JP2022157890A - Sensor assembly and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sensor assembly and a manufacturing method thereof that includes a sensor layer having translucency.SOLUTION: A sensor assembly 1 includes a translucent skin material 2, and a sensor layer 4 arranged on the back side of the skin material 2, and including an insulating layer 400, an electrode layer 401 arranged on at least one of the front side and the back side of the insulating layer 400, and a first through hole 42 penetrating through the insulating layer 400 and the electrode layer 401 in the front-back direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sensor assembly with a skin material used, for example, as an interior component of a vehicle, and a manufacturing method thereof.

In the field of vehicle interiors, the development of interfaces in which operation icons appear on the surface of the skin material with backlight during use is progressing. As an example, FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of Patent Document 1 in the front and back directions. As shown in FIG. 15, the sensor assembly 100 includes, from the front side to the back side, a translucent skin material 101, a capacitive touch sensor 102, and a light source 103, for example. The light source 103 irradiates the touch sensor 102 with light from the back side.

International Publication No. 2019/225140 pamphlet

Light from the light source 103 needs to pass through the touch sensor 102 and the skin material 101 in order to express a design such as an operation icon on the surface of the skin material 101 . That is, not only the skin material 101 but also the touch sensor 102 must be translucent. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor assembly having a light-transmitting sensor layer and a method for manufacturing the same.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sensor assembly of the present invention includes a translucent skin material, arranged on the back side of the skin material, an insulating layer, and at least one of the front side and the back side of the insulating layer. and a sensor layer having a first through-hole penetrating through the insulating layer and the electrode layer in the front-back direction.

Further, in order to solve the above-described problems, the method for manufacturing a sensor assembly of the present invention includes: a translucent skin material; an insulating layer disposed on the back side of the skin material; a sensor layer having an electrode layer disposed on at least one side; a first through hole penetrating through the insulating layer and the electrode layer in the front-back direction; A method for manufacturing a sensor assembly comprising a back flexible layer having a second through hole overlapping the one through hole, wherein the sensor layer and the back flexible layer are laminated from the front side toward the back side to form a laminate. and forming through-holes penetrating through the laminate in the front-back direction to form the first through-holes in the sensor layer and the second through-holes in the back flexible layer. and a hole opening step.

The sensor layer of the sensor assembly of the present invention has a first through hole. The first through-hole penetrates the insulating layer and the electrode layer in the front-back direction. Therefore, according to the sensor assembly of the present invention, light can be transmitted through the first through hole. Thus, the sensor layer has translucency.

Further, according to the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of the present invention, the sensor layer and the back flexible layer are laminated to form a laminated body in the laminating step, and the through holes are formed in the laminated body in the hole forming step. Therefore, positional deviation between the first through-hole of the sensor layer and the second through-hole of the back flexible layer can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the decrease in translucency caused by the positional deviation. In addition, it is possible to easily manufacture a sensor layer having translucency.

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of the sensor assembly of the first embodiment. 2 is an exploded perspective view within a frame II of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a transmission surface view of the same sensor assembly. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the IV-IV direction of FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the skin material of the same sensor assembly. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the proximity sensor portion of the sensor layer of the same sensor assembly. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure sensor portion of the sensor layer of the same sensor assembly. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a laser processing step of the skin material manufacturing step of the sensor assembly manufacturing method of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the lamination step of the same manufacturing method. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a hole opening step in the same manufacturing method. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the coalescing step of the same manufacturing method. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the melt viscosity of a polymer and the shear rate. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of the second embodiment in the front and back direction. FIG. 14A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the skin material of the sensor assembly of another embodiment (No. 1). FIG. 14B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the skin material of the sensor assembly of another embodiment (No. 2). FIG. 15 is a front-back cross-sectional view of a conventional sensor assembly.

Embodiments of a sensor assembly and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention will be described below.

<First Embodiment>
[Arrangement and configuration of sensor assembly]
First, the arrangement and configuration of the sensor assembly of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a layout diagram of the sensor assembly of this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view within frame II of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a transmission surface view of the same sensor assembly. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view in the direction IV-IV of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor assembly 1 is arranged on the surface (upper surface) of a console box (interior component) 90 in the passenger compartment. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sensor assembly 1 includes a skin material 2, a front flexible layer 3, and a sensor layer 4 from the front side (vehicle inner side, upper side) to the back side (vehicle outer side, lower side). , a back flexible layer 5 , a substrate 6 and a light source member 8 .

(Skin material 2)
FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the skin material. As shown in FIG. 5, the skin material 2 includes a skin layer 20, an intermediate layer 21, a design layer 22, and a plurality of recesses 23 from the front side to the back side. The surface (upper surface) of the skin layer 20 is exposed inside the vehicle. The skin layer 20 is made of synthetic leather and has a layered shape. The skin layer 20 has translucency and flexibility. A textured pattern (not shown) is formed on the surface of the skin layer 20 .

The intermediate layer 21 is laminated on the back surface (lower surface) of the skin layer 20 . The intermediate layer 21 is made of translucent ink and has a layered shape. The intermediate layer 21 has translucency and flexibility. The intermediate layer 21 has lower translucency than the skin layer 20 . That is, the intermediate layer 21 is smoky translucent. Further, the intermediate layer 21 is colored and transparent.

The design layer 22 is laminated on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21 . The design layer 22 is made of opaque ink and has a layered shape. The design layer 22 has opacity and flexibility. That is, the design layer 22 does not transmit light. A plurality of recesses 23 are recessed in the back surface of the design layer 22 . The plurality of recesses 23 form letters "A", "B", and "C" when viewed from the front side.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the recess 23 has side surfaces 230 , an opening 231 and a bottom 232 . The interior of the recess 23 is a space. The side surface 230 extends in the front-back direction. The opening 231 is arranged on the back surface of the design layer 22 . The bottom portion 232 is arranged on the front side of the opening portion 231 . The bottom portion 232 is arranged on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21 .

