Piezoelectric pressure sensor having tubular charge detecting unit and method of assembling same

摘要

A piezoelectric pressure sensor includes a generally elongated sensor housing, a pressure receiving plate disposed at a first end of the sensor housing with a first surface thereof serving as a pressure receiving surface for receiving a pressure applied from outside of the sensor housing, a pressure transmission member accommodated in the sensor housing with a first end thereof held in contact with a second surface of the pressure receiving plate, and a tubular piezoelectric element accommodated in the sensor housing with a first end thereof held in contact with a second end of the pressure transmission member. A pair of electrodes are formed on the external and internal surfaces of the piezoelectric element, respectively. An external charge detection member is held in contact with the external electrode for collecting charge generated by the external electrode and is encircled by a heat-shrinkable tube, while an internal charge detection member is held in contact with the internal electrode for extracting charge therefrom. A fixing screw is threaded into the sensor housing for holding in a prestressed fashion the piezoelectric element and the pressure transmission member against the pressure receiving plate. During assemblage of the pressure sensor, the heat-shrinkable tube undergoes a thermal shrinkage upon application of heat thereto, thereby compressing the external charge detection member radially inwardly against the external electrode.