JP2004264089A

JP2004264089A - Position detecting sensor

Info

Publication number: JP2004264089A
Application number: JP2003052955A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Keiji Tsurumaki; 桂司鶴巻
Original assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Seiki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-28
Filing date: 2003-02-28
Publication date: 2004-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-28
Also published as: JP4042109B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a cost when holding a rotary member. <P>SOLUTION: This sensor is provided with the rotary member 1 rotated in response to a control input for an acceleration pedal, a magnet 2 rotated synchronized with the rotation of the rotary member 1, a circuit board 5 having a detecting element 3 for detecting a pole change accompanied to a rotation operation of the magnet 2, and having a holder 4 for supporting the detecting element 3, and a frame body 7 for storing the magnet 2 and the circuit board 5. The frame body 7 has a through hole 76 penetrated with the rotary member 1 therethrough, the rotary member 1 is sandwiched between the frame body 7 and the holder 4 under the condition where the member 1 is penetrated through the through hole 76, and the frame body 7 and the holder 4 are formed of a synthetic resin material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば自動車等の車両に搭載される被操作部材の操作位置を検出する位置検出センサに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の位置検出センサにあっては、例えばスロットルバルブの開度に応じて回転する回転部材と、この回転部材と同期して回転する磁石と、この磁石の回転動作に伴う磁極変化を検出するためのホール素子とこのホール素子を収納するホルダとを有する回路基板と、回転部材と磁石と回路基板を収納する合成樹脂からなるハウジングとを備えている。この場合、ハウジングは略枠状に形成され、その中央部には回転部材を回転可能に保持するための円筒部材が連結部を通じてハウジングに一体形成されいる。この連結部は円筒部材の下端側に連結されており、この連結部によって連結された円筒部材の下端側から上端側に向かって延びる円筒部材の外周には円筒部材を取り囲むように非磁性金属材料からなる筒状の保持部が配設されている。また、円筒部材の中央部にはホール素子を収納する凹部が形成されている。そして、スロットルバルブの開度に応じてスロットルバルブ側に設けられたスロットルシャフトが回転すると、このスロットルシャフトの回転に伴い回転部材が回転し、この回転部材の回転による磁石の磁極変化をホール素子によって電気信号に変換し、ダイレクトコネクタを通じて外部に出力するようになっている（特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−６２１１３号公報
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の位置検出センサの場合、合成樹脂からなるハウジングの円筒部材の下端側は連結部を通じてハウジングと一体に形成されており、しかも円筒部材の下端側から上端側に向かって延びる円筒部材の外周には非磁性金属材料からなる筒状の保持部が配設されている構成である。そして、この保持部によって回転部材を回転可能に保持している。
【０００５】
従って、かかる位置検出センサにおいて、回転部材を円筒部材に対して回転可能に保持するにあたり、回転部材の配設箇所となる円筒部材の上端側とハウジングとを連結することは困難でるため、円筒部材の外周には円筒部材を補強するための円筒部材補強用の保持部（補強部材）が別途必要となり、これにより位置検出センサを構成する部品点数が多くなるため組付費や部品費が嵩み、コストアップの原因となっていた。
【０００６】
本発明はこの点に鑑みてなされたもので、その主な目的は、回転部材を保持するにあたって、コストダウンを達成することが可能な位置検出センサを提供せんとするものである。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は前記目的を達成するため、被操作部材の操作量に応じて回転する回転部材と、この回転部材の回転に同期して回転する磁石と、この磁石の回転動作に伴う磁極変化を検出する検出素子と、この検出素子を保持するホルダと、少なくとも前記磁石と前記検出素子とを収納する枠体とを備え、前記枠体は前記回転部材が貫通する貫通部を有し、前記回転部材は前記貫通部に貫通した状態で前記枠体と前記ホルダとの間に狭持され、且つ前記枠体及び前記ホルダが合成樹脂材料によって形成されてなることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
また本発明は、前記回転部材は、前記貫通部及び前記ホルダに設けられた隆起部によって軸支されてなることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１から図４は本発明の第１実施形態を示すもので、以下、これらに基づいて本発明の第１実施形態を例えば自動車に搭載されるアクセルペダルの操作位置を検出する位置検出センサに適用した場合について説明する。なお、図１は本発明の第１実施形態による位置検出センサの正面図、図２は図１のＡ−Ａ断面図、図３は同実施形態による位置検出センサの各構成部品を示す図、図４は同実施形態による回転部材とホルダの固定状態を示す要部断面図である。
【００１０】
図１から図３において、本実施形態による位置検出センサは、図示しないアクセルペダル（被操作部材）の操作量（操作位置）に応じて回転する回転部材１と、この回転部材１に同期（連動）して回転する磁石２と、検出素子３並びにこの検出素子３を保持するホルダ４が搭載された回路基板５と、磁石２を取り囲むコイルバネ６と、磁石２と回路基板５とコイルバネ６を収納する枠体７とから構成されている。
【００１１】