(Front soft layer 3)
The front soft layer 3 is arranged on the back side of the skin material 2. - 特許庁The front soft layer 3 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer and has flexibility. The hardness of the front soft layer 3 is about 20 to 30 as measured by an Asker C (a durometer specified in SRISO101 (the standard of the Rubber Society of Japan)) hardness tester. The front soft layer 3 has translucency. The front soft layer 3 has light diffusing properties. Therefore, the light from the light source 80 to be described later is diffused by the front soft layer 3 .

(Sensor layer 4)
The sensor layer 4 includes a proximity sensor section 40 , a pressure sensor section 41 and a plurality of first through holes 42 . FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the proximity sensor section. FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the pressure sensor section.

As shown in FIG. 6, the proximity sensor unit 40 is a capacitance-type (self-capacitance) proximity sensor. The proximity sensor section 40 includes an insulating layer 400 and an electrode layer 401 . The electrode layer 401 has flexibility and is arranged on the back side of the front side flexible layer 3 shown in FIG. The electrode layer 401 has a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer and a conductive material containing carbon black. At 200° C., the melt viscosity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer in a low shear region with a shear rate of 60 s ⁻¹ or more and 200 s ⁻¹ or less is 100 Pa·s or more and 800 Pa·s or less. The melt viscosity in the low shear region at 200° C. is four times or less the melt viscosity in the high shear region where the shear rate is 1000 s ⁻¹ or more and 1220 s ⁻¹ or less at the same temperature. DBP absorption of carbon black is 300 cm ³ /100 g or more. The thickness of the electrode layer 401 in the front-back direction is 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

The insulating layer 400 is arranged on the back side of the electrode layer 401 . The insulating layer 400 has a styrene-based elastomer or an olefin-based elastomer, which are flexible thermoplastic elastomers. The visible light transmittance of the insulating layer 400 is 20% or more and 100% or less. In this specification, the visible light transmittance is a value calculated by measuring the transmission spectrum at a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm with a spectrophotometer "UV3100PC" manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation in accordance with JIS A5759:2016. adopt. A control device (not shown) turns on a plurality of light sources 80, which will be described later, based on a change in capacitance between the electrode layer 401 and the user's fingertip.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure sensor unit 41 is a capacitive pressure sensor (load sensor). The pressure sensor section 41 includes an insulating layer 410, a front side electrode layer 411, three back side electrode layers 412, and detection sections SA to SC (FIGS. 3 and 4). The front side electrode layer 411 and the back side electrode layer 412 are included in the concept of "electrode layer" of the present invention.

The front electrode layer 411 is arranged on the back side of the proximity sensor section 40 shown in FIG. The material of the front electrode layer 411 is the same as the material of the electrode layer 401 . The front electrode layer 411 has a strip shape extending in the left-right direction. The insulating layer 410 is arranged on the back side of the front electrode layer 411 . The material of the insulating layer 410 is the same as the material of the insulating layer 400 .

Three back electrode layers 412 are disposed on the back side of the insulating layer 410 . The material of the back electrode layer 412 is the same as the material of the electrode layer 401 . The three back electrode layers 412 are arranged in the horizontal direction with a predetermined interval. The back electrode layer 412 has a strip shape extending in the front-rear direction.

As indicated by dotted line hatching in FIG. 3, the three detection units SA to SC are arranged at portions where the front side electrode layer 411 and the three back side electrode layers 412 intersect (perpendicularly) when viewed from the front side. . Detecting portion SA is on the reverse side of the letter “A” on the design layer 22 (FIG. 5), detecting portion SB is on the reverse side of the letter “B” on the design layer 22, and detecting portion SC is on the reverse side of the letter “C” on the design layer 22. , respectively. The control device drives an actuator (not shown) associated with each detection unit SA-SC based on the change in capacitance of the detection units SA-SC to execute the user's command.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the plurality of first through-holes 42 extend in the plane direction of the sensor layer 4 (proximity sensor section 40, pressure sensor section 41) (direction orthogonal to the front and back direction). distributed throughout. The first through hole 42 penetrates the sensor layer 4 in the front-back direction.

(Back side flexible layer 5)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the backside flexible layer 5 is arranged on the back side of the sensor layer 4 . The material and hardness of the back soft layer 5 are the same as the material and hardness of the front soft layer 3 . The back flexible layer 5 has translucency.

Unlike the front soft layer 3 , the back soft layer 5 has a plurality of second through holes 52 . The plurality of second through holes 52 are distributed over the entire plane of the back flexible layer 5 . The second through hole 52 penetrates the back soft layer 5 in the front and back direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the second through hole 52 overlaps the first through hole 42 when viewed from the front side. Light from a light source 80 , which will be described later, passes through the second through hole 52 .

(Base material 6, light source member 8)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the base material 6 is made of resin and arranged on the back side of the back soft layer 5 . The base material 6 has translucency and flexibility. The light source member 8 is arranged on the back side of the base material 6 . The light source member 8 has a plurality of light sources (LEDs) 80 . The plurality of light sources 80 are distributed over the entire plane of the light source member 8 . The entire surface of the light source member 8 can emit light. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of light sources 80 are arranged inside the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 when viewed from the front side. That is, from the back side to the front side, the light source 80, the second through hole 52, and the first through hole 42 are arranged in a straight line extending in the front and back direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , the light from the light source 80 reaches the rear surface of the design layer 22 through the base material 6 , the second through holes 52 , the first through holes 42 and the front soft layer 3 . The light reaches the surface of the sensor assembly 1 , that is, the console box 90 via the recess 23 , the intermediate layer 21 and the skin layer 20 . If the light source 80, the second through-hole 52, and the first through-hole 42 are linearly extending in the front-back direction from the back side to the front side, the light source member 8 can be replaced with the base material 6. may be placed on the front side of the

[Manufacturing method of sensor assembly]
Next, a method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of this embodiment will be described. The manufacturing method of the sensor assembly of the present embodiment includes a skin material manufacturing process, a sensor layer manufacturing process, a stacking process, a hole forming process, and a coalescing process.

