JP3338983B2 - Pressure sensitive distribution sensor sheet and disconnection detection method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet for detecting a seat pressure distribution, a contact distribution pressure between two rollers, and the like, and a disconnection detecting method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-mentioned pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet is basically composed of a flexible backing having a large number of row electrodes printed thereon and a flexible backing having a large number of column electrodes printed thereon. And both backings are integrated so as to interpose pressure-sensitive ink between the row and column electrodes.

In this sensor sheet, when pressure is applied,
Although the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive ink portion at each intersection formed by the row and column electrodes changes in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure, the distribution of the pressure is detected by using the change in the resistance value. That is, when the pressure distribution is detected by the sensor sheet, a voltage is sequentially applied to each row electrode, and the voltage on each column electrode side is sequentially detected for each row electrode. In addition, if the area corresponding to each intersection shown on the display is three-dimensionally displayed or color-coded according to the magnitude of the voltage of the column electrode through each intersection, the distribution of the pressure applied to the sensor sheet can be improved. It can be judged visually and it is very convenient.

However, the conventional pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet does not have a function of detecting the disconnection of the printed row / column electrodes, and checks whether there is a disconnection by applying pressure to the entire sensor sheet before work. I had to. If there is a disconnection during the operation, it may be determined that pressure is not applied to a portion related to the electrode where the disconnection has occurred.

[0005]

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is no need to perform a disconnection check operation by applying pressure, and if a disconnection occurs, a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet capable of detecting the disconnection in real time and a disconnection detection method therefor. The task is to provide

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor for eliminating a disconnection confirmation operation performed by applying pressure and enabling detection of occurrence of a disconnection in real time. A sheet comprising row electrodes R ₁ ,
A backing 1R of R ₂ ··· R _n is formed, the column electrodes C
_1, taken together with C ₂ · · · C _n; and a backing 1C that is formed, to integrate both the backing 1R, the 1C in a manner to interpose a pressure-sensitive ink layer 2 between the row and column electrodes mutually as flexible and having a backing 1R, all the row electrodes R _1, R ₂ ··· row electrodes checking line end opposite to the input terminal of R _n are connected via respective resistors RCL is formed, and the terminal of the row electrode check line RCL is used as an output terminal, and the backing 1C
To, and forming all the column electrodes C _1, C ₂ ··· C end opposite to the output terminal of the _n column electrodes check line CCL which is connected via respective resistors, for the column electrode check A pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet that uses the line CCL terminals as input terminals. (Invention described in claim 2) This invention relates to the invention of the first aspect, the pressure sensitive ink layer 2, the row electrodes R _1, R ₂ · · · pressure sensitive ink 20 formed on the R _n and a thin layer, is constituted by a thin layer of the column electrodes C _1, C ₂ ··· C _n pressure sensitive ink 20 formed on. (According the invention in claim 3, wherein) the invention relates to the invention of the claim 1 or 2, wherein the row electrodes checking line RCL is parallel to the column electrodes C _n, the column electrode check lines CCL row electrodes It is parallel to the R _n. (Invention described in claim 4) This invention relates to the invention described in any one of the claims 1 to 3, the input terminal of row electrodes R _1, R ₂ ··· R _n and column electrodes check lines CCL and assembled, while the column electrodes C _1, C ₂ ··· C _n and row electrodes check line
RCL output terminals are grouped. (Invention according to claim 5) The present invention relates to the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the resistors 3 and 4 includes two conductive inks 21 electrically separated by a small gap 21a. And a thin layer of the pressure-sensitive ink 22 formed by laminating the two thin layers of the conductive ink 21 electrically. (Invention of Claim 6) The present invention relates to the invention of Claim 5 described above,
a is a comb tooth shape. (Invention according to claim 7) The present invention relates to the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and relates to a line for checking a row / column electrode and a row / column electrode.
It is assumed that RCL and CCL are made of conductive ink, and the row and column electrodes are checked at the same time as the row and column electrodes.
, CCL and a thin layer of the conductive ink 21 of the resistors 3 and 4 are formed by printing, and the pressure-sensitive ink is simultaneously formed on the row / column electrodes and the thin layer of the conductive ink 21 of the resistors 3 and 4 by printing. Being manufactured. (Invention of Claim 8) The present invention provides a row electrode R ₁ , R _2, ... In the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.
· A R _n and column electrodes C _1, C ₂ ··· C _n disconnection detection method, each row electrode _{R 1, R 2 ··· R n} , sequentially voltages to the column electrodes check line CCL is applied, Each row electrode R ₁ ,
It is assumed that R ₂ ··· R _n, detects each of the column electrodes C ₁ via the amplifier for each line for the column electrodes check CCL, C ₂ ··· C _n, the voltage of the row electrode check line RCL sequence .

