JPS62200203A - Extensible conductive element with fixing means - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to detect with high accuracy the extension behavior of an object showing a considerable quantity of extension change of an extensible conductive element with a fixing means, by constituting the fixing means of a mechanisim so as not be substantially extended by extension stress generated by the object. CONSTITUTION:An extension detection unit consists of an extensible conductive element 3, the pedestal parts 2, 2' mounted on both sides of said element 3 and belts 1, 1' being fixing parts to a human body. By superposing the Velcro fasteners 8, 8' provided on the ends of the belts 1, 1', the extension detection unit can be fixed to the abdominal part 9 of the human body. Because the belts 1, 1' and tahe pedestal parts 2, 2' comprise a flexible material low in elongation and the detection unit is constituted of a mechanism generating no elongation at mutual connection parts of the extensible conductive element, the pedestal parts and the belts, the displacement of body motion due to the respiration of the abdominal part being a measuring object is concentrated to the sensor part of the extensible conductive element and a rubber sheet as a reinforcing material without omission and, as a result, the deformation of the measuring object can be detected with good sensitivity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an elongated conductive element with fixing means. More specifically, the present invention relates to an elongated conductive element with a fixing means configured such that the fixing means can concentrate stress on a sensing portion of the elongated conductive element.

Conventionally, materials whose electrical resistance value decreases due to elongation deformation are not widely known, and therefore, by capturing the decrease in electrical resistance value caused by elongation deformation, it is possible to determine whether or not the measured object is elongated, the amount of elongation, and the frequency of elongation/compression. No element capable of detection had been developed.

On the other hand, a strain gauge is known as an element that utilizes the property that electrical resistance increases with elongation deformation. That is, when a thin metal wire such as Constance, Advance, or Nichrome is pulled, its electrical resistance increases. However, since the elongation rate of this type of metal wire is extremely small (1% or less), the strain gauge described above can only handle minute deformations of the object to be measured. It is not suitable for detecting elongation deformation.

There are also elements using piezoelectric elements and pressure-sensitive conductive rubber. Piezoelectric elements detect mechanical strain deformation as voltage changes, but like strain gauges, they are only suitable for applications involving minute deformations. On the other hand, in the latter type of pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, the electrical resistance value decreases when subjected to compressive deformation, but does not decrease when subjected to elongated deformation.

As mentioned above, conventionally known elements can only be used for minute extensional deformations or only for compressive deformations. Therefore, the elongation behavior of objects that undergo elongation deformation, especially a considerable amount of elongation deformation, that is, the presence or absence of elongation,
If there were an element that could detect the amount of expansion, the frequency of compression accompanied by expansion, etc., it would be expected to have a wide range of applications, but so far no device has appeared that satisfies this requirement.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

As mentioned above, it is not possible to electrically detect elongation deformation, especially elongation behavior of a significant amount, using conventionally known elements. Therefore, the same applicant as the present inventor has proposed a sheet-like material that can be used to electrically detect the elongation behavior of a considerable amount.

For example, patent application No. 59-200577 filed on September 27, 1980 under the name of "Deformed conductive polymer elastomer"
The sheet described in this issue is a sheet in which conductive filler in the form of flakes is placed in an insulating polymer elastomer. This is a sheet that improves performance. Alternatively, the sheet-like material described in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-41024 filed on March 4, 1985 under the name of "Deformed Conductive Knitted Fabric", the sheet-like material is composed of A deformed conductor whose electrical resistance changes when stretched in any direction because the electrical conductivity or electrical insulation of the intertwined parts and between the intertwined parts does not satisfy the following conditions. It is a knitted fabric.

■ The number of intertwined parts that are electrically insulated among all the intertwined parts in a predetermined area of the knitted fabric is 2. If the number of electrically conductive intertwined parts is 7!2, then the ratio I! The value of 1/β2 is 1!9 or more; ■ Between a plurality of adjacent intertwined parts in a constant length in the longitudinal direction of each yarn constituting the knitted fabric, the intertwined parts are electrically insulated. The value of the ratio m 17m is 1!9 or more, where the number of intertwined parts is ml and the number of electrically conductive intertwined parts is m2.

Furthermore, an elongated conductive fabric characterized in that either the warp or the weft is a conductive yarn and the other is an insulating yarn and is canted in the bias direction has also been proposed by the same applicant as the present invention. ing.

