JP4510683B2 - Pressure-sensitive sensor and method for manufacturing pressure-sensitive sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some vehicles are provided with an opening / closing device that slides (opens / closes) a door panel along the front-rear direction of the vehicle by a driving force of a motor or the like. The opening / closing device is provided with a pressure sensitive sensor in order to detect a foreign object being caught between the door panel and the vehicle body during the closing operation. Some of these pressure-sensitive sensors are configured using pressure-sensitive rubber whose resistance value changes when pressed and deformed. An example of the pressure-sensitive rubber is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The pressure-sensitive rubber disclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed by dispersing a magnetic material in a rubber material. And the magnetic material is orientated along one direction along the thickness direction of the pressure sensitive rubber formed in the sheet form or strip | belt shape. When this pressure-sensitive rubber is used as a pressure-sensitive sensor, plate-like electrodes are disposed on both sides in the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber. In such a pressure-sensitive sensor, contact of a foreign object is detected based on a current value of a current flowing between electrodes disposed with a pressure-sensitive rubber interposed therebetween. That is, when a foreign substance comes into contact with the pressure sensor and a pressing force acts on the pressure sensor, the pressure-sensitive rubber is deformed to reduce the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber, and the electrode disposed with the pressure-sensitive rubber interposed therebetween. The value of the current flowing between them changes. A change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber is detected based on the change in the current value, and a contact of a foreign object is detected based on the detected change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber.
JP 2003-346556 A

  By the way, in the opening / closing device, foreign matter sandwiched between the door panel and the vehicle body contacts the pressure sensor from various directions. However, when a pressure-sensitive sensor is configured using the pressure-sensitive rubber disclosed in Patent Document 1, electrodes are disposed on both sides in the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber formed in a sheet shape or a belt shape. Therefore, the pressure sensitive sensor has a flat plate shape. The pressure-sensitive rubber has directivity in the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber because the magnetic material is oriented along one direction along the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber. Therefore, when a pressing force is applied along a direction different from the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber, the resistance value change in the pressure-sensitive rubber is extremely small. For these reasons, when a pressure-sensitive sensor is constructed using the pressure-sensitive rubber of Patent Document 1, a pressing force is applied along a direction different from the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber (that is, the orientation direction of the magnetic material). If a foreign object comes into contact with the pressure sensor, the contact of the foreign object may not be detected. That is, in the pressure-sensitive sensor configured using the pressure-sensitive rubber disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pressure-sensitive rubber has directivity in the thickness direction. It may be difficult to detect a foreign object sandwiched between the vehicle body.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a pressure-sensitive sensor having no directivity and a method for manufacturing the pressure-sensitive sensor.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that a magnetic material is dispersed between a first electrode and a second electrode extending in parallel, and between the first electrode and the second electrode. A pressure-sensitive body that changes its resistance value by being pressurized, and includes a first electrode, the second electrode, and an outer skin that covers the pressure-sensitive body from the outside. A pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected based on a change in a resistance value of the pressure-sensitive body that is detected based on a change in a current value of a current flowing between one electrode and the second electrode; The first electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, and the pressure-sensitive body is provided on an outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode. second electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive substance such that the first electrode coaxially, the magnetic In the material, the orientation direction in a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel is such that the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. Oriented to change along.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pressure-sensitive sensor according to the first aspect, the orientation direction of the magnetic material is set along the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. It is repeated for each section set based on the size of the detected object.

The invention according to claim 3 is the pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the magnetic material is oriented in the direction from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive body. Are oriented so as to continuously change in the circumferential direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pressure-sensitive sensor according to the first or second aspect , the magnetic material has an orientation direction around every predetermined range set along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive body. Oriented to change direction.

The invention according to claim 5 is the pressure sensitive sensor according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the magnetic material oriented along the thickness direction of the pressure sensitive body has the strongest degree of orientation. The circumferential position of the first electrode and the second electrode changes along a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode extending in parallel and the magnetic material is dispersed and pressed between the first electrode and the second electrode. And the first electrode, the second electrode, and the outer skin covering the pressure sensitive body from the outside, the first electrode and the second electrode A pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected based on a change in a resistance value of the pressure-sensitive body that is detected based on a change in a current value of a current flowing between the first electrode and the electrode ; The electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, the pressure sensitive body is provided on an outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode, and the second electrode is It provided on an outer periphery of the pressure sensitive substance such that the first electrode coaxially, the magnetic material, said first electrode Serial and the second electrode are oriented in a plurality of directions in a plane perpendicular to the direction extending in parallel.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode extending in parallel and the magnetic material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode are dispersed and pressurized. a pressure sensitive element whose resistance value is modified to change by the first electrode, the second electrode, and a skin covering the outside of the pressure sensitive substance, said first electrode is cylindrical The pressure sensitive body is provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode, and the second electrode is connected to the first electrode. A resistance of the pressure sensitive body provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive body so as to be coaxial, and detected based on a change in a current value of a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. A pressure-sensitive sensor manufacturing method for manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected based on a change in value, The pressure sensitive body is moved along a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel, and the sensitivity along the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. An orientation step of orienting the magnetic material by passing the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation means while rotating the pressure sensitive body with the axis of the pressure body as the rotation axis, and holding the magnetic material in an oriented state And an orientation fixing step for fixing the magnetic material .

The invention according to claim 8 is the method of manufacturing a pressure sensitive sensor according to claim 7 , wherein the magnetic field generating means is configured by including a pair of coils arranged with the pressure sensitive body interposed therebetween.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode extending in parallel and the magnetic material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode are dispersed and pressurized. a pressure sensitive element whose resistance value is modified to change by the first electrode, the second electrode, and a skin covering the outside of the pressure sensitive substance, said first electrode is cylindrical The pressure sensitive body is provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode, and the second electrode is connected to the first electrode. A resistance of the pressure sensitive body provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive body so as to be coaxial, and detected based on a change in a current value of a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. A pressure-sensitive sensor manufacturing method for manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected based on a change in value, A magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating means that changes the direction of the magnetic field with the passage of time by moving the pressure sensitive body along a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. And an orientation fixing step of fixing the magnetic material so that the magnetic material is held in an oriented state .

The invention according to claim 1 0, in the method for manufacturing a pressure sensor according to claim 9, wherein the magnetic field comprises at least three coils three-phase AC power source are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction is supplied Generation means were configured.

The invention of claim 1 1, constitutes the pressure sensor fabricating method according to claim 9, said magnetic field generating means comprises a plurality of pairs of coils that sandwich the pressure sensitive substance, the The magnetic field generation means changes the direction of the magnetic field as time passes by sequentially switching the coils that supply current.

Invention according to claim 1 2, in the method for manufacturing a pressure sensor according to any one of claims 7 to 11, in the orientation fixing step, by heating the pressure sensitive substance, the The magnetic material is fixed so that the magnetic material is held in an oriented state.

(Function)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the magnetic material included in the pressure-sensitive body has an orientation direction in a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel with each other. The first electrode and the second electrode are oriented so as to change along a direction extending in parallel. For this reason, when an object to be detected contacts the pressure sensor from a plurality of directions, the resistance value of the pressure sensor changes similarly at any location of the pressure sensor. Therefore, it can be said that the pressure sensitive body does not have directivity. A pressure-sensitive sensor provided with such a pressure-sensitive body can detect contact of an object to be detected that comes in contact from a plurality of directions. Therefore, a pressure sensitive sensor having no directivity can be provided. In the present invention, “parallel” not only means that two planes extend at a certain distance, but also two surfaces (including a curved surface) extend at a certain distance. Also means.

