Position detection sensor and battery pack

Abstract

A position detection sensor (10) can detect the position of a detection target while being attached to an attachment target (200). Said position detection sensor comprises: a sensor body (12) that is attached to an attachment target; and a battery pack (14) that is detachably attached to the sensor body, wherein the battery pack includes a battery (64) for supplying power to the sensor body, a battery substrate (66) to which the battery is attached, and a covering portion (70) which has electrical insulation properties and which integrally covers the battery and the battery substrate.

Description

Position detection sensor and battery pack

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a position detection sensor and a battery pack.

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-224940 discloses a position detection sensor attached to a fluid pressure cylinder.

[0003] Better position detection sensors and battery packs are eagerly awaited.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-described problems.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of a detection object in a state of being attached to an attachment target, including a sensor body attached to the attachment target and a battery pack detachable from the sensor body. The battery pack includes a battery for supplying power to the sensor body, a battery substrate to which the battery is attached, and a covering portion having electrical insulation and integrally covering the battery and the battery substrate.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a battery pack detachable from a sensor body of a position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of a detection object in a state of being attached to an attachment target, including a battery for supplying power to the sensor body, a battery substrate to which the battery is attached, and a covering portion integrally covering the battery and the battery substrate and having electrical insulation.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, better position detection sensors and battery packs can be provided.

[0008] The above objects, features, and advantages will be easily understood from the following description of the embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the position detection sensor according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the position detection sensor. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line V-V in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sensor-side terminals. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the usage state of the position detection sensor. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the battery pack replacement for the position detection sensor. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the position detection sensor according to the second embodiment. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the position detection sensor in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along line XI-XI in Figure 9.

[0010] A position detection sensor detects, for example, the position of the piston of a fluid pressure cylinder. The fluid pressure cylinder to which the position detection sensor is attached (the mounting target) may be mounted, for example, in the moving part of a high-speed picking system equipped with a parallel link robot. In such a case, if a power cable is connected to the position detection sensor, the power cable may break due to the repeated application of relatively large accelerations to the power cable.

[0011] To avoid power cable disconnection, integrating the battery into the position detection sensor requires removing the sensor from the mounting object when replacing the battery. Removing the position detection sensor from the mounting object necessitates disassembling and reassembling the parallel link robot and readjusting the position detection sensor. Furthermore, integrating the battery into the position detection sensor may cause contact failure between the battery and the circuit board due to acceleration applied to the sensor.

[0012] This disclosure may provide a position detection sensor and battery pack that can reduce the workload of battery replacement and can stably electrically connect the battery and the circuit board.

[0013] (First Embodiment) As shown in Figure 7, the position detection sensor 10 is attached to the mounting target 200. In the example in Figure 7, the mounting target 200 is a fluid pressure cylinder (for example, an air cylinder) 202. The mounting target 200 is not limited to a fluid pressure cylinder 202, but may be various devices such as an electric actuator or an air chuck.

[0014] Multiple mounting grooves 206 for attaching the position detection sensor 10 are provided on the outer surface of the cylinder tube 204 of the fluid pressure cylinder 202. The mounting grooves 206 extend in the axial direction of the fluid pressure cylinder 202.

[0015] The mounting groove 206 has a narrow section 208 and a wide section 210. The narrow section 208 opens to the outer surface of the cylinder tube 204. The wide section 210 communicates with the narrow section 208. The wide section 210 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction of the fluid pressure cylinder 202. The maximum groove width of the wide section 210 is wider than the groove width of the narrow section 208. A position detection sensor 10 attached to the mounting groove 206 detects the position of a piston (not shown) inside the fluid pressure cylinder 202.

[0016] The fluid pressure cylinder 202 is provided, for example, in a movable part of a parallel link robot in a high-speed picking system (not shown). The fluid pressure cylinder 202 is not limited to being provided in such a movable part.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the position detection sensor 10 comprises a sensor body 12 and a battery pack 14 that can be attached to or removed from the sensor body 12. The sensor body 12 has a base portion 16, an insertion portion 18, and a sensor substrate 20.

