WO2022137803A1 - Gas sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, a first output terminal (4A) touching a detection electrode and a second output terminal (4B) touching a reference electrode are configured from flat plates that have been bent. A root part (421A) of a first lead-out part (42A) and a root part (421B) of a second lead-out part (42B) are disposed at different positions from each other in the circumferential direction (C) of a solid electrolyte body (20) and are parallel to a tangent (C2) to an imaginary circle (C1) around a central axis line (O) along the axial direction in a state where main surfaces (431) of the flat plates are parallel to each other. A distal end part (43A) of the first lead-out part (42A) and a distal end part (43B) of the second lead-out part (42B) are inclined in relation to the tangent (C2) in a state where intermediate parts (422A, 422B) between the root parts (421A, 421B) are twisted around the central axis line (O) in relation to the root parts (421A, 421B) and the main surfaces (431) of the flat plates are parallel to each other.

Description

Gas sensor Cross-reference of related applications

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-21384 filed on December 21, 2020, and the contents of the description are incorporated.

This disclosure relates to gas sensors.

The gas sensor is arranged in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, for example, and is used to detect oxygen and the like contained in the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust pipe. The gas sensor has an application of detecting whether the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is on the fuel-rich side or the fuel lean side with respect to the theoretical air-fuel ratio, an application of quantitatively determining the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine, and the like. ..

In the gas sensor, a sensor element having a bottomed cylindrical solid electrolyte may be used. For example, as shown in the gas sensor described in Patent Document 1, electrodes are provided on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte, respectively. Output terminals for electrically connecting each electrode to the outside are mounted on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface at the axial base end portion of the solid electrolyte body. Each output terminal is electrically connected to a lead wire using a crimp terminal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-25617

Each output terminal and each crimp terminal are joined to each other by, for example, crimping by crimping deformation and welding such as laser. In particular, when crimping is performed between each output terminal and each crimping terminal, a crimping jig for deforming the output terminal and the crimping terminal that are combined with each other is used. However, when crimping the output terminal and the crimping terminal with a crimping jig, it was found that the crimping direction in the plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the solid electrolyte affects the work efficiency. ..

The present disclosure is intended to provide a gas sensor capable of improving the work efficiency of crimping each output terminal and each output crimping terminal.

One aspect of the disclosure is
A sensor element having a solid electrolyte having a bottomed cylindrical shape, a detection electrode provided on the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte, and a reference electrode provided on the inner peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte.
The first mounting portion mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte body in contact with the lead portion of the detection electrode, and the first drawing portion drawn out from the first mounting portion in the axial direction of the solid electrolyte body. 1st output terminal with
A second attachment portion mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte body in contact with the lead portion of the reference electrode, and a second drawer drawn out from the second mounting portion in the axial direction of the solid electrolyte body. The second output terminal having a part and
A crimp terminal for the first output to which the tip of the first drawer is crimped,
A second output crimping terminal to which the tip of the second drawer is crimped is provided.
The first output terminal and the second output terminal are composed of a bent flat plate.
The root portion of the first drawer portion and the root portion of the second drawer portion are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the solid electrolyte body, and the main surfaces of the flat plates are parallel to each other. Parallel to the tangent of the virtual circle around the virtual axis along the axis direction,
The tip of the first drawer and the tip of the second drawer are such that each intermediate portion between the roots is twisted around the virtual axis with respect to each root. It is in a gas sensor in which the main surfaces of the flat plate are inclined with respect to the tangent line in a state of being parallel to each other.

In the gas sensor of the above aspect, the connection portion between the tip of the first extraction portion of the first output terminal and the crimp terminal for the first output and the second output terminal in the plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the solid electrolyte body. The direction of the connection part between the tip of the second drawer and the crimp terminal for the second output is devised. Specifically, each of the intermediate portion between the tip end portion and the proximal end portion of the first extraction portion and the intermediate portion between the tip end portion and the proximal end portion of the second extraction portion is the shaft of the solid electrolyte body. Twisted around a virtual axis along the direction. The main surface of the flat plate constituting the tip of the first drawer and the main surface of the flat plate constituting the tip of the second drawer were parallel to each other and along the axial direction of the solid electrolyte. It is tilted with respect to the tangent line of the virtual circle around the virtual axis.

With this configuration, when crimping between the tip of each drawer of each output terminal and each output crimping terminal using a crimping jig, the crimping jig is orthogonal to the axial direction of the solid electrolyte. It can be placed in an appropriate direction in the plane. Then, the crimping jig can crimp the tip of the extraction portion of each output terminal and the crimping terminal for each output from the direction inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the solid electrolyte body.

Therefore, according to the gas sensor of the above aspect, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of crimping each output terminal and each output crimping terminal.

Note that the reference numerals in parentheses of each component shown in one aspect of the present disclosure indicate the correspondence with the reference numerals in the figure in the embodiment, but each component is not limited to the content of the embodiment.

The objectives, features, advantages, etc. of the present disclosure will be clarified by the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings of the present disclosure are shown below.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a gas sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section around the sensor element according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section around each output terminal, each output crimping terminal, each heater terminal, and each heater crimping terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of FIG. 3 as a cross section of the connection portion between each output terminal and each output crimp terminal and the periphery of the connection portion between each heater terminal and each heater crimp terminal according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows by IV-IV line cross section. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section around each output terminal and each heater terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a cross section corresponding to the IV-IV line of FIG. 3 as a cross section of the connection portion around the tip of each drawer of each output terminal and the tip of each extension of each heater terminal according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown by. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the second output terminal according to the first embodiment as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing each output crimp terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing each output crimp terminal according to the first embodiment as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the connection portion between each output terminal and each output crimp terminal and the connection portion between each heater terminal and each heater crimp terminal are crimped according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which laser welding is performed on the connection portion between each output terminal and each output crimp terminal and the connection portion between each heater terminal and each heater crimp terminal according to the first embodiment. .. FIG. 12 shows a cross section corresponding to the IV-IV line of FIG. 3 as a cross section of the connection portion around the tip of each drawer of each output terminal and the tip of each extension of each heater terminal according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown by. FIG. 13 shows IV-IV of FIG. 3 as a cross section of the connection portion around the tip of each drawer of each of the other output terminals and the tip of each extension of each of the other heater terminals according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows by the cross section corresponding to a line. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the twist angle of each intermediate portion of each output terminal, the insulation distance between terminals, and the jig width according to the second embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the gas sensor described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, the gas sensor 1 of this embodiment includes a sensor element 2, a first output terminal 4A, a second output terminal 4B, a first output crimp terminal 5A, and a second output crimp terminal 5B. The sensor element 2 includes a solid electrolyte body 20 having a bottomed cylindrical shape, a detection electrode 25 provided on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the solid electrolyte body 20, and a reference electrode 26 provided on the inner peripheral surface 212 of the solid electrolyte body 20. And have.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first output terminal 4A has a first mounting portion 41A mounted on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the solid electrolyte body 20 in a state of being in contact with the outer lead portion 252 of the detection electrode 25, and the first mounting portion 41A. It has a first extraction portion 42A drawn out from the mounting portion 41A in the axial direction L of the solid electrolyte body 20. The second output terminal 4B is a solid electrolyte from the second mounting portion 41B mounted on the inner peripheral surface 212 of the solid electrolyte body 20 in a state of being in contact with the inner lead portion 262 of the reference electrode 26, and from the second mounting portion 41B. It has a second drawing portion 42B drawn out in the axial direction L of 20. The tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A is crimped to the first output crimp terminal 5A, and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B is crimped to the second output crimp terminal 5B.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first output terminal 4A and the second output terminal 4B are composed of a bent flat plate. The root portion 421A of the first drawer portion 42A and the root portion 421B of the second drawer portion 42B are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction C of the solid electrolyte body 20, and the main surfaces 431 of the flat plates are parallel to each other. It is parallel to the tangent C2 of the virtual circle C1 around the central axis O as the virtual axis along the axial direction L. The tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B have the intermediate portions 422A and 422B between the root portions 421A and 421B shafts with respect to the root portions 421A and 421B. Twisted around the central axis O along the direction L, the main surface 431 of the flat plate is inclined with respect to the tangent C2 in a state parallel to each other. Here, the main surface 431 of the flat plate means the plate surface constituting the flat plate, in other words, the widest surface.

