JP2006337096A - Sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor for keeping a relative positional relation between connection terminals and an electrode terminal part in an appropriate state even if external force is impressed on the connection terminals to keep electrical connection between both sides in good state. <P>SOLUTION: On a first connection terminal 11, a first terminal locking part 18 is formed (extended) on its axial end side while a first terminal fixing guide part 17 is formed (extended) on its axial middle part. The guide part 17 is formed of a first jut-out part 26 extended from a terminal body part of the connection terminal 11 and a first fixed contact part 27 farther extended from the jut-out part 26. In a first terminal disposition groove 71 with the connection terminal 11 disposed therein, part of the jut-out part 26 makes contact with a first back wall 91 while an end part of the contact part 27 makes contact with a first side wall 92 and a first inclined wall 93. This restrains the connection terminal 11 from being moved in the disposition groove 71 even if inappropriate external force is exerted thereon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention has a plate-like shape extending in the axial direction, and is arranged on the radially outer side on the rear end side of the detection element in which the electrode terminal portion is formed on the rear end side and on the rear end side of the detection element in which the electrode terminal portion is formed. The present invention relates to a sensor including an insulating contact member, and a metal terminal member that is disposed between the detection element and the insulating contact member and that is electrically connected to an electrode terminal portion to form a current path.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a sensor having a plate-like shape extending in the axial direction and a detection element (sensor element) in which a detection unit is formed on the tip side directed toward a measurement object. Examples of such sensors include gas sensors such as λ sensors, full-range air-fuel ratio sensors, oxygen sensors, and NOx sensors, and temperature sensors that perform temperature detection.

  The plate-shaped detection element is generally configured to include a detection unit on the front end side in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) and an electrode terminal unit on the rear end side. As a sensor including such a detection element, a connection terminal (metal terminal member) made of a conductive material is electrically connected to an electrode terminal portion, so that a current flowing between the detection element and an external device can be reduced. There is a structure in which a part of the current path is formed by connection terminals. In addition, in the current path that electrically connects the detection element and the external device, for example, a detection current (detection signal) corresponding to the detection result by the detection element, or when the detection element includes a heater, Current for power supply flows.

  And as a sensor provided with a connection terminal, the elastic contact portion of the connection terminal is brought into contact with the electrode terminal portion of the detection element using a connection terminal having an elastic contact portion as a leaf spring capable of elastic deformation (compression deformation). A sensor having a configuration in which a detection element is gripped inside an insertion hole of an insulating contact member in a state is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In the sensor having such a configuration, the connection state between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal portion of the detection element can be improved by using the connection terminal having a configuration in which the elastic contact portion generates a large elastic force.
JP 2001-188060 A (FIGS. 1 and 6)

  However, for example, when a detection element is inserted into an insulating contact member in which the connection terminal is disposed in the insertion hole, an external force applied to the connection terminal or an external force applied to the connection terminal for some reason under the actual use environment of the sensor In some cases, the relative position between the connection terminal and the detection element may change. That is, since deformation due to external force is likely to occur, the electrical connection between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal portion cannot be properly maintained due to a change in the relative position between the connection terminal and the detection element due to inappropriate external force. There is a fear.

  This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a front view showing an insulating contact member 601 in a conventional sensor, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the insulating contact member 601 taken along line AA.

  The insulating contact member 601 has five connection terminals disposed in the insertion hole 610 inside, and the detection element 603 is disposed in the center of the insertion hole 610. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, connection terminals 621 and 621 are arranged at positions facing the surface on which the two electrode terminal portions 607 and 607 of the detection element 603 are formed, respectively. Connection terminals 611, 613, and 611 are disposed at positions facing the surface on which the electrode terminal portions 605, 605, and 605 are formed, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a lead wire connecting portion 622 is formed on the rear end side (upper side in FIG. 15) of the connection terminal 621. Then, the external lead wire 626 is crimped to the lead wire connecting portion 622, whereby the electrode terminal portion 607 of the detecting element 603 and the lead wire 626 are electrically connected via the connecting terminal 621 to form a current path. Has been. A lead wire connecting portion 612 is also formed on the rear end side of the connection terminal 611, and the external lead wire 616 is crimped. As a result, the electrode terminal portion 605 of the detection element 603 and the lead wire 616 are electrically connected via the connection terminal 611 to form a current path. The same applies to the other connection terminals 613.

  In the insulating contact member 601 configured as described above, when the detection element 603 is inserted into the insertion hole 610, the elastic contact portions of the connection terminals 621, 611, and 613 by the detection element 603 (parts that contact the detection element 603). Receives a load and elastically deforms. At this time, it is preferable that the elastic contact portion is elastically deformed and the connection terminal itself does not move. However, in reality, the connection terminal is moved by a load when the detection element 603 is inserted, and the connection terminal is moved. The relative position between the terminal and the detection element 603 may change inappropriately.

  An example in which the relative position between the connection terminal and the detection element 603 is inappropriately changed is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. As illustrated, the connection terminal 611 is inclined as a whole with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 603. As a result, the plate surface of the electrode terminal portion 605 of the detection element 603 and the plate surface of the elastic contact portion 632 that contacts the electrode terminal portion 605 of the connection terminal 611 do not contact (surface contact) in a parallel state. In this state, they are in contact with each other at an angle β.

If it becomes like this, there exists a possibility that the contact resistance of the connecting terminal 611 and the electrode terminal part 605 may become large, and electrical connection may become inadequate, and there exists a possibility that the function of a sensor may be impaired.
For this reason, when an inappropriate external force is applied to the connection terminal 611 when the detection element 603 is inserted or in an actual usage environment, the connection terminal 611 is moved to its original position (the plate surface of the elastic contact portion 632 is the electrode terminal portion). And the terminal main body 631 is in contact with the back wall 641 in a parallel state, and the electrical contact state between the elastic contact portion 632 and the electrode terminal portion 605 is poor as shown in the figure. It becomes.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, when the surplus portion 635 where the electrode terminal portion is not formed exists at the end of the detection element 603, if the inclination of the connection terminal 611 further proceeds, the elastic contact portion 632. Comes into contact with the surplus portion 635, and the load of the connection terminal 611 (the load of the elastic contact portion 632) is greatly applied to the surplus portion 635. If it becomes so, the contact resistance of the elastic contact part 632 and the electrode terminal part 605 will become larger.

  The problem of contact failure due to improper movement of the connection terminal is not limited to the connection terminal 611 described above, but may similarly occur for all connection terminals that contact the electrode terminal portion formed at the end of the detection element 603.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when an external force is applied to the connection terminal, the relative positional relationship between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal portion is maintained in an appropriate state, and the electrical connection between the two is in a good state. An object is to provide a sensor that can be maintained.

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made in order to solve the above problem, is a detection element having a plate-like shape extending in the axial direction, a front end side directed toward a measurement object, and an electrode terminal portion formed on a rear end side. The electrode terminal portion is disposed on the radially outer side on the rear end side of the detection element, and is sandwiched between the cylindrical insulation contact member made of an insulating material and the detection element and the insulation contact member. A metal terminal member that is electrically connected to the electrode terminal portion to form a current path, the metal terminal member being in contact with the insulating contact member and extending in the axial direction, and the terminal An element abutting portion that extends in the axial direction so as to extend from the main body portion and at least a part of itself is disposed between the terminal main body portion and the detection element, and that contacts the electrode terminal portion of the detection element; Axis from one side In the direction perpendicular to the direction it curved toward the detection element with protruding, and a fixing portion abutting the insulating contact member in the detection element side of the bent portion. The insulating contact member has a back wall with which the terminal main body abuts and a side wall that regulates the movement of the terminal main body by the abutment of the fixed portion.

  As described above, by providing the metal terminal member with the fixing portion that contacts the side wall of the insulating contact member, the movement of the element main body is restricted. Therefore, the element contact portion of the metal terminal member is in contact with the electrode terminal portion in a parallel state, and the terminal main body portion is in contact with the back wall.

  Therefore, according to the sensor of the present invention, for example, an inappropriate external force is applied to the metal terminal member when the detection element is inserted into the insulating contact member in which the metal terminal member is disposed or in the actual use environment of the sensor. However, its movement is restricted. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion is maintained in an appropriate state, and the electrical connection between them can be maintained in a good state.

  In particular, the fixed portion protrudes from one of the terminal body portions in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. Although the fixing portion protrudes in both directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the terminal body portion, even if an inappropriate external force is applied to the metal terminal member, the movement of the metal terminal member can be sufficiently suppressed. There arises a problem that the insulating contact member itself is enlarged. Therefore, the terminal body is brought into contact with the back wall of the insulating contact member, and the fixing part is protruded from one side of the terminal body and bent toward the detection element, and the insulation contact is made closer to the detection element than the bent portion. It is made to contact | abut to the side wall of a member. In other words, the movement of the metal terminal member is suppressed by the contact between the terminal body portion and the back wall of the insulating contact member, and the fixing portion (specifically, the portion closer to the detection element than the bent portion) and the side wall. Yes. Thereby, even if an inappropriate external force is applied to the metal terminal member without the insulating contact member itself being enlarged, the movement of the metal terminal member can be sufficiently suppressed. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion is maintained in an appropriate state, and the electrical connection between them can be maintained in a good state.

  The insulating contact member includes, for example, a rib portion that faces the electrode terminal portion of the detection element and projects radially inward from the back wall, and the rib portion is continuous with the back wall. It may be formed on the side opposite to the fixed portion of the metal terminal member.

  By doing in this way, since the opposite side to the fixed part of the metal terminal member can be reliably supported by the rib part, the metal terminal member becomes more difficult to move, and the relative relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal part The positional relationship is maintained in a more appropriate state.

  By the way, the problem that the relative positional relationship between the electrode terminal portion and the metal terminal member changes does not necessarily occur in all electrode terminal portions of the detection element. For example, three or more electrode terminals in the width direction of the detection element. When the portions are formed side by side, electrode terminal portions other than the electrode terminal portions formed at both end portions in the width direction are unlikely to be a big problem.

  That is, in the conventional insulating contact member 601 shown in FIG. 16, among the three electrode terminal portions 605, 605, and 605 of the detection element 603, the electrode terminal portion 605 at the center in the width direction and the connection terminal 613 connected thereto. However, the relative positional relationship between the two changes improperly, and it is difficult to cause a problem of contact failure. The problem is a change in the relative positional relationship between the two electrode terminal portions 605 formed at both ends in the width direction and the connection terminals 611 connected thereto.

  Therefore, in the sensor of the above (Claim 1 or 2), for example, as described in Claim 3, a plurality of electrode terminal portions are formed on at least one plate surface of the detection element, and the plurality of electrode terminal portions are Only the metal terminal member that comes into contact with the electrode terminal portion formed at the end portion in the width direction of the detection element may be configured such that the fixing portion is formed.

  In other words, not all metal terminal members that contact the electrode terminal portions formed on the detection element are provided with the fixed portions, but the electrode terminal portions (at least one) formed on the end portions in the width direction of the detection elements. Only the metal terminal member to be connected is provided with the fixing portion.

  According to the sensor configured as described above, the relative positional relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion on which the change in the relative positional relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion becomes a problem is relative to the corresponding metal terminal member. Can be reliably suppressed from changing inappropriately.

