JP7606929B2 - Sensor fixing structure - Google Patents

Description

This technology relates to a sensor fixing structure that fixes a sensor for detecting the displacement of a displacement member.

Conventionally, a sensor fixing structure is known in which a sensor that detects the displacement of a displacement member is disposed on a support. For example, in Patent Document 1, a packaged sensor is disposed on an installation portion of the support, and when a clip member is attached, a pressing portion on the clip member presses a protrusion on the sensor, and the sensor is positioned and fixed on the support.

JP 2017-138300 A

However, when there are multiple sensors to be fixed, the installation work becomes complicated. For example, if two sensors are fixed using the method of Patent Document 1, a clip member is required for each sensor, and the sensors must be fixed one by one with the clip member, which reduces workability. In particular, when the placement positions and orientations of the two sensors are different from each other, the installation work becomes even more difficult.

The aim of this technology is to make it easier to install multiple sensors.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the sensor fixing structure of the present technology has a support, a plurality of sensors arranged from different directions relative to the support for detecting displacement of a displacement member, and a restraining member for collectively fixing the plurality of sensors to the support , the sensors including a main body portion and an engaged portion, and when the sensors are fixed to the support by the restraining member, the main body portion and at least a portion of the support abut against each other due to the restraining force from the restraining member .

This technology makes it easier to install multiple sensors.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a throttle grip device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sensor unit. 13 is a view of the main parts of the sensor unit as viewed from the +Z side. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. 13 is an enlarged view showing an engaged state of a pair of an engaging portion and an engaged portion. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a sensor unit having a temporary mounting structure of a first modified example, viewed from the +Y side. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a sensor unit having a temporary mounting structure of a second modified example, viewed from the +Y side. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sensor holder having a temporary mounting structure of a second modified example.

Below, an embodiment of this technology will be explained with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 is a perspective view of a throttle grip device according to an embodiment of the present technology. A sensor fixing structure according to the present technology is applied to this throttle grip device. As an example, this throttle grip device is attached to a portion extending to the right of a handlebar 11 of a motorcycle. A motorcycle is shown as an example of a vehicle body 18 to which this throttle grip device is applied, but the present technology is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various vehicle bodies such as three-wheeled or four-wheeled buggies equipped with bar-type handlebars, as well as snowmobiles.

As shown in FIG. 1, the direction of the handlebar 11 is the +Y side of the tip of the handlebar 11 and the -Y side of the center of the vehicle body. The throttle grip device includes a grip portion 14 and a grip end 13. The grip portion 14 is disposed in an area including the tip of the handlebar 11. The grip portion 14 is made of rubber or the like, and the grip end 13 is made of metal or the like. The handle switch case 15 is disposed adjacent to the grip portion 14 on the center side of the vehicle body of the handlebar 11 (the opposite side from the tip side; the -Y side). The throttle grip device includes an accelerator position sensor unit 20 including an accelerator position sensor main body (not shown) and a coupler (see also FIG. 2). This sensor unit 20 includes a connection terminal portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, the handlebar 11 is cylindrical and has a hole 11h formed therein. The hole 11h opens into the handlebar switch case 15. A vehicle body side coupler 16, which is an electrical connection part on the vehicle body side, is attached to the end of a harness 17 extending from the vehicle body 18. With the connection terminal part 21 of the sensor unit 20 positioned in the hole 11h and with the handlebar switch case 15 removed, an operator can connect the vehicle body side coupler 16 to the connection terminal part 21 of the sensor unit 20 through the hole 11h. By connecting the connection terminal part 21 to the vehicle body side coupler 16, the accelerator position sensor main body and the vehicle body 18 are electrically connected.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sensor unit 20. The sensor unit 20 has a sensor holder 22, and the connection terminal portion 21 is provided on the sensor holder 22. As described below, a sensor 30 (see Figure 3) and a restraining member 27 are attached to the sensor unit 20. Hereinafter, the directions of each part will be referred to based on the X, Y, and Z coordinate axes shown in Figure 2 and other figures.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the main parts of the sensor unit 20 as viewed from the +Z side. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 3, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including the central axis C1 of the handlebar 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the throttle pipe 12 is attached to the handlebar 11 in a state in which it can rotate around the central axis C1 along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar 11. The throttle pipe 12 is substantially cylindrical, and rotates around the central axis C1 of the handlebar 11 in response to the rotation operation (throttle operation) of the grip portion 14 by the driver.

