JP3396836B2 - Contact area measuring device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [Detailed Description of the Invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sensor device used as a user interface device such as a computer,
In particular, it relates to a ground contact area measuring device for detecting the posture of a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a user interface device such as a computer, there is a measuring device for measuring the posture of a user. For example, by arranging a large number of minute load sensors in a matrix to form a sensor, the load applied to each part of the floor surface is measured, and the area and position of the user touching the floor surface (sensor) and the magnitude of the load are measured. Therefore, it is a measuring device or the like that measures how the user is in contact with the floor. As another example, the same function is measured by placing the load sensor described above by sandwiching a uniform low conductive resin having a property that the resistivity decreases when the load increases, with electrodes arranged in a matrix. There is a measuring device that measures the user's contact with the floor surface with a higher resolution than the device.
Both the two cases, whether the load is applied to any position of the floor, its magnitude can know how much by the measuring device.

[0003]

However, the conventional measuring device for measuring the state of such a user touching the floor has a complicated structure. Moreover, since the magnitude of the load at each position is individually measured, the interface with the computer becomes complicated. Then, the information on the magnitude of the load at each point on the sensor surface that can be measured by these measuring devices is such that whether the user is standing on both feet, standing on one foot, or standing on the toes, This is unnecessary and redundant information for inputting the mere user's posture into a system such as a computer, which increases the processing load of the system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ground area measuring device which has an extremely simple structure and contributes to reduction of the processing load of the system. Especially.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The claims which has solved the problems
The ground area measuring device of the present invention according to item 1 has good conductivity.
Planar bottom electrode with a flat surface with good conductivity
Top electrode and evenly between the bottom electrode and the top electrode
A plurality of low-conductivity resistors with a predetermined resistance value and shape
An electrically conductive member and the low conductive member disposed on the low conductive member.
With a blocking member that cuts off the contact between the conductive member and the upper electrode,
It is equipped with a ground area measurement sensor that
The constant sensor has an object placed on this ground area measuring sensor.
If the upper electrode is located under the object, the
At least one of the low conductive member and the blocking member,
Under the object, elastically deformed by the load of the object
The contact between the low conductive member and the upper electrode
Tolerate and elastically restore if the object is removed
The contact between the low conductive member and the upper electrode.
Of the bottom electrode and the top electrode.
The resistance value between the two
The contact is determined by determining whether the
Measures the ground contact area of an object placed on the ground area measurement sensor.
It is characterized by that.

Further, the present invention according to claim 2, wherein the low-conductivity member, the or, that both the low-conductivity member and the blocking member is constituted by a low conductive elastic body Characterize. According to this, since the use of low conductivity and elasticity of the material, while being simplified structure of the ground area measuring sensor, it is also more reliable.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention according to claim 3, wherein the low-conductivity member and the blocking member, or claim 1, characterized in that it is configured as a planar integrally molded product according to claim 2
It proposes a ground contact area measuring apparatus according to. According to this
To form the low-conductivity member and the blocking member of the ground contact area measuring sensor integrally, the configuration of the ground contact area measuring sensor is greatly simplified, the handling becomes easy at the time of manufacture.

[0008] Then, the present invention according to claim 4, claim wherein said low-conductivity member and the blocking member, characterized in that it is constituted of warp and weft as network structure which are arranged in a grid pattern 1 or the contact area measuring apparatus E according to claim 2
It proposes to. According to this, the raised portion of the intersection of the warp yarn and the weft yarn of the net-like structure plays the role of the blocking member, and the flat portion other than the raised portion plays the role of the low conductive member. The raised portion of the intersection is elastically deformed, so that the ground contact area of the object placed on the ground contact area measurement sensor can be measured.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a ground area measuring device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an operation diagram of the ground contact area measuring sensor of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a principle diagram of the ground contact area measuring device of the present invention.

<< Structure of Ground Area Measuring Device >> As shown in FIG. 1, a ground area measuring device E of the present invention comprises a ground area measuring sensor 1 (hereinafter referred to as “sensor 1”) and a ground area measuring device body 7 ( Hereinafter referred to as "main unit 7"). Sensor 1, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG 2, comprises a bottom electrode 2, and the upper electrode 3, a predetermined resistance value and shape is uniformly disposed between the electrodes 2 and 3 The low conductive members 4, 4 ..., And the blocking members 5, 5 ... Which are disposed on the low conductive member 4 and cut off the contact between the low conductive member 4 and the upper electrode 3.
If, as well, made of lead etc. 6.6 withdrawn from the bottom electrode 2 and upper electrode 3. Note that the sensor 1 is provided with a protective film (not shown) or the like as necessary.