In addition, even if these elongated conductive sheets are formed by laminating an elastomer sheet or film such as urethane, silicone, or fluorine rubber on at least one side of the sheet in order to improve durability etc. good.

If electrodes are attached to any two points on a sheet-like object as described above and the sheet-like object is stretched between the electrodes, the electrical resistance between the electrodes of the sheet-like object will decrease, so it is possible to determine whether the electrical resistance decreases and the extent of the decrease. By measuring between two electrodes, it is possible to determine whether or not the object to be measured is elongated and the degree of elongation. In addition, since these sheet-like materials, especially the latter deformable conductive knitted fabrics, can undergo a considerable amount of elongation deformation, it is important to understand the elongation behavior of objects that undergo a considerable amount of elongation deformation, i.e. whether or not there is elongation, the amount of elongation, It is possible to detect the frequency of compression accompanied by expansion.

In the following description, the sheet-like material is referred to as an elongated conductive sheet, and an element in which electrodes are attached to the elongated conductive sheet is referred to as an elongated conductive element.

When using an elongated conductive element as described above, the electrode of the elongated conductive element may be fixed directly to the object to be measured;
In many cases, means for fixing the elongated conductive element to the object, such as belts, are attached to both sides of the elongated conductive element, and the elongated conductive element is fixed to the object to be measured by this fixing means. In this case, if the fixing means itself is easily stretchable, the deformation of the object will not be properly transmitted to the elongated conductive element, and as a result, there is a risk that the elongation of the object to be measured will not be detected correctly.

However, no such consideration has been given to the above-mentioned elongated conductive element.

The present invention solves the problems in use of the elongated conductive element previously proposed by the same applicant as the present applicant, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide an elongated conductive element having a fixing means capable of concentrating stress on a sensing portion of the elongated conductive element when the elongated conductive element is attached to an object to be measured.

[Means for solving problems]

An object of the present invention is to provide an elongated conductive element with fixing means comprising an elongated conductive element and a fixing means for fixing the elongated conductive element to an object, wherein the elongated conductive element is substantially elongated by elongation stress generated by the object. An elongated conductive element with a fixing means (
(hereinafter referred to as an elongation detection unit).

The inventors of the present invention have arrived at the present invention as a result of extensive research into an elongation detection unit that can concentrate stress on the sensing portion of an elongated conductive element.

The configuration of the elongation detection unit referred to herein is roughly divided into three parts: an elongated conductive element main body, a pedestal portion to which the elongated conductive element is attached, and a fixing portion that fixes the pedestal portion to the object to be measured. However, the pedestal portion may also be configured to serve as a fixed portion. Furthermore, if a reinforcing material such as an elastically stretchable rubber sheet is attached to the two pedestal parts of the elongated conductive element main body, the durability of the elongated conductive element against repeated stretching will increase, and the measurement of the fixed part and the pedestal part will be improved. This is preferable because it provides a good fit to the object.

When the fixed part and the pedestal part of the elongation detection unit are used, the fixed part and the pedestal part are connected to an elongated conductive element that accurately (and efficiently) detects the displacement that occurs in the object to be measured without inhibiting the deformation behavior of the object to be measured. It must be configured to transmit the information to the sensing section of the device. Therefore, it is preferable that the fixed part and the pedestal part are configured by a mechanism that is not substantially stretched by the stretching stress generated by the object. More specifically, the fixed part and the pedestal part are made of a material with a higher tensile modulus than the elongated conductive sheet that constitutes the sensing part of the elongated conductive element, such as paper, thread, or fabric made of natural or synthetic polymers.
It is preferable to be composed of fabrics, non-woven fabrics, etc.), films or sheets, composites thereof, and inorganic materials. The fixed part must have a shape that matches the shape of the object to be measured, or a shape that flexibly fits the shape of the object to be measured so as not to impede the movement of the object. Examples include tape, surgical tape, and belts. Note that the joint part that joins the elongated conductive element main body, pedestal part, and fixed part can be made of any type of joint, but it must be made of a material or structure that will not be substantially elongated by the elongation stress generated by the object. It is necessary that the Further, in order to prevent the element from breaking due to stress concentration on the elongated conductive element, it is more preferable that the joint part is a hook or a magic fastener, which can be detached by stress exceeding a certain level.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some embodiments of an elongated conductive element with fixing means, ie an elongation detection unit, according to the invention.

