JP2011013158A - Sensor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify and accelerate work for assembling a terminal metal fitting with a lead wire into a protection cap for forming a sensor unit, and to reduce assembling cost.SOLUTION: The terminal metal fitting before being assembled into the cap 2 is divided into a first terminal 31 having a terminal connection portion 33 for an external output to be connected to a terminal for an external output, and a second terminal 51 having a lead wire connection portion 53 connected to the end of the lead wire 81. Inter-terminal connection portions 41, 55 are formed at both respective first and second terminals so that the first terminal 31 is inserted from a cap opening 9, and the second terminal 51 where the lead wire 81 is connected to the lead wire connection portion 53 is inserted from an opening 16 for the lead wire, respectively, and that both the first and second terminals 31, 51 are arranged in each normal position in the cap 2, and electrically connected to each other on the arrangement. When arranging both the terminals 31, 51 in the cap 2, assembling becomes easy because electrical connection can be performed through the inter-terminal connection portions formed at the terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor unit, and more particularly, to a sensor unit provided with a terminal fitting with a cap, in which a terminal fitting with a lead wire is assembled in a protective cap.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor unit in which an external output lead wire (cord) 81 at the upper right in the drawing is connected to a gas sensor 101 that measures the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The gas sensor 101 constituting this sensor unit holds a detection element 103 having a bottomed cylindrical shape (cup shape) made of a solid electrolyte in a cylindrical metal shell 102, and exhausts an electrode layer formed on the outer surface of the element. The electrode layer formed on the inner surface is brought into contact with the reference oxygen gas (atmosphere) to generate an electromotive force corresponding to the difference in oxygen concentration between the inside and outside, and the oxygen concentration is detected and measured from the output signal based on the electromotive force. It has the composition to do. The sensor 101 is attached to the exhaust pipe H via a screw 105 on the outer periphery of the lower part of the metal shell 102 and used for that purpose.

  Such a sensor unit includes a terminal fitting with a protective cap (hereinafter referred to as a terminal fitting with a cap) 1 assembled separately from the sensor at an external output terminal 131 in a gas sensor (hereinafter also simply referred to as a sensor) 101. The terminal fitting 30 is electrically connected. In the figure, a protective cap (hereinafter also simply referred to as a cap) 2 made of an insulating material (for example, rubber) is put on a cylindrical portion 110 made of an insulating material above the gas sensor 101 in the figure, and the cap 2 The terminal fitting 30 assembled inside is connected to the external output terminal 131 in the sensor 101, and is configured to output an output signal to the outside via the lead wire 81. In the same figure, the external output terminal in the terminal fitting 30 attached to the tip of the lead wire 81 with respect to the socket terminal part 133 in the external output terminal 131 arranged in the cylindrical part 110 of the sensor 101. The connection part 33 is inserted, and it is comprised so that electrical connection may be ensured by press-contacting between the both terminals (patent document 1).

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal fitting 1 with a cap before being connected to the external output terminal 131 of such a sensor 101. As shown in FIG. 17, this is composed of a cap 2, a terminal fitting 30 assembled therein, and a lead wire 81 connected to the terminal fitting 30. Of these, the cap 2 is usually made of rubber and has a generally T-shaped pipe joint configuration in the figure, and has a vertical cylindrical portion 3 extending vertically in the figure and the left and right sides of the figure at the upper end thereof. The right horizontal cylinder part 5 and the left horizontal cylinder part 7 which extend in the direction are provided. Moreover, the inside of the vertical cylinder part 3 has the inner main space 10 extended up and down toward the cap opening (opening) 9 of the downward direction of illustration coaxially. On the other hand, the terminal fitting 30 is connected to the external output terminal connection portion 33 formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be inserted into the socket terminal portion 133 constituting the external output terminal 131 of the sensor and connected to the lead wire 81. The lead wire connection part (crimping part) 53 is provided, and is formed integrally from, for example, a metal thin plate (stainless steel thin plate).

  Such a terminal fitting 30 is positioned and arranged coaxially in the internal main space 10 with the tip (lower end in the figure) of the external output terminal connection portion 33 facing the cap port 9 inside the cap 2 as shown in the figure. Has been assembled. Note that the terminal fitting 30 in the figure has an annular skirt portion that is concentric with the base portion and has a relatively large diameter at the base portion of the external output terminal connection portion 33 (a portion located in the back of the space from the cap port 9). 37 is folded back through the annular plate portion 35. Such a terminal fitting 30 has a shape in which the outer peripheral surface of the annular skirt portion 37 is fastened or restrained by the inner peripheral surface of the cap 2, and the annular plate portion 35 is connected to the ceiling behind the internal main space 10 of the cap 2. It is positioned and held so as to be pressed against the portion 19. In the same figure, a lead wire connecting portion 53 constituting the terminal fitting 30 is arranged in the right horizontal cylinder portion 5 provided toward the right side portion of the cap 2, and the end of the right horizontal cylinder portion 5 is arranged. A lead wire 81 connected to the lead wire connecting portion 53 by crimping is drawn out from a lead wire opening provided in the portion.

