Connector, temperature sensor with connector, and extension cable with connector

Abstract

To provide an exchangeable connector capable of coping with a thin film thermocouple element, a temperature sensor with the connector, and an extended line with the connector.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a connector 1 for connecting a thin film thermocouple element 50 to an external apparatus, the connector including a base member 10 and a cover member 20. The base member 10 includes: an electrode 30 connected to outside connections 52a, 53a of the thin film thermocouple element 50; and a correction temperature sensor 40. The thin film thermocouple element 50 is held between a first cover member 21 and the base member 10 so that the outside connections 52a, 53a are connected to the electrode 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, a temperature sensor with a connector, and an extension wire with a connector, and more particularly to a connector compatible with a thin-film thermocouple element, a temperature sensor with a connector, and an extension wire with a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] An element made of a combination of two types of metals for temperature measurement is called a thermocouple, and is a technology that has long been used as a temperature measurement element that utilizes the Seebeck effect. Thin-film thermocouples are thin and flexible temperature sensors. Thin-film thermocouple elements are made of a heat-resistant film and a conductive thin film, and are capable of measuring the temperature in small, narrow, and complicated places.

[0003] The temperature measuring element described in Patent Document 1 is not replaceable, but is integrated by assembling a thin-film thermocouple element and a connector on a one-to-one basis. Specifically, the connector in Patent Document 1 is provided with a crimping elastic material on the side of the substrate that does not have the conductive thin film in order to crimp the conductive thin-film element to the compensation lead wire, and it is necessary to crimp the terminal with a screw or the like and reinforce it with an adhesive. In other words, an auxiliary material is required to sufficiently crimp the thin-film thermocouple element and the compensation lead wire.

[0004] When a connector is fixed to the base end of a thin-film thermocouple element, if the thin-film thermocouple element is damaged, it cannot be replaced. Therefore, there has been a demand for the development of an interchangeable thin-film thermocouple that can be used by replacing only the thin-film thermocouple element.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a connector in which a strip-shaped thermocouple is inserted to establish a conductive connection. When inserting a thin-film thermocouple element into this connector, friction may cause the conductive thin film to be damaged and broken. In addition, the connector in Patent Document 2 does not incorporate a temperature sensor for correction, and cannot be used with thin-film thermocouple elements.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses a slide-type connector equipped with a leaf spring-shaped terminal. In this connector, when the slide cover is slid, the element is pressurized and fixed by the leaf spring. The connector in Patent Document 3 does not incorporate a temperature sensor for correction, and cannot be applied to a thin-film thermocouple element. In addition, it is generally difficult to process thermocouple materials into leaf spring-shaped terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-190735 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-109156 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2012-048952 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Due to differences between the thin metal wire and thin film at the junction between the thin film thermocouple element and the lead wire, the thin film thermocouple element will show a lower value than the thermoelectromotive force resulting from the actual temperature difference. Therefore, the temperature-thermoelectromotive force characteristics of the thin film thermocouple element do not match those of a bulk thermocouple, and accurate temperature measurement is not possible.

[0009] In other words, to make a thin-film thermocouple element replaceable, a connector compatible with the thin-film thermocouple element is required. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a replaceable connector compatible with a thin-film thermocouple element, a temperature sensor with the connector, and an extension wire with a connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above problem is solved by the connector of the present invention, which is a connector for connecting a thin-film thermocouple element to an external device, and includes a base member and a cover member, the base member having an electrode connected to an external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and a correction temperature sensor, and the thin-film thermocouple element is sandwiched between the cover member and the base member, whereby the external contact is connected to the electrode. The correction temperature sensor is a correction thermocouple made of a pair of metal wires, the base member has an accommodating recess for accommodating the correction thermocouple and a protrusion provided in the accommodating recess, and the pair of metal wires are disposed in the accommodating recess so as to surround the protrusion. This problem is solved by:

[0011] With the above configuration, the thin-film thermocouple element is clamped into the connector rather than inserted into the connector, which means that the thin-film thermocouple element cannot be installed unless the cover member is opened, making it possible to prevent damage to the thin-film thermocouple element due to friction. Furthermore, by incorporating a compensation temperature sensor into the connector, it is possible to grasp the temperature on the cold junction side of the thin-film thermocouple element, thereby making it possible to compensate for errors in the measured temperature resulting from differences in the thermoelectromotive forces between the thin-film thermocouple and the electrodes made of bulk material, thereby enabling accurate temperature measurement. Furthermore, the tips of the pair of metal wires that make up the correction thermocouple can be welded to a ring shape and hooked so as to surround the protrusion, thereby increasing the physical strength.

