Sensor device

Abstract

A sensor device having a sensor projection and a sensor support integrally formed with each other. It further includes a retainer, an internal seal, an external seal, a fastening portion, and a friction reduction portion. The retainer is rotatable relative to the sensor projection and the sensor support. The internal seal is disposed between the sensor support and the retainer. The external seal is disposed between the wall and the retainer. The fastening portion includes a fitting groove formed in one of the sensor support and the retainer and a protrusion formed on the other of the sensor support and the retainer. The protrusion engages in the fitting groove to effect the installation of the sensor device in the wall. The friction reduction portion is for increasing the interval between the sensor support and the retainer when the sensor support rotates relative to the retainer to install the sensor device in the wall, so as to reduce the degree of friction generated by the internal seal. This allows the sensor installation operator to easily confirm the completion of the work of installing the sensor device in the wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to sensor devices. Background Art

[0002] Sensor devices that are attached to the wall of an inner door panel of a vehicle during use are known.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 5579184 discloses a sensor that is designed to be fixed to a wall by inserting a holding wing into an opening formed in the wall and then rotating the holding wing and a support element relative to each other. The sensor is equipped with an end stopper that controls the amount by which the holding wing rotates when the sensor is installed in the wall.

[0004] The holding wing corresponds to the sensor protruding portion in the sensor device discussed in the following embodiments. Additionally, the support element corresponds to the holder of the sensor device in the following embodiments.

[0005] However, the sensor taught in the above disclosure is designed not to have a mechanism that produces a low level of mechanical vibration or a sound such as a click (which will also be referred to as a sense of completion of installation or a gentle completion feedback) transmitted to the operator's finger when the work of installing the sensor in the wall is completed. When the degree of torque required to rotate the holding wing and the support element relative to each other is high, it is difficult for the operator to clearly perceive whether the installation work is completed even when the holding wing contacts the end stopper. This may result in insufficient rotation of the holding wing when the sensor is installed in the wall, leading to failure of the sensor installation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensor device that is designed to allow an operator to easily confirm or perceive the completion of the installation of the sensor device in or on a wall.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor device is provided which is configured to be mountable to a wall in use. The sensor device includes: (a) a sensor protrusion portion configured to be inserted into an opening formed in the wall; (b) a sensor support member integrally formed with the sensor protrusion portion and having a size larger than the size of the opening; (b) a retainer having a through hole formed therein for the sensor protrusion portion to pass through, the retainer being configured to be disposed between the sensor support member and the wall and rotatable relative to the sensor protrusion portion and the sensor support member; (c) an internal seal disposed between the sensor support member and the retainer; (d) an external seal configured to be disposed between the wall and the retainer; (e) a fastening portion including a mating groove and a protrusion, the mating groove being formed in one of the sensor support member and the retainer, the protrusion being formed on the other of the sensor support member and the retainer, the mating groove and the protrusion being configured to achieve engagement with each other when the sensor support member is moved from an initial state where the sensor support member has been inserted into the opening in the wall from the sensor protrusion portion to a mounted state where the sensor support member has been rotated a given angle from the initial state; and (f) a friction reduction portion for increasing the interval between the sensor support member and the retainer after the sensor support member is rotated relative to the retainer from the initial state and before being placed in the mounted state to reduce the degree of friction generated by the internal seal.

[0008] When the sensor support member is rotated from the initial state to mount the sensor device to the wall, the friction reduction portion is used to reduce the degree of friction generated by the internal seal, thereby resulting in a reduction in the degree of torque required to rotate the sensor support member and the retainer relative to each other. This enables the sensor installation operator to clearly sense the completion of installation when the protrusion engages in the mating groove. This avoids insufficient rotation of the sensor support member relative to the retainer, thereby ensuring the stability of mounting the sensor device to the wall.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the sense of completion of installation is generated by a low level of mechanical vibration transmitted to, for example, the operator's finger or a sound such as a click.

[0010] As described below, the symbols in parentheses attached to the respective components are only used to indicate an exemplary correspondence between the symbols and the components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the preferred embodiments of the present invention should not be considered as limiting the present invention to specific embodiments, but are for illustrative and understanding purposes only.

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 is a side view showing a sensor device installed in a wall according to the first embodiment;

[0014] Figure 2 is the plan view of the sensor device when observed along the direction II in Figure 1 and the wall shown in Figure 1 is omitted from Figure 2 ;

[0015] Figure 3 is the plan view of the sensor device when observed along the direction III in Figure 1 and the wall shown in Figure 1 is omitted from Figure 3 ;

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the sensor device when observed facing the sensor protrusion;

[0017] Figure 5 is Figure 4 the exploded perspective view of the sensor device in

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the sensor device when observed facing the connector;

[0019] Figure 7 is showing Figure 6 the exploded view of the sensor device in

[0020] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 2 and Figure 3 ;

[0021] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the operation sequence for installing the sensor device in the wall according to the first embodiment;

[0022] Figure 10 is showing Figure 1 the partially enlarged view of the vane and the stopper of the sensor device in

[0023] FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) are Figure 1 the cross-sectional views of the sensor device in

[0024] Figure 12 is showing Figure 1 the relative movement of the protrusion and the sliding contact wall in the sensor device in