JP 2005-10156 A

By the way, as shown in FIG. 17, in order to assemble the terminal fitting 30 with the lead wire in the cap 2, conventionally, the assembly is performed by the following procedures (1) to (3). An attaching operation was performed (see FIG. 18).
(1) Insert the tip of the lead 81 into the cap 2 through the lead wire opening at the end of the outer part (right horizontal cylinder part 5) of the cap 2 as shown in FIG. The lead wire 81 and the cap 2 are appropriately deformed, the tip (core wire portion) is gripped and pulled out, and a portion near the tip is projected from the cap port 9 to an appropriate amount.
(2) As shown in the right diagram B of FIG. 18, the lead wire connecting portion 53 of the terminal fitting 30 is connected to the tip of the lead wire 81 pulled out from the cap port 9 by crimping (caulking).
(3) While pulling (pulling back) the portion of the lead wire 81 extending outward from the lead wire opening of the cap 2 in the direction opposite to the procedure (1), the terminal fitting 30 is removed from the cap port 9. It is arranged at a regular position (predetermined position) in the cap 2 so as to be pushed into the back of the cap 2. As a result, the external output terminal connection portion 33 is positioned at the regular position in the cap, the lead wire connection portion 53 is also disposed at the regular position, and the lead wire 81 is pulled out from the lead wire opening so that each component is It is assembled.

  That is, in order to obtain the terminal fitting 1 with a cap as shown in FIG. 17, the process as described above is required, and there is a problem that the assembly work of other components to the cap 2 is complicated. In particular, in the lead-back process of the lead wire 81, the lead wire connecting portion 53 and the external output terminal connecting portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30 are properly within the cap 2 while the cap 2 is slightly deformed by utilizing deformation of rubber. It needs to be placed in position. As described above, since the assembly work has been complicated in the past, it has been mainly forced to perform manual assembly work. Therefore, there has been a problem that the assembly cannot be easily and quickly performed. . In addition, since the work contents are complicated, there is a problem that it is not easy to automate the assembly process (assembly by an automatic machine). For this reason, as a result, the cost of the sensor unit cannot be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and can simplify and speed up the work of assembling the terminal fitting with a lead wire into the protective cap. The purpose is to reduce the cost.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention described in claim 1 is as follows.
A sensor having a bottomed cylindrical detection element and an external output terminal connected to the detection element for outputting an output signal to the outside;
A terminal fitting with a cap in which a terminal fitting with a lead wire is assembled in a protective cap, wherein the terminal fitting connected to the end of the lead wire is inserted into the cap from the cap opening. In a sensor unit comprising: a terminal fitting with a cap that is assembled so as to be connectable to a terminal for use and whose lead wire is drawn out from an opening for a lead wire provided in the cap;
The terminal fitting with a cap is connected to the first terminal having an external output terminal connection portion connected to the external output terminal and the end of the lead wire before the terminal fitting is assembled in the cap. Divided into a second terminal having a lead wire connecting portion,
The first terminal can be inserted from the cap port, and the second terminal having a lead wire connected to the lead wire connecting portion can be inserted from the lead wire opening and placed at a normal position in the cap. An inter-terminal connection site is provided on both the first and second terminals so that the two terminals can be electrically connected.
When the first and second terminals are arranged at regular positions in the cap, they are electrically connected via the inter-terminal connection portion provided in each terminal, and assembled into the cap as the terminal fitting. It has the structure which can be attached.

The present invention of claim 2 is the method of claim 1,
After the first terminal is disposed at the regular position in the cap from the cap port, the terminal provided at each terminal when the second terminal is disposed at the regular position in the cap from the lead wire opening. It is a sensor unit characterized in that it is configured to be electrically connected via an inter-connection part and assembled into the cap as the terminal fitting.

The present invention of claim 3 provides the method according to claim 1 or 2,
The inter-terminal connection part of the first terminal is a concave fitting part, the inter-terminal connection part of the second terminal is a convex fitting part, and the inter-terminal connection part is the both fitting part. A sensor unit characterized by having a configuration in which they are connected to each other.

The present invention described in claim 4 is as follows.
A sensor having a bottomed cylindrical detection element and an external output terminal connected to the detection element for outputting an output signal to the outside;
A terminal fitting with a cap in which a terminal fitting with a lead wire is assembled in a protective cap, wherein the terminal fitting connected to the end of the lead wire is inserted into the cap from the cap opening. In a sensor unit comprising: a terminal fitting with a cap that is assembled so as to be connectable to a terminal for use and whose lead wire is drawn out from an opening for a lead wire provided in the cap;
The terminal fitting with a cap is connected to the first terminal having an external output terminal connection portion connected to the external output terminal and the end of the lead wire before the terminal fitting is assembled in the cap. Divided into a second terminal having a lead wire connecting portion,
The first terminal can be inserted from the cap port, and the second terminal with the lead wire connected to the lead wire connecting portion can be inserted from the lead wire opening and placed at a normal position in the cap. In order that both the 1st and 2nd terminal can be connected by welding, the connection part between terminals is provided in both the 1st and 2nd terminals,
Both the first and second terminals are connected by welding via the inter-terminal connection portions provided in the respective terminals after the arrangement step, and are assembled in the cap as the terminal fittings. A sensor unit characterized by that.
The present invention according to claim 5 is the sensor unit according to claim 4, wherein the welding is laser welding.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the terminal fitting is assembled into the cap by the above-described configuration of the terminal fitting with the cap constituting the sensor unit, each of the first and second terminals divided into two in advance is provided. The inter-terminal connecting portions can be connected to each other only by the process of inserting from the cap opening and the lead wire opening and disposing at the regular position in the cap, and can be assembled into the cap as a terminal fitting. That is, according to the present invention, in the terminal fitting assembly process, the first and second terminals divided into two parts are inserted separately from the cap port and the lead wire opening, respectively, and placed in the normal position in the cap. Since the terminal fitting can be assembled only by the arranging step, an extremely excellent effect that the assembly can be simplified and speeded up can be obtained. Moreover, since the assembly process can be simplified in this way, the process can be easily automated. Furthermore, the cost of the sensor unit can be reduced.