  And the fixing | fixed part of a metal terminal member may protrude in the direction which mutually leaves | separates like Claim 4. As a result, the insulating contact member itself is not enlarged, and even if an inappropriate external force is applied to the metal terminal member, the movement of the metal terminal member can be sufficiently suppressed.

  And as above-mentioned (Claim 4), the fixing | fixed part is formed only in the metal terminal member contact | abutted to the electrode terminal part formed in the edge part in the width direction of a detection element, In the direction which the fixing | fixed part leaves | separates mutually When protruding, for example, as described in claim 5, when the insulating contact member is viewed from the front end side or the rear end side, the back wall moves away from the detection element toward the end side in the width direction of the detection element. Alternatively, it may be formed so as to form a certain angle with respect to the plate surface on which the electrode terminal portion of the detection element is formed.

  In other words, the back wall is not formed so as to be parallel to the plate surface of the detection element, but is formed to be inclined with respect to the plate surface of the detection element so as to move away from the plate surface toward the end side. To do. Therefore, when the metal terminal member is arranged on the back wall formed in this way, the metal terminal member is also inclined with respect to the plate surface of the detection element due to the inclination of the back wall.

  However, this inclination is an inclination to the opposite side to the inclination (state of FIG. 16) that makes the relative positional relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion inappropriate. That is, the inclination of the direction in which the metal terminal member is inclined toward the center side of the detection element (in other words, the fixed position is fixed) as opposed to the inclination in the direction in which the metal terminal member is inclined toward the end side of the detection element as shown in FIG. This is because the part is inclined in a direction away from the detection element).

  Therefore, according to the sensor of the fifth aspect, the back wall of the insulating contact member is formed so as to be inclined at a certain angle with respect to the plate surface of the detection element, whereby the metal terminal member is arranged on the insulating contact member. The metal terminal member is inclined with respect to the electrode terminal part (inclined in the direction opposite to the inappropriate direction), so that the metal terminal member may be inclined in an inappropriate direction. Can be reduced, and the occurrence of poor contact between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion can be further suppressed.

  Next, as described in claim 6, the insulating contact member is formed so as to be connected to the side opposite to the back wall side of the side wall, and is bent radially inward with respect to the side wall. The fixed portion may be formed so as to abut on the vicinity of the boundary between the side wall and the inclined wall.

  In the sensor configured as described above, the fixed portion is supported in the vicinity of the bent portion bent from the side wall to the inclined wall, and the fixed portion is accommodated in the vicinity of the bent portion. For this reason, the fixed part is difficult to move, and consequently the metal terminal member is difficult to move (tilt). Therefore, contact failure between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion can be more reliably suppressed.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 7, the side wall is formed so as to be connected to the back wall, and the inclined wall is further formed so as to be connected to the side wall, whereby the back wall, the side wall portion, and the inclined wall are formed. May be formed continuously, and the side wall may be formed to be perpendicular to the width direction of the detection element.

  Further, when the side wall is formed so as to be perpendicular to the width direction of the detection element as described above, the inclined wall is bent at a right angle with respect to the side wall as described in claim 8, for example. It may be formed. That is, the inclined wall is formed so that the angle formed with the side wall is a right angle and parallel to the width direction of the detection element.

  By configuring in this way, it becomes extremely difficult for the fixing portion provided in the metal terminal member to move to the detection element side beyond the inclined wall, and the movement (inclination) of the metal terminal member in an inappropriate direction is more difficult. It can be regulated reliably.

  More specifically, the sensor described in each of the above claims is formed by connecting a back wall and the side wall as described in claim 9, for example, and at least a part of the fixing portion of the metal terminal member. Can be configured so as to be in contact with the back wall.

  Thus, a part of the fixing part of the terminal body part comes into contact with the back wall, so that the terminal body part and the fixing part come into contact with the back wall. Therefore, the area of the portion of the metal terminal member that abuts against the back wall increases, and the metal terminal member can be clamped more stably.

  And each sensor mentioned above (Claims 1-9) has a metal terminal member contact | abutted to an insulation contact member, for example, and also suppresses the movement to an axial direction front end side, for example. It is preferable that a movement suppression means is provided.

  In the sensor configured as described above, when the movement suppressing means provided in the metal terminal member comes into contact with the insulating contact member, the metal terminal member moves to the front end side in the axial direction due to the frictional force caused by the contact. It is suppressed. Therefore, when manufacturing this sensor, for example, a lead wire is inserted from the rear end side of the insulating contact member and connected to the metal terminal member on the front end side, and after connection, the lead wire is pulled again to the rear end side to attach the metal terminal member. When the insulating contact member is drawn into the inside from the tip side, the metal terminal member is prevented from moving again to the tip side after the drawing.

  By the way, if this movement suppressing means is formed of a rigid body, the contact frictional force between the movement suppressing means and the insulating contact member becomes very large during the operation of inserting the metal terminal member into the insulating contact member, and the metal terminal member May be very difficult to insert. In some cases, the insulating contact member may be damaged by the movement restraining means due to excessive insertion.

  Therefore, this movement suppressing means may be constituted by an elastic body, for example, as described in claim 11. By configuring the movement suppressing means with an elastic body in this manner, the metal terminal member can be easily inserted into the insulating contact member, and after insertion (arrangement), the metal terminal member is held by the urging force of the elastic body. be able to.

Further, in this case, for example, as described in claim 12, the fixing portion may also be configured to serve as the movement suppressing means.
That is, the fixed portion and the movement suppressing means are not formed separately, but the fixed portion functions as the movement suppressing means. As a result, even if the metal terminal member arranged on the insulating contact member is pulled out again toward the distal end side, the side wall is urged as the movement restraining means, and the movement in the direction to be pulled out is caused by the tip of the movement restraining means. Since it moves in the direction of biting into the side wall, the metal terminal member does not easily move toward the tip side. On the other hand, when the detection element is inserted into the insulating contact member in which the metal terminal member is arranged or in the actual use environment of the sensor, the movement suppressing means acts as a fixed portion, and an inappropriate external force is applied to the metal terminal member. However, its movement is restricted. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the metal terminal member and the electrode terminal portion is maintained in an appropriate state, and the electrical connection between them can be maintained in a good state.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In each of the embodiments described below, a detection element (gas sensor element) that is a kind of gas sensor and detects a specific gas in exhaust gas to be measured for use in air-fuel ratio feedback control in automobiles and various internal combustion engines. ) And an all-range air-fuel ratio sensor (hereinafter also referred to as an air-fuel ratio sensor) mounted on the exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine.

[First Embodiment]
(1) Overall Configuration of Air-Fuel Ratio Sensor FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of an air-fuel ratio sensor 2 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  The air-fuel ratio sensor 2 includes a cylindrical metal shell 38 having a screw portion 39 formed on the outer surface for fixing to an exhaust pipe, and a detection element 4 having a plate shape extending in the axial direction (vertical direction in the figure). The cylindrical ceramic sleeve 6 disposed so as to surround the periphery of the detection element 4 and the inner wall surface of the contact insertion hole 68 penetrating in the axial direction surround the periphery of the rear end portion of the detection element 4. And five connecting terminals 10 (corresponding to the metal terminal member of the present invention) disposed between the detection element 4 and the insulating contact member 66.

  The detection element 4 has a plate-like shape extending in the axial direction, and a detection portion 8 covered with a protective layer is formed on the front end side (downward in the figure) directed to the gas to be measured, and the rear end side (in the figure) Electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, and 36 are formed on the first plate surface 21 and the second plate surface 23, which are in a positional relationship between the front and back surfaces of the upper outer surface. The connection terminal 10 is disposed between the detection element 4 and the insulating contact member 66 so as to be electrically connected to the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, and 36 of the detection element 4, respectively. Further, the connection terminal 10 is also electrically connected to a lead wire 46 disposed inside the sensor from the outside, and an external device to which the lead wire 46 is connected and the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34. , 36 is formed.

  The metal shell 38 has a through-hole 54 that penetrates in the axial direction, and has a substantially cylindrical shape that has a shelf 52 that protrudes radially inward of the through-hole 54. Further, the metal shell 38 has the detection portion 8 disposed outside the front end side of the through hole 54, and the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, 36 are disposed outside the rear end side of the through hole 54. The detection element 4 inserted through 54 is held. Further, the shelf 52 is formed as an inwardly tapered surface having an inclination with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

  In addition, inside the through hole 54 of the metal shell 38, the bottomed cylindrical metal holder 58, the annular ceramic holder 51, and the first powder filling layer 53 (hereinafter referred to as “the surroundings in the radial direction of the detection element 4”). The second powder layer 56 and the ceramic sleeve 6 described above are laminated in this order from the front end side to the rear end side. A caulking ring 57 is disposed between the ceramic sleeve 6 and the rear end portion 40 of the metal shell 38. The rear end portion 40 of the metal shell 38 is crimped so as to press the ceramic sleeve 6 against the distal end side via the crimping ring 57.

Here, a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the detection element 4 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the detection element 4 is shown by omitting an intermediate portion in the axial direction.
The detection element 4 has a rectangular shape in which an element portion 20 formed in a plate shape extending in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) and a heater 22 formed in a plate shape extending in the axial direction are stacked. It is formed in a plate shape having an axial cross section. Since the detection element 4 used as the air-fuel ratio sensor 2 is a conventionally known element, a detailed description of its internal structure and the like is omitted, but the schematic configuration is as follows.

  First, the element unit 20 includes an oxygen concentration cell element in which a porous electrode is formed on both sides of a solid electrolyte substrate, an oxygen pump element in which a porous electrode is formed on both sides of the solid electrolyte substrate, and a gap between these elements. The spacers are stacked to form a hollow measurement gas chamber. This solid electrolyte substrate is made of zirconia in which yttria is dissolved as a stabilizer, and the porous electrode is mainly made of Pt. The spacer forming the measurement gas chamber is mainly composed of alumina, and inside the hollow measurement gas chamber is one porous electrode of the oxygen concentration cell element and one porous electrode of the oxygen pump element. It arrange | positions so that an electrode may be exposed. The measurement gas chamber is formed so as to be positioned on the tip side of the element unit 20, and the portion where the measurement gas chamber is formed corresponds to the detection unit 8.

  Next, the heater 22 is formed by sandwiching a heating resistor pattern mainly composed of Pt between insulating substrates mainly composed of alumina. In addition, a protective layer (not shown) for preventing poisoning is formed on the front surface of the detection element 4 where the detection unit 8 is formed.

