阅读说明：本技术 用于过程自动化的传感器布置、传感器和电缆 (Sensor arrangement, sensor and cable for process automation ) 是由 斯文-马蒂亚斯·沙伊贝 于 2015-11-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于过程自动化的传感器布置、传感器和电缆。传感器布置包括：传感器和电缆,传感器包括至少一个传感器元件、用于将测量值传送到第二接口的第一接口以及包括接口的第一机械联接部,电缆用于将测量值传送到上级单元,其包括与第一接口互补的第二接口和与第一机械联接部互补的第二机械联接部,其中第二接口和第二机械联接部被至少分段布置在电缆外壳中,传感器通过第一机械联接部和第二机械联接部以可分离的方式连接到电缆上,经由电缆可连接到上级单元,第一和第二接口用于传感器和上级单元之间的双向通信并确保传感器的能量供应以及通信。接口被设计为感应接口。其特征在于第二机械联接部被布置在相对电缆外壳的纵向轴线小于180°角处。(The invention relates to a sensor arrangement, a sensor and a cable for process automation. The sensor arrangement comprises: a sensor and a cable, the sensor comprising at least one sensor element, a first interface for transmitting measured values to a second interface and a first mechanical coupling comprising an interface for transmitting measured values to a superordinate unit, which comprises a second interface complementary to the first interface and a second mechanical coupling complementary to the first mechanical coupling, wherein the second interface and the second mechanical coupling are arranged at least sectionally in a cable housing, the sensor is detachably connected to the cable by the first mechanical coupling and the second mechanical coupling and is connectable to the superordinate unit via the cable, the first and second interfaces being used for bidirectional communication between the sensor and the superordinate unit and ensure energy supply and communication of the sensor. The interface is designed as an inductive interface. Characterized in that the second mechanical coupling is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cable jacket.)

1. Sensor arrangement (10) for process automation, comprising

Sensor (1), the sensor (1) comprising: at least one sensor element (4) for recording measured values in process automation, a first interface (3) for transmitting the measured values dependent on the measured values to a second interface (13), and a first mechanical coupling (2) comprising the first interface (3),

a cable (11), the cable (11) being used for transmitting the measured values dependent on the measured values to a superordinate unit (22), the cable (11) comprising a second interface (13) complementary to the first interface (3) and a second mechanical coupling (12) complementary to the first mechanical coupling (2), wherein the second interface (13) and the second mechanical coupling (12) are arranged at least in sections in a cable housing (14), wherein the sensor (1) is detachably connected to the cable (11) by means of the first mechanical coupling (2) and the second mechanical coupling (12), wherein the sensor (1) is thus connectable to the superordinate unit (22) via the cable (11), wherein the first interface (3) and the second interface (13) are designed for bidirectional communication between the sensor (1) and the superordinate unit (22), wherein the first interface (3) and the second interface (13) ensure the energy supply and the communication of the sensor (1),

wherein the interface (3,13) is designed as an inductive interface,

wherein the second mechanical coupling (2,12) is arranged at an angle (a) of less than 180 DEG relative to the longitudinal axis (C) of the cable jacket (14),

wherein the first mechanical coupling (2) and the second mechanical coupling (12) are arranged such that they are rotatable around each other.

2. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first mechanical coupling (2) is arranged at an angle (a) of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis (a) of the sensor (1).

3. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle (a) between the longitudinal axis (a) of the sensor (1) and the first mechanical coupling (2) and/or between the longitudinal axis (C) of the cable housing (14) and the second mechanical coupling (12) is 90 °.

4. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle (a) between the longitudinal axis (a) of the sensor (1) and the first mechanical coupling (2) and/or between the longitudinal axis (C) of the cable housing (14) and the second mechanical coupling (12) is 45 °.

5. Sensor arrangement (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cable (11) comprises a joint (17), wherein the joint (17) divides the cable housing (14) into a first section (14.1) and a second section (14.2), wherein the first section (14.1) comprises the second interface (13) and the second mechanical coupling (12), wherein the second section (14.2) comprises a cable attachment (19), wherein the cable attachment (19) and a connector are such that the cable housing (14) is connectable to the superordinate unit (22), and wherein the joint (17) is rotatable.

6. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 5, wherein the joint (17) is a joint having one degree of freedom and the joint (17) is rotatable over a rotation angle (β) between-180 ° and +180 °.

7. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 6, wherein the joint (17) for adjusting the rotation angle (β) on the joint (17) is designed to be rotated stepwise, and the joint (17) comprises a locking device, wherein the locking device fixes the first section (14.1) with respect to the second section (14.2) with a rotation angle (β).

8. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 6, wherein the joint (17) is designed for a continuous adjustment of the rotation angle (β) on the joint (17).

9. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 8, wherein the joint (17) comprises a braking device, wherein the braking device is designed for fixing the adjusted rotation angle (β), wherein the braking device produces a press fit between the first section (14.1) and the second section (14.2).

10. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 5, wherein the joint (17) is designed as a joint with three degrees of freedom.

11. Sensor arrangement (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mechanical coupling (2) and the second mechanical coupling (12) are arranged as a plug connection and comprise one tongue (15) and one groove (5).

12. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 11, wherein one of the two coupling parts (2,12) comprises an indentation (6) and the other coupling part (2,12) comprises a projection (16) which is complementary to the indentation (6), and wherein for connecting the two coupling parts (2,12) the projection (16) snaps into the indentation (6).

13. Sensor arrangement (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein one of the coupling parts (2,12) comprises a locking ring, wherein the locking ring is designed in such a way that it locks the mechanical connection between the coupling parts (2,12) such that an undesired disengagement of the mechanical connection is prevented, wherein, for disengaging the connection between the first mechanical coupling part (2) and the second mechanical coupling part (12), the locking ring is designed in such a way that: by rotating, pushing, pulling and/or pressing the locking ring, the mechanical connection between the coupling parts (2,12) is released and intentional disengagement occurs.

14. Sensor arrangement (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first mechanical coupling (2) and the second mechanical coupling (12) are arranged as a magnetic connection.

15. Sensor arrangement (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sensor (1) is a pH sensor, or an ISFET, typically an ion selective sensor, for measuring redox potential, absorption of electromagnetic waves in a medium, e.g. with wavelengths in the UV, IR and/or visible range, oxygen, electrical conductivity, turbidity, non-metallic material concentration or temperature.

16. Cable (11) for transmitting measured values dependent on said measured values to a superordinate unit (22) in process automation, said cable (11) comprising

-an inductive interface (13),

-a mechanical coupling (12), wherein the inductive interface (13) and the mechanical coupling (12) are arranged at least sectionally within a cable housing (14), wherein the sensor (1) is detachably connectable to the cable (11) by means of the mechanical coupling (12) and a mechanical coupling (2) arranged on the sensor (1), wherein the sensor (1) is thus connectable to the superordinate unit (22) via the cable (11), wherein the inductive interface (13) is designed for bidirectional communication between the sensor (1) and the superordinate unit (22), wherein the inductive interface (13) ensures the energy supply and the communication of the sensor,

wherein the mechanical coupling (12) is arranged at an angle (a) of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis (C) of the cable housing (14).

17. Sensor (1) for process automation, comprising

At least one sensor element (4), the at least one sensor element (4) being used for recording measured values in process automation,

-a first inductive interface (3), the first inductive interface (3) being for transmitting the measurement value dependent on the measurement value to a second inductive interface (13), and the first mechanical coupling part (2) comprising the first inductive interface (3),

wherein the mechanical coupling (2) is arranged at an angle (a) of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of the sensor (1).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sensor arrangement for process automation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sensor and a cable.

Background

In process automation, the sensors are connected to the cables by mechanical couplings, usually by bayonet closures (bayonet closures). The cable is in turn connected to a superordinate unit such as a measurement transducer or a control center. The sensor and the cable each have an interface, for example an inductive interface or an optical interface, by means of which the sensor is supplied with energy and communication from the sensor to the cable and to the superordinate unit is ensured. This is described, for example, in EP 1625643.