[0025] Figure 13 represents Figure 1 a partial view of the relative movement of the protrusion and the sliding contact wall in the sensor device in

[0026] Figure 14 illustrates Figure 1 a partial view of the engagement of the protrusion in the fitting groove in the sensor device in

[0027] Figure 15 represents Figure 1 a graph showing the change in the torque required to rotate the sensor support of the sensor device in

[0028] Figure 16 is a partial plan view of the engagement of the protrusion in the fitting groove of the sensor device according to the second embodiment;

[0029] Figure 17 illustrates Figure 16 a partial plan view of the movement of the protrusion and the sliding contact wall in the sensor device in

[0030] Figure 18 represents Figure 16 a partial view of the relative movement of the protrusion and the sliding contact wall in the sensor device in

[0031] Figure 19 represents Figure 16 a partial view of the relative movement of the protrusion and the sliding contact wall in the sensor device in

[0032] Figure 20 represents Figure 16 a partial view of the relative movement of the protrusion and the sliding contact wall in the sensor device in

[0033] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the sensor device according to the third embodiment when viewed facing the sensor protrusion;

[0034] Figure 22 illustrates Figure 21 a plan view of the sensor support of the sensor device in

[0035] Figure 23 illustrates Figure 21 a plan view of the retainer of the sensor device in

[0036] Figures 24(a) and 24(b) illustrate Figure 21 a partial cross-sectional view of the movement of the sensor support and the retainer of the sensor device in

[0037] Figure 25 illustrates Figure 21 a partial cross-sectional view of the engagement of the blade-side protrusion of the sensor device in the fitting groove in

[0038] Figure 26 is for Figure 21 a flowchart of the operation sequence for installing the sensor device in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals used throughout the embodiments will refer to the same or equivalent components, and once these components are mentioned, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0040] First Embodiment

[0041] As Figure 1 shown in

[0042] As Figures 2 to 8 shown in

[0043] As Figure 5 and Figure 8 can be seen in

[0044] the sensor protrusion 10 and the sensor support 20 are integrally formed with each other in the shape of a one-piece member. The sensor protrusion 10 includes a cylindrical portion 11 and an extension portion 12. The cylindrical portion 11 protrudes from the sensor support 20 in a hollow cylindrical shape. The extension portion 12 extends in a direction crossing the axial center line of the cylindrical portion 11. The extension portion 12 has an air inlet opening 13 formed at its end.

[0045] The retainer 30 includes an annular portion 31 having an annular shape and an outer edge portion 32 formed in a cylindrical shape on the outer edge of the annular portion 31. A through hole 33 is formed in the annular portion 31, and the sensor protruding portion 10 passes through the through hole 33. The annular portion 31 and the sensor protruding portion 10 are disposed on the sensor support member 20 on the same side. In other words, when the sensor device 1 is attached to the panel 2, the annular portion 31 is located between the sensor support member 20 and the panel 2. The outer edge portion 32 is located radially outside the sensor support member 20 and surrounds the outer peripheral edge of the sensor support member 20.

[0046] The sensor protruding portion 10 and the sensor support member 20 are configured to be rotatable relative to the retainer 30. In the following description, the direction extending parallel to the axis Ax of the relative rotation of the assembly of the sensor protruding portion 10 and the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30 will also be referred to as the rotational axis direction.

[0047] As Figure 1 clearly illustrated, the panel 2 to which the sensor device 1 is fixed has an opening 3, and the sensor protruding portion 10 is fitted in the opening 3. When viewed in the rotational axis direction, the opening 3 has a shape substantially the same as the shape of the sensor protruding portion 10. Specifically, the opening 3 is formed to be slightly larger in size than the sensor protruding portion 10. In other words, the diameter of the sensor protruding portion 10 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 3. This enables the sensor protruding portion 10 and the sensor support member 20 to rotate relative to the retainer 30 after the sensor protruding portion 10 is inserted into the opening 3 of the panel 2 to achieve a firm attachment of the sensor device 1 to the panel 2. The diameter or size of the sensor support member 20 is larger than the opening 3.

[0048] In this embodiment, the sensor protruding portion 10 passes through the panel 2 into the space S1. The space S1 is defined, for example, by a chamber in which the window glass of the vehicle is provided, and the space S1 will also be referred to as the glass storage space S1 hereinafter. The glass storage space S1 may be subject to rain ingress. The space S2 in which the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30 are arranged on the panel 2 is defined, for example, by a space located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and in which the inner part of the vehicle door is provided. Therefore, the sensor device 1 is equipped with an inner seal 40 and an outer seal 50 to prevent, for example, rain from entering the space S2 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle through the opening 3 of the panel 2 from the glass storage space S1.

[0049] As Figure 7 and Figure 8As clearly illustrated, the inner seal 40 is disposed between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30. The inner seal 40 is made of, for example, rubber or an elastomer, and is located outside the through hole 33 in the annular portion 31 of the retainer 30. The inner seal 40 is disposed between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30 in a compressed or elastically deformed state. Specifically, the inner seal 40 is annular in shape and is disposed radially outside the friction reducing portion 70, thereby preventing water from flowing into the area radially inside or radially outside the inner seal 40 in the gap between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30. This prevents, for example, rainwater from flowing into the space S2 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when it has passed through the opening 3 of the panel 2 from the glass storage space S1 and entered the gap between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30. The effect of the compression or elastic deformation of the inner seal 40 between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30 is to minimize the risk of mechanical noise caused by the clearance between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30.