In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the pressure sensitive body are provided so as to be coaxial. Therefore, even if the pressure sensor is arranged in a state of being curved in the axial direction, the function deterioration of the pressure sensor is prevented. In addition, since the pressure-sensitive sensor formed coaxially is not limited in the mounting direction in the circumferential direction, the pressure-sensitive sensor can be easily mounted compared to a conventional flat plate-shaped pressure sensor.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the detected object comes into contact with the pressure sensor, the pressing force applied from the detected object to the pressure sensor is any of the orientation directions of the magnetic material. It becomes easy to follow the direction. Therefore, it is easier to detect the contact of the detected object even if the detected object contacts the pressure sensor from any direction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the magnetic material is directed along the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel, that is, from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the pressure sensitive body. The orientation is oriented so that the orientation direction changes continuously in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the pressing force applied from the detected object to the pressure sensitive sensor in any of the orientation directions of the magnetic material is no matter which part the detected object contacts in the axial direction of the pressure sensor. It follows that direction, and it is easier to detect the contact of the object to be detected. Further, when the invention of claim 3 is applied to the pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 2, it is possible to provide a sensor capable of detecting contact of a 360 ° object to be detected.

According to the invention described in claim 4 , the orientation direction is the circumferential direction from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the pressure sensitive body like the pressure sensitive body in the pressure sensitive sensor according to claim 3. The orientation of the magnetic material becomes easier than when the magnetic material is oriented so as to continuously change.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the position in the circumferential direction of the portion where the degree of orientation of the magnetic material oriented along the thickness direction of the pressure sensitive body is the strongest is set to the first electrode and the second electrode. A pressure-sensitive sensor capable of detecting the contact of an object to be contacted from a plurality of directions is obtained with a simple configuration in which the electrode is changed along a direction extending in parallel with the electrode.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the magnetic material is oriented in a plurality of directions within a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. Therefore, if the object to be detected contacts the pressure sensor so that the pressing force is applied along a plurality of directions in which the magnetic material is oriented, the resistance of the pressure sensor is the same in any part of the pressure sensor. The value changes. Therefore, it can be said that this pressure sensitive body does not have directivity. Therefore, in the pressure sensor provided with this pressure sensitive body, it is possible to detect the contact of the detected object that comes in contact from a plurality of directions. And the pressure sensor provided with this pressure sensitive body can be made into the pressure sensor which does not have directivity.
In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the pressure sensitive body are provided so as to be coaxial. Therefore, even if the pressure sensor is arranged in a state of being curved in the axial direction, the function deterioration of the pressure sensor is prevented. In addition, since the pressure-sensitive sensor formed coaxially is not limited in the mounting direction in the circumferential direction, the pressure-sensitive sensor can be easily mounted compared to a conventional flat plate-shaped pressure sensor.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the orientation direction of the magnetic material in the plane orthogonal to the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel is the first electrode by the orientation step. And the second electrode are easily oriented so as to change along a direction extending in parallel. And in the pressure sensitive body having the magnetic material oriented in the orientation step, when the object to be detected comes in contact with the pressure sensitive sensor from a plurality of directions, the resistance value is the same in any part of the pressure sensitive body. Change. Therefore, it can be said that the pressure-sensitive body having the magnetic material oriented in the orientation process does not have directivity. A pressure-sensitive sensor provided with such a pressure-sensitive body can detect contact of an object to be detected that comes in contact from a plurality of directions. Therefore, a pressure sensitive sensor having no directivity can be manufactured.
Further, the magnetic material is fixed in the pressure sensitive body so as to be held in an aligned state by the alignment fixing step.
In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the pressure sensitive body are provided so as to be coaxial. Therefore, even if the pressure sensor is arranged in a state of being curved in the axial direction, the function deterioration of the pressure sensor is prevented. In addition, since the pressure-sensitive sensor formed coaxially is not limited in the mounting direction in the circumferential direction, the pressure-sensitive sensor can be easily mounted compared to a conventional flat plate-shaped pressure sensor.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the magnetic field for orienting the magnetic material is generated by a magnetic field generating means having a simple configuration including a pair of coils.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the orientation direction of the magnetic material in the plane orthogonal to the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel is the first electrode by the orientation step. And the second electrode are easily oriented so as to change along a direction extending in parallel. And in the pressure sensitive body having the magnetic material oriented in the orientation step, when the object to be detected comes in contact with the pressure sensitive sensor from a plurality of directions, the resistance value is the same in any part of the pressure sensitive body. Change. Therefore, it can be said that the pressure-sensitive body having the magnetic material oriented in the orientation process does not have directivity. A pressure-sensitive sensor provided with such a pressure-sensitive body can detect contact of an object to be detected that comes in contact from a plurality of directions. Therefore, a pressure sensitive sensor having no directivity can be manufactured.

  In addition, since there is no need to rotate the pressure sensitive body about the axis of the pressure sensitive body along the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel, the mechanism for rotating the pressure sensitive body is provided. do not need.

Further, the magnetic material is fixed in the pressure sensitive body so as to be held in an aligned state by the alignment fixing step.
In addition, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the pressure sensitive body are provided so as to be coaxial. Therefore, even if the pressure sensor is arranged in a state of being curved in the axial direction, the function deterioration of the pressure sensor is prevented. In addition, since the pressure-sensitive sensor formed coaxially is not limited in the mounting direction in the circumferential direction, the pressure-sensitive sensor can be easily mounted compared to a conventional flat plate-shaped pressure sensor.
According to the invention of claim 1 0, for orienting the magnetic material magnetic field, circumferentially spaced-apart of a simple structure having at least three coils three-phase AC power is supplied It is generated by the magnetic field generating means.

According to the invention of claim 1 1, a magnetic field for orienting the magnetic material is produced by a simple configuration of the magnetic field generating means having a plurality of pairs of coils disposed across the pressure sensitive element . Further, the direction of the magnetic field can be easily changed over time by sequentially switching the coils for supplying current.

According to the invention described in 請 Motomeko 1 2, just a simple method applying heat, magnetic material is secured in the pressure sensitive element so as to maintain the orientation state.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the pressure sensor which does not have directivity, and the manufacturing method of this pressure sensor can be provided.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a foreign object detection sensor provided in an electric slide door device mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an entrance 3 is formed on the left side surface of the vehicle body 2, and a door panel 4 for opening and closing the entrance 3 is attached to the vehicle body 2 so as to be slidable substantially in the front-rear direction. It has been. The vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with an electric slide door device 6 (see FIG. 3) that opens and closes the entrance / exit 3 by sliding the door panel 4 by the driving force of the slide motor 5 (see FIG. 3). The electric sliding door device 6 includes a foreign matter detection unit 7 (see FIG. 3) for detecting foreign matter existing between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2 during the closing operation of the door panel 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the foreign object detection unit 7 includes a control circuit device 8 that controls the operation of the electric sliding door device 6 and a foreign object detection sensor 9.

  The control circuit device 8 is disposed inside the door panel 4 and is supplied with electric power from the battery 11 of the vehicle 1. The control circuit device 8 is electrically connected to the slide motor 5 of the slide actuator 12, the closer motor 14 of the closer actuator 13, the position detection device 15, and the operation switch 16.

  The slide actuator 12 includes a slide motor 5 and a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) that decelerates the rotation of the slide motor 5. The slide motor 5 is rotated in accordance with a drive signal input from the control circuit device 8. The rotation of the slide motor 5 is decelerated by a reduction mechanism and output from an output shaft (not shown) of the slide actuator 12. The door panel 4 is slid by the driving force output from the output shaft of the slide actuator 12.

  The closer actuator 13 includes a closer motor 14 and a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) that reduces the rotation of the closer motor 14. Here, the door panel 4 is provided with a locking mechanism (not shown) such as a latch. This lock mechanism is for fixing the door panel 4 so that it cannot move relative to the vehicle body 2 when the door panel 4 is in a state of closing the entrance 3 (a state in which the door panel 4 is disposed at the fully closed position). Is. The closer motor 14 is rotated in response to a drive signal input from the control circuit device 8 to operate the lock mechanism and move the door panel 4 to a position where the lock can be locked by the lock mechanism.

  The position detection device 15 is disposed between the rotation shaft (not shown) of the slide motor 5, the output shaft (not shown) of the slide actuator 12, and the rotation shaft of the slide motor 5 and the output shaft of the slide actuator 12. It is provided corresponding to any of the reduction gears (not shown) constituting the reduction mechanism. The position detection device 15 detects the rotation amount of any one of the rotation shaft, the output shaft, and the reduction gear from the time when the slide motor 5 starts driving. The position detection device 15 outputs a position detection signal corresponding to the detected rotation amount to the control circuit device 8. The control circuit device 8 detects the sliding amount of the door panel 4, that is, the position of the door panel 4 based on the position detection signal input from the position detection device 15. The position detection device 15 includes, for example, a magnet that rotates together with any one of the rotation shaft, the output shaft, and the reduction gear, and a Hall element that is disposed to face the magnet.

  The operation switch 16 is disposed on a dashboard (not shown) provided in the vehicle interior. When the operation switch 16 is operated by the occupant so as to open the entrance / exit 3, an open signal for sliding the door panel 4 to open the entrance / exit 3 is input from the operation switch 16 to the control circuit device 8. The When the open signal is input, the control circuit device 8 outputs a drive signal for opening the door panel 4 to the slide motor 5. On the other hand, when the operation switch 16 is operated by the occupant so as to close the entrance / exit 3, a closing signal for sliding the door panel 4 from the operation switch 16 to the control circuit device 8 so as to close the entrance / exit 3 is issued. Entered. When the close signal is input, the control circuit device 8 outputs a drive signal for closing the door panel 4 to the slide motor 5. When the slide motor 5 is driven and the door panel 4 is closed, and the half latch detection means (not shown) detects that the lock mechanism is in the half latch state, the control circuit device 8 causes the closer motor 14 to A drive signal is output.

The foreign object detection sensor 9 includes a sensor main body 21, a current detection element 22, and a capacitance detection device 23, and is controlled by the control circuit device 8.
As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor main body 21 is disposed along an end portion on the front side in the traveling direction when the door panel 4 is closed, that is, along an end portion 4 a on the front side of the vehicle 1 in the door panel 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor body 21 has a coaxial cable shape. Specifically, the sensor main body 21 includes a core wire 31 made up of a plurality of wires (seven wires in FIG. 2). A cylindrical conductive rubber layer 32 is formed on the outer periphery of the core wire 31. The core wire 33 and the conductive rubber layer 32 constitute a core electrode 33. The conductive rubber layer 32 is formed by, for example, extrusion molding. A cylindrical pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is formed on the outer periphery of the conductive rubber layer 32 so as to be coaxial with the core electrode 33 (conductive rubber layer 32). The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is made of a rubber material in which nickel powder is dispersed, and is formed by extrusion molding. The nickel powder contained in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is not oriented. Further, when the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is deformed by being pressurized, the resistance value becomes small. A sensor electrode 35 is provided on the outer periphery of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 so as to be coaxial with the core electrode 33 (conductive rubber layer 32). The sensor electrode 35 is formed by a conductive braid. An insulating skin 36 is formed on the outer periphery of the sensor electrode 35 so as to be coaxial with the core electrode 33 (conductive rubber layer 32). The outer skin 36 covers the outer peripheral surface of the sensor electrode 35. In addition, since the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35 are formed so as to be coaxial, they extend in parallel along the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the core electrode 33 is electrically connected to the current detection element 22. The sensor electrode 35 is electrically connected to the capacitance detection device 23. The current detection element 22 and the capacitance detection device 23 are electrically connected to the control circuit device 8. A current is supplied to the sensor electrode 35 via the control circuit device 8.

  The current detection element 22, together with the core electrode 33, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34, and the sensor electrode 35, constitutes a contact-type sensor that detects a foreign object by contacting the foreign object existing between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2. ing. The current detection element 22 is for detecting the current value of the current flowing between the sensor electrode 35 and the core electrode 33 via the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34. When a pressing force is applied to the sensor body 21 from the outside, that is, when the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is pressed, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 changes, and the gap between the sensor electrode 35 and the core electrode 33 is changed. Current will flow. At this time, the current detection element 22 outputs a current detection signal to the control circuit device 8 based on the current value of the current flowing between the sensor electrode 35 and the core electrode 33.

  The capacitance detection device 23, together with the sensor electrode 35, constitutes a capacitance type sensor that detects foreign matter existing between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2 without contact. The capacitance detection device 23 is driven by the control circuit device 8 and detects a change in capacitance between the sensor electrode 35 and the ground (ground), based on the change in capacitance in the sensor electrode 35. The capacitance detection signal is output to the control circuit device 8. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the operation obtained from the configuration of FIG. 3 are examples, and may be changed as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the foreign object detector 7 when the door panel 4 is closed will be described.
When the close signal is input from the operation switch 16, the control circuit device 8 outputs a drive signal to the slide motor 5 to close the door panel 4. At the same time, the control circuit device 8 drives the foreign object detector 7.

  If a foreign object exists between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2 (the entrance / exit 3) during the sliding movement of the door panel 4, the capacitance changes between the sensor electrode 35 and the foreign object. The capacitance detection device 23 outputs a capacitance detection signal to the control circuit device 8 based on the change in capacitance. When the capacitance detection signal is input, the control circuit device 8 determines that there is a foreign object between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2 and outputs a stop signal to the slide motor 5 to stop the door panel 4. Then, the slide motor 5 is stopped by the stop signal, and the door panel 4 is stopped.

  On the other hand, if a foreign object is sandwiched between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2 (the entrance / exit 3) during the sliding movement of the door panel 4, or if a foreign object contacts the front end 4a of the vehicle 1 in the door panel 4, the sensor body A pressing force is applied to 21 from the foreign matter. The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is deformed by this pressing force, and the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is changed, so that a current flows between the sensor electrode 35 and the core electrode 33. The current detection element 22 outputs a current detection signal to the control circuit device 8 based on a change in the current value of the current flowing between the sensor electrode 35 and the core electrode 33. The control circuit device 8 detects a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 based on the current detection signal, and a foreign object has contacted the sensor body 21 based on the detected change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34. Is detected. When the control circuit device 8 detects that a foreign object is caught between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2, the control circuit device 8 outputs a drive signal to the slide motor 5 to move the door panel 4 to the fully open position. When the drive signal is input, the slide motor 5 is driven in a direction to open the door panel 4, and the door panel 4 is slid to the fully open position.

  The control circuit device 8 detects the position of the door panel 4 based on the position detection signal input from the position detection device 15. When the control circuit device 8 detects that the door panel 4 has been slid to a position that is a predetermined distance (for example, 3 to 5 cm) to the fully closed position, a capacitance detection signal is input from the capacitance detection device 23. Even if it is, the electrostatic capacitance detection signal is invalidated. Then, the control circuit device 8 detects a foreign object by validating only the current detection signal input from the current detection element 22.

As described above, the first embodiment has the following effects.
(1) Since the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is not oriented, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 changes equally regardless of which direction is pressed. That is, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 has no directivity. The core electrode 33, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34, and the sensor electrode 35 are formed so as to be coaxial. For these reasons, the foreign matter detection sensor 9 provided with the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 can detect the contact of foreign matter coming from a plurality of directions. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the foreign object detection sensor 9 including a contact type sensor having no directivity. As a result, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience that the foreign matter in contact with the sensor main body 21 cannot be detected depending on the direction in which the foreign matter comes into contact.

  (2) Since the core electrode 33, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34, and the sensor electrode 35 are formed so as to be coaxial, the sensor body 21 is arranged in a state of being curved in the axial direction. In addition, the function deterioration of the foreign matter detection sensor 9 is prevented. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in the shape of the location where the sensor body 21 is disposed can be increased. Further, since the sensor body 21 formed coaxially is not limited in the mounting direction in the circumferential direction, the sensor body 21 can be easily mounted as compared with the conventional flat pressure sensor. As a result, the manufacturing time can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  (3) The nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 is not oriented. Therefore, since the step of orienting the nickel powder is unnecessary, the sensor body 41 can be manufactured more easily and the manufacturing time can be further shortened as compared with the case where the nickel powder is oriented. .

