Patent Description:
A sensor is typically used to measure properties of a measurement object. For example, a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the measurement object, a magnetic sensor may measure magnetization of an object or the alteration of a background magnetic field in the presence of the measurement object, a proximity sensor may sense the distance of the measurement object and an electric sensor may measure electric quantities such as resistance, voltage and/or current of the measurement object. For the measurement to take place, the measurement object must be put in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the sensor.

In industry, a sensor housing assembly can be used to accommodate the sensor and protect it from the environment. The sensor housing may be attached to a support structure, which may be a car body or the frame of a machine. The sensor housing is configured to receive the measurement and to place it in a well-defined position relative to the sensor. This position depends on the type of sensor. For example, a temperature sensor may need physical contact with the measurement object, whereas a magnetic or optic sensor may be placed at a specific distance to the sensor. In general, the measurement object must be positioned in the predetermined measurement area of the sensor where the sensor is capable of sensing the physical parameter.

Prior art examples for sensor housing assemblies are given in document <CIT> or document <CIT>, in which a respective reader for determining the presence and/or amount of one or more analytes in a sample is carried by a corresponding assay device. Each of the reader in these prior art examples is adapted to receive at least a portion of the assay device in a cavity thereof. In particular, each reader comprises magnetic means for latching the assay device onto the reader within said cavity at a predetermined reading position.

However, in practical applications, the position of the measurement object may vary considerably. Thus, if the sensor housing assembly is placed at its destined position on the support, the exact position of the measurement object relative to the sensor housing may vary. This complicates the mounting of the sensor housing assembly in a manufacturing process or in the field.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sensor housing assembly, which facilitates the mounting process.

According to the invention this object is solved by a sensor housing assembly that comprises a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein the second housing part comprises a sensor accommodation volume, a measurement object receptacle and an alignment funnel, the sensor accommodation volume being configured to receive a sensor, the measurement object receptacle being configured to receive a measurement object and extending along a measurement object insertion direction from adjacent to the sensor accommodation volume into the alignment funnel, the alignment funnel widening along the measurement object insertion direction in a direction which points away from the measurement object receptacle, and wherein the second housing part is moveable relative to the first housing part in at least one adjustment direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction.

In this configuration, the second housing part severs as a movable sensor carrier which self-adjusts to a misaligned measurement object. The measurement object is inserted along the measurement object insertion direction first into the alignment funnel and then into the measurement object receptacle, where it is placed adjacent to the sensor accommodation volume. If the sensor is placed in the sensor accommodation volume, the measurement object in the measurement object receptacle is automatically placed in the sensor area of the sensor so that the sensor measures the respective physical parameter of the measurement object.

By having the second housing part moveable relative to the first housing part in the at least one adjustment direction, variations of the position of the measurement object are accommodated. The alignment funnel and the movable second housing part allow insertion of the measurement object even if the measurement object initially is not aligned with the measurement object receptacle in the measurement object insertion direction. The alignment funnel helps in converting a force exerted by the measurement object onto the alignment funnel into a movement in the adjustment direction.

If the measurement object is not aligned with the measurement object receptacle, it will hit the alignment funnel upon insertion and move the alignment funnel in the at least one adjustment direction until the alignment funnel is aligned with the measurement object receptacle and the measurement object thus enters the measurement object receptacle. Thus, the second housing part is self-adjusting to the position of the measurement object, while the first housing part remains stationary.

The above solution may be improved by further features. Some of these features are explained in the following. Each of the features may be added independently of the other features to the above solution. Each of the features explained below is advantageous on its own.

According to another embodiment, the length of the alignment funnel along the measurement insertion direction may be at least as long as the width of the measurement object receptacle in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. Even more advantageously, the length of the alignment funnel in this direction may be at least double the width. A longer alignment funnel facilitates the lateral movement perpendicular to the object insertion direction relative to the second housing part as the opening angle of the alignment funnel can be narrower to achieve a predetermined width of the alignment funnel at its distal end which is facing away from the second housing part. If space is limited, the length of the alignment funnel may be for example less than three widths.

The opening angle of the alignment funnel may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>° to facilitate a lateral displacement of the second housing part relative to the first housing part, if the measurement object exerts, upon insertion, a force on the alignment funnel which force is directed in the measurement object insertion direction. The alignment funnel may widen linearly, in which case the alignment funnel may have the shape of a truncated cone or pyramid. Alternatively, the alignment funnel may widen in a concave or convex shape.

