JP2012220190A

JP2012220190A - Sensor

Info

Publication number: JP2012220190A
Application number: JP2011082370A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Makoto Kume; 誠久米
Original assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co Ltd
Current assignee: Niterra Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-04
Filing date: 2011-04-04
Publication date: 2012-11-12

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mounting structure which allows a commonly-used sensor with an additional partial structure to be fixed to a boss of the sensor by combination with a screw fastening component alone, enabling the boss to have reduced projecting amount and reduced outer diameter without causing a large positional deviation of the detection part of a device.SOLUTION: A main body metal fitting 11 includes an annular flange 41 which ranges in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface at the tip side of a screw 12 adjacent to the main body metal fitting, projects outward in the radial direction, and comes in contact with the tip of a screw fastening component 91. The screw fastening component 91 is rotatably fitted on around an axis G between a polygonal part 19 adjacent to the main body metal fitting and the annular flange 41. The screw fastening component 91 is screwed into a female thread 505 of a boss 503 of an exhaust pipe 501, so that the tip thereof pushes the annular flange 41 toward the tip side for mounting a sensor 1 to the boss 503.

Description

本発明は、排気ガスなどの被測定ガス中の特定ガス濃度を検出するための酸素センサやＮＯｘセンサ、ＨＣセンサといったガスセンサ、或いは被測定ガスの温度を検出するための温度センサなどのように、測定対象を検知（検出）するための検知部を備えてなるセンサに関する。 The present invention is a gas sensor such as an oxygen sensor, a NOx sensor, or an HC sensor for detecting a specific gas concentration in a measured gas such as exhaust gas, or a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the measured gas. The present invention relates to a sensor including a detection unit for detecting (detecting) a measurement target.

従来、自動車の空燃比制御に、排気ガス中の特定ガス成分の濃度に応じて電気的特性が変化するセンサ素子（以下、素子とも言う）を備えたガスセンサが使用されており、この種のセンサとしては種々のものが知られている（特許文献１）。図８は、このようなガスセンサ（以下、センサとも言う）１を用いた取付け構造を、センサの内部構造を省略して示した一部破断面図である。このガスセンサ１は、例えば、酸素イオン伝導性を有する固体電解質よりなるセンサ素子２１と、この素子２１を先端から突出させた状態で保持するための筒状の主体金具（金具本体）１１と、この主体金具１１の後端（図示上端）側に包囲状に設けられた金属製の保護筒（外筒）８１などから構成されている。 Conventionally, a gas sensor having a sensor element (hereinafter also referred to as an element) whose electrical characteristics change according to the concentration of a specific gas component in exhaust gas has been used for air-fuel ratio control of an automobile. Various types are known (Patent Document 1). FIG. 8 is a partially broken sectional view showing an attachment structure using such a gas sensor (hereinafter also referred to as a sensor) 1 with the internal structure of the sensor omitted. The gas sensor 1 includes, for example, a sensor element 21 made of a solid electrolyte having oxygen ion conductivity, a cylindrical metal shell (metal body) 11 for holding the element 21 in a state of protruding from the tip, The metal shell 11 is composed of a metal protective cylinder (outer cylinder) 81 provided in a surrounding manner on the rear end (upper end in the drawing) side.

このうち、主体金具１１は、その先端寄り部位の外周面にネジ（以下、主体金具側ネジとも言う）１２を備えている。このセンサ１はネジ１２を介して排気管等の排気マニホールド系部位（以下、単に排気管ともいう）５０１の外部（表面）に突出状に設けられたボス等の取付け対象部位（以下、ボスとも言う）５０３の貫通穴の内周面に形成されたメスネジ５０５にねじ込まれることでその取付けがなされる。ただし、ねじ込みは、主体金具１１のネジ１２の後方に径方向に突出するように設けられた多角形部（ねじ込み用の多角形部）１９に、ねじ込み用の回螺工具（以下、単に工具ともいう）を掛けて回動することで行われる。なお、本明細書において、センサ１、又は主体金具１１等の構成部品若しくは部位（部分）に関して、「先端」というときは、図８のセンサ１、又は構成部品等に関する下端をいい、「後端」というときは、その逆の端（上端）をいうものとする。 Among these, the metal shell 11 includes a screw (hereinafter also referred to as a metal shell-side screw) 12 on the outer peripheral surface near the tip. This sensor 1 is attached to a part to be attached (hereinafter referred to as a boss) such as a boss projectingly provided outside (surface) 501 of an exhaust manifold system part (hereinafter also referred to as an exhaust pipe) 501 via a screw 12. It is attached by being screwed into a female screw 505 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 503. However, the screwing is performed by screwing a screwing tool (hereinafter simply referred to as a tool) into a polygonal part (polygonal part for screwing) 19 provided so as to protrude radially behind the screw 12 of the metal shell 11. This is done by turning and turning. In the present specification, regarding the component 1 or part (part) of the sensor 1 or the metal shell 11 or the like, the “front end” refers to the lower end of the sensor 1 or the component of FIG. "Refers to the opposite end (upper end).

ところで、この種のセンサ１では、その後端部からリード線（配線コード）６１が延びているのが普通であり、とくに、センサがＮＯｘセンサの場合にはそのリード線６１の端部に、内部に回路基板を収納したボックス６５を備えているのが普通である。このため、主体金具１１に形成されたネジ１２により、ねじ込み方式で、取付け対象部位５０３に取付ける構成のこの種のセンサ１（以下、ネジ一体型センサ、又は単にセンサともいう）においては、このようなボックス６５及びリード線６１も、センサ１のねじ込み作業に対応させて回転させる必要がある。したがって、その取付けが面倒な作業となっていた。しかも、センサ１自体が回転することから、素子２１の向きを一定にして取り付けるのは容易でない。これにより、例えば、平板状の素子２１のように、本来はガスの受圧面をガスの流れ（図中、破線矢印）に垂直にすると検出精度が高められる、というものでは、その検出精度を高度に一定に保持することは容易でない。なお、図８中の１８は素子２１のプロテクタであり、２０は、多角形部（主体金具側多角形部とも言う）１９が着座するボス５０３の座面との間のシールを保持するためのワッシャである。 By the way, in this type of sensor 1, it is normal that a lead wire (wiring cord) 61 extends from the rear end portion thereof. In particular, in the case where the sensor is a NOx sensor, the lead wire 61 has an inner end at the end portion thereof. It is usual to provide a box 65 containing a circuit board. For this reason, this type of sensor 1 (hereinafter also referred to as a screw-integrated sensor or simply a sensor) configured to be attached to the attachment target portion 503 by a screw-in method with the screws 12 formed on the metal shell 11 is as described above. The box 65 and the lead wire 61 also need to be rotated in accordance with the screwing operation of the sensor 1. Therefore, the installation was troublesome. In addition, since the sensor 1 itself rotates, it is not easy to attach the element 21 with the direction being constant. As a result, for example, as in the case of the flat element 21, the detection accuracy can be improved by making the gas pressure-receiving surface perpendicular to the gas flow (broken arrow in the figure). It is not easy to keep it constant. 8 is a protector of the element 21, and 20 is for holding a seal between the polygonal part (also referred to as the metal shell side polygonal part) 19 and the seating surface of the boss 503. It is a washer.

こうした中、センサを構成する主体金具自体にはネジを形成せず、これとは別の中空ボルト状のネジ付き締付け部材（ボルト部材）を、主体金具の軸線回りに回転自在に外嵌し、そのネジ付き締付け部材のネジをボスのメスネジにねじ込むように構成したセンサがある（特許文献２参照）。このようなセンサ（以下、取付け用ネジ別体型センサ）では、センサ（本体）自体を回転させることなく、そのネジ付き締付け部材をねじ込むことでその取付けができる。したがって、排気管のボス（取付け対象部位）への取り付け過程では、センサの後端から延びているリード線を回す必要もない。しかも、センサ自体を回転させないで済むから、素子の向きを所望とする一定の向きとすることも容易である。 Under these circumstances, the metal shell itself constituting the sensor is not formed with a screw, and a separate hollow bolt-like screwed fastening member (bolt member) is externally fitted around the axis of the metal shell so as to be rotatable. There is a sensor configured to screw the screw of the screwed fastening member into the female screw of the boss (see Patent Document 2). In such a sensor (hereinafter referred to as a separate screw-type sensor for attachment), the attachment can be performed by screwing the screwed fastening member without rotating the sensor (main body) itself. Therefore, in the process of attaching the exhaust pipe to the boss (attachment target site), it is not necessary to turn the lead wire extending from the rear end of the sensor. In addition, since it is not necessary to rotate the sensor itself, it is easy to set the orientation of the element to a desired direction.