  In such a detection element 4, as shown in FIG. 2, three electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32 are formed on the rear end side (right side in FIG. 2) of the first plate surface 21, and the second plate surface. Two electrode terminal portions 34, 36 are formed on the rear end side of 23. The electrode terminal portions 30, 31, and 32 are formed in the element portion 20. One electrode terminal portion is one porous electrode and oxygen pump element of the oxygen concentration cell element exposed inside the measurement gas chamber. Are electrically connected in common with one of the porous electrodes. The remaining two electrode terminal portions of the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, and 32 are electrically connected to the other porous electrode of the oxygen concentration cell element and the other porous electrode of the oxygen pump element, respectively. . The electrode terminal portions 34 and 36 are formed in the heater 22 and are respectively connected to both ends of the heating resistor pattern via vias (not shown) that cross in the thickness direction of the heater.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the detection element 4 configured in this manner protrudes from the front end of the metal shell 38 fixed to the exhaust pipe with the detection unit 8 on the front end side (lower side in FIG. 1), and on the rear end side. The electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, and 36 are fixed to the inside of the metal shell 38 in a state of protruding from the rear end of the metal shell 38.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a metal (for example, stainless steel) having a plurality of holes and covering the protruding portion of the detection element 4 on the outer periphery of the front end side (lower side in FIG. 1) of the metal shell 38. A double external protector 42 and an internal protector 43 are attached by welding or the like.

  An outer cylinder 44 is fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end side of the metal shell 38. Further, in the opening on the rear end side (upper side in FIG. 1) of the outer cylinder 44, five leads electrically connected to the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, and 36 of the detection element 4, respectively. A grommet 50 in which a lead wire insertion hole 61 through which the wire 46 is inserted is formed.

  An insulating contact member 66 is disposed on the rear end side (upper side in FIG. 1) of the detection element 4 protruding from the rear end portion 40 of the metal shell 38. The insulating contact member 66 is arranged around the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, 36 formed on the rear end surface of the detection element 4.

(2) Configuration of Insulating Contact Member 66 Next, the insulating contact member 66 will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the insulating contact member 66 when viewed from the front end side, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulating contact member 66 when viewed from the rear end side. 7 is a bottom view showing an appearance of the insulating contact member 66 in a state where the connection terminal 10 is disposed. The detection element 4 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 4 is an arrangement state of the detection element when the detection element 4 is inserted and assembled to the insulating contact member 66 in which the five connection terminals 10 are respectively arranged at predetermined positions. Is virtually shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the insulating contact member 66 is made of alumina, is formed in a cylindrical shape having a contact insertion hole 68 penetrating in the axial direction, and protrudes radially outward from the outer surface. Is provided. The insulating contact member 66 is disposed inside the outer cylinder 44 by the flange portion 67 coming into contact with the outer cylinder side support part 64 of the outer cylinder 44. In addition, the outer cylinder side support part 64 is formed in the form which protrudes inward in the outer cylinder 44 (refer FIG. 1).

  A first rib portion 76 that protrudes inward is formed on the inner wall surface of the contact insertion hole 68 that faces the second plate surface 23 (not shown) of the detection element 4. The first rib portion 76 has two groove-like terminals for individually disposing the two connection terminals 10 (specifically, the first connection terminal 11 and the second connection terminal 111) in an electrically insulated state. It is provided as a connecting terminal in the insertion hole that forms the boundary between the arrangement grooves (first terminal arrangement groove 71, second terminal arrangement groove 72). The terminal arrangement grooves 71 and 72 are formed at positions corresponding to the electrode terminal portions 34 and 36 on the second plate surface 23 of the detection element 4, respectively.

  In addition, a second rib portion 77 and a third rib portion 78 projecting inward are formed on the inner wall surface of the contact insertion hole 68 that faces the first plate surface 21 (not shown) of the detection element 4. Yes. In FIG. 1, only the second rib portion 77 is shown.

  The second rib portion 77 and the third rib portion 78 are each provided with three connection terminals 10 (in detail, a third connection terminal 251, a fourth connection terminal 271, a fifth connection terminal 211; see FIG. 7 described later). Insertion hole that forms the boundary of three groove-like terminal arrangement grooves (third terminal arrangement groove 73, fourth terminal arrangement groove 74, and fifth terminal arrangement groove 75) for individual arrangement in an electrically insulated state It is provided as an inner connection terminal boundary. In FIG. 1, only the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75 is shown. Specifically, the second rib portion 77 forms a boundary between the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 and the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75, and the third rib portion 78 forms the boundary between the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75 and the third terminal arrangement groove 73. A boundary is formed. The terminal arrangement grooves 73, 74, 75 are formed at positions corresponding to the electrode terminal portions 32, 30, 31 on the first plate surface 21 of the detection element 4, respectively.

  Each rib portion 76, 77, 78 has a function of preventing the connection terminals 10 arranged in adjacent terminal arrangement grooves from contacting each other, and the connection terminals 10 arranged adjacent to each other are electrically connected. By preventing conduction, the current path can be prevented from becoming defective.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, five locking grooves are formed on the distal end surface (the lower surface in FIG. 3) of the insulating contact member 66 so as to be connected to the distal end side opening of the contact insertion hole 68. That is, a first locking groove 86, a second locking groove 87, a third locking groove 88, a fourth locking groove 89, and a fifth locking groove 90 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, on the front end surface of the insulating contact member 66, there are three protruding portions, that is, a first protruding portion 81, a second protruding portion 82, and a third protruding portion 83, Two ridges, that is, a first ridge 84 and a second ridge 85 are formed.

  The first locking groove portion 86 is formed so as to be connected to the first terminal arrangement groove 71 between the first protruding portion 81 and the second protruding portion 82. The first locking groove 86 is a part of the first terminal locking portion 18 of the first connection terminal 11 (see FIG. 5) described later among the five connection terminals 10 (from the first terminal main body 12 in the radial direction). The portion extending toward the outside) can be arranged.

  The second locking groove 87 is formed so as to be connected to the second terminal arrangement groove 72 between the second protruding portion 82 and the third protruding portion 83. The second locking groove portion 87 is a part of the second terminal locking portion 118 of the second connection terminal 111 (see FIG. 7) described later among the five connection terminals 10 (from the second terminal body portion not shown in the drawing). The portion extending toward the outside in the direction is formed so that it can be arranged. The second connection terminal 111 is only partially different in shape from the first connection terminal 11 (see FIG. 5). This will be described later.

  The third locking groove 88 is formed so as to be connected to the third terminal arrangement groove 73 between the third protrusion 83 and the first protrusion 84. The third locking groove 88 is a part of a third terminal locking portion 258 of a third connection terminal 251 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, out of the five connection terminals 10 (from a third terminal main body not shown). The portion extending toward the outside in the direction is formed so that it can be arranged. The third connection terminal 251 has the same shape as that of the first connection terminal 11 (see FIG. 5), and is different from the first connection terminal 11 only in partial dimensions. This will be described later.

  The fourth locking groove 89 is formed so as to be connected to the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 between the second ridge 85 and the first protrusion 81. The fourth locking groove 89 is a part of the fourth terminal locking portion 278 of the fourth connection terminal 271 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, out of the five connection terminals 10 (from the fourth terminal main body not shown). The portion extending toward the outside in the direction is formed so that it can be arranged. The fourth connection terminal 271 has the same shape as the second connection terminal 111, and only the partial dimensions are different from the second connection terminal 111. This will be described later.

  The fifth locking groove 90 is formed so as to be connected to the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75 between the first ridge 84 and the second ridge 85. The fifth locking groove 90 is a part of the fifth terminal locking portion 218 of the fifth connection terminal 211 (see FIG. 6) described later among the five connection terminals 10 (from the fifth terminal main body 212 in the radial direction). The portion extending toward the outside) can be arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the second projecting portion 82 (a portion located between the first terminal arrangement groove 71 and the second terminal arrangement groove 72) extends from the tip portion of the first rib portion 76. It is formed in a continuous shape, and a part of the first ridge portion 84 (a portion located between the third terminal arrangement groove 73 and the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75) extends from the tip portion of the third rib portion 78. It is formed in a continuous shape, and a part of the second ridge 85 (the part located between the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75 and the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74) is from the tip of the second rib part 77. It is formed in a continuous shape.

  Of the five terminal arrangement grooves, the four terminal arrangement grooves 71, 72, 73, 74 excluding the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75 have the following shapes in more detail. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first terminal arrangement groove 71 in which the first connection terminal 11 is arranged is formed so that the electrode terminal portion 34 of the detection element 4 faces. A first back wall 91 formed so as to be parallel to the second plate surface 23 of the detection element 4 (that is, parallel to the terminal contact surface of the electrode terminal portion 34), and the first back wall 91 The first side wall 92 is formed so as to be connected to the first back wall 91 and is perpendicular to the first back wall 91, and is formed so as to be connected to the first side wall 92 and from the first side wall 92. And a first inclined wall 93 formed so as to be bent by a certain angle (acute angle). The first rib portion 76 is configured to stand vertically from the side opposite to the first side wall 92 side of the first back wall 91 toward the detection element 4.

  The angle formed by the first side wall 92 and the first inclined wall 93 is an obtuse angle when viewed from the inside of the first terminal arrangement groove 71. More specifically, this angle is determined after the first connection terminal 11 is arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 (see FIG. 7) under the external force when the detection element 4 is inserted or the actual use environment of the sensor 2. Even if it receives some external force, the angle is such that the first connection terminal 11 does not tilt as in the prior art (see FIG. 16).

  In addition, the angle (obtuse angle) formed by the first side wall 92 and the first inclined wall 93 viewed from the inside of the first terminal arrangement groove 71 is also referred to as a “wall bending angle” in the following description. The same applies to the angle (obtuse angle) formed between the side wall and the inclined wall in each of the second terminal arrangement groove 72, the third terminal arrangement groove 73, and the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 described later.

  The second terminal arrangement groove 72 in which the second connection terminal 111 is arranged is formed so that the electrode terminal portion 36 of the detection element 4 faces. A second back wall 94 formed to be parallel to the second plate surface 23 of the detection element 4 (that is, to be parallel to the terminal contact surface of the electrode terminal portion 36), and the second back wall 94. And a second side wall 95 formed so as to be perpendicular to the second back wall 94, and connected to the second side wall 95 and from the second side wall 95. A second inclined wall 96 formed so as to be bent at a certain angle. The first rib portion 76 is configured to stand vertically from the opposite side of the second back wall 94 to the second side wall 95 side toward the detection element 4.

  The angle (wall bending angle) formed by the second side wall 95 and the second inclined wall 96 is also an obtuse angle when viewed from the inside of the second terminal arrangement groove 72, and this angle is the wall portion in the first terminal arrangement groove 71. It is the same as the bending angle.

  The third terminal arrangement groove 73 in which the third connection terminal 251 is arranged is formed so that the electrode terminal portion 32 of the detection element 4 faces. Then, a third back wall 131 formed to be parallel to the first plate surface 21 of the detection element 4 (that is, to be parallel to the terminal contact surface of the electrode terminal portion 32), and the third back wall 131. A third side wall 132 formed so as to be connected to the third back wall 131 and perpendicular to the third back wall 131, and formed so as to be connected to the third side wall 132 and from the third side wall 132. And a third inclined wall 133 formed to be bent by a certain angle. The third rib portion 78 is configured to stand vertically from the side opposite to the third side wall 132 side of the third back wall 131 toward the detection element 4.

An angle (wall bending angle) formed by the third side wall 132 and the third inclined wall 133 is also the same angle as the wall bending angle in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 described above.
The fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 in which the fourth connection terminal 271 is arranged is formed so that the electrode terminal portion 30 of the detection element 4 faces. A fourth back wall 134 formed to be parallel to the first plate surface 21 of the detection element 4 (that is, to be parallel to the terminal contact surface in the electrode terminal portion 30), and the fourth back wall 134 And a fourth side wall 135 formed so as to be perpendicular to the fourth back wall 134, and formed so as to be connected to the fourth side wall 135 and from the fourth side wall 135. And a fourth inclined wall 136 formed to be bent at a certain angle. The second rib portion 77 is configured to stand vertically from the side opposite to the fourth side wall 135 side of the fourth back wall 134 toward the detection element 4.

