Sensor for process and automation engineering

A sensor for process and automation technology, comprising:

• at least two individual modules, which each comprise a respective housing and are releasably connected to each other,
• wherein a sensor unit is disposed in a first module and an electronics unit is disposed in a second module,
• wherein the housings of both modules have congruent bases so that the housings can be connected to each other at a front side of the modules in such a way that the sensor has a compact contour,
• wherein the base of a first housing has an annular protrusion and the base of a second housing has a complementary annular recess, the two of which interlock when the sensor is connected,
• wherein the releasable connection is established by a locking mechanism which is formed by at least one radial bulge disposed on the outer circumference of the annular protrusion of the first housing and a complementary indentation at the annular recess of the second housing,
• wherein the indentation has an undercut into which the radial bulge engages by a push-and-twist movement of the two housings, and
• wherein an elastic sealing element is disposed in the annular recess of the second housing to seal both housings, which sealing element is suitable to be preloaded by contact with the annular protrusion of the first housing as a result of the push-and-twist movement, whereby the at least one bulge is pressed in the axial direction against a wall of the indentation such that the push-and-twist movement allows both housings to be connected to each other simultaneously in a form-fitting and frictionally engaged manner.