[0018] The base portion 16 is formed in a plate shape. The base portion 16 extends in the X direction. When viewed from the thickness direction (Y direction) of the base portion 16, the base portion 16 is formed in a shape close to a U. In other words, when viewed from the Y direction, the base portion 16 has a shape like a rectangle with a part (long side) cut out. That is, the base portion 16 is provided with a notch 22. The battery pack 14 can be attached to the notch 22.

[0019] The base portion 16 includes a first support portion 24, a second support portion 26, a third support portion 28, and a fourth support portion 30. The first support portion 24 extends from one end of the base portion 16 in the longitudinal direction (the end in the X1 direction) toward the other end of the base portion 16 in the longitudinal direction (the end in the X2 direction). The second support portion 26 extends in the X2 direction from the bottom of the first support portion 24 (the end of the first support portion 24 in the Z1 direction).

[0020] The height dimension (dimension along the Z direction) of the second support portion 26 is smaller than the height dimension of the first support portion 24. The third support portion 28 extends in the X2 direction from the bottom (end in the Z1 direction) of the second support portion 26. The height dimension of the third support portion 28 is smaller than the height dimension of the second support portion 26. The fourth support portion 30 is connected to the end of the third support portion 28 in the X2 direction. The height dimension of the fourth support portion 30 is larger than the height dimension of the third support portion 28. The height dimension of the fourth support portion 30 is approximately the same as the height dimension of the first support portion 24.

[0021] The first support portion 24 has a housing chamber 32 for housing the sensor substrate 20 (see Figure 3). As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the second support portion 26 has an insertion hole 34 that communicates with the housing chamber 32. The insertion hole 34 opens to the surface of the second support portion 26 facing in the Z2 direction.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the notch 22 of the base portion 16 is provided with a support recess 36 for supporting the battery pack 14. The support recess 36 includes a first support recess 38, a second support recess 40, and a third support recess 42.

[0023] The first support recess 38 is formed on the surface of the first support portion 24 facing the X2 direction. The first support recess 38 extends in the Z direction. The second support recess 40 is formed on the surface of the third support portion 28 facing the Z2 direction. The second support recess 40 extends in the X direction. The third support recess 42 is formed on the surface of the fourth support portion 30 facing the X1 direction. The third support recess 42 extends in the Z direction. The third support recess 42 communicates with the second support recess 40.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the insertion portion 18 protrudes from the base portion 16 in the Z1 direction. The insertion portion 18 extends along the entire length of the base portion 16 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 4, the insertion portion 18 has a constricted portion 44 and a bulging portion 46. The constricted portion 44 protrudes from the base portion 16 in the Z1 direction. The bulging portion 46 bulges out on both sides in the Y direction from the end of the constricted portion 44 in the protruding direction. The bulging portion 46 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the X direction.

[0025] As shown in Figure 7, the insertion portion 18 is inserted into the mounting groove 206 of the mounting object 200. With the insertion portion 18 inserted into the mounting groove 206, the bulging portion 46 is located in the wide portion 210 and the constricted portion 44 is located in the narrow portion 208.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the base portion 16 has a screw hole 48 into which a screw member 212 (see Figure 8) for fixing the sensor body 12 to the mounting object 200 is screwed. One end of the screw hole 48 opens into the bulging portion 46. The other end of the screw hole 48 opens into the surface of the fourth support portion 30 facing in the Z2 direction.

[0027] The housing chamber 32 is formed to span the base portion 16 and the insertion portion 18. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the portion of the constricted portion 44 that forms the housing chamber 32 has a pair of side wall portions 50 and 52. The pair of side wall portions 50 and 52 face each other in the Y direction.

[0028] The sensor board 20 is located in the housing chamber 32. A magnetic detection sensor (not shown) is mounted on the sensor board 20. The magnetic detection sensor is, for example, a magnetoresistive element. The magnetic detection sensor may also be a reed switch. The sensor board 20 may be provided with a communication unit for wireless communication with a control device (PLC: Programmable Logic Controller) (not shown).

