JP2011158442A - Pressure sensitive sensor, and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thin pressure sensitive sensor having high sensitivity and few components, concerning a pressure sensitive sensor free from malfunction even when being installed on a curved surface part, and to provide a method for manufacturing the sensor. <P>SOLUTION: This pressure sensitive sensor 11 mounted on a curved surface part of an electrically operated door of an automobile or the like, and sensing a pressure when having a contact of a human body or the like, includes: a pair of flexible electrode members 12 having a prescribed length, and arranged oppositely at a prescribed interval; and an elastic insulating member 13 forming a hollow part 14 holding integrally the pair of flexible electrode members 12 from the outer periphery of the pair of flexible electrode members 12, and extending in the longitudinal direction between the pair of flexible electrode members 12. One or more grooves 15 for facilitating deformation of the flexible electrode members 12 in a direction intersected with the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode members 12 are provided on optional parts on the contact side with the elastic insulating member 13 of the flexible electrode members 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive sensor that senses pressure from the outside, and more particularly to a pressure-sensitive sensor that is highly reliable even when attached to a curved surface portion.

  In recent years, a cable-type pressure sensor for preventing a human body or an object (hereinafter referred to as a human body or the like) from being caught in an electric door or power window (hereinafter referred to as an electric door or the like) of an automobile. It is attached. However, when the conventional cable-shaped pressure-sensitive sensor is mounted in accordance with the curved surface shape of the electric door, the sensor electrodes are connected to each other on the curved surface portion even when no external pressure is applied. There was a case where it touched. Therefore, the conventional cable-shaped pressure-sensitive sensor may malfunction when attached to the curved surface portion. Therefore, there is a demand for a cable-like pressure sensor that is highly reliable without malfunction even when attached to a curved surface portion.

  A rubber-like elastic switch disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a pair of conductive electrodes facing a sensor electrode on the inner surface of a longitudinally continuous hollow portion provided in an insulating rubber-like elastic member having a predetermined length. An insulating rubber-like elastic member with a hole having a plurality of apertures between a pair of conductive rubber-like elastic members is provided. Even when the rubber-like elastic switch is attached to the curved surface portion by providing the insulating rubber-like elastic member with holes having a plurality of apertures between the pair of conductive rubber-like elastic members, the external rubber can In a state where no pressure is applied, the pair of conductive rubber-like elastic members do not contact each other, and the reliability is relatively high. In addition, when external pressure is applied to the rubber-like elastic switch, the conductive rubber-like elastic members can be brought into contact with each other through the opening portion, and the sensor function is also guaranteed.

Japanese Patent No. 3592361

  However, in the rubber-like elastic switch disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to bring the conductive rubber-like elastic members into contact with each other, in addition to the pressure for crushing the conductive rubber-like elastic members, the insulating rubber with holes is provided. A pressure for crushing the elastic member is also necessary. Therefore, there is a problem that the sensitivity of the rubber-like elastic switch is low. In addition, the rubber-like elastic switch has a problem that the cost and weight increase because of the large number of parts in its configuration.

  In addition, since the pair of the conductive rubber-like elastic members are provided in the hollow portion of the rubber-like elastic switch, and the insulating rubber-like elastic member with a hole is further provided therebetween, the rubber The elastic switch is thick. As a result, the rubber-like elastic switch is placed in a portion where the gap between the door and the vehicle body is small, such as an easy closer system (a system that automatically and completely closes a door in a half-door state) that has begun to spread in recent years. There was a problem that it was difficult to install.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a thin pressure-sensitive sensor that does not malfunction even when attached to a curved surface portion, has high sensitivity, has a small number of parts, and a manufacturing method thereof.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, a pair of flexible electrode members having a predetermined length,
The pair of flexible electrode members are arranged to face each other so that a hollow portion having a predetermined interval is formed between the pair of flexible electrode members, and covered from the outer periphery of the pair of flexible electrode members. An elastic insulating member that integrally holds the pair of flexible electrode members,
Have
At least one recess that facilitates deformation of the flexible electrode member in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member in an arbitrary portion of the flexible electrode member on the side in contact with the elastic insulating member The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive sensor characterized in that

  The concave portion may be provided over the entire length of the flexible electrode member of the pressure-sensitive sensor, but may not necessarily be provided over the entire length. However, it is necessary to provide at least a portion arranged with respect to the curved surface portion of the object on which the pressure sensor is installed. The concave portion may be provided in each of the pair of electrode members, or may be provided in any one of them. According to these forms, it is possible to ensure the responsiveness and reliability of the pressure-sensitive sensor disposed on the curved surface portion. However, there may be a form in which the concave portion is not formed in the flexible electrode member in a portion that is not disposed on the curved surface portion. According to this embodiment, the number of steps required for forming the recesses is reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the pressure sensitive sensor can be reduced.

  The recess may be a groove or other shape. The angle at which the groove intersects the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member is preferably −15 to 15 °. You may provide the side groove | channel which continues the said groove | channel on the side surface which the height direction and longitudinal direction of the said flexible electrode member form. It is preferable to penetrate a conductive wire in the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member. The elastic insulating member may be provided with a convex portion that fits into the flexible electrode member. By making this conductive wire penetrate, necessary electrical connection with an external terminal or the like can be easily performed.

  Moreover, you may provide an outer surface recessed part (it demonstrates later) facing the said recessed part in the surface parallel to the side in which the said recessed part of the said flexible electrode member of the said elastic insulating member was provided. The outer surface recess may be an outer surface groove. By forming the outer surface recess, the elastic insulating member and the flexible electrode member can be more easily deformed. The angle at which the outer groove intersects the longitudinal direction of the elastic insulating member is preferably -15 to 15 °. You may provide the outer surface groove | channel which continues the said outer surface groove | channel on the side surface which the height direction and longitudinal direction of the said elastic insulation member form. The elastic insulating member may be made of insulating rubber, and the flexible electrode member may be made of conductive rubber.

  A material having an elastic modulus smaller than that of the flexible electrode member is selected as the elastic insulating member in the present invention. That is, the elastic insulating member is more easily deformed under the same load than the flexible electrode member. By selecting such a material, deformation of the flexible electrode is not hindered even when the elastic insulating member enters the recess of the flexible electrode member.

  According to the present invention, one or more recesses that facilitate deformation of the flexible electrode member in a direction in which any part of at least one of the pair of flexible electrode members intersects the longitudinal direction is provided with the pair of flexible electrodes. A step of forming at least one of the flexible electrode members, a step of arranging the pair of flexible electrode members at a predetermined interval with the side on which the concave portion is formed facing outward, and the pair of flexible electrodes Forming a member integrally with the elastic insulating member, forming the hollow portion between the pair of flexible electrode members, and holding the pair of flexible electrode members. Provided.

  In the pressure sensor manufacturing method, a dummy plate having a volume corresponding to the hollow portion is provided between the pair of flexible electrode members, and the pair of flexible electrode members and the dummy plate are elastically insulated. The hollow portion may be provided by integrally molding with a member and then removing the dummy plate. The dummy plate preferably has a coefficient of friction as small as possible so that the dummy plate can be easily drawn after molding. Specifically, the dummy plate has a low coefficient of friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or a member formed with a coating or a coating film. Is preferably used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pressure sensor having a high sensitivity, a small number of parts, and a thin shape, and a manufacturing method thereof, even when installed on a curved surface portion.

1 is a side sectional view of a pressure sensitive sensor 11 according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensitive sensor 11 according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the flexible electrode member 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 which concerns on suitable 1st embodiment of this invention. The side view of the flexible electrode member 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 which concerns on suitable 1st embodiment of this invention. The side sectional view at the time of attaching pressure sensitive sensor 11 concerning a suitable 1st embodiment of the present invention to a curved surface part. The sectional side view at the time of attaching the pressure-sensitive sensor 21 which concerns on the modification 1 of suitable 1st embodiment of this invention to a curved surface part. The sectional side view at the time of attaching the pressure-sensitive sensor 31 which concerns on the modification 2 of suitable 1st embodiment of this invention to a curved surface part. Explanatory drawing explaining the manufacturing process 1 about the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 which concerns on suitable 1st embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the manufacturing process 2 about the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 which concerns on suitable 1st embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the manufacturing process 3 about the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 which concerns on suitable 1st embodiment of this invention. The top view of the flexible electrode member 42 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 which concerns on suitable 2nd embodiment of this invention. The side view of the flexible electrode member 42 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 which concerns on suitable 2nd embodiment of this invention. The side sectional view of pressure sensitive sensor 71 concerning a suitable third embodiment of the present invention. The sectional side view of the pressure-sensitive sensor 81 which concerns on the modification 2 of suitable 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1a is a side sectional view of a pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention. The first preferred embodiment of the present invention shows a pressure-sensitive sensor 11 that is attached to an electric door or the like of an automobile and senses pressure when a human body, an object, or the like touches.