FIG. 1a is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of the elongation detection unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 1b shows the elongation detection unit attached to the abdomen of a human body. The elongation detection unit shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b consists of an elongated conductive element 3, base parts 2, 2' attached on both sides thereof, and a bell) 1.1' which is a part fixed to the human body. Elongated conductive element 3
is an elongated conductive sheet 3a and electrodes 3b attached to both ends thereof.
.

3b', and a pedestal part 2°2' is attached to the electrodes 3b, 3b'. Further, a rubber sheet 6 as a reinforcing material is attached to the base portion 2°2' in parallel to the elongated conductive element 3, while a connector 5 is connected to the electrodes 3b and 3b' via lead wires 4. There is.

One end of the belts 1, 1' is connected to the pedestal parts 2, 2' through joints 7.7', respectively, and a magic fastener 8.8' is attached to the other end of the belt 1.1'. ,
By overlapping the magic fasteners 8,8', it is possible to fix the extension detection unit to the abdomen 9 of the human body, as shown in FIG. 1b.

The bell) 1.1' and the pedestal part 2.2' are made of a flexible material with little elongation, and have a mechanism that does not cause elongation at the mutual connection between the elongated conductive element, the pedestal part, and the belt. As a result, the displacement of the body movement of the object to be measured due to breathing etc. is concentrated on the sensing part of the elongated conductive element and the rubber sheet as a reinforcing material, and as a result, the deformation of the object to be measured is detected with high sensitivity. can do.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the extension detection unit according to the present invention is used as a security sensor on a window frame. As shown in FIG. 2, an elongated conductive element 10 consisting of an elongated conductive sheet 10a and electrodes 10b and 10b' attached to both ends thereof has a base portion 13 made of a plastic plate having a curved portion.
It is also attached to the crosspiece 17 of the window 18. That is, the lower end of the curved plastic plate 13 is fixed to the fixed part 11 of the crosspiece 17 with a screw 16', and the lower end of the curved plastic plate 14 is fixed to the electrode 10b' with a screw 15' at a position above the screw 16'. . A cylindrical portion 12 having a U-shaped cross section is formed above the fixed portion 11, and a piston 13 is slidably disposed inside the portion 12. The upper end of the curved plastic plate 13 is fixed to the piston 13 with a screw 16, and the electrode 10b is fixed with a screw 15.
Fixed.

When the window 18 is open, the central part of the curved plastic plate 14 is curved as shown in FIG. The curved part extends and the cylindrical part 1
2, the piston 13 is pushed up, and the elongation stress of the curved plastic plate is concentrated on the sensing part of the elongated conductive element.

Therefore, by detecting a decrease in electrical resistance due to the elongation of the elongated conductive element, it can be confirmed that the window 18 is closed. Conversely, when the electrical resistance value of the elongated conductive element increases, it means that the window is opened, and this can be used as a security sensor.

In the elongated conductive elements shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 2, a deformed conductive fabric is used as the elongated conductive sheet. This deformed conductive fabric is a fabric whose electrical resistance decreases when stretched in any direction as described in ゛ above, and the electrical resistance of the fabric decreases when stretched in any direction. , when the number of intertwined parts in an electrically insulating state is A, and the number of intertwined parts in an electrically conductive state is β2, the value of the ratio L/l-z is 1/9 or more. Regarding the condition that there is a certain length in the longitudinal direction of each yarn constituting the fabric, the number of intertwined parts that are electrically insulating is defined as ml, and the number of intertwined parts that are electrically insulated is The number of intertwined parts is m
2, the value of the ratio m 17 m 2 is 1/9
This is a fabric that satisfies both of the above conditions.

The electrically insulated state here means a state in which the electrical resistance value between two needle terminals is 106Ω or more as determined by the electrical resistance measurement method described in the examples, and electrically conductive state. Similarly, the state means a state in which the electrical resistance value between two needle terminals is less than 106Ω.

The intertwined portion here refers to a portion where each thread intersects, and does not necessarily need to be in contact with each other. In the case of woven fabrics, it is the intersection of warp and weft yarns, and in the case of knitted fabrics, it is the intersection of loops.

The intertwined part that is electrically insulated or the intertwined part that is electrically conductive here refers to the part where two intertwined threads are electrically insulated through the intertwined part, or It means a part that is electrically conductive.

Moreover, the term "between adjacent interlaced parts" more precisely means the part between the centers of the interlaced parts, and means the area between the centers of adjacent interlaced parts of one thread. Also, between interlaced parts that are electrically insulated or electrically conductive refers to whether the adjacent interlaced parts mentioned above are electrically insulated or electrically conductive. means.