(Skin material manufacturing process)
In this step, the skin material 2 shown in FIG. 5 is manufactured. This process includes a skin material lamination process and a laser processing process. FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the laser processing step of the skin material manufacturing step of the sensor assembly manufacturing method of the present embodiment. First, in the skin material lamination step, the intermediate layer 21 and the design layer 22 are laminated on the back surface of the skin layer 20 by screen printing.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, in the laser processing step, the laminate (skin layer 20, intermediate layer 21, design layer 22) is placed inside out (so that the back surface of the design layer 22 faces upward), A laser processing machine 91 is used to form recesses 23 on the back surface of the design layer 22 . A nozzle 910 of the laser processing machine 91 is relatively movable in the horizontal direction Y3 and the swing direction Y4 with respect to the laminate. By appropriately moving the nozzle 910 , the design of letters “A”, “B”, and “C” (see FIG. 5 ) consisting of a plurality of recesses 23 is formed on the back surface of the design layer 22 .

(Sensor layer manufacturing process)
In this step, the sensor layer 4 shown in FIG. 2 is manufactured. This process includes a proximity sensor section lamination process and a pressure sensor section lamination process. First, in the proximity sensor portion laminating step, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrode layer 401 is attached and laminated on the surface of the insulating layer 400 . However, the plurality of first through holes 42 are not opened.

Next, in the pressure-sensitive sensor portion laminating step, as shown in FIG. 7, the front electrode layer 411 is attached and laminated on the surface of the insulating layer 410 . Also, three back electrode layers 412 are attached and laminated on the back surface of the insulating layer 410 . However, the plurality of first through holes 42 are not opened.

(Lamination process)
FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the lamination process of the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in this step, the sensor layer 4 manufactured in the above-described sensor layer manufacturing step and the pre-manufactured rear soft layer 5 are bonded together to form a laminate 92 .

(Hole opening process)
FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the hole forming step in the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in this step, a plurality of through holes 920 are formed through the laminate 92 manufactured in the above-described lamination step so as to penetrate the laminate 92 in the front and back directions. However, the shape of the laminate 92 when the hole opening process is performed matches the shape of the state (installation state) in which the sensor assembly 1 is installed in the console box 90 shown in FIG.

Through the through holes 920, a plurality of first through holes 42 are formed in the sensor layer 4, and a plurality of second through holes 52 are formed in the back flexible layer 5, respectively. Thus, in this step, by forming the through holes 920, the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 are formed at once. Also, the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 52 are aligned.

(Union process)
FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of the combining step of the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in this process, first, the skin material 2 manufactured in the skin material manufacturing process described above, the front soft layer 3 that has been manufactured in advance, and the plurality of through holes 920 ( The laminated body 92 having the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52) is combined. Next, the laminate 92 and the base material 6 are laminated. Then, the plurality of light sources 80 of the light source member 8 and the through holes 920 are aligned. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , alignment is performed so that the plurality of light sources 80 are arranged inside the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 when viewed from the front side. Thus, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment is manufactured. Note that the unifying process may be performed in parallel when installing the sensor assembly 1 in the console box 90 .

[How to use the sensor assembly]
Next, a method of using the sensor assembly of this embodiment will be described. First, the user brings his finger close to the surface of the sensor assembly 1 (the surface of the console box 90) shown in FIG. The control device turns on the plurality of light sources 80 of the light source member 8 based on the change in capacitance between the electrode layer 401 of the proximity sensor section 40 shown in FIG. 2 and the user's fingertip.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of light sources 80 are arranged inside the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 when viewed from the front side. Therefore, when the light source 80 is turned on, the light from the light source 80 reaches the rear surface of the front soft layer 3 through the base material 6, the second through holes 52, and the first through holes 42. Light is transmitted through the front soft layer 3 from the back side to the front side while diffusing in the plane direction. Light transmitted through the front soft layer 3 reaches the rear surface of the design layer 22 of the skin material 2 . Here, the design layer 22 is opaque. Therefore, light is blocked by the back surface of the design layer 22 . On the other hand, a concave portion 23 is formed on the back surface of the design layer 22 . Therefore, the light passes through the concave portion 23, the translucent intermediate layer 21, and the translucent skin layer 20, and appears on the surface of the skin material 2 (that is, the sensor assembly 1). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the concave portions 23 form letters "A", "B" and "C" when viewed from the front side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, luminous letters "A", "B", and "C" appear on the surface of the sensor assembly 1 (that is, the console box 90).

Predetermined functions are assigned to the letters "A", "B", and "C" appearing on the surface of the sensor assembly 1, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sensor assembly 1 has a detection unit SA on the reverse side of the character "A", a detection unit SB on the reverse side of the character "B", and a character "C". A detector SC is arranged on the back side.

As an example, when the user touches the letter “A”, the pressing force causes the front electrode layer 411 corresponding to the detection part SA to descend while compressing the insulating layer 410 . Therefore, the distance (inter-electrode distance) between the front electrode layer 411 and the back electrode layer 412 is shortened. Therefore, the capacitance between the front side electrode layer 411 and the back side electrode layer 412 is increased. Based on the change in the capacitance of the sensing portion SA, the control device drives the actuator associated with the sensing portion SA to execute the user's command. Thus, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment is used.