[Bottom Electrode] The bottom electrode 2 is made of a material (conductor) having a certain area and good conductivity, and a low-conductivity member 4 to be described later is formed on the bottom electrode 2. Are evenly arranged. For the bottom electrode 2, a conductor such as a metal plate or a conductive film is appropriately used.

[Top Electrode] The top electrode 3 is the bottom electrode 2
Of a planar conductor having a shape corresponding to. The low-conductivity member 4 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the planar upper electrode 3 and the bottom electrode 2. The top electrode 3 is the bottom electrode 2
Similarly to the above, a metal plate or a conductive film is appropriately used.

[0013] Incidentally, the upper electrode 3, deformed by the load of the object M to be placed on the sensor 1, necessary to transmit the deformation low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 located below the object M (See FIG. 2B). The upper electrode 3 should not be such as to transfer the load of the object M placed on one part of the sensor 1 to another part on which the object M is not placed. This is because it becomes impossible to accurately measure the ground contact area. Therefore, it is not preferable that the upper electrode 3 is made of a rigid and rigid material such as a metal plate made of a thick single plate. The upper electrode 3 is
You may comprise from an elastic body so that it may demonstrate later.

[Low-Conductivity Member] A large number of low-conductivity members 4 are uniformly arranged on the bottom electrode 2 (see FIG. 1, etc.). If the size (area viewed from the top) of each of the low-conductivity members 4 is small, and the number thereof is large (dense), even a small difference or change in the ground area can be detected. Performance improves. On the other hand, the low conductive member 4
When the size of each one is large and the number thereof is small, a small difference or change in the ground contact area cannot be detected, and the detection accuracy of the sensor 1 becomes rough.

In order to measure the ground contact area correctly, the low-conductivity member 4 should have its own size, especially the area viewed from above.
And variations that occur in the shape is not preferable. It
Is a top view, of the area and shape of the low-conductivity member 4, because they offer with determining the territory one by one of the low-conductivity member 4 is responsible for the measurement, the influence on the resistance value of the low-conductivity member 4 . In addition, the thickness of the low conductive member 4 affects the resistance value. Similarly, on the bottom electrode 2, it is not preferable that there is a variation between a portion where the low-conductive member 4 is densely provided and a portion where the low-conductive member 4 is provided sparsely. This is because there is a difference in the territories in which the low-conductivity members 4 take charge of measurement. As an example, the low-conductivity members 4, 4, ... Are formed in a mesh shape of about 5 mm square when viewed from the top, and the size and shape thereof are appropriately determined according to the use and purpose. Then, the low-conductivity members 4, 4, ... Are fixed to the bottom electrode 2 by a conductive adhesive or the like as necessary. Incidentally, the reason why the one low-conductive member 4 and the other low-conductive member 4 are separated from each other by a gap or the like is that the flow of electricity in the lateral direction is blocked and the sensor 1 is This is to improve the sensitivity. However, it is possible to measure the ground area without delimited between one low-conductivity member 4 and other low-conductivity member 4.

The sensor 1 used in the ground area measuring device E of the present invention is described by a circuit diagram in which a large number of constituent elements including a resistor R and a switch S are arranged in parallel as shown in the principle diagram of FIG. It The low conductive member 4 corresponds to the resistance R, and the blocking member 5 mainly corresponds to the switch S.

In this principle diagram, the resistance value of each resistor R must not be as close to zero as possible. That is, each low-conductivity member 4 needs a predetermined resistance value, and it is not preferable to configure each low-conductivity member 4 with a conductor. This is because a circuit without resistance is formed, and it becomes impossible to know how many switches S are in the ON state from the overall current value (resistance value).

Incidentally, in the circuit shown in the principle diagram of FIG. 3, the current I, the voltage V, and the resistance R are I = VΣ (1 / R) =
It is shown by the relational expression V (1 / R1 + 1 / R2 + ... + 1 / Rn). Ground area measuring device E of the present invention
Has a known voltage V, and each resistor R1, R2 ,.
Assuming that the resistance values of n are all the same known value,
By measuring the current I, how many switches S are in the ON state is determined, and the ground area of the object M is measured. The resistance value of the resistor R is the number of resistors R or the voltage V
It is appropriately determined in relation to the above.

