Gas Sensors

Abstract

The present invention provides a gas sensor capable of improving the reliability of connection between an electrode pad of a sensor element and a terminal metal fitting and improving productivity when inserting the sensor element into a separator. A gas sensor (200) includes: a sensor element (10) having electrode pads (11a to 12b), a separator (166), and a plurality of terminal metal parts (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) having a main body (21a1) and a front end (21a2) and insulated from each other by the separator. In the gas sensor (200), the separator is provided with an element storage portion (168) which is recessed from the front end surface (166a) of the separator toward the rear end side or passes through in the axial direction. The element storage portion has a first storage space (168a) on the front end side and a second storage space (168b) on the rear end side. The second storage space has a rotation limiting wall (168w) which makes the relative rotatable angle (2θ) between the sensor element and the separator smaller than the rotatable angle in the first storage space. The rear end side of the sensor element is stored in the second storage space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas sensor having a sensor element for detecting the concentration of a gas to be detected. Background Art

[0002] As a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of oxygen or NOx in exhaust gas of an automobile or the like, a gas sensor having a sensor element using a solid electrolyte is known.

[0003] As such a gas sensor, a gas sensor is used in which a plurality of electrode pads are provided on the rear end side of a plate-shaped sensor element, and an insulating separator is arranged radially outwardly surrounding the rear end side of the sensor element, and a terminal metal member is held in the separator (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] The terminal fitting is electrically connected to the electrode pad, and the rear end of the terminal fitting is riveted to a guide wire, through which the sensor output signal from the sensor element is extracted to the outside. Furthermore, the guide wire is passed through a rubber grommet located on the rear end of the gas sensor and is pulled out to the outside.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-337096 ( Figure 4 )

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-181769 ( Figure 4 ) Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] In addition, if Figure 11 As shown, when a gas sensor is assembled by inserting a sensor element 520 into the housing space 500h of a separator 500 described in Patent Document 2, the sensor element 520 is initially held at a position close to the design position 520R. At this design position 520R, the electrode pads of the sensor element 520 are in contact with the terminal metal fitting 510 in a substantially parallel manner, thus maximizing the contact area and achieving a good connection.

[0011] However, when the gas sensor is used, for example, due to vibration of the vehicle during travel, the partition 500 may rotate in the circumferential direction from the designed position 520R.

[0012] Moreover, when such a rotation occurs, Figure 12As shown, the terminal metal fitting 510 and the electrode pad 520p of the sensor element 520 are too close to each other, and there is a possibility that they may contact obliquely (one-sidedly) at the contact portion C, resulting in poor contact. In addition, when the terminal metal fitting 510 is too far away from the electrode pad 520p, the terminal metal fitting 510 is fully extended as in the portion E, and the contact pressure between the terminal metal fitting 510 and the electrode pad 520p decreases, resulting in poor contact.

[0013] On the other hand, in Figure 13 In the case of the separator 600 described in Patent Document 1, the surface 600a facing the front end is formed toward the rear end ( Figure 13 In other words, the outer edge of the storage space 600h is set to the same size from the front end to the rear end.

[0014] Furthermore, for example, by providing a protrusion 600p protruding radially inward in the housing space 600h, circumferential rotation of the spacer 600 due to traveling vibrations can be suppressed, and the sensor element 520 can be continuously held near the designed position 520R.

[0015] However, in this case, since the gap between the housing space 600h and the sensor element 520 is small, it is difficult to insert the sensor element 520 into the separator 600, and there is a problem that productivity is reduced.

[0016] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas sensor that improves the reliability of connection between electrode pads of a sensor element and terminal metal fittings and improves productivity when inserting the sensor element into a separator.

[0017] Solutions for solving problems

[0018] In order to solve the above problems, the gas sensor of the present invention has:

[0019] A sensor element extending in an axial direction and formed into a plate-like shape having opposing main surfaces, and having two or more electrode pads spaced apart in a width direction on a rear end side of at least one main surface; a separator made of an insulating material and arranged on the rear end side of the sensor element; and a plurality of terminal metal fittings, each of which is retained by the separator and arranged opposite the electrode pads and having a main body extending in the axial direction and a front end connected to the front end of the main body and connected to the electrode pads, the plurality of terminal metal fittings being insulated from one another by the separator. The gas sensor is characterized in that the separator is provided with an element housing portion that is recessed from a surface of the separator toward the front end toward the rear end or passes through in the axial direction, the element housing portion having a first housing space on the front end side and a second housing space on the rear end side, the second housing space having a rotation limiting wall that reduces a relative rotational angle between the sensor element and the separator compared to the rotational angle in the first housing space, and the rear end side of the sensor element is housed in the second housing space.

