US20200370937A1 - Physical quantity measurement device - Google Patents

Physical quantity measurement device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20200370937A1
US20200370937A1 US16/985,416 US202016985416A US2020370937A1 US 20200370937 A1 US20200370937 A1 US 20200370937A1 US 202016985416 A US202016985416 A US 202016985416A US 2020370937 A1 US2020370937 A1 US 2020370937A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
measurement
sensor
housing
flow path
downstream
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/985,416
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English (en)
Inventor
Hiroyuki AKUZAWA
Hiroshi Tagawa
Teruaki Kaifu
Kengo Ito
Noboru Kitahara
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Denso Corp
Original Assignee
Denso Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2018020388A external-priority patent/JP2019138707A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2018243415A external-priority patent/JP2020106320A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2018246193A external-priority patent/JP2020106427A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2018246194A external-priority patent/JP2020106428A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2018246195A external-priority patent/JP2020106429A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2018246196A external-priority patent/JP2020106430A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2018246197A external-priority patent/JP2020106431A/ja
Application filed by Denso Corp filed Critical Denso Corp
Assigned to DENSO CORPORATION reassignment DENSO CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ITO, KENGO, KITAHARA, NOBORU, TAGAWA, HIROSHI, AKUZAWA, Hiroyuki, KAIFU, TERUAKI
Publication of US20200370937A1 publication Critical patent/US20200370937A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/68—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
    • G01F1/684—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow
    • G01F1/688—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element
    • G01F1/69—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element of resistive type
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F5/00—Measuring a proportion of the volume flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/68—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
    • G01F1/684—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/68—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
    • G01F1/684—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow
    • G01F1/6842—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow with means for influencing the fluid flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/68—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
    • G01F1/684—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow
    • G01F1/688—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/68—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using thermal effects
    • G01F1/684—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow
    • G01F1/688—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element
    • G01F1/69—Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element of resistive type
    • G01F1/692—Thin-film arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/14—Casings, e.g. of special material
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/18—Supports or connecting means for meters
    • G01F15/185—Connecting means, e.g. bypass conduits
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K13/00—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
    • G01K13/02—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K13/00—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
    • G01K13/02—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
    • G01K13/024—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow of moving gases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K7/00—Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements
    • G01K7/16—Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements using resistive elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M35/00—Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M35/10—Air intakes; Induction systems
    • F02M35/10373—Sensors for intake systems
    • F02M35/1038—Sensors for intake systems for temperature or pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M35/00—Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines
    • F02M35/10—Air intakes; Induction systems
    • F02M35/10373—Sensors for intake systems
    • F02M35/10386—Sensors for intake systems for flow rate
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
    • G01K1/14—Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a physical quantity measurement device.
  • a physical quantity measurement device measures a physical quantity of a fluid. For example, a flow rate measurement device detects a flow rate of air by using a flow rate sensor provided in a bypass flow path.
  • a physical quantity measurement device measures a physical quantity of a fluid.
  • the physical quantity measurement device includes a measurement flow path through which the fluid flows, a housing forming the measurement flow path; and a detection unit.
  • the detection unit includes a physical quantity sensor that detects the physical quantity of the fluid in the measurement flow path, and a sensor support that has a plate shape and supports the physical quantity sensor.
  • the detection unit is attached to the housing such that a support end that is an end of the sensor support and the physical quantity sensor are housed in the measurement flow path.
  • the sensor support includes a support front surface which is one plate surface of the sensor support on which the physical quantity sensor is disposed, and a support back surface behind the support front surface.
  • the housing includes forming surfaces that form the measurement flow path.
  • the forming surfaces include a floor surface facing the support end, a front wall surface facing the support front surface, and a back wall surface opposite to the front wall surface across the floor surface and facing the support back surface.
  • a front distance is a distance between the physical quantity sensor and the front wall surface in a front-back direction in which the front wall surface and the back wall surface are arranged.
  • a floor distance is a distance between the floor surface and the support end in a height direction in which the floor surface and the support are arranged, the height direction being orthogonal to the front-back direction. The front distance is larger than the floor distance.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a combustion system according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of an air flow meter attached to an intake pipe.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the air flow meter attached to the intake pipe.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the air flow meter viewed from a through inlet.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the air flow meter viewed from a through outlet.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the air flow meter viewed from a connector portion.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the air flow meter viewed from a side opposite the connector portion.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sensor SA according to a configuration group A.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view of the sensor SA viewed from a molded front surface.
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view of the sensor SA viewed from a molded back surface.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flow rate sensor.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a wiring pattern of a membrane portion.
  • FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the air flow meter.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XV-XV in FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14 .
  • FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to a configuration group B.
  • FIG. 18 is a view showing a state before a sensor SA is assembled to a housing.
  • FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the housing before the sensor SA is assembled.
  • FIG. 20 is a view showing a state before the sensor SA deforms a housing partition of the housing.
  • FIG. 21 is a view showing a state after the sensor SA deforms the housing partition of the housing.
  • FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter according to a configuration group D.
  • FIG. 23 is an enlarged view around a sensor path of FIG. 22 .
  • FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 22 .
  • FIG. 25 is an enlarged view around the sensor path of FIG. 24 .
  • FIG. 26 is an enlarged view around the sensor path and a vertical cross-sectional view of the air flow meter according to a configuration group E.
  • FIG. 27 is an enlarged view around the sensor path and a horizontal cross-sectional view of the air flow meter.
  • FIG. 28 is a schematic front diagram of an air flow meter according to a configuration group H.
  • FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a connection terminal.
  • FIG. 30 is a top view of the connection terminal.
  • FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXXI-XXXI of FIG. 28 .
  • FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXXII-XXXII of FIG. 28 .
  • FIG. 33 is a side view of an air flow meter in a state of being attached to an intake pipe according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 34 is a front view of the air flow meter.
  • FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXXV-XXXV of FIG. 33 .
  • FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXXVI-XXXVI line of FIG. 35 according to a configuration group B.
  • FIG. 37 is an enlarged view around a sensor SA of FIG. 35 .
  • FIG. 38 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a base member, a cover member and the sensor SA in FIG. 35 .
  • FIG. 39 is an enlarged view around a sensor SA of BH 6 .
  • FIG. 40 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter according to a configuration group C and a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 41 is an enlarged view around a through flow path of FIG. 40 .
  • FIG. 42 is a diagram for explaining a cross-sectional area of an inlet passage portion.
  • FIG. 43 is a view for explaining a main flow entering the through flow path.
  • FIG. 44 is a view for explaining a downward deflected flow entering the through flow path.
  • FIG. 45 is a view for explaining an upward deflected flow entering the through flow path.
  • FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a relationship between an inclination angle of an inlet ceiling surface with respect to a main flow line and an output fluctuation of the air flow meter.
  • FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a change of a flow rate.
  • FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a relationship between a pulsation characteristic and an amplitude ratio.
  • FIG. 49 is a diagram explaining configurations which are different in branch angle.
  • FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a relationship between the branch angle and the pulsation characteristic.
  • FIG. 51 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to the first embodiment of a configuration group B1.
  • FIG. 52 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to the second embodiment of a configuration group B2.
  • FIG. 53 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a base member, a cover member and the sensor SA.
  • FIG. 54 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to the first embodiment of a configuration group B4.
  • FIG. 55 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to the second embodiment of a configuration group B5.
  • FIG. 56 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a base member, a cover member and the sensor SA.
  • FIG. 57 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to the second embodiment of a configuration group B6.
  • FIG. 58 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a base member, a cover member and the sensor SA.
  • FIG. 59 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a housing partition according to the first embodiment of a configuration group B7.
  • FIG. 60 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a through flow path according to a third embodiment of a configuration group C1.
  • FIG. 61 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a through flow path according to the third embodiment of a configuration group C2.
  • FIG. 62 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter around a through flow path according to the third embodiment of a configuration group C3.
  • FIG. 63 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air flow meter according to the first embodiment of a configuration group D1.
  • FIG. 64 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an air flow meter according to the first embodiment of a configuration group D14.
  • a physical quantity measurement device of the comparative example detects a flow rate of air by using a flow rate sensor provided in a bypass flow path.
  • This flow rate measurement device includes a sensor support that supports the flow rate sensor.
  • the sensor support is attached to a housing forming the bypass flow path.
  • An inner surface of the housing includes a floor surface facing the sensor support, and a pair of wall surfaces facing each other across the floor surface.
  • the sensor support is provided between the pair of wall surfaces.
  • a distance between an end surface of the sensor support and the floor surface is larger than a distance between the sensor support and the wall surface.
  • the present disclosure provides a physical quantity measurement device capable of improving an accuracy in measurement of a physical quantity.
  • a disclosed aspect is a physical quantity measurement device that measures a physical quantity of a fluid.
  • the physical quantity measurement device includes a measurement flow path through which the fluid flows, a housing forming the measurement flow path; and a detection unit.
  • the detection unit includes a physical quantity sensor that detects the physical quantity of the fluid in the measurement flow path, and a sensor support that has a plate shape and supports the physical quantity sensor.
  • the detection unit is attached to the housing such that a support end that is an end of the sensor support and the physical quantity sensor are housed in the measurement flow path.
  • the sensor support includes a support front surface which is one plate surface of the sensor support on which the physical quantity sensor is disposed, and a support back surface behind the support front surface.
  • the housing includes forming surfaces that form the measurement flow path.
  • the forming surfaces include a floor surface facing the support end, a front wall surface facing the support front surface, and a back wall surface opposite to the front wall surface across the floor surface and facing the support back surface.
  • a front distance is a distance between the physical quantity sensor and the front wall surface in a front-back direction in which the front wall surface and the back wall surface are arranged.
  • a floor distance is a distance between the floor surface and the support end in a height direction in which the floor surface and the support are arranged, the height direction being orthogonal to the front-back direction. The front distance is larger than the floor distance.
  • the front distance is larger than the floor distance in the measurement flow path.
  • the fluid flowing along the front wall surface of the measurement flow path or along the support front surface of the sensor support is likely to be larger in amount than the fluid flowing along the floor surface of the measurement flow path or along the support end of the sensor support.
  • the fluid since the fluid easily flows along the physical quantity sensor on the support front surface, decrease in accuracy of detection of the fluid by the physical quantity sensor caused by shortage of an amount of the fluid flowing along the physical quantity sensor is unlikely to occur. Therefore, the accuracy in detection of physical quantity by the physical quantity sensor can be increased, and as a result, the accuracy in measurement of the physical quantity by the physical quantity measurement device can be enhanced.
  • a combustion system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an internal combustion engine 11 such as a gasoline engine, an intake passage 12 , an exhaust passage 13 , an air flow meter 20 , and an ECU 15 , and the combustion system 10 is mounted on a vehicle, for example.
  • the air flow meter 20 is provided in the intake passage 12 and measures physical quantities such as a flow rate, a temperature, a humidity, and a pressure of an intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine 11 .
  • the air flow meter 20 is a flow rate measurement device that measures the flow rate of air, and corresponds to a physical quantity measurement device that measures a fluid such as intake air.
  • the intake air is a gas supplied to a combustion chamber 11 a of the internal combustion engine 11 . In the combustion chamber 11 a , a mixture of the intake air and a fuel is ignited by an ignition plug 17 .
  • the ECU (Engine Control Unit) 15 is a controller for controlling an operation of the combustion system 10 .
  • the ECU 15 is a calculation processing circuit including a processor, a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM and a flash memory, a microcomputer including an input and output unit, a power supply circuit, and the like.
  • the ECU 15 receives a sensor signal output from the air flow meter 20 , sensor signals output from a large number of vehicle-mounted sensors, and the like.
  • the ECU 15 uses measurement results of the air flow meter 20 to perform an engine control such as control of a fuel injection amount and an EGR amount of an injector 16 .
  • the ECU 15 is a controller that controls an operation of the internal combustion engine 11 , and the combustion system 10 may be referred to as an engine control system.
  • the ECU 15 corresponds to an external device.
  • the ECU 15 may also be referred to as an electronic control unit.
  • the control unit or the control system is provided by (a) an algorithm as a plurality of logic called an if-then-else form, or (b) a learned model tuned by machine learning, e.g., an algorithm as a neural network.
  • the controller is provided by a control system including at least one computer.
  • the control system may include a plurality of computers linked by data communication devices.
  • the computer includes at least one processor (hardware processor) that is hardware.
  • the hardware processor can be provided by the following (i), (ii), or (iii).
  • the hardware processor may be at least one processor core that executes a program stored in at least one memory.
  • the computer is provided by at least one memory and at least one processor core.
  • the processor core is called CPU: Central Processing Unit, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, or RISC-CPU, for example.
  • the memory is also called a storage medium.
  • the memory is a non-transitory and tangible storage medium, which non-temporarily stores a program and/or data readable by the processor.
  • the storage medium may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like.
  • the program may be distributed as a single unit or as a storage medium in which the program is stored.
  • the hardware processor may be a hardware logic circuit.
  • the computer is provided by a digital circuit including a number of programmed logic units (gate circuits).
  • the digital circuit is also called, for example, a logic circuit array, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an SOC (System on a Chip), a PGA (Programmable Gate Array), or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), for example.
  • the digital circuit may comprise a memory storing programs and/or data.
  • the computer may be provided by an analog circuit.
  • a computer may be provided by a combination of a digital circuit and an analog circuit.
  • the hardware processor may be a combination of the above (i) and the above (ii). (i) and (ii) are placed on different chips or on a common chip. In these cases, the part (ii) is also called an accelerator.
  • control device the signal source, and the control object provide various elements. At least some of these elements may be referred to as blocks, modules, or sections. Furthermore, elements included in the control system are referred to as functional means only when intentional.
  • a control units and methods described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special purpose computer which is configured with a memory and a processor programmed to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs of the memory.
  • the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a dedicated computer configured as a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits.
  • the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more dedicated computer, which is configured as a combination of a processor and a memory, which are programmed to perform one or more functions, and a processor which is configured with one or more hardware logic circuits.
  • the computer programs may be stored, as instructions to be executed by a computer, in a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium.
  • the combustion system 10 includes measurement units as in-vehicle sensors.
  • As the measurement units in addition to the air flow meter 20 , there are a throttle sensor 18 a and an air-fuel ratio sensor 18 b , for example. Each of these measurement units is electrically connected to the ECU 15 and outputs a detection signal to the ECU 15 .
  • the air flow meter 20 is in the intake passage 12 , and provided downstream of an air cleaner 19 and upstream of a throttle valve provided with the throttle sensor 18 a .
  • the air cleaner 19 includes an air case that forms a part of the intake passage 12 , and an air filter that removes foreign matters such as dust from the intake air. The air filter is attached to the air case.
  • the air flow meter 20 is attached to a piping unit 14 as an attachment object.
  • the piping unit 14 includes an intake pipe 14 a , a pipe flange 14 c , and a pipe boss 14 d , and is a forming member that forms the intake passage 12 .
  • the piping unit 14 forms at least a part of the air case, for example.
  • the air filter is attached to the piping unit 14 in addition to the air flow meter 20 .
  • the intake pipe 14 a , the pipe flange 14 c and the pipe boss 14 d are made of a resin material, for example.
  • the intake pipe 14 a is a pipe such as a duct that forms the intake passage 12 .
  • the intake pipe 14 a is provided with an airflow insertion hole 14 b as a through hole that penetrates through an outer periphery of the intake pipe 12 a .
  • the pipe flange 14 c is formed in an annular shape and extends along a circumferential edge of the airflow insertion hole 14 b .
  • the pipe flange 14 c extends from an outer surface of the intake pipe 14 a in a direction away from the intake passage 12 .
  • the pipe boss 14 d is a columnar member, and is a support portion that supports the air flow meter 20 .
  • the pipe boss 14 d extends from the outer surface of the intake pipe 14 a along the pipe flange 14 c .
  • Multiple pipe bosses 14 d are provided for the intake pipe 14 a .
  • both the pipe flange 14 c and the pipe bosses 14 d extend in a height direction Y from the intake pipe 14 a.
  • the air flow meter 20 is inserted into the pipe flange 14 c and the airflow insertion hole 14 b such that the air flow meter 20 enters the intake passage 12 while the air flow meter 20 is fixed to the pipe boss 14 d via a fixing tool such as a bolt.
  • the air flow meter 20 is not in contact with an end surface of the pipe flange 14 c , but is in contact with an end surface of the pipe boss 14 d . Therefore, the relative position and angle of the air flow meter 20 with respect to the piping unit 14 are set not by the pipe flange 14 c but by the pipe boss 14 d .
  • the end surfaces of the multiple pipe bosses 14 d are coplanar with each other. In FIG. 8 , illustration of the pipe bosses 14 d are omitted.
  • a width direction X, the height direction Y, and a depth direction Z are defined for the air flow meter 20 , and those directions X, Y, and Z are orthogonal to each other.
  • the air flow meter 20 extends in the height direction Y, and the intake passage 12 extends in the depth direction Z.
  • the air flow meter 20 includes an inward portion 20 a positioned in the intake passage 12 and an outward portion 20 b protruding outward from the pipe flange 14 c without being in the intake passage 12 , and the inward portion 20 a and the outward portion 20 b are aligned in the height direction Y.
  • the air flow meter 20 includes a housing 21 , a flow rate sensor 22 that detects a flow rate of the intake air, and an intake air temperature sensor 23 that detects a temperature of the intake air.
  • the housing 21 is made of, for example, a resin material.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is accommodated in the housing 21 .
  • the housing 21 of the air flow meter 20 is attached to the intake pipe 14 a such that the flow rate sensor 22 can come in contact with the intake air flowing through the intake passage 12 .
  • the housing 21 is attached to the piping unit 14 as an attachment object.
  • An outer surface of the housing 21 includes a pair of end surfaces 21 a and 21 b opposite in the height direction Y.
  • One of the pair of end surfaces 21 a and 21 b included in the inward portion 20 a is referred to as a housing distal end surface 21 a
  • another included in the outward portion 20 b is referred to as a housing basal end surface 21 b
  • the housing distal end surface 21 a and the housing basal end surface 21 b are orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • An end surface of the pipe flange 14 c is also orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • the attachment object to which the air flow meter 20 and the housing 21 are attached may not be the piping unit 14 as long as the attachment object is a forming member that forms the intake passage 12 .
  • a surface of the outer surface of the housing 21 facing upstream in the intake passage 12 is referred to as a housing upstream surface 21 c
  • a surface of the outer surface of the housing 21 opposite the housing upstream surface 21 c is referred to as a housing downstream surface 21 d
  • one of a pair of opposite surfaces of the housing 21 opposite each other along the housing upstream surface 21 c and the housing basal end surface 21 b is referred to as a housing front surface 21 e
  • the other is referred to as a housing back surface 21 f .
  • the housing front surface 21 e and a surface of a sensor SA 50 on which the flow rate sensor 22 is provided face in the same direction.
  • a direction in which the housing distal end surface 21 a faces in the height direction Y may be referred to as a housing distal end direction
  • a direction in which the housing basal end surface 21 b faces in the height direction Y may be referred to as a housing basal end direction
  • a direction in which the housing upstream surface 21 c faces in the depth direction Z may be referred to as a housing upstream direction
  • a direction in which the housing downstream surface 21 d faces in the depth direction Z may be referred to as a housing downstream direction.
  • a direction in which the housing front surface 21 e faces in the width direction X may be referred to as a housing front direction
  • a direction in which the housing back surface 21 f faces in the width direction X may be referred to as a housing back direction.
  • the housing 21 includes a seal holder 25 , a flange 27 and a connector 28 .
  • the air flow meter 20 includes a seal member 26 , and the seal member 26 is attached to the seal holder 25 .
  • the seal holder 25 is provided inside the pipe flange 14 c and holds the seal member 26 so as not to be displaced in the height direction Y.
  • the seal holder 25 is included in the inward portion 20 a of the air flow meter 20 .
  • the seal holder 25 includes a holding groove 25 a that holds the seal member 26 .
  • the holding groove 25 a extends in the directions X and Z orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • the holding groove 25 a makes a loop around the housing 21 .
  • the seal member 26 is a member such as an O-ring that is inside the pipe flange 14 c and seals the intake passage 12 .
  • the seal member 26 is in a state of being inserted into the holding groove 25 a , and is in tight contact with both an inner surface of the holding groove 25 a and an inner peripheral surface of the pipe flange 14 c . Both a portion where the seal member 26 and the inner surface of the holding groove 25 a are in tight contact with each other and a portion where the seal member 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the pipe flange 14 c are in tight contact with each other make a loop around the housing 21 .
  • the flange 27 has a fixing hole such as a screw hole for fixing a fixing tool such as a screw.
  • the fixing tool is used for fixing the housing 21 to the intake pipe 14 a .
  • the fixing hole is, for example, flange holes 611 and 612
  • the fixing tool is screws. Note that, in FIG. 3 , the screws inserted in the flange holes 611 and 612 are omitted.
  • a surface of the flange 27 facing in the housing distal end direction is overlapped and in contact with an end surface of the pipe boss 14 d , and this overlapped portion is referred to as an angle setting surface 27 a .
  • Both the angle setting surface 27 a and the end surface of the pipe boss 14 d extend in a direction orthogonal to the height direction Y, and extend in the width direction X and the depth direction Z.
  • the end surface of the pipe boss 14 d sets the position and angle of the angle setting surface 27 a relative to the intake pipe 14 a .
  • the angle setting surface 27 a sets the position and angle of the housing 21 relative to the intake pipe 14 a in the air flow meter 20 .
  • a main flow of air flowing through the intake passage 12 is along the depth direction Z.
  • a direction of the main flow is called a main flow direction
  • the depth direction Z coincides with the main flow direction.
  • the angle setting surface 27 a of the flange 27 extends in the main flow direction and the depth direction Z.
  • the end surface of the pipe boss 14 d also extends in the main flow direction and the depth direction Z.
  • the connector 28 is a protection portion for protecting a connector terminal 28 a electrically connected to the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the connector terminal 28 a is electrically connected to the ECU 15 . More specifically, an electrical wiring extending from the ECU 15 is connected to the connector 28 via a plug.
  • the flange 27 and the connector 28 are included in the outward portion 20 b of the air flow meter 20 .
  • the intake air temperature sensor 23 is provided outside the housing 21 .
  • the intake air temperature sensor 23 is a temperature sensitive element that senses the temperature of intake air.
  • the intake air temperature sensor 23 is provided on the housing back surface 21 f .
  • the intake air temperature sensor 23 is connected to a lead wire 23 a formed by wiring or the like.
  • the housing 21 includes an intake air temperature support 618 .
  • the intake air temperature support 618 is a protrusion provided on the housing back surface 21 f .
  • the intake air temperature support 618 protrudes from the intake air temperature sensor 23 in the housing back direction along the width direction X.
  • the intake air temperature support 618 supports the intake air temperature sensor 23 by supporting the lead wire 23 a .
  • the intake air temperature support 618 is provided at a position shifted from the intake air temperature sensor 23 in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the lead wire 23 a extends from the intake air temperature support 618 in the housing distal end direction.
  • the lead wire 23 a extends through the intake air temperature support 618 in the height direction Y.
  • a through hole is formed in the intake air temperature support 618 so as to penetrate through the intake air temperature support 618 in the height direction Y.
  • the intake air temperature support 618 is crushed in the width direction X to crush the through hole.
  • the lead wire 23 a inserted through the through hole is embedded in the intake air temperature support 618 .
  • an end surface of the intake air temperature support 618 is crushed while being heated by a heating tool such as a heater such that the intake air temperature support 618 is thermally deformed.
  • the thermally deformed portion of the intake air temperature support 618 covers and holds the lead wire 23 a . This work can also be called thermal crimping.
  • the housing 21 includes a bypass flow path 30 .
  • the bypass flow path 30 is provided inside the housing 21 .
  • the bypass flow path 30 includes at least a part of an internal space of the housing 21 .
  • An inner surface of the housing 21 is a forming surface and forms the bypass flow path 30 .
  • the bypass flow path 30 is disposed in the inward portion 20 a of the air flow meter 20 .
  • the bypass flow path 30 includes a through flow path 31 and a measurement flow path 32 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 and its surrounding portions of the sensor SA 50 which will be described later, are in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the through flow path 31 is formed by the inner surface of the housing 21 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 is formed by the inner surface of the housing 21 and the outer surface of a part of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the intake passage 12 may be referred to as a main passage, and the bypass flow path 30 may be referred to as a sub-passage.
  • the through flow path 31 penetrates through the housing 21 in the depth direction Z.
  • the through flow path 31 includes a through inlet 33 that is an upstream end part of the through flow path 31 , and a through outlet 34 that is a downstream end part of the through flow path 31 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 is a branch flow path branched from an intermediate part of the through flow path 31 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is provided in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 has a measurement inlet 35 which is an upstream end part of the measurement flow path 32 , and a measurement outlet 36 which is a downstream end part of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a boundary between the through flow path 31 and the measurement flow path 32 is a portion where the measurement flow path 32 branches from the through flow path 31 .
  • the measurement inlet 35 is included in the boundary.
  • the boundary between the through flow path 31 and the measurement flow path 32 may also be referred to as a flow path boundary.
  • the measurement inlet 35 faces in the housing distal end direction while being inclined so as to face toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 extends from the through flow path 31 in the housing basal end direction.
  • the measurement flow path 32 is provided between the through flow path 31 and the housing basal end surface 21 b .
  • the measurement flow path 32 is curved so that a portion between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 bulges in the housing basal end direction.
  • the measurement flow path 32 includes an arched portion that curves continuously, a bent portion that bends in a stepwise manner, and a portion that extends straight in the height direction Y or the depth direction Z.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is a thermal flow rate detection unit having a heater.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 outputs a detection signal according to a temperature change caused by heat generation of the heater.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is a rectangular parallelepiped chip component, and the flow rate sensor 22 may also be referred to as a sensor chip.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 may also be referred to as a physical quantity sensor or a physical quantity detection unit that detects a flow rate of intake air as a physical quantity of a fluid.
  • the air flow meter 20 has a sensor sub-assembly including the flow rate sensor 22 , and the sensor sub-assembly is referred to as the sensor SA 50 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is embedded in the housing 21 while a part of the sensor SA 50 extending into the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the sensor SA 50 and the bypass flow path 30 are arranged in the height direction Y. More specifically, the sensor SA 50 and the through flow path 31 are arranged in the height direction Y.
  • the sensor SA 50 corresponds to a detection unit.
  • the sensor SA 50 may also be referred to as a measurement unit or a sensor package.
  • the sensor SA 50 includes a sensor support 51 in addition to the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the sensor support 51 is attached to the housing 21 and supports the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the sensor support 51 includes an SA substrate 53 and a molded portion 55 .
  • the SA substrate 53 is a substrate on which the flow rate sensor 22 is mounted.
  • the molded portion 55 covers at least a part of the flow rate sensor 22 and at least a part of the SA substrate 53 .
  • the SA substrate 53 may also be called a lead frame.
  • the molded portion 55 is formed in a plate shape as a whole.
  • An outer surface of the molded portion 55 includes a pair of end surfaces 55 a and 55 b opposite in the height direction Y.
  • One of the pair of end surfaces 55 a and 55 b facing in the housing distal end direction is referred to as a molded distal end surface 55 a
  • the other facing in the housing basal end direction is referred to as a molded basal end surface 55 b .
  • the molded distal end surface 55 a is an end part of the molded portion 55 and an end part of the sensor support 51 , and corresponds to a support end.
  • the molded portion 55 corresponds to a protective resin.
  • the outer surface of the molded portion 55 includes a pair of surfaces 55 c , 55 d facing each other across the molded distal end surface 55 a and the molded basal end surface 55 b .
  • One of the pair of surfaces 55 c , 55 d is referred to as a molded upstream surface 55 c
  • the other is referred to as a molded downstream surface 55 d .
  • the sensor SA 50 is arranged inside the housing 21 .
  • the molded distal end surface 55 a faces in a direction toward a tip end of the air flow meter 20 .
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c is arranged upstream of the molded downstream surface 55 d in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c corresponds to an upstream end portion
  • a molded downstream surface 55 d corresponds to a downstream end portion.
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor SA 50 is arranged upstream of the molded downstream surface 55 d in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a flow direction of air in a part of the measurement flow path 32 where the flow rate sensor 22 is disposed is opposite to a flow direction of air in the intake passage 12 . Therefore, the molded upstream surface 55 c is arranged downstream of the molded downstream surface 55 d in the intake passage 12 .
  • the air flowing along the flow rate sensor 22 flows in the depth direction Z, and this depth direction Z may also be referred to as a flow direction.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is exposed on one side of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the outer surface of the mold molded portion 55 includes a plate surface referred to as a molded front surface 55 e on the same side as the flow rate sensor 22 being exposed, and a plate surface referred to as a molded back surface 55 f opposite the molded front surface 55 e .
  • One of the plate surfaces of the sensor SA 50 is formed by the molded front surface 55 e .
  • the molded front surface 55 e corresponds to a support front surface
  • the molded back surface 55 f corresponds to a support back surface.
  • a direction in which the molded distal end surface 55 a faces may be referred to as a molding direction
  • a direction in which the molded basal end surface 55 b faces may be referred to as a molding basal end direction.
  • a direction in which the molded upstream surface 55 c faces may be referred to as the molded upstream direction
  • a direction in which the molded downstream surface 55 d faces may be referred to as the molded downstream direction.
  • a direction in which the molded front surface 55 e faces may be referred to as a molded frontward direction
  • a direction in which the molded back surface 55 f faces may be referred to as a molded backward direction.
  • the SA substrate 53 is formed of a metal material or the like in a plate shape as a whole, and is a conductive substrate. A plate surface of the SA substrate 53 is orthogonal to the width direction X and extends in the height direction Y and the depth direction Z.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is mounted on the SA substrate 53 .
  • the SA substrate 53 includes a lead terminal 53 a , an upstream test terminal 53 b , and a downstream test terminal 53 c .
  • the SA substrate 53 has a part covered by the molded portion 55 and a part not covered by the molded portion 55 , and the part not covered forms the terminals 53 a , 53 b , 53 c . In FIG. 8 and other drawings, the terminals 53 a , 53 b , 53 c are omitted.
  • the lead terminal 53 a projects in the height direction Y from the molded basal end surface 55 b .
  • Multiple lead terminals 53 a are provided.
  • the lead terminals 53 a include a terminal connected to the connector terminal 28 a , a terminal connected to the intake air temperature sensor 23 , and an adjustment terminal for adjusting a detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the sensor SA 50 has six lead terminals 53 a . These six lead terminals 53 a include three terminals connected to the connector terminal 28 a , two terminals connected to the intake air temperature sensor 23 , and one adjustment terminal.
