Pressure sensor module and pressure detecting device

• US 7,367,233 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nagano Keiki Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nagano Keiki Company Limited
• Inventors: Sakamoto, Ayumu, Shimada, Takahiro, Nagasawa, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US11/569,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20070227254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 737/18, 737/15, 737/17, 737/20
• US Class Current: 73/715
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/147 Details about the mounting of the sensor to support or covering means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0044 Constructional details of non-semiconductive diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/006 of metallic strain gauges fixed to an element other than the pressure transmitting diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0073 using a semiconductive diaphragm

Abstract

A pressure sensor module 2, wherein a holding space 34 is formed between a diaphragm 22 and a thin film layer 31, and a vent hole 321 communicating with the exterior of a first case is provided in the holding space 34. In the above pressure sensor module, even when a corrosive gas or chemical solution is used as a fluid to be measured and a corrosive gas component originated from the fluid to be measured permeates into the holding space 34, the permeated corrosive gas component can be discharged to the outside of the case through the vent hole 321. As a result, the corrosion of the diaphragm 22 by the fluid to be measured can be prevented, which results in the achievement of a prolonged service life of the pressure sensor module 2.

Claims

1. A pressure sensor module comprising:

a thin plate-like diaphragm displaceable by a pressure of a fluid to be measured;

a detector provided on the diaphragm and adapted to detect the displacement of the diaphragm;

a thin film layer displaceable by the pressure of the fluid to be measured, the thin film layer being arranged facing, through a holding space formed by a holder, a surface of the diaphragm opposite to a detector side of the diaphragm;

a displacement transmitter for transmitting a displacement of the thin film layer to the diaphragm; and

a vent hole that allows the holding space to communicate with the outer space.

2. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the holder is a circular member formed on outer peripheries of the diaphragm and of the thin film layer.

3. The pressure sensor module according to claim 2, wherein

the vent hole includes a plurality of the vent holes formed in the circular member.

4. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the displacement transmitter is substantially aligned with the central axis of the holding space.

5. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the displacement transmitter is fixed to both the diaphragm and the thin film layer.

6. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the thin film layer is formed substantially into a cup-shape including a bottom portion facing the diaphragm, and a cylindrical portion extending from an outer periphery of the bottom portion toward a side opposite to the diaphragm, an outer peripheral end of the cylindrical portion being fixed to the holder.

7. The pressure sensor module according to claim 6, wherein

the displacement transmitter projects from a substantially central position of the bottom portion toward the side of the diaphragm, the displacement transmitter being curved from a surface of the bottom portion to a tip end of the displacement transmitter.

8. The pressure sensor module according to claim 7, wherein

a projection is provided on a side of the bottom portion opposite to the side on which the displacement transmitter is provided, the projection being curved from a surface of the bottom portion to a tip end of the projection.

9. The pressure sensor module according to claim 8, wherein

the thin film layer, the displacement transmitter and the projection are integrally molded.

10. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the thin film layer, the holder and the displacement transmitter are integrally molded.

11. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the thin film layer is made of a fluororesin.

12. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

a base is provided facing the detector side of the diaphragm;

and

the detector includes a capacitor formed by a pair of electrodes respectively provided on the detector side of the diaphragm, and on a surface of the base facing the diaphragm.

13. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

the detector is a strain detector for detecting a strain caused by the displacement of the diaphragm.

14. The pressure sensor module according to claim 13, wherein

the strain detector is provided on an elastically deformable detector main body spaced apart from the diaphragm by a predetermined distance and connected to the diaphragm with a coupling portion.

15. The pressure sensor module according to claim 14, wherein

the strain detector abuts on the diaphragm.

16. The pressure sensor module according to claim 1, wherein

a thin film is stuck to a surface of the diaphragm on a side of the thin film layer.

17. A pressure detecting device comprising:

a pressure sensor module; and

a case for housing the pressure sensor module, the case having an opening formed in a manner that a surface of the thin film layer opposite to the diaphragm faces an outside from the opening,

wherein the pressure sensor module includes;

a thin plate-like diaphragm displaceable by a pressure of a fluid to be measured;

a detector provided on the diaphragm and adapted to detect the displacement of the diaphragm;

a thin film layer displaceable by the pressure of the fluid to be measured, the thin film layer being arranged facing, through a holding space formed by a holder, a surface of the diaphragm opposite to a detector side of the diaphragm;

a displacement transmitter for transmitting a displacement of the thin film layer to the diaphragm; and

a vent hole that allows the holding space to communicate with the outer space.

18. The pressure detecting device according to claim 17, wherein

the case is provided with, in a part thereof, the holder to fix the outer periphery of the thin film layer, so that the holding space is formed between the diaphragm and the thin film layer.

19. The pressure detecting device according to claim 18, wherein

the case includes an upper case provided on a side of the thin film layer on the side of the diaphragm and a lower case provided on a side of the thin film layer opposite to the diaphragm;

and

the thin film layer is sandwiched and fixed between the upper case and the lower case.

20. The pressure detecting device according to claim 19, wherein

at least one of the upper case and the lower case includes a fixing groove on at least a part of the position where the thin film layer is fixed;

and

the thin film layer includes a fixing projection to be fitted into the fixing groove on the outer periphery thereof, the thin film layer being sandwiched and fixed between the upper case and the lower case when the fixing projection is fitted into the fixing groove.