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sensor substrate 20 has a sensor substrate body 54 and a sensor-side terminal support portion 56. At least a portion of the sensor substrate body 54 is located inside the first support portion 24. The sensor-side terminal support portion 56 protrudes in the X2 direction from the Z1 direction end of the sensor substrate body 54.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the sensor-side terminal support portion 56 is formed in a plate shape. The sensor-side terminal support portion 56 is in contact with the inner surface of one of the pair of side wall portions 50, 52. The sensor-side terminal support portion 56 may be in close proximity to the inner surface of one of the side wall portions 50. Multiple sensor-side terminals 58 are provided on the side of the sensor-side terminal support portion 56 opposite to one of the side wall portions 50.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the multiple sensor-side terminals 58 are arranged in the X direction. Each sensor-side terminal 58 includes a contact portion 60 and a spring portion 62. The contact portion 60 is the part that contacts the battery-side terminal 78 of the battery pack 14, which will be described later. The spring portion 62 can bias the contact portion 60 toward the battery-side terminal 78. The spring portion 62 is, for example, a leaf spring, but is not limited to this.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the battery pack 14 includes a battery 64, a battery substrate 66, an indicator 68, a covering portion 70, and a sealing member 72. The battery 64 is a power source for supplying power to the sensor body 12. The battery 64 is, for example, a small button-type battery. The battery 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0033] In this embodiment, the battery 64 is arranged such that its thickness direction aligns with the Y direction and its surface direction aligns with the XZ plane. In this case, the position detection sensor 10 can be made thinner in the Y direction. The thickness dimension of the battery 64 (dimension along the Y direction) is smaller than the diameter of the battery 64. Also, the thickness dimension of the battery 64 is larger than the thickness dimension of the base portion 16 (dimension along the Y direction) (see Figures 1 and 2). The type, size, shape, etc. of the battery 64 can be set as appropriate.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, a battery 64 is mounted on the battery substrate 66. In other words, the battery 64 is electrically connected to the battery substrate 66. That is, power is supplied to the battery substrate 66 from the battery 64. The battery substrate 66 is located in the X1 direction relative to the battery 64. In other words, the battery 64 and the battery substrate 66 do not overlap in the thickness direction (Y direction) of the battery substrate 66. The battery substrate 66 extends in the Z direction.

[0035] The battery substrate 66 has a battery substrate body 74 and a plate-shaped battery-side terminal support portion 76. The battery substrate body 74 extends in the Z direction. The battery 64 and the indicator 68 are electrically connected to the battery substrate body 74. The battery-side terminal support portion 76 protrudes from the battery substrate body 74 in the Z1 direction. The battery-side terminal support portion 76 is exposed from the covering portion 70.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the battery-side terminal support portion 76 is provided with a plurality of battery-side terminals 78. The plurality of battery-side terminals 78 are arranged in the X direction. The battery-side terminals 78 are a terminal pattern provided on the battery-side terminal support portion 76. This simplifies the configuration of the battery-side terminals 78. In other words, the configuration of the battery pack 14, which is a replaceable part, can be made simple and inexpensive. The battery-side terminals 78 and the battery-side terminal support portion 76 are exposed from the covering portion 70. When the battery pack 14 is attached to the sensor body 12, the battery-side terminals 78 are electrically connected to the sensor-side terminals 58. That is, the power of the battery 64 is supplied to the sensor board 20 via the battery board 66.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the covering portion 70 integrally covers the battery 64 and the battery substrate 66. The covering portion 70 is made of electrically insulating molded resin. The covering portion 70 includes a battery covering portion 80 and a substrate covering portion 82. The battery covering portion 80 covers the entire battery 64. The substrate covering portion 82 covers the entire battery substrate body 74. That is, the substrate covering portion 82 does not cover the battery-side terminal support portion 76. The battery-side terminal support portion 76 is exposed from the covering portion 70 by protruding in the Z1 direction from the substrate covering portion 82. This allows the battery 64 and the battery substrate 66 to be stably electrically connected while the battery-side terminal 78 is electrically connected to the sensor body 12.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the battery pack 14 attached to the sensor body 12, the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78 are located inside the insertion section 18 and are electrically connected to each other. This ensures a stable connection between the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78. Furthermore, it suppresses momentary disconnections between the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78 due to vibration.