回転部材１は、合成樹脂材料、例えばポリアセタールやポリアミドからなり、枠体７の後述する貫通部を通じて外部に延びる軸部１１と、この軸部１１からその軸方向とは直交する外周方向に延びるフランジ部１２と、このフランジ部１２から連続して軸部１１と同軸方向に延びる筒状部１３とを備えている。なお、これら軸部１１，筒状部１３の軸線（軸方向）Ｌは、図２中、一点鎖線にて示されている。
【００１２】
軸部１１は、略角柱状に形成され、その中央部には回転部材１の成形時の成形不良を防止するための肉抜き部１１ａが軸線Ｌに沿って形成されている。そして、軸部１１のうち枠体７の外部に露出する露出部１１ｂ箇所は前記アクセルペダル側に配設される図示しないシャフト（レバー）等の固定部に結合されている。このため、前記アクセルペダルの操作によって前記シャフトが所定方向に回転移動し、このシャフトの回転移動によって前記シャフトの前記固定部と連結結合される軸部１１の露出部１１ｂには回転部材１を回転させるための回転力が作用するようになっている。
【００１３】
なお、このとき、枠体７は枠体７の後述する一対の鍔部を通じて前記アクセルペダル側に取付固定されているため、回転部材１の回転時に枠体７自体は回転しないようになっている。
【００１４】
フランジ部１２には、コイルバネ６の後述する一方の端部が貫通する孔部１２ａが形成されている。
【００１５】
筒状部１３は、フランジ部１２を挟んで軸部１１と対向する箇所が空洞部１３ａとなる略円筒状に形成され、この空洞部１３ａにホルダ４の後述する肉薄部が収納固定されている。また、１３ｂは筒状部１３の底面からフランジ部１２側に向けて形成される円環状の溝部であり、この溝部１３ｂに磁石２が収納固定される。そして、このように磁石２を収納固定するための溝部１３ｂを筒状部１３に設けることで、筒状部１３は溝部１３ｂを介して回転部材１の軸線Ｌと直交する方向に互いに向かい合う第１，第２の対向壁１３ｃ，１３ｄを備えている。
【００１６】
また本実施形態では、図４に示すように第１，第２の対向壁１３ｃ，１３ｄのうち空洞部１３ａ側に位置する第１の対向壁１３ｃにはその底面からホルダ４の後述する段部側に延びる突起部１３ｅが形成されている。この突起部１３ｅは断面半円状に形成され、回転部材１とホルダ４とが固定された状態では、突起部１３ｅの円弧端面が前記段部と接触し、これにより回転部材１がホルダ４によって保持される。
【００１７】
磁石２は、円環状からなり、回転部材１の溝部１３内に接着等によって収納固定されている。なお、磁石２の回転部材１への収納固定方法は接着等に限らず、例えば回転部材１と磁石２とをインサート成形により一体的に形成してもよい。なお、磁石２の外周面は複数の磁極を有するように着磁されている。
【００１８】
検出素子３は、例えばホールＩＣやＭＲ（磁気抵抗）素子からなり、半田付け等の手段により回路基板５に導通固定され、磁石２の回転動作に伴う磁極変化を電気信号（パルス信号）に変換し、この電気信号を電気コード８（図２参照）を通じてエンジンコントロールユニット等に出力するものである。
【００１９】
そして、この検出素子３はホルダ４を通じて回路基板５に取り付けられている。ホルダ４は、合成樹脂材料、例えばポリアセタールやポリアミドからなり、断面略「Ｕ」字状に形成され、検出素子３を収納保持するための凹部４１と、この凹部４１から軸線Ｌと直交する外周方向（枠体７側）に延びるフランジ４２とを有している。この場合、凹部４１は回転部材１側が閉塞する略円筒状に形成され、凹部４１の外壁面には階段状の段部４３が形成されている。
【００２０】
また、このように凹部４１の外壁面に段部４３を形成することで、凹部４１には検出素子３が収納される凹部４１の底面側が肉薄となる肉薄部４４が形成されると共に、この肉薄部４４とフランジ４２との間に位置する凹部４１箇所には肉薄部４４よりも径大な肉厚部４５が形成されている。
【００２１】
また、肉薄部４４における段部４３側には軸線Ｌとは直交する方向にわずかに隆起する隆起部４６（図４参照）が設けられており、この隆起部４６は回転部材１の回転時おけるラジアル方向（軸線Ｌとは直交する方向）の位置ズレを規制する位置規制部としての機能を有している。これにより、ホルダ４の肉薄部４４を回転部材１の空洞部１３ａ内に収納したときに隆起部４６の非形成領域となる肉薄部４４箇所と筒状部１３の第１の対向壁１３ｃとの間にはクリアランスが形成されるようになっている。
【００２２】
なお、４７はホルダ４のフランジ４２から軸線Ｌと同一方向に延びるように突出形成され、回路基板５の後述する孔を貫通する一対の突出ピンである。そして、ホルダ４と回路基板５とが密着するように各突出ピン４７を孔５３に貫通させて、回路基板５の後述する基板面５１から突出した突出ピン４７箇所を熱によって溶かすことで回路基板５がホルダ４に溶着固定される。
【００２３】
回路基板５は、図２中、軸線Ｌと直交する方向に延びホルダ４のフランジ４２の背面に沿うように配設され、検出素子３やコンデンサ等の電子部品が実装される基板面５１と、検出素子３の出力用の電気コード８を半田付けにより導通接続するための電気コード挿通孔５２と、ホルダ４の一対の突出ピン４７が貫通する２つの孔５３とを備えている。
【００２４】
なお、電気コード挿通孔５２はホルダ４から露出する回路基板５箇所に複数設けられ、この場合、電気コード８は基板面５１側から電気コード挿通孔５２に挿入される。そして、基板面５１とは反対側の基板面５４であってホルダ４から露出する基板面５４の露出面５５から突出した電気コード８の突出端が導通接続されている。
【００２５】
コイルバネ６は、金属材料からなり、回転部材１の筒状部１３並びに検出素子３を収納する凹部４１を取り巻くように、回転部材１のフランジ部１２とホルダ４のフランジ４２との間に配置されている。また、コイルバネ６の一方の端部６１はフランジ部１２の孔部１２ａに挿入され、コイルバネ６の他方の端部６２はホルダ４に設けられる図示しない案内部にガイドされている。
【００２６】
このようにコイルバネ６の両端部６１，６２が、回転部材１の孔部１２とホルダ４の前記案内部に挿入されることで、コイルバネ６は回転部材１とホルダ４とで保持されており、しかもホルダ４はその突出ピン４７によって回路基板５に溶着固定されると共に、ホルダ４の溶着固定された回路基板５がさらに枠体７に所定手段によって固定されている。
【００２７】
加えて、本実施形態では前記アクセルペダルの操作によって回転部材１のみが回転し、枠体７は前記アクセルペダル側に取付固定されると共にホルダ４はフランジ部４２と枠体７の後述する受部とを通じて枠体７に溶着等により固定されているため、前記アクセルペダルの操作によってホルダ４自体は回転しない構成である。従って、前記アクセルペダルの操作によって回転部材１が回転したときに、コイルバネ６には常時、回転部材１を回転部材１の回転方向とは反対方向に回転させる回転力（復帰力）が作用し、この復帰力により前記アクセルペダルの操作が解除されると回転部材１は元の位置（初期位置）に戻るようになっている。
【００２８】
従って、前記アクセルペダルを例えば所定量だけ踏み込んだときと、この所定量よりもさらに踏み込み、その後、前記アクセルペダルの踏み込みを緩めて踏み込み量が前記所定量と略一致したときとを比較すると、検出素子３による両者の出力値は略一致するようになっている。
【００２９】
枠体７は、合成樹脂材料、例えばＰＢＴ（ポリブチレンテレフタレート）からなり、その外周適宜箇所には、例えば前記アクセルペダル側に所定の取付手段にて取付固定するための一対の鍔部７１と、この鍔部７１に連続して形成される側壁部７２と、回路基板５の外形よりも径大な略半円状からなる開口部７３と、側壁部７２から連続形成され開口部６３に対応する底壁部７４とを有している。
【００３０】
そして、底壁部７４には開口部７３とは反対側（図２中、上側）にさらに隆起する隆起壁７５が形成されており、この隆起壁７５はホルダ４の外形形状に対応した丸形に形成され、その中央部には回転部材１の軸部１１が貫通する貫通部７６が設けられている。なお、この場合、軸部１１を貫通部７６に貫通させたときに、軸部１１は貫通部７６に対して圧入するように固定されるため、回転部材１と枠体７とは容易に分離されないようになっている。