  In the present invention, after either the first terminal or the second terminal is disposed at the regular position in the cap, the other is disposed at the regular position in the cap, or both terminals are disposed at the regular position in the cap. It is only necessary to have a configuration in which both terminals are electrically connected (integrated) via inter-terminal connection portions provided in each terminal by being arranged at the same time. However, it is preferable that when the second terminal is arranged at the normal position in the cap after the first terminal is arranged at the normal position in the cap, as in the invention described in claim 2, This is a case where both terminals are connected via an inter-terminal connection site provided in the terminal. This is because the lead wire opening is usually provided on the side (lateral) of the cap. On the other hand, the second terminal is inserted into the cap through the lead wire opening by connecting the lead wire to the lead wire connecting portion. Therefore, in order to simplify the structure, it is preferable to form such a second terminal in a straight rod shape (or a straight line shape) including the connection portion between the terminals in a state where the lead wire is connected. Such a second terminal is arranged at a regular position in the cap after the first terminal because the joining structure is simplified and the reliability of the electrical connection is improved. is there.

  As means for electrically connecting both terminals via the inter-terminal connection sites provided in the first and second terminals, the inter-terminal connection sites may be pressed together with an appropriate force, In order to increase the reliability of the connection, it is preferable that the connection portion has a concave portion or a convex portion that are structurally fitted to each other. At this time, as in the invention of claim 3, the inter-terminal connection part of the first terminal is a concave fitting part, and the inter-terminal connection part of the second terminal is a convex fitting part. Good. This is because the second terminal is inserted through the opening for the lead wire, and as described above, it is preferable to form a straight rod or straight line including the connection portion between the terminals. It is because it is easy to form as a fitting part which becomes convex.

  In addition, as a means to electrically connect via the connection part between terminals provided in each 1st, 2nd terminal, it is preferable to set it as the structure which fits structurally as mentioned above. As in the invention of Item 4, the connection portions between terminals may be welded to each other. In the case of welding, as in the present invention, in the arrangement of the first and second terminals in the cap, since the connection between the terminals of the two terminals and the connection by press-fitting are not required, the first is required. The structure of the second terminals can be simplified. The welding is preferably laser welding as in the fifth aspect of the invention.

Sectional drawing of the example of 1st Embodiment which actualized the terminal metal fitting with a cap which comprises the sensor unit of this invention. Sectional drawing of the cap which comprises the terminal metal fitting with a cap of FIG. The expansion perspective view before the connection of the 1st terminal and 2nd terminal which comprise the terminal metal fitting of the "terminal metal fitting with a cap" of FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the 1st terminal of FIG. The partial cross section figure which removed the cap in FIG. 1 (taking out the terminal metal fitting), and its principal part enlarged view. The side view of the 1st terminal seen from the position cut | disconnected by the AA line in FIG. 5, and its principal part enlarged view. Sectional drawing for description of the process of assembling the first and second terminals in the cap. Sectional drawing of the gas sensor unit formed by attaching the terminal metal fitting with a cap of FIG. 1 to a gas sensor. The expansion perspective view before the connection in another example of the 1st terminal and the 2nd terminal. Sectional drawing of 2nd Embodiment which actualized the "terminal metal fitting with a cap" which comprises the sensor unit of this invention. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view from which a cap is removed in FIG. Sectional drawing for description of the process of assembling the first and second terminals in the cap in FIG. FIG. 11 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of a gas sensor unit in which the terminal fitting with a cap of FIG. 10 is attached to the gas sensor. Sectional drawing of 3rd Embodiment which actualized the "terminal metal fitting with a cap" which comprises the sensor unit of this invention. The top view which removed the cap in FIG. 14 (taken out the terminal metal fitting). Sectional drawing which shows the sensor unit by which the lead wire for external outputs was connected to the gas sensor which measures the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Sectional drawing which showed the internal structure of the conventional terminal metal fitting with a cap. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for assembling a terminal fitting with a lead wire in the cap of FIG. 17.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal fitting 1 with a cap constituting the sensor unit of the present embodiment covers the end of the cylindrical portion 110 in the gas sensor 101 described above (see FIG. 16). Specifically, the terminal fitting 30 assembled in the cap 2 is the same as that having a structure in which the terminal fitting 30 is inserted and connected into the socket terminal portion 133 in the external output terminal 131 provided in the cylindrical portion 110. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, the cap 2 has a substantially T-shaped pipe joint configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the longitudinal section. 3 has a right horizontal cylinder part 5 and a left horizontal cylinder part 7 extending at right angles to the axis 3 and extending laterally to the left and right in the figure. Among the caps 2, the inside of the vertical cylinder portion 3 that extends vertically in the figure has an internal main space 10 that extends vertically toward a cap port (opening) 9 below the figure. The internal main space 10 is formed in a columnar shape having a circular cross section, for example, so as to accommodate a portion near the rear end of the cylindrical portion 110 of the gas sensor 101 shown in FIG. However, the inner peripheral surface of the portion close to the cap opening 9 forming the inner main space 10 is relatively slightly larger in diameter than the others, but in the intermediate portion toward the back, a lip (convex) that forms a ring in the circumferential direction. Part) 12 is provided in plural (two rows). When the cap 2 is mounted on the rear end of the tubular portion of the gas sensor, the annular lip 12 is deformed so that a part of the annular lip 12 is crushed and is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion. It is formed to be held. Further, the inner lip of the two lips 12 is formed so as to prevent the terminal fitting 30 assembled in the cap 2 from being separated or dropped from the internal main space 10. The cap 2 is made of fluororubber in this example, but may be made of resin.