[0039] With the battery pack 14 attached to the sensor body 12, the battery-side terminal support portion 76 is in contact with the inner surface of the other side wall portion 52 of the pair of side wall portions 50 and 52. The battery-side terminal support portion 76 may be in close proximity to the inner surface of the other side wall portion 52. Multiple battery-side terminals 78 are provided on the side of the battery-side terminal support portion 76 opposite to the other side wall portion 52. This allows the sensor-side terminal support portion 56 to be supported by one side wall portion 50 and the battery-side terminal support portion 76 to be supported by the other side wall portion 52. Therefore, momentary disconnection of the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78 due to vibration can be further suppressed. In addition, since a constricted portion 44 is formed by the pair of side wall portions 50 and 52, the sensor-side terminal support portion 56 and the battery-side terminal support portion 76 can be supported by the constricted portion 44. Furthermore, by inserting the insertion portion 18 of the position detection sensor 10 into the mounting groove 206 of the mounting target 200, the constricted portion 44 (a pair of side wall portions 50, 52) is supported by the wall portion that forms the narrow portion 208 of the mounting groove 206. Therefore, by attaching the position detection sensor 10 to the mounting target 200, the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78 can be connected more stably. Thus, momentary disconnection of the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78 due to vibration can be further suppressed.

[0040] The indicator 68 is an LED that lights up or flashes depending on the position of a piston (object to be detected), which is not shown. A portion of the indicator 68 is exposed from the covering portion 70 so that it can be seen from the outside. A portion of the indicator 68 protrudes from the substrate covering portion 82 in the Z2 direction.

[0041] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the covering portion 70 has a support projection 84 that is inserted into a support recess 36 of the sensor body 12. The support projection 84 includes a first support projection 86, a second support projection 88, and a third support projection 90. The first support projection 86 is provided on the surface of the substrate covering portion 82 facing the X1 direction. The first support projection 86 extends in the Z direction. The first support projection 86 is inserted into the first support recess 38.

[0042] The second support convex portion 88 is provided on the surface of the battery covering portion 80 facing the Z1 direction. The second support convex portion 88 extends in the X direction. The second support convex portion 88 is inserted into the second support concave portion 40. The third support convex portion 90 is provided on the surface of the battery covering portion 80 facing the X2 direction. The third support convex portion 90 extends in the Z direction. The third support convex portion 90 is inserted into the third support concave portion 42. The end portion of the third support convex portion 90 in the Z1 direction is connected to the end portion of the second support convex portion 88 in the X2 direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the sealing member 72 seals between the inner surface of the insertion hole 34 and the outer surface of the battery pack 14 in a state where the battery pack 14 is attached to the sensor body 12. Thereby, the sealing member 72 can suppress the inflow of liquid such as water into the inside of the insertion portion 18. The sealing member 72 is disposed in an annular groove 92 formed in a portion of the substrate covering portion 82 inserted into the insertion hole 34. The sealing member 72 is formed in an annular shape.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sensor body 12 has a locking portion 94 for preventing the movement of the battery pack 14 in the direction (Z2 direction) in which the battery side terminal support portion 76 comes out of the insertion hole 34 in a state where the battery pack 14 is attached to the sensor body 12. The locking portion 94 is provided at the end portion of the first support portion 24 in the Z2 direction. The locking portion 94 is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to the sensor body 12.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the locking portion 94 contacts or approaches the locking surface 96 of the battery pack 14 in the Z2 direction in a state where the locking portion 94 is in the locked position. The locking surface 96 is provided on the substrate covering portion 82. The locking surface 96 faces the Z2 direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the locking portion 94 is displaced in the X direction with respect to the locking surface 96 of the battery pack 14 in a state where the locking portion 94 is in the unlocked position. <{0000091}><{000}0092>In the position detection sensor 10 as described above, when replacing the battery pack 14, as shown in FIG. 8, with the sensor body 12 attached to the fluid pressure cylinder 202, the battery pack 14 is moved in the Z2 direction with respect to the sensor body 12 while the lock portion 94 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. Thereby, the battery pack 14 can be detached from the sensor body 12 without removing the sensor body 12 from the fluid pressure cylinder 202.