An angle (wall bending angle) formed by the fourth side wall 135 and the fourth inclined wall 136 is also the same angle as the wall bending angle in the first terminal disposition groove 71 described above.
Thus, of the five electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, 36 formed on the plate surface of the detection element 4, the four electrode terminal portions 30 formed at the end portions in the width direction of the detection element 4. , 32, 34, 36 are formed with a first terminal arrangement groove 71, a second terminal arrangement groove 72, a third terminal arrangement groove 73, and a fourth terminal arrangement groove 74. And as for the four terminal arrangement | positioning groove | channels 71, 72, 73, 74, as above-mentioned, the back wall, the side wall, and the inclination wall are formed. The width direction of the detection element 4 is a direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction and parallel to the first plate surface 21 (or the second plate surface 23) of the detection element 4.

(3) Configuration of Connection Terminal 10 Next, the connection terminal 10 will be described. The five connection terminals 10 included in the air-fuel ratio sensor 2 of the present embodiment can be roughly classified according to the shape of the terminal locking portion and the shape / presence / non-existence of the fixing guide portion described later. A terminal (fifth connection terminal 211; see FIG. 6) and a terminal locking part and a fixed guide part both extend to the left when the detection element 4 side is viewed from the terminal body part side. The connection terminal 10 (first connection terminal 11 (see FIG. 5) and third connection terminal 251 (details are not shown; see FIG. 7)) and the terminal locking when the detection element 4 side is viewed from the terminal body side. The connection terminal 10 (the second connection terminal 111 and the fourth connection terminal 271 (both are not shown in detail; refer to FIG. 7)) in which both the portion and the fixed guide portion are extended to the right are classified. Is done.

  However, the shape of the first connection terminal 11 and the third connection terminal 251 that are the connection terminals 10 in which both the terminal locking portion and the fixed guide portion are extended to the left side are the same, but the terminal main body portion. The dimensions are slightly different. Further, the shape of the second connection terminal 111 and the fourth connection terminal 271 that are the connection terminals 10 in which both the terminal locking portion and the fixed guide portion are extended to the right side are the same, but the terminal main body is also the same. The dimensions of the parts are slightly different.

  That is, strictly speaking, the five connection terminals 10 are formed as five different types of connection terminals. Hereinafter, each of the connection terminals 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As described above, the third connection terminal 251 has the same shape as the first connection terminal 11, the fourth connection terminal 271 has the same shape as the second connection terminal 111, and the second connection terminal 111 has the same shape as the first connection terminal 11. Is the same shape except that the protruding directions of the terminal locking portion and the fixed guide portion from the terminal main body portion are different on the left and right. Therefore, only the first connection terminal 11 and the fifth connection terminal 211 will be described, and a part of the description of the second connection terminal 111, the third connection terminal 251, and the fourth connection terminal 271 will be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the first connection terminal 11 arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 71, in which the left side is a perspective view and the right side is a side view. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the fifth connection terminal 211 arranged in the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75, and the left side is a perspective view and the right side is a side view. In addition, the connection terminal 10 of this embodiment is formed with the well-known material (For example, Inconel, stainless steel, etc.) which can maintain elasticity (spring elasticity) even if it exposes repeatedly to high temperature.

  First, the first connection terminal 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The first connection terminal 11 extends from the tip of the first terminal body 12 and the first terminal body 12 made of a long plate member extending in the axial direction, and a part of the first connection terminal 11 is the first terminal body. 12 and a first element contact portion 15 extending in the axial direction so as to be disposed between the detection element 4 and the detection element 4. The first element contact portion 15 is formed with a first contact protrusion 16 that is bent so as to protrude toward the electrode terminal portion 34 of the detection element 4 at a substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction.

  The first connection terminal 11 is formed on the distal end side of the first terminal body 12 so as to be disposed in the first locking groove 86 (see FIG. 4) of the insulating contact member 66. 18 is provided. The first terminal locking portion 18 extends from the front end side surface of the first terminal main body portion 12 in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface, and in a direction away from the first terminal main body portion 12 when extending a certain length. It is configured to have a portion that is parallel to the plate surface of the first terminal main body 12 by being bent at a right angle to the right.

  More specifically, the extended portion of the first terminal locking portion 18 is disposed in the first locking groove 86. And the part parallel to the plate | board surface of the 1st terminal main-body part 12 bent from the front end side of the extension part is the recessed space (it is formed between the 1st protrusion part 81 and the 2nd protrusion part 82). (Including the first locking groove 86), the first protruding portion 81 is disposed along the side surface (see FIG. 7 described later).

  The first element contact portion 15 is connected to the tip of the first terminal main body portion 12 and has a first connection side end portion 13 that is bent inward in the radial direction and changes its direction, while the first connection terminal 11 itself In the free state, the first open side end portion 14 which is the rear end portion in the axial direction is formed so as to be separated from the first terminal main body portion 12. The first open-side end 14 is the first terminal when the first connecting terminal 11 is sandwiched between the detection element 4 and the insulating contact member 66 and the first connecting-side end 13 is elastically deformed. Abuts on the main body 12.

  Further, the first element contact portion 15 has a gap dimension from the first axial direction intermediate portion where the first contact protrusion portion 16 is formed to the first terminal main body portion 12 to the first open side end portion 14. It is formed in an arc shape that is curved so as to be longer than the gap dimension to the terminal main body portion 12. Of the arcuate shape, the first contact protrusion 16 on the convex surface is formed so as to contact the detection element 4.

  Although not shown in FIG. 5, the first connection terminal 11 is formed wider at the rear end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 5) of the first terminal body portion 12 than the first terminal body portion 12. The lead wire connection part is provided integrally. This lead wire connecting portion is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by bending, and then crimped radially inward with the core wire of the lead wire 46 (see FIG. 1) inserted thereinto, Connected to line 46.

  Furthermore, the first connection terminal 11 of the present embodiment has a first terminal fixing guide on the same side as the side on which the first terminal locking portion 18 extends in the substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction of the first terminal body 12. A portion 17 is formed. Note that the fixed guide portions (specifically, the first terminal fixed guide portion 17, the second terminal fixed guide portion 117, the third terminal fixed guide portion 257, the fourth terminal fixed guide portion 277; see FIG. 7). It corresponds to the fixed part.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 extends from one side of the substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction of the first terminal main body 12 toward the side so as to be flush with the plate surface. In addition, when it is extended for a certain length, it is bent in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the first terminal body 12 and approaching the detection element 4 (that is, the first element contact part 15 side). Axial direction front end side of the formed first projecting portion 26 and a portion of the first projecting portion 26 after being bent at right angles to the detection element 4 side (hereinafter, this portion is also referred to as “bending-side extending portion”). The first fixed contact portion 27 is extended from the first fixed contact portion 27.

  The 1st fixed contact part 27 which comprises the 1st terminal fixed guide part 17 is corresponded to the movement suppression means of this invention, and is the part after bending in the 1st overhang | projection part 26 (bending side extension part). Are bent away from the first terminal body 12 at a predetermined angle (for example, about 30 °) with respect to the plate surface of the bent side extending portion, and gradually toward the tip side. It extends in a tapered shape so that the width becomes narrower. The tip end portion of the first fixed contact portion 27 extending in a tapered shape is formed in an arc shape.

  As will be described later, the first fixed contact portion 27 is first when an external force in the direction toward the first terminal main body portion 12 in the width direction of the first terminal main body portion 12 is applied to the distal end side thereof. It is formed so as to be elastically deformable toward the terminal body 12 side. Note that the width direction of the first terminal body 12 is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and perpendicular to the gap interval direction between the first element contact portion 15 and the first terminal body 12.

  Next, the second connection terminal 111 will be briefly described. The difference between the second connection terminal 111 and the first connection terminal 11 described above is basically only the formation positions of the terminal fixing guide portion and the terminal locking portion extending from the terminal main body portion.

  In other words, the first connection terminal 11 has the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 and the first terminal locking portion when viewed from the back side (the surface side facing and contacting the first back wall 91 of the first terminal disposition groove 71). As shown in FIG. 7, the second connection terminal 111 is a second terminal fixing guide when viewed from the rear side, as shown in FIG. The portion 117 and the second terminal locking portion 118 are both extended from the right side surface of the second terminal main body (not shown; the portion corresponding to the first terminal main body 12 of the first connection terminal 11). Yes. As described above, the second connection terminal 111 is the same in shape and size as the first connection terminal 11 except that the extension positions of the terminal fixing guide portion and the terminal locking portion are different.

  Next, the third connection terminal 251 will be briefly described. The third connection terminal 251 is arranged in the third terminal arrangement groove 73 of the insulating contact member 66, as shown in part in FIG. Is the same as the first connection terminal 11 (FIG. 5).

  The third connection terminal 251 differs from the first connection terminal 11 (FIG. 5) in the width dimensions of the terminal main body portion and the element contact portion. That is, as is clear from FIG. 7, the width dimension of the third terminal body portion of the third connection terminal 251 and the width dimension of the third element contact portion both correspond in the first connection terminal 11. It is formed so as to be smaller than the width dimension of the first terminal body 12 and the width dimension of the first element contact portion 15.

  Next, the fourth connection terminal 271 will be briefly described. The fourth connection terminal 271 is arranged in the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 of the insulating contact member 66 as shown in part in FIG. 7 to be described later. Is the same as the second connection terminal 111 except for.

  The fourth connection terminal 271 differs from the second connection terminal 111 in the width dimensions of the terminal main body portion and the element contact portion. That is, as is clear from FIG. 7, the width dimension of the fourth terminal body portion of the fourth connection terminal 271 and the width dimension of the fourth element contact portion both correspond in the second connection terminal 111. The width dimension of the second terminal main body part and the width dimension of the second element contact part are the same as the corresponding width dimensions of the third connection terminal 251 arranged in the third terminal arrangement groove 73 so as to be smaller than the width dimension of the second element contact part. It is formed to become.

  Next, the fifth connection terminal 211 will be described with reference to FIG. Similarly to the other connection terminals, the fifth connection terminal 211 includes a fifth terminal main body 212 and a fifth element contact portion 215.

  The cross section of the fifth terminal body 212 in a plane parallel to the axial direction and perpendicular to the plate surface is formed in a shape substantially the same as that of the first terminal body 12 (see FIG. 5). Moreover, it has the curved part 219 in the substantially intermediate position in the axial direction.

  The fifth element contact portion 216 has a cross-sectional shape in a plane parallel to the axial direction and perpendicular to the plate surface, and is formed in an arc shape substantially similar to the first element contact portion 15 (see FIG. 5). A fifth connecting side end 213 corresponding to the first connecting side end 13 and a fifth open side end 214 corresponding to the first open side end 14 are provided.