The second housing part is moveable with respect to the first housing part in a plane which is perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. Thus, the adjustment directions, in which the first housing part is moveable, all lie within this plane. Although, in principle, the second housing part may also be moveable along the measurement object insertion direction in another embodiment, a planar movement in the plane perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction is preferred, as this allows for well-defined forces acting on the alignment funnel if the measurement object is not aligned with the measurement object receptacle.

The sensor may be a temperature sensor, inductive sensor, proximity sensor, magnetic sensor or a Hall sensor. Depending on the sensor type and/or shape, the sensor accommodation volume may be separated by a wall from the measurement object receptacle or open into the measurement object receptacle. In the latter case, the sensor accommodation volume and the measurement object receptacle may form a continuous space. This configuration may be needed if the sensor needs physical contact with the measurement object in the measurement object receptacle.

A wall may be positioned between the sensor accommodation volume and the measurement object receptacle in other circumstances.

The sensor housing assembly may, in one embodiment, comprise a sensor spring, which is arranged between the sensor accommodation volume and the wall of the first sensor housing part. The sensor spring may be used to bias a sensor, which is arranged in the sensor accommodation volume into a defined measurement position. For example, the sensor spring may be configured to generate a spring force acting along a direction which extends from the sensor accommodation volume towards the measurement object receptacle. In such a case, the sensor spring is configured to press the sensor which is accommodated in the sensor accommodation volume against the measurement object to ensure physical contact. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor spring may be used to press the sensor against a wall of the sensor accommodation volume to ensure that the sensor has a well-defined position with respect to the measurement object receptacle.

The spring may be located in a spring shaft of the second housing part, wherein an opening of the spring shaft is accessible from the outside. This facilitates mounting of the sensor spring by simply inserting it into the spring shaft. More specifically, the spring shaft arrangement may comprise at least one spring shaft that extends in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one spring shaft may extend perpendicular to a direction in which the second housing part is inserted into the first housing part. This ensures that insertion of the sensor spring does not compromise the captive but moveable fixation between the first and the second housing part. In another embodiment, the at least one spring shaft may be accessible when the second housing part and the first housing part are assembled. This allows assembly of the sensor spring after the first and the second housing part have been mounted.

The sensor accommodation volume may have a longitudinal extension, i.e. be extended along the measurement object insertion direction. Along the measurement object insertion direction, the sensor accommodation volume may open at an end facing towards the first housing part into an interior space of the second housing part. This allows to put further components of the sensor within the first housing part, such as cables and connectors. The interior space of the first housing parts may extend beyond the sensor accommodation volume in the at least one adjustment direction. If there is a maximum adjustment distance, which defines the maximum travel of the second housing part relative to the first housing part in the at least one adjustment direction, then it may be preferred that the sensor accommodation volume opens into the interior space in all positions over the entire maximum adjustment distance. This allows, for example, that cables within the interior space of the second housing part can freely follow the movement of the sensor in the sensor accommodation volume over the entire maximum adjustment distance. For this, the cables of the sensor may be e.g. arranged in an S-bend in the interior space.

The sensor accommodation volume may have a form and/or fixation means that corresponds to the sensor that is being used. For example, the sensor accommodation volume may be a cradle, compartment and/or comprise fixing elements such as screw holes, clips and alignment structures for fixating and/or positioning the sensor in the sensor accommodation volume.

The cross-section of the alignment funnel in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion may be, in one embodiment, round or polygonal. A circular and/or elliptic cross-section, is preferred however as the forces acting on the alignment funnel are more predictable.

In a further embodiment, the sensor housing assembly may comprise a guiding structure that is configured to guide the second housing part relative to the first housing part for a planar movement perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. The guiding structure may comprise, for example, protrusions and planes, which slide alone each other.

In another embodiment, the second housing part may be inserted into the first housing part in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. This has the advantage that any force generated by inserting the measurement object into the alignment funnel cannot compromise the fixation of the second housing part in the first housing part. For example, the second housing part may be located in a shaft of the first housing part. The shaft may extend and open in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. The shaft does not need to have solid walls, but may simply be provided by a frame structure of the first housing part.

According to another embodiment, the alignment funnel may have a proximal opening at its proximal end and a distal opening at its distal end. The proximal end may face towards the first housing part and the distal end may face away from the first housing part. The cross-section of the proximal opening may correspond to the cross-section of the measurement object receptacle.

In general, the width of the proximal opening in one of the at least one adjustment direction may be less than half, preferably less than a third of the width of the distal opening in the one adjustment direction.

If, in another embodiment, the second housing part is moveable relative to the first housing part over a predetermined maximum adjustment distance along a selected adjustment direction of the at least one adjustment direction, the difference between the width of the distal opening in the selected adjustment direction and the width of the proximal opening in the selected adjustment direction may correspond to at least half the predetermined maximum adjustment distance. This ensures that the alignment funnel covers the entire predetermined maximum adjustment distance. The self-adjustment or self-alignment feature of the alignment funnel can therefore be used in any position of the second housing part relative to the first housing part over the entire maximum adjustment distance.

In some applications, the length of the alignment funnel in the measurement object insertion direction and/or its width perpendicular to measurement object insertion direction may be limited. In such cases, it may be advisable that the difference between the widths of the distal and the proximal openings is less than double or one-and-a-half predetermined maximum adjustment distance. The distal end opens into the exterior or environment of the sensor housing assembly.

In another embodiment, the housing assembly may comprise a latching assembly, which is configured to latch the first housing assembly to the second housing assembly. This allows for an easy assembly of the sensor housing assembly and further allows to form the first and the second housing parts from molded, in particular injection molded resin parts.

In order to hold the second housing part captively, but moveably on the first housing part, the latch assembly may comprise a latching protrusion and a latching recess, where the latching protrusion extends in to the latching recess when the first and the second housing part are assembled. The latching protrusion is free to move in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction within the latching recess. The latching protrusion may be on the first or the second housing part and the latching recess on the respective other one of the second and first housing parts. For example, the latching recess may be a shallow trough-like recess, which in the at least one adjustment direction has a width which is larger than the cross-section of the protrusion.

The latch assembly may form stops for the movement of the second housing parts relative to the first housing part in the at least one adjustment direction. For example, two opposite walls situated spaced apart in the at least one adjustment direction may form stops for the latching protrusion. The distance between the two opposing walls of the latching recess determines the maximum adjustment distance of the movement of the second housing part relative to the first housing part in the at least one adjustment direction. The shape of the latching recess may determine the maximum adjustment distances in various adjustment directions. For example, a groove-like recess may define only a linear movement of the second housing assembly relative to the first housing assembly in a single adjustment direction. A recess having a square or rectangular base area may define a range of adjustment directions which is limited to a movement within a corresponding rectangular pattern. The same holds true if the base area of the recess is polygonal, circular or elliptic.

According to another embodiment, the sensor housing assembly may comprise a centering latch, which fixates the second housing part relative to the first housing part in an initial position. This allows to define an initial position which may correspond to a position of the measurement object relative to the sensor housing assembly which is most likely, so that most probably only small adjustment movements of the alignment funnel will be necessary. The centering latch is preferably configured to have a very low release threshold so that it can be released if the measurement object presses against the alignment funnel.

For example, the measurement object may be located in a predetermined tolerance field which extends perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. The tolerance field has a zero position relative to which the tolerance field is defined. For example, the measurement object may be positioned within plus/minus <NUM> with respect to the zero position in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. In such a situation, it is preferred that the intimal position corresponds to the zero position.

In another embodiment, the initial position may be located in at least one adjustment direction in a middle portion of the maximum adjustment distance, in particular at the center of the maximum adjustment distance.

The invention also relates to a measurement assembly comprising the housing assembly in one of the embodiments described above, wherein the housing assembly is mounted to a support structure. The measurement assembly further comprises the measurement object which is also mounted to the support structure.

Next, the invention will be described with reference to an exemplary embodiment making reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described, only a sample combination of the features described above is presented. If the technical effect of such a feature is not needed for a particular embodiment, the feature may be omitted. Vice versa, a feature that is not included in the described embodiment, but described above, may be added if the technical effect of the feature is advantageous for a specific application.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers are used for features that correspond to one another with respect to structure and/or function.