[0050] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As clearly illustrated, the outer seal 50 is provided on the surface of the retainer 30 opposite to the surface on which the inner seal 40 is provided. The outer seal 50 is made of, for example, rubber or an elastomer, and is located outside the through hole 33 in the annular portion 31 of the retainer 30. The outer seal 50 is disposed between the panel 2 and the retainer 30 in a compressed or elastically deformed state. This prevents water from flowing into the area radially inside or radially outside the outer seal 50 in the gap between the panel 2 and the retainer 30 in a state where the sensor device 1 is fixed to the panel 2. This prevents, for example, rainwater from flowing into the space S2 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when it has passed through the opening 3 of the panel 2 from the glass storage space S1 and entered the gap between the panel 2 and the retainer 30.

[0051] The effect of the compression or elastic deformation of the outer seal 50 between the panel 2 and the retainer 30 is to minimize the risk of mechanical noise caused by the clearance between the panel 2 and the retainer 30, and also to hold the panel 2 and the retainer 30 against relative rotation.

[0052] As Figures 3 to 7As shown in the figure, the fastening portion 60 includes a fitting groove 61 and a protrusion 62. The fitting groove 61 is formed in the outer edge portion 32 of the retainer 30. The protrusion 62 is formed on the radially outer portion or the periphery of the sensor support 20. As described above, the firm attachment of the sensor device 1 to the panel 2 is achieved by inserting the sensor protruding portion 10 into the opening 3 of the panel 2 and then rotating the sensor protruding portion 10 and the sensor support 20 relative to the retainer 30. After this attachment, the protrusion 62 is fitted into the fitting groove 61. In Figures 3 to 7 the same lower-case letter suffixes "a", "b", or "c" are used to denote each of the protrusions 62 that are fitted together and the corresponding one of the fitting grooves 61 in the fitting groove 61. The fastening portion 60 is configured to generate a sense of completion of installation when the protrusion 62 is fitted into the fitting groove 61. How to develop the sense of completion of installation when the protrusion 62 is fitted into the fitting groove 61 will be described in detail later.

[0053] In the following discussion, the state in which the sensor protruding portion 10 is fitted into the opening 3 of the panel 2 will be referred to as the initial state. The state in which the sensor support 20 has been rotated by a given angle relative to the retainer 30 from the initial state to achieve the engagement of the protrusion 62 with the fitting groove 61, in other words, the state in which the sensor support 20 is located at a given angular interval away from the initial state, will also be referred to as the installation state. As Figure 3 and Figure 6 shown, the direction in which the sensor protruding portion 10 and the sensor support 20 rotate relative to the retainer 30 in the transitional state between the initial state and the installation state will also be referred to as the forward direction. The direction opposite to the forward direction will be referred to as the reverse direction. Figures 1 to 4 、 Figure 6 and Figure 8 each show the initial state.

[0054] The fitting claws 63 are arranged in front of the fitting groove 61 in the forward direction. The fitting claws 63 serve as locking members for holding the sensor support 20 against moving away from the retainer 30. Each of the fitting claws 63 is formed on a wall that is located in front of the corresponding one of the fitting grooves in the fitting groove 61 in the forward direction.

[0055] The retainer 30 has a sliding contact wall 64 formed on its radially outer portion or periphery. The sliding contact wall 64 is disposed in front of the fitting groove 61 in the reverse direction. The sliding contact wall 64 serves as a wall on which the protrusion 62 is slidably placed immediately before the establishment of the installation state after the sensor protrusion portion 10 and the sensor support member 20 are rotated from the initial state. Each sliding contact wall in the sliding contact wall 64 has a radially inner surface defined as an inclined sliding wall surface 65, and the inclined sliding wall surface 65 is inclined to gradually approach the sensor support member 20 in the forward direction. In other words, each inclined sliding wall surface in the inclined sliding wall surface 65 is configured to have a gradually increasing gap in the forward direction between itself and the sensor support member 20. Before entering the installation state from the initial state, each sliding contact wall in the sliding contact wall 64 is shaped to generate friction between itself and the corresponding one of the protrusions 62 to increase the degree of torque required to achieve relative rotation of the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30, and to release this friction when the protrusion 62 engages with the fitting groove 61. In other words, each sliding contact wall in the sliding contact wall 64 functions to generate a spring pressure that generates a sense of completion of installation when the protrusion 62 is fitted into the fitting groove 61, and each sliding contact wall in the sliding contact wall 64 will also be referred to as a spring for generating a sense of completion of installation. Each sliding contact wall in the sliding contact wall 64 forms a wall that is in front of one of the fitting grooves in the fitting groove 61 in the reverse direction. Although not shown, at least one of the sliding contact walls in the sliding contact wall 64 is preferably shaped to be higher than the protrusion 62 in the rotational axis direction.

[0056] As Figure 5 and Figure 7 clearly illustrated in, each friction reduction portion 70 in the friction reduction portion 70 includes a support member side convex portion 71 and a retainer side convex portion 72. The support member side convex portion 71 is formed on the sensor support member 20. The retainer side convex portion 72 is formed on the retainer 30. The support member side convex portion 71 is shaped to protrude from the sensor support member 20 toward the retainer 30 in the rotational axis direction. The retainer side convex portion 72 is shaped to protrude from the retainer 30 toward the sensor support member 20 in the rotational axis direction.

