor, has a measuring resistor () including a substrate with an electrically insulating surface and a resistor layer situated thereon, which is enclosed by a housing () having current lead-ins to a plug system () for connection leads or contact pins () in a region of the housing facing away from the measurement. The measuring resistor () is arranged in the region of an end () of the housing facing the measurement, and between the measuring resistor () and the contact pins () at least one spacing element () of electrically insulating material is provided with lateral recesses for guiding the electrical connection leads () which extend from the measuring resistor (). The temperature sensor can be simply adapted by variable configuration of the plug system and spacing element to various types of customer-specific requirements.

Sensor and housing with adjustable spacing element

For manufacturing a housing for sensor elements, a pliable material is introduced into the environment of the sensor element ( ) by an injection molding process. In a first process step, the sensor element is injection-encapsulated by a soft plastic component ( ), and in a second process step a hard plastic component ( ) is applied thereon, which forms the outer housing for the sensor element ( ). The sensor element ( ) is provided with at least two connection leads ( ), which are at least partially encapsulated by the soft plastic component ( ). A sensor manufactured according to the process, especially a temperature sensor, is provided with a measuring resistor as a sensor element ( ) on a substrate with an electrically conducting surface and the resistance layer situated thereon. The measuring resistor is encased by the soft plastic component ( ), which in turn is encapsulated in a hard plastic component serving as a housing.

Process for manufacturing a housing for sensor elements, sensor and use thereof

For reduction of toxic components in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, particularly of nitrogen oxides in motor vehicles, a portion of the exhaust gases, essentially operating as inert gases, are recirculated into the combustion chamber of the engine for the purpose of reducing the peak combustion temperature. In the air intake region the engine is fed an adjustable mixture of partially recirculated exhaust gas and air, wherein the mass of in-flowing air and the mass of exhaust gas recirculated from the engine following its cleaning and cooling are fed respectively to its own flow rate sensor. From the determined mass flow amounts of in-flowing air and recirculated exhaust gas, an actual value signal is formed and compared with a target value signal dependent upon the respective performance specification. A regulation deviation of the actual value signal leads to an adjustment signal, which intervenes into the exhaust gas recirculation for the purpose of adjusting the amount recirculated.

Device for exhaust gas recirculation into the air intake region of motor vehicle internal combustion engines

For reductions of toxic components in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, particularly of nitrogen oxides in motor vehicles, a portion of the exhaust gases, essentially operating as inert gases, are recirculated into the combustion chamber of the engine for the purpose of reducing the peak combustion temperature. In the air intake region the engine is fed an adjustable mixture of partially recirculated exhaust gas and air, wherein the mass of in-flowing air and the mass of exhaust gas recirculated from the engine following its cleaning and cooling are fed respectively to its own flow rate sensor. From the determined mass flow amounts of in-flowing air and recirculated exhaust gas, an actual value signal is formed and compared with a target value signal dependent upon the respective performance specification. A regulation deviation of the actual value signal leads to an adjustment signal, which intervenes into the exhaust gas recirculation for the purpose of adjusting the amount recirculated.

Process for exhaust gas recirculation into the air intake region of motor vehicle internal combustion engines and device therefor

For manufacturing of sensors, especially temperature sensors, respectively two connection bridges spaced in the grid of a continuous carrier strip with contact pads for later electrical and mechanical connection with respectively one sensor element in the continuous carrier strip are at least partially injection molded around with plastic, such that on the connection bridges at least two plastic bodies arise arranged at a distance to each other. Between plastic bodies of respectively adjacent connection bridges, spacer elements made of plastic are formed in the same injection operation, while contact pads and ends of the connection bridges remain free of plastic. In connection with the injection operation, the edges of the carrier strip are separated from the connection bridges by punching. On the respective connection areas of two connection bridges, held together in pairs by means of plastic bodies, the actual sensor elements are installed and connected electrically and mechanically firmly with the contact pads by soldering. Subsequently, there follows a separation of sensors by detaching the spacer elements from the respective plastic bodies. A comparatively simple manufacturing process, as well as a function test, in the form of a multi-unit preform proves to be advantageous. Furthermore, by bending along the connection bridges, an adaptation to a customer-specific housing shape can be brought about.

Process for manufacture of sensors, and sensor so made, particularly a temperature sensor

An easy to manufacture temperature sensor has a measuring resistor with a substrate having an electrically insulating surface and a resistance layer situated thereon. The measuring resistor is surrounded by a casing of temperature-stable plastic, which serves as a primary housing, which together with the embedded measuring resistor is surrounded by an additional plastic extrusion coating as an outer housing, wherein the leads of the measuring resistor are passed through the primary housing and the plastic extrusion coating to the outside. The measuring resistor is suited for use in durable consumer goods, as for example washing machines, dryers and motor vehicles.

Temperature sensor with measuring resistor

A printed circuit board with at least one component part as a measuring resistor, heat resistor or measuring electrode arrangement has at least two contact pads connected with conductor paths for electrical and mechanically fast connection with lead ends of a jacketed connection cable stripped of their insulation, wherein the cable end with its outer jacket is positionable in a mounting element arranged immovably in relation to the printed circuit board at a distance from the contact pad of the conductor path. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting element has channel-shaped recesses for clamp fastening of the lead jacket, which is arranged with its lead exit area adjacent to a respective contact pad of the printed circuit board.

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Flörsheim, Germany

Gerhard Damaschke