Abstract: An insulator 6 for holding electrode wires 4 is provided between a thermistor element 3 and a sheathed pin 5 which is a wiring, and the electrode wires 4, which are inserted into hole portions 6a of the insulator 6, are held therein not bonded to the insulator, whereby the vibration resistance of the electrode wires of the thermistor element is improved so that breaking of the electrode wires is prevented.

Abstract: In a temperature sensor including a pair of electrode wires for signal lead-out, bonded to both opposing end faces of a thermistor device, this invention aims at preventing peeling, of bond portions, between the electrode wires and the thermistor device. This object can be accomplished by sealing the thermistor device 3 and the bond portions between the thermistor device 3 and the electrode wires 4 by using an electrically insulating glass member 6, and holding the pair of electrode wires 4 by using a holding member 8 made of an electrically insulating ceramic while a gap is kept between them.

Abstract: A highly accurate reduction resistant thermistor exhibiting stable resistance characteristics even under conditions where the inside of a metal case of a temperature sensor becomes a reducing atmosphere, wherein when producing the thermistor comprised of a mixed sintered body (M1 M2)O3.AOx, the mean particle size of the thermistor material containing the metal oxide, obtained by heat treating, mixing, and pulverizing the starting materials, is made smaller than 1.0 ?m and the sintered particle size of the mixed sintered body, obtained by shaping and firing this thermistor material, is made 3 ?m to 20 ?m so as to reduce the grain boundaries where migration of oxygen occurs, suppress migration of oxygen, and improve the reduction resistance.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of, for example, an exhaust gas of a vehicle is manufactured by inserting a thermistor element into a bottomed metal tube while filling an inside of the metal tube with a filler material, preferably of silicone oil, to reduce a sliding resistance between the thermistor element and the metal tube as an integral temperature sensing structure which is then mounted in a housing.

Abstract: A temperature sensor according to the present invention includes a sensor body for sensing a temperature; a sheath pin core wire electrically connected to the sensor body; a connector electrically connecting between the sheath pin core wire and the lead wire; and a protection tube for containing the connector and the sheath pin core wire, and for protecting the connector and the sheath pin core wire. A connection portion between the sheath pin core wire and the lead wire is hardened by a ceramic material so that a molded portion is provided. A displacement limiting means is provided for limiting displacement of the molded portion exceeding a predetermined value in the protection tube. The present invention can sufficiently reduce the tension acting on a sheath pin core wire. Further, the present invention can provide an exhaust temperature sensor having a sufficiently low tension acting on the sheath pin core wire which can be effectively used in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: This invention provides a reducing-atmosphere-resistant thermistor element, the resistance of which does not greatly change even when the element is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, and which has high accuracy and exhibits excellent resistance value stability. The thermistor element has a construction in which an oxygen occlusion-release composition, having oxygen occlusion-release characteristics, such as CeO2 is dispersed in a composition containing a mixed sintered body (M1 M2)O3.AOx as a principal component. The oxygen occlusion-release composition emits absorbed oxygen in a reducing atmosphere and suppresses migration of oxygen from the composition constituting the element. Therefore, the resistance value does not greatly change even when the element is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, and the element can accurately detect the temperature for a long time. The present invention can thus provide a temperature sensor having high reliability.

Abstract: A temperature sensor which features improved response characteristics and in which a thermistor element is contained in a metal enclosure in a state where a pair of electrode wires for taking out signals are connected in an exposed manner at two opposing end surfaces thereof. The temperature sensor comprises a metal enclosure 2, a thermistor element 3 contained in the metal enclosure, and a pair of electrode wires 4 connected to the two opposing end surfaces of the thermistor element in a form being exposed over the thermistor element in the metal enclosure to take out thermistor signals, wherein a distance H between the thermistor element and the metal enclosure is not smaller than 0 but is not larger than 0.3 mm.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of, for example, an exhaust gas of a vehicle is manufactured by inserting a thermistor element into a bottomed metal tube while filling an inside of the metal tube with a filler material, preferably of silicone oil, to reduce a sliding resistance between the thermistor element and the metal tube as an integral temperature sensing structure which is then mounted in a housing.

Abstract: In a temperature sensor including a pair of electrode wires for signal lead-out, bonded to both opposing end faces of a thermistor device, this invention aims at preventing peeling, of bond portions, between the electrode wires and the thermistor device. This object can be accomplished by sealing the thermistor device 3 and the bond portions between the thermistor device 3 and the electrode wires 4 by using an electrically insulating glass member 6, and holding the pair of electrode wires 4 by using a holding member 8 made of an electrically insulating ceramic while a gap is kept between them.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a glow plug (1) with an ion current detecting function, which is mounted in a combustion chamber of a Diesel engine. The glow plug includes an insulator (8); a heating element (6) embedded in the insulator and energized through a pair of lead wires (11a, 11b) to generate heat; and an ion current detecting electrode (14) embedded in the insulator with a portion exposed into a flame in the combustion chamber so that an ionization state in the flame can be detected. The heating element of the glow plug promotes ignition and combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber (7) due to its heating action caused when running the heating element hot. The ion current detecting electrode detects an ionization state in the combustion flame. When detecting ion current, the ion current detecting electrode and the adjacent inner wall of the combustion chamber form two electrodes for capturing positive and negative ions existing between both when burning the fuel.