  As shown in FIG. 1 a, the pressure-sensitive sensor includes a pair of flexible electrode members 12 having a predetermined length and facing each other with a predetermined interval, and a pair of flexible electrodes from the outer periphery of the pair of flexible electrode members 12. An elastic insulating member 13 that holds the electrode member 12 integrally and forms a hollow portion 14 extending in the longitudinal direction between the pair of flexible electrode members 12 is provided. Then, the flexible electrode member 12 is allowed to be easily deformed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member 12 at an arbitrary portion of the flexible electrode member 12 on the side in contact with the elastic insulating member 13. A recess 15 (hereinafter referred to as a groove 15 in the present embodiment) is formed. That is, one or more recesses 15 are formed so that the flexible electrode member 12 can be easily deformed. The flexible electrode member 12 is made of, for example, conductive rubber (elastic body).

  The elastic insulating member 13 is preferably filled in the groove 15 formed in the flexible electrode member 12, but the elastic modulus of the flexible insulating member 13 allows the deformation of the flexible electrode member 12. It is necessary that the elastic modulus of the member 12 be lower (more flexible). When a conductive substance such as carbon is added to the resin material or the like serving as the base material, the elastic modulus of the flexible electrode member 12 becomes higher than that before the addition. Accordingly, it is necessary to select the type and amount of the conductive material in consideration of the workability of the flexible electrode member.

  It is preferable that a voltage is always applied between the pair of flexible electrode members 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 as the conductive wire 16 during operation of the object to which the pressure-sensitive sensor is installed or during power-on. The pressure sensor 11 is connected to a short circuit detection device (not shown) that detects a short circuit between the pair of flexible electrode members 12. When the elastic insulating member 13 is deformed by external pressure due to partial contact of a human body or the like, a pair of flexible electrode members 12 provided at a predetermined interval through the hollow portion 14 are brought into contact with each other and short-circuited. To do. In this way, the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 senses a pressure from the outside, that is, a contact of a human body or the like by detecting a short circuit between the pair of flexible electrode members 12.

  Details of the pressure-sensitive sensor according to the present embodiment will be described below. The length of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 may be changed according to the place where it is attached or the purpose of use. In this embodiment, the length is 150 cm.

  The cross-sectional shape of the pressure sensor 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 b is a cross-sectional view of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 b, the elastic insulating member 13 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the pair of flexible electrode members 12 that sandwich the hollow portion 14. A conductive wire 16 is embedded in the flexible electrode member 12 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the width of the cross section of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 is 8 mm, and the height is 5 mm. The width of the cross section of the flexible electrode member 12 was 4 mm and the height was 1 mm. The distance between the pair of flexible electrode members 12 (the height of the cross section of the hollow portion 14) was 1 mm. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 is a rectangular shape, but may be an elliptical shape. Moreover, although the cross-sectional shape of the flexible electrode member 12 is rectangular, it may be substantially semicircular, and it is preferable to select a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the elastic insulating member 13.

  When an elastic body is used as the flexible electrode member 12, when the pressure sensor 11 is attached to the curved surface portion, it is relatively easy to deform along the curved surface portion of an electric door or the like in conjunction with the elastic insulating member 13. There is.

  The volume resistivity of the flexible electrode member 12 is preferably small. By reducing the volume resistivity of the flexible electrode member 12, the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 can sense pressure with high sensitivity. Further, when the volume resistivity is small, heat generated when a current is passed through the flexible electrode member 12 can be reduced, and deterioration of the flexible electrode member 12 can be suppressed.

