KR102553725B1 - Apparatus for Non-contactive Sensor Having ESD Protection Structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure, comprising: a sensing member that obtains sensing information emitted from an object to be detected; a circuit positioned at a distance below the sensing member and including a sensor IC and one or more grounds; and an ESD protection device connecting the circuit board and the sensing member and forming a passage through which static electricity is applied to the ground.

Description

Non-contact sensor device having ESD protection structure {Apparatus for Non-contactive Sensor Having ESD Protection Structure}

The present invention relates to a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure, and more particularly, to a non-contact sensor device having a structure for preventing damage to a sensor circuit caused by ESD by creating a path through which static electricity is applied to the ground (GND) will be.

In general, in the case of a steering wheel, a fuel gauge, a brake system, and various mechanical devices of a vehicle, it is very important to measure an accurate value for a rotation angle or a straight-line travel distance. Therefore, various sensors are installed and used to measure the steering angle of the vehicle, and various displacement sensors are installed to measure the straight-line movement distance.

In particular, various non-contact sensors such as light detection sensors using light emission and light reception, inductance displacement detection sensors using coil inductance, capacitive sensors using capacitance, and magnetic field sensors using changes in magnetic field are used. .

In a conventional non-contact sensor, a magnetic field, capacitance, inductance, etc. changes as an object to be detected rotates or moves linearly in proximity to a coupler or coil of a sensor IC, and is formed to detect such changes.

However, since these non-contact sensors are directly exposed to ESD and have a structure vulnerable to electro-static discharge (ESD), problems such as damage or malfunction of electronic devices due to ESD are occurring. At this time, ESD refers to a phenomenon in which a violent discharge occurs when a charged conductor contacts or sufficiently approaches another conductor.

1 is a perspective view briefly showing the structure of a conventional non-contact sensor device.

Referring to FIG. 1, a non-contact sensor device is generally spaced apart from the sensing member 120 and the sensing member 120 at a predetermined interval for sensing a change in magnetic field, capacitance, or inductance, and a sensor IC for measuring the change. It may be composed of a circuit board 130 including (140). At this time, FIG. 1 shows a case in which ESD is generated in a conventional non-contact sensor device by applying static electricity to the object to be detected 110 using the ESD simulator 100 . As shown, the static electricity is transferred to the sensor IC 140 through the sensing member 120 through the sensing target 110, and due to this phenomenon, the circuit of the sensor IC 140 may be damaged.

The non-contact sensor device shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example of a non-contact torque sensor device provided in a steering device that detects a rotation angle difference between an input shaft and an output shaft.

At this time, the non-contact torque sensor device provided in the steering device may be provided to measure steering angle deviation between the steering wheel and the front or rear wheels of the vehicle and compensate for the deviation. That is, the non-contact type torque sensor device measures the deviation of the rotation angle between the steering wheel and the front wheel or the rear wheel, and safely and accurately steers the vehicle in the desired direction by using a steering assist power motor as much as the measured deviation.

Then, the object to be detected 110 shown in FIG. 1 may be a part of the rotor that rotates in conjunction with the output shaft, and is spaced apart from the rotor 110 at a predetermined interval and is a sensing member that detects a change in the magnetic field. 120 may be a collector of a non-contact torque sensor. Also, the circuit board 130 including the sensor IC 140 may be a non-contact torque sensor circuit board that calculates a deviation by measuring the change amount of the magnetic field.

At this time, the gap between the collector 120 of the non-contact torque sensor device and the sensor IC 140 is the only path through which static electricity is transmitted. In order to secure the performance of the sensor IC 140, the gap is the minimum gap. this is required

However, in order to prevent damage to the sensor IC 140 by ESD, that is, to minimize the effect of static electricity, the impedance must be increased. This is possible by increasing the interval, so the performance of the sensor IC 140 is reduced. there is.

Alternatively, in order to prevent damage to the sensor IC 140 by ESD, an additional ESD protection circuit pattern may be formed on the circuit board 130 by locating it around the sensor IC 140, which causes other structural problems. Therefore, the sensor IC 140 may be damaged, and the ESD protection circuit pattern located outside the sensor IC 140 cannot prevent damage to the inside of the sensor IC 140.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, and provides a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure that blocks static electricity applied to the sensor internal circuit.

That is, a non-contact sensor device having a structure for preventing damage to a sensor circuit caused by ESD by creating a path through which static electricity is applied to the ground is provided.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is located in a spaced apart lower part of the sensing member and the sensing member for obtaining sensing information emitted from the object to be detected, An ESD protection device connecting the circuit board and the sensing member and forming a passage through which static electricity is applied to the ground may be included.

In this case, the sensing information may be a magnetic field, and the sensor IC may be a torque sensor IC included in a vehicle steering device.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

As described above, according to the present invention, by effectively preventing ESD without adding an ESD protection circuit pattern or structurally modifying the sensor device, there is an effect of reducing cost.

In addition, since the ESD protection element is formed of a material that minimizes the influence on the signal detected from the object to be detected, the reliability of the sensor device is improved.

1 is a perspective view briefly showing the structure of a conventional non-contact sensor device.
Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various different forms, only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the holder of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, components and/or sections, it is needless to say that these elements, components and/or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component or section from another element, component or section. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first element, first element, or first section referred to below may also be a second element, second element, or second section within the spirit of the present invention.