  (4) The foreign matter detection sensor 9 not only detects the contact of the foreign matter with the sensor body 21 but also detects the proximity of the foreign matter to the sensor body 21. Therefore, it is possible to detect foreign matter existing between the door panel 4 and the vehicle body 2 earlier, and it is possible to reduce the pressing force applied to the foreign matter from the door panel 4 when the door panel 4 comes into contact with the foreign matter. Further, since the sensor electrode 35 constituting the contact type sensor also serves as the electrode of the capacitance type sensor, the number of parts is reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A sensor main body 41 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 constitutes the foreign object detection sensor 9 instead of the sensor main body 21 of the first embodiment. The sensor main body 41 includes a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 instead of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 of the first embodiment.

  The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is formed of a rubber material in which nickel powder is dispersed. The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is formed on the outer periphery of the conductive rubber layer 32 so as to be coaxial with the core electrode 33 (conductive rubber layer 32), and has a cylindrical shape. The axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 matches the direction in which the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35 extend in parallel.

  The nickel powder dispersed in the pressure sensitive rubber layer 42 is magnetically oriented. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the nickel powder is in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42, that is, in a cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 along the radial direction. The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is oriented along one direction orthogonal to the axial direction. 4 and 6, the orientation direction of the nickel powder is indicated by double arrows. As shown in FIG. 6, the nickel powder has a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 in which the orientation direction in the cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 along the radial direction is along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. It is oriented so as to continuously change in the circumferential direction from one end side to the other end side. Furthermore, the nickel powder is repeatedly oriented for every section X1 set along the axial direction so as to continuously rotate 180 ° in the circumferential direction around the central axis L1 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 as a rotation center. . The length of the section X1 in the axial direction is set based on the size of the foreign matter detected by the foreign matter detection sensor 9, and is set to a width smaller than the size of the foreign matter. For example, the section X1 is set to 4 mm (the diameter of the little finger of a 3-year-old child).

  Next, an orientation device 51 that orients the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the orientation device 51 includes a pair of iron cores 52 and 53, a pair of coils 54 and 55, a rotation mechanism (not shown), and a control device (not shown). The coils 54 and 55 and the rotation mechanism are electrically connected to the control device and controlled by the control device.

  The iron cores 52 and 53 are rod-shaped. The iron cores 52 and 53 are arranged to face each other with a space therebetween, and the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 extends in the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 between the opposed surfaces 52a and 53a of the iron cores 52 and 53 facing each other. (In FIG. 5, along the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). The widths of the facing surfaces 52a and 53a (the width in the left-right direction in FIG. 5) are formed to be approximately equal to the diameter of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42.

  The coils 54 and 55 are wound around the iron cores 52 and 53, respectively. A direct current is supplied to these coils 54 and 55 from a power supply device (not shown) through the control device. When a current is supplied to the coils 54 and 55, magnetic poles having different polarities are generated at the ends of the iron cores 52 and 53 on the facing surfaces 52a and 53a side. For example, when a direct current is supplied to the coils 54 and 55, an N pole is generated at the end portion on the facing surface 52a side of the iron core 52 arranged on the upper side in FIG. 5, and the iron core arranged on the lower side in FIG. An S pole is generated at the end of 53 facing the facing surface 53a. Thereby, a magnetic field is generated between the facing iron cores 52 and 53, and magnetic lines of force from the facing surface 52a toward the facing surface 53a are generated.

  The rotation mechanism moves the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 and rotates the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 in the circumferential direction with the central axis L1 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 as the rotation axis. However, it passes between the iron cores 52 and 53.

Next, a manufacturing method of the foreign matter detection sensor 9 using the above-described orientation device 51 will be described.
First, the conductive rubber layer 32 is formed on the outer periphery of the core wire 31. Next, a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is formed on the outer periphery of the conductive rubber layer 32 by extrusion molding. Specifically, a rubber material in which nickel powder is dispersed is extruded from an extruding tool (not shown) with a core electrode 33 formed of a core wire 31 and a conductive rubber layer 32 as a central axis, and thereby pressure-sensitive rubber containing nickel powder. Layer 34 is formed. The nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 extruded from the extrusion tool has not been oriented yet.

  Next, the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 that has been extruded from the extrusion tool is oriented (orientation step). The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 pushed out from the extrusion tool is rotated between the opposed surfaces 52a and 53a of the iron cores 52 and 53 while being rotated in the circumferential direction by using the central axis L1 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 as the rotation axis by the rotation mechanism. It is moved along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 so as to pass therethrough. Specifically, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is rotated 180 ° in the circumferential direction while being moved by the section X1 along the axial direction. At this time, a direct current is supplied to the coils 54 and 55, and a magnetic field is generated between the iron cores 52 and 53. Therefore, when the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 passes between the iron cores 52 and 53, the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 has a direction of a magnetic field generated between the iron cores 52 and 53, that is, the iron cores 52 and 53. Oriented along the opposing direction. Then, since the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is rotated 180 ° in the circumferential direction while the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is moved in the axial direction by the interval X1, the nickel powder repeatedly repeats the central axis of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 every interval X1. It is oriented so as to continuously rotate 180 ° in the circumferential direction with L1 as the rotation center.

  Next, the core electrode 33 and the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 are heated in an electric furnace or the like (orientation fixing step). When the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is heated, the rubber material is solidified, and the nickel powder is fixed so as to maintain the aligned state in the alignment step. As a result, the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 moves from one end side to the other end side of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. And maintained in an oriented state so as to continuously change in the circumferential direction.

  Next, the sensor electrode 35 is formed on the outer periphery of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42, and then the outer skin 36 is formed on the outer periphery of the sensor electrode 35 to complete the sensor body 41. The core electrode 33 is electrically connected to the current detection element 22, and the sensor electrode 35 is electrically connected to the capacitance detection device 23, whereby the foreign object detection sensor 9 is completed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as the effects (2) and (4) of the first embodiment, the following actions and effects are provided.
(1) The nickel powder contained in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 has an orientation direction in a cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 along the radial direction, and the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is aligned along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. The rubber layer 42 is oriented so as to continuously change in the circumferential direction from one end side to the other end side. Therefore, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 similarly changes at any location in the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 when foreign matter comes in contact from a plurality of directions. Therefore, it can be said that the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 has no directivity. The foreign matter detection sensor 9 provided with such a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 can detect the contact of foreign matter coming from a plurality of directions. Therefore, the foreign substance detection sensor 9 provided with the contact-type sensor which does not have directivity can be provided. As a result, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience that the foreign matter in contact with the sensor main body 41 cannot be detected depending on the direction in which the foreign matter contacts.

  (2) The nickel powder is repeatedly rotated 180 ° in the circumferential direction continuously around the central axis L1 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 for each section X1 set along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. Oriented to The length of the section X1 in the axial direction is set based on the size of the foreign matter detected by the foreign matter detection sensor 9, and is set to a width smaller than the size of the foreign matter. Therefore, when a foreign object contacts the sensor body 41, the pressing force applied from the foreign object to the sensor body 41 (pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42) is along any one of the orientation directions of the nickel powder. . Therefore, the foreign matter detection sensor 9 provided with the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 can detect contact of a 360 ° foreign matter. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the inconvenience that the foreign matter that has contacted the sensor main body 41 cannot be detected depending on the direction in which the foreign matter comes into contact.

  (3) In the orientation step, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is moved along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42, and the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is moved around the central axis L1 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 as a rotation axis. While being rotated in the direction, a direct current is supplied to the coils 54 and 55 so that a magnetic field is generated between the iron cores 52 and 53. With this arrangement step, the orientation direction in the cross section cut along the radial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is directed from one end side to the other end side of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. Accordingly, the nickel powder contained in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 can be easily oriented so as to change continuously in the circumferential direction.

  (4) A magnetic field for orienting the nickel powder is generated by supplying a direct current to the coils 54 and 55 wound around the iron cores 52 and 53. Thus, since a magnetic field is generated with a simple configuration using the coils 54 and 55, an increase in equipment cost can be suppressed.