The functions and effects of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet of the present invention and the disconnection detecting method thereof will be clarified in the following embodiments of the present invention.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet and a disconnection detecting method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet and a circuit for reading an output from the sensor sheet by a personal computer. The main parts of these components will be described below in detail. [Regarding the Configuration of the Pressure-Sensitive Distribution Sensor Sheet] As shown in FIG.
It comprises a disconnection checker Y and a terminal Z.

[0010] pressure sensing X, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the backing of the row electrodes R _1, R ₂ ··· R _n is formed by printing
And 1R, and a backing 1C column electrodes C _1, C ₂ ··· C _n is formed by printing, pressure sensitive ink layer 2 which which is interposed between the row and column electrodes cross. The pressure-sensitive ink layer 2
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the row electrodes R ₁ , R _2.
.. Formed by a thin layer of pressure-sensitive inks 20, 20 printed to cover R _n and column electrodes C ₁ , C ₂ ... C _n .

The resistor 5 and the switch 6 shown in FIG. 1 schematically represent the resistance values at the intersections of the row and column electrodes. When a pressure is applied to the pressure sensing portion X, the switch 6 is in a closed state. As a result, the resistance value at the intersection of the row and column electrodes switches from several megohms (high resistance) to the order of 1 kohm (low resistance).

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the disconnection checker section Y includes row electrodes R ₁ , R ₂ ,.
· All one end and all of the resistors 4 and connected to the row electrodes check line RCL that the respectively connected a resistor 4, R _n formed by printing, on the other hand, the backing 1C, column electrodes C
_1, C _2, is configured by any one end and all of the resistor 3 and the connected column electrodes check lines CCL described above respectively connected resistors 3 and the · · · C _n such that the printing form . As shown in FIG. 4, the resistors 3 and 4 are formed by printing a thin layer of two conductive inks 21 (same components as the row and column electrodes) electrically separated by a comb-shaped small gap 21a as a backing. Then, the pressure-sensitive ink 22 is printed and formed in a range surrounded by a two-dot chain line in the same drawing in order to electrically connect the two thin layers of the conductive ink 21 from above. In addition,
The column electrode check lines RCL and CCL and the resistors 3 and 4 are covered with the insulating ink 23 in a range surrounded by a dashed line in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal portion Z connects the input portions of the row electrodes R ₁ , R ₂ ,... R _n and the column electrode check line CCL to the column electrodes C ₁ , C ₂ ,. ... C _n
And the output portions of the row electrode check line RCL are grouped together. As shown in FIG. 5, only the input end and the output end are exposed on the outer surface side of the backings 1R and 1C, and the input end and the output end are output. The line portion reaching the end is covered with the insulating ink 24. In this embodiment, an input terminal on the other end of the row electrodes _{R 1, R 2 ··· R n} , and an input terminal of the column electrode check line CCL, Yes and assembled into one side, the other, Column electrodes C ₁ , C _2.
· An output terminal on the other end of the C _n, and an output terminal of the row electrodes check line RCL, they are assembled into the sides adjacent to the one side.

Here, in the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet of this embodiment, parts other than the above-described pressure-sensitive portion X are integrated with an adhesive, and have flexibility as a whole. [Constituent materials of pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet] Backing 1R, 1C Material: Various resins (for example, polyester resin), thickness:
0.01 to 0.20 mm (depending on application) Row electrodes R ₁ , R ₂ ,... R _n , column electrodes C ₁ , C ₂ ,
... C _n , row / column electrode check lines RCL, CCL,
Thin layer of conductive ink 21 constituting resistors 3 and 4 So-called Ag ink obtained by kneading silver powder into various resins (for example, polyester resin), thickness of print formation: 10 to
20 μm Thin layer of pressure sensitive ink 20 covering row and column electrodes, resistance 3,
Thin layer of pressure-sensitive ink 22 that constitutes 4 Ink containing semiconductor particles and conductive particles in resin, thickness of print formation: 10 to 50 μm (depending on use) Insulating ink 23, 24 UV-curable resin, thickness of print formation: 5-30 μm (Depending on application) [Method of manufacturing pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet] Manufacture of the backing 1R side On the inner surface side of the backing 1R, row electrodes R ₁ , R ₂ ,.
R _n , a row electrode check line RCL, and the row electrode R
₁ , R ₂ ,... R _n and line electrode check line RCL
And a thin layer of the conductive ink 21 constituting the resistor 4 is simultaneously formed by printing. Next, row electrodes R _1, R _2, a layer of pressure sensitive ink 20 onto · · · R _n, a layer of pressure sensitive ink 22 on the layer of conductive ink 21 constituting the resistor 4, at the same time Print and form. Subsequently, a layer of the insulating ink 23 is formed on the layer of the pressure-sensitive ink 22 and a layer of the insulating ink 24 is formed on the terminal portion Z by printing. B. Manufacture of backing 1C side On the inner surface side of backing 1C, column electrodes C ₁ , C ₂ ,.
C _n , a column electrode checking line CCL, and the column electrode C
_1, C _2, ··· C _n and column electrodes check lines CCL
And a layer of the conductive ink 21 constituting the resistor 3 is simultaneously formed by printing. Next, row electrodes C _1, C _2, a layer of pressure sensitive ink 20 onto · · · C _n, a layer of pressure sensitive ink 22 on the layer of conductive ink 21 constituting the resistor 3, at the same time Print and form. Subsequently, a layer of the insulating ink 23 is formed on the layer of the pressure-sensitive ink 22 and a layer of the insulating ink 24 is formed on the terminal portion Z by printing. C. Integration with the backing 1R, 1C Apply adhesive to the parts other than the pressure-sensitive part X and bond them together to complete the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet with various thicknesses of about 0.08mm to 0.5mm. .