  • the three terminals connected to the connector terminal 28 a include a ground terminal connected to a ground, a power supply terminal to which a predetermined voltage such as 5V is applied, and an output terminal that outputs a signal related to a detection result of the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the two terminals connected to the intake air temperature sensor 23 include a ground terminal connected to the ground, and an output terminal that outputs a signal related to a detection result of the intake air temperature sensor 23 .
  • the upstream test terminal 53 b projects in the depth direction Z from the molded upstream surface 55 c .
  • Multiple upstream test terminals 53 b are provided.
  • the upstream test terminals 53 b include a capacitor check terminal for confirming an operation of a capacitor mounted on the SA substrate 53 , an IC test terminal for confirming an operation of the flow rate sensor 22 , and a ground terminal for grounding.
  • the downstream test terminal 53 c projects in the depth direction Z from the molded downstream surface 55 d .
  • Multiple downstream test terminals 53 c are provided. Similar to the upstream test terminals 53 b , the downstream test terminals 53 c include a capacitor check terminal, an IC test terminal and a ground terminal.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is formed in a plate shape as a whole.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 has a sensor front surface 22 a as one surface, and a sensor back surface 22 b opposite the sensor front surface 22 a .
  • the sensor back surface 22 b faces the SA substrate 53 , and a part of the sensor front surface 22 a is exposed to an outside of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 includes a sensor recess portion 61 and a membrane portion 62 .
  • the sensor recess portion 61 is provided on the sensor back surface 22 b
  • the membrane portion 62 is provided on the sensor front surface 22 a .
  • the membrane portion 62 forms a sensor recess bottom surface 501 that is a bottom surface of the sensor recess portion 61 .
  • the part of the membrane portion 62 that forms the sensor recess bottom surface 501 is a bottom of the sensor recess portion 61 .
  • the sensor recess portion 61 is formed by the sensor back surface 22 b being recessed toward the sensor front surface 22 a .
  • a sensor recess opening 503 that is an opening of the sensor recess portion 61 is provided on the sensor back surface 22 b .
  • a sensor recess inner wall surface 502 which is an inner wall surface of the sensor recess portion 61 connects the sensor recess bottom surface 501 and the sensor recess opening 503 .
  • the membrane portion 62 is a sensing portion that senses a flow rate.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 includes a sensor substrate 65 and a sensor film 66 .
  • the sensor substrate 65 is a base material of the flow rate sensor 22 and is formed in a plate shape from a semiconductor material such as silicon.
  • the sensor substrate 65 includes a sensor substrate front surface 65 a as one surface, and a sensor substrate back surface 65 b opposite the sensor substrate front surface 65 a .
  • the sensor substrate 65 has a through hole penetrating through the sensor substrate 65 in the width direction X.
  • the sensor recess portion 61 is formed by this through hole.
  • the sensor substrate 65 may have a recess that forms the sensor recess portion 61 instead of the through hole. In this case, the bottom surface of the sensor recess portion 61 is not formed by the membrane portion 62 but by a bottom surface of the recess of the sensor substrate 65 .
  • the sensor film 66 is overlaid on the sensor substrate front surface 65 a of the sensor substrate 65 and extends in a film shape along the sensor substrate front surface 65 a .
  • the sensor front surface 22 a is formed by the sensor film 66
  • the sensor back surface 22 b is formed by the sensor substrate 65 .
  • the sensor back surface 22 b is the sensor substrate back surface 65 b of the sensor substrate 65 .
  • the sensor film 66 has a multilayer structure including multiple layers such as an insulating layer, a conductive layer, and a protective layer. Each of these is formed in a film shape and extends along the sensor substrate front surface 65 a .
  • the sensor film 66 has a wiring pattern such as wiring and resistors, and this wiring pattern is formed by a conductive layer.
  • the sensor recess portion 61 is formed by processing a part of the sensor substrate 65 by wet etching.
  • a mask such as a silicon nitride film is attached to the sensor substrate back surface 65 b of the sensor substrate 65 , and anisotropic etching is performed on the sensor substrate back surface 65 b using an etching solution until the sensor film 66 is exposed.
  • the sensor recess portion 61 may be formed by performing dry etching on the sensor substrate 65 .
  • the sensor SA 50 has a flow rate detection circuit that detects a flow rate of air. At least a part of this flow rate detection circuit is included in the flow rate sensor 22 . As shown in FIG. 13 , the sensor SA 50 includes a heating resistor 71 , temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 , and an indirectly heated resistor 74 as circuit elements included in the flow rate detection circuit. These resistors 71 to 74 are included in the flow rate sensor 22 and are formed by the conductive layer of the sensor film 66 . In this case, the sensor film 66 includes the resistors 71 to 74 , and these resistors 71 to 74 are included in the wiring pattern of the conductive layer. The resistors 71 to 74 correspond to detection elements. In FIG. 13 , the wiring pattern including the resistors 71 to 74 is illustrated by dot hatching.
  • the flow rate detection circuit may also be referred to as a flow rate measurement unit that measures the flow rate of air.
  • the heating resistor 71 is a resistance element that generates heat according to energization of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the heating resistor 71 generates heat to heat the sensor film 66 , and corresponds to a heater.
  • the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 are resistance elements for detecting a temperature of the sensor film 66 , and correspond to a temperature detector.
  • the resistance values of the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 change according to the temperature of the sensor film 66 . In the flow rate detection circuit, the temperature of the sensor film 66 is detected using the resistance values of the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 .
  • the flow rate detection circuit raises the temperature of the sensor film 66 and the temperatures of the temperature measuring resistors 72 and 73 by the heating resistor 71 .
  • the flow rate detection circuit detects an air flow rate and a flow direction by using change in temperature detected by the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 .
  • the heating resistor 71 is arranged substantially at the center of the membrane portion 62 in each of the height direction Y and the depth direction Z.
  • the heating resistor 71 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the height direction Y as a whole.
  • the center line CL 1 of the heating resistor 71 passes through the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 and extends linearly in the height direction Y.
  • the center line CL 1 passes through the center of the membrane portion 62 .
  • the heating resistor 71 is arranged at a position spaced inward from a peripheral edge of the membrane portion 62 . An end of the heating resistor 71 facing in a molding distal end direction and an end of the heating resistor 71 facing in a molding basal end direction are the same in distance from the center CO 1 .
  • Each of the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the height direction Y as a whole.
  • the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 are arranged in the depth direction Z.
  • the heating resistor 71 is disposed between the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 .
  • An upstream temperature measuring resistor 72 among the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 is provided at a position separated from the heating resistor 71 in a molded upstream direction.
  • a downstream temperature measuring resistor 73 among the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 is provided at a position separated from the heating resistor 71 in a molded downstream direction.
  • the center line CL 2 of the upstream temperature measuring resistor 72 and the center line CL 3 of the downstream temperature measuring resistor 73 both linearly extend parallel to the center line CL 1 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the heating resistor 71 is disposed at an intermediate position between the upstream temperature measuring resistor 72 and the downstream temperature measuring resistor 73 in the depth direction Z.
  • a direction in which the molded upstream surface 55 c faces is referred to as the molded upstream direction
  • a direction in which the molded downstream surface 55 d faces is referred to as the molded downstream direction
  • a direction in which the molded distal end surface 55 a faces is referred to as the molding distal end direction
  • a direction in which the molded basal end surface 55 b faces is referred to as the molding basal end direction.
  • the indirectly heated resistor 74 is a resistance element for detecting a temperature of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the indirectly heated resistor 74 extends along the peripheral edge of the heating resistor 71 .
  • a resistance value of the indirectly heated resistor 74 changes according to the temperature of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the temperature of the heating resistor 71 is detected using the resistance value of the indirectly heated resistor 74 .
  • the sensor SA 50 includes a heating wire 75 and temperature measuring wires 76 . 77 . These wires 75 to 77 are included in the wiring pattern of the sensor film 66 , like the resistors 71 to 74 .
  • the heating wire 75 extends from the heating resistor 71 in the molding basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the upstream temperature measuring wire 76 extends from the upstream temperature measuring resistor 72 in the molding distal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the downstream temperature measuring wire 77 extends from the downstream temperature measuring resistor 73 in the molding distal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • a center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 passes through a center CO 2 of the measurement inlet 35 and a center CO 3 of the measurement outlet 36 , and extends linearly along the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is provided in the measurement flow path 32 between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is disposed at a position downstream away from the measurement inlet 35 and upstream away from the measurement outlet 36 .
  • a center line of a region of the measurement flow path 32 excluding an internal space of a SA insertion hole 107 is shown as the center line CL 4 .
  • an opening area of the through outlet 34 is smaller than the opening area of the through inlet 33 .
  • a height of the through outlet 34 and a height of the through inlet 33 are the same in the height direction Y while a width of the through outlet 34 is smaller than a width of the through inlet 33 in the width direction X.
  • the opening area of the through inlet 33 is an area of a region including a center CO 21 of the through inlet 33 .
  • the opening area of the through outlet 34 is an area of a region including a center CO 24 of the through outlet 34 .
  • a total value of respective opening areas of multiple measurement outlets 36 is smaller than an opening area of the measurement inlet 35 . This may be simply said that the opening area of the measurement outlet 36 is smaller than the opening area of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the opening area of the measurement inlet 35 is an area of a region including a center CO 2 of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the opening area of the measurement outlet 36 is an area of a region including a center CO 3 of the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the housing 21 includes a measurement floor surface 101 , a measurement ceiling surface 102 , a front measurement wall surface 103 , and a back measurement wall surface 104 as formation surfaces forming the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the measurement floor surface 101 , the measurement ceiling surface 102 , the front measurement wall surface 103 , and the back measurement wall surface 104 all extend along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the measurement floor surface 101 , the measurement ceiling surface 102 , the front measurement wall surface 103 , and the back measurement wall surface 104 form a part of the measurement flow path 32 extending in the depth direction Z.
  • the measurement floor surface 101 corresponds to a floor surface
  • the front measurement wall surface 103 corresponds to a front wall surface
  • the back measurement wall surface 104 corresponds to a back wall surface.
  • the width direction X corresponds to a front-back direction in which the front wall surface and the back wall surface faces each other.
  • the measurement floor surface 101 and the measurement ceiling surface 102 are provided between the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the measurement floor surface 101 faces the molded distal end surface 55 a of the sensor SA 50 and extends straight in the depth direction Z.
  • the measurement ceiling surface 102 is opposite and facing to the measurement floor surface 101 across the center line CL 4 in the height direction Y.
  • the SA insertion hole 107 is provided in a portion of the housing 21 that forms the measurement ceiling surface 102 , and the sensor SA 50 is inserted into the SA insertion hole 107 .
  • the SA insertion hole 107 is closed by the sensor SA 50 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 also includes a gap between the sensor SA 50 and the housing 21 in the internal space of the SA insertion hole 107 .
  • the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 are a pair of wall surfaces facing each other across the measurement floor surface 101 and the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • the front measurement wall surface 103 faces the molded front surface 55 e of the sensor SA 50 , and extends in the housing basal end direction from an edge of the measurement floor surface 101 on an airflow-meter front side.
  • the front measurement wall surface 103 faces the flow rate sensor 22 of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the back measurement wall surface 104 faces the molded back surface 55 f of the sensor SA 50 , and extends in the housing basal end direction from an edge of the measurement floor surface 101 on an airflow-meter back side.
  • FIGS. 15, 16 the internal structure of the sensor SA 50 is simplified and only the molded portion 55 and the flow rate sensor 22 are shown.
  • the housing 21 has a front narrowed portion 111 and a back narrowed portion 112 .
  • These narrowed portions 111 , 112 gradually narrow the measurement flow path 32 such that a cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 gradually decreases from an upstream part such as the measurement inlet 35 in a direction toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 gradually narrow the measurement flow path 32 such that the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 gradually decreases from a downstream part such as the measurement outlet 36 in a direction toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • an area orthogonal to the center line CL 4 is referred to as the cross-sectional area S 4
  • this cross-sectional area S 4 may also be referred to as a flow path area.
  • the front narrowed portion 111 is a convex portion in which a part of the front measurement wall surface 103 protrudes toward the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the back narrowed portion 112 is a convex portion in which a part of the back measurement wall surface 104 protrudes toward the front measurement wall surface 103 .
  • the front narrowed portion 111 and the back narrowed portion 112 are arranged along the height direction Y and face each other in the width direction X. These narrowed portions 111 , 112 are bridged by the measurement ceiling surface 102 and the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 gradually reduce a measurement width dimension W 1 in a direction from upstream to the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the measurement width dimension W 1 is a distance in the width direction X between the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 . Further, the narrowed portions 111 , 112 gradually reduce the measurement width dimension W 1 in a direction from downstream to the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 gradually approach the center line CL 4 in the direction from upstream to the flow rate sensor 22 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the distances W 2 , W 3 in the width direction X between the narrowed portions 111 , 112 and the center line CL 4 gradually decrease in the direction from upstream to the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 gradually approach the center line CL 4 in the direction from downstream to the flow rate sensor 22 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the distances W 2 , W 3 in the width direction X between the narrowed portions 111 , 112 and the center line CL 4 gradually decrease in the direction from downstream to the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the parts closest to the center line CL 4 are peaks 111 a , 112 a .
  • the distances W 2 , W 3 from the center line CL 4 are smallest at the peaks 111 a , 112 a .
  • the peaks 111 a , 112 a are a front peak 111 a of the front narrowed portion 111 and a back peak 112 a of the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the front peak 111 a and the back peak 112 a are arranged in the width direction X and face each other.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is disposed between the front narrowed portion 111 and the back narrowed portion 112 . More specifically, the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 of the flow rate sensor 22 is provided between the front peak 111 a and the back peak 112 a .
  • a center line CL 5 is defined as a straight imaginary line that passes through the center CO 1 , is orthogonal to the center line CL 1 and extends in the width direction X. Both the front peak 111 a and the back peak 112 a are located on the center line CL 5 . In this case, the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 and the front peak 111 a are aligned in the width direction X.
  • the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 and the front peak 111 a face each other in the width direction X.
  • the sensor support 51 of the sensor SA 50 is provided at a position closer to the front narrowed portion 111 than to the back narrowed portion 112 in the width direction X. That is, the sensor support 51 is provided at a position closer to the front measurement wall surface 103 than to the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • a front distance L 1 that is a distance in the width direction X between the flow rate sensor 22 and the front measurement wall surface 103 is smaller than a back distance L 2 that is a distance in the width direction X between the flow rate sensor 22 and the back measurement wall surface 104 . That is, there is a relationship of L 1 ⁇ L 2 .
  • the front distance L 1 is a distance between the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 and the front peak 111 a of the front narrowed portion 111 .
  • the back distance L 2 is a distance on the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 between the molded back surface 55 f and the back peak 112 a of the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the molded distal end surface 55 a of the sensor support 51 is arranged at a position closer to the measurement floor surface 101 than to the measurement ceiling surface 102 in the height direction Y.
  • a floor distance L 3 is smaller than the front distance L 1 . That is, there is a relationship of L 1 >L 3 .
  • the floor distance L 3 is a distance between the molded distal end surface 55 a and the measurement floor surface 101 in the height direction Y. More specifically, the floor distance L 3 is a distance between the molded distal end surface 55 a and a portion of the measurement floor surface 101 that is closest to the molded distal end surface 55 a within a region of the measurement floor surface 101 facing the molded distal end surface 55 a.
  • a sensor region 121 is defined as a planar region that is defined by the inner surface of the housing 21 and an outer surface of the sensor SA 50 , is orthogonal to the center line CL 4 and passes through the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the air flowing from the measurement inlet 35 to the measurement outlet 36 in the measurement flow path 32 needs to pass through the sensor region 121 .
  • the sensor region 121 includes a front region 122 and a back region 123 .
  • the front region 122 is between the front measurement wall surface 103 and the molded front surface 55 e in the width direction X.
  • the back region 123 is between the back measurement wall surface 104 and the molded back surface 55 f in the width direction X. These regions 122 and 123 extend in the height direction Y from the measurement floor surface 101 toward the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is arranged between the front region 122 and the back region 123 in the width direction X.
  • the front region 122 includes a floor region 122 a and a ceiling region 122 b .
  • the floor region 122 a is a region in the front region 122 that extends from a floor-directed end of the flow rate sensor 22 toward the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • An edge of the floor region 122 a facing in the housing distal end direction is defined by the measurement floor surface 101 . Therefore, the floor region 122 a is between the flow rate sensor 22 and the measurement floor surface 101 in the height direction Y.
  • the ceiling region 122 b is a region in the front region 122 that extends from a ceiling-directed end of the flow rate sensor 22 toward the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • An edge of the front region 122 facing in the housing basal end direction is defined by a ceiling boundary which is a boundary between the inner surface of the housing 21 and the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 . Therefore, the ceiling region 122 b is between the flow rate sensor 22 and the ceiling boundary in the height direction Y.
  • An area of the sensor region 121 is defined as a region area S 1 , and the region area S 1 is a cross-sectional area of a portion of the measurement flow path 32 where the flow rate sensor 22 is provided.
  • the region area S 1 includes a floor area S 2 which is an area of the floor region 122 a , and a ceiling area S 3 which is an area of the ceiling region 122 b .
  • the ceiling area S 3 is smaller than the floor area S 2 . That is, there is a relationship of S 3 ⁇ S 2 .
  • the front distance L 1 is larger than the floor distance L 3 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • an amount of air flowing along the front measurement wall surface 103 or the molded front surface 55 e is likely to be larger than an amount of air flowing along the measurement floor surface 101 or the molded distal end surface 55 a .
  • the flow rate detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be increased, and as a result, the air flow rate measurement accuracy of the air flow meter 20 can be increased.
  • the measurement flow path 32 may be narrowed from the measurement floor surface 101 and the region area S 1 of the sensor region 121 may become insufficient.
  • the cross-sectional area such as the region area S 1 becomes insufficient, a pressure loss increases, and air becomes difficult to flow from the through flow path 31 into the measurement flow path 32 .
  • an air flow rate in the measurement flow path 32 may become insufficient, and separation or turbulence of air flow may easily occur in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the detection result of the flow rate sensor 22 is likely to include noise due to the separation or turbulence.
  • the front distance L 1 is smaller than the back distance L 2 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the back region 123 between the molded back surface 55 f and the back measurement wall surface 104 is relatively wide. According to this configuration, the shortage of the region area S 1 of the sensor region 121 can be avoided by the back region 123 , and the shortage of the air flow rate in the measurement flow path 32 is less likely to occur. In this case, separation and turbulence of air flow is less likely to occur in the measurement flow path 32 , and noise contamination in the detection result of the flow rate sensor 22 can be reduced.
  • the air flow meter 20 can realize both reduction in output fluctuation and increase in dynamic range.
  • the front distance L 1 is smaller than the back distance L 2 . According to this configuration, at the time of manufacturing of the air flow meter 20 , even if a relative position of the sensor SA 50 with respect to the housing 21 shifts in the width direction X due to an error in attaching the sensor SA 50 to the housing 21 , the front distance L 1 can be easily kept smaller than the back distance L 2 . As described above, even if an error in attaching the sensor SA 50 to the housing 21 occurs, the relationship between the front distance L 1 and the back distance L 2 can realize a configuration in which the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 is difficult to decrease.
  • the housing 21 includes the front narrowed portion 111 .
  • the front narrowed portion 111 gradually narrows the measurement flow path 32 in the direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the front narrowed portion 111 reduces the separation and turbulence by regulating the air flow. In this case, the separation or turbulence is unlikely to reach the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be improved.
  • the front distance L 1 is the distance between the front narrowed portion 111 and the flow rate sensor 22 , air flowing along the flow rate sensor 22 can be reliably regulated by the front narrowed portion 111 .
  • the front distance L 1 is the distance between the front peak 111 a of the front narrowed portion 111 and the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • a portion having the highest regulation effect is likely to be the front peak 111 a . Therefore, since the portion having the highest regulation effect faces the flow rate sensor 22 , occurrence of separation and turbulent in the air flow along the flow rate sensor 22 can be reliably reduced. Accordingly, the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be further improved.
  • the housing 21 includes the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the back narrowed portion 112 gradually narrows the measurement flow path 32 in the direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the back narrowed portion 112 reduces the separation and turbulence by regulating the air flow.
  • air flowing toward the flow rate sensor 22 at a height position near the flow rate sensor 22 in the height direction Y is expected to easily pass through both the front side and the back side of the sensor support 51 . Therefore, the regulation of the air flow along the back measurement wall surface 104 by the back narrowed portion 112 is effective in preventing the separation and the turbulence from reaching the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the ceiling area S 3 of the ceiling region 122 b is smaller than the floor area S 2 of the floor region 122 a .
  • the pressure loss is more likely to increase in the ceiling region 122 b than in the floor region 122 a , and it is difficult for air to flow in the ceiling region 122 b . Therefore, even if the measurement flow path 32 has a configuration in which an air flow along the measurement ceiling surface 102 tends to be lager in velocity and volume than an air flow along the measurement floor surface 101 , the velocity and volume of air flow can be equalized in the ceiling region 122 b and the floor region 122 a . As a result, deterioration in detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 due to mixing of the fast and slow airflows reaching the sensor region 121 can be reduced.
  • the measurement flow path 32 is curved so that the measurement ceiling surface 102 becomes an outer curve and the measurement floor surface 101 becomes an inner curve. According to this configuration, an air flow along the measurement ceiling surface 102 tends to be lager in velocity and volume than the air flow along the measurement floor surface 101 due to centrifugal force or the like. Therefore, the fact that the ceiling area S 3 is smaller than the floor area S 2 is effective for equalizing the velocities and volumes of the air flows in the ceiling region 122 b and the floor region 122 a.
  • the front distance L 1 is the distance between the front measurement wall surface 103 and the heating resistor 71 .
  • the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be increased by managing the positional relationship between the heating resistor 71 and the front measurement wall surface 103 .
  • the molded front surface 55 e and the molded back surface 55 f are both formed by the resin molded portion 55 .
  • smoothness of the molded front surface 55 e and the molded back surface 55 f can be easily managed.
  • separation or turbulence is less likely to be generated in air flowing along the molded front surface 55 e and the molded back surface 55 f.
  • the housing 21 includes an SA container space 150 .
  • the SA container space 150 is provided at a position shifted from the bypass flow path 30 in the housing basal end direction.
  • the SA container space 150 houses a part of the sensor SA 50 .
  • At least the molded basal end surface 55 b of the sensor SA 50 is housed in the SA container space 150 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 and the SA container space 150 are arranged in the height direction Y.
  • the sensor SA 50 is positioned to extend in the height direction Y across a boundary between the measurement flow path 32 and the SA container space 150 .
  • At least the molded distal end surface 55 a and the flow rate sensor 22 of the sensor SA 50 are housed in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the SA container space 150 corresponds to a container space.
  • FIGS. 17, 18 the internal structure of the sensor SA 50 is simplified and only the molded portion 55 and the flow rate sensor 22 are shown.
  • the housing 21 includes a first housing part 151 and a second housing part 152 .
  • the housing parts 151 and 152 are assembled and integrated with each other so as to form the housing 21 .
  • the first housing part 151 forms the SA container space 150 .
  • the first housing part 151 forms the bypass flow path 30 in addition to the SA container space 150 .
  • An inner surface of the first housing part 151 that is an inner surface of the housing 21 defines the SA container space 150 and the bypass flow path 30 .
  • a housing opening 151 a (see FIG. 19 ) is provided at an open end of the first housing part 151 .
  • the SA container space 150 is open through the housing opening 151 a in a direction away from the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a gap is formed between the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 and the inner surface of the first housing part 151 .
  • the second housing part 152 fills this gap. More specifically, the second housing part 152 is inserted between the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 and the inner surface of the first housing part 151 in the SA container space 150 .
  • the housing 21 includes a housing partition 131 .
  • the housing partition 131 is a protrusion provided on the inner surface of the first housing part 151 , and projects from the first housing part 151 toward the sensor SA 50 .
  • the first housing part 151 includes the housing partition 131 .
  • a tip end of the housing partition 131 is in contact with the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the housing partition 131 is between the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 and the inner surface of the first housing part 151 and separates the SA container space 150 from the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the inner surface of the first housing part 151 includes a housing flow path surface 135 , a housing container surface 136 , and a housing step surface 137 .
  • the housing flow path surface 135 , the housing container surface 136 , and the housing step surface 137 extend in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • Each of the surfaces 135 , 136 , 137 extends to make a loop around the sensor SA 50 .
  • the center line CL 1 of the heating resistor 71 extends in the height direction Y.
  • the housing flow path surface 135 , the housing container surface 136 , and the housing step surface 137 extend in a circumferential direction around the center line CL 1 .
  • the housing step surface 137 is provided between the housing distal end surface 21 a and the housing basal end surface 21 b .
  • the housing step surface 137 faces in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the housing step surface 137 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 1 .
  • the housing step surface 137 faces inward in a radial direction, i.e. in a direction toward the center line CL 1 .
  • the housing step surface 137 intersects the height direction Y and corresponds to a housing intersecting surface.
  • On the inner surface of the first housing part 151 an external corner between the housing flow path surface 135 and the housing step surface 137 and an internal corner between the housing container surface 136 and the housing step surface 137 are chamfered.
  • the height direction Y corresponds to an arrangement direction in which the measurement flow path and the container space are arranged.
  • the housing flow path surface 135 forms the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the housing flow path surface 135 extends from an inner peripheral edge of the housing step surface 137 in the housing distal end direction.
  • the housing flow path surface 135 extends from the housing step surface 137 in a direction away from the SA container space 150 .
  • the housing container surface 136 forms the SA container space 150 .
  • the housing container surface 136 extends from an outer peripheral edge of the housing step surface 137 in the housing basal end direction.
  • the housing container surface 136 extends from the housing step surface 137 in a direction away from the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the housing step surface 137 is provided between the housing flow path surface 135 and the housing container surface 136 , and forms a step on the inner surface of the first housing part 151 .
  • the housing step surface 137 connects the housing flow path surface 135 and the housing container surface 136 .
  • the outer surface of the molded portion 55 forms the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 includes an SA flow path surface 145 , an SA container surface 146 , and an SA step surface 147 .
  • the SA flow path surface 145 , the SA container surface 146 , and the SA step surface 147 extend in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • Each of the surfaces 145 , 146 , 147 extends to make a loop on the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the SA flow path surface 145 , the SA container surface 146 , and the SA step surface 147 extend in the circumferential direction around the center line CL 1 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the SA step surface 147 is provided between the molded distal end surface 55 a and the molded basal end surface 55 b .
  • the SA step surface 147 faces toward the molded distal end surface 55 a in the height direction Y.
  • the SA step surface 147 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 1 .
  • the SA step surface 147 faces outward in a radial direction, i.e. in a direction away from the center line CL 1 .
  • the SA step surface 147 intersects the height direction Y and corresponds to a unit intersecting surface.
  • the SA flow path surface 145 corresponds to a unit flow path surface
  • the SA container surface 146 corresponds to a unit container surface.
  • an internal corner between the SA flow path surface 145 and the SA step surface 147 and an external corner between the SA container surface 146 and the SA step surface 147 are chamfered.
  • the SA flow path surface 145 forms the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the SA flow path surface 145 extends from an inner peripheral edge of the SA step surface 147 in the molding distal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the SA flow path surface 145 extends from the SA step surface 147 in a direction away from the SA container space 150 .
  • the SA container surface 146 forms the SA container space 150 .
  • the SA container surface 146 extends from an outer peripheral edge of the SA step surface 147 in the molding basal end direction.
  • the SA container surface 146 extends from the SA step surface 147 in a direction away from the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the SA step surface 147 is provided between the SA flow path surface 145 and the SA container surface 146 , and forms a step on the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the SA step surface 147 connects the SA flow path surface 145 and the SA container surface 146 .
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c , the molded downstream surface 55 d , the molded front surface 55 e , and the molded back surface 55 f form the SA flow path surface 145 , the SA container surface 146 , and the SA step surface 147 .
  • the housing partition 131 is provided on the housing step surface 137 and extends in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • a center line CL 11 of the housing partition 131 extends linearly in the height direction Y.
  • the housing partition 131 together with the housing step surface 137 , extends to make a loop around the sensor SA 50 .
  • the housing partition 131 has a portion extending in the width direction X and a portion extending in the depth direction Z.
  • the housing partition 131 has a substantially rectangular frame shape as a whole.
  • the tip end of the housing partition 131 is in contact with the SA step surface 147 of the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the housing partition 131 and the SA step surface 147 are in tight contact with each other, and enhance a sealing property of the part that separates the SA container space 150 from the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the SA step surface 147 is flat and extends straight in a direction intersecting the height direction Y. In the present embodiment, the housing step surface 137 and the SA step surface 147 do not extend parallel to each other.
  • the SA step surface 147 is inclined with respect to the housing step surface 137 .
  • the sealing property is improved at the part where the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 and the inner surface of the first housing part 151 because the housing partition 131 is in contact with the SA step surface 147 .
  • the housing step surface 137 and the SA step surface 147 may extend parallel to each other.
  • the housing partition 131 is orthogonal to the housing step surface 137 .
  • the center line CL 11 of the housing partition 131 and the housing step surface 137 are orthogonal to each other.
  • the housing partition 131 has a tapered shape.
  • the directions X, Z orthogonal to the height direction Y are width directions of the housing partition 131 , and widths of the housing partition 131 in the width directions gradually decreases toward the tip end of the housing partition 131 .
  • Each of a pair of lateral surfaces of the housing partition 131 extends straight from the housing step surface 137 .
  • the housing partition 131 has a tapered cross section.
  • the housing partition 131 is arranged at a position on the housing step surface 137 closer to the housing flow path surface 135 than to the housing container surface 136 .
  • a distance between the housing partition 131 and the housing container surface 136 is smaller than a distance between the housing partition 131 and the housing flow path surface 135 .
  • a portion of the housing step surface 137 which is between the housing flow path surface 135 and the housing partition 131 , and the housing flow path surface 135 form the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a portion of the housing step surface 137 which is between the housing container surface 136 and the housing partition 131 , and the housing container surface 136 form the SA container space 150 .
  • a portion of the SA step surface 147 which is between the SA flow path surface 145 and the housing partition 131 , and the SA flow path surface 145 form the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a portion of the SA step surface 147 which is between the SA container surface 146 and the housing partition 131 , and the SA container surface 146 form the SA container space 150 .
  • FIGS. 18 to 21 a manufacturing method of the air flow meter 20 will be described focusing on a procedure of mounting the sensor SA 50 to the housing 21 .
  • the manufacturing process of the air flow meter 20 includes a step of manufacturing the sensor SA 50 and a step of manufacturing the first housing part 151 by, for example, resin molding. After these steps, a step of assembling the sensor SA 50 with the first housing part 151 is performed.
