JPH06281516A - Pressure distribution measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To minutely recognize the understanding of the pressure distribution by enabling displaying or printing pressure distribution image not only two dimensionally in whole region of pressure sensor diaphragm but also three dimensionally. CONSTITUTION:Provided are a pressure detection means 4 which a multitude of detection points are formed in matrix with electrodes arranged on both sides or one side of a pressure sensing electric conductive elastomer sheet 2, an image control means 5 to draw coloring images and equal pressure line images according to the pressure values of each detection point based on the signal (a) from the detection means 4 as pressure distribution images 18 on a display means 7 or printing means 8, a cutting line setting means 9 to arbitrarily set cutting lines x, y on the above pressure distribution images 18, and an auxiliary image control means 10 to separately display or print bar graphs or line graphs according to the pressure values at detection points in the cross section along the set cutting lines x, y as pressure distribution images 23, 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure distribution state measuring device, and more specifically, it precisely measures the distribution state of pressure acting on a pressure-receiving surface, and the pressure can be measured not only two-dimensionally but also three-dimensionally. The present invention relates to a measuring device capable of accurately recognizing a distribution state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a pressure sensor for extracting the pressure value acting on the pressure receiving portion as an electric signal, a crystal,
It is well known that a piezoelectric element such as Rochelle salt or barium titanate is used, but this type of pressure sensor is used to measure each pressure value at many points on a pressure receiving surface having a large area to obtain a pressure distribution. In order to recognize, not only the number of pressure sensors corresponding to the detection points are required, but the structure becomes complicated, and the size of the device and the cost increase are inevitable.

On the other hand, in recent years, silicone rubber,
Pressure-sensitive conductivity obtained by mixing and dispersing conductive particles such as metal particles, carbon black and graphite particles in a synthetic rubber such as ethylene propylene rubber or chloroprene rubber or a non-conductive elastomer such as a thermoplastic elastomer exhibiting rubber elasticity. Elastomers are known.

As a specific example thereof, a rubber composition containing gravel-shaped artificial graphite particles as conductive particles (Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-9)
No. 187, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 56-54019), a pressure-sensitive conductive material having a foamed structure in which conductive particles surface-treated with a silane coupling agent are dispersed in liquid silicone rubber (Japanese Patent Publication No.
No. 60-722, Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-723), a deformed conductive polymer elastomer obtained by mixing and dispersing flaky conductive filler in polyurethane, which is a polymer elastomer (JP-A-61-80708).
In addition to these, metal fibers, carbon fibers, hollow elastic microspheres, elastomer particles and the like are mixed and dispersed in a non-conductive elastomer.

These pressure-sensitive conductive elastomers utilize the characteristic that when they are compressed or expanded by the action of pressure, the conductive particles approach or come into contact with each other to increase the degree of conduction and reduce the electrical resistance value. do it,
The magnitude of the pressure value is detected by taking out the change in the degree of conduction using the electrodes.

In this case, the electrodes are arranged on both the front surface and the back surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet, and the electrodes are arranged on only one surface. There are cases. In the former case, a flexible substrate having a large number of parallel linear electrodes extending only in the X direction is attached to the front surface side of the sheet, and a Y substrate orthogonal to the X direction is attached.
A flexible substrate having a large number of parallel linear electrodes extending only in the direction is attached to the back surface side of the sheet, and based on the change in the electric resistance value taken out from both the linear electrodes, It measures the magnitude of the pressure value acting on the intersection. In the latter, a pair of positive and negative electrodes are arranged in a number of places with a predetermined regularity (for example, in a matrix), and based on the change in electric resistance value taken out from each pair of electrodes. Then, the magnitude of the pressure value acting on the location is measured.

[0007]

However, even if the electrodes are arranged on one side or both sides of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet as illustrated above, it is possible to detect the pressure value by using a flat surface. Since it is two-dimensional, the pressure distribution state on the plane can only be recognized as a measurement result, and the pressure distribution state cannot be known in more detail or in a different form, which is a major obstacle to deepening understanding. .

