Method of manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor

• US 20080307623A1
• Filed: 04/23/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (Minebea Mitsumi, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (Minebea Mitsumi, Inc.)
• Inventors: Furukawa, Kenichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,587,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/25.35
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 11/08 using piezoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 9/18 Details, e.g. bulbs, pumps, pistons, switches or casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/435 Solid dielectric type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49078 Laminated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4908 Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49172 by molding of insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/263 With means to apply transient nonpropellant fluent material to tool or work

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor including a case, a piezoelectric element having first and second electrodes, and a conductive member having first and second conductive parts is disclosed. The method includes the steps of a) forming the conductive member by integrally forming the first and second conductive parts and a joining part that joins portions of the first and second conductive parts, b) mounting the piezoelectric element and the conductive member in the case so that the first conductive part is connected to the first electrode and the second conductive part is connected to the second electrode, and the joining part and the portions of the first and second conductive parts joined by the joining part are positioned outside of the case, c) supplying a filling material into the case, and d) removing the joining part after step c).

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor including a case, a piezoelectric element having first and second electrodes, and a conductive member having first and second conductive parts, the method comprising the steps of:

a) forming the conductive member by integrally forming the first and second conductive parts and a joining part that joins portions of the first and second conductive parts;

b) mounting the piezoelectric element and the conductive member in the case so that the first conductive part is connected to the first electrode and the second conductive part is connected to the second electrode, and the joining part and the portions of the first and second conductive parts joined by the joining part are positioned outside of the case;

c) supplying a filling material into the case; and

d) removing the joining part after step c).

2. The method of manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member is formed by using a cladding material.

3. The method of manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step a) includes a step of punching out the conductive member from a planar conductive material.

4. The method of manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a step of:

forming a notch part on each end of the joining part.