Elastic member, and method and structure for attaching sensor to sensor attachment member using the same

Claim 2

An elastic member for attaching a sensor having a sensor protruding portion to a sensor attachment member having a through hole by intervening between the sensor protruding portion of the sensor and the through hole of the sensor attachment member, the elastic member comprising: a body member having a hollow shape with first and second ends for receiving the sensor protruding portion therein, the sensor protruding portion being insertable into the second end of the body member; a first end protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member close to the first end of the body member to protrude inwardly; an intermediate protrusion provided on the inner surface of the body member to protrude inwardly between the first end protrusion and the second end of the body member, the intermediate protrusion being elastically deformed between the sensor protruding portion and the sensor attachment member, within the through hole, when the sensor protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member; and a second end flange provided on an outer surface of the body member surface close to the second end thereof to protrude outwardly.

Claim 3

An elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the first end protrusion is continuously formed to encircle the inner surface of the body member.

Claim 4

An elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the second end flange of the elastic member abuts a surface of the sensor attachment member on a sensor side in a state where the sensor is attached to the sensor attachment member via the elastic member.

Claim 5

An elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member includes a first end flange provided on the outer surface of the body member close to the first end thereof to protrude outwardly.

Claim 6

An elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the body member has a tapered portion on a first end side thereof, the tapered portion having an outer diameter gradually decreasing toward the first end of the body member.

Claim 7

An elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has a rotationally symmetrical shape.

Claim 8

An elastic member according to claim 1, wherein the first end protrusion has a non-angular cross-sectional shape formed with a curve.

Claim 9

An elastic member for fixing a sensor having a sensor protruding portion to a sensor attachment member having a through hole by being inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member along with the sensor protruding portion which is held in the elastic member, the sensor protruding portion having an engagement portion, the elastic member comprising: a body member having a hollow shape with first and second ends for receiving the sensor protruding portion therein, the sensor protruding portion being insertable into the second end thereof; a first protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member to protrude inwardly to be engaged with the engagement portion of the sensor protruding portion to provisionally fix the body member on the sensor protruding portion; and a second protrusion provided on the inner surface of the body member, closer to the first end than the first protrusion, to protrude inwardly to be engaged with the engagement portion of the sensor protruding portion to fix the body member on the sensor protruding portion in a state where the sensor protruding portion is completely inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment members, wherein the first protrusion is elastically deformed between the sensor protruding portion and the sensor attachment member in the through hole in the state where the sensor protruding portion is completely inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 10

An elastic member for fixing a sensor having a sensor protruding portion to a sensor attachment member having a through hole by being inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member along with the sensor protruding portion which is held in the elastic member, the sensor protruding portion having an engagement portion, the elastic member comprising: a body member having a hollow shape with first and second ends for receiving the sensor protruding portion therein, the sensor protruding portion being insertable into the second end thereof; a first protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member to protrude inwardly to be engaged with the engagement portion of the sensor protruding portion to provisionally fix the body member on the sensor protruding portion; and a second protrusion provided on the inner surface of the body member, closer to the first end than the first protrusion, to protrude inwardly to be engaged with the engagement portion of the sensor protruding portion to fix the body member on the sensor protruding portion in a state where the sensor protruding portion is completely inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment members, wherein the first protrusion is elastically deformed between the sensor protruding portion and the sensor attachment member in the through hole in the state where the sensor protruding portion is completely inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 11

An elastic member according to claim 8, wherein the first protrusion seals the sensor protruding portion in the elastic member in the state where the sensor protruding portion is completely inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 12

An elastic member according to claim 8, wherein the body member has a tapered portion on an outer surface on the first end side thereof, the tapered portion having an outer diameter gradually decreasing toward the first end of the body member.

Claim 13

An elastic member according to claim 8, wherein the second protrusion has a non-angular cross-sectional shape formed with a curve.

Claim 14

An elastic member according to claim 8, wherein the elastic member has sensor rotation preventive means for preventing the rotation of the sensor protruding portion in the through hole of the sensor attachment member with respect to the sensor attachment member.

Claim 15

An elastic member according to claim 12, wherein the elastic member has a third protrusion provided on an outer surface of the body member to function as the sensor rotation preventive means.

Claim 16

An elastic member according to claim 12, wherein: the sensor has a sensor body with an end surface thereof from which the sensor protruding portion protrudes; the sensor attachment member has a sensor side surface to face the sensor body; the elastic member has a flange provided on an outer surface of the body member on a second end side of the body member to protrude outwardly in a radial direction of the body member to intervene between the sensor side surface of the sensor attachment member and the end surface of the sensor body in the state where the sensor protruding portion is completely inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member; and the sensor rotation preventive means is provided on the flange.