しかし、このような取付け用ネジ別体型センサは、実際には、極めて例外的な特殊取付け構造のものであり、一般には、図８に示したような主体金具１１自体にネジ１２を形成してなるセンサ（ネジ一体型センサ）が広く使用されているというのが実情である。というのは、このような例外的な特殊取付け構造の取付け用ネジ別体型センサを、一般的なネジ一体型センサとは全く別に、それ専用の主体金具を製造して、センサ全体として組立てる場合には、新規部品の製造やその製造設備の増大等による製造効率の低下、及びそれに伴うコストアップ等の問題が大きいためである。 However, such a separate screw type sensor for mounting is actually of a very exceptional special mounting structure, and in general, a screw 12 is formed on the metal shell 11 itself as shown in FIG. The actual situation is that such a sensor (screw integrated sensor) is widely used. This is because when a screw-separated sensor for mounting with such an exceptional special mounting structure is assembled from the general screw-integrated sensor, a dedicated metal shell is assembled and assembled as a whole sensor. This is because there are large problems such as a decrease in manufacturing efficiency due to the manufacture of new parts and an increase in manufacturing equipment, and a cost increase associated therewith.

そこで考えられるのは、図９に示したように、図８に示したのと同じネジ一体型センサ１において、その主体金具１１に設けられた多角形部（ねじ込み用多角形部）１９の後方から、主体金具１１に、上記したような中空ボルト状のネジ付き締付け部材９１を外嵌し、その後端側の多角形部９４ｂを回転させて、これを排気管５０１のボス５０３内に形成されたメスネジ５０５にねじ込む、ということが考えられる。すなわち、従来一般に使用されているネジ一体型センサ１において、その主体金具１１のネジ１２は使用せず、ネジ付き締付け部材９１が備える締め付けネジ９３をボス５０３のメスネジ５０５にねじ込み、これによって主体金具１１の多角形部１９を先端側に押さえつけて、その取付けを行うというものである。このような取付け構造のセンサとすることで、ねじ込み過程では、センサ１自体を回転させる必要がなくなるし、別途に、最初から新規のセンサを設計し、製造する必要もないため、コストアップも小さく抑えることができるためである。 Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in the same screw-integrated sensor 1 as shown in FIG. 8, the rear part of the polygonal part (screwing polygonal part) 19 provided in the metal shell 11 can be considered. Then, the hollow bolt-shaped screwed fastening member 91 as described above is externally fitted to the metal shell 11, and the polygonal portion 94b on the rear end side thereof is rotated to form it in the boss 503 of the exhaust pipe 501. It is conceivable that the screw is screwed into the female screw 505. That is, in the screw-integrated sensor 1 generally used in the past, the screw 12 of the metal shell 11 is not used, and the fastening screw 93 provided in the screwed fastening member 91 is screwed into the female screw 505 of the boss 503, thereby 11 polygonal portions 19 are pressed against the tip side and attached. By adopting such a mounting structure sensor, it is not necessary to rotate the sensor 1 itself in the screwing process, and it is not necessary to design and manufacture a new sensor from the beginning. This is because it can be suppressed.

なお、センサをこのような取付け構造とする場合には、それを構成する主体金具１１のネジ１２は使用しないことから、主体金具は、そのネジ１２が形成されていないもの（主体金具仕掛品。本願書類における主体金具には、このような仕掛品も含む）を用いてもよい。すなわち、主体金具は、その外周面に、センサ自身をねじ込み方式で取付けるための主体金具側ネジが形成されておらず、そのネジを形成するための円筒状部位を備えている段階のもの（ネジ一体型センサに用いられる主体金具のネジ加工前のもの）、又は、そのネジを切削して除去してなる円筒状部位を有しているものを用いることとしてもよい。 When the sensor has such a mounting structure, the screw 12 of the metal shell 11 constituting the sensor is not used. Therefore, the metal shell is not formed with the screw 12 (a metal fitting in-process product). Such a work in progress may be used for the metal shell in the present application document. In other words, the metal shell is not formed with a metal shell side screw for mounting the sensor itself by a screwing method on its outer peripheral surface, but at a stage having a cylindrical portion for forming the screw (screw It is good also as what has the cylindrical part formed by cutting and removing the screw | thread of the metal shell used for an integrated sensor before threading).

特開２００７−４７０９３号公報JP 2007-47093 A 特開２００１−２２１７６９号公報JP 2001-221769 A

しかし、図９に示したようなセンサ１の取付け構造においては、ボス５０３のメスネジ５０５の径は、主体金具１１の多角形部１９の外径より大きくする必要があることから、ボス５０３自体の外径を従来のそれに比べて大きくする必要がある。しかも、ボス５０３における排気管５０１の外周面からの外方への突出高さＨ１が著しく大きくなる。これは、ネジ付き締付け部材９１の先端で、主体金具１１のネジ１２の後方にある多角形部１９の後端向き面を先端側に押え付ける構造となることから、ボス５０３の排気管５０１の外周面からの外部への突出高さＨ１を大きくして、メスネジ５０５の位置を排気管５０１の外周面から離間させる必要があるためである。このように、図９に示したような取付け構造とする場合には、ボス５０３の外径が大きくなり、かつ、その突出高さＨ１が大きいものとなることから、ボス５０３の周辺スペースを大きく確保する必要があるという問題がある。 However, in the mounting structure of the sensor 1 as shown in FIG. 9, the diameter of the female screw 505 of the boss 503 needs to be larger than the outer diameter of the polygonal portion 19 of the metal shell 11. It is necessary to make the outer diameter larger than that of the conventional one. In addition, the protruding height H1 of the boss 503 from the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe 501 is significantly increased. This is a structure in which the rear end-facing surface of the polygonal part 19 behind the screw 12 of the metal shell 11 is pressed to the front end side at the front end of the threaded fastening member 91, so that the exhaust pipe 501 of the boss 503 This is because it is necessary to increase the protruding height H1 from the outer peripheral surface to the outside so that the position of the female screw 505 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe 501. As described above, when the mounting structure as shown in FIG. 9 is used, the outer diameter of the boss 503 is increased and the protruding height H1 is increased, so that the space around the boss 503 is increased. There is a problem that it is necessary to secure.

一方、こうした問題のうち、ボス５０３の排気管５０１の外周面からの外方への突出高さＨ１を、図８に示したものと同様に小さくするには、図１０に示したように、ボス５０３の奥の部位を排気管５０１の内側に大きく入り込ませる必要がある。しかし、このようにすると、センサ１はその先端寄り部位の素子２１が、排気管５０１の径方向（断面）における所望とする設定位置からボス５０３の反対側に入り込みすぎとなってしまう。すなわち、もともとセンサ１は、その取付け後において、先端側の素子２１の検知部が排気管５０１の径方向（横断面）の設定位置（例えば中心）に位置するように、ボス５０３の突出高さ等の寸法に応じて、そのネジ１２長が設定されている。したがって、図１０に示したようにした場合には、排気管５０１内における素子２１の位置にズレ（位置ズレ）が生じることになり、検出精度上においても好ましいことでない。しかも、このようにしても、ボス５０３の外径寸法を小さくすることはできない。 On the other hand, among these problems, in order to reduce the protruding height H1 of the boss 503 from the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe 501 to the same extent as shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to make the back part of the boss 503 greatly enter the exhaust pipe 501. However, in this case, the element 21 near the tip of the sensor 1 enters the opposite side of the boss 503 from the desired set position in the radial direction (cross section) of the exhaust pipe 501. That is, the protrusion height of the boss 503 is originally such that the sensor 1 is positioned at a set position (for example, the center) in the radial direction (cross section) of the exhaust pipe 501 after the sensor 1 is attached. The length of the screw 12 is set according to the dimensions such as the above. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 10, a displacement (positional displacement) occurs in the position of the element 21 in the exhaust pipe 501, which is not preferable in terms of detection accuracy. Moreover, even in this case, the outer diameter of the boss 503 cannot be reduced.

