WO2017204048A1

WO2017204048A1 - Deformation sensor unit and deformation measurement kit

Info

Publication number: WO2017204048A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/018491
Authority: WO
Inventors: 保郎奥宮; 鈴木　克典; 谷高　幸司
Original assignee: ヤマハ株式会社
Priority date: 2016-05-23
Filing date: 2017-05-17
Publication date: 2017-11-30
Also published as: JP2017211215A; JP6821949B2

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a deformation sensor unit that can measure with relative accuracy the movement of the human body and the like. This deformation sensor unit is provided with the following: a deformation sensor element in a thread or belt form; and a pair of adhesive sheets which are attached to both lengthwise ends of the deformation sensor element, which have an average width greater than the deformation sensor element, and at least one side of which is adhesive.

Description

Strain sensor unit and strain measurement kit

The present invention relates to a strain sensor unit and a strain measurement kit.

For example, various attempts have been made to detect the movement of a measurement object with a flexible surface such as a human or animal body by means of a sensor and convert it into numerical data.

As one method for detecting the movement of the human body, for example, a strain sensor unit in which a thin film strain sensor element capable of detecting expansion and contraction in the longitudinal direction is attached to the surface of a base material such as a glove or a bandage (a surface not in contact with the human body) A method for detecting the expansion and contraction of the skin accompanying bending and stretching of a joint or the like has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-47702).

The strain sensor element used in the strain sensor unit described in the above publication uses a CNT film composed of a plurality of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter sometimes referred to as CNT) oriented in a predetermined direction. It is said that even a relatively large strain can be detected because it can be greatly expanded and contracted.

However, since the strain sensor unit described in the above publication adheres the strain sensor element to a base material such as a glove or a bandage, if the base material cannot be expanded and contracted accurately according to the motion of the human body, Cannot be detected. A base material such as a glove or an adhesive bandage may expand or contract differently from the measurement target portion directly below the strain sensor element due to movement other than the portion to which the strain sensor element is bonded. For this reason, the strain sensor unit described in the publication may have insufficient detection accuracy.

Also, when the length of the strain sensor element is large, a measurement error may occur if the strain sensor element does not expand and contract evenly in the length direction. Since human skin and the like do not necessarily expand and contract evenly, measurement errors are likely to occur when a strain sensor unit using a bandage or the like is applied over the entire surface as described in the above publication.

JP 2011-47702 A

In view of the above inconveniences, an object of the present invention is to provide a strain sensor unit and a strain measurement kit that can relatively accurately measure the movement of a human body or the like.

A strain sensor unit according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is attached to a strain sensor element in the form of a thread or a strip and both ends in the longitudinal direction of the strain sensor element, and has an average width larger than that of the strain sensor element. And a pair of adhesive sheets having adhesiveness on at least one surface.

The strain sensor element may detect longitudinal expansion and contraction.

A pair of covering sheets stacked opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet so as to cover opposite sides of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet at both ends of the strain sensor element may be further provided.

A pair of leads connected to both end portions of the strain sensor element may be further provided, and the leads may have an adhesive portion that is partially widened and has adhesiveness on at least one surface.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet may have a base material layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on one surface side of the base material layer.

Further, the strain measurement kit according to the present invention made to solve the above problems is laminated on the strain sensor unit and the release sheet, and transferred to one surface side of the base material layer of the strain sensor unit. And a plurality of adhesive patches forming an adhesive layer.

In addition, “tackiness” means a property that allows adhesion without solidifying.

The strain sensor unit and strain measurement kit according to the present invention can measure the movement of a human body or the like relatively accurately.

It is a typical top view of a distortion sensor unit of one embodiment of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the distortion sensor unit of FIG. It is a typical perspective view of a distortion measurement kit provided with the distortion sensor unit of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a strain sensor unit according to an embodiment different from FIG. 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the strain sensor unit in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a strain sensor unit according to an embodiment different from FIGS. 1 and 4 according to the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the distortion sensor unit of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[First embodiment]
The strain sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a strain sensor element 2 in the form of a thread or a strip (in the illustrated example, a strip) that detects expansion and contraction in the longitudinal direction, and the strain sensor element 2. Are attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of one surface (a specific radial portion of the peripheral surface when the strain sensor element is thread-like), and has an average width larger than that of the strain sensor element 2 and is attached to at least one surface. A pair of adhesive sheets 3 having adhesiveness.