Claim 17

An elastic member according to claim 14, wherein the sensor rotation preventive means is one selected from a plurality of irregularities and a plurality of notches formed on a surface of the flange of the elastic member.

Claim 18

An elastic member according to claim 14, wherein the sensor rotation preventive means is a third protrusion provided on a surface of the flange facing the sensor body to protrude toward the sensor body.

Claim 19

An elastic member according to claim 14, wherein the sensor rotation preventive means is a fourth protrusion provided on a surface of the flange facing the sensor attachment member to protrude toward the sensor attachment member.

Claim 20

A sensor assembled body comprising: a sensor attachment member having a through hole; a sensor having a sensor body having an end surface, and a sensor protruding portion protruding from the end surface the sensor protruding portion being inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member to have a fore end portion thereof protruding from the through hole; and an elastic member having a body member which intervenes between the through hole of the sensor attachment member and the sensor protruding portion, a first flange provided at a first end thereof on a sensor side to protrude outwardly in a radial direction of the body member and to be sandwiched between the end surface of the sensor body and a first surface of the sensor attachment member, a second flange provided at a second end thereof on a sensor attachment side to protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the body member and to protrude from the through hole of the sensor attachment member to face a second surface of the sensor attachment member opposite to the first surface, and an intermediate protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member between the first and second ends to encircle the inner surface of the body member and elastically deform in the radial direction of the body member by the outer surface of the sensor protruding portion, within the through hole.

Claim 21

A sensor assembled body comprising: a sensor attachment member having a through hole; a sensor having a sensor body having an end surface, and a sensor protruding portion protruding from the end surface the sensor protruding portion being inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member to have a fore end portion thereof protruding from the through hole; and an elastic member having a body member which intervenes between the through hole of the sensor attachment member and the sensor protruding portion, a first flange provided at a first end thereof on a sensor side to protrude outwardly in a radial direction of the body member and to be sandwiched between the end surface of the sensor body and a first surface of the sensor attachment member, a second flange provided at a second end thereof on a sensor attachment side to protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the body member and to protrude from the through hole of the sensor attachment member to face a second surface of the sensor attachment member opposite to the first surface, and an intermediate protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member between the first and second ends to encircle the inner surface of the body member and elastically deform in the radial direction of the body member by the outer surface of the sensor protruding portion, within the through hole.

Claim 22

A sensor assembled body according to claim 18, wherein the fore end portion of the sensor protruding portion is tapered to have a diameter which continuously decreases to the fore end of the sensor protruding portion.

Claim 23

A sensor assembled body according to claim 19, wherein the body member of the elastic member has a tapered portion on the sensor attachment member side, the tapered portion having a diameter continuously decreasing the second end of the elastic member.

Claim 24

A sensor assembled body according to claim 20, wherein the second flange has the tapered portion on an outer surface thereof.

Claim 25

A sensor assembled body according to claim 20, wherein an outer diameter of the second flange is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole.

Claim 26

A sensor assembled body according to claim 18, wherein a length between the first and second flanges in an axial direction of the elastic member is approximately equal to a length of the through hole in an axial direction of the through hole.

Claim 27

A sensor assembled body comprising: a sensor having a sensor body with an end surface thereof and a sensor protruding portion protruding from the end surface and having a groove on an outer surface thereof; a sensor attachment member having a through hole having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the sensor protruding portion; and an elastic member provided between the sensor protruding portion and the through hole of the sensor attachment member, the elastic member having a hollow shape and having first and second protrusions protruding from an inner surface thereof, the first protrusion being elastically deformed by the sensor protruding portion, within the through hole, to seal the sensor protruding portion held in the elastic member, the second protrusion being fitted into the groove of the sensor protruding portion outside the through hole, in a state where the sensor protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole via the elastic member.

Claim 28

A sensor assembled body comprising: a sensor having a sensor body with an end surface thereof and a sensor protruding portion protruding from the end surface and having a groove on an outer surface thereof; a sensor attachment member having a through hole having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the sensor protruding portion; and an elastic member provided between the sensor protruding portion and the through hole of the sensor attachment member, the elastic member having a hollow shape and having first and second protrusions protruding from an inner surface thereof, the first protrusion being elastically deformed by the sensor protruding portion, within the through hole, to seal the sensor protruding portion held in the elastic member, the second protrusion being fitted into the groove of the sensor protruding portion outside the through hole, in a state where the sensor protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole via the elastic member.

Claim 29

A sensor assembled body according to claim 24, wherein the second protrusion of the elastic member is fitted into the groove of the sensor protruding portion to make a space with the groove.

Claim 30

A sensor assembled body according to claim 25, wherein the second protrusion of the elastic member has a non-angular cross-sectional shape formed with a curve to make a space with the groove of the sensor protruding portion.