[0057] During the rotation of the sensor support member 20 from the initial state, each support member side convex portion in the support member side convex portion 71 and the corresponding retainer side convex portion in the retainer side convex portion 72 become overlapped with each other in the rotational axis direction. When the support member side convex portion 71 and the retainer side convex portion 72 are overlapped in the rotational axis direction, their total thickness will cause an increase in the gap between the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30. This results in a reduction in the compression or deformation of the internal seal 40 attached to the retainer 30, thereby resulting in a reduction in the friction between the internal seal 40 and the sensor support member 20. The degree of compression or deformation of the external seal 50 between the panel 2 and the retainer 30 increases.

[0058] Each of the support member side projections 71 in the support member side projections and the corresponding one of the retainer side projections 72 in the retainer side projections is positioned such that they are not aligned with each other in the rotational axis direction when in the installed state. When each of the support member side projections 71 in the support member side projections and the corresponding one of the retainer side projections 72 in the retainer side projections are arranged so as not to be aligned with each other in the rotational axis direction, the elasticity of the external seal 50 will cause the gap or interval between the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30 to decrease, thereby increasing the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40. This enables the internal seal 40 to provide waterproof performance and sound insulation.

[0059] As Figure 5 can be seen, each of the support member side projections 71 in the support member side projections has a front support member side inclined surface 73 facing the forward direction and a rear support member side inclined surface 74 facing the reverse direction. As Figure 7 can be seen, each of the retainer side projections 72 in the retainer side projections has a front retainer side inclined surface 75 facing the forward direction and a rear retainer side inclined surface 76 facing the reverse direction. This will result in a decrease in the degree of torque generated when the support member side projections 71 and the retainer side projections 72 overlap with each other in the rotational axis direction during rotation of the sensor support member 20 from the initial state, in other words, when the support member side projections 71 and the retainer side projections 72 are placed on top of each other.

[0060] As Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 clearly illustrated in, each of the rotation starters 80 in the rotation starters includes a blade 81 and a stopper 82. The blade 81 is formed by a part of the annular portion 31 of the retainer 30 and extends in the circumferential direction (i.e., the rotational direction) of the annular portion 31. Specifically, the blade 81 consists of three parts: a first end firmly fixed to the annular portion 31, an intermediate portion extending in the circumferential direction, and a second end 83 opposite to the first end and extending radially inward along the annular portion 31. The second end 83 of each of the blades 81 in the blade 81 can undergo large elastic deformation in the rotational axis direction. The second end 83 of the blade 81 is provided with a leg 84 extending away from the sensor support member 20.

[0061] The stopper 82 is provided on the radially outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11 of the sensor projection 10. Each of the stoppers in the stopper 82 is positioned to be able to contact the second end portion 83 of a corresponding one of the vanes 81 in the initial state. The stopper 82 has a thickness in the rotational axis direction that is substantially the same as the thickness of the second end portion 83 of the vane 81 in the rotational axis direction. Therefore, when the second end portion 83 of the vane 81 is elastically deformed in the rotational axis direction, it causes the second end portion 83 to be positioned away from the stopper 82 in the rotational axis direction. This enables the sensor support 20 and the sensor projection 10 to rotate relative to the holder 30.

[0062] Reference will be made to Figure 9 the flowchart of Figures 10 to 13 and discuss how to install the sensor device 1 in the panel 2. In the following discussion, for the sake of simplicity of illustration, the sensor support 20 and the sensor projection 10 will also be referred to as the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20.

[0063] First, in Figure 9 step S110, the sensor device 1 having the sensor portion 10, the sensor portion 20, and the holder 30 assembled in the initial state is prepared. Then, the sensor projection 10 of the sensor device 1 is inserted into the opening 3 of the panel 2.

[0064] Subsequently, in step S120, the sensor portion 10, the sensor portion 20, and the holder 30 are pressed against the panel 2 to compress the inner seal 40 and the outer seal 50.

[0065] In step S130, as shown in Figure 10 , the legs 84 are pressed by the panel 2 in the rotational axis direction toward the sensor support 20, so that the second end portion 83 of each of the vanes 81 is elastically deformed in the rotational axis direction. In Figure 10 , the second end portion 83 of the elastically deformed vane 81 in the second end portion 83 is shown by a dashed line. In this state, the second end portion 83 of the vane 81 and the stopper 82 are positioned away from each other in the rotational axis direction. This allows the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 to rotate relative to the holder 30.

[0066] Subsequently, in step S140, the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 are rotated relative to the holder 30 in the forward direction. The degree of compression or deformation of the inner seal 40 is relatively high, resulting in an increase in the degree of mechanical friction between the inner seal 40 and the sensor support 20. Therefore, the degree of torque required to rotate the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 is relatively high.