The gas sensor 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.
(Gas sensor 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the gas sensor 1 of the present embodiment is arranged in the exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle, and performs gas detection using the exhaust gas G flowing in the exhaust pipe as the detection target gas. The gas sensor 1 of this embodiment is also called an oxygen sensor, and whether the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine based on the composition of the exhaust gas G is on the fuel-rich side where the ratio of fuel to air is larger than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, or the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. It is used to detect whether the fuel is on the lean side where the ratio of fuel to air is smaller than that of air. The gas sensor 1 of this embodiment is used for an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine of a two-wheeled vehicle, and is smaller than that used for an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine of a four-wheeled vehicle.

In addition to the sensor element 2, the gas sensor 1 is provided in a housing 11 having a housing hole 111 through which the sensor element 2 is inserted and attached to an exhaust pipe, and a tip portion of the sensor element 2 provided on the tip side L1 of the housing 11. The tip side cover 12 is provided on the base end side L2 of the housing 11, and the base end side cover 13 for covering the output terminals 4A and 4B and the output crimp terminals 5A and 5B is provided. Further, the gas sensor 1 has a lead wire 14 connected to each output crimp terminal 5A and 5B, a bush 15 for supporting each lead wire 14 on the base end side cover 13, and each drawer of each output terminal 4A and 4B. The portions 42A and 42B, the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the insulator 16 for supporting the tip of each lead wire 14 on the base end side cover 13 are provided.

(Axial direction L, circumferential direction C, radial direction R)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, in the gas sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the axial direction L of the solid electrolyte body 20 or the sensor element 2 means the direction in which the central axis (virtual axis) O of the solid electrolyte body 20 faces. Say. The circumferential direction C of the solid electrolyte body 20 or the sensor element 2 means the direction around the central axis O of the solid electrolyte body 20. The radial direction R of the solid electrolyte body 20 or the sensor element 2 means a direction radially extending from the central axis O of the solid electrolyte body 20.

(Sensor element 2)
As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor element 2 is of a cup type and has a shape in which the tip end side end portion of the cylindrical portion 21 is closed. The solid electrolyte body 20 of the sensor element 2 has a cylindrical portion 21 and a hemispherical bottom portion 22 that closes the tip end side L1 of the cylindrical portion 21 in the axial direction L. In other words, the solid electrolyte body 20 has a hollow shape in which the distal end side L1 in the axial direction L is closed. At the base end portion of the solid electrolyte body 20 in the axial direction L, an opening 23 through which the reference gas A can flow is formed inside the solid electrolyte body 20. The outer diameter of each portion of the cylindrical portion 21 in the axial direction L is appropriately changed in consideration of attachment to the housing 11.

The solid electrolyte body 20 contains zirconia as a main component, and is composed of stabilized zirconia or partially stabilized zirconia in which a part of zirconia is replaced with a rare earth metal element or an alkaline earth metal element. The solid electrolyte 20 may be composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia or yttria-stabilized zirconia. The solid electrolyte body 20 has ionic conductivity that conducts oxide ions ( ^O2- ) at a predetermined activation temperature. The detection electrode 25 and the reference electrode 26 contain platinum exhibiting catalytic activity for oxygen.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detection electrode 25 includes an outer detection portion 251 formed on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the cylindrical portion 21 and an outer lead portion 252 connected to the proximal end side L2 of the outer detection portion 251 in the axial direction L. Have. The outer detection unit 251 may be continuously formed on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the cylindrical portion 21 and the outer surface of the bottom portion 22. Although details are omitted, the outer detection unit 251 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the cylindrical portion 21 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction C of the cylindrical portion 21. The outer lead portion 252 is provided in a part of the circumferential direction C of the cylindrical portion 21, and is in contact with the first mounting portion 41A of the first output terminal 4A to be conductive. The portion of the outer lead portion 252 on the base end side L2 in the axial direction L may be formed on the entire circumference in the circumferential direction C.

The reference electrode 26 is continuously formed on the inner peripheral surface 212 of the cylindrical portion 21 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 22. The reference electrode 26 of this embodiment is formed on the entire inner peripheral surface 212 of the cylindrical portion 21 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 22. The inner lead portion 262 of the present embodiment indicates a portion of the reference electrode 26 formed at the proximal end side portion of the cylindrical portion 21. The reference electrode 26 is in contact with the second mounting portion 41B of the second output terminal 4B and is conductive. The reference electrode 26 has a shape having an inner detection portion formed on the inner peripheral surface 212 of the cylindrical portion 21 and the inner side surface of the bottom portion 22, and an inner lead portion connected to the base end side L2 in the axial direction L of the inner detection portion. It may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral side of the sensor element 2 is exposed to the exhaust gas G as the detection target gas introduced into the tip side cover 12 from the introduction hole 121 of the tip side cover 12. Then, the exhaust gas G comes into contact with the detection electrode 25 provided on the solid electrolyte body 20. On the other hand, on the inner peripheral side of the sensor element 2, the atmosphere A as a reference gas is introduced via the introduction hole 131 in the base end side cover 13. Then, the atmosphere A comes into contact with the reference electrode 26 provided on the solid electrolyte body 20.