本発明は、如上の問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、従来、一般に使用されているセンサの基本構造を改変することなく、一部の構造を追加ないし変更すると共に、ネジ付き締付け部材を組み合わせるだけで、センサのボスへの取付けにおいて、素子の検知部の位置に大きな位置ズレを発生させることなく、しかも、ボスの突出量や外径を小さくできるようにした、センサの取付け構造が得られるようにすることをその目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and some of the structures are added or changed without modifying the basic structure of a sensor that has been generally used in the past, and a screwed fastening member is combined. As a result, the sensor mounting structure can be obtained without causing a large positional shift in the position of the element detection portion and mounting the protrusion of the boss and the outer diameter. The purpose is to do so.

本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、検知部を主体金具の先端側に備えると共に、該主体金具の外周面に、センサ自身をねじ込み方式で取付けるための主体金具側ネジ、又は円筒状部位を備えると共に、その主体金具側ネジ又は該円筒状部位の後方に主体金具側多角形部を備え、かつセンサ自身の後端側から外部に引き出されたリード線を備えてなるセンサと、
センサが取付けられる取付け対象部位の内周面に形成されたメスネジに螺合する締付け用ネジを外周面に備えて、前記主体金具にその軸線回りに回転自在に外嵌された中空ボルト状のネジ付き締付け部材とを含んでおり、
該ネジ付き締付け部材を前記メスネジにねじ込むことで、前記センサを前記取付け対象部位に取付けるように構成されたセンサにおいて、
前記主体金具には、前記主体金具側ネジ又は前記円筒状部位の先端側の外周面に、周方向に連なり、半径方向外向きに突出すると共に前記ネジ付き締付け部材の先端が当接するように形成された環状フランジを備えており、
該ネジ付き締付け部材は、前記主体金具側多角形部と前記環状フランジとの間において該主体金具の軸線回りに回転自在に外嵌され、しかも、前記主体金具側多角形部にて後端側への分離が防止された状態にあり、かつ該ネジ付き締付け部材を前記メスネジにねじ込むことで、該ネジ付き締付け部材の先端にて前記環状フランジを先端側に押し、前記センサを前記取付け対象部位に取付けるように構成されていることを特徴とする。 The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a metal shell side screw or a cylindrical part for mounting the sensor itself to the outer peripheral surface of the metal shell by a screw-in method while providing the detection portion on the tip side of the metal shell. And a sensor comprising a metal shell side polygonal part behind the metal shell side screw or the cylindrical part, and a lead wire led out from the rear end side of the sensor itself,
A hollow bolt-like screw that is provided on the outer peripheral surface with a tightening screw that is screwed into a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the attachment target part to which the sensor is attached, and is externally fitted to the metal shell so as to be rotatable about its axis. And a tightening member,
In the sensor configured to attach the sensor to the attachment target site by screwing the threaded fastening member into the female screw,
The metal shell is formed so that the metal shell side screw or the outer peripheral surface on the tip side of the cylindrical portion is continuous in the circumferential direction and protrudes outward in the radial direction and the tip of the screwed fastening member abuts on the metal shell. Provided with an annular flange,
The threaded fastening member is externally fitted between the metal shell-side polygonal portion and the annular flange so as to be rotatable about the axis of the metal shell, and at the rear end side at the metal shell-side polygonal portion. And the threaded tightening member is screwed into the female screw, so that the annular flange is pushed to the distal end side at the distal end of the threaded tightening member, and the sensor is moved to the attachment target site. It is comprised so that it may attach to.

請求項２に記載の本発明は、前記ネジ付き締付け部材は、前記主体金具側多角形部と前記環状フランジとの間で、先後方向に所定量の移動が許容されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載のセンサである。
請求項３に記載の本発明は、前記ネジ付き締付け部材は、後端側が大径部をなし、先端側が小径部をなす異径環状体構造をなし、
該大径部の内径が、前記主体金具側多角形部の対角方向の外径より大きく形成されていると共に、前記大径部の外周面にねじ込み用多角形部が設けられており、
前記小径部の内径が前記主体金具側多角形部の対角方向の外径より小さく形成されていると共に、前記締付け用ネジを該小径部の外周面に形成したことを特徴とする請求項２に記載のセンサである。 The present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the threaded tightening member is allowed to move a predetermined amount in the front-rear direction between the metal shell-side polygonal portion and the annular flange. The sensor according to claim 1.
The present invention according to claim 3, wherein the threaded tightening member has a different diameter annular body structure in which a rear end side forms a large diameter portion and a front end side forms a small diameter portion,
The inner diameter of the large-diameter portion is formed larger than the outer diameter in the diagonal direction of the metal shell-side polygonal portion, and a screw-in polygonal portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion,
The inner diameter of the small diameter portion is formed smaller than the outer diameter in the diagonal direction of the polygonal portion on the metal shell side, and the tightening screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion. It is a sensor of description.

請求項４に記載の本発明は、前記ネジ付き締付け部材における前記小径部の先端が、前記環状フランジの後端向き面に当接している状態において、前記主体金具における前記主体金具側多角形部の少なくとも後端寄り部位が、該ネジ付き締付け部材における前記ねじ込み用多角形部の後端より後方に位置するように、前記ネジ付き締付け部材が、前記主体金具側多角形部と前記環状フランジとの間で、先後方向に所定量の移動が許容されていることを特徴とする請求項３に記載のセンサである。 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the metal shell-side polygonal portion of the metal shell, the tip of the small-diameter portion of the threaded fastening member is in contact with the rear end facing surface of the annular flange. Of the threaded tightening member is positioned behind the rear end of the threaded polygonal part of the threaded tightening member, the threaded tightening member includes the metal shell side polygonal part and the annular flange. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined amount of movement is allowed in the front-rear direction.

本発明のセンサは、従来のセンサを構成する主体金具におけるネジ（主体金具側ネジ）を用いることなく、ネジ付き締付け部材を用いることで、排気管のボスのメスネジに取り付け得るものである。しかし、従来のそのようなセンサのように、ネジ付き締付け部材で主体金具側多角形部の後端向き面を先端側に押え付ける構成のものとはその構成が異なる。すなわち、本発明のセンサは、上記構成のように組み付けられたネジ付き締付け部材で、主体金具側ネジの先端側に設けられた環状フランジの後端向き面を先端側に押え付ける形で、そのネジ付き締付け部材をボスのメスネジにねじ込むことができる。このため、ボスへのセンサの取付けにおいて、従来のように、センサの検知部の位置に大きな位置ズレを発生させることがない。しかも、ボスの排気管の外周面における突出量を小さくできるし、従来のように、ボス内に主体金具側多角形部を入り込ませる必要がないため、ボス内のメスネジの径を小さくできる分、ボスの外径を小さくできる。これにより、ボスの周辺スペースを従来より小さくできる。 The sensor of the present invention can be attached to a female screw of a boss of an exhaust pipe by using a threaded fastening member without using a screw (a metal shell side screw) in a metal shell constituting a conventional sensor. However, the configuration is different from that of a configuration in which the rear end-facing surface of the metal shell side polygonal portion is pressed against the front end side with a threaded tightening member as in the conventional sensor. That is, the sensor of the present invention is a screwed tightening member assembled as described above, and presses the rear end facing surface of the annular flange provided on the front end side of the metal shell side screw to the front end side. The threaded fastening member can be screwed into the female screw of the boss. For this reason, in the attachment of the sensor to the boss, a large positional shift is not generated in the position of the detection portion of the sensor as in the conventional case. Moreover, the amount of protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe of the boss can be reduced, and since there is no need to insert the polygonal portion on the metal shell side into the boss as in the prior art, the diameter of the female screw in the boss can be reduced, The outer diameter of the boss can be reduced. Thereby, the surrounding space of a boss | hub can be made smaller than before.