[0067] In step S150, when the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 continue to rotate relative to the holder 30 in the forward direction, the support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 become overlapped with each other in the rotational axis direction during the rotation of the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20. The overlapping process of the support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 is shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b). FIG. 11(a) shows the sensor portion 20 and the holder 30 in the initial state. FIG. 11(b) shows the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 rotated through a given angle from the initial state. In FIG. 11(b), the support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 are overlapped with each other in the rotational axis direction, such that the holder 30 moves closer to the panel 2, resulting in an increase in the gap between the sensor support member 20 and the holder 30. The comparison between FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b) shows that the gap or spacing between the sensor support member 20 and the holder 30 satisfies the relationship A1 < A2, and the spacing between the holder 30 and the panel 2 satisfies the relationship B1 > B2. In FIG. 11(b), the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40 is low, resulting in a decrease in the degree of friction between the internal seal 40 and the sensor support member 20.

[0068] In step S160, the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 continue to rotate relative to the holder 30 in the forward direction. As Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, this causes each of the inclined sliding wall surfaces 65, i.e., the radially inner surfaces of the sliding contact walls 64, and the corresponding one of the protrusions 62 to slide relative to each other. Figure 12 and Figure 13 show a process in which the sliding contact wall 64 contacts the protrusion 62 as the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 rotate and then deforms or moves radially outward. As described above, the inclined sliding wall surface 65 is inclined to approach the sensor support member 20 in the forward direction, such that as the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 rotate in the forward direction, the degree of torque required to rotate or turn the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 increases. In this way, the sliding contact wall 64 serves to complete the function of generating a mounting feeling spring.

[0069] In step S170, as Figure 14 shown, when each of the protrusions 62 moves away from or disengages from the corresponding one of the sliding contact walls 64 of the sliding contact wall 64, the protrusion is captured in the fitting groove 61, resulting in an immediate disappearance of the high required torque. This causes the protrusion 62 to strike the end wall surface of the fitting groove 61 facing away from the forward direction (i.e., the side surface of the fitting claw 63), thereby generating a high degree of completion of the mounting feeling. The operator will perceive the completion of the mounting feeling after finishing his or her work.

[0070] The support member side convex portion 71 and the retainer side convex portion 72 are arranged to be misaligned with each other in the rotational axis direction while or immediately before the protrusion 62 disengages from the sliding contact wall 64. In other words, the support member side convex portion 71 and the retainer side convex portion 72 return to the state shown in Fig. 11(a). This results in a decrease in the interval between the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30 and an increase in the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40, thereby enabling the internal seal 40 to exhibit waterproof and sound insulation properties.

[0071] Finally, in step S180, an external connector having a wire or conductor is joined to the connector 22 of the sensor support member 20. This completes the installation of the sensor device 1 in the panel 2.

[0072] Figure 15 It is a graph showing the change in the required torque through steps S140 to S170. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates the rotational angles of the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20. The vertical axis of the graph indicates the required torque. As described in step S140, from the start of the rotation of the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 until the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 rotate by an angle θ1, the internal seal 40 undergoes a high degree of compression or deformation, resulting in an increase in the degree of friction between the internal seal 40 and the sensor support member 20.

[0073] When the support member side convex portion 71 and the retainer side convex portion 72 overlap with each other in the rotational axis direction after the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 rotate by an angle θ1 as described in step S150, the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40 becomes low, resulting in a decrease in the degree of friction between the internal seal 40 and the sensor support member 20.

[0074] After the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 rotate by an angle θ2, as described in step S160, each sliding contact wall in the sliding contact wall 64 serving as a completion installation sense generating spring and the corresponding one of the protrusions 62 slide against each other, thereby increasing the degree of the required torque.

[0075] When the sensor portions 10 and 20 are rotated by an angle θ3, as described in step S170, the support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 are arranged so as not to be aligned with each other in the rotational axis direction, so that the internal seal 40 has waterproof and soundproof properties. At an angle θ4 equal to or immediately following the angle θ3, each of the protrusions 62 disengages from the corresponding one of the sliding contact walls 64 of the sliding contact wall, so that the protrusions 62 are fitted in the fitting grooves 61, resulting in the immediate disappearance of the high required torque. This causes the protrusions 62 to impact the end wall surface of the fitting groove 61 facing away from the forward direction (i.e., the side surface of the fitting claw 63), thereby generating a high degree of complete installation feeling.

[0076] The above structure of the sensor device 1 in the first embodiment provides the following beneficial advantages.

[0077] 1) After the sensor support 20 is rotated relative to the holder 30 from the initial state and before it is arranged in the installed state, each of the friction reduction portions 70 in the friction reduction portion 70 is used to increase the interval between the sensor support 20 and the holder 30 to reduce the degree of friction generated by the internal seal 40. In other words, when the sensor portions 10 and 20 start to rotate to attach the sensor device 1 to the panel 2, each of the friction reduction portions 70 in the friction reduction portion 70 is used to reduce the friction generated by the internal seal 40. This results in a reduction in the degree of torque required to rotate the sensor portions 10 and 20, so that the operator can clearly sense the completion of the installation feeling when the protrusions 62 engage the fitting grooves 61. This avoids the shortage of rotation of the sensor portions 10 and 20 relative to the holder 30 in the sensor device 1, thereby ensuring the stability of installing the sensor device 1 in the panel 2.

[0078] 2) Each of the friction reduction portions 70 in the first embodiment includes a support member side convex portion 71 and a holder side convex portion 72. The support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 overlap each other in the rotational axis direction during the rotation of the sensor support 20 from the initial state, thereby increasing the interval between the sensor support 20 and the holder 30.