【００３１】
さらに、この貫通部７６の周囲には隆起壁７５から開口部７３側に向けて軸線Ｌ方向に突出する突出部７７が形成されている。この突出部７７は円環状からなり、隆起壁７５に連続して形成され、軸部１１を貫通部７６に貫通させたときに軸部１１の露出部１１ｂが所定寸法だけ露出したところでフランジ部１２の前面に当接することで、回転部材１を軸線Ｌ方向に対して位置規制する位置規制部としての機能を有している。
【００３２】
このように隆起壁７５から部分的に突出した突出部７７でフランジ部１２を受けることにより、隆起壁７５とフランジ部１２との間には間隙がされ、この間隙に貫通部７６を通じて外部から枠体７内部に水分等の侵入を防止するための円環状からなる防水部材７８が配設されている。
【００３３】
また、７９は側壁部７２、底壁部７４並びに隆起壁７５によって囲まれる空間を２つの空間に分割するための仕切壁であり、この仕切壁７９は底壁部７４と隆起壁７５との境界部から開口部７３側に向けて軸線Ｌ方向に延びている。そして、仕切壁７９の先端部及び、図２中、右側に位置し前記先端部と対向する側壁部７２箇所にはホルダ４のフランジ４２の周縁を保持する段部からなる受部７０１が形成されている。
【００３４】
また、図２中、９は、ホルダ４と溶着固定された回路基板５を封止するように枠体７内に例えばエポキシ系合成樹脂からなる充填剤を充填・固化して形成された封止体である。そして、本実施形態の場合、封止体９は、ホルダ４のフランジ４２と開口部７３との間、及び図２中、左側に位置する側壁部７２と仕切壁７９との間を埋めるように充填形成され、前記電子部品を含む回路基板５を安定的に固定している。なお、枠体７の受部７０１にはグリス等が塗布されているため、封止体９は回転部材１側には形成されないようになっている。
【００３５】
続いて、本実施形態における位置検出センサの組み付け例を説明する。まず、回転部材１の溝部１３ｂ内に磁石２を接着等によって収納固定し、この磁石２の収納固定された回転部材１の軸部１１側を開口部７３より枠体７内に収納する。次に、軸部１１を貫通部７６に貫通させて、軸部１１を外部に露出させた後、さらに回転部材１を筒状部１３側から隆起壁７５側に押し込むことで、やがて露出部１１ｂが所定量露出した状態でフランジ部１２が突出部７７と当接し、回転部材１が枠体７に固定される。この際、貫通部７６は回転部材１の軸部１１のラジアル方向への位置ズレを規制する軸受としての機能を有しているため、軸部１１は貫通部７６によって軸支されることになる。
【００３６】
次に、筒状部１３を取り巻くようにコイルバネ６の一方の端部６１をフランジ部１２の孔部１２ａに挿入し、さらにホルダ４の前記案内部にコイルバネ６の他方の端部６２がガイドされるようにホルダ４の肉薄部４４を筒状部１３の空洞部１３ａ内に収納固定する。そして、枠体７の図示しない溶着部とホルダ４の前記溶着部に対応する箇所とを熱溶着することで、回転部材１が枠体７とホルダ４との間で狭持される。このとき、ホルダ４の隆起部４６は第１の対向壁１３ｃに接触するため、回転部材１の筒状部１３のラジアル方向への位置ズレを規制する軸受としての機能を有し、これにより筒状部１３は隆起部４６によって軸支され、以上により回転部材１は貫通部７６と隆起部４６とによって軸支されている。
【００３７】
次に、検出素子３をホルダ４の凹部４１内の奥行き方向に収納し、電気コード８が導通接続された回路基板５の孔５３をホルダ４の突出ピン４７に貫通させて基板面５１から突出した突出ピン４７突出端と回路基板５とを熱溶着により固定する。そして、回路基板５に検出素子３を半田付けし、最後に、開口部７３より前述した枠体７内の所定箇所内に前記充填剤を充填し、この充填材が固化することにより封止体９が形成され、この封止体９により前記電子部品を含む回路基板５が枠体７内で封止され、組み付けが完了する。
【００３８】
従って、かかる位置検出センサの組み付けにおいては、ホルダ４を回転部材１に固定したときに、回転部材１が枠体７とホルダ４との間で狭持され、しかも回転部材１はそのラジアル方向に対する位置ズレが隆起部４６、貫通部７６によって規制されている。また、肉薄部４４の空洞部１３ａへの挿入によって、軸線Ｌ方向に対しては段部４３と突起部１３ｅとが接触することで、回転部材１は段部４３と突出部７７とで軸線Ｌ方向に対する移動が規制されている。なお、肉薄部４４の空洞部１３ａへの挿入によって隆起部４６の非形成領域である肉薄部４４箇所は回転部材１と接触していないため、回転部材１の回転をスムーズにさせ、前記アクセルペダルの操作による検出素子３の検出精度を高めることが可能となる。
【００３９】
以上のように本実施形態では、前記アクセルペダルの操作量に応じて回転する回転部材１と、この回転部材１の回転に同期して回転する磁石２と、この磁石２の回転動作に伴う磁極変化を検出する検出素子３と、この検出素子３を保持するホルダ４と、磁石２と検出素子３とを収納する枠体７とを備え、枠体７は回転部材１が貫通する貫通部７６を有し、回転部材１は貫通部７６に貫通した状態で枠体７とホルダ４との間に狭持され、且つ枠体７及びホルダ４が合成樹脂材料によって形成されてなることにより、位置検出センサの構成部品として従来は必要であった回転部材補強用の専用の保持部が不要となるため、部品点数が削減可能となりコストダウンを達成することができる。
【００４０】
また本実施形態では、回転部材１は、貫通部７６及びホルダ４に設けられた隆起部４６によって軸支されてなることにより、回転部材１のラジアル方向に対する位置ズレが規制されるため、前記アクセルペダルの操作による検出素子３の検出精度を高めることができる。また、回転部材１は枠体７内に収納されたホルダ４によって保持されているため、例えば軸部１１の露出部１１ｂを別部材によって保持することが不要となり、これにより位置検出センサの小型化が可能となる。
【００４１】
図５は本発明の第２実施形態を示しており、本実施形態では前記第１実施形態にて適用した回転部材１の第１の突出部１３ｅ（対向壁１３ｃ）並びにホルダ４の隆起部４６を廃止して、回転部材１とホルダ４とを凹凸結合させることで回転部材１をホルダ４によって保持している例を示している。
【００４２】
すなわち、ホルダ４の肉薄部４４の中央部に軸線Ｌ方向に沿って回転部材１側に突出する凸部４８を設けると共に、回転部材１の軸部１１（フランジ部１２）側には凸部４８と結合する凹部１４が設けられている。かかる実施形態においても、回転部材１が枠体７とホルダ４とで狭持されるため、従来のように回転部材補強用の保持部が不要となり、前記第１実施形態と同様の作用効果を得ることができる。
【００４３】
なお、前記第２実施形態では回転部材１側に凹部１４を設け、ホルダ４側に凹部１４に結合する凸部４８を設けた場合について説明したが、回転部材１側に凸部を設け、ホルダ４側に凸部に結合する凹部を設けてもよい。
【００４４】
【発明の効果】
以上、本発明によれば、初期の目的を達成することができ、回転部材を保持するにあたって、コストダウンを達成することが可能な位置検出センサを提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態による位置検出センサの正面図。
【図２】図１のＡ−Ａ断面図。
【図３】同実施形態による位置検出センサの各構成部品を示す図。
【図４】同実施形態による回転部材とホルダの固定状態を示す要部断面図。
【図５】本発明の第２実施形態による位置検出センサの断面図。
【符号の説明】
１回転部材
２磁石
３検出素子
４ホルダ
５回路基板
７枠体
９封止体
１１軸部
１１ｂ露出部
１３筒状部
１３ａ空洞部
１３ｅ突起部
４１凹部
４４肉薄部
４５肉厚部
４６隆起部
７６貫通部
７７突出部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a position detection sensor that detects an operation position of an operated member mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of position detection sensor, for example, a rotating member that rotates according to the opening degree of a throttle valve, a magnet that rotates in synchronization with the rotating member, and a magnetic pole change accompanying the rotating operation of the magnet are A circuit board having a Hall element for detection and a holder for housing the Hall element, and a housing made of synthetic resin for housing the rotating member, the magnet and the circuit board are provided. In this case, the housing is formed in a substantially frame shape, and a cylindrical member for rotatably holding the rotating member is formed integrally with the housing at a central portion through a connecting portion. The connecting portion is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical member. The outer periphery of the cylindrical member extending from the lower end to the upper end of the cylindrical member connected by the connecting portion is formed of a non-magnetic metal material so as to surround the cylindrical member. And a cylindrical holding portion made of Further, a concave portion for accommodating the Hall element is formed in a central portion of the cylindrical member. When the throttle shaft provided on the throttle valve side rotates according to the opening of the throttle valve, the rotating member rotates with the rotation of the throttle shaft, and the change in the magnetic pole of the magnet due to the rotation of the rotating member is detected by the Hall element. The signal is converted into an electric signal and output to the outside through a direct connector (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-62113
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the position detection sensor described in Patent Document 1, the lower end side of the cylindrical member of the housing made of synthetic resin is formed integrally with the housing through the connecting portion, and further, from the lower end side to the upper end side of the cylindrical member. A cylindrical holding portion made of a non-magnetic metal material is provided on the outer periphery of the extending cylindrical member. The holding member holds the rotating member rotatably.
[0005]
Therefore, in such a position detecting sensor, it is difficult to connect the housing to the upper end side of the cylindrical member, which is a place where the rotary member is disposed, in holding the rotary member rotatably with respect to the cylindrical member. In the outer periphery of the cylindrical member, a holding portion (reinforcing member) for reinforcing the cylindrical member for reinforcing the cylindrical member is separately required, and as a result, the number of components constituting the position detection sensor increases, so that the assembly cost and the component cost increase. This was causing cost increase.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of this point, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a position detection sensor capable of achieving cost reduction in holding a rotating member.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention detects a rotating member that rotates according to an operation amount of an operated member, a magnet that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating member, and detects a change in magnetic pole caused by the rotating operation of the magnet. A detecting element, a holder for holding the detecting element, and a frame for accommodating at least the magnet and the detecting element, wherein the frame has a penetrating portion through which the rotating member penetrates, and the rotating member Is characterized by being sandwiched between the frame and the holder in a state penetrating the penetrating portion, and wherein the frame and the holder are formed of a synthetic resin material.