In particular, reference should be made here to the applicant's "Memosens" product. Other common designs are for example "Memosens" from Knick, "ISM" from Mettler-Toledo, "ARC" from Hamilton, and "SMARTSENS" from Krohne.

The sensors and cables currently in use are axially plugged together and properly locked. In the plugged-in condition, the sensor housing and the cable housing are arranged axially with respect to one another. Furthermore, the sensor elements on the sensor side, for example elements determining the pH value, and the connectors on the cable side to the superordinate unit are likewise arranged in the axial direction to their respective interfaces. Depending on the length of the sensor, this may result in a rigid arrangement that may have an axial length of about 25-85 cm. The cable is largely flexible and can be as long as 100 m.

Due to the rigidity and axial arrangement of the cables and sensors, problematic measurement settings may occur under certain use conditions, such as the use of beakers in laboratories. Thus, it may happen that the beaker is knocked over due to the self-weight of the sensor-cable arrangement. Therefore, precautions have to be implemented to effectively prevent this possibility, see fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a sensor 1.StdT with a cable 11. StdT. The sensor 1.StdT together with the medium 20 to be measured is in a glass cup. The mechanical couplings 2, StdT and 12.StdT and the interfaces 3 and 13 are located on the sensor 1.StdT or on the cable 11. StdT. The cable 11, StdT is supported by the support portion 21 so that the sensor 1, StdT cannot tip over. The additional support 21 is inconvenient and complicated. Furthermore, it makes the separation of the sensor 1.StdT from the cable 11.StdT more difficult, or depending on the support arrangement, the couplings 2.StdT and 12.StdT may be difficult or impossible to access.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is based on the object of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, a sensor cable combination is proposed which can be handled and used flexibly in a large number of application areas.

The above object is solved by a sensor arrangement, a cable, and a sensor.

As mentioned above, the above object is met by a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement comprises: a sensor comprising at least one sensor element for recording measured values in process automation, a first interface for transmitting measured values dependent on the measured values to a second interface, and a first mechanical coupling comprising the interface; the cable is used for transmitting measured values dependent on the measured values to a superordinate unit, the cable comprises a second interface complementary to the first interface and a second mechanical coupling complementary to the first mechanical coupling, wherein the second interface and the second mechanical coupling are at least sectionally arranged in a cable housing, wherein the sensor is detachably connected to the cable by the first mechanical coupling and the second mechanical coupling, in particular in a snap connection (snap connection), wherein the sensor is thus connected to the superordinate unit via the cable, wherein the first and second interfaces are designed for bidirectional communication between the sensor and the superordinate unit, wherein the first and second interfaces ensure energy supply and communication of the sensor. The sensor arrangement is characterized in that the second mechanical coupling is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cable housing.

Thus, the axial arrangement of the present sensor cable assembly is unconstrained. This leads to a number of advantages. For example, with the above arrangement of the beaker, the stability of the laboratory setup is improved since the tilting moment is greatly reduced. The use of additional supports to improve the stability of the sensor is avoided. In summary, a space-saving arrangement is obtained. Furthermore, other aspects of the application are envisaged, such as easier access of the coupling.

In an advantageous further development, the first mechanical coupling is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sensor. Thereby, more flexibility is obtained and more arrangements of sensors to cables are possible.

Preferably, the angle between the longitudinal sensor axis and the first mechanical coupling and/or the angle between the longitudinal cable housing axis and the second mechanical coupling is 90 °. Alternatively, the angle may be 45 °.

In a preferred arrangement, the cable comprises a joint, wherein the joint divides the cable enclosure into a first and a second section, wherein the first section comprises the second interface and the second mechanical coupling, wherein the second section comprises the cable accessory, wherein the cable accessory and the connector enable the cable enclosure to be connected to the superordinate unit, and wherein the joint is rotatable. This further increases the flexibility of the cable. Additional activity is provided.

In a first form, the joint is a joint having one degree of freedom, and in particular, a rotary joint that is rotatable through an angle of rotation between-180 ° and +180 °.