[0079] When the support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 are arranged in the installed state, the support member side convex portion 71 and the holder side convex portion 72 disengage from each other, in other words, they are not aligned with each other in the rotational axis direction, so that the internal seal 40 has waterproof and soundproof properties.

[0080] 3) As described above, each of the support-side convex portions 71 in the support member has a front support-side inclined surface 73 facing the forward direction. Each of the retainer-side convex portions 72 in the retainer has a rear retainer-side inclined surface 76 facing the reverse direction. This enables the overlap of the support-side convex portion 71 and the retainer-side convex portion 72 in the rotational axis direction to be achieved with a low level of torque during the rotation of the sensor support member 20 from the initial state.

[0081] 4) Each of the support-side convex portions 71 in the support member has a rear support-side inclined surface 74 facing the reverse direction. Each of the retainer-side convex portions 72 in the retainer has a front retainer-side inclined surface 75 facing the forward direction. This enables the rear support-side inclined surface 74 and the front retainer-side inclined surface 75 to slide past each other when the support-side convex portion 71 and the retainer-side convex portion 72 become misaligned with each other during the rotation of the sensor support member 20 for mounting the sensor device 1 in the panel 2, thereby accelerating the rotation of the sensor support member 20. This results in an increased degree of the sense of completion of installation perceived by the operator when the protrusion 62 engages with the fitting groove 61.

[0082] 5) Each of the sliding contact walls 64 that slidably contacts a corresponding one of the protrusions 62 after the initial state and before the installation state is reached is used to increase the required torque through the friction between itself and the corresponding protrusion 62, and then releases this friction when the protrusion 62 engages in the fitting groove 61. The release of this friction causes the rotational speed of the sensor support member 20 to be accelerated by the increasing torque acting on the sensor support member 20 until the friction is released. This increases the sense of completion of installation perceived by the operator when the protrusion 62 is fitted into the fitting groove 61.

[0083] 6) As described above, the radially inner surface of each of the sliding contact walls 64 is designed as an inclined sliding wall surface 65. This causes the degree of the torque required to rotate the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 in the forward direction to gradually increase as the protrusion 62 and the sliding contact wall slide past each other. Therefore, when the friction between the protrusion 62 and the sliding contact wall 64 is released immediately before the protrusion 62 engages with the fitting groove 61, the rotational speed of the sensor support member 20 is accelerated to a greater extent, thereby increasing the sense of completion of installation perceived by the operator when the protrusion 62 engages in the fitting groove 61.

[0084] 7) The internal seal 40 is arranged in an annular shape outside the outer peripheral edge of the friction reduction portion 70. This eliminates the risk of water leaking radially outside the internal seal 40 when it has entered the gap between the sensor support member 20 and the retainer 30 through the through hole 33 from the opening 3 of the panel 2.

[0085] 8) At least one of the sliding contact walls 64 is preferably shaped such that its horizontal height in the direction of the rotation axis is higher than that of the protrusion 62. This facilitates the radial outward tilting of at least one of the sliding contact walls 64 when the sensor device 1 is removed from the panel 2. This enables the operator to easily rotate the sensor support 20 in the reverse direction under the condition that the sliding contact wall 64 remains radially outward tilted and the protrusion 62 remains engaged with the fitting groove 61. This facilitates the removal of the sensor device 1 from the panel 2.

[0086] Second Embodiment

[0087] The sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described below, in which the configuration of the protrusion 62 provided on the radially outer peripheral edge of the sensor support 20 is different from the configuration of the protrusion in the first embodiment. Other arrangements are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted here.

[0088] As Figure 16 shown, each of the protrusions 62 of the fastening portion 60 in the second embodiment has a radially outwardly inclined protruding surface 66. The inclined protruding surface 66 is inclined away from the rotation axis of the sensor support 20 in the forward direction when entering the installation state from the initial state. In other words, the inclined protruding surface 66 radially outwardly inclines at a constant rate in the forward direction.

[0089] Figures 17 to 20 illustrates the process of rotating the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 to install the sensor device 1 in the panel 2. As Figure 19 shown, when a part of each of the protrusions 62 moves away from the corresponding one of the sliding contact walls 64 during the rotation of the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 relative to the holder 30, it causes the protrusion 62 to be pushed in the forward direction by the sliding movement of the inclined protruding surface 66 on the inclined sliding wall surface 65. This accelerates the rotational speed of the sensor support 20, so that the protrusion 62 quickly impacts the wall surface of the fitting groove 61 facing away from the forward direction (i.e., the side surface of the fitting claw 63). This increases the sense of completion of installation perceived by the operator when the protrusion 62 is engaged in the fitting groove 61.

[0090] Third Embodiment

[0091] The sensor device 1 according to the third embodiment will be described below, in which the structures of the rotation starter 80, the fastening portion 60, and the friction reduction portion 70 are partially different from the structures of the rotation starter, the fastening portion, and the friction reduction portion in the first embodiment. Other arrangements are the same as those in the first embodiment, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted here.