The deformed conductive fabric used here is formed of a plain weave. Plain weave is more preferable because it has a dense structure and is excellent in repeated durability, and the resistance value changes with high sensitivity to minute deformation. However, the deformed conductive fabric may be formed of twill weave or satin weave. A knitted fabric may also be used. The knitting structure can be either warp knitting or weft knitting, tricot knitting,
Any of jersey knitting, rubber knitting, crowbar knitting, etc. is acceptable. In addition, the deformation conductivity with respect to minute deformation and large deformation is for fabric 1, respectively.
This can be achieved by appropriately selecting the structure of the knitted fabric (thickness of yarn, second density, etc.). The shape of the knitted fabric includes all shapes using the structure of the knitted fabric, such as a sheet, a cylinder, and the like.

The deformed conductive fabric used here is formed using ester multifilament, but other yarns constituting the knitted fabric include monofilament, multifilament, and staple fibers spun using a conventional melt or wet spinning machine. It is possible to use spun yarns made of , twisted yarns of these yarns, elongated objects obtained by slitting films or sheets, or convergence thereof. In addition to esters, the materials include all electrically insulating synthetic polymers such as nylon, synthetic fibers such as cellulose and other regenerated cellulose fibers,
Electrically insulating natural polymers such as natural rubber, electrically insulating inorganic fibers such as glass, etc. can be used.

The above-mentioned modified conductive knitted fabric is manufactured by first plating a knitted fabric made from conductive yarn to which an electrically insulating fiber is coated with a conductive substance by plating, coating, thermal spraying, etc., or plating an electrically insulating knitted fabric. A conductive knitted fabric to which a conductive substance has been applied by means such as , coating, or thermal spraying is prepared, and this knitted fabric is subjected to ultrasonic waves, high-speed jetting of water or air, or a medium in which a laminar flow with a large difference in flow velocity occurs. This is done by selectively peeling off the conductive substance between the intertwined portions of the yarn and the intertwined portions by applying physical stress, such as by applying physical stress. Therefore, only certain parts of the yarn that make up the modified conductive knitted fabric are electrically insulated, and other parts are plated with conductive substances such as copper, nickel, silver, and carbon.
Conductivity is imparted by conductive means such as coating or thermal spraying. In particular, in the case of multifilaments or spun yarns, each filament or short fiber comes into contact with each other under minute stress, which is more preferable for forming a highly sensitive deformable conductive knitted fabric.

Copper plates are used as electrodes in the elongated conductive elements shown in Figures 1a and 2, but other metal plates such as aluminum, brass, and stainless steel, which are normally used as electrodes, as well as fabrics and elastomer sheets are plated with metal. A conductive fabric or a conductive elastomer sheet may be used, which has been imparted with conductivity by means such as coating, thermal spraying, or mixing with a conductive filler.

If the electrode made of a metal plate, conductive fabric, or conductive elastomer sheet is connected to a stretched conductive sheet through a conductive resin layer, the contact resistance will be low and the mechanical strength against repeated stretching will increase. preferable. The conductive resin layer referred to here includes commonly used plastic adhesives such as epoxy, acrylic, and ester adhesives.
The base material is urethane, latex-based adhesive, or hot-melt polymer such as polyester-based or polyamide-based resin, and an appropriate amount of conductive filler is mixed therein, usually within the range of 5 to 50% by volume. This layer is made of conductive resin. The conductive filler here is made of metals such as nickel, copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, alloys thereof, conductive carbon, etc.
The shape is 17) powder or short fibers. The thickness of the conductive resin layer must be 1 μm or more, and although it depends on the use of the elongated conductive element, it is usually 2 μm or more and 50 μm or more.
The following thickness is the adhesive strength between the stretched conductive sheet and the electrode plate.
This is preferable in terms of contact resistance and cost, but is not limited thereto. The thickness of the conductive resin layer is less than 1 μm,
Adhesive strength is poor. In addition, when the conductive resin is based on a heat-melting type polymer, it can be used in the form of a sheet or a film, which is excellent in terms of operability and is more preferable from an industrial perspective.

In addition, if the surface of the metal plate is embossed with unevenness,
The adhesive strength with the conductive resin layer is high, and electrical breakdown occurs more easily, so the amount of conductive filler mixed can be reduced, and the cost and decrease in adhesive strength of the conductive resin layer can be suppressed. preferable.