In the schematic exploded view of <FIG>, an example of a sensor housing assembly <NUM>, which incorporates at least parts of the invention, is shown. The sensor housing assembly <NUM> comprises a first housing part <NUM> and a second housing part <NUM>. The first housing part <NUM> may comprise or consist of one or more sub-assemblies. For example, the first housing part may comprise a base <NUM> which has one or more fixation elements <NUM> for mounting the fixation element to a support structure <NUM>, such as a car body or the frame of an industrial machine. The base may also have a connector opening <NUM> for receiving electric elements <NUM> of a sensor <NUM>. The electric elements <NUM> may comprise for example connector contacts, terminals and/or signal and/or power cables. The sensor assembly <NUM> further comprises a sensor <NUM> which is configured to measure a physical property of a measurement object <NUM> (<FIG>). In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> is a temperature sensor which is configured to measure the temperature of the measurement object <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is not limited to being a temperature sensor. The sensor <NUM> can also be a magnetic and/or electric sensor or a proximity sensor.

Just by way of example, the first housing part <NUM> of <FIG> comprises an adaptor <NUM> which is mounted to the base <NUM>. Alternatively, the first housing part <NUM> may be unitary. In this case, the adapter <NUM> may be omitted and an end <NUM> of the base facing the second housing part <NUM> may be configured like the adaptor. An adaptor <NUM>, however, may be useful to adapt the length of the sensor housing assembly <NUM> to different applications or to allow use of differently configured second housing parts <NUM> with a single first housing part <NUM>. In these cases, the same base <NUM> may be used in different environments and/or with different second housing parts. The first housing part comprises a shaft <NUM> into which the second housing part may be inserted. The measurement object <NUM> is inserted into the sensor housing assembly <NUM> in a measurement object insertion direction <NUM>, in which the first housing part <NUM> and the second housing part <NUM> may be arranged one behind the other. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the second housing part <NUM> is inserted into the shaft <NUM> in a direction which is perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction. The second housing part serves as a sensor carrier that accommodates the sensor <NUM>. The second housing part <NUM> is held captively, but moveably on the first housing part <NUM>. In particular, the second housing part <NUM> is moveable with respect to the first housing part <NUM> in at least one adjustment direction x, y, which is perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction.

The shaft <NUM> provides a guiding structure, which guides the movement of the second housing part <NUM> in the at least one adjustment direction. At the same time, the shaft <NUM> limits the movement of the second housing part <NUM> to the at least adjustment direction by providing a support for the second housing part <NUM> for forces acting in the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> on the second housing part <NUM>.

The sensor housing assembly <NUM> may further comprise a sensor spring <NUM> which, in the assembled state, is inserted in the second housing part <NUM>. The sensor spring <NUM> may be inserted into at least one spring shaft <NUM> in the second housing part <NUM>. The direction, in which the sensor spring <NUM> is inserted into the second housing part <NUM> may be perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> and also perpendicular to the direction in which the second housing part <NUM> is inserted into the first housing part <NUM>. The spring shaft <NUM> may be accessible from the outside when the second housing part <NUM> is mounted to the first housing part <NUM>, so that the sensor spring <NUM> may be mounted in the assembled state of the first and the second housing part. For example, the second housing part may have an opening <NUM> which is arranged over an opening of the shaft <NUM> in the assembled state of the first and the second housing part.

The sensor spring <NUM> is configured to bias the sensor <NUM> to a predetermined positon in the second housing part <NUM>. The spring shaft <NUM> may be a U-shaped leaf spring, of which one leg extends is configured to abut the sensor <NUM> and the other leg rests against the second housing part <NUM>.

The structure and function of the sensor housing assembly <NUM> will now be explained with reference to <FIG>.

The second housing part <NUM> comprises a sensor accommodation volume <NUM> in which the sensor <NUM> may be accommodated. <FIG> shows an example, of how the sensor <NUM> may be received in the sensor accommodation volume.

The sensor accommodation volume <NUM> may extend along the measurement object insertion direction <NUM>. Its shape should correspond to the shape of the sensor <NUM>, so that a tight fit is ensured. The sensor accommodation volume <NUM> may open into an interior space <NUM> of the first housing part <NUM>. The interior space <NUM> and the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> may form a continuous volume. If the sensor <NUM> is arranged in the sensor accommodation volume <NUM>, a rear part <NUM> of the sensor <NUM> and/or electrical elements <NUM> of the sensor assembly <NUM> may be located in the interior space <NUM>. For example, cables of the sensor may form an S-bend in the interior space <NUM>.