[Effect]
Next, the effects of the sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof according to this embodiment will be described.

(About configuration)
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 6 and 7, the sensor layer 4 of the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has a first through hole . The first through hole 42 penetrates the insulating layers 400 and 410, the electrode layer 401, the front side electrode layer 411, and the back side electrode layer 412 in the front and back directions. That is, the first through-hole 42 penetrates the sensor layer 4 in the front-back direction. Therefore, light can be transmitted through the first through holes 42 . Thus, the sensor layer 4 has translucency.

Assume that the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 shown in FIG. 4 are misaligned in the plane direction. In this case, when the sensor assembly 1 is viewed from the front side, the outer peripheral edge of the first through-hole 42 and the outer peripheral edge of the second through-hole 52 are displaced in the planar direction (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the optical path formed by the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 52 becomes small at the joint between the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 52 .

In this respect, according to the sensor assembly 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the plane direction positions of the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 52 match. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the sensor assembly 1 is viewed from the front side, the outer peripheral edges of the first through holes 42 and the outer peripheral edges of the second through holes 52 completely overlap. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the optical path does not become small at the joint between the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 . Thus, the sensor assembly 1 has high translucency.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the skin material 2 has a translucent intermediate layer 21 . Therefore, when the light source 80 is off, the design of the design layer 22 can be suppressed from appearing on the surface of the skin material 2 . On the other hand, when the light source 80 is on, it can help the design of the design layer 22 to appear on the surface of the skin material 2 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the letters "A", "B", and "C" appearing on the surface of the sensor assembly 1 are interspersed with light sources 80. As shown in FIG. Therefore, if the light source 80 is conspicuous, the appearance deteriorates.

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 4, a front soft layer 3 having light diffusion properties is interposed between the skin material 2 and the sensor layer 4 . Therefore, the light from the light source 80 can be diffused like frosted glass or shoji paper. Therefore, the light sources 80 in the characters "A", "B", and "C" that appear on the surface of the sensor assembly 1 are less noticeable. Thus, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has a high degree of designability. The front soft layer 3 is made of elastomer and has flexibility. Therefore, when the user touches the upholstery material 2, the tactile sensation is good.

A back soft layer 5 is arranged on the back side of the sensor layer 4 . The back flexible layer 5 is made of elastomer and has flexibility. Therefore, when the user touches the upholstery material 2, the tactile sensation is good. A second through hole 52 is formed in the back flexible layer 5 . Therefore, the back flexible layer 5 has high translucency.

A base material 6 is arranged on the back side of the back soft layer 5 . The base material 6 has translucency. Therefore, the light from the light source 80 can be transmitted to the second through holes 52 of the back flexible layer 5 . Also, the base material 6 is harder than the other layers (skin material 2, front soft layer 3, sensor layer 4, back soft layer 5). Therefore, the shape retention of the sensor assembly 1 is ensured.

Moreover, the light source 80, the second through-hole 52, and the first through-hole 42 are connected in a straight line. Therefore, it has high translucency. Also, the light source 80 is an LED. Therefore, the light from the light source 80 has high rectilinearity. Therefore, it is easy to introduce light into the second through holes 52 and the first through holes 42 that are linearly connected.

Suppose that the surface of the surface of the skin layer 20 has an input portion (a portion where the characters “A”, “B”, and “C” appear in FIG. 3, corresponding to the detection portions SA to SC (dotted line hatching)), and the front side A case is assumed in which a through hole large enough to include the input section when viewed from above is formed, and light from the light source 80 is guided through the through hole (see FIG. 3). In this case, the detection portions SA to SC of the pressure-sensitive sensor portion 41 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are entirely hollowed out by the through holes. For this reason, the detector is inevitably arranged around the through hole. In other words, the detectors SA to SC cannot be arranged directly behind the input section. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the pressure sensor section 41 is lowered.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, according to the sensor assembly 1 of the present embodiment, compared with the area of the input portion on the surface of the skin layer 20, a single through-hole (first through-hole 42, second The opening area of the two through holes 52) is very small. Therefore, the detection units SA to SC can be arranged right behind the input unit. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the pressure sensor section 41 is increased.

(About manufacturing method)
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, according to the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment, first, in the lamination step, the sensor layer 4 and the back flexible layer 5 are laminated to form a laminate 92 . Next, in the hole forming step, through holes 920 (the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52) are formed in the laminate 92 concerned. Therefore, the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 52 can be opened at once. Further, the plane direction positions of the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 shown in FIG. 4 can be matched. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in translucency caused by positional deviation between the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 . Moreover, the sensor layer 4 having high translucency can be easily manufactured.

Further, the shape of the laminate 92 when performing the hole opening step shown in FIG. 10 matches the shape of the state (installation state) in which the sensor assembly 1 is installed in the console box 90 shown in FIG. For example, when the shape of the sensor assembly 1 in the installed state is a curved shape, the hole making process is performed in the curved shape. Also in this point, it is possible to suppress the decrease in translucency caused by the positional deviation between the first through-hole 42 and the second through-hole 52 .

If the skin material 2 shown in FIG. 5 is manufactured only by screen printing, it is necessary to use a screen mask according to the design of the design layer 22 when printing the design layer 22 on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21 . Therefore, when the design of the design layer 22 is changed, it is necessary to change the screen mask one by one. In this respect, the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly 1 of the present embodiment includes a skin material lamination step and a laser processing step. According to the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly 1 of the present embodiment, after the design layer 22 is printed on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21, the recesses 23 can be arranged in the design layer 22 by laser processing. Therefore, even if the design of the design layer 22 is changed, it is not necessary to change the screen mask one by one. The design of the design layer 22 can be changed only by changing the movement of the nozzle 910 shown in FIG. 8 and the laser output. Therefore, the cost and downtime required for design change can be reduced. In addition, it is suitable for manufacturing a large variety of skin materials 2 in small quantities.