Further, in order to visually recognize the measurement result of the pressure distribution state, which method is used and in what manner the measured value is shown is more correct or easier to understand. The problem remains.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to obtain the measurement result of the pressure distribution state not only two-dimensionally but also three-dimensionally and accurately and easily. It is a technical object to provide a measuring device capable of understanding the distribution state.

[0010]

The first feature of the pressure distribution state measuring device according to the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above technical problems, is that the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet has a front surface side and a back surface side. An electrode is provided on both or one of the surfaces, and the pressure detecting means is configured to form a plurality of detection points with a predetermined regularity with respect to the XY coordinates in the surface by the electrode, and the pressure detecting means. XY is based on the electric resistance value of each of the detection points taken out by the electrodes of the detection means.
Each image factor corresponding to each detection point necessary for recognizing the pressure distribution state of coordinates is created in a different manner according to the magnitude of the pressure value at each detection point, and a signal corresponding to the created image factor group To the display means or the printing means to display or print the pressure distribution image of the XY coordinates, and a state in which the pressure distribution image of the XY coordinates is displayed or printed on the display means or the printing means. The cutting line set based on the signals from the cutting line setting means for arbitrarily setting the cutting line parallel to the X axis or the Y axis on the pressure distribution image and the pressure detecting means and the cutting line setting means. Each cross-sectional image factor corresponding to each detection point necessary for recognizing the pressure distribution state of the cross section along the line is created in a different manner according to the magnitude of the pressure value of each detection point, and the created cross-sectional image factor The signal corresponding to the group And sent to the serial display means or printing means there is to have an auxiliary image control means for displaying or printing the pressure distribution image of the cross section.

The second feature is that the image control means, as a factor necessary for recognizing the pressure distribution state of the XY coordinates, has a large or small pressure value at each detection point instead of the image factor. The isobaric line factor necessary for drawing the isobar line determined in accordance therewith is created, and a signal corresponding to the created isobar line factor group is sent to the display means or the printing means to display or print the isobar line.

Further, the third feature is that, as a factor necessary for the auxiliary image control means to recognize the pressure distribution state of the cross section along the set cutting line, instead of the cross sectional image factor, each detection point is detected. Create a graph factor for creating a curved graph that bends according to the magnitude of the pressure value, and send a signal corresponding to the created graph factor group to the display means or the printing means to display the pressure distribution graph of the cross section. It is about to be displayed or printed.

Further, a fourth characteristic is that the cutting line setting means can rotate the cutting line around a Z axis orthogonal to the XY plane.

[0014]

According to the first feature described above, the electric resistance value at each detection point is taken out from the electrode of the pressure detecting means using the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet, so that the image control means in the electronic information processing system or the like. However, each image factor of different mode (for example, the first detection point is red, the second detection point is blue, ...) Is created in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure value at each detection point, and the created image factor group is added to the created image factor group. Correspondingly, the display means or the printing means displays or prints the pressure distribution image of the XY coordinates. As an example of this, a pressure distribution image in which different colors are added depending on the position of the XY coordinates corresponding to each detection point is displayed on a display unit such as a color display. This pressure distribution image is two-dimensional, that is, it is a planar representation of the pressure distribution over the pressure receiving surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet. At first glance, the pressure distribution state over the entire pressure receiving surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet can be easily recognized at first glance.

Then, while the pressure distribution image is being displayed or printed on the display means or the printing means, the operator appropriately operates the cutting line setting means to display X on the pressure distribution image.
Set the cutting line parallel to the axis or Y-axis arbitrarily. This cutting line is set at a position where the cross section desired by the operator can be obtained.

After that, the auxiliary image control means sets different sectional image factors depending on the magnitude of the pressure value of each detection point existing in the section along the set cutting line in the same manner as described above but in different modes. The pressure distribution image of the cross section is displayed or printed on the display means or the printing means in correspondence with the created cross-section image factor group. By viewing the pressure distribution image of this cross section, the pressure distribution state can be accurately and precisely recognized even if it is difficult to recognize with the above-mentioned planar image.

According to the second feature, the image control means causes the display means or the printing means to display or print the pressure distribution state over the entire pressure receiving surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet as isobars. The magnitude of the pressure value of each portion can be recognized with the same feeling as a contour line showing the height of the map, and it is possible to display in black and white.

According to the third feature described above, the auxiliary image control means causes the display means or the printing means to display or print the pressure distribution state in the cross section of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet as a curved graph. Not only can the pressure distribution state in the cross section be more easily recognized, but also the level of each pressure value can be distinguished at a glance.

According to the fourth feature, the operator appropriately operates the cutting line setting means to rotate the cutting line around the Z axis which is orthogonal to the XY plane. It is possible to easily recognize the pressure distribution state of a cross section obtained by cutting the elastic elastomer sheet in an oblique direction in a plan view.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a pressure distribution state measuring device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a pressure distribution state measuring device 1 in this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a control system diagram showing a concrete configuration of the measuring device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure distribution state measuring device 1 has a predetermined regularity at a large number of points in the XY coordinates of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet 2 formed in a flat plate shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Based on the pressure detection means 4 in which the electrodes 3 are arranged so that the pressure detection points are formed, and based on the signal a from the pressure detection means 4, each image factor corresponding to each detection point in the XY coordinates (plane An image control means 5 for creating an image factor) and an output section OUT for displaying and printing a pressure distribution image of XY coordinates, which is a set of the image factors based on a signal b from the image control means 5. It has a display means 7 and a printing means 8.

Further, in the measuring device 1, a cutting line which is a kind of an input unit INP for arbitrarily setting a cutting line on the image with the pressure distribution image of XY coordinates displayed on the display means 7. Setting means 9 and signal c from the cutting line setting means 9
And auxiliary image control means 10 for creating a cross-sectional image factor corresponding to each detection point in the cross section cut along the cutting line based on the signal a from the pressure detection means 4, and the auxiliary image control The signal d from the means 10 is sent to the display means 7 or the printing means 8 to display or print the pressure distribution image in the cross section. The image control unit 5 and the auxiliary image control unit 10 can be incorporated in the control unit CON of the same electronic information processing system, but the processes and functions performed by them are largely different. Further, the cutting line can be arbitrarily set on the pressure distribution image printed by the printing unit 8.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 2,
The pressure detection means 4 includes a large number of linear electrodes 3y extending only in the Y direction on the surface side of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet 2.
... Affixing the flexible substrate 3a having 3y,
A flexible substrate 3b having a large number of linear electrodes 3x ... 3x extending only in the X direction is attached to the back surface side of the sheet 2, and a Y-direction multiplexer 13 and an X-direction multiplexer 14 are used to form both electrodes. 3x ... 3x, 3y ... 3y and the digital logic 12 can be transmitted and received.
In addition, from the X-direction multiplexer 14 to the digital logic 12
An A / D converter 15 is provided on the reception path extending to.

The composition of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet 2 is the same as that described in the above-mentioned prior art,
Basically, a mixture of conductive particles such as metal particles, carbon black and graphite particles in a non-conductive elastomer such as a synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer exhibiting rubber elasticity is used. To be done.

Therefore, when the two flexible substrates 3a and 3b as shown in FIG. 2 are used as the electrodes 3, the pressure acts in the direction from the front surface side to the back surface side of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet 2. In that case, a compressive deformation occurs around the point of action, and the conductive particles in that part approach or contact individually, and the electrical resistance value near the point of action decreases, but at this time, in the X direction. The distribution of the pressing force in the XY coordinates is detected by detecting how much the electric resistance value between the extending linear electrode 3x and the extending linear electrode 3y in the Y direction decreases. You can recognize the state. In this case, the intersections of the large number of X-direction linear electrodes 3x ... 3x and the large number of Y-direction linear electrodes 3y ... 3y become the detection points of the electric resistance value and thus the pressure value. Of.

In this way, the pressure value taken out from the electrode 3 and the signal indicating the position of the detection point thereof are converted into predetermined characteristics and then, through the I / O port 16, electronic information processing of a computer or the like is performed. The image is input to the tissue CON, and the image control means 5 inside the tissue CON creates each image factor for each detection point in a different manner according to the magnitude of the pressure value. The different mode of each image factor in this case is, for example, that the pressure value is divided into 7 stages of 1 to 7 according to the size, and when the pressure value is 1, it is white and when it is 2, it is yellow. , ..., 7 is determined to be blue, and these various colors are used as image factors for each detection point.

The signal b corresponding to each image factor group created by the image control means 5 is sent to the CRT display 17 which is the display means 7, and as a result, as shown in FIG.
At the center of the display 17, a pressure distribution image 18 of XY coordinates with different colors according to the magnitude of the pressure value at each detection point is displayed. When printing the pressure distribution image on the printer 19 (or plotter etc.) which is the printing means 8, that is, when color display is not possible, different characters or figures depending on the magnitude of the pressure value are used as image factors. Then, a pressure distribution image similar to the above may be created.

In this embodiment, the average value of the pressure values at 9 points near each detection point is processed as the pressure value at the detection point, and the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet 2 is also processed. It is configured to measure and display the momentary changes in the magnitude and form of the acting pressure in real time, and numerical display is also possible.

While the pressure distribution image 18 is displayed on the display 17 as described above, the cutting line setting means 9 (for example, a keyboard or a mouse) is appropriately operated to
Move the cursor 20 for moving the cutting line x parallel to the X axis up and down on the display 17 and the cursor 21 for moving the cutting line y parallel to the Y axis to the desired position,
Thereby, the cutting lines x and y are arbitrarily set. In this case, the cutting line x, y is changed by another operation to the cutting line setting means 9.
Rotates about the Z axis orthogonal to the XY plane in the range of −90 degrees to +90 degrees.

By setting the positions of the cutting lines x and y as described above, the signal c from the cutting line setting means 9 is input to the auxiliary image control means 10. At this time, the auxiliary image control means 10 selects the detection points existing in the cross section cut along the cutting lines x and y, and sets the cross-sectional image factor for each of these selected detection points in the same manner as above to determine the magnitude of the pressure value. It is created in a different manner according to. Then, a signal d corresponding to the created sectional image factor group is sent to the display 17 to display the display shown in FIG.
A pressure distribution image 23 of the X-axis cross section is displayed in the upper left part of 17,
A pressure distribution image 24 of the Y-axis cross section is displayed in the lower left portion. In this case, the pressure distribution images 23 and 24 on both cross sections are images composed of bar graphs. Then, by moving the cursors 20 and 21 by the cutting line setting means 9, the pressure distribution image of the cross section after the movement can be immediately visually recognized.

When the factors corresponding to the respective detection points are created in the image control means 5 in order to display the pressure distribution image 18 of XY coordinates as shown in FIG. By creating a contour line factor to obtain a contour line by drawing a line on the boundary and sending a signal corresponding to the created contour line factor group to the display 17, the contour line is drawn in the center of the display 17 shown in FIG. The displayed pressure distribution image 18a is displayed. Image consisting of this isobar
18a is suitable not only for a display that cannot display colors, but also for printing on the printer 19 or the like.

Further, the cutting line x on the display 17,
When displaying the pressure distribution image of the cross section along y, the auxiliary image control means 10 creates a graph factor for obtaining a line graph that bends according to the magnitude of the pressure value, and a signal corresponding to the created graph factor group. By sending out, a line graph 23a of the X-axis section is displayed in the upper left portion of the display 17 shown in FIG. 4, and Y is displayed in the lower left portion.
A line graph 24a of the axial cross section is displayed.

The pressure detecting means 4 in the above embodiment
The electrodes (flexible substrates) are arranged on both front and back surfaces of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet 2, and separately from this, as shown in FIG.
A substrate 3c having a large number of pairs of comb-teeth-shaped electrodes 3z arranged in a matrix is attached to only one surface of the substrate, and appropriate wiring is performed on the substrate 3c. It may have the same configuration as the system shown in FIG. In this case,
The pressure value at one detection point is detected from the pair of comb-shaped electrodes 3z.

[0034]

The pressure distribution state measuring device according to the present invention is
Since it is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the pressure distribution state measuring device of the first aspect, the pressure distribution image is displayed or printed based on the electric resistance value taken out from each detection point of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet. Therefore, at first glance, it is possible to easily recognize the pressure distribution state over the entire surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet, and also display or print the pressure distribution image of the cross section along the cutting line set by the operator. As a result, the pressure distribution state can be recognized three-dimensionally, and the pressure distribution state can be known in detail and accurately through visual observation.

According to the pressure distribution state measuring device of the second aspect, since the pressure distribution state over the entire surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet is displayed or printed as isobars, the pressure value of each part is The boundary can be easily known, and even if the color display is impossible, it can be clearly displayed or printed.

According to the pressure distribution state measuring device of the third aspect, since the pressure distribution state in the cross section is displayed or printed as a curved graph, the pressure value at each detection point in the cross section can be changed. Even at a glance, it will be possible to determine.

According to the pressure distribution measuring apparatus of the fourth aspect, since the cutting line rotates around the Z axis which is orthogonal to the XY plane, the pressure distribution of a cross section cut obliquely. Can be easily recognized, and the understanding of the three-dimensional pressure distribution can be further deepened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control system diagram showing a specific configuration of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing an example in which a pressure distribution image is displayed on the display means that is a component of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing another example in which a pressure distribution image is displayed on the display means that is a constituent element of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing another example of the pressure detecting means which is a constituent element of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pressure Distribution State Measuring Device 2 Pressure Sensitive Conductive Elastomer Sheet 3 Electrode 4 Pressure Detection Means 5 Image Control Means 7 Display Means 8 Printing Means 9 Cutting Line Setting Means 10 Auxiliary Image Control Means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pressure-sensitive conductive elastomer sheet is provided with electrodes on the front surface side and / or the back surface side, or on one surface side, and the electrodes provide a predetermined regularity with respect to the XY coordinates in the surface. Pressure detection means configured to form detection points at a large number of points, and the pressure distribution state of XY coordinates is recognized based on the electric resistance value of each detection point taken out by the electrode of the pressure detection means. Each image factor corresponding to each detection point required to create in a different manner according to the magnitude of the pressure value of each detection point, the signal corresponding to the created image factor group to the display means or printing means Image control means for sending out and displaying or printing an XY coordinate pressure distribution image, and a state in which the XY coordinate pressure distribution image is displayed or printed on the display means or printing means. On the X axis The pressure distribution state of the cross section along the set cutting line is recognized based on the signals from the cutting line setting means for arbitrarily setting the cutting line parallel to the Y axis and the pressure detecting means and the cutting line setting means. Each cross-sectional image factor corresponding to each detection point necessary for this is created in a different manner according to the magnitude of the pressure value at each detection point, and the signal corresponding to the created cross-sectional image factor group is displayed on the display means or printed. A pressure distribution state measuring device, comprising: an auxiliary image control unit that sends the pressure distribution image of the cross section to display or print it. 2. The image control means, as an image factor necessary for recognizing the pressure distribution state of XY coordinates, isobaric line factor necessary for drawing an isobaric line determined according to the magnitude of the pressure value at each detection point. 2. The pressure distribution state measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure distribution state measuring device is configured to generate a signal and send a signal corresponding to the generated isobar line factor group to a display unit or a printing unit to display or print the isobar line. 3. The auxiliary image control means, as an image factor necessary for recognizing the pressure distribution state of the cross section along the set cutting line, displays a curved graph bent according to the magnitude of the pressure value at each detection point. Create a graph factor to create,
The pressure distribution state according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a signal corresponding to the created graph factor group is sent to a display unit or a printing unit to display or print the pressure distribution graph of the cross section. Measuring device. 4. The pressure distribution according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cutting line setting means is capable of rotating the cutting line around a Z axis orthogonal to the XY plane. Condition measuring device.