[0008]
Further, the invention is characterized in that the rotating member is pivotally supported by a protrusion provided on the through portion and the holder.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 showing a position detecting sensor for detecting an operation position of an accelerator pedal mounted on an automobile, for example. The case where the method is applied will be described. 1 is a front view of a position detection sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each component of the position detection sensor according to the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a fixed state of the rotating member and the holder according to the embodiment.
[0010]
1 to 3, a position detection sensor according to the present embodiment includes a rotating member 1 that rotates in accordance with an operation amount (operating position) of an accelerator pedal (operated member) (not shown) and a rotating member 1 that is synchronized with the rotating member 1 (interlocked). ), The circuit board 5 on which the detecting element 3 and the holder 4 holding the detecting element 3 are mounted, the coil spring 6 surrounding the magnet 2, and the magnet 2, the circuit board 5 and the coil spring 6 are housed. And a frame body 7 which is formed.
[0011]
The rotating member 1 is made of a synthetic resin material, for example, polyacetal or polyamide, and has a shaft portion 11 extending to the outside through a later-described through portion of the frame 7, and a flange extending from the shaft portion 11 in an outer peripheral direction orthogonal to the axial direction. A portion 12 and a cylindrical portion 13 extending coaxially with the shaft portion 11 continuously from the flange portion 12 are provided. The axis L (axial direction) of the shaft 11 and the cylindrical portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line in FIG.
[0012]
The shaft portion 11 is formed in a substantially prismatic shape, and a lightening portion 11a is formed along the axis L at a central portion thereof to prevent a molding failure when the rotating member 1 is formed. An exposed portion 11b of the shaft portion 11 exposed to the outside of the frame 7 is connected to a fixed portion such as a shaft (lever) (not shown) provided on the accelerator pedal side. For this reason, the shaft is rotated in a predetermined direction by the operation of the accelerator pedal, and the rotation of the shaft causes the rotating member 1 to rotate at the exposed portion 11b of the shaft portion 11 which is connected and coupled to the fixed portion of the shaft. A rotating force is applied to make it work.
[0013]
At this time, since the frame 7 is attached and fixed to the accelerator pedal through a pair of flanges described later of the frame 7, the frame 7 itself does not rotate when the rotating member 1 rotates. .
[0014]
The flange 12 is formed with a hole 12a through which one end of the coil spring 6, which will be described later, passes.