  • the molded portion 55 of the sensor SA 50 is manufactured by resin molding using an injection molding machine or an injection molding device provided with a mold device.
  • a molten resin obtained by melting a resin material is injected from an injection molding machine and press-fitted into the mold device.
  • an epoxy thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin is used as the resin material for forming the molded portion 55 .
  • the first housing part 151 is manufactured by resin molding or the like using an injection molding device or the like.
  • a thermoplastic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is used as the resin material forming the first housing part 151 .
  • the first housing part 151 formed of the thermoplastic resin as described above is softer than the molded portion 55 formed of the thermosetting resin. In other words, the first housing part 151 has lower hardness and higher flexibility than the molded portion 55 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is inserted into the first housing part 151 through the housing opening 151 a as shown in FIG. 18 .
  • the SA step surface 147 contacts the tip end of the housing partition 131 , and then, the sensor SA 50 is further pushed into the first housing part 151 in the housing distal end direction.
  • the tip end of the housing partition 131 is deformed via crushing by the SA step surface 147 as shown in FIG. 21 .
  • FIG. 17 a portion of the housing partition 131 which was crushed by the sensor SA 50 is illustrated by a chain double-dashed line as an imaginary line.
  • the tip end of the housing partition 131 is crushed by the SA step surface 147 , fragments of the housing partition 131 may be generated as crushed dust, and the crushed dust may enter the measurement flow path 32 . If the crushed dust that has entered the measurement flow path 32 comes into contact with or adheres to the flow rate sensor 22 as foreign matter in the measurement flow path 32 , the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 may be reduced.
  • angles between the center line CL 11 of the housing partition 131 and the SA step surface 147 include a container angle ⁇ 12 facing the SA container space 150 and a flow path angle ⁇ 11 facing the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the container angle ⁇ 12 is larger than the flow path angle ⁇ 11 . That is, there is a relationship of ⁇ 12 > ⁇ 11 .
  • the tip end of the housing partition 131 is more likely to tilt or collapse toward the SA container space 150 than toward the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, even if the crushed dust is generated, it is difficult for the crushed dust to enter the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the flow path angle ⁇ 11 is an angle at a portion closest to the SA step surface 147 in the outer surface of the housing partition 131 .
  • the container angle ⁇ 12 is an angle on another side of the center line CL 11 opposite the flow path angle ⁇ 11 .
  • a step of manufacturing the second housing part 152 by resin molding or the like using an injection molding device or the like is performed.
  • the mold device is mounted on the first housing part 151 together with the sensor SA 50 , and a molten resin obtained by melting a resin material is injected from an injection molding machine and press-fitted into the mold device. According to the injection of the molten resin into the mold device, the molten resin is filled in a gap between the first housing part 151 and the sensor SA 50 .
  • the housing partition 131 is in contact with the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 as described above, the molten resin is prevented from entering the measurement flow path 32 through the gap between the first housing part 151 and the sensor SA 50 . Then, the second housing part 152 is formed by solidifying the molten resin inside the mold device.
  • thermoplastic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is used as the resin material forming the second housing part 152 .
  • PBT polybutylene terephthalate
  • PPS polyphenylene sulfide
  • Both of the first housing part 151 and the second housing part 152 contain a carbon material having conductivity. Examples of the carbon material include carbon powder, carbon fiber, nanocarbon, graphene, and carbon microparticles.
  • the first housing part 151 is easier to discharge when charged than the second housing part 152 .
  • the first housing part 151 is larger in content rate and content of the carbon material than the second housing part 152 .
  • a portion of the housing 21 that easily becomes a path for electric charges during discharging is referred to as a conductive portion.
  • the conductive portion is larger in the first housing part 151 than in the second housing part 152 .
  • the conductive portion includes multiple ones of carbon powder, carbon fiber, nanocarbon, graphene and carbon microparticles. Examples of the nanocarbon include carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, and fullerene.
  • the housing partition 131 protruding from the inner surface of the housing 21 is between the sensor SA 50 and the housing 21 and separates the measurement flow path 32 from the SA container space 150 .
  • the tip end of the housing partition 131 and the sensor SA 50 easily come into contact with each other, a gap is unlikely to be formed between the inner surface of the housing 21 and the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the molten resin is injected into the SA container space 150 of the first housing part 151 for forming the second housing part 152 , the molten resin is prevented from entering the measurement flow path 32 through the gap between the first housing part 151 and the sensor SA 50 .
  • the housing partition 131 makes a loop around the sensor SA 50 .
  • the housing partition 131 can create a state where the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 and the inner surface of the first housing part 151 are in contact with each other on an entire outer circumference of the sensor SA 50 . Therefore, the housing partition 131 can enhance the sealing property in the entire boundary between the measurement flow path 32 and the SA container space 150 .
  • the housing partition 131 is arranged at a position on the housing step surface 137 closer to the housing flow path surface 135 than to the housing container surface 136 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 and the SA container space 150 are partitioned by the housing partition 131 at a position as close as possible to the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a part of the gap between the first housing part 151 and the sensor SA 50 included in the measurement flow path 32 can be made as small as possible.
  • the gap between the first housing part 151 and the sensor SA 50 is a region in which turbulence of airflow is likely to occur due to inflow of air flowing from the measurement inlet 35 toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the housing partition 131 is provided at a position as close as possible to the housing flow path surface 135 , the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be improved.
  • the container angle ⁇ 12 is larger than the flow path angle ⁇ 11 .
  • the housing partition 131 is likely to be crushed and deformed so as to be folded or collapsed toward the SA container space 150 . Therefore, when the housing partition 131 is deformed and brought into contact with the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 , unintentional entry of the crushed dust of the housing partition 131 into the measurement flow path 32 is difficult to occur. As a result, deterioration in detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 due to contact or adhesion of the crushed dust with or to the flow rate sensor 22 in the measurement flow path 32 can be reduced.
  • the housing partition 131 provided on the housing step surface 137 is in contact with the SA step surface 147 .
  • both the housing step surface 137 and the SA step surface 147 intersect the height direction Y and face each other.
  • the housing step surface 137 of the first housing part 151 faces to the housing opening 151 a .
  • the SA step surface 147 of the sensor SA 50 can be pressed against the housing step surface 137 by simply pushing the sensor SA 50 inserted into the SA container space 150 through the housing opening 151 a toward the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, the housing partition 131 of the SA step surface 147 can be easily brought into tight contact with the housing step surface 137 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 is curved so that the portion between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 bulges toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 has a U shape as a whole.
  • the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 are arranged in the depth direction Z.
  • the depth direction Z corresponds to an arrangement direction
  • the height direction Y is orthogonal to the depth direction Z.
  • the portion between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 is curved to bulge in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes an outer measurement curved surface 401 and an inner measurement curved surface 402 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 and the inner measurement curved surface 402 extend along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 as described above, in addition to the outer measurement curved surface 401 and the inner measurement curved surface 402 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 and the inner measurement curved surface 402 face each other in the directions Y and Z orthogonal to the width direction X.
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 and the inner measurement curved surface 402 face each other across the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 defines an outer outline of a curved part of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 is provided circumferentially outward of the measurement flow path 32 and the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 connects the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 is concavely curved such that the portion between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 is concaved toward the flow rate sensor 22 as a whole.
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 includes the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • the SA insertion hole 107 is provided on the outer measurement curved surface 401 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 defines an inner outline of the curved part of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 is provided circumferentially inward of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 connects the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 is curved such that the portion between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 bulges toward the flow rate sensor 22 as a whole.
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 does not have a portion concaved in a direction away from the outer measurement curved surface 401 .
  • the whole of the inner measurement curved surface 402 is curved in a convex shape so as to bulge toward the outer measurement curved surface 401 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 includes the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 includes a sensor path 405 , an upstream curved path 406 , and a downstream curved path 407 .
  • the sensor path 405 is a portion of the measurement flow path 32 where the flow rate sensor 22 is provided.
  • the sensor path 405 extends straight in the depth direction Z.
  • the sensor path 405 extends in the main flow direction parallel to the angle setting surface 27 a of the flange 27 .
  • the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 are arranged in the depth direction Z.
  • the sensor path 405 is provided between the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the sensor path 405 connects these curved paths 406 and 407 .
  • a surface of the housing 21 defining the sensor path 405 includes at least a part of the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • a length of the sensor path 405 in the depth direction Z is defined by the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • an upstream end part of the measurement floor surface 101 is included in an upstream end part of the sensor path 405 .
  • a downstream end part of the measurement floor surface 101 is included in a downstream end part of the sensor path 405 .
  • the length of the sensor path 405 in the depth direction Z is the same as the length of the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • the surface of the housing 21 defining the sensor path 405 includes not only the part of the measurement floor surface 101 but also a part of the measurement ceiling surface 102 , a part of the front measurement wall surface 103 , and a part of the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the measurement floor surface 101 extends straight in the depth direction Z. Since the measurement floor surface 101 extends straight in this way, it can be said that the sensor path 405 extends straight.
  • the upstream curved path 406 extends from the sensor path 405 toward the measurement inlet 35 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the upstream curved path 406 is provided between the sensor path 405 and the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the upstream curved path 406 is curved in the housing 21 such that the upstream curved path 406 extends from the sensor path 405 toward the measurement inlet 35 .
  • a downstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 faces and is open in the depth direction Z to the sensor path 405 .
  • An upstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 faces and is open in the height direction Y to the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the open direction of the upstream end part intersects with the open direction of the downstream end part, and the intersection angle is 90 degrees, for example.
  • An inner surface of the upstream curved path 406 includes a part of the front measurement wall surface 103 and a part of the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the downstream curved path 407 extends from the sensor path 405 toward the measurement outlet 36 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the downstream curved path 407 is provided between the sensor path 405 and the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the downstream curved path 407 is curved in the housing 21 such that the downstream curved path 407 extends from the sensor path 405 toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • An upstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 faces and is open in the depth direction Z to the sensor path 405 .
  • a downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 faces and is open in the height direction Y to the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the open direction of the upstream end part intersects with the open direction of the downstream end part, and the intersection angle is 90 degrees, for example.
  • An inner surface of the downstream curved path 407 includes a part of the front measurement wall surface 103 and a part of the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the sensor path 405 is included in a detection measurement path 353 .
  • the upstream curved path 406 is positioned to extend in the height direction Y across a boundary between an introduction measurement path 352 and the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the upstream curved path 406 includes a part of the introduction measurement path 352 and a part of the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the downstream curved path 407 is positioned to extend in the height direction Y across a boundary between the detection measurement path 353 and a discharge measurement path 354 .
  • the downstream curved path 407 includes a part of the detection measurement path 353 and a part of the discharge measurement path 354 .
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes an upstream outer curved surface 411 and an upstream inner curved surface 415 which are surfaces defining the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 defines an outer outline of a curved part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 is provided circumferentially outward of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 concavely extends along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 is arched so as to be continuously curved along the center line CL 4 .
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 connects the upstream end part and the downstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 corresponds to an upstream outer arched surface.
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 defines an inner outline of the curved part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 is provided circumferentially inward of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 convexly extends along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 is arched so as to be continuously curved along the center line CL 4 .
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 connects the upstream end part and the downstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 corresponds to an upstream inner arched surface.
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes not only the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream inner curved surface 415 but also a part of the front measurement wall surface 103 and a part of the back measurement wall surface 104 which are surfaces defining the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes a downstream outer curved surface 421 and an downstream inner curved surface 425 which are surfaces defining the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 defines an outer outline of a curved part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 is provided circumferentially outward of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 extends along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 is bent at a predetermined angle along the center line CL 4 .
  • the bending angle of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is, for example, 90 degrees.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 includes a downstream outer horizontal surface 422 , a downstream outer vertical surface 423 , and a downstream outer internal corner 424 .
  • the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 extends straight downstream from the upstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 in the depth direction Z.
  • the downstream outer vertical surface 423 extends straight upstream from the downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 in the height direction Y.
  • the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 are connected to each other.
  • the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 join inwardly each other to form the downstream outer internal corner 424 .
  • the downstream outer internal corner 424 has a shape in which the downstream outer curved surface 421 is bent at a substantially right angle.
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 defines an inner outline of the curved part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 is provided circumferentially inward of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 convexly extends along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 is arched so as to be continuously curved along the center line CL 4 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 connects the upstream end part and the downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 corresponds to a downstream inner arched surface.
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes not only the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 but also a part of the front measurement wall surface 103 and a part of the back measurement wall surface 104 which are surfaces defining the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 includes the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • Each of the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 includes a part of the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 includes not only the above-described measurement floor surface 101 but also the upstream inner curved surface 415 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • a degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 in a direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 is smaller than a degree of bulge of the upstream inner curved surface 415 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a length of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is larger than a length of the upstream inner curved surface 415 in a direction in which the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 extends.
  • a radius of curvature R 32 of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is larger than a radius of curvature R 31 of the upstream inner curved surface 415 . That is, there is a relationship of R 32 >R 31 .
  • the curve of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is gentler than the curve of the upstream inner curved surface 415 .
  • a degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 is larger than a degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 is bent at a right angle while the upstream outer curved surface 411 is arched.
  • a length of the bent portion of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is quite small and is smaller than a length of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • this radius of curvature is substantially zero and is smaller than the radius of curvature R 33 of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the curve of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is sharper than the curve of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 is smaller than the degree of bulge of the upstream inner curved surface 415 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the length of the upstream outer curved surface 411 is larger than the length of the upstream inner curved surface 415 in the direction in which the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 extends.
  • the radius of curvature R 33 of the upstream outer curved surface 411 is larger than the radius of curvature R 31 of the upstream inner curved surface 415 . That is, there is a relationship of R 33 >R 31 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 is larger than the degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 in the direction expanding the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the length of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is smaller than the length of the downstream inner curved surface 425 in the direction in which the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 extends.
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than the degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • a cross sectional area of the downstream curved path 407 becomes as large as possible in cross sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • a distance L 35 b between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 is larger than a distance L 35 a between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream inner curved surface 415 . That is, there is a relationship of L 35 b >L 35 a.
  • the distance L 35 b between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 is a distance at a portion of the downstream curved path 407 in which the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 are most distant from each other.
  • the portion in which the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 are most distant from each other is, for example, a portion in which the downstream outer internal corner 424 of the downstream outer curved surface 421 and a center part of the downstream inner curved surface 425 face each other.
  • the distance L 35 a between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream inner curved surface 415 is a distance at a portion of the upstream curved path 406 in which the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream inner curved surface 415 are most distant from each other.
  • the portion in which the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream inner curved surface 415 are most distant from each other is, for example, a portion in which a center part of the upstream outer curved surface 411 and a center part of the upstream inner curved surface 415 face each other.
  • an arrangement line CL 31 is defined as an imaginary straight line that passes through the flow rate sensor 22 and extends in the depth direction Z.
  • the arrangement line CL 31 passes through the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 of the flow rate sensor 22 and is orthogonal to both the center lines CL 1 and CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the depth direction Z corresponds to an arrangement direction in which the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 are arranged.
  • the arrangement line CL 31 and the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 are parallel to each other.
  • the arrangement line CL 31 extends parallel to the angle setting surface 27 a of the housing 21 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 passes through the sensor path 405 , the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 and intersects with the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 intersects with the downstream outer vertical surface 423 .
  • the sensor path 405 extends straight along the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • a distance L 31 b between the flow rate sensor 22 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than a distance L 31 a between the flow rate sensor 22 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 . That is, there is a relationship of L 31 b >L 31 a .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is provided at a position relatively near the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the distances L 31 a , L 31 b are from the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the sensor support 51 is provided at the position relatively near to the upstream outer curved surface 411 , so that the flow rate sensor 22 is provided at the position relatively near to the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • a distance L 32 b between the sensor support 51 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than a distance L 32 a between the sensor support 51 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 . That is, there is a relationship of L 32 b >L 32 a .
  • a distance between the sensor support 51 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger in the depth direction Z than a distance between the sensor support 51 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the distance L 32 a is defined as a distance between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and a portion of the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor support 51 through which the arrangement line CL 31 passes.
  • the distance L 32 b is defined as a distance between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and a portion of the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 through which the arrangement line CL 31 passes.
  • the sensor path 405 is provided between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 at a position relatively near to the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • a distance L 33 b between the sensor path 405 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than a distance L 33 a between the sensor path 405 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 . That is, there is a relationship of L 33 b >L 33 a.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is provided at a position relatively near the upstream curved path 406 in the sensor path 405 .
  • a distance L 34 b between the flow rate sensor 22 and the downstream curved path 407 is larger than a distance L 34 a between the flow rate sensor 22 and the upstream curved path 406 . That is, there is a relationship of L 34 b >L 34 a .
  • the sum of the distance L 34 a and the distance L 34 b is the length of the sensor path 405 in the depth direction Z.
  • the housing 21 includes the narrowed portions 111 , 112 shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 . These narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided on the measurement wall surfaces 103 , 104 , and form a part of the measurement wall surfaces 103 , 104 .
  • FIGS. 24, 25 show an arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the arrangement cross section CS 41 is a cross section that extends along the arrangement line CL 41 and extends in a direction in which the measurement wall surfaces 103 , 104 face each other. Further, the arrangement cross section CS 41 is orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • the front measurement wall surface 103 includes a front narrowing surface 431 , a front expanding surface 432 , a front narrowing upstream surface 433 , and a front expanding downstream surface 434 .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 and the front expanding surface 432 are formed by the front narrowed portion 111 and are included in an outer surface of the front narrowed portion 111 . That is, the front narrowed portion 111 includes the front narrowing surface 431 and the front expanding surface 432 .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 extends in the depth direction Z from the front peak 111 a toward the upstream curved path 406 while the front expanding surface 432 extends in the depth direction Z from the front peak 111 a toward the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the front peak 111 a is a boundary between the front narrowing surface 431 and the front expanding surface 432 .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 in the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 faces toward the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 gradually reduces and narrows the measurement flow path 32 in a direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 gradually decreases in a direction from an upstream end part of the front narrowing surface 431 toward the front peak 111 a .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 is arched such that a portion of the front narrowing surface 431 between the upstream end part and a downstream end part of the front narrowing surface 431 bulges toward the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the front expanding surface 432 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 in the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the front expanding surface 432 faces toward the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the front expanding surface 432 gradually expands the measurement flow path 32 in a direction from the flow rate sensor 22 toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 gradually increases in a direction from the front peak 111 a toward a downstream end part of the front expanding surface 432 .
  • the front expanding surface 432 is arched such that a portion of the front expanding surface 432 between an upstream end part and the downstream end part of the front expanding surface 432 bulges toward the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the front narrowing upstream surface 433 extends straight from the upstream end part of the front narrowing surface 431 toward the measurement inlet 35 parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the front narrowing upstream surface 433 is provided between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the front narrowing surface 431 in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the front narrowing upstream surface 433 connects the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the front narrowing surface 431 .
  • the front expanding downstream surface 434 extends straight from the downstream end part of the front expanding surface 432 toward the measurement outlet 36 parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the front expanding downstream surface 434 is provided between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the front expanding surface 432 in the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the front expanding downstream surface 434 connects the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the front expanding surface 432 .
  • the front narrowing upstream surface 433 and the front expanding downstream surface 434 are arranged in the depth direction Z and are coplanar with each other because the positions in the width direction X are overlapped.
  • the back measurement wall surface 104 includes a back narrowing surface 441 , a back expanding surface 442 , a back narrowing upstream surface 443 , and a back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 and the back expanding surface 442 are formed by the back narrowed portion 112 and are included in an outer surface of the back narrowed portion 112 . That is, the back narrowed portion 112 includes the back narrowing surface 441 and the back expanding surface 442 .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 extends in the depth direction Z from the back peak 112 a toward the upstream curved path 406 while the back expanding surface 442 extends in the depth direction Z from the back peak 112 a toward the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the back peak 112 a is a boundary between the back narrowing surface 441 and the back expanding surface 442 .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 in the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 faces toward the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 gradually reduces and narrows the measurement flow path 32 in a direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 gradually decreases in a direction from an upstream end part of the back narrowing surface 441 toward the back peak 112 a .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 is arched such that a portion of the back narrowing surface 441 between the upstream end part and a downstream end part of the front narrowing surface 431 bulges toward the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the back expanding surface 442 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 in the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the back expanding surface 442 faces toward the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the back expanding surface 442 gradually expands the measurement flow path 32 in a direction from the flow rate sensor 22 toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 gradually increases in a direction from the back peak 112 a toward a downstream end part of the back expanding surface 442 .
  • the back expanding surface 442 is arched such that a portion of the back expanding surface 442 between an upstream end part and the downstream end part of the back expanding surface 442 bulges toward the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the back narrowing upstream surface 443 extends straight from the upstream end part of the back narrowing surface 441 toward the measurement inlet 35 parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the back narrowing upstream surface 443 is provided between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the back narrowing surface 441 in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the back narrowing upstream surface 443 connects the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the back narrowing surface 441 .
  • the back expanding downstream surface 444 extends straight from the downstream end part of the back expanding surface 442 toward the measurement outlet 36 parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the back expanding downstream surface 444 is provided between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the back expanding surface 442 in the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the back expanding downstream surface 444 connects the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the back expanding surface 442 .
  • the back narrowing upstream surface 443 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 are arranged in the depth direction Z and are coplanar with each other because the positions in the width direction X are overlapped.
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 correspond to a measurement narrowed portion.
  • the front narrowing surface 431 and the back narrowing surface 441 correspond to a measurement narrowing surface.
  • the front expanding surface 432 and the back expanding surface 442 correspond to a measurement expanding surface.
  • the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 , the front peak 111 a , and the back peak 112 a are aligned in the width direction X.
  • the front peak 111 a and the back peak 112 a are located on the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • a length W 31 a of the front narrowed portion 111 and a length W 31 b of the back narrowed portion 112 are the same.
  • a length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431 in the depth direction Z is smaller than a length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432 in the depth direction Z.
  • a length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 in the depth direction Z is smaller than a length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 in the depth direction Z.
  • the length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431 and the length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 are the same, and the length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432 and the length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 are the same.
  • the front narrowed portion 111 is provided at a position relatively near the upstream curved path 406 in the depth direction Z.
  • a distance W 34 a between the front narrowed portion 111 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 is larger than a distance W 35 a between the front narrowed portion 111 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the back narrowed portion 112 is, similar to the front narrowed portion 111 , provided at a position relatively near the upstream curved path 406 in the depth direction Z.
  • a distance W 34 b between the back narrowed portion 112 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 is larger than a distance W 35 b between the back narrowed portion 112 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the distance W 34 a and the distance W 34 b are the same.
  • the distance W 35 a and the distance W 35 b are the same.
  • the measurement width dimension W 1 (see FIG. 15 ) between the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 varies depending on the position.
  • This measurement width dimension W 1 is different in the sensor path 405 , the upstream curved path 406 , and the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the measurement width dimension W 1 is not uniform in each of the sensor path 405 , the upstream curved path 406 , and the downstream curved path 407 .
  • a distance D 34 between the front narrowing upstream surface 433 and the back narrowing upstream surface 443 in the upstream curved path 406 is the same as a distance D 38 between the front expanding downstream surface 434 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 in the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the sensor support 51 is provided in the upstream curved path 406 at a central position between the front narrowing upstream surface 433 and the back narrowing upstream surface 443 .
  • a center line CL 32 of the sensor SA 50 is defined.
  • the center line CL 32 is a straight imaginary line that passes through the center of the sensor support 51 in the width direction X on the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the center line CL 32 is orthogonal to the center line CL 5 and extends in the depth direction Z.
  • the center line CL 32 is parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • a distance D 31 a between the center line CL 32 and the front narrowing upstream surface 433 is the same as a distance D 31 b between the center line CL 32 and the back narrowing upstream surface 443 .
  • the sensor support 51 is provided in the downstream curved path 407 at a central position between the front expanding downstream surface 434 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • a distance D 35 a between the center line CL 32 and the front expanding downstream surface 434 is the same as a distance D 35 b between the center line CL 32 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • the distance D 31 a and the distance D 35 a are the same.
  • the distance D 31 b and the distance D 35 b are the same.
  • a protrusion height of the front narrowed portion 111 in the upstream curved path 406 and a protrusion height of the front narrowed portion 111 in the downstream curved path 407 are the same.
  • a protrusion height D 32 a of the front peak 111 a with respect to the front narrowing upstream surface 433 and a protrusion height D 36 a of the front peak 111 a with respect to the front expanding downstream surface 434 are the same.
  • a protrusion height of the front narrowing surface 431 with respect to the front narrowing upstream surface 433 gradually increases in a direction from the front narrowing upstream surface 433 toward the front peak 111 a .
  • This increase rate gradually decreases in the direction from the front narrowing upstream surface 433 toward the front peak 111 a .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 is an arched surface.
  • a protrusion height of the front expanding surface 432 with respect to the front expanding downstream surface 434 gradually decreases in a direction from the front peak 111 a toward the front expanding downstream surface 434 .
  • This decrease rate gradually increases in the direction from the front peak 111 a toward the front expanding downstream surface 434 .
  • the front expanding surface 432 is an arched surface.
  • the length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432 is larger than the length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431 .
  • the decrease rate of the protrusion height of the front expanding surface 432 from the front peak 111 a to the front expanding downstream surface 434 is smaller than the increase rate of the protrusion height of the front narrowing surface 431 from the front narrowing upstream surface 433 to the front peak 111 a .
  • the front narrowing surface 431 and the front expanding surface 432 form a continuous arched surface.
  • a tangent line of the front narrowing surface 431 at the front peak 111 a and a tangent line of the front expanding surface 432 at the front peak 111 a are both parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • a front narrowing ratio is defined as a ratio between the length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431 and the protrusion height D 32 a of a narrowing side of the front peak 111 a .
  • a front expanding ratio is defined as a ratio between the length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432 and the protrusion height D 36 a of an expanding side of the front peak 111 a .
  • the front narrowing ratio is calculated by dividing the protrusion height D 32 a on the narrowing side by the length W 32 a
  • the front expanding ratio is calculated by dividing the protrusion height D 36 a on the expanding side by the length W 33 a .
  • the front expanding ratio is smaller than the front narrowing ratio.
  • a protrusion height of the back narrowed portion 112 in the upstream curved path 406 and a protrusion height of the back narrowed portion 112 in the downstream curved path 407 are the same.
  • a protrusion height D 32 b of the back peak 112 a with respect to the back narrowing upstream surface 443 and a protrusion height D 36 b of the back peak 112 a with respect to the back expanding downstream surface 444 are the same.
  • a protrusion height of the back narrowing surface 441 with respect to the back narrowing upstream surface 443 gradually increases in a direction from the back narrowing upstream surface 443 toward the back peak 112 a .
  • This increase rate gradually decreases in the direction from the back narrowing upstream surface 443 toward the back peak 112 a .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 is an arched surface.
  • a protrusion height of the back expanding surface 442 with respect to the back expanding downstream surface 444 gradually decreases in a direction from the back peak 112 a toward the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • This decrease rate gradually increases in the direction from the back peak 112 a toward the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • the back expanding surface 442 is an arched surface.
  • the length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 is larger than the length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 .
  • the decrease rate of the protrusion height of the back expanding surface 442 from the back peak 112 a to the back expanding downstream surface 444 is smaller than the increase rate of the protrusion height of the back narrowing surface 441 from the back narrowing upstream surface 443 to the back peak 112 a .
  • the back narrowing surface 441 and the back expanding surface 442 form a continuous arched surface.
  • a tangent line of the back narrowing surface 441 at the back peak 112 a and a tangent line of the back expanding surface 442 at the back peak 112 a are both parallel to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • a back narrowing ratio is defined as a ratio between the length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 and the protrusion height D 32 b of a narrowing side of the back peak 112 a .
  • a back expanding ratio is defined as a ratio between the length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 and the protrusion height D 36 b of an expanding side of the back peak 112 a .
  • the back narrowing ratio is calculated by dividing the protrusion height D 36 b on the narrowing side by the length W 32 b
  • the back expanding ratio is calculated by dividing the protrusion height D 32 b on the expanding side by the length W 33 b . In this case, the back expanding ratio is smaller than the back narrowing ratio.
  • the front narrowing ratio is larger than the front expanding ratio
  • the back narrowing ratio is larger than the back expanding ratio. This is because the protrusion heights D 32 a , D 36 a of the front peak 111 a are larger than the protrusion heights D 32 b , D 36 b of the back peak 112 a.
  • Rates at which the narrowed portions 111 , 112 reduce the measurement flow path 32 are defined as reduction rates.
  • the reduction rates are proportional to the narrowing ratios.
  • the larger the front narrowing ratio of the front narrowed portion 111 the larger a front reduction rate at which the front narrowed portion 111 reduces the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the front narrowing ratio and the front reduction rate have the same value.
  • the larger the back narrowing ratio of the back narrowed portion 112 the larger a back reduction rate at which the back narrowed portion 112 reduces the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the front narrowing ratio is larger than the back narrowing ratio, the front reduction rate is larger than the back reduction rate. For example, the back narrowing ratio and the back reduction rate have the same value.
  • the sensor support 51 is disposed at a center position between the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 in the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 . However, the sensor support 51 is located relatively near the front measurement wall surface 103 in the sensor path 405 . This is because the protrusion height of the front narrowed portion 111 on the front measurement wall surface 103 is larger than the protrusion height of the back narrowed portion 112 on the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • the protrusion heights D 32 a , D 36 a of the front peak 111 a with respect to the front narrowing upstream surface 433 and the front expanding downstream surface 434 are larger than the protrusion heights D 32 b , D 36 b of the back peak 112 a with respect to the back narrowing upstream surface 443 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • a distance D 33 a between the center line CL 32 of the sensor support 51 and the front peak 111 a is smaller than a distance D 33 b between the center line CL 32 and the back peak 112 a.
  • the housing 21 includes a measurement partition 451 .
  • the measurement partition 451 is provided between the introduction measurement path 352 and the discharge measurement path 354 in the depth direction Z.
  • the measurement partition 451 partitions the introduction measurement path 352 and the discharge measurement path 354 .
  • the measurement partition 451 is provided between the through flow path 31 or a branch measurement path 351 and the detection measurement path 353 in the height direction Y.
  • the measurement partition 451 partitions the through flow path 31 or the branch measurement path 351 and the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the measurement partition 451 connects the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 in the width direction X.
  • the measurement partition 451 forms the inner measurement curved surface 402 .
  • An outer surface of the measurement partition 451 includes the measurement floor surface 101 , the upstream inner curved surface 415 , and the inner measurement curved surface 402 such as the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 extend from the measurement partition 451 toward the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 do not extend out of the measurement partition 451 in the depth direction Z toward either the upstream outer curved surface 411 or the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • a width of the measurement partition 451 is equal to or larger than the lengths W 31 a , W 31 b of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided between the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the upstream end parts of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the downstream end parts of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided in the downstream curved path 407 . Even in this configuration, the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided between the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the through inlet 33 is provided on the housing upstream surface 21 c , and is open toward an upstream side in the intake passage 12 . Therefore, the main flow in the intake passage 12 in the main flow direction is likely to enter the through inlet 33 .