Preferably, the joint is designed to adjust the angle of rotation of the joint in stages, and the joint comprises a locking device, in particular with a detent (detent), wherein the locking device fixes the first section in the angular position of rotation relative to the second section. Thus, the joint can be adjusted stepwise, wherein the steps can be fixed. The operator can thus adjust and fix the angle as desired.

Alternatively, the joint is designed for continuous adjustment of the rotation angle on the joint.

In order to ensure that the angle of rotation can be fixed even if it is adjusted continuously, the joint comprises a braking device, wherein the braking device is designed to fix the adjusted angle of rotation, and wherein the braking device ensures a press fit (force fit) between the first section and the second section.

In a second form, the joint is designed as a joint with three degrees of freedom, in particular a ball joint.

In a preferred embodiment, the interface is designed as an inductive interface.

In a preferred further development, the first mechanical coupling part and the second mechanical coupling part are designed as a plug connection and in particular comprise a tongue (tongue) and a groove. This ensures full flexibility of the cable sensor combination, since the coupling part itself is about 360 ° rotatable. The coupling parts can be quickly plugged and disconnected, since they are held together by the plug connection, thereby being held together substantially by the spring-like element, and no additional locks need to be operated. This is similar to a button.

In a preferred design, one of the two coupling parts comprises an indentation and the other coupling part comprises a projection, in particular a spring, complementary to the indentation, and wherein the projection engages the indentation to connect the coupling parts. Thus, the indentation provides an undercut and the projection engages the undercut. To connect the cable to the sensor, the mechanical coupling is pushed together until the projection engages the indentation. To separate the sensors from the cable, the mechanical coupling may be pulled until they are disengaged from each other.

In order to ensure the mechanical connection, one of the coupling parts comprises a locking ring, wherein the locking ring is designed in such a way that it locks the mechanical connection, in particular spring-loaded, so that an accidental disengagement of the mechanical connection can be prevented, wherein, in order to disengage the connection between the first and second mechanical coupling parts, the locking ring is designed in such a way that: by rotating, pushing, pulling and/or pressing the locking ring, the mechanical connection between the coupling parts is released and intentional disengagement occurs.

As an alternative to a purely mechanical connection, the first mechanical coupling and the second mechanical coupling are designed as a magnetic connection. This is also a simple method for connecting two mechanical couplings to each other. Simple plugging and pulling-off is also possible.

In a preferred arrangement, the sensor is a pH sensor, but may also be an ISFET, typically ion selective sensor, a sensor for measuring redox potential, absorption in a medium, for example electromagnetic waves having wavelengths in the UV, IR and/or visible range, oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, non-metallic material concentration or temperature.

In a preferred embodiment, the superordinated unit is a transmitter (transmitter) or a control center, the sensors including intelligent units, in particular microcontrollers, and the intelligent units convert the measured values, which depend on the measured values, into a protocol which can be interpreted by the transmitter or the control center.

In a further development, the intelligent unit comprises circuit elements for recording, processing and transmitting measured values to the superordinate unit as a function of the measured values. The circuit elements include, for example, analog sensor circuits, analog-to-digital converters for converting recorded analog values into digital values, computing units and communication units for processing and transmitting digital measured values to a superordinate unit, for example a transmitter or a control center, according to protocols which can be interpreted by the superordinate unit, such as standard communication protocols which are customary in process automation engineering.

Preferably, the superior unit is a control center, and the protocols interpretable by the control center include HART, wireless HART, Modbus, Profibus Fieldbus, WLAN, ZigBee, bluetooth, or RFID.

Furthermore, the object is solved by a cable for the transmission of measured values, wherein the measured values depend on the measured values to an upper unit, the cable comprising: an interface and a mechanical interface, wherein the interface and the mechanical interface are arranged at least in sections within a cable housing, wherein the sensor can be connected to the cable via the mechanical interface and the mechanical interface can be connected or disconnected, in particular by plugging, wherein the sensor can therefore be connected to the superordinate unit via the cable, wherein the interface is designed for bidirectional communication between the sensor and the superordinate unit, and wherein the interface ensures an energy supply of the sensor in addition to the communication. The cable is characterized in that the mechanical coupling is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cable jacket.