  Also, the inner side of the right horizontal cylinder portion 5 extending rightward at the upper end of the vertical cylinder portion 3 is shown in the figure at the upper end of the internal main space 10, and the cross section of the inner main space 10 is in the right lateral direction in the drawing. A right lateral hole (tunnel-shaped hole) 14 is formed which is smaller than the circle and extends in a tunnel shape in the horizontal direction. The right lateral hole (also simply referred to as a lateral hole) 14 forms a space that is assembled in the cap 2 and accommodates a lead wire connecting portion constituting the terminal fitting 30 as will be described later. A lead wire opening 16 is formed at the outer end of the lateral hole 14. In this example, the opening 16 has a smaller inner diameter than the tunnel-shaped lateral hole 14. Yes. Thus, the inside of the cap 2 has an internal main space 10 extending from the cap port 9 in the figure and a lateral hole 14 extending rightward at the upper end thereof. In addition, since the cap 2 which makes this form is used for a gas sensor, it is provided with the left horizontal cylinder part 7 extended in the left side separately in the upper end of the vertical cylinder part 3, and the inner side is near the upper end of the internal main space 10 A horizontal hole (reference gas intake port) 17 is provided in the portion so as to extend to the left in the figure and communicate with the outside. The horizontal hole 17 is an air introduction portion that forms a reference gas, and is formed so that a filter 18 can be attached to the inside.

  Next, the terminal metal fitting 30 assembled in the cap 2 and the lead wire 81 connected thereto will be described. The terminal fitting 30 includes a first terminal 31 and a second terminal 51. The first terminal 31 has an external output terminal connection portion 33. The second terminal 51 is a lead wire to which a lead wire 81 is connected. It has a connection part (crimp part) 53. The two terminals 31 and 51 are integrated (connected) because they are assembled in the cap 2 in FIG. 1, but before being assembled to the cap 2, they are separated as shown in FIG. Is divided as In this example, both of the terminals 31 and 51 are formed from a metal thin plate made of the same material (for example, stainless steel) through press working or bending.

  First, the first terminal 31 will be described. In this embodiment, the external output terminal connection portion 33 in the first terminal 31 is cylindrical so as to be inserted and connected into the socket terminal portion 133 in the external output terminal 131 on the gas sensor 101 side shown in FIG. It is formed in a (cylindrical shape). And at the upper end of this cylindrical external output terminal connection part 33, it has the annular plate part 35 formed in the outer diameter side so that it may project in an annular shape, and this annular plate part 35 is And a relatively large-diameter annular (annular) skirt portion 37 formed in a folded shape so as to be coaxial with the outside output terminal connection portion 33. In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first terminal 31 having the skirt portion 37 can be inserted into the cap 2 from the cap port 9 in the posture shown in FIG. The cap 2 is formed so that the outer peripheral surface of the skirt portion 37 is constrained to the inner peripheral surface forming the internal main space 10 in the back of the lip 12 in the cap 2. Further, a portion closer to the tip (lower end in the figure) of the external output terminal connection portion 33 is held in a retaining shape when it is inserted and connected into the socket terminal portion 133 of the external output terminal 131 of the sensor. As shown, a constricted portion (reduced diameter portion) 34 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, of the annular plate portion 35 at the base end portion of the external output terminal connection portion 33 of the first terminal 31, the side opposite to the surface facing the front end of the first terminal 31. A horizontal hole 39 extending from the surface (the upper surface in the drawing) to the right in the drawing is formed from another metal plate member 40, and the inner surface of the horizontal hole 39 is connected to the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 described below. It forms so that the connection part 41 between terminals may be made. That is, this horizontal hole 39 can press-fit a rod-like inter-terminal connection part 55 in the second terminal 51 described below, thereby inter-terminal connection part 41 for electrically connecting both terminals 31, 51. This is a fitting part that forms a recess. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a metal flat plate (circular plate having a predetermined diameter (in this example, a slightly smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the annular plate portion 35) made of the same material as the first terminal 31. ) Along the one radial line direction, and is formed by bulging and molding so that the cross section of the one side (the upper surface in the figure) of the metal flat plate forms the shape of a flange (groove shape) 42. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, such a metal plate member 40 is welded concentrically to the annular plate portion 35 through the surface opposite to the one surface thereof, and a lateral hole forming the inside of the flange portion 42. The inner surface of 39 is formed so as to form the inter-terminal connection portion 41.