  (5) In the orientation fixing step, the nickel powder is fixed so as to hold the oriented state in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. Therefore, in the foreign matter detection sensor 9 including the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 after the orientation fixing step, the contact of the foreign matter can be detected using the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 having nickel powder that is always oriented. .

  (6) In the orientation fixing step, the nickel powder can be easily fixed so as to hold the oriented state in the pressure sensitive rubber layer 42 simply by putting the pressure sensitive rubber layer 42 in an electric furnace or the like and heating it. it can.

  (7) The degree of change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is determined so that the pressure-sensitive rubber layer that is not oriented is aligned when the direction of the pressing force applied by the foreign matter is in contact with the orientation direction of the nickel powder. It is larger than when foreign matter comes into contact with Therefore, the content of nickel powder in the rubber material constituting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 can be reduced as compared with the case of producing a pressure-sensitive rubber layer in which the nickel powder is not oriented. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, when the content of nickel powder is reduced as compared with the pressure-sensitive rubber layer in which the nickel powder is not oriented, the ratio of the rubber material in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 increases, so that the sensor body 41 (pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42). Becomes easy to bend in the axial direction, and is difficult to break when bent in the axial direction. Furthermore, when the content of nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 decreases, the dielectric constant of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 becomes smaller. Therefore, when the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is used, the capacitance between the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35 is smaller than when a pressure-sensitive rubber layer having unoriented nickel powder is used. The stray capacitance generated between the foreign matter and the sensor electrode 35 due to the proximity of the foreign matter to the sensor electrode 35 is oriented when the foreign matter detection sensor 9 is provided with a pressure-sensitive rubber layer having unoriented nickel powder. This is the same as the case where the foreign matter detection sensor 9 is provided with the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 having a lower nickel powder content than the pressure-sensitive rubber layer having no nickel powder. Therefore, when the electrostatic capacitance between the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35 is smaller, the sensor electrode 35 detects the stray capacitance generated between the foreign object and the sensor electrode 35 when the foreign object approaches the sensor electrode 35. The change in capacitance is increased. Therefore, by providing the foreign matter detection sensor 9 with the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 having a lower nickel powder content than the pressure-sensitive rubber layer having unoriented nickel powder, the pressure-sensitive rubber having unoriented nickel powder is provided. Compared with the case where the foreign matter detection sensor 9 is provided with a layer, the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor can be improved.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure as the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A sensor main body 61 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 constitutes the foreign object detection sensor 9 in place of the sensor main body 21 of the first embodiment. The sensor main body 61 includes a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 instead of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is different in the orientation of the nickel powder compared to the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 of the second embodiment.

  The nickel powder dispersed in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is magnetically oriented as in the second embodiment. Specifically, in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62, that is, in a cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 along the radial direction, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is provided at the central portion in the radial direction. Only the nickel powder present in the orientation region α is oriented. The nickel powder existing outside the orientation region α is not oriented. The nickel powder in the orientation region α is oriented along one direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 in a cross section cut along the radial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62. In the side view of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 shown in FIG. 7, the orientation region α that appears on the outer peripheral surface of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is represented by hatching the outer peripheral surface of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62.

  Further, the nickel powder cuts the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 along the radial direction for each of a plurality (four in the third embodiment) of orientation ranges Y1 to Y4 set within the section X2 along the axial direction. The orientation directions in the cross section are different from each other in the circumferential direction. The length in the axial direction of the section X2 is arbitrarily set according to the size of the foreign object to be detected, as in the section X1 of the second embodiment.

  Between the orientation ranges Y1 to Y4, a non-orientation range Z in which the nickel powder is not oriented is provided. In the alignment ranges Y1 to Y4 adjacent via the non-alignment range Z, the orientation direction of the nickel powder in the alignment region α is around the central axis L2 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62. They are 45 degrees apart from each other. That is, the nickel powder in the alignment region α in the alignment range Y1 is aligned along the vertical direction in FIG. The nickel powder in the orientation range Y2 adjacent to the orientation range Y1 through the non-orientation range Z is oriented along a direction that is 45 ° clockwise relative to the orientation direction of the nickel powder in the orientation range Y1. Yes. The nickel powder in the orientation range Y3 adjacent to the orientation range Y2 through the non-orientation range Z is oriented along a direction that is 45 ° clockwise relative to the orientation direction of the nickel powder in the orientation range Y2. Yes. Further, the nickel powder in the orientation range Y4 adjacent to the orientation range Y3 via the non-orientation range Z is oriented along a direction that is 45 ° clockwise relative to the orientation direction of the nickel powder in the orientation range Y3. Yes. In the section X2 configured with the four orientation ranges Y1 to Y4, the nickel powder in the orientation region α is aligned in the orientation direction for each orientation range Y1 to Y4 along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62. Are oriented so as to change by 45 ° in the circumferential direction. And the change of the orientation direction along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is repeated for every section X2. That is, the nickel powder in the orientation region α is oriented so that the orientation direction is repeatedly and intermittently rotated 180 ° for each section X2.

  Next, an orientation device 71 that orients the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the orientation device 71 includes a plurality of pairs (four pairs in the fourth embodiment) of iron cores 72a, 73a, 72b, 73b, 72c, 73c, 72d, 73d, and a plurality of pairs (the fourth embodiment). , Four pairs of coils 74a, 75a, 74b, 75b, 74c, 75c, 74d, 75d, a moving mechanism (not shown), and a control device (not shown).

  Each of the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d has a rod shape. The iron cores 72a, 73a, 72b, 73b, 72c, 73c, 72d, and 73d forming a pair are disposed to face each other with a space therebetween, and facing surfaces 76a, 77a, 76b, 77b, 76c, 77c, and the like facing each other. The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 can pass between 76d and 77d along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 (in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 8). Further, the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d are arranged at equal angular intervals (45 ° intervals) in the circumferential direction. Note that the widths (circumferential widths) of the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d are formed to be equal to the width of the alignment region α. In other words, the width of the alignment region α is determined by the width of each of the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d.

  Coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d are wound around the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d, respectively. The coils 74a, 75a, 74b, 75b, 74c, 75c, 74d, and 75d wound around the iron cores 72a, 73a, 72b, 73b, 72c, 73c, 72d, and 73d forming a pair form a pair. For example, coils 74a and 75a wound around a pair of iron cores 72a and 73a form a pair. A direct current is supplied to the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d from a power supply device (not shown) via the control device. The control device sequentially supplies direct current to the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d as shown in the time chart of FIG. Specifically, when the control device supplies current to the pair of coils 74a and 75a for a certain period of time, the control device stops supplying the current for a certain period of time, and then moves to the pair at a position moved 45 ° clockwise from the pair of coils 74a and 75a. Current is supplied to the coils 74b and 75b. Then, the control device stops supplying the current for a certain period of time, and then supplies the current to the pair of coils 74c and 75c located 45 ° clockwise from the pair of coils 74b and 75b, respectively. Then, the control device stops supplying the current for a certain period of time, and then supplies the current to the pair of coils 74d and 75d located at positions shifted by 45 ° clockwise from the pair of coils 74c and 75c, respectively. Thereafter, similarly, the control device switches the pair of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d supplying DC current in the clockwise direction.

  When a direct current is supplied to the pair of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d, the magnetic poles having different polarities at the ends on the facing surfaces 76a to 76d and 77a to 77d side of the pair of iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d. Is generated. Thereby, a magnetic field is generated between the opposing iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d. Since the control device switches the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d for supplying a direct current in the clockwise direction, the direction of the magnetic field is sequentially rotated by 45 ° in the clockwise direction as time elapses.

  The movement mechanism is controlled by the control device. The moving mechanism moves the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 and passes between the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the foreign matter detection sensor 9 using the above-described orientation device 71 will be described. Since the manufacturing method of the foreign object detection sensor 9 in the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment only in the alignment process, only the alignment process will be described.