Furthermore, the object is solved by a sensor comprising: at least one sensor element for recording measured values in process automation; and a first interface for the transmission of a measured value dependent on the measured value to a second interface, and a first mechanical coupling comprising the interface. The sensor is characterized in that the first mechanical coupling is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Drawings

The present invention is explained in detail by the following drawings. Shown is that:

figure 1 shows a sensor with a cable according to the prior art,

figure 2a/b shows a sensor arrangement according to the invention in a first design (figure 2a) and a second design (figure 2b),

figure 3a/b shows the sensor arrangement according to the invention shown in figure 2a in a connected arrangement (figure 3a) and a disconnected arrangement (figure 3b),

figure 4 shows a detailed view of the first and second mechanical coupling,

fig. 5a/b/c/d show a sensor arrangement according to the invention in a third design with a joint (fig. 5d) in the first and second designs at an angle of 0 ° (fig. 5a), +45 ° (fig. 5b) and-45 ° (fig. 5c), and

fig. 6 shows an application example of a sensor arrangement according to the invention.

In the drawings, like features are designated with like reference numerals.

Detailed Description

The sensor arrangement 10 according to the invention comprises a sensor 1 and a cable 11.

The sensor 1 comprises at least one sensor element 4 for recording measured values in process automation. Furthermore, the sensor 1 is for example a pH sensor, but also an ISFET, typically an ion-selective sensor, for measuring redox potential, absorption in a medium of for example electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the UV, IR and/or visible range, oxygen, electrical conductivity, turbidity, concentration of non-metallic materials or temperature, and has corresponding measured values.

Furthermore, the sensor 1 comprises a first mechanical coupling 2, the first mechanical coupling 2 having a first interface 3. The first interface 3 is designed to transmit a value based on the measured value to the second interface 13. The sensor 1 typically comprises a data processing unit, for example a microprocessor (not shown), which processes the values of the measured values, for example converts them into different formats. Thus, the data processing unit may handle the transfer of values, pre-processing and digital conversion.

The cable 11 comprises a second interface 13, wherein the second interface 13 is designed complementary to the first interface 3. The electrical cable 11 comprises a second mechanical coupling 12, which is designed to be complementary to the first mechanical coupling 2. The second mechanical coupling 12 and the second interface 13 are arranged at least sectionally within the cable housing 14. The cable jacket 14 has a generally rectangular cross-section, e.g., the cable jacket has a longitudinal axis C and a transverse axis D. Naturally, a square cross-section is equally feasible, and the longitudinal axis C is an axis in the direction of the cable accessory 19, for example the connection between the cable jacket 14 and the superordinate unit 22 (see below). The transverse axis D is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C. "Cable accessories" shall designate the area on the cable jacket 14 where the connection between the cable jacket 14 and the superordinate unit 22 is attached.

The sensor 1 may be detachably connected to the cable 11 via the first mechanical coupling 2 and the second mechanical coupling 12. Thus, the mechanical couplings 2,12 can be plugged into one another. In one design, the second mechanical coupling 12 engages the first mechanical coupling 2. The two mechanical couplings 2,12 function like a push button. Fig. 3a and 3b show the sensor arrangement 10 in the plugged-in position and the disconnected position.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the first mechanical coupling 2 and the second mechanical coupling 12. Thus, the first mechanical coupling part 2 comprises a groove 5, while the second mechanical coupling part 12 comprises a tongue 15. "tongue" in the sense of the present invention shall preferably mean a cylindrical protrusion which engages a recess, i.e. a groove, which is preferably similar to a cylinder. For completeness, in addition to the cylindrical forms mentioned above, possible designs such as cross, hollow cylinder, rectangle, square, etc. should also be mentioned and may equally be designated as "tongue" and the respective counterpart as "groove".

