JP2011033360A - Temperature sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature sensor dispensing with installation of a plurality of wires, capable of measuring temperatures of a plurality of measuring objects located in different directions. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of sensor block bodies 4 having an opening part 4a respectively on one side surface are connected by inserting a projecting connector part 2 into a recessed connector part mutually. The sensor block body 4 includes: a sensor element installed in the opening part 4a, for receiving an infrared ray radiated from the measuring object through the opening part 4a, and detecting the temperature of the measuring object; a plurality of built-in wires at least one of which is connected to the sensor element, disposed from the projecting connector part 2 to the recessed connector part; and a plurality of terminals S, t1, t2 provided on the projecting connector part 2 and the recessed connector part, and connectable electrically to some of the sensor elements of the plurality of sensor block bodies 4 through the built-in wire at a connection time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature sensor capable of measuring temperatures of a plurality of measurement objects in different directions.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an apparatus that requires temperature monitoring of a battery cell such as an assembled battery, a plurality of temperature sensors are installed in order to measure the temperature of the plurality of battery cells. For example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series or in parallel, and a plurality of temperatures having temperature detection elements arranged close to the secondary battery to detect the temperature of the secondary battery. A battery pack including a detection circuit has been proposed.

Patent Document 2 proposes a power supply device for a vehicle that includes a plurality of battery modules that connect batteries in a straight line and a plurality of temperature sensors that detect the temperature of the battery modules. .
Furthermore, as a method for measuring the temperature by capturing the surface of the measurement object as a surface, a method for measuring the temperature by receiving infrared radiation from the surface of the measurement object using an optical technique such as an infrared image sensor. Is also known. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a temperature sensor that measures the surface temperature of a heat roller that is a measurement object in a non-contact manner, on an infrared transmitting film that is held in a non-contact manner in the vicinity of the surface of the heat roller. A non-contact temperature sensor having a thermistor element sealed with infrared absorbing glass has been proposed.

JP 2001-126780 A JP 2006-74869 A JP 2004-205417 A

The following problems remain in the conventional technology.
That is, in order to arrange a plurality of temperature sensors in order to measure the temperature of a plurality of battery cells, etc., the number of installation steps increases according to the number of installed temperature sensors, and a plurality of wirings and harnesses are required. There was an inconvenience that the cost and member cost increased. In addition, the number of wires and the like increases according to the number of temperature sensors installed, resulting in problems such as an increase in weight and a decrease in reliability with respect to vibration resistance of the wire. Furthermore, when installing multiple temperature sensors in the gaps between multiple battery cells arranged in parallel, the installation space is narrow and the assembly becomes complicated, increasing the number of man-hours. There was inconvenience in sex. In addition, a space for ventilation is occupied by a large number of wirings, mounting jigs, and the like, which may hinder heat dissipation of the battery cell.
Further, when measuring the temperature distribution using an infrared image sensor or the like, the calculation cost for image processing or the like is enormous, and it is not suitable for use in monitoring the temperature of an assembled battery or the like. Furthermore, it is necessary to put the entire measurement object within the infrared viewing angle, and there are restrictions on the installation location, which may be difficult to use in a narrow installation space.
Furthermore, when the infrared sensor is installed in a gap between a plurality of battery cells arranged in parallel, since the battery cells are arranged in at least two directions, it is necessary to set the plurality of infrared sensors toward the battery cells in different directions. Therefore, there are problems that it is difficult to secure the installation position and that the installation work is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a temperature sensor that can measure temperatures of a plurality of measurement objects in different directions and does not require a plurality of wiring installations.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. That is, the temperature sensor of the present invention includes a plurality of sensor block bodies each having a convex connector portion and a concave connector portion and having an opening formed on one side surface, and the convex connector portion is connected to the concave connector portion. The sensor block body is installed in the opening and receives infrared rays emitted from the object to be measured through the opening. A sensor element for detecting the temperature of the measurement object, a plurality of built-in wires at least one of which is connected to the sensor element and arranged from the convex connector part to the concave connector part, and the convex connector part And can be electrically connected to any one of the sensor elements of the plurality of sensor block bodies via the built-in wiring at the time of connection. Characterized in that it comprises a plurality of terminals, a.