しかも、センサをなす主体金具は、その外周面にネジ（主体金具側ネジ）が形成されているものであってもよいが、そのネジは使用されない。したがって、主体金具は、その外周面に、センサ自身をねじ込み方式で取付けるための主体金具側ネジが形成されておらず、そのネジを形成するための円筒状部位を備えている段階のもの（ネジ一体型センサに用いられる主体金具の仕掛品）、又は、そのネジを切削して除去し、或いはネジ形成用の円筒状部位を切削して除去してなる円筒状部位を有しているものを用いることとしてもよい。そして、このようなネジ形成前の円筒状部位を備えている主体金具を用いる場合には、そのネジ加工（例えば転造）を要しない分、部品の製造工程の簡略化が図られる。一方、主体金具側ネジを有するものを用いる場合には、ネジ一体型センサに用いられる主体金具をそのまま用いることができるので、その製造や在庫の管理が容易となる。 Moreover, the metal shell constituting the sensor may have a screw (metal shell side screw) formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, but the screw is not used. Therefore, the metal shell is not formed with a metal screw on the outer peripheral surface for mounting the sensor itself by a screw-in method, and has a cylindrical part for forming the screw (screw) Work piece of metal shell used for integrated sensor), or one having a cylindrical part formed by cutting and removing the screw, or by removing the cylindrical part for screw formation It may be used. And when using the main metal fitting provided with such a cylindrical part before screw formation, the manufacturing process of a part is simplified by the part which does not require the screw processing (for example, rolling). On the other hand, when the one having the metal shell side screw is used, the metal shell used for the screw-integrated sensor can be used as it is, and the manufacture and management of the stock are facilitated.

本発明では、ネジ付き締付け部材が先後方向へ移動できないとしても、これを主体金具の軸線回りに回転させることができれば、よい。しかし、請求項２に記載の発明のようにその移動ができるようにしておくと、ねじ込み作業が容易となる。また、請求項３に記載の本発明のようにしておくことで、ねじ込み作業が一層容易となる。さらに請求項４に記載の本発明では、その構成に基づき、ネジ付き締付け部材をメスネジにねじ込む際の最終段階（締め上げる段階）で、主体金具側多角形部に工具を掛けることができるため、主体金具を含むセンサ本体がネジ付き締付け部材と一緒に回るいわゆる共回りを容易に防止できる。これにより、検知部の向きを所望とする向きに容易に保持できるため、検知（出力）精度が安定する。 In the present invention, even if the threaded fastening member cannot be moved in the front-rear direction, it is sufficient if it can be rotated around the axis of the metal shell. However, if the movement can be performed as in the second aspect of the invention, the screwing operation becomes easy. Further, the screwing operation is further facilitated by performing the present invention according to the third aspect. Further, in the present invention according to claim 4, since the tool can be hung on the metal shell side polygonal part at the final stage (step of tightening) when screwing the threaded tightening member into the female screw based on the configuration, It is possible to easily prevent so-called co-rotation in which the sensor body including the metallic shell rotates together with the screwed fastening member. Thereby, since the direction of a detection part can be easily hold | maintained in the direction which wants, detection (output) precision is stabilized.

さらに、本発明では、ネジ付き締付け部材は、主体金具側多角形部と環状フランジとで、その脱落ないし分離の防止が図られているから、取扱いが容易かつ便利である。なお、本発明では、ネジ付き締付け部材をボスのメスネジにねじ込むことで、ネジ付き締付け部材の先端（先端面）が、主体金具に設けられた環状フランジの後端向き面を直接押え付けるものとしてもよいが、要すれば、パッキン（シール部材）等を介して押え付けるものとしてもよい。また、主体金具側多角形部又は環状フランジとの間において、別途、スリップワッシャ等の別部材を介在させても良い。 Furthermore, in the present invention, the threaded tightening member is easy and convenient to handle because the metal shell side polygonal portion and the annular flange are prevented from dropping or separating. In the present invention, the threaded fastening member is screwed into the female screw of the boss so that the tip (tip face) of the threaded fastening member directly presses the rear end facing surface of the annular flange provided on the metal shell. However, if necessary, it may be pressed through a packing (seal member) or the like. Further, another member such as a slip washer may be interposed between the metal shell side polygonal portion or the annular flange.

本発明のセンサを具体化した第１実施形態例の縦断面図。The longitudinal cross-sectional view of 1st Embodiment which actualized the sensor of this invention. 図１のセンサを構成するネジ付き締付け部材であって、Ａはこれを後端側から見た図、Ｂは、正面半断面図、Ｃは先端側から見た図。FIG. 2 is a threaded fastening member constituting the sensor of FIG. 1, wherein A is a view from the rear end side, B is a front half sectional view, and C is a view from the front end side. 図１のセンサを排気管のボスに取付けた状態の説明用断面図。Sectional drawing for description of the state which attached the sensor of FIG. 1 to the boss | hub of the exhaust pipe. 図１のセンサの変形例を排気管のボスに取付けた状態の説明用断面図。FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which a modification of the sensor of FIG. 1 is attached to a boss of an exhaust pipe. 図１のセンサの他の変形例を排気管のボスに取付けた状態の説明用断面図。Sectional drawing for description of the state which attached the other modification of the sensor of FIG. 1 to the boss | hub of an exhaust pipe. 図５のセンサを構成するネジ付き締付け部材であって、Ａはその正面半断面図、Ｂは、先端側から見た図。FIG. 6A is a front half sectional view of the screwed tightening member constituting the sensor of FIG. 5, and FIG. 図１〜図３に示した第１実施形態例のセンサを構成する主体金具において主体金具側ネジを形成することなく、その外周面を円筒状部位として本発明を具体化した実施形態の説明用断面図。For explaining the embodiment in which the present invention is embodied with the outer peripheral surface of the metallic shell constituting the sensor of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Sectional drawing. 従来のネジ一体型センサを用いた取付け構造を、センサの内部構造を省略して示した一部破断面図。The partially broken sectional view which abbreviate | omitted the internal structure of the sensor and showed the attachment structure using the conventional screw integrated type sensor. 従来の一般的なネジ一体型センサにおいて、その主体金具に設けられた多角形部（ねじ込み用多角形部）の後方から、主体金具にネジ付き締付け部材を外嵌し、これを排気管のボス内に形成されたメスネジにねじ込むことでそのボスに取付けた状態の説明図。In a conventional general screw-integrated sensor, a threaded fastening member is externally fitted to the metal shell from the back of the polygonal portion (screw-in polygon) provided on the metal shell, and this is attached to the exhaust pipe boss. Explanatory drawing of the state attached to the boss | hub by screwing in the female screw formed in the inside. 図９において、ボスの排気管の外周面からの外部への突出高さを従来（図８）と同じとして、センサを取付けた状態の説明図。FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a state in which the sensor is mounted with the boss protruding height from the outer peripheral surface of the boss to the outside being the same as in FIG. 9 (FIG. 8).

本発明のセンサを具体化した実施形態例（第１実施形態例）について、図１〜図３に基づいて詳細に説明する。ただし、本形態では、センサ１はＮＯｘセンサとする。また、本発明は、基本的には、従来のネジ一体型センサを利用するものであり、本形態では、センサ自体としては、それを構成する主体金具１１の主体金具側ネジ１２の先端側の外周面に、周方向に連なり、外向きに突出する環状フランジ４１を設けた点と、主体金具側多角形部１９とこの環状フランジ４１との間に、中空ボルト状をなすネジ付き締付け部材９１を回転自在に外嵌したという点が相違する他は、従来のネジ一体型センサと基本的に共通する。このため、以下、このような相違点を中心として各図に基づいて詳細に説明する。 An embodiment (first embodiment) embodying the sensor of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. However, in this embodiment, the sensor 1 is a NOx sensor. In addition, the present invention basically uses a conventional screw-integrated sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor itself is the tip of the metal shell side screw 12 of the metal shell 11 constituting the sensor. A threaded tightening member 91 having a hollow bolt shape between the outer peripheral surface provided with an annular flange 41 extending in the circumferential direction and projecting outward, and between the metal shell side polygonal portion 19 and the annular flange 41. Is basically the same as the conventional screw-integrated sensor, except that it is rotatably fitted. For this reason, the following description will be made in detail with reference to the drawings, focusing on such differences.

