Gas Sensor Atmosphere-Side Insulator Tilting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensors face issues with maintaining reliable electrical contact between electrode terminals and spring terminals due to tilting, leading to potential damage and instability, especially when the sensor element is tilted with respect to the element holder.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensor design incorporating a tilting device with convexed portions on the atmosphere-side insulator and element holder body allows the atmosphere-side insulator to tilt at a given angle, maintaining coaxial alignment and ensuring stable placement, thus preventing dislocation of spring terminals from electrode terminals and ensuring reliable electrical conductance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sensor element is miniaturized with narrowed width, then the sensor size is reduced, but the electrical contact between spring terminals and electrode terminals becomes defective
Solution Approach 1:
The atmosphere-side insulator is designed to be tiltable relative to the element holder body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the spring terminals' position to maintain reliable electrical contact with the electrode terminals even when the sensor element is miniaturized
2Stability of the object's composition
If the atmosphere-side insulator is placed with reference to the element holder body, then the insulator placement is stable, but the spring terminals dislocate from electrode terminals when sensor element tilts
Solution Approach 1:
The atmosphere-side insulator is designed with tilting capability, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically. The insulator can tilt within a predetermined angle range relative to the element holder body, enabling the spring terminals to maintain contact with the electrode terminals even when the sensor element tilts, thus resolving the conflict between placement stability and contact reliability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the clearance between inner bore of atmosphere-side insulator and sensor element is narrowed, then the insulator fits tighter, but damage occurs to the sensor element when tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The atmosphere-side insulator is designed to tilt relative to the element holder body, creating a dynamic fit rather than a rigid fixed clearance. This tilting capability allows the insulator to accommodate the sensor element's tilt without causing damage, while still maintaining a tight fit for stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures reliable electrical contact and stability of the atmosphere-side insulator, preventing damage to the sensor element and maintaining effective electrical conductance even when the sensor element is tilted, while simplifying the structure and reducing component count for cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spring terminals 41, 41 which are held in pressured contact with the electrode terminals 21, 21 so as to sandwich the base end portion 2b of the sensor element 2
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensor is disclosed having an element holder body with which a sensor element is fixedly supported, and an atmosphere-side insulator covering a base portion of the sensor element and providing electrical connection between lead wires and terminal electrodes of the sensor element. The element holder body includes a housing and an element-side insulator fixedly mounted in the housing. The atmosphere-side insulator incorporates therein a plurality of spring terminals held in electrical contact with the electrode terminals of the sensor element. At least one of the element holder body and the atmosphere-side insulator carries thereon convexed portions with which the atmosphere-side insulator can tilt with respect to the element holder body.