(Regarding the material of the electrode layer)
The electrode layer 401, the front electrode layer 411, and the back electrode layer 412 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "electrode layers") contain a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer as an elastomer component. That is, the electrode layer uses an elastomer component as a base material. Therefore, it is flexible. Styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers have a high affinity for carbon materials such as carbon black due to π-π interactions by aromatic rings. Therefore, it is considered that the effect of increasing the electrical conductivity is high compared to, for example, an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer. Further, when the softening point of the elastomer component is low, there is a problem that the electrode layer tends to stick together. In this regard, since the softening point of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is higher than that of the olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, it is excellent in handleability and moldability.

The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer forming the electrode layer satisfies the following two conditions (a) and (b).
(a) At 200° C., the melt viscosity in a low shear region with a shear rate of 60 s ⁻¹ or more and 200 s ⁻¹ or less is 100 Pa·s or more and 800 Pa·s or less.
(b) At 200 ° C, the melt viscosity in the low shear region with a shear rate of 60 s ^-1 or more and 200 s ^-1 or less is the melt viscosity in the high shear region with a shear rate of 1000 s ^-1 or more and 1220 s ^-1 or less at the same temperature. 4 times or less.

First, the relationship between the melt viscosity of the polymer and the shear rate will be explained. FIG. 12 schematically shows the relationship between polymer melt viscosity and shear rate. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, the melt viscosity of a polymer generally increases as the shear rate decreases. On the other hand, in the case of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer of the electrode layer of the sensor layer 4, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 12, even if the shear rate is reduced, the melt viscosity is low and hardly changes. The condition (a) above indicates that the melt viscosity is low in the low shear region, and the condition (b) indicates that the melt viscosity is low and does not easily change even if the shear rate is low.

A low shear region with a shear rate of 60 s ⁻¹ or more and 200 s ⁻¹ or less corresponds to the shear rate during extrusion molding. That is, the melt viscosity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer of the electrode layer of the sensor layer 4 is low under extrusion molding conditions. Therefore, by using the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, the viscosity of the elastomer composition for forming the electrode layer is lowered. Therefore, an electrode layer of good quality can be manufactured not only by extrusion molding but also by injection molding or the like. In addition, the melt viscosity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer does not easily change (is stable) in the low shear region. Therefore, according to the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, unevenness in the viscosity of the elastomer composition due to conditions such as molding speed is reduced, and moldability is improved. In addition, the elastomer composition is produced by kneading predetermined materials, and even during this kneading, there is little dependency on conditions, so the robustness is improved.

The electrode layer has carbon black with a DBP (dibutyl phthalate) absorption of 300 cm ³ /100 g or more as a conductive material. The DBP absorption is an index showing the degree of structure development, and the larger the DBP absorption, the more developed the structure. When the DBP absorption amount of carbon black is 300 cm ³ /100 g or more, the structure is well developed, and conductivity is likely to be developed. In addition, the structure changes during kneading and extrusion molding, but by combining with a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer that satisfies the above two conditions (a) and (b), it is possible to improve the conductivity. Fewer dependencies and better robustness. Thus, the electrode layer has high flexibility, conductivity, and moldability.

The thickness of the electrode layer is 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less. Since the elastomer composition for forming the electrode layer is excellent in moldability, a uniform sheet-like electrode layer having a thickness of 500 μm or less can be continuously produced by extrusion molding or the like. Thus, the electrode layer is suitable for serial production.

<Second embodiment>
The difference between the sensor assembly and its manufacturing method of this embodiment and the sensor assembly and its manufacturing method of the first embodiment is that the substrate has a third through hole. Another difference is that the sensor layer has only the proximity sensor section. Only the points of difference are described here.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of this embodiment in the front and back direction. Parts corresponding to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 13, the sensor layer 4 has only the proximity sensor section 40 . Moreover, the plurality of third through holes 62 are distributed over the entire plane of the substrate 6 . The third through-hole 62 penetrates the substrate 6 in the front-back direction. When the sensor assembly 1 is viewed from the front side, the outer peripheral edge of the first through-hole 42, the outer peripheral edge of the second through-hole 52, and the outer peripheral edge of the third through-hole 62 completely overlap. Moreover, the light source 80, the third through-hole 62, the second through-hole 52, and the first through-hole 42 are arranged in a straight line extending in the front-back direction from the back side to the front side. Light from the light source 80 reaches the rear surface of the design layer 22 through the third through holes 62 , the second through holes 52 , the first through holes 42 and the front soft layer 3 . The light reaches the surface of the sensor assembly 1 , that is, the console box 90 via the recess 23 , the intermediate layer 21 and the skin layer 20 .

In the lamination step (see FIG. 9) of the sensor assembly manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the base material 6 is additionally arranged on the laminate 92 . Further, in the hole forming step (see FIG. 10), when forming the plurality of through holes 920, the third through holes 62 are formed at the same time as the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 are formed. Also, the first through-hole 42, the second through-hole 52, and the third through-hole 62 are aligned.

The sensor assembly and its manufacturing method according to the present embodiment and the sensor assembly and its manufacturing method according to the first embodiment have similar functions and effects with respect to portions having common configurations. The sensor layer 4 may have only a single proximity sensor section 40 like the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment. That is, the sensor layer 4 only needs to include at least one insulating layer 400 and at least one electrode layer 401 .