  The fifth connection terminal 211 has two fifth terminal locking portions 218 formed on the distal end side of the fifth terminal main body 212 so as to be arranged in the fifth locking groove 90 of the insulating contact member 66. I have. The fifth terminal locking portion 218 extends from the fifth terminal main body portion 212 in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface and faces outward so as to have a portion parallel to the plate surface of the fifth terminal main body portion 212. The cross-sectional shape is configured to be substantially L-shaped by being bent.

  Further, the fifth connection terminal 211 is integrally provided with a lead wire connection portion 217 (see FIG. 1) formed wider than the fifth terminal main body portion 212 at the rear end portion of the fifth terminal main body portion 212. . The lead wire connecting portion 217 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by bending, and then crimped radially inward with the core wire of the lead wire 46 inserted therein, as shown in FIG. To the lead wire 46.

  Of the five connection terminals 10 configured in this manner, the first connection terminal 11 and the second connection terminal 111 are insulated from each other by the first rib portion 76, and the contact insertion hole 68 of the insulating contact member 66 is formed in the contact insertion hole 68. Be placed. At this time, the first connection terminal 11 is disposed in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 corresponding to the electrode terminal portion 34 of the detection element 4, and the second connection terminal 111 is the second terminal corresponding to the electrode terminal portion 36 of the detection element 4. It is arranged in the arrangement groove 72.

  Further, the third connection terminal 251, the fourth connection terminal 271, and the fifth connection terminal 211 are insulated from each other by the second rib portion 77 and the third rib portion 78 in the contact insertion hole 68 of the insulating contact member 66. Be placed. At this time, the third connection terminal 251 is disposed in the third terminal arrangement groove 73 corresponding to the electrode terminal portion 32 of the detection element 4, and the fourth connection terminal 271 is the fourth terminal corresponding to the electrode terminal portion 30 of the detection element 4. Arranged in the arrangement groove 74, the fifth connection terminal 211 is arranged in the fifth terminal arrangement groove 75 corresponding to the electrode terminal portion 31 of the detection element 4.

(4) Description of State in which Connection Terminal 10 is Arranged in Insulating Contact Member 66 Next, the insulating contact member 66 in a state in which five connection terminals 10 are disposed in the contact insertion holes 68 will be described with reference to FIG. . FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the insulating contact member 66. More specifically, FIG. 7 is a view of the insulating contact member 66 in a state where the connection terminals 10 are disposed as viewed from the rear end side.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the first connection terminal 11 is arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 of the insulating contact member 66, the first plate surface 21 or the second plate surface 23 of the detection element 4 (see FIG. 4). The plate surfaces of the first terminal main body portion 12 and the first element contact portion 15 in the first connection terminal 11 are both perpendicular to the plane perpendicular to ().

  That is, the first terminal main body portion 12 of the first connection terminal 11 abuts on the first back wall 91, and the first terminal main body portion 12 of the first projecting portion 26 of the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 has its plate. A portion extending on the same plane as the surface is also in contact with the first back wall 91. The surface of the first overhanging portion 26 that faces the first side wall 92 after being bent (the bent side extending portion) is substantially parallel to the wall surface of the first side wall 92.

  Then, the distal end portion of the first fixed contact portion 27 extending from the distal end side in the axial direction in the bent side extending portion of the first overhanging portion 26 comes into contact with the first side wall 92. In other words, the bent side extending portion of the first projecting portion 26 is not in contact with the inner wall of the first terminal disposition groove 71, and the first side wall 92 approaches the first side wall 92 from the tip portion toward the tip side. One fixed contact portion 27 is extended. Further, in this state, the side surface facing the detection element 4 on the distal end side of the first fixed contact portion 27 (that is, the side surface facing the direction opposite to the direction in which the first terminal locking portion 18 is extended). However, it will be in the state contact | abutted to the boundary part vicinity of the 1st inclination wall 93 and the 1st side wall 92. FIG.

  As described above, when the first connection terminal 11 is arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 71, a part of the first terminal main body portion 12 and the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 is the first terminal arrangement groove 71. Further, the front end of the first fixed contact portion 27 comes into contact with the first side wall 92 of the first terminal arrangement groove 71 and its side surface (the longer distance from the first terminal main body portion 12). Since the side surface is in contact with the vicinity of the first inclined wall 93, the movement of the first connection terminal 11 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is restricted.

  Further, the width dimension from the side surface of the first terminal body 12 opposite to the side surface on which the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 extends to the tip of the first fixed contact portion 27 (hereinafter referred to as “terminal maximum lateral width dimension”). In the free state of the first connection terminal 11 itself, the first connection terminal 11 of the insulating contact member 66 has a first terminal disposition groove 71 in which the first connection terminal 11 is disposed from the wall surface of the first rib portion 76. It is set to be larger than the dimension up to the side wall 92 (hereinafter also referred to as “groove width dimension”).

  When the first connection terminal 11 is inserted into the first terminal arrangement groove 71 from the front end side of the insulating contact member 66, the first fixed contact portion 27 is at the front end side corner of the first side wall 92 of the first terminal arrangement groove 71. It abuts against the portion (corner portion connected to the tip surface of the first projecting portion 81) and receives a load from the tip side corner portion of the first side wall 92 and elastically deforms toward the first terminal body portion 12 side. That is, it is elastically deformed in the direction of the first terminal main body portion 12 so as to be accommodated in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 (so that the maximum terminal width dimension is reduced).

  As the insertion of the first connection terminal 11 into the first terminal arrangement groove 71 proceeds, the degree of this elastic deformation also increases. Then, the elastic deformation proceeds until the terminal maximum lateral width of the first connection terminal 11 becomes the same as the groove width dimension of the first terminal disposition groove 71, and finally the tip of the first fixed contact portion 27 is the first It will enter the terminal arrangement groove 71.

  Therefore, in a state where the first connection terminal 11 is completely disposed in the first terminal disposition groove 71, the first fixed contact portion 27 is biasing the first side wall 92. In addition, the first fixed contact portion 27 is formed so as to be inclined (bent) outward from the distal end side in the axial direction of the first overhang portion 26 toward the distal end direction.

  Thereby, even if the first connection terminal 11 tries to move to the tip side in the first terminal arrangement groove 71, the movement is a movement in a direction in which the tip of the first fixed contact portion 27 bites into the first side wall 92. Therefore, the movement of the first connection terminal 11 toward the distal end side is restricted (suppressed) by the frictional force between the distal end of the first fixed contact portion 27 and the first side wall 92.

  Similarly to the first connection terminal 11, the second connection terminal 111 abuts the second terminal main body portion against the second back wall 94, and the second extension 126 of the second terminal fixing guide portion 117 is the second extension portion 126. A portion extending from the terminal main body portion on the same plane as the plate surface is also in contact with the second back wall 94. The surface of the second overhanging portion 126 that faces the second side wall 95 after being bent (the bent side extending portion) is substantially parallel to the wall surface of the second side wall 95.

  Then, the distal end portion of the second fixed contact portion 127 extending from the distal end side in the axial direction in the bent side extending portion of the second projecting portion 126 is in contact with the second side wall 95. In other words, the bent-side extending portion of the second overhanging portion 126 is not in contact with the inner wall of the second terminal arrangement groove 72, and the second protruding portion 126 is closer to the second side wall 95 from the tip portion toward the tip side. Two fixed contact portions 127 are extended. Further, in this state, the side surface facing the detection element 4 on the distal end side of the second fixed contact portion 127 (that is, the side surface facing the direction opposite to the direction in which the second terminal locking portion 118 is extended). However, it will be in the state contact | abutted to the boundary part vicinity of the 2nd inclination wall 96 and the 2nd side wall 95. FIG.

  Further, the maximum terminal width dimension of the second connection terminal 111 is set to be larger than the groove width dimension of the second terminal arrangement groove 72 in the free state of the second connection terminal 111 itself. When the second connection terminal 111 is inserted into the second terminal arrangement groove 72 from the front end side of the insulating contact member 66, the second terminal arrangement groove 72 receives a load from the front end corner of the second side wall 95. Elastically deforms to fit inside.

  By being configured in this way, the movement of the second connection terminal 111 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction or in the axial direction is restricted in the same manner as in the case of the first connection terminal 11 described above.

  Similarly to the first connection terminal 11, the third connection terminal 251 is in contact with the third back wall 131 and the third terminal portion 266 of the third terminal fixing guide portion 257 is the third terminal portion 266. A portion extending from the terminal main body on the same plane as the plate surface is also in contact with the third back wall 131. The surface of the third overhanging portion 266 that faces the third side wall 132 after being bent (the bent side extending portion) is substantially parallel to the wall surface of the third side wall 132.

  Then, the distal end portion of the third fixed contact portion 267 extending from the distal end side in the axial direction in the bent side extending portion of the third projecting portion 266 is in contact with the third side wall 132. That is, the bent side extending portion of the third overhanging portion 266 is not in contact with the inner wall of the third terminal disposition groove 73, and the third protruding portion 266 is arranged so as to approach the third side wall 132 from the tip portion toward the tip side. Three fixed contact portions 267 are extended. Further, in this state, the side surface facing the detection element 4 on the distal end side of the third fixed contact portion 267 (that is, the side surface facing the direction opposite to the direction in which the third terminal locking portion 258 is extended). However, it will be in the state contact | abutted to the boundary part vicinity of the 3rd inclination wall 133 and the 3rd side wall 132. FIG.

  Further, the maximum terminal width dimension of the third connection terminal 251 is set to be larger than the groove width dimension of the third terminal arrangement groove 73 in the free state of the third connection terminal 251 itself. Then, when the third connection terminal 251 is inserted into the third terminal arrangement groove 73 from the distal end side of the insulating contact member 66, the third terminal arrangement groove 73 receives a load from the corner on the distal end side of the third side wall 132. Elastically deforms to fit inside.

  With this configuration, the third connection terminal 251 is restricted from moving in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction or in the axial direction, just as in the case of the first connection terminal 11 described above.

  Similarly to the first connection terminal 11, the fourth connection terminal 271 is in contact with the fourth back wall 134, and the fourth connection terminal 271 includes the fourth extension portion 286 of the fourth terminal fixing guide portion 277. A portion extending from the terminal main body portion on the same plane as the plate surface is also in contact with the fourth back wall 134. A surface of the fourth overhanging portion 286 facing the fourth side wall 135 after being bent (bending-side extending portion) is substantially parallel to the wall surface of the fourth side wall 135.

  Then, the tip end portion of the fourth fixed contact portion 287 extending from the tip end side in the axial direction in the bent side extending portion of the fourth overhanging portion 286 is in contact with the fourth side wall 135. In other words, the bent side extending portion of the fourth overhanging portion 286 is not in contact with the inner wall of the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74, and is closer to the fourth side wall 135 from the tip portion toward the tip side. Four fixed contact portions 287 are extended. Further, in this state, the side surface facing the detection element 4 on the distal end side of the fourth fixed contact portion 287 (that is, the side surface facing the direction opposite to the direction in which the fourth terminal locking portion 278 is extended). However, it will be in the state contact | abutted to the boundary part vicinity of the 4th inclination wall 136 and the 4th side wall 135. FIG.