  The first terminal 31 formed in this way is configured so that it can be inserted from the cap port 9 toward the back of the inner main space 10 by using the deformation of the cap 2. As shown in FIG. 7, at the time of the insertion, the predetermined position is maintained even if the outside (upper part in the drawing) of the collar part 42 hits or hits the abutting part (ceiling part) 19 in the inner main space 10. Is set to At the same time, the first terminal 31 is formed in such a manner that the outer peripheral surface of the annular skirt portion 37 is clamped or restrained by the inner peripheral surface of the cap port 9 and is formed by the metal plate member 40 or by it. The upper end portion of the collar portion 42 shown in the figure is pressed against the ceiling portion 19 of the internal main space 10 of the cap 2 or is set so as to be positioned through a predetermined gap. And when the 1st terminal 31 is pushed in from the cap opening 9 and is arrange | positioned in the inside, the direction extended toward the outer side end opening of the terminal part connection part 41 which the collar part 42, ie, the horizontal hole 39, makes a cap 2 is set so as to be a normal position in the cap 2 of the first terminal 31 in a direction substantially coincident with the direction in which the right laterally facing hole 14 extends.

  Next, the second terminal 51 will be described based on FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. The second terminal 51 is formed between a lead wire connecting portion 53 including a crimping portion (barrel portion) for crimping and connecting the core wire portion at the end of the lead wire 81, and a rod-like terminal extending integrally from the lead wire connecting portion 53. The connection part 55 is formed. 1 and 5, the lead wire connection portion 53 shows a state in which the core wire portion of the leading end portion (one end portion) of the lead wire 81 is surrounded and connected by crimping. A portion 55 and a lead wire connecting portion 53 formed by connecting the tip of the lead wire 81 are formed so as to extend substantially coaxially and linearly. However, the lead wire connecting portion 53 is formed thicker than the rod-like inter-terminal connecting portion 55. The second terminal 51 is formed so as to have a lead wire connecting portion 53, an inter-terminal connecting portion 55, and the like by press-molding a thin metal plate and then appropriately bending or pressing. The inter-terminal connection part 55 is formed in a cylindrical shape or by overlapping bending so as to form a straight rod, and is press-fitted into a lateral hole (a fitting part that is a recess) 39 that forms the inter-terminal connection part 41 in the first terminal 31. In this example, a convex fitting portion is formed. In this example, a cylindrical rubber packing 60 for sealing provided with three lips 59 on the outer periphery of the lead wire connecting portion 53 formed by connecting the distal end portion of the lead wire 81 with an interval on the outer peripheral surface. Is attached.

  The second terminal 51 formed in this manner can be inserted into the cap 2 through the lead wire opening 16 in the cap 2 from the rod-shaped inter-terminal connection portion 55 at the tip (see FIG. 7). Then, after the first terminal 31 is first inserted into the normal position, the second terminal 51 is inserted from the lead wire opening 16 with the tip of the rod-like inter-terminal connection portion 55 as the tip, so that the terminal The inter-connection part 55 just enters the lateral hole (recessed part) 39 forming the inter-terminal connection part 41 in the first terminal 31, and presses firmly to fit in a press-fit state so that both terminals are electrically connected. Is set. The insertion of the second terminal 51 is made such that the rubber packing 60 is pushed from the lead wire opening 16 by utilizing the deformation of the right horizontal cylinder portion 5 and the rubber packing 60 in the cap 2. Yes. Then, after the insertion, the rubber packing 60 is set so as to be clamped on the inner peripheral surface of the right lateral hole 14 so as to hold the seal. Further, the outer end portion of the rubber packing 60 is held in a retaining shape at the inner end of the lead wire opening 16 in the lateral hole 14. In addition, in the intermediate part of the collar part 42 which forms the horizontal hole (recessed part) 39 which makes the connection part 41 between terminals in the 1st terminal 31, it is outside (FIG. 1 upper side) so that the cross section of the horizontal hole 39 may become small. A notch 45 is inserted into the inner surface of the lateral hole 39 to form a projection 46. When the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is pushed into the lateral hole 39, strong press-fitting is particularly secured at the portion of the protrusion 46.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the first and second terminals 31 and 51 are assembled as the terminal fitting 30 in the rubber cap 2, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The direction in which the one terminal 31 extends toward the outer end opening of the collar portion 42 is held in the cap 2 so that the tip of the terminal connection portion 33 for external output faces the cap port 9 and extends toward the outer end opening of the collar portion 42. Then, it is pushed from the cap port 9 toward the back of the inner main space 10 so as to coincide with the extending direction of the right lateral hole 14. And it inserts and arrange | positions in the regular position in the cap 2 (refer FIG. 2, FIG. 7).