In the following description, “one surface” and “one surface side” mean “the surface on the measurement target side” and “the measurement target side” in the strain sensor unit, and the front and back of the measurement target are used as a reference. It is synonymous with “back side” and “back side” in the direction of

The strain sensor unit 1 has the adhesive sheet 3 on the surface of the measurement target part 2 attached by directly attaching the pair of adhesive sheets 3 to the surface (skin) of the measurement target part such as a joint of a human body. By measuring the change in length along the measurement target surface between points, it can be used to detect the movement of the measurement target part.

<Strain sensor element>
The strain sensor element 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has stretchability (elasticity) and its electrical characteristics change according to the expansion / contraction, but a strain resistance element whose electrical resistance changes due to the expansion / contraction is preferably used. Among these, as the strain sensor element 2, a CNT strain sensor using carbon nanotubes (CNT) is particularly preferably used.

The strain sensor unit 1 measures the resistance value between both ends of a strain sensor element 2 made of a strain resistance element by a detection circuit (not shown), thereby changing the surface of the measurement target part (which changes according to the movement of the measurement target part ( Detects an increase or decrease in the skin) length.

The CNT strain sensor can include, for example, a stretchable sheet-like support film, a CNT film laminated on the surface side of the support film, and a protective film that protects the CNT film.

The front and back of the layer structure of the CNT strain sensor is for convenience, and does not limit the order of stacking in the manufacturing process, the vertical relationship at the time of manufacturing, or the like, and the strain sensor element 2 in the strain sensor unit 1. It does not limit the orientation.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the support film and protective film of the CNT strain sensor is preferably 10 μm, more preferably 50 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the support membrane is preferably 1 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm. When the average thickness of the support film is less than the lower limit, the strength becomes insufficient, and damage to the CNT film may not be prevented. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the support film exceeds the upper limit, the elastic modulus of the strain sensor element 2 is increased, which may hinder the expansion and contraction of the surface of the measurement target or may give the subject a sense of incongruity. There is.

The material of the support film and the protective film is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility, and examples thereof include synthetic resin, rubber, and nonwoven fabric.

Examples of the synthetic resin include phenol resin (PF), epoxy resin (EP), melamine resin (MF), urea resin (urea resin, UF), unsaturated polyester (UP), alkyd resin, polyurethane (PUR), heat Curable polyimide (PI), polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene resin (AS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide (PA), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), modified Po Phenylene ether (m-PPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and cyclic polyolefin (COP) and the like.

Examples of the rubber include natural rubber (NR), butyl rubber (IIR), isoprene rubber (IR), ethylene / propylene rubber (EPDM), butadiene rubber (BR), urethane rubber (U), and styrene / butadiene rubber (SBR). , Silicone rubber (Q), chloroprene rubber (CR), chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber (CSM), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), chlorinated polyethylene (CM), acrylic rubber (ACM), epichlorohydrin rubber (CO, ECO), Fluorine rubber (FKM), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and the like can be given. Among these rubbers, natural rubber is preferable from the viewpoint of strength.

This CNT film is formed of a resin composition containing a large number of CNT fibers. Specifically, the CNT film has a plurality of CNT fiber bundles composed of a plurality of CNT fibers oriented in one direction, and a resin layer covering the peripheral surface of the plurality of CNT fiber bundles. When such strain for stretching the CNT film is applied, a change occurs in the contact state between the CNT fibers, and a resistance change can be obtained as a strain sensor. In order to detect strain more efficiently, it is preferable that the CNT fibers in the CNT film are oriented in the stretching direction.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the CNT film under no load is preferably 1 μm and more preferably 10 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the CNT film is preferably 1 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm. When the average thickness of the CNT film is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to form such a thin film, or the resistance may increase excessively during elongation. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the CNT film exceeds the upper limit, the stretchability may be insufficient, the resistance change with respect to expansion / contraction, that is, the detection sensitivity may be insufficient, or the subject may feel uncomfortable. There is.

Note that the CNT film may have a single layer structure in which CNT fibers are arranged substantially in parallel in a planar shape, or may have a multilayer structure. However, in order to ensure a certain degree of conductivity, a multilayer structure is preferable.

As the CNT fiber, either single-walled single-wall nanotubes (SWNT) or multi-walled multi-wall nanotubes (MWNT) can be used, but MWNT is preferable from the viewpoint of conductivity and heat capacity, and the diameter is 1.5 nm. More preferably, the MWNT is 100 nm or less.

Further, the resin layer of the CNT film is a layer mainly composed of resin and covering the peripheral surface of a plurality of CNT fiber bundles. Examples of the main component of the resin layer include the synthetic resins and rubbers exemplified as the material for the support film. Among these, rubber is preferable. By using rubber, a sufficient protection function of the CNT fiber can be exhibited even against a large strain. The resin layer of the CNT film may be formed integrally with the support film or the protective film. In other words, the support film or the protective film may be omitted by increasing the thickness of the resin layer not impregnated in the CNT fiber layer.