A protective layer 200 made of a porous body of a metal oxide such as alumina is provided at a portion of the sensor element 2 on the tip side L1 in the axial direction L so as to cover at least the entire outer detection portion 251 of the detection electrode 25. ing. The protective layer 200 is for preventing poisoning and water exposure of the detection electrode 25.

(Heater element 3)
As shown in FIG. 2, a heater element 3 having a conductive heating element 33 for heating the solid electrolyte body 20, the detection electrode 25, and the reference electrode 26 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the solid electrolyte body 20. There is. The heater element 3 has a central shaft portion 31 made of an insulating base material, and a sheet portion 32 on which a heating element 33 is formed and wound around the central shaft portion 31. The heating element 33 is a pair of a heating element 331 formed by a conductor meandering in the axial direction L of the heater element 3 and a pair of conductors connected to both ends of the heating element 331 in the portion L1 on the tip end side of the heater element 3. It has a lead portion 332 and a lead portion 332. The pair of lead portions 332 are formed from the heat generating portion 331 to the proximal end side portion of the sensor element 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the gas sensor 1 of this embodiment has a first output terminal 4A connected to the outer lead portion 252 of the detection electrode 25 and a second output connected to the inner lead portion 262 of the reference electrode 26. In addition to the terminal 4B, a first heater terminal 6A connected to one lead portion 332 of the heating element 33 and a second heater terminal 6B connected to the other lead portion 332 of the heating element 33 are provided. Then, on the outside of the base end side L2 of the sensor element 2 and the heater element 3, the four terminals of the output terminals 4A and 4B and the heater terminals 6A and 6B are connected to the lead wires 14 connected to the sensor control device, respectively. ing.

The first heater terminal 6A is extended in the axial direction L from the first joint portion 61A joined to the side surface of the heater element 3 in a state of being in contact with one lead portion 332 of the heating element 33 and the first joint portion 61A. It also has a first extension 62A. The second heater terminal 6B is extended in the axial direction L from the second joint portion 61B joined to the side surface of the heater element 3 in a state of being in contact with the other lead portion 332 of the heating element 33 and the second joint portion 61B. It also has a second extension 62B. The gas sensor 1 has a first heater crimp terminal 7A to which the tip of the base end side L2 of the first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A is crimped, and a base end of the second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B. A second heater crimp terminal 7B to which the tip of the side L2 is crimped is provided.

(Lead wire 14)
As shown in FIG. 3, the lead wire 14 has a conductor layer and a coating layer that covers the conductor layer. The tip of the lead wire 14 connected to each of the crimp terminals 5A, 5B, 7A, and 7B forms a conductor exposed portion 141 in which the clothing is peeled off and the conductor layer is exposed.

(1st output terminal 4A)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first output terminal 4A is for connecting the detection electrode 25 to an external sensor control device of the gas sensor 1. The first mounting portion 41A of the first output terminal 4A is formed in a shape having an arcuate cross section along the outer peripheral surface 211 of the solid electrolyte body 20. The first mounting portion 41A is formed by bending a flat plate, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slit 411A extending in the axial direction L. The slit 411A of the first mounting portion 41A is formed at a position 180 ° different from the formation position of the first drawer portion 42A in the circumferential direction C. The first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A is drawn out from the proximal end surface of the first mounting portion 41A in the axial direction L to the proximal end side L2 in the axial direction L. The first drawer portion 42A is formed by bending a rod-shaped flat plate connected to the first mounting portion 41A at the root portion 421A and the tip portion 43A.

More specifically, the root portion 421A of the first drawer portion 42A is connected to the root side bending portion 423A which is connected to the first mounting portion 41A and bends with respect to the first mounting portion 41A, and is connected to the root side bending portion 423A. It is bent with respect to the root side bent portion 423A, and the main surface 431 of the flat plate is parallel to the tangent line C2 tangent to the virtual circle C1 in the circumferential direction C in a state parallel to the axial direction L (directed perpendicular to the radial direction R). It is composed of a parallel portion 424A. The root side bent portion 423A is bent so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction L toward the inner peripheral side of the radial direction R of the sensor element 2. Since the parallel portion 424A is parallel to the axial direction L, the distance between the parallel portion 424A and the heater element 3 is maintained at a predetermined size or more. As a result, the insulation distance between the heater element 3 and the first output terminal 4A can be appropriately maintained.

The intermediate portion 422A between the parallel portion 424A of the first drawer portion 42A and the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A connects the parallel portion 424A and the tip portion 43A and bends with respect to the parallel portion 424A and the tip portion 43A. It is composed of a bent tip side bent portion 425A that is twisted at the same time. The tip side bent portion 425A is twisted around the central axis O along the axial direction L while bending in a state of being inclined with respect to the axial direction L toward the inner peripheral side of the radial direction R of the sensor element 2. ing.

The tip side L1 in the axial direction L of the sensor element 2 and the tip side of the tip side bent portion 425A in the first output terminal 4A are opposite to each other.

(2nd output terminal 4B)
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the second output terminal 4B is for connecting the reference electrode 26 to the external sensor control device of the gas sensor 1. The second mounting portion 41B of the second output terminal 4B is formed in a shape having an arcuate cross section along the inner peripheral surface 212 of the solid electrolyte body 20. The second mounting portion 41B is formed by bending a flat plate, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slit 411B extending in the axial direction L. The second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B is drawn out from the proximal end surface of the second mounting portion 41B in the axial direction L to the proximal end side L2 in the axial direction L. The second drawer portion 42B is formed by bending a rod-shaped flat plate connected to the second mounting portion 41B at the root portion 421B and the tip portion 43B.

More specifically, the root portion 421B of the second drawer portion 42B is connected to the root side bending portion 423B which is connected to the second mounting portion 41B and bends with respect to the second mounting portion 41B, and is connected to the root side bending portion 423B. It is bent with respect to the root side bent portion 423B, and the main surface 431 of the flat plate is parallel to the tangent line C2 tangent to the virtual circle C1 in the circumferential direction C in a state parallel to the axial direction L (directed perpendicular to the radial direction R). It is composed of a parallel portion 424B. The root side bent portion 423B is bent so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction L toward the outer peripheral side of the sensor element 2 in the radial direction R. Since the parallel portion 424B is parallel to the axial direction L, the distance between the parallel portion 424B and the heater element 3 is maintained at a predetermined size or more. As a result, the insulation distance between the heater element 3 and the second output terminal 4B can be appropriately maintained.