Even if the low-conductivity member 4 is entirely made of a low-conductivity material, its upper part (upper electrode 3
A low conductive material may be disposed in a portion facing the surface), and a good conductor may be disposed in a lower portion. Alternatively, the reverse configuration may be used. This is because it is sufficient for the single low-conductivity member 4 to have a predetermined resistance value. However,
In the case where the low-conductivity member 4 is entirely made of a low-conductivity material, when the object M is placed on the sensor 1, the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 are in surface contact with each other in a predetermined area. There is a need to. This is because when the contact area is different, the resistance value of the low conductive member 4 is different. On the other hand, when the upper portion of the low-conductivity member 4 is made of a conductor, the contact area between the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 has little influence on the resistance value.

[0020] [blocking member] blocking member 5, when the "object M is placed is to permit electrical contact with the low-conductivity member 4 and the upper electrode 3 is located under the object M, the object M Is not placed, the electrical contact between the low conductive member 4 and the upper electrode 3 is cut off. " (See FIG. 2). Incidentally, the blocking member 5 constitutes a main part of the switch S shown in FIG.

Regarding the material (electrical) of the blocking member 5,
If the low-conductivity member 4 upper (portion contacting the upper electrode 3) is composed of conductor, shielding member 5 is non-conductor or
The rest are composed of a material having a sufficiently large resistance value. If the blocking member 5 is made of a conductor in such a case, the switch S shown in FIG. 3 is always turned on.
However, if the portion in contact with the upper electrode 3 of the low-conductivity member 4 is formed from a low conductivity material, the blocking member 5 may be constituted by a conductor. In this case, the contact area between the low conductive member 4 and the blocking member 5 is made as small as possible.

[0022] The switch S shown in FIG. 3, not only the blocking member 5, and from the upper electrode 3 and low conductivity member 4. Accordingly, at least one of the low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 must consist of an elastic body elastically deformed. By using an elastic body, when the object M is placed on the sensor 1, the low-conductivity member 4 and / or shut-off member 5 is elastically deformed to the underlying, upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 are allowed to come into contact with each other (see FIG. 2B). Further, when the object M is removed, it is elastically restored and the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 is cut off. In this way, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the material, the structure of the sensor 1 can be made extremely simple.

[0023] Furthermore, the upper electrode 3, may be formed using an elastic body. For example, a conductive rubber having good conductivity or an elastic body such as rubber to which a metal film is attached is used. When the upper electrode 3 is made of an elastic body, it is also possible to make the low-conductivity members 4, 4, ... And the blocking members 5, 5, .. . This is because the upper electrode 3 is elastically deformed by the load of the object M, and thus can function as the sensor 1. This expands the choice of materials.

[Others] As described above, the ground contact area measuring apparatus E of the present invention comprises the sensor 1 and the main body apparatus 7. The main body apparatus 7 includes, for example, an I / F section 8 (interface section) and a main section. a control unit 9, a power unit 10, operation unit 11
When more composed and the display unit 12. The main control unit 9 controls the ground contact area measuring device E as a whole and also controls the sensor 1
From the obtained current value, the ground contact area between the object M placed on the sensor 1 and the sensor 1 is calculated. The ground area measuring device E of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is an example thereof, and is not limited to this configuration. Further, the main body device 7 may be a personal computer, a game machine, or the like.

[0025] The sensor 1 of the ground contact area measuring device E of the structure "materials such as low conductivity member", low conductivity member 4, 4 ..., or, 4, 4, the low-conductivity member
· The Oyo material constituting both the beauty blocking member 5, 5 ..., low conductive elastic body such as a conductive rubber material of the electrically conductive elastic body and mixed a predetermined amount such as rubber is suitable. This is because it is easy to process and the conductivity can be freely set.

<< Operation of Grounding Area Measuring Device >> Next, the operation of the grounding area measuring device E will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that a predetermined voltage is always applied between the bottom electrode 2 and the top electrode 3 of the sensor 1. The low-conductivity member 4 is assumed to be composed of an elastic body made of a uniform material that has a low conductivity and is elastically deformed, such as the above-mentioned low-conductivity elastic body. The blocking member 5 may be made of a hard ball, regardless of the material.