  The conductivity of the flexible electrode member 12 is provided by adding a conductive additive to an elastic insulating material (for example, natural rubber or synthetic rubber) as a base material. In this embodiment, the conductive additive is carbon. As a preferable conductive additive, metal particles such as gold particles or silver particles can be used in addition to carbon. In addition, the elastic insulating material to which the conductive additive is added may be vinyl chloride, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or the like in consideration of the operating temperature range of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 and the oil resistance or flame resistance of the elastic insulating member 13. It is preferably selected from chloroprene rubber and the like. However, the amount of conductive additive (for example, carbon) added to the elastic insulating member 13 is blended in consideration of the balance between the volume resistivity and workability of the flexible electrode member 12. This is because when the amount of the conductive additive added to the elastic insulating member 13 is increased in order to reduce the volume resistivity of the flexible electrode member 12, the viscosity of the molding compound for the flexible electrode member 12 increases. This is because the workability deteriorates. Note that the material described above can also be used as the material of the elastic insulating member 13.

  In order to facilitate the deformation of the flexible electrode member 12, it is conceivable to reduce its thickness. However, simply reducing the thickness of the flexible electrode member 12 increases the volume efficiency of the flexible electrode member. There is a concern that the sensitivity of the pressure sensor is deteriorated, the shape maintaining property of the flexible electrode member (characteristic for maintaining the hollow portion 14) is impaired, and the reliability of the pressure sensitive sensor is impaired. In the present invention, a recess such as a groove is formed in the flexible electrode member in order to maintain a certain shape maintaining property as a pressure-sensitive sensor and to suppress an increase in volumetric efficiency of the flexible electrode member. .

  Next, the groove | channel 15 provided in the flexible electrode member 12 is demonstrated using FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b, and FIG. 3a. FIG. 2A is a top view of the flexible electrode member 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 b is a side view of the flexible electrode member 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3a is a sectional side view when the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a curved surface portion.

  A pair of flexible electrode members 12 shown in FIG. 2a is prepared, and these are arranged back to back through the hollow portion 14 as shown in FIG. 2b, and the longitudinal axis of the flexible electrode member 12 is arranged on the outer surface thereof. A plurality of grooves 15 intersecting with each other are provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. By providing the groove 15, the flexible electrode member 12 can be easily deformed along the curved surface portion when the pressure sensor 11 is attached to the curved surface portion. That is, the deformability of the flexible electrode member 12 can be improved. Further, on the side of the flexible electrode member 12 where the groove 15 is formed, the groove is present, so that the deformation is easy, and as a result, as shown in FIG. When not, the non-contact state of the pair of flexible electrode members 12 in the curved surface portion is maintained.

  The groove 15 is provided by molding, cutting, punching, laser processing, or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the side surface shape of the groove 15 is U-shaped, but the side surface shape of the groove 15 is arbitrary such as a rectangular shape or a wedge shape as long as it is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. . The groove 15 may be formed only on one side of the pair of flexible electrode members 12. In that case, the groove 15 may be formed only in the flexible electrode member 12 on the side where deformation is required.

  The flexible electrode member 12 is provided with a groove 15 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. However, the groove 15 intersects the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member 12 due to the processing method of providing the groove 15 or the performance of the machine to process. The angle is preferably −15 to 15 °. If the angle at which the groove 15 intersects the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member 12 is large, it is conceivable that the bending direction of the flexible electrode member 12 deviates from its axis due to the twisting force. As a result, there is a concern that accurate signals regarding contact and non-contact cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is preferable that the groove 15 and the flexible electrode member 12 intersect at an angle as close as possible or at an angle close thereto. In the present embodiment, the width of the groove 15 is 1.0 mm, and the depth of the groove 15 is 0.5 mm in order to penetrate the conductive wire 16. The interval between adjacent grooves 15, the so-called pitch, was set to 3.0 mm. However, the above value is preferably changed according to the location or purpose of use of the pressure sensor 11, the processing method for providing the groove 15, or the performance of the machine to be processed, and is not limited to the above value.

  The flexible electrode member 12 is provided with a conductive wire 16 penetrating in the longitudinal direction. Since it is not easy to connect the flexible electrode member 12 to the external terminal as it is, the connection to the external terminal is facilitated by providing the conductive wire 16 that is electrically connected to the flexible electrode member 12. In addition, the disconnection of the flexible electrode member composed of the flexible electrode member 12 and the conductive wire 16 can be detected. Although a tin-plated annealed copper stranded wire is used as the conductive wire 16, a silver-plated annealed copper stranded wire or the like may be used. In the present embodiment, the conductive wire 16 penetrates the flexible electrode member 12, but the conductive wire is fixed to both ends of the flexible electrode member 12 in the longitudinal direction by a method such as insertion or adhesion. It may be provided. In this case, it goes without saying that the electrical connection between the conductive wire 16 and the flexible electrode member 12 is required to be performed reliably.

  The elastic insulating member 13 covers the pair of flexible electrode members 12 so as to cover from the outer periphery of the flexible electrode member 12 disposed so as to face each other so that a hollow portion 14 having a predetermined interval is formed between the pair of flexible electrode members 12. The electrode member 12 is held integrally. The elastic insulating member 13 serves as a protective member and prevents malfunction of the pressure sensor 11 and deterioration of the flexible electrode member 12 due to intrusion of moisture or foreign matter. Further, since the elastic insulating member 13 is an elastic body, it has excellent flexibility. Therefore, it becomes relatively easy to attach the pressure sensitive sensor 11 to the curved surface portion.

  The elastic insulating member 13 is deformed when the human body or the like is in contact with the body, but after the external force (contact with the human body or the like) is lost, the pressure sensor returns to the original state. It is preferable to configure as described above. From such a viewpoint, the characteristics of the elastic insulating member 13 are selected. Further, the elastic insulating member 13 is provided with a convex portion that fits into the groove 15 as shown in FIG. 1a in order to strengthen the bonding between the elastic insulating member 13 and the flexible electrode member 12 having the groove 15. Also good.

  As a characteristic required for the elastic insulating member 13, it is preferable that the elastic insulating member 13 has a durability that does not cause deformation, settling, or cracking even when external pressure is repeatedly applied. Further, in view of the reactivity and sensitivity of the pressure sensor 11, it is preferable that the elastic coefficient of the elastic insulating member 13 is small to some extent. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the operating temperature range of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 and the oil resistance or flame resistance of the elastic insulating member 13. In view of these circumstances, the material of the elastic insulating member 13 is preferably selected from vinyl chloride, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, butyl rubber, or chloroprene rubber.

Next, Modification 1 and Modification 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3b and 3c.
(Modification 1)
FIG. 3B is a sectional side view when the pressure-sensitive sensor 21 according to the first modification of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is attached to the curved surface portion.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the pressure-sensitive sensor 21 according to the first modification is provided on the side of the pair of flexible electrode members 22 in contact with the elastic insulating member 23 only in a range corresponding to the curved surface portion to which the pressure-sensitive sensor 21 is attached. A plurality of grooves 25 are provided. In this way, when the pressure from the outside is not applied, the groove 25 is flexible while obtaining the desired effect of allowing the pair of flexible electrode members 22 to be non-contacted on the curved surface portion. Compared with a method of providing the entire length of the conductive electrode member 22, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and time. In addition, although a plurality of grooves 25 are provided in the pressure sensor 21, the pressure sensor is deformed when the pressure sensor 21 is installed along the curved surface portion or when a human body or the like comes into contact with the pressure sensor. One or a plurality of grooves 25 may be provided within the scope of the technical idea of facilitating the above.
(Modification 2)
FIG. 3c is a side sectional view when the pressure-sensitive sensor 31 according to the modified example 2 of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is attached to the curved surface portion.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the pressure-sensitive sensor 31 according to the second modification includes the pressure-sensitive sensor 31 as a curved surface portion of the pair of flexible electrode members 32 (conductive rubber 321 and flexible electrode member 322). A plurality of grooves 35 are provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction only in the flexible electrode member 322 having the larger bending radius when attached. In this way, when no pressure is applied from the outside, the groove 35 is formed in the pair of grooves 35 while obtaining the desired effect of allowing the pair of flexible electrode members 32 to be non-contact in the curved surface portion. Compared with the method of forming each of the flexible conductive members, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and time. In addition, the groove 35 is provided over the entire length of the flexible electrode member 322 in the longitudinal direction, but the flexible electrode member of the pressure sensitive sensor can be easily deformed when the pressure sensitive sensor 31 comes into contact with a human body or the like. In order to achieve this, one or a plurality of grooves 35 may be provided only in a portion corresponding to the curved surface portion of the flexible electrode member 322.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the groove 15 that intersects the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member 12 is provided on the side of the flexible electrode member 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 that is close to the elastic insulating member 13. It is a thing. Accordingly, when the pressure sensor 11 is attached to the curved surface portion, the pair of flexible electrode members 12 in the curved surface portion are not in contact with each other and the hollow portion 14 is maintained in a state where no external pressure is applied. Can do. Further, unlike the rubber-like elastic switch disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide the insulating rubber-like elastic member 4 having an opening between the two conductive members 3, so that the sensitivity is high and the number of parts is high. A small and thin pressure-sensitive sensor 11 can be provided.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the present embodiment includes the following steps.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2b, a direction in which the flexible electrode member 12 intersects the longitudinal direction at an arbitrary portion in the longitudinal direction of the pair of flexible electrode members 12 (in FIG. 2b, the vertical direction in the figure). A groove 15 for facilitating deformation is formed in at least one of the pair of flexible electrode members 12.