Terminology used herein is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase. As used in the specification, a referenced component, step, operation and/or element to "comprises" and/or "made of" refers to one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements. Existence or additions are not excluded.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure according to the present invention is spaced apart from the lower portion of the sensing member 120 and the sensing member 120 for obtaining sensing information emitted from the object to be detected 110. position, a circuit board 130 including a sensor IC 140 and one or more grounds 310 and a passage connecting the circuit board 130 and the sensing member 120 and applying static electricity to the ground 310 It may include an ESD protection element 300 to form.

In this case, the sensing information may include at least one of capacitance, magnetic field, and inductance.

A circuit pattern of the sensor IC 140 may be formed based on the sensing information. That is, if the sensing information is the amount of change in capacitance, the circuit of the sensor IC 140 can be formed into a circuit pattern capable of measuring capacitance, and if the sensing information is the amount of change in the magnetic field, the circuit of the sensor IC 140 As a circuit pattern capable of measuring a magnetic field, if the sensing information is a change in inductance, the circuit of the sensor IC 140 may be formed as a circuit pattern capable of measuring inductance.

In this case, it may be preferable that the sensing information is a magnetic field, and that the sensor IC 140 is a torque sensor IC provided in a steering device of a vehicle.

In other words, the non-contact sensor device having the ESD protection structure according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2 can be applied as a non-contact torque sensor device provided in a steering device.

That is, the object to be detected 110 shown in FIG. 2 may be a part of a rotor that rotates in conjunction with the output shaft, is spaced apart from the rotor 110 at a predetermined interval, and detects a change in magnetic field. Member 120 may be a collector of a non-contact torque sensor. Also, the circuit board 130 including the sensor IC 140 may be a non-contact torque sensor circuit board that calculates a deviation by measuring the change amount of the magnetic field.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when static electricity is applied to the rotor 110 using the ESD simulator 100, the static electricity transmitted to the collector 120 of the non-contact torque sensor via the rotor 110 is Since it is applied to the ESD protection element 300 without being transferred to the sensor IC 140, it can be removed through the ground 310.

At this time, one side of the ESD protection device 300 may contact the sensing member 120 and the other side may contact the ground 310 . Accordingly, the ESD protection device 300 blocks static electricity applied to the sensor IC 140, thereby preventing damage to the sensor IC 140 due to ESD.

That is, since the ground (GND) 310 is the ground of the circuit board 130, the ESD protection device 300 serves as a passage for the static electricity, so that the static electricity can flow to the ground 310.

In addition, the ESD protection element 300 is formed in a rod shape such as a cane structure and may have a thickness of 50 μm to 500 μm, but is not limited thereto, and does not interfere with the transmission of the sensing information, and the sensing member 120 and the ground Any thickness and shape that can easily connect 310 are sufficient.

In addition, the ESD protection element 300 has non-magnetic to minimize interference and apply the static electricity to the ground 310 when the sensing information is transferred from the sensing member 120 to the sensor IC 140. It can be formed of a conductor material.

Accordingly, the ESD protection device 300 may be formed of at least one selected from a non-magnetic group consisting of compounds or mixtures including Cu, Cr, Si, B, Ti, Zn, K, Li, and Al. In particular, the ESD protection device 300 is preferably formed of a compound or mixture containing Cu or Al, because Cu or Al has a low impedance, so that the transmission of the sensing information can be minimized.

In addition, the shape of the ESD protection element 300 may be a bar structure formed of a compound or mixture composed of non-magnetic materials, but is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2, and the sensor information such as capacitance, magnetic field, and inductance Any shape in which delay and distortion of the sensed information do not occur when transmitted to the IC 140 is sufficient.

As described above, according to the non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure according to the present invention, ESD is effectively prevented without adding an ESD protection circuit pattern or structural deformation of the sensor device, thereby reducing cost. In addition, since the ESD protection element is formed of a material that minimizes the influence on the signal detected from the object to be detected, the reliability of the sensor device is improved.

In the above, even though all the components constituting the embodiment of the present invention have been described as being combined or operated as one, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. That is, within the scope of the object of the present invention, all of the components may be selectively combined with one or more to operate.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: ESD simulator
110: object to be detected
120: sensing member
130: circuit board
300: ESD protection element
310: Ground

Claims (7)

a sensing member that acquires sensing information emitted from an object to be detected;
a circuit board spaced apart from the lower portion of the sensing member and including a sensor IC and one or more grounds; and
An ESD protection element connected to the circuit board and the sensing member and formed of a non-magnetic conductor material to apply static electricity to the ground;
The ESD protection element is a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure formed of a compound or mixture containing Cu or Al.
According to claim 1,
The sensing information is a non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure including at least one of capacitance, magnetic field and inductance.
According to claim 1,
A non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure for forming a circuit pattern of the sensor IC based on the sensing information.
According to claim 2,
The sensing information is a magnetic field, and the sensor IC is a torque sensor IC provided in a steering device of a vehicle.
According to claim 1,
A non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure in which one side of the ESD protection element contacts the sensing member and the other side contacts the ground.
According to claim 5,
The ESD protection device,
A non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure formed in a rod shape and having a thickness of 50 μm to 500 μm.
According to claim 1,
The ESD protection element,
A non-contact sensor device having an ESD protection structure formed of at least one selected from a non-magnetic group consisting of compounds or mixtures including Cu, Cr, Si, B, Ti, Zn, K, Li and Al.

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