Patent ID: 7222516
Filing Date: 2007-05-29
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A gas sensor comprising: a gas detecting element, and a terminal member connected to an electrode formed on the gas detecting element, the terminal member being connectable to an external terminal for sending an output signal from the gas detecting element to outside, wherein the terminal member includes: an output-side terminal portion engageable and electrically connectable with the external terminal for sending the output signal, the output-side terminal portion having a plurality of contact points at which the output-side terminal portion elastically contacts with the external terminal to hold the external terminal in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction that moves at least either the external terminal or the output-side terminal portion relatively when the terminal member is connected with the external terminal, and an element-side terminal portion electrically connected to the electrode, wherein the gas detecting element is composed of ceramics, having a tubular form with a bottom closed at a leading end side in an axial direction of the gas detecting element, the electrode is an inside electrode formed on an inner surface of the gas detecting element, the terminal member is made of a plate material bent and formed in a predetermined shape, the output-side terminal portion is tubular, and is elastically expanded or contracted in diameter when connected to the external terminal, and the element-side terminal portion is tubular, and inserted as being elastically contracted in diameter in the gas detecting element, the element-side terminal portion being electrically connected to the inside electrode.