Alternatively, the sensor layer 4 may include only a single pressure-sensitive sensor section 41 . That is, the sensor assembly 1 may not have a trigger sensor for turning on the light source 80 . In this case, the timing at which the light source 80 is turned on is not particularly limited. It may be always on. Also, the light source 80 may be turned on in conjunction with the room lamp, headlight, or the like of the vehicle. Alternatively, the sensor layer 4 may be a single pressure-sensitive sensor section 41 that also serves as a proximity sensor. In this case, pressure-sensitive detection and proximity detection can be realized with a single sensor, and the thickness of the sensor layer 4 in the front-back direction can be made thinner than when two sensors are provided.

The base material 6 has a third through hole 62 . Therefore, even if the base material 6 does not have translucency due to its material, translucency can be ensured by the third through holes 62 . Also, the plurality of light sources 80 are arranged inside the first through hole 42, the second through hole 52, and the third through hole 62 when viewed from the front side (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has high translucency.

According to the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly 1 of the present embodiment, first, in the lamination step, the sensor layer 4, the back flexible layer 5, and the base material 6 are laminated to form the laminate 92 (see FIG. 9). Next, in a hole forming step, through holes 920 (first through hole 42, second through hole 52, third through hole 62) are formed in the laminate 92 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the first through-hole 42, the second through-hole 52, and the third through-hole 62 can be opened at once. In addition, the plane direction positions of the first through-hole 42, the second through-hole 52, and the third through-hole 62 shown in FIG. 13 can be matched. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in translucency due to positional deviation among the first through-hole 42, the second through-hole 52, and the third through-hole 62. FIG.

<Others>
The embodiments of the sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention have been described above. However, the embodiments are not particularly limited to the above forms. It is also possible to implement in various modified forms and improved forms that can be made by those skilled in the art.

[About configuration]
FIG. 14A shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the skin material of the sensor assembly of another embodiment (No. 1). FIG. 14B shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the skin material of the sensor assembly of another embodiment (No. 2). Parts corresponding to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 14A, a bottom portion 232A of the concave portion 23A (corresponding to the letter "A" in FIG. 5 described above) is arranged within the design layer 22. As shown in FIG. Further, the bottom 232B of the recess 23B (corresponding to the letter "B" in FIG. 5 above) and the bottom 232C of the recess 23C (corresponding to the letter "C" in FIG. are placed. The depths of the recesses 23A to 23C in the front-back direction are, in ascending order, the recesses 23A, the recesses 23B, and the recesses 23C. Thus, the depths of the recesses 23A to 23C in the front and back directions may not be constant. Due to the depth difference, a difference in light transmittance can be provided. Therefore, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of design freedom is increased.

Also, the bottoms 232B and 232C (intermediate layer reaching portions) may be arranged within the intermediate layer 21 . By doing so, the light transmittance can be reduced compared to the case where the bottoms 232 of the recesses 23 are uniformly the back surface of the skin layer 20 . On the contrary, the transmittance of light from the light source 80 can be improved compared to the case where the bottom 232 of the recess 23 is uniformly the back surface of the intermediate layer 21 . Further, when the bottoms 232B and 232C are arranged closer to the skin layer 20, the recesses 23B and 23C become deeper accordingly. Therefore, the transmittance of light from the light source 80 can be improved. On the contrary, when the bottoms 232B and 232C are arranged closer to the design layer 22, the recesses 23B and 23C become shallower accordingly. Therefore, the transmittance of light from the light source 80 can be reduced. By adjusting the positions of the bottom portions 232B and 232C in the front-back direction in this way, the design that appears on the surface of the upholstery material 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of design freedom is increased. Further, when the design layer 22 has translucency, the bottom portion 232A may be arranged within the design layer 22 . Note that the bottom portion 232A of the single recessed portion 23A may include a base portion and a deep bottom portion arranged on the front side of the base portion. In this case, the deep bottoms may be arranged within layers of the intermediate layer 21, as well as the bottoms 232B, 232C.

Further, the intermediate layer 21 may be composed of a plurality of layers overlapping in the front-back direction. For example, the intermediate layer 21 may be composed of a plurality of layers, and the translucency of each layer may be gradually decreased from the front side to the back side. Alternatively, the intermediate layer 21 may be composed of a plurality of layers, each layer having a different color. Similarly, when the design layer 22 has translucency, the design layer 22 may be composed of a plurality of layers overlapping in the front-back direction.

Further, the intermediate layer 21 may be composed of a plurality of layers that are continuous in the plane direction. A plurality of layers may have different colors and translucency. By doing so, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of design freedom is increased. Similarly, the design layer 22 may be composed of a plurality of layers continuous in the plane direction.

The opening widths of the plurality of recesses 23A, 23B, and 23C (the opening widths in the direction (lateral direction) perpendicular to the extending direction of the recesses 23A, 23B, and 23C) may be the same or different. By varying the opening widths of the plurality of recesses 23A, 23B, and 23C, the design that appears on the surface of the upholstery material 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of design freedom is increased.

As shown in FIG. 14B, the side surfaces 230 of the recesses 23A to 23C are provided with inclined portions 2300. As shown in FIG. The inclined portion 2300 is inclined rightward by an inclination angle θ1 with respect to the extending direction of the surface normal L1 of the surface of the skin layer 20 (front and back direction). Therefore, when the light traveling through the concave portions 23A to 23C in the direction of the surface normal L1 is incident on the inclined portion 2300, at least part of the light may be reflected by the inclined portion 2300 in some cases. Also, the light may be refracted by the inclined portion 2300 . Therefore, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of design freedom is increased. Note that the side surfaces 230 of the plurality of recesses 23A to 23C may have inclined portions 2300 having different inclination angles θ1. Also, part of the side surface 230 of the recesses 23A to 23C may be the inclined portion 2300. FIG. In addition, the inclination angle θ1 and the extending direction (inclination direction) of the inclined portion 2300 are not particularly limited.

