Patent ID: 7626167

Claim:
An infrared sensor comprising: an infrared sensor element; a box package accommodating the infrared sensor element in an interior thereof so as to allow surface mounting, the package having one substantially rectangular side that is open; and an optical filter arranged so as to transmit infrared radiation of a predetermined wavelength, the optical filter being disposed so as to cover the opening, whose shape is substantially rectangular in plan view, of the package, the optical filter arranged to cause the infrared sensor element to receive the infrared radiation having the predetermined wavelength, and arranged to define a cover that seals the opening; wherein supporting portions are disposed only at four corners of the opening of the package, the supporting portions support only portions of the optical filter in the vicinity of the four corners of the opening, the optical filter is disposed so as to cover the opening, and the supporting portions are disposed at positions that are lower than an upper end of an inner peripheral wall defining the opening; while the optical filter is supported by the supporting portions as a result of inserting a portion of a surface side of the optical filter facing the supporting portions into the opening, the optical filter is secured to the package; and the package includes a metallic package body and an insulating covering material that is disposed on inner and outer surfaces of the metallic package body such that it covers a main portion of the metallic package body, and the metallic package body is exposed at an area that is connected to the optical filter through conductive adhesive so that the conductive adhesive electrically connects the optical filter and the package body to each other.