First, when the object M is not placed on the sensor 1, the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 is cut off by the blocking member 5 as shown in FIG. 2 (a). .
In this case, the current between the bottom electrode 2 and upper electrode 3 0
Or, it shows a certain low value.

Even if the blocking member 5 is made of a conductor, there is no problem in the operation of the sensor 1. That is, since the low-conductivity member 4 described here is entirely made of a material having low conductivity, the resistance value of the low-conductivity member 4 is equal to that of the low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 which is a conductor. Will be governed by the contact area of. Since the blocking member 5 described here is a sphere, the contact area between the low conductive member 4 and the blocking member 5 is much smaller than the area of the low conductive member 4 when viewed from above. Therefore, even if the blocking member 5 is made of a conductor, there is no problem in the operation of the sensor 1.

Next, when the object M is placed on the sensor 1, as shown in FIG. 2B, the blocking member 5 under the object M is a low-conductivity member made of an elastic body. buried Nde because <br/> interrupt during 4. As a result, electrical continuity between the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 below the object M is achieved, and a current flows between the bottom electrode 2 and the upper electrode 3. The magnitude of the current is proportional to the number of low-conductivity members 4 that are electrically connected. On the other hand, the number of low-conductivity members 4 that are electrically connected is proportional to the ground area of the object M. Therefore,
By measuring the magnitude (or resistance value) of the current flowing through the sensor 1, the ground area of the object M with respect to the sensor 1 can be measured.

Depending on the position of the object M placed on the sensor 1, the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 may be partial. For example, there is a case where the object M is placed only on a part of the low-conductivity member 4 for one low-conductivity member 4. In this case, since the low-conductivity member 4 is entirely made of a low-conductivity material, it exhibits a resistance value according to the contact area with the upper electrode 3. However, since the contact area between the low conductive member 4 and the upper electrode 3 depends on the ground area of the object M, there is no problem in measurement.

When the object M on the sensor 1 is removed, the low conductive member 4 is elastically restored to its original shape,
The buried blocking member 5 floats up, and the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 is cut off. That is, FIG.
Return to the state of (a). This makes it possible to measure the ground contact area again.

<< First Modification of Sensor >> Various modifications can be considered for the sensor 1 used in the present invention, particularly for the low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 which are the constituent elements of the sensor 1. Here, this modification will be described. Figure 4
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a first modified example of the ground contact area measurement sensor (sensor). Incidentally, in FIG. 4 (a) ~ (d), a portion of the sensor 1, i.e., a number provided to the sensor 1 has been has low conductivity member 4, 4 ... and the blocking member 5, 5 ... Shows the status for one of the sets.

First, FIG. 4A shows an example in which both the low conductive member 4 and the blocking member 5 are made of elastic bodies. In addition,
The low conductive member 4 is entirely made of a material having low conductivity, and the blocking member 5 has a spherical shape. In the case of this example, when the object M is not placed on the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 cuts off the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 (FIG. 4).
(A) Left figure). Then, when the object M is placed on the sensor 1, both the low conductive member 4 and the blocking member 5 are elastically deformed, and the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 come into contact with each other to achieve electrical conduction. (FIG. 4 (a) right view). When the object M is removed from the sensor 1, both the low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 elastically restore to the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4.
Contact is cut off (Fig. 4 (a) left view). In this way, both the low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 can be made of elastic bodies.

In the case of this example, since the low-conductivity member 4 is entirely made of a material having low conductivity, the blocking member 5 may be made of a conductor. This is because the blocking member 5 has a spherical shape, and the electrical contact area between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 through the blocking member 5 is extremely small. Therefore, the object M is not placed on the sensor 1 in FIG.
(A) In the state of the left figure, the current flowing between the bottom electrode 2 and the top electrode 3 is extremely small. On the other hand, the state in which the object M is placed on the sensor 1 in the right diagram of FIG. 4A is in contact with the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 as compared with the state where the object M is not placed on the sensor 1. The area is remarkably large. Therefore, the current flowing between the bottom electrode 2 and the top electrode 3 is significantly increased. Therefore, since the current value (resistance value) is greatly different between the left diagram and the right diagram of FIG. 4A, the ground area of the object M can be correctly measured even if the blocking member 5 is made of a conductor.