Furthermore, conductive hooks, eyelets, and crimp terminals can be used as the electrodes, and they can also be used in combination with the above electrode plates, conductive fabrics, and conductive elastomer sheets.

〔Example〕

Although a more detailed explanation will be given below using examples, it is clear that the elongation detection unit of the present invention is not limited to those shown in these examples or the previous drawings.

Ester taffeta manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation (measurement 50 d/24
f, latitude 75 d / 36 r) was treated with a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (80 g/I) at 100°C for weight loss (weight loss rate 20
%) and sensitized in a bath with a weight ratio of 5nC7!2:hydrochloric acid of 3=10, and after washing and dehydration, activated in a bath with a weight ratio of PdCA2:hydrochloric acid of 1:15, and after washing and dehydration, NiCE z
・6HzO1NaHPOz HH2O, sodium citrate, NH4, CIl, ammonia water is l:l:3
:2:2 weight ratio bath at 90° C. for 2 minutes to produce Ni-menky ester taffeta. This is 10cffl×
Cut the sample into 10 cm size samples and use a double cylindrical laminar flow generator (inner cylinder rotates at high speed, outer cylinder has an inner diameter of 25 cm).
, into an inner cylinder (outer diameter 10 cm) with water: The inner cylinder rotation speed was 20 rpm, and the mixture was treated for 300 minutes to obtain a raw material sheet for an elongated conductive sheet.

Next, commercially available urethane elastomer resin (solvent DMF
, solid content 10wt%) was coated on a release paper with a gauge of 9 f) um, dried at 100°C x 3 ml, and then thermally adhesively transferred onto both sides of this raw material sheet at 110°C with a pressure of 4 kg/d. It was dried at 100°C for 30 minutes to obtain an elongated conductive sheet.

Next, this sheet was cut in the bias direction to 1 cm width x 5 cm length, and a 40 μm thick copper plate was connected to the front and back sides of 1 cm length from both ends with conductive adhesive (substantially 3 cm long), 1
By elongating by 5%, #, #! 2=4, m+/m2
-4 and the resistance value is 4.5×106Ω to 2.0×10
An elongated conductive element with a resistance of 2Ω was fabricated.

Next, the ester-based unlined fabric weight 100g/rrr is 150
The sheet-like material heat-set at ℃ was cut into 3 cm width to produce a belt and a pedestal portion. Next, the above-mentioned elongated conductive element was connected to the pedestal part with a metal hook, and a 300 μm thick urethane sheet was attached to the pedestal part. A resin buckle was used to connect the pedestal portion and the belt, and the elongation detection unit of the present invention shown in FIG. 1a was manufactured.

By attaching a lead wire to this elongation detection unit and wearing it on the abdomen, a belt that fits well to the shape of the abdomen and detects body movements associated with breathing was realized.

Next, both ends of the elongated conductive element were fixed with screws to both ends of an acrylic plastic plate whose central portion was curved.

Next, the plastic plate was fixed with screws to a fixed part made of plastic that had a cylinder shape at one end and had a shape that matched the frame of the window, creating the extension detection unit of the present invention as shown in the schematic diagram in Fig. 2. did. By attaching a lead wire to this extension detection unit and attaching it to a window frame, a security sensor that detects when a window is opened or closed was created.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the elongation detection unit according to the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to detect elongation deformation that cannot be performed using conventionally known sensor elements, especially elongation behavior of an object that undergoes a considerable elongation change. At the same time, it is possible to obtain measured values with higher accuracy during detection.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1a is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of an elongated conductive element with fixing means, that is, an elongation detection unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 1b is a schematic plan view showing an elongation detection unit shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a case where another embodiment of the extension detection unit according to the present invention is used as a security sensor for a window. 1.1'...belt, 2,2'...pedestal part, 3
．． 10... Elongated conductive element, 3a, 10a... Elongated conductive sheet, Ib, lb'
, 10b, 10b'...electrode, 7.7'...
9 India, 8.8'...Magic fastener, 11...Fixed part' portion, 12...Cylinder shaped part, 13...Piston, 14...Curved plastic plate. q Figure 2 (b) Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An elongated conductive element with fixing means comprising an elongated conductive element and a fixing means for fixing the elongated conductive element to an object, wherein the fixing means is substantially elongated by elongation stress generated by the object. 1. An elongated conductive element with fixing means, characterized in that the elongated conductive element is configured with a mechanism without a fixing means, thereby concentrating stress on a sensing portion of the elongated conductive element.