JP2001066327A - Current sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a current sensor having excellent assembling properties in a small size by providing a magnetoelectric transducer, and outputting an electric signal responsive to a magnetic field strength generated by the current flowing to a conductor held in a cutout part in a housing. SOLUTION: A recess cutout part 11 is formed in a housing. 10 of this current sensor to hold a band-like conductor therein. A substrate 20 contained in the housing 10 is formed with a cutout part 21 along the cutout part 11 at a position corresponding to the cutout part 11, and mounts first and second Hall elements 30, 31 of magnetoelectric transducers at both sides. The elements 30, 31 are mounted at positions corresponding to a lateral center of conductors when the conductors are held at the part 11. Thus, a magnetic flux generated by currents flowing in the conductors generates a voltage signal responsive to a magnetic flux density entering a magnetic sensitive surface. Thus, since a shape of the sensor can be decided according to a size of the holding part of the conductor to be measured, a small size structure can be provided. Its mounting work is simple only by an operation of pushing the sensor to the conductor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a current sensor for detecting a current flowing in an electric circuit mounted on a device such as an automobile, and more particularly to a technique for reducing the size of the current sensor and improving the assemblability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a current sensor for detecting a current flowing in an electric circuit mounted on an automobile, for example, by using a Hall element which is one of magneto-electric conversion elements. One example of such a current sensor is disclosed as a "large current detecting device" in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6-174753.

As shown in FIG. 17, this large current detecting device includes a bus bar 70 and a magnetic flux detector 71 as a magnetic flux collecting core wound around the bus bar 70. The magnetic flux detector 71 is formed by packing a ferrite powder in a flexible bag-like body, and can have an arbitrary shape.

A Hall element 73 is provided in a gap 72 formed by both ends of the magnetic flux detector 71, and a voltage proportional to a magnetic flux generated by a current flowing through the bus bar 70 is generated in the Hall element 73. The current flowing through the bus bar 70 is displayed on the display device 74 based on the voltage.

[0005]

However, in this conventional large current detecting device, it is necessary to penetrate a conductor through a magnetic flux detecting body as an annular magnetic flux collecting core (hereinafter referred to as "annular core"). Therefore, there is a problem that the outer shape of the current detection device becomes large.

In addition, since it is necessary to fix the Hall element in the gap formed by both ends of the flexible magnetic flux detector, the mounting and fixing method of the magnetic flux detector and the Hall element becomes complicated, and the current detecting device becomes complicated. Installation location is limited.

Therefore, if the conductor is branched in order to install the current detecting device at a desired position, there are problems that the number of screwed portions increases and heat generated at the time of energization due to contact resistance increases.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has as its object to provide a current sensor which is small in size and excellent in assemblability.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing provided with a concave cutout for sandwiching a conductor, and a cutout formed in the housing. And a magneto-electric conversion element that is disposed in the vicinity and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the strength of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the conductor sandwiched between the cuts.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the current sensor is miniaturized because the magnetoelectric conversion element is merely disposed in the housing near the cutout portion without using the conventional annular core. Can be. Further, since the mounting of the current sensor is completed only by sandwiching the conductor between the concave cut portions, the mounting work of the current sensor is simplified, and a current sensor excellent in assemblability can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a substrate accommodated in a housing, wherein the substrate further includes a substrate having a cut portion formed along the cut portion formed in the housing. The element is mounted on the substrate and substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of a cut portion formed in the substrate.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the conductor is sandwiched between the notches formed in the housing, whereby the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is uniquely determined, and the conductor is mounted on the substrate. The magneto-electric conversion element is located substantially at the center of the conductor sandwiched between the cutouts formed in the housing. Therefore, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor interlinks with the magnetoelectric conversion element substantially perpendicularly, so that the current flowing through the conductor can be detected with high sensitivity.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a projection for fitting into a hole formed in the conductor is provided on the wall surface of the cutout formed in the housing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the conductor is sandwiched between the notches formed in the housing and pressed, the protrusion formed on the wall surface of the notch in the housing is formed on the conductor. Into the hole. Thereby, the current sensor is firmly fixed to the conductor, and the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is accurately determined. Also, simply pressing the current sensor on the conductor completes the work of mounting the current sensor,
Installation work of the current sensor can be easily performed.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a protrusion is provided on a side surface of the housing for engaging a claw formed on a support member for supporting the conductor.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the conductor is sandwiched between the cut portions of the housing and pressed against the support member, the protrusions formed on the side surfaces of the housing become the claws formed on the support member. Engages. Thereby, the current sensor is firmly fixed to the support member, and at the same time, the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is accurately determined. Further, since the work of mounting the current sensor is completed only by pressing the current sensor against the support member, the work of mounting the current sensor can be easily performed.