  Further, the maximum terminal width dimension of the fourth connection terminal 271 is set to be larger than the groove width dimension of the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 in the free state of the fourth connection terminal 271 itself. Then, when the fourth connection terminal 271 is inserted into the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 from the front end side of the insulating contact member 66, the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74 receives a load from the front end side corner of the fourth side wall 135. Elastically deforms to fit inside.

  By being configured in this manner, the fourth connection terminal 271 is restricted from moving in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction or in the axial direction, just as in the case of the first connection terminal 11 described above.

  Thus, by inserting the detection element 4 into the contact insertion hole 68 of the insulating contact member 66 in a state where the five connection terminals 10 are respectively arranged, the contact protrusions and the detection elements of the connection terminals 10 are detected. The four electrode terminal portions 30, 31, 32, 34, and 36 can be electrically connected to each other.

(5) Description of assembly operation Next, the detection element 4 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 68 in a state where the five connection terminals 10 are arranged, and the detection element 4, each connection terminal 10, and the insulating contact member 66 are integrated. The assembly work to be assembled in will be described.

  First, in the first step immediately after the start of the assembling work, after the detection element 4 is arranged on the distal end side of the insulating contact member 66, the detection element 4 is inserted into the opening on the distal end side of the contact insertion hole 68, and the detection element 4 Each element contact part of the connection terminal 10 (first element contact part 15, fifth element contact part 215, second element contact part, third element contact part and fourth element contact part not shown) Abut. Then, by pressing the detection element 4 against each element contact portion and applying an external force, each connection side end portion (first connection side end portion 13, fifth connection side end portion 213, The second connection side end (not shown), the third connection side end, and the fourth connection side end) are elastically deformed, and the open side end of each element abutting portion is brought close to each terminal main body. .

  In the next second step, the detecting element 4 is further pressed against each element abutting portion to elastically deform each connection side end portion, and the open side end portion of each element abutting portion abuts against the terminal body portion. Work to make. Thereby, each element contact part will be in the state supported by the terminal main-body part in two places, a connection side edge part and an open | release side edge part. Speaking of the first connection terminal 11, the first open end 14 of the first element contact portion 15 contacts the first terminal main body 12, so that the first element contact portion 15 is connected to the first connection side. It will be in the state supported by the 1st terminal main-body part 12 in two places, the edge part 13 and the 1st open | release side edge part 14. FIG.

  In the subsequent third step, the detection element 4 is further inserted into the inner rear end side of the contact insertion hole 68, so that the inner wall surface of the contact insertion hole 68 of the insulating contact member 66 becomes the electrode terminal portions 30, 31, The operation of moving the relative position between the detection element 4 and the insulating contact member 66 is performed so as to oppose 32, 34, and 36. At this time, the first element abutting portion 15 of the first connection terminal 11 is elastically deformed in the middle in the axial direction, and the first abutting protrusion 16 abuts against the electrode terminal portion 34 of the detecting element 4. It becomes a state. The same applies to the other connection terminals 111, 251, 271, 211.

  By performing the assembling work in this manner, the detection element 4, the connection terminal 10, and the insulating contact member 66 can be assembled together. The assembling work for assembling the detection element 4, the connection terminal 10, and the insulating contact member 66 integrally is performed in the middle of the manufacturing process of the air-fuel ratio sensor 2. In the manufacturing process of the air-fuel ratio sensor 2, an assembly operation of an intermediate assembly component including the detection element 4, the ceramic sleeve 6, the talc ring 53, the ceramic holder 51, the metal shell 38, and the like is executed before this assembly operation. ing.

  In the manufacturing process of the air-fuel ratio sensor 2, the connection terminal 10 and the insulating contact member 66 are assembled to the detection element 4 by performing the above-described assembling work on the detection element 4 that constitutes the intermediate assembly part. Can do.

  After the connection terminal 10, the insulating contact member 66, and the detection element 4 are assembled together, the outer cylinder 44 and the like are joined to the metal shell 38 by laser welding or the like, and the grommet 50 is fixed to the outer cylinder 44 by caulking. By performing a fixing operation or the like, the air-fuel ratio sensor 2 is completed and the manufacturing process of the air-fuel ratio sensor 2 is completed.

(6) Effects of the First Embodiment As described above, the air-fuel ratio sensor 2 of the present embodiment is formed so as to extend from the first terminal body 12 at the intermediate portion in the axial direction of the first connection terminal 11. The first terminal fixing guide portion 17 is provided. The first terminal fixing guide portion 17 extends from the first terminal main body portion 12 to the first projecting portion 26, and extends from the distal end side of the first projecting portion 26 to the distal end side of the insulating contact member 66. The first fixed body 27 is in contact with the first back wall 91, and the tip of the first fixed contact section 27 is in contact with the first side wall 92. This restricts the first connection terminal 11 from moving in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

  Other second connection terminals 111, third connection terminals 251 and fourth connection terminals 271 also have second terminal arrangement grooves 72, third terminal arrangement grooves 73 and 73 arranged respectively, similarly to the first connection terminal 11 described above. In the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74, movement in the axial direction or movement in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is restricted.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an inappropriate external force is applied to the connection terminal 10 when the detection element 4 is inserted or under an actual sensor usage environment (an external force that causes the connection terminal 10 to tilt toward the end of the detection element 4). 16), the fixed contact portions 27, 127, 267, and 287 formed on the distal end sides of the respective terminal fixing guide portions 17, 117, 257, and 287 are moved to the respective side walls. It is regulated by abutting on 92, 95, 132, and 135. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between each metal terminal member 10 and each electrode terminal portion 30, 32, 34, 36 is maintained in an appropriate state, and the electrical connection between them can be maintained in a good state.

  Further, the first fixed contact portion 27 in the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 is in the vicinity of the boundary portion between the first side wall 92 and the first inclined wall 93 in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 (from the first side wall 92 to the first inclined wall). The front end side of the first fixed contact portion 27 is accommodated in the boundary portion (bent portion). For this reason, the first connection terminal 11 is not easily inclined in an inappropriate direction, and contact failure between the first connection terminal 11 and the electrode terminal portion 34 can be more reliably suppressed.

  Further, a part of the first projecting portion 26 constituting the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 of the first connection terminal 11 extends from the first terminal main body portion 12 along the first back wall 91, and the first back wall is formed. 91 abuts. For this reason, the area of the portion of the first connection terminal 11 that contacts the first back wall 91 increases, and the first connection terminal 11 can be held more stably. The same applies to the other second connection terminals 111, third connection terminals 251, and fourth connection terminals 271.

  Furthermore, the first fixed contact portion 27 is in contact with the inner wall (first side wall 92) of the first terminal disposition groove 71, and the first connection terminal 11 is moved to the front end side in the axial direction by the frictional force due to the contact. The movement is suppressed. Therefore, for example, the lead wire 46 is inserted from the rear end side of the insulating contact member 66 and connected to the first connection terminal 11 on the front end side. After the connection, the lead wire 46 is pulled again to the rear end side to connect the first connection terminal 11. When the insulating contact member 66 is pulled into the first terminal arrangement groove 71 inside the insulating contact member 66, the first connection terminal 11 is prevented from moving again to the tip side after the pulling.

  The first fixed contact portion 27 is configured as an elastic body that abuts against the inner wall of the first terminal arrangement groove 71 while urging the inner wall. Thus, by comprising the 1st fixed contact part 27 with an elastic body, it becomes easy to insert the 1st connection terminal 11 in the 1st terminal arrangement | positioning groove | channel 71, and after insertion, with the urging | biasing force by the elastic body The first connection terminal 11 can be held.

The actions and effects described above for the first connection terminal 11 are obtained in the same manner for the other second connection terminals 111, the third connection terminals 251, and the fourth connection terminals 271.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, the air-fuel ratio sensor of the second embodiment will be described. The air-fuel ratio sensor of the present embodiment is different from the air-fuel ratio sensor 2 of the first embodiment in that the dimensions of the terminal fixing guide part provided in the connection terminal are partially different, and the five formed on the insulating contact member The air-fuel ratio sensor 2 of the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the terminal arrangement groove is different. Therefore, in the following description, it demonstrates centering on the insulation contact member and connection terminal which are different parts from the air fuel ratio sensor 2 of 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description about another component.

(1) Configuration of Insulating Contact Member First, the insulating contact member of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the insulating contact member 301 when viewed from the front end side, and FIG. 9 is a bottom view illustrating the appearance of the insulating contact member 301 when viewed from the rear end side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the insulating contact member 301 of the present embodiment is provided with a contact insertion hole 303 and a collar portion 302 that penetrate in the axial direction in the same manner as the insulating contact member 66 of the first embodiment. A first rib portion 336, a second rib portion 337, and a third rib portion 338 projecting inward are formed on the inner wall surface of the contact insertion hole 303. These rib portions 336, 337, and 338 serve as boundary portions in the through-holes, and five terminal arrangement grooves 331, 332, 333, 334, and 335 in which five connection terminals are arranged are formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the front end surface of the insulating contact member 301 (the lower surface in FIG. 8) has three protruding portions, that is, a first protruding portion 361, a second protruding portion 362, and A third protrusion 363 and two protrusions, that is, a first protrusion 364 and a second protrusion 365 are formed.

  Of the five terminal arrangement grooves, the four terminal arrangement grooves 331, 332, 333, and 334 excluding the fifth terminal arrangement groove 335 have the following shapes in more detail. That is, as is clear when compared with the terminal arrangement grooves 71, 72, 73, 74 of the first embodiment, the back wall with which the terminal main body portion of the connection terminal abuts is detected among the walls constituting each terminal arrangement groove. It is not parallel to the plate surface of the element 4 but is offset by an angle α.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the insulating contact member 301 is viewed from the front end side, the first back wall 341 of the first terminal arrangement groove 331 is the end side in the width direction of the detection element 4 (right side in FIG. 9). It is formed so as to move away from the detection element 4 as it goes to. Specifically, the first back wall 341 of the first terminal arrangement groove 331 (the first back surface 341) (the first back wall 341) (the first back wall 341) (the first back wall 341) The plane L41) including the back wall is inclined at a certain angle α.

  The first side wall 342 formed so as to connect to the first back wall 341 is not perpendicular to the first back wall 341 but is perpendicular to the plate surface of the detection element 4. Yes. Further, the angle (wall bending angle) formed by the first side wall 342 and the first inclined wall is the same as the wall bending angle in the first terminal arrangement groove 71 of the first embodiment.

  The same applies to the second terminal arrangement groove 332. When the insulating contact member 301 is viewed from the distal end side, the second back wall 344 is detected toward the end side in the width direction of the detection element 4 (left side in FIG. 9). It is formed so as to move away from the element 4. Specifically, the second back wall 344 of the second terminal arrangement groove 332 (the second back surface 344) is formed with respect to the plate surface (planes L1 and L2 parallel to the plate surface) on which the electrode terminal portion of the detection element 4 is formed. The plane L42) including the back wall is formed to be inclined by a certain angle α. The second side wall 345 is formed so as to be perpendicular to the plate surface of the detection element 4, and the bending angle of the wall portion formed by the second side wall 345 and the second inclined wall 346 is the first embodiment. This is the same as the bending angle of the wall in the second terminal arrangement groove 72.