[0012] In this case, it is preferable that the cover member is attached to the base member so as to be rotatable relative to the base member. In this way, if the cover member is rotatable relative to the base member, the operation of opening the cover member becomes easier, and the thin-film thermocouple element can be sandwiched by being pressed against the cover member.

[0013] In this case, it is preferable that the base member has a mounting portion on which the connection end of the thin-film thermocouple element having the external contact is placed, and that the mounting portion has an engagement portion that engages with the connection end. In this way, the engaging portion of the base portion engages with the connection end of the thin-film thermocouple element, thereby preventing the thin-film thermocouple element from falling out of the connector when the cover member of the connector is closed, and ensuring reliable electrical contact between the external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and the electrode.

[0014] In this case, it is preferable that the electrode is a round bar electrode, and the base member has a recessed groove in the placement portion for receiving the round bar electrode. With this configuration, even if a material with poor workability, such as chromel or alumel, is used for the electrode, it is possible to process the round bar into an electrode (terminal) without cutting it into a thin flat plate. Round bars are easy to obtain and can be cut and bent easily, so the workability of the electrode is improved compared to flat plates, and the electrode (terminal) can be easily produced at low cost.

[0017] The above-mentioned problems are solved by the connector-equipped temperature sensor of the present invention, which includes the above-mentioned connector and the thin-film thermocouple element connected to the connector. The above problem is solved by the connector-equipped extension wire of the present invention, which comprises the above-mentioned connector and an extension wire having a compensation conductor connected to the electrode. The above problem is also solved by a connector for connecting a thin-film thermocouple element to an external device, comprising a base member and a cover member, the base member having an electrode connected to an external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and a correction temperature sensor, the thin-film thermocouple element is sandwiched between the cover member and the base member, whereby the external contact is connected to the electrode, the electrode being a round bar electrode, and the correction temperature sensor being a correction thermocouple made of a pair of metal wires, the base member having a mounting portion on which a connection end of the thin-film thermocouple element provided with the external contact is placed, a recessed groove in the mounting portion for receiving the round bar electrode, and an accommodating recess for accommodating the correction thermocouple, the recessed groove having a curved shape on the side closer to the mounting portion and a rectangular shape on the side closer to the accommodating recess. With the above configuration, the thin-film thermocouple element is clamped into the connector rather than inserted into the connector, which means that the thin-film thermocouple element cannot be installed unless the cover member is opened, making it possible to prevent damage to the thin-film thermocouple element due to friction. In addition, by incorporating a correction temperature sensor into the connector, it is possible to grasp the temperature on the cold junction side of the thin-film thermocouple element, so that it is possible to correct the error in the measured temperature resulting from the difference in the thermoelectromotive force between the thin-film thermocouple and the electrode made of bulk material, and to perform accurate temperature measurement. Furthermore, when inserting the rod electrode into the recessed groove, by inserting it from the square groove close to the recess that houses the correction thermocouple, the size of the connector can be made compact without enlarging the recess, and the attachment of the electrode is good. The above problem is also solved by a connector for connecting a thin-film thermocouple element to an external device, comprising a base member and a cover member, the base member having an electrode connected to an external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and a correction temperature sensor, the thin-film thermocouple element is sandwiched between the cover member and the base member, the external contact is connected to the electrode, the base member has a mounting portion on which a connection end of the thin-film thermocouple element provided with the external contact is placed, the mounting portion has a positioning protrusion that engages with the connection end, the positioning protrusion protruding toward the thin-film thermocouple element in the width direction of the thin-film thermocouple element and engaging with a notch formed in the connection end. With the above configuration, the thin-film thermocouple element is clamped into the connector rather than inserted into the connector, which means that the thin-film thermocouple element cannot be installed unless the cover member is opened, making it possible to prevent damage to the thin-film thermocouple element due to friction. Furthermore, by incorporating a compensation temperature sensor into the connector, it is possible to grasp the temperature on the cold junction side of the thin-film thermocouple element, thereby making it possible to compensate for errors in the measured temperature resulting from differences in the thermoelectromotive forces between the thin-film thermocouple and the electrodes made of bulk material, thereby enabling accurate temperature measurement. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The connector, the temperature sensor with connector, and the extension wire with connector of the present invention can prevent damage caused by friction by sandwiching the thin-film thermocouple element. Also, the connector, the temperature sensor with connector, and the extension wire with connector of the present invention can grasp the temperature of the cold junction side of the thin-film thermocouple element by the correction temperature sensor, so that it is possible to perform accurate temperature measurement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a thin-film thermocouple element connected to a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1A. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connector (extension wire with connector) and a thin-film thermocouple element according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an external view of the connector with a cover member closed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an external view of the connector with a cover member open. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear surface of the connector. [Figure 9] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement portion between a base member and a thin-film thermocouple element. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which electrodes are attached to a base member. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the arrangement of correction thermocouples in a base member. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing wiring of a connector. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are perspective views illustrating a procedure for attaching a thin-film thermocouple element to a connector. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are perspective views illustrating a procedure for attaching a thin-film thermocouple element to a connector. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are perspective views illustrating a procedure for attaching a thin-film thermocouple element to a connector. [Figure 16] 10A to 10C are perspective views illustrating a procedure for attaching a thin-film thermocouple element to a connector. [Figure 17] 16 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 taken along line B-B. [Figure 18] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, a connector, a temperature sensor with a connector, and an extension wire with a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0021] <Thin film thermocouple element 50> 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of a thin-film thermocouple element 50 connected to a connector 1 according to this embodiment. The thin-film thermocouple element 50 is formed of a pair of thin films made of different metals on a substrate 51 such as a long rectangular film, and includes a pair of conductive thin films 52 and 53 extending in parallel along the longitudinal direction. The pair of conductive thin films 52 and 53 cross each other at one end (tip end side, front end side), and the crossing point is connected to form a temperature measurement contact 54 for measuring the temperature of an object. The pair of conductive thin films 52 and 53 are provided with external contacts 52a and 53a at the other end (base end side, rear end side).