The shaft 10 extends along the central axis C1. The magnet 19 is cylindrical and fixed to the shaft 10. The shaft 10 and the throttle pipe 12 are arranged coaxially with the handlebar 11. The throttle pipe 12, the shaft 10 and the magnet 19 are examples of a displacement member (also a rotating member) that rotates when the throttle is operated. The sensor holder 22 is in a fixed relationship with the handlebar 11 and does not rotate in conjunction with the throttle pipe 12.

Two sensors 30 are arranged on the sensor holder 22 as a support body. The sensors 30 are electrically connected to the connection terminal portion 21. The sensors 30 are arranged from different directions relative to the sensor holder 22. In other words, the two sensors 30 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis C1 (center of rotation) of the handlebar 11. In this embodiment, the two sensors 30 are arranged on the +Z side and the -Z side. As an example, the sensors 30 are magnetic sensors composed of a sensor IC or the like.

The magnet 19 has multiple magnetic poles magnetized in the circumferential direction, i.e., along the direction of rotation around the central axis C1 of the handlebar 11. The sensor 30 has a Hall element and detects the direction and strength of the magnetic lines of force passing through it. In this way, the sensor 30 detects the rotation angle of the throttle pipe 12 and outputs a value based on the detection result. The detection signal, which is the detection result of the sensor 30, is supplied to a control unit (not shown) of the vehicle body 18 via the vehicle side coupler 16 connected to the connection terminal portion 21 of the sensor unit 20. In this way, the rotation position of the throttle pipe 12 is grasped by the control unit, and the throttle opening is detected. The throttle opening is used for throttle control, etc.

The restraining member 27 is a member that fixes multiple (two) sensors 30 together to the sensor holder 22. One example of the restraining member 27 is a heat shrink tube, which is a ring-shaped member that shrinks when heated. In FIG. 2, the restraining member 27 before installation (before shrinkage) is shown in solid lines, and the restraining member 27 after installation (after shrinkage) is shown in phantom lines. FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show the restraining member 27 in an unattached state and an attached state. The worker places the two sensors 30 in appropriate positions on the sensor holder 22 and then covers them with the restraining member 27. The restraining member 27 is then heated by hot air or the like, causing the restraining member 27 to shrink. As a result, the two sensors 30 are fixed together to the sensor holder 22 without using adhesive or the like.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 3. Figure 5 also shows the restraining member 27 before contraction in phantom lines. The configuration and arrangement of the two sensors 30 are the same, so the configuration and fixing structure of the sensor 30 on the +Z side will be mainly described as a representative.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 30 includes main body portions 31A and 31B and multiple engaged portions 32. The engaged portions 32 are protrusions that protrude in the +X and -X directions. The sensor holder 22 is formed with notched engaging portions 25 that correspond to the four engaged portions 32. The main body portion 31A also includes a restraining surface 33 and an abutment surface 34 (see FIG. 5).

The outer surface 23 at the end on the +Y side of the sensor holder 22 includes an opposing surface 23a (see Figures 2 and 5). The sensor holder 22 includes an installation surface 24 (see Figures 4 and 5). The installation surface 24 is closer to the central axis C1 than the opposing surface 23a.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing the engaged state of one set of engaging portions 25 and engaged portions 32. The relationship between the engaging portions 25 and engaged portions 32 of each set is the same. The engaging portions 25 have protrusions 26 that protrude in the +Y direction. The sensor 30 is temporarily attached to the sensor holder 22 by engaging the engaging portions 25 and engaged portions 32. In other words, when the engaging portions 25 and engaged portions 32 are engaged, the engaged portions 32 are fitted between the end surface 25a on the +Y side of the engaging portions 25 and the protrusions 26, and the engaged portions 32 are positioned in the Y direction.