Claim 31

A sensor assembled body according to claim 24, wherein one of the sensor, the sensor attachment member and the elastic member has sensor rotation preventive means for preventing the sensor from rotating with respect to the sensor attachment member.

Claim 32

A sensor assembled body according to claim 27, wherein: the sensor body has a side face; the sensor attachment member has a recess having a side face approximately parallel to the side face of the sensor body, the trough hole formed in a bottom of the recess; and the side face of the sensor body and a side face of the recess of the sensor attachment member face each other to function as the sensor rotation preventive means.

Claim 33

A sensor assembled body according to claim 28, wherein: the elastic member has a tongue-like member provided at an end of the elastic member on a sensor body side, the tongue-like member extending to intervene between the side face of the sensor body and the side face of the recess of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 34

A sensor assembled body according to claim 24, wherein: the elastic member has a flange provided at an end on an outer surface thereof on a sensor body side to protrude outwardly in a radial direction thereof to be sandwiched between the end surface of the sensor body and a surface of the sensor attachment member facing the sensor body via the elastic member: the flange of the elastic member has a third protrusion thereon; and one of the end surface of the sensor body and the surface of the sensor attachment member has a recess to receive the third protrusion therein.

Claim 35

A sensor assembled body according to claim 24, wherein: the elastic member has a flange provided at an end on an outer surface thereof on a sensor body side to protrude outwardly in a radial direction thereof to be sandwiched between the end surface of the sensor body and a surface of the sensor attachment member facing the sensor body via the elastic member: the flange of the elastic member has a through hole therein; and one of the end surface of the sensor body and the surface of the sensor attachment member has a third protrusion to be fitted into the through hole of the flange of the elastic member.

Claim 36

A sensor assembled body according to claim 24, wherein the sensor protruding portion has a tapered portion at a fore end thereof, the tapered portion having an outer diameter which continuously decreases to the fore end.

Claim 37

A sensor assembled body according to claim 32, wherein the tapered portion of the sensor protruding portion is provided on a fore end side with respect to the groove and protrudes from the through hole of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 38

A sensor assembled body according to claim 32, wherein the elastic member has a tapered portion on an end thereof on a sensor attachment side, the tapered portion having an outer diameter which continuously decreases to the end on the sensor attachment side.

Claim 39

A sensor assembled body according to claim 24, wherein the first protrusion of the elastic member is fitted into the groove of the sensor protruding portion in a state where the sensor protruding portion is provisionally inserted into the elastic member.

Claim 40

A sensor assembled body according to claim 35, wherein, in the state where the sensor protruding portion is provisionally inserted into the elastic member, a distance from an end of the elastic member on a sensor side to the end surface of the sensor in an axial direction of the sensor protruding portion is approximately equal to the length between the first and second protrusions in the axial direction.

Claim 41

A sensor assembled body according to claim 36, wherein a width of the groove in an axial direction of the sensor protruding portion is approximately equal to a width of the second protrusion in an axial direction of the elastic member.

Claim 42

A sensor assembled body according to claim 35, wherein, in the state where the sensor protruding portion is provisionally inserted into the elastic member, a fore end of the sensor protruding portion abuts the second protrusion.

Claim 45

A method for attaching a sensor to a sensor attachment member according to claim 39, wherein: the sensor protruding portion has a fore end portion formed on a fore end side of the groove; the elastic member has a second protrusion formed on the inner surface thereof, the second protrusion being formed adjacently to a first end of the elastic member, from which the elastic member is inserted into the through hole, and when the sensor protruding portion is more deeply inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member, the first protrusion of the elastic member is disconnected from the groove of the sensor protruding portion; the second protrusion of the elastic member is fitted into the groove of the sensor protruding portion; and the fore end portion of the sensor protruding portion protrudes from the second end of the elastic member and from the through hole of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 46

A method for attaching a sensor to a sensor attachment member according to claim 40, wherein; the sensor has a sensor body having a diameter larger than an internal diameter of the through hole of the sensor attachment member; and the fore end portion of the sensor protruding portion has an outer diameter which continuously decreases to the fore end thereof.

Claim 47

A method for attaching a sensor to a sensor attachment member according to claim 40, wherein: the elastic member has a first flange formed on an outer surface on a second end thereof to protrude outwardly in a radial direction thereof; and the elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member until the first flange abuts a surface of the sensor attachment member.

Claim 48

A method for attaching a sensor to a sensor attachment member according to claim 42, wherein: the elastic member has a tapered flange portion on a first end side having a diameter which decreases toward the first end thereof and protrudes outwardly in the radial direction thereof; when the elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the sensor attachment member, the tapered flange portion of the elastic member protrudes from the through hole; and when the sensor protruding portion is more deeply inserted into the through hole, the fore end portion of the sensor protruding portion protrudes from the elastic member and from the through hole enlarging the tapered flange portion of the elastic member by passing through in the elastic member.