Further, the invention according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that a connector for fitting with a connector formed on an external control unit is formed at a predetermined portion of the housing.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the connector provided on the current sensor is pressed against the connector provided on the control unit in a state where the conductor is sandwiched between the notches formed in the housing, the conductor is provided. The positional relationship between the current sensor and the magneto-electric conversion element is accurately determined, and the current sensor and the control unit are electrically connected. Therefore, the work of mounting the current sensor can be performed more easily.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a current sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a current sensor according to the embodiment. A recess 10 having a concave shape is formed in a housing 10 of the current sensor. A band-shaped conductor 40 (not shown) is sandwiched between the notches 11. The first Hall element 3 is provided inside the housing 10.
The substrate 20 on which the 0 and the second Hall elements 31 are mounted is housed.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a detailed structure of the housing 10, wherein FIG. 2 (A) is a plan view, FIG. 2 (B) is a front view, and FIG. 2 (C) is an arrow CC '. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional front view, FIG. 4D is a rear cross-sectional view taken along line DD ′, FIG. 4E is a side view, and FIG. 4F is arrow AA ′. Is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line, and FIG. 4G is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 10 is formed in a box shape having a length of 36.5 mm, a width of 20 mm and a height of 10 mm. A notch 11 is formed in the housing 10 in the vertical direction from the front thereof, and the width and depth of the notch 11 are adjusted according to the thickness and width of the conductor 40 through which the current to be measured flows. Has been determined.

A wedge-shaped projection 12 and a semi-cylindrical pressing portion 13 are formed on the wall surface of the cutout 11.
The protrusion 12 is fitted in a hole 41 formed in the conductor 40 and acts to fix the current sensor to the conductor 40 as described later.

The pressing portion 13 presses the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cut portions 11 from the front surface and the back surface, and acts to suppress the occurrence of play. The current sensor is firmly fixed to the conductor 40 by the projection 12 and the pressing portion 13.

The housing 10 is made of a heat-resistant resin (for example, polycarbonate) and can withstand heat generated by a current flowing through the conductor 40.
Although not shown, the opening (upper surface side) of the housing 10 is sealed with, for example, epoxy resin or the like after the substrate 20 is stored.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the substrate 20 housed inside the housing 10. This substrate 20
At a position corresponding to the cut portion 11 of the housing 10, a cut portion 21 cut along the cut portion 11 formed in the housing 10 is formed.

The first Hall element 3 corresponding to the magnetoelectric conversion element of the present invention is provided on both sides of the cut portion 21 of the substrate 20.
0 and the second Hall element 31 are mounted. The first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 have a width substantially equal to the width of the conductor 40 when the conductor 40 is sandwiched between the notches 11 of the housing 10 at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the notch 21 of the substrate 20. It is mounted at a position corresponding to the approximate center of.

The magneto-sensitive surfaces (magnetic flux detecting surfaces) of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 are set in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40. .

Here, each of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 generates a voltage (Hall voltage) signal corresponding to the magnetic flux density entering the magneto-sensitive surface. As will be described in detail later, a predetermined drive current is supplied to each of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31,
The voltage signals generated by the Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 are taken out.

As shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 20 further includes a first magnetic flux collecting core piece 32, a second magnetic flux collecting core piece 33, a third magnetic flux collecting core piece 34, and a fourth magnetic flux collecting core piece 35. Can be transformed to be mounted. In this case, the first Hall element 30 is located between the first magnetic flux collecting core piece 32 and the second magnetic collecting core piece 33 (gap).
And the second Hall element 31 is connected to the third magnetic flux collecting core piece 34.
And the fourth magnetic flux collecting core piece 35 (gap).

According to this configuration, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 is converged by each magnetic flux collecting core piece,
It is supplied to each magneto-sensitive surface of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31.

As a result, most of the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 is supplied to the magneto-sensitive surfaces of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31.
The current detection sensitivity of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 can be increased. Therefore, the configuration in which the magnetic flux collecting core piece is mounted is suitable for a current sensor that detects a small current.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 20 may be configured such that only the first Hall element 30 is mounted. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, it can be modified to further mount the first magnetic flux collecting core piece 32 and the second magnetic collecting core piece 33. In this case, the first Hall element 30 is disposed between the first magnetic flux collecting core piece 32 and the second magnetic collecting core piece 33 (gap).

More specifically, the substrate 20 is formed of a double-sided mounting substrate. In addition to the above-described first Hall element 30 and second Hall element 31, a power supply circuit, an arithmetic circuit, and the like (details will be described later) ) Are mounted.

Components such as a resistor R, a capacitor C, and a Zener diode ZD are mounted on the front side of the substrate 20, for example, as shown in FIG. This substrate 20
Is, as shown in FIG.
Is stored in.

FIG. 9 shows the back side of the substrate 20, on which components such as the resistor R, the capacitor C, the Zener diode ZD, and the transistor TR are mounted.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a current sensor circuit mounted on the substrate 20. As shown in FIG. This current sensor circuit includes a power supply circuit 36 and a first arithmetic circuit 37 in addition to the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 described above.
And a second arithmetic circuit 38.

The power supply circuit 36 generates a voltage of, for example, +5 V based on a voltage of, for example, +12 V supplied from an external power supply via a terminal H 1 and a ground (GND) supplied from the outside via a terminal H 2. This power supply circuit 36
Is supplied to the first Hall element 30, the second Hall element 31, the first arithmetic circuit 37, and the second arithmetic circuit 38. The voltage generated by the power supply circuit 36 is output to the outside via the terminal H3.

The first arithmetic circuit 37 includes the first Hall element 30
And amplifies and outputs the voltage signal. Similarly, the second arithmetic circuit 38 amplifies and outputs the voltage signal from the second Hall element 31. The outputs of the first operation circuit 37 and the second operation circuit 38 are combined and output to the outside via a terminal H4 as a current detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 11, the current sensor constructed as described above sandwiches the conductor 40 between the notches 11 so that the protrusions 12 formed on the wall surface of the notches 11 Is pressed until it is fitted into the hole 41 formed in the hole. Then, when the hole 41 and the protrusion 12 are fitted, the front and back surfaces of the conductor 40 are pressed by the pressing portion 13 formed on the wall surface of the notch 11, and the current sensor It will be fixed firmly.

When the current sensor is fixed to the conductor 40, the positional relationship between the conductor 40 and the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 is uniquely determined, and the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 30 are fixed. The element 31 is located at substantially the center of the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cuts 11 of the housing 10.

Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 intersects perpendicularly with the respective magneto-sensitive surfaces of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31, so that the current sensor The flowing current can be detected with high sensitivity.

As described above, according to the current sensor according to the first embodiment, since the conventional annular core is not used, the shape of the current sensor main body does not depend on the external dimensions of the annular core. The shape of the current sensor can be determined by the size of the portion sandwiching the conductor to be measured.