[0022] The thin-film thermocouple element 50 is connected at external contacts 52a and 53a to a pair of electrodes 30 provided on the mounting portion 11 of the base member 10. The conductive thin films 52 and 53 are made of different materials, and are joined at a temperature measurement contact 54 so that the conductive thin films 52 and 53 overlap each other.

[0023] The substrate 51 on which the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is formed can be made of glass, a resin film, a metal, or the like. However, when the substrate 51 is made of a conductive material such as a metal, it is necessary to apply SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3It is necessary to form a thin-film thermocouple element after forming an insulating film such as a thin-film thermocouple element. Therefore, it is preferable to use a resin film. Glass and resin films do not require pretreatment, unlike conductive substrates such as metals, and are therefore suitable because the operation is not complicated. In addition, the flexibility of the resin film can increase the strength of the thin-film thermocouple element. It is more preferable to use a polyimide film. Polyimide film is a material suitable for the substrate of a thin-film thermocouple element because it can be folded, is not easily broken even when the substrate is several microns thick, is easy to handle, and is relatively stable even at temperatures exceeding 200°C.

[0024] The thickness of the substrate 51 is preferably 1 μm or more and 150 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and particularly preferably 1 μm or more and 18 μm or less.

[0025] Combinations of different metals that can be used to form the conductive thin film of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 include chromel-alumel, PtRh-Pt, chromel-constantan, nicrosil-nisil, Cu-constantan, Fe-constantan, Ir-IrRh, W-Re, Au-Pt, Pt-Pd, and Bi-Sb. It is preferable to use a combination of chromel-alumel, which has a wide operating temperature range and a linear relationship between temperature and thermoelectromotive force.

[0026] The conductive thin film can be formed by vacuum deposition methods such as sputtering, electron beam deposition, and thermal deposition, or by coating. It is preferable to use a vacuum deposition method that can form a thinner and more uniform thin film. It is even more preferable to use a sputtering method that can form a uniform film with less deviation in atomic composition from the deposition material.