Next, FIG. 4B shows an example in which the blocking member 5 is made of an elastic body. The low conductive member 4 is made of a rigid material having low conductivity. In the case of this example, when the object M is not placed on the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 cuts off the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 (FIG. 4B left diagram). Then, when the object M is placed on the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 is elastically deformed and crushed, and the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 come into contact with each other to achieve electrical conduction (right in FIG. 4B). Figure). When the object M is removed from the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 elastically restores and the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 is cut off (FIG. 4B left diagram). Incidentally, in this figure, the upper electrode 3 (and the object M) is one having a flexibility to be deformed along the shape of the blocking member 5 elastically deformed. Thus, only the blocking member 5 can be made of an elastic body. Also, in this example,
As described above, the blocking member 5 can be made of a conductor.

FIG. 4 (c) shows the case of the example of FIG. 4 (b).
An example is shown in which the upper portion of the low-conductivity member 4 (the portion that contacts the upper electrode 3) is made of a conductor. Reference numeral 4a is a conductor portion made of a conductor, and reference numeral 4b is a low conductive portion made of a low conductive material. In the case of this example, each member is as shown in FIG.
Since the same action and role as in (b) are fulfilled, the description thereof will be omitted. However, since the upper portion of the low-conductivity member 4 is made of a conductor, shielding member 5 is good to a material having a nonconductor or sufficiently large electrical resistance. If the blocking member 5 is made of a conductor, the switch S shown in the principle diagram of FIG. 3 is always ON.
Because it will be in a state. In this way, the upper portion of the low-conductivity member 4 can be made of a conductor.

FIG. 4 (d) shows an example in which the blocking member 5 is a spring in the example of FIG. 4 (b). In the case of this example, when the object M is not placed on the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 made of a spring interrupts the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 (Fig. 4 (d) left diagram). . Next, sensor 1
When the object M is placed on the top, the blocking member 5 is elastically deformed and crushed, and the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 come into contact with each other to establish electrical conduction (right view of FIG. 4D). Further, when the object M is removed from the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 made of a spring elastically restores, and the contact between the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 is cut off (FIG. 4 (d) left view). . In this way, the blocking member 5 can be composed of a spring. Further, in the case of this example, the blocking member 5 may be constituted by a spring made of a conductor.

Regarding the low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5, the state of electrical conduction between the electrodes 2 and 3 is greatly increased depending on whether the object M is placed on the sensor 1 or not. As long as it can be changed and can withstand repeated use, its material and shape can be appropriately selected and used. That is, it is only necessary to configure the switch S and consisting of resistor R elements shown in the principle diagram of Fig.

<< Second Modification of Sensor >> [Structure of Sensor ] The sensor is a low conductive member 4.
.. and the blocking member 5, 5, .. .. are described as separate components, however, as shown in FIG. 5 , the low conductive member 4 and the blocking member 5 may be configured integrally. Also, but it may also constitute those configured to the integral as a planar molded product 14 linked to surface. The addition may be configured integrally by connecting only the low conductive members 4, 4 ... planar. Alternatively, the blocking member 5 may be formed integrally with the upper electrode 3. Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a second modification of the contact area measuring sensor of the present invention (sensor), low conductivity member 4, 4 ... and the blocking member 5, 5 ...
Is formed as a sheet-shaped integral molding 14. Less than,
The sensor 1 using this planar integrally molded product 14 will be described.

The low-conductivity members 4, 4, ... Are made, for example, so that the territories of one low-conductivity member 4 and another low-conductivity member 4 are clearly distinguished.・ Connect the lower parts of. In addition, each low conductive member 4 ...
It viewed the area and thickness is configured to be the same. This is because the resistance values are the same.

The blocking member 5, 5 ... Is a low conductive member 4.
.. are formed as one body so that they are paired with each other. It is preferable that the blocking member 5 has a closed tip so that the contact area with the upper electrode 3 is as small as possible. This is because the current flowing between the bottom electrode 2 and the top electrode 3 when the object M is not placed on the sensor 1 is kept low, and the sensitivity of the sensor 1 is improved. Thus, by forming the low-conductivity member 4 · 4 · and blocking member 5, 5 ... a planar molded product 14, when manufacturing the sensor 1,
Necessary to provide one by one low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5 on the bottom electrode 2 is eliminated. Therefore, the sensor 1
Is extremely easy to manufacture. In addition, the sheet-shaped integrally molded product 14
With, for example, by pouring a low-conductivity elastic resin into the mold, it is possible to easily manufacture a stable quality product in a large amount.