The laminated structure of these resin layers and CNT films may be formed by applying a material that forms another layer (or film) to any one of the layers (or films). You may form by melt | fusion or welding, and you may form by adhesion | attachment of each layer (or film | membrane) using a thermoplastic adhesive. Further, the resin layer may be formed integrally with an insulating elastomer that is impregnated at least partially into the surface layer and the back layer of the CNT film. That is, the insulating elastomer may be applied so that the resin layer is formed on the front and back surfaces of the plurality of CNT fibers without impregnating the plurality of CNT fibers in the CNT film forming step. Further, the resin layer may have a multilayer structure including a plurality of different layers. In that case, it may be combined with a material having a high spring property. Specifically, it is preferable to use polyurethane as a material having a high spring property.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the resin layer is preferably 10 μm, more preferably 15 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the resin layer is preferably 1 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm. If the average thickness of the resin layer is less than the lower limit, the CNT film may not be sufficiently protected. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the resin layer exceeds the upper limit, the elastic modulus of the CNT film is increased, and there is a possibility that the deformation of the measurement target is hindered. The average thickness of the resin layer may be different between the front and back of the CNT film.

The lower limit of the average width of the strain sensor element 2 formed by such a CNT strain sensor in an unloaded state is preferably 0.1 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is preferably 10 mm, and more preferably 5 mm. When the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is less than the lower limit, the detection sensitivity may be insufficient, or the strain sensor element 2 may be torn due to the movement of the measurement target part. On the other hand, when the average width of the strain sensor element 2 exceeds the upper limit, the subject may feel uncomfortable.

Further, the average length of the strain sensor element 2 in the no-load state is selected according to the measurement target part. As a general theory, the lower limit of the average length of the strain sensor element 2 under no load is preferably 3 mm, and more preferably 15 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average length of the strain sensor element 2 under no load is preferably 70 mm, and more preferably 50 mm. When the average length of the strain sensor element 2 is less than the lower limit, the detection value may change greatly due to a slight deviation of the strain sensor element 2 from the measurement target portion, and the detection error may increase. Conversely, when the average length of the strain sensor element 2 exceeds the upper limit, the strain sensor element 2 includes a region whose length does not change depending on the detected motion, and the rate of change in the length of the strain sensor element 2 with respect to the motion becomes small. Therefore, the detection sensitivity may be insufficient.

The lower limit of the 10% elongation load of the strain sensor element 2 is preferably 0.01N, more preferably 0.03N, and even more preferably 0.05N. On the other hand, the upper limit of the 10% elongation load of the strain sensor element 2 is preferably 0.5N, more preferably 0.3N, and even more preferably 0.2N. When the 10% elongation load of the strain sensor element 2 is less than the lower limit, the detection accuracy may be insufficient due to expansion and contraction due to factors other than the operation of the measurement target part. On the other hand, when the 10% elongation load of the strain sensor element 2 exceeds the upper limit, the reaction force at the time of elongation becomes large, and there is a possibility that the subject may feel uncomfortable or restrained.

The lower limit of the resistance value of the strain sensor element 2 under no load is preferably 10Ω, for example, and more preferably 100Ω. On the other hand, the upper limit of the resistance value of the strain sensor element 2 under no load is preferably 100 kΩ and more preferably 10 kΩ. When the resistance value of the strain sensor element 2 in the no-load state is less than the lower limit, the current for detecting the elongation strain becomes large and the power consumption may increase. On the contrary, when the resistance value of the strain sensor element 2 in the no-load state exceeds the upper limit, the voltage of the detection circuit becomes high, which may make it difficult to reduce the size and save power.

The change rate of the resistance value due to the extension of the strain sensor element 2 is appropriately selected so that sufficient detection accuracy can be obtained. In the state where the strain sensor element 2 is stretched by 10% with respect to the resistance value in the no-load state. The ratio of the resistance values is, for example, 1.5 times or more and 20 times or less.

<Adhesive sheet>
The pair of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3 are adhered to both ends of the strain sensor element 2 and are attached to the surface of the detection target site by the adhesiveness of the back surface. Thereby, the pair of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3 expands and contracts the strain sensor element 2 according to the movement of the detection target part.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 may be formed from a single resin composition having sufficient tackiness, but typically, the base material layer 4 bonded to the back surface of the strain sensor element 2 and the base material layer 4 and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 laminated on the back surface side.