In this temperature sensor, a plurality of sensor block bodies can be connected to each other by fitting the convex connector parts into the concave connector parts and facing the openings in different directions, and the sensor block body is formed on one side surface. Since the sensor element for detecting the temperature of the measurement object by receiving the infrared ray radiated from the measurement object through the opening is provided in the opening, the plurality of sensor block bodies are directed toward the opening in different directions. By connecting the two, the temperatures of a plurality of measurement objects in different directions can be measured.
Further, at least one of the sensor block bodies is connected to the plurality of built-in wirings connected to the sensor element from the convex connector part to the concave connector part, and provided to the convex connector part and the concave connector part. And a plurality of terminals that can be electrically connected to any one of the sensor elements via a built-in wiring, so that it is electrically connected to the sensor element of another connected sensor block body simply by being connected. It becomes possible to individually measure the detected temperature of the sensor element corresponding to each terminal.
That is, the terminals of the sensor block bodies connected by the convex connector part and the concave connector part fitted to each other are connected to each other and electrically connected to the corresponding sensor element, so that they are arranged at the connection end. From the terminals of the convex connector part or the concave connector part of the sensor block body, the detection temperature of the sensor element in the corresponding sensor block body can be individually measured.

The temperature sensor of the present invention includes a pair of common terminals formed on the respective central axes of the convex connector portion and the concave connector portion and electrically connected to each other, an outer peripheral portion of the convex connector portion, and A plurality of pairs of connection terminals formed concentrically on the inner peripheral portion of the concave connector portion and electrically connected to each other in pairs corresponding to the convex connector portion and the concave connector portion; and the convex connector And a sensor terminal electrically connected to the common terminal via the sensor element. The sensor terminal is formed on an outer peripheral part of the concave connector part or an inner peripheral part of the concave connector part.
That is, in this temperature sensor, the convex connector part and the concave connector part are provided with a pair of common terminals, a plurality of pairs of connection terminals, and sensor terminals in the arrangement configuration described above, so the openings are arranged in different directions. Even if a plurality of sensor block bodies are coupled toward each other, the sensor terminal and one of the connection terminals are connected by the convex connector portion and the concave connector portion that are fitted to each other, and are arranged at the end portion of the coupled state. The detection temperature of the sensor element in the corresponding sensor block body can be individually measured with the sensor terminal and the predetermined connection terminal of the convex connector part or the concave connector part.

In the temperature sensor of the present invention, the convex connector portion has a polygonal column shape having the sensor terminals and the connection terminals on a plurality of outer surfaces, and the concave connector portion is the convex connector portion. Can be fitted and has a hole shape having the connection terminals on a plurality of inner side surfaces.
That is, in this temperature sensor, the convex connector portion has a regular polygonal column shape having sensor terminals and connection terminals on a plurality of outer surfaces, and the concave connector portion can be fitted with a plurality of convex connector portions. Each of the sensors has a shape of a hole having a connection terminal on the inner surface of each of the sensors, and the convex connector portion having a polygonal column shape is rotated around the central axis by the outer surface unit and fitted into the concave connector portion. The sensor terminals of the block body and the corresponding connection terminals can be individually connected. Therefore, the sensor block bodies can be connected and wired as many as the outer surface of the convex connector portion having a polygonal column shape.

In the temperature sensor of the present invention, the convex connector portion is provided at the tip of the sensor block body, and the concave connector portion is provided at the rear end of the sensor block body. And
That is, in this temperature sensor, the convex connector portion is provided at the front end of the sensor block body, and the concave connector portion is provided at the rear end of the sensor block body. The battery cells can be easily inserted and arranged in the gaps between the battery cells that are connected in a shape.

The present invention has the following effects.
That is, according to the temperature sensor according to the present invention, the plurality of sensor block bodies can be connected to each other with the convex connector parts fitted into the concave connector parts and facing the openings in different directions. Since the sensor element for detecting the temperature of the measurement object by receiving the infrared ray radiated from the measurement object through the opening in the opening formed on one side surface, the opening is formed in a different direction. By connecting a plurality of sensor block bodies toward each other, it is possible to measure temperatures of a plurality of measurement objects in different directions.
Further, the temperature sensor according to the present invention is provided in a plurality of built-in wirings that are connected to the sensor element from the convex connector portion to the concave connector portion, and provided in the convex connector portion and the concave connector portion. And a plurality of terminals that can be electrically connected to any one of the sensor elements of the plurality of sensor block bodies via a built-in wiring at the time of connection. It is electrically connected to the sensor element, and the detected temperature of the sensor element corresponding to each terminal can be individually measured.
As described above, the temperature sensor of the present invention easily configures a multi-beam type non-contact temperature sensor capable of receiving infrared rays with a plurality of detection angles at arbitrary directivity angles with respect to a plurality of measurement objects. can do. In addition, it is not necessary to separately provide individual wiring for each sensor element, and even if a plurality of sensor block bodies are connected at different detection angles, it is only necessary to fit the convex connector part and the concave connector part to each other. Since the connection is performed, the wiring cost and the member cost can be reduced, and the workability such as installation and maintenance is excellent. Further, it is possible to suppress an increase in weight due to an increase in wiring and a decrease in reliability with respect to vibration resistance of the wire, and it is possible to save wiring space as much as possible, and it is possible to easily install even in a narrow installation space and ensure air permeability.
Therefore, the temperature sensor of the present invention is suitable as a temperature sensor that is installed in a gap between battery cells constituting an assembled battery and monitors the temperature of a plurality of surrounding battery cells.