[Operation of Sensor, etc.] The operation of the sensor 1 of the second modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the object M is not placed on the sensor 1, the low-conductivity members 4, 4 ... It's cut off.

When the object M is placed on the sensor 1, the blocking member 5 located below the object M is elastically deformed, and the low conductive member 4 and the upper electrode 3 located below the object M are deformed.
Come into surface contact (see FIG. 5B). A predetermined current flows between the bottom electrode 2 and the top electrode 3 due to the surface contact between the two, and the ground area of the object M can be measured by measuring this current value (resistance value).

[0044] The operation of the further in detail sensor 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the object M is not mounted on the sensor 1 (P0), the resistance value of the low conductivity member 4 is the maximum value R0. The contact between the blocking member 5 and the upper electrode 3 is the minimum contact area due to the tip of the protrusion of the blocking member 5. This state is indicated by "state 0" in FIG. In addition, "state 0", "state 1", "state 2"
The planar integrally molded product 14 (low-conductivity member 4 and the blocking member 5) and shows the contact status of the upper electrode 3.

Next, when a slight load is applied to the upper electrode 3 from "state 0", the blocking member 5 made of a low conductive elastic body is used.
The tip of is deformed slightly elastically (state 1). The resistance value at this time changes between R0 and R1. This change is due to the fact that the blocking member is compressed to improve the density and the contact area with the upper electrode 3 increases. In addition, it is preferable that the change amount of the resistance value in the "state 1" is small.

[0046] Furthermore, when the load is applied, the blocking member 5 is completely crushed to integrate the low-conductivity member 4. As a result, the upper electrode 3 and the low-conductivity member 4 come into surface contact with each other (state 2, P1). In this way, by changing from “state 1” to “state 2”, the contact area with the upper electrode 3 is dramatically increased, and the resistance value is sharply reduced. This change in resistance value (ΔR) is used to calculate the ground contact area. In addition,
As described above, the resistance value R and the current value I are I = VΣ
There is a relationship of (1 / R).

[0047] When the load further from the "state 2" is applied, the resistance value gradually decreases from R2 (state 3). It is considered that this change is due to an increase in density due to the compression of the low conductive member 4. From the viewpoint of improving the accuracy of the sensor 1, it is preferable that the change in the resistance value in the "state 3" is small. However, the change in the resistance value in the “state 3” is the amount of change ΔR (in the resistance value from the “state 0” in which no load is applied to the “state 2” in which the upper electrode 3 and the low conductive member 4 are in surface contact with each other. It is minute compared to R0-R2). Therefore, if a load above a certain level is applied, the magnitude of the load does not significantly affect the measured value.

<< Third Modification of Sensor >> The sensor 1 is shown in FIG. 7 in which the bottom electrode and the top electrode are omitted .
As shown in FIG.
.. and weft threads 24b. 24b .. .. may be arranged as a lattice structure 24.

In the case of this construction, the warp yarn 24a and the weft yarn 24b
Corresponds to the low conductive member 4, and the raised portion at the intersection of the warp yarn 24a and the weft yarn 24b corresponds to the blocking member 5. Therefore, the operation of the sensor 1 having this configuration is not different from that already described.

[0050] At least one of the warp 24a and the weft 24b is good to constitute an elastic body, the elastic body has low conductive elastic body which has already been described is suitable. This is because it has both a predetermined low conductivity and elasticity. The warp yarn 24a and the weft yarn 24b do not need to have a circular cross section. There is no problem even if it has a rectangular cross section.

<< Others >> The low-conductivity members 4, 4, ... Used in the present invention have a structure in which conductors are arranged in a grid pattern on a planar material having a low resistance value and a predetermined thickness so as not to overlap each other. Can also be In this case, the portions where the conductors are arranged become the low-conductivity members 4 ... Also, the sensor 1 can be used by reversing the top and bottom (front and back).