The intermediate portion 422B between the parallel portion 424B of the second drawer portion 42B and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B connects the parallel portion 424B and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B, and connects the parallel portion 424B and the first portion 43B. 2 It is composed of a tip side bent portion 425B that is bent and twisted with respect to the tip portion 43B of the drawer portion 42B. The tip side bent portion 425B is twisted around the central axis O along the axial direction L while bending in a state of being inclined with respect to the axial direction L toward the inner peripheral side of the radial direction R of the sensor element 2. ing. Further, in the direction in which the tip-side bent portion 425B of the second drawer portion 42B is twisted around the central axis O along the axial direction L, the tip-side bent portion 425B of the first drawer portion 42A is along the axial direction L. It is the same as the direction twisted around the central axis O.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second output terminal 4B also has a function of supporting the heater element 3 in the sensor element 2. A heater mounting portion 44 mounted on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the base end portion of the heater element 3 extends from the tip end side L1 of the second mounting portion 41B of the second output terminal 4B in the axial direction L. The heater mounting portion 44 is formed in a shape having an arcuate cross section along the outer peripheral surface 211 of the heater element 3. The heater mounting portion 44 is formed to have an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the second mounting portion 41B. The heater mounting portion 44 is formed by bending a flat plate, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slit 441 extending in the axial direction L. The slit 411B of the second mounting portion 41B and the slit 441 of the heater mounting portion 44 are formed at positions different from the formation position of the second drawer portion 42B in the circumferential direction C by 180 °.

Note that the tip side L1 in the axial direction L of the sensor element 2 and the tip side of the tip side bent portion 425B in the second output terminal 4B are opposite to each other.

(Crimping terminal 5A for 1st output)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first output crimp terminal 5A is a component for connecting the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the lead wire 14. The first output crimp terminal 5A and the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A are crimped and welded to be joined. The first output crimp terminal 5A includes a tubular insertion portion 51A into which the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A is inserted and joined, and a lead connection portion 52A to which the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14 is connected. Have. The insertion portion 51A is formed in the shape of a square cylinder by bending a flat plate. The lead connection portion 52A is deformed by crimping and caulking, and is connected to the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the first output crimp terminal 5A, the insertion portion 51A, which is a connection portion with the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A, is a flat plate constituting the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A. It has a pair of first side wall portions 511A facing the main surface 431. The first side wall portion 511A is formed as a pair of side wall portions in the square cylinder-shaped insertion portion 51A. Of the pair of first side wall portions 511A, the first side wall portion 511A located on the outer peripheral side of the sensor element 2 in the radial direction R protrudes inward of the first side wall portion 511A and is the tip of the first drawer portion 42A. A protruding portion 512A joined to the flat plate constituting the portion 43A is formed.

The protruding portion 512A of this embodiment is formed by deforming a part of the flat plate constituting the first side wall portion 511A. A recess 513A recessed by the protrusion of the protrusion 512A is formed on the outside of the first side wall portion 511A. By forming the protrusion 512A, the insertion portion 51A of the first output crimp terminal 5A and the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A are firmly crimped and joined. The recess 513A formed on the back side of the protrusion 512A can be a target portion for welding such as laser welding.

8 and 9 show the first output crimping terminal 5A before crimping. Before crimping, the lead connection portion 52A has a U-shaped open cross section. Further, the protruding portion 512A is formed on the first side wall portion 511A in which the slit is not formed. The second output crimp terminal 5B also has the same shape as the first output crimp terminal 5A.

(Crimping terminal 5B for 2nd output)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second output crimp terminal 5B is a component for connecting the tip portion 43B of the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B and the lead wire 14. The second output crimp terminal 5B and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are crimped and welded to be joined. The second output crimp terminal 5B includes a tubular insertion portion 51B into which the tip portion 43B of the second extraction portion 42B is inserted and joined, and a lead connection portion 52B to which the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14 is connected. Have. The insertion portion 51B is formed in the shape of a square cylinder by bending a flat plate. The lead connection portion 52B is deformed by crimping and caulking, and is connected to the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the second output crimp terminal 5B, the insertion portion 51B, which is a connection portion with the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B, is a flat plate constituting the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B. It has a pair of second side wall portions 511B facing the main surface 431. The second side wall portion 511B is formed as a pair of side wall portions in the square cylinder-shaped insertion portion 51B. Of the pair of second side wall portions 511B, the second side wall portion 511B located on the outer peripheral side of the sensor element 2 in the radial direction R protrudes inward of the second side wall portion 511B and is the tip of the second drawer portion 42B. A protruding portion 512B joined to a flat plate constituting the portion 43B is formed.

The protruding portion 512B of this embodiment is formed by deforming a part of the flat plate constituting the second side wall portion 511B. A recess 513B recessed by the protrusion of the protrusion 512B is formed on the outside of the second side wall portion 511B. By forming the protrusion 512B, the insertion portion 51B of the second output crimp terminal 5B and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B are firmly crimped and joined. The recess 513B formed on the back side of the protrusion 512B can be a target portion for welding such as laser welding.

(1st heater terminal 6A)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first heater terminal 6A is for connecting one lead portion 332 of the heating element 33 to an external sensor control device of the gas sensor 1. The first joint portion 61A of the first heater terminal 6A is formed in a shape having an arcuate cross section joined to the side surface of the base end portion of the heater element 3. The first joint portion 61A is joined to the outer peripheral surface 211 of the base end portion of the heater element 3 by brazing. The first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A is composed of a shaft member having a round cross section joined to the surface of the first joint portion 61A. The first extension portion 62A is formed parallel to the axial direction L of the sensor element 2.

(2nd heater terminal 6B)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second heater terminal 6B is for connecting one lead portion 332 of the heating element 33 to an external sensor control device of the gas sensor 1. The second joint portion 61B of the second heater terminal 6B is formed in a shape having an arcuate cross section joined to the side surface of the base end portion of the heater element 3. The second joint portion 61B is joined to the outer peripheral surface 211 of the base end portion of the heater element 3 by brazing. The second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B is composed of a shaft member having a round cross section joined to the surface of the second joint portion 61B. The second extension portion 62B is formed parallel to the axial direction L of the sensor element 2.

(Crimping terminal 7A for 1st heater)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first heater crimp terminal 7A is a component for connecting the tip of the first extension 62A of the first heater terminal 6A to the lead wire 14. The crimp terminal 7A for the first heater and the tip of the first extension 62A of the first heater terminal 6A are crimped and welded to be joined. The first heater crimp terminal 7A has a tubular insertion portion 71A into which the tip of the first extension portion 62A is inserted and joined, and a lead connection portion 72A to which the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14 is connected. Have. The insertion portion 71A is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slit formed in the axial direction L by bending a flat plate. The lead connection portion 72A is deformed by crimping and caulking, and is connected to the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14.