The first mechanical coupling part 2 is thus of cylindrical design overall, and the recess 5 is, as mentioned above, actually an inner diameter. On the outer diameter, the mechanical coupling 2 comprises a circumferential indentation 6. On the opposite side, i.e. on the second mechanical coupling 12, the cable 11 comprises a projection 16 which is designed in particular as a spring. Thus, the notch 6 provides an undercut and the projection 16 engages the undercut. To connect the cable 11 to the sensor 1, the mechanical coupling 2,12 is pushed together until the projection 16 engages the indentation 6. To detach the sensor 1 from the cable 11, the mechanical couplings 2,12 can be pulled until they disengage.

Naturally, the connection element can also be arranged at the respective other part (sensor 1 or cable 11).

Furthermore, one of the two mechanical couplings 2,12 comprises a locking ring (not shown) which prevents unintentional or accidental detachment of the sensor arrangement 10. The locking ring is designed in such a way that it locks the mechanical connection between the mechanical couplings 2,12, so that accidental disengagement of the mechanical connection is prevented. An example of such a locking mechanism is a spring loaded lock. In order to disengage the mechanical connection between the first and second mechanical couplings 2,12, the locking ring is designed in the following way: by rotation, pushing, pulling and/or pressing of the locking ring, the mechanical connection between the coupling parts 2,12 is released and intentional disengagement takes place.

Alternatively and not shown, the first mechanical coupling 2 and the second mechanical coupling 12 may be designed as a magnetic connection.

The sensor 1 can be connected to the superordinate unit 22 via the interfaces 3,13 and the cable 11. The superordinate unit 22 is, for example, a transmitter or a control center. The data processing unit converts the values dependent on the measured values into a protocol that can be interpreted by the transmitter or the control center. Examples of this are the proprietary Memosens protocol or HART, wireless HART, Modbus, Profibus Fieldbus, WLAN, ZigBee, bluetooth or RFID. Instead of a data processing unit, the conversion can also be performed by a separate communication unit, wherein the communication unit can be arranged on the sensor 1 side or on the cable 11 side. The wireless protocol is also included in the aforementioned protocol so that the individual communication units include a wireless module.

The first interface 2 and the second interface 12 are designed for bidirectional communication between the sensor 1 and the superordinate unit 22. In addition to the communication, the first interface 2 and the second interface 12 also ensure that an energy supply for the sensor 1 is provided.

The interfaces 2,12 are designed as inductive interfaces. Alternatively, an optical interface may be used, for example.

Typically, the second mechanical coupling 12 is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis C of the cable housing 14, i.e. with respect to the cable accessories 19 on the cable housing 14.

Fig. 2a shows a first design of a sensor arrangement 10 according to the invention. The angle α between the longitudinal axis C of the cable jacket 14 and the second mechanical coupling 12 is thus correspondingly 90 °. The longitudinal axis C and the transverse axis D form four quadrants, of which the angle α is in the third quadrant (see fig. 2a), equal to-90 ° in the mathematical sense.

Fig. 2b shows a second design of the sensor arrangement 10 according to the invention. In this case, the angle α between the longitudinal axis C of the cable jacket 14 and the second mechanical coupling 12 is 45 °. The longitudinal axis C and the transverse axis D form four quadrants, of which the angle α is in the third quadrant (see fig. 2b), equal to-45 ° in the mathematical sense.

In one design, the first mechanical coupling 2 is arranged at an angle of less than 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis a of the sensor 1. The sensor 1 generally has a length extension, which is why a longitudinal axis a and a perpendicular transverse axis B can be defined.

Figure 2a shows one form of this design. The angle α between the longitudinal axis a of the sensor 1 and the first mechanical coupling 2 is thus correspondingly 90 °. The longitudinal axis a and the transverse axis B form four quadrants, of which the angle α is in the first quadrant (see fig. 2a), equal to-90 ° in the mathematical sense.

Fig. 2b shows a second version of the design. The angle α between the longitudinal axis a of the sensor 1 and the first mechanical coupling 2 is thus correspondingly 45 °. The longitudinal axis a and the transverse axis B form four quadrants, of which the angle α is in the first quadrant (see fig. 2B), equal to-45 ° in the mathematical sense.