[0047] After that, a new battery pack 14 is attached to the sensor body 12. That is, the support convex portion 84 of the new battery pack 14 is inserted into the support concave portion 36 of the sensor body 12. By inserting the support convex portion 84 into the support concave portion 36 in this way, the battery pack 14 can be stably attached to the sensor body 12.

[0048] When the battery pack 14 is attached to the sensor body 12, the battery-side terminal 78 contacts the sensor-side terminal 58. Specifically, the contact portion 60 of the sensor-side terminal 58 contacts the battery-side terminal 78, and the spring portion 62 of the sensor-side terminal 58 biases the contact portion 60 toward the battery-side terminal 78. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress the sensor-side terminal 58 and the battery-side terminal 78 from being instantaneously disconnected due to vibration.

[0049] After this, the lock portion 94 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position. Thereby, the lock portion 94 can suppress the battery pack 14 from coming off the sensor body 12 during use of the position detection sensor 10 or the like.

[0050] The used battery pack 14 can be cut, for example, along the cutting line L1 shown in FIG. 8. Thereby, the battery 64 and the battery substrate 66 can be easily separated. Therefore, the battery pack 14 can be easily sorted and discarded.

[0051] According to this embodiment, since the battery pack 14 is detachable from the sensor body 12, the battery 64 can be replaced while the sensor body 12 is attached to the mounting target 200. In this case, for example, tasks such as disassembling and reassembling the parallel link robot and readjusting the position detection sensor 10 do not occur. Therefore, the workload of replacing the battery 64 can be reduced. In addition, since the battery 64 and the battery board 66 are integrally covered by the covering portion 70, the battery 64 and the battery board 66 can be electrically connected stably.

[0052] (Second Embodiment) Next, the position detection sensor 10A according to the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those of the position detection sensor 10 according to the first embodiment described above, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, components identical to those of the position detection sensor 10 described above will have the same effects and advantages.

[0053] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the position detection sensor 10A comprises a sensor body 12 and a battery pack 14a. The battery pack 14a includes a battery 64, a battery substrate 66a, an indicator 68, a covering portion 70a, and a sealing member 72. In this embodiment, the battery 64 is arranged such that its thickness direction is aligned with the Z direction and its surface direction is aligned with the XY plane. In this case, the height dimension (dimension along the Z direction) of the position detection sensor 10A can be reduced. The battery substrate 66a and the covering portion 70a are set to a shape and size corresponding to the arrangement of the battery 64. In this embodiment, with the battery pack 14a mounted on the sensor body 12, the covering portion 70a is located in the Z1 direction more than the Z2 direction end of the sensor body 12. In other words, with the battery pack 14a mounted on the sensor body 12, the covering portion 70a does not protrude beyond the sensor body 12 in the Z2 direction (see Figures 9 and 11).

[0054] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the above embodiments.

[0055] (Note 1) The position detection sensor (10, 10A) of the present disclosure is a position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of an object to be detected when attached to an object to be mounted (200), and comprises a sensor body (12) to be attached to the object to be mounted, and a battery pack (14, 14a) that is detachable from the sensor body, wherein the battery pack has a battery (64) for supplying power to the sensor body, a battery substrate (66, 66a) to which the battery is attached, and a covering portion (70, 70a) that has electrical insulation properties and integrally covers the battery and the battery substrate.

[0056] With this configuration, the battery pack can be attached to and detached from the sensor body, allowing the battery pack to be replaced while the sensor body is attached to the target object. In this case, tasks such as disassembling and reassembling the parallel link robot or readjusting the position detection sensor are not required. Therefore, the workload of battery replacement can be reduced. Furthermore, since the battery and battery board are integrally covered by the covering part, a stable electrical connection can be made between the battery and the battery board. Thus, a better position detection sensor can be provided.