[0015]
The cylindrical portion 13 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in which a portion facing the shaft portion 11 with the flange portion 12 interposed therebetween becomes a hollow portion 13a, and a thin portion described later of the holder 4 is housed and fixed in the hollow portion 13a. . Reference numeral 13b denotes an annular groove formed from the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 13 toward the flange portion 12, and the magnet 2 is housed and fixed in the groove 13b. By providing the cylindrical portion 13 with the groove 13b for housing and fixing the magnet 2 in this manner, the first cylindrical portion 13 faces each other in the direction orthogonal to the axis L of the rotating member 1 via the groove 13b. , Second opposing walls 13c, 13d.
[0016]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the first opposing wall 13c located on the cavity portion 13a side of the first and second opposing walls 13c and 13d has a stepped portion (described later) of the holder 4 from its bottom surface. A protrusion 13e extending to the side is formed. The protruding portion 13e is formed in a semicircular cross section, and when the rotating member 1 and the holder 4 are fixed, the arc end face of the protruding portion 13e comes into contact with the step, whereby the rotating member 1 is moved by the holder 4. Will be retained.
[0017]
The magnet 2 has an annular shape, and is housed and fixed in the groove 13 of the rotating member 1 by bonding or the like. The method of storing and fixing the magnet 2 to the rotating member 1 is not limited to bonding or the like. For example, the rotating member 1 and the magnet 2 may be integrally formed by insert molding. The outer peripheral surface of the magnet 2 is magnetized so as to have a plurality of magnetic poles.
[0018]
The detecting element 3 is made of, for example, a Hall IC or an MR (magnetic resistance) element, is conductively fixed to the circuit board 5 by means such as soldering, and converts a magnetic pole change accompanying the rotating operation of the magnet 2 into an electric signal (pulse signal). Then, this electric signal is output to an engine control unit or the like through the electric cord 8 (see FIG. 2).
[0019]
The detection element 3 is attached to the circuit board 5 through the holder 4. The holder 4 is made of a synthetic resin material, for example, polyacetal or polyamide, is formed in a substantially “U” -shaped cross section, and has a concave portion 41 for storing and holding the detection element 3, and an outer peripheral direction perpendicular to the axis L from the concave portion 41. (The frame 7 side). In this case, the concave portion 41 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in which the rotating member 1 side is closed, and a stepped step portion 43 is formed on the outer wall surface of the concave portion 41.
[0020]
Further, by forming the step portion 43 on the outer wall surface of the concave portion 41 in this way, the concave portion 41 is formed with a thin portion 44 in which the bottom surface side of the concave portion 41 in which the detection element 3 is housed becomes thin, and the thin portion 44 is formed. A thick portion 45 having a diameter larger than the thin portion 44 is formed at a concave portion 41 located between the portion 44 and the flange 42.
[0021]
A protruding portion 46 (see FIG. 4) slightly protruding in a direction orthogonal to the axis L is provided on the step portion 43 side of the thin portion 44, and the protruding portion 46 can be used when the rotating member 1 rotates. It has a function as a position restricting unit that restricts positional deviation in the radial direction (direction orthogonal to the axis L). Thereby, when the thin portion 44 of the holder 4 is stored in the hollow portion 13 a of the rotating member 1, the portion of the thin portion 44 serving as a region where the raised portion 46 is not formed and the first opposed wall 13 c of the cylindrical portion 13 are formed. A clearance is formed between them.
[0022]
Reference numeral 47 denotes a pair of projecting pins which are formed so as to extend from the flange 42 of the holder 4 in the same direction as the axis L, and penetrate through holes to be described later of the circuit board 5. Then, the projecting pins 47 are passed through the holes 53 so that the holder 4 and the circuit board 5 are in close contact with each other, and the projecting pins 47 projecting from the later-described board surface 51 of the circuit board 5 are melted by heat so that the circuit board 5 is heated. 5 is fixed to the holder 4 by welding.
[0023]
The circuit board 5 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis L in FIG. 2, is disposed along the back surface of the flange 42 of the holder 4, and has a board surface 51 on which electronic components such as the detection elements 3 and capacitors are mounted. An electrical cord insertion hole 52 for electrically connecting the output electrical cord 8 of the detection element 3 by soldering, and two holes 53 through which a pair of projecting pins 47 of the holder 4 penetrate are provided.
[0024]
A plurality of electric cord insertion holes 52 are provided at five positions on the circuit board exposed from the holder 4. In this case, the electric cord 8 is inserted into the electric code insertion hole 52 from the substrate surface 51 side. The protruding end of the electric cord 8 protruding from the exposed surface 55 of the substrate surface 54 exposed from the holder 4 on the substrate surface 54 opposite to the substrate surface 51 is electrically connected.
[0025]
The coil spring 6 is made of a metal material, and is disposed between the flange portion 12 of the rotating member 1 and the flange 42 of the holder 4 so as to surround the cylindrical portion 13 of the rotating member 1 and the concave portion 41 that houses the detection element 3. ing. One end 61 of the coil spring 6 is inserted into the hole 12 a of the flange 12, and the other end 62 of the coil spring 6 is guided by a guide (not shown) provided on the holder 4.