The design that appears on the skin material 2 by the recesses 23 is not particularly limited. For example, patterns (polka dots, striped patterns, lattice patterns, heathered patterns, marble patterns, etc.), characters (alphabet, hiragana, katakana, kanji, numbers, etc.), figures (polygons, circles, etc.), symbols (for device operation) buttons, icons indicating device status, etc.). Further, the color of the design appearing on the skin material 2 may be monochromatic or multicolored. The color may be displayed on the skin material 2 by one or more selected from the skin layer 20 , the intermediate layer 21 , the design layer 22 and the light source 80 . In particular, if the portion overlapping with the concave portion 23 when viewed from the front side is colored, the light from the light source 80 tends to cause the skin material 2 to develop a color.

The translucency of the skin layer 20 and the intermediate layer 21 is not particularly limited. It may be colorless and transparent, colored and transparent, translucent, and the like. The intermediate layer 21 may have a gradation in which the color changes from the back surface to the front surface. In this way, the color that appears on the surface of the upholstery material 2 can be changed according to the positions of the bottoms 232B and 232C (intermediate layer reaching portions) shown in FIG. 14(A). Note that the gradation of the intermediate layer 21 may be formed by a plurality of layers. The design layer 22 does not have to be opaque. In other words, the design layer 22 should have a lower translucency than the intermediate layer 21 . In this case, like the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22 may have a gradation in which the color changes from the back surface to the front surface. In this way, the color that appears on the surface of the upholstery material 2 can be changed according to the position of the bottom portion 232A. The colors (hue, saturation, brightness) of the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22, and the light source 80 are not particularly limited. Also, the brightness of the light source 80 is not particularly limited.

The type of light source 80 is not particularly limited. It may be an organic EL sheet or an inorganic EL sheet. Also, the light source member 8 may include the light source 80 and a light guide plate (for example, an acrylic plate). In this case, the light source main body may be arranged next to the light guide plate in the surface direction, the surface of the light guide plate may be surface-emitting, and the substrate 6 may be arranged on the front side of the light guide plate. The light source 80 may be a phosphorescent sheet.

The interior parts on which the sensor assembly 1 is arranged are not particularly limited. Examples include door trims, seats, floors, ceilings, instrument panels, center clusters, glove compartments, steering wheels (handles), center consoles, and registers. The installation surface of the sensor assembly 1 in the interior member may be flat or curved. The orientation (orientation in the front/back direction) when installing the sensor assembly 1 is not particularly limited. The sensor assembly 1 may be arranged on interior parts of ships, aircraft, buildings, and houses other than vehicles.

The configuration of the sensor assembly 1 is not particularly limited. Among the skin material 2, the front soft layer 3, the sensor layer 4, the back soft layer 5, and the base material 6, another layer may be interposed between two layers adjacent to each other in the front and back direction. The same applies to the configuration within each layer (for example, the configuration of the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, and the design layer 22 in the skin material 2). Further, another layer may be arranged on the front side of the skin material 2 .

The configuration of the proximity sensor unit 40 shown in FIG. 6 is not limited. A mutual capacitance type proximity sensor may be used. Also, the actuators driven by the detection units SA to SC shown in FIG. 3 are not particularly limited. It may be a motor, compressor, solenoid, or the like.

[About materials]
The material of the skin material 2 is not particularly limited. That is, the material of the skin layer 20 is not particularly limited. Examples include synthetic leather, resins, elastomers, nonwoven fabrics, and various types of cloth (woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, etc.). Synthetic leather, resins, and elastomers include acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene thermoplastic elastomers, olefin thermoplastic elastomers, and dynamic cross-linking thermoplastic elastomers. etc. Examples of nonwoven fabrics and various fabrics include polyester, polypropylene, nylon, and cotton. The skin layer 20 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

The visible light transmittance of the skin layer 20 is preferably 50% or more and 100% or less. This makes it possible to make the design of the design layer 22 stand out more on the surface of the skin material 2 when the light source 80 is turned on.

The material of the intermediate layer 21 is not particularly limited. Examples include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamic cross-linking thermoplastic elastomer. . The intermediate layer 21 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

The visible light transmittance of the intermediate layer 21 is preferably more than 0% and 40% or less. This makes the design of the design layer 22 less noticeable when the light source 80 is off.

The material of the design layer 22 is not particularly limited. Examples include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamic cross-linking thermoplastic elastomer. . The design layer 22 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

Materials for the front soft layer 3 and the back soft layer 5 are not particularly limited. Examples thereof include elastomers such as styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, dynamic cross-linking type thermoplastic elastomers, and foams such as polyurethane foams. When the back flexible layer 5 has the second through-holes 52, translucency due to the material is unnecessary.

The material of the sensor layer 4 is not particularly limited. That is, the material of the insulating layers 400 and 410 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "insulating layers" as appropriate) is not particularly limited. The thermoplastic elastomer for the insulating layer is not particularly limited. The elastomer may be appropriately selected from elastomers such as styrene, olefin, vinyl chloride, urethane, ester, and amide. One type or two or more types of thermoplastic elastomers may be used. For example, styrenic thermoplastic elastomers include SBS, SEBS, SEPS, and the like. Examples of olefinic elastomers include EEA, EMA, EMMA, and copolymers of ethylene and α-olefins (ethylene-octene copolymers).

Rubber, resin, and foam other than thermoplastic elastomer may be used for the insulating layer. Examples thereof include rubbers such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM, EPDM), resins such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, and foams such as polyurethane foam.