  • the through outlet 34 is provided on the housing downstream surface 21 d , and is open toward a downstream side in the intake passage 12 . Therefore, the air flowing out of the through outlet 34 is likely to flow downstream together with the main flow in the intake passage 12 .
  • the measurement outlet 36 is provided on both the housing front surface 21 e and the housing back surface 21 f .
  • the housing front surface 21 e and the housing back surface 21 f extend along the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the measurement outlet 36 is open in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement line CL 31 . Therefore, the main flow in the intake passage 12 in the main flow direction is less likely to enter the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the air flowing out of the measurement outlet 36 is likely to flow downstream together with the main flow in the intake passage 12 .
  • the width direction X corresponds to the direction orthogonal to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the air flowing from the through flow path 31 into the measurement flow path 32 through the measurement inlet 35 includes an outer curving flow AF 31 along the outer measurement curved surface 401 and an inner curving flow AF 32 along the inner measurement curved surface 402 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 is concavely curved as a whole.
  • the outer curving flow AF 31 is likely to be along the outer measurement curved surface 401 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 is convexly curved as a whole.
  • the inner curving flow AF 32 is likely to be along the inner measurement curved surface 402 .
  • the outer measurement curved surface 401 and the inner measurement curved surface 402 are curved in a direction orthogonal to the width direction X.
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 narrow the measurement flow path 32 in the width direction X. Therefore, in the measurement flow path 32 , airflow turbulence that causes mixing of the outer curving flow AF 31 and the inner curving flow AF 32 is less likely to occur.
  • the outer curving flow AF 31 that has reached the upstream curved path 406 in the measurement flow path 32 changes its flow direction by flowing along the upstream outer curved surface 411 . Since the upstream outer curved surface 411 is curved more gently than the downstream outer curved surface 421 , the curve of the upstream outer curved surface 411 is sufficiently mild. Hence, turbulence flow such as swirling flow is less likely to occur in the outer curving flow AF 31 .
  • an airflow through the measurement flow path 32 includes a front offset flow AF 33 between the sensor support 51 and the front narrowing surface 431 , and a back offset flow AF 34 between the sensor support 51 and the back narrowing surface 441 .
  • Air of the curving flows AF 31 , AF 32 that has flowed along the front measurement wall surface 103 and reached the narrowed portions 111 , 112 is likely to be included in the front offset flow AF 33 .
  • Air of the curving flows AF 31 , AF 32 that has flowed along the back measurement wall surface 104 and reached the narrowed portions 111 , 112 is likely to be included in the back offset flow AF 34 .
  • a degree of airflow narrowing by the front narrowing surface 431 gradually increases in a direction toward the front peak 111 a , and accordingly, an effect of regulating the front offset flow AF 33 gradually increases in the direction toward the front peak 111 a .
  • the protrusion heights D 32 a , D 36 a of the front peak 111 a are larger than the protrusion heights D 32 b , D 36 b of the back peak 112 a , the flow regulating effect of the front narrowing surface 431 is sufficiently enhanced.
  • the front offset flow AF 33 which has been sufficiently regulated by the front narrowing surface 431 and the sensor support 51 reaches the flow rate sensor 22 . Therefore, a flow rate detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 is likely to be high.
  • the front offset flow AF 33 is gradually accelerated toward the front peak 111 a . Then, the front offset flow AF 33 is jet out of between the front peak 111 a and the sensor support 51 as a jet flow toward the downstream curved path 407 . This is because an area between the front narrowed portion 111 and the sensor support 51 is expanded by the front expanding surface 432 . If the area between the front expanding surface 432 and the sensor support 51 is sharply expanded, there is a concern that a turbulence such as a vortex is likely to occur due to separation of the front offset flow AF 33 from the front expanding surface 432 .
  • the length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432 is larger than the length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431 , the area between the front expanding surface 432 and the sensor support 51 is gently expanded. Therefore, separation of the front offset flow AF 33 from the front expanding surface 432 is unlikely to occur, and a turbulence such as vortex flow is less likely to occur downstream of the front peak 111 a.
  • a degree of airflow narrowing by the back narrowing surface 441 gradually increases in a direction toward the back peak 112 a , and accordingly, an effect of regulating the back offset flow AF 34 gradually increases in the direction toward the back peak 112 a .
  • the back offset flow AF 34 which has been sufficiently regulated by the back narrowing surface 441 and the sensor support 51 reaches the back peak 112 a . Therefore, a turbulence is unlikely to occur in the back offset flow AF 34 even after passing through the back peak 112 a.
  • the back offset flow AF 34 is gradually accelerated toward the back peak 112 a . Then, the back offset flow AF 34 is jet out of between the back peak 112 a and the sensor support 51 as a jet flow toward the downstream curved path 407 . This is because an area between the back narrowed portion 112 and the sensor support 51 is expanded by the back expanding surface 442 . If the area between the back expanding surface 442 and the sensor support 51 is sharply expanded, there is a concern that a turbulence such as a vortex is likely to occur due to separation of the back offset flow AF 34 from the back expanding surface 442 .
  • the length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 is larger than the length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 , the area between the back expanding surface 442 and the sensor support 51 is gently expanded. Therefore, separation of the back offset flow AF 34 from the back expanding surface 442 is unlikely to occur, and a turbulence such as vortex flow is less likely to occur downstream of the back peak 112 a.
  • the front offset flow AF 33 and the back offset flow AF 34 are expected to join together in the sensor path 405 and the downstream curved path 407 after passing by the sensor support 51 .
  • the back offset flow AF 34 has turbulence, turbulence of air flow may be generated downstream of the sensor support 51 , and the front offset flow AF 33 is difficult to pass between the front narrowed portion 111 and the sensor support 51 .
  • the back offset flow AF 34 is regulated by the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the offset flows AF 33 , AF 34 are likely to flow backward to the flow rate sensor 22 along the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the direction of air flow detected by the flow rate sensor 22 may become opposite to the original flow, and the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 may decrease.
  • the backward flow causes the forward flow to become difficult to flow downstream. Therefore, the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 22 may become smaller than the actual flow rate, and the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 may decrease.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is provided at a position nearer to the upstream outer curved surface 411 than to the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is at a position separated as much as possible from the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the velocity energy of the offset flows AF 33 , AF 34 is likely to decrease before the offset flows AF 33 , AF 34 blown out between the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 reach the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the imaginary line passing through the flow rate sensor 22 is defined as the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • air of the front offset flow AF 33 that has passed through the flow rate sensor 22 is likely to flow along the arrangement line CL 31 . Therefore, maximum enlargement in distance L 31 b between the flow rate sensor 22 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 on the arrangement line CL 31 can maximizes a distance for the air of the front offset flow AF 33 passing through the flow rate sensor 22 to reach the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 passes through the downstream outer vertical surface 423 in the present embodiment. In this configuration, when the air that has passed through the flow rate sensor 22 hits the downstream outer vertical surface 423 and bounces back, the air is likely to return to the flow rate sensor 22 as it is.
  • the maximum enlargement in distance L 31 b between the flow rate sensor 22 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 on the arrangement line CL 31 is effective for suppressing of the backward flow from reaching the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the cross-sectional area and volume of the downstream curved path 407 can be increased as much as possible by increasing the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 . Therefore, the pressure loss in air flow through the downstream curved path 407 can be decreased.
  • the decrease of the pressure loss in the downstream curved path 407 reduces occurrence of a clogged-like state of air in the downstream curved path 407 after passing through the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the flow rate detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be increased, and as a result, the flow rate measurement accuracy of the air flow meter 20 can be increased.
  • the housing 21 may become large in the width direction X and the depth direction Z. In this case, air flow in the intake passage 12 may be disturbed by the housing 21 , and the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 is likely to decrease. Further, in this case, a necessary amount of resin material for molding the housing 21 increases, and thus a manufacturing cost of the housing 21 tends to increase.
  • the cross-sectional area and volume of the downstream curved path 407 are increased as much as possible by increasing the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the housing 21 can be prevented from becoming large. In this case, air flow in the intake passage 12 may not be disturbed by the housing 21 , and the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be enhanced. Further, in this case, a necessary amount of resin material for molding the housing 21 tends to decrease, and thus a manufacturing cost of the housing 21 can be reduced.
  • the curved portion of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is formed by the downstream outer internal corner 424 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 can be maximized without the downstream outer curved surface 421 providing a detour. That is, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the downstream curved path 407 has the largest cross-sectional area and volume within a range in which the downstream curved path 407 can be expanded by change in shape of the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the distance L 35 b between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 is larger than the distance L 35 a between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream inner curved surface 415 . According to this configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 are separated from each other as far as possible in a direction orthogonal to the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the cross-sectional area and volume of the downstream curved path 407 can be increased as much as possible by the positional relationship between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is larger than the degree of bulge of the upstream inner curved surface 415 . Therefore, unless the downstream curved path 407 or the housing 21 is expanded in the width direction X, the cross-sectional area and volume of the downstream curved path 407 can be increased as much as possible by the shape of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the radius of curvature R 32 of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is larger than the radius of curvature R 31 of the upstream inner curved surface 415 .
  • the degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is smaller than the degree of bulge of the upstream inner curved surface 415 .
  • the air reaching the downstream curved path 407 from the flow rate sensor 22 easily flows toward the measurement outlet 36 along an arch of the downstream inner curved surface 425 . Therefore, increase in pressure loss in the downstream curved path 407 due to air disruption in the downstream curved path 407 can be reduced by the shape of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the distance L 31 b between the flow rate sensor 22 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than the distance L 31 a between the flow rate sensor 22 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 can be placed at a position as far as possible from the downstream outer curved surface 421 between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 . Therefore, even if the air that has passed through the flow rate sensor 22 in the measurement flow path 32 hits the downstream outer curved surface 421 and flows backward in the direction toward the flow rate sensor 22 , the backward flow is difficult to reach the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 may be separated from the flow rate sensor 22 by extending the detection measurement path 353 in the depth direction Z, for example.
  • the housing 21 may become large in the depth direction Z.
  • the distance L 31 b between the flow rate sensor 22 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is maximized by setting the flow rate sensor 22 at a position near the upstream outer curved surface 411 in the detection measurement path 353 . Accordingly, the housing 21 can be prevented from becoming large.
  • the sensor path 405 in which the flow rate sensor 22 is disposed extends along the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • air flowing along the flow rate sensor 22 is likely to travel straight along the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • turbulence of air flow is less likely to occur around the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • a flow velocity of the air around the flow rate sensor 22 is likely to be stabilized.
  • the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be improved.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is arranged at a position as far as possible from the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the turbulence of air flow in the downstream curved path 407 is less likely to affect the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • a flow velocity of the air around the flow rate sensor 22 can be further stabilized.
  • the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 can be more improved.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 in the sensor path 405 extending along the arrangement line CL 31 , is provided at a position closer to the upstream curved path 406 than to the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 in the sensor path 405 , turbulence of air around the flow rate sensor 22 can be suppressed and the flow velocity of the air can be stabilized.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 can be arranged at a position as far as possible from the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the sensor support 51 is provided at a position closer to the upstream outer curved surface 411 than to the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the sensor support 51 can be arranged at a position as far as possible from the downstream curved path 407 . Hence, turbulence of air flowing into the downstream curved path 407 due to the presence of the sensor support 51 can be reduced.
  • the arrangement line CL 31 passes through the downstream outer vertical surface 423 of the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the downstream outer vertical surface 423 extends straight to upstream from a downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 passes through a farthest part of the downstream outer curved surface 421 from the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the distance for the air passing through the flow rate sensor 22 to reach the downstream outer curved surface 421 is enlarged as large as possible. As a result, it can be reduced that the air passing through the flow rate sensor 22 bounces at the downstream outer curved surface 421 and flows back to the flow rate sensor 22 as backward flow.
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 is arched, the distance L 35 b between the downstream outer curved surface 421 and the downstream inner curved surface 425 in the downstream curved path 407 can be increased as much as possible.
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 is arched, and thus the cross-sectional area of the downstream curved path 407 is increased as much as possible.
  • the volume of the downstream curved path 407 is maximized. Therefore, even if turbulence of air flow occurs in the downstream curved path 407 due to air bounce on the downstream outer curved surface 421 , the air in the downstream curved path 407 easily flows toward the measurement outlet 36 together with this turbulence. Therefore, it can be more certainly reduced that the backward flow reaches the flow rate sensor 22 from the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 that gradually narrow and then gradually expand the measurement flow path 32 are provided between the upstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the air that has passed through the narrowed portions 111 , 112 is blown out as a jet flow toward the downstream curved path 407 at high velocity.
  • the air is likely to bounce on the downstream outer curved surface 421 . Therefore, such arrangement of the flow rate sensor 22 at a position as far as possible from the downstream outer curved surface 421 is effective to prevent the air bounded at the downstream outer curved surface 421 from reaching the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the lengths W 33 a , W 33 b of the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 are larger than the length W 32 a , W 32 b of the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 .
  • a degree of expansion and an expansion rate of the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 in the measurement flow path 32 are moderated so as to prevent turbulence such as separation of air flow caused by sharp expansion in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • turbulence of flow in the downstream curved path 407 caused by air which has passed through the narrowed portions 111 , 112 can be reduced.
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided at a position closer to the upstream outer curved surface 411 than to the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 can be placed at a position as far as possible from the downstream outer curved surface 421 between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 . Therefore, the velocity energy of the air which has passed through the narrowed portions 111 , 112 at the time of hitting the downstream outer curved surface 421 can be reduced without enlarging the housing 21 .
  • the front measurement wall surface 103 and the back measurement wall surface 104 face each other through the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the measurement wall surfaces 103 , 104 are provided with the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • a direction in which the air curves in the upstream curved path 406 and a direction in which the air is narrowed by the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are substantially orthogonal to each other.
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 is arched.
  • a direction of airflow such as the outer curving flow AF 31 along the outer measurement curved surface 401 is gradually changed by the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • turbulence is less likely to be generated in the airflow along the upstream outer curved surface 411 . Therefore, turbulence is less likely to be generated in air flow that reaches the flow rate sensor 22 such as the outer curving flow AF 31 . Turbulence is less likely to be generated also in air blown toward the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the inner measurement curved surface 402 extending along the measurement flow path 32 is curved so as to bulge toward the flow rate sensor 22 as a whole.
  • a concave portion is not formed on the inner measurement curved surface 402 .
  • air flow such as the inner curving flow AF 32 along the inner measurement curved surface 402 is prevented from entering the concave portion and is less likely to cause turbulence such as vortex. Therefore, turbulence is less likely to be generated in air flow that reaches the flow rate sensor 22 such as the inner curving flow AF 32 . Turbulence is less likely to be generated also in air blown toward the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the measurement outlets 36 are provided on the housing front surface 21 e and the housing back surface 21 f of the outer surface of the housing 21 .
  • this air pulls out air in the measurement flow path 32 to flow out of the measurement outlet 36 . Therefore, even if turbulence of air flow occurs in the downstream curved path 407 due to bounce of air or the like, the air flowing outside the housing 21 in the intake passage 12 is used to accelerate an air flow together with the turbulence of air flow from the downstream curved path 407 toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor SA 50 has a molded upstream inclined surface 471 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 extends obliquely and straightly from the upstream end part of the molded distal end surface 55 a toward the molded basal end surface 55 b , and corresponds to an upstream inclined portion inclined with respect to the height direction Y.
  • the molded downstream surface 55 d has a molded downstream inclined surface 472 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 extends obliquely from the downstream end part of the molded distal end surface 55 a toward the molded basal end surface 55 b , and corresponds to a downstream inclined portion inclined with respect to the height direction Y.
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 and the molded downstream inclined surface 472 are both inclined with respect to the arrangement cross section CS 41 , and extend through the arrangement cross section CS 41 in the height direction Y.
  • a front upstream end 111 b which is an upstream end of the front narrowed portion 111 , is arranged at a boundary between the front narrowing surface 431 and the front narrowing upstream surface 433 .
  • a front downstream end 111 c which is a downstream end of the front narrowed portion 111 , is arranged at a boundary between the front expanding surface 432 and the front expanding downstream surface 434 .
  • a back upstream end 112 b which is an upstream end of the back narrowed portion 112 , is arranged at a boundary between the back narrowing surface 441 and the back narrowing upstream surface 443 .
  • a back downstream end 112 c which is a downstream end of the back narrowed portion 112 , is arranged at a boundary between the back expanding surface 442 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 of the sensor SA 50 is arranged at a position so as to extend across both the front upstream end 111 b of the front narrowed portion 111 and the back upstream end 112 b of the back narrowed portion 112 in the depth direction Z.
  • An edge of the molded upstream inclined surface 471 facing in the molding distal end direction is referred to as a distal end edge 471 a
  • an edge of the molded upstream inclined surface 471 facing in molding basal end direction is referred to as a basal end edge 471 b .
  • the distal end edge 471 a is provided downstream of the upstream ends 111 b , 112 b of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z.
  • the basal end edge 471 b of the molded upstream inclined surface 471 is provided upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 and the back narrowed portion 112 in the depth direction Z.
  • the upstream ends 111 b , 112 b of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided at positions closer in the depth direction Z to the distal end edge 471 a than to the basal end edge 471 b of the molded upstream inclined surface 471 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 is arranged at a position so as to extend across both the front downstream end 111 c of the front narrowed portion 111 and the back downstream end 112 c of the back narrowed portion 112 in the depth direction Z.
  • An edge of the molded downstream inclined surface 472 facing in the molding distal end direction is referred to as a distal end edge 472 a
  • an edge of the molded downstream inclined surface 472 facing in molding basal end direction is referred to as a basal end edge 472 b .
  • the distal end edge 472 a is provided upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z.
  • the basal end edge 472 b of the molded downstream inclined surface 472 is provided downstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z.
  • the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are provided at positions closer in the depth direction Z to the distal end edge 472 a than to the basal end edge 472 b of the molded downstream inclined surface 472 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 of the molded upstream surface 55 c is provided upstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 is provided between the upstream outer curved surface 411 and the upstream ends 111 b , 112 b of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • a distance W 41 a between the molded upstream inclined surface 471 and the front narrowed portion 111 in the depth direction Z is the same as a distance W 41 b between the molded upstream inclined surface 471 and the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the distance W 41 a is smaller than the length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431
  • the distance W 41 b is smaller than the length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 of the molded downstream surface 55 d is provided upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 of the molded downstream surface 55 d is provided between the peaks 111 a , 112 a and the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • a distance W 42 a between the molded downstream inclined surface 472 and the front downstream end 111 c of the front narrowed portion 111 in the depth direction Z is the same as a distance W 42 b between the molded downstream inclined surface 472 and the back downstream end 112 c of the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the distance W 42 a is smaller than the length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432
  • the distance W 42 b is smaller than the length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 .
  • a portion of the molded upstream inclined surface 471 of the sensor support 51 which is positioned on the arrangement cross section CS 41 , is at a position aligned with the introduction measurement path 352 in the height direction Y. This portion is provided downstream of the upstream inner curved surface 415 in the housing downstream direction in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the introduction measurement path 352 may be referred to as a first section
  • the detection measurement path 353 may be referred to as a second section
  • the discharge measurement path 354 may be referred to as a third section.
  • the discharge measurement path 354 includes a portion that extends straight in the height direction Y and a portion that extends from the measurement outlet 36 in a direction tilted from the height direction Y.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is arranged according to a position where the flow velocity of air flowing through the measurement flow path 32 is the largest. More specifically, the flow rate sensor 22 is provided at the position where the flow velocity of air is the largest. In the present embodiment, the position where the flow velocity of air is the largest in the measurement flow path 32 is the position where the front peak 111 a is provided. The flow rate sensor 22 is positioned to face the front peak 111 a.
  • the air flowing through the measurement flow path 32 can be regulated.
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor support 51 is provided upstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the air that has flowed past the molded upstream surface 55 c along the arrangement cross section CS 41 is regulated by the entire narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 is positioned to extend over the upstream ends 111 b , 112 b of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to arrange the entire molded upstream inclined surface 471 and the entire molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, the sensor support 51 and the molded portion 55 can be miniaturized. Therefore, turbulence of the air flow in the measurement flow path 32 due to increase in size of the sensor support 51 to upstream can be reduced.
  • a configuration in which the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 decreases in a direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 is referred to as a configuration narrowing the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the configuration narrowing the measurement flow path 32 includes the sensor support 51 together with the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 is positioned to extend over the upstream ends 111 b , 112 b of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z, the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are capable of continuously narrowing the measurement flow path 32 in a direction toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 4 of the flow rate sensor 22 increases between the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 . That is, the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 cannot continuously narrows the measurement flow path 32 in the direction toward the flow rate sensor 22 . In this case, the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 may increase and decrease in the direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 . Thus, the regulation effect of the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 may be deteriorated.
  • a volume of the sensor support 51 in the measurement flow path 32 gradually increases in the direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the sensor support 51 gradually decreases the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 in the direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the flow rate sensor 22 , and thereby can gradually narrow the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, generation of turbulence of the air flow in the measurement flow path 32 due to an excessively high degree of narrowing of the sensor support 51 can be reduced.
  • the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 is provided upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • turbulence of air which has flowed past the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 can be suppressed by the regulation effect of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the regulation effect of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 exerts by the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 even downstream of the peaks 111 a , 112 a .
  • the sensor support 51 can be miniaturized as compared with, for example, a configuration in which the molded downstream surface 55 d is arranged downstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 . Accordingly, it is unlikely to occur that the flow regulation effect of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 decreases due to increase in size of the sensor support 51 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 is positioned to extend over the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to arrange the entire molded downstream inclined surface 472 and the entire molded downstream surface 55 d upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, the sensor support 51 and the molded portion 55 can be miniaturized. Therefore, turbulence of the air flow in the measurement flow path 32 due to increase in size of the sensor support 51 to downstream can be reduced.
  • a configuration in which the cross-sectional area S 4 of the measurement flow path 32 increases in a direction from the flow rate sensor 22 toward the measurement outlet 36 is referred to as a configuration expanding the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the configuration expanding the measurement flow path 32 includes the sensor support 51 together with the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 is positioned to extend over the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the depth direction Z, the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 are capable of continuously expanding the measurement flow path 32 in a direction toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the lengths W 33 a , W 33 b of the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 are larger than the length W 32 a , W 32 b of the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 is gently expanded toward the measurement outlet 36 such that turbulence such as separation caused by the narrowed portions 111 , 112 excessively expanding the measurement flow path 32 does not occur in an air flow that has flowed past the molded distal end surface 55 a and reached the narrowed portions 111 , 112 . Therefore, the turbulence of the airflow that has passed by the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 and 112 can be reduced.
  • the front narrowed portion 111 is positioned on the front measurement wall surface 103 so as to face the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • an air flow along the flow rate sensor 22 can be further regulated by the front narrowed portion 111 in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the back narrowed portion 112 is provided on a side of the flow rate sensor 22 opposite the front narrowed portion 111 .
  • an air flow between the sensor support 51 and the back measurement wall surface 104 can be also regulated by the back narrowed portion 112 in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 . Therefore, deterioration in detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 due to turbulence of the air flow along the flow rate sensor 22 , which is caused by turbulence of the air flow between the sensor support 51 and the back measurement wall surface 104 , can be reduced.
  • the sensor support 51 is provided at a position closer to the front narrowed portion 111 than to the back narrowed portion 112 in the width direction X.
  • the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 with respect to the air flow along the flow rate sensor 22 can be further enhanced in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the reduction rate of the measurement flow path 32 by the front narrowed portion 111 is larger than the reduction rate of the measurement flow path 32 by the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 can be enhanced more than the regulation effect of the back narrowed portion 112 in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is arranged according to a position in the measurement flow path 32 where the flow velocity is the largest.
  • decrease in velocity and volume of the air flow along the flow rate sensor 22 can be reduced in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • a portion of the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor support 51 that is located on the arrangement cross section CS 41 is included in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • this turbulence can be reduced by the narrowed portions 111 , 112 in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the opening area of the measurement outlet 36 is smaller than the opening area of the measurement inlet 35 . Since the measurement outlet 36 is narrower than the measurement inlet 35 in this way, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the entire measurement flow path 32 is narrowed toward the measurement outlet 36 . Thus, the regulation effect can be further enhanced in the entire measurement flow path 32 in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the opening area of the through outlet 34 is smaller than the opening area of the through inlet 33 . Since the through outlet 34 is narrower than the through inlet 33 in this way, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the entire through flow path 31 is narrowed toward the measurement inlet 35 or the through outlet 34 . Thus, the regulation effect can be further enhanced in the entire through flow path 31 in the configuration in which the regulation effect of the front narrowed portion 111 has been improved by positioning of the molded upstream surface 55 c upstream of the front narrowed portion 111 in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the housing 21 includes the flange holes 611 , 612 .
  • the flange holes 611 , 612 are provided in the flange 27 and are through holes that extend through the flange 27 in the height direction Y.
  • the flange holes 611 , 612 are provided at positions separated from each other in the width direction X and the depth direction Z. In the width direction X, the through flow path 31 is arranged between the flange holes 611 , 612 .
  • the flange holes 611 , 612 include a first flange hole 611 provided between the connector 28 and the through flow path 31 in the width direction X, and a second flange hole 612 facing the first flange hole 611 across the through flow path 31 in the width direction X.
  • a flange hole line CL 61 is defined as a linear imaginary line passing through a center C 061 of the first flange hole 611 and a center C 062 of the second flange hole 612 .
  • This flange hole line CL 61 overlaps the through inlet 33 of the through flow path 31 .
  • the through inlet 33 is provided between the first flange hole 611 and the second flange hole 612 in a plan view of the air flow meter 20 from above in the housing basal end direction.
  • Center lines of the screws inserted into the flange holes 611 , 612 extend in the height direction Y and pass through the centers C 061 , C 062 of the flange holes 611 , 612 .
  • the center lines of the screws may deviate from the centers C 061 , C 062 of the flange holes 611 , 612 due to the position shifts of the screws with respect to the flange holes 611 , 612 .
  • the housing 21 may be displaced in the width direction X and the depth direction Z from the screws as axes.
  • a portion of the housing 21 that overlaps the flange hole line CL 61 in plan view is difficult to be displaced in the width direction X and the depth direction Z as compared with other portions of the housing 21 .
  • the through inlet 33 is unlikely to be displaced in the intake passage 12 .
  • a production error is unlikely to occur in position of the through inlet 33 in the intake passage 12 , and it is possible to prevent ease of air flowing into the through inlet 33 in the intake passage 12 from varying from product to product.
  • an accuracy in measurement of the flow rate by the air flow meter 20 can be enhanced.
  • the through inlet 33 is preferably arranged at or close to the center of the intake passage 12 in the directions X, Y orthogonal to the depth direction Z. This is because the center of the intake passage 12 is the position where the flow rate and the flow velocity are most likely to be large and the air flow is most likely to be stable.
  • the flange holes 611 , 612 are not provided with metal bushes. In this configuration, the screws is likely to directly contact portions of the flange 27 defining the flange holes 611 , 612 .
  • the flange holes 611 , 612 may be provided with metal bushes. In this configuration, the screws is more likely to contact the bushes than the portions of the flange 27 defining the flange holes 611 , 612 .
  • the housing 21 includes a connector guide 613 .
  • the connector guide 613 is provided on an outer surface of the connector 28 and extends in an opening direction of the connector 28 .
  • the connector guide 613 guides a position of the plug relative to the connector 28 when the plug is attached to the connector 28 , and guides an insertion direction of the plug.
  • the connector guide 613 is provided, for example, in a portion of the connector 28 that forms the housing basal end surface 21 b , and projects most in the housing basal end direction in the housing 21 .
  • the angle setting surface 27 a of the flange 27 is provided at a position shifted from the molded portion 55 of the sensor SA 50 in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y. According to this configuration, even if the flange 27 is deformed due to the angle setting surface 27 a being engaged with the pipe boss 14 d , unintentional change in position of the molded portion 55 due to the deformation of the flange 27 is unlikely to occur. Therefore, unintentional change of the flow rate sensor 22 in the measurement flow path 32 can be reduced.
  • the connector terminal 28 a of the connector 28 is provided at a position shifted from the molded portion 55 of the sensor SA 50 in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y. According to this configuration, even if the connector terminal 28 a is deformed due to the plug being connected with the connector terminal 28 a at the time of attaching the plug to the connector 28 , unintentional change in position of the molded portion 55 due to the deformation of the connector terminal 28 a is unlikely to occur.
  • the connector terminal 28 a is provided at a position shifted from the angle setting surface 27 a in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • a distance H 62 between the connector terminal 28 a and the molded portion 55 in the height direction Y is larger than a distance H 61 between the angle setting surface 27 a and the molded portion 55 in the height direction Y.
  • the connector terminal 28 a may not be provided at the position shifted from the angle setting surface 27 a in the housing basal end direction.
  • the holding groove 25 a of the seal holder 25 is provided at a position shifted from the housing partition 131 of the housing 21 in the housing basal end direction. According to this configuration, even if the holding groove 25 a is deformed due to the seal member 26 contacting both the inner surface of the holding groove 25 a and the inner surface of the pipe flange 14 c , unintentional deformation of the housing partition 131 due to the deformation of the holding groove 25 a is unlikely to occur. Therefore, unintentional stop of partitioning by the housing partition 131 between the SA container space 150 and the measurement flow path 32 can be reduced.
  • the housing 21 includes an end protection protrusion 615 , an upstream protection protrusion 616 , and a downstream protection protrusion 617 . All of these protection protrusions 615 to 617 are protrusions provided on the housing back surface 21 f .
  • the end protection protrusion 615 is provided at a position shifted from the intake air temperature sensor 23 in the housing distal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the end protection protrusion 615 does not project more than the intake air temperature sensor 23 projects in the housing back direction along the width direction X.
  • the upstream protection protrusion 616 is provided at a position shifted from the intake air temperature sensor 23 in the housing upstream direction along the depth direction Z.
  • the downstream protection protrusion 617 is provided at a position shifted from the intake air temperature sensor 23 in the housing downstream direction along the depth direction Z.
  • the upstream protection protrusion 616 and the downstream protection protrusion 617 project more than the intake air temperature sensor 23 in the housing back direction along the width direction X.