すなわち、本形態のセンサ１は、例えば、センサ素子２１と、この素子２１を内側において気密状態とし、その先端側の検知部２１ａを突出させるように保持する筒状の主体金具（金具本体）１１と、この主体金具１１の後端（図示上端）側に包囲状に設けられた金属製の保護筒（外筒）８１と、保護筒８１内に配置された絶縁部材からなる端子包囲部材７０と、この中央に挿入された、素子２１の後端寄り部位に形成された各電極（図示せず）に圧着された各端子金具５１と、この端子金具５１に接続され保護筒８１の後端８３から後方に引き出されたリード線６１などからなり、その詳細は次のようである。 That is, the sensor 1 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a sensor element 21 and a cylindrical metal shell (metal body) 11 that holds the element 21 in an airtight state on the inside and holds the detection portion 21a on the tip end side thereof. A metal protective cylinder (outer cylinder) 81 provided in a surrounding manner on the rear end (upper end in the figure) side of the metal shell 11, and a terminal surrounding member 70 made of an insulating member disposed in the protective cylinder 81 Each terminal fitting 51 that is inserted into the center and is crimped to each electrode (not shown) formed near the rear end of the element 21, and the rear end 83 of the protective cylinder 81 that is connected to the terminal fitting 51. It consists of the lead wire 61 etc. which were pulled out from the back, and the details are as follows.

上記の構成のうち、主体金具１１は、その内周面が先端側から後端に向けて順次、同心で大径をなすように形成されており、外周面は、先端が２重のプロテクタ１８を取り付ける小円筒部１３をなし、この小円筒部１３に続く後方にはこれより大径のネジ（ネジ一体型センサとして使用される際のネジ）１２を備えており、このネジ１２の後方には、これより大径の多角形部（例えば、六角ボルトの頭部形状部）１９を備えている。そして、この多角形部１９の後方には、これより小径で、保護筒８１を外嵌めして固定する部位をなす円筒部１５を備えている。 Among the above-mentioned configurations, the metal shell 11 is formed so that the inner peripheral surface thereof is concentric and has a large diameter sequentially from the front end side to the rear end, and the outer peripheral surface has a double end protector 18. A small cylindrical portion 13 is attached to the rear side of the small cylindrical portion 13, and a screw 12 (a screw when used as a screw integrated sensor) 12 is provided behind the small cylindrical portion 13. Is provided with a polygonal part 19 having a larger diameter than this (for example, a head-shaped part of a hexagonal bolt). Further, behind the polygonal portion 19, there is provided a cylindrical portion 15 having a smaller diameter and forming a portion to which the protective cylinder 81 is fitted and fixed.

しかして、このような本体１１の内側のうち、その下方の段部に内ツバが支持されてなる筒体３０が介挿され、その筒体３０の内側であって、その内ツバの上に、下からアルミナから形成されたホルダ３１、シール材（本例では滑石）３２、３３、そしてその上にはスリーブ３５が順次配置されている。そして、これらの中央を先後に貫くように、センサ素子２１が軸線Ｇに沿って挿入されており、リングワッシャ３６を介して、本体１１の後端寄り部位の円筒部１５に連設されたカシメ用円筒部１６を内側に折り曲げてスリーブ３５の後端を先端側に圧縮することで、素子２１を主体金具１１の内側に気密状に固定している。 Thus, the cylindrical body 30 in which the inner collar is supported by the lower step portion of the inside of the main body 11 is inserted, and the inner side of the cylindrical body 30 is formed on the inner collar. From the bottom, a holder 31 made of alumina, sealing materials (talc in this example) 32 and 33, and a sleeve 35 are sequentially arranged thereon. The sensor element 21 is inserted along the axis G so as to pass through the center of the front and rear, and is connected to the cylindrical portion 15 near the rear end of the main body 11 via the ring washer 36. The element 21 is fixed inside the metal shell 11 in an airtight manner by bending the cylindrical portion 16 inward and compressing the rear end of the sleeve 35 toward the front end.

このような素子２１は、先端側の検知部２１ａを主体金具１１の先端より所定量（長さ）突出させており、後端（図１の上端）寄り部位を主体金具１１の後端より所定量（長さ）突出させている。一方、この素子２１の先端（検知部２１ａ）には、その周囲を包囲するように複数の穴（通気孔）の設けられた二重構造のプロテクタ（保護カバー）１８が被せられており、その後端側を主体金具１１の先端の小円筒部１３に外嵌させて、溶接で固定されている。 In such an element 21, the detection part 21 a on the front end side protrudes a predetermined amount (length) from the front end of the metal shell 11, and a portion closer to the rear end (upper end in FIG. 1) is located from the rear end of the metal shell 11. The fixed amount (length) is projected. On the other hand, the tip (detector 21a) of the element 21 is covered with a double-structure protector (protective cover) 18 provided with a plurality of holes (vent holes) so as to surround the periphery thereof. The end side is externally fitted to the small cylindrical portion 13 at the tip of the metal shell 11, and is fixed by welding.

さて本例では、この主体金具１１のねじ１２の先端側、すなわち、その主体金具側ネジ１２の先端と、主体金具１１の先端の小円筒部１３との境界をなす先端向き面に、プロテクタ１８の後端寄り部位を包囲する形で、外周面に円環状に突出する環状フランジ４１を有する円筒体４０が、その後端を同心状にして突き合わせ、その突合せ部１０において周方向に沿って例えば、レーザ溶接され、固定されている。これにより環状フランジ４１が主体金具側ネジ１２の先端より先方に設けられている。なお、この円筒体４０における環状フランジ４１の半径方向外方への突出量、すなわち、環状フランジ４１の外径は、ネジ１２の外径より大きく、本例では六角の多角形部１９の対角寸法より小さめに設定されている。そして、環状フランジ４１の先後方向における位置が、主体金具１１の先端と略同位置とされている。なお、この円筒体４０の外径はネジ１２の外径と同じかそれより小さくされている。 In this example, the protector 18 is provided on the tip end side of the screw 12 of the metal shell 11, that is, on the tip-facing surface that forms the boundary between the tip of the metal shell side screw 12 and the small cylindrical portion 13 at the tip of the metal shell 11. A cylindrical body 40 having an annular flange 41 projecting in an annular shape on the outer peripheral surface so as to surround a portion near the rear end is abutted with the rear end concentric, and along the circumferential direction at the butting portion 10, for example, Laser welded and fixed. Thereby, the annular flange 41 is provided in front of the front end of the metal shell side screw 12. Note that the protruding amount of the annular flange 41 in the cylindrical body 40 in the radially outward direction, that is, the outer diameter of the annular flange 41 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw 12, and in this example, the diagonal of the hexagonal polygonal portion 19 is diagonal. It is set smaller than the dimensions. The position of the annular flange 41 in the front-rear direction is substantially the same as the tip of the metal shell 11. The outer diameter of the cylindrical body 40 is the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the screw 12.

そして、主体金具側多角形部１９と環状フランジ４１との間には、本例では、その間で先後方向への所定量Ｌ１の移動が許容される状態で、中空ボルト状をなすネジ付き締付け部材９１が、主体金具１１の軸線Ｇ回りに回転自在にして外嵌されている。ただし、これは環状フランジ４１をなす円筒体４０を溶接する前に組み付けられる。本例では、このネジ付き締付け部材９１は、後端側が大径部９４をなし、先端側が小径部９５をなす異径環状（円環又は円筒）体構造をなしている（図２参照）。そして、大径部９４の内径が主体金具側多角形部１９の対角方向の外径より大きくされていると共に、大径部９４の外周面は、軸線Ｇ方向から見たとき、例えば六角なすように形成され、ねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂとされ、これがねじ込み用（時）の回動部位をなしている。 And in this example, between the metal shell-side polygonal portion 19 and the annular flange 41, a screwed fastening member having a hollow bolt shape in a state in which movement of a predetermined amount L1 in the front-rear direction is allowed between them. 91 is rotatably fitted around the axis G of the metal shell 11. However, this is assembled before the cylindrical body 40 forming the annular flange 41 is welded. In this example, the threaded tightening member 91 has an annular (annular or cylindrical) body structure having a large diameter portion 94 on the rear end side and a small diameter portion 95 on the front end side (see FIG. 2). The large-diameter portion 94 has an inner diameter larger than the diagonal outer diameter of the metal shell-side polygonal portion 19, and the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 94 is, for example, a hexagon when viewed from the axis G direction. Thus, a polygonal portion 94b for screwing is formed, and this forms a rotating part for screwing (hour).