The invention has been explained an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the described means and methods, to achieve the object according to the present invention, the effect according to the present invention It is possible to appropriately change and implement within the range having.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, calling according to claim 1
The maximum of the ground area measuring sensor used in the Ming ground area measuring device
The main feature is between the two electrodes "having good conductivity"
"A low-conductivity member with a predetermined resistance value and shape"
That is, "a plurality of pieces are uniformly arranged". This makes the book
The ground area measuring sensor used in the invention has an extremely simple structure.
Measure the resistance between two electrodes despite
Just how many low-conductivity members are in contact with the electrodes.
Can be determined and accurately measure the footprint of the object
It has a remarkable effect of being able to. This is low conduction
By giving the electric member a finite predetermined resistance, 2
The resistance between the electrodes and the low conductivity member in contact with the electrodes
It takes advantage of the fact that it has an inverse relationship with the number of.

Further, the ground contact area measurement of the invention according to claim 2
According to the apparatus, it is possible to easily obtain the beauty elasticity Oyo any resistance, thereby improving the reliability of the ground contact area measuring apparatus. Further, it is easy to process.

[0055] Further, according to claim 3 or originating according to claim 4
According to the clear ground area measuring device , the structure of the ground area measuring sensor can be extremely simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a ground area measuring device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram of a ground area measuring sensor. (A)
Shows the state before the object is placed on the sensor, and (b) shows the state where the object is placed on the sensor.

FIG. 3 is a principle diagram of a ground area measuring device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the ground contact area measurement sensor. (A) Low-conductive member Example in which both blocking members are made of elastic body, (b) Example in which only blocking member is made of elastic body, (c) Upper part of low-conductive member is conductor and lower part is low-conductive Made of elastic material, only the blocking member is made of elastic material,
(D) shows an example in which the blocking member is made of a spring.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the ground contact area measurement sensor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the magnitude of the load and the resistance value applied to the ground contact area measurement sensor in the second modified example. (A) shows a change in resistance value, and (b) shows a contact condition between the planar integrally molded product and the upper electrode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the ground contact area measurement sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

E (made from the code 1 and 7) ground contact area measuring device M object R resistor (3 is shown as including R1 · R2 · · · Rn) in the S switch (Fig. 3 shown as including S1 · S2 · · Sn 1) Ground area measurement sensor (sensor, consisting of sensors 2 to 6) 2 Bottom electrode (electrode) 3 Top electrode (electrode) 4 Low conductive member 4a ... Conductor part 4b ... Low conductive part 5 Blocking member 6 lead wire 7 grounded area measuring device main body (main unit, consisting of reference numerals 8 to 12) 8 I / F unit 9 main control unit 10 power supply unit 11 operation unit 12 display unit 14 planar integrated molding 24 mesh structure 24a・ Warp yarn 24b ・ ・ Weft yarn

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Susumu Ichinose 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Aiko Kitagawa 3-19-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) Reference JP-A-9-79932 (JP, A) JP-A-60-216221 (JP, A) JP-A-10-246605 (JP, A) 61-115295 (JP, U) Actually open 60-174126 (JP, U) Actually open 52-69964 (JP, U) Special table HEI 7-501640 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01B 7/32

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Planar bottom electrode with good conductivity
When the upper electrode planar having good conductivity, uniformly be plural arrangement of predetermined between said upper electrode and said bottom electrode
It is disposed in the low conductive member and the low-conductivity members on having a resistance value and shape with a Li Cheng ground contact area measuring sensor good and blocking member break off contact with the low-conductivity member between the upper electrode cage, the footprint measuring sensors, if an object is placed in this contact area on the measuring sensor, the upper ground electrode positioned under the object, at least one said low-conductivity member and the blocking member One, but elastically deformed by the load of the object, the located under the object allows contact between the upper electrode and the lower conductive member, when said object is removed, elastically restoring Then, it is configured to break the contact between the low conductive member and the upper electrode, to measure the resistance value between the bottom electrode and the upper electrode,
How many of the low conductive members are in contact with the upper electrode
A ground area measuring device, characterized by measuring the ground area of an object placed on the ground area measuring sensor by indexing . Wherein said low-conductivity member, or the both of the low-conductivity member and the blocking member, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is composed of low-conductive elastic body Ground area measuring device. Wherein said low-conductivity member and the blocking member, or claim 1, characterized in that it is configured as a planar molded product contact area measuring apparatus according to claim 2. Wherein said low-conductivity member and the blocking member, or claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted of warp and weft as network structure which is arranged in a lattice shape according to claim 2 Ground area measuring device.