Temperature sensor and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A thin temperature sensor is provided which has no particular restrictions on the resin materials used in the outer layer and the inner layer and can be flattened. The temperature sensor (1) of the present invention comprises: a sensor element (10) having a heat-sensitive portion (11, 13) and a pair of wires (15, 17) electrically connected to the heat-sensitive portion (11); and a holder (30) for holding the sensor element (10). The holder (30) comprises a housing space (37) consisting of through holes opened on the front and back sides for housing the heat-sensitive portion (11, 13) and the wires (15, 17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thin temperature sensor with a small dimension in the thickness direction. Background Art

[0002] The temperature sensor includes a sensor element that is responsible for the temperature detection and a protective body that covers the main part of the sensor element. The sensor element, for example, includes a heat-sensitive body composed of a thermistor and a wire connected to the heat-sensitive body as a basic structure. There are also cases where the heat-sensitive body is small, and the original dimension of the temperature sensor in the thickness direction is small. However, in the case where the temperature is measured in a narrow area, a thin temperature sensor with a smaller dimension in the thickness direction is required. By the way, as a thin temperature sensor, Patent Document 2 described later discloses a temperature sensor with a thickness dimension of 1.5 mm.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a thin temperature sensor in which a sensor element having a heat-sensitive body and a wire connected to the heat-sensitive body is covered with a package composed of two layers of insulating films. As the insulating film, a synthetic resin film having strength and flexibility is used, such as a synthetic resin film of polyester resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, fluororesin, styrene resin, vinyl chloride, etc. The two layers of insulating films are bonded to the sensor element with an adhesive such as an epoxy resin, polyurethane, or unsaturated polyester resin.

[0004] However, in the temperature sensor of Patent Document 1 in which the sensor element is covered with a two-layer insulating film, the portion of the insulating film in contact with the heat-sensitive body protrudes to the outside, and the entire package may not be flat.

[0005] Patent document 2 discloses a temperature sensor that can solve the problem of flatness. The temperature sensor of Patent document 2 has a pair of inner layers formed by heating and hardening or melting and solidifying an inner layer of a sheet-shaped resin material, and an outer layer formed by a pair of outer layers of a sheet-shaped resin material with both sides flat. The temperature sensor of Patent document 2 has a heat-sensitive body, a lead wire connected to the heat-sensitive body, and a connection point between the lead wire and the conductor wire covered by the inner layer and sandwiched between a pair of outer layers. According to the temperature sensor of Patent document 2, the problem of flattening the entire package of Patent document 1 can be solved.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-128901

[0009] Patent Document 2: WO2019-087755A1 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] However, the temperature sensor of Patent Document 2 is formed by melting and solidifying the inner layer material by heating a pair of inner layer materials sandwiched by a pair of outer layer materials. Therefore, the outer layer material needs to have a higher melting point than the inner layer material, and there are restrictions on the resin materials constituting the inner layer material and the outer layer material. By the way, Patent Document 2 shows an example in which the inner layer material is formed of FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer) of fluororesin and the outer layer material is formed of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) of fluororesin.

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a thin temperature sensor which has no particular restrictions on the resin material used and can be flattened.

[0013] Means used to solve problems

[0014] The temperature sensor of the present invention comprises: a sensor element having a heat-sensitive portion and a pair of electric wires electrically connected to the heat-sensitive portion; and a holding body holding the sensor element.

[0015] The holding body of the present invention includes a pair of second layers arranged to face each other in the thickness direction T, and a first layer between the pair of second layers and bonded to the pair of second layers.

[0016] The first layer of the present invention includes a housing space composed of through holes opened on the front and back surfaces for housing the heat-sensitive portion and the electric wires.

[0017] The storage space of the present invention preferably comprises a first layer and a second layer forming the storage space; the second layer is provided at a position on the front and back sides of the storage space facing one or both of the openings.

[0018] Furthermore, the accommodation space of the present invention preferably has a volume capable of accommodating at least the entire heat-sensitive portion of the sensor element.

[0019] The accommodation space of the present invention preferably has an opening shape conforming to the shape of the sensor element in a plan view.

[0020] The storage space of the present invention preferably comprises: a first storage space for storing the heat-sensitive portion; and a pair of second storage spaces for storing a pair of electric wires, respectively, wherein one end of each of the pair of second storage spaces is connected to the first storage space.

[0021] The pair of second storage spaces of the present invention are preferably independently provided in the first layer except for one end connected to the first storage space, and the interval between them is continuously increased as they are away from the one end.

[0022] Preferably, in the first housing space of the present invention, an adhesive is sandwiched around the heat sensitive portion, and in each of the second housing spaces, an adhesive is sandwiched around the electric wire.

[0023] The adhesive body of the present invention is preferably composed of gel-like polyvinyl chloride.

[0024] The pair of second layers and first layer of the present invention are preferably made of plate-shaped polyvinyl chloride, and the thickness of the first layer is larger than that of each of the pair of second layers.

[0025] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing the temperature sensor described above.

[0026] The method comprises: a first step of accommodating the heat-sensitive part and the wires in a holding body having a holding space formed by through holes opened on the front and back sides for accommodating the heat-sensitive part and the wires; and a second step of holding the heat-sensitive part and the wires in the holding space.

[0027] In the second step of the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the heat sensitive portion and the electric wire accommodated in the accommodation space are held in the accommodation space by supplying an adhesive to the accommodation space.

[0028] The holder in the temperature sensor of the present invention preferably comprises a first layer and a second layer forming a housing space. In the second step of the temperature sensor manufacturing method, the second layer is preferably laminated at a position on the front and back sides of the first layer facing one or both of the openings.

[0029] Effects of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, there can be provided a thin temperature sensor which is not particularly limited in the resin materials used for the first layer (inner layer) and the second layer (outer layer) and which can be flattened including the portion where the heat sensitive portion is provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 1 shows a temperature sensor according to this embodiment. Figure 1 (a) is a top view, Figure 1 (b) is a side view.

[0032] Figure 2 1 and 2 show the elements of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 (a) is a side view and a top view showing the second layer, Figure 2 (b) is a plan view showing the electric wires.

[0033] Figure 3 1 shows the first layer of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment, Figure 3 (a) is a side view, Figure 3 (b) Yes Figure 3 (d) A-B-A sectional view, Figure 3 (c) Yes Figure 3 (d) A-B-C section view line, Figure 3 (d) is a top view.

[0034] Figure 4 It is a plan view showing a sensor element of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a manufacturing procedure of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0036] Figure 6 then Figure 5 , is a diagram showing the manufacturing procedure of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining limiting elements of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0038] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a modification example of the first layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the temperature sensor of the present invention will be described.

[0040] The temperature sensor 1 of this embodiment is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the sensor element 10 that is responsible for temperature detection and the support body 30 that covers the main part of the sensor element 10 are provided.

[0041] The temperature sensor 1 has a holder 30 including a first layer 33 for accommodating a sensor element 10 and a pair of second layers 31, 31 covering the front and back surfaces of the first layer 33. By providing an accommodating space 37 for accommodating the sensor element 10 in the first layer 33, a thin temperature sensor 1 is provided which has no particular restrictions on the resin material used in the second layers 31, 31 and the first layer 33 and can be flattened. Below, after describing each component of the temperature sensor 1, a manufacturing procedure of the temperature sensor 1 is described.

[0042] <Sensor element 10: Figure 1 , Figure 4 >

[0043] The sensor element 10 is Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , the temperature sensor 1 includes a heat-sensitive body 11, a glass protective body 13 covering the periphery of the heat-sensitive body 11, a pair of first electric wires 15, 15 electrically directly connected to the heat-sensitive body 11, and second electric wires 17, 17 electrically connected to the first electric wires 15, 15, respectively. The electrically connected first electric wires 15, 15 and second electric wires 17, 17 constitute a pair of electric wires of the present invention. In addition, in the temperature sensor 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the side where the heat-sensitive body 11 is provided is defined as the front side F, and the side where the second electric wire 17 is led out is defined as the rear side B. These definitions are relative.

[0044] [Thermal body 11]

[0045] For example, a thermistor is preferably used as the heat-sensitive body 11. Thermistor is an abbreviation of thermally sensitive resistor, and is a metal oxide that detects temperature by utilizing the property that resistance changes according to temperature.

[0046] Thermistors are classified into NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistors and PTC (positive temperature coefficient) thermistors, but the present embodiment can be used for either type of thermistor.

[0047] An oxide sintered body having a typical spinel structure of manganese oxide (Mn3O4) as a basic composition as an NTC thermistor can be used in the heat-sensitive body 11. An MxMn having an M element (one or more of Ni, Co, Fe, Cu, Al and Cr) added to the basic structure can also be used in the heat-sensitive body 11. 3－x Furthermore, one or more of V, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, La, Sb, Sr, Ti and Zr may be added.

[0048] In addition, a composite oxide having a perovskite structure typical of a PTC thermistor, for example, an oxide sintered body having YCrO 3 as a basic structure, can be used as the heat sensitive body 11 .

[0049] [Protector 13: Figure 1 , Figure 4 ]

[0050] The protective body 13 made of glass is as follows Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, by sealing the heat-sensitive body 11 and maintaining it in an airtight state, chemical and physical changes of the heat-sensitive body 11 caused by the environmental conditions around the temperature sensor 1 are prevented, and the heat-sensitive body 11 is mechanically protected. The glass protective body 13 covers the front ends of the first electric wires 15, 15 in addition to the entire heat-sensitive body 11, and seals the first electric wires 15, 15. In the protective body 13, the dimension in the thickness direction T (hereinafter referred to as the thickness dimension) is not limited as long as a thin temperature sensor 1 can be obtained, but it is preferably in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 mm, and even more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 0.6 mm. The thickness dimension of the protective body 13 is typically 0.55 mm.

[0051] In addition, the provision of the glass protective body 13 is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it is sufficient to provide only the heat-sensitive body 11 without providing the protective body 13. Therefore, when the protective body 13 is provided in addition to the heat-sensitive body 11, the heat-sensitive part of the present invention is constituted by both, and when only the heat-sensitive body 11 is provided, the heat-sensitive part of the present invention is constituted by only the heat-sensitive body 11.

[0052] [1st wire 15: Figure 1 , Figure 4 ]

[0053] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the first electric wires 15 and 15 are electrically connected to electrodes of the heat-sensitive body 11 (not shown).

[0054] The first electric wires 15, 15 are preferably made of Dumet wires having a linear expansion coefficient close to that of glass because they are sealed by the protective body 13. Dumet wires are electric wires that use an alloy mainly composed of iron and nickel as a conductor, that is, a core wire, and cover the periphery with copper.

[0055] The first electric wires 15 , 15 are continuously spaced apart from the front F side, but extend in parallel toward the rear B in a range connected to the second electric wires 17 , 17 .

[0056] [Second wire 17: Figure 1 , Figure 2 (b)]

[0057] The second electric wires 17, 17 are as follows Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in (b), it has core wires 17A, 17A made of a conductor and insulating coverings 17B, 17B covering the core wires 17A, 17A. The second electric wires 17, 17 are called two-core parallel wires or simply parallel wires. The second electric wires 17, 17 are welded to the first electric wires 15, 15 at the core wires 17A, 17A, respectively, and are electrically connected by a conductive adhesive or the like. The core wires 17A, 17A of a pair of second electric wires 17, 17 are stripped of the parts connected to the first electric wires 15, 15.

[0058] Unlike the first electric wire 15 , the second electric wire 17 is not restricted by the linear expansion coefficient, and any material can be selected as long as it has predetermined heat resistance and durability.

[0059] [Maintain body 30: Figure 1 , Figure 2 (a) Figure 3 ]

[0060] Next, the holder 30 houses and holds the sensor element 10 while ensuring electrical insulation from the outside. The holder 30 has no particular restrictions on the material used, and has a structure that is advantageous for planarization on the premise of being thin.

[0061] Maintain body 30 as Figure 1 As shown, the sensor element 10 includes a pair of second layers 31, 31 disposed on the front and back sides in the thickness direction T and a first layer 33 sandwiched between the second layers 31, 31. A housing space 37 is formed in the first layer 33, and the main elements of the sensor element 10 are held by the first layer 33 in a state of being disposed inside the housing space 37. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first layer 33 may be referred to as an inner layer, and the second layer may be referred to as an outer layer.

[0062] [Layer 2 31]

[0063] The pair of second layers 31 , 31 are provided at least at positions facing both sides of the opening on the front and back sides of the storage space 37 .

[0064] Layer 2 31 Figure 2 As shown in (a), it is composed of a resin material having a rectangular shape when viewed from above. It is preferred to use plate-shaped polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the second layer 31. Polyvinyl chloride has the characteristics of being able to maintain strength stability for a long period of time, durability that is not easily deteriorated, excellent adhesion, etc. In addition, it has the characteristic of being flame retardant compared to other resin materials. There are hard materials and soft materials in polyvinyl chloride, but it is preferred to use soft materials in the second layer 31. The soft material has a Shore A hardness in the range of 50 to 100 and is flexible.

[0065] In addition to polyvinyl chloride, examples of resin materials that can be used for the second layer 31 include polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene.

[0066] The dimension of the second layer 31 in the thickness direction T (hereinafter referred to as the thickness dimension) is not limited, but in order to obtain a thin temperature sensor 1, it is preferred that the thickness of the second layer 31 be in the range of 0.03 to 0.3 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 mm, and even more preferably in the range of 0.08 to 0.15 mm. The thickness dimension of the second layer 31 is typically 0.1 mm.

[0067] [1st floor 33, storage space 37]

[0068] Next, the first layer 33 is as follows Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the shape in plan view is a rectangle, and is made of the same plate-shaped resin material as the second layer 31. However, as will be described later, the thickness dimension is different from that of the second layer 31.

[0069] The first layer 33 includes a frame body 35 made of a resin material and having a rectangular outer shape, and a housing space 37 formed by a gap formed inside the frame body 35. The housing space 37 is formed by penetrating the front and back surfaces of the frame body 35 and connected in the thickness direction T as an example.

[0070] The storage space 37 has an opening shape that follows the outer shape of the sensor element 10 in a plan view, and includes a first storage space 37A and a pair of second storage spaces 37B, 37B. The first storage space 37A is formed in a substantially elliptical shape in a plan view, and stores the glass protection body 13 covering the heat-sensitive body 11. The pair of second storage spaces 37B, 37B are formed in a substantially elliptical shape in a plan view, and store the first electric wires 15, 15, respectively.

[0071] As an example, the first storage space 37A is formed on the front F side in the longitudinal direction L of the frame 35 and in the center in the width direction W. The first storage space 37A is formed to be slightly larger than the protective body 13 in all the directions of the longitudinal direction L, the width direction W, and the thickness direction T. Therefore, if the protective body 13 is stored in the first storage space 37A, a gap will be generated around the protective body 13, but by sandwiching the adhesive body BL in the gap as described later, the protective body 13 is retained inside the first storage space 37A. That is, the first storage space 37A has a volume that can accommodate the entire protective body 13 including the heat-sensitive body 11. The first storage space 37A is elliptical in correspondence with the protective body 13, but this is a preferred form, and other forms such as a perfect circle, a rectangle, a polygon, etc. can also be adopted. However, by making the first storage space 37A corresponding to the protective body 13, specifically having a similar relationship with the protective body 13, the thickness of the adhesive body BL sandwiched in the above-mentioned gap can be made uniform. Thus, the protection body 13 can be held by a smaller amount of the adhesive body BL.

[0072] As an example, the second storage spaces 37B and 37B extend from the end of the rear B of the first storage space 37A toward the rear B of the frame 35. However, the second storage spaces 37B and 37B are terminated before reaching the end of the rear B of the frame 35. This is because if the second storage spaces 37B and 37B extend to the end of the rear B of the frame 35, the portion sandwiched between the second storage space 37B and the second storage space 37B is separated. The second storage spaces 37B and 37B are formed so that the intervals are continuously expanded from the front F portion connected to the first storage space 37A toward the rear B. This corresponds to the first electric wires 15 and 15 of the sensor element 10 being continuously expanded from the front F portion connected to the heat-sensitive body 11 toward the rear B.

[0073] A frame 35 is provided between the second receiving space 37B on one side and the second receiving space 37B on the other side. Therefore, the second receiving spaces 37B and 37B are independent except for the portion at one end adjacent to the first receiving space 37A. Since the frame 35 exists between the first electric wires 15 and 15 respectively received in the second receiving spaces 37B and 37B, mutual electrical insulation of the first electric wires 15 and 15 is ensured. As a preferred form, if an adhesive body BL is provided in the second receiving spaces 37B and 37B around the first electric wires 15 and 15, positioning of the first electric wires 15 and 15 in the second receiving spaces 37B and 37B is performed.

[0074] The method of forming the receiving space 37 is arbitrary as long as the desired form can be obtained, but if the formation cost and formation efficiency are considered, it is preferable to use a punching process using a metal mold. The receiving space 37 that penetrates the front and back sides can be easily obtained by punching. As other forming methods, cutting processing using a tool, cutting processing using a laser, etc. can be cited.

[0075] The first layer 33 has a thickness dimension that can accommodate the protection body 13 of the sensor element 10 without being exposed from the first accommodating space 37A. The thickness dimension of the protection body 13 is as described above, and it is necessary to have a thickness dimension that is consistent with or exceeds the thickness dimension. For example, if it is assumed that the thickness dimension of the protection body 13 is in the range of 0.55 mm as a typical example, the thickness dimension of the first layer 33 only needs to be set to 0.55 mm, and it is preferably set to 0.6 mm with a margin of 0.05 mm.

[0076] For example, if the thickness of the second layers 31, 31 is 0.1 mm respectively, and the thickness of the first layer 33 is 0.6 mm, the thickness of the temperature sensor 1 can be suppressed to 1 mm by considering the thickness of the adhesive body BL sandwiched between the second layers 31, 31 and the first layer 33. In this way, the temperature sensor 1 can be easily deformed in the thickness direction T by complementing the flexibility of the polyvinyl chloride constituting the second layer 31 and the first layer 33. In addition, the state after the adhesive G is cured is referred to as the adhesive body BL for distinction.

[0077] [Manufacturing sequence: Figure 5 , Figure 6 ]

[0078] Next, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The manufacturing procedure of the temperature sensor 1 will be described.

[0079] First, if Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the first layer 33 and the sensor element 10 are arranged between the second layers 31 and 31 which are spaced apart from each other. At this time, the sensor element 10 is positioned relative to the accommodation space 37 of the first layer 33, the protection body 13 is arranged at a position corresponding to the first accommodation space 37A, and the first wires 15 and 15 are arranged at positions corresponding to the second accommodation spaces 37B and 37B. In addition, it is assumed that the first wire 15 and the core wire 17A of the second wire 17 are already electrically and mechanically connected.

[0080] The adhesive G indicated by the double-dashed line in the figure is applied to the bonding surfaces 32, 32 of the second layers 31, 31 which are opposite to the first layer 33. In addition, the adhesive G may be applied to the bonding surfaces 34, 34 on the front and back sides of the first layer 33 instead of or in addition to the second layers 31, 31.

[0081] The material of the adhesive G is not limited as long as it can bond the second layer 31, 31 to the first layer 33 and hold the main part of the sensor element 10 inside the housing space 37. However, it is preferable to use an adhesive G made of thermosetting polyvinyl chloride. This is because, although polyvinyl chloride is known as a thermoplastic resin, as is well known among those skilled in the art, it becomes a sol with good fluidity at room temperature by mixing with a plasticizer, so it can be easily applied as an adhesive G. If the sol-like polyvinyl chloride is heated, it hardens into a gel state. The heating temperature for gelation is 200°C as an example.

[0082] Then, if Figure 6 As shown in (a), the first layer 33 is placed on the second layer 31 at the lower side. Next, the protective body 13 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 37A of the first layer 33, and the first electric wire 15 is accommodated in the second accommodation space 37B. However, the first electric wire 15 is exposed from the second accommodation space 37B at the rear B side of the predetermined position. Figure 6 (a) Adhesive G is supplied to the first storage space 37A and the second storage space 37B. The adhesive G fills the gap between the protection body 13 and the frame body 35 in the first storage space 37A, and fills the gap between the first electric wire 15 and the frame body 35 in the second storage space 37B. When the adhesive G is composed of sol-like vinyl chloride, the adhesive G at this point has fluidity.

[0083] Then, if Figure 6 As shown in (b), after the second layer 31 on the upper side is placed on the first layer 33, a pressing force accompanied by heating is applied to the second layers 31, 31. The heating causes the adhesive G composed of sol-like vinyl chloride to harden into a gel state, and the first layer 33 is subjected to a pressing force from both the front and back sides thereof, thereby improving the bonding force between the second layers 31, 31 and the first layer 33 by the adhesive G.

[0084] [Relationship between the Diameter R of the Protector 13 and the Thickness T of the First Layer 33]

[0085] Through the above process, we can get Figure 1 and Figure 6 (b) The temperature sensor 1 shown in FIG. Figure 7 The relationship between the thickness dimension 13R of the protection body 13 and the thickness dimension 37T of the accommodation space 37 of the first layer 33 will be described.

[0086] Figure 7 (a) shows the case where the thickness dimension 37T of the first layer 33 is larger than the thickness dimension 13R of the protection body 13 (37T>13R). Figure 7(b) represents the case where the thickness dimension 13R of the protective body 13 is equal to the thickness dimension 37T of the accommodation space 37 (37T = 13R). Figure 7 (c) represents the case where the thickness dimension 13R of the protective body 13 is larger than the thickness dimension 37T of the accommodation space 37 (37T < 13R). In addition, 37T > 13R, 37T = 13R, and 37T < 13R are respectively referred to as the first form (37T > 13R), the second form (37T = 13R), and the third form (37T < 13R). In addition, the temperature sensor 1 has been shown as the second form (37T = 13R) up to this point. In the present embodiment, the first form (37T > 13R) and the second form (37T = 13R) are adopted, but the third form (T < R) is not adopted. The reason is as follows.

[0087] Since the temperature sensor 1 is thin, it is arranged and used in a narrow space. In this state, there is a case where a load is externally applied to the temperature sensor 1 in the thickness direction T. This load acts on the protective body 13 and the heat-sensitive body 11 via the second layers 31, 31. If this load is large, it is possible that the protective body 13 made of glass or the heat-sensitive body 11 is damaged. Therefore, when a load is likely to act during temperature measurement, it is desirable to suppress the load on the protective body 13 and the heat-sensitive body 11.

[0088] However, since Figure 7 in the third form of (c), the thickness dimension 13R of the protective body 13 is larger than the thickness dimension 37T of the accommodation space 37 of the first layer 33, a part of the protective body 13 protrudes outward from the first accommodation space 37A. Although not shown in the figure, since the second layers 31, 31 are arranged on the part of the protective body 13 protruding from the first accommodation space 37A, and the first layer 33 is not sandwiched between the second layers 31, 31, the load acting from the outside is larger than that in the first form and the second form.

[0089] In contrast, since Figure 7 in the first form of (a), the thickness dimension 13R of the protective body 13 is larger than the thickness dimension 37T of the accommodation space 37, the whole of the protective body 13 is accommodated inside the first accommodation space 37A, so it is possible to avoid as Figure 7(c) The protective body 13 is exposed outside the storage space 37. In addition, in the first embodiment, the adhesive body BL is present on the upper and lower sides of the protective body 13 in the figure inside the first storage space 37A. Therefore, in the first embodiment, even if a load acts in the thickness direction T, the load acts on the protective body 13 and the heat-sensitive body 11 via the adhesive body BL in addition to the second layers 31, 31. In addition, if the adhesive body BL is in a gel state, the adhesive body BL functions as a buffer for the load acting on the protective body 13, so the load acting on the protective body 13 and the heat-sensitive body 11 can be made smaller than in the third embodiment.

[0090] Furthermore, when comparing the magnitudes of the load acting on the temperature sensor 1 from the outside in the thickness direction T, the magnitude of the load in the second form (37T=13R) is intermediate between the first form (37T>13R) and the third form (37T<13R).

[0091] [Effect]

[0092] Next, the effects achieved by the temperature sensor 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0093] The temperature sensor 1 has the protective body 13 of the sensor element 10 and the first electric wires 15, 15 accommodated and held in the accommodation space 37 of the first layer 33. When accommodating and holding, it is sufficient to use the adhesive G as needed, and it is not necessary to melt only the first layer 33. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the relationship between the melting points of the second layers 31, 31 and the first layer 33, and there is no particular limitation on the resin material constituting the second layers 31, 31 and the first layer 33.

[0094] In the temperature sensor 1, since the diameter R of the protection body 13 is set equal to or smaller than the thickness T of the first layer 33, the protection body 13 is contained in the first housing space 37A and is not exposed. Therefore, in the sensor element 10, the second layers 31, 31 can be formed flat even in the portion of the protection body 13 having the largest thickness.

[0095] As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is no particular limitation on the resin material used for the second layers 31 , 31 and the first layer 33 , and the thin temperature sensor 1 including the portion where the protection body 13 is provided can be flattened.

[0096] The housing space 37 of the present embodiment is composed of a first housing space 37A having a shape corresponding to the protection body 13 and second housing spaces 37B, 37B having a shape corresponding to the first electric wires 15, 15. Therefore, if the protection body 13 is arranged in the first housing space 37A and the first electric wires 15, 15 are arranged in the second housing spaces 37B, 37B, the sensor element 10 is positioned relative to the first layer 33, and in particular, the heat-sensitive body 11 important for temperature measurement can be positioned at a desired position.

[0097] In addition, the temperature sensor 1 can be formed of the second layer 31, 31 and the first layer 33 of flexible polyvinyl chloride, and the thickness can be suppressed to about 1 to 2 mm, for example. Therefore, the temperature sensor 1 is extremely flexible and can be easily elastically deformed in the thickness direction T. In this way, when the temperature sensor 1 is set in a narrow gap, even if the interval of the gap changes slightly, the thickness of the temperature sensor 1 changes accordingly, thereby maintaining a state of surface contact with the object to be measured.

[0098] As mentioned above, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described, the structure mentioned in the above embodiment may be selected or replaced with other structures without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0099] For example, you can also Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second receiving space 37B provided in the first layer 33 is extended to form an extension chamber 37C reaching the end of the rear side B of the frame body 35. In this way, the first electric wire 15 can be received in the extension chamber 37C and led out from the end of the rear side B. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the first accommodation space 37A and the second accommodation space 37B penetrate the front and back surfaces of the first layer 33 , but may be formed in a groove shape extending to a predetermined range in the thickness direction T, similar to the extension chamber 37C.

[0100] Next, the temperature sensor 1 forms a first accommodation space 37A and a second accommodation space 37B having a shape similar to the sensor element 10 in a plan view as a preferred form of the accommodation space 37, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is a top priority that the accommodation space 37 can accommodate the protection body 13 and the first wires 15, 15, and the shape in a plan view is arbitrary. Therefore, for example, the accommodation space 37 can also be made into a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0101] In addition, the temperature sensor 1 of the embodiment shows an example in which the thickness dimension is substantially constant from the front F to the rear B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the diameter of the core wire 17A of the second electric wire 17 is considerably larger than the thickness dimension of the holding body 30, the thickness dimension of the portion of the second layer 31, 31 covering the core wire 17A and the insulating coating 17B becomes larger.

[0102] The temperature sensor 1 of the embodiment is preferably provided with a pair of second layers 31, 31 on the front and back sides of the first layer 33, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if the sensor element 10 can be held in the first layer 33 only by an adhesive, for example, one or both of the second layers 31, 31 do not need to be provided.

[0103] Description of symbols

[0104] 1 Temperature sensor

[0105] 10 Sensor element

[0106] 11. Heat-sensitive body

[0107] 13 Protector

[0108] 15 1st wire

[0109] 17 2nd wire

[0110] 17A core wire

[0111] 17B Insulation coating

[0112] 30 Keep body

[0113] 31 Layer 2

[0114] 32 Joint surface

[0115] 33 Layer 1

[0116] 34 Joint surface

[0117] 35 Frame

[0118] 37 Containment Chamber

[0119] 37A Containment Chamber 1

[0120] 37B Containment Chamber 2

[0121] 37C Extension Room

[0122] F Front

[0123] B Rear

[0124] G Adhesive

[0125] BL adhesive

Claims

1. A temperature sensor, characterized in that: have: a sensor element having a heat-sensitive portion and a pair of electric wires electrically connected to the heat-sensitive portion; and The holding body is made of a resin material and holds the sensor element. The above-mentioned retaining body, It has a width direction, a length direction orthogonal to the width direction, and a thickness direction smaller than the width direction, A storage space for storing the heat-sensitive portion and the electric wire is provided, which is formed by through holes opened on the front and back surfaces in the thickness direction. The accommodating space extends in the length direction.

2. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The holding body comprises a first layer and a second layer forming the receiving space. The second layer is provided at a position facing the opening on the surface and / or the back surface of the housing space.

3. The temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing space has the opening shape conforming to the shape of the sensor element in a plan view.

4. The temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing space has a volume capable of housing at least the entire heat-sensitive portion of the sensor element.

5. The temperature sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The above-mentioned accommodation space has: a first receiving space for receiving the heat-sensitive portion; and A pair of second storage spaces are provided to store a pair of the above-mentioned electric wires respectively. One end of each of the pair of second storage spaces is connected to the first storage space.

6. The temperature sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that The holding body comprises a first layer and a second layer forming the receiving space. The second layer is arranged on the surface and / or back side of the receiving space at a position opposite to the opening. A pair of the above-mentioned second containment space, The first layer is independently provided except for the one end connected to the first receiving space. As the distance from the one end increases, the distance between them increases continuously.

7. The temperature sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that In the first housing space, an adhesive body is sandwiched around the heat-sensitive portion. An adhesive body is sandwiched around the electric wires in each of the second housing spaces.

8. The temperature sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that The adhesive body is made of gel-like polyvinyl chloride.

9. The temperature sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The holding body comprises a first layer and a second layer forming the receiving space. The second layer is arranged on the surface and the back of the receiving space at positions opposite to the opening. The pair of the second layer and the first layer are made of plate-shaped polyvinyl chloride. The thickness of the first layer is larger than that of each of the pair of second layers.

10. A method for manufacturing a temperature sensor, The temperature sensor has: a sensor element having a heat-sensitive portion and a pair of electric wires electrically connected to the heat-sensitive portion; and The holding body is made of a resin material and holds the sensor element. The method for manufacturing the temperature sensor is characterized by comprising: In the first step, the holding body has a housing space formed by through holes opened on the front and back sides for housing the heat-sensitive portion and the wire, and the heat-sensitive portion and the wire are housed in the housing space; and In the second step, the heat-sensitive part and the electric wire are then kept in the receiving space. The retainer has a width direction, a length direction orthogonal to the width direction, and a thickness direction smaller than the width direction. The through hole is opened on the front and back sides in the thickness direction. The accommodating space extends in the length direction.

11. The method for manufacturing a temperature sensor according to claim 10, wherein: In the second step, the heat sensitive portion and the electric wire accommodated in the accommodation space are held in the accommodation space by supplying an adhesive to the accommodation space.

12. The method for manufacturing a temperature sensor according to claim 11, wherein: The holding body comprises a first layer and a second layer forming the receiving space. In the second step, the second layer is laminated at a position facing the opening on the front surface and / or back surface of the first layer.

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