As a result, the current sensor can be made very small. Therefore, the junction box,
When detecting a current flowing through a plurality of conductors in a relay box or the like, the conductor interval can be narrower than a current sensor using an annular core. Further, since the current sensor can be firmly fixed to the conductor by a simple operation of pushing the current sensor into the conductor, screwing or the like becomes unnecessary, and the work of mounting the current sensor is simplified.

The conductor 40 may be provided with a plurality of holes 41 as required, as shown in FIG. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the position where the current sensor is mounted is increased. In this case, since the mounting position can be freely selected, there is no need to branch the conductor 40, and the conventional problems such as an increase in the number of screwed portions and heat generation during energization due to contact resistance can be solved.

(Second Embodiment) The current sensor according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in that it is directly mounted on a conductor, but the mounting method is the same as that of the first embodiment. This is different from the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the current sensor according to the second embodiment. In this current sensor, the projection 12 as shown in the first embodiment is not formed on the wall surface of the notch 11 of the housing 10.
Other structures are the same as those of the current sensor according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the conductor 40 to which the current sensor according to the second embodiment is applied has a hole 42 large enough to allow the housing 10 to pass therethrough. I have.

This current sensor is, as shown in FIG.
With approximately half of the housing 10 inserted into the hole 42, the conductor 40 is sandwiched by the cut 11
Is pressed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. When the conductor 40 comes into contact with the inner part of the notch 11, the front and back surfaces of the conductor 40 are pressed by the pressing portion 13 formed on the wall surface of the notch 11, and the current sensor is fixed to the conductor 40. Is done.

Thus, the conductor 40 and the first Hall element 3
The positional relationship between the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 is uniquely determined, and the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 are located substantially at the center of the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cut portions 11 of the housing 10. become. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 intersects perpendicularly with each of the magneto-sensitive surfaces of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31, so that the current sensor detects the current flowing through the conductor 40. It can be detected with high sensitivity.

According to the current sensor according to the second embodiment, downsizing can be achieved similarly to the current sensor according to the first embodiment. Further, the notch 11 of the current sensor
Since the current sensor can be fixed by a simple operation of pressing the conductor 40 so as to sandwich the conductor 40, the work of mounting the current sensor is simplified.

Incidentally, in the current sensor according to the second embodiment, similarly to the case of the first embodiment, the projection 12 can be formed on the wall surface of the cut portion 11 of the housing 10. . In this case, the hole 4
1 is formed. According to this structure, there is an advantage that the current sensor can be firmly fixed to the conductor 40.

(Third Embodiment) The current sensor according to the third embodiment is not directly attached to a conductor, but is attached to a support member that supports the conductor. As the support member, for example, a case of a power distribution device such as a junction box or a relay box disposed in an engine room of an automobile is used. Hereinafter, a case where a junction box is used as a support member will be described as an example.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a current sensor according to the third embodiment. In this current sensor, the projection 12 as shown in the first embodiment is not formed on the wall surface of the cut portion 11 of the housing 10. Instead, a projection 14 is provided on the side surface of the housing 10. Other structures are the same as those of the current sensor according to the first embodiment.

The conductor 40 to which the current sensor according to the third embodiment is applied does not have the hole 41 as shown in the first embodiment. Instead, the claws 5 are attached to the junction box 50 for storing the conductor 40.
1 is formed.

This current sensor, as shown in FIG.
As the conductor 40 is sandwiched between the cutouts 11,
The protrusion 14 formed on the side surface of the housing 10 is pressed until it engages with the claw 51 formed on the junction box 50. When the claw 51 and the protrusion 14 are engaged, the current sensor is firmly fixed to the junction box 50.

Thus, the conductor 40 and the first Hall element 3
The positional relationship between the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 is uniquely determined, and the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 are located substantially at the center of the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cut portions 11 of the housing 10. become. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 intersects perpendicularly with each of the magneto-sensitive surfaces of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31, so that the current sensor detects the current flowing through the conductor 40. It can be detected with high sensitivity.

According to the current sensor according to the third embodiment, downsizing is possible as in the current sensor according to the first embodiment. Further, the notch 11 of the current sensor
The current sensor can be firmly fixed to the junction box 50 by a simple operation of pressing the junction box 50 with the conductor 40 being sandwiched between them, and the conductor 40 is also fixed together, so the work of mounting the current sensor is easy. become.

(Fourth Embodiment) The current sensor according to the fourth embodiment is characterized in that a connection terminal is formed in a part of a housing.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the current sensor according to the fourth embodiment. A first male connector 15 and a second male connector 17 are formed on the front of the current sensor.

A first lock hole 16 is formed above the first male connector 15. Also, the second male connector 1
Above 7, a second lock hole 18 is formed. The above-described terminals H1 to H4 (see FIG. 10) are assigned to the pins of the first male connector 15 and the second male connector 17, respectively. Other structures are the same as those of the current sensor according to the first embodiment.

The control unit 60 to which the current sensor according to the fourth embodiment is connected, as shown in FIG.
The current sensor includes a first female connector 61 to which the first male connector 15 is connected and a second female connector 63 to which the second male connector 17 is connected. Above the first female connector 61, a first lock projection 62 that fits into the first lock hole 16 is formed. In addition, the second female connector 6
Above 3, a second lock projection 64 that fits into the second lock hole 18 is formed.

As the control unit 60, for example, a current interrupting device mounted on an automobile is used. In this case, the current detection signal detected by the current sensor is used as a trigger signal for starting the operation of the current interruption device.

This current sensor, as shown in FIG.
It is attached to the control unit 60 with the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cutouts 11. That is, the first male connector 15 and the second male connector 17 of the current sensor
The first lock connector 16 is aligned with the first female connector 61 and the second female connector 63 of the control unit 60, the first lock hole 16 is on the first lock protrusion 62, and the second lock hole 18 is on the second female connector 63.
It is pressed until it is fitted to each of the lock projections 64.
Thus, the current sensor is firmly fixed to the control unit 60.

Thus, the conductor 40 and the first Hall element 3
The positional relationship between the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 is uniquely determined, and the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 are located substantially at the center of the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cut portions 11 of the housing 10. become. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 intersects perpendicularly with each of the magneto-sensitive surfaces of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31, so that the current sensor detects the current flowing through the conductor 40. It can be detected with high sensitivity.

According to the current sensor according to the fourth embodiment, downsizing is possible as in the current sensor according to the first embodiment. Further, since the control unit 60 and the current sensor are electrically connected at the same time as the conductor 40 is sandwiched, the work of mounting the current sensor is further simplified.

(Fifth Embodiment) The current sensor according to the fifth embodiment is characterized in that the current sensor and the control unit are connected by a cable.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing the structure of a current sensor according to the fifth embodiment and the structure of a conductor to which the current sensor is applied. This current sensor is the same as the current sensor according to the first embodiment except that the cable 19 is pulled out from the terminals H1 to H4 (see FIG. 10) and connected to the control unit 60. . Further, the current sensor according to the fifth embodiment is
The present invention is applied to a conductor 40 having a hole 41 similar to that used in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the current sensor has a projection 12 formed on the wall surface of the cut 11 so that the conductor 40 is sandwiched between the cuts 11.
Is pressed until it fits into the hole 41 formed in the conductor 40. When the hole 41 and the protrusion 12 are fitted, the front and back surfaces of the conductor 40 are set to be pressed by the pressing portion 13 formed on the wall surface of the cut portion 11. As a result, the current sensor is firmly fixed to the conductor 40.

Thus, the conductor 40 and the first Hall element 3
The positional relationship between the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 is uniquely determined, and the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31 are located substantially at the center of the conductor 40 sandwiched between the cut portions 11 of the housing 10. become. Accordingly, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the conductor 40 intersects perpendicularly with each of the magneto-sensitive surfaces of the first Hall element 30 and the second Hall element 31, so that the current sensor detects the current flowing through the conductor 40. It can be detected with high sensitivity.