[0092] The sensor device 1 in the third embodiment is similarly equipped with a rotation starter 80 as in the first embodiment, as Figures 21 to 23 shown. Each rotation starter in the rotation starter 80 includes a blade 81 and a stopper 82. The blade 81 extends in the radial direction of the annular portion 31 of the holder 30 from the annular portion 31 of the holder 30. Specifically, the blade 81 has one end firmly fixed to the annular portion 31 and extends radially inwardly so as to have a second end 83 positioned close to the center of the holder 30. The second end 83 of the blade 81 can undergo large elastic deformation in the direction of the rotation axis. The blade 81 is provided with a leg 84 extending away from the sensor support 20.

[0093] The stopper 82 is provided on the radially outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11 of the sensor projection 10. In other words, the stopper 82 is formed by the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 11. In the initial state, the stopper 82 is arranged in contact with the second end 83 of the blade 81. When the second end 83 of the blade 81 elastically deforms in the direction of the rotation axis, the second end 83 moves away from the stopper 82 in the direction of the rotation axis. This allows the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 to rotate relative to the holder 30.

[0094] Each friction reduction portion 70 in the friction reduction portion 70 includes a blade 81, a leg 84, and a blade-side convex portion 85. The blade-side convex portion 85 projects from the blade 81 toward the sensor support 20. FIG. 24(a) illustrates the sensor projection 10 inserted into the opening 3 of the panel 2 in the initial state. FIG. 24(b) illustrates the sensor device 1 pressed against the panel 2 in the initial state.

[0095] When the sensor device 1 is pressed against the panel 2 in the manner shown in FIG. 24(b), it causes the leg 84 of the blade 81 facing the panel 2 to be pushed by the panel 2 toward the sensor support 20. This results in large elastic deformation of the second end 83 of the blade 81 toward the sensor support 20, causing the blade-side convex portion 85 to press the sensor support 20 away from the panel 2. This results in an increase in the gap between the sensor support 20 and the holder 30.

[0096] Figure 24(a) The comparison between 24(b) shows that the gap or interval between the sensor support 20 and the holder 30 satisfies the relationship A1 < A2, and the interval between the holder 30 and the panel 2 satisfies the relationship B1 > B2. Therefore, the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40 fixed to the holder 30 is low, resulting in a reduction in the degree of friction between the internal seal 40 and the sensor support 20. The low degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40 may also include the case where this degree is zero.

[0097] As Figure 22 、Figure 23 and Figure 25 As clearly illustrated in Figure 25 , each fastening portion in the fastening portion 60 includes a fitting groove 61 formed in the surface of the sensor support 20 facing the retainer 30 and includes the above-mentioned blade-side convex portion 85. When the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30 are arranged in an installed state to fix the sensor device 1 to the panel 2, the blade-side convex portion 85 engages with the fitting groove 61 of the sensor support 20, resulting in a reduction in the interval between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30. This increases the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40, thereby enabling the internal seal 40 to have waterproof and sound-insulating properties.

[0098] How to install the sensor device 1 in the third embodiment to the panel 2 will be discussed with reference to Figure 26 the flowchart of.

[0099] First, in Figure 26 step S210 of, the sensor device 1 having the assembled sensor portion 10, sensor portion 20 and retainer 30 is prepared. As shown in Fig. 24(a), the sensor protruding portion 10 of the sensor device 1 is inserted into the opening 3 of the panel 2.

[0100] Subsequently, in step S220, as shown in Fig. 24(b), the sensor portion 10, sensor portion 20 and retainer 30 are pressed against the panel 2 to compress the external seal 50.

[0101] In step S230, the legs 84 are pressed by the panel 2 in the direction of the rotation axis towards the sensor support 20, so that the second end 83 of each blade in the blade 81 elastically deforms in the direction of the rotation axis towards the sensor support 20. The second end 83 of the blade 81 and the stopper 82 are positioned to be separated from each other in the direction of the rotation axis. This allows the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 to rotate relative to the retainer 30.

[0102] Subsequently, in step S240, the blade-side convex portion 85 on the blade 81 presses the sensor support 20 away from the panel 2, thereby increasing the interval between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30. As a result, the degree of compression or deformation of the internal seal 40 mounted on the retainer 30 reduces the degree of friction between the internal seal 40 and the sensor support 20.

[0103] In step S250, the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 continue to rotate relative to the retainer 30 in the forward direction with a reduced degree of friction.

[0104] In step S260, as Figure 25As shown, each of the blade projections 85 in the blade side projections is captured in a corresponding one of the fitting grooves 61 formed in the sensor support 20. The mechanical vibration or sound caused by such an event is transmitted to the operator, enabling the operator to perceive a sense of completion of installation after finishing his or her work. Capturing the blade projections 85 in the fitting grooves 61 results in a reduction in the spacing between the sensor support 20 and the retainer 30. This causes a reduction in the degree of compression or deformation of the inner seal 40, thereby enabling the inner seal 40 to have the properties of waterproofing and sound insulation.

[0105] Finally, in step S270, an external connector having a wire or conductor is joined to the connector 22 of the sensor support 20. This completes the installation of the sensor device 1 in the panel 2.

[0106] The above-described structure of the sensor device 1 in the third embodiment provides substantially the same beneficial advantages as the structure of the sensor device 1 in the first embodiment.