[0027] It is desirable that the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is covered with a protective film 50a. This is because the protective film 50a enhances the environmental resistance of the thin-film thermocouple element and also has the effect of preventing the occurrence of cracks, which may be a concern when the thin-film thermocouple element is deformed by an external force. Applicable protective film 50a is a SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 Examples of the insulating film include an insulating film formed by vapor deposition, sputtering, dipping, etc., and a polyimide film formed by screen printing. It is preferable to use a polyimide film having high heat resistance, high chemical resistance, and high adhesiveness.

[0028] The thickness of the conductive thin films 52 and 53 is preferably 10 nm or more and 1 μm or less, more preferably 100 nm or more and 700 nm or less, and even more preferably 150 nm or more and 550 nm or less.

[0029] A connection end 51a of the substrate 51 of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 has a through hole 51b penetrating in the thickness direction near the center, and notches 51c formed toward the center on both sides in the left-right direction (width direction). A reinforcing member 55 may be provided on the connection end 51a of the substrate 51 on the side opposite the external contacts 52a and 53a.

[0030] <Connector 1> The connector 1 of this embodiment is a connector for connecting the thin-film thermocouple element 50 to an external device (for example, a temperature display). The connector 1 is an extension line 3 with a connector having a lead wire 1a as an extension line and an end portion 1b for connecting to a device (FIG. 2). The connector 1 constitutes a temperature sensor 2 with a connector by connecting the thin-film thermocouple element 50 to the connector 1.

[0031] The connector 1 includes a base member 10 and a cover member 20 attached to the base member 10. As described below, the cover member 20 is configured by connecting a first cover member 21 and a second cover member 22 rotatably connected by a connection pin 23. The materials for the base member 10, the cover member 20, etc. that form the connector 1 are not particularly limited as long as they are insulating materials, and for example, thermoplastics and the like can be used.

[0032] (Base member 10) 3 and 4, the base member 10 has a front surface 10a (upper surface), a back surface 10b (lower surface), a nut receiving portion 10c formed on the back surface 10b, a front surface 10d, a rear surface 10e, and a side surface 10f. The base member 10 has a pair of electrodes 30 connected to external contacts 52a and 53a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50, and a correction thermocouple 40 as a correction temperature sensor.

[0033] The base member 10 has a mounting portion 11 on the front of which the connection end 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is placed. The mounting portion 11 has a through hole 12 formed in the center thereof. The mounting portion 11 also has a positioning protrusion 13 (engagement portion) that engages with a notch 51c formed in the connection end 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50.

[0034] The positioning protrusion 13 provided on the mounting portion 11 of the base member 10 corresponds to the cutout portion 51c formed in the connection end portion 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50, making it possible to determine the position of the connection end portion 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 in the connector 1 (Figure 9 described later).

[0035] Furthermore, since the base member 10 is provided with the positioning protrusion 13, when the first cover member 21 serving as a lid is not opened, the thin-film thermocouple element 50 cannot be attached to the mounting portion 11. Specifically, when the first cover member 21 is not opened, the positioning protrusion 13 prevents the thin-film thermocouple element 50 from being inserted into the mounting portion 11 from the front.

[0036] The mounting portion 11 has a round groove 14a curved into an Ω-shape in cross section and a square groove 14b formed as a recessed groove for receiving the electrode 30 on both sides of the through hole 12. The round groove 14a is located on the front side close to the mounting portion 11, and the square groove 14b is located on the rear side close to the accommodation recess 16 of the correction sensor accommodation portion 15. The square groove 14b is wider than the round groove 14a.

[0037] When inserting the electrode 30 as a thermocouple wire into the round groove 14a, it is inserted from the rear side (the side where the accommodation recess 16 is provided). At this time, if the accommodation recess 16 of the correction sensor accommodation part 15 described later is too narrow, or if there is no square groove 14b and the entire area is the round groove 14a, the electrode 30 cannot be inserted and arranged in the mounting part 11. In the connector 1 of this embodiment, the groove that receives the electrode 30 is a combination of the round groove 14a and the square groove 14b, thereby making it possible to make the connector 1 compact in size while also achieving ease of attachment of the electrode 30.