In one Embodiment of the temperature sensor which concerns on this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the temperature sensor which connected two sensor block bodies. In this embodiment, they are a top view, a side view, and a bottom view showing a sensor block body. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In this embodiment, it is the front view and back view which show a sensor block body. In this embodiment, it is a circuit diagram which shows the wiring between each terminal of a sensor block body. In this embodiment, it is a figure which shows the connection state between each terminal at the time of connecting three sensor block bodies. In this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing which shows the infrared detection direction at the time of connecting three sensor block bodies in a different direction about the case where the temperature sensor is arranged in the clearance gap between three measurement objects.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a temperature sensor according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each member recognizable or easily recognizable.

  The temperature sensor 1 according to the present embodiment is a non-contact type that is installed in a gap between battery cells in order to monitor the temperature of an assembled battery that is configured by, for example, arranging a plurality of battery cell rows arranged in series as a measurement object in parallel. It is a temperature sensor. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the temperature sensor 1 includes a plurality of sensor block bodies 4 each having a convex connector portion 2 and a concave connector portion 3 and having an opening 4a formed on one side surface. The convex connector part 2 is fitted into the concave connector part 3 so that the opening part 4a can be connected in different directions, and the infrared ray radiated from the object to be measured is installed in the opening part 4a. The sensor element 5 which receives light via 4a and detects the temperature of a measuring object is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor block body 4 includes a plurality of built-in wirings 6, at least one of which is connected to the sensor element 5 and disposed from the convex connector portion 2 to the concave connector portion 3, and a convex connector portion. 2 and the concave connector portion 3, and a plurality of terminals that can be electrically connected to any one of the sensor elements 5 of the plurality of sensor block bodies 4 via the built-in wiring 6 when connected.

  That is, the sensor block body 4 has a pair of common terminals Cin formed on the central axes of the convex connector portion 2 and the concave connector portion 3 and electrically connected to each other via the built-in wiring 6 as the terminals. , Cout and the outer peripheral part of the convex connector part 2 and the inner peripheral part of the concave connector part 3 are formed concentrically, respectively, and the corresponding pairs of the convex connector part 2 and the concave connector part 3 connect the internal wiring 6 to each other. A plurality of pairs of connection terminals t1 to t5 that are electrically connected to each other and the common terminals Cin and Cout that are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the convex connector portion 2 and are electrically connected to the common terminals Cin and Cout via the built-in wiring 6. Sensor terminal S.

The sensor block body 4 has a main body formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by resin molding, for example, and an opening 4a which is a hole opening in a rectangular shape is provided on one side surface thereof.
The sensor element 5 is, for example, a chip type thermistor element. As the thermistor element, there are thermistors of the NTC type, the PTC type, the CTR type and the like. In this embodiment, the NTC type thermistor is adopted. This thermistor element is formed of a thermistor material such as a Mn—Co—Cu-based material or a Mn—Co—Fe-based material.

The convex connector portion 2 has a regular hexagonal column shape having sensor terminals S and connection terminals t1 to t5 on a plurality of outer surfaces, and the concave connector portion 3 can be fitted with the convex connector portion 2. It is made into the hole shape which has the connection terminals t1-t5 in the inner surface.
The convex connector portion 2 is provided at the tip of the sensor block body 4, and the concave connector portion 3 is provided at the rear end of the sensor block body 4.

  For example, a case where the temperature sensor 1 is configured by connecting the first to third three sensor block bodies 4A, 4B, and 4C will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the convex connector portion 2 of the second sensor block body 4B is fitted into the concave connector portion 3 of the first sensor block body 4A and connected to each other. At this time, the sensor terminal S of the second sensor block body 4B is connected to the connection terminal t1 of the first sensor block body 4A so that the first sensor block body 4A and the second sensor block body 4B The openings 4a are connected in different directions. At this time, the direction of the opening 4a of the second sensor block body 4B differs from the direction of the opening 4a of the first sensor block body 4A by 60 °.