  Next, the lead wire connection portion 53 of the second terminal 51 is connected to the core wire at the end of the lead wire 81, and the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is connected to the lead wire as shown in FIG. The second terminal 51 is disposed at a normal position in the cap 2 by inserting the cap into the cap 2 from the line opening 16. At this time, the portion closer to the tip of the inter-terminal connection portion 55 faces the inside of the side hole (concave fitting portion) 39 of the flange portion 42 forming the inter-terminal connection portion 41 of the first terminal 31. Push into 39. By doing so, the inter-terminal connection portion 55 that forms the rod shape (convex fitting portion) of the second terminal 51 becomes the inter-terminal connection portion 41 formed by the lateral hole (fitting portion) 39 in the first terminal 31. It is inserted into the inside, and press-fitting is ensured on the inner surface of the collar portion (lateral hole) 42, and both terminals 31, 51 are electrically connected. At the same time, the first and second terminals 31 and 51 are assembled into the cap 2 as terminal fittings, and the lead wire 81 is pulled out from the lead wire opening 16 (see FIG. 1). In this arrangement process, the lead wire connection portion 53 of the second terminal 51 and the inter-terminal connection portion 55 connected thereto are arranged in the cap 2. Further, in this embodiment, since the rubber packing 60 described above is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lead wire connecting portion 53 before the assembly to the second terminal 51, when the second terminal 51 is inserted from the lead wire opening 16. The lip 59 is deformed and inserted, and after the insertion, the lip 59 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the lateral hole 14 to hold the seal therebetween.

  As described above, in the assembling structure of this embodiment, in order to assemble the both terminals 31 and 51 into the cap 2 as the terminal fitting 30, the first terminal 31 is kept from the cap port 9 while maintaining a predetermined posture. It is inserted into the upper part (shown in the figure) and placed at a normal position in the cap 2. Next, the rod-like inter-terminal connection portion 55 in the second terminal 51 to which the lead wire 81 is connected is inserted from the lead wire opening 16 on the side of the cap 2 into the cap 2 so as to advance straight a predetermined stroke, The second terminal 51 is arranged at a predetermined position in the cap 2 so as to be inserted into the flange portion 42 that forms the inter-terminal connection portion 41 of the one terminal 31. By doing so, both terminals 31 and 51 are electrically connected via inter-terminal connection portions 41 and 55 provided in each terminal during the arrangement process, and assembled into the cap 2 as a terminal fitting.

  That is, in the case of this embodiment, since the terminal fitting is divided into two parts before being assembled into the cap 2, after inserting the lead wire 81 from the lead wire opening 16 as in the prior art, There is no need to pull it back, and the first terminal 31 is simply pushed upward from the cap port 9 in a predetermined posture with respect to the cap 2, and thereafter, the first terminal 31 positioned at the normal position. On the other hand, the second terminal 51 to which the lead wire 81 is connected is inserted through the lead wire opening 16 from the inter-terminal connection portion 55 in the lateral direction, and the cap is used as the terminal fitting 30. 2 can be assembled. That is, since the movement of the parts in the assembly process can be simplified, the assembly can be simplified and speeded up. Further, since the assembling process can be simplified in this way, the process can be easily automated, and the assembling cost can be reduced.

  In such a terminal fitting 1 with a cap, the rubber cap 2 is put on the end portion of the tubular portion 110 made of an insulating material in the gas sensor 101 as shown in FIG. At this time, in this embodiment, the external output terminal connection portion 33 of the first terminal 31 is inserted into the socket terminal portion 133 of the external output terminal 131 of the sensor 101 disposed in the cylindrical portion 110, The output terminal 131 is connected to the lead wire 81 to form a gas sensor unit. In such a connected state, the end of the cylindrical portion 110 enters the inside of the annular skirt portion 37, and the lip 12 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the internal main space 10 of the cap 2 is the cylindrical portion 110. It is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tape and the seal is held. Further, in this embodiment, the retaining piece 135 formed in the socket terminal portion 133 of the external output terminal 131 of the sensor 101 is fitted into the constricted portion 34 near the tip of the external output terminal connection portion 33 by a spring property. Therefore, separation from the sensor is prevented. The gas sensor 101 constituting the sensor unit of FIG. 8 is the same as that shown in FIG. In other words, a bottomed cylindrical (cup-shaped) detection element 103 made of a solid electrolyte is held in a cylindrical metal shell 102, and an electrode layer formed on the outer surface of the element is brought into contact with exhaust gas and formed on the inner surface thereof. The electrode layer is brought into contact with a reference oxygen gas (atmosphere), an electromotive force is generated in response to the difference in oxygen concentration inside and outside, and the oxygen concentration is detected and measured from an output signal based on the electromotive force. And this sensor 101 is attached to an exhaust pipe via the screw | thread 105 of the lower outer periphery of the metal shell 102, and is used for it.

