Temperature sensor

Abstract

A temperature sensor includes a thermistor element, a first conductor connected to the thermistor element, and a second conductor connected to the first conductor. The first conductor includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion includes a first end connected to the thermistor element body and extends in a first direction. The second conductor portion includes a second end connected with the second conductor and extends in a second direction crossing the first direction. The second conductor includes a third end overlapping and connected to the second end. In a direction facing the thermistor element body in the first direction, the second end is located in front of the third end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature sensor. Background Art

[0002] A known temperature sensor includes a thermistor body, a first conductor, and a second conductor (for example, see International Publication No. 2019 / 009293). The first conductor is connected to the thermistor body and extends in one direction. The second conductor includes a conductor portion connected to the first conductor. The conductor portion of the second conductor extends in the same direction as the direction in which the first conductor extends. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a temperature sensor capable of ensuring connectivity between a first conductor and a second conductor.

[0004] A temperature sensor in one embodiment of the present invention includes a thermistor body, a first conductor connected to the thermistor body, and a second conductor connected to the first conductor. The first conductor includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The first conductor portion includes a first end connected to the thermistor body and extends in a first direction. The second conductor portion includes a second end connected to the second conductor and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second conductor includes a third end overlapping the second end and connected to the second end. In the direction toward the thermistor body in the first direction, the second end is located in front of the third end.

[0005] For example, the first conductor may include a plurality of conductor portions extending in directions different from each other.

[0006] In the above embodiment, even if the first conductor includes a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion extending in mutually intersecting directions, the second end and the third end can be connected from the first direction, for example. In the above structure, the above embodiment also has a tendency to ensure the area of ​​the region where the first conductor and the second conductor are connected to each other. Therefore, the above embodiment can ensure the connectivity between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0007] The above-mentioned one aspect may include: a housing having a recess for accommodating the thermistor element body, the first conductor, and the third end of the second conductor; and a resin for sealing the recess.

[0008] The structure including the housing and the resin protects the second end and the third end (ie, the region where the first conductor and the second conductor are connected to each other), so that the structure can further ensure the connectivity between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0009] In the above-mentioned aspect, the third ends of the thermistor element body, the first conductor, and the second conductor may be located in the recess such that the first direction is along the depth direction of the recess.

[0010] The structure in which the thermistor body, the first conductor and the third end of the second conductor are located in the recess as described above can reliably protect the second end and the third end, that is, the area where the first conductor and the second conductor are connected to each other, in the recess. Therefore, this structure can further ensure the connectivity between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0011] The above embodiment may include a first conductor that is paired with the first conductor. Each of the pair of first conductors may include a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion. The interval between the second conductor portions may be larger than the interval between the first conductor portions.

[0012] For example, when the first conductor and the second conductor are connected, a structure in which the interval between the second conductor parts is larger than the interval between the first conductor parts tends to prevent the second conductor parts from physically contacting each other. Therefore, this structure can further ensure the connectivity between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second end may include: a first region that overlaps with the third end and is bonded to the third end; and a second region that overlaps with the third end and is adjacent to the first region in the second direction and is not bonded to the third end. Alternatively, when viewed from the direction toward the thermistor element body in the first direction, the first region is located inside the outer edge of the third end.

[0014] In the structure in which the second end includes the first region and the second region, the first region is separated from the outer edge of the third end. In the structure in which the outer edge of the first region is separated from the outer edge of the third end, compared with the structure in which the edge of the first region is consistent with the outer edge of the third end, even when an external force acts on the first conductor, there is a tendency to prevent the influence of the external force from spreading to the first region. Therefore, the structure in which the second end includes the first region and the second region can further ensure the connectivity between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0015] A more complete understanding of the present invention will be obtained from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus should not be considered as limiting the present invention.

[0016] The further applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although providing examples of the present invention, are for reference only, as various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention are obvious to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a temperature sensor according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view showing the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a top view showing the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 6 , the structure of the temperature sensor TD1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view showing the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment. Figure 6 It is a top view showing the temperature sensor according to the present embodiment.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the temperature sensor TD1 includes a thermistor element 3, a conductor 20, a conductor 25, a housing 30, and a resin 32. Figure 2 In the figure, illustration of the case 30 and the resin 32 is omitted.

[0026] The thermistor element 3 has a characteristic that the resistance value changes as the temperature rises. The thermistor element 3 includes, for example, an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor element or a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thermistor element.

[0027] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the thermistor element 3 includes a thermistor element body 1, a pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b, a conductor 10 and a conductor 15. The conductor 10 and the conductor 15 are connected to the thermistor element body 1. The conductor 15 is, for example, a pair with the conductor 10. The thermistor element 3 includes, for example, a pair of conductors 10 and 15. The thermistor element body 1 constitutes a detection unit whose resistance value changes correspondingly according to temperature changes. For example, in a structure in which the thermistor element 3 includes an NTC thermistor element, the thermistor element body 1 has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.

[0028] The thermistor element body 1 includes a pair of side surfaces facing each other. A pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b are respectively arranged on corresponding side surfaces of the pair of side surfaces. The thermistor element body 1 is located between the pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b. The pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b are in contact with the thermistor element body 1. The pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b face each other.

[0029] The conductor 10 is physically and electrically connected to the external electrode 5a. The conductor 15 is physically and electrically connected to the external electrode 5b. The conductors 10 and 15 are respectively connected to corresponding external electrodes of the pair of external electrodes 5a and 5b. The conductor 10 is electrically connected to the thermistor element body 1 through the external electrode 5a. The conductor 15 is electrically connected to the thermistor element body 1 through the external electrode 5b. The conductors 10 and 15 are respectively connected to the thermistor element body 1 through the corresponding external electrodes 5a and 5b. The conductors 10 and 15 each include, for example, Dumet wires.

[0030] The conductor 10 is physically and electrically connected to the conductor 20. The conductor 15 is physically and electrically connected to the conductor 25. The conductor 10 is connected to the conductor 20. The conductor 15 is connected to the conductor 25. The conductor 25 is, for example, a pair with the conductor 20. The temperature sensor TD1 includes, for example, a pair of conductors 20 and 25. The conductor 10 and the conductor 15 are connected to corresponding conductors of the conductor 20 and the conductor 25, respectively. For example, when the conductor 10 includes a first conductor, the conductor 20 includes a second conductor. For example, when the conductor 15 includes a first conductor, the conductor 25 includes a second conductor.

[0031] like Figure 2 to Figure 4 As shown, the thermistor element 3 includes a sealing portion 2. The sealing portion 2 covers the thermistor element body 1, a pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b, and the conductor 10 and the conductor 15. The sealing portion 2 hermetically seals the thermistor element body 1, that is, the detection portion. The sealing portion 2 seals the pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b. The conductor 10 and the conductor 15 each include an end located in the sealing portion 2. The sealing portion 2 seals a portion of each of the conductor 10 and the conductor 15. The sealing portion 2 includes, for example, glass.

[0032] The conductor 10 includes a plurality of conductor portions 11 and 12. The conductor 15 includes a plurality of conductor portions 16 and 17. The conductor 10 and the conductor 15 include the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 16 and the conductor portion 12 and the conductor portion 17, respectively. The conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 12 are electrically connected to each other. The conductor portion 16 and the conductor portion 17 are electrically connected to each other. For example, when the conductor portion 11 includes a first conductor portion, the conductor portion 12 includes a second conductor portion. For example, when the conductor portion 16 includes a first conductor portion, the conductor portion 17 includes a second conductor portion.

[0033] In the conductor 10, the conductor portion 11 extends in a first direction D1. The conductor portion 12 extends in a second direction D2. The second direction D2 intersects the first direction D1. The second direction D2 may also be orthogonal to the first direction D1.

[0034] The conductor 10 includes a conductor portion 10a. In the present embodiment, the conductor 10 includes three conductor portions 10a, 11, and 12. The conductor portion 10a is located between the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 12, and is continuous with the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 12. The conductor portion 10a is, for example, curved. The conductor portion 10a may also be curved. Through the conductor portion 10a, the conductor portion 12 is different from the conductor portion 11 and extends in the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, the three conductor portions 10a, 11, and 12 are integrated in a manner to constitute one conductor 10.

[0035] The conductor part 11 includes a terminal 13. The terminal 13 is connected to the thermistor body 1. The terminal 13 is electrically connected to the thermistor body 1 through the external electrode 5a. The terminal 13 is indirectly connected to the thermistor body 1. The terminal 13 includes a portion located in the sealing portion 2. The entire terminal 13 may also be located in the sealing portion 2.

[0036] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the conductor portion 12 includes an end 14. The end 14 is connected to the conductor 20. The end 14 is physically and electrically connected to the conductor 20, for example. The end 14 is connected to a corresponding conductor 20 of the conductor 20 and the conductor 25.

[0037] For example, where conductor 10 comprises a first conductor, conductor portion 11 comprises a first conductor portion, and conductor portion 12 comprises a second conductor portion. For example, where conductor portion 11 comprises a first conductor portion, end 13 comprises a first end. For example, where conductor portion 12 comprises a second conductor portion, end 14 comprises a second end.

[0038] In the conductor 15, the conductor portion 16 extends in the first direction D1, and the conductor portion 17 extends in the second direction D2.

[0039] The conductor 15 includes a conductor portion 15a. The conductor portion 15a is located between the conductor portion 16 and the conductor portion 17 and is continuous with the conductor portion 16 and the conductor portion 17. The conductor portion 15a is, for example, curved. The conductor portion 15a may also be curved. Through the conductor portion 15a, the conductor portion 17 is different from the conductor portion 16 and extends in the second direction D2.

[0040] The conductor portion 16 includes a terminal 18. The terminal 18 is connected to the thermistor element body 1. The terminal 18 is electrically connected to the thermistor element body 1 through the external electrode 5b. The terminal 18 is indirectly connected to the thermistor element body 1. The terminal 18 includes a portion located in the sealing portion 2. The entire terminal 18 may also be located in the sealing portion 2.

[0041] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the conductor portion 17 includes an end 19. The end 19 is physically and electrically connected to the conductor 25. The end 19 is physically and electrically connected to the conductor 25. The end 19 is connected to a corresponding conductor 25 of the conductor 20 and the conductor 25.

[0042] For example, where conductor 15 comprises a first conductor, conductor portion 16 comprises a first conductor portion, and conductor portion 17 comprises a second conductor portion. For example, where conductor portion 16 comprises a first conductor portion, end 18 comprises a first end. For example, where conductor portion 17 comprises a second conductor portion, end 19 comprises a second end.

[0043] The conductor 10 and the conductor 15 are arranged in the third direction D3, for example. In the present embodiment, the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 16 are arranged in the third direction D3, and the conductor portion 12 and the conductor portion 17 are arranged in the third direction D3. The third direction D3 intersects the first direction D1. The third direction D3 may also be orthogonal to the first direction D1. The third direction D3 also intersects the second direction D2. The third direction D3 may also be orthogonal to the second direction D2.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 16 are separated by a spacing L1 in the third direction D3, for example. For example, the spacing L1 is the minimum value of the spacing between the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 16.

[0045] The conductor portion 16 includes a conductor portion 15b. In the present embodiment, the conductor 15 includes four conductor portions 15a, 15b, 16, and 17. The conductor portion 15b is located between the end 18 and the conductor portion 15a in the conductor portion 16. The conductor portion 15b is curved. The conductor portion 15b may also be curved. The interval L1 between the conductor portion 11 and the conductor portion 15b increases as the distance from the end 18 increases. Through the conductor portion 15b, the conductor 15 is gradually separated from the conductor 10 in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the four conductor portions 15a, 15b, 16, and 17 are integrated in a manner to constitute one conductor 15.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the conductor portion 12 and the conductor portion 17 are separated by a spacing L2 in the third direction D3, for example. For example, the spacing L2 is the maximum spacing between the conductor portion 12 and the conductor portion 17. In the present embodiment, for example, the spacing L2 is greater than the spacing L1.

[0047] The conductor 20 includes an end 21. The end 21 is connected to the end 14. For example, the end 21 overlaps with the end 14 and is connected to the end 14. In the present embodiment, the end 21 overlaps with the end 14 in the first direction D1 and is physically and electrically connected to the end 14. The end 21 extends in the second direction D2, for example.

[0048] The conductor 25 includes an end 26. The end 26 is connected to the end 19. For example, the end 26 overlaps with the end 19 and is connected to the end 19. In the present embodiment, the end 26 overlaps with the end 19 in the first direction D1 and is physically and electrically connected to the end 19. The end 26 extends in the second direction D2, for example.

[0049] End 21 and end 26 are arranged in the third direction D3, for example. For example, when end 13 includes the first end, end 14 includes the second end, and end 21 includes the third end. For example, when end 18 includes the first end, end 19 includes the second end, and end 26 includes the third end.

[0050] In the direction D1a, the end 14 is located in front of the end 21. In the direction D1b, the end 14 is farther from the thermistor element body 1 than the end 21. The direction D1a is a direction toward the thermistor element body 1 in the first direction D1. The direction D1a is, for example, a direction from the conductor 10 toward the thermistor element body 1. The direction D1b is a first direction, which indicates a direction opposite to the direction D1a.

[0051] In the direction D1a, the end 19 is located in front of the end 26. In the direction D1b, the end 19 is farther from the thermistor element body 1 than the end 26.

[0052] The conductor 20 includes a terminal 22. The terminal 22 is electrically connected to the terminal 21. The terminal 22 extends, for example, in the third direction D3. The terminal 22 and the terminal 21 define both ends of the conductor 20.

[0053] The conductor 25 includes a terminal 27. The terminal 27 is electrically connected to the terminal 26. The terminal 27 extends, for example, in the third direction D3. The terminal 27 and the terminal 22 define both ends of the conductor 25.

[0054] The conductor 20 has a bent conductor portion between the end 21 and the end 22. In the present embodiment, the conductor 20 has three bent conductor portions between the end 21 and the end 22. For example, the conductor 20 has a conductor portion extending in the first direction D1 and a conductor portion extending in the second direction D2 between the end 21 and the end 22. The conductor 20 may also have three bent conductor portions between the end 21 and the end 22.

[0055] The conductor 25 has a bent conductor portion between the end 26 and the end 27. In the present embodiment, the conductor 25 has a bent conductor portion between the end 26 and the end 27. The conductor 25 does not have a conductor portion extending in the first direction D1 between the end 22 and the end 27, for example. The conductor 25 may also have a bent conductor portion between the end 26 and the end 27.

[0056] In the present embodiment, compared with the conductor 25 , the conductor 20 has a conductor portion extending in the first direction D1 , and accordingly, the end 22 and the end 27 are separated from each other in the first direction D1 .

[0057] The conductors 10, 15, 20, and 25 include, for example, a conductive material. The conductive material included in the conductors 10, 15, 20, and 25 includes, for example, copper or a copper alloy. The cross-section of the conductors 10, 15, 20, and 25 is, for example, rectangular. The cross-section of any one of the conductors 10, 15, 20, and 25 may also be circular.

[0058] A recess 31 is formed in the housing 30. The resin 32 seals the recess 31. For example, the resin 32 is located in the recess 31 in a manner that seals the recess 31. For example, the thermistor element 1, the conductor 10, and the terminal 21 are accommodated in the recess 31. For example, the thermistor element 1, the conductor 20, and the terminal 26 are accommodated in the recess 31. In the present embodiment, the thermistor element 3 and the terminals 21 and 26 are accommodated in the recess 31. The recess 31 has an opening 31a and a bottom 31b. The opening 31a and the bottom 31b are arranged in the first direction D1, for example.

[0059] The thermistor element 3 and the ends 21, 26 are located in the recess 31 in such a manner that the first direction D1 is along the depth direction D4 of the recess 31. The thermistor element body 1 and the sealing portion 2 are, for example, closer to the bottom 31b than the ends 21, 26 in the first direction D1. The ends 21, 26 are, for example, closer to the opening 31a than the thermistor element body 1 and the sealing portion 2 in the first direction D1.

[0060] In this embodiment, when viewed from the direction D1a, the housing 30 includes a surface 30a. When viewed from the direction D1a, the resin 32 includes a surface 32a. When viewed from the direction D1a, for example, the surface 30a surrounds the surface 32a. The surface 32a is, for example, flush with the surface 30a. The thermistor element 3 is housed in the recess 31 in a manner such that the end 14 is connected to the end 21 and the end 19 is connected to the end 26.

[0061] The housing 30 includes walls 31c and 31d that define the boundary between the housing 30 and the recess 31. The wall 31c is, for example, opposite to the surface 32a in the first direction D1. The wall 31d extends in the first direction D1 in such a manner as to connect the wall 31c and the surface 32a to each other. The conductor 20 and the conductor 25 penetrate the wall 31d in the second direction D2, for example. The end 21 and the end 26 are arranged on the wall 31c. In the recess 31, when viewed from the first direction D1, the width of the opening 31a in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 is expanded by the width of the wall 31c. The distance between the bottom 31b and the opening 31a in the first direction D1 is greater than the distance between the bottom 31b and the wall 31c in the first direction D1 by the width of the wall 31d.

[0062] When viewed from the direction D1b, the housing 30 has, for example, a surface 30b that is opposite to the bottom 31b. The housing 30 has, for example, surfaces 30c and 30d that are opposite to each other in the third direction D3 across the thermistor element body 1. The housing 30 has, for example, surfaces 30e and 30f that are opposite to each other in the second direction D2 across the thermistor element body 1. In the present embodiment, the object to be measured is brought into contact with, for example, any one of the surfaces 30b to 30f, thereby measuring the temperature of the object.

[0063] like Figure 6 As shown, the end 14 includes a region 14a and a region 14b. The region 14a and the region 14b are located in the recess 31. When viewed from the first direction D1, the region 14a overlaps with the end 21 and is joined to the end 21. The region 14a overlaps with the end 21 and is joined to the end 21. When viewed from the direction D1a, the region 14a is located at a position closer to the inside than the outer edge of the end 21. The region 14a is, for example, far away from the outer edge of the end 21. The width of the end 14 in the third direction D3 is smaller than the width of the end 21 in the third direction D3.

[0064] The region 14b overlaps the end 21 when viewed from the first direction D1, and is adjacent to the region 14a in the second direction D2. The region 14b, for example, overlaps the end 21, and is adjacent to the region 14a in the second direction D2. The region 14b is not joined to the end 21. Figure 6 In the example shown, the region 14 a is located between two regions 14 b in the second direction D2 .

[0065] The end 19 includes a region 19a and a region 19b. The region 19a and the region 19b are located in the recess 31. When viewed from the first direction D1, the region 19a overlaps with the end 26 and is joined to the end 26. The region 19a overlaps with the end 26 and is joined to the end 26. When viewed from the direction D1a, the region 19a is located at a position closer to the inside than the outer edge of the end 26. The region 19a is, for example, far from the outer edge of the end 26. The width of the end 19 in the third direction D3 is smaller than the width of the end 26 in the third direction D3.

[0066] The region 19b overlaps the end 26 when viewed from the first direction D1, and is adjacent to the region 19a in the second direction D2. The region 19b, for example, overlaps the end 26, and is adjacent to the region 19a in the second direction D2. The region 19b is not joined to the end 26. Figure 6 In the example shown, the region 19 a is located between two regions 19 b in the second direction D2 .

[0067] For example, when the regions 14a and 19a each include a first region, the regions 14b and 19b each include a second region.

[0068] The housing 30 and the resin 32 include, for example, an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material included in the housing 30 and the resin 32 includes, for example, a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin. The thermosetting resin and the thermoplastic resin include, for example, an epoxy resin or a PPS resin. The housing 30 and the resin 32 may also include the same material.

[0069] The following is a description of the manufacturing process of the temperature sensor TD1. The manufacturing process includes, for example, the steps of preparing a housing 30 integrally formed with the conductors 20 and 25; placing the thermistor element 3 in the recess 31; connecting the conductors 10 and 15 to the conductors 20 and 25; and sealing the recess 31 with a resin.

[0070] The step of preparing the housing 30 integrally molded with the conductor 20 and the conductor 25 includes, for example, the step of preparing the housing 30 having the recess 31 formed therein. The housing 30 is formed, for example, by molding. The housing 30 accommodates the conductor 20 and the conductor 25. The ends 21 and 26 are arranged on the wall surface 31c so as to be exposed in the recess 31. The ends 22 and 27 are exposed from the housing 30.

[0071] The step of disposing the thermistor element 3 in the recess 31 includes the step of inserting the thermistor element 3 into the recess 31. The thermistor element 3 is inserted into the recess 31 in the direction D1a in such a way that the first direction D1 is along the depth direction D4 of the recess 31. The thermistor element 3 is held in the recess 31 by a holder, for example. The thermistor element 3 is held such that, in the direction D1a, the end 14 is located forward of the end 21, and the end 19 is located forward of the end 26.

[0072] The step of connecting the conductors 10 and 15 to the conductors 20 and 25 includes: the step of joining the conductors 10 and 20 to each other; and the step of joining the conductors 15 and 25 to each other. For example, the end 14 and the end 21 are joined to each other, and the end 19 and the end 26 are joined to each other. The joining of the end 14 and the end 21, and the joining of the end 19 and the end 26 are achieved, for example, by resistance welding or welding. In the present embodiment, the end 14 and the end 21 are resistance welded from the first direction D1, and the end 19 and the end 26 are resistance welded from the first direction D1.

[0073] The step of sealing the recess 31 with resin includes the step of filling the resin in the recess 31. In the present embodiment, after the end 14 and the end 21 are joined to each other, and the end 19 and the end 26 are joined to each other, the retainer is removed and the resin is filled in the recess 31. The resin in the recess 31 is formed into the resin 32 by, for example, a heating process.

[0074] As described above, in the temperature sensor TD1, for example, the conductor 10 may include a plurality of conductor portions 11 and 12 extending in different directions. For example, the conductor 15 may include a plurality of conductor portions 16 and 17 extending in different directions.

[0075] In the temperature sensor TD1, even in the case of a structure in which the conductors 10 and 15 include the conductor portions 11 and 16 and the conductor portions 12 and 17 extending in directions intersecting each other, the end 14 and the end 21 can be connected, for example, from the first direction D1, and the end 19 and the end 26 can be connected, for example, from the first direction D1. In the above structure, the temperature sensor TD1 also tends to ensure the area of ​​the region where the conductors 10 and 20 are connected to each other. The temperature sensor TD1 tends to ensure the area of ​​the region where the conductors 15 and 25 are connected to each other. Therefore, the temperature sensor TD1 can ensure the connectivity of the conductors 10 and 20. The temperature sensor TD1 can ensure the connectivity of the conductors 15 and 25.

[0076] The temperature sensor TD1 includes a case 30 having a recess 31 formed therein and a resin 32 that seals the recess 31. The recess 31 accommodates the thermistor element body 1, the conductors 10 and 15, and the terminals 21 and 26.

[0077] The temperature sensor TD1 protects the end 14 and the end 21 (i.e., the area where the conductor 10 and the conductor 20 are connected to each other), and the end 19 and the end 26 (i.e., the area where the conductor 15 and the conductor 25 are connected to each other). Therefore, the temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity of the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. The temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity of the conductor 15 and the conductor 25.

[0078] In the temperature sensor TD1, the thermistor body 1, the conductor 10, and the end 21 are located in the recess 31 in such a manner that the first direction D1 is along the depth direction D4 of the recess 31. The thermistor body 1, the conductor 15, and the end 26 are located in the recess 31 in such a manner that the first direction D1 is along the depth direction D4 of the recess 31. In the present embodiment, the thermistor body 1, the conductor 10, the conductor 15, the end 21, and the end 26 are located in the recess 31 in such a manner that the first direction D1 is along the depth direction D4 of the recess 31.

[0079] In the temperature sensor TD1, the end 14 and the end 21 (i.e., the area where the conductor 10 and the conductor 20 are connected to each other), and the end 19 and the end 26 (i.e., the area where the conductor 15 and the conductor 25 are connected to each other) are reliably protected in the recess 31. Therefore, the temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity of the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. The temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity of the conductor 15 and the conductor 25.

[0080] The temperature sensor TD1 includes a conductor 15 which is paired with the conductor 10. The conductor 10 includes a conductor portion 11 and a conductor portion 16. The conductor 15 includes a conductor portion 12 and a conductor portion 17. The interval L2 is larger than the interval L1.

[0081] For example, when the conductor 10 is connected to the conductor 20 and the conductor 15 is connected to the conductor 25, the structure in which the interval L2 is larger than the interval L1 tends to prevent the conductor portion 12 and the conductor portion 17 from physically contacting each other. Therefore, the temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity between the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. The temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity between the conductor 15 and the conductor 25.

[0082] In the temperature sensor TD1, the end 14 includes regions 14a and 14b, and the end 19 includes regions 19a and 19b. The region 14a overlaps with the end 21 and is joined to the end 21. The region 14b overlaps with the end 21, is adjacent to the region 14a in the second direction D2, and is not joined to the end 21. The region 19a overlaps with the end 26 and is joined to the end 26. The region 19b overlaps with the end 26, is adjacent to the region 19a in the second direction D2, and is not joined to the end 26. In the first direction D1, when viewed from the direction D1a, the region 14a is located inside the outer edge of the end 21, and the region 19a is located inside the outer edge of the end 26.

[0083] In the temperature sensor TD1, the region 14a is separated from the outer edge of the end 21, and the region 19a is separated from the outer edge of the end 26. In the structure in which the region 14a is separated from the outer edge of the end 21 and the region 19a is separated from the outer edge of the end 26, there is a tendency to prevent the influence of the external force from affecting the regions 14a and 19a even when an external force acts on the conductors 10 and 15, compared with the structure in which the edge of the region 14a coincides with the outer edge of the end 21 and the edge of the region 19a coincides with the outer edge of the end 26. Therefore, the structure in which the end 14 includes the regions 14a and 14b and the end 19 includes the regions 19a and 19b can further ensure the connectivity between the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. The temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity between the conductor 15 and the conductor 25.

[0084] As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, This invention can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

[0085] In the temperature sensor TD1, the interval L2 may not be larger than the interval L1. For example, as described above, when the conductor 10 is connected to the conductor 20 and the conductor 15 is connected to the conductor 25, the structure in which the interval L2 is larger than the interval L1 tends to prevent the conductor portion 12 and the conductor portion 17 from physically contacting each other. Therefore, the temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity between the conductor 10 and the conductor 20. The temperature sensor TD1 can further ensure the connectivity between the conductor 15 and the conductor 25.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor, characterized in that: have: Thermistor body; A first conductor connected to the thermistor body; and a second conductor connected to the first conductor, The first conductor comprises: A first conductor portion including a first end connected to the thermistor body and extending in a first direction; and a second conductor portion including a second end connected to the second conductor and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The second conductor includes a third end connected to the second end, In the direction toward the thermistor element body in the first direction, the second end is located forward of the third end.

2. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also available: a housing having a recess for accommodating the thermistor element body, the first conductor, and the third end of the second conductor; and A resin seals the recess.

3. The temperature sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thermistor element body, the first conductor, and the third end of the second conductor are located in the recess in such a manner that the first direction is along a depth direction of the recess.

4. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: It also includes: a first conductor that forms a pair with the first conductor, a pair of the first conductors each including the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, The intervals between the second conductor portions are larger than the intervals between the first conductor portions.

5. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The second end comprises: a first region overlapping the third end and joined to the third end; and a second region overlapping the third end and adjacent to the first region in the second direction and not joined to the third end, When viewed from the direction toward the thermistor element body in the first direction, the first region is located inside the outer edge of the third end.

6. A temperature sensor, characterized in that: have: Thermistor body; a pair of first conductors connected to the thermistor element body; and a pair of second conductors each connected to a corresponding first conductor of the pair of first conductors, The pair of first conductors each include: A first conductor portion including a first end connected to the thermistor element body and extending in a first direction; and a second conductor portion including a second end connected to a corresponding second conductor of the pair of second conductors and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, Each of the pair of second conductors includes a third end overlapping with the second end and connected to the second end, In the direction toward the thermistor element body in the first direction, the second end is located forward of the third end.

7. The temperature sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also available: a housing having a recess for accommodating the thermistor element body, the pair of first conductors, and the third end of each of the pair of second conductors; and A resin is disposed within the recess in a manner that seals the recess.

8. The temperature sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The third ends of the thermistor element body, the pair of first conductors, and the pair of second conductors are located in the recess in such a manner that the first direction is along a depth direction of the recess.

9. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: In the pair of first conductors, a spacing between the second conductor portions is larger than a spacing between the first conductor portions.

10. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that: The second end comprises: a first region overlapping the third end and joined to the third end; and a second region overlapping the third end and adjacent to the first region in the second direction and not joined to the third end, When viewed from the direction toward the thermistor element body in the first direction, the first region is located inside the outer edge of the third end.

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