As described above, this pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet can be easily manufactured by the same method as that of the related art which does not have the row / column electrode check lines and the resistors 3 and 4. [From sensor sheet by personal computer
Output reading circuit] The circuit for reading the output from the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet is connected to the computer CP via the interface circuit IF as shown in FIG. The basic operations of the computer CP, the interface circuit IF, and the output reading circuit are well-known (disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-502665) and will not be described in detail here. First, when reading the output from the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet, the connector 8 provided in the reading circuit is connected to the terminal Z of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet as shown in FIG. Here, when the count of the row counter 70 is increased by “1” by the clock signal from the interface circuit IF, the switch of the multiplexer 71 is switched corresponding to the count of the row counter 70. Therefore, the applied voltage (-V) is supplied to the amplifier 73 (the input side of the amplifier 73 is connected to the resistor 72).
Is maintained at the ground potential by the row electrodes R ₁ ,
R _2, is applied in order to · · · R _n and the column electrodes checking line CCL. The next row electrode from the application of voltage to the row electrodes R _1, until application of the voltage to R _2, the switch of the multiplexer 76 is switched by the output from the column counter 77, the column electrodes C
_1, C _2, ··· C _n and the row electrode check for line RC
Scanned in L order. This scan is performed on each row electrode and column electrode check line RCL. Here, when pressure is applied to the pressure sensing section X, the column electrodes C ₁ switch 6 is changed resistance value of the resistor 5 in accordance with the pressure with a closed state, C _2, the current in order to · · · C _n Flows and is inverted and amplified by the resistor 74 and the amplifier 75 in each column. The inverted and amplified output voltage is sequentially sent to the register 78 by the column multiplexer 76 and sent to the interface circuit IF as a digital signal. Then, when a voltage is applied to the column electrodes check line CCL, the column electrodes C _1, C ₂ by switching the switch of the multiplexer 76, · · · C _n are sequentially scanned, the column electrodes C _1, C _2, · · · C _n the column electrodes C ₁ depending on whether the voltage is outputted from, C _2, ··· C _n
Is checked for disconnection.

[0016] The row electrodes R _1, R _2, · · · disconnection check R _n is, each row electrode R _1, R _2, and a voltage is applied to · · · R _n and row electrodes check line RCL Is connected to the multiplexer 76 via the resistor 74 and the amplifier 75, depending on whether or not a voltage is output from the row electrode check line RCL.

[0017] Incidentally, the column electrodes C _1, C ₂ during the disconnection check, the voltage output from the voltage output and the row electrodes check line RCL from · · · C _n, as in the case of the pressure distribution detection, column Inverted and amplified by the resistor 74 and the amplifier 75,
The inverted and amplified output voltage is sent to the register 78 by the column multiplexer 76 and sent to the interface circuit IF as a digital signal. As described above, the line RCL, CCL and the resistances 3, 4 for checking the row / column electrodes are added to the conventional pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet, while the amplifier 73, the resistance 74, and the amplifier 75 are added to the reading circuit. The disconnection confirmation operation performed by applying the necessary pressure becomes unnecessary, and if a disconnection occurs, it can be detected in real time.