  Next, the pair of flexible electrode members 12 are arranged as shown in FIG. 2b at a predetermined interval with the side on which the grooves 15 are formed facing outward. At this time, it is desirable to hold the pair of flexible electrode members using an appropriate jig or a dummy plate (which will be described later).

  Next, the pair of flexible electrode members 12 and the elastic insulating member 13 are integrally formed by an extrusion molding machine, and a hollow portion 14 is formed between the pair of flexible electrode members 12 to form a pair of flexible electrode members 12. Hold.

  Details are as follows. FIG. 4 a is an explanatory diagram for explaining the manufacturing process 1 of the method for manufacturing the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing process 1 is a process of extruding a pair of flexible electrode members 12 (grooveless flexible electrode members 18) on both surfaces of the dummy plate 17. The dummy plate 17 is pulled out after the elastic insulating material is formed, and is used to provide the hollow portion 14 between the pair of flexible electrode members 12. Since the dummy plate 17 is finally pulled out, the dummy plate 17 is preferably made of a resin having a low friction coefficient such as polytetrafluoroethylene or a material coated with a lubricant, a release agent, a paint, or the like that gives a low friction coefficient. Thereafter, the conductive wire 16 is penetrated in the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member 12.

  FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a manufacturing process 2 of the method for manufacturing the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing process 2 is a process of providing the grooves 15 on both surfaces of the flexible electrode member 12. This groove may be formed by machining or etching, but it goes without saying that the groove may be formed when the flexible electrode member 12 is extruded.

FIG. 4 c is an explanatory diagram illustrating a manufacturing process 3 of the method for manufacturing the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing process 3 is a process of manufacturing the intermediate pressure-sensitive sensor 20 by covering the outer side of the grooved flexible electrode member 19 with the elastic insulating member 13 by extrusion molding. After forming the intermediate pressure sensor 20, the dummy plate 17 is pulled out of the pressure sensor 20, and the pressure sensor 11 in which the hollow portion 14 is provided between the pair of flexible electrode members 12 is obtained.
(Second embodiment)
Next, a preferred second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 a is a top view of the flexible electrode member 42 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 b is a side view of the flexible electrode member 42 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the flexible electrode member 42 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 according to this embodiment is the height direction of the flexible electrode member 12 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the first embodiment. A side groove 45 continuous to the groove 15 is provided on the side surface formed by the longitudinal direction. The side groove 45 is also provided by molding, cutting, punching, laser processing or the like, similarly to the bottom groove 15. The pressure sensor 41 is the same as the pressure sensor 11 according to the first embodiment except for the above-described configuration. By providing the side surface groove 45 in the flexible electrode member 42, the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 can be easily bent in the side surface direction.

The manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 41 according to this embodiment is the same as the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the first embodiment, but in the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the first embodiment. It is preferable to provide the side groove 45 in the grooveless flexible electrode member 18 at the same time when the groove 15 is provided in the grooveless flexible electrode member 18 in the manufacturing process 2.
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 6a is a sectional side view of a pressure-sensitive sensor 71 according to a preferred third embodiment of the present invention. On the surface parallel to the flexible electrode member 12 of the elastic insulating member 73 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 71 according to the preferred third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. An intersecting outer surface recess 75 (hereinafter referred to as an outer surface groove 75 in the present embodiment) is provided. By doing so, when attaching the pressure-sensitive sensor 71 to the curved surface portion, the elastic insulating member 73 can be easily bent, so that the pressure-sensitive sensor 71 can be easily attached to the curved surface portion. As the flexible electrode member, the same flexible electrode member 12 as the pressure-sensitive sensor 11 according to the first embodiment was used. In the present embodiment, the outer surface groove 75 is provided at a position substantially parallel to the groove 15 of the flexible electrode member 12 and substantially in the longitudinal direction. Although the side surface shape of the outer surface groove 75 is U-shaped, it may be rectangular or wedge-shaped. Further, since the outer surface groove 75 is provided substantially parallel to the groove 15, the outer surface groove 75 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pressure-sensitive sensor 71. However, the angle at which the outer surface groove 75 intersects the longitudinal direction of the elastic insulating member 73 is preferably −15 to 15 ° in view of the processing method for providing the outer surface groove 75 or the performance of the machine to process.