  Next, the convex connector portion 2 of the third sensor block body 4C is fitted into the concave connector portion 3 of the second sensor block body 4B and connected to each other. At this time, the sensor terminal S of the third sensor block body 4C is connected to the connection terminal t1 of the second sensor block body 4B, so that the second sensor block body 4B and the third sensor block body 4C The openings 4a are connected in different directions. At the same time, the connection terminal t1 of the second sensor block body 4B is connected to the connection terminal t2 of the first sensor block body 4A. At this time, the direction of the opening 4a of the third sensor block body 4C differs from the direction of the opening 4a of the second sensor block body 4B by 60 °, and the direction of the opening 4a of the third sensor block body 4C is different. The orientation differs from the orientation of the opening 4a of the first sensor block body 4A by 120 °.

  Therefore, by performing resistance measurement between the sensor terminal S of the first sensor block body 4A and the common terminals Cin and Cout, the temperature of the sensor element 5 of the first sensor block body 4A can be detected. Further, by performing resistance measurement between the connection terminal t1 of the first sensor block body 4A and the common terminals Cin and Cout, temperature detection in the sensor element 5 of the second sensor block body 4B can be performed. Furthermore, by performing resistance measurement between the connection terminal t2 of the first sensor block body 4A and the common terminals Cin and Cout, the temperature of the sensor element 5 of the third sensor block body 4C can be detected.

For example, when measuring each temperature of the measuring object B which is three battery cells, as shown in FIG. 7, the first to third three sensor block bodies 4A, The temperature sensor 1 which connected 4B and 4C is installed.
At this time, the openings 4a of the first to third sensor block bodies 4A, 4B, and 4C are connected to different measurement objects B. That is, the direction of the opening 4a of the first sensor block body 4A and the direction of the opening 4a of the second sensor block body 4B are connected so as to be different by 120 °, and the opening of the first sensor block body 4A. The direction of the portion 4a and the direction of the opening 4a of the third sensor block body 4C are connected so as to be different by 240 °.

  Thus, in the temperature sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of sensor block bodies 4 can be connected with the convex connector part 2 fitted into the concave connector part 3 and facing the opening 4a in different directions. The sensor block 4 detects the temperature of the measuring object B by receiving the infrared ray radiated from the measuring object B through the opening 4a in the opening 4a formed on one side surface. Since it is provided, the temperature of the several measuring object B in a different direction can be measured by connecting the several sensor block body 4 with the opening part 4a facing in a different direction. As shown in FIG. 3, an arbitrary directivity angle θ for incident infrared rays is set based on the positional relationship between the opening area and shape of the opening 4a and the light receiving surface of the sensor element 5 in the opening 4a. You can also.

  Further, at least one is connected to the sensor element 5 and is provided in the plurality of built-in wirings 6 arranged from the convex connector part 2 to the concave connector part 3 and the convex connector part 2 and the concave connector part 3. A plurality of terminals that can be electrically connected to any one of the sensor elements 5 of the plurality of sensor block bodies 4 via the built-in wiring 6; It is possible to individually measure the detected temperature of the sensor element 5 corresponding to each terminal.

  That is, the terminals of the sensor block body 4 connected by the convex connector portion 2 and the concave connector portion 3 fitted to each other are connected to each other and electrically connected to the corresponding sensor element 5, so that the connection end The detected temperature of the sensor element 5 in the corresponding sensor block body 4 can be individually measured from the terminal of the convex connector portion 2 of the sensor block body 4 disposed in the sensor block body 4.

  In particular, the convex connector portion 2 and the concave connector portion 3 are provided with a pair of common terminals Cin, Cout, a plurality of pairs of connection terminals t1 to t5, and sensor terminals S in the arrangement configuration described above. Even if a plurality of sensor block bodies 4 are connected with 4a directed in different directions, the sensor terminal S and one of the connection terminals t1 to t5 are connected by the convex connector portion 2 and the concave connector portion 3 that are fitted to each other. Then, the detected temperature of the sensor element 5 in the corresponding sensor block body 4 is detected by the sensor terminal S of the convex connector part 2 or the concave connector part 3 and the predetermined connection terminals t1 to t5 arranged at the end of the connected state. Can be measured individually.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide individual wires for each sensor element 5, and the convex connector portion 2 and the concave connector portion 3 are fitted to each other even if the plurality of sensor block bodies 4 are connected at different detection angles. Therefore, since the wiring connection is performed, the wiring cost and the member cost can be reduced, and the workability such as installation and maintenance is excellent. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in weight due to an increase in wiring and a decrease in reliability with respect to vibration resistance of the wire, and it is possible to save wiring space as much as possible, and it is possible to easily install even in a narrow installation space and ensure air permeability.