  In the said form, after the terminal 1 with a cap which comprises a sensor unit arrange | positions the 1st terminal 31 in the cap 2 previously, after arrange | positioning the 2nd terminal 51 in the cap 2, both terminals 31 and 51 are provided. However, in the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the first embodiment, a flange portion having a groove 61 that opens (opens) the upper portion of the first terminal 31 between the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 51 as in the modification shown in FIG. As 62, this may be joined on the annular plate portion 35 by welding or the like. That is, the inner surface of the groove 61 may be used as an inter-terminal connection portion of the first terminal 31. In this way, if the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is sandwiched between the grooves 61, the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 51 are placed in the cap 2 in this order as in the previous example. Insertion and placement can be performed, but insertion and placement can be performed in the reverse order. Further, even if both terminals 31 and 51 are simultaneously inserted and arranged in the cap 2, the connection can be secured. Since the first terminal 31 in FIG. 9 is the same as that in the first embodiment except for the inter-terminal connection portion, the same reference numeral is assigned to the same portion. The same applies to the following.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it can be said that it is preferable to have a configuration in which the connection portions between the terminals of the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 51 are electrically connected to each other as described above. As long as the electrical connection is ensured, the connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal may be connected as a connecting structure that cannot be said to be a fitting structure. Although not shown in the figure, the connecting portions between the terminals of both terminals may be merely pressed with elasticity (elasticity). Moreover, you may adhere and connect between the connection parts between each terminal of a 1st terminal and a 2nd terminal with the adhesive agent which has electroconductivity.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the terminal fitting with cap constituting the sensor unit will be described with reference to FIGS. However, this should also be said to be a modification of the above-described embodiment, and there is no essential difference from it. The difference is the other part of the configuration of the first terminal 31 constituting the cap-attached terminal fitting 201 and the configuration of the inter-terminal connection portion 41 provided thereon. Therefore, only the difference will be described, and the same parts are only given the same reference numerals. That is, in this example, the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 passes through the notch 38 formed in the notch shape in the annular skirt portion 37 of the first terminal 31 and forms a cylindrical external output terminal. The electrical connection between both terminals 31 and 51 is maintained by being pushed into a connection hole 36 formed through the base portion of the connection portion 33. That is, in this embodiment, after the first terminal 31 is inserted into the cap 2 and arranged at the normal position, the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is inserted from the lead wire opening 16 so that both terminals Is configured to be connected. That is, after the first terminal 31 is disposed at the normal position in the cap 2, the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is pressed into the connection hole 36 of the first terminal 31 in a press-fit manner, so that both terminals The electrical connection between 31 and 51 is maintained, and the inner surface of the connection hole 36 is formed to form an inter-terminal connection portion 41 of the first terminal 31. As shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the position where the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is connected to the inter-terminal connection portion 41 of the first terminal 31 is, as shown in FIG. The first terminal 31 abuts the annular plate portion 35 against the ceiling portion 19 at the back of the internal main space 10 in the cap 2 because it is located closer to the tip (lower end in the figure) of the external output terminal connection portion 33. This is the normal position in the vertical direction in the figure.

  In this embodiment, the connection hole 36 is formed in a tapered shape that protrudes toward the back of the hole, that is, the tip (back) where the inter-terminal connection part 55 of the second terminal 51 is pushed, When the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is pushed into the connection hole 36, the connection hole 36 is pushed and widened so that a press-fit state is secured and electrically connected. . In the case of such an assembly structure, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is necessary to insert and arrange the first terminal 31 and the second terminal 51 in the cap 2 in this order. On the other hand, it is not necessary to provide a collar portion made of a separate member as in the first embodiment. For this reason, size reduction of the 1st terminal 31 is achieved. However, when the terminal fitting 201 with a cap having such an assembly structure is connected to a gas sensor to form a sensor unit, as shown in FIG. 13, in the sensor 101 shown in FIG. However, it is necessary to provide a notch 113 at the end so as not to interfere with the end of the cylindrical portion 110.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the terminal fitting with cap 301 of the third embodiment of the terminal fitting with cap constituting the sensor unit will be described with reference to FIGS. However, this is also a modification of the first embodiment, and only the following points are different. Therefore, only the differences will be described, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. That is, the first terminal 31 of the present embodiment corresponds to the first terminal 31 in the first embodiment obtained by removing the flange and the metal plate member 40 forming the same. That is, the first terminal 31 has a shape before welding the metal plate member 40 formed by expanding and forming the flange portion (groove shape) to the annular plate portion 35 in order to form the flange portion in the first embodiment. Is. On the other hand, in the second terminal 51, the inter-terminal connection portion 55 is extended longer than that in the first embodiment, and the second terminal 51 is formed in a flat plate shape (band plate shape). The ring plate portion 35 has a length straddling the radial direction. Thus, in the terminal fitting 301 with a cap according to this embodiment, the first terminal 31 is from the cap port 9, and the second terminal 51 in which the lead wire 81 is connected to the lead wire connecting portion 53 is from the lead wire opening 16. It is configured so that it can be inserted and placed in each normal position in the cap 2.

  In this embodiment, the terminals 31 and 51 are arranged in the cap 2 in this way, and in this arrangement, the inter-terminal connection of the second terminal 51 is made with respect to the upper surface of the annular plate portion 35 of the first terminal 31 in FIG. The lower surface of the portion 55 is brought into contact with the figure. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, when the annular plate portion 35 is viewed from above, the annular plate portion 35 and the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 are arranged at appropriate positions (for example, two locations W), for example, Laser welding. That is, in this embodiment, the annular plate portion 35 of the first terminal 31 is used as an inter-terminal connection portion, and the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is overlapped thereon and laser-welded, whereby both terminals 31 and 51 are connected. The inter-terminal connection site is electrically connected. In this embodiment, the inter-terminal connection portion 55 of the second terminal 51 is welded at two locations across the annular plate portion 35 forming the inter-terminal connection portion of the first terminal 31 in the radial direction. It doesn't have to be straddled.