  The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 extruded from an extrusion tool (not shown) passes between the facing surfaces 76a to 76d and 77a to 77d of the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d by the moving mechanism. 62 is moved along the axial direction. At this time, DC current is sequentially supplied from the control device to the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d. Specifically, since the control device sequentially switches the pair of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d for supplying a direct current in the clockwise direction, the magnetic field generated by energizing the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d. Are sequentially rotated clockwise by 45 °. And the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 moved along the axial direction so as to pass between the facing surfaces 76a to 76d and 77a to 77d of the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d, with the passage of time. Are aligned along a magnetic field that is sequentially rotated clockwise by 45 °. In the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62, portions disposed between the opposing surfaces 76a to 76d and 77a to 77d of the iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d that form a pair become the orientation region α, and the opposing surfaces 76a to 76d, Only the nickel powder contained in the portion disposed between 77a to 77d is oriented. Further, the control device energizes the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d and controls the moving mechanism so that the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d are energized in the section X2. As a result, four orientation ranges Y1 to Y4 are provided in the section X2, and the nickel powder in the orientation region α extends from one end side to the other end of the pressure sensitive rubber layer 62 along the axial direction of the pressure sensitive rubber layer 62. As it goes to the side, it is oriented so as to rotate 180 ° intermittently in the circumferential direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62. In the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62, the nickel powder is rotated 180 ° intermittently in the circumferential direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 by changing the orientation direction by 45 ° in the circumferential direction for each of the orientation ranges Y1 to Y4. The change in the orientation direction is repeated for each section X2.

After the alignment step, the core electrode 33 and the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 are heated in an electric furnace or the like as in the second embodiment (orientation fixing step).
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the effects (2) and (4) of the first embodiment and the effects (5), (6), and (7) of the second embodiment. In addition, it has the following actions and effects.

  (1) In the cross section obtained by cutting the pressure sensitive rubber layer 62 along the radial direction, the orientation direction of the nickel powder in the orientation region α is along the axial direction of the pressure sensitive rubber layer 62. It is oriented so as to intermittently change in the circumferential direction from one end side to the other end side. Therefore, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 similarly changes at any location in the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 when foreign matter comes in contact with the nickel powder from a plurality of directions along the orientation direction. Therefore, it can be said that the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 has no directivity. The foreign matter detection sensor 9 provided with such a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 can detect foreign matter that contacts from a plurality of directions. Therefore, the foreign substance detection sensor 9 provided with the contact-type sensor which does not have directivity can be provided. As a result, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience that the foreign matter in contact with the sensor main body 41 cannot be detected depending on the direction in which the foreign matter contacts.

  (2) The nickel powder in the orientation region α is repeatedly and intermittently circumferentially about the central axis L2 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 for each section X2 set along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62. Oriented to rotate 180 °. The length of the section X2 in the axial direction is set based on the size of the foreign matter detected by the foreign matter detection sensor 9, and is set to a width smaller than the size of the foreign matter. Therefore, when a foreign substance contacts the sensor main body 41, the pressing force applied from the foreign substance to the sensor main body 41 (pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62) is likely to follow any one of the orientation directions of the nickel powder. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the inconvenience that the foreign matter that has contacted the sensor main body 41 cannot be detected depending on the direction in which the foreign matter comes into contact.

  (3) In the orientation step, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is moved along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62, and a direct current is sequentially supplied to the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d, thereby generating a magnetic field. Are passed between the four pairs of iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d. At this time, since the control device switches the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d for supplying a direct current in the clockwise direction, the direction of the magnetic field is sequentially rotated clockwise by 45 ° as time elapses. As a result of this orientation step, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is moved from one end side to the other end side along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 in a cross section cut along the radial direction. Thus, the nickel powder in the alignment region α can be easily aligned so that the alignment direction changes intermittently in the circumferential direction.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the direction of the magnetic field is sequentially rotated clockwise by 45 °, so that it is not necessary to rotate the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, since a mechanism for rotating the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 is not required, an increase in equipment cost can be suppressed.

  (4) The magnetic field necessary to orient the nickel powder is obtained by supplying a direct current to the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d wound around the four pairs of iron cores 72a to 72d and 73a to 73d. Generated. Further, the magnetic field for orienting the nickel powder is 45 ° clockwise by an easy method in which current is sequentially supplied to the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d arranged at equiangular intervals in the circumferential direction. It is rotating one by one. Since the rotating magnetic field is generated with such a simple configuration, an increase in equipment cost can be further suppressed.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure same as the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A sensor main body 81 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 constitutes the foreign object detection sensor 9 in place of the sensor main body 21 of the first embodiment. The sensor main body 81 includes a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 instead of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 34 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is different in the orientation of the nickel powder as compared with the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 of the second embodiment.

  The nickel powder dispersed in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is magnetically oriented as in the second embodiment. Specifically, when the cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 along the radial direction is viewed, the alignment regions β1, β2, and β3 are formed at positions that are equiangularly spaced (120 ° intervals) in the circumferential direction. The orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 are provided along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82. Further, the nickel powder in each of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 is oriented along the thickness direction (radial direction) of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82. Note that the nickel powder contained in the portion outside the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is not oriented.

  In the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3, the degree of orientation of the nickel powder changes along the axial direction. In FIG. 10, the outer peripheral surface of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is hatched to represent the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 that appear on the outer peripheral surface of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82, and the degree of orientation of the nickel powder is represented by the orientation region β1. , Β2 and β3 are represented by circumferential widths. Specifically, the wider the circumferential width of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3, the stronger the degree of orientation (that is, more nickel powder oriented along the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82). This indicates that the narrower the widths of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3, the weaker the degree of orientation (that is, the less nickel powder is oriented along the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82). In the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82, the circumference of the portion where the degree of orientation of the nickel powder becomes strongest from one end of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 to the other end along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82. The direction position repeatedly moves in the circumferential direction in the order of the alignment regions β1, β2, and β3.

  Next, an orientation device 91 that orients the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the orientation device 91 includes three iron cores 92u, 92v, 92w, three coils 93u, 93v, 93w, a moving mechanism (same as in the third embodiment), and a control device (not shown). Configured.

  The iron cores 92u, 92v, and 92w are substantially rod-shaped, and are arranged at equiangular intervals (120 ° intervals) in the circumferential direction. Further, the iron cores 92u, 92v, and 92w are disposed between the opposing surfaces 94u, 94v, and 94w facing each other in the iron cores 92u, 92v, and 92w along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 (see FIG. 11 are arranged so as to be able to pass through each other (along the direction perpendicular to the paper surface).

  The coils 93u, 93v, 93w are wound around the iron cores 92u, 92v, 92w, respectively. These coils 93u, 93v, and 93w are supplied with a three-phase AC power from a power supply device (not shown) via the control device. That is, an alternating current whose phase is shifted by 120 ° is supplied to the coils 93u, 93v, and 93w.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the foreign matter detection sensor 9 using the above-described orientation device 91 will be described. Since the manufacturing method of the foreign matter detection sensor 9 in the fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in the alignment step, only the alignment step will be described.

  The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 in a state where the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is pushed out from an extruding tool (not shown) passes between the opposing surfaces 94u, 94v, 94w of the iron cores 92u, 92v, 92w by the moving mechanism. It is moved along the axial direction. At this time, three-phase AC power is supplied to the coils 93u, 93v, and 93w via the control device. When the three-phase AC power is supplied to the coils 93u, 93v, 93w, the end portions of the iron cores 92u, 92v, 92w on the facing surfaces 94u, 94v, 94w side are respectively shown with time as shown in FIG. A changing magnetic pole is formed. In FIG. 12, the vertical axis represents the strength of the magnetic pole, and the horizontal axis represents time.