Abstract: A temperature sensor which features improved response characteristics and in which a thermistor element is contained in a metal enclosure in a state where a pair of electrode wires for taking out signals are connected in an exposed manner at two opposing end surfaces thereof. The temperature sensor comprises a metal enclosure 2, a thermistor element 3 contained in the metal enclosure, and a pair of electrode wires 4 connected to the two opposing end surfaces of the thermistor element in a form being exposed over the thermistor element in the metal enclosure to take out thermistor signals, wherein a distance H between the thermistor element and the metal enclosure is not smaller than 0 but is not larger than 0.3 mm.

Abstract: An insulator 6 for holding electrode wires 4 is provided between a thermistor element 3 and a sheathed pin 5 which is a wiring, and the electrode wires 4, which are inserted into hole portions 6a of the insulator 6, are held therein not bonded to the insulator, whereby the vibration resistance of the electrode wires of the thermistor element is improved so that breaking of the electrode wires is prevented.

Abstract: This invention provides a reducing-atmosphere-resistant thermistor element, the resistance of which does not greatly change even when the element is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, and which has high accuracy and exhibits excellent resistance value stability. The thermistor element has a construction in which an oxygen occlusion-release composition, having oxygen occlusion-release characteristics, such as CeO2 is dispersed in a composition containing a mixed sintered body (M1 M2)O3.AOx as a principal component. The oxygen occlusion-release composition emits absorbed oxygen in a reducing atmosphere and suppresses migration of oxygen from the composition constituting the element. Therefore, the resistance value does not greatly change even when the element is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, and the element can accurately detect the temperature for a long time. The present invention can thus provide a temperature sensor having high reliability.

Abstract: A temperature sensor according to the present invention includes a sensor body for sensing a temperature; a sheath pin core wire electrically connected to the sensor body; a connector electrically connecting between the sheath pin core wire and the lead wire; and a protection tube for containing the connector and the sheath pin core wire, and for protecting the connector and the sheath pin core wire. A connection portion between the sheath pin core wire and the lead wire is hardened by a ceramic material so that a molded portion is provided. A displacement limiting means is provided for limiting displacement of the molded portion exceeding a predetermined value in the protection tube. The present invention can sufficiently reduce the tension acting on a sheath pin core wire. Further, the present invention can provide an exhaust temperature sensor having a sufficiently low tension acting on the sheath pin core wire which can be effectively used in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a glow plug (1) with an ion current detecting function, which is mounted in a combustion chamber of a Diesel engine. The glow plug includes an insulator (8); a heating element (6) embedded in the insulator and energized through a pair of lead wires (11a, 11b) to generate heat; and an ion current detecting electrode (14) embedded in the insulator with a portion exposed into a flame in the combustion chamber so that an ionization state in the flame can be detected. The heating element of the glow plug promotes ignition and combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber (7) due to its heating action caused when running the heating element hot. The ion current detecting electrode detects an ionization state in the combustion flame. When detecting ion current, the ion current detecting electrode and the adjacent inner wall of the combustion chamber form two electrodes for capturing positive and negative ions existing between both when burning the fuel.

Abstract: A highly accurate reduction resistant thermistor exhibiting stable resistance characteristics even under conditions where the inside of a metal case of a temperature sensor becomes a reducing atmosphere, wherein when producing the thermistor comprised of a mixed sintered body (M1 M2)O3·AOx, the mean particle size of the thermistor material containing the metal oxide, obtained by heat treating, mixing, and pulverizing the starting materials, is made smaller than 1.0 &mgr;m and the sintered particle size of the mixed sintered body, obtained by shaping and firing this thermistor material, is made 3 &mgr;m to 20 &mgr;m so as to reduce the grain boundaries where migration of oxygen occurs, suppress migration of oxygen, and improve the reduction resistance.

Abstract: A glow plug includes a housing. A main body is at least partially disposed in the housing. The main body is supported with respect to the housing. A support member is included in the main body. A heating member is provided in the support member. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to two ends of the heating member respectively. The lead wires extend out of the support member. An ion sensing electrode provided in the support member is operative for detecting a condition of ionization in a flame. The ion sensing electrode is buried in the support member to be prevented from being exposed to the flame.

Abstract: A glow plug includes a housing. A main body is at least partially disposed in the housing. The main body is supported with respect to the housing. An insulating member is included in the main body. A heating member is provided in the insulating member. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to two ends of the heating member respectively. The lead wires extend out of the insulating member. At least one ion sensing electrode is provided in the insulating member. The ion sensing electrode is electrically connected to the heating member. The ion sensing electrode is operative for detecting a condition of ionization in a flame. The ion sensing electrode has a tip uncovered from the insulating member so as to be exposed to the flame. The heating member has a given portion extending between a center with respect to the electrical connection with the ion sensing electrode and an end of the heating member which is a negative side when a heating dc current is driven through the heating member.