  In this embodiment, after arranging the first and second terminals 31 and 51 at regular positions in the cap 2, by welding the cap from the laser through the cap port 9, the connection portion between the terminals of both terminals is welded. One terminal fitting is assembled into the cap 2. In this embodiment, although a laser welding process is required, the arrangement order of both terminals may be any, and since the connection (joining) is performed by laser welding, the arrangement in the cap becomes easy, and both terminals 31, 51 are arranged. The certainty of the electrical connection is improved. In the present embodiment, the case where the inter-terminal connecting portions of both terminals 31 and 51 are electrically connected using laser welding is illustrated, but the welding is not limited to this, and for example, resistance welding may also be used. Good.

  The terminal fitting with a cap constituting the sensor unit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and can be embodied by appropriately modifying the shape and the like without departing from the gist thereof. That is, the shape of each of the first and second terminals constituting the cap and the terminal fitting, and further the shape of the external output terminal connection part, the lead wire connection part, and the inter-terminal connection part are appropriately modified. Can be materialized. The sensor to which the terminal fitting with cap is attached is not limited to the gas sensor for measuring the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, but various sensors (sensors for measuring the air-fuel ratio state and the NOx concentration). Widely applicable to The cap is not limited to a rubber one, and can be embodied as a resin one.

1, 201, 301 Terminal fitting with cap 2 Cap for protection 9 Cap opening 16 Opening for lead wire 30 Terminal fitting 31 First terminal 33 Terminal connection portion for external output of first terminal 41 Connection portion between terminals of first terminal 51 Second terminal 53 Second terminal lead wire connection portion 55 Second terminal inter-terminal connection portion 81 Lead wire 101 Sensor 103 Detection element 131 External output terminal

Claims (5)

A sensor having a bottomed cylindrical detection element and an external output terminal connected to the detection element for outputting an output signal to the outside;
A terminal fitting with a cap in which a terminal fitting with a lead wire is assembled in a protective cap, wherein the terminal fitting connected to the end of the lead wire is inserted into the cap from the cap opening. In a sensor unit comprising: a terminal fitting with a cap that is assembled so as to be connectable to a terminal for use and whose lead wire is drawn out from an opening for a lead wire provided in the cap;
The terminal fitting with a cap is connected to the first terminal having an external output terminal connection portion connected to the external output terminal and the end of the lead wire before the terminal fitting is assembled in the cap. Divided into a second terminal having a lead wire connecting portion,
The first terminal can be inserted from the cap port, and the second terminal having a lead wire connected to the lead wire connecting portion can be inserted from the lead wire opening and placed at a normal position in the cap. An inter-terminal connection site is provided on both the first and second terminals so that the two terminals can be electrically connected.
When the first and second terminals are arranged at regular positions in the cap, they are electrically connected via the inter-terminal connection portion provided in each terminal, and assembled into the cap as the terminal fitting. A sensor unit characterized by having a configuration to be attached. In claim 1,
After the first terminal is disposed at the regular position in the cap from the cap port, the terminal provided at each terminal when the second terminal is disposed at the regular position in the cap from the lead wire opening. A sensor unit characterized in that the sensor unit is configured to be electrically connected through an inter-connection portion and assembled into the cap as the terminal fitting. In claim 1 or 2,
The inter-terminal connection part of the first terminal is a concave fitting part, the inter-terminal connection part of the second terminal is a convex fitting part, and the inter-terminal connection part is the both fitting part. A sensor unit characterized by having a configuration in which they are connected to each other. A sensor having a bottomed cylindrical detection element and an external output terminal connected to the detection element for outputting an output signal to the outside;
A terminal fitting with a cap in which a terminal fitting with a lead wire is assembled in a protective cap, wherein the terminal fitting connected to the end of the lead wire is inserted into the cap from the cap opening. In a sensor unit comprising: a terminal fitting with a cap that is assembled so as to be connectable to a terminal for use and whose lead wire is drawn out from an opening for a lead wire provided in the cap;
The terminal fitting with a cap is connected to the first terminal having an external output terminal connection portion connected to the external output terminal and the end of the lead wire before the terminal fitting is assembled in the cap. Divided into a second terminal having a lead wire connecting portion,
The first terminal can be inserted from the cap port, and the second terminal with the lead wire connected to the lead wire connecting portion can be inserted from the lead wire opening and placed at a normal position in the cap. In order that both the 1st and 2nd terminal can be connected by welding, the connection part between terminals is provided in both the 1st and 2nd terminals,
Both the first and second terminals are connected by welding via the inter-terminal connection portions provided in the respective terminals after the arrangement step, and are assembled in the cap as the terminal fittings. A sensor unit characterized by that.   The sensor unit according to claim 4, wherein the welding is laser welding.

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