[0020] According to this gas sensor, the rotatable angle of the first housing space is greater than the rotatable angle of the second housing space. Therefore, when inserting the sensor element into the first housing space of the separator to assemble the gas sensor, even if the sensor element is inserted with a circumferential deviation, the larger gap between the first housing space and the sensor element allows for easier insertion into the separator, thereby improving productivity.

[0021] On the other hand, the rear end of the sensor element is housed in a second housing space, which has a smaller rotational angle than the first housing space. Therefore, even if the separator is subjected to a force that causes it to rotate in the circumferential direction due to vibrations during vehicle travel, the relative rotational angle relative to the sensor element held in the second housing space is small (within 2θ). As a result, it is possible to prevent the distance between each electrode of the sensor element and the corresponding terminal metal fitting (each front end thereof) from being too close, causing the two to contact obliquely (one-sidedly), or from being too far apart, causing the contact pressure to decrease. This can reduce poor contact and improve the reliability of the connection between the electrode pad and the terminal metal fitting.

[0022] In the gas sensor of the present invention, the rotatable angle in the second housing space may be 90 degrees or less.

[0023] When the rotatable angle exceeds 90 degrees, it becomes difficult to connect all the corresponding electrode pads to the terminal metal fittings (front end portions), and the terminal metal fittings may fail to make contact.

[0024] In the gas sensor of the present invention, when the rotatable angle is 20 degrees or less, poor contact can be further reduced and the reliability of the connection between the electrode pad and the terminal metal fitting can be further improved.

[0025] In the gas sensor of the present invention, the element housing portion may be separated from the sensor element.

[0026] According to this gas sensor, it is possible to suppress the sensor element from being damaged by contact with the element housing portion (particularly the second housing space) due to vibrations during driving or the like.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, a gas sensor can be obtained that can improve the reliability of connection between the electrode pads of the sensor element and the terminal metal fitting and improve the productivity when inserting the sensor element into the separator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the gas sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the sensor element.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a bottom perspective view of the partition as viewed from the front end side.

[0032] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line AA.

[0033] Figure 5 is Figure 3 A bottom perspective view of a separator holding terminal metal fittings.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the spacer viewed from the front end side, showing the rotatable angle of the element storage portion and the sensor element.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a bottom view of the separator showing the connection state between the electrode pads of the sensor element and the terminal metal fittings.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a bottom perspective view of a separator according to a modified example as viewed from the front end side.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a bottom perspective view of a separator according to still another modified example, viewed from the front end side.

[0038] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of line BB.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a bottom perspective view showing a state in which the sensor element is held at a designed position when the sensor element is inserted into a separator in a conventional gas sensor.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a bottom perspective view showing a state in which a separator of a conventional gas sensor has rotated from a designed position due to vibration during use.

[0041] Figure 13 This is a bottom perspective view showing a state in which a sensor element is inserted into a separator in another conventional gas sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0043] Figure 1 : is an overall cross-sectional view of a gas sensor (oxygen sensor) 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along the longitudinal direction. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sensor element 10, Figure 3 This is a bottom perspective view of the partition 166 as viewed from the front end side. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of line AA, Figure 5 is Figure 3 A bottom perspective view of the separator 166 holding the terminal metal parts 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b, Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the spacer 166 viewed from the front end side, showing the element storage portion 168 and the rotatable angle 2θ of the sensor element. Figure 7 16 is a bottom view of the separator 166 showing the connection state between the electrode pads of the sensor element and the terminal metal fittings. Figure 8 This is a bottom perspective view of a separator according to a modified example as viewed from the front end side.

[0044] The gas sensor 200 is an oxygen sensor that detects the oxygen concentration in exhaust gas from automobiles or various internal combustion engines.