[0026]
By inserting the both ends 61 and 62 of the coil spring 6 into the hole 12 of the rotating member 1 and the guide portion of the holder 4 in this manner, the coil spring 6 is held by the rotating member 1 and the holder 4, Moreover, the holder 4 is welded and fixed to the circuit board 5 by the protruding pins 47, and the circuit board 5 to which the holder 4 is welded and fixed is further fixed to the frame 7 by predetermined means.
[0027]
In addition, in this embodiment, only the rotating member 1 is rotated by the operation of the accelerator pedal, the frame 7 is attached and fixed to the accelerator pedal side, and the holder 4 is provided with a flange 42 and a receiving portion (described later) of the frame 7. Thus, the holder 4 itself is not rotated by the operation of the accelerator pedal. Therefore, when the rotating member 1 is rotated by the operation of the accelerator pedal, a rotating force (return force) for rotating the rotating member 1 in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the rotating member 1 always acts on the coil spring 6, When the operation of the accelerator pedal is released by the return force, the rotating member 1 returns to the original position (initial position).
[0028]
Therefore, when the accelerator pedal is depressed by, for example, a predetermined amount, the pedal is depressed further than the predetermined amount, and then, when the accelerator pedal is depressed and the depressed amount substantially coincides with the predetermined amount, a detection is made. The output values of the two by the element 3 are substantially the same.
[0029]
The frame body 7 is made of a synthetic resin material, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and has a pair of flange portions 71 for attaching and fixing to the accelerator pedal side, for example, by a predetermined attaching means at an appropriate outer periphery thereof, A side wall portion 72 formed continuously with the flange portion 71, an opening 73 having a substantially semicircular shape larger in diameter than the outer shape of the circuit board 5, and corresponding to the opening 63 formed continuously from the side wall portion 72. And a bottom wall 74.
[0030]
A raised wall 75 is further formed on the bottom wall 74 on the side opposite to the opening 73 (upper side in FIG. 2). The raised wall 75 has a round shape corresponding to the outer shape of the holder 4. The central portion is provided with a through portion 76 through which the shaft portion 11 of the rotating member 1 penetrates. In this case, when the shaft portion 11 is passed through the through portion 76, the shaft portion 11 is fixed so as to be pressed into the through portion 76, so that the rotating member 1 and the frame 7 are easily separated. Not to be.
[0031]
Further, a projecting portion 77 is formed around the penetrating portion 76 so as to project from the raised wall 75 toward the opening 73 in the direction of the axis L. The projecting portion 77 is formed in an annular shape and is formed continuously with the raised wall 75. When the exposed portion 11 b of the shaft portion 11 is exposed to a predetermined size when the shaft portion 11 is made to pass through the through portion 76, the flange portion 12 is formed. Has a function as a position restricting portion that restricts the position of the rotating member 1 in the direction of the axis L by contacting the front surface of the rotary member 1.
[0032]
By receiving the flange portion 12 at the projecting portion 77 partially projecting from the raised wall 75 in this manner, a gap is formed between the raised wall 75 and the flange portion 12, and the gap is formed in the gap from the outside through the through portion 76. An annular waterproof member 78 for preventing entry of moisture or the like into the body 7 is provided.
[0033]
Reference numeral 79 denotes a partition for dividing a space surrounded by the side wall 72, the bottom wall 74, and the raised wall 75 into two spaces, and the partition 79 is a boundary between the bottom wall 74 and the raised wall 75. The portion extends in the direction of the axis L toward the opening 73 side. A receiving portion 701 composed of a step portion for holding the peripheral edge of the flange 42 of the holder 4 is formed at the distal end portion of the partition wall 79 and at 72 places of the side wall portion located on the right side in FIG. 2 and facing the distal end portion. ing.
[0034]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 9 denotes a sealing formed by filling and solidifying a filler made of, for example, an epoxy-based synthetic resin in the frame 7 so as to seal the circuit board 5 welded and fixed to the holder 4. Body. In the case of the present embodiment, the sealing body 9 fills the space between the flange 42 of the holder 4 and the opening 73 and the space between the side wall 72 and the partition wall 79 located on the left side in FIG. The circuit board 5 which is filled and includes the electronic component is stably fixed. Since grease or the like is applied to the receiving portion 701 of the frame 7, the sealing body 9 is not formed on the rotating member 1 side.
[0035]
Subsequently, an example of assembling the position detection sensor according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the magnet 2 is housed and fixed in the groove 13b of the rotating member 1 by bonding or the like, and the shaft 11 side of the rotating member 1 in which the magnet 2 is housed and fixed is housed in the frame 7 through the opening 73. Next, after penetrating the shaft portion 11 through the penetrating portion 76 to expose the shaft portion 11 to the outside, the rotating member 1 is further pushed from the cylindrical portion 13 side to the raised wall 75 side, so that the exposed portion 11b is eventually formed. The flange 12 comes into contact with the protruding portion 77 in a state where is exposed by a predetermined amount, and the rotating member 1 is fixed to the frame 7. At this time, since the penetrating portion 76 has a function as a bearing for restricting a displacement of the shaft portion 11 of the rotating member 1 in the radial direction, the shaft portion 11 is supported by the penetrating portion 76. .