  Further, the convex connector portion 2 is formed in a regular polygonal column shape having sensor terminals S and connection terminals t1 to t5 on a plurality of outer surfaces, and the concave connector portion 3 can be fitted into the convex connector portion 2. Therefore, the concave connector portion 3 is formed by rotating the convex connector portion 2 having a regular polygonal column shape around the central axis in units of the outer surface. The sensor terminals S of the sensor block bodies 4 and the corresponding connection terminals t1 to t5 can be individually connected. Therefore, the sensor block bodies 4 can be connected and wired as many as the outer surface of the convex connector portion 2 having a regular polygonal column shape. That is, in the case of the convex connector portion 2 having a regular hexagonal prism shape, since it has six outer surfaces, the six sensor block bodies 4 can be connected and wired.

  Moreover, since the convex connector part 2 is provided at the front-end | tip of the sensor block body 4, and the concave connector part 3 is provided in the rear end of the sensor block body 4, several sensor block bodies 4 are linear. The battery cells can be easily inserted and arranged in the gaps between the battery cells that are connected in a shape.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the convex connector portion has a regular hexagonal prism shape, and the concave connector portion has a hole shape into which the convex connector portion can be fitted. It is also possible to form other regular polygonal prisms such as a prism or octagon and form a hole-shaped concave connector that can be fitted. In this case, the number of sensor block bodies that can be connected increases as the number of outer surfaces of the convex connector portion increases.

In addition, each terminal is provided on the outer side of the regular polygonal prism to form a convex connector part, but each terminal is a convex connector part that protrudes in a pin shape, and the pins of these terminals can be inserted A concave connector portion constituted by a plurality of insertion holes may be used.
Furthermore, the convex connector part is provided at the tip of the sensor block body, and the concave connector part is provided at the rear end of the sensor block body. Or you may provide a concave connector part. In this case, not only linear series connection but also connection in multiple directions such as perpendicular direction, two directions and three directions is possible, and temperature is measured with multiple openings directed in three-dimensional multi-direction. It becomes possible to do.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Temperature sensor, 2 ... Convex connector part, 3 ... Concave connector part, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C ... Sensor block body, 4a ... Opening part, 5 ... Sensor element, B ... Measuring object, Cin, Cout ... Common terminal, S ... sensor terminal, t1-t5 ... connection terminal

Claims (4)

A plurality of sensor block bodies each having a convex connector portion and a concave connector portion and having an opening formed on one side surface are fitted in the convex connector portion to the concave connector portion, and the openings are in different directions. It is possible to connect with the part facing,
The sensor block body is installed in the opening and receives infrared rays emitted from the measurement object through the opening to detect the temperature of the measurement object;
A plurality of built-in wirings, wherein at least one is connected to the sensor element and disposed from the convex connector portion to the concave connector portion;
A plurality of terminals provided on the convex connector portion and the concave connector portion and electrically connectable to any one of the sensor elements of the plurality of sensor block bodies via the built-in wiring when connected. A temperature sensor characterized by having The temperature sensor according to claim 1,
A pair of common terminals formed on the respective central axes of the convex connector portion and the concave connector portion and electrically connected to each other;
A plurality of pairs formed concentrically on the outer peripheral part of the convex connector part and the inner peripheral part of the concave connector part, and electrically connected to each other in pairs corresponding to the convex connector part and the concave connector part. Connection terminals,
And a sensor terminal formed on the outer peripheral part of the convex connector part or the inner peripheral part of the concave connector part and electrically connected to the common terminal via the sensor element. Sensor. The temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2,
The convex connector portion is formed in a regular polygonal column shape having the sensor terminals and the connection terminals on a plurality of outer surfaces, and the concave connector portion can be fitted into the convex connector portion. A temperature sensor having a hole shape having the connection terminal on a side surface. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The temperature sensor, wherein the convex connector portion is provided at a tip of the sensor block body, and the concave connector portion is provided at a rear end of the sensor block body.

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