[0038] The base member 10 has a correction sensor housing portion 15 that houses a correction thermocouple 40 as a correction temperature sensor described later. A projection 17 that projects toward the upper cover member 20 is formed in a housing recess 16 of the correction sensor housing portion 15. A through hole 18 is formed on the rear end side of the correction sensor housing portion 15.

[0039] (Cover member 20) 5 to 8, the cover member 20 is attached to the base member 10 by fastening members such as a screw B1, a flat head screw B2, and hexagonal nuts N1 and N2. The cover member 20 is configured by a first cover member 21 on the front side and a second cover member 22 on the rear side being rotatably connected by a connection pin 23.

[0040] A countersunk portion 21a and a through hole 21b are formed in the up-down direction in the first cover member 21. In addition, the first cover member 21 has recesses 21c formed toward the center on both sides in the left-right direction (width direction).

[0041] The second cover member 22 has hinge portions 22a protruding from both sides in the left-right direction (width direction) so as to sandwich the rear end portion of the first cover member 21. In the hinge portions 22a, connection pins 23 are inserted into through holes (not shown) formed in the first cover member 21 and the second cover member 22. In addition, the second cover member 22 is formed with chamfered portions 22b and openings 22c that communicate in the up-down direction.

[0042] In the connector 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable to use a fall-proof screw so that the screw B1 does not come off every time the first cover member 21 serving as a lid is opened and closed. In addition, the countersunk portion 21a and the chamfered portion 22b can hide the heads of the screw B1 and the flat head screw B2.

[0043] (electrode 30) 7 and 10, the electrode 30 is a round bar electrode (a round bar wire having a circular cross section) and is received in the round groove 14a and the square groove 14b formed in the mounting portion 11 of the base member 10. When the electrode 30 is received in the round groove 14a and the square groove 14b, the electrode upper surface 30a is exposed to the mounting portion 11.

[0044] By making the electrode upper surface 30a of the electrode 30 slightly exposed on the mounting portion 11, the electrode upper surface 30a becomes the contact point with the external contacts 52a and 53a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50. With this configuration, even if the metal is difficult to process, such as chromel or alumel, a round wire bar can be used as the electrode 30 with minimal processing.

[0045] A first compensation conductor 31 and a second compensation conductor 32 are respectively connected to the two electrodes 30. By attaching the thin-film thermocouple element 50 to the connector 1, the electrode upper surfaces 30a of the respective electrodes 30 and the external contacts 52a and 53a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 are electrically connected to each other.

[0046] (Compensation thermocouple 40) 11 and 12, the correction thermocouple 40 is made of a pair of a first metal wire 41 and a second metal wire 42, and is arranged so as to surround the protrusion 17 provided in the accommodating recess 16 of the base member 10. The correction thermocouple 40 has a temperature measurement junction 43 (junction) in the vicinity of but spaced from the external junctions 52a and 53a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50.

[0047] The thin-film thermocouple element 50 exhibits a lower value than the thermoelectromotive force resulting from the actual temperature difference due to the difference between the thin metal wire and the thin film at the junction with the first compensation conductor 31 and the second compensation conductor 32 (lead wire), etc. Therefore, the temperature-thermoelectromotive force characteristics of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 do not match the temperature-thermoelectromotive force characteristics of a bulk thermocouple.

[0048] Therefore, in order to perform accurate temperature measurement using the thin-film thermocouple element 50, it is necessary to measure the temperature in the connector 1, and for that purpose, a correction thermocouple 40 is disposed in the accommodation recess 16 of the connector 1. A protrusion 17 is formed in this accommodation recess 16 as a pin that protrudes upward. The correction thermocouple 40 is formed by welding the tips of the first metal wire 41 and the second metal wire 42 together to form a ring shape, and is hooked so as to surround the protrusion 17.

[0049] According to this configuration, by positioning the temperature measuring junction 43 of the correction thermocouple 40 between the mounting portion 11 and the protrusion portion 17, the physical strength at the tips of the first metal wire 41 and the second metal wire 42 can be increased.

[0050] (Connection between base member 10 and cover member 20) The mounting (assembly) of the cover member 20 to the base member 10 will be described. First, on the front surface 10a side of the base member 10, the flat head screws B2 are inserted into the pair of rear through holes 18 and the openings 22c of the second cover member 22 in a state where they are overlapped in the vertical direction (FIG. 13). Then, on the back surface 10b side of the base member 10, the hexagonal nuts N2 are received in the pair of rear nut receiving portions 10c corresponding to the through holes 18, and are screwed into the flat head screws B2 (FIG. 8). In this manner, the second cover member 22 of the cover member 20 is mounted to the base member 10.

[0051] The first cover member 21 is rotatable about the connection pin 23 as a rotation axis (FIG. 14). With the connection end 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 placed on the mounting portion 11 of the base member 10 (FIG. 15), the first cover member 21 is closed by overlapping it from above, so that the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is sandwiched between the first cover member 21 and the base member 10 (FIG. 16).

[0052] In this manner, the screw B1 is inserted into the through hole 21b of the first cover member 21, the through hole 51b of the thin-film thermocouple element 50, and the through hole 12 of the base member 10 in a state where they are stacked vertically (FIG. 16). Then, on the back surface 10b side of the base member 10, the hexagonal nut N1 is received in the nut receiving portion 10c on the front side corresponding to the through hole 12, and is screwed into the screw B1. In this manner, the first cover member 21 of the cover member 20 is attached to the base member 10.

[0053] 17 and 18, in the first cover member 21, the location of the connection pin 23 serves as a fulcrum, and by fastening the screw B1 and the hexagonal nut N1, the periphery of the through hole 21b serves as a force point, and the tip of the first cover member 21 serves as a point of action, pressing the thin-film thermocouple element 50. In this manner, the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is attached to the connector 1.

[0054] When the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is attached to the connector 1, the notch 51c formed in the connection end 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 engages with the positioning protrusion 13 formed on the mounting portion 11 of the base member 10. Furthermore, the first cover member 21 is placed on the connection end 51a such that the recess 21c engages with the positioning protrusion 13. In this way, the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is stably sandwiched between the base member 10 and the first cover member 21 of the connector 1, so that the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is prevented from falling off the connector 1.

[0055] In the connector 1, by selecting an engineering plastic as its material, it is possible to cut a thread groove in each through hole. However, taking into consideration repeated use and sufficient tightening, it is preferable to attach the cover member 20 to the base member 10 using fastening members such as a screw B1, a countersunk screw B2, and hex nuts N1 and N2.

[0056] As described above, the connection end 51a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is sandwiched between the first cover member 21 of the cover member 20 and the mounting portion 11 of the base member 10, so that the external contacts 52a, 53a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 are each connected to the electrode 30.

[0057] When the thin-film thermocouple element 50 is attached to the connector 1, the external contacts 52a and 53a of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 are in contact with the electrode 30. In the accommodating recess 16 of the correction sensor accommodating portion 15, the first compensation conductor 31 and the second compensation conductor 32 are connected to the rear end of the electrode 30.

[0058] Furthermore, there is a temperature measuring junction 43 of the correction thermocouple 40 made of another thin metal wire near the rear end of the electrode 30. The first compensation conductor 31 is made of the same material as the first metal wire 41 of the correction thermocouple 40, and the second compensation conductor 32 is made of the same material as the second metal wire 42 of the correction thermocouple 40. Moreover, the conductive thin films 52 and 53 of the thin-film thermocouple element 50 are made of the same material as the corresponding electrodes 30, first compensation conductor 31, and second compensation conductor 32, respectively.

[0059] An accurate temperature can be measured by placing the temperature measuring junction 43 (junction) of the correction thermocouple 40 in the vicinity of the connection point between the electrode 30 and the first and second compensation conductors 31 and 32. At this time, the first and second compensation conductors 31 and 32, the first metal wire 41 and the second metal wire 42 form a lead wire 1a (extension wire), and an equipment connection end 1b provided at the end of this lead wire 1a is connected to a temperature display (an example of an external device), not shown.