  The same applies to the third terminal arrangement groove 333. When the insulating contact member 301 is viewed from the distal end side, the third back wall 347 is detected toward the end side in the width direction of the detection element 4 (left side in FIG. 9). It is formed so as to move away from the element 4. Specifically, the third back wall 347 of the third terminal arrangement groove 333 (the third back surface) is formed with respect to the plate surface (planes L1, L2 parallel to the plate surface) on which the electrode terminal portion of the detection element 4 is formed. The plane L43) including the back wall is formed to be inclined by a certain angle α. The third side wall 348 is formed so as to be perpendicular to the plate surface of the detection element 4, and the wall portion bending angle formed by the third side wall 348 and the third inclined wall 349 is the first embodiment. This is the same as the bending angle of the wall in the third terminal arrangement groove 73.

  The same applies to the fourth terminal arrangement groove 334. When the insulating contact member 301 is viewed from the distal end side, the fourth back wall 350 is detected toward the end side in the width direction of the detection element 4 (right side in FIG. 9). It is formed so as to move away from the element 4. Specifically, the fourth back wall 350 of the fourth terminal disposition groove 334 (this fourth surface) with respect to the plate surface (planes L1, L2 parallel to the plate surface) on which the electrode terminal portion of the detection element 4 is formed. The plane L44) including the back wall is formed to be inclined by a certain angle α. And the 4th side wall 351 is formed so that it may become perpendicular | vertical with respect to the plate | board surface of the detection element 4, The wall part bending angle which this 4th side wall 351 and the 4th inclination wall 352 make is 1st Embodiment. This is the same as the wall portion bending angle in the fourth terminal arrangement groove 74.

  As described above, in the insulating contact member 301 of this embodiment, the back walls constituting the four terminal arrangement grooves 331, 332, 333, and 334 are offset toward the end side by the angle α with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 4. This is different from the insulating contact member 66 of the first embodiment.

(2) Configuration of connection terminal Next, the connection terminal will be described. Of the five connection terminals 311, 411, 451, 471, and 211 (see FIG. 11) provided in the air-fuel ratio sensor of the present embodiment, the fifth connection terminal 211 disposed in the fifth terminal disposition groove 335 is the first implementation. Since this is the same as the fifth connection terminal 211 of the embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. The third connection terminal 451 is the same as the first connection terminal 311, the fourth connection terminal 471 is the same shape as the second connection terminal 411, and only the dimensions are different, and the second connection terminal 411 is the first connection terminal. Since the terminal 311 has the same shape except that the protruding direction of the terminal locking portion and the fixed guide portion from the terminal main body portion is different on the left and right, only the first connection terminal 311 will be described, and the second connection terminal 411 and the third connection terminal Description of the connection terminal 451 and the fourth connection terminal 471 is omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows the first connection terminal 311 arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 331. As is apparent from the comparison between FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 (the first connection terminal 11 of the first embodiment), the first connection terminal 311 of the present embodiment has a slightly different shape of the first terminal fixing guide portion 317. The other shapes and dimensions are the same as those of the first connection terminal 11 of the first embodiment.

  That is, the first connection terminal 311 includes a first terminal main body 312 and a first element contact portion 315, and the first element contact portion 315 is detected at a substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction thereof. A first abutting protrusion 316 that is bent so as to protrude toward the electrode terminal portion 34 of the element 4 is formed. The first connection terminal 311 includes a first terminal locking portion 318 on the distal end side of the first terminal main body 312. Further, it has a first connection side end 313 that is connected to the tip of the first terminal main body 312 and bends inward in the radial direction and changes its direction, while the first connection terminal 311 itself is free in the axial direction. The first open-side end 314 serving as an end is formed so as to be separated from the first terminal main body 312.

  In addition, the first connection terminal 311 of the present embodiment has a first overhanging portion 326 on the same side as the side where the first terminal locking portion 318 is extended, in the substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction of the first terminal main body 312. And a first terminal fixing guide portion 317 including the first fixed contact portion 327 is formed.

  The first terminal fixing guide portion 317 is compared with the first terminal fixing guide portion 17 of the first embodiment, and the extension length of the bent portion (the bending side extension portion) of the first overhanging portion 326 is as follows. Although the width dimension of the first fixed contact portion 327 extending from the bent side extending portion toward the distal end side in the axial direction is different, the other configurations are the same.

(3) Description of State in which Connection Terminal is Arranged in Insulating Contact Member 301 Next, attention is paid to portions different from those in the first embodiment regarding the insulating contact member 301 in a state in which five connection terminals are arranged in the contact insertion hole 303. However, it demonstrates based on FIG. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the insulating contact member 301.

  As described above, in the insulating contact member 301 of this embodiment, the back walls constituting the four terminal arrangement grooves 331, 332, 333, and 334 are directed to the end side by an angle α with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 4. It is formed with an offset. Therefore, when the connection terminal is arranged in the terminal arrangement groove having the back wall formed as described above, the connection terminal material is also inclined with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 4 due to the inclination of the back wall.

  That is, in the first terminal arrangement groove 331, the first back wall 341 is offset by an angle α with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 4. Therefore, in the state where the first connection terminal 311 is disposed in the first terminal arrangement groove 331, as shown in FIG. 11, with respect to the first plate surface 21 or the second plate surface 23 (see FIG. 4) of the detection element 4. Thus, the plate surfaces of the first terminal body 312 and the first element contact portion 315 in the first connection terminal 311 are both offset by an angle α. That is, it can be said that the first connection terminal 311 is inclined by the angle α toward the center of the detection element 4 with respect to the state of the first embodiment (see FIG. 7).

  However, this inclination is an inclination to the opposite side to the inclination (state of FIG. 16) in which the relative positional relationship between the first connection terminal 311 and the electrode terminal portion 36 in contact therewith is inappropriate. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the first connection terminal 311 is inclined toward the end of the detection element 4, and on the contrary, the first connection terminal 311 is inclined toward the center side of the detection element 4 (in other words, In this case, the first fixed contact portion 327 is inclined in a direction away from the first inclined wall 343.

  That is, in this embodiment, in order to suppress the first connection terminal 311 from being inclined in an inappropriate direction, the first connection terminal 311 is inclined in advance in a direction opposite to the direction. By doing so, even if an external force is applied to the first connection terminal 311 to move in an inappropriate direction (tilt toward the end of the detection element 4), there is no problem at the initial stage. This is because the original state without inclination is restored.

  In addition, the distal end portion of the first fixed contact portion 327 extending from the distal end side in the axial direction in the bent side extending portion of the first overhanging portion 326 is in contact with the first side wall 342. Further, in this state, the side surface facing the detection element 4 on the distal end side of the first fixed contact portion 327 (that is, the side surface facing the direction opposite to the direction in which the first terminal locking portion 318 is extended). However, it will be in the state contact | abutted to the boundary part vicinity with the 1st side wall 342 in the 1st inclination wall 343. FIG.

  As described above, the back surface of the first terminal main body 312 and a part of the first overhanging portion 326 are in contact with the first back wall 341 of the first terminal disposition groove 331, and the distal end portion of the first fixed contact portion 327 is The first terminal arrangement groove 331 is in contact with the first side wall 342 and the side surface thereof (the side surface with the longer distance from the first terminal main body 312) is in contact with the first inclined wall 343, so that the first connection is established. The terminal 311 is restricted from moving in the first terminal arrangement groove 331 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

The other connection terminals 411, 451, and 471 arranged on the end side of the detection element 4 are the same as the first connection terminal 311 described above, though detailed description thereof is omitted.
(4) Effects of Second Embodiment As described above, in the air-fuel ratio sensor of this embodiment, the first back wall 341 constituting the first terminal arrangement groove 331 is angled with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 4. The configuration is offset by α. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the first connection terminal 311 is arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 331, the plate surface of the first terminal main body 312 and the plate surface of the first element contact portion 15. Are arranged in an inclined state toward the center of the detection element by an angle α with respect to the plate surface of the detection element 4 (that is, with respect to the plate surface of the electrode terminal portion 36).

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same operation and effect as the first embodiment, the possibility that the first connection terminal 311 is inclined in an inappropriate direction is reduced, and the first connection terminal is reduced. Occurrence of contact failure between 311 and the electrode terminal portion 36 can be further suppressed. The same applies to the other connection terminals 411, 451, 471 disposed on the end side of the detection element 4.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the air-fuel ratio sensor of the third embodiment will be described. The air-fuel ratio sensor of the present embodiment is different from the air-fuel ratio sensors of the above-described embodiments only in the shapes of the five terminal arrangement grooves formed in the insulating contact member. This is the same as the air-fuel ratio sensor of the embodiment. However, the connection terminals are exactly the same as the connection terminals 311, 411, 451, 471, and 211 of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, an insulating contact member that is a different part from the air-fuel ratio sensor of each of the above embodiments will be mainly described, and description of other components will be omitted.

(1) Configuration of Insulating Contact Member First, the insulating contact member of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the insulating contact member 501 when viewed from the front end side, and FIG. 13 is a bottom view illustrating the appearance of the insulating contact member 501 when viewed from the rear end side.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the insulating contact member 501 of the present embodiment is provided with a contact insertion hole 503 and a flange portion 502 that penetrate in the axial direction, like the insulating contact member 66 of the first embodiment. A first rib portion 76, a second rib portion 77 and a third rib portion 78 projecting inward are formed on the inner wall surface of the contact insertion hole 503. These rib portions 76, 77, 78 are all the same as those in the first embodiment, and are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. The rib portions 76, 77, 78 serve as boundary portions in the insertion holes, and five terminal arrangement grooves 531, 532, 533, 534, 535 in which five connection terminals are arranged are formed. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the protruding surface of the insulating contact member 501 (the lower surface in FIG. 12) has three protruding portions, that is, a first protruding portion 561, a second protruding portion 562, and A third protrusion 563 and two protrusions, that is, a first protrusion 84 and a second protrusion 85 are formed.

  Of the five terminal arrangement grooves, the four terminal arrangement grooves 531, 532, 533 and 534 excluding the fifth terminal arrangement groove 535 have the following shapes in more detail. That is, as is clear when compared with the terminal arrangement grooves 71, 72, 73, 74 of the first embodiment, among the walls constituting each terminal arrangement groove, the inclined wall with which the fixed contact portion of the connection terminal abuts is a side wall. It is formed in a state of being inclined (bent) at a right angle with respect to.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the first terminal arrangement groove 531 in which the first connection terminal 311 is arranged includes a first back wall 541 parallel to the plate surface of the detection element 4, and the first back wall 541. From the first side wall 542 to the inside of the first terminal disposition groove 531 (in a state parallel to the first back wall 541). And a first inclined wall 543 formed so as to face each other.

  The same applies to the second terminal arrangement groove 532 in which the second connection terminal 411 is arranged, and includes a second back wall 544 parallel to the plate surface of the detection element 4, and from the second back wall 544 to the detection element 4. A second side wall 545 formed so as to be vertically connected in a direction, and vertically from the second side wall 545 toward the inside of the second terminal arrangement groove 532 (so as to face the second back wall 544 in a parallel state). And a second inclined wall 546 formed.