[0045] exist Figure 1In the figure, the gas sensor 200 comprises a cylindrical main metal shell 138 having a threaded portion 139 formed on the outer surface thereof for fixing to the exhaust pipe, a plate-shaped sensor element 10 extending in the direction of the axis O (the longitudinal direction of the gas sensor 200: the vertical direction in the figure), a cylindrical ceramic sleeve 106 arranged so as to surround the radial circumference of the sensor element 10, a ceramic separator 166 arranged so as to surround the rear end portion of the sensor element 10, and four terminal metal fittings 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b (in the figure) arranged between the sensor element 10 and the separator 166. Figure 1 Only two are shown).

[0046] Furthermore, the gas detection portion 10 a at the tip of the sensor element 10 is covered with a porous protective layer 20 made of alumina or the like.

[0047] The main metal housing 138 is made of stainless steel and has a through-hole 154 extending therethrough in the axial direction. It is also formed into a generally cylindrical shape with a shelf portion 152 protruding radially inward of the through-hole 154. The sensor element 10 is disposed in the through-hole 154 so that its tip protrudes beyond the tip of the through-hole 154 itself. The shelf portion 152 is formed to have an inwardly tapered surface that is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0048] In addition, inside the through hole 154 of the main metal shell 138, a ring-shaped alumina ceramic retainer 151, a powder filling layer 156 (hereinafter also referred to as a talc ring 156) and the above-mentioned ceramic sleeve 106 are stacked in sequence from the front end side to the rear end side in a state of surrounding the radial periphery of the sensor element 10.

[0049] A hold-down seal 157 is disposed between the ceramic sleeve 106 and the rear end portion 140 of the metal shell 138. The rear end portion 140 of the metal shell 138 is held down by the hold-down seal 157 so as to press the ceramic sleeve 106 toward the front end.

[0050] On the other hand, Figure 1 As shown, at the front end side of the main metal shell 138 ( Figure 1 A double protective member, namely an outer protective member 142 and an inner protective member 143, which are made of metal (for example, stainless steel) and have a plurality of holes and cover the protruding portion of the sensor element 10, are attached to the outer periphery by welding or the like.

[0051] Furthermore, an outer cylinder 144 is fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end side of the main metal shell 138. Figure 1The opening portion of the sensor element 10 is provided with a grommet 170 made of rubber. The grommet 170 has four terminal metal fittings 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b (on the top) of the sensor element 10. Figure 1 Only two are shown in FIG. 1 ) and four guide wires 146 (in FIG. Figure 1 Only two are shown in the figure) through which guide wire through holes (not shown).

[0052] In addition, a through hole 170h for introducing air as a reference atmosphere is formed at the center of the axial direction O of the ring 170. The through hole 170h holds a filter metal part and a waterproof filter (not shown), and the atmosphere can be introduced into the inside and outside of the gas sensor 200 through the through hole 170h.

[0053] In addition, at the rear end side ( Figure 1 A separator 166 is arranged above the sensor element 10. The separator 166 is arranged on a total of four electrode pads formed on the main surface of the rear end side of the sensor element 10 (see Figure 2 .exist Figure 1 (Only the periphery of the two electrode pads 11a and 12a is shown in the figure.) Separator 166 is formed into a cylindrical shape having an element storage portion 168 (described later) and has a flange portion 167 that protrudes radially outward from the outer surface. Flange portion 167 abuts against outer tube 144 via retaining member 169, thereby retaining separator 166 within outer tube 144.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the sensor element 10 is formed in a plate shape extending in the direction of the axis O. The front end portion 10s is a gas detection portion 10a for detecting oxygen concentration, and the gas detection portion 10a is covered by a porous protective layer 20. The sensor element 10 itself has a well-known structure and includes: a gas detection portion having an oxygen ion-permeable solid electrolyte and a pair of electrodes; and a heater portion, not shown, for heating the gas detection portion and maintaining it at a constant temperature.

[0055] Furthermore, two electrode pads 11a and 11b are arranged along the width W on the rear end 10E side of one principal surface 10A of the sensor element 10. The sensor output signal from the gas detection unit 10a is output from these electrode pads 11a and 11b via a guide portion (not shown). Furthermore, two electrode pads 12a and 12b are arranged along the width W on the rear end side of the other principal surface 10B, which is disposed opposite the principal surface 10A. Power is supplied to the heater unit via a guide portion (not shown).