Fig. 5 shows a third design of the sensor arrangement 10 according to the invention. Two points need to be mentioned here. First, the first mechanical coupling 2 is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis a of the sensor 1. The form of the cable 11 shown in fig. 5 with a joint 17 (see below) can also be used in the arrangement of the mechanical coupling 2 as shown in fig. 2a or 2 b. Next, fig. 5 shows the cable 11 including the joint 17.

The joint 17 divides the cable jacket into a first section 14.1 and a second section 14.2, wherein the first section 14.1 comprises the second interface 13 and the second mechanical coupling 12, and the second section 14.2 comprises the cable accessory 19.

The first section 14.1 can be rotated relative to the second section 14.2 by the angle β by means of the joint 17.

In the first form, the joint 17 is designed as a joint having one degree of freedom, for example, as a rotary joint (swiftl joint). An alternative design is a hinge. Thus, the joint 17 can be rotated through a rotation angle β from-180 ° to +180 °.

In this particular form of joint, the joint 17 comprises a pin 18 which engages in respective eyelets on the first section 14.1 and the second section 14.2. Typically, one of the two sides (i.e. either the first section 14.1 or the second section 14.2) comprises one hole, while the respective other side comprises two holes, which are arranged one above the other, the single hole being centrally located. The pin 18 is either designed as a screw, wherein the screw is fixed by means of a corresponding nut (not shown), or the pin 18 is fixed by means of a material bond, such as riveting, welding, etc.

The joint 17 may also be arranged at any other angle relative to the longitudinal axis B, such as 90 ° with respect to the arrangement shown in fig. 5 a/B/c. In fig. 5a/b/c, the pin 18 is arranged perpendicular to the second mechanical coupling 12; but may alternatively be arranged in parallel.

The angle beta can be adjusted continuously or stepwise. When adjusting the joint 17 stepwise, a locking device (not shown) is provided on the joint 17, which locking device is designed to lock the joint 17 at the angle β once the joint 17 has been adjusted stepwise. For example, the locking device is designed as a locking device with a detent.

When the joint 17 is continuously adjustable, it comprises a braking device (not shown) which fixes the adjusted angle β in position. The detent forms a press fit between the first section 14.1 and the second section 14.2. The simplest form of causing this to occur is by applying pressure, in the case of such a positive connection, the two parts, i.e. the first section 14.1 and the second section 14.2, exert a normal force on each other. As long as the reaction force generated by the static friction (e.g. by the hand knob) is not exceeded, the mutual displacement between the two is prevented. Alternatively, but still of the press-fit type, a screw can be used, wherein the knob at the angle β is blocked in the fastened state.

In the second design of fig. 5d, the joint 17 consists of separate rigid parts connected to each other.

In other variants, the joint 17 is designed as a joint with three degrees of freedom, in particular as a ball joint (not shown). This allows the cable 14 or the second section 14.2 to be rotated more degrees relative to the first section 14.1.

Fig. 6 shows an example of the application of the sensor arrangement 10 according to the invention in a beaker with a medium 20 to be measured. The cable 11 is bent relative to the sensor 1. Since the tilting moment of the arrangement is considerably reduced compared to the prior art, no additional support is required.

Another advantage to be mentioned is the full flexibility of the sensor arrangement 10, since the coupling parts 2,12 themselves can be rotated by an angle of 360 °. Furthermore, a quick plugging and unplugging is possible, since the coupling parts are held together by spring-like elements which do not require the operation of additional locks.

List of reference numerals

1 sensor

StdT sensor according to the prior art

2 first mechanical coupling part

StdT first mechanical coupling according to the prior art

3 first interface

StdT first interface according to the prior art

4 sensor element

5 groove

6 gap

10 sensor arrangement

11 electric cable

StdT cable according to the prior art

12 second mechanical coupling

StdT second mechanical coupling according to the prior art

13 second interface

StdT second interface according to the prior art

14 cable sheath

14.114 first stage

Second section of 14.214

15 tongue

16 projection

17 Joint

18 pin

19 Cable accessory

20 medium

21 support part

22 superordinate unit

Angle between α A and 2 or C and 12

Angle at beta 17

Longitudinal axis of A1

Transverse axis of B1

Longitudinal axis of C11

Transverse axis of D11