The position of the tip of the -X side of the engaged portion 32 is restricted by the end face 25b on the -X side of the engaging portion 25. On the other hand, the position of the tip of the +X side of the engaged portion 32 is also restricted on the +X side by the end face on the +X side of the engaging portion 25. This allows the engaged portion 32 to be positioned in the X direction.

On the other hand, the engaged portion 32 can be displaced in the Z direction relative to the engaging portion 25. However, the position of the main body portion 31A in the -Z direction is restricted by the abutment surface 34 of the main body portion 31A of the sensor 30 abutting against the mounting surface 24 of the sensor holder 22. Therefore, when the sensor 30 is temporarily attached, the engaging portion 25 allows displacement of the sensor 30 in the Z direction to the extent that the main body portion 31A does not abut against the mounting surface 24, and restricts displacement of the sensor 30 in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction.

To assemble the +Z side sensor 30, the worker places the sensor 30 on the installation surface 24 from the +Z side so that the engaged portion 32 fits into the engaging portion 25. When the engaged portion 32 engages with the engaging portion 25 and is sandwiched between the end face 25a and the protrusion 26, the sensor 30 is in a temporarily attached state where it will not easily fall off the sensor holder 22. Note that the assembly direction of the -Z side sensor 30 is opposite to that of the +Z side sensor 30, but the basic assembly procedures are the same.

After the two sensors 30 are temporarily attached in this manner, the worker places the restraining member 27 on the +Y end of the sensor holder 22 from the +Y side so as to cover the two sensors 30. The restraining member 27 is then heated by hot air or the like, causing it to shrink. As a result, the two sensors 30 are collectively attached to the sensor holder 22, that is, fixed. First, the contracted restraining member 27 comes into contact with the restraining surface 33 of the main body 31A, thereby pressing the main body 31A in the -Z direction. Therefore, when the sensor 30 is fixed to the sensor holder 22, the abutment surface 34 of the main body 31A is in close contact with the installation surface 24 due to the restraining force from the restraining member 27. This allows the position of the sensor 30 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C1 to be determined with high accuracy. The same action occurs in the main body 31B as in the main body 31A. The contact direction (abutment direction) of the sensor 30 on the +Z side is the -Z direction, and the contact direction of the sensor 30 on the -Z side is the +Z direction.

According to this embodiment, multiple sensors 30 for detecting the displacement of the throttle pipe 12, which are arranged in different directions relative to the sensor holder 22, are collectively fixed to the sensor holder 22 by the restraining member 27. Therefore, there is no need to fix the sensors 30 with thermosetting resin or the like as in the conventional case. This makes it easier to install the multiple sensors 30.

In addition, when the sensor 30 is fixed to the sensor holder 22 by the restraining member 27, the restraining force from the restraining member 27 causes the main body parts 31A, 31B to adhere closely to the sensor holder 22 (mounting surface 24). This improves the positioning accuracy and positioning accuracy of the sensor 30 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C1. If, as in the conventional case, there is a gap between the sensor after fixing and the support body (sensor holder 22) that supports the sensor, the positioning accuracy decreases. However, in this embodiment, the sensor 30 and the sensor holder 22 are in close contact with each other, so high positioning accuracy is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 5, the contracted restraining member 27 contacts the restraining surface 33 of the main body 31A, but also contacts the opposing surface 23a of the sensor holder 22. However, in the Z direction, the position of the sensor holder 22 that contacts the restraining member 27 (opposing surface 23a) is closer to the installation surface 24 (contact position between the main body 31A and the sensor holder 22) by a distance H1 than the position of the main body 31A that contacts the restraining member 27 (restraining surface 33). In other words, the opposing surface 23a is lower than the restraining surface 33 by a distance H1. This ensures that the necessary pressing force in the -Z direction against the main body 31A is secured. Therefore, the contact surface 34 of the main body 31A and the installation surface 24 of the sensor holder 22 can be appropriately contacted, so that the sensor 30 can be stably fixed to the sensor holder 22 while being reliably positioned.

