Sensor component

Abstract

To provide a sensor component designed to suppress the ingress of a fluid into the inside while simplifying a shape.SOLUTION: A sensor component 1 comprises: a rod-like sensor body 2 which is press-fitted into a fitting hole 10a; detection means which is provided on a side in a press-fitting direction of the fitting hole 10a of the sensor body 2 and detects a physical quantity of a measurement object; and a pair of O-rings 4, 5 which are installed on the sensor body 2 and can be adhered to an inner surface of the fitting hole 10a. The sensor body 2 has: a primary molding part 6 which is constituted by primary molding and in which the detection means is embedded; a secondary molding part 7 which is constituted by secondary molding and is provided on a reverse side in the press-fitting direction of the fitting hole 10a of the primary molding part 6; and a boundary part 8 between the primary molding part and the secondary molding part. The primary molding part 6 has a first installation part 63 in which one O-ring 4 of the pair of O-rings is installed, and the secondary molding part 7 has a second installation part 74 in which the other O-ring 5 of the pair of O-rings is installed, with the second installation part, the boundary part, and the first installation part being provided in this order in the press-fitting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor component. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a sensor component for measuring the temperature of, for example, an equipment housing as a measurement target is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sensor component described in Patent Document 1 is attached to an attachment hole provided in an equipment housing to measure the temperature of the measurement target. The sensor component includes a temperature measurement part, a rod-shaped primary molded part in which a part of the temperature measurement part is embedded, a secondary molded part that covers the primary molded part, and a metal cap that is bent and crimped to a tip of the primary molded part. The temperature measurement part includes a pair of lead wires and a temperature detection element that is electrically connected between the pair of lead wires and detects the temperature of the measurement target. The temperature detection element is exposed from the tip of the primary molded part, and is covered by the metal cap and configured to sense the temperature of a fluid as the measurement target. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2485023 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the sensor part described in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent fluid from entering between the primary molded part and the secondary molded part (inside), protrusions and fine irregularities are provided on the outer surface of the primary molded part, and it is molded so that it is covered by the secondary molded part. This results in a complex shape of the primary molded part, which may require a large amount of resin.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor component which has a simplified shape and which prevents fluid from entering the interior thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem and achieve the object, the invention described in claim 1 is a sensor component that is pressed into a mounting hole provided in a housing to detect a physical quantity of an object to be measured, the sensor component comprising: a rod-shaped sensor body that is pressed into the mounting hole; a detection means that is provided on the sensor body on the side of the mounting hole in the press-fitting direction and detects the physical quantity of the object to be measured; and a pair of O-rings that are installed on the sensor body and can be closely attached to the inner surface of the mounting hole, the sensor body being formed by two-color molding, the sensor body having a primary molded portion that is formed by primary molding and that embeds the detection means, a secondary molded portion that is formed by secondary molding and that is provided on the opposite side of the primary molded portion in the press-fitting direction of the mounting hole, and a boundary portion between the primary molded portion and the secondary molded portion, the primary molded portion having a first installation portion at which one of the pair of O-rings is installed, and the secondary molded portion having a second installation portion at which the other of the pair of O-rings is installed, the sensor component being characterized in that the second installation portion, the boundary portion, and the first installation portion are arranged in the press-fitting direction in this order. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention as recited in claim 1, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of fluid into the interior while simplifying the shape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a sensor component according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sensor component shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sensor part is press-fitted into a mounting hole of a housing. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a sensor component 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the sensor component 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the sensor component 1 is press-fitted into a mounting hole 10a of a housing 10.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the sensor component 1 of this embodiment is pressed into a mounting hole 10a provided in a housing 10 (shown in Figure 3) and is used to measure the temperature (physical quantity) of cooling water W (measurement object, shown in Figure 3) provided inside the housing 10.

[0011] 1 and 2, the sensor component 1 includes a sensor body 2 press-fitted into a mounting hole 10a, a temperature measurement unit 3 (shown in FIG. 2) embedded in the sensor body 2 and including a detection element 31 (detection means, shown in FIG. 2) that detects the temperature of an object to be measured, and a pair of O-rings 4, 5 installed in the sensor body 2. Hereinafter, one of the pair of O-rings 4, 5 may be referred to as the "first O-ring 4" and the other as the "second O-ring 5."

[0012] In the following, the direction in which the mounting hole 10a of the housing 10 penetrates may be referred to as the "vertical direction Z", the direction in which the sensor component 1 is pressed into the mounting hole 10a may be referred to as the "downward direction Z1", and the opposite direction may be referred to as the "upward direction Z2".