(Crimping terminal 7B for 2nd heater)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second heater crimp terminal 7B is a component for connecting the tip of the second extension 62B of the second heater terminal 6B to the lead wire 14. The crimp terminal 7B for the second heater and the tip of the second extension 62B of the second heater terminal 6B are crimped and welded to be joined. The second heater crimp terminal 7B has a tubular insertion portion 71B into which the tip of the second extension portion 62B is inserted and joined, and a lead connection portion 72B to which the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14 is connected. Have. The insertion portion 71B is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slit formed in the axial direction L by bending a flat plate. The lead connection portion 72B is deformed by crimping and caulking, and is connected to the conductor exposed portion 141 of the lead wire 14.

(Crimping jig 8)
As shown in FIG. 10, in the gas sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the crimping jig 8 is used to crimp the output terminals 4A and 4B to the output crimping terminals 5A and 5B, and the heater terminals 6A and 6B. And the crimping terminals 7A and 7B for each heater are crimped together. The crimping jig 8 is a crimping receiving jig portion arranged at a position facing the axial direction L of the sensor element 2 and the heater element 3 in the central portion through which each central axis O of the sensor element 2 and the heater element 3 passes. Between the 81 and the crimping receiving jig 81, the connection portion between the output terminals 4A and 4B and the crimping terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the heater terminals 6A and 6B and the crimping terminals 7A and 7B for each heater. It is composed of a crimping holding jig portion 82 for sandwiching a connection portion with.

One crimping receiving jig portion 81 is arranged at a position facing the axial direction L of the sensor element 2 and the heater element 3. The crimping holding jig portion 82 is a connection portion between the first output terminal 4A and the first output crimping terminal 5A, a connection portion between the first heater terminal 6A and the first heater crimping terminal 7A, and a second output terminal 4B. It is arranged at four places facing each of the connection portion between the second output crimp terminal 5B and the connection portion between the second heater terminal 6B and the second heater crimp terminal 7B. The crimping holding jig portion 82 simultaneously presses the connection portion between the first output terminal 4A and the first output crimping terminal 5A and the connection portion between the first heater terminal 6A and the first heater crimping terminal 7A. It may be configured by simultaneously pressing the connection portion between the second output terminal 4B and the second output crimp terminal 5B and the connection portion between the second heater terminal 6B and the second heater crimp terminal 7B.

(Positional relationship between the drawers 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B and the extension 62A and 62B of the heater terminals 6A and 6B)
As shown in FIG. 4, in the gas sensor 1, the shaft of the solid electrolyte body 20 at the portion where the output terminals 4A, 4B, the heater terminals 6A, 6B and the crimp terminals 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B are connected. The cross section orthogonal to the direction L is defined as the connection site cross section 101. More specifically, the cross section 101 of the connection portion is orthogonal to the axial direction L of the solid electrolyte body 20, and is a connection portion between the crimp terminal 5A for the first output and the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A, for the second output. The connection portion between the crimp terminal 5B and the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B, the connection portion between the crimp terminal 7A for the first heater and the tip portion of the first extension portion 62A, and the crimp terminal 7B and the second for the second heater. The cross section passes through the connection portion with the tip portion of the extension portion 62B. The cross section 101 of the connection portion of FIG. 4 shows the cross section of the line IV-IV of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the connection portion cross section 101, the first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A and the second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B are in the circumferential direction C of the sensor element 2. The first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are arranged at different positions from each other via the circumferential direction C. In the circumferential direction C of the sensor element 2, the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are arranged at different positions by 180 ° ± 5 °, and the first The first extension portion 62A of the heater terminal 6A and the second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B are arranged at different positions by 180 ° ± 5 °. Further, in the connection portion cross section 101, the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A, the first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A, the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B, and the second heater. The second extension portion 62B of the terminal 6B is sequentially arranged at different angles of 90 ° ± 5 ° in the circumferential direction C of the sensor element 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the first heater crimp terminal 7A constitutes the tip 43A of the first drawer 42A of the first output crimp terminal 5A and the tip 43A of the first drawer 42A. It is arranged in the range T1 projected in the direction of the first virtual line K1 parallel to the main surface 431 through the main surface 431 of the flat plate. Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the tip portion of the first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A has the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A of the first output crimp terminal 5A and the first drawer portion 42A. It is arranged in the range T1 projected in the direction of the first virtual line K1 parallel to the main surface 431 of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43A of the above. With this configuration, the connection portion between the first output terminal 4A and the first output crimping terminal 5A by the crimping receiving jig portion 81 and the crimping holding jig portion 82, and the first heater terminal 6A and the first heater. It is possible to facilitate crimping of the connection portion with the crimp terminal 7A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the second heater crimp terminal 7B has a tip 43B of the second drawer 42B of the second output crimp terminal 5B and a tip 43B of the second drawer 42B. It is arranged within the range T2 projected in the direction of the second virtual line K2 parallel to the main surface 431 of the constituent flat plate. Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the tip portion of the second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B has the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B of the second output crimp terminal 5B, and the second drawer portion 42B. It is arranged in the range T2 projected in the direction of the second virtual line K2 parallel to the main surface 431 of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43B of the above. With this configuration, the connection portion between the second output terminal 4B and the second output crimping terminal 5B, and the second heater terminal 6B and the second heater are formed by the crimping receiving jig portion 81 and the crimping holding jig portion 82. It is possible to facilitate crimping of the connection portion with the crimp terminal 7B.

Further, in the connection portion cross section 101, the side where the first virtual line K1 and the second virtual line K2 parallel to each other face each other is defined as the virtual inside. Then, in the connection portion cross section 101, the side surface located on the most virtual inside of the first output crimp terminal 5A and the side surface located on the most virtual inside of the first heater crimp terminal 7A are parallel to the first virtual line K1. It is lined up on the first parallel virtual line H1. Further, in the connection portion cross section 101, the side surface located on the most virtual inside of the second output crimp terminal 5B and the side surface located on the most virtual inside of the second heater crimp terminal 7B are parallel to the second virtual line K2. It is lined up on the second parallel virtual line H2. With this configuration, the shape of the crimping receiving jig portion 81 can be simplified. Further, according to this configuration, the connection portion between the output terminals 4A and 4B and the crimping terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the heater terminals 6A by the crimping receiving jig portion 81 and the crimping holding jig portion 82. It becomes easy to perform crimping of the connection portion between 6B and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater at once.