  • the intake air temperature sensor 23 faces the upstream protection protrusion 616 and the downstream protection protrusion 617 in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • a distance H 63 between the holding groove 25 a and the housing partition 131 is larger than a distance H 64 between an end of the end protection protrusion 615 facing in the housing distal end direction and the intake air temperature sensor 23 . Further, the distance H 63 is larger than any of the distances H 61 , H 62 , and H 64 .
  • connection terminal 620 having the connector terminal 28 a is attached to the housing 21 .
  • the connection terminal 620 includes a lead connection terminal 621 , an intake temperature connection terminal 622 , and an adjustment connection terminal 623 in addition to the connector terminal 28 a .
  • Multiple lead connection terminals 621 are provided to the connection terminal 620 and extend in the height direction Y.
  • the lead connection terminals 621 include a terminal connected to the connector terminal 28 a , a terminal connected to the intake temperature connection terminal 622 , and a terminal connected to the adjustment connection terminal 623 .
  • the connector terminal 28 a , the intake temperature connection terminal 622 and the adjustment connection terminal 623 extend from the lead connection terminals 621 in the directions X, Z orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • the intake temperature connection terminal 622 is a terminal electrically connected to the lead wire 23 a of the intake air temperature sensor 23 .
  • a free end of the intake temperature connection terminal 622 is bent and extends in the height direction Y similar to the lead connection terminals 621 .
  • the direction in which the bent end of the intake temperature connection terminal 622 extends is the same as the direction in which the lead connection terminals 621 extend. Therefore, the intake temperature connection terminal 622 and the lead connection terminals 621 can be formed by simply bending a base material of the connection terminal 620 in the same direction.
  • the adjustment connection terminal 623 is a terminal for adjusting an output signal or the like from the connector terminal 28 a , for example, when the air flow meter 20 is manufactured.
  • the connector terminal 28 a includes a connector base portion 625 and a connector connection portion 626 .
  • the connector base portion 625 is a portion of the connector terminal 28 a extending from the lead connection terminal 621 and forms a basal end portion of the connector terminal 28 a .
  • the connector connection portion 626 is a portion of the connector terminal 28 a extending from the connector base portion 625 and forms a distal end portion of the connector terminal 28 a . While the connector base portion 625 and the connector connection portion 626 have the same thickness in the height direction Y, the connector base portion 625 is larger in width in the depth direction Z than the connector connection portion 626 . That is, the connector base portion 625 is thicker than the connector connection portion 626 .
  • three connector terminals 28 a are provided, and these connector terminals 28 a are parallel to each other and arranged in the depth direction Z.
  • the connector connection portion 626 extends from a central position of the connector base portion 625 in the depth direction Z.
  • the connector connection portion 626 extends from an edge portion of the connector base portion 625 that faces in a direction away from the adjacent connector terminal 28 a .
  • the connector base portion 625 protrudes from the connector connection portion 626 toward the adjacent connector terminal 28 a .
  • the connector connection portion 626 extends from an edge portion of the connector base portion 625 that faces in a direction away from the adjacent connector terminal 28 a.
  • a width of the connection terminal 620 in the depth direction Z is defined by the intake temperature connection terminal 622 .
  • the connection terminal 620 has two intake temperature connection terminals 622 , and these connection terminals 620 are arranged in the depth direction Z.
  • the connection terminal 620 has six lead connection terminals 621 , and these lead connection terminals 621 are arranged in the depth direction Z.
  • the intake temperature connection terminal 622 and the lead connection terminal 621 are arranged in the width direction X.
  • a width of an area where the two intake temperature connection terminals 622 arranged is larger in the depth direction Z than a width of an area where the six lead connection terminals 621 are arranged. In this case, the area where the six lead connection terminals 621 are arranged is smaller than and does not depart from, in the depth direction Z, the area where the two intake temperature connection terminals 622 are arranged.
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes a front through wall surface 631 and a back through wall surface 632 in addition to a through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 as formation surfaces that form the through flow path 31 .
  • the front through wall surface 631 and the back through wall surface 632 are a pair of wall surfaces that face each other across the through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 , and connect the through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 .
  • the front through wall surface 631 extends from the front measurement wall surface 103 in the housing distal end direction
  • the back through wall surface 632 extends from the back measurement wall surface 104 in the housing distal end direction.
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes a front through narrowing surface 635 and a back through narrowing surface 636 .
  • the front through narrowing surface 635 is included in the front through wall surface 631
  • the back through narrowing surface 636 is included in the back through wall surface 632 .
  • These through narrowing surfaces 635 , 636 gradually narrow the through flow path 31 so that the cross-sectional area of the through flow path 31 gradually decreases in a direction from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the through narrowing surfaces 635 , 636 are provided between the measurement inlet 35 and the through outlet 34 in the through flow path 31 .
  • the through narrowing surfaces 635 , 636 connect an outlet ceiling surface 343 and the through floor surface 345 , and gradually reduce a distance in the width direction X between the front through wall surface 631 and the back through wall surface 632 in a direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the through narrowing surfaces 635 , 636 are inclined with respect to the depth direction Z in which the center line of the through flow path 31 extends, and both the through narrowing surfaces 635 , 636 face toward the through inlet 33 .
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes a front narrowing peak 637 and a back narrowing peak 638 .
  • the front narrowing peak 637 is included in the front through wall surface 631 and is a surface connecting the front through narrowing surface 635 and the through outlet 34 .
  • the back narrowing peak 638 is included in the back through wall surface 632 and is a surface connecting the back through narrowing surface 636 and the through outlet 34 .
  • the housing 21 includes a housing outer wall 651 .
  • the housing outer wall 651 forms the outer surface of the housing 21 and is a tubular portion extending in the height direction Y.
  • the outer surface of the housing outer wall 651 forms a housing upstream surface 21 c , a housing downstream surface 21 d , a housing front surface 21 e , and a housing back surface 21 f .
  • the housing front surface 21 e and the housing back surface 21 f include a flat surface extending straight in the depth direction Z and an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the flat surface so as to face in the housing upstream direction.
  • the measurement outlet 36 is provided on each of the housing front surface 21 e and the housing back surface 21 f and at a position extending in the depth direction Z across a boundary between the flat surface and the inclined surface.
  • the housing outer wall 651 is provided with a measurement hole 652 .
  • the measurement hole 652 is provided on each of the housing front surface 21 e and the housing back surface 21 f , and the outer ends of these measurement holes 652 define the measurement outlets 36 , respectively.
  • the measurement hole 652 extends in the width direction X from the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the measurement hole 652 facing in the housing front direction is between and connects the measurement outlet 36 provided on the housing front surface 21 e and the front measurement wall surface 103 .
  • the measurement hole 652 facing in the housing back direction is between and connects the measurement outlet 36 provided on the housing back surface 21 f and the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • An inner surface of the measurement hole 652 includes an upstream forming surface 661 and a downstream forming surface 662 .
  • the upstream forming surface 661 faces in the housing downstream direction and forms an upstream edge of the measurement hole 652 in the housing upstream direction.
  • the downstream forming surface 662 faces in the housing upstream direction and forms a downstream edge of the measurement hole 652 in the housing downstream direction.
  • the upstream forming surface 661 and the downstream forming surface 662 are between and connect the measurement outlet 36 and the measurement wall surfaces 103 , 104 in the width direction X.
  • the downstream forming surface 662 has a downstream inclined surface 662 a and a downstream facing surface 662 b .
  • the downstream inclined surface 662 a extends in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction X, and extends in the height direction Y while facing obliquely outward.
  • the downstream facing surface 662 b extends in the width direction X, and is parallel to and faces the upstream forming surface 661 .
  • a width of the downstream inclined surface 662 a in the width direction X is smaller than a width of the upstream forming surface 661 in the width direction X.
  • the width of the downstream inclined surface 662 a in the width direction X is larger than a width of the downstream facing surface 662 b in the width direction X.
  • the air flowing out of the measurement outlet 36 flows obliquely along the downstream inclined surface 662 a in the housing downstream direction in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the air flowing out from the measurement outlet 36 flows obliquely with respect to the width direction X in the in the housing downstream direction. Therefore, the air easily joins with air flowing in the intake passage 12 in the main flow direction. Therefore, for example, the turbulence of the airflow is less likely to occur around the measurement outlet 36 as compared with a case where the air flows out from the measurement outlet 36 in the width direction X.
  • the housing opening 151 a communicating with the SA container space 150 is provided to the first housing part 151 and faces in the housing basal end direction.
  • a base opening 291 a communicating with an SA container space 290 is provided on a base member 291 so as to face in the housing front direction.
  • an air flow meter 200 is included in the combustion system 10 instead of the air flow meter 20 as a physical quantity measurement device.
  • components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawings according to the first embodiment and the configurations not described are the same as those in the first embodiment, and have the same operation and effects. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
  • the air flow meter 200 is provided in the intake passage 12 .
  • the air flow meter 200 is a physical quantity measurement device that measures a physical quantity, similar to the air flow meter 20 of the first embodiment, and is attached to the piping unit 14 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 8 ).
  • the air flow meter 200 includes an inward portion 200 a positioned in the intake passage 12 and an outward portion 200 b located outward of the pipe flange 14 c without being in the intake passage 12 .
  • the inward portion 200 a and the outward portion 200 b are arranged in the height direction Y.
  • the air flow meter 200 includes a housing 201 , and a flow rate sensor 202 for detecting a flow rate of an intake air.
  • the housing 201 is made of, for example, a resin material.
  • the flow rate sensor 202 is accommodated in the housing 201 .
  • the housing 201 of the air flow meter 200 is attached to the intake pipe 14 a such that the flow rate sensor 202 can come in contact with the intake air flowing through the intake passage 12 .
  • the housing 21 is attached to the piping unit 14 as an attachment object.
  • An outer surface of the housing 201 includes a pair of end surfaces 201 a and 201 b opposite in the height direction Y.
  • One of the pair of end surfaces 201 a and 201 b included in the inward portion 200 a is referred to as a housing distal end surface 201 a
  • another included in the outward portion 200 b is referred to as a housing basal end surface 201 b
  • the housing distal end surface 201 a and the housing basal end surface 201 b are orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • a surface of the outer surface of the housing 201 facing upstream in the intake passage 12 is referred to as a housing upstream surface 201 c
  • a surface of the outer surface of the housing 201 opposite the housing upstream surface 201 c is referred to as a housing downstream surface 201 d
  • one of a pair of opposite surfaces of the housing 201 opposite each other along the housing upstream surface 201 c and the housing basal end surface 201 b is referred to as a housing front surface 201 e
  • the other is referred to as a housing back surface 201 f .
  • the housing front surface 201 e and a surface of a sensor SA 220 on which the flow rate sensor 202 is provided face in the same direction.
  • a direction in which the housing distal end surface 201 a faces in the height direction Y is referred to as a housing distal end direction
  • a direction in which the housing basal end surface 201 b faces in the height direction Y is referred to as a housing basal end direction
  • a direction in which the housing upstream surface 201 c faces in the depth direction Z is referred to as a housing upstream direction
  • a direction in which the housing downstream surface 201 d faces in the depth direction Z is referred to as a housing downstream direction.
  • a direction in which the housing front surface 201 e faces in the width direction X is referred to as a housing front direction
  • a direction in which the housing back surface 201 f faces in the width direction X is referred to as a housing back direction.
  • the housing 201 includes a seal holder 205 , a flange 207 and a connector 208 .
  • the air flow meter 200 includes a seal member 206 , and the seal member 206 is attached to the seal holder 205 .
  • the seal holder 205 is provided inside the pipe flange 14 c and holds the seal member 206 so as not to be displaced in the height direction Y.
  • the seal holder 205 is included in the inward portion 200 a of the air flow meter 200 .
  • the seal member 206 is a member such as an O-ring that is inside the pipe flange 14 c and seals the intake passage 12 .
  • the seal member 206 is in tight contact with both an outer peripheral surface of the seal holder 205 and an inner peripheral surface of the pipe flange 14 c .
  • the connector 208 is a protection portion for protecting a connector terminal 208 a electrically connected to the flow rate sensor 202 .
  • the connector terminal 208 a is electrically connected to the ECU 15 .
  • an electrical wiring extending from the ECU 15 is connected to the connector 208 via a plug.
  • the connector terminal 208 a is electrically and mechanically connected to a plug terminal of the plug.
  • the flange 207 and the connector 208 are included in the outward portion 200 b of the air flow meter 200 .
  • the housing 201 includes a bypass flow path 210 .
  • the bypass flow path 210 is provided inside the housing 201 .
  • the bypass flow path 210 includes at least a part of an internal space of the housing 201 .
  • An inner surface of the housing 201 is a forming surface and forms the bypass flow path 210 .
  • the bypass flow path 210 is disposed in the inward portion 200 a of the air flow meter 200 .
  • the bypass flow path 210 includes a through flow path 211 and a measurement flow path 212 .
  • the flow rate sensor 202 and its surrounding portions of the sensor SA 220 which will be described later, are in the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the through flow path 211 is formed by the inner surface of the housing 201 .
  • the measurement flow path 212 is formed by the inner surface of the housing 201 and the outer surface of a part of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the intake passage 12 may be referred to as a main passage, and the bypass flow path 210 may be referred to as a sub-passage.
  • the through flow path 211 penetrates through the housing 201 in the depth direction Z.
  • the through flow path 211 includes a through inlet 213 that is an upstream end part of the through flow path 211 , and a through outlet 214 that is a downstream end part of the through flow path 211 .
  • the measurement flow path 212 is a branch flow path branched from an intermediate part of the through flow path 211 .
  • the flow rate sensor 202 is provided in the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the measurement flow path 212 has a measurement inlet 215 which is an upstream end part of the measurement flow path 212 , and a measurement outlet 216 which is a downstream end part of the measurement flow path 212 .
  • a boundary between the through flow path 211 and the measurement flow path 212 is a portion where the measurement flow path 212 branches from the through flow path 211 .
  • the measurement inlet 215 is included in the boundary.
  • the boundary between the through flow path 211 and the measurement flow path 212 may also be referred to as a flow path boundary.
  • the measurement flow path 212 extends from the through flow path 211 in the housing basal end direction.
  • the measurement flow path 212 is provided between the through flow path 211 and the housing basal end surface 201 b .
  • the measurement flow path 212 is curved so that a portion between the measurement inlet 215 and the measurement outlet 216 bulges in the housing basal end direction.
  • the measurement flow path 212 includes an arched portion that curves continuously, a bent portion that bends in a stepwise manner, and a portion that extends straight in the height direction Y or the depth direction Z.
  • the air flow meter 200 has a sensor sub-assembly including the flow rate sensor 202 , and the sensor sub-assembly is referred to as the sensor SA 220 .
  • the sensor SA 220 is embedded in the housing 201 while a part of the sensor SA 220 extending into the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the sensor SA 220 and the bypass flow path 210 are arranged in the height direction Y. More specifically, the sensor SA 220 and the through flow path 211 are arranged in the height direction Y.
  • the sensor SA 220 corresponds to a detection unit.
  • the sensor SA 220 may also be referred to as a measurement unit or a sensor package.
  • the housing 201 includes an upstream wall 231 , a downstream wall 232 , a front wall 233 , a back wall 234 , and an end wall 235 .
  • the upstream wall 231 forms the housing upstream surface 201 c
  • the downstream wall 232 forms the housing downstream surface 201 d .
  • the front wall 233 forms the housing front surface 201 e
  • the back wall 234 forms the housing back surface 201 f .
  • the upstream wall 231 and the downstream wall 232 are provided at positions separated from each other in the depth direction Z.
  • the front wall 233 and the back wall 234 are provided at positions separated from each other in the width direction X.
  • the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 described later are provided between the upstream wall 231 and the downstream wall 232 and between the front wall 233 and the back wall 234 .
  • the end wall 235 forms the housing distal end surface 201 a of the housing, and is provided at a position separated from the seal holder 205 in the height direction Y.
  • the housing 201 includes a first intermediate wall 236 and a second intermediate wall 237 .
  • the intermediate walls 236 , 237 have plate shapes extending in the directions X and Z orthogonal to the height direction Y, similarly to the end wall 235 .
  • the intermediate walls 236 , 237 are provided between the end wall 235 and the seal holder 205 in the height direction Y.
  • the first intermediate wall 236 is provided between the end wall 235 and the second intermediate wall 237 .
  • the bypass flow path 210 is provided between the first intermediate wall 236 and the end wall 235 .
  • the first intermediate wall 236 is provided between the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 .
  • the first intermediate wall 236 separates the measurement flow path 212 from the SA container space 290 in the height direction Y.
  • the second intermediate wall 237 is provided between the first intermediate wall 236 and the seal holder 205 .
  • the second intermediate wall 237 partitions the SA container space 290 in the height direction Y.
  • the first intermediate wall 236 is provided with a first intermediate hole 236 a .
  • the first intermediate hole 236 a penetrates through the first intermediate wall 236 in the height direction Y.
  • An inner peripheral surface of the first intermediate wall 236 is included in the inner surface of the housing 201 and extends annularly along a circumferential edge of the first intermediate hole 236 a .
  • a portion of the sensor SA 220 provided with the flow rate sensor 202 penetrates through the first intermediate hole 236 a in the height direction Y.
  • the molded distal end surface 225 a and the flow rate sensor 202 are disposed in the measurement flow path 212
  • the molded basal end surface 225 b is disposed in the SA container space 290 .
  • the second intermediate wall 237 is provided with a second intermediate hole 237 a .
  • the second intermediate hole 237 a penetrates through the second intermediate wall 237 in the height direction Y.
  • a lead terminal 223 a of the sensor SA 220 described later penetrates through the second intermediate hole 237 a in the height direction Y.
  • a molded portion 225 described later is arranged at a position shifted from the second intermediate wall 237 in the housing distal end direction, and at least an end of the lead terminal 223 a is arranged at a position shifted from the second intermediate wall 237 in the housing basal end direction.
  • a filler portion (not shown) is filled in a gap between the housing 201 and the sensor SA 220 .
  • the filler portion is formed of a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, or a silicon resin.
  • the SA container space 290 is filled by potting with molten resin that is the thermosetting resin in a melted state, and the molten resin is solidified as the potting resin to form the filler portion.
  • the filler portion can also be called a potting portion or a potting resin portion.
  • the sensor SA 220 includes a sensor support 221 in addition to the flow rate sensor 202 .
  • the sensor support 221 is attached to the housing 201 and supports the flow rate sensor 202 .
  • the sensor support 221 includes an SA substrate 223 and the molded portion 225 .
  • the SA substrate 223 is a substrate on which the flow rate sensor 202 is mounted.
  • the molded portion 225 covers at least a part of the flow rate sensor 202 and at least a part of the SA substrate 223 .
  • the SA substrate 223 may also be called a lead frame.
  • the molded portion 225 is formed in a plate shape as a whole.
  • the molded portion 225 includes a pair of end surfaces 225 a and 225 b opposite in the height direction Y.
  • One of the pair of end surfaces 225 a and 225 b facing in the housing distal end direction is referred to as a molded distal end surface 225 a
  • the other facing in the housing basal end direction is referred to as a molded basal end surface 225 b .
  • the molded distal end surface 225 a is an end part of the molded portion 225 and an end part of the sensor support 221 , and corresponds to a support end.
  • the molded portion 225 corresponds to a protective resin.
  • the molded portion 225 includes a pair of surfaces 225 c , 225 d facing each other across the molded distal end surface 225 a and the molded basal end surface 225 b .
  • One of the pair of surfaces 225 c , 225 d is referred to as a molded upstream surface 225 c , and the other is referred to as a molded downstream surface 225 d .
  • the sensor SA 220 is arranged inside the housing 201 .
  • the molded distal end surface 225 a faces in a direction toward a tip end of the air flow meter 200 .
  • the molded upstream surface 225 c is arranged upstream of the molded downstream surface 225 d in the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the molded upstream surface 225 c of the sensor SA 220 is arranged upstream of the molded downstream surface 225 d in the measurement flow path 212 .
  • a flow direction of air in a part of the measurement flow path 212 where the flow rate sensor 202 is disposed is opposite to a flow direction of air in the intake passage 12 (see FIG. 8 ). Therefore, the molded upstream surface 225 c is arranged downstream of the molded downstream surface 225 d in the intake passage 12 .
  • the air flowing along the flow rate sensor 202 flows in the depth direction Z, and this depth direction Z may also be referred to as a flow direction.
  • the flow rate sensor 202 is exposed on one side of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the molded portion 225 includes a plate surface referred to as a molded front surface 225 e on the same side as the flow rate sensor 202 being exposed, and a plate surface referred to as a molded back surface 225 f opposite the molded front surface 225 e .
  • One of the plate surfaces of the sensor SA 220 is formed by the molded front surface 225 e .
  • the molded front surface 225 e corresponds to a support front surface
  • the molded back surface 225 f corresponds to a support back surface.
  • the SA substrate 223 is formed of a metal material or the like in a plate shape as a whole, and is a conductive substrate. A plate surface of the SA substrate 223 is orthogonal to the width direction X and extends in the height direction Y and the depth direction Z.
  • the flow rate sensor 202 is mounted on the SA substrate 223 .
  • the SA substrate 223 forms a lead terminal 223 a connected to the connector terminal 208 a .
  • the SA substrate 223 has a part covered by the molded portion 225 and a part not covered by the molded portion 225 , and the part not covered is the lead terminal 223 a .
  • the lead terminal 223 a projects in the height direction Y from the molded basal end surface 225 b . In FIGS. 33 and 34 , illustration of the lead terminal 223 a is omitted.
  • the flow rate sensor 202 has a similar configuration to the flow rate sensor 22 of the first embodiment.
  • the flow rate sensor 202 includes portions and members corresponding to, for example, the sensor recess portion 61 of the flow rate sensor 22 , the membrane portion 62 , the sensor substrate 65 , the sensor film 66 , the heating resistor 71 , the temperature measuring resistors 72 , 73 , the indirectly heated resistor 74 , and the wires 75 to 77 .
  • the housing 201 includes an SA container space 290 .
  • the SA container space 290 is provided at a position shifted from the bypass flow path 210 in the housing basal end direction.
  • the SA container space 290 houses a part of the sensor SA 220 .
  • At least the molded basal end surface 225 b of the sensor SA 220 is housed in the SA container space 290 .
  • the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 are arranged in the height direction Y.
  • the sensor SA 220 is positioned to extend in the height direction Y across a boundary between the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 .
  • At least the molded distal end surface 225 a and the flow rate sensor 202 of the sensor SA 220 are housed in the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the SA container space 290 corresponds to a container space.
  • the housing 201 includes a housing partition 271 .
  • the housing partition 271 is a protrusion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first intermediate wall 236 , and projects from the first intermediate wall 236 toward the sensor SA 220 .
  • a tip end of the housing partition 271 is in contact with the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the housing partition 271 is between the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 and the inner surface of the housing 201 and separates the SA container space 290 from the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the inner surface of the housing 201 includes a housing flow path surface 275 , a housing container surface 276 , and a housing step surface 277 .
  • the housing flow path surface 275 , the housing container surface 276 , and the housing step surface 277 extend in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • Each of the surfaces 275 , 276 , 277 extends to make a loop around the sensor SA 220 .
  • the center line CL 1 a of the heating resistor linearly extends in the height direction Y.
  • the housing flow path surface 275 , the housing container surface 276 , and the housing step surface 277 extend in a circumferential direction around the center line.
  • the housing step surface 277 is a wall surface of the first intermediate wall 236 facing in housing basal end direction.
  • the housing step surface 277 faces in the housing basal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the housing step surface 277 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 1 a .
  • the housing step surface 277 faces inward in a radial direction, i.e. in a direction toward the center line CL 1 a .
  • the housing step surface 277 intersects the height direction Y and corresponds to a housing intersecting surface.
  • the housing step surface 277 is orthogonal to the center line CL 1 a .
  • an external corner between the housing flow path surface 275 and the housing step surface 277 and an internal corner between the housing container surface 276 and the housing step surface 277 are chamfered.
  • the housing flow path surface 275 is an inner peripheral surface of the first intermediate wall 236 .
  • the housing flow path surface 275 forms the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the housing flow path surface 275 extends from an inner peripheral edge of the housing step surface 277 in the housing distal end direction.
  • the housing flow path surface 275 extends from the housing step surface 277 in a direction away from the SA container space 290 .
  • the housing container surface 276 is inner surfaces of the upstream wall 231 , the downstream wall 232 , the front wall 233 , and the back wall 234 .
  • the housing container surface 276 forms the SA container space 290 .
  • the housing container surface 276 extends from an outer peripheral edge of the housing step surface 277 in the housing basal end direction.
  • the housing container surface 276 extends from the housing step surface 277 in a direction away from the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the housing step surface 277 is provided between the housing flow path surface 275 and the housing container surface 276 , and forms a step on the inner surface of the housing 201 .
  • the housing step surface 277 connects the housing flow path surface 275 and the housing container surface 276 .
  • An outer surface of the molded portion 225 forms the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 includes an SA flow path surface 285 , an SA container surface 286 , and an SA step surface 287 .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 , the SA container surface 286 , and the SA step surface 287 extend in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • Each of the surfaces 285 , 286 , 287 extends to make a loop on the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 , the SA container surface 286 , and the SA step surface 287 extend in the circumferential direction around the center line CL 1 a of the heating resistor.
  • the SA step surface 287 is provided between the molded distal end surface 225 a and the molded basal end surface 225 b .
  • the SA step surface 287 faces toward the molded distal end surface 225 a in the height direction Y.
  • the SA step surface 287 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 1 a .
  • the SA step surface 287 faces outward in a radial direction, i.e. in a direction away from the center line CL 1 a .
  • the SA step surface 287 intersects the height direction Y and corresponds to a unit intersecting surface.
  • the SA flow path surface 285 corresponds to a unit flow path surface
  • the SA container surface 286 corresponds to a unit container surface.
  • the SA step surface 287 is orthogonal to the center line CL 1 a .
  • an internal corner between the SA flow path surface 285 and the SA step surface 287 and an external corner between the SA container surface 286 and the SA step surface 287 are chamfered.
  • the SA flow path surface 285 forms the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 extends from an inner peripheral edge of the SA step surface 287 in the molding distal end direction along the height direction Y.
  • the SA flow path surface 285 extends from the SA step surface 287 in a direction away from the SA container space 290 .
  • the SA container surface 286 forms the SA container space 290 .
  • the SA container surface 286 extends from an outer peripheral edge of the SA step surface 287 in the molding basal end direction.
  • the SA container surface 286 extends from the SA step surface 287 in a direction away from the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the SA step surface 287 is provided between the SA flow path surface 285 and the SA container surface 286 , and forms a step on the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the SA step surface 287 connects the SA flow path surface 285 and the SA container surface 286 .
  • the molded upstream surface 225 c , the molded downstream surface 225 d , the molded front surface 225 e , and the molded back surface 225 f form the SA flow path surface 285 , the SA container surface 286 , and the SA step surface 287 .
  • the housing partition 271 of the present embodiment is not provided on the housing step surface 277 as in the first embodiment, but is provided on the housing flow path surface 275 .
  • the housing partition 271 extends toward the first intermediate hole 236 a in the directions X and Z intersecting the height direction Y.
  • a center line CL 12 of the housing partition 271 extends linearly in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • the center line CL 12 is orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • the housing partition 271 together with the housing flow path surface 275 , extends to make a loop around the sensor SA 220 . In this case, the tip end of the housing partition 271 forms the first intermediate hole 236 a .
  • the tip end of the housing partition 271 is the inner peripheral surface of the first intermediate hole 236 a .
  • the housing partition 271 has a portion extending in the width direction X and a portion extending in the depth direction Z.
  • the housing partition 271 has a substantially rectangular frame shape as a whole.
  • the tip end of the housing partition 271 is in contact with the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the housing partition 271 and the SA flow path surface 285 are in tight contact with each other, and enhance a sealing property of the part that separates the SA container space 290 from the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 is flat and extends straight in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • the housing flow path surface 275 and the SA flow path surface 285 extend parallel to each other. In this case, the sealing property is improved at the part where the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 and the inner surface of the housing 201 because the housing partition 271 is in contact with the SA flow path surface 285 .
  • the housing flow path surface 275 and the SA flow path surface 285 may not be parallel to each other and may be inclined from each other.
  • the housing partition 271 is orthogonal to the housing flow path surface 275 .
  • the center line CL 12 of the housing partition 271 and the housing flow path surface 275 are orthogonal to each other.
  • the housing partition 271 has a tapered shape.
  • the height direction Y is a width direction of the housing partition 271 .
  • a width of the housing partition 271 in the width direction gradually decreases toward the tip end of the housing partition 271 .
  • Each of a pair of lateral surfaces of the housing partition 271 extends straight from the housing flow path surface 275 .
  • the housing partition 271 has a tapered cross section.
  • the housing partition 271 is provided at a center of the housing flow path surface 275 in the height direction Y. In this case, a distance between the housing partition 271 and an edge of the housing flow path surface 275 facing in the housing distal end direction is smaller than a distance between the housing partition 271 and an edge of the housing flow path surface 275 facing in the housing basal end direction.
  • the housing partition 271 may be shifted in position on the housing flow path surface 275 in the housing distal end direction, or may be shifted in position in the housing basal end direction.
  • a portion of the housing step surface 277 which is between the housing flow path surface 275 and the housing partition 271 , and the housing flow path surface 275 form the measurement flow path 212 .
  • a portion of the housing step surface 277 which is between the housing container surface 276 and the housing partition 271 , and the housing container surface 276 form the SA container space 290 .
  • a portion of the SA step surface 287 which is between the SA flow path surface 285 and the housing partition 271 , and the SA flow path surface 285 form the measurement flow path 212 .
  • a portion of the SA step surface 287 which is between the SA container surface 286 and the housing partition 271 , and the SA container surface 286 form the SA container space 290 .
  • the housing 201 includes a base member 291 and a cover member 292 . These base member 291 and cover member 292 are assembled and integrated with each other so as to form the housing 201 .
  • the base member 291 in the housing 201 forms the upstream wall 231 , the downstream wall 232 , the back wall 234 , the end wall 235 , the seal holder 205 , the flange 207 , and the connector 208 .
  • the base member 291 is a box-shaped member that is open in the housing front direction as a whole. In the base member 291 , the base opening 291 a is provided at an open end which is a front end.
  • the base opening 291 a is defined by respective front ends of the upstream wall 231 , the downstream wall 232 , the end wall 235 , and the seal holder 205 which are facing in the housing front direction.
  • the bypass flow path 210 and the SA container space 290 are open in the housing front direction through the base opening 291 a.
  • the cover member 292 forms the front wall 233 in the housing 201 , and is a plate-shaped member as a whole.
  • the cover member 292 is attached to the open end of the base member 291 and closes the base opening 291 a .
  • the through flow path 211 , the measurement flow path 212 , and the SA container space 290 are provided between the base member 291 and the cover member 292 .