  In the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82, three portions facing the iron cores 92u, 92v, and 92w become the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3, respectively. In the present embodiment, in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82, the portion facing the iron core 92u is the alignment region β1, the portion facing the iron core 92v is the alignment region β2, and the portion facing the iron core 92w is the alignment region β3. Then, the nickel powder present in the portions that become the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 has the iron cores 92u and 92v when the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 passes between the opposing surfaces 94u, 94v, and 94w. , 92w are oriented according to the strength of the magnetic poles formed at the ends of the opposing surfaces 94u, 94v, 94w. That is, it is strongest when the magnetic force of the N pole or S pole formed at the end portions on the facing surfaces 94u, 94v, 94w side of the iron cores 92u, 92v, 92w becomes strongest by energizing the coils 93u, 93v, 93w. The degree of orientation of the nickel powder is the strongest in the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 facing the iron cores 92u, 92v, and 92w having magnetic force. For example, when the magnetic force of the magnetic pole generated at the end portion on the facing surface 94u side of the iron core 92u by energizing the coil 93u is the strongest, the degree of orientation of the nickel powder is the strongest in the orientation region β1. The magnetic poles generated in the iron cores 92u, 92v, and 92w are generated based on energization of the coils 93u, 93v, and 93w. Become the strongest. Therefore, in each of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3, portions where the degree of orientation of the nickel powder is the strongest along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 are formed at regular intervals. Thereby, the nickel powder in the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 has a degree of orientation of the nickel powder as it goes from one end of the pressure sensitive rubber layer 82 to the other end along the axial direction of the pressure sensitive rubber layer 82. The position in the circumferential direction of the strongest part is oriented so as to repeatedly move in the circumferential direction in the order of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3.

After the alignment step, the core electrode 33 and the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 are heated in an electric furnace or the like as in the second embodiment (orientation fixing step).
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the effects (2) and (4) of the first embodiment and the effects (5), (6), and (7) of the second embodiment. In addition, it has the following effects.

  (1) In the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is cut along the radial direction from one end of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 toward the other end along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82. In the cross section, the position in the circumferential direction of the portion where the degree of orientation of the nickel powder is the strongest is repeatedly shifted in the circumferential direction in the order of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3. Therefore, the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 changes in the same manner when a foreign object comes in contact from three directions along the orientation direction of the magnetic material. Therefore, it can be said that the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 has no directivity. The foreign matter detection sensor 9 provided with such a pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 can detect foreign matter that contacts from a plurality of directions. Therefore, the foreign substance detection sensor 9 provided with the contact-type sensor which does not have directivity can be provided. As a result, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience that the foreign matter in contact with the sensor main body 41 cannot be detected depending on the direction in which the foreign matter contacts.

  (2) In the orientation step, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is moved along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82, and a magnetic field is generated by supplying three-phase AC power to the three coils 93u, 93v, 93w. Passed between the iron cores 92u, 92v, 92w. As a result, the degree of orientation of the nickel powder becomes strongest in the cross section of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 cut along the radial direction from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82. The nickel powder in the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3 can be easily oriented so that the circumferential position of the region repeatedly moves in the circumferential direction in the order of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, since the three-phase AC power is supplied to the coils 93u, 93v, and 93w, the direction of the magnetic field changes with time. Therefore, it is not necessary to rotate the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, since a mechanism for rotating the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 is not required, an increase in equipment cost can be suppressed.

  (4) The magnetic field necessary for orienting the nickel powder is generated by supplying a three-phase AC power source to the three coils 93u, 93v, 93w. Since a magnetic field that changes with time is generated with such a simple configuration, an increase in equipment costs can be further suppressed.

In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
In the second embodiment, in the orientation step, the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 is rotated in the circumferential direction about the central axis L1 of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 by the rotation mechanism as the rotation axis, and the facing surfaces 52a of the iron cores 52 and 53 are rotated. , 53a is moved along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42. However, in the orientation step, the iron cores 52 and 53 may be rotated by moving the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 in the axial direction without rotating with the central axis L1 as the rotation axis.

  In the third embodiment, in the alignment process, the control device of the alignment device 71 stops the supply of current for a certain period of time when switching the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d for supplying a direct current. However, the control device of the orientation device 71 does not have to stop supplying the current for a certain period of time when switching the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d that supply the current. For example, the control device may sequentially supply a direct current to the pair of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, when a direct current is supplied to the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d, the sensor body 101 including the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 102 shown in FIG. 14 is formed. The non-oriented range Z is not formed in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 102. If comprised in this way, compared with the sensor main body 61 of the said 2nd Embodiment, since the non-orientation range Z does not exist in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 102, it is easier to detect the foreign material which contacts the sensor main body 101. FIG.

  In the third embodiment, only the nickel powder existing in the orientation region α is oriented in the cross section obtained by cutting the pressure sensitive rubber layer 62 along the radial direction. However, in the cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 62 along the radial direction, the nickel powder existing outside the alignment region α may be aligned in the same manner as the nickel powder existing in the alignment region α.

  In the third embodiment, direct current is sequentially supplied to the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d by the controller of the aligning device 71 in the aligning step. However, the alignment step may be performed in a state where a direct current is supplied to all the coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d. In this case, the sensor body 111 including the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 112 shown in FIG. 15 is formed. The nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 112 is oriented in a plurality of directions along the radial direction of the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 112 in a cross section obtained by cutting the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 112 along the radial direction.

  ○ Regarding the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 of the fourth embodiment, the section X1 and the section X2 are set as in the second and third embodiments, and the degree of orientation of the nickel powder is within the section X1 or the section X2. The pressure-sensitive rubber layer 82 may be formed so that the strongest portion exists at least once for each of the orientation regions β1, β2, and β3.

In the second and third embodiments, the axial lengths of the section X1 and the section X2 may be set to a width larger than the size of the foreign matter.
In the third embodiment, the four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d are arranged at equiangular intervals in the circumferential direction, but may not be arranged at equiangular intervals. The four pairs of coils 74a to 74d and 75a to 75d only need to be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, it is sufficient that two or more pairs of coils are provided. Similarly, the coils 93u, 93v, 93w of the fourth embodiment need not be arranged at equiangular intervals in the circumferential direction as long as they are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the number of coils is not limited to three and may be four or more.

  In the second to third embodiments, the alignment fixing process is performed after the alignment process is finished, but the present invention is not limited to this. The alignment process and the alignment fixing process may be performed simultaneously. That is, the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, and 82 may be heated while passing a magnetic field. In this case, the manufacturing time can be shortened.

  In the orientation fixing step of the second to third embodiments, the pressure sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, and 82 are heated in an electric furnace or the like so that the nickel powder is kept in an oriented state. Nickel powder is fixed in the rubber layer 42. However, the nickel powder may be fixed in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer 42 by a method other than heating so that the nickel powder is oriented. For example, when an ultraviolet curable resin is used to form the pressure sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, 82, the pressure sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, 82 are irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Further, the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, 82 may be irradiated with radiation or high frequency.

In the second to fourth embodiments, the conductive rubber layer 32 and the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, and 82 are separately extruded, but may be simultaneously extruded.
In each of the above embodiments, the core electrode 33, the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, 82, and the sensor electrode 35 are formed coaxially, but this is not restrictive. If the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, 82 are formed between the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35, the cross-sectional shape of the sensor body 21, 41, 61, 81 (core electrode 33 And the shape of a cross section cut along a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sensor electrode 35 extends in parallel may be an elliptical shape or a semicircular shape. The pressure-sensitive rubber is such that the orientation direction in a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35 extend in parallel changes along the direction in which the core electrode 33 and the sensor electrode 35 extend in parallel. The nickel powder in the layers 34, 42, 62, 82 may be oriented.

  In each of the above embodiments, the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, and 82 are formed of a rubber material in which nickel powder is dispersed, but the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, and 82 are dispersed in nickel powder. The insulating resin material having elasticity (including rubber and elastomer) may be used.

  In the second to fourth embodiments, the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 42, 62, and 82 are formed by dispersing nickel powder in a rubber material, but the material dispersed in the rubber material is limited to nickel powder. Absent. The material dispersed in the rubber material may be a powdered or granular magnetic material. For example, powdered ferrite, powdered alnico, powdered or granular iron plated with copper, glass beads plated with gold, powdered or granular nickel plated with silver And the like. If nickel powder is used as in the second to fourth embodiments, the foreign object detection sensor 9 can be manufactured at a lower cost.