[0013] The sensor body 2 is formed by two-color molding, and the temperature measurement unit 3 described below is embedded by insert molding. This sensor body 2 includes a primary molded portion 6 formed by primary molding, a secondary molded portion 7 formed by secondary molding, and a boundary portion 8 between the primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as boundary portion 8). The primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7 are provided coaxially.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the primary molding part 6 includes a cylindrical detection part 61 formed by embedding a part of the temperature measuring part 3 including the detection element 31 (shown in Figure 2), and a first mounting part 62 that is continuous with the upper part Z1 of the detection part 61 and includes a first installation part 63 on which the first O-ring 4 is mounted.

[0015] The detection unit 61 is configured by embedding a part of the temperature measurement unit 3 including the detection element 31, and is configured in a solid cylindrical shape with an axis extending in the vertical direction Z.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the first mounting portion 62 is provided coaxially with the detection portion 61 and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a larger diameter than the detection portion 61. The first mounting portion 62 is provided with a first installation portion 63 on which a first O-ring 4, which will be described later, can be installed. As shown in FIG. 2, the first installation portion 63 is provided at a position recessed toward the central axis from the outer circumferential surface of the first mounting portion 62, and includes a first bottom surface 63A that is continuous around the axis of the first mounting portion 62 and a pair of first side surfaces 63B, 63B that rise from both ends of the first bottom surface 63A in the vertical direction Z, and is formed in a concave groove shape with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the first mounting portion 62. When the first O-ring 4 is installed on the first installation portion 63, the pair of first side surfaces 63B, 63B are configured to restrict the positional deviation of the first O-ring 4 in the vertical direction Z.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the secondary molding part 7 comprises a secondary molding part main body 71, a second mounting part 72 that is continuous with the lower part Z2 of the secondary molding part main body 71 and includes a second installation part 74 on which a second O-ring 5 is mounted, and a connector part 73 that is continuous with the upper part Z1 of the secondary molding part main body 71 and can be connected to an external device not shown.

[0018] The secondary molding part main body 71 comprises a cylindrical columnar portion 711 which is arranged coaxially with the primary molding part 6 and is configured to have a dimension larger than the diameter dimension of the second mounting part 72 described later, a flange-shaped portion 712 which is arranged at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 711 and protrudes in the thickness direction, and a pair of protrusions 713, 713 which are arranged at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 711 and protrude in directions away from each other from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 711.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the second mounting portion 72 is provided coaxially with the secondary molded portion main body 71 and the first mounting portion 62, and is configured in a cylindrical shape with approximately the same diameter as the first mounting portion 62. The second mounting portion 72 is provided with a second mounting portion 74 on which a second O-ring 5, which will be described later, can be mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, the second mounting portion 74 is provided at a position recessed toward the central axis from the outer circumferential surface of the second mounting portion 72, and includes a second bottom surface 74A that is continuous around the axis of the second mounting portion 72, and a pair of second side surfaces 74B, 74B that rise from both ends of the second bottom surface 74A in the vertical direction Z, and is configured in a concave groove shape with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the second mounting portion 72. With the second O-ring 5 mounted on the second mounting portion 74, the pair of second side surfaces 74B, 74B are configured to restrict the positional deviation of the second O-ring 5 in the vertical direction Z.

[0020] 2, the connector portion 73 is provided coaxially with the secondary molded portion body 71 and includes a cylindrical connector portion body 731 with its axis in the vertical direction Z, and a pair of external connection portions 732, 732 which are parts of a pair of conductor portions 32, 32 constituting a temperature measuring unit 3 described later and are provided exposed inside the connector portion body 731. The connector portion 73 is configured to be connected to an external device (not shown) and to transmit the temperature of the measurement target.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the boundary portion 8 comprises a flat circular first upper surface 81 (interface) of the first mounting portion 62 in the primary molded portion 6, a convex portion 82 provided in the center of the first upper surface 81 and protruding from the center, a flat circular second lower surface 83 (interface) of the second mounting portion 72 in the secondary molded portion 7, and a concave portion 84 provided in the center of the second lower surface 83 and recessed from the center to fit into the convex portion 82.

[0022] The first upper surface 81 is configured in a circular shape by a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the primary molded portion 6. The second lower surface 83 is configured in a circular shape by a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the secondary molded portion 7. The first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83 face each other with a minute gap S therebetween when the sensor component 1 is completed.

[0023] Here, in a general resin molded product manufactured by two-color molding, the gap between the primary molded part and the secondary molded part may be sealed using, for example, a potting agent or the like, but in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the gap S between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83 is not sealed using a potting agent or the like. As a result, when the sensor component 1 is in a completed state, a minute gap S is generated between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83. In this embodiment, by having a minute gap S between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83, heat transfer between the primary molded part 6 and the secondary molded part 7 is blocked, and heat dissipation from the primary molded part 6 to the secondary molded part 7 is suppressed.

