Air fuel ratio sensor and method for assembling the same

Abstract

An air fuel ratio sensor for use in an exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine. The sensor has an outer and inner cover 12 and 13 for protection of lead wires 16, 18 and 19 to a detecting element 3 and a heater of the sensor, a rubber seal 2 for obtaining a seal between the covers and the lead wires and a water repellent filter 36 for obtaining a seal between the inner and outer covers 12 and 13, while keeping an air ventilation capability of the space inside the covers. For receiving the lead wires 16, 18 and 19, the seal 2 is formed with holes 20 such that the minimum thickness between the hole and an outer surface of the seal is 1 mm or more. A crimping of the outer cover 12 is done so that a deformation of the seal 2 in a range between 10 to 20% of the outer diameter is obtained. A crimping of the outer cover 12 is further done at a first section 12A at a larger force for fixation of the outer cover 12 to the inner cover 12 and at a second section 12B at a smaller force for holding the water repellent filter 36 between the outer and inner covers. In the crimping, the crimping at the first section is completed simultaneously with or earlier than the completion of the crimping at the second section.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.