  In each embodiment described above, the core electrode 33 is composed of the core wire 31 and the conductive rubber layer 32, but is not limited thereto. For example, the pressure sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, 82 may be directly formed on the outer periphery of the core wire 31, and the core wire 31 may be used as the core electrode 33. Alternatively, a core electrode 33 may be formed by forming an insulating core and winding a conductive tape around the outer periphery of the core. Further, a core electrode 33 may be formed by forming an insulating core and depositing a conductive material (such as aluminum) on the outer peripheral surface of the core.

  In each embodiment described above, the sensor electrode 35 is formed of a conductive knitting element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor electrode 35 may be formed by winding a conductive tape, copper wire or the like around the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, 82. The sensor electrode 35 may be formed by depositing a conductive material (aluminum or the like) on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pressure-sensitive rubber layers 34, 42, 62, 82.

In each of the above embodiments, the foreign object detection sensor 9 includes both a contact type sensor and a capacitance type sensor, but may be used only as a contact type sensor.
In each of the above embodiments, the sensor main bodies 21, 41, 61, 81 are disposed along the end 4a of the door panel 4 on the front side of the vehicle 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sensor main bodies 21, 41, 61, 81 may be disposed in the vehicle body 2 at the periphery of the entrance / exit 3 facing the door panel 4 in the traveling direction when the door panel 4 is closed. Further, the sensor main body 21, 41, 61, 81 has a peripheral portion on the front side in the advancing direction when the back door of the vehicle 1 is closed, or a peripheral edge on the front side in the advancing direction when the closing operation is performed on the trunk door. It may be arranged in the part. Further, the sensor bodies 21, 41, 61, 81 may be disposed at the peripheral edge of the opening of the vehicle body that is opened and closed by the back door, or at the peripheral edge of the opening of the vehicle body that is opened and closed by the trunk door. Good.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the foreign object detection sensor 9 is provided in the electric sliding door device 6 mounted on the vehicle 1 and is used for detecting the presence of foreign objects between the vehicle body 2 and the door panel 4 and the inclusion of foreign objects. Has been. However, the foreign object detection sensor 9 may be used for the purpose of detecting contact of a foreign object in addition to detecting the foreign object in the vehicle 1.

The perspective view which shows the vehicle provided with the foreign material detection sensor. Sectional drawing of the sensor main body in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of an electric slide door apparatus. Sectional drawing of the sensor main body in 2nd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows a mode that the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer of 2nd Embodiment is orientated with an orientation apparatus. The conceptual diagram which shows the sensor main body of 2nd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the sensor main body of 3rd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows a mode that the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer of 3rd Embodiment is orientated with an orientation apparatus. The timing chart which shows the supply aspect of the direct current to the coil which comprises the orientation apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the sensor main body of 4th Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows a mode that the nickel powder in the pressure-sensitive rubber layer of 4th Embodiment is orientated with an orientation apparatus. The graph which shows the aspect of the intensity | strength of the magnetic pole formed with the coil which comprises the orientation apparatus of 4th Embodiment. The timing chart which shows another example in the supply aspect of the direct current to the coil which comprises the orientation apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the sensor main body of another example. The conceptual diagram which shows the sensor main body of another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Foreign object detection sensor as a pressure sensor, 33 ... Core electrode as 1st electrode, 34, 42, 62, 102, 112 ... Pressure-sensitive rubber layer as a pressure-sensitive body, 35 ... As 2nd electrode Sensor electrode, 36 ... outer skin, 52, 53, 72a to 72d, 73a to 73d, 92u, 92v, 92w ... iron core constituting magnetic field generating means, 54, 55, 74a to 74d, 75a to 75d, 93u, 93v, 93w ... coils constituting magnetic field generating means, L1 ... central axis as an axis of the pressure sensitive body, X1, X2 ... section, Y1 to Y4 ... orientation range as a predetermined range.

Claims (12)

A first electrode and a second electrode extending in parallel;
A pressure-sensitive body that is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and is deformed by being dispersed and pressurized to change its resistance value;
The first electrode, the second electrode, and a skin that covers the pressure sensitive body from the outside, and the change in the current value of the current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode A pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected based on a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive body detected on the basis of the pressure-sensitive body,
The first electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape,
The pressure sensitive body is provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
The second electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive body so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
The magnetic material has an orientation direction in a plane orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel, and the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. A pressure-sensitive sensor characterized by being oriented so as to change along a direction. The pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 1,
The orientation direction of the magnetic material is repeated for each section set based on the size of the object to be detected along a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. Characteristic pressure sensor. In the pressure sensitive sensor according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The pressure-sensitive sensor is characterized in that the magnetic material is oriented such that the orientation direction continuously changes in the circumferential direction from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive body. In the pressure sensitive sensor according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The pressure-sensitive sensor, wherein the magnetic material is oriented so that the orientation direction changes in the circumferential direction for each predetermined range set along the axial direction of the pressure-sensitive body. In the pressure sensitive sensor according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The circumferential position of the portion where the degree of orientation of the magnetic material oriented along the thickness direction of the pressure sensitive body is the strongest is the direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. A pressure-sensitive sensor characterized by changing along. A first electrode and a second electrode extending in parallel;
A pressure-sensitive body that is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and is deformed by being dispersed and pressurized to change its resistance value;
The first electrode, the second electrode, and a skin that covers the pressure sensitive body from the outside, and the change in the current value of the current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode A pressure-sensitive sensor that detects contact of an object to be detected based on a change in the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive body detected on the basis of the pressure-sensitive body,
The first electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape,
The pressure sensitive body is provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
The second electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive body so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
The pressure-sensitive sensor, wherein the magnetic material is oriented in a plurality of directions within a plane orthogonal to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. A first electrode and a second electrode extending in parallel;
A pressure-sensitive body disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the magnetic material is dispersed and pressed to be deformed to change the resistance value;
An outer skin covering the first electrode, the second electrode, and the pressure sensitive body from the outside;
The first electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape,
The pressure sensitive body is provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
The second electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive body so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
Pressure sensing for detecting contact of an object to be detected based on a change in resistance value of the pressure sensing element detected based on a change in current value of a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. A method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor for manufacturing a sensor,
The pressure sensitive body is moved along a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel, and the first electrode and the second electrode in a direction in which the first electrode extends in parallel. An orientation step of orienting the magnetic material by passing the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means while rotating the pressure sensitive body with the axis of the pressure sensitive body as the rotation axis .
An orientation fixing step for fixing the magnetic material so that the magnetic material is held in an oriented state . A method for manufacturing a pressure sensitive sensor. In the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 7 ,
A method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor, comprising a pair of coils arranged with the pressure-sensitive body interposed therebetween to constitute the magnetic field generating means. A first electrode and a second electrode extending in parallel;
A pressure-sensitive body disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the magnetic material is dispersed and pressed to be deformed to change the resistance value;
An outer skin covering the first electrode, the second electrode, and the pressure sensitive body from the outside;
The first electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape,
The pressure sensitive body is provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
The second electrode is provided on the outer periphery of the pressure sensitive body so as to be coaxial with the first electrode,
Pressure sensing for detecting contact of an object to be detected based on a change in resistance value of the pressure sensing element detected based on a change in current value of a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode. A method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor for manufacturing a sensor,
Generated by the magnetic field generating means for changing the direction of the magnetic field over time by moving the pressure sensitive body along a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend in parallel. An alignment step of aligning the magnetic material by passing a magnetic field ;
An orientation fixing step for fixing the magnetic material so that the magnetic material is held in an oriented state . A method for manufacturing a pressure sensitive sensor. In the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 9 ,
A method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor, comprising: at least three coils arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and supplied with a three-phase AC power supply. In the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor according to claim 9 ,
The magnetic field generating means comprises a plurality of pairs of coils arranged across the pressure sensitive body,
The method of manufacturing a pressure-sensitive sensor, wherein the magnetic field generating means changes the direction of the magnetic field with time by sequentially switching the coils that supply current. In the manufacturing method of the pressure-sensitive sensor according to any one of claims 7 to 11 ,
In the orientation fixing step, the magnetic material is fixed so that the magnetic material is held in an oriented state by heating the pressure sensitive body.

Images