The sensor spring <NUM>, if present, may be arranged between the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> and a wall <NUM> of the second housing part <NUM>. Thus, the sensor spring <NUM> may exert a force on the sensor <NUM> in the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> that ensures a position of the sensor <NUM> in which measurements can be successfully carried out. Just by way of example, the sensor spring <NUM> may generate a spring force <NUM>, which acts along a direction extending from the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> towards a measurement object receptacle <NUM>, in which the measurement object <NUM> is arranged when inserted into the sensor housing assembly <NUM>. In the configuration shown in <FIG>, where a temperature sensor <NUM> is shown, the sensor spring <NUM> ensures that there is physical contact between the sensor <NUM> and the measurement object <NUM> in the measurement object receptacle <NUM>. In another configuration, the sensor spring <NUM> may ensure a proper working distance between the sensor <NUM> and the measurement object <NUM> e.g., by biasing the sensor <NUM> against one or more sensor abutment walls <NUM>.

The measurement object receptacle <NUM> extends along the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> preferably parallel to the sensor accommodation volume <NUM>. In the shown embodiment, the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> and the measurement object receptacle <NUM> are merged to form a joint space in the second housing part <NUM>. In other configurations, there may be a wall between the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> and the measurement object receptacle <NUM> if, for example, a distance is required between the measurement object <NUM> and the sensor <NUM>.

The measurement object receptacle <NUM> extends from adjacent to the sensor accommodation volume <NUM> in a direction away from the first housing part <NUM> towards an alignment funnel <NUM>. The alignment funnel <NUM> comprises a proximal opening <NUM> and a distal opening <NUM>. The proximal opening <NUM> is located at a proximal end <NUM> of the funnel <NUM>. The distal opening <NUM> is located at a distal end <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> is located towards the first housing part <NUM>, the distal end <NUM> is located facing away from the first housing part <NUM>.

At the proximal opening <NUM>, the (interior of) the alignment funnel <NUM> merges with the measurement object receptacle <NUM>. Preferably, the cross-section of the measurement of the object receptacle <NUM> at the distal opening <NUM> corresponds to the cross-section of the proximal opening <NUM>. The distal opening <NUM> connects the funnel <NUM> with an exterior <NUM> of the sensor housing assembly <NUM> and thus the exterior <NUM> with the measurement object receptacle <NUM>. The measurement object receptacle <NUM>, the proximal opening <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM> may be aligned along a centerline <NUM>. The funnel <NUM> may be symmetric, in particular mirror-symmetric, but preferably rotationally symmetric with respect to the centerline <NUM>.

The alignment funnel <NUM> may have the shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid.

The cross-section of the measurement object receptacle <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> is tailored to the cross-section of the measurement object. For example, if the measurement object <NUM> has a polygonal cross-section, the cross-section of the measurement object receptacle <NUM> may also be polygonal.

As stated above, the second housing part <NUM> is moveable with respect to the first housing part <NUM> in at least one adjustment direction x, y (<FIG>). This allows the second housing part <NUM> to adjust to the position of the measurement object <NUM> with respect to the first housing part <NUM>. Whereas the first housing part <NUM> may be mounted stationary to a support structure <NUM>, the movement of the second housing part <NUM> may compensate for variations of the position of the measurement object <NUM>. The adjustment funnel <NUM> allows to thread the measurement object <NUM> into the measurement object receptacle <NUM>, even if the measurement object <NUM> is not aligned with the measurement object receptacle <NUM>.

This is explained with reference to <FIG>. In <FIG>, it is shown that the measurement object <NUM> is not aligned with the measurement object receptacle <NUM> and/or the proximal opening <NUM> through which the measurement object <NUM> needs to enter into the measurement object receptacle <NUM>. A position <NUM> of the measurement object <NUM> with respect to a common reference, e.g. of a support of the first housing part <NUM> (not shown) is located in a tolerance field <NUM>. That means that starting from a predetermined zero position <NUM>, the position <NUM> may vary within tolerances t<NUM>, t<NUM>, which may be different on different sides of the zero position.