[0057] (Note 2) The position detection sensor described in Note 1, wherein the covering portion includes a battery covering portion (80) that covers the entire battery and a substrate covering portion (82) that covers the battery substrate, and the battery-side terminal (78) of the battery substrate that is electrically connected to the sensor body may be exposed from the covering portion.

[0058] This configuration allows for a stable electrical connection between the battery and the battery board, while simultaneously electrically connecting the battery terminals to the sensor body.

[0059] (Note 3) A position detection sensor as described in Note 1 or 2, wherein the sensor body comprises a sensor substrate (20), a base portion (16) that supports the sensor substrate, and an insertion portion (18) that protrudes from the base portion and is inserted into a mounting groove (206) of the object to be mounted, the sensor substrate has a plate-shaped sensor-side terminal support portion (56) on which a sensor-side terminal (58) is provided, and the battery substrate has a plate-shaped battery-side terminal support portion (76) on which a battery-side terminal is provided, and with the battery pack mounted on the sensor body, the sensor-side terminal and the battery-side terminal may be located inside the insertion portion and electrically connected to each other.

[0060] This configuration allows for a stable connection between the sensor terminal and the battery terminal. Furthermore, it suppresses momentary disconnections between the sensor terminal and the battery terminal caused by vibration.

[0061] (Note 4) The position detection sensor described in Note 3, wherein the insertion portion has a pair of side wall portions (50, 52) that protrude from the base portion and face each other, the sensor-side terminal support portion is in contact with or close to one of the pair of side wall portions, and the battery-side terminal support portion may be in contact with or close to the other side wall portion of the pair of side wall portions when the battery pack is attached to the sensor body.

[0062] With this configuration, one side wall supports the sensor-side terminal support, while the other side wall supports the battery-side terminal support. Therefore, momentary disconnections between the sensor-side terminal and the battery-side terminal due to vibration can be further suppressed.

[0063] (Note 5) The position detection sensor described in Note 4, wherein the insertion portion may have a constricted portion (44) formed by a pair of side wall portions, and a bulging portion (46) provided at the protruding ends of the pair of side wall portions and bulging out more than the constricted portion in the direction in which the pair of side wall portions are aligned.

[0064] With this configuration, the constricted portion can support both the sensor-side terminal support and the battery-side terminal support.

[0065] (Note 6) A position detection sensor as described in any one of Notes 3 to 5, wherein the battery-side terminal may be a terminal pattern provided on the battery-side terminal support portion.

[0066] This configuration allows for a simplified battery terminal design. In other words, the battery pack, which is a replaceable component, can be designed to be simple and inexpensive.

[0067] (Note 7) The position detection sensor described in Note 6 may have a sensor-side terminal that includes a contact portion (60) that contacts the battery-side terminal and a spring portion (62) that biases the contact portion toward the battery-side terminal.

[0068] With this configuration, the sensor terminals can be pressed against the battery terminals, which further suppresses momentary disconnections between the sensor terminals and the battery terminals due to vibration.

[0069] (Note 8) A position detection sensor according to any one of Notes 3 to 7, wherein the base portion has an insertion hole (34) for inserting the battery-side terminal support portion into the insertion portion, and may further include a sealing member (72) that seals the space between the inner surface of the insertion hole and the outer surface of the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the sensor body.

[0070] With this configuration, the sealing member can prevent liquids such as water from flowing into the insertion part.

[0071] (Note 9) A position detection sensor according to any one of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the sensor body has a plate-shaped base portion, the base portion has a notch (22) in which the battery pack is placed, the notch portion is provided with a support recess (36), and the battery pack has a support protrusion (84) into which it is inserted.

[0072] This configuration allows the battery pack to be securely attached to the sensor body.

[0073] (Note 10) A position detection sensor as described in any one of Notes 3 to 8, wherein the base portion has an insertion hole for inserting the battery-side terminal support portion into the insertion portion, and the sensor body may have a locking portion (94) for preventing the movement of the battery pack in a direction that the battery-side terminal support portion comes out of the insertion hole when the battery pack is attached to the sensor body.

[0074] With this configuration, the locking mechanism prevents the battery pack from detaching from the sensor body when using the position detection sensor, etc.

[0075] (Note 11) The battery pack of the present disclosure is a battery pack that can be attached to the sensor body of a position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of an object when attached to an object, and comprises a battery for supplying power to the sensor body, a battery substrate to which the battery is attached, and a covering portion that integrally covers the battery and the battery substrate and has electrical insulating properties.

[0076] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a battery pack that achieves the same effect as described in Appendix 1.

[0077] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the spirit of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of an object to be detected while attached to a mounting target (200), comprising: a sensor body (12) attached to the mounting target; and a battery pack (14, 14a) detachable from the sensor body, wherein the battery pack comprises: a battery (64) for supplying power to the sensor body; a battery substrate (66, 66a) to which the battery is attached; and a covering portion (70, 70a) that has electrical insulation properties and integrally covers the battery and the battery substrate, the position detection sensor (10, 10A).

2. A position detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the covering portion includes a battery covering portion (80) that covers the entire battery and a substrate covering portion (82) that covers the battery substrate, and the battery-side terminal (78) of the battery substrate that is electrically connected to the sensor body is exposed from the covering portion.

3. A position detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor body comprises: a sensor substrate (20); a base portion (16) that supports the sensor substrate; and an insertion portion (18) that protrudes from the base portion and is inserted into a mounting groove (206) of the object to be mounted, the sensor substrate has a plate-shaped sensor-side terminal support portion (56) on which a sensor-side terminal (58) is provided, and the battery substrate has a plate-shaped battery-side terminal support portion (76) on which a battery-side terminal is provided, and with the battery pack mounted on the sensor body, the sensor-side terminal and the battery-side terminal are located inside the insertion portion and are electrically connected to each other.

4. A position detection sensor according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion has a pair of side wall portions (50, 52) that protrude from the base portion and face each other, the sensor-side terminal support portion is in contact with or close to one of the pair of side wall portions, and the battery-side terminal support portion is in contact with or close to the other side wall portion of the pair of side wall portions when the battery pack is attached to the sensor body.

5. A position detection sensor according to claim 4, wherein the insertion portion comprises a constricted portion (44) formed by a pair of side wall portions, and a bulging portion (46) provided at the protruding ends of the pair of side wall portions and bulging out more than the constricted portion in the direction in which the pair of side wall portions are aligned.

6. A position detection sensor according to claim 3, wherein the battery-side terminal is a terminal pattern provided on the battery-side terminal support portion.

7. A position detection sensor according to claim 6, wherein the sensor-side terminal has a contact portion (60) that contacts the battery-side terminal, and a spring portion (62) that biases the contact portion toward the battery-side terminal.

8. A position detection sensor according to claim 3, wherein the base portion has a through hole (34) formed therein for inserting the battery-side terminal support portion into the insertion portion, and further comprises a sealing member (72) that seals the space between the inner surface of the through hole and the outer surface of the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the sensor body.

9. A position detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor body has a plate-shaped base portion, the base portion has a notch (22) in which the battery pack is placed, the notch portion is provided with a support recess (36), and the battery pack has a support protrusion (84) into which it is inserted.

10. A position detection sensor according to claim 3, wherein the base portion has an insertion hole formed therein for inserting the battery-side terminal support portion into the insertion portion, and the sensor body has a locking portion (94) for preventing the movement of the battery pack in a direction that the battery-side terminal support portion comes out of the insertion hole when the battery pack is attached to the sensor body.

11. A battery pack that is detachable from the sensor body of a position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of an object when attached to an object, the battery comprising: a battery for supplying power to the sensor body; a battery board to which the battery is attached; and a covering portion that integrally covers the battery and the battery board and has electrical insulating properties.

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