[0036]
Next, one end 61 of the coil spring 6 is inserted into the hole 12 a of the flange 12 so as to surround the cylindrical portion 13, and the other end 62 of the coil spring 6 is guided by the guide portion of the holder 4. The thin portion 44 of the holder 4 is housed and fixed in the hollow portion 13a of the cylindrical portion 13 in such a manner. Then, the rotary member 1 is sandwiched between the frame 7 and the holder 4 by thermally welding a not-shown welded portion of the frame 7 and a portion corresponding to the welded portion of the holder 4. At this time, since the raised portion 46 of the holder 4 comes into contact with the first opposing wall 13c, the raised portion 46 has a function as a bearing for restricting the displacement of the cylindrical portion 13 of the rotating member 1 in the radial direction. The shape 13 is supported by the raised portion 46, and the rotating member 1 is supported by the penetrating portion 76 and the raised portion 46.
[0037]
Next, the detecting element 3 is stored in the depth direction in the concave portion 41 of the holder 4, and the hole 53 of the circuit board 5 to which the electric cord 8 is conductively connected is made to penetrate through the projecting pin 47 of the holder 4 to project from the board surface 51. The protruding end of the protruding pin 47 and the circuit board 5 are fixed by heat welding. Then, the detection element 3 is soldered to the circuit board 5, and finally, the above-mentioned filler is filled into a predetermined portion of the above-described frame 7 through the opening 73, and the filler is solidified by this filler being solidified. 9 is formed, and the circuit board 5 including the electronic component is sealed in the frame 7 by the sealing body 9, and the assembling is completed.
[0038]
Therefore, in assembling such a position detecting sensor, when the holder 4 is fixed to the rotating member 1, the rotating member 1 is held between the frame 7 and the holder 4, and the rotating member 1 is moved in the radial direction. The displacement is restricted by the raised portion 46 and the penetrating portion 76. Further, by inserting the thin portion 44 into the hollow portion 13a, the step 43 and the projection 13e come into contact with each other in the direction of the axis L, so that the rotating member 1 Movement in the direction is regulated. In addition, since the thin portion 44 is not in contact with the rotating member 1 because the thin portion 44 is inserted into the hollow portion 13a where the raised portion 46 is not formed, the rotation of the rotating member 1 is made smooth, and the accelerator pedal is pressed. , The detection accuracy of the detection element 3 can be improved.
[0039]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotating member 1 that rotates in accordance with the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, the magnet 2 that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating member 1, and the magnetic pole associated with the rotating operation of the magnet 2 A detection element 3 for detecting a change, a holder 4 for holding the detection element 3, and a frame 7 for accommodating the magnet 2 and the detection element 3 are provided. The rotating member 1 is sandwiched between the frame 7 and the holder 4 in a state penetrating the penetrating portion 76, and the position of the rotating member 1 is formed by the frame 7 and the holder 4 being formed of a synthetic resin material. Since a dedicated holding portion for reinforcing the rotating member, which has been conventionally required as a component of the detection sensor, is not required, the number of components can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0040]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the rotating member 1 is supported by the penetrating portion 76 and the raised portion 46 provided on the holder 4, the displacement of the rotating member 1 in the radial direction is regulated. The detection accuracy of the detection element 3 by operating the pedal can be increased. Further, since the rotating member 1 is held by the holder 4 housed in the frame 7, it is not necessary to hold, for example, the exposed portion 11b of the shaft portion 11 by a separate member, thereby reducing the size of the position detection sensor. Becomes possible.
[0041]
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 13e (opposing wall 13c) of the rotating member 1 and the raised portion 46 of the holder 4 applied in the first embodiment are used. Is abolished, and the rotating member 1 is held by the holder 4 by unevenly coupling the rotating member 1 and the holder 4.
[0042]
That is, a convex portion 48 is provided at the center of the thin portion 44 of the holder 4 so as to protrude toward the rotary member 1 along the direction of the axis L, and the convex portion 48 is formed on the shaft portion 11 (flange portion 12) side of the rotary member 1. A concave portion 14 is provided for coupling with the second member. Also in this embodiment, since the rotating member 1 is held between the frame 7 and the holder 4, a holding member for reinforcing the rotating member is not required unlike the related art, and the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment are obtained. Obtainable.
[0043]
In the second embodiment, the case where the concave portion 14 is provided on the rotating member 1 side and the convex portion 48 connected to the concave portion 14 is provided on the holder 4 side, but the convex portion is provided on the rotating member 1 side and the holder is provided. A concave portion may be provided on the fourth side to be coupled to the convex portion.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a position detection sensor that can achieve an initial object and can achieve a reduction in cost when holding a rotating member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a position detection sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing each component of the position detection sensor according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an essential part cross sectional view showing a fixed state of the rotating member and the holder according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a position detection sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotating member 2 Magnet 3 Detector 4 Holder 5 Circuit board 7 Frame 9 Sealing body 11 Shaft 11b Exposed part 13 Cylindrical part 13a Hollow part 13e Projection 41 Depression 44 Thin part 45 Thick part 46 Raised part 76 Penetration Part 77 Projection

Claims

A rotating member that rotates in accordance with the operation amount of the operated member, a magnet that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating member, a detecting element that detects a change in magnetic pole caused by the rotating operation of the magnet, and holds the detecting element. And a frame that houses at least the magnet and the detection element,
The frame has a penetrating portion through which the rotating member penetrates,
The position detecting sensor, wherein the rotating member is sandwiched between the frame and the holder while penetrating the penetrating portion, and the frame and the holder are formed of a synthetic resin material. .

The position detecting sensor according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is pivotally supported by a protrusion provided on the through portion and the holder.