  • the first intermediate wall 236 includes a first base protrusion 295 and a first cover protrusion 297 .
  • the first base protrusion 295 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the back wall 234 of the base member 291 toward the cover member 292 .
  • the first base protrusion 295 includes a first recess 295 a .
  • the first recess 295 a is a recessed portion provided on an end surface of the first base protrusion 295 and extends through the first base protrusion 295 in the height direction Y.
  • the first cover protrusion 297 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the front wall 233 of the cover member 292 toward the base member 291 .
  • the first cover protrusion 297 is inside the first recess 295 a .
  • the end surface of the first cover protrusion 297 and a bottom surface of the first recess 295 a are displaced from each other, and this displacement provides the first intermediate hole 236 a.
  • the second intermediate wall 237 includes a second base protrusion 296 and a second cover protrusion 298 .
  • the second base protrusion 296 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the back wall 234 of the base member 291 toward the cover member 292 .
  • the second base protrusion 296 includes a second recess 296 a .
  • the second recess 296 a is a recessed portion provided on an end surface of the second base protrusion 296 and extends through the second base protrusion 296 in the height direction Y.
  • the second cover protrusion 298 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the front wall 233 of the cover member 292 toward the base member 291 .
  • the second cover protrusion 298 is inside the second recess 296 a .
  • the end surface of the second cover protrusion 298 and a bottom surface of the second recess 296 a are displaced from each other, and this displacement provides the second intermediate hole 237 a.
  • the first base protrusion 295 and the second base protrusion 296 are included in the base member 291 .
  • the base protrusions 295 , 296 protrude from the back wall 234 of the base member 291 toward the cover member 292 .
  • the recesses 295 a , 296 a are provided on the end surfaces of the base protrusions 295 , 296 .
  • the first recess 295 a is provided at an intermediate position on the first base protrusion 295 in the depth direction Z.
  • the second recess 296 a is provided at an intermediate position on the second base protrusion 296 in the depth direction Z.
  • the first cover protrusion 297 and the second cover protrusion 298 are included in the cover member 292 . These cover protrusions 297 , 298 protrude from the front wall 233 of the cover member 292 toward the base member 291 .
  • the housing partition 271 includes a base protrusion 271 a and a cover protrusion 271 b .
  • the base protrusion 271 a is included in the base member 291 .
  • the base protrusion 271 a is a protrusion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the first recess 295 a in the first base protrusion 295 .
  • a part of the base protrusion 271 a provided on the bottom surface of the first recess 295 a extends in the width direction X toward the cover member 292 .
  • a pair of parts of the base protrusions 271 a provided on a pair of wall surfaces of the first recess 295 a face each other and extend in the depth direction Z.
  • a distance between the pair of parts of the base protrusions 271 a facing each other and provided on the pair of wall surfaces is slightly smaller in the depth direction Z than a width of a part of the sensor SA 220 that is inserted into the first recess 295 a.
  • the cover protrusion 271 b is included in the cover member 292 .
  • the cover protrusion 271 b is a protrusion provided on the end surface of the first base protrusion 295 and extends in the width direction X toward the base member 291 .
  • FIGS. 38 and 39 a manufacturing method of the air flow meter 200 will be described focusing on a procedure of mounting the sensor SA 220 to the housing 201 .
  • a manufacturing process of the air flow meter 200 includes a step of manufacturing the sensor SA 220 , a step of manufacturing the base member 291 , and a step of manufacturing the cover member 292 . After these steps, a step of assembling the sensor SA 220 , the base member 291 , and the cover member 292 with each other is performed.
  • the molded portion 225 of the sensor SA 220 is manufactured by resin molding using an injection molding machine or an injection molding device provided with a mold device.
  • a molten resin obtained by melting a resin material is injected from an injection molding machine and press-fitted into the mold device.
  • an epoxy thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin is used as the resin material for forming the molded portion 225 .
  • the base member 291 is manufactured by resin molding or the like using an injection molding device or the like.
  • the cover member 292 is manufactured by resin molding or the like using an injection molding device or the like.
  • a thermoplastic resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is used as the resin material forming the base member 291 and the cover member 292 .
  • PBT polybutylene terephthalate
  • PPS polyphenylene sulfide
  • the base member 291 and the cover member 292 formed of the thermoplastic resin as described above is softer than the molded portion 225 formed of the thermosetting resin. In other words, the base member 291 and the cover member 292 have lower hardness and higher flexibility than the molded portion 225 .
  • the sensor SA 220 is first inserted into the base member 291 through the base opening 291 a .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 is inserted into the first recess 295 a
  • the lead terminal 223 a is inserted into the second recess 296 a . Accordingly, the sensor SA 220 is fixed between the first base protrusion 295 and the second base protrusion 296 .
  • the sensor SA 220 After the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 contacts the base protrusion 271 a of the first base protrusion 295 , the sensor SA 220 is further pushed toward the back wall 234 into the base member 291 . In this case, since the hardness of the base member 291 is lower than the hardness of the molded portion 225 , the tip end of the base protrusion 271 a is deformed so as to be pressed in the housing back direction and crushed by the SA flow path surface 285 .
  • the inner peripheral surface of the first recess 295 a of the base member 291 has the pair of parts of the base protrusion 271 a provided on the pair of wall surfaces facing each other.
  • the sensor SA 220 scrapes the tip portions of the base protrusion 271 a on the wall surfaces at the SA flow path surface 285 , and accordingly, the base protrusion 271 a on the wall surfaces is deformed.
  • the tip portions of the base protrusion 271 a are scraped and newly form end surfaces which are easily comes into contact with the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 pushes the base protrusion 271 a toward the back wall 234 and crushes the base protrusion 271 a on the bottom surface of the inner peripheral surface of the first recess 295 a .
  • the tip portion of the base protrusion 271 a on the bottom surface is deformed via crushing by the SA flow path surface 285 , and the tip portion of the base protrusion 271 a is crushed and newly form the end surfaces which are easily comes into contact with the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the cover protrusion 271 b is provided on the end surface of the first cover protrusion 297 in the cover member 292 .
  • the cover protrusion 271 b of the cover member 292 is pressed against the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 . Therefore, the cover member 292 is pressed against the base member 291 such that the tip portion of the cover protrusion 271 b of the first cover protrusion 297 is deformed via crushing by the SA flow path surface 285 . In this case, the tip portion of the cover protrusion 271 b is crushed and newly forms an end surface which is easily comes into contact with the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 .
  • cover member 292 is attached to the base member 291 such that cover member 292 covers the base opening 291 a and the sensor SA 220 .
  • first cover protrusion 297 of the cover member 292 is inserted into the first recess 295 a .
  • the cover protrusion 271 b on the end surface of the first cover protrusion 297 contacts the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 , and then the cover member 292 is further pressed against the sensor SA 220 toward the inside of the base member 291 .
  • the tip end of the cover protrusion 271 b is deformed so as to be pressed in the housing front direction and crushed by the SA flow path surface 285 .
  • the end surface of the cover protrusion 271 b in the crushed state is easily brought into contact with the SA flow path surface 285 , and the sealing property between the cover protrusion 271 b and the SA flow path surface 285 is improved.
  • the crushed portion of the housing partition 131 is illustrated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 17 .
  • the portions of the base protrusion 271 a and the cover protrusion 271 b crushed by the sensor SA 220 are not shown by chain double-dashed line.
  • the sensor SA 220 is fixed to the base member 291 and the cover member 292 by joining portions of the sensor SA 220 that are in contact with the base member 291 and the cover member 292 with an adhesive or the like. Accordingly, integration of the base member 291 and the cover member 292 provides the housing 201 . Further, in this case, the base protrusion 271 a and the cover protrusion 271 b form the housing partition 271 .
  • the housing partition 271 protruding from the inner surface of the housing 201 is between the sensor SA 220 and the housing 201 and separates the measurement flow path 212 from the SA container space 290 .
  • the tip end of the housing partition 271 and the sensor SA 220 easily come into contact with each other, a gap is unlikely to be formed between the inner surface of the housing 201 and the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the molten potting resin is injected into the SA container space 290 of the housing 201 for forming the filler portion, the potting resin is prevented from entering the measurement flow path 212 through the gap between the housing 201 and the sensor SA 220 .
  • the housing partition 271 makes a loop around the sensor SA 220 .
  • the housing partition 271 can create a state where the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 and the inner surface of the housing 201 are in contact with each other on an entire outer circumference of the sensor SA 220 . Therefore, the housing partition 271 can enhance the sealing property in the entire boundary between the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 .
  • the housing partition 271 is provided on the housing flow path surface 275 .
  • the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 are partitioned by the housing partition 271 at a position as close as possible to the measurement flow path 212 .
  • a part of the gap between the housing 201 and the sensor SA 220 included in the measurement flow path 212 can be made as small as possible.
  • the gap between the housing 201 and the sensor SA 220 is a region in which turbulence of airflow is likely to occur due to inflow of air flowing from the measurement inlet 215 toward the measurement outlet 216 .
  • the gap between the housing 201 and the sensor SA 220 is smaller, turbulence is less likely to occur in the air flow in the measurement flow path 212 , and the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 202 is likely to be improved. Therefore, since the housing partition 271 is provided on the housing flow path surface 275 , the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 202 can be improved.
  • the through flow path 31 is not substantially narrowed in the height direction Y between the through inlet 33 and the measurement inlet 35 .
  • a through flow path 31 is narrowed in the height direction Y between a through inlet 33 and a measurement inlet 35 .
  • components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawings according to the first embodiment and the configurations not described are the same as those in the first embodiment, and have the same operation and effects. In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
  • the through flow path 31 includes an inlet through path 331 , an outlet through path 332 , and a branch through path 333 .
  • the inlet through path 331 extends from the through inlet 33 toward a through outlet 34 and is between and connects the through inlet 33 and an upstream end of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the outlet through path 332 extends from the through outlet 34 toward the through inlet 33 and is between and connects the through outlet 34 and a downstream end of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the branch through path 333 is provided between the inlet through path 331 and the outlet through path 332 , and connects the inlet through path 331 and the outlet through path 332 .
  • the branch through path 333 extends in the depth direction Z along the measurement inlet 35 and is a portion of the through flow path 31 from which the measurement flow path 32 is branched.
  • the branch through path 333 extends from the measurement inlet 35 in the housing distal end direction.
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 includes a through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 as formation surfaces that form the through flow path 31 .
  • the through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 face each other in the height direction Y, and the through flow path 31 is provided between the through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 .
  • the through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 are between and connect the through inlet 33 and the through outlet 34 . Both the through ceiling surface 341 and the through floor surface 345 intersect the height direction Y and extend in the width direction X and the depth direction Z.
  • a measurement outlet 36 is provided on the through ceiling surface 341 .
  • the through ceiling surface 341 includes an inlet ceiling surface 342 and an outlet ceiling surface 343 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 forms a ceiling surface of the inlet through path 331 , and is between and connects the through inlet 33 and the upstream end of the measurement inlet 35 in the depth direction Z.
  • the depth direction Z corresponds to a direction in which the through inlet 33 and the through outlet 34 are arranged.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 extends straight from the through inlet 33 toward the upstream end of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the outlet ceiling surface 343 forms a ceiling surface of the outlet through path 332 , and is between and connects the through outlet 34 and the downstream end of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the outlet ceiling surface 343 extends straight from the through outlet 34 toward the downstream end of the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the through floor surface 345 includes an inlet floor surface 346 , an outlet floor surface 347 , and a branch floor surface 348 .
  • the inlet floor surface 346 forms a floor surface of the inlet through path 331 , and extends from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the inlet floor surface 346 and the inlet ceiling surface 342 face each other through the inlet through path 331 and the through inlet 33 .
  • the outlet floor surface 347 forms a floor surface of the outlet through path 332 , and extends from the through outlet 34 toward the through inlet 33 .
  • the outlet floor surface 347 and the outlet ceiling surface 343 face each other through the outlet through path 332 and the through outlet 34 .
  • the branch floor surface 348 forms a floor surface of the branch through path 333 .
  • the branch floor surface 348 is provided between the inlet floor surface 346 and the outlet floor surface 347 , and connects inlet floor surface 346 and the outlet floor surface 347 .
  • the branch floor surface 348 faces the measurement inlet 35 via the branch through path 333 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 and the outlet ceiling surface 343 both extend straight in the depth direction Z and are parallel to each other. These ceiling surfaces 342 , 343 both extend straight in the width direction X and are parallel to each other.
  • the through floor surface 345 extends straight in the depth direction Z and is parallel to the ceiling surfaces 342 , 343 .
  • the through floor surface 345 extends straight in the width direction X and is parallel to the ceiling surfaces 342 , 343 . Accordingly, the ceiling surfaces 342 , 343 and the through floor surface 345 extend straight in the width direction X, and through wall surfaces 631 , 632 (see FIG. 31 ) described later extend straight in the height direction Y. Due to these facts, the through inlet 33 and the through outlet 34 have rectangular shapes.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 , the outlet ceiling surface 343 , and the through floor surface 345 may be curved such that a portion between an upstream end and a downstream end in the depth direction Z is concave or convex.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 , the outlet ceiling surface 343 , and the through floor surface 345 may be curved so that a portion between the through wall surfaces 631 , 632 in the width direction X is concave or convex.
  • the through inlet 33 and the through outlet 34 may be curved so that at least one side is concave or convex. That is, the through inlet 33 and the through outlet 34 may not be rectangular.
  • sides of the through inlet 33 and sides of the through outlet 34 along the width direction X may have a curved convex shape.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 , the outlet ceiling surface 343 , and the through floor surface 345 may be curved so that a portion between the through wall surfaces 631 , 632 is convex.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 such that the inlet ceiling surface 342 faces to the through inlet 33 .
  • An inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 is more than or equal to 10 degrees. That is, the inclination angle ⁇ 21 is a value same as 10 degrees or a value larger than 10 degrees. There is a relationship: ⁇ 21 10°.
  • a floor parallel line CL 21 is defined as an imaginary straight line extending parallel to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 21 is between the inlet ceiling surface 342 facing the through inlet 33 and the floor parallel line CL 21 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 and the outlet ceiling surface 343 are different in inclination angle with respect to the floor parallel line CL 21 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the floor parallel line CL 21 is larger than an inclination angle of the outlet ceiling surface 343 with respect to the floor parallel line CL 21 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 corresponds to a ceiling inclined surface.
  • a configuration of the present embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except for a configuration in which the inlet ceiling surface 342 faces the through inlet 33 .
  • the descriptions of the same configuration of the present embodiment is also the descriptions of the above first embodiment.
  • a distance H 21 between the inlet ceiling surface 342 and the inlet floor surface 346 in the height direction Y gradually decreases in a direction from the through inlet 33 to the through outlet 34 .
  • the height direction Y here is a direction orthogonal to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • the reduction rate of the distance H 21 is a constant value in the inlet through path 331 .
  • the through floor surface 345 extends straight in the depth direction Z.
  • the inlet floor surface 346 , the outlet floor surface 347 , and the branch floor surface 348 are coplanar with each other.
  • the main flow line CL 22 is defined as an imaginary straight line extending in the depth direction Z that is the main flow direction.
  • the through floor surface 345 is inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 so as to face the through inlet 33 .
  • each of the inlet floor surface 346 , the outlet floor surface 347 , and the branch floor surface 348 is inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • the main flow line CL 22 extends parallel to the angle setting surface 27 a because the angle setting surface 27 a of the flange 27 extends in the main flow direction.
  • An inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is more than or equal to 10 degrees, similar to the inclination angle ⁇ 21 . That is, the inclination angle ⁇ 22 is a value same as 10 degrees or a value larger than 10 degrees. There is a relationship: ⁇ 22 ⁇ 10°. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle ⁇ 22 is set to, for example, 10 degrees. As shown in FIG. 41 , the inclination angle ⁇ 22 is between the inlet ceiling surface 342 facing the through inlet 33 and the main flow line CL 22 . The inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is smaller than the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the inlet through path 331 has a shape that is gradually narrowed in a direction from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 by at least the inlet ceiling surface 342 and the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • a cross-sectional area S 21 of the inlet through path 331 in the directions X, Y orthogonal to the main flow line CL 22 gradually decreases in the direction from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 21 has a largest value at the through inlet 33 which is an upstream end of the inlet through path 331 , and has a smallest value at a downstream end of the inlet through path 331 .
  • a reduction rate of the cross-sectional area S 21 is a constant value in the inlet through path 331 , and a graph showing the value of the cross-sectional area S 21 in the inlet through path 331 extends linearly as shown in FIG. 42 .
  • the outlet through path 332 has a shape that is gradually narrowed in a direction from an upstream end of the outlet through path 332 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • a cross-sectional area of the outlet through path 332 in the directions X, Y orthogonal to the main flow line CL 22 gradually decreases in the direction from the upstream end of the outlet through path 332 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the cross-sectional area of the inlet through path 331 can also be referred to as a flow path area of the inlet through path 331 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 has a folded shape folded back between the measurement inlet 35 and the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the measurement flow path 32 includes a branch measurement path 351 , an introduction measurement path 352 , a detection measurement path 353 , and a discharge measurement path 354 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 , the introduction measurement path 352 , the detection measurement path 353 , and the discharge measurement path 354 are arranged in this order in a direction from the measurement inlet 35 toward the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 extends from the measurement inlet 35 in the housing basal end direction, and is a portion of the measurement flow path 32 branched from the through flow path 31 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 forms the measurement inlet 35 , and an upstream end of the branch measurement path 351 serves as the measurement inlet 35 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 is inclined with respect to both the height direction Y and the depth direction Z.
  • the branch measurement path 351 is inclined with respect to the through flow path 31 .
  • the introduction measurement path 352 extends from a downstream end of the branch measurement path 351 in a direction away from the through flow path 31 along the height direction Y.
  • the introduction measurement path 352 guides air flowing from the branch measurement path 351 toward the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the detection measurement path 353 extends in the depth direction Z from a downstream end of the introduction measurement path 352 , and is provided opposite the branch measurement path 351 via the introduction measurement path 352 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is provided in the detection measurement path 353 .
  • the discharge measurement path 354 extends from a downstream end of the detection measurement path 353 toward the through flow path 31 in the height direction Y, and is provided parallel to the introduction measurement path 352 .
  • the discharge measurement path 354 forms the measurement outlet 36 , and a downstream end of the discharge measurement path 354 serves as the measurement outlet 36 . In this case, the discharge measurement path 354 discharges air flowing from the detection measurement path 353 through the measurement outlet 36 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 includes a portion that extends straight from the measurement inlet 35 toward the introduction measurement path 352 .
  • a center line of this portion is defined as a branch measurement line CL 23 .
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 extends linearly and is inclined with respect to the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 extends obliquely from the measurement inlet 35 toward a downstream side of the branch measurement path 351 in a direction away from the through inlet 33 .
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 extends obliquely from the measurement inlet 35 toward the downstream side of the branch measurement path 351 in a direction toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the inner surface of the housing 21 is chamfered at the branch portion between the through flow path 31 and the measurement flow path 32 , but the branch measurement line CL 23 is set assuming a configuration without this chamfered portion.
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 includes an extended line obtained by extending the center line of the branch measurement path 351 from the measurement inlet 35 toward the through flow path 31 .
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • An inclination angle ⁇ 23 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 is more than or equal to 90 degrees. That is, the inclination angle ⁇ 23 is a value same as 90 degrees or a value larger than 90 degrees. There is a relationship: ⁇ 23 ⁇ 90°.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 23 is between the floor parallel line CL 21 and the branch measurement line CL 23 facing the through inlet 33 . In the range of ⁇ 23 which is 90 degrees or more, ⁇ 23 is preferably 150 degrees or less, and more preferably 120 degrees or less.
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 is inclined with respect to not only the inlet floor surface 346 but also the main flow line CL 22 .
  • An inclination angle ⁇ 24 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is more than or equal to 90 degrees, similar to the inclination angle ⁇ 23 . That is, the inclination angle ⁇ 24 is a value same as 90 degrees or a value larger than 90 degrees. There is a relationship: ⁇ 24 ⁇ 90°.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 24 is between the main flow line CL 22 and the branch measurement line CL 23 facing the through inlet 33 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 24 is included in the obtuse angle. In the range of ⁇ 24 which is 90 degrees or more, ⁇ 24 is preferably 150 degrees or less, and more preferably 120 degrees or less.
  • the inclination angles ⁇ 23 , ⁇ 24 are included in the obtuse angle.
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 is inclined with respect to not only the inlet floor surface 346 and the main flow line CL 22 but also the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • An inclination angle of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the inlet ceiling surface 342 is more than or equal to 10 degrees, similar to the inclination angle ⁇ 21 , ⁇ 22 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 is inclined with respect to the inlet through path 331 .
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 that is the center line of the branch measurement path 351 is inclined with respect to the inlet through line CL 24 that is the center line of the inlet through path 331 .
  • An inclination angle ⁇ 25 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the inlet through line CL 24 is more than or equal to 90 degrees. That is, the inclination angle ⁇ 25 is a value same as 90 degrees or a value larger than 90 degrees. There is a relationship: ⁇ 25 ⁇ 90°.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 25 is between the branch measurement line CL 23 and the inlet through line CL 24 facing the through inlet 33 .
  • the inlet through line CL 24 is a linear imaginary line that passes through the center CO 21 of the through inlet 33 that is an upstream end of the inlet through path 331 and a center CO 22 of a downstream end of the inlet through path 331 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 is inclined with respect to the outlet through path 332 .
  • the branch measurement line CL 23 is inclined with respect to an outlet through line CL 25 that is the center line of the outlet through path 332 .
  • An inclination angle ⁇ 26 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the outlet through line CL 25 is less than or equal to 60 degrees. That is, the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is a value same as 60 degrees or a value smaller than 60 degrees. There is a relationship: ⁇ 26 ⁇ 60°. For example, the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is set to 60 degrees.
  • the outlet through line CL 25 is a linear imaginary line that passes through a center CO 23 of an upstream end of the outlet through path 332 and the center CO 24 of the through outlet 34 that is a downstream end of the outlet through path 332 .
  • the outlet through line CL 25 is inclined with respect to the inlet through line CL 24 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 26 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the outlet through line CL 25 is an inclination angle of the branch measurement path 351 with respect to the branch through path 333 , and corresponds to a branch angle indicating an angle at which the measurement flow path 32 branches from the through flow path 31 .
  • the air flow through the intake passage 12 includes main flows AF 21 , AF 22 and deflected flows AF 23 to AF 26 .
  • the main flows AF 21 , AF 22 travel through the intake passage 12 along the main flow line CL 22 in the main flow direction, and enter the inlet through path 331 from the through inlet 33 without change in traveling direction.
  • a main flow AF 21 enters the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 , and travels toward the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the main flow AF 21 changes in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 changes the traveling direction of the main flow AF 21 into a direction toward the through floor surface 345 .
  • another main flow AF 22 enters the through inlet 33 near the inlet floor surface 346 , and travels toward the through floor surface 345 such as the inlet floor surface 346 or the branch floor surface 348 .
  • the main flow AF 22 changes in traveling direction by the through floor surface 345 .
  • the through floor surface 345 changes the traveling direction of the main flow AF 22 into a direction toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the deflected flows AF 23 to AF 26 travel through the intake passage 12 in directions inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 and the main flow direction in the main flow direction, and enter the inlet through path 331 from the through inlet 33 without change in traveling direction.
  • downward deflected flows AF 23 , AF 24 are airflows that obliquely travel in the intake passage 12 around the housing 21 in the housing distal end direction which is opposite from the housing basal end direction.
  • the downward deflected flows AF 23 , AF 24 are defined as airflows which are smaller than the inlet ceiling surface 342 in inclination angle with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • a downward deflected flow AF 23 entering the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 easily travels toward the through floor surface 345 along the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the traveling direction of the downward deflected flow AF 23 is unlikely to change due to the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the foreign matter even if a foreign matter enters the through inlet 33 together with the downward deflected flow AF 23 , the foreign matter easily travels toward the through floor surface 345 , and the foreign matter does not easily enter the measurement inlet 35 .
  • another downward deflected flow AF 24 enters the through inlet 33 near the inlet floor surface 346 , and travels toward the through floor surface 345 .
  • the downward deflected flow AF 24 changes in traveling direction by the through floor surface 345 .
  • the through floor surface 345 changes the traveling direction of the downward deflected flow AF 24 into a direction toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the foreign matter easily travels along the through floor surface 345 toward the through outlet 34 , and the foreign matter does not easily enter the measurement inlet 35 .
  • upward deflected flows AF 25 , AF 26 are airflows that obliquely travel in the intake passage 12 around the housing 21 in the housing basal end direction which is opposite from the housing distal end direction.
  • the upward deflected flows AF 25 , AF 26 are defined as airflows which are larger than the inlet floor surface 346 in inclination angle with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • an upward deflected flow AF 25 enters the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 , and travels toward the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the upward deflected flow AF 25 changes in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 changes the traveling direction of the upward deflected flow AF 25 into a direction toward the through floor surface 345 .
  • the turbulent airflow may flow into the measurement flow path 32 from the measurement inlet 35 , which may reduce the accuracy in flow rate detection of the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the upward deflected flow AF 25 which has been changed in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 , is traveling toward the through floor surface 345 , the upward deflected flow AF 25 presses the upward deflected flow AF 26 toward the through floor surface 345 .
  • the upward deflected flow AF 25 traveling toward the through floor surface 345 changes the traveling direction of the upward deflected flow AF 26 near the inlet floor surface 346 into a direction toward the through floor surface 345 .
  • the upward deflected flow AF 26 is unlikely to be separated from the through floor surface 345 , and as a result, the vortex AF 27 that occurs in connection with the separation is also unlikely to occur. Therefore, the turbulence of the air flow in the through flow path 31 due to generation of the vortex AF 27 is suppressed.
  • a fluctuation mode of an output related to the flow rate measurement is correlated with the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the output fluctuation is properly managed in a configuration in which the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 is 10 degrees or more.
  • the output fluctuation of the air flow meter 20 becomes smaller as the inclination angle ⁇ 21 is closer to 10 degrees.
  • the output fluctuation of the air flow meter 20 is appropriately kept at a small value.
  • ⁇ 21 which is 10 degrees or more, ⁇ 21 is preferably 60 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or less.
  • the output fluctuation of the air flow meter 20 is also correlated with the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • This output fluctuation is properly managed by a configuration in which the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is more than or equal to 10 degrees.
  • the output fluctuation of the air flow meter 20 becomes smaller as the inclination angle ⁇ 22 is closer to 10 degrees.
  • ⁇ 21 is preferably 60 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or less.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 can detect not only a flow rate of air in the measurement flow path 32 but also a flow of the air in the measurement flow path 32 . However, if the backward flow from the through outlet 34 flows into the measurement flow path 32 , the backward flow flows in the measurement flow path 32 from the measurement inlet 35 to the measurement outlet 36 , as with the forward flow from the through inlet 33 . Thus, in the measurement flow path 32 , a direction of the backward flow from the through outlet 34 and a direction of the forward flow from the through inlet 33 are identical to each other. Therefore, the flow rate sensor 22 cannot distinguishes between the forward flow and the backward flow.
  • the air flow meter 20 measures the flow rate of the air, on the assumption that all of the air flowing through the measurement flow path 32 is the forward flow, even though the air flowing through the measurement flow path 32 actually includes the backward flow. As a result, there is a concern that the measurement accuracy of the air flow meter 20 may be lowered.
  • the turbulence of the air flow such as a vortex flow or stagnation may occur as the air passes around the air flow meter 20 .
  • a turbulence of air flow may occur due to mixing of an air flow in the main flow direction and an air flow along the housing downstream surface 21 d .
  • the turbulence of air flow exists around the through outlet 34 , such as a downstream side of the housing downstream surface 21 d , the backward flow generated in the intake passage 12 involves the turbulence and becomes unstable. There is a concern that the unstable backward flow enters the through flow path 31 from the through outlet 34 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 extends in a direction from the through flow path 31 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the backward flow is less likely to flow into the branch measurement path 351 from the through flow path 31 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 26 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the outlet through line CL 25 is less than or equal to 60 degrees. Hence, the backward flow is more difficult to flow into the branch measurement path 351 from the through flow path 31 .
  • the measurement inlet 35 does not face to the through inlet 33 .
  • a dynamic pressure of the forward flow from the through inlet 33 is less likely to be applied to the measurement inlet 35 and, a flow velocity of air in the measurement flow path 32 is likely to increase.
  • the foreign matters such as sand particle, dust, waterdrops, and oil droplets enter the through flow path 31 from the through inlet 33 together with the forward flow, the foreign matters hardly enters the branch measurement path 351 from the through flow path 31 . In that case, the foreign matters reaching the flow rate sensor 22 in the measurement flow path 32 is less likely to break the flow rate sensor 22 or adhere to the flow rate sensor 22 . Thus, deterioration in detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 due to the foreign matters can be reduced.
  • a state of pulsation generated in the intake passage 12 is defined as a pulsation characteristic.
  • the pulsation characteristic measured by the air flow meter 20 by use of the detection result of the flow rate sensor 22 may include an error as compared with a pulsation characteristic of pulsation actually generated in the intake passage 12 .
  • a case where an error is included in the pulsation characteristic measured by the air flow meter 20 includes a case where the backward flow from the through outlet 34 enters the measurement flow path 32 from the through flow path 31 .
  • the flow rate measured by the air flow meter 20 is referred to as a flow rate measurement value GA
  • an average value of the flow rate measurement values GA is referred to as a measurement average value GAave
  • the actual flow rate of the intake air flowing through the intake passage 12 is referred to as an actual flow rate GB
  • an average value of the actual flow rate GB is referred to as an actual average value GBave.
  • the measurement average value GAave when the flow rate measurement value GA becomes smaller than the actual flow rate GB due to the inclusion of an error in the flow rate measurement value GA, the measurement average value GAave also becomes smaller than the actual average value GBave.
  • the pulsation characteristics can be quantified by a value obtained by dividing a difference between the measurement average value GAave and the actual average value GBave by the actual average value GBave.
  • a mathematical expression for calculating the pulsation characteristics is expressed as (GAave ⁇ GBave)/GBave.
  • the value of the pulsation characteristic tends to increase as the amplitude of the pulsation increases. For example, when a value obtained by dividing a difference between the maximum value GBmax of the actual flow rate GB and the actual average value GBave by the actual average value GBave is referred to as an amplitude ratio, as shown in FIG.
  • a numerical value of the pulsation characteristic increases as the amplitude ratio increases.
  • the rate of increase of the pulsation characteristic with an increase in the amplitude ratio is large.
  • the amount of the backward flow from the through outlet 34 becomes larger.