[0107] Specifically, each of the friction reduction portions 70 in the friction reduction portion 70 is used to reduce the friction, in other words, the resistance, generated by the inner seal 40 against the rotation of the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 for attaching the sensor device 1 to the panel 2. This results in a reduction in the degree of torque required to rotate the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20, thereby enabling the operator to clearly perceive the sense of completion of installation generated by capturing the blade projections 85 in the fitting grooves 61. This avoids the lack of rotation of the sensor portion 10 and the sensor portion 20 relative to the retainer 30 in the sensor device 1, thereby ensuring the stability of installing the sensor device 1 in the panel 2.

[0108] Other modifications

[0109] The sensor device 1 has been described as being installed in a wall such as the inner door panel 2 of a vehicle, however, the sensor device 1 can be fixed to any other kind of wall.

[0110] As described above, the first and second embodiments have the fitting grooves 61 formed in the retainer 30 of the fastening portion 60 and also have the protrusions 62 formed on the sensor support 20, however, the first and second embodiments can alternatively be designed to have the fitting grooves 61 formed in the sensor support 20 of the fastening portion 60 and also have the protrusions 62 provided on the retainer 30.

[0111] As described above, the first and second embodiments have the inner seal 40 disposed radially outside the friction reduction portion 70, however, the first and second embodiments can alternatively be designed to have the inner seal 40 arranged in an annular shape radially inside the friction reduction portion 70.

[0112] Each embodiment in the embodiments has an internal seal 40 to provide waterproof and sound insulation properties. However, the internal seal 40 can alternatively be configured to have at least one of waterproof and sound insulation properties. Similarly, the external seal 50 can be configured to have at least one of waterproof and sound insulation properties.

[0113] Although the preferred embodiments have been disclosed for a better understanding of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should be understood to include all possible embodiments and modifications of the illustrated embodiments that can be implemented without departing from the principles of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0114] Unless otherwise specified or considered necessary in principle, the components described in the above embodiments are not necessarily required. When the number, numeral, volume or range of components is mentioned in the above discussion, the present disclosure is not limited thereto unless otherwise specified or considered necessary in principle. Similarly, when the shape, orientation of components or the positional relationship between components is mentioned in the above discussion, the present disclosure is not limited thereto unless otherwise specified or considered necessary in principle.

Claims

1. A sensor device configured to be mountable to a wall (2) in use, the sensor device comprising: a sensor protrusion (10) configured to be inserted into an opening formed in the wall; a sensor support (20) integrally formed with the sensor protrusion and having a size larger than the size of the opening; a retainer (30) having a through-hole (33) formed therein for the sensor protrusion to pass through, the retainer configured to be disposed between the sensor support and the wall and rotatable relative to the sensor protrusion and the sensor support; an inner seal (40) disposed between the sensor support and the retainer; an outer seal (50) configured to be disposed between the wall and the retainer; a fastening portion (60) including a fitting groove (61) and protrusions (62, 85), the fitting groove being formed in one of the sensor support and the retainer, the protrusions being formed on the other of the sensor support and the retainer, the fitting groove and the protrusions configured to engage with each other when the sensor support is moved from an initial state in which the sensor protrusion is inserted into the opening in the wall to an installed state in which the sensor support has been rotated by a given angle from the initial state; and a friction reduction portion (70) for increasing the spacing between the sensor support and the retainer after the sensor support has been rotated relative to the retainer from the initial state and before being placed in the installed state to reduce the degree of friction generated by the inner seal.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein, The friction reduction portion includes a support-side convex portion (71) and a retainer-side convex portion (72), the support-side convex portion being shaped to protrude from the sensor support toward the retainer in the direction of the rotation axis, the retainer-side convex portion being shaped to protrude from the retainer toward the sensor support in the direction of the rotation axis, during rotation of the sensor support from the initial state, the retainer-side convex portion and the support-side convex portion overlap each other in the direction of the rotation axis to increase the spacing between the sensor support and the retainer, and when in the installed state, the support-side convex portion and the retainer-side convex portion are arranged not to align with each other in the direction of the rotation axis, so that the inner seal has waterproof and soundproof properties.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sliding contact wall (64) that slides on the protrusion before entering the installed state from the initial state, and Among them, The sliding contact wall is used to generate friction between itself and the protrusion after the initial state and before the installation state is established, so as to increase the degree of torque required to rotate the sensor support and the holder relative to each other, and then release the friction between the sliding contact wall and the protrusion when the protrusion engages in the mating groove.

4. The sensor device according to claim 3, wherein, The protrusion is provided on the radially outer portion of the sensor support. The sliding contact wall is provided on the radially outer portion of the holder, and the sliding contact wall has an inclined sliding wall surface (65), and the inclined sliding wall surface is inclined to approach the sensor support along the rotation direction in which the sensor support is rotated before entering the installation state from the initial state.

5. The sensor device according to claim 3, wherein, The protrusion is provided on the radially outer portion of the sensor support. The sliding contact wall is provided on the radially outer portion of the holder, and the protrusion has an inclined protruding surface (66), and the inclined protruding surface is inclined away from the rotation axis of the sensor support along the rotation direction when entering the installation state from the initial state.

6. The sensor device according to claim 3, wherein, The sliding contact wall is shaped to be higher than the protrusion in the direction of the rotation axis.

7. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The internal seal is arranged in an annular shape on the radially outer side or the radially inner side of the friction reduction portion.

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