Gas Sensor Spring Guide Groove Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas sensors face misalignment issues with spring terminals, leading to unstable contact states between sensor elements and spring terminals, particularly when external forces are applied, due to the design of holding grooves and extension portions.
Innovation Solution
The gas sensor incorporates a pair of contact springs with spring guide grooves and flex guide grooves that guide and stabilize the spring contact portions, preventing displacement and ensuring stable flexion and contact, even under external forces, by forming flex guide grooves orthogonal to spring guide grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the extension portion is allowed to flex elastically to contact the sensor element, then the contact state becomes adaptable, but the nearest-neighboring unit may be displaced from the holding groove when external force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a second guiding groove that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first guiding groove. This creates a two-dimensional guiding structure that constrains the extension portion in both the depth direction (first groove) and the width direction (second groove), preventing displacement while maintaining elastic flexibility for contact adaptation
2Device complexity
If the holding groove is formed parallel to the accommodation hole forming direction, then the structure is simplified, but the extension portion cannot be properly guided when flexing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a second guiding groove perpendicular to the first groove, transforming the guidance from one-dimensional to two-dimensional. This enhanced guidance structure improves positioning precision without significantly increasing overall structural complexity, as both grooves are integrated into the insulator body
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
This configuration stabilizes the contact state between the sensor element and spring contact portions, preventing misalignment and ensuring consistent contact, even when external forces are applied, thereby maintaining reliable gas concentration measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a spring contact portion (22) extending from an end portion of the spring body portion (21), and allowed to be flexed
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensor stabilizes a contact state between a sensor element and each spring terminal is provided. A gas sensor includes a sensor element, a plurality of contact springs and an insulator. The insulator has an element insertion hole into which the sensor element is inserted, and a pair of spring guide grooves for guiding the pair of contact springs respectively. Each of the spring contact portions has a spring contact portion, whereby the spring contact portions are disposed at mutually-opposed positions with the sensor element located therebetween. The pair of spring guide grooves are formed at the mutually-opposed positions. The insulator is formed with a flex guide groove extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the spring guide groove is formed. The flex guide groove communicates with the pair of spring guide grooves, and collectively guides the extension portions of the pair of spring contact portions.