  • a mathematical expression for calculating the amplitude ratio can be expressed as (GBmax ⁇ GBave)/GBave.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 26 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is set to, for example, 60 degrees, but a value of the pulsation characteristic is likely to change in accordance with the inclination angle ⁇ 26 .
  • a value of the pulsation characteristic is likely to change in accordance with the inclination angle ⁇ 26 .
  • the backward flow is less likely to flow into the measurement flow path 32 with the configuration in which the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees.
  • the backward flow is likely to flow into the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the detection accuracy of the pulsation characteristic by the air flow meter 20 is likely to be lowered.
  • the tendency of the backward flow flowing into the measurement flow path 32 differs depending on the inclination angle ⁇ 26 , as a result of which the numerical values of the pulsation characteristic differs from each other.
  • the numerical value of the pulsation characteristic is a relatively small value. It is considered that this is attributable to a phenomenon that when the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is equal to or less than 60 degrees, the backward flow is less likely to flow into the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the numerical value of the pulsation characteristic is relatively large. This is considered to be attributable to the phenomenon that when the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is larger than 60 degrees, the backward flow is likely to flow into the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the numerical value of the pulsation characteristic increases as the inclination angle ⁇ 26 increases. This is considered to be attributable to the phenomenon that, in a range in which the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is larger than 60 degrees, as the inclination angle ⁇ 26 is larger, the backward flow is likely to flow into the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • an air flowing into the inlet through path 331 from the through inlet 33 which flows near the inlet ceiling surface 342 , such as the upward deflected flow AF 25 , is changed in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 . Accordingly, the air easily flows toward the inlet floor surface 346 along the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 is 10 degrees or more.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 21 is set to a relatively large value so that the air such as the upward deflected flow AF 25 which has been changed in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 travels toward the inlet floor surface 346 , not toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the air such as the upward deflected flow AF 25 which has been changed in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 can certainly reduce occurrence of air separation near the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 such that the inlet ceiling surface 342 faces the through inlet 33 .
  • air such as the main flow AF 21 and the downward deflected flow AF 23 entering the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 is less likely to separate from the inlet ceiling surface 342 . Therefore, occurrence of turbulence such as vortex in the air entering the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 can be reduced.
  • the main flow AF 21 entering the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 is likely to gradually separates from the inlet ceiling surface 342 in the traveling direction toward the through outlet 34 .
  • a turbulence of air flow is likely to occur in the through flow path 31 due to generation of vortex or the like by the main flow AF 21 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 is inclined with respect to the main flow direction in which the main flow line CL 22 extends such that the inlet ceiling surface 342 faces the through inlet 33 .
  • the air can be guided toward the inlet floor surface 346 by the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow direction is 10 degrees or more.
  • the deflected flows that obliquely travel around the housing 21 in the housing distal end direction, which is opposite from the housing basal end direction include as much as possible the downward deflected flows AF 23 , AF 24 which are smaller than the inlet ceiling surface 342 in inclination angle with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • occurrence of turbulence such as vortex in the air flow due to the deflected flows of air entering the through inlet 33 near the inlet ceiling surface 342 and being separated from the inlet ceiling surface 342 can be reduced.
  • the main flow direction in which the main flow line CL 22 extends is a direction in which the angle setting surface 27 a of the housing 21 extends. Therefore, use of the angle setting surface 27 a at the time of setting an attaching angle of the housing 21 with respect to the piping unit 14 can provide attachment of the housing 21 to the piping unit 14 in an appropriate direction according to a flow direction of ambient air in the intake passage 12 . That is, the housing 21 can be attached to the piping unit 14 in a direction in which the inlet ceiling surface 342 can exert its separation reducing effect.
  • the cross-sectional area S 21 of the inlet through path 331 gradually decreases in a direction from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • the degree of narrowing of the inlet through path 331 increases in accordance with traveling of air from the through inlet 33 through the inlet through path 331 toward the through outlet 34 . Therefore, the air is easily regulated by the inner surface of the housing 21 .
  • the air such as the upward deflected flow AF 25 which has been changed in traveling direction by the inlet ceiling surface 342 is more likely to travel toward the inlet floor surface 346 without spreading in the housing front direction or the housing back direction than the inlet floor surface 346 . Accordingly, air turbulence near the inlet floor surface 346 can be reduced. Therefore, the inlet through path 331 can be formed into a shape that easily exhibits the separation reducing effect of the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 25 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the inlet through line CL 24 is 90 degrees or more.
  • the air flowing from the through inlet 33 through the inlet through path 331 along the inlet through line CL 24 can be made to flow into the measurement flow path 32 from the inlet through path 331 by obtuse and gentle change in traveling direction of the air without the need of acute and sharp change. Therefore, when the air flowing through the through flow path 31 flows into the measurement flow path 32 , occurrence of turbulence of air flow due to a sharp change in traveling direction can be reduced.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 26 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is 60 degrees or less.
  • the branch angle of the measurement flow path 32 with respect to the through flow path 31 is 60 degrees or less, the air flowing from the through inlet 33 into the inlet through path 331 can be made to flow into the measurement flow path 32 from the inlet through path 331 without the need of sharp change in traveling direction. Therefore, turbulence of the air flow is less likely to occur at the time of the air flowing into the measurement flow path 32 from the through flow path 31 .
  • the backward flow from the through outlet 34 needs to sharply and acutely turn in order to flow into the branch measurement path 351 from the through flow path 31 . For this reason, a phenomenon in which the backward flow does not easily flow into the branch measurement path 351 easily occur, and the backward flow reaching the flow rate sensor 22 can be reduced. Occurrence of measurement by the air flow meter 20 , in which a flow rate is measured as if the forward flow from the through inlet 33 reaches the flow rate sensor 22 though the backward flow from the through outlet 34 actually reaches the flow rate sensor 22 , can be reduced. Therefore, an accuracy of the flow rate measurement of the intake air by the air flow meter 20 can be improved.
  • the direction of the forward flow may gradually change into a direction toward the branch measurement path 351 .
  • the backward flow is less likely to flow into the branch measurement path 351
  • the forward flow is likely to flow into the branch measurement path 351 . Accordingly, decrease in flow velocity of the forward flow flowing into the measurement flow path 32 can be reduced.
  • the accuracy in flow rate detection of the forward flow from the through inlet 33 by the flow rate sensor 22 can be enhanced.
  • the opening area of the through outlet 34 is smaller than the opening area of the through inlet 33 .
  • the backward flow generated in the intake passage 12 is less likely to flow into the through outlet 34 . Therefore, the backward flow flowing into the branch measurement path 351 can be more surely reduced.
  • the front peak 111 a and the back peak 112 a in the measurement flow path 32 may not be arranged in the width direction X.
  • the peaks 111 a , 112 a only the front peak 111 a may be arranged on the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the back peak 112 a may be arranged at a position displaced from the center line CL 5 in at least one of the height direction Y and the depth direction Z.
  • the front peak 111 a of the front narrowed portion 111 does not have to be arranged on the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the front peak 111 a just have to be aligned with a part of the heating resistor 71 in the width direction X and face a part of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the front peak 111 a just have to be aligned with a part of the membrane portion 62 in the width direction X and face a part of the membrane portion 62 .
  • the front peak 111 a just have to be aligned with a part of the flow rate sensor 22 in the width direction X and face a part of the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • narrowed portions such as the front narrowed portion 111 and the back narrowed portion 112 may be provided on the measurement ceiling surface 102 or the measurement floor surface 101 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the narrowed portion only has to be provided on at least one of the measurement floor surface 101 , the measurement ceiling surface 102 , the front measurement wall surface 103 , and the back measurement wall surface 104 .
  • a physical quantity sensor for detecting a physical quantity different from the flow rate of the intake air may be provided in the measurement flow path.
  • the physical quantity sensor provided in the measurement flow path include a detection unit for detecting a temperature, a detection unit for detecting a humidity, a detection unit for detecting a pressure, and the like in addition to the flow rate sensor 22 , 202 .
  • Those detection units may be mounted on the sensor SA 50 , 220 as the detection unit or may be provided as components separated from the sensor SA 50 , 220 .
  • the air flow meter 20 , 200 does not need to include the through flow path 31 , 211 . That is, the bypass flow path 30 , 210 may not be branched.
  • the measurement inlet 35 , 215 of the measurement flow path 32 , 212 may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 21 , 201 . In this configuration, all of the air that has flowed into the housing 21 , 201 from the measurement inlet 35 , 215 flows out from the measurement outlet 36 , 216 .
  • the housing partition may be provided on the housing container surface.
  • the housing partition 131 is provided on the housing container surface 136 .
  • the housing partition 131 extends toward the SA container surface 146 of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the center line CL 11 of the housing partition 131 extends in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • the housing partition 131 does not extend in the directions X, Z orthogonal to the height direction Y, but extends obliquely from the housing container surface 136 in the housing basal end direction. Therefore, the center line CL 11 of the housing partition 131 intersects the housing container surface 136 not orthogonally but obliquely.
  • the housing partition 131 is provided on the housing container surface 136 . Therefore, by simply pushing the sensor SA 50 beyond the SA container space 150 , the tip end of the housing partition 131 can be deformed so as to be scraped at the external corner between the housing step surface 137 and the housing container surface 136 . As a result, the housing partition 131 is easily made into contact with the housing container surface 136 .
  • FIG. 51 a portion of the housing partition 131 which was scraped and deformed by the sensor SA 50 is illustrated by a chain double-dashed line.
  • the housing partition may be provided on the housing step surface in the second embodiment as in the first embodiment.
  • the housing partition 271 is provided on the housing step surface 277 .
  • the first intermediate hole 236 a of the first intermediate wall 236 is formed by an end surface of the first intermediate wall 236 rather than the tip end of the housing partition 271 .
  • a portion of the housing partition 271 which was crushed by the sensor SA 220 is illustrated by a chain double-dashed line.
  • the base protrusion 271 a is provided on a wall surface of the first base protrusion 295 that faces in the housing basal end direction.
  • the cover protrusion 271 b is provided on a surface of the first cover protrusion 297 that faces in the housing basal end direction.
  • the housing partition may be provided on the housing flow path surface in the first embodiment as in the second embodiment.
  • the housing partition 131 is provided on the housing flow path surface 135 .
  • a unit recess into which the housing partition is inserted may be provided on the detection unit.
  • the SA step surface 147 of the sensor SA 50 is provided with a SA recess 161 as the unit recess.
  • the housing partition 131 is inserted into the SA recess 161 .
  • a recessing direction of the SA recess 161 from the SA step surface 147 is the same as a protruding direction of the housing partition 131 from the housing step surface 137 . That is, the center line of the SA recess 161 coincides with the center line CL 11 of the housing partition 131 .
  • the housing partition 131 and an inner surface of the SA recess 161 are easily brought into contact with each other. More specifically, a depth of the SA recess 161 which is a recess depth from the SA step surface 147 is smaller than a protrusion height of the housing partition 131 from the housing step surface 137 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is inserted through the housing opening 151 a , and the housing partition 131 is inserted into the SA recess 161 . Then, the sensor SA 50 is further pushed such that the housing partition 131 contacts the inner surface of the SA recess 161 and is deformed via crushing. As a result, the housing partition 131 is easily made into contact with the inner surface of the SA recess 161 .
  • a gap between the housing and the detection unit may be partitioned by a unit partition of the detection unit.
  • the sensor SA 220 as the detection unit includes a SA partition 302 as the unit partition.
  • the SA partition 302 is a protrusion provided on the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 , and projects from the sensor SA 220 toward the housing 201 .
  • a tip end of the SA partition 302 is in contact with the inner surface of the housing 201 .
  • the SA partition 302 is between the outer surface of the sensor SA 220 and the inner surface of the housing 201 and separates the SA container space 290 from the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the SA partition 302 is provided on the SA flow path surface 285 of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the SA partition 302 is provided in a portion of the SA flow path surface 285 that faces the housing flow path surface 275 of the housing 201 , and projects outward and toward the housing flow path surface 275 in a direction intersecting the height direction Y.
  • a center line CL 14 of the SA partition 302 extends linearly in the direction X, Z orthogonal to the height direction Y.
  • the SA partition 302 together with the SA flow path surface 285 , extends to make a loop around an outer circumference of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the SA partition 302 has a portion extending in the width direction X and a portion extending in the depth direction Z.
  • the SA partition 302 has a substantially rectangular frame shape as a whole.
  • the SA partition 302 has a tapered shape, similar to the housing partition 131 of the first embodiment.
  • an end surface of the first intermediate wall 236 is a flat surface, and a tip end of the SA partition 302 is in contact with this flat surface.
  • the SA partition 302 is deformed like deformation of the base protrusion 271 a of the first embodiment. Specifically, the sensor SA 220 is pushed into the base member 291 through the base opening 291 a such that the tip end of the SA partition 302 is deformed via crushing or scraping by the first base protrusion 295 of the base member 291 . Further, when the cover member 292 is attached to the base member 291 , the SA partition 302 is deformed like deformation of the cover protrusion 271 b of the first embodiment.
  • the cover member 292 is pressed against the sensor SA 220 and the base member 291 such that the tip end of the SA partition 302 is deformed via crushing by the first cover protrusion 297 of the cover member 292 .
  • the crushing or scraping of the tip end of the SA partition 302 newly generates a tip end surface which is easily come into tight contact with the housing flow path surface 275 of the housing 201 . Accordingly, a sealing performance between the SA partition 302 and the housing flow path surface 275 is improved.
  • the SA partition 302 may be provided on the SA step surface 287 of the sensor SA 220 in the modification B5.
  • the SA partition 302 extends in the height direction Y toward the housing step surface 277 .
  • a center line CL 4 of the SA partition 302 extends in the height direction Y.
  • the SA partition 302 together with the SA step surface 287 , extends to make a loop around an outer circumference of the sensor SA 220 .
  • the SA partition 302 is provided at a position closer to the SA flow path surface 285 than to the SA container surface 286 on the SA step surface 287 .
  • the measurement flow path 212 and the SA container space 290 are partitioned by the SA partition 302 at a position as close as possible to the measurement flow path 212 .
  • a part of the gap between the housing 201 and the sensor SA 220 included in the measurement flow path 212 can be made as small as possible. Therefore, since the SA partition 302 is provided at a position as close as possible to the SA flow path surface 285 , the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 202 can be improved.
  • both the SA step surface 287 and the housing step surface 277 intersect the height direction Y and face each other in the height direction Y. Therefore, when the sensor SA 220 is inserted into the first intermediate hole 236 a of the first intermediate wall 236 , the SA partition 302 is engaged with the housing step surface 277 . Therefore, the SA partition 302 can be brought into tight contact with the housing step surface 277 by simply pushing the sensor SA 220 into the housing 201 toward the measurement flow path 212 .
  • the modifications B4 and B5 may be combined, and a housing recess may be provided on the housing into which the unit partition is inserted.
  • the sensor SA 50 as the detection unit includes a SA partition 162 as the unit partition
  • the housing 21 includes a housing recess 163 .
  • the SA partition 162 is a protrusion provided on the outer surface of the sensor SA 50 , and projects from the sensor SA 50 toward the housing 21 .
  • the SA partition 162 is inserted into the housing recess 163 .
  • the SA partition 162 is provided on the SA step surface 147 of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the SA partition 162 extends in the height direction Y, and a center line CL 13 of the SA partition 162 extends linearly and inclined with respect to both the SA step surface 147 and the housing step surface 137 .
  • the SA partition 162 together with the SA step surface 147 , extends to make a loop around an outer circumference of the sensor SA 50 .
  • the SA partition 162 has a portion extending in the width direction X and a portion extending in the depth direction Z.
  • the SA partition 162 has a substantially rectangular frame shape as a whole.
  • the SA partition 162 has a tapered shape, similar to the housing partition 131 of the first embodiment.
  • the housing recess 163 is provided on the housing step surface 137 .
  • a recessing direction of the housing recess 163 from the housing step surface 137 is the same as a protruding direction of the SA partition 162 from the SA step surface 147 . That is, the center line of the housing recess 163 coincides with the center line CL 13 of the SA partition 162 .
  • the SA partition 162 is inserted into the housing recess 163 .
  • the SA partition 162 and an inner surface of the housing recess 163 are easily brought into contact with each other.
  • a depth of the housing recess 163 is smaller than the protrusion height of the SA partition 162 .
  • the sensor SA 50 is inserted through the housing opening 151 a , and the SA partition 162 is inserted into the housing recess 163 . Then, the sensor SA 50 is further pushed such that the SA partition 162 contacts the inner surface of the housing recess 163 and is deformed via crushing. As a result, the SA partition 162 is easily made into contact with the inner surface of the housing recess 163 .
  • angles between the center line CL 13 of the SA partition 162 and the housing step surface 137 include a container angle ⁇ 14 facing the SA container space 150 and a flow path angle ⁇ 13 facing the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the container angle ⁇ 14 is larger than the flow path angle ⁇ 13 . That is, there is a relationship of ⁇ 14 > ⁇ 13 .
  • the tip end of the SA partition 162 contacts the housing step surface 137 , the tip end of the SA partition 162 is more likely to tilt or collapse toward the SA container space 150 than toward the measurement flow path 32 . Therefore, even if crushed dust such as fragments is generated at the time of the SA partition 162 being crushed by the housing step surface 137 , the crushed dust is unlikely to enter the measurement flow path 32 .
  • both the SA step surface 147 and the housing step surface 137 intersect the height direction Y and face each other in the height direction Y. Therefore, when the sensor SA 50 is inserted into the first housing part 151 , the SA partition 162 is engaged with the housing step surface 137 . In this case, the SA partition 162 can be brought into tight contact with the housing step surface 137 by simply pushing the sensor SA 50 into the first housing part 151 toward the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the position the housing partition provided on the housing step surface may not be closer to the housing flow path surface than to the housing container surface.
  • the housing partition 271 is arranged at a position on the housing step surface 277 closer to the housing container surface 276 than to the housing flow path surface 275 .
  • the housing flow path surface 135 and the housing container surface 136 may be the same in distance to the housing partition 131 .
  • the position the unit partition provided on the unit step surface may not be closer to the unit flow path surface than to the unit container surface.
  • the SA partition 302 is provided at a position closer to the SA container surface 286 than to the SA flow path surface 285 on the SA step surface 287 .
  • the SA flow path surface 285 and the SA container surface 286 may be the same in distance to the SA partition 302 .
  • the housing partition may be provided on multiple surfaces selected from among the housing step surface, the housing flow path surface, and the housing container surface.
  • the housing partitions provided on the respective multiple surfaces may be connected to one another or may be independent from one another.
  • the housing partitions 131 provided on the housing step surface 137 and the housing flow path surface 135 are arranged in the height direction Y independently from each other.
  • the unit partition may be provided on multiple surfaces selected from among the unit step surface, the unit flow path surface, and the unit container surface.
  • the unit partitions provided on the respective multiple surfaces may be connected to one another or may be independent from one another.
  • the SA partitions 162 provided on the SA step surface 147 and the SA flow path surface 145 are arranged in the height direction Y independently from each other.
  • the housing partition and the unit partition may not make a loop around the detection unit.
  • a higher portion and a lower portion in height position in the height direction Y are arranged in the circumferential direction.
  • the housing partition 131 is provided only on the lower portion among the higher portion and the lower portion.
  • the housing partition 131 does not have an annular shape though the housing partition 131 extends in the width direction X and the depth direction Z.
  • the physical quantity measurement device may have both the housing partition and the unit partition.
  • the housing partition and the unit partition are arranged in the height direction Y.
  • the unit partition may be provided on a surface among the housing step surface, the housing flow path surface and the housing container surface, which does not face a surface on which the housing partition is provided.
  • the unit partition may be provided on a surface which faces the surface on which the housing partition is provided.
  • the housing partition and the unit partition may be in contact with each other.
  • the housing partition and the unit partition are pressed against each other as the detection unit is inserted into the housing.
  • at least one of the housing partition and the unit partition is easily deformed.
  • the sealing property at the boundary between the measurement flow path and the container space is improved by both the housing partition and the unit partition.
  • a shape of the housing partition does not have to change before and after the detection unit is attached to the housing as long as the housing partition is in contact with the outer surface of the detection unit.
  • a shape of the unit partition does not have to change before and after the detection unit is attached to the housing as long as the unit partition is in contact with the inner surface of the housing.
  • the direction in which the housing partition extends from the inner surface of the housing is not limited to the above embodiments.
  • the container angle ⁇ 12 does not have to be larger than the flow path angle ⁇ 11 .
  • the direction in which the unit partition portion extends from the outer surface of the detection unit is not limited to the above embodiments.
  • the container angle ⁇ 14 does not have to be larger than the flow path angle ⁇ 13 .
  • the housing partition and the unit partition may not have the tapered shapes.
  • the housing partition 131 may have a rectangular vertical cross section.
  • the width of the housing partition 131 in the directions X, Z orthogonal to the height direction Y is the same at the base end and the tip of the housing partition 131 .
  • the container space may be a space in which a gas such as air exists inside the housing.
  • a gas such as air exists inside the housing.
  • the seal performance at the boundary between the container space and the measurement flow path is improved by the housing partition and the unit partition.
  • air can be prevented from flowing back and forth between the container space and the measurement flow path. Therefore, deterioration in accuracy of flow rate detection by the flow rate sensor in the measurement flow path due to air leakage from the measurement flow path to the container space and air intrusion from the container space to the measurement flow path can be reduced.
  • the inlet floor surface does not have to face to the through inlet.
  • the inlet floor surface 346 faces to the through outlet 34 .
  • the inlet floor surface 346 is inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 , the outlet floor surface 347 , and the branch floor surface 348 such that the inlet floor surface 346 faces in a direction away from the through inlet 33 along the depth direction Z.
  • the inlet floor surface 346 may extend parallel to the main flow line CL 22 as shown in FIG. 61 .
  • an entire of the through floor surface 345 may face to the through outlet 34 , or may extend parallel to the main flow line CL 22 as shown in FIG. 61 .
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 only has to be inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the measurement inlet does not have to face to the through outlet.
  • the measurement inlet 35 dose not face to either the through inlet 33 or the through outlet 34 .
  • the measurement inlet 35 extends parallel to the main flow line CL 22 and faces the through floor surface 345 .
  • the through floor surface 345 extends parallel to the main flow line CL 22
  • the outlet ceiling surface 343 is inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • the outlet ceiling surface 343 is inclined with respect to the outlet floor surface 347 such that the outlet ceiling surface 343 faces to the through outlet 34 .
  • a part of the inlet ceiling surface may be a ceiling inclined surface.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 includes a ceiling inclined surface 342 a and a ceiling connecting surface 342 b .
  • the ceiling inclined surface 342 a extends from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 and is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the ceiling inclined surface 342 a faces to the through inlet 33 and is inclined with respect to not only the inlet floor surface 346 but also the main flow line CL 22 .
  • a length of the ceiling inclined surface 342 a is smaller than a length of the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the ceiling connecting surface 342 b connects a downstream end of the ceiling inclined surface 342 a and an upstream end of the measurement inlet 35 in the depth direction Z.
  • the ceiling connecting surface 342 b extends parallel to the main flow line CL 22 extending in the main flow direction. In the depth direction Z, for example, the length of the ceiling inclined surface 342 a is larger than a length of the ceiling connecting surface 342 b.
  • the ceiling inclined surface 342 a is a portion corresponding to the inlet ceiling surface 342 of the third embodiment. Therefore, an inclination angle of the ceiling inclined surface 342 a with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 is the inclination angle ⁇ 21 , and an inclination angle of the ceiling inclined surface 342 a with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is the inclination angle ⁇ 22 . Further, in the height direction Y, a distance between the ceiling inclined surface 342 a and the inlet floor surface 346 is the distance H 21 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 may be a value equal to or less than the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • the inlet floor surface 346 is inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 such that the inlet floor surface 346 faces to the through outlet 34 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 does not have to be larger than or equal to 10 degrees.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 faces to the through outlet 34 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 is smaller than 10 degrees while the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 is larger than 10 degrees.
  • the inlet floor surface 346 is largely inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 such that the inlet floor surface 346 faces to the through inlet 33 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 23 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 may be a value equal to or larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 24 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 .
  • the inlet floor surface 346 is inclined with respect to the main flow line CL 22 such that the inlet floor surface 346 faces to the through outlet 34 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 21 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 may be a value within a range larger than 0 degree and smaller than 10 degrees.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 22 of the inlet ceiling surface 342 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 may be a value within a range larger than 0 degree and smaller than 10 degrees.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 23 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 may be a value within a range larger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 24 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the main flow line CL 22 may be a value within a range larger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees.
  • the inlet ceiling surface 342 and the inlet floor surface 346 may be curved so as to bulge or recess in the housing distal end direction.
  • a straight imaginary line passing through an upstream end and a downstream end of the inlet ceiling surface 342 is assumed.
  • An inclination of this imaginary line with respect to the inlet floor surface 346 and the main flow line CL 22 is used as the inclination of the inlet ceiling surface 342 .
  • a straight imaginary line passing through an upstream end and a downstream end of the inlet floor surface 346 is assumed.
  • An inclination of this imaginary line with respect to the inlet ceiling surface 342 and the branch measurement line CL 23 is used as the inclination of the inlet floor surface 346 .
  • the through flow path 31 need not have the outlet through path 332 as long as the through flow path 31 has the inlet through path 331 and the branch through path 333 .
  • the downstream end of the branch through path 333 serves as the through outlet 34 .
  • the through ceiling surface 341 has the inlet ceiling surface 342 , but does not have the outlet ceiling surface 343 .
  • the through floor surface 345 has the inlet floor surface 346 and the branch floor surface 348 , but does not have the outlet floor surface 347 .
  • the decrease rate of the cross-sectional area S 21 of the inlet through path 331 between the upstream end and the downstream end of the inlet through path 331 may not be a constant value.
  • the decrease rate of the cross-sectional area S 21 decreases gradually in a direction from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • a graph showing the value of the cross-sectional area S 21 in the inlet through path 331 has a shape convex downward unlike FIG. 42 .
  • the decrease rate of the cross-sectional area S 21 increases gradually in the direction from the through inlet 33 toward the through outlet 34 .
  • a graph showing the value of the cross-sectional area S 21 in the inlet through path 331 has a shape convex upward unlike FIG. 42 .
  • the cross-sectional area S 21 of the inlet through path 331 may not be the cross-sectional area along the direction orthogonal to the main flow line CL 22 , but a cross-sectional area along a direction orthogonal to the inlet through line CL 24 .
  • the branch measurement path 351 may not extend straight from the measurement inlet 35 but may be curved.
  • the center line of the branch measurement path 351 may be curved without extending straight.
  • a tangent line to the center line of the branch measurement path 351 at the measurement inlet 35 is defined as the branch measurement line CL 23 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 26 of the branch measurement line CL 23 with respect to the outlet through line CL 25 may be a value within a range larger than 0 degree and smaller than 60 degrees.
  • the flow rate sensor 22 may be provided in the branch measurement path 351 , the introduction measurement path 352 , or the discharge measurement path 354 .
  • the portion having the angle setting surface 27 a for setting the installation angle of the housing 21 with respect to the intake passage 12 may not be the flange 27 .
  • the housing 21 is fixed to the pipe flange 14 c with bolts or the like in a state in which a part of the housing 21 is hooked on an end surface of the pipe flange 14 c of the piping unit 14 .
  • a surface of the housing 21 that overlaps the end surface of the pipe flange 14 c is the angle setting surface. Since the angle setting surface overlaps the end surface of the pipe flange 14 c , the installation angle of the housing 21 with respect to the intake passage 12 is set.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 may have an arched portion.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 includes a downstream outer arched surface 461 in addition to the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 .
  • the downstream outer arched surface 461 concavely extends along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the downstream outer arched surface 461 is arched so as to be continuously curved along the center line CL 4 .
  • the downstream outer arched surface 461 is provided between the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 in the direction in which the center line CL 4 extends.
  • the downstream outer arched surface 461 connects the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 .
  • a radius of curvature R 34 of the downstream outer arched surface 461 is smaller than the radius of curvature R 33 of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the curve of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is sharper than the curve of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the radius of curvature R 34 of the downstream outer arched surface 461 is larger than the radius of curvature R 32 of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the curve of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is gentler than the curve of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 passes through the downstream outer arched surface 461 of the downstream outer curved surface 421 without through the downstream outer vertical surface 423 .
  • air that has passed through the flow rate sensor 22 and traveled along the arrangement line CL 31 changes its flow direction by hitting the downstream outer arched surface 461 .
  • the air is easier to travel toward the downstream side of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 includes the downstream outer arched surface 461 .
  • the air blown out from between the sensor support 51 and the narrowed portions 111 , 112 toward the downstream curved path 407 is likely to flow along the downstream outer arched surface 461 .
  • the air that has passed through the flow rate sensor 22 is less likely to stay in the downstream curved path 407 . Therefore, decrease in the flow rate and flow velocity of the air passing through the flow rate sensor 22 can be reduced.
  • the radius of curvature R 34 of the downstream outer arched surface 461 is smaller than the radius of curvature R 33 of the upstream outer curved surface 411 such that the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is made as large as possible, the air reaching the downstream curved path 407 from the flow rate sensor 22 easily flows toward the measurement outlet 36 along an arch of the downstream outer arched surface 461 . Therefore, increase in pressure loss in the downstream curved path 407 due to air disruption in the downstream curved path 407 can be reduced by the shape of the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 includes the downstream outer arched surface 461 , but may not include at least one of the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 does not include both the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 .
  • the downstream outer arched surface 461 connects the upstream end part and the downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 is the downstream outer arched surface 461 as a whole.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 corresponds to a downstream outer arched surface.
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 may include at least one of an upstream outer vertical surface and an upstream outer horizontal surface.
  • the upstream outer vertical surface extends straight from the upstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream outer horizontal surface extends straight from the downstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the entire of the upstream outer curved surface 411 is not an upstream outer arched surface.
  • the upstream outer curved surface 411 includes not only the at least one of the upstream outer vertical surface and the upstream outer horizontal surface but also the upstream outer arched surface.
  • the arrangement line CL 31 may pass through the upstream outer vertical surface.
  • an upstream outer internal corner may be formed as an internal corner in which the upstream outer vertical surface and the upstream outer horizontal surface join inwardly with each other.
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 may include at least one of an upstream inner vertical surface and an upstream inner horizontal surface.
  • the upstream inner vertical surface extends straight from the upstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the upstream inner horizontal surface extends straight from the downstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the entire of the upstream inner curved surface 415 is not an upstream inner arched surface.
  • the upstream inner curved surface 415 includes not only the at least one of the upstream inner vertical surface and the upstream inner horizontal surface but also the upstream inner arched surface.
  • an upstream outer external corner may be formed as an external corner in which the upstream inner vertical surface and the upstream inner horizontal surface join outwardly.