If the alignment funnel <NUM> would be located at the zero position <NUM> in the configuration shown in <FIG>, the measurement object <NUM> could enter directly through the proximal opening <NUM> into the measurement object receptacle <NUM>. However, as the position <NUM> deviates from the zero position <NUM>, the measurement object <NUM> will hit the funnel <NUM> when the sensor housing assembly <NUM> and the measurement object <NUM> are moved relative to one another along the measurement object insertion direction <NUM>. Due to this insertion movement, a force <NUM> on the funnel will be generated. Depending on the friction coefficient between the measurement object <NUM> and the funnel <NUM>, the force <NUM> will be more or less perpendicular to the funnel at the point where measurement object <NUM> and the alignment funnel meet. Due to the opening angle <NUM> of the alignment funnel <NUM>, the force <NUM> will have a component <NUM> that is parallel to the at least one adjustment direction x, y. The second housing part <NUM> will be moved with respect to the first housing part <NUM> in the direction of the component <NUM> while the first housing part <NUM> is held stationary by the support structure <NUM>.

The opening angle <NUM> of the alignment funnel may be between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably around <NUM>°.

The second housing part <NUM> will be laterally displaced upon inserting the measurement object <NUM> into the alignment funnel <NUM> until the measurement object <NUM> and the proximal opening <NUM> are aligned. Then, the measurement object <NUM> may slip into the measurement object receptacle <NUM> and be positioned adjacent to the sensor <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, it is beneficial if the area of the distal opening <NUM> covers the tolerance field <NUM> as, then, the measurement object <NUM>, if properly placed within the tolerance field <NUM>, may enter the alignment funnel. A width of the measurement object <NUM> perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> may need to be considered, depending on the shape of the tip <NUM> of the measurement object <NUM>.

Between the proximal end <NUM> and the distal end <NUM>, the funnel may widen linearly, progressively or digressively. This depends on the particular application.

As can further be seen in <FIG>, a width of the proximal end <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> may be between a half and a third of the width of the distal end <NUM> in this direction.

Typically, the position <NUM> of the measurement object <NUM> will be most likely around the zero position <NUM>. For this reason and in order to keep the width of the distal opening <NUM> as small as possible without comprising the adjustment function of the alignment funnel <NUM>, a centering latch <NUM> may be provided. The centering latch <NUM> may fixate the second housing part releasably with respect to the first housing part in a position which corresponds to the zero position <NUM> of the tolerance field <NUM>. Thus, an initial position of the alignment funnel <NUM> will correspond to the zero position <NUM>. Thus, most likely, only small movements of the alignment funnel <NUM> and the second housing part <NUM> will be required. The centering latch <NUM> is configured to be released easily. It only serves to maintain the initial position of the second housing part <NUM> relative to the first housing part <NUM> during normal handling of the sensor housing assembly <NUM> prior to insertion of the measurement object <NUM>. It also provides a tactile feedback for a user when the second housing part <NUM> has reached the initial position. The centering latch <NUM> is released when the measurement <NUM> is pressed against the alignment funnel <NUM>.

The second housing part <NUM> is help captively at the first housing part <NUM> by a latch assembly <NUM> which may comprise a latching protrusion <NUM> on one of the first housing part <NUM> and the second housing part <NUM> and a latching recess <NUM> on the other one of the first housing part <NUM> and the second housing part <NUM>. The latching protrusion <NUM> extends into the latching recess <NUM> in which it is received moveably with respect to the at least one adjustment direction x, y. The recess <NUM> provides a limit stop, e.g. in the form of one or more recess walls <NUM>, which limits movement of the second housing part <NUM> with respect to the first housing part <NUM> to a maximum adjustment distance <NUM>. The shape of the base area of the latching recess <NUM>, i.e. the arrangement of the recess walls <NUM> acting as limit stops define the possible movements of the second housing part <NUM> with respect to the first housing part <NUM> in the at least one adjustment direction. If, for example, the latching recess <NUM> is just a groove, only a linear movement of the second housing part <NUM> relative to the first housing part <NUM> is possible. If the latching recess <NUM> has a circular base area centered around the initial position, the maximum adjustment distance <NUM> is equal in all directions perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM>. The base area of the latching recess <NUM> may of course also be elliptic or polygonal.

The latch assembly <NUM> is automatically activated if the second housing part <NUM> is inserted into the shaft <NUM>.