[0024] 2, the temperature measuring unit 3 includes a detection element 31 that detects the temperature of the measurement target, and a pair of conductor parts 32, 32 connected to both ends of the detection element 31. A part of each of the pair of conductor parts 32, 32 is embedded in the secondary molded part main body 71 and the second mounting part 72 in the primary molded part 6 and the secondary molded part 7, and the other part, an external connection part 732, is provided exposed inside the connector part 73.

[0025] The first O-ring 4 is made of a water-resistant material. The first O-ring 4 is formed in a ring shape and is configured to be mountable on the first installation part 63. When the first O-ring 4 is mounted on the first installation part 63, the outer circumferential surface of the first O-ring 4 is provided on the side away from the central axis with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the first mounting part 62, and when the sensor component 1 is press-fitted into the mounting hole 10a, the outer circumferential surface of the first O-ring 4 is configured to elastically contact the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 10a.

[0026] The second O-ring 5 is made of an oil-resistant material. The second O-ring 5 is formed in a ring shape and is configured to be mountable on the second installation portion 74. When the second O-ring 5 is mounted on the second installation portion 74, the outer circumferential surface of the second O-ring 5 is provided on the side away from the central axis with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the second mounting portion 72, and when the sensor component 1 is press-fitted into the mounting hole 10a, the outer circumferential surface of the second O-ring 5 is configured to elastically contact the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 10a.

[0027] When manufacturing such a sensor component 1, the sensing element 31 and the pair of conductor parts 32, 32 are placed at a predetermined position in a mold (not shown) with the sensing element 31 electrically connected between the pair of conductor parts 32, 32. In this state, molten resin is injected into the mold (primary injection of molten resin). As the injection progresses, the primary injection of the molten resin into the mold is completed. Thereafter, the molten resin is hardened in the mold. This forms the primary molded part 6 in which the sensing element 31 and parts of the pair of conductor parts 32, 32 are embedded.

[0028] After this, the molten resin is injected into the interior of the mold (secondary injection of the molten resin). The secondary injection progresses and the secondary injection of the molten resin into the interior of the mold is completed. After this, the molten resin hardens in the mold. This results in the secondary molded portion 7 being molded so as to overlap the primary molded portion 6. At this time, the first upper surface 81 of the primary molded portion 6 and the second lower surface 83 of the secondary molded portion 7 face each other, and a minute gap S is generated between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83.

[0029] Thereafter, the first O-ring 4 is installed on the first installation portion 63 provided in the primary molded portion 6, and the second O-ring 5 is installed on the second installation portion 74 provided in the secondary molded portion 7. In this manner, the sensor component 1 is completed. When the sensor component 1 is completed, a minute gap S is generated between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83 at the boundary portion 8 between the primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7. That is, in this embodiment, the minute gap S between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83 is not sealed to form a finished product.

[0030] Next, when the completed sensor component 1 is to be assembled into the mounting hole 10a of the housing 10, the tip of the sensor component 1 is brought close to the upper end of the mounting hole 10a and inserted (pressed in). As the insertion progresses, the sensor component 1 reaches a predetermined position in the mounting hole 10a. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the first O-ring 4 elastically contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 10a, and the outer peripheral surface of the second O-ring 5 elastically contacts the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 10a. In this state, the second O-ring 5, the boundary portion 8 between the primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7, and the first O-ring 4 are arranged in this order in the press-fit direction of the sensor component 1. In this way, the assembly of the sensor component 1 into the mounting hole 10a of the housing 10 is completed.

[0031] According to the above-described embodiment, the sensor component 1 has a sensor body 2, a detection element 31 (detection means), and a pair of O-rings 4, 5. The sensor body 2 has a primary molded portion 6 formed by primary molding and in which the detection element 31 (detection means) is embedded, a secondary molded portion 7 formed by secondary molding and provided on the opposite side of the mounting hole 10a of the primary molded portion 6 in the press-fitting direction, and a boundary portion 8 between the primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7. The primary molded portion 6 has a first installation portion 63 in which the first O-ring 4 (one of the pair of O-rings 4, 5) is installed, and the secondary molded portion 7 has a second installation portion 74 in which the second O-ring 5 (the other of the pair of O-rings 4, 5) is installed, and the second installation portion 74, the boundary portion 8, and the first installation portion 63 are arranged in the press-fitting direction in this order. According to this, with the sensor component 1 press-fitted into the mounting hole 10a, the boundary portion 8 between the primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7 is sealed by the first O-ring 4 and the second O-ring 5, making it possible to prevent water (fluid) from entering the boundary portion 8. That is, it is possible to prevent water from entering the boundary portion 8 while achieving a simple structure in which the installation portions 63, 74 for installing the O-rings 4, 5 are provided in the primary molded portion 6 and the secondary molded portion 7, respectively, i.e., a simplified shape.

[0032] Moreover, the boundary portion 8 is configured to have a first upper surface 81 (interface) of the primary molded part 6 and a second lower surface 83 (interface) of the secondary molded part 7, which are provided opposite each other, and a minute gap S provided between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83. By having such a gap S, heat transfer between the first molded product and the second molded product is blocked, and deterioration of responsiveness due to heat dissipation from the first molded product to the second molded product can be suppressed.

[0033] Moreover, the first installation portion 63 is configured as a groove concave with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the primary molded portion 6, and the second installation portion 74 is configured as a groove concave with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the secondary molded portion 7. With this, when the first O-ring 4 is installed in the first installation portion 63, the movement of the first O-ring 4 in the up-down direction Z is restricted, and when the second O-ring 5 is installed in the second installation portion 74, the movement of the second O-ring 5 in the up-down direction Z is restricted, which further prevents water (fluid) from entering the boundary portion 8 (inside).

[0034] In addition, when water, which is the measurement target, is accommodated on the side of the mounting hole 10a in the press-fitting direction and oil is accommodated on the opposite side of the mounting hole 10a in the press-fitting direction, one of the pair of O-rings 4, 5 is made of a material that is water resistant, and the other of the pair of O-rings 4, 5 is made of a material that is oil resistant. In this way, the material of the O-ring and, for example, the diameter of the O-ring can be freely selected for each of the primary molded part 6 and the secondary molded part 7, and the sensor can be designed according to the external environment. This makes it possible to provide a sensor structure that suits the application.

[0035] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modified examples are also included in the present invention.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the sensor component is not sealed using a potting agent or the like, and has a minute gap S between the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention includes within its scope a sensor component that is not sealed using a potting agent or the like. For example, the gap S that occurs without sealing using a potting agent or the like is included within the scope of the present invention even if it is a minute gap S, or if the first upper surface 81 and the second lower surface 83 are slightly separated from each other to form an air layer.

[0037] In addition, the best configurations and methods for implementing the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention has been mainly illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments, but those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions limiting the shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative descriptions for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention, and therefore descriptions of the names of components that are free of some or all of the limitations on the shapes, materials, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Sensor parts 2 Sensor body 31 Detector element (detection means) 4. First O-ring (one of a pair of O-rings) 5. Second O-ring (the other of the pair of O-rings) 6 Primary molding section 63 1st installation part 7 Secondary molding section 74 Second installation part 8 Boundary part 81 1st top surface (interface) 83 Second lower surface (interface) S Gap 10. Chassis 10a Mounting hole W Cooling water (measurement object)

Claims

1. A sensor component that is press-fitted into a mounting hole provided in a housing to detect a physical quantity of a measurement target, a rod-shaped sensor body press-fitted into the mounting hole; a detection means provided on a side of the sensor body in a press-fitting direction of the mounting hole for detecting a physical quantity of a measurement target; a pair of O-rings that are installed on the sensor body and can be brought into close contact with the inner surface of the mounting hole; The sensor body is formed by two-color molding, the sensor body has a primary molded portion formed by primary molding and in which the detection means is embedded, a secondary molded portion formed by secondary molding and provided on the opposite side of the primary molded portion in a press-fitting direction of the mounting hole, and a boundary portion between the primary molded portion and the secondary molded portion, The primary molding portion has a first mounting portion in which one of the pair of O-rings is mounted, The secondary molded portion has a second mounting portion on which the other of the pair of O-rings is mounted, The sensor component is characterized in that the second installation portion, the boundary portion, and the first installation portion are arranged in this order in the press-fitting direction.

2. The sensor component according to claim 1, characterized in that the boundary portion is configured to have each interface of the primary molded portion and the secondary molded portion arranged opposite each other, and a minute gap provided between each interface.

3. The first installation portion is configured in a groove shape concave with respect to an outer circumferential surface of the primary molded portion, 3. The sensor component according to claim 1, wherein the second installation portion is formed in a groove shape that is recessed relative to an outer circumferential surface of the secondary molded portion.

4. When water, which is the measurement target, is accommodated on the side of the mounting hole in the press-fitting direction and oil is accommodated on the side of the mounting hole opposite the press-fitting direction, One of the pair of O-rings is made of a water-resistant material, 3. The sensor component according to claim 1, wherein the other of the pair of O-rings is made of an oil-resistant material.

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