また、小径部９５の内径は、主体金具側多角形部１９の外径より小さく、主体金具１１のネジ１２の外径より若干大きく設定されており、この小径部９５の外周面には、センサ１の取付け対象部位であるボス５０３のメスネジ５０５に螺合する締付け用ネジ９３が形成されている。このようなネジ付き締付け部材９１は、主体金具側多角形部１９と環状フランジ４１とで、主体金具１１からの分離が防止されている一方、先後方向へ所定量Ｌ１の移動が許容されている。そして、小径部９５の先端が環状フランジ４１の後端向き面に当接しているとき、主体金具側多角形部１９は、その略全体がネジ付き締付け部材９１におけるねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂの後端より後方に位置するように設定されている。なお、環状フランジ４１は、ボス５０３内のメスネジ５０５の奥において内向きに突出する円環状の座面５０７に着座させ得るように、環状フランジ４１の外径はメスネジ５０５の内径より小さく、かつ座面５０７の内径より大きく設定され、座面５０７の内周面５０９の内径は円筒体４０の外径より大きくされている（図３参照）。また、ネジ付き締付け部材９１における締付け用ネジ９３は、排気管５０１に設けられたボス５０３内のメスネジ５０５に螺合するネジとされている。 The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 95 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the metal shell side polygonal portion 19 and slightly larger than the outer diameter of the screw 12 of the metal shell 11. A tightening screw 93 that is screwed into the female screw 505 of the boss 503 that is a part to be attached 1 is formed. Such a threaded tightening member 91 is prevented from being separated from the metal shell 11 by the metal shell side polygonal portion 19 and the annular flange 41, while being allowed to move a predetermined amount L1 in the front-rear direction. . And when the front-end | tip of the small diameter part 95 is contact | abutting to the rear-end-facing surface of the annular flange 41, the metal shell side polygon part 19 is substantially entirely behind the screw-in polygon part 94b in the threaded fastening member 91. It is set to be located behind the end. The outer diameter of the annular flange 41 is smaller than the inner diameter of the female screw 505 so that the annular flange 41 can be seated on an annular seating surface 507 that protrudes inwardly behind the female screw 505 in the boss 503. The inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 509 of the seating surface 507 is set larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 40 (see FIG. 3). The tightening screw 93 in the threaded tightening member 91 is a screw that is screwed into the female screw 505 in the boss 503 provided in the exhaust pipe 501.

上記においても一応説明したように、主体金具１１の後端に固定されている保護筒８１等は、従来のセンサ構造と異なる点はないが、以下にこれらの構成ついてさらに説明する。すなわち、保護筒８１内には、端子包囲部材７０が配置されている。この端子包囲部材７０は、セラミック等の電気的な絶縁材からなり、内部の各端子用空孔７５には、各端子金具５１が位置決め収容され、保護筒８１内面と、さらには端子金具５１相互間の絶縁が保持されるように形成されている。端子金具５１は、各空孔７５において、先端の板バネ部である端子接続部５３を、自身のバネ性によって、端子包囲部材７０の中心に位置する素子２１の後端寄り部位に設けられた図示しない各電極端子（検知部２１ａからの検出出力取り出し用のものと、素子２１に形成された図示しないヒーターへの電圧印加用の電極）に押付けられ、それぞれ電気的に接続されている。また、端子金具５１は、端子接続部５３から中継線部５５を介してその後端に位置する圧着部（バレル）５７をかしめて、リード線６１の先端（芯線部）に接続されている。そして、各リード線６１は、保護筒８１の後端８３寄り部位（小径部）内において径方向に圧縮、配置されたシール用弾性部材１０１に貫通、形成されたリード線挿通用の貫通孔（空孔）１０５を通されて外部に引き出されている。なお、リード線６１の図示しない端部には、図示はしないが回路基板を収容したボックスが接続されている。また、端子包囲部材７０は、支持筒７７を介して保護筒８１内に保持されており、支持筒７７は保護筒８１の中間部位を縮径状にカシメることで保護筒８１内に固定されている。 As described above, the protective cylinder 81 fixed to the rear end of the metal shell 11 is not different from the conventional sensor structure, but these configurations will be further described below. That is, the terminal surrounding member 70 is disposed in the protective cylinder 81. The terminal enclosing member 70 is made of an electrically insulating material such as ceramic, and each terminal fitting 51 is positioned and accommodated in each terminal hole 75 inside, and the inner surface of the protective cylinder 81 and the terminal fitting 51 are mutually connected. It is formed so that the insulation between them is maintained. In each hole 75, the terminal fitting 51 is provided with a terminal connecting portion 53, which is a leaf spring portion at the tip, at a portion near the rear end of the element 21 located at the center of the terminal surrounding member 70 due to its own spring property. Each electrode terminal (not shown) is pressed against and electrically connected to a detection output extraction from the detector 21a and a voltage application electrode to a heater (not shown) formed on the element 21. The terminal fitting 51 is connected to the tip end (core wire portion) of the lead wire 61 by crimping a crimping portion (barrel) 57 located at the rear end thereof from the terminal connection portion 53 via the relay wire portion 55. Each lead wire 61 penetrates through the sealing elastic member 101 that is compressed and arranged in the radial direction within the portion (small diameter portion) near the rear end 83 of the protective cylinder 81 (through hole for inserting a lead wire ( Hole) 105 is pulled out to the outside. Note that a box containing a circuit board (not shown) is connected to an end (not shown) of the lead wire 61. Further, the terminal surrounding member 70 is held in the protective cylinder 81 via the support cylinder 77, and the support cylinder 77 is fixed in the protective cylinder 81 by caulking an intermediate portion of the protective cylinder 81 to a reduced diameter. ing.

しかして、本例のセンサ１は、図３に示したように、これを排気管５０１に所定高さＨ２で突出するように設けられたボス５０３に、そのネジ付き締付け部材９１を、ボス５０３の内周面に形成されたメスネジ５０５にねじ込むことで、その取付けがなされる。すなわち、本例のセンサ１では、ネジ付き締付け部材９１を用いるネジ一体型センサ１ではあるが、従来のそれのように、ネジ付き締付け部材９１で、主体金具側多角形部１９の後端向き面を先端側に押え付ける構成とは異なり、主体金具側ネジ１２の先端側に設けられた環状フランジ４１の後端向き面を先端側に押え付ける形で、ネジ付き締付け部材９１を排気管５０１の外周面に突出するように設けられたボス５０３に形成されたメスネジ（ネジ穴）５０５にねじ込むことができる。このため、図１又は図３に示したように、ボス５０１へのセンサ１の取付けにおいて、センサの検知部２１ａの位置に大きな位置ズレを発生させることがない。しかも、ボス５０３の排気管５０１の外周面からの突出量（高さＨ２）を従来より小さくできるし、従来のように、ボス５０３内に主体金具側多角形部１９を入り込ませる必要がないため、ボス内のメスネジ５０５の径を小さくできるから、ボス５０３自体の外径を小さくできる。 Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 1 of the present example has a screwed tightening member 91 and a boss 503 attached to a boss 503 provided so as to protrude from the exhaust pipe 501 at a predetermined height H2. It is attached by being screwed into a female screw 505 formed on the inner peripheral surface. That is, in the sensor 1 of this example, the screw-integrated sensor 1 using the threaded fastening member 91 is used, but unlike the conventional sensor, the threaded fastening member 91 faces the rear end of the metal shell-side polygon part 19. Unlike the configuration in which the surface is pressed to the front end side, the threaded fastening member 91 is attached to the exhaust pipe 501 by pressing the rear end facing surface of the annular flange 41 provided on the front end side of the metal shell side screw 12 to the front end side. Can be screwed into a female screw (screw hole) 505 formed in a boss 503 provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the screw. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, when the sensor 1 is attached to the boss 501, a large positional deviation does not occur in the position of the detection unit 21 a of the sensor. Moreover, the protrusion amount (height H2) of the boss 503 from the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe 501 can be made smaller than before, and the metal shell side polygonal portion 19 does not need to be inserted into the boss 503 as in the prior art. Since the diameter of the female screw 505 in the boss can be reduced, the outer diameter of the boss 503 itself can be reduced.