In addition, from the viewpoint of being able to position the sensor 30, the main body parts 31A and 31B may be configured to abut at least a part of the sensor holder 22 by the restraining force from the restraining member 27.

In addition, the sensor 30 is temporarily attached to the sensor holder 22 by engaging the engaging portion 25 of the sensor holder 22 with the engaged portion 32 of the sensor 30, which facilitates the installation of multiple sensors 30. In a configuration in which multiple sensors are arranged in different positions, if no special measures are taken, there is a risk that some of the sensors will easily fall off before being fixed. However, in this embodiment, the engaged portion 32 is fitted and clamped between the end face 25a and the protrusion 26, making it difficult for the sensor 30 to fall off before being fixed, making the installation easier.

In addition, when the sensor 30 is temporarily attached to the sensor holder 22, the engagement portion 25 allows the sensor 30 to be displaced in a direction parallel to the contact direction (Z direction), while restricting the sensor 30 from being displaced in directions perpendicular to the contact direction (X and Y directions). This allows for improved positioning accuracy while maintaining ease of installation.

Next, Figs. 7 to 9 explain modified configurations for temporarily attaching the sensor 30 to the sensor holder 22.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a sensor unit 20 having a temporary mounting structure of a first modified example, viewed from the +Y side. The sensor holder 22 has an engaging portion 28 instead of the engaging portion 25. The engaging portion 28 has a tapered surface 28a on the +Z side. The engaging portions 28 face each other in the X direction. The distance between the tips of the engaged portions 32 in the X direction is slightly longer than the distance between the tips of the engaging portions 28 in the X direction. Note that the engaging portions 28 and the engaged portions 32 only need to be positioned so that they correspond to each other in the Y direction, and their arrangement positions and number in the Y direction are not important. The engaged portions 32 on the +X side and the engaged portions 32 on the -X side may be positioned the same or differently in the Y direction.

When temporarily attaching the sensor 30 to the sensor holder 22, the worker pushes the sensor 30 toward the installation surface 24 from the +Z side. Then, at least one of the engaging portion 28 and the engaged portion 32 temporarily deforms elastically, causing the engaged portion 32 to climb over the tapered surface 28a of the engaging portion 28 and slip into the -Z side of the engaging portion 28. This causes the sensor 30 to be temporarily attached to the sensor holder 22, as shown in FIG. 7.

In addition, in the Z direction, the distance between the +Z side surface of the engaged portion 32 and the abutment surface 34 of the main body portion 31A of the sensor 30 is shorter than the distance between the engaging portion 28 and the installation surface 24. Therefore, in the temporary attachment state, the sensor 30 can be displaced in the Z direction relative to the sensor holder 22, thereby improving positioning accuracy while maintaining ease of attachment.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a sensor unit 20 having a temporary mounting structure of the second modified example, viewed from the +Y side. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a sensor holder 22 having a temporary mounting structure of the second modified example.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the sensor holder 22 has an engaging portion 29 instead of the engaging portion 25. The two engaging portions 29 protrude in the X direction and face each other. A pair of grooves 29a recessed in the Z direction are formed by the engaging portions 29 and the installation surface 24. The pair of grooves 29a extend in the Y direction. The distance between the tips of the engaged portions 32 in the X direction is longer than the distance between the tips of the engaging portions 29 in the X direction. The engaged portions 32 on the +X side and the engaged portions 32 on the -X side may be positioned the same or differently in the Y direction. Furthermore, the positions and number of the engaged portions 32 in the Y direction are not important.