The planar shape of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape such as a circle, a rectangle, a polygon, etc., but a circle without corners is preferable in consideration of being attached to a human body. Adopted.

The planar dimension of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 varies depending on the material, the size of the strain sensor element 2, and the like, but the average width of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 (the average length in the width direction of the strain sensor element 2) is the average of the strain sensor elements 2. As a minimum of ratio to width, 1.5 is preferred and 2 is more preferred. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio of the average width of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is preferably 30, and more preferably 20. When the ratio of the average width of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is less than the lower limit, the adhesive force to the measurement object may be insufficient. Conversely, when the ratio of the average width of the adhesive sheet 3 to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 exceeds the upper limit, the strain sensor unit 1 may be unnecessarily large. The “average width” of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 means a value obtained by dividing the area of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 by the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the width direction.

The lower limit of the average length in the width direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the adhesive sheet 3 is preferably 1 mm, and more preferably 2 mm. Conversely, the upper limit of the average length in the width direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is preferably 30 mm, and more preferably 20 mm. When the average length in the width direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is less than the lower limit, there is a possibility that the adhesive force with respect to the measurement target becomes insufficient. On the contrary, when the average length in the width direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 exceeds the upper limit, it may give a sense of discomfort to the subject.

The lower limit of the ratio of the average length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 (the average length in the length direction of the strain sensor element 2) to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is preferably 1.5 and more preferably 2. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio of the average length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is preferably 50 and more preferably 30. When the ratio of the average length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 is less than the lower limit, there is a risk that the adhesive force to the measurement object will be insufficient. Conversely, when the ratio of the average length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the average width of the strain sensor element 2 exceeds the upper limit, the strain sensor unit 1 may become unnecessarily large. The “average length” of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is a value obtained by dividing the area of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 by the maximum width.

The lower limit of the average length in the length direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the adhesive sheet 3 is preferably 2 mm, and more preferably 3 mm. Conversely, the upper limit of the average length in the length direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the adhesive sheet 3 is preferably 50 mm, and more preferably 30 mm. When the average length in the length direction of the strain sensor element 2 of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is less than the lower limit, there is a risk that the adhesive force to the measurement object will be insufficient. On the contrary, when the average length of the strain sensor element 2 in the length direction of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 exceeds the upper limit, the subject may feel uncomfortable.

Although the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 varies depending on the material, the size of the strain sensor element 2 and the like, the lower limit of the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is preferably 50 μm, more preferably 100 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is preferably 5 mm, and more preferably 3 mm. When the average thickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is less than the lower limit, the strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet 3 may be insufficient. On the other hand, when the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 exceeds the upper limit, there is a possibility that the subject may feel uncomfortable.

(Base material layer)
As the base material layer 4, for example, a resin sheet, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a knitted fabric, a metal foil, or the like can be used. Among them, a sheet containing a woven fabric, that is, a sheet in which a woven fabric or a woven fabric is impregnated with a resin is preferable. Used for. Since the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 includes a woven fabric, the strength of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is increased, so that both ends of the strain sensor element 2 can be reliably fixed to the surface of the measurement target.

As the woven fabric included in the base material layer 4, for example, polyethylene cloth, aramid cloth, glass cloth, or the like can be used.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the base material layer 4 is preferably 20 μm, and more preferably 50 μm. On the other hand, as an upper limit of the average thickness of the

base material layer

4, 1 mm is preferable and 0.5 mm is more preferable. When the average thickness of the base material layer 4 is less than the lower limit, the strength of the base material layer 4 may be insufficient. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the base material layer 4 exceeds the upper limit, the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 may become unnecessarily large, which may give a sense of discomfort to the subject.

(Adhesive layer)
As the pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5, it is preferable to use, for example, an acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesive material that does not easily cause skin irritation even if it is directly applied to human skin.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 may be impregnated in the base material layer 4.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is preferably 30 μm, and more preferably 50 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is preferably 3 mm, and more preferably 1 mm. When the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 is less than the lower limit, there is a possibility that sufficient adhesive force cannot be obtained. On the contrary, when the average thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 exceeds the upper limit, the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 may become unnecessarily large, which may give the subject a sense of discomfort.

The adhesion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the strain sensor element 2 can be performed by thermocompression bonding or the like, but it is preferable to use an adhesive. By bonding the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the strain sensor element 2 with an adhesive, the strain sensor unit 1 can be manufactured relatively easily.