(Insulator 16)
As shown in FIG. 1, the connection portion between each output terminal 4A, 4B by each output crimp terminal 5A, 5B and each lead wire 14, and each heater terminal 6A, 6B by each heater crimp terminal 7A, 7B, respectively. The connection portion with the lead wire 14 is arranged in the insulator 16 held in the base end side cover 13. The insulator 16 is made of alumina (aluminum oxide), and the insulator 16 is formed with an arrangement hole 161 in which each connection portion is arranged. The insulator 16 is held on the inner peripheral side of the base end side cover 13 by a leaf spring 162.

(Manufacturing method of gas sensor 1)
In manufacturing the gas sensor 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tip side cover 12 is first welded (joined) to the housing 11. Further, by mounting the first output terminal 4A on the outer peripheral surface 211 of the portion of the base end side L1 of the sensor element 2, the first output terminal 4A is connected to the outer lead portion 252 of the detection electrode 25 of the sensor element 2. To. Next, the sensor element 2 to which the first output terminal 4A is attached is arranged in the housing hole 111 of the housing 11 to which the front end side cover 12 is joined. Then, the sensor element 2 is fixed in the housing 11 via the sealing material 112 due to the deformation of the caulked portion 113 of the housing 11. Next, the heater terminals 6A and 6B are joined to the side surface of the base end portion of the heater element 3 in a state of being in contact with the lead portion 332 of the heating element 33. Further, the second output terminal 4B is mounted on the inner peripheral surface 212 of the portion of the base end side L2 of the sensor element 2 integrated with the housing 11 and the like, and the heater element 44 is mounted on the heater mounting portion 44 of the second output terminal 4B. 3 is retained.

On the other hand, a plurality of lead wires 14 are held in the base end side cover 13 by the bush 15, and the insulator 16 is held in the base end side cover 13 by the leaf spring 162. Further, the output crimp terminals 5A and 5B and the heater crimp terminals 7A and 7B are crimped to each of the conductor exposed portions 141 of the plurality of lead wires 14. The lead wires 14 to which the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater are crimped are drawn out to the outside of the base end side cover 13.

Next, the output terminals 4A and 4B of the sensor element 2 and the heater terminals 6A and 6B of the heater element 3 integrated with the housing 11 and the like, and the output crimp terminals 5A and 5B and the heaters of the lead wires 14 are provided. Crimping and welding (joining) with the crimp terminals 7A and 7B are performed. Next, the base end side cover 13, the bush 15, the insulator 16, and the like are slid with respect to each lead wire 14, and the base end side cover 13 is attached to the housing 11. Next, the base end side cover 13 is welded (joined) to the housing 11, and the base end side cover 13 is deformed, and each lead wire 14 is held by the base end side cover 13 via the bush 15. In this way, the gas sensor 1 is manufactured.

(Crimping and joining of the tip portions 43A and 43B of the drawer portions 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B and the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the extension portions 62A and 62B of the heater terminals 6A and 6B. Crimping and joining between the tip and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater)
As shown in FIG. 6, in the connection portion cross section 101, the main surface 431 of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B. The main surface 431 of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43B is parallel to each other in a state of being inclined at an inclination angle of 45 ° ± 5 ° with respect to the circumferential direction C of the sensor element 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the connection portion cross section 101, the side surface located on the most virtual inner side of the first output crimp terminal 5A crimped to the first output terminal 4A and the first heater terminal 6A were crimped. The side surface of the first heater crimp terminal 7A located on the innermost side is arranged on the first parallel virtual line H1. Further, in the connection portion cross section 101, the side surface of the second output crimp terminal 5B crimped to the second output terminal 4B located on the innermost virtual side and the second heater crimp terminal 7B crimped to the second heater terminal 6B. The side surface located on the innermost virtual side of the above is aligned on the second parallel virtual line H2.

The first virtual line K1 and the second virtual line K2 are inclined at an angle of 45 ° ± 5 ° with respect to the radial direction R where the first output terminal 4A and the second output terminal 4B are lined up. A certain distance is formed between the first parallel virtual line H1 and the second parallel virtual line H2 into which the crimping receiving jig portion 81 is inserted. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the side surface of the first output crimp terminal 5A located on the most virtual inside, the side surface of the first heater crimp terminal 7A located on the most virtual inside, and the second output crimp terminal 5B. The crimping receiving jig portion 81 is inserted between the side surface located most virtually inside and the side surface located most virtually inside the crimp terminal 7B for the second heater.

Next, the crimping holding jig portion 82 approaches the crimping receiving jig portion 81 from both sides. Then, between the crimping receiving jig portion 81 and the crimping holding jig portions 82 on both sides, the tip portions 43A and 43B of the drawer portions 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B and the crimping terminals 5A for each output are formed. , 5B and the connection portions between the tips of the extension portions 62A and 62B of the heater terminals 6A and 6B and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater are sandwiched, and these connection portions are crushed. As a result, the tip portions 43A and 43B of the drawer portions 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B and the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output are crimped, and the extension portions 62A and 62B of the heater terminals 6A and 6B are formed. The tip and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater are crimped at the same time.

Crimping of these connection portions can be performed by one step in which each crimping holding jig portion 82 moves with respect to the crimping receiving jig portion 81. Therefore, the four connection portions are crimped in one operation without changing the arrangement positions of the crimping receiving jig portion 81 and each crimping holding jig portion 82 with respect to the assembly such as the heater element 3. Can be done. This makes it possible to improve the work efficiency of crimping.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the crimping portions of the tip portions 43A and 43B of the drawer portions 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B and the crimping terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the heater terminals 6A and 6B. The tip portions of the extension portions 62A and 62B and the crimping portions of the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater are joined by laser welding. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the laser X is mounted on the connection portion cross section 101 from the virtual outside on the opposite side of the virtual inside where the first virtual line K1 and the second virtual line K2 parallel to each other face each other. It is irradiated from a direction perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 and the second virtual line K2.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the laser X is a protrusion 512A of the first side wall portion 511A located on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion 51A of the first output crimp terminal 5A in the radial direction R. The concave portion 513A on the back side of the above is irradiated from the direction perpendicular to the first side wall portion 511A. As a result, the protruding portion 512A and the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A are joined (welded). Further, the laser X can be irradiated to the insertion portion 71A of the crimp terminal 7A for the first heater at the same timing from the same direction as the irradiation direction of the laser X. As a result, a part of the insertion portion 71A of the first heater crimp terminal 7A and the tip portion of the first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A are joined (welded).

Further, the laser X is perpendicular to the second side wall portion 511B in the recess 513B on the back side of the protrusion 512B of the second side wall portion 511B located on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion 51B of the second output crimp terminal 5B in the radial direction. It is irradiated from various directions. As a result, the protruding portion 512B and the tip portion 43B of the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are joined (welded). Further, the laser X can be irradiated to the insertion portion 71B of the second heater crimp terminal 7B from the same direction as the irradiation direction of the laser X at the same timing. As a result, a part of the insertion portion 71B of the second heater crimp terminal 7B and the tip portion of the second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B are joined (welded).