[0060] <Temperature sensor with connector 2 and extension wire with connector 3> The connector 1 of this embodiment constitutes a connector-equipped temperature sensor 2 by connecting a thin-film thermocouple element 50 (FIGS. 2 and 16). The connector 1 of this embodiment constitutes a connector-equipped extension wire 3 by combining with a lead wire 1a (extension wire) having a first compensation conductor 31 and a second compensation conductor 32 connected to an electrode 30 (FIG. 2). The connector-equipped temperature sensor 2 and connector-equipped extension wire 3 make it possible to make the thin-film thermocouple element replaceable. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] By using the connector, the temperature sensor with connector, and the extension wire with connector of the present invention, the thin-film thermocouple element can be made replaceable. The application field of temperature measurement using the thin-film thermocouple element is not particularly limited, but it is possible to suitably perform temperature measurement of extremely small parts, and for example, it is possible to measure the heat generation temperature of fuel cells, heating rollers, heat presses, electronic circuit parts, chemical reaction temperatures, instantaneous heating temperatures, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Connector 1a Lead wire (extension wire) 1b Equipment connection end 2 Temperature sensor with connector 3 Extension cable with connector 10 Base material 10a surface 10b back side 10c Nut Receptacle 10d front 10e rear 10f side 11 Placement section 12 Through hole 13 Positioning protrusion (engagement part) 14a Round groove 14b square groove 15 Correction sensor housing 16 Recessed portion 17 Protrusion 18 Through hole 20 Cover member 21 First cover member 21a Counterbore 21b Through hole 21c Recess 22 Second cover member 22a Hinge part 22b Chamfered part 22c aperture 23 Connection pin 30 electrodes 30a Top surface of electrode 31 1st compensation conductor (compensation conductor) 32 2nd compensation conductor (compensation conductor) 40 Compensation thermocouple 41 First metal wire (metal wire) 42 Second metal wire (metal wire) 43 Temperature measuring junction (contact) of compensation thermocouple 50 Thin film thermocouple element 50a protective film 51 Substrate 51a Connection end 51b Through hole 51c Cutout 52,53 Conductive thin film 52a, 53a External contacts 54 Temperature measuring contact 55 Reinforcement member B1 Screw B2 flat head screw N1 Hexagon Nut N2 Hexagon Nut

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a thin-film thermocouple element to an external device, A base member and a cover member, the base member has an electrode connected to an external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and a correction temperature sensor; The thin-film thermocouple element is sandwiched between the cover member and the base member, whereby the external contacts are connected to the electrodes; the correction temperature sensor is a correction thermocouple made up of a pair of metal wires, the base member has an accommodating recess that accommodates the correction thermocouple, and a protrusion provided in the accommodating recess, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pair of metal wires are arranged in the accommodating recess so as to surround the protrusion.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is attached to the base member so as to be rotatable relative to the base member.

3. the base member has a mounting portion on which a connection end portion of the thin-film thermocouple element having the external contact is mounted, 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has an engagement portion that engages with the connection end portion.

4. The electrode is a round bar electrode, 4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the base member has a recessed groove in the mounting portion for receiving the round rod electrode.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the thin-film thermocouple element connected to the connector.

6. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and an extension wire having a compensating conductor connected to the electrode.

7. A connector for connecting a thin-film thermocouple element to an external device, comprising: A base member and a cover member, the base member has an electrode connected to an external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and a correction temperature sensor; The thin-film thermocouple element is sandwiched between the cover member and the base member, whereby the external contacts are connected to the electrodes; The electrode is a round bar electrode, the correction temperature sensor is a correction thermocouple made up of a pair of metal wires, The base member is a mounting portion on which a connection end portion of the thin-film thermocouple element having the external contact is mounted; a recessed groove in the mounting portion for receiving the round bar electrode; a recess for accommodating the correction thermocouple; The connector according to claim 1, wherein the groove has a curved shape on a side closer to the mounting portion and a rectangular shape on a side closer to the accommodating recess.

8. A connector for connecting a thin-film thermocouple element to an external device, comprising: A base member and a cover member, the base member has an electrode connected to an external contact of the thin-film thermocouple element and a correction temperature sensor; The thin-film thermocouple element is sandwiched between the cover member and the base member, whereby the external contacts are connected to the electrodes; the base member has a mounting portion on which a connection end portion of the thin-film thermocouple element having the external contact is mounted, the mounting portion has a positioning protrusion that engages with the connection end portion, The connector is characterized in that the positioning protrusion protrudes toward the thin-film thermocouple element in a width direction of the thin-film thermocouple element and engages with a notch formed in the connection end portion.

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