  The same applies to the third terminal arrangement groove 533 in which the third connection terminal 451 is arranged, and includes a third back wall 547 parallel to the plate surface of the detection element 4, and from the third back wall 547 to the detection element 4. A third side wall 548 formed so as to be vertically connected in the direction, and vertically from the third side wall 548 toward the inside of the third terminal arrangement groove 533 (so as to face the third back wall 547 in a parallel state). ) Formed third inclined wall 549.

  The same applies to the fourth terminal arrangement groove 534 in which the fourth connection terminal 471 is arranged, and includes a fourth back wall 550 parallel to the plate surface of the detection element 4, and from the fourth back wall 550 to the detection element 4. A fourth side wall 551 formed so as to be vertically connected in the direction, and vertically from the fourth side wall 551 toward the inside of the fourth terminal arrangement groove 534 (so as to face the fourth back wall 550 in a parallel state). ) Formed fourth inclined wall 552.

(2) Description of State in which Connection Terminal is Arranged in Insulating Contact Member 501 Next, attention is paid to portions different from those in the first embodiment regarding the insulating contact member 501 in a state in which five connection terminals are arranged in the contact insertion hole 503. However, it demonstrates based on FIG. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the insulating contact member 501.

  As shown in the figure, the first connection terminal 311 is arranged in the first terminal arrangement groove 531. The first connection terminal 311 is in a state where the back surface of the first terminal body 312 (see FIG. 10) and a part of the first overhanging portion 326 are in contact with the first back wall 541. Furthermore, the tip of the first fixed contact portion 327 extending from the bent side extending portion of the first overhanging portion 326 in the first terminal fixing guide portion 317 is in contact with the first side wall 542.

  Thus, when the detection element 4 is inserted into the insulating contact member 501, the first connection terminal 311 is sandwiched between the detection element 4 and the first back wall 541. Further, since the first fixed contact portion 327 is in contact with the first side wall 542, the first connection terminal 311 is difficult to be inclined in an inappropriate direction. Further, since the first inclined wall 543 is bent at a right angle with respect to the first side wall 542, even if the first connection terminal 311 is inclined in an inappropriate direction, the first fixed contact portion 327 is By abutting against one inclined wall 543, the inclination is regulated.

  Note that there is a gap between the first fixed contact portion 327 and the first inclined wall 543. This gap is a work when the first connection terminal 311 is inserted from the distal end side of the insulating contact member 501. It is provided to improve the performance. From the viewpoint of suppressing the inclination of the first connection terminal 311, it is better not to have this gap. However, if the gap is not formed at all, the first connection terminal 311 is inserted into the insulating contact member 501 ( When the first terminal arrangement groove 531 is inserted), the friction between the first fixed contact portion 327 and the first inclined wall 543 is increased, which makes it difficult to insert and may damage the first inclined wall 543. Because.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the first inclined wall 543 is formed at a right angle to the first side wall 542 (in parallel with the first back wall 541) as described above, the first connection terminal 311 is temporarily not provided. Even if the first fixed contact portion 327 moves to the first inclined wall 543 side by tilting in an appropriate direction, the movement is surely suppressed after contacting the first inclined wall 543.

  Although the detailed description of the other connection terminals 411, 451, and 471 arranged on the end side of the detection element 4 is omitted, due to the same action as the first connection terminal 311 described above, the connection terminals 411, 451, and 471 are directed in an inappropriate direction. Tilt is suppressed.

(3) Effects of Third Embodiment As described above, in the air-fuel ratio sensor of the present embodiment, the first side wall 542 in which the first terminal arrangement groove 531 is formed perpendicular to the first back wall 541. In contrast, the first inclined wall 543 is formed so as to be vertical (parallel to the first back wall 541).

  For this reason, it is extremely difficult for the first fixed contact portion 327 provided in the first connection terminal 311 to move to the detection element 4 side beyond the first inclined wall 543, and in the inappropriate direction of the first connection terminal 311. Movement (tilt) is more reliably regulated. The effect increases as the gap between the first fixed contact portion 327 and the first inclined wall 543 described above is reduced.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same operation and effect as the first embodiment, there is a possibility that an inclination in an inappropriate direction due to the presence of the gap may occur, but more than that. Can be reliably suppressed, and as a whole, the occurrence of poor contact between the first connection terminal 311 and the electrode terminal portion 36 can be further suppressed. Similar actions and effects can be obtained for the other connection terminals 411, 451, 471 arranged on the end side of the detection element 4.

[Modification]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various embodiments can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, the insulating contact member for sandwiching the metal terminal member (connection terminal) with the detection element is not limited to the one of the integral structure type formed of one member such as the insulating contact member 66 described above. Alternatively, a divided configuration type composed of a plurality of members may be used. As an example, a first insulating member that opposes the front side plate surface of the detection element, a second insulating member that opposes the back side plate surface of the detection element, a first insulating member that is disposed so as to sandwich the detection element, and a second insulating member A split-type insulating contact member having a configuration including a holding and fixing member that holds the insulating member can be given.

  In addition, the sensor to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a sensor having a detection element with five electrode terminal portions formed, and a detection element having four or less or six or more electrode terminal portions. The present invention can also be applied to a sensor that is provided. In this case as well, basically, the electrode terminal portions formed at both ends in the width direction of the detection element are connected to the connection terminals connected to the electrode terminal portions and the terminal arrangement grooves in which the electrode terminal portions are arranged. The invention will be applied. However, it is not necessarily limited to the electrode terminal portions formed at both ends in the width direction of the detection element. If necessary (if it is necessary to suppress improper movement and inclination), other electrode terminal portions may be used. The present invention can also be applied to corresponding connection terminals and terminal arrangement grooves in which the connection terminals are arranged.

It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the full range air-fuel-ratio sensor of embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of a detection element. It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the insulated contact member of a 1st embodiment. It is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulated contact member of a 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing the external appearance of the 1st connection terminal in 1st Embodiment, The left side is a perspective view, The right side is a side view. It is a figure showing the external appearance of the 5th connection terminal in 1st Embodiment, The left side is a perspective view, The right side is a side view. It is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulated contact member of the 1st embodiment in the state where the connection terminal is arranged. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the insulated contact member of 2nd Embodiment. It is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulating contact member of the second embodiment. It is a figure showing the external appearance of the 1st connection terminal in 2nd Embodiment, The left side is a perspective view, The right side is a side view. It is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulating contact member in the state where the connection terminal is arranged according to the second embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the insulated contact member of 3rd Embodiment. It is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulated contact member of a 3rd embodiment. It is a bottom view showing the appearance of the insulated contact member in the state where the connection terminal is arranged in the third embodiment. It is a front view showing the conventional insulation contact member in the state by which the connection terminal and the detection element are arrange | positioned. It is AA sectional drawing of the insulated contact member of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Air-fuel ratio sensor, 4 ... Detection element, 10 ... Connection terminal, 11 ... 1st connection terminal, 12 ... 1st terminal main-body part, 15 ... 1st element contact part, 16 ... 1st contact protrusion part, 17 ... 1st terminal fixed guide part, 21 ... 1st board surface, 23 ... 2nd board surface, 26 ... 1st overhang | projection part, 27 ... 1st fixed contact part, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36 ... Electrode terminal part , 46 ... Lead wire, 61 ... Lead wire insertion hole, 66, 301, 501 ... Insulating contact member, 68, 303, 503 ... Contact insertion hole, 71, 331, 531 ... First terminal arrangement groove, 72, 332, 532 ... 2nd terminal arrangement groove, 73, 333, 533 ... 3rd terminal arrangement groove, 74, 334, 534 ... 4th terminal arrangement groove, 75, 335, 535 ... 5th terminal arrangement groove, 76 ... 1st rib part, 77 ... 2nd rib part, 78 ... 3rd rib part, 91 ... 1st back wall, 92 ... 1 side wall, 93 ... first inclined wall, 94 ... second back wall, 95 ... second side wall, 96 ... second inclined wall, 111 ... second connection terminal, 117 ... second terminal fixing guide portion, 126 ... second Overhang part, 127 ... second fixed contact part, 131 ... third back wall, 132 ... third side wall, 133 ... third inclined wall, 134 ... fourth back wall, 135 ... fourth side wall, 136 ... fourth inclined wall 217 ... lead wire connecting portion, 251 ... third connecting terminal, 257 ... third terminal fixing guide portion, 266 ... third overhanging portion, 267 ... third fixing contact portion, 271 ... fourth connecting terminal, 277 ... fourth. Terminal fixing guide portion, 286 ... fourth overhang portion, 287 ... fourth fixed contact portion

Claims (12)

A plate-like shape extending in the axial direction, a detection element in which a tip side is directed to a measurement object and an electrode terminal portion is formed on a rear end side;
A cylindrical insulating contact member made of an insulating material and disposed on the radially outer side on the rear end side of the detection element in which the electrode terminal portion is formed,
A metal terminal member sandwiched between the detection element and the insulating contact member and electrically connected to the electrode terminal portion to form a current path;
A sensor comprising:
The metal terminal member is
A terminal main body extending in the axial direction in contact with the insulating contact member;
An element abutting portion that extends from the terminal main body portion and extends in the axial direction so that at least a part of the terminal main body portion is disposed between the terminal main body portion and the detection element, and abuts against the electrode terminal portion of the detection element When,
A fixing portion that protrudes from one of the terminal main body portions in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and bends toward the detection element, and contacts the insulating contact member on the detection element side with respect to the bent portion; Prepared,
The insulating contact member is
A back wall against which the terminal main body abuts,
And a side wall that restricts movement of the terminal main body by contacting the fixing portion. The insulating contact member includes a rib portion that faces the electrode terminal portion of the detection element and projects radially inward from the back wall,
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the rib portion is continuous with the back wall and is formed on a side opposite to the fixing portion of the metal terminal member. A plurality of the electrode terminal portions are formed on at least one plate surface of the detection element;
The fixed portion is formed only on a metal terminal member that contacts an electrode terminal portion formed at an end portion in the width direction of the detection element among the plurality of electrode terminal portions. 2. The sensor according to 2.   The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the fixing portion of the metal terminal member is formed to protrude in a direction away from each other.   The back wall, when viewed from the front end side or the rear end side of the insulating contact member, the distance from the detection element toward the end side in the width direction of the detection element, The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is formed so as to form a certain angle with respect to a plate surface on which the electrode terminal portion is formed. The insulating contact member has an inclined wall formed to be connected to the side opposite to the back wall side of the side wall and to be bent radially inward with respect to the side wall,
The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixed portion is formed so as to abut near a boundary portion between the side wall and the inclined wall. The side wall is formed so as to be connected to the back wall, and the inclined wall is further formed so as to be connected to the side wall, so that the back wall, the side wall portion, and the inclined wall are continuously formed. ,
The sensor according to claim 6, wherein the side wall is formed to be perpendicular to the width direction of the detection element.   The sensor according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the inclined wall is formed in a state bent at a right angle to the side wall. The back wall and the side wall are formed continuously,
The sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the fixing portion of the metal terminal member is formed so as to contact the back wall.   The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the metal terminal member includes a movement restraining means for abutting against the insulating contact member to restrain the movement toward the tip end in the axial direction.   The sensor according to claim 10, wherein the movement suppressing unit is configured by an elastic body.   The sensor according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the fixed portion also serves as the movement suppressing means.

Images