なお、上記構成のセンサ１のボス５０３への取り付けは次のようにして行うことができる。すなわち、センサ１の先端のプロテクタ１８がボス５０３の内側に入り込むようにする。このとき、素子２１の検知部２１ａの向きを考慮しながら、環状フランジ４１を形成してなる円筒体４０のうち、その先端寄り部位を、ボス５０３内のメスネジ５０５の奥の座面５０７の内周面（貫通円穴）５０９に通し、環状フランジ４１をその座面５０７に着座させるようにする。本例では、ネジ付き締付け部材９１の許容移動量Ｌ１が、この着座が可能な寸法に設定されている。このため、その着座後は、要すれば、主体金具１１又はセンサ本体を把持するようにしつつ、ネジ付き締付け部材９１をねじ込むだけで、その取付けができる。反面、このＬ１が大きいと、センサの検知部２１ａの排気管５０１内における位置は設定位置から後方へずれる。他方、このＬ１が小さい場合には、ねじ込み前には環状フランジ４１を上記のように座面５０７に着座させることはできないが、検知部２１ａの位置ズレ防止の観点からは、Ｌ１は小さい方がよい。 The sensor 1 having the above configuration can be attached to the boss 503 as follows. That is, the protector 18 at the tip of the sensor 1 enters the inside of the boss 503. At this time, considering the direction of the detection unit 21 a of the element 21, a portion closer to the tip of the cylindrical body 40 formed with the annular flange 41 is located inside the seat surface 507 at the back of the female screw 505 in the boss 503. The annular flange 41 is seated on the seating surface 507 through the peripheral surface (through hole) 509. In this example, the allowable movement amount L1 of the threaded tightening member 91 is set to a dimension that allows this seating. For this reason, after the seating, if necessary, it can be attached by simply screwing the threaded fastening member 91 while gripping the metal shell 11 or the sensor body. On the other hand, if L1 is large, the position of the sensor detection unit 21a in the exhaust pipe 501 is shifted backward from the set position. On the other hand, when this L1 is small, the annular flange 41 cannot be seated on the seating surface 507 as described above before screwing. However, from the viewpoint of preventing displacement of the detection unit 21a, the smaller L1 is. Good.

なお、上記構成の本例センサでは、ねじ込みの少なくとも最終段階（締め上げ段階）では、ねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂに工具を掛けてこれを所定トルクで回す必要がある。一方、このときは、ネジ付き締付け部材９１の先端と環状フランジ４１との摩擦によりセンサ１自体も共回りしようとする。しかし、本例では、主体金具側多角形部１９が、ネジ付き締付け部材９１の後端よりその略全体が後方に露出するように位置するものであるため、これに工具を掛けることができる。したがって、容易にその共回りを防止できるという効果もある。 In this example sensor configured as described above, at least at the final stage (tightening stage) of screwing, it is necessary to put a tool on the screwing polygonal portion 94b and rotate it with a predetermined torque. On the other hand, at this time, the sensor 1 itself also tries to rotate together due to friction between the tip of the threaded fastening member 91 and the annular flange 41. However, in this example, the metal shell-side polygonal portion 19 is positioned so that substantially the whole thereof is exposed rearward from the rear end of the threaded fastening member 91, so that a tool can be hung on it. Therefore, there is an effect that the co-rotation can be easily prevented.

なお、上記例では、ネジ付き締付け部材９１を、後端側が大径部９４をなし、先端側が小径部９５をなす異径環状体構造のものとし、大径部９４の内径を、主体金具側多角形部１９の対角方向の外径より大きく形成し、この大径部９４の外周面にねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂを設けたものを例示している。しかし、図３において図４に示した変形例のように、ねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂは、大径部９４の内周面に設けることもできる。すなわち、大径部９４の内周面のねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂに、嵌合する多角形部を外周面に有する回螺工具６０１を挿入し得るようにしておいてもよい。すなわち、本発明においてネジ付き締付け部材９１は、ねじ込み用の回動部位（ボルトの頭部等に相当する部位）があればよい。すなわち、センサをねじ込み方式で取り付ける際に、そのネジ付き締付け部材９１を回動させ得るように形成されていればよく、したがって、例えば、これを多角形部とする場合でも、外周面でなく形成してもよい。 In the above example, the screwed tightening member 91 is of a different diameter annular body structure in which the rear end side forms the large diameter portion 94 and the front end side forms the small diameter portion 95, and the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 94 is set to the metal shell side. An example is shown in which the outer diameter of the polygonal portion 19 is larger than the diagonal outer diameter, and the screwing polygonal portion 94b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 94. However, as in the modification shown in FIG. 4 in FIG. 3, the screw-in polygonal portion 94 b can be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 94. In other words, the screwing tool 601 having a polygonal portion to be fitted on the outer peripheral surface may be inserted into the screw-in polygonal portion 94b on the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 94. In other words, in the present invention, the screwed tightening member 91 only needs to have a turning part for screwing (a part corresponding to the head of a bolt or the like). That is, when the sensor is attached by a screwing method, the screwed fastening member 91 may be formed so that it can be rotated. Therefore, for example, even when this is a polygonal portion, it is not formed on the outer peripheral surface. May be.

さて次に、上記形態のさらなる変形例とでもいうべき実施形態について、図５、図６に基づいて説明する。ただし、このものは、上記形態におけるそれと、ネジ付き締付け部材９１の形状、構造が、若干相違するのみであるから、その相違点のみについて説明し、同一部位には同一の符号を付すに止める。すなわち、本形態では、ネジ付き締付け部材９１の後端寄り部位を大径部９４とし、その外径は、上記例と同様に先端寄り部位の小径部９５に比べて大きいが、内径は、小径部９５と同じとして、大径部９４の後端を平坦状にし、ネジ付き締付け部材９１が主体金具側多角形部１９と、環状フランジ４１との間において先後に移動できる量（上記例のＬ１に相当する量）を小さくしたものである。このものでは、その構成上、ボス５０３のメスネジ５０５へのねじ込み開始時において、環状フランジ４１を奥の座面５０７に着座させることはできない反面、素子２１の先端の検知部２１ａの位置ズレを小さくできる。これより理解されるが、本発明では、環状フランジ４１は、主体金具側ネジ１２の先端にできるだけ近い位置となるようにし、かつ、上記例のＬ１をできるだけ小さくするとともに、ねじ込み用部位（例えばねじ込み用多角形部９４ｂ）の厚み（先後方向の厚み）をできるだけ小さくするのが、その位置ズレを防止する上で好ましいといえる。 Now, an embodiment that can be called a further modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. However, since this is only slightly different from that in the above embodiment in the shape and structure of the screwed fastening member 91, only the differences will be described, and the same parts are only given the same reference numerals. That is, in this embodiment, the portion near the rear end of the screwed fastening member 91 is the large diameter portion 94, and the outer diameter is larger than the small diameter portion 95 near the tip as in the above example, but the inner diameter is small. As with the portion 95, the rear end of the large-diameter portion 94 is made flat, and the amount by which the screwed fastening member 91 can move back and forth between the metal shell-side polygonal portion 19 and the annular flange 41 (L1 in the above example) The amount corresponding to is reduced. With this configuration, the annular flange 41 cannot be seated on the back seat surface 507 at the start of screwing of the boss 503 into the female screw 505, but the positional deviation of the detection portion 21a at the tip of the element 21 is small. it can. As will be understood from the above, in the present invention, the annular flange 41 is positioned as close as possible to the tip of the metal shell-side screw 12, and L1 in the above example is made as small as possible. It can be said that it is preferable to reduce the thickness (the thickness in the front-rear direction) as much as possible in order to prevent the positional deviation.