The maximum adjustment distance <NUM>, in one embodiment may correspond to the greater one of the tolerances t<NUM> and t<NUM>. If sufficient mounting space is available or there is no catering latch, it may be preferred that the maximum adjustment distance <NUM> corresponds to the width of the tolerance field <NUM>, i.e. the sum of t<NUM> and t<NUM>. In another embodiment, the maximum adjustment distance <NUM> may correspond to the width of the distal opening <NUM> of the alignment funnel <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM>, preferably plus the width of the measurement object <NUM> in this direction.

<FIG> show the measurement object <NUM> at different positions <NUM> with respect to the zero position <NUM>, which may correspond to the latched initial position. In <FIG>, the measurement object <NUM> is located at the zero position <NUM> and aligned with the proximal opening <NUM> of the alignment funnel <NUM>. In this position, the measurement object <NUM> is aligned with the measurement object receptacle <NUM>. Therefore, the measurement object <NUM> is ready to be inserted in the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> into the measurement object receptacle <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the measurement object <NUM> is shifted from the zero position <NUM> to a position <NUM>, for example in an x-direction, of which the orientation, however, may be arbitrary. In this configuration, the measurement object <NUM> cannot enter the proximal opening <NUM> without a shift of the second housing part <NUM>. As was explained with reference to <FIG>, by moving the second housing assembly <NUM> along the measurement object insertion direction <NUM> relative to the measurement object <NUM>, the alignment funnel <NUM> is shifted automatically by the measurement object <NUM> until the proximal opening <NUM> is aligned with the position <NUM> or the measurement object <NUM>, respectively.

In <FIG>, both the alignment funnel <NUM> and the measurement object <NUM> are displaced from the zero position <NUM>. The alignment funnel <NUM> and the second housing part <NUM>, respectively, are located in <FIG> at the limit of the maximum adjustment distance <NUM> in the x-direction. Additionally, the measurement object <NUM> is located at position <NUM>, which may be at the end of the tolerance field <NUM>. Thus, <FIG> shows an example of a maximum possible misalignment between the measurement object receptacle <NUM> and the measurement object <NUM>. In <FIG>, the x-direction is just given exemplarily. The misalignment may be in any direction perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the distal opening <NUM> may be configured such, that even at the maximum misalignment, the measurement object <NUM> may still enter the alignment funnel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a similar situation as <FIG>, the only difference being that the position <NUM> of the measurement object <NUM> is shifted with respect to the zero position <NUM> in another direction, here, the y-direction. As with <FIG>, the alignment funnel <NUM> will be displaced by the measurement object <NUM> upon insertion until the measurement object <NUM> reaches and enters the proximal opening <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the alignment funnel <NUM> or second housing part <NUM>, respectively, is shown at a limit of the maximum adjustment distance <NUM>, which limit is located at the negative y-direction. The measurement object <NUM> is located at the zero position and may enter the alignment funnel <NUM>. If the area of the distal opening <NUM> is enlarged in the y-direction, for example by forming a circle having a larger diameter or forming an ellipse with a larger diameter in the y-direction, the measurement object <NUM> may also be accommodated if it is located at the limit of the maximum alignment distance <NUM> in the positive y-direction. In <FIG>, the alignment funnel <NUM> is shown at a position at the maximum alignment distance <NUM>, which position is located in the maximum negative x- and maximum negative y-direction. <FIG> shows graphically, where the measurement object <NUM> may be located in order to still be able to enter the distal opening <NUM>. Again, further shifts of the measurement object <NUM> from the zero position <NUM> may be accommodated by adapting the shape of the distal opening <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Sensor housing assembly (<NUM>), the sensor housing assembly (<NUM>) comprising a first housing part (<NUM>) and a second housing part (<NUM>), wherein the second housing part (<NUM>) comprises a sensor accommodation volume (<NUM>), a measurement object receptacle (<NUM>) and an alignment funnel (<NUM>), the sensor accommodation volume (<NUM>) being configured to receive a sensor (<NUM>), the measurement object receptacle (<NUM>) being configured to receive a measurement object (<NUM>) and extending along a measurement object insertion direction (<NUM>) from adjacent the sensor accommodation volume (<NUM>) into the alignment funnel (<NUM>), the alignment funnel (<NUM>) widening along the measurement object insertion direction (<NUM>) in a direction which points away from the measurement object receptacle (<NUM>), and wherein, in an assembled state, the second housing part (<NUM>) is movable relative to the first housing part (<NUM>) in at least one adjustment direction (x, y) perpendicular to the measurement object insertion direction (<NUM>).