Although it does not specifically limit as an adhesive agent which adhere | attaches the adhesive sheet 3 to the strain sensor element 2, It has tack property and makes manufacture of the said strain sensor unit 1 further easier by using an adhesive agent without solidifying. be able to. Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive that bonds the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 to the strain sensor element 2 include a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, a silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive.

When the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 is bonded to the strain sensor element 2 with an adhesive, a commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is used as a laminate of the base material layer 4 and the adhesive that bonds the base material layer 4 to the strain sensor element 2. be able to. Thus, by using a commercially available adhesive tape, the manufacture of the strain sensor unit 1 is further facilitated, and the strain sensor unit 1 can be manufactured at a lower cost.

<Advantages>
The strain sensor unit 1 includes a pair of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3 stacked on both ends of one surface of the strain sensor element 2, so that both ends of the strain sensor element 2 are measured by the pair of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3. It can be fixed on the surface of the object. For this reason, since the strain sensor unit 1 can expand and contract relatively uniformly even if the surface of the measurement target portion in contact with the strain sensor element 2 expands and contracts unevenly or forms wrinkles, The movement of the measurement target part can be measured relatively accurately.

[Distortion measurement kit]
FIG. 3 shows a distortion measurement kit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The strain measurement kit is a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that is laminated on the strain sensor unit 1 of FIG. 1, a release sheet 6, and the release sheet 6, and is transferred to the back side of the base material layer 4 of the strain sensor unit 1. And a plurality of adhesive patches 7 that can form 5. In other words, the strain measurement kit replaces the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 of the strain sensor unit 1 with the pressure-sensitive adhesive patch 7, or overlaps the pressure-sensitive adhesive patch 7 on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 5 of the strain sensor unit 1. The pressure-sensitive adhesive force of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 can be recovered like a new product.

<Advantages>
Since the distortion measurement kit includes a plurality of adhesive patches 7, the used adhesive layer 5 is replaced with a new adhesive patch 7 or the new adhesive patch 7 is replaced with the back side of the used adhesive layer 5 (one side The strain sensor unit 1 can be reused relatively easily. For this reason, it is possible to measure the movement of various parts of the human body using the distortion measurement kit, or to measure the movement of the same part repeatedly at intervals, for example, once a day.

[Second Embodiment]
The strain sensor unit 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a thread-like or belt-like strain sensor element 2 that detects expansion and contraction in the longitudinal direction, and the back side of both ends of the strain sensor element 2. A pair of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3 laminated on (one surface side) and having an average width larger than that of the strain sensor element 2 and having adhesiveness on at least the back surface, and the surface sides (pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3) of both ends of the strain sensor element 2 A pair of covering sheets 8 stacked opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 so as to cover the opposite side), and a pair of the covering sheets 8 connected to both ends of the strain sensor element 2 and covered by the covering sheet 8 The lead 9 is provided.

The configurations of the strain sensor element 2 and the adhesive sheet 3 in the strain sensor unit of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be the same as the configurations of the strain sensor element 2 and the adhesive sheet 3 in the strain sensor unit of FIGS. For this reason, in the strain sensor unit of FIGS. 4 and 5, the same components as those of the strain sensor unit of FIGS.

<Coating sheet>
The cover sheet 8 is laminated on the surface side of the end portion of the strain sensor element 2 and the end portion of the lead 9, and the outer region protruding in the width direction from the strain sensor element 2 and the lead 9 in a plan view is bonded to the adhesive sheet 3. The Accordingly, the strain sensor element 2 and the lead 9 can be sandwiched between the adhesive sheet 3 and can be sandwiched relatively firmly.

The shape, material, etc. of the covering sheet 8 can be the same as the shape, material, etc. of the base material layer 4 of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3. In addition, the method for adhering the cover sheet 8 to the strain sensor element 2 can be the same as the method for adhering the adhesive sheet 3 to the strain sensor element 2.

<Lead>
The lead 9 is used as wiring for connecting both ends of the strain sensor element 2 to an external detection circuit.

As the lead 9, for example, an insulated wire, a flexible circuit board, a flat cable or the like can be used.

Further, the lead 9 is partially widened and has an adhesive portion 10 having adhesiveness at least on the back surface.

(Adhesive part)
The adhesion part 10 is set as the structure which has adhesiveness at least on the back surface, for example, can be set as the structure by which the adhesive patch 7 of the distortion measurement kit of FIG. 3 is affixed. Thereby, the adhesion part 10 can be adhere | attached on the surface of a measuring object.

When the lead 9 is formed from a flexible printed circuit board, the adhesive portion 10 may be formed by partially cutting the flexible printed circuