Sensor

Abstract

Sensor, comprehensive: a detection element (20) extending in an axial direction (CD) and having the form of a plate with two opposing principal surfaces (20fa, 20fb), wherein the detection element (20) comprises a detection section (21) on a front side in the axial direction (CD) and a rear element section (22) on a rear side in the axial direction (CD), wherein the detection section (21) detects a specific gas component contained in a measuring gas, and wherein the rear element section (22) has two or more electrical connection connection sections (24) formed on one of the principal surfaces (20fa, 20fb); two or more connection terminals (60), each comprising an elongated frame main body (62) extending in the axial direction (CD) and an element contact section (61) bent at the front end section (621) of the frame main body (62) so that it extends to the rear and is electrically connected to a corresponding electrical connection terminal section (24); a separating element (30) that accommodates the connecting terminals (60) and the element's rear section (22); and a base (40) that surrounds an outer circumference of the separating element (30), wherein the separating element (30) has a partition wall (35) made of a resin material and separates several receiving spaces (34) from each other, and wherein the receiving spaces (34) comprise an element receiving space (34f) which receives sections of the element contact sections (61) and the element return section (22), and several connection receiving spaces (34) which each receive one of the two or more frame main bodies (62).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor technology. General state of the art

[0002] Examples of known sensors are attached to an intake system (for example, an intake manifold or intake pipe) or an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel or gasoline engine, to detect the concentration of a specific gas component (for example, oxygen or NOx) contained in a sample gas (see, for example, PTL 1 and PTL 2). The sensor disclosed in PTL 1 comprises a sensing element, connecting terminals electrically linked to the sensing element, and a separating element that accommodates a rear section of the sensing element and the connecting terminals. A sensing signal output by the sensing element is transmitted externally through the connecting terminals. The concentration of the specific gas is calculated by an external device based on the sensing signal. List of oppositions patent literature PTL 1: JP 2014 - 002 132 A1 PTL 2: JP 3 873 390 B2

[0003] DE 103 38 462 A1 discloses a sensor for determining a physical property of a sample gas. JP 3 873 390 B2 discloses an oxygen sensor. JP 2014 - 038 083 A discloses a gas sensor. JP 2014 - 002 132 A discloses a gas sensor. Brief description of the invention: Technical problem

[0004] The separating element contained in the sensor described in PTL 1 is made of a ceramic material. In this case, the separating element must be attached to the sensor as part of the sensor, for example, by crimping a metal retaining element that holds the separating element onto an outer cylinder and attaching the outer cylinder to a metal housing. Therefore, using a ceramic separating element as part of the sensor increases the manufacturing costs and the number of manufacturing steps. Furthermore, using a ceramic separating element increases the weight of the sensor.

[0005] A sensor where the separating element is made of a resin material, as is the case with the sensor according to PTL 2, has the problem that the separating element is thinner than one made of a ceramic material. Furthermore, according to the technology described in PTL 2, a connector electrically linked to the sensing element extends along the axial direction of the sensing element. Therefore, the sensor is large in the axial direction. Depending on the intended location, this large size can make the sensor difficult to install. Solution to the problem

[0006] The present invention was developed to solve the problems described above and can be implemented through the following embodiments or applications.

[0007] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a sensor comprises a sensing element extending in an axial direction and having the form of a plate with two opposing main surfaces, wherein the sensing element has a sensing section on a front side in the axial direction and a rear section on a back side in the axial direction, wherein the sensing section detects a specific gas component contained in a sample gas, and wherein the rear section has two or more electrical connection terminal sections formed on one of the main surfaces;two or more connection ports, each comprising an elongated frame main body extending in the axial direction and an element contact section bent at the front end of the frame main body to extend to the rear and electrically connected to a corresponding electrical connection port section; a separating element that accommodates the connection ports and the element rear section; and a base that surrounds an outer circumference of the separating element. In this sensor, the separating element includes a partition made of a resin material that separates several receiving spaces. The receiving spaces have an element receiving space that accommodates sections of the element contact sections and the element rear section, and several connection receiving spaces, each accommodating one of the two or more frame main bodies.

[0008] In this type of sensor, the separating element comprises a partition made of a resin material that separates the receiving chambers. Consequently, the sensor can be made lighter than one with a ceramic separating element, and the partition serves to prevent the risk of the separating element becoming thinner.

[0009] (2) In the sensor as described above, the base may be made of a resin material. The base may comprise a bottom section at the rear in the axial direction and a side section extending axially from a circumferential edge of the bottom section to the front in such a way as to surround a radial circumference of the separating element. The separating wall and the side section may be connected directly or indirectly by a component other than the base provided between them.

[0010] Since the partition and the side section of the base are connected according to the sensor of this aspect, the thickness of the partition can be increased. Therefore, the risk of a reduction in the strength of the partition element can be further reduced.

[0011] (3) In the sensor according to the above-described point of view, the base and the separating element may be formed in one piece from the resin material.

[0012] Based on this aspect, the base and the separating element can be easily formed.

[0013] (4) In the sensor according to the above-described point of view, the partition wall can have a thickness that is constant in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0014] From this perspective, the risk of uneven thermal contraction can be reduced when forming the separating element from a resin material. As a result, the separating element can be manufactured precisely.

[0015] (5) The sensor according to the above description may further include connector terminals for transmitting a detection signal emitted by the detection element to the outside. The base may include a connector section extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction and receiving one end section of each connector terminal, and the other end section of each connector terminal may be electrically connected to a corresponding connection terminal in a corresponding receiving space.

[0016] Since the connector section extends in a direction that crosses the axial direction after the sensor of this viewpoint, an increase in the size of the sensor in the axial direction can be suppressed.

[0017] (6) In the sensor as described above, the other end section of each connector section may include a connector terminal engagement section with a recess or hole. Each connection terminal may include a connector terminal engagement section which is inserted into the recess or hole so that it engages with the connector terminal engagement section.

[0018] According to this aspect, the connection terminal engagement section and the connector terminal engagement section interact in such a way that the electrical connection between the other end section of each connector terminal and the corresponding connection terminal can be reliably maintained.

[0019] (7) In the sensor according to the above-described point of view, the connector terminals can be embedded in the base in such a way that the connection terminals and the base are joined together.

[0020] From this perspective, the connector terminals can be easily connected to the base.

[0021] The present invention can be implemented in various forms. For example, the present invention can be implemented not only as the sensor, but also as a separating element that accommodates connecting terminals and a sensing element, as a method for manufacturing the separating element, or as a method for manufacturing the sensor. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1: Fig. Figure 1 is a sectional view of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2: Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connection recording unit. Fig. 3: Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a capture element. Fig. 4: Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a second connection port. Fig. 5: Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a third and a fourth connection port. Fig. 6: Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a separating element and a side section of a plinth. Fig. 7: Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which connection terminals are attached to the separating element. Fig. 8: Fig. Figure 8 illustrates the in Fig. 6. Structure shown, viewed from the front. Fig. 9: Fig. 9 illustrates the in Fig. 7. Structure shown, viewed from the front. Fig. 10: Fig. Figure 10 illustrates a first way of connecting the separating element and the page section. Fig. 11: Fig. Figure 11 illustrates a second way of connecting the separating element and the side section. Fig. 12: Fig. Figure 12 illustrates a second connection port according to another embodiment. Fig. 13: Fig. Figure 13 illustrates a connector connection according to another embodiment and how the connector connection and the second connection connection are engaged / engaged. Description of embodiments A. Embodiment

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 is a sectional view of a sensor 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connection recording unit 10. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a capture element 20. In Fig. 1 is a direction that runs parallel to an axis O of the detection element 20, defined as axial direction CD. The upper side of Fig. 1 is defined as a rear side BS of sensor 200, and the bottom side of Fig. 1 is defined as a front AS of sensor 200. Sensor 200 is, for example, attached to an intake system of an internal combustion engine and outputs a detection signal to measure the oxygen concentration in a sample gas flowing through the intake system.

[0023] The sensor 200 ( Fig. 1) The sensor 200 comprises the connection receiving unit 10, a mounting 15, a metal housing 16, and a protective device 17, arranged in this order from the rear BS to the front AS. The sensor 200 also includes the sensing element 20, which extends in the axial direction CD.

[0024] The detection element 20 is plate-shaped and has a first plate side 20fa and a second plate side 20fb, which extend in the axial direction CD and are opposite to each other. The first plate side 20fa and the second plate side 20fb serve as the main surfaces of the detection element 20 and have the largest surface area on the outer surface of the detection element 20. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, the sensing element 20 comprises a sensing section 21 on the front side AS in the axial direction CD and a rear element section 22 on the back side BS in the axial direction CD. The rear element section 22 comprises a first to third metal connection section 24a to 24c formed on the first plate side 20fa, and a fourth and fifth metal connection section 24d and 24e formed on the second plate side 20fb. Each of the metal connection sections 24a to 24f is made of a metal, such as platinum, or a conductive material and has a substantially rectangular surface. The second metal connection section 24b is positioned further towards the back side BS than the other metal connection sections 24a, 24c, 24d, and 24e. The first to fifth metal connection sections 24a to 24e are referred to as "metal connection sections 24" when it is not necessary to distinguish them from one another.The metal connection sections 24 correspond to the “electrical connection connection sections” described in the section “Abstract Description of the Invention”. The sensing section 21 is used to detect the concentration of a specific gas component (for example, oxygen) in the measuring gas. As in . Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the front area of ​​the detection element 20, in which the detection section 21 is provided, is covered with a detection section protection layer 90 formed from a porous material.

[0025] The capture element 20 ( Fig. 3) is used as an air-fuel ratio sensor and has a structure similar to that of a sensing element of conventional technology. Therefore, a detailed description of the internal structure, for example of the sensing element 20, is omitted, and the general structure is described. The sensing element 20 has a multilayer body obtained by stacking a plate-shaped element layer 28, on which the sensing section 21 is formed, and a plate-shaped heating layer 29 for heating the element layer 28. The element layer 28 is formed by stacking structures, each comprising a solid electrolyte body containing zirconium oxide as its main component and a pair of electrodes containing platinum as their main component, with an insulating layer inserted between them, a hollow measuring chamber being formed in a section of the insulating layer.The element layer 28 comprises an oxygen pump cell configured such that one electrode of the electrode pair formed on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte body (hereinafter referred to as the "first electrode") is exposed externally, and the other electrode of the pair (hereinafter referred to as the "second electrode") is located in the measuring chamber. An oxygen concentration measuring cell is configured such that one electrode of the pair formed on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte body is located in the measuring chamber, and the other electrode of the pair is located in a reference gas chamber. The element layer 28 controls a current flowing between the electrode pair of the pump cell such that the output voltage of the oxygen concentration measuring cell is a predetermined value, thereby releasing oxygen from the measuring chamber or introducing it into the measuring chamber from the outside.The electrode pair and a section of the solid electrolyte body arranged between the electrodes in the oxygen pump cell form the sensing section 21, through which a current corresponding to the oxygen concentration flows. The metal connection sections 24 are used to transmit the sensing signal from the sensing section 21 and to supply electrical current to heating wires embedded in the heating layer 29.

[0026] The connection unit 10 ( Fig. 1) comprises a separating element 30, which has a cylindrical shape with a base and includes a base section 31 on its rear side BS, and a base 40, which also has a cylindrical shape with a base. The base section 31 also serves as the base section of the base 40. In other words, the separating element 30 and the base 40 share a common base section. The base 40 comprises a cylindrical main body 41, which surrounds the outer circumference of the separating element 30, and a connector section 50, which extends from the main body 41 in a direction that intersects the axial direction CD. In the present embodiment, the connector section 50 extends in a direction that is orthogonal to the axial direction CD. The connection receiving unit 10 is formed in one piece from a resin material (cast in one piece).The resin material can be a highly malleable resin such as nylon (registered trademark), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0027] The separating element 30 ( Fig. 2) comprises a first to sixth recording chamber 34a to 34f, which accommodate the detection element 20 and connecting ports 60, which are described below, and a partition wall 35, which separates the six recording chambers 34a to 34f from one another. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the partition 35 comprises several plate-shaped elements extending from the floor section 31 to the front surface of the partition element 30. The partition 35 separates the first to sixth recording chambers 34a to 34f in a plane orthogonal to the axial direction CD. As shown in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates that each of the first to fifth receiving chambers 34a to 34e receives a corresponding component from the first to fifth connection port 60a to 60e (more precisely, the main frame body of the first to fifth connection port 60a to 60e, which are described below). The sixth receiving chamber 34f receives the element rear section 22 of the detection element 20 and sections of the first to fifth connection port 60a to 60f (more precisely, sections of element contact sections of the first to fifth connection port 60a to 60e, which are described below).

[0028] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, when the separating element 30 is viewed from the front AS, the sixth receiving chamber 34f is located in a substantially central region of the cylindrical separating element 30, while the first to fifth receiving chambers 34a to 34e are arranged further towards the outer side in the radial direction of the separating element 30. The first to sixth receiving chambers 34a to 34f are referred to as "receiving chambers 34" when it is not necessary to distinguish them from one another. The first to fifth connecting ports 60a to 60e are referred to as "connecting ports 60" when it is not necessary to distinguish them from one another. The detailed structure of the separating element 30 is described below.The first to fifth receiving chambers 34a to 34e correspond to the “connection receiving chambers” described in the section “Abstract of the invention”, and the sixth receiving chamber 34f corresponds to the “element receiving chamber” described in the section “Abstract of the invention”.

[0029] The main body 41 of the base 41 comprises a side section 44 that surrounds the outer circumference of the separating element 30. The side section 44 extends from the circumferential edge of the bottom section 31 at the rear BS in the axial direction CD to the front AS in the axial direction CD. The side section 44 is arranged such that it surrounds the circumference of the separating element 30 in the radial direction. As shown in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that the partition wall 35 and the side section 44 are indirectly connected to each other by the floor section 31. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the partition 35 and the side section 44 directly connected to each other, at least at the front AS. The state in which the partition 35 and the side section 44 are "directly connected" means that they are attached to each other without any intervening component. The state in which the partition 35 and the side section are "indirectly connected" means that they are attached to each other with another component inserted between them. The front end face of the main body 41 has a groove 411 extending in the circumferential direction. The detailed construction of the main body 41 will be discussed below.

[0030] The connector section 50 ( Fig. 1) receives connector terminals 52 (more precisely, an end section 54 of each connector terminal 52) for transmitting the detection signal output by the detection element 20 to the outside. Five connector terminals 52 are provided (in Fig. (Figure 1 shows only one of these), so that the number of connectors 52 corresponds to the number of connectors 60. The connectors 52 are bonded to the base 40 in such a way that they are embedded within the base 40 by overmolding. In other words, a resin forming the base 40 and the connectors 52 undergo resin molding. More precisely, the connectors 52 are arranged in a mold, and the resin is injected into the space around them, thus attaching them to the base 40. The connectors 52 can be easily fixed to the base 40 by overmolding.

[0031] The other end section 56 of each connector terminal 52 is electrically connected to a corresponding connection terminal 60 in a corresponding one of the first to fifth receiving chambers 34a to 34e. One end section 54 of each connector terminal 52 is arranged in an opening 58 in the connector section 50. When an external connector is inserted into the opening 50, one end section 54 of each connector terminal 52 is connected to the corresponding terminal contained in the external connector. This transmits the detection signal through the external connector to a detection device that calculates the oxygen concentration.

[0032] The metal housing 16 is a cylindrical component in which the sensing element 20 is arranged. The metal housing 16 is made of stainless steel, such as SUS430. The metal housing 16 surrounds the sensing element 20 with the axis of the sensing element 20 in the axial direction CD at its center. The metal housing 16 holds the sensing element 20 such that the sensing section 21 of the sensing element 20 projects from the front AS and the element's rear section 22 projects from the rear BS. The metal housing 16 includes a rear outer circumferential section 168 at its rear BS, and the fastening 15 is attached to the rear outer circumferential section 168 by laser welding or the like. The metal housing 16 includes a front outer circumferential section 167 on its front AS, and the protective device 17 is attached to the front outer circumferential section 167 by laser welding.

[0033] The metal housing 16 further comprises a groove section 162, which is located in the axial direction CD between the rear outer circumferential section 168 and the front outer circumferential section 167, and which extends over the entire circumference. A sealing element 158 ​​is arranged in the groove section 162. In the present embodiment, the sealing element 158 ​​is an O-ring. The sealing element 158 ​​seals the space between the sensor 200 and an object to which the sensor 200 is attached. More precisely, when the sensor 200 is attached to the object, the sealing element 158 ​​is deformed by being pressed against an inner wall of a sensor mounting hole, thereby sealing the space between the sensor mounting hole and the sensor 200.

[0034] A cylindrical ceramic holder 175, made of aluminum oxide, a powder-filled layer 173, made of talc powder, and a cylindrical ceramic sleeve 171, made of aluminum oxide, are arranged in this order from the front AS to the back BS in the metal housing 16. A crimp ring 157 is arranged between the ceramic sleeve 171 and a rear end section 164 of the metal housing 16.

[0035] The ceramic holder 175 is retained by a projecting section 169 located on the front AS of the metal housing 16. The ceramic sleeve 171 and the ceramic holder 175 are cylindrical components with rectangular shaft holes extending in the axial direction CD. The plate-shaped sensing element 20 is held by being inserted through the rectangular shaft openings in the ceramic sleeve 171 and the ceramic holder 175 in the axial direction CD. After the ceramic sleeve 171 has been positioned in the metal housing 16, the rear end section 164 of the metal housing 16 is bent radially inward and crimped to the rear end surface of the ceramic sleeve 171, with the crimp ring 157 inserted between them. Thus, the ceramic sleeve 171 is fixed to the metal housing 16.

[0036] The protective device 17 ( Fig. 1) comprises an outer protective device 18 and an inner protective device 19, which is arranged within the outer protective device 18. The outer protective device 18 and the inner protective device 19 have a cylindrical shape with a base. Each of the outer protective device 18 and the inner protective device 19 is a metal element with multiple holes. The measuring gas flows through the holes into the inner protective device 19. The outer protective device 18 and the inner protective device 19 cover the detection section 21 of the detection element 20 in order to protect the detection section 21 from external water or the like.

[0037] The mounting 15 is an element that connects the metal housing 16 and the terminal unit 10. The mounting 15 is a component made of a metal, such as stainless steel. A front section AS of the mounting 15 is attached to the metal housing 16 by laser welding or the like, and a rear section BS of the mounting 15 is attached to the base 40 of the terminal unit 10 by crimping or the like. A sealing element 159 is located in the groove 411 formed in the front end face of the base 40 (more precisely, the main body 41). The sealing element 159 is an O-ring. The sealing element 159 seals between mounting sections of the mounting 15 and the base 40. The mounting 15 has a pair of flange sections (not shown) extending in the direction of the plane of Fig. The flange sections protrude. The flange sections have holes. Screws are inserted through the holes and screwed into threaded holes formed in the object to which the sensor 200 is to be attached. This attaches the sensor 200 to the object. The number of threaded holes can also be "one".

[0038] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the second connection port 60b. Fig. 4(a) is a top view of the second connection port 60b. Fig. Figure 4(b) is a front view of the second connection port 60b. Fig. Figure 4(c) is a view of the right side of the second connection port 60b. Fig. 4(d) is a sectional view along the line F4a-F4a in Fig. 4(a). Fig. Figure 4(d) shows the axial direction CD in the state in which the second connection terminal 60b is attached to the sensor 200.

[0039] As in Fig. 4(d) illustrated, the second connection terminal 60b comprises a connector contact section 69, a frame main body 62, an element contact section 61, a projecting section 63, and two retaining sections 68 ( Fig. 4(b)). As in Fig. 4(b) illustrates the main frame body 62 as elongated plate-shaped and extending in the axial direction CD.

[0040] The element contact section 61 is bent at a front end section 621 of the main frame body 62 and extends to the rear side BS. The element contact section 61 comprises an inner extension section 64, which extends from the front end section 621 of the main frame body 62 to the sensing element 20 (so that it approaches the sensing element 20), and a spring section which is connected to the end on the side of the sensing device 20 of the inner extension section 64 and extends to the rear side BS. According to the present embodiment, the inner extension section 64 extends straight in the horizontal direction. The spring section 65 extends to the rear side BS and the sensing element 20. The spring section 65 has an element contact section 67 at its rear side BS.The element contact section 67 thus comes into contact with the corresponding metal connection section 24, so that it is electrically connected to the metal connection section 24.

[0041] The connector contact section 69 is bent at a rear end section 624 of the frame main body 62 and extends towards the front AS. The connector contact section 69 is bent on a side of the frame main body 62 that is opposite to the side on which the element contact section 61 is located. As shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 4(d), the forward section 63 extends from the main frame body 62 on the side opposite the side where the element contact section 61 is located. The forward section 63 is formed to surround the connector contact section 69. The forward section 63 is located in the second receiving space 34b and comes into contact with a wall surface of the second receiving space 34b, thus restricting the movement of the second connection terminal 60b. As shown in Figure 4(d), the forward section 63 is formed by the connection contact section 69. Fig. Figure 4(b) illustrates the two retaining sections 68, which are plate-shaped sections extending along the front AS of the main frame body 62 in the width direction of the main frame body 62. The two retaining sections 68 are placed in grooves formed in the front end surface of the separating element 30 and are held in place by the separating element 30, thus suppressing deformation of the main frame body 62 towards the sensing element 20.

[0042] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the first and fifth connection ports 60a and 60e. Fig. Figure 5(a) is a top view of the first and fifth connection terminals 60a and 60e. Fig. Figure 5(b) is a front view of the first and fifth connection terminals 60a and 60e. Fig. 5(c) is a view of the right side of the first and fifth connection terminals 60a and 60e. Fig. 5(d) is a sectional view along the line F5a-F5a in Fig. 5(a). Fig. Figure 5(d) shows the axial direction CD in the state in which the first and fifth connection terminals 60a and 60e are attached to the sensor 200. The difference between the first and fifth connection terminals 60a and 60e and the second connection terminal 60b ( Fig. 4) The difference lies in the number of retention sections 68 and the structure of an element contact section 61a. The structures of the other sections of the first and fifth connection sections 60a and 60e are identical to those of the second connection connection 60b. Therefore, identical sections are designated with the same reference numerals. For this reason, their description is omitted.

[0043] The number of retention sections is 68, which is one ( Fig. 5(b)). The retaining section 68 projects in the width direction of a frame main body 62 at the front AS of the frame main body 62. As in Fig. Figure 5(c) illustrates that the element contact section 61a is bent at a front end section 62 of the frame main body 62 and extends to the rear side BS. The element contact section 61a differs from the element contact section 61 of the second connection terminal 62b ( Fig. 4) in that an inner extension section 64a has a curved section which is bent in the width direction of the frame main body 62, and the width of a spring section 65a is smaller than that of the spring section 65 ( Fig. 4) is. As in Fig. 5(a) and Fig. Figure 5(b) illustrates that the inner extension section 64a extends straight in the horizontal direction and is bent in the width direction of the frame main body 62 on the side where the inner extension section 64a is connected to the spring section 65a. Here, the direction of bending is opposite to the direction in which the retaining section 68 projects.

[0044] The third and fourth connection ports 60c and 60d differ from the first and fifth connection ports 60a and 60e only in that the positions of the retaining section 68 and the element contact section 61a with respect to the frame main body 62 are opposite to those of the first and fifth connection ports 60a and 60e. In other words, with respect to Fig. 5(b) the retaining section 68 at the third and fourth connecting ports 60c and 60d on the left side of the frame main body 62. The spring section 65a is located on the right side of the frame main body 62.

[0045] Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the separating element 30 and the side section 44 of the base 40. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the connecting terminals 60 are attached to the separating element 30. Fig. Figure 8 illustrates the in Fig. 6. Structure shown, viewed from the front AS. Fig. 9 illustrates the in Fig. 7. The structure shown is viewed from the front AS. Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a section of page 44 ( Fig. 2) on the inside of groove 411 in the radial direction. In Fig. Figure 8 shows the front surface of side section 44 as the cross-hatched area for ease of understanding. The front surface of partition 35 is shown as the single-hatched area, and the location where the detection element 20 is positioned is shown by the dashed line.

[0046] As in Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the partition 35 separates the recording spaces 34 from one another. More precisely, the recording spaces 34 are separated by the partition 35 such that each recording space 34 has a substantially rectangular cross-section along a plane that is orthogonal to the axial direction CD. In other words, the partition 35 forms side walls of the recording spaces 34 that extend in the axial direction CD. Accordingly, when the connecting terminals 60 and the detection element 20 are arranged in the partition 30, sections of the main frame bodies 62 of the connecting terminals 60 and the detection element 20 are surrounded by the partition 35 about their axes in the axial direction CD. As shown in Figure 7, the partition 35 forms side walls of the recording spaces 34 extending in the axial direction CD. Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, the front end surface of the partition 35 is directly connected to the side section 44. More precisely, four corner sections 35p on the front end surface of the partition 35 are connected to the side section 44 on the radially outer side of the partition element 30. In addition, the partition 35 is connected to the base section 31 by the bottom section 31 of the plinth ( Fig. 1) indirectly connected to the side section 44. The front end surface of the partition 35 has grooves 38 which retain the connecting sections 68 of the connecting ports 60 ( Fig. 4(b) and Fig. 5(b)) include.

[0047] As in Fig. Figure 9 illustrates that each of the first to fifth receiving chambers 34a to 34e receives the main frame body 62, the protruding section 63, and the connector contact section 69 of the corresponding connection terminal 60. The sixth receiving chamber 34f receives the element rear section 22 of the detection element 20 ( Fig. 1) and the spring sections 65 and 65a of the connecting terminals 60. The partition 35 has, preferably constant, thicknesses D1 and D2 in the cross-section running orthogonally to the axial direction CD ( Fig. 8) In such a case, when forming the separating element 30 by injection molding or the like using a resin material, the risk of uneven thermal contraction can be reduced. Accordingly, the separating element 30 can be manufactured precisely. The front end surface of the partition 35 is partially chamfered, so that a chamfered section 35g is formed. In other embodiments, it is not necessary for the partition 35 to have a constant thickness.

[0048] The thicknesses D1 and D2 of the partition wall 35 are thicknesses in the following first and second directions, which run orthogonally to the axial direction CD: First direction DR1: the direction which is orthogonal to the axial direction CD, and in which the first plate side 20fa and the second plate side 20fb of the detection element 20 are facing each other. Second direction DR2: the direction that is orthogonal to the axial direction CD and the first direction DR1.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the thickness of the partition 35 in the first direction DR1 is defined as the thickness D1, and the thickness of the partition 35 in the second direction DR2 is defined as the thickness D2.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the separating element 30 is made of a resin material and is formed integrally with the partition wall of the separating element 30, which separates the receiving spaces 34. Accordingly, the sensor can be made lighter than in the case where the separating element 30 is made of a ceramic material. The partition wall 35 serves to reduce the risk of the thickness of the separating element 30 being reduced. In the embodiment described above, the partition wall 35 is, as shown in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates that the corner sections 35p are directly connected to the side section 44 of the base 40. Furthermore, the partition wall 35 and the side section 44 are, as shown in Fig. 1 illustrated by the bottom section 31, which is indirectly connected to each other. Accordingly, the thickness of the partition 35 can be increased, thus further reducing the risk of the thickness of the partition element 30 being reduced. In addition, in the embodiment described above, the base 40, which includes the side section 44, and the partition element 30 are formed in one piece from a resin material. Therefore, the base 40 and the partition element 30 can be easily formed. In the embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that each connector terminal 52 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction CD (an orthogonal direction). The base 40 encompasses the connector section 50, which extends in the orthogonal direction. This prevents an increase in the size of the sensor 200 in the axial direction CD.

[0051] B. Other types of connection between the separating element and the side section Fig. Figure 10 illustrates a first way of connecting the separating element 30 and the side section 44. Fig. Figure 11 illustrates a second way of connecting the separating element 30 and the side section 44. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are diagrams that Fig. 8 of the embodiment described above. Although the partition 35 and the side section 44 of the base 40 are directly connected at the corner sections 35p in the embodiment described above, they can instead be indirectly connected by another component inserted between them. In Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. The separating element 30 and the side section 44 of the base 40 are connected by other components, which are connecting elements 85. The connecting elements 85 are ribs that project radially inwards from an inner circumferential surface of the side section 44. The connecting elements 85 extend in the axial direction CD from the base section 31 ( Fig. 1) to the front end surface of the partition 35. The connecting elements 85 can be made of the same resin material as the material of the partition 30. Alternatively, the connecting elements 85 can be made of a metal such as stainless steel or a resin material different from the material of the partition 30. Since the connecting elements 85 are attached to the side section 44 and the partition 35, the side section 44 and the partition 35 are indirectly connected. The partition 35 and the side section 44 can instead be joined by bonding them together with an adhesive or a filler material serving as an alternative component, rather than with the connecting elements 85. In this case as well, the thickness of the partition 35 can be increased, similar to the embodiment described above, thus further reducing the risk of the thickness of the partition 30 being reduced.And although the partition 35 and the side section 44 in the embodiment described above, as in . Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, which are indirectly connected by the floor section 31 of the base 40, it is also not necessary that they be connected by the floor section 31. C. Other embodiments of connection terminals and connection points

[0052] Fig. Figure 12 illustrates a second connection terminal 60ba according to another embodiment. Fig. 12(a) is a top view of the second connection port 60ba. Fig. 12(b) is a front view of the second connection port 60ba. Fig. Figure 12(c) is a view of the right side of the second connection terminal 60ba. The second connection terminal 60ba can be used instead of the second connection terminal 60b ( Fig. 4) of the embodiment described above as a component of the sensor 200. The second connection terminal 60ba differs from the second connection terminal 60b of the embodiment described above in that a forward section 63a has a mechanism that engages with the other end section 56a of a connector terminal 52a, which will be described below. The structures of the other sections of the second connection terminal 60ba are identical to those of the second connection terminal 60b. Therefore, identical sections are designated with the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0053] The preceding section 63a comprises a pair of side sections 63A and 63B, which are connected to end sections of the main frame body 62 in a lateral direction WD (the left-right direction in Fig. 12(b)) are connected and cross the main frame body 62. One of the pair of side sections 63A and 63B is referred to as a first side section 63A, and the other is referred to as a second side section 63B. The first and second side sections 63A and 63B project from a side opposite the side on which the element contact section 61 is located. The first and second side sections 63A and 63B face each other in the width direction WD of the main frame body 62. The first and second side sections 63A and 63B are arranged such that the connector contact section 69 is positioned between them.

[0054] As in Fig. 12(b) and Fig. Figure 12(c) illustrates that the first and second side sections 63A and 63B each comprise a connection-connection engagement section 663 and a hole 661, which engage in the axial direction CD with the other end section 56a of the connector connection 52a, which will be described below. The connection-connection engagement sections 663 are located on the rear side BS of the holes 661. The connection-connection engagement sections 663 are plate-shaped and elastically deformable in the width direction WD. Although the first and second side sections 63A and 63B of the second connection connection 60ba are described, the first and second side sections 63A and 63B are also formed at the other connection connections (the first, third, fourth, and fifth connection connections).

[0055] Fig. Figure 13 illustrates a connector terminal 52a according to another embodiment and how the connector terminal 52a and the second connection terminal 60b engage. Fig. Figure 13(a) illustrates the state immediately before the connector terminal 52a and the second connection terminal 62ba are engaged. Fig. Figure 13(b) illustrates the state in which connector terminal 52a and the second connection terminal 60ba are engaged. Connector terminal 52a can be used in place of any connector terminal 52 ( Fig. 1) of the embodiment described above as a component of the sensor 200. The connector terminal 52a differs from the connector terminal 52 of the embodiment described above in that the other end section 56a comprises connector terminal engagement sections 561. The structures of the other sections of the connector terminal 52a are identical to those of the connector terminal 52. Therefore, identical sections are designated with the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0056] The other end section 56a of the connector connection 52a includes the connector connection engagement sections 561 on its front face AS. The other end section 56a has an elongated shape and extends in the axial direction CD. The connector connection engagement sections 561 are sections that engage with the connection connection engagement sections 663. The connector connection engagement sections 561 are recessed into the side faces of the other end section 56a. The connector connection engagement sections 561 are located on the rear face of a front end section 569.

[0057] The other end section 56a is inserted from the rear BS of the second connecting port 60ba into the space between the first and second side sections 63 and 63B. At this time, the front end section 569, as shown in Fig. Figure 13(a) illustrates the connection connection engagement sections 663 moving away from each other in the lateral direction WD. Then, when the front end section 569, as shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 13(b), the connecting connection engagement sections 663 pass through and reach the holes 661. The connecting connection engagement sections 663 are then inserted into the connector connection engagement sections 561, which are recesses. This causes the connecting connection engagement sections 663 and the connector connection engagement sections 561 to engage with each other in the axial direction CD. This engagement prevents the connecting connection 60ba from moving towards the front AS. In the state shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 13(b), the connector contact section 69 and the other end section 56a are electrically connected because they are in contact with each other. Since, as described above, the connection terminal engagement sections 663 and the connector terminal engagement sections 561 engage with each other in the axial direction CD, the risk of the connection terminal 60ba being moved to the front side AS and being disconnected from the connector terminal 52 can be reduced. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the other end section 56a and the connector contact section 69 can be reliably maintained.Although the connector terminal engagement sections 561 of connector terminal 52a, which is electrically connected to the second connection terminal 60ba, are described, connector terminals electrically connected to the other connection terminals (the first, third, fourth, and fifth connection terminals) are also provided with connector terminal engagement sections 561, similar to connector terminal 52a. Furthermore, although the connector terminal engagement sections 561 are recesses, their shape is not limited to this, as long as the connection terminal engagement sections 663 can be inserted and engaged with the connector engagement sections. For example, the connector terminal engagement sections 561 can instead be holes extending in the width direction WD. D. Variations

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described above and can be implemented in various forms without deviating from its main content. D-1. First modification

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the separating element 30 and the base 40 are formed in one piece from the same resin material (cast in one piece) without the use of an adhesive or any mechanical bonding agent. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the separating element 30 is made of a resin material. For example, the base 40 can be made of a metal such as stainless steel. Alternatively, the base 40 can be made of a resin material that differs from the material of the separating element 30. In the embodiment described above, the connecting terminals 52 are attached to the base 40 by overmolding. However, the attachment method is not limited to this, and the connecting terminals 52 can instead be attached to the base 40 by another attachment method.For example, the connector terminals 52 can be press-fitted to the base 40, or they can be attached to the base 40 with an adhesive or the like. D-2. Second variation

[0060] In the embodiment described above, the base 40 and the separating element 30 are formed in one piece from the same resin material without the use of an adhesive or a mechanical bonding agent (one-piece casting). However, the base 40 and the separating element 30 can instead be formed in one piece (one-piece casting), for example, by co-injection molding using different resin materials. D-3. Third variation

[0061] In the embodiment described above, the connecting terminals comprise 60, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the inner extension sections 64. However, the connecting terminals 60 need not include the inner extension sections 64, as long as the connecting terminals 60 include the frame main bodies 62 and the spring sections 65 and 65a, which form the element contact sections 67. D-4. Fourth variation

[0062] In the embodiment described above, the detection element 20 comprises, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the first to fifth metal connection sections 24a to 24e. However, the present invention is not limited to situations where two or more metal connection sections 24 are provided on a main surface 20fa (20fb).

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, examples, and modifications described above and can be implemented in various forms within its main scope. For example, the technical features of the embodiments, examples, and modifications that correspond to the technical features described in the section "Abstract Description of the Invention" can be substituted or combined as appropriate to solve some or all of the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described above. Technical features can also be omitted as appropriate, unless they are described as essential in this description. Reference symbol list 10 Connection unit 15 Fastening 16 metal cases 17 Protective device 18 external protective device 19 internal protective device 20 recording elements 20fa first side of the plate 20fb second side of the plate 21 Recording section 22 Element back section 24 Metal connection section 24a first metal connection section 24b second metal connection section 24c third metal connection section 24d fourth metal connection section 24e fifth metal connection section 28 element layer 29 Heating layer 30 separating element 31 Floor section 34 Recording room 34a first reception room 34b second recording room 34c third recording room 34d fourth recording room 34e fifth recording room 34f sixth recording room 35 Partition wall 35g beveled section 35p corner section 38 Nut 40 sockets 41 Main body 44 page section 50 connector section 52, 52a Connector 54 Final section 56 other end section 58 Opening 60 connection port 60a first connection point 60b, 60ba second connection port 60c third connection port 60d fourth connection port 60e fifth connection port 61, 61a Element contact section 62 Main frame body 63, 63a preceding section 63A first page section 63B second page section 64, 64a inner extension section 65, 65a Spring section 67 Element contact section 68 Retention section 69 Connector contact section 80 sealing element 85 Connecting element 90 Detection section protection layer 139 ceramic sleeve 157 Crimp ring 158 Sealing element 159 Sealing element 162 Groove section 164 Back section 167 front outer circumferential section 168 rear outer circumferential section 169 Lead section 171 ceramic sleeve 173 powder-filled layers 175 ceramic holders 200 Sensor 411 Nut 561 Connector connection engagement section 621 Front end section 624 Back section 661 holes 663 Connection connection insertion section O axis CD axial direction BS back AS Front

Claims

[1] Sensor comprising: a detection element (20) extending in an axial direction (CD) and having the shape of a plate with two opposite main surfaces (20fa, 20fb), the detection element (20) comprising a detection portion (21) at a front side in the axial direction (CD) and an element rear portion (22) at a rear side in the axial direction (CD), the detection portion (21) detecting a specific gas component contained in a measurement gas, the element rear portion (22) having two or more electrical connection terminal portions (24) formed on one of the main surfaces (20fa, 20fb); two or more connection terminals (60), each comprising an elongated frame main body (62) extending in the axial direction (CD) and an element contact portion (61) bent at the front end portion (621) of the frame main body (62) to extend to the rear side and electrically connected to a corresponding one of the electrical connection terminal portions (24); a separating element (30) which accommodates the connecting terminals (60) and the element rear portion (22); and a base (40) surrounding an outer periphery of the separating element (30), wherein the separating element (30) has a partition wall (35) made of a resin material and separating a plurality of receiving spaces (34) from each other, and wherein the receiving spaces (34) include an element receiving space (34f) receiving portions of the element contact portions (61) and the element back portion (22), and a plurality of terminal receiving spaces (34) each receiving one of the two or more frame main bodies (62). [2] Sensor according to claim 1, wherein the base (40) is made of a resin material, wherein the base (40) has a bottom portion (31) at the rear in the axial direction (CD) and a side portion (44) extending from a peripheral edge of the bottom portion (31) to the front in the axial direction (CD) so as to surround a radial periphery of the separating element (30), and wherein the partition wall (35) and the side portion (44) are connected directly or indirectly through another component other than the base (40) provided therebetween. [3] A sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (40) and the separating member (30) are integrally formed from the resin material. [4] Sensor according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partition wall (35) has a thickness (D1, D2) which is constant in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction (CD). [5] Sensor according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: Connector terminals (52) for transmitting a detection signal output from the detection element (20) to the outside, wherein the socket (40) comprises a connector portion (50) extending in a direction crossing the axial direction (CD) and receiving an end portion (54) of each connector terminal (52), and wherein the other end portion (56) of each connector terminal (52) is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the connection terminals (60) in a corresponding one of the receiving spaces (34). [6] Sensor according to claim 5, wherein the other end portion (56a) of each connector terminal (52a) comprises a connector terminal engaging portion (561) having a recess or a hole, and wherein each connection terminal (60ba) includes a connection terminal engaging portion (663) inserted into the recess or hole so as to engage with the connector terminal engaging portion (561). [7] Sensor according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the connector terminals (52) are embedded in the base (40) such that the connector terminals (52) and the base (40) are joined to each other.

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