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 may include at least one of a downstream inner vertical surface and a downstream inner horizontal surface.
  • the downstream inner vertical surface extends straight from the downstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the downstream inner horizontal surface extends straight from the downstream end part of the upstream curved path 407 .
  • the entire of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is not a downstream inner arched surface.
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 includes not only the at least one of the downstream inner vertical surface and the downstream inner horizontal surface but also the downstream inner arched surface.
  • a downstream outer external corner may be formed as an external corner in which the downstream inner vertical surface and the downstream inner horizontal surface join outwardly.
  • the outer curved surfaces 411 , 421 and the inner curved surfaces 415 , 425 may have at least one inclined surface inclined with respect to the arrangement line CL 31 , and thus may be curved not continuously but stepwise.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 has a downstream outer inclined surface as the inclined surface that extends straight in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • a connection portion between the downstream outer horizontal surface 422 and the downstream outer vertical surface 423 is chamfered by the downstream outer inclined surface.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 does not have the downstream outer internal corner 424 .
  • multiple downstream outer inclined surfaces may be arranged along the center line CL 4 of the measurement flow path 32 . In this configuration, the downstream outer curved surface 421 has a shape that is curved stepwise by the multiple downstream outer inclined surfaces.
  • the configuration in which the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 may be realized regardless of the radius of curvature.
  • the entire of the downstream outer curved surface 421 may be the downstream outer arched surface.
  • the entire of the upstream outer curved surface 411 may be the upstream outer arched surface.
  • the radius of curvature R 34 of the downstream outer curved surface 421 may be greater than the radius of curvature R 33 of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the measurement floor surface 101 only have to extend straight along the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • an upstream end part of the flow rate sensor 22 may be provided at the upstream end part of the sensor path 405 .
  • a downstream end part of the flow rate sensor 22 may be provided at the downstream end part of the sensor path 405 .
  • the length of the sensor path 405 and the length of the flow rate sensor 22 may be the same in the depth direction Z.
  • the downstream end part of the upstream outer curved surface 411 may be provided at a position closer to the flow rate sensor 22 than the downstream end part of the upstream inner curved surface 415 is.
  • the upstream end part of the sensor path 405 is defined by the downstream end part of the upstream outer curved surface 411 , not by the downstream end part of the upstream inner curved surface 415 .
  • the upstream end part of the downstream outer curved surface 421 may be provided at a position closer to the flow rate sensor 22 than the upstream end part of the downstream inner curved surface 425 is.
  • the downstream end part of the sensor path 405 is defined by the upstream end part of the downstream outer curved surface 421 , not by the upstream end part of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 only have to pass through the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 does not have to pass through the center CO 1 of the heating resistor 71 , for example, as long as the arrangement line CL 1 passes through a part of the heating resistor 71 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 may pass through the center or a part of the membrane portion 62 , and may pass through the center or a part of the flow rate sensor 22 .
  • the arrangement line CL 31 may be inclined with respect to the angle setting surface 27 a of the housing 21 , the depth direction Z, or the main flow direction as long as the arrangement line CL 31 extends in the direction in which the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 are arranged.
  • the sensor support 51 does not need to be located at a position closer to the upstream outer curved surface 411 than to the downstream outer curved surface 421 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 is arranged at a position closer to the molded upstream surface 55 c than to the molded downstream surface 55 d on the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 does not need to be located at a position closer to the upstream end part of the sensor path 405 than to the downstream end part of the sensor path 405 .
  • a distance between the upstream end part of the downstream curved path 407 and the downstream outer curved surface 421 is larger than a distance between the downstream end part of the upstream curved path 406 and the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 may be curved in opposite directions with respect to the sensor path 405 .
  • both the upstream curved path 406 and the downstream curved path 407 may not extend from the sensor path 405 in the housing distal end direction. One of them may extend in the housing distal end direction, and another of them may extend in the housing basal end direction.
  • the downstream outer curved surface 421 extends from the measurement ceiling surface 102 without extending from the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • the downstream inner curved surface 425 extends from the measurement floor surface 101 without extending from the measurement ceiling surface 102 .
  • the measurement narrowing surface and the measurement expanding surface of the measurement narrowed portion may be arched so as to be recessed, or may extend straight without being arched.
  • the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 extend straight from the peaks 111 a , 112 a to upstream, and the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 extend straight from the peaks 111 a , 112 a to downstream.
  • the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 are inclined with respect to the arrangement line CL 31 so as to face upstream in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 are inclined with respect to the arrangement line CL 31 so as to face downstream in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • Increase rates of the protrusion heights of the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 are constant from the narrowing upstream surfaces 433 , 443 toward the peaks 111 a , 112 a .
  • Decrease rates of the protrusion heights of the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 are constant from the peaks 111 a , 112 a toward the expanding downstream surfaces 434 , 444 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 have end surfaces extending along the arrangement line CL 1 , and these end surfaces are the peaks 111 a , 112 a .
  • the centers of the peaks 111 a , 112 a in the depth direction Z are at positions closer to the downstream curved path 407 than the center line CL 5 of the heating resistor 71 is.
  • the front narrowing surface 431 and the back narrowing surface 441 extend straight. Therefore, the air flow regulating effect by these narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 can be improved. Further, the front expanding surface 432 and the back expanding surface 442 extend straight. Therefore, turbulence of airflow such as separation of the airflow from the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 is likely to be generated without deteriorating the detection accuracy of the flow rate sensor 22 . In this case, the velocity energy of the air blown out as a jet flow toward the downstream curved path 407 from between the sensor support 51 and the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 can be reduced. Therefore, it can be reduced that the jet flow bounces back on the downstream outer curved surface 421 and returns to the flow rate sensor 22 as a backward flow.
  • only one of the measurement narrowing surface and the measurement expanding surface may extend straight.
  • at least one of the front narrowing surface 431 , the front expanding surface 432 , the back narrowing surface 441 , and the back expanding surface 442 may extend straight.
  • the front peak 111 a and the back peak 112 a may be convexly arched or may be concavely arched.
  • the shapes and sizes of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 may be different from the configuration of the first embodiment.
  • the length W 32 a , W 32 b of the narrowing surfaces 431 , 441 are not need to be smaller than the lengths W 33 a , W 33 b of the expanding surfaces 432 , 442 .
  • the front narrowing upstream surface 433 and the front expanding downstream surface 434 may not be coplanar with each other. In this case, the protrusion height of the front narrowing surface 431 from the front narrowing upstream surface 433 is different from the protrusion height of the front expanding surface 432 from the front expanding downstream surface 434 .
  • the back narrowing upstream surface 443 and the back expanding downstream surface 444 may not be coplanar with each other.
  • the protrusion height of the back narrowing surface 441 from the back narrowing upstream surface 443 is different from the protrusion height of the back expanding surface 442 from the back expanding downstream surface 444 .
  • the front narrowed portion 111 and the back narrowed portion 112 may have different shapes and sizes.
  • the length W 31 a of the front narrowed portion 111 may be larger or smaller than the length W 31 b of the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the length W 32 a of the front narrowing surface 431 may be larger or smaller than the length W 32 b of the back narrowing surface 441 .
  • the length W 33 a of the front expanding surface 432 may be larger or smaller than the length W 33 b of the back expanding surface 442 .
  • the protrusion height D 32 a , D 36 a of the front peak 111 a may be the same as or smaller than the protrusion height D 32 b , D 36 b of the back peak 112 a.
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 may extend outward of the measurement partition 451 in the depth direction Z. Further, the narrowed portions 111 and 112 may be positioned so as not enter an inside of the upstream curved path 406 or an inside of the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 , 112 may be provided only in the sensor path 405 among the sensor path 405 , the upstream curved path 406 , and the downstream curved path 407 . Further the narrowed portions 111 , 112 may not be bridged by the measurement ceiling surface 102 and the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • the narrowed portions 111 and 112 may extend from only one of the measurement ceiling surface 102 and the measurement floor surface 101 . Further, the narrowed portions 111 , 112 may be provided between the measurement ceiling surface 102 and the measurement floor surface 101 but apart from both the measurement ceiling surface 102 and the measurement floor surface 101 .
  • the measurement narrowed portions such as the narrowed portions 111 and 112 only have to be provided on at least one of the front measurement wall surface 103 , the back measurement wall surface 104 , the outer measurement curved surface 401 , and the inner measurement curved surface 402 in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the measurement narrowed portions may be provided to each of the measurement wall surfaces 103 , 104 and the measurement curved surface 401 , 402 .
  • the degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 may not be smaller than the degree of bulge of the upstream inner curved surface 415 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 may be smaller than the degree of bulge of the downstream inner curved surface 425 .
  • the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 may be larger than the degree of bulge of the upstream inner curved surface 415 .
  • the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface 421 does not have to be larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface 411 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 may not be arranged closer to the upstream outer curved surface 411 than to the downstream outer curved surface 421 on the arrangement line CL 31 .
  • a portion of the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor support 51 which is provided in the measurement flow path 32 , may be entirely arranged upstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 . That is, in the measurement flow path 32 , as long as the portion of the molded upstream surface 55 c included in the arrangement cross section CS 41 is provided upstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 , the other portions may not be provided upstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c may be arranged upstream of at least one of the front narrowed portion 111 and the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the back narrowed portion 112 is arranged downstream of the molded upstream surface 55 c in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the molded upstream inclined surface 471 may be inclined with respect to the height direction Y such that the molded upstream inclined surface 471 gradually approach the molded downstream surface 55 d in a direction toward the molded basal end surface 55 b . Further, the molded upstream inclined surface 471 may be a curved surface such as an arched surface that is curved so as to convex or concave in the depth direction Z.
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor support 51 may not have the molded upstream inclined surface 471 .
  • the molded upstream surface 55 c is not inclined with respect to the height direction Y and extends from the molded distal end surface 55 a toward the molded basal end surface 55 b.
  • At least a part of the molded upstream surface 55 c of the sensor support 51 may be provided in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the entire molded upstream inclined surface 471 is provided in the upstream curved path 406 .
  • the sensor support 51 may be provided at a position away from the upstream curved path 406 .
  • a portion of the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 which is provided in the measurement flow path 32 , may be entirely arranged upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 . That is, in the measurement flow path 32 , as long as the portion of the molded downstream surface 55 d included in the arrangement cross section CS 41 is provided upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 , the other portions may not be provided upstream of the downstream ends 111 c , 112 c.
  • the molded downstream surface 55 d may be arranged upstream of at least one of the front downstream end 111 c of the front narrowed portion 111 and the back downstream end 112 c of the back narrowed portion 112 .
  • the back downstream end 112 c of the back narrowed portion 112 is arranged downstream of the molded downstream surface 55 d in the arrangement cross section CS 41 .
  • the molded downstream inclined surface 472 may be inclined with respect to the height direction Y such that the molded downstream inclined surface 472 gradually approach the molded upstream surface 55 c in a direction toward the molded basal end surface 55 b . Further, the molded downstream inclined surface 472 may be a curved surface such as an arched surface that is curved so as to convex or concave in the depth direction Z.
  • the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 may not have the molded downstream inclined surface 472 .
  • the molded downstream surface 55 d is not inclined with respect to the height direction Y and extends from the molded distal end surface 55 a toward the molded basal end surface 55 b.
  • the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 may be provided in the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the entire molded downstream inclined surface 472 is provided in the downstream curved path 407 .
  • the sensor support 51 may be provided at a position away from the downstream curved path 407 .
  • a portion of the molded downstream surface 55 d of the sensor support 51 which is provided in the measurement flow path 32 , may be entirely arranged downstream of the narrowed portions 111 , 112 .
  • the flow rate sensor 22 may be provided downstream or upstream of the front peak 111 a or the back peak 112 a , as long as the flow rate sensor 22 is disposed at a position where the flow velocity is the highest in the measurement flow path 32 . Further, the flow rate sensor 22 may be provided at a position different from the position where the flow velocity is the highest in the measurement flow path 32 .
  • the opening area of the measurement outlet 36 may not be smaller than the opening area of the measurement inlet 35 . Further, the opening area of the through outlet 34 may not be smaller than the opening area of the through inlet 33 .
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path ( 32 ) through which the fluid flows
  • a detection unit ( 50 ) including a physical quantity sensor ( 22 ) that detects the physical quantity of the fluid in the measurement flow path, and a sensor support ( 51 ) that has a plate shape and supports the physical quantity sensor, the detection unit being attached to the housing such that a support end ( 55 a ) that is an end of the sensor support and the physical quantity sensor are housed in the measurement flow path, wherein
  • the sensor support includes:
  • the housing includes forming surfaces that form the measurement flow path, and the forming surfaces include:
  • a front distance (L 1 ) is a distance between the physical quantity sensor and the front wall surface in a front-back direction (X) in which the front wall surface and the back wall surface are arranged,
  • a floor distance (L 3 ) is a distance between the floor surface and the support end in a height direction (Y) in which the floor surface and the support are arranged, the height direction being orthogonal to the front-back direction, and
  • the front distance is larger than the floor distance.
  • the housing includes a front narrowed portion ( 111 ) forming the front wall surface and bulges toward the back wall surface in the front-back direction,
  • the front narrowed portion narrows the measurement flow path such that a measurement width dimension (W 1 ) that is a distance between the front wall surface and the back wall surface in the front-back direction gradually decreases in a direction from upstream toward the physical quantity sensor, and
  • the front distance is a distance between the physical quantity sensor and the front narrowed portion in the front-back direction.
  • the measurement flow path includes:
  • the front narrowed portion has a front peak ( 111 a ) at which a distance (W 2 ) between the front narrowed portion and the center line of the measurement flow path is the smallest in the measurement flow path,
  • the front narrowed portion is provided at a position where the front peak and the physical quantity sensor face each other in the front-back direction, and
  • the front distance is a distance between the front peak and the physical quantity sensor.
  • the housing includes a back narrowed portion ( 112 ) forming the back wall surface and bulges toward the front wall surface in the front-back direction, and
  • the back narrowed portion narrows the measurement flow path such that the measurement width dimension gradually decreases in the direction from upstream toward the physical quantity sensor.
  • the measurement flow path includes a front region ( 122 ) which is a region between the front wall surface and the support front surface in the front-back direction,
  • the front region includes:
  • a cross-sectional area (S 1 ) of a portion of the measurement flow path in which the physical quantity sensor is provided includes:
  • the ceiling area is smaller than the floor area.
  • the measurement flow path is curved so that the floor surface becomes an inner curve of the measurement flow path
  • the floor region is provided between the inner curve and the ceiling region in the front region.
  • the physical quantity sensor includes:
  • the front distance is a distance between the front wall surface and the heater.
  • the sensor support includes:
  • the protective resin forms the support front surface and the support back surface.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 , 200 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path ( 32 , 212 ) through which the fluid flows;
  • a detection unit including a physical quantity sensor ( 22 , 202 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid, and a sensor support ( 51 , 221 ) that supports the physical quantity sensor; and
  • a housing 21 , 201 ) forming the measurement flow path and a container space ( 150 , 290 ) that houses a part of the detection unit, wherein
  • an inner surface of the housing includes:
  • the housing includes a housing partition ( 131 , 271 ) provided on at least one of the housing intersecting surface, the housing flow path surface and the housing container surface, and
  • the housing partition protrudes toward the detection unit and contacts the detection unit between the housing and the detection unit such that the housing partition separates the measurement flow path and the container space from each other.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to Feature B1 or B2, wherein the housing partition is arranged at a position on the housing intersecting surface closer to the housing flow path surface than to the housing container surface.
  • the housing intersecting surface and a center line (CL 11 ) of the housing partition provided on the housing intersecting surface intersect with each other and form therebetween a container angle ( ⁇ 12 ) facing the container space and a flow path angle ( ⁇ 11 ) facing the measurement flow path, and
  • the container angle is larger than the flow path angle.
  • the detection unit includes a unit recess ( 161 ) that is a recess provided on the detection unit, and
  • the housing partition is inserted into the unit recess and is in contact with an inner surface of the unit recess.
  • an outer surface of the detection unit includes:
  • the housing partition is in contact with at least one of the unit intersecting surface, the unit flow path surface and the unit container surface.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 , 200 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path ( 32 , 212 ) through which the fluid flows;
  • a detection unit including a physical quantity sensor ( 22 , 202 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid, and a sensor support ( 51 , 221 ) that supports the physical quantity sensor; and
  • a housing 21 , 201 ) forming the measurement flow path and a container space ( 150 , 290 ) that houses a part of the detection unit, wherein
  • an outer surface of the detection unit includes:
  • the detection unit includes a unit partition ( 162 , 302 ) provided on at least one of the unit intersecting surface, the unit flow path surface and the unit container surface, and
  • the unit partition protrudes toward the housing and contacts the housing between the housing and the detection unit such that the unit partition separates the measurement flow path and the container space from each other.
  • the unit intersecting surface and a center line (CL 13 ) of the unit partition provided on the unit intersecting surface intersect with each other and form therebetween a container angle ( ⁇ 14 ) facing the container space and a flow path angle ( ⁇ 13 ) facing the measurement flow path, and
  • the container angle is larger than the flow path angle.
  • the housing includes a housing recess ( 163 ) that is a recess provided on the housing, and
  • the unit partition is inserted into the housing recess and is in contact with an inner surface of the housing recess.
  • an inner surface of the housing includes:
  • the unit partition is in contact with at least one of the housing intersecting surface, the housing flow path surface and the housing container surface.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a physical quantity sensor ( 22 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid
  • an inner surface of the housing includes:
  • the inlet ceiling surface includes a ceiling inclined surface ( 342 , 342 a ) that extends from the through inlet toward the measurement inlet and is inclined with respect to the inlet floor surface such that a distance (H 21 ) between the ceiling inclined surface and the inlet floor surface gradually decreases in a direction from the through inlet toward the through outlet.
  • the housing includes an angle setting surface ( 27 a ) that sets an attaching angle of the housing with respect to an attachment object ( 14 ) to which the housing is attached, and
  • the main flow direction is a direction in which the angle setting surface extends.
  • a branch angle ( ⁇ 26 ) of the measurement flow path with respect to the through flow path is smaller than or equal to 60 degrees.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path including a measurement inlet ( 35 ) through which the fluid flows into the measurement flow path, and a measurement outlet ( 36 ) through which the fluid flowing from the measurement inlet flows out of the measurement flow path;
  • a physical quantity sensor ( 22 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid
  • the measurement flow path includes a sensor path ( 405 ) in which the physical quantity sensor is disposed;
  • an upstream curved path ( 406 ) provided between the sensor path and the measurement inlet in the measurement flow path, the upstream curved path being curved in the housing so as to extend from the sensor path toward the measurement inlet;
  • downstream curved path ( 407 ) provided between the sensor path and the measurement outlet in the measurement flow path, the downstream curved path being curved in the housing so as to extend from the sensor path toward the measurement outlet,
  • an inner surface of the housing includes:
  • a degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface in a direction expanding the measurement flow path is larger than a degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface in the direction expanding the measurement flow path.
  • the upstream outer curved surface includes an upstream outer arched surface ( 411 ) arched along the upstream curved path,
  • the downstream outer curved surface includes a downstream outer arched surface ( 461 ) arched along the downstream curved path, and
  • a radius of curvature (R 34 ) of the downstream outer arched surface is smaller than a radius of curvature (R 33 ) of the upstream outer arched surface such that the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface is larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface.
  • the upstream outer curved surface includes an upstream outer arched surface ( 411 ) arched along the upstream curved path, and
  • the downstream outer curved surface forms an internal corner ( 424 ) which has surfaces inwardly joined to each other to be recessed in the downstream curved path such that the degree of recess of the downstream outer curved surface is larger than the degree of recess of the upstream outer curved surface.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes:
  • a largest distance (L 35 b ) between the downstream outer curved surface and the downstream inner curved surface is larger than a largest distance (L 35 a ) between the upstream outer curved surface and the upstream inner curved surface.
  • the upstream inner curved surface includes an upstream inner arched surface ( 415 ) arched along the upstream curved path,
  • the downstream inner curved surface includes a downstream inner arched surface ( 425 ) arched along the downstream curved path, and
  • a radius of curvature (R 32 ) of the downstream inner arched surface is larger than a radius of curvature (R 31 ) of the upstream inner arched surface such that the degree of protrusion of the downstream inner curved surface is smaller than the degree of protrusion of the upstream inner curved surface.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to any one of features D1 to D6, wherein the sensor path extends in a direction (Z) in which the upstream curved path and the downstream curved path are arranged.
  • the housing includes a measurement narrowed portion ( 111 , 112 ) that gradually reduces and narrows the measurement flow path in a direction from the measurement inlet toward the physical quantity sensor, and gradually expands the measurement flow path in a direction from the physical quantity sensor toward the measurement outlet, and
  • the measurement narrowed portion is provided in the measurement flow path between an upstream end part of the upstream curved path and a downstream end part of the downstream curved path.
  • the measurement narrowed portion includes:
  • a length (W 33 a , W 33 b ) of the measurement expanding surface is larger than a length (W 32 a , W 32 b ) of the measurement narrowing surface in an arrangement direction (Z) in which the upstream curved path and the downstream curved path are arranged.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes a pair of measurement wall surfaces ( 103 , 104 ) defining the measurement flow path and facing each other across the upstream outer curved surface and the downstream outer curved surface, and
  • the measurement narrowed portion is provided on at least one of the pair of measurement wall surfaces.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes a pair of wall surfaces ( 103 , 104 ) defining the measurement flow path and facing each other across the upstream outer curved surface and the downstream outer curved surface, and
  • the measurement outlet is provided on at least one of the pair of wall surfaces such that the measurement flow path is open through the measurement outlet in a direction (X) in which the pair of wall surfaces are arranged.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path including a measurement inlet ( 35 ) through which the fluid flows into the measurement flow path, and a measurement outlet ( 36 ) through which the fluid flowing from the measurement inlet flows out of the measurement flow path;
  • a physical quantity sensor ( 22 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid
  • the measurement flow path includes
  • the inner surface of the housing includes
  • an arrangement line (CL 31 ) is defined as an imaginary straight line that passes through the physical quantity sensor and extends in an arrangement direction (Z) in which the upstream curved path and the downstream curved path are arranged, and
  • a distance (L 31 b ) on the arrangement line between the downstream outer curved surface and the physical quantity sensor is larger than a distance (L 31 a ) on the arrangement line between the upstream outer curved surface and the physical quantity sensor.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to any one of Features Da1 to Da3, further comprising a sensor support ( 51 ) supporting the physical quantity sensor in the measurement flow path, wherein
  • a distance (L 32 b ) on the arrangement line between the downstream outer curved surface and the sensor support is larger than a distance (L 32 a ) on the arrangement line between the upstream outer curved surface and the sensor support.
  • downstream outer curved surface includes a downstream outer vertical surface ( 423 ) provided at a position through which the arrangement line passes, the downstream outer vertical surface extending straight upstream from a downstream end part of the downstream curved path.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes a downstream inner curved surface ( 425 ) that defines an inner outline of the curve part of the downstream curved path, and
  • the downstream inner curved surface includes a downstream inner arched surface ( 425 ) which is arched along the downstream curved path.
  • the housing includes a measurement narrowed portion ( 111 , 112 ) that gradually reduces and narrows the measurement flow path in a direction from the measurement inlet toward the physical quantity sensor, and gradually expands the measurement flow path in a direction from the physical quantity sensor toward the measurement outlet, and
  • the measurement narrowed portion is provided in the measurement flow path between an upstream end part of the upstream curved path and a downstream end part of the downstream curved path.
  • the measurement narrowed portion includes:
  • a length (W 33 a , W 33 b ) of the measurement expanding surface in the arrangement direction is larger than a length (W 32 a , W 32 b ) of the measurement narrowing surface in the arrangement direction.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes a pair of measurement wall surfaces ( 103 , 104 ) defining the measurement flow path and facing each other across the upstream outer curved surface and the downstream outer curved surface, and
  • the measurement narrowed portion is provided on at least one of the pair of measurement wall surfaces.
  • the upstream outer curved surface includes an upstream outer arched surface ( 411 ) which is arched along the upstream curved path and connects an upstream end part of the upstream curved path and a downstream end part of the upstream curved path.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes an inner measurement curved surface ( 402 ) that is curved to bulge toward the physical quantity sensor and connects the measurement inlet and the measurement outlet, the inner measurement curved surface defining an inner outline of a curved part of the measurement flow path.
  • the inner surface of the housing includes a pair of wall surfaces ( 103 , 104 ) defining the measurement flow path and facing each other across the upstream outer curved surface and the downstream outer curved surface, and
  • the measurement outlet is provided on at least one of the pair of wall surfaces such that the measurement flow path is open through the measurement outlet in an orthogonal direction (X) which is orthogonal to the arrangement line and in which the pair of wall surfaces face each other.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path including a measurement inlet ( 35 ) through which the fluid flows into the measurement flow path, and a measurement outlet ( 36 ) through which the fluid flowing from the measurement inlet flows out of the measurement flow path;
  • a physical quantity sensor ( 22 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid
  • the measurement flow path includes
  • the housing includes a measurement narrowed portion ( 111 , 112 ) that gradually reduces and narrows the measurement flow path in a direction from the measurement inlet toward the physical quantity sensor,
  • an arrangement line (CL 31 ) is defined as an imaginary straight line that passes through the physical quantity sensor and extends in an arrangement direction (Z) in which the upstream curved path and the downstream curved path are arranged, and
  • an upstream end ( 55 c , 471 ) of the sensor support is provided upstream of the measurement narrowed portion in an arrangement cross section (CS 41 ) along the arrangement line.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to Feature E1, wherein the upstream end of the sensor support includes an upstream inclined portion ( 471 ) that is inclined with respect to the arrangement cross section and extends across an upstream end of the measurement narrowed portion in the arrangement direction.
  • a downstream end of the sensor support includes a downstream inclined portion ( 472 ) that is inclined with respect to the arrangement cross section and extends across a downstream end of the measurement narrowed portion in the arrangement direction.
  • the measurement narrowed portion includes:
  • a length (W 33 a , W 33 b ) of the measurement expanding surface in the arrangement direction is larger than a length (W 32 a , W 32 b ) of the measurement narrowing surface in the arrangement direction.
  • the physical quantity sensor is mounted on a front surface ( 55 e ) which is one surface of the sensor support,
  • an inner surface of the housing includes a pair of wall surfaces which form the measurement flow path and face each other across the sensor support, the pair of wall surfaces are:
  • the housing includes a front narrowed portion ( 111 ) as the measurement narrowed portion, positioned on the front measurement wall surface so as to face the physical quantity sensor.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to Feature E6, wherein the housing includes a back narrowed portion ( 112 ) as the measurement narrowed portion, positioned on the back measurement wall surface so as to opposite to the front narrowed portion across the physical quantity sensor.
  • a center line (CL 4 ) of the measurement flow path extends along the measurement flow path and passes through a center ( 002 ) of the measurement inlet and a center ( 003 ) of the measurement outlet,
  • the front narrowed portion includes a front peak ( 111 a ) as a peak at which a distance (W 2 ) between the front narrowed portion and the center line of the measurement flow path is the smallest in the measurement flow path,
  • the back narrowed portion includes a back peak ( 112 a ) as a peak at which a distance (W 3 ) between the back narrowed portion and the center line of the measurement flow path is the smallest in the measurement flow path, and
  • a reduction rate at which the front narrowed portion reduces the measurement flow path is larger than a reduction rate at which the back narrowed portion reduces the measurement flow path.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to any one of Features E1 to E9, wherein the physical quantity sensor is provided in the measurement flow path in accordance with a position at which a flow velocity is maximized by the measurement narrowed portion narrowing the measurement flow path.
  • the physical quantity measurement device according to any one of Features E1 to E12, further comprising a through flow path ( 31 ) including a through inlet ( 33 ) through which the fluid flows into the through flow path, and a through outlet ( 34 ) through which the fluid flowing from the through inlet flows out of the through flow path, wherein
  • the measurement flow path is a branch flow path branched from the through flow path
  • an opening area of the through outlet is smaller than an opening area of the through inlet.
  • a physical quantity measurement device ( 20 ) for measuring a physical quantity of a fluid comprising:
  • a measurement flow path including a measurement inlet ( 35 ) through which the fluid flows into the measurement flow path, and a measurement outlet ( 36 ) through which the fluid flowing from the measurement inlet flows out of the measurement flow path;
  • a physical quantity sensor ( 22 ) that is provided in the measurement flow path and detects the physical quantity of the fluid
  • the physical quantity can be detected by the physical quantity sensor for the fluid flowing from the measurement inlet to the measurement flow path.
  • configurations not included in the Feature Z1 are not essential. Although some problems are described in this specification, the Feature Z1 is a necessary configuration for solving these problems.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
US16/985,416 2018-02-07 2020-08-05 Physical quantity measurement device Abandoned US20200370937A1 (en)

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JP2018-020388 2018-02-07
JP2018020388A JP2019138707A (ja) 2018-02-07 2018-02-07 物理量計測装置
JP2018243415A JP2020106320A (ja) 2018-12-26 2018-12-26 物理量計測装置
JP2018-243415 2018-12-26
JP2018-246197 2018-12-27
JP2018-246196 2018-12-27
JP2018-246195 2018-12-27
JP2018246193A JP2020106427A (ja) 2018-12-27 2018-12-27 物理量計測装置
JP2018246194A JP2020106428A (ja) 2018-12-27 2018-12-27 物理量計測装置
JP2018246195A JP2020106429A (ja) 2018-12-27 2018-12-27 物理量計測装置
JP2018-246193 2018-12-27
JP2018246196A JP2020106430A (ja) 2018-12-27 2018-12-27 物理量計測装置
JP2018246197A JP2020106431A (ja) 2018-12-27 2018-12-27 物理量計測装置
JP2018-246194 2018-12-27
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US16/985,416 Abandoned US20200370937A1 (en) 2018-02-07 2020-08-05 Physical quantity measurement device
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US11255709B2 (en) 2022-02-22
US20200363250A1 (en) 2020-11-19
US11313709B2 (en) 2022-04-26
DE112019000696T5 (de) 2020-10-15
US11480455B2 (en) 2022-10-25
US20200363248A1 (en) 2020-11-19
DE112019000711T5 (de) 2020-11-05
US11300434B2 (en) 2022-04-12
DE112019000706T5 (de) 2020-11-05
WO2019156044A1 (fr) 2019-08-15
WO2019156042A1 (fr) 2019-08-15
DE112019000710T5 (de) 2020-11-05
WO2019156041A1 (fr) 2019-08-15
DE112019000709T5 (de) 2020-11-05
US20200370941A1 (en) 2020-11-26
DE112019000711T9 (de) 2021-01-07
WO2019156045A1 (fr) 2019-08-15
US20200363252A1 (en) 2020-11-19

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