The direction in which the laser X is applied to the crimp terminals 5A, 5B, 7A, and 7B is perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 and the second virtual line K2 (first parallel virtual line H1 and second parallel virtual line H2). By unifying the directions, the work efficiency of laser welding can be improved.

The position of irradiating the laser X at each crimp terminal 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B can be specified by taking a picture with a camera and analyzing with an image processing device. Further, the crimp receiving jig portion 81 may be formed with recesses for positioning the crimp terminals 5A, 5B, 7A, and 7B, respectively. Then, the laser X may be irradiated while the crimp terminals 5A, 5B, 7A, and 7B are positioned by the crimp receiving jig portion 81.

(Action effect)
In the gas sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the tip portion 43A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the crimp terminal for the first output are formed in the plane of the connection portion cross section 101 orthogonal to the axial direction L of the solid electrolyte body 20. The orientation of the connection portion with the 5A and the connection portion between the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B and the crimp terminal 5B for the second output is devised. Specifically, each of the intermediate portion 422A between the tip portion 43A and the root portion 421A of the first drawer portion 42A and the intermediate portion 422B between the tip portion 43B and the root portion 421B of the second drawer portion 42B , Twisted around the central axis O along the axial direction L of the solid electrolyte 20. The main surface 431 of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A and the main surface 431 of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B are parallel to each other and are solid electrolytes. It is tilted at an angle of 45 ° ± 5 ° with respect to the circumferential direction C of 20.

Further, in the connection portion cross section 101, the end face of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A is directed to the tip portion of the first extension portion 62A of the first heater terminal 6A, and the second drawer portion 42B. The end face of the flat plate constituting the tip portion 43B of the second heater terminal 6B is directed to the tip portion of the second extension portion 62B of the second heater terminal 6B. Here, the end face of the flat plate means a plane orthogonal to the main surface 431 of the flat plate.

With these configurations, the crimping jig 8 is used to crimp the tip portions 43A and 43B of the drawer portions 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B to the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the heater terminals. When crimping the tips of the extension portions 62A and 62B of 6A and 6B and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater, the crimp receiving jig portion 81 and the crimping holding jig as the crimping jig 8 are used. The portion 82 can be arranged in an appropriate direction in the plane orthogonal to the axial direction L of the solid electrolyte body 20. Specifically, the crimping receiving jig portion 81 is tilted by 45 ° ± 5 ° with respect to the circumferential direction C of the solid electrolyte body 20, and the tips of the drawer portions 42A and 42B of the output terminals 4A and 4B. A connection portion between the portions 43A and 43B and the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and a connection portion between the tip portions of the extension portions 62A and 62B of the heater terminals 6A and 6B and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater. It can be placed facing both.

Then, the drawing portions of the output terminals 4A and 4B are tilted by 45 ° ± 5 ° with respect to the circumferential direction C of the solid electrolyte body 20 by the crimping receiving jig portion 81 and the crimping holding jig portion 82. Crimping between the tips 43A and 43B of 42A and 42B and the crimp terminals 5A and 5B for each output, and the tip of the extensions 62A and 62B of the heater terminals 6A and 6B and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater. Crimping can be performed all at once.

Therefore, according to the gas sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the crimping between the tip portions 43A, 43B of the drawer portions 42A, 42B of the output terminals 4A, 4B and the crimping terminals 5A, 5B for each output, and the crimping of the heater terminals 6A, It is possible to improve the work efficiency when crimping the tip portions of the extension portions 62A and 62B of 6B and the crimp terminals 7A and 7B for each heater.

<Embodiment 2>
In this embodiment, the intermediate portion 422A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the intermediate portion 422B of the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are twisted around the central axis O along the axial direction L. Shows the optimum angle to be. Specifically, the intermediate portion 422A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the intermediate portion 422B of the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are formed around the central axis O along the axial direction L. It is preferably twisted within the range of 30 ° or more and 60 ° or less.

In FIG. 12, the intermediate portion 422A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the intermediate portion 422B of the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are formed around the central axis O along the axial direction L. The case where it is twisted by 30 ° is shown. In this case, since the crimping receiving jig portion 81 is used, the tip portions 43A of the first drawer portion 42A are compared with the case where the intermediate portions 422A and 422B are twisted by 45 ° around the central axis O. The distance C in the circumferential direction from the tip of the first extension 62A and the distance C in the circumferential direction between the tip 43B of the second drawer 42B and the tip of the second extension 62B are narrowed.

In FIG. 13, the intermediate portion 422A of the first extraction portion 42A of the first output terminal 4A and the intermediate portion 422B of the second extraction portion 42B of the second output terminal 4B are formed around the central axis O along the axial direction L. The case where it is twisted by 60 ° is shown. In this case, since the crimping receiving jig portion 81 is used, the tip portions 43A of the first drawer portion 42A are compared with the case where the intermediate portions 422A and 422B are twisted by 45 ° around the central axis O. The distance C in the circumferential direction from the tip of the first extension 62A and the distance C in the circumferential direction between the tip 43B of the second drawer 42B and the tip of the second extension 62B are widened.

In addition, in FIGS. 12 and 13, a part of the tip portion of the first extension portion 62A is arranged in the range T1 in which the tip portion 43A of the first drawer portion 42A is projected in the direction of the first virtual line K1. It is a condition that a part of the tip portion of the second extension portion 62B is arranged within the range T2 in which the tip portion 43B of the second drawer portion 42B is projected in the direction of the second virtual line K2.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the twist angle [°] of the intermediate portions 422A and 422B of the output terminals 4A and 4B, the insulation distance between the terminals [mm], and the jig width [mm]. The insulation distance between the terminals is the insulation distance between the first output crimp terminal 5A and the first heater crimp terminal 7A, and the insulation distance between the second output crimp terminal 5B and the second heater crimp terminal 7B. Indicates that. The jig width refers to the width of the crimping receiving jig portion 81 in the direction perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 and the second virtual line K2.

In FIG. 14, the line of the insulation distance between terminals and the line of the allowable jig width are shown in the same graph. The insulation distance between terminals increases as the twist angle of each output terminal 4A, 4B increases. The jig width becomes smaller as the twist angle of each output terminal 4A and 4B becomes larger.

It was found that the twist angle of each output terminal 4A and 4B must be 30 ° or more in order to properly secure the insulation distance between the terminals. It was also found that the twist angle of each output terminal 4A and 4B needs to be 60 ° or less in order to properly secure the allowable jig width.