なお、上記各形態例では、主体金具１１に、その外周面に主体金具側ネジ１２を備えると共に、その主体金具側ネジ１２の後方に主体金具側多角形部１９を備えているものを用い、この主体金具側ネジ１２の先端側の外周面に、周方向に連なり、半径方向外向きに突出すると共にネジ付き締付け部材９１の小径部９５の先端が当接するように形成された環状フランジ４１を備えている構成のものとして具体化した。したがって、主体金具１１には従来のネジ一体型センサに用いる主体金具そのものを用いることができる。しかし、本発明は、上記いずれの形態例でも、その主体金具１１はその外周面に主体金具側ネジ１２を備えているものである必要はない。すなわち、そのネジ１２は使用されないのであるから、主体金具１１はそのネジ１２加工前の円筒状部位を有するもの（ネジ一体型センサに用いられる主体金具の仕掛品）を用いることもできるし、そのネジ１２を切削して除去し、或いはネジ形成用の円筒状部位を切削して除去してなる円筒状部位を有しているものを用いることとしてもよい。いずれも、ネジ一体型センサに用いられる主体金具の製造用素材を用いることができるためである。 In each of the above embodiments, the metal shell 11 is provided with a metal shell side screw 12 on the outer peripheral surface thereof and a metal shell side polygonal portion 19 behind the metal shell side screw 12. An annular flange 41 is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the front end side of the metal shell side screw 12 so as to extend in the circumferential direction and project outward in the radial direction and to contact the front end of the small diameter portion 95 of the screwed fastening member 91. It was materialized as the thing of the composition which has. Therefore, the metal shell 11 used in a conventional screw-integrated sensor can be used as the metal shell 11. However, according to the present invention, in any of the above-described embodiments, the metal shell 11 does not have to be provided with the metal shell-side screw 12 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. That is, since the screw 12 is not used, the metal shell 11 can have a cylindrical part before the screw 12 is processed (the work in progress of the metal shell used for the screw-integrated sensor). The screw 12 may be removed by cutting, or one having a cylindrical portion formed by cutting and removing a cylindrical portion for screw formation may be used. In either case, a material for manufacturing a metal shell used for a screw-integrated sensor can be used.

図７は、主体金具に、主体金具側ネジ１２を備えているものに代えて、そのネジ１２に対応する外周面を、単に円筒状部位としてなるものを用いた実施形態例を示したものである。すなわち、図７は、図１〜図３に示した第１実施形態例において、主体金具１１の外周面に主体金具側ネジ１２を形成することなく、そのネジ形成用の円筒状部位１２ｂをなしている段階（ネジ加工前の段階）で、その加工を終えたものを主体金具として使用して、センサに用いたものである。なお、図７では、図３に対応する説明用断面図で示している。ただし、このセンサ１は、図１〜図３に示した第１実施形態例における主体金具側ネジ１２の部位が、その形成前の単なる円筒面からなる円筒状部位１２ｂであるという点のみが相違するだけである。このため、その他の同一部位には同一の符号を付すに止め、他の説明は省略する。このものでは、上記もしたように、主体金具１１の製造において主体金具側ネジ１２を形成することなく、それを製造できる分、例えば転造ネジとする場合には、転造工程を省略できる。なお、円筒状部位１２ｂの外径は、主体金具１１の軸線回りにおいて、ネジ付き締付け部材９１が回転自在となるものであればよく、したがって、円筒体４０の固定上等において支障がない限り、例えば、図１における主体金具側ネジ１２の谷の径近くまで削り込んで、小径化しておいてもよい。このようにすれば、小径化する分、ネジ付き締付け部材９１等の径も小さくできるため、センサ取付け構造の全体の小型化も図られる。 FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the metal shell is replaced with a metal shell-side screw 12 and the outer peripheral surface corresponding to the screw 12 is simply a cylindrical part. is there. That is, FIG. 7 shows a cylindrical portion 12b for forming the screw without forming the metal shell side screw 12 on the outer peripheral surface of the metal shell 11 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. At this stage (the stage before screw machining), the finished metal fitting is used as a metal shell and used for the sensor. In FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view for explanation corresponding to FIG. 3 is shown. However, this sensor 1 is different only in that the portion of the metal shell side screw 12 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a cylindrical portion 12b composed of a simple cylindrical surface before the formation. Just do it. For this reason, other same parts are only given the same reference numerals, and other explanations are omitted. In this case, as described above, when the metal shell 11 is manufactured without forming the metal shell side screw 12, the rolling step can be omitted when, for example, a rolled screw is used. It should be noted that the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 12b only needs to be such that the threaded fastening member 91 can rotate around the axis of the metal shell 11, and therefore, as long as there is no problem in fixing the cylindrical body 40, etc. For example, the diameter of the metal shell side screw 12 in FIG. In this way, since the diameter of the screwed fastening member 91 and the like can be reduced by the reduction in diameter, the overall size of the sensor mounting structure can be reduced.

本発明のセンサは、上記各形態のものに限定されるものではなく、適宜に変更して具体化できる。また、上記においては、ＮＯｘセンサにおいて具体化したが、本発明のセンサは温度センサなど、その他のセンサにおいても具体化できる。 The sensor of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied with appropriate modifications. In the above description, the NOx sensor is embodied. However, the sensor of the present invention can also be embodied in other sensors such as a temperature sensor.

１センサ
１１主体金具
１２主体金具側ネジ
１２ｂ円筒状部位
１９主体金具側多角形部
２１センサ素子
２１ａ検知部
４１環状フランジ
６１リード線を備
９１ネジ付き締付け部材
９３締付け用ネジ
９４ネジ付き締付け部材の後端側が大径部
９５ネジ付き締付け部材の先端側の小径部
５０３排気管の（センサが取付けられる取付け対象部位）
５０５ボスのメスネジ
Ｇ主体金具の軸線 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sensor 11 Main metal fitting 12 Main metal fitting side screw 12b Cylindrical part 19 Main metal fitting side polygonal part 21 Sensor element 21a Detection part 41 Annular flange 61 Lead wire is provided 91 Threaded tightening member 93 Tightening screw 94 Threaded tightening member The rear end is the large-diameter portion 95. The small-diameter portion 503 on the front end side of the screwed tightening member is the exhaust pipe (attachment target part where the sensor is attached)
505 Female screw of boss G Axle of metal shell

Claims

The detection unit is provided on the front end side of the metal shell, and the metal shell side screw or the cylindrical part for attaching the sensor itself to the outer peripheral surface of the metal shell by a screwing method is provided. A sensor provided with a polygonal portion on the metal shell side at the rear of the shaped part, and a lead wire drawn out from the rear end side of the sensor itself;
A hollow bolt-like screw that is provided on the outer peripheral surface with a tightening screw that is screwed into a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the attachment target part to which the sensor is attached, and is externally fitted to the metal shell so as to be rotatable about its axis. And a tightening member,
In the sensor configured to attach the sensor to the attachment target site by screwing the threaded fastening member into the female screw,
The metal shell is formed so that the metal shell side screw or the outer peripheral surface on the tip side of the cylindrical portion is continuous in the circumferential direction and protrudes outward in the radial direction and the tip of the screwed fastening member abuts on the metal shell. Provided with an annular flange,
The threaded fastening member is externally fitted between the metal shell-side polygonal portion and the annular flange so as to be rotatable about the axis of the metal shell, and at the rear end side at the metal shell-side polygonal portion. And the threaded tightening member is screwed into the female screw, so that the annular flange is pushed to the distal end side at the distal end of the threaded tightening member, and the sensor is moved to the attachment target site. A sensor configured to be attached to a sensor.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the threaded tightening member is allowed to move a predetermined amount in the front-rear direction between the metal shell-side polygonal portion and the annular flange.

The threaded tightening member has a different diameter annular body structure in which the rear end side forms a large diameter portion and the front end side forms a small diameter portion,
The inner diameter of the large-diameter portion is formed larger than the outer diameter in the diagonal direction of the metal shell-side polygonal portion, and a screw-in polygonal portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion,
The inner diameter of the small diameter portion is formed smaller than the outer diameter in the diagonal direction of the polygonal portion on the metal shell side, and the tightening screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion. Sensor.

In a state where the tip of the small diameter portion of the threaded fastening member is in contact with the rear end facing surface of the annular flange, at least the rear end portion of the metal shell side polygonal portion of the metal shell is the screw. The threaded tightening member is positioned a predetermined amount in the front-rear direction between the metal shell-side polygonal part and the annular flange so that the threaded tightening member is positioned behind the rear end of the threaded polygonal part of the threaded tightening member. 4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein movement is allowed.