Moreover, the following can be considered as a modification of this embodiment.
(Modification 1)
An outer surface groove that is continuous with the outer surface groove 75 may be provided on the side surface in the height direction of the elastic insulating member 73 of the pressure sensor 71. By doing in this way, bending of the pressure-sensitive sensor 71 in the side surface direction can be made easier.
(Modification 2)
Modification 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6B is a side sectional view of a pressure-sensitive sensor 81 according to Modification 2 of the preferred third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6b, in this modification, the elastic insulating member 83 of the pressure-sensitive sensor 81 is provided with a plurality of outer surface recesses 85 (outer surface grooves 85) only in a range corresponding to the curved surface portion of the installation object. ing. By doing in this way, the manufacturing cost and time concerning a process at the time of providing the outer surface groove | channel 85 can be reduced.

11, 21, 31, 41, 71, 81 Pressure sensor 12, 22, 32, 42 Flexible electrode member 13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83 Elastic insulating member 14 Hollow portion 15, 25, 35 Recessed portion (groove)
16 Conductive wire 17 Dummy plate 18 Non-grooved flexible electrode member 19 Grooved flexible electrode member 20 Intermediate pressure-sensitive sensor 45 Side groove 75, 85 Outer surface recess (outer surface groove)

Claims (16)

A pair of flexible electrode members of a predetermined length;
The pair of flexible electrode members are arranged to face each other so that a hollow portion having a predetermined interval is formed between the pair of flexible electrode members, and covered from the outer periphery of the pair of flexible electrode members. An elastic insulating member that integrally holds the pair of flexible electrode members,
Have
At least one recess that facilitates deformation of the flexible electrode member in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member in an arbitrary portion of the flexible electrode member on the side in contact with the elastic insulating member A pressure-sensitive sensor characterized by forming   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flexible electrode member is made of an elastic body, and the elastic modulus of the flexible electrode member is higher than the elastic modulus of the elastic insulating member.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic insulating member is provided with a convex portion that fits into the concave portion of the flexible electrode member.   The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a groove.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 4, wherein an angle at which the groove intersects the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member is −15 to 15 °.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a side surface groove continuous with the groove is provided on a side surface of the flexible electrode member.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein a conductive wire is penetrated in a longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode member.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface recess facing the recess of the flexible electrode member is provided on a surface of the elastic insulating member.   The pressure sensor according to claim 8, wherein the outer surface recess is an outer surface groove.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 9, wherein an angle at which the outer surface groove intersects with a longitudinal direction of the elastic insulating member is −15 to 15 °.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 8, wherein an outer surface groove that is continuous with the outer surface groove is provided on a side surface of the elastic insulating member.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elastic insulating member is made of insulating rubber.   The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1, wherein the flexible electrode member is made of conductive rubber. One or more recesses that facilitate deformation of the flexible electrode member in a direction in which at least one arbitrary portion of the pair of flexible electrode members intersects the longitudinal direction are provided on the pair of flexible electrode members. Forming at least one of them;
Placing the pair of flexible electrode members at a predetermined interval with the side on which the recess is formed facing outward; and
Forming the pair of flexible electrode members integrally with the elastic insulating member, forming the hollow portion between the pair of flexible electrode members, and holding the pair of flexible electrode members;
A method for manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor, comprising:   A dummy plate is provided between the pair of flexible electrode members, the pair of flexible electrode members and the dummy plate are integrally formed with the elastic insulating member, and then the dummy plate is removed to form the hollow portion. The method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 14.   16. The method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 15, wherein the dummy plate is made of a resin having a low friction coefficient.

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