According to the current sensor according to the fifth embodiment, there is an advantage that the current sensor can be mounted at a position away from the control unit 60.

[0072]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the size of the current sensor can be reduced because the magnetoelectric conversion element is merely disposed in the housing near the cutout without using the conventional annular core. In addition, since the mounting of the current sensor is completed only by sandwiching the conductor between the concave cut portions, the mounting work of the current sensor is simplified, and a current sensor excellent in assemblability can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the conductor is sandwiched between the cutouts formed in the housing, the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is uniquely determined, and the conductor is mounted on the substrate. Since the magneto-electric conversion element is positioned substantially at the center of the conductor sandwiched between the cutouts formed in the housing, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through this conductor interlinks substantially perpendicularly to the magneto-electric conversion element. Therefore, the current flowing through the conductor can be detected with high sensitivity.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the conductor is sandwiched between the cut portions formed in the housing and pressed, the protrusion formed on the wall surface of the cut portion of the housing is formed on the conductor. The current sensor is firmly fixed to the conductor by fitting into the hole, so that the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is accurately determined, and the work of mounting the current sensor can be easily performed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the conductor is sandwiched between the cut portions of the housing and pressed against the support member, the protrusion formed on the side surface of the housing is formed on the support member. Since the current sensor is engaged with the claws, the current sensor is firmly fixed to the support member, and at the same time, the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is accurately determined. Since the work is completed, the mounting work can be easily performed.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the connector provided on the current sensor is pressed against the connector provided on the control unit in a state where the conductor is sandwiched between the notches formed in the housing, Since the positional relationship between the conductor and the magnetoelectric conversion element is accurately determined and the current sensor and the control unit are electrically connected, the work of mounting the current sensor can be performed more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a current sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail a structure of a housing of the current sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a housing of the current sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing a structure of a substrate housed in a housing of the current sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a modification of the structure of the substrate shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing another structure of the substrate housed in the housing of the current sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing a modification of the structure of the substrate shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a plan view showing a more specific configuration of the substrate shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the board shown in FIG. 8 is housed in a housing.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a current sensor circuit mounted on the substrate shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of attaching the current sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention to a conductor.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a current sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a current sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a current sensor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a work of mounting a current sensor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a current sensor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a structure of a conductor to which the current sensor is applied.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a conventional current sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case 11, 21 Notch part 12 Projection part 13 Press part 14 Projection part 15 1st male connector 16 1st lock hole 17 2nd male connector 18 2nd lock hole 19 Cable 20 Substrate 30 1st Hall element 31st 2 Hall element 36 Power supply circuit 37 First operation circuit 38 Second operation circuit 40 Conductor 41, 42 Hole 50 Junction box 51 Claw 60 Control unit 61 First female connector 62 First lock protrusion 63 Second female connector 64 First 2 lock projection

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tamai 1500 Onjuku, Susono-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki Sogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mitsuaki Morimoto 1500 Onjuku 1500, Susono-shi, Shizuoka Yazaki Sogyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2G025 AA01 AA03 AA05 AB02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A housing provided with a concave cut portion for sandwiching a conductor, and a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the conductor disposed between the cut portion and the housing in the housing. A magneto-electric conversion element that outputs an electric signal according to the strength of the
A current sensor comprising: 2. A substrate housed in the housing,
The substrate further includes a substrate having a cut portion formed along the cut portion formed in the housing, and the magnetoelectric conversion element is provided on the substrate and substantially at a center in a longitudinal direction of the cut portion formed in the substrate. The current sensor according to claim 1, wherein the current sensor is mounted on a device. 3. The projection according to claim 1, wherein a wall of the cutout formed in the housing is provided with a protrusion for fitting into a hole formed in the conductor.
A current sensor as described. 4. The electric current according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided on a side surface of the housing to engage with a claw formed on a support member that supports the conductor. Sensor. 5. A connector for fitting a connector formed on an external control unit at a predetermined portion of the housing.
The current sensor according to any one of the preceding claims.