[0056] In the present invention, two or more electrode pads may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the width W direction on at least one of the main surfaces 10A and 10B.

[0057] Each of the electrode pads 11 a , 11 b , 12 a , and 12 b has a rectangular shape that is long in the direction of the axis O, and can be formed as a sintered body mainly composed of Pt, for example.

[0058] The terminal fitting 21a integrally includes a plate-shaped main body 21a1 extending in the axis O direction, a front end 21a2 bent back from the front edge toward the rear end of the main body 21a1, and a crimping terminal 21a3 connected to the rear end of the main body 21a1.

[0059] In this embodiment, the four terminal metal fittings 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b are all of the same shape. Therefore, only the terminal metal fitting 21a is described. The structures of the other terminal metal fittings 21b, 22a, and 22b are also the same. The electrode pads 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b connected to the terminal metal fittings 21a to 22b are also the same.

[0060] The crimping terminal portion 21 a 3 is formed in a known cylindrical shape, and the lead wire 146 , whose surface is scraped off to expose the conductor, is inserted into the cylinder and crimped, thereby electrically connecting the lead wire 146 .

[0061] The front edge of the front end portion 21a2 is folded back toward the rear end to form a free end. The front end portion 21a2 is (electrically) connected to the electrode pad 11a.

[0062] Each of the terminal metal fittings 21 a to 22 b can be manufactured by, for example, punching out a single metal plate (INCONEL (registered trademark) or the like) and then bending the distal end portion 21 a 2 or the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0063] Next, the separator 166 will be described.

[0064] Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the partition 166 as viewed from the front end side, Figure 4 To follow Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of line AA, Figure 5 Indicates Figure 3 A bottom perspective view of the separator 166 holding the terminal metal fittings 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b.

[0065] The center of the partition 166 is provided with a component receiving portion 168 that is recessed from the front end surface 166a of the partition 166 toward the rear end. In addition, two (a total of four) terminal receiving holes 166h consisting of rectangular holes are arranged on the radial outer side of the component receiving portion 168. Each terminal receiving hole 166h is aligned with the first receiving space 168a of the component receiving portion 168 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) are connected in a manner that passes through along the axial direction.

[0066] And, as Figure 4 As shown, the component storage portion 168 includes a first storage space 168a on the front end side and a second storage space 168b on the rear end side. The second storage space 168b includes two rotation restriction walls 168w described later.

[0067] More specifically, when viewed from the front end, first storage space 168a is formed in the shape of the letter H, and second storage space 168b is located in the center of bottom surface 168s of first storage space 168a. Furthermore, the outline of second storage space 168b is formed in a rectangular shape that is smaller than the outline of first storage space 168a, with the long side of the rectangle extending along the horizontal bar of the letter H.

[0068] The second storage space 168b is formed as a space recessed from the bottom surface 168s of the first storage space 168a toward the rear end, and the two rotation limiting walls 168w form the long side walls (walls along the axis O direction) representing the outline of the second storage space 168b.

[0069] Moreover, if Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear end 10E side of the sensor element 10 is accommodated in the second accommodation space 168b. Figure 4 In FIG, a surface of the sensor element 10 along the thickness direction can be seen.

[0070] On the other hand, Figure 5 As shown, the terminal metal fittings 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b are held in the terminal receiving holes 166h of the partition 166 in a state of being separated from each other and not in contact with each other, and face the element receiving portion 168 (first receiving space 168a).

[0071] In addition, when the sensor element 10 is not housed in the element housing portion 168, the front end portion 21a2 of the terminal metal fitting 21a, the front end portion 22a2 of the terminal metal fitting 22a, and the front end portion 21b2 of the terminal metal fitting 21b, the front end portion 22b2 of the terminal metal fitting 22b are in contact with each other through elasticity.

[0072] Next, refer to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 , for the rotatable angle 2θ, And its effects are explained. Figure 6 In the figure, for easy viewing, only the terminal metal fitting 21a among the terminal metal fittings 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b is illustrated by dotted lines, and illustration of the other terminal metal fittings is omitted.

[0073] first, Figure 6 Design position 10R is the ideal (designed) placement of the sensor element 10 within the separator 166. At design position 10R, the electrode pads 11a-12b of the sensor element 10 are in approximately parallel contact with the corresponding terminal metal fittings 21a-22b (their respective front ends 21a2-22b2), maximizing the contact area and ensuring a good connection. Furthermore, the distances between the electrode pads 11a-12b and the corresponding terminal metal fittings 21a-22b are approximately the same, preventing one-sided contact and reducing contact pressure, further contributing to a good connection.

[0074] In contrast, the outline of the first housing space 168a is larger than the outline of the second housing space 168b (and further larger than the design position 10R). Therefore, when the sensor element 10 is inserted into the first housing space 168a of the separator 166 to assemble the gas sensor, even if the sensor element 10 is inserted circumferentially offset from the design position 10R ( Figure 6 Since the gap between the first housing space 168a and the sensor element 10 is large, the sensor element 10 can be easily inserted into the separator 166, thereby improving productivity.

[0075] For example, in Figure 6 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor element 10 can rotate circumferentially about the axis O within the first housing space 168a until it abuts against the radially inwardly projecting protrusion 166p that defines the outline of the first housing space 168a. In this case, assuming the maximum angle through which the sensor element 10 can rotate about the axis O within the first housing space 168a is φ, 2φ is the "rotatable angle of the first housing space 168a."

[0076] This is because the sensor element 10 can also move to the first storage space 168a. Figure 6 The upper side of the rotation, in addition, can also be relative to Figure 6 The lines on the left and right are symmetrical to Figure 6 The lower side of φ is rotated, so φ is set to 2 times.

[0077] On the other hand, the outline of the second storage space 168b is smaller than the outline of the first storage space 168a. Therefore, when the rear end 10E side of the sensor element 10 is stored in the second storage space 168b (refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 4 ), the rotatable angle 2θ in the first storage space 168a becomes smaller than Small.

[0078] For example, in Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 1 , the sensor element 10 can rotate about the axis O in the second housing space 168b until it contacts the rotation restriction wall 168w that forms the outline of the second housing space 168b ( Figure 6 sensor element 10x).

[0079] Here, the maximum angle at which the sensor element 10 can rotate about the axis O in the second housing space 168b is θ. Similarly to the case of , let 2θ be the "rotatable angle in the second storage space 168b".

[0080] In this example, the design position 10R is along the main surfaces 10A and 10B of the sensor element 10 (see Figure 2 ) is parallel to the extending direction of the rotation restricting wall 168w. In addition, the outline of the second storage space 168b is located outside the design position 10R, but is preferably as close to the design position 10R as possible.

[0081] As described above, the rear end 10E side of the sensor element 10 is housed in the first housing space 168a, which has a rotational angle smaller than that of the rear end 10E side. Therefore, even if a force to rotate the spacer 166 in the circumferential direction is applied due to vibration during vehicle travel, the rotation angle of the sensor element 10 held in the second housing space 168b is small (within 2θ).

[0082] As a result, if Figure 7 As shown, it is possible to prevent the situation where the distance between each electrode pad 11a~12b of the sensor element 10 and the corresponding terminal metal parts 21a~22b (each front end part 21a2~22b2) is too close and the two are in contact at an angle (one-sided contact), and the distance between the two is too far and the contact pressure decreases, thereby reducing poor contact and improving the reliability of the connection between the electrode pad and the terminal metal parts.

[0083] Here, in Figure 7 In other words, 2θ is set so that all corresponding electrode pads 11a-12b are connected to the terminal metal fittings 21a-22b (front end portions) when the rear end 10E of the sensor element 10 is housed in the second housing space 168b.

[0084] On the other hand, when the sensor element 10 is inserted while being staggered in the circumferential direction, the rear end 10E side of the sensor element 10 abuts against a portion between the first accommodation space 168a and the second accommodation space 168b (for example, Figure 4 In the case of the bottom surface 168s of the sensor element 10, the rear end 10E side of the sensor element 10 will not be accommodated in the second accommodation space 168b, and will be excluded as a manufacturing defect.

[0085] This manufacturing defect can be detected by, for example, the insertion load and insertion depth of the sensor element 10 into the spacer 166 .

[0086] The rotatable angle 2θ in the second storage space 168b is preferably 90 degrees or less. If 2θ exceeds 90 degrees, it may be difficult to connect all corresponding electrode pads 11a-12b to the terminal metal fittings 21a-22b (front end portions). The rotatable angle 2θ is more preferably 20 degrees or less.

[0087] When the element storage portion 168 is separated from the sensor element 10 , it is possible to suppress the sensor element 10 from being damaged by contact with the element storage portion 168 (particularly the second storage space 168 b ) due to vibration during driving or the like.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and naturally encompasses various modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0089] For example, Figure 8 As shown, the element receiving portion 268 of the partition 266 may also be a hole passing through in the direction of the axis O. Figure 8 In the example, the second storage space 268b is a rectangular through-hole, and both side walls of the through-hole (side walls representing the long sides of the outline of the second storage space 168b) constitute the rotation restricting wall 268.

[0090] In addition, the structure of the rotation limiting wall is not limited. For example, Figure 9 The pair of protrusions shown serves as the rotation restricting walls 368w.

[0091] Here, in Figure 9 In the partition 366, the element storage portion 368 is a recessed portion, forming a first storage space 368a having an H-shaped outline similar to the first storage space 168a. Furthermore, rotation restricting walls 368w are formed so as to project from the bottom surface 368s of the first storage space 368a toward the front end and from a pair of side walls along the thickness direction (short side) of the sensor element 10 toward the axis O (center).

[0092] In this case, when the rear end 10E of the sensor element 10 is inserted near the bottom surface 368s, even if the sensor element 10 rotates about the axis O, the rotation is prevented when the short side of the sensor element 10 abuts against the rotation restriction wall 368w.

[0093] Here, as Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 3 , the area sandwiched between the two rotation limiting walls 368w is referred to as the second storage space 368b. Figure 10 In FIG. 1 , the main surface of the sensor element 10 can be seen.

[0094] The structures of the separator, the terminal metal member, and the electrode pad are also not limited.

[0095] Furthermore, as types of gas sensors, in addition to oxygen sensors, there are also full range air-fuel ratio sensors and NOx sensors.

[0096] Description of Reference Numerals

[0097] 10. Sensor element; 10A. One principal surface of the sensor element; 10B. The other principal surface of the sensor element; 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b. Electrode pads; 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b. Terminal metal fittings; 21a1, 21b1, 22a1, 22b1. Main body; 21a2, 21b2, 22a2, 22b2. Front end; 166, 266, 366. Separators ; 166a, the surface toward the front end; 168, 268, 368, the component storage portion; 168a, 268a, 368a, the first storage space; 168b, 268b, 368b, the second storage space; 168w, 268w, 368w, the rotation limiting wall; 200, the gas sensor; O, the axis; 2φ, the rotatable angle in the first storage space; 2θ, the rotatable angle in the second storage space.

Claims

1. A gas sensor comprising: a sensor element extending in the axial direction and formed in a plate shape having opposing main surfaces, and having two or more electrode pads spaced apart in the width direction on the rear end side of at least one main surface; a separator made of an insulating material and disposed on the rear end side of the sensor element; and A plurality of terminal metal fittings are held by the separator and arranged opposite to the electrode pad, and have a main body extending in the axial direction and a front end connected to the front end of the main body and connected to the electrode pad, and the plurality of terminal metal fittings are insulated from each other by the separator, wherein: The separator is provided with a component receiving portion that is recessed from the front end toward the rear end or penetrates along the axial direction. The component storage portion has a first storage space on the front end side and a second storage space on the rear end side, The second housing space has a rotation limiting wall that makes the relative rotation angle between the sensor element and the partition smaller than the rotation angle in the first housing space. The rear end side of the sensor element is accommodated in the second accommodation space, The plurality of terminal metal fittings are arranged in the first housing space.

2. The gas sensor according to claim 1, wherein The rotatable angle in the second storage space is less than or equal to 90 degrees.

3. The gas sensor according to claim 2, wherein: The rotatable angle is less than 20 degrees.

4. The gas sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The element housing portion is separated from the sensor element.

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