The material of the electrode layer is not particularly limited. The electrode layer preferably has conductivity and is flexible. A preferred volume resistivity of the electrode layer is less than 10 ohm-cm. It is more preferable that it is 1 Ω·cm or less. Examples of materials for the electrode layer include conductive rubber and conductive cloth.

Conductive rubber has an elastomer and a conductive material. As the elastomer, one or more selected from crosslinked rubbers such as acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, urea rubber, fluororubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers may be used. Examples of conductive materials include metal particles made of silver, gold, copper, nickel, rhodium, palladium, chromium, titanium, platinum, iron, and alloys thereof, metal oxide particles made of zinc oxide and titanium oxide, and titanium carbonate. metal nanowires made of silver, gold, copper, platinum, nickel, etc.; conductive carbon materials such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphite, thin-layer graphite, and graphene; good. The conductive rubber may contain cross-linking agents, cross-linking accelerators, dispersants, reinforcing agents, plasticizers, anti-aging agents, colorants and the like.

As the conductive cloth, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or the like of conductive fibers may be used. Examples of conductive fibers include polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plated with highly conductive copper, nickel, or the like.

The material of the base material 6 is not particularly limited. Examples include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamic cross-linking thermoplastic elastomer. . In order to ensure the shape retention of the sensor assembly 1, the base material 6 should be harder than the other layers (skin material 2, front soft layer 3, sensor layer 4, back soft layer 5). On the other hand, it is sufficient for the base material 6 to have shape followability to the installation surface of the interior parts for the sensor assembly 1 (the upper surface of the console box 90 shown in FIG. 1).

[About manufacturing method]
A method of laminating the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, and the design layer 22 in the skin material 2, a method of laminating the electrode layer 401 and the insulating layer 400 in the proximity sensor section 40, a front electrode layer 411 and an insulating layer 410 in the pressure-sensitive sensor section 41, The lamination method of the back electrode layer 412 is not particularly limited. Screen printing, gravure printing, inkjet printing, flexographic printing, etc. may be used. Moreover, each layer may be laminated by adhesion, vapor deposition, or the like. A method of forming the concave portions 23 in the skin material 2 is not particularly limited. In addition to laser processing, photoetching or the like may be used.

The method of fixing the sensor layer 4 shown in FIG. 2 to the front soft layer 3 and the back soft layer 5 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "soft layers" as appropriate) is not particularly limited. For example, in the case where the installation surface of the interior component for the sensor assembly 1 (the upper surface of the console box 90 shown in FIG. 1) is a convex surface that bulges to the front side, the base material 6 on the inner side of the curvature radius of curvature is placed on the outside of the curvature radius. Other layers (back side flexible layer 5, sensor layer 4, front side flexible layer 3, skin material 2) are brought into pressure contact. The pressure contact force can be used to fix the sensor layer 4 and the flexible layer. On the other hand, if the mounting surface of the interior component with respect to the sensor assembly 1 is a concave surface that bulges to the rear side, the above-mentioned pressure contact force does not act. Therefore, the sensor layer 4 and the flexible layer can be fixed using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, or the like.

1: sensor assembly, 2: skin material, 20: skin layer, 21: intermediate layer, 22: design layer, 23: concave portion, 23A to 23C: concave portion, 230: side surface, 2300: inclined portion, 231: opening portion, 232 : Bottom 232A: Bottom 232B: Bottom 232C: Bottom 3: Front flexible layer 4: Sensor layer 40: Proximity sensor 400: Insulating layer 401: Electrode layer 41: Pressure sensor 410 : insulating layer 411: front electrode layer (electrode layer) 412: back electrode layer (electrode layer) 42: first through hole 5: back flexible layer 52: second through hole 6: base material 62 : third through hole, 8: light source member, 80: light source, 90: console box, 91: laser processing machine, 92: laminate, θ1: tilt angle, 910: nozzle, 920: through hole, SA to SC: detection Department

Claims (8)

a translucent skin material;
an insulating layer arranged on the back side of the skin material, an electrode layer arranged on at least one of the front side and the back side of the insulating layer, and a first through hole passing through the insulating layer and the electrode layer in the front and back directions. a sensor layer having
A sensor assembly comprising: 2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light diffusive front compliant layer disposed between the skin material and the sensor layer. 3. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a back flexible layer disposed on the back side of the sensor layer and having a second through hole overlapping the first through hole when viewed from the front side. 4. The sensor assembly of claim 3, comprising a substrate disposed on the backside of the backside compliant layer and having translucency. 4. The sensor assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a substrate having a third through hole disposed on the back side of the back flexible layer and overlapping the second through hole when viewed from the front side. 6. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a light source disposed on the back side of the base material and overlapping the first through hole when viewed from the front side. The electrode layer has a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer and a conductive material containing carbon black,
The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has a melt viscosity of 100 Pa s or more and 800 Pa s or less in a low shear region at a shear rate of 60 s ^-1 or more and 200 s ^-1 or less at 200 ° C., and at 200 ° C., the low shear The melt viscosity in the region is 4 times or less than the melt viscosity in the high shear region where the shear rate is 1000 s ^-1 or more and 1220 s ^-1 or less at the same temperature,
The DBP absorption amount of the carbon black is 300 cm ³ /100 g or more,
7. The sensor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thickness is between 50 [mu]m and 500 [mu]m. A method of manufacturing a sensor assembly according to claim 3, comprising:
a lamination step of laminating the sensor layer and the back flexible layer from the front side to the back side to form a laminate;
a hole opening step of opening the first through hole in the sensor layer and the second through hole in the back flexible layer by opening through holes penetrating the laminate in the front and back directions;
A method of manufacturing a sensor assembly comprising:

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