Claim 51

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 44, wherein the component is a pressure sensor.

Claim 52

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 44, wherein: the component protruding portion has a tapered portion at a fore end thereof having a diameter which continuously decreases the fore end; and by more deeply inserting the component protruding portion into the through hole of the elastic member and into the through hole of the attachment member, the tapered portion of the component protruding portion protrudes from the through hole of the elastic member and from the through hole of the attachment member.

Claim 53

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 44, wherein: the elastic member has first and second flanges respectively formed on an outer surface at first and second ends thereof to protrude outwardly in a radial direction thereof; and the elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the attachment member until the second flange of the elastic member protrudes from the through hole of the attachment member on an opposite side of the component and the first flange of the elastic member abuts a surface of the attachment member facing the component; and by more deeply inserting the component protruding portion into the through hole of the elastic member and into the through hole of the attachment member, the second flange of the elastic member abuts the other surface of the attachment member on the opposite side of the component.

Claim 54

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 47, wherein the second flange of the elastic member is tapered to have an outer diameter which decreases to an end of the elastic member.

Claim 55

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 48, wherein an outer diameter of the second flange is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole of the attachment member.

Claim 56

A method for attending a component to an attachment member according to claim 47, wherein by inserting the component protruding portion more deeply into the through hole of the elastic member and into the through hole of the attachment member, the second flange of the elastic member is elastically deformed to abut a surface of the attachment member on the opposite side of the component.

Claim 57

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 47, wherein a length between the first and second flanges in an axial direction of the elastic member is approximately equal to a length of the through hole of the attachment member in an axial direction of the through hole.

Claim 58

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 44, wherein: the component protruding portion has a groove on an outer surface thereof; the elastic member has a second protrusion on the inner surface thereof, the second protrusion being closer to an end, from which the elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the attachment member, than the first protrusion; the groove receives therein the first protrusion in the provisionally fixed state; and the groove receives therein the second protrusion by inserting the component protruding portion more deeply into the through hole of the elastic member.

Claim 59

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 52, wherein: the component protruding portion has a fore end portion at a fore end side of the groove; and the fore end portion abuts the second protrusion in the provisionally fixed state.

Claim 60

A method for attaching a component to an attachment member according to claim 52, wherein a width of the groove in an axial direction of the component protruding portion is approximately equal to a width of the second protrusion in an axial direction of the elastic member.

Claim 61

An elastic member for attaching a component having a component protruding portion to an attachment member having a through hole by being interposed into the through hole of the attachment member along with the component protruding portion, the elastic member comprising: a body member having a hollow shape with first and second ends for receiving the component protruding portion therein and a tapered portion having an outer diameter which continuously decreases toward the second end thereof from which the elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the attachment member; a first flange provided on an outer surface of the body member on the first end thereof to protrude outwardly in a radial direction of the body member, the first flange which abuts a first surface of the attachment member on a component side in a state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member via the elastic member; a second flange provided on the outer surface of the body member on the second end thereof to protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the body member, the second flange which abuts a second surface of the attachment member on an opposite side of the component side in the state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member via the elastic member; and an intermediate protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member between the first and second ends of the body member, for being elastically deformed in a radial direction of the body member, within the through hole, in the state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member.

Claim 62

An elastic member for attaching a component having a component protruding portion to an attachment member having a through hole by being interposed into the through hole of the attachment member along with the component protruding portion, the elastic member comprising: a body member having a hollow shape with first and second ends for receiving the component protruding portion therein and a tapered portion having an outer diameter which continuously decreases toward the second end thereof from which the elastic member is inserted into the through hole of the attachment member; a first flange provided on an outer surface of the body member on the first end thereof to protrude outwardly in a radial direction of the body member, the first flange which abuts a first surface of the attachment member on a component side in a state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member via the elastic member; a second flange provided on the outer surface of the body member on the second end thereof to protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the body member, the second flange which abuts a second surface of the attachment member on an opposite side of the component side in the state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member via the elastic member; and an intermediate protrusion provided on an inner surface of the body member between the first and second ends of the body member, for being elastically deformed in a radial direction of the body member, within the through hole, in the state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member.

Claim 63

An elastic member according to claim 55, wherein: the component protruding portion has a groove provided on an outer surface thereof; and the elastic member has a second end side protrusion provided on the inner surface of the body member close to the second end thereof to protrude inwardly in the radial direction of the body member, the second end side protrusion which is received in the groove of the component protruding portion in the state where the component protruding portion is fully inserted into the through hole of the attachment member via the elastic member.