The other configurations, action effects, etc. of the gas sensor 1 of the present embodiment are the same as the configurations, action effects, etc. of the first embodiment. Further, also in this embodiment, the components indicated by the same reference numerals as those shown in the first embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment, and further different embodiments can be configured without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, the present disclosure includes various modifications, modifications within an equal range, and the like. Further, combinations, forms, etc. of various components assumed from the present disclosure are also included in the technical idea of the present disclosure.

Claims (6)

1. A reference provided on the solid electrolyte body (20) having a bottomed cylindrical shape, the detection electrode (25) provided on the outer peripheral surface (211) of the solid electrolyte body, and the inner peripheral surface (212) of the solid electrolyte body. A sensor element (2) having an electrode (26) and
   From the first mounting portion (41A) mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte body in contact with the lead portion (252) of the detection electrode, and from the first mounting portion, the axial direction (L) of the solid electrolyte body. ), The first output terminal (4A) having the first drawer portion (42A) drawn out, and
   From the second mounting portion (41B) mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte body in contact with the lead portion (262) of the reference electrode, and from the second mounting portion, in the axial direction of the solid electrolyte body. A second output terminal (4B) having a second drawn-out portion (42B), and a second output terminal (4B).
   The first output crimp terminal (5A) to which the tip end portion (43A) of the first drawer portion is crimped,
   A second output crimping terminal (5B) to which the tip end portion (43B) of the second drawer portion is crimped is provided.
   The first output terminal and the second output terminal are composed of a bent flat plate.
   The root portion (421A) of the first drawer portion and the root portion (421B) of the second drawer portion are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction (C) of the solid electrolyte body, and the main plate of each of the flat plates is main. The planes (431) are parallel to each other and parallel to the tangent (C2) of the virtual circle (C1) around the virtual axis (O1) along the axial direction.
   The tip of the first drawer and the tip of the second drawer are such that the intermediate portions (422A, 422B) between the roots are the virtual axes (O1) with respect to the roots. ), And the main surface of the flat plate is inclined with respect to the tangent in a state of being parallel to each other, the gas sensor (1).
2. A heater element (3) arranged on the inner peripheral side of the solid electrolyte body and having a heating element (33) for heating the solid electrolyte body, the detection electrode, and the reference electrode.
   A first joint portion (61A) joined to the side surface of the heater element in a state of being in contact with one lead portion (332) of the heating element, and a first extending axially from the first joint portion. A first heater terminal (6A) having an extension (62A) and
   A second joint (61B) joined to the side surface of the heater element in contact with the other lead portion (332) of the heating element, and a second extending axially from the second joint. A second heater terminal (6B) having an extension (62B) and
   A crimp terminal (7A) for a first heater to which the tip of the first extension is crimped, and a crimp terminal (7A).
   A second heater crimping terminal (7B) to which the tip of the second extension is crimped is further provided.
   The first extension portion and the second extension portion are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction with the first drawer portion and the second drawer portion interposed therebetween.
   A connection portion between the first output crimp terminal and the tip of the first drawer, and a second output crimp terminal and the tip of the second drawer, orthogonal to the axial direction of the solid electrolyte. Cross section of the connection portion passing through the connection portion, the connection portion between the crimp terminal for the first heater and the tip portion of the first extension portion, and the connection portion between the crimp terminal for the second heater and the tip portion of the second extension portion. In (101)
   At least a part of the first heater crimp terminal passes the tip of the first drawer of the first output crimp terminal through the main surface of the flat plate constituting the tip of the first drawer. It is arranged within the range (T1) projected in the direction of the first virtual line (K1) parallel to the main surface, and at least a part of the crimp terminal for the second heater is crimped for the second output. A range in which the tip of the second drawer of the terminal is projected in the direction of the second virtual line (K2) parallel to the main surface of the flat plate constituting the tip of the second drawer. The gas sensor according to claim 1, which is arranged in (T2).
3. When the side of the connection site cross section where the first virtual line and the second virtual line parallel to each other face each other is defined as the virtual inside.
   In the cross section of the connection site,
   The side surface of the first output crimp terminal located on the most virtual inside and the side surface of the first heater crimp terminal located on the most virtual inside are first parallel virtual lines parallel to the first virtual line. (H1) Lined up on top,
   The side surface of the second output crimp terminal located on the most virtual inside and the side surface of the second heater crimp terminal located on the most virtual inside are second parallel virtual lines parallel to the second virtual line. (H2) The gas sensor according to claim 2, which is lined up above.
4. The connection portion of the first output crimp terminal with the tip of the first drawer is a pair of first side wall portions (511A) facing the main surface of the flat plate constituting the tip of the first drawer. ) And
   At least one of the pair of the first side wall portions is formed with a protrusion (512A) that protrudes inward and is joined to the flat plate that constitutes the tip of the first drawer.
   The connection portion of the second output crimp terminal with the tip of the second drawer is a pair of second side wall portions (511B) facing the main surface of the flat plate constituting the tip of the second drawer. ) And
   Claims 1 to 1, wherein at least one of the pair of the second side wall portions has an inwardly protruding portion (512B) joined to the flat plate constituting the tip portion of the second drawer portion. The gas sensor according to any one of 3.
5. The root portion of the first drawer portion is a root side bending portion (423A) connected to the first mounting portion and bent with respect to the first mounting portion, and the root side bending portion connected to the root side bending portion. The main surface of the flat plate is formed by a parallel portion (424A) parallel to the circumferential direction in a state of being bent with respect to the axial direction and parallel to the axial direction.
   The intermediate portion between the parallel portion of the first drawer portion and the tip end portion of the first drawer portion connects the parallel portion and the tip end portion of the first drawer portion, and the parallel portion and the first drawer portion. It is composed of a bent tip side bent portion (425A) that is bent and twisted with respect to the tip portion of the portion.
   The root portion of the second drawer portion is a root side bending portion (423B) that is connected to the second mounting portion and bends with respect to the second mounting portion, and the root side bending portion that is connected to the root side bending portion. The main surface of the flat plate is formed by a parallel portion (424B) parallel to the circumferential direction in a state of being bent with respect to the axial direction and parallel to the axial direction.
   The intermediate portion between the parallel portion of the second drawer portion and the tip portion of the second drawer portion connects the parallel portion and the tip portion of the second drawer portion, and the parallel portion and the second drawer portion are connected to each other. The gas sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is composed of a tip-side bent portion (425B) that is bent and twisted with respect to the tip portion of the portion.
6. Claim 1 that the intermediate portion of the first drawer portion and the intermediate portion of the second drawer portion are twisted around a virtual axis along the axial direction within a range of 30 ° or more and 60 ° or less. The gas sensor according to any one of 5 to 5.

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