Pressure sensor module

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure sensor module according to the definition of the species in Claim 1.

[0002] A pressure sensor device that includes a semiconductor chip having a pressure sensor is known from World Patent Application 98/00692 A1.

[0003] The arrangement is intended for mounting on a p.c. board. The electric leads of the semiconductor chip are not hermetically injected in the plastic of the housing. In the presence of a partial vacuum in the area of the pressure sensor, air is drawn along the leads into the gel, mechanically stressing the bonding wires, i.e., bonds. In addition, the separating membrane corrupts the pressure characteristic of the semiconductor chip, due to its rather considerable rigidity. In situations that require stricter measuring accuracy, it is therefore necessary to increase the membrane diameter and reduce the membrane thickness. This has a negative effect on miniaturization.

[0004] A pressure sensor chip that is mounted and fastened as a single unit in a pressure sensor module housing is known from mstnews 2/99, pages 8 to 9. It is not possible to calibrate the pressure sensor until after the pressure sensor chip has been mounted, since mounting the pressure sensor chip and passivating it with a covering means influences a calibration curve. Therefore, the entire module housing, including the attached pressure sensor, must be exposed to different temperatures and pressures to achieve calibration. The long waiting period for heating the large sensor housing and the low packing density for calibration make this very expensive.

[0005] In the case of the known pressure sensor, the reject rate during calibration is also not detected until after the sensor chip is mounted. When this happens, the expensive pressure sensor module housing is no longer usable. This increases costs due to rejection.

[0006] A pressure sensor module in which the pressure sensor is sealed pressure-tight by a cover is known from German Patent Application 197 314 20 A1. This mounting method is expensive, as is the use of a ceramic substrate. In addition, the frame surrounding the gel must be separately attached to the ceramic substrate.

[0007] The pressure sensor module according to the present invention having the characterizing features of Claim 1 has the advantage over the related art that it provides simple means for mounting a pressure sensor in a module housing and producing a pressure sensor module.

[0008] The features described in the dependent claims make possible advantageous embodiments and refinements of the pressure sensor module indicated in Claim 1.

[0009] A sensor housing is advantageously made of plastic because the latter is easy to produce.

[0010] Electric leads are advantageously surrounded, at least in part, by the sensor housing, which holds them in place and enables the leads to pass through the sensor housing.

[0011] To advantageously protect a pressure sensor in its sensor housing against external ambient conditions and encapsulate it in a pressure-tight manner, the sensor housing is surrounded by an encapsulating compound. In addition, the encapsulating compound achieves a gas-tight passage for the leads.

[0012] It is advantageous for the pressure sensor to have elements for improving electromagnetic compatibility.

[0013] As elements for improving electromagnetic compatibility, capacitors are advantageously connected electrically and mechanically to the electric leads by conductive adhesive, soldering or welding.

[0014] A media-resistant gel, such as fluorosilicone gel, is advantageously used as the covering means for the pressure sensor chip, rendering unnecessary other protection measures.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in simplified form in the drawing and explained in greater detail in the following description, where:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensor module designed according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensor module designed according to the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensor module designed according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensor module 1 according to the present invention. Pressure sensor module 1 includes, among other things, a module housing 3, in which a pressure sensor 6, for example in the form of a sensor chip, is provided in a sensor housing 8.

[0020] Pressure sensor 6 is in contact with a medium 10 to be measured, which reaches pressure sensor 6, for example, via a connecting sleeve 33. Sensor housing 8 is, for example, in the shape of a U, with the opening of the U shape coming into contact with the medium 10 to be measured and completely surrounding an opening 11 of connecting sleeve 33. Pressure sensor 6 is covered and therefore protected by a covering means, for example a gel, in its sensor housing 8.

[0021] Sensor housing 8 is situated, for example, in a recess 15 of module housing 3 and is completely surrounded, for example, by an encapsulating compound 17. Encapsulating compound 17 seals sensor housing 8 and module housing 3 so that a medium 10 to be measured does not penetrate recess 15.

[0022] In addition, encapsulating compound 17, which must be cured, may hold sensor housing 8 in recess 15, and it also seals electric leads 21 passing through sensor housing 8. This makes it unnecessary to provide a cover that hermetically encapsulates recess 15 and protects it against external influences.

[0023] Pressure sensor 6 is connected by bonding wires 19 to electric leads 21, which establish the connection to external electrical connector elements 25. Connector elements 25 serve the purpose of connecting the arrangement to an electronic controller. Junction 23 between connector elements 25 and leads 21, which is produced by welding or soldering, is also located in recess 15 in encapsulating compound 17. Pressure sensor module 1 has, for example, at least one further element 27 in recess 15 for improving electromagnetic compatibility, for example in the form of capacitors. Capacitors 27 are electrically and mechanically attached to electric leads 21 or connector elements 25, for example, by conductive adhesive, soldering or welding. Capacitors 27 are situated, for example, directly at junction 23.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a pressure sensor module 1 according to the present invention.

[0025] In this case, module housing 3 has, in addition to recess 15, a cavity 35 through which pass connector elements 25 or electric leads 21. Capacitors 27 are electrically connected to connector elements 25 in cavity 35 and are surrounded and protected by an encapsulating compound 17. Junction 23 may also be situated in cavity 35.

[0026] Because capacitors 27 are positioned at a greater physical distance from welded junction 23 between connector elements 25 and leads 21 than they are in FIG. 1, they are also electrically connectable to electric leads 21 or connector elements 25 by soldering or gluing.

[0027] Module housing 3 also includes, for example, connecting sleeve 33 having a-sealing ring 29 so that connecting sleeve 33 is insertable into a further component containing medium 10 to be measured. Connecting sleeve 33 is sealed against the component by sealing ring 29 so that medium 10 to be measured contained in the component comes into contact only with pressure sensor 6 and cannot escape from the component at the point where connecting sleeve 33 is mounted.

[0028] Pressure sensor module 1 may also have a temperature sensor 40, for example an NTC resistor.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of pressure sensor module 1 according to the present invention, based on FIG. 2. Welded junction 23 is located in cavity 35 so that elements 27 are arranged as close as possible to pressure sensor 6, i.e., in recess 15.