When temporarily attaching the sensor 30 to the sensor holder 22, the worker inserts the sensor 30 by sliding it on the installation surface 24 from the +Y side. At that time, the worker inserts the sensor 30 so that the engaged portion 32 engages with the groove portion 29a. The sensor holder 22 is provided with a regulating surface (not shown) that abuts against the sensor 30 and regulates the position of the sensor 30 in the -Y direction. Therefore, when the sensor 30 abuts against the regulating surface and is positioned in the -Y direction, the sensor 30 is temporarily attached to the sensor holder 22 as shown in FIG. 8.

In addition, in the Z direction, the distance between the +Z side surface of the engaged portion 32 and the abutment surface 34 of the main body portion 31A of the sensor 30 is shorter than the distance between the engaging portion 29 and the installation surface 24. Therefore, in the temporary attachment state, the sensor 30 can be displaced in the Z direction relative to the sensor holder 22, so that the positioning accuracy can be improved while maintaining ease of attachment.

The present technology has been described above in detail based on preferred embodiments, but the present technology is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not deviate from the gist of the present technology are also included in the present technology.

For example, in this embodiment and the modified example, the number of sensors fixed together may be three or more. Furthermore, when three or more sensors are provided, each sensor may be disposed at a different position in the circumferential direction around the central axis C1.

The displacement member whose displacement is detected by the sensor 30 may be one that is displaced relative to the sensor 30. Therefore, either the sensor 30 or the displacement member, or both, may be configured to actually displace. In addition, the relative displacement mode of the displacement member is not limited to rotational displacement.

The restraining member 27 is not limited to a heat shrink tube. Preferably, the restraining member 27 is non-magnetic, insulating, and elastic, and further, it is desirable that the restraining member 27 covers the entire circumference of the sensor 30 and the sensor holder 22. Other examples of the restraining member 27 that can be used include a rubber tube, a cable tie (tie wrap), and an insulating tape (vinyl tape). Also, from the viewpoint of facilitating the installation work of the multiple sensors 30, the restraining member 27 only needs to be capable of fixing the multiple sensors 30 collectively to the support body (sensor holder 22), and the shape of the restraining member 27 is not limited to an annular member.

12 throttle pipe, 22 sensor holder, 25 engagement part, 27 restraint member, 30 sensor, 31A, 31B main body, 32 engaged part

Claims (10)

A support;
A plurality of sensors are arranged in different directions relative to the support body to detect the displacement of the displacement member;
a restraining member for collectively fixing the plurality of sensors to the support body ,
The sensor includes a main body portion and an engaged portion,
A sensor fixing structure , in which, when the sensor is fixed to the support by the restraining member, the main body and at least a portion of the support abut against each other due to a restraining force from the restraining member . The sensor fixing structure according to claim 1 , wherein in a contact direction of the main body portion against the support, a position of the support that contacts the restraining member is closer to a contact position between the main body portion and the support than a position of the main body portion that contacts the restraining member . The support includes an engagement portion,
The sensor fixing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is temporarily attached to the support body by the engaging portion engaging with the engaged portion. The sensor fixing structure described in claim 3, wherein when the sensor is temporarily attached to the support body, the engagement portion allows displacement of the sensor in a direction in which the main body portion abuts against the support body, while restricting displacement of the sensor in a direction perpendicular to the abutment direction . The sensor fixing structure according to claim 3 , wherein, in a state in which the sensor is temporarily attached to the support body, the sensor is displaceable relative to the support body in a direction in which the main body portion abuts against the support body. The sensor fixing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the displacement member is a rotating member, and the sensor detects a rotational displacement of the displacement member. The sensor fixing structure according to claim 6 , wherein the sensors are arranged at different positions from each other in a circumferential direction centered on a rotation center of the rotating member. The sensor fixing structure according to claim 6 , wherein the restraining member is an annular member disposed about a rotation center of the rotating member. The displacement member is rotated by a throttle operation of a handle of the motorcycle,
7. The sensor fixing structure according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor detects a throttle opening. The sensor fixing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the restraining member is a heat shrink tube.

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