JP6415396B2

JP6415396B2 - Grasping detection device and capacitance sensor

Info

Publication number: JP6415396B2
Application number: JP2015118478A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 俊樹小野寺; 慎介長▲濱▼; 雄介井口
Original assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Current assignee: Fujikura Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-11
Filing date: 2015-06-11
Publication date: 2018-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-11
Also published as: JP2017004795A

Description

本発明は、把持検出装置及び静電容量センサに係り、特に自動車のステアリングホイールのリムを運転者が把持したことを検出する把持検出装置及びこれに用いられる静電容量センサに関するものである。 The present invention relates to a grip detection device and a capacitance sensor, and more particularly to a grip detection device for detecting that a driver grips a rim of a steering wheel of an automobile and a capacitance sensor used therefor.

自動車には様々なセンサが実装されており、これらのセンサにより検出された信号を用いて各種機器の制御が行われている。例えば、運転者がステアリングホイールのリムを把持しているか否かに応じて、カーナビゲーションシステムや運転支援システム、ヒータ、エアバッグなどを制御するために、リムに静電容量センサを組み込み、静電容量センサの電極と運転者の手との間の静電容量の変化に基づいて運転者がリムを把持しているか否かを検出することも行われている。最近では、複数の電極を用いてより正確にリムの把持状態を検出するようにした静電容量センサも開発されている（例えば、特許文献１の図２６参照） Various sensors are mounted on the automobile, and various devices are controlled using signals detected by these sensors. For example, in order to control a car navigation system, a driving support system, a heater, an air bag, etc. depending on whether or not the driver is gripping the rim of the steering wheel, a capacitive sensor is incorporated in the rim. It is also detected whether or not the driver is holding the rim based on a change in capacitance between the electrode of the capacitance sensor and the driver's hand. Recently, a capacitance sensor that detects a grip state of a rim more accurately using a plurality of electrodes has also been developed (see, for example, FIG. 26 of Patent Document 1).

図１は、このようなステアリングホイールのリムに組み込まれる従来の静電容量センサを示す模式図である。図１に示す静電容量センサは、リムが延びる方向に沿って延びる複数の電極５０１〜５０６を有しており、これらの電極５０１〜５０６は、可撓性を有する絶縁フィルム５１０上に配置されている。これらの電極５０１〜５０６のうち、最も長い電極５０３と最も短い電極５０６は直線状に延びている。図１において電極５０３の左側に位置する電極５０１と電極５０２は左側に湾曲しており、電極５０３と電極５０６との間に位置する電極５０４と電極５０５は右側に湾曲している。これらの電極５０１〜５０６は、絶縁フィルム５１０の接続フィルム部５１０Ａによって互いに接続されている。 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional capacitance sensor incorporated in the rim of such a steering wheel. The capacitance sensor shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of electrodes 501 to 506 extending along the direction in which the rim extends, and these electrodes 501 to 506 are arranged on a flexible insulating film 510. ing. Among these electrodes 501 to 506, the longest electrode 503 and the shortest electrode 506 extend linearly. In FIG. 1, the electrode 501 and the electrode 502 located on the left side of the electrode 503 are curved to the left side, and the electrode 504 and the electrode 505 located between the electrode 503 and the electrode 506 are curved to the right side. These electrodes 501 to 506 are connected to each other by a connection film portion 510 </ b> A of the insulating film 510.

最も長い電極５０３はリムの最外周に配置され、最も短い電極５０６はリムの最内周に配置されるため、これらの電極５０３，５０６は直線状に形成すればリムが延びる方向に沿って配置することができる。一方、電極５０１，５０２，５０４，５０５は、リムの最外周と最内周との間の曲面上で隣り合う電極間の間隔が一定となるように配置しなければならないので、図１に示すようにリムの形状や大きさに合わせた湾曲形状とする必要がある。 Since the longest electrode 503 is disposed on the outermost periphery of the rim and the shortest electrode 506 is disposed on the innermost periphery of the rim, these electrodes 503 and 506 are disposed along the direction in which the rim extends if they are formed in a straight line. can do. On the other hand, the electrodes 501, 502, 504, and 505 must be arranged so that the distance between the adjacent electrodes is constant on the curved surface between the outermost and innermost rims, as shown in FIG. Thus, it is necessary to have a curved shape that matches the shape and size of the rim.

このような静電容量センサをステアリングホイールのリムに組み込む際には、電極５０１〜５０６をリムに沿って取り付けていくことになるが、電極５０１〜５０６は、接続フィルム部５１０Ａが接続される部分においてのみ互いに接続されているため、接続フィルム部５１０Ａから離れた位置ではそれぞれの電極５０１〜５０６を独立して位置決めしなければならない。このように、接続フィルム部５１０Ａから離れた位置では電極５０１〜５０６を適切な位置に配置することが難しく、隣り合う電極の間隔を一定にすることが難しいという問題がある。隣り合う電極の間隔が一定でない場合には、把持検出装置によるリムの把持状態の検出も不正確になってしまう。 When such a capacitance sensor is incorporated in the rim of the steering wheel, the electrodes 501 to 506 are attached along the rim. The electrodes 501 to 506 are portions to which the connection film portion 510A is connected. Since the electrodes 501 to 506 are connected to each other only at the positions, the electrodes 501 to 506 must be positioned independently at positions away from the connection film portion 510A. Thus, there is a problem that it is difficult to dispose the electrodes 501 to 506 at appropriate positions at positions away from the connection film portion 510A, and it is difficult to make the interval between adjacent electrodes constant. If the interval between adjacent electrodes is not constant, the detection of the grip state of the rim by the grip detection device will also be inaccurate.

国際公開第２０１４／１２３２２２号International Publication No. 2014/123222

本発明は、このような従来技術の問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、リムに組み込む際に複数の電極を適切な位置に配置することが容易な静電容量センサを提供することを第１の目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide a capacitance sensor that can easily arrange a plurality of electrodes at appropriate positions when incorporated in a rim. The purpose.

本発明は、リムの把持状態を正確に検出することができる把持検出装置を提供することを第２の目的とする。 A second object of the present invention is to provide a grip detection device that can accurately detect the grip state of a rim.

本発明の第１の態様によれば、リムに組み込む際に複数の電極を適切な位置に配置することが容易な静電容量センサが提供される。この静電容量センサは、ステアリングホイールのリムに組み込まれる。上記静電容量センサは、複数の電極と、上記複数の電極のそれぞれから延びる配線と、可撓性を有する絶縁フィルムとを備える。上記複数の電極は、上記リムが延びるリム延在方向に対応する第１の方向に沿って直線状に延び、上記リムに組み込まれた際に上記リムの外周に配置されることとなる外周側直線電極と、上記第１の方向に沿って直線状に延び、上記リムに組み込まれた際に上記リムの内周に配置されることとなる内周側直線電極と、湾曲しつつ全体として上記第１の方向に沿って延び、上記リムに組み込まれた際に上記リムの上記外周と内周との間に配置されることとなる少なくとも１つの湾曲電極とを含んでいる。上記絶縁フィルムは、上記複数の電極が載置される複数の電極フィルム部と、上記第１の方向と交わるように延びて上記複数の電極フィルム部を接続する接続フィルム部とを含んでいる。この接続フィルム部は、上記配線を内部に含んでいる。上記静電容量センサは、上記接続フィルム部から上記第１の方向に離間した位置で、上記複数の電極フィルム部のうち上記第１の方向と垂直な第２の方向で隣り合う電極フィルム部を互いに連結する少なくとも１つの連結部をさらに備えている。この連結部は、折り曲げ可能な折曲部を有している。上記連結部は、上記折曲部を折り曲げることにより該連結部により連結される上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の間の距離を所定の距離に調整し、上記リムに組み込まれた際に上記隣り合う電極フィルム部に載置される上記電極の間の距離を上記リム延在方向に沿って一定にするように構成されている。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a capacitance sensor that can easily arrange a plurality of electrodes at appropriate positions when incorporated in a rim. This capacitance sensor is incorporated in the rim of the steering wheel. The capacitance sensor includes a plurality of electrodes, a wiring extending from each of the plurality of electrodes, and a flexible insulating film. The plurality of electrodes extend linearly along a first direction corresponding to a rim extending direction in which the rim extends, and are disposed on the outer periphery of the rim when incorporated in the rim. A straight electrode, a linear electrode extending linearly along the first direction, and disposed on the inner periphery of the rim when incorporated in the rim; And at least one curved electrode that extends along a first direction and is disposed between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the rim when incorporated in the rim. The insulating film includes a plurality of electrode film portions on which the plurality of electrodes are placed, and a connection film portion that extends to intersect the first direction and connects the plurality of electrode film portions. This connection film part contains the said wiring inside. The capacitance sensor includes an electrode film portion adjacent in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction among the plurality of electrode film portions at a position spaced from the connection film portion in the first direction. It further has at least one connecting part connected to each other. The connecting portion has a foldable bending portion. The connecting portion adjusts the distance between the adjacent electrode film portions connected by the connecting portion by bending the bent portion to a predetermined distance, and the adjacent electrodes when incorporated in the rim. The distance between the electrodes placed on the film part is configured to be constant along the rim extending direction.

このような構成により、連結部の折曲部を折り曲げることによって電極フィルム部の間の距離を所定の距離に調整することができるので、静電容量センサをリムに組み込む際に、これらの隣り合う電極フィルム部に載置される電極の間の距離をリム延在方向に沿って一定に維持することが容易になる。このため、リム内で電極を適切な位置に配置することが容易になる。 With such a configuration, the distance between the electrode film portions can be adjusted to a predetermined distance by bending the bent portion of the connecting portion. It becomes easy to keep the distance between the electrodes placed on the electrode film portion constant along the rim extending direction. For this reason, it becomes easy to arrange | position an electrode in an appropriate position within a rim.

上記連結部は、上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の上記第１の方向の端部を互いに連結するものであってもよいし、上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の上記第１の方向の端部と上記接続フィルム部との間で上記隣り合う電極フィルム部を互いに連結するものであってもよい。 The connecting portion may connect the end portions in the first direction of the adjacent electrode film portions to each other, or the end portion in the first direction of the adjacent electrode film portions and the connection. You may connect the said adjacent electrode film part mutually between film parts.

また、上記連結部は、上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の一方から延びる第１の基部と、上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の他方から延びる第２の基部とを含んでいてもよい。上記連結部の上記折曲部は、上記第１の基部と上記第２の基部との間に配置されていてもよい。上記連結部は、上記折曲部を上記第１の基部及び上記第２の基部の一方に重なるように折り曲げることにより、該連結部により連結される上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の間の距離を縮小するように構成されていてもよい。この場合において、上記連結部の上記折曲部は、上記第１の基部との境界部、上記第１の基部と上記第２の基部との間の中央部、及び上記第２の基部との境界部で折れ曲がるように構成されていてもよいし、あるいは、上記第１の基部との境界部及び上記第２の基部との境界部で折れ曲がるように構成されていてもよい。 The connecting portion may include a first base extending from one of the adjacent electrode film portions and a second base extending from the other of the adjacent electrode film portions. The bent portion of the connecting portion may be disposed between the first base portion and the second base portion. The connecting portion reduces the distance between the adjacent electrode film portions connected by the connecting portion by bending the bent portion so as to overlap one of the first base portion and the second base portion. It may be configured to. In this case, the bent portion of the connecting portion includes a boundary portion with the first base portion, a central portion between the first base portion and the second base portion, and the second base portion. You may be comprised so that it may bend in a boundary part, or you may be comprised so that it may bend in the boundary part with the said 1st base part and the boundary part with the said 2nd base part.

上記連結部の長手方向に垂直な方向における上記折曲部の幅は、上記連結部の長手方向に垂直な方向における上記第１の基部及び上記第２の基部の幅よりも小さいことが好ましい。このような構成にすることで、連結部の折曲部が第１の基部及び第２の基部に比べて折れ曲がり易くなるので、折曲部を折り曲げる作業がしやすくなる。 The width of the bent portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion is preferably smaller than the width of the first base portion and the second base portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion. With such a configuration, the bent portion of the connecting portion becomes easier to bend than the first base portion and the second base portion, so that the operation of bending the bent portion is facilitated.

また、上記連結部は、上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の一方から延びる第１の基部と、上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の他方から延びる第２の基部とを含んでいてもよい。上記連結部の上記折曲部は、上記第１の基部の端部と上記第２の基部の端部とに接続されていてもよい。上記連結部は、上記折曲部を上記第１の基部及び上記第２の基部の双方に重なるように折り曲げることにより、該連結部により連結される上記隣り合う電極フィルム部の間の距離を拡大するように構成されていてもよい。この場合において、上記連結部の上記折曲部は、上記第１の基部の上記端部との境界部及び上記第２の基部の上記端部との境界部で折れ曲がるように構成されていてもよい。 The connecting portion may include a first base extending from one of the adjacent electrode film portions and a second base extending from the other of the adjacent electrode film portions. The bent portion of the connecting portion may be connected to an end portion of the first base portion and an end portion of the second base portion. The connecting portion expands the distance between the adjacent electrode film portions connected by the connecting portion by bending the bent portion so as to overlap both the first base portion and the second base portion. It may be configured to. In this case, the bent portion of the connecting portion may be configured to bend at a boundary portion between the first base portion and the end portion of the first base portion and a boundary portion between the second base portion and the end portion. Good.

本発明の第２の態様によれば、リムの把持状態を正確に検出することができる把持検出装置が提供される。この把持検出装置は、上述した静電容量センサと、上記静電容量センサの上記配線に接続される把持検出部とを備えている。上記静電容量センサはステアリングホイールのリムに装着される。上記把持検出部は、上記静電容量センサの上記複数の電極における静電容量の変化に基づいて運転者が上記リムを把持したことを検出できるように構成される。 According to the second aspect of the present invention, a grip detection device capable of accurately detecting the grip state of the rim is provided. The grip detection device includes the above-described capacitance sensor and a grip detection unit connected to the wiring of the capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor is attached to the rim of the steering wheel. The grip detection unit is configured to detect that the driver grips the rim based on a change in capacitance of the plurality of electrodes of the capacitance sensor.

このような構成により、連結部の折曲部を折り曲げることによって電極フィルム部の間の距離を所定の距離に調整することができるので、静電容量センサをリムに組み込む際に、これらの隣り合う電極フィルム部に載置される電極の間の距離をリム延在方向に沿って一定に維持することが容易になる。このため、リム内で電極を適切な位置に配置することが容易になり、リムの把持状態をより正確に検出することが可能となる。 With such a configuration, the distance between the electrode film portions can be adjusted to a predetermined distance by bending the bent portion of the connecting portion. It becomes easy to keep the distance between the electrodes placed on the electrode film portion constant along the rim extending direction. For this reason, it becomes easy to arrange | position an electrode in an appropriate position in a rim | limb, and it becomes possible to detect the holding | grip state of a rim | limb more correctly.

本発明によれば、リムに組み込む際に複数の電極を適切な位置に配置することが容易な静電容量センサが提供される。また、本発明によれば、リムの把持状態を正確に検出することができる把持検出装置が提供される。 ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when incorporating in a rim | limb, the electrostatic capacitance sensor which is easy to arrange | position a several electrode in an appropriate position is provided. Further, according to the present invention, a grip detection device capable of accurately detecting the grip state of the rim is provided.

ステアリングホイールのホイールコアに装着される従来の静電容量センサを示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the conventional electrostatic capacitance sensor with which the wheel core of a steering wheel is mounted | worn. 本発明の一実施形態における把持検出装置の構成を模式的に示す図である。It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the holding | grip detection apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. 図２のＡ−Ａ線断面を模式的に示す図である。It is a figure which shows typically the AA line cross section of FIG. 図２に示す把持検出装置における静電容量センサを示す平面図であり、ステアリングホイールのリムに組み込む前の静電容量センサの状態を示すものである。It is a top view which shows the electrostatic capacitance sensor in the holding | grip detection apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and shows the state of the electrostatic capacitance sensor before incorporating in the rim | limb of a steering wheel. 図４のＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。It is the BB sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 図４のＣ−Ｃ線断面図である。It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 図４のＤ−Ｄ線断面図である。It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 図２に示す把持検出装置の回路構成を模式的に示す図である。It is a figure which shows typically the circuit structure of the holding | grip detection apparatus shown in FIG. 図４に示す静電容量センサの１つの連結部を模式的に示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show typically one connection part of the electrostatic capacitance sensor shown in FIG. 図７ＡのＥ−Ｅ線断面図である。It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 7A. 図７Ａの連結部の折曲部を折り曲げる工程を示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show the process of bending the bending part of the connection part of FIG. 7A. 図８Ａの断面図である。It is sectional drawing of FIG. 8A. 図７Ａの連結部の折曲部を折り曲げる工程を示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show the process of bending the bending part of the connection part of FIG. 7A. 図９Ａの断面図である。It is sectional drawing of FIG. 9A. 図４に示す静電容量センサの１つの連結部を模式的に示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show typically one connection part of the electrostatic capacitance sensor shown in FIG. 図１０Ａの正面図である。It is a front view of FIG. 10A. 図１０Ａの連結部の折曲部を折り曲げる工程を示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show the process of bending the bending part of the connection part of FIG. 10A. 図１１Ａの正面図である。FIG. 11B is a front view of FIG. 11A. 図１０Ａの連結部の折曲部を折り曲げる工程を示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show the process of bending the bending part of the connection part of FIG. 10A. 図１２Ａの正面図である。It is a front view of Drawing 12A. 図１０Ａの連結部の折曲部を折り曲げる工程を示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show the process of bending the bending part of the connection part of FIG. 10A. 図１３Ａの正面図である。It is a front view of FIG. 13A. 本発明の他の実施形態における静電容量センサを示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the electrostatic capacitance sensor in other embodiment of this invention. 本発明の他の実施形態における静電容量センサの連結部を模式的に示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows typically the connection part of the electrostatic capacitance sensor in other embodiment of this invention. 本発明のさらに他の実施形態における静電容量センサの連結部を模式的に示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows typically the connection part of the electrostatic capacitance sensor in further another embodiment of this invention. 本発明のさらに他の実施形態における静電容量センサの連結部を模式的に示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows typically the connection part of the electrostatic capacitance sensor in further another embodiment of this invention. 図１７に示す連結部の折曲部を折り曲げた状態を示す部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale which show the state which bent the bending part of the connection part shown in FIG. 図１８ＡのＦ−Ｆ線断面図である。It is the FF sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 18A. 本発明のさらに他の実施形態における静電容量センサの連結部を模式的に示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows typically the connection part of the electrostatic capacitance sensor in further another embodiment of this invention.

以下、本発明に係る把持検出装置の実施形態について図２から図１９を参照して詳細に説明する。なお、図２から図１９において、同一又は相当する構成要素には、同一の符号を付して重複した説明を省略する。また、図２から図１９においては、各構成要素の縮尺や寸法が誇張されて示されている場合や一部の構成要素が省略されている場合がある。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the grip detection device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 19, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, in FIGS. 2 to 19, the scales and dimensions of the respective components are exaggerated and some components may be omitted.

図２は、本発明の一実施形態における把持検出装置１の構成を模式的に示す図である。図２に示すように、把持検出装置１は、ステアリングホイール１０のリム１２に組み込まれた２つの静電容量センサ２０，２０と、ステアリングホイール１０のハブ１４内に配置された把持検出部２２と、静電容量センサ２０，２０と把持検出部２２とを電気的に接続する配線部２３，２３とを備えている。それぞれの静電容量センサ２０は、ハブ１４内の把持検出部２２からステアリングホイール１０のスポーク１５の内部を通って延びる配線部２３に接続される接続部２１を有している。把持検出部２２は、静電容量センサ２０，２０により検出される静電容量の変化に基づいて運転者がリム１２を把持したか否かを判断する。なお、本実施形態では、静電容量センサ２０，２０は、リム１２の左右両側の２箇所に設けられているが、静電容量センサ２０の位置や数は図示のものに限られるものではない。例えば、静電容量センサ２０の数を１つにしてもよく、あるいは３つ以上にすることもできる。 FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the grip detection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the grip detection device 1 includes two capacitance sensors 20 and 20 incorporated in the rim 12 of the steering wheel 10, and a grip detection unit 22 disposed in the hub 14 of the steering wheel 10. In addition, wiring units 23 and 23 that electrically connect the capacitance sensors 20 and 20 and the grip detection unit 22 are provided. Each capacitance sensor 20 has a connection portion 21 connected to a wiring portion 23 extending from the grip detection portion 22 in the hub 14 through the inside of the spoke 15 of the steering wheel 10. The grip detection unit 22 determines whether or not the driver grips the rim 12 based on the change in capacitance detected by the capacitance sensors 20 and 20. In the present embodiment, the capacitance sensors 20, 20 are provided at two locations on the left and right sides of the rim 12, but the position and number of the capacitance sensors 20 are not limited to those illustrated. . For example, the number of capacitance sensors 20 may be one, or may be three or more.

図３は、図２のＡ−Ａ線断面を模式的に示す図である。図３に示すように、静電容量センサ２０は、リム１２のコア１６の周りに取り付けられる６つのセンサ部３１〜３６を有している。これらのセンサ部３１〜３６は、コア１６の断面の周方向に離間して配置されている。静電容量センサ２０の外周面上には、静電容量センサ２０による凹凸を吸収してリム１２の表面に凹凸が生じないようにするための緩衝材１７が設けられている。この緩衝材１７の外周面は、革などから構成されるスキン１８により覆われており、運転者はこのスキン１８の上からリム１２を握って自動車を操縦する。 FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the capacitance sensor 20 has six sensor portions 31 to 36 attached around the core 16 of the rim 12. These sensor units 31 to 36 are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section of the core 16. On the outer peripheral surface of the capacitance sensor 20, a cushioning material 17 is provided for absorbing irregularities caused by the capacitance sensor 20 and preventing the irregularities on the surface of the rim 12. The outer peripheral surface of the cushioning material 17 is covered with a skin 18 made of leather or the like, and the driver operates the automobile by grasping the rim 12 from the skin 18.

図４は、リム１２に組み込まれる前の静電容量センサ２０を示す平面図である。図４に示すように、静電容量センサ２０は、可撓性を有する絶縁材料（例えばポリイミドやポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ））からなる絶縁フィルム４０を有している。図４において、Ｙ方向は、静電容量センサ２０をコア１６の外周面に取り付けた際のリム１２（コア１６）が延びる方向Ｅ（図２参照）に対応しており、Ｘ方向は、この方向Ｅに垂直なコア１６の断面の周方向Ｒ（図３参照）に対応している。以下、リム１２（コア１６）が延びる方向をリム延在方向Ｅ、コア１６の断面の周方向をコア断面周方向Ｒということがある。 FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the capacitance sensor 20 before being incorporated into the rim 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the capacitance sensor 20 includes an insulating film 40 made of a flexible insulating material (for example, polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)). In FIG. 4, the Y direction corresponds to the direction E (see FIG. 2) in which the rim 12 (core 16) extends when the capacitance sensor 20 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the core 16. This corresponds to the circumferential direction R (see FIG. 3) of the cross section of the core 16 perpendicular to the direction E. Hereinafter, a direction in which the rim 12 (core 16) extends may be referred to as a rim extending direction E, and a circumferential direction of a cross section of the core 16 may be referred to as a core cross-sectional circumferential direction R.

図４に示すように、上述した６つのセンサ部３１〜３６は、Ｙ方向に沿って直線状に延びる外周側直線センサ部３１及び内周側直線センサ部３２と、湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に沿って延びる第１の湾曲センサ部３３、第２の湾曲センサ部３４、第３の湾曲センサ部３５、及び第４の湾曲センサ部３６とを含んでいる。これらのセンサ部３１〜３６は、Ｘ方向に互いに離間して配置されており、図３に示すように、リム１２に組み込まれた際にコア断面周方向Ｒに互いに離間して配置されるようになっている。また、センサ部３１〜３６は、それぞれのＹ方向の略中央で絶縁フィルム４０の接続フィルム部４０Ａによって互いに接続されている。本実施形態では、接続フィルム部４０Ａは、センサ部３１〜３６が延びる方向と垂直な方向（Ｘ方向）に延びているが、これに限られるものではなく、センサ部３１〜３６が延びる方向と交わる方向に延びていればよい。 As shown in FIG. 4, the six sensor units 31 to 36 described above are curved in the Y direction as a whole while being curved with the outer peripheral side linear sensor unit 31 and the inner peripheral side linear sensor unit 32 extending linearly along the Y direction. The first curve sensor unit 33, the second curve sensor unit 34, the third curve sensor unit 35, and the fourth curve sensor unit 36 are provided. These sensor units 31 to 36 are arranged to be separated from each other in the X direction, and as shown in FIG. It has become. Moreover, the sensor parts 31-36 are mutually connected by the connection film part 40A of the insulating film 40 in the approximate center of each Y direction. In the present embodiment, the connection film portion 40A extends in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the sensor portions 31 to 36 extend, but is not limited thereto, and the direction in which the sensor portions 31 to 36 extend. What is necessary is just to extend in the direction which crosses.

外周側直線センサ部３１は、Ｙ方向に沿って直線状に延びる絶縁フィルム４０の外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと、Ｙ方向に沿って直線状に延びる外周側直線電極５１とを含んでいる。外周側直線電極５１は、両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂ上に固定される。内周側直線センサ部３２は、Ｙ方向に沿って直線状に延びる絶縁フィルム４０の内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃと、Ｙ方向に沿って直線状に延びる内周側直線電極５２とを含んでいる。内周側直線電極５２は、両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃ上に固定されている。 The outer peripheral side linear sensor part 31 includes an outer peripheral side electrode film part 40B of the insulating film 40 extending linearly along the Y direction and an outer peripheral side linear electrode 51 extending linearly along the Y direction. The outer peripheral side linear electrode 51 is fixed on the outer peripheral side electrode film part 40B using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. The inner peripheral side linear sensor part 32 includes an inner peripheral side electrode film part 40C of the insulating film 40 extending linearly along the Y direction and an inner peripheral side linear electrode 52 extending linearly along the Y direction. Yes. The inner peripheral side linear electrode 52 is fixed on the inner peripheral side electrode film part 40C using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive.

静電容量センサ２０をリム１２に組み込んだ際には、外周側直線電極５１を含む外周側直線センサ部３１がリム１２の最外周にリム延在方向Ｅに沿って配置され、内周側直線電極５２を含む内周側直線センサ部３２がリム１２の最内周にリム延在方向Ｅに沿って配置される。このため、外周側直線電極５１のＹ方向の長さは、内周側直線電極５２のＹ方向の長さよりも長くなっている。 When the electrostatic capacity sensor 20 is incorporated in the rim 12, the outer peripheral side linear sensor part 31 including the outer peripheral side linear electrode 51 is arranged along the rim extending direction E on the outermost periphery of the rim 12, and the inner peripheral side straight line The inner circumference side linear sensor part 32 including the electrode 52 is arranged along the rim extending direction E on the innermost circumference of the rim 12. For this reason, the length of the outer peripheral side linear electrode 51 in the Y direction is longer than the length of the inner peripheral side linear electrode 52 in the Y direction.

第１の湾曲センサ部３３は、図４において最も左側に位置しており、左側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に沿って延びる絶縁フィルム４０の第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｄと、左側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に沿って延びる第１の湾曲電極５３とを含んでいる。第１の湾曲電極５３は、両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｄ上に固定される。 The first bending sensor section 33 is located on the leftmost side in FIG. 4 and is curved to the left side with the first curved electrode film section 40D of the insulating film 40 that is curved to the left side and extends along the Y direction as a whole. However, the first curved electrode 53 extending along the Y direction as a whole is included. The first curved electrode 53 is fixed on the first curved electrode film portion 40D using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive.

第２の湾曲センサ部３４は、Ｘ方向において第１の湾曲センサ部３３と外周側直線センサ部３１との間に位置している。この第２の湾曲センサ部３４は、左側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に沿って延びる絶縁フィルム４０の第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅと、左側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に沿って延びる第２の湾曲電極５４とを含んでいる。ここで、第１の湾曲電極５３の湾曲の度合は第２の湾曲電極５４の湾曲の度合よりも大きくなっている。第２の湾曲電極５４は、両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅ上に固定される。 The second curve sensor unit 34 is located between the first curve sensor unit 33 and the outer peripheral side linear sensor unit 31 in the X direction. The second curved sensor portion 34 is curved to the left and extends along the Y direction as a whole, and the second curved electrode film portion 40E of the insulating film 40 as a whole extends along the Y direction while curved to the left. A second curved electrode 54. Here, the degree of bending of the first bending electrode 53 is larger than the degree of bending of the second bending electrode 54. The 2nd curved electrode 54 is fixed on the 2nd curved electrode film part 40E using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive material.

第３の湾曲センサ部３５は、外周側直線センサ部３１に対して第２の湾曲センサ部３４とは反対側に位置している。この第３の湾曲センサ部３５は、右側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に延びる絶縁フィルム４０の第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆと、右側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に延びる第３の湾曲電極５５とを含んでいる。第３の湾曲電極５５は、両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆ上に固定される。 The third curvature sensor unit 35 is located on the side opposite to the second curvature sensor unit 34 with respect to the outer peripheral side linear sensor unit 31. The third bending sensor portion 35 includes a third bending electrode film portion 40F of the insulating film 40 that extends in the Y direction as a whole while bending to the right side, and a third bending that extends in the Y direction as a whole while bending to the right side. And an electrode 55. The 3rd curved electrode 55 is fixed on the 3rd curved electrode film part 40F using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive material.

第４の湾曲センサ部３６は、Ｘ方向において第３の湾曲センサ部３５と内周側直線センサ部３２との間に位置している。この第４の湾曲センサ部３６は、右側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に延びる絶縁フィルム４０の第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇと、右側に湾曲しつつ全体としてＹ方向に延びる第４の湾曲電極５６とを含んでいる。ここで、第４の湾曲電極５６の湾曲の度合は第３の湾曲電極５５の湾曲の度合よりも大きくなっている。第４の湾曲電極５６は、両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇ上に固定される。 The fourth bending sensor unit 36 is located between the third bending sensor unit 35 and the inner circumferential linear sensor unit 32 in the X direction. The fourth bending sensor portion 36 includes a fourth curved electrode film portion 40G of the insulating film 40 that extends in the Y direction as a whole while bending to the right side, and a fourth curve that extends in the Y direction as a whole while bending to the right side. An electrode 56. Here, the degree of bending of the fourth bending electrode 56 is larger than the degree of bending of the third bending electrode 55. The 4th curved electrode 56 is fixed on the 4th curved electrode film part 40G using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive material.

図５Ａは図４のＢ−Ｂ線断面図、図５Ｂは図４のＣ−Ｃ線断面図、図５Ｃは図４のＤ−Ｄ線断面図である。図４及び図５Ａ〜図５Ｃに示すように、本実施形態の静電容量センサ２０は、電極５１〜５６からＸ方向に延びる３本の配線８１〜８３を有する配線部８０を備えている。これらの配線８１〜８３は、図５Ａ〜図５Ｃに示すように、上述した絶縁フィルム４０の接続フィルム部４０Ａ内に形成される。 5A is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4, FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5C is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5C, the capacitance sensor 20 of this embodiment includes a wiring unit 80 having three wirings 81 to 83 extending from the electrodes 51 to 56 in the X direction. These wirings 81 to 83 are formed in the connection film portion 40A of the insulating film 40 described above, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

図５Ａ〜図５Ｃに示すように、配線８１〜８３は電極５１〜５６より下方に形成されている。図５Ａに示すように、配線８１は、接続部８４，８４を介して第１の湾曲電極５３及び第３の湾曲電極５５と電気的に接続されている。また、図５Ｂに示すように、配線８２は、接続部８５，８５を介して外周側直線電極５１及び内周側直線電極５２と電気的に接続されている。図５Ｃに示すように、配線８３は、接続部８６，８６を介して第２の湾曲電極５４及び第４の湾曲電極５６と電気的に接続されている。これらの配線８１〜８３、接続部８４〜８６、及び電極５１〜５６は、銀や銅などの導電性の材料から構成される。また、図示は省略するが、各電極５１〜５６はそれぞれレジストなどの絶縁体により被覆されている。 As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the wirings 81 to 83 are formed below the electrodes 51 to 56. As shown in FIG. 5A, the wiring 81 is electrically connected to the first curved electrode 53 and the third curved electrode 55 via connection portions 84 and 84. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the wiring 82 is electrically connected to the outer peripheral side straight electrode 51 and the inner peripheral side straight electrode 52 through the connection portions 85 and 85. As shown in FIG. 5C, the wiring 83 is electrically connected to the second curved electrode 54 and the fourth curved electrode 56 via connection portions 86 and 86. The wirings 81 to 83, the connection portions 84 to 86, and the electrodes 51 to 56 are made of a conductive material such as silver or copper. Although not shown, each of the electrodes 51 to 56 is covered with an insulator such as a resist.

配線部８０の配線８１〜８３は、静電容量センサ２０の接続部２１（図２参照）まで延びており、ここで配線８１〜８３が把持検出部２２から延びる配線部２３（図２参照）の端子に接続されることによって、把持検出部２２と上述した電極５１〜５６とが電気的に接続される。 The wirings 81 to 83 of the wiring unit 80 extend to the connection part 21 (see FIG. 2) of the capacitance sensor 20, where the wirings 81 to 83 extend from the grip detection unit 22 (see FIG. 2). By connecting to the terminal, the grip detection unit 22 and the electrodes 51 to 56 described above are electrically connected.

図６は、把持検出装置１の回路構成を模式的に示す図である。図５Ａ〜図５Ｃ及び図６に示すように、第１の湾曲電極５３及び第３の湾曲電極５５は共通の配線８１に接続され、外周側直線電極５１及び内周側直線電極５２は共通の配線８２に接続され、第２の湾曲電極５４及び第４の湾曲電極５６は共通の配線８３に接続されている。このように、コア断面周方向Ｒに沿って隣り合う３つの電極がそれぞれ異なる配線８１〜８３に接続されるように構成されている。 FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a circuit configuration of the grip detection device 1. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C and FIG. 6, the first curved electrode 53 and the third curved electrode 55 are connected to a common wiring 81, and the outer peripheral side straight electrode 51 and the inner peripheral side straight electrode 52 are common. Connected to the wiring 82, the second curved electrode 54 and the fourth curved electrode 56 are connected to a common wiring 83. In this way, the three electrodes adjacent along the circumferential direction R of the core cross section are connected to different wirings 81 to 83, respectively.

図６に示すように、把持検出部２２は、配線８１を介して第１の湾曲電極５３及び第３の湾曲電極５５に接続されたＣ／Ｖ変換回路９１と、配線８２を介して外周側直線電極５１及び内周側直線電極５２に接続されたＣ／Ｖ変換回路９２と、配線８３を介して第２の湾曲電極５４及び第４の湾曲電極５６に接続されたＣ／Ｖ変換回路９３と、これらのＣ／Ｖ変換回路９１〜９３にそれぞれ接続された検出回路９４〜９６と、検出回路９４〜９６に接続された判断部９７とを含んでいる。 As shown in FIG. 6, the grip detection unit 22 includes a C / V conversion circuit 91 connected to the first curved electrode 53 and the third curved electrode 55 via the wiring 81, and the outer peripheral side via the wiring 82. A C / V conversion circuit 92 connected to the straight electrode 51 and the inner peripheral side straight electrode 52, and a C / V conversion circuit 93 connected to the second curved electrode 54 and the fourth curved electrode 56 via the wiring 83. And detection circuits 94 to 96 connected to the C / V conversion circuits 91 to 93, respectively, and a determination unit 97 connected to the detection circuits 94 to 96.

Ｃ／Ｖ変換回路９１〜９３は、接続された電極を積分回路の一部とし、電極の静電容量値によってデューティ比が変化する電圧パルスを生成することにより、静電容量値を電圧パルスに変換するものである。検出回路９４〜９６は、Ｃ／Ｖ変換回路９１〜９３から出力される電圧パルスを直流化して所定の閾値と比較することにより、運転者の手のリム１２への近接又は接触を検出するものである。 The C / V conversion circuits 91 to 93 use the connected electrodes as a part of the integration circuit, and generate a voltage pulse whose duty ratio changes depending on the capacitance value of the electrode, thereby converting the capacitance value into the voltage pulse. To convert. The detection circuits 94 to 96 detect the proximity or contact of the driver's hand to the rim 12 by converting the voltage pulse output from the C / V conversion circuits 91 to 93 into a direct current and comparing it with a predetermined threshold value. It is.

判断部９７は、検出回路９４〜９６からの出力に基づいてステアリングホイール１０のリム１２の把持状態を判断する。例えば、判断部９７は、検出回路９４〜９６のうち１つ又は２つの検出回路が手の近接又は接触を検出した場合には、運転者の手がリム１２に接触したと判断し、すべての検出回路９４〜９６が手の近接又は接触を検出した場合に、運転者の手がリム１２を把持したと判断し、外部のカーナビゲーションシステムや運転支援システム、ヒータ、エアバッグなどに制御信号を出力する。このようにすべての検出回路９４〜９６が手の近接又は接触を検出した場合に運転者の手がリム１２を把持したと判断することで、柔らかい腕などが２つの電極にまたがって接触した場合に運転者の手がリム１２を把持したと誤検出することを防止することができる。 The determination unit 97 determines the gripping state of the rim 12 of the steering wheel 10 based on the outputs from the detection circuits 94 to 96. For example, when one or two of the detection circuits 94 to 96 detect the proximity or contact of the hand, the determination unit 97 determines that the driver's hand has touched the rim 12, and all When the detection circuits 94 to 96 detect the proximity or contact of the hand, it is determined that the driver's hand has gripped the rim 12, and a control signal is sent to an external car navigation system, a driving support system, a heater, an airbag, or the like. Output. In this way, when all the detection circuits 94 to 96 detect the proximity or contact of the hand, it is determined that the driver's hand has gripped the rim 12, so that a soft arm or the like is straddled across the two electrodes. Further, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection that the driver's hand has gripped the rim 12.

図４に戻って、静電容量センサ２０は、外周側電極フィルム部４０ＢのＹ方向の端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＥのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４１，４１と、外周側電極フィルム部４０ＢのＹ方向の端部と第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＦのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４３，４３と、第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＤのＹ方向の端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＥのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４５，４５と、第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＦのＹ方向の端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＧのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４７，４７とを備えている。これらの連結部４１，４３，４５，４７は、絶縁フィルム４０と一体的に形成してもよいし、あるいは絶縁フィルム４０とは別の部材により構成してもよい。これらの連結部４１，４３，４５，４７とは略同一の構造であるため、以下では連結部４１を中心として説明する。 Returning to FIG. 4, the capacitance sensor 20 includes connecting portions 41 and 41 that connect the end portion in the Y direction of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40 </ b> B and the end portion in the Y direction of the second curved electrode film portion 40 </ b> E; The connecting portions 43 and 43 that connect the end portion in the Y direction of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40B and the end portion in the Y direction of the third curved electrode film portion 40F, and the Y direction of the first curved electrode film portion 40D Connecting portions 45, 45 for connecting the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E to the end portion in the Y direction of the second curved electrode film portion 40E, and the end portion of the third curved electrode film portion 40F in the Y direction and the fourth curved electrode film. Connection portions 47 and 47 are provided for connecting the end portions of the portion 40G in the Y direction. These connecting portions 41, 43, 45, 47 may be formed integrally with the insulating film 40, or may be constituted by a member different from the insulating film 40. Since these connecting portions 41, 43, 45, 47 have substantially the same structure, the following description will be made centering on the connecting portion 41.

図７Ａは図４に示す連結部４１を模式的に示す部分拡大図、図７Ｂは図７ＡのＥ−Ｅ線断面図である。図７Ａ及び図７Ｂでは、連結部４１の長手方向をＸ'方向、連結部４１の長手方向に垂直な方向をＹ'方向としている。図７Ａ及び図７Ｂに示すように、連結部４１は、外周側電極フィルム部４０ＢのＹ方向の端部からＸ'方向に延びる基部４１Ａと、第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＥのＹ方向の端部からＸ'方向に延びる基部４１Ｂと、基部４１Ａと基部４１Ｂとの間に配置されこれらを互いに接続する折曲部４１Ｃとを含んでいる。この折曲部４１Ｃを以下に述べるように折り曲げることによって、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間の距離を調整できるようになっている。本実施形態では、図４における外周側電極フィルム部４０ＢのＹ方向の端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＥのＹ方向の端部との間の距離が、接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅとの間の距離よりも長いので、折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げることによって外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間の距離を縮小して接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅとの間の距離と等しくしている。 7A is a partially enlarged view schematically showing the connecting portion 41 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 7A. 7A and 7B, the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 41 is the X ′ direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 41 is the Y ′ direction. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connecting portion 41 includes a base portion 41A extending in the X ′ direction from an end portion in the Y direction of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40B, and an end in the Y direction of the second curved electrode film portion 40E. A base portion 41B extending in the X ′ direction from the portion, and a bent portion 41C that is disposed between the base portion 41A and the base portion 41B and connects them to each other. The distance between the end portion of the outer peripheral electrode film portion 40B and the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E can be adjusted by bending the bent portion 41C as described below. In the present embodiment, the distance between the end portion in the Y direction of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40B in FIG. 4 and the end portion in the Y direction of the second curved electrode film portion 40E is the outer peripheral side electrode in the connecting film portion 40A. Since it is longer than the distance between the film part 40B and the 2nd curved electrode film part 40E, the edge part of the outer peripheral side electrode film part 40B and the edge of the 2nd curved electrode film part 40E are bent by bending the bending part 41C. The distance between the two portions is reduced to be equal to the distance between the outer peripheral electrode film portion 40B and the second curved electrode film portion 40E in the connection film portion 40A.

具体的には、折曲部４１Ｃと基部４１Ａとの境界部４２Ａ、折曲部４１Ｃと基部４１Ｂとの境界部４２Ｂ、及び折曲部４１ＣのＸ'方向中央部４２Ｃは、折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げやすくするために例えば薄肉になっている。なお、折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げやすくするために薄肉にする代わりにこれらの部分に溝を形成してもよい。このような連結部４１において、境界部４２Ａ及び境界部４２Ｂを谷折り、折曲部４１ＣのＸ'方向中央部４２Ｃを山折りにすると、図８Ａ及び図８Ｂに示すように折曲部４１Ｃが折れ曲がる。折曲部４１ＣのＸ'方向中央部４２Ｃを完全に折り曲げて基部４１Ｂ側に倒すと、図９Ａ及び図９Ｂに示すように、折曲部４１Ｃが基部４１Ｂに重なって折曲部４１Ｃの基部４１Ａと基部４１Ｂとの間の距離が縮小される。 Specifically, the boundary portion 42A between the bent portion 41C and the base portion 41A, the boundary portion 42B between the bent portion 41C and the base portion 41B, and the central portion 42C in the X ′ direction of the bent portion 41C are the bent portion 41C. For example, it is thin to make it easy to bend. In addition, in order to make it easy to bend the bending part 41C, you may form a groove | channel in these parts instead of making it thin. In such a connecting portion 41, when the boundary portion 42A and the boundary portion 42B are valley-folded, and the central portion 42C in the X ′ direction of the bent portion 41C is mountain-folded, the bent portion 41C is formed as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Bends. When the center portion 42C in the X ′ direction of the bent portion 41C is completely bent and tilted to the base portion 41B side, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the bent portion 41C overlaps the base portion 41B and the base portion 41A of the bent portion 41C. And the distance between the base 41B is reduced.

このように、本実施形態では、折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げることによって、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間のＸ'方向の距離を図７Ａに示すＤ₁から図９Ａに示すＤ₂に変化させることができる。ここで、折曲部４１ＣのＸ'方向の幅をＷ₁とすると、Ｄ₂＝Ｄ₁−Ｗ₁となる。このＤ₂は、接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅとの間のＸ方向の距離Ｄ₃（図４参照）と等しくなるように設計される。 Thus, in the present embodiment, by bending the bent portion 41C, the distance in the X ′ direction between the end portion of the outer peripheral electrode film portion 40B and the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E is illustrated. It can be changed from D ₁ shown in 7A to D ₂ shown in FIG. 9A. Here, if the width in the X ′ direction of the bent portion 41C is W ₁ , D ₂ = D ₁ −W ₁ . This D ₂ is designed to be equal to the distance D _{3 in} the X direction (see FIG. 4) between the outer peripheral electrode film part 40B and the second curved electrode film part 40E in the connection film part 40A.

なお、本実施形態では、図７Ａに示すように、Ｙ'方向における連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃの幅は、Ｙ'方向における連結部４１の基部４１Ａ，４１Ｂの幅よりも小さくなっている。したがって、連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃは基部４１Ａ，４１Ｂに比べて折れ曲がり易くなっており、上述した折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げる作業がしやすくなっている。 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the width of the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 in the Y ′ direction is smaller than the width of the base portions 41A and 41B of the connecting portion 41 in the Y ′ direction. . Therefore, the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 is easier to bend than the base portions 41A and 41B, and the operation of bending the bent portion 41C described above is easier.

同様に、外周側電極フィルム部４０ＢのＹ方向の端部と第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＦのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４３は、外周側電極フィルム部４０ＢのＹ方向の端部から延びる基部４３Ａと、第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＦのＹ方向の端部から延びる基部４３Ｂと、基部４３Ａと基部４３Ｂとの間に配置されこれらを互いに接続する折曲部４３Ｃとを含んでいる。この折曲部４３Ｃを上述した連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃと同様に折り曲げることによって、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆの端部との間の距離を接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆとの間のＸ方向の距離Ｄ₄（図４参照）に縮小することができる。これにより、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆの端部との間の距離が接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆとの間の距離と等しくなるようになっている。 Similarly, the connecting portion 43 that connects the end portion in the Y direction of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40B and the end portion in the Y direction of the third curved electrode film portion 40F is the end in the Y direction of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40B. A base portion 43A extending from the base portion, a base portion 43B extending from an end portion in the Y direction of the third curved electrode film portion 40F, and a bent portion 43C arranged between the base portion 43A and the base portion 43B and connecting them together. It is out. By bending the bent portion 43C in the same manner as the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 described above, the distance between the end of the outer peripheral electrode film portion 40B and the end of the third curved electrode film portion 40F is increased. The distance can be reduced to a distance D ₄ (see FIG. 4) in the X direction between the outer peripheral electrode film part 40B and the third curved electrode film part 40F in the connection film part 40A. Thereby, the distance between the edge part of the outer peripheral side electrode film part 40B and the edge part of the 3rd curved electrode film part 40F is the outer peripheral side electrode film part 40B in the connection film part 40A, and the 3rd curved electrode film part 40F. Is equal to the distance between.

また、第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＤのＹ方向の端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＥのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４５は、第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＥのＹ方向の端部から延びる基部４５Ａと、第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＤのＹ方向の端部から延びる基部４５Ｂと、基部４５Ａと基部４５Ｂとの間に配置されこれらを互いに接続する折曲部４５Ｃとを含んでいる。この折曲部４５Ｃを上述した連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃと同様に折り曲げることによって、第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＤのＹ方向の端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間の距離を接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｄと第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅとの間のＸ方向の距離Ｄ₅（図４参照）に縮小することができる。これにより、第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｄの端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間の距離が接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける第１の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｄと第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅとの間の距離と等しくなるようになっている。 In addition, the connecting portion 45 that connects the end portion of the first curved electrode film portion 40D in the Y direction and the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E in the Y direction is Y of the second curved electrode film portion 40E. 45A extending from the end portion in the direction, base portion 45B extending from the end portion in the Y direction of the first curved electrode film portion 40D, and the bent portion 45C that is disposed between the base portion 45A and the base portion 45B and connects them together. Including. By bending the bent portion 45C in the same manner as the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 described above, the end portion of the first curved electrode film portion 40D in the Y direction and the end portion of the second bent electrode film portion 40E Can be reduced to a distance D ₅ (see FIG. 4) in the X direction between the first curved electrode film portion 40D and the second curved electrode film portion 40E in the connection film portion 40A. Thereby, the distance between the end portion of the first curved electrode film portion 40D and the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E is equal to the first curved electrode film portion 40D and the second curved portion in the connection film portion 40A. It becomes equal to the distance between the electrode film portions 40E.

また、第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＦのＹ方向の端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＧのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部４７は、第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＦのＹ方向の端部から延びる基部４７Ａと、第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＧのＹ方向の端部から延びる基部４７Ｂと、基部４７Ａと基部４７Ｂとの間に配置されこれらを互いに接続する折曲部４７Ｃとを含んでいる。この折曲部４７Ｃを上述した連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃと同様に折り曲げることによって、第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆの端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの端部との間の距離を接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆと第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの間のＸ方向の距離Ｄ₆（図４参照）に縮小することができる。これにより、第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆの端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの端部との間の距離が接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける第３の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｆと第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇとの間の距離と等しくなるようになっている。 In addition, the connecting portion 47 that connects the end portion of the third curved electrode film portion 40F in the Y direction and the end portion of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G in the Y direction is Y of the third curved electrode film portion 40F. 47A extending from the end portion in the direction, base portion 47B extending from the end portion in the Y direction of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G, and a bent portion 47C that is arranged between the base portion 47A and the base portion 47B and connects them together. Including. By bending the bent portion 47C in the same manner as the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 described above, a gap between the end portion of the third curved electrode film portion 40F and the end portion of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G is obtained. The distance can be reduced to a distance D ₆ (see FIG. 4) in the X direction between the third curved electrode film portion 40F and the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G in the connection film portion 40A. Thereby, the distance between the end of the third curved electrode film part 40F and the end of the fourth curved electrode film part 40G is the same as that of the third curved electrode film part 40F and the fourth curve in the connection film part 40A. It becomes equal to the distance between the electrode film portions 40G.

図４に示すように、静電容量センサ２０は、内周側電極フィルム部４０ＣのＹ方向の端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＧのＹ方向の端部とを連結する連結部６１，６１を備えている。この連結部６１は、絶縁フィルム４０と一体的に形成してもよいし、あるいは絶縁フィルム４０とは別の部材により構成してもよい。図１０Ａはこの連結部６１を模式的に示す部分拡大図、図１０Ｂは図１０Ａの正面図である。なお、図１０Ａ及び図１０Ｂでは、図４に示す連結部６１を少し回転させてＸ''方向及びＹ''方向を規定している。 As shown in FIG. 4, the capacitance sensor 20 includes a connecting portion 61 that connects an end portion in the Y direction of the inner circumferential side electrode film portion 40C and an end portion in the Y direction of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G, 61 is provided. The connecting portion 61 may be formed integrally with the insulating film 40 or may be constituted by a member different from the insulating film 40. FIG. 10A is a partially enlarged view schematically showing the connecting portion 61, and FIG. 10B is a front view of FIG. 10A. 10A and 10B, the connecting portion 61 shown in FIG. 4 is slightly rotated to define the X ″ direction and the Y ″ direction.

図１０Ａ及び図１０Ｂに示すように、連結部６１は、内周側電極フィルム部４０ＣのＹ方向の端部からＸ''方向に延びる基部６１Ａと、第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＧのＹ方向の端部からＸ''方向に延びる基部６１Ｂと、基部６１Ａの端部と基部６１Ｂの端部とを互いに接続する折曲部６１Ｃとを含んでいる。図１０Ａに示すように、連結部６１は略Ｚ字状に形成されている。この折曲部６１Ｃを以下に述べるように折り曲げることによって、内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃの端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの端部との間の距離を調整できるようになっている。本実施形態では、図４における内周側電極フィルム部４０ＣのＹ方向の端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０ＧのＹ方向の端部との間の距離が、接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃと第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇとの間の距離よりも短いので、折曲部６１Ｃを折り曲げることによって内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃの端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの端部との間の距離を伸長して接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃと第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇとの間の距離と等しくしている。 As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the connecting portion 61 includes a base portion 61A extending in the X ″ direction from an end portion in the Y direction of the inner peripheral side electrode film portion 40C, and a Y direction of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G. A base portion 61B extending in the X ″ direction from the end portion of the base portion, and a bent portion 61C that connects the end portion of the base portion 61A and the end portion of the base portion 61B to each other. As shown in FIG. 10A, the connecting portion 61 is formed in a substantially Z shape. By bending the bent portion 61C as described below, the distance between the end portion of the inner peripheral side electrode film portion 40C and the end portion of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G can be adjusted. . In the present embodiment, the distance between the end portion in the Y direction of the inner peripheral side electrode film portion 40C in FIG. 4 and the end portion in the Y direction of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G is the inner periphery in the connection film portion 40A. Since the distance between the side electrode film part 40C and the fourth curved electrode film part 40G is shorter, the end part of the inner peripheral side electrode film part 40C and the fourth curved electrode film part are formed by bending the bent part 61C. The distance between the end portions of 40G is extended to be equal to the distance between the inner peripheral side electrode film portion 40C and the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G in the connection film portion 40A.

具体的には、折曲部６１Ｃと基部６１Ａとの境界部６２Ａ及び折曲部６１Ｃと基部６１Ｂとの境界部６２Ｂは、折曲部６１Ｃを折り曲げやすくするために例えば薄肉になっている。なお、折曲部６１Ｃを折り曲げやすくするために薄肉にする代わりにこれらの部分に溝を形成してもよい。このような連結部６１において、例えば境界部６２Ａを山折り、境界部４２Ｂを谷折りにすると、図１１Ａ及び図１１Ｂに示すように、折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ａが境界部６２Ａを中心として回転し、折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ｂが境界部６２Ｂを中心として回転する。さらに折曲部６１Ｃを折り曲げていくと、図１２Ａ及び図１２Ｂに示すように、折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ａ及び端部６３Ｂがさらに回転し、最終的には、図１３Ａ及び図１３Ｂに示すように、折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ａが基部６１Ａに重なり、折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ｂが基部６１Ｂに重なる。 Specifically, the boundary portion 62A between the bent portion 61C and the base portion 61A and the boundary portion 62B between the bent portion 61C and the base portion 61B are thin, for example, in order to easily bend the bent portion 61C. In addition, in order to make it easy to bend the bending part 61C, you may form a groove | channel in these parts instead of making it thin. In such a connecting portion 61, for example, when the boundary portion 62A is mountain-folded and the boundary portion 42B is valley-folded, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the end portion 63A of the bent portion 61C is centered on the boundary portion 62A. The end portion 63B of the bent portion 61C rotates about the boundary portion 62B. When the bent portion 61C is further bent, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the end portion 63A and the end portion 63B of the bent portion 61C further rotate, and finally, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. As described above, the end portion 63A of the bent portion 61C overlaps the base portion 61A, and the end portion 63B of the bent portion 61C overlaps the base portion 61B.

このように、本実施形態では、折曲部６１Ｃを折り曲げることによって、内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃの端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの端部との間の距離を図１０Ａに示すＤ₇から図１３Ａに示すＤ₈に拡大することができる。このＤ₈は、接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃと第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇとの間のＸ方向の距離Ｄ₉（図４参照）と等しくなっている。 Thus, in this embodiment, the distance between the edge part of the inner peripheral side electrode film part 40C and the edge part of the 4th curve electrode film part 40G is shown in FIG. 10A by bending the bending part 61C. It is possible to expand from D ₇ to D ₈ shown in FIG. 13A. This D ₈ is equal to the distance D ₉ (see FIG. 4) in the X direction between the inner peripheral electrode film part 40C and the fourth curved electrode film part 40G in the connection film part 40A.

このような構成の静電容量センサ２０をリム１２に組み込む際には、まず接続フィルム部４０Ａをリム１２のコア１６の周囲に両面粘着テープや接着材を用いて固定する。このとき、外周側直線電極５１がリム１２のコア１６の最外周に配置され、内周側直線電極５２がリム１２のコア１６の最内周に配置されるように接続フィルム部４０Ａを配置する。そして、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂ及び内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃをリム延在方向Ｅに沿ってコア１６の外周面及び内周面に固定していく。 When incorporating the capacitance sensor 20 having such a configuration into the rim 12, first, the connection film portion 40A is fixed around the core 16 of the rim 12 using a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. At this time, the connecting film portion 40 </ b> A is arranged so that the outer peripheral side straight electrode 51 is arranged on the outermost periphery of the core 16 of the rim 12 and the inner peripheral side straight electrode 52 is arranged on the innermost periphery of the core 16 of the rim 12. . And the outer peripheral side electrode film part 40B and the inner peripheral side electrode film part 40C are fixed to the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the core 16 along the rim extending direction E.

次に、湾曲電極５３〜５６をコア１６の最外周と最内周との間でリム延在方向Ｅに沿ってそれぞれ固定する。これらの湾曲電極５３〜５６は、コア１６の最外周と最内周との間の曲面上をリム延在方向Ｅに沿って配置されるものであるため、隣り合う電極間の距離が一定となるようにコア１６の曲面形状に合わせて位置を調整しながら固定しなければならない。 Next, the bending electrodes 53 to 56 are respectively fixed along the rim extending direction E between the outermost periphery and the innermost periphery of the core 16. Since these curved electrodes 53 to 56 are arranged on the curved surface between the outermost periphery and the innermost periphery of the core 16 along the rim extending direction E, the distance between adjacent electrodes is constant. Therefore, it must be fixed while adjusting the position according to the curved surface shape of the core 16.

このとき、連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃを上述したように折り曲げることによって、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間との距離を接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂと第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅとの間の距離と等しくすることができる。したがって、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂに載置される外周側直線電極５１と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅに載置される第２の湾曲電極５４との間の距離をリム延在方向Ｅに沿って一定にすることが容易になる。同様に、連結部４３の折曲部４１Ｃ、連結部４５の折曲部４５Ｃ、連結部４７の折曲部４７Ｃ、及び連結部６１の折曲部６１Ｃをそれぞれ折り曲げることによって、隣り合うフィルム部の端部間の距離を接続フィルム部４０Ａにおける隣り合う電極フィルム部間の距離と等しくすることができるので、これらの電極フィルム部に載置される電極間の距離をリム延在方向Ｅに沿って一定にすることが容易になる。 At this time, by bending the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 as described above, the distance between the end portion of the outer peripheral side electrode film portion 40B and the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E is connected film. It can be made equal to the distance between the outer peripheral electrode film part 40B and the second curved electrode film part 40E in the part 40A. Accordingly, the distance between the outer straight electrode 51 placed on the outer electrode film portion 40B and the second curved electrode 54 placed on the second curved electrode film portion 40E is set in the rim extending direction E. It becomes easy to make constant along. Similarly, by bending the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 43, the bent portion 45C of the connecting portion 45, the bent portion 47C of the connecting portion 47, and the bent portion 61C of the connecting portion 61, the adjacent film portions Since the distance between the end portions can be made equal to the distance between the adjacent electrode film portions in the connection film portion 40A, the distance between the electrodes placed on these electrode film portions is along the rim extending direction E. It becomes easy to make it constant.

上述した実施形態では、それぞれの電極フィルム部のＹ方向の端部に連結部４１，４３，４５，４７，６１を設けた例について説明したが、このような連結部を設ける位置は電極フィルム部のＹ方向の端部に限られるものではない。例えば、図１４に示すように、上述した連結部４１，４３，４５，４７，６１に加えて、電極フィルム部のＹ方向の端部と接続フィルム部４０Ａとの間にも同様の連結部１４１，１４３，１４５，１４７，１６１を設けてもよい。また、連結部の数は図示したものに限られるものでもない。また、図示はしないが、それぞれの電極フィルム部のＹ方向の端部に連結部を設けずに、電極フィルム部のＹ方向の端部と接続フィルム部４０Ａとの間にのみ連結部を設けてもよい。 In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the connecting portions 41, 43, 45, 47, 61 are provided at the end portions in the Y direction of the respective electrode film portions has been described. It is not limited to the end portion in the Y direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the connecting portions 41, 43, 45, 47, 61 described above, a similar connecting portion 141 is also provided between the end portion in the Y direction of the electrode film portion and the connecting film portion 40A. , 143, 145, 147, 161 may be provided. Further, the number of connecting portions is not limited to the illustrated one. Moreover, although not shown in figure, a connection part is provided only between the edge part of the Y direction of an electrode film part, and the connection film part 40A, without providing a connection part in the edge part of the Y direction of each electrode film part. Also good.

また、上述した実施形態では、図７Ａに示すように、連結部４１の折曲部４１Ｃは、両側の基部４１Ａ，４１ＢのＹ'方向の中央に設けられているが、図１５に示す連結部２４１のように、折曲部４１Ｃに代えて、基部４１ＡのＹ'方向の端部と基部４１ＢのＹ'方向の端部とをＸ'方向に沿って直線状に接続する折曲部２４１Ｃを設けてもよい。あるいは、図１６に示す連結部３４１のように、基部４１ＡのＹ'方向の端部と基部４１ＢのＹ'方向の端部とを斜めに接続する折曲部３４１Ｃを設けてもよい。これらの構造は、他の連結部４３，４５，４７，６１，１４１，１４３，１４５，１４７にも適用することができる。 In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the bent portion 41C of the connecting portion 41 is provided in the center in the Y ′ direction of the base portions 41A and 41B on both sides, but the connecting portion shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 241, instead of the bent portion 41C, a bent portion 241C that linearly connects the end portion in the Y ′ direction of the base portion 41A and the end portion in the Y ′ direction of the base portion 41B along the X ′ direction. It may be provided. Or you may provide the bending part 341C which connects the edge part of Y 'direction of base 41A, and the edge part of Y' direction of base 41B diagonally like the connection part 341 shown in FIG. These structures can also be applied to the other connecting portions 43, 45, 47, 61, 141, 143, 145, and 147.

また、上述した実施形態では、図７Ａに示す連結部４１において、折曲部４１Ｃと基部４１Ａとの境界部４２Ａ、折曲部４１Ｃと基部４１Ｂとの境界部４２Ｂ、及び折曲部４１ＣのＸ'方向中央部４２Ｃで折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げているが、これ以外の折り曲げ方向を採用することもできる。例えば、図１７に示すように、折曲部４１Ｃと基部４１Ａとの境界部４２Ａ及び折曲部４１Ｃと基部４１Ｂとの境界部４２Ｂでのみ折り曲げるようにしてもよい。例えば、境界部４２Ａを山折り、境界部４２Ｂを谷折りにすると、図１８Ａ及び図１８Ｂに示すように折曲部４１Ｃを折り曲げることができる。このように折曲部４１Ｃを曲げることによって、外周側電極フィルム部４０Ｂの端部と第２の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｅの端部との間のＸ'方向の距離を図７Ａに示すＤ₁から図１８Ａに示すＤ₁₀＝Ｄ₁−２Ｗ₁に大きく縮小することができる。この折り曲げ方も、他の連結部４３，４５，４７，６１，１４１，１４３，１４５，１４７に適用することができる。 In the embodiment described above, in the connecting portion 41 shown in FIG. 7A, the boundary portion 42A between the bent portion 41C and the base portion 41A, the boundary portion 42B between the bent portion 41C and the base portion 41B, and the X of the bent portion 41C. 'Although the bent portion 41C is bent at the center portion 42C in the direction, other bending directions can be adopted. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, it may be bent only at the boundary portion 42A between the bent portion 41C and the base portion 41A and at the boundary portion 42B between the bent portion 41C and the base portion 41B. For example, when the boundary portion 42A is mountain-folded and the boundary portion 42B is valley-folded, the bent portion 41C can be bent as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. By bending the bent portion 41C in this way, the distance in the X ′ direction between the end portion of the outer peripheral electrode film portion 40B and the end portion of the second curved electrode film portion 40E is determined from D ₁ shown in FIG. 7A. It can be greatly reduced to D ₁₀ = D ₁ −2W ₁ shown in FIG. 18A. This bending method can also be applied to the other connecting portions 43, 45, 47, 61, 141, 143, 145, and 147.

また、上述した実施形態で説明した連結部６１にける折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ａ，６３Ｂの大きさを変えてもよい。例えば、図１９に示すように、折曲部６１Ｃの端部６３Ａ，６３Ｂを大きくしてもよい。このようにすれば、図１０Ａに示す場合に比べて、内周側電極フィルム部４０Ｃの端部と第４の湾曲電極フィルム部４０Ｇの端部との間で伸長される距離がより大きくなる。 Moreover, you may change the magnitude | size of the edge parts 63A and 63B of the bending part 61C in the connection part 61 demonstrated by embodiment mentioned above. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the end portions 63A and 63B of the bent portion 61C may be enlarged. In this way, compared to the case shown in FIG. 10A, the distance extended between the end portion of the inner peripheral side electrode film portion 40C and the end portion of the fourth curved electrode film portion 40G becomes larger.

これまで本発明の好ましい実施形態について説明したが、本発明は上述の実施形態に限定されず、その技術的思想の範囲内において種々異なる形態にて実施されてよいことは言うまでもない。 The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention may be implemented in various forms within the scope of the technical idea.

１把持検出装置
１０ステアリングホイール
１２リム
１４ハブ
１５スポーク
１６コア
１７緩衝材
１８スキン
２０静電容量センサ
２１接続部
２２把持検出部
２３配線部
３１外周側直線センサ部
３２内周側直線センサ部
３３第１の湾曲センサ部
３４第２の湾曲センサ部
３５第３の湾曲センサ部
３６第４の湾曲センサ部
４０絶縁フィルム
４０Ａ接続フィルム部
４０Ｂ外周側電極フィルム部
４０Ｃ内周側電極フィルム部
４０Ｄ第１の湾曲電極フィルム部
４０Ｅ第２の湾曲電極フィルム部
４０Ｆ第３の湾曲電極フィルム部
４０Ｇ第４の湾曲電極フィルム部
４１，４３，４５，４７連結部
４１Ａ，４１Ｂ，４３Ａ，４３Ｂ，４５Ａ，４５Ｂ，４７Ａ，４７Ｂ基部
４１Ｃ，４３Ｃ，４５Ｃ，４７Ｃ折曲部
４２Ａ，４２Ｂ境界部
４２Ｃ中央部
５１外周側直線電極
５２内周側直線電極
５３第１の湾曲電極
５４第２の湾曲電極
５５第３の湾曲電極
５６第４の湾曲電極
６１連結部
６１Ａ，６１Ｂ基部
６１Ｃ折曲部
６３Ａ，６３Ｂ端部
８０配線部
８１〜８３配線
８４〜８６接続部
９１〜９３Ｃ／Ｖ変換回路
９４〜９６検出回路
９７判断部
１４１，１４３，１４５，１４７，１６１，２４１，３４１連結部
２４１Ｃ，３４１Ｃ折曲部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grasp detection apparatus 10 Steering wheel 12 Rim 14 Hub 15 Spoke 16 Core 17 Buffer material 18 Skin 20 Capacitance sensor 21 Connection part 22 Grasp detection part 23 Wiring part 31 Outer peripheral side linear sensor part 32 Inner peripheral side linear sensor part 33 1st 1 bending sensor part 34 second bending sensor part 35 third bending sensor part 36 fourth bending sensor part 40 insulating film 40A connecting film part 40B outer peripheral side electrode film part 40C inner peripheral side electrode film part 40D first Curved electrode film part 40E Second curved electrode film part 40F Third curved electrode film part 40G Fourth curved electrode film part 41, 43, 45, 47 Connection part 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B, 45A, 45B, 47A 47B Base 41C, 43C, 45C, 47C Bent part 42A, 42 B boundary part 42C center part 51 outer peripheral side straight electrode 52 inner peripheral side straight electrode 53 first curved electrode 54 second curved electrode 55 third curved electrode 56 fourth curved electrode 61 connecting part 61A, 61B base 61C folding Curved part 63A, 63B End part 80 Wiring part 81-83 Wiring 84-86 Connection part 91-93 C / V conversion circuit 94-96 Detection circuit 97 Judgment part 141,143,145,147,161,241,341 Connection part 241C, 341C Bent part

Claims

A capacitive sensor built into the rim of the steering wheel,
An outer peripheral side linear electrode extending linearly along a first direction corresponding to a rim extending direction in which the rim extends, and being disposed on an outer periphery of the rim when incorporated in the rim;
An inner circumferential linear electrode that extends linearly along the first direction and is disposed on the inner circumference of the rim when incorporated in the rim;
At least one curved electrode that extends along the first direction while being curved and is disposed between the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the rim when incorporated in the rim;
A plurality of electrodes including:
Wiring extending from each of the plurality of electrodes;
An insulating film having flexibility,
A plurality of electrode film portions on which the plurality of electrodes are placed;
A connection film portion extending so as to intersect the first direction and connecting the plurality of electrode film portions, the connection film portion including the wiring therein;
Including an insulating film;
At least one connection for connecting electrode film portions adjacent to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction among the plurality of electrode film portions at a position spaced apart from the connection film portion in the first direction. At least one connecting part having a foldable folding part,
With
The connecting portion adjusts a distance between the adjacent electrode film portions connected by the connecting portion by bending the bent portion to a predetermined distance, and the adjacent electrodes when incorporated in the rim. The distance between the electrodes placed on the film part is configured to be constant along the rim extending direction,
A capacitance sensor.

2. The capacitance sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting portion includes a connecting portion that connects end portions of the adjacent electrode film portions in the first direction to each other.

The at least one connecting portion includes a connecting portion that connects the adjacent electrode film portions to each other between the end portion in the first direction of the adjacent electrode film portions and the connection film portion. The capacitance sensor according to claim 2.

The connecting portion includes a first base extending from one of the adjacent electrode film portions, and a second base extending from the other of the adjacent electrode film portions,
The bent portion of the connecting portion is disposed between the first base and the second base,
The connecting portion reduces the distance between the adjacent electrode film portions connected by the connecting portion by bending the bent portion so as to overlap one of the first base portion and the second base portion. It is comprised so that it may carry out. The electrostatic capacitance sensor as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

The bent portion of the connecting portion bends at a boundary portion with the first base portion, a central portion between the first base portion and the second base portion, and a boundary portion with the second base portion. The capacitance sensor according to claim 4, wherein the capacitance sensor is configured as described above.

5. The electrostatic device according to claim 4, wherein the bent portion of the connecting portion is configured to bend at a boundary portion with the first base portion and a boundary portion with the second base portion. Capacitance sensor.

The width of the bent portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion is smaller than the width of the first base portion and the second base portion in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion. The capacitance sensor according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

The connecting portion includes a first base extending from one of the adjacent electrode film portions, and a second base extending from the other of the adjacent electrode film portions,
The bent portion of the connecting portion is connected to an end portion of the first base portion and an end portion of the second base portion,
The connecting portion expands the distance between the adjacent electrode film portions connected by the connecting portion by bending the bent portion so as to overlap both the first base portion and the second base portion. It is comprised so that it may carry out. The electrostatic capacitance sensor as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

The bent portion of the connecting portion is configured to bend at a boundary portion between the first base portion and the end portion of the first base portion and a boundary portion between the second base portion and the end portion. The capacitance sensor according to claim 8.

10. The capacitance sensor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting portion is formed integrally with the insulating film. 11.

The capacitance sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is mounted on a rim of a steering wheel,
A grip detection unit that is connected to the wiring of the capacitance sensor and detects that the driver grips the rim based on a change in capacitance in the plurality of electrodes of the capacitance sensor;
A gripping detection device comprising: