Patent ID: 7074309
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An air-fuel ratio sensor comprising: a cylindrical solid electrolytic element having an open end and an opposed closed end with an inside chamber defined therein; an inside electrode provided on an inner surface of said solid electrolytic element; an outside electrode provided on an outer surface of said solid electrolytic element; a heater accommodated in said inside chamber so as to extend in an axial direction for warming up said solid electrolytic element to a predetermined active temperature level; and a metallic holder having a plurality of discrete, separated heater holding portions that are generally opposed, to support said heater therebetween, a single fixing portion engaged with said solid electrolytic element, and connecting portions integrally connecting said heater holding portions to said fixing portion, wherein said single fixing portion is configured into a cylindrical or ring shape with opposing parallel straight edges of said fixing portion extending in the axial direction with a predetermined clearance therebetween so as to have a C-shaped cross section fitting said inner surface of said solid electrolytic element, each of said connecting portions extends from said fixing portion toward said heater, and each of said separated heater holding portions is integrally connected to a distal end of a corresponding connecting portion.