In the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet,
The row electrodes R ₁ , R ₂ ... R _n and the column electrodes C ₁ , C _2.
- there as being linear and C _n, but is not limited to this, the row electrodes R _1, R ₂ ··· R _n and column electrodes C _1, C ₂ ··· C _n contains curve , The row electrodes R ₁ , R ₂ ... R _n and the column electrodes C ₁ , C _2.
It is only necessary that the intersection with C _n be neatly aligned. For example, the present invention can be applied to a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet for a curved surface portion in which a portion 9 in which a circle is hatched as shown in FIG. 6 is an intersection of a row and a column electrode. .

Needless to say, instead of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet, as shown in FIG. 6, a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet in which input and output terminal portions Z are assembled into a small area portion. Is also good.

[0020]

According to the embodiments of the present invention, a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet and a disconnection detecting method which can detect a disconnection in real time when a disconnection is not required by applying pressure and which can detect the disconnection. Could be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a circuit for reading an output from a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet by a personal computer.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure-sensitive portion of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a resistor provided in a disconnection checker portion of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal portion of the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

R ₁ , R ₂ ... R _n row electrodes C ₁ , C ₂ ... C _n column electrodes 1 R backing 1 C backing 2 pressure-sensitive ink layer 3 resistance 4 resistance 20 pressure-sensitive ink 21 conductive ink 21 a small gap 22 sensitivity Pressure ink RCL Line electrode check line CCL Column electrode check line

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet for eliminating a disconnection check operation performed by applying pressure and enabling real-time detection of occurrence of a disconnection, comprising a row electrode (R).
₁₎ and _{(R 2) ··· (R n} ) is formed backing (1R), the column electrodes (C ₁₎ and (C ₂₎ backing · · · (C _n) is formed (1C) The backing (1R) (1C) is integrated with the pressure-sensitive ink layer (2) between the row and column electrodes and has flexibility as a whole. ), A row electrode check line (RCL) is formed in which the ends of all the row electrodes (R ₁ ) (R ₂ )... (R _n ) opposite to the input terminals are respectively connected via resistors. At the same time, the terminal of the row electrode check line (RCL) is used as an output terminal, and all the column electrodes (C ₁ ) are connected to the backing (1C).
(C ₂ )... A column electrode check line (CCL) connected to the end opposite to the output terminal in (C _n ) via a resistor, respectively, and the column electrode check line (CCL) is formed. The pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet, characterized in that the terminals in ()) are input terminals. 2. The pressure-sensitive ink layer (2) includes a row electrode (R).₁)
(R_Two) ... (R _n) Pressure sensitive ink formed on (20)
And a column electrode (C₁) (C_Two) ... (C_n)above
And a thin layer of formed pressure-sensitive ink (20).
The pressure-sensitive distribution sensor system according to claim 1, wherein
To 3. The row electrode check line (RCL) is parallel to the column electrode (C _n ), and the column electrode check line (CCL) is parallel to the row electrode (R _n ). The pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The row electrodes (R ₁ ) (R ₂ ) (R _n )
And the input terminals of the column electrode checking line (CCL) are gathered, while the column electrodes (C ₁ ) (C ₂ )
The pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein output terminals of (C _n ) and a row electrode check line (RCL) are gathered. 5. The resistors (3) and (4) each have a small gap (2).
1a) a pressure-sensitive ink laminated and formed in such a manner that the two thin layers of conductive ink (21) electrically separated from each other and the two thin layers of conductive ink (21) are electrically connected to each other. (twenty two)
2. A thin layer comprising:
A pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to claim 5, wherein the small gap has a comb shape. 7. The row / column electrode and the row / column electrode check line (RCL) (CCL) are made of conductive ink, and the row / column electrode check line (RCL) is formed simultaneously with the row / column electrode. (CCL) and a thin layer of the conductive ink (21) of the resistors (3) and (4) are printed and formed on the row / column electrodes and the thin layer of the conductive ink (21) of the resistors (3) and (4). 7. The pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to claim 5, wherein the pressure-sensitive ink is manufactured by simultaneously printing and forming the pressure-sensitive ink. 8. The row electrode (R ₁ ) (R ₁ ) in the pressure-sensitive distribution sensor sheet according to claim 1.
₂ ) (R _n ) and column electrodes (C ₁ ) (C ₂ )
(C _n ), wherein each row electrode (R ₁ )
(R ₂ ) ・ ・ ・ (R _n ), column electrode check line (CC
L) is sequentially applied to each row electrode (R ₁ ) (R ₂ ).
.. (R _n ) and each column electrode (C ₁ ) (C ₂ ) via an amplifier for each column electrode check line (CCL)
(C _n ), a disconnection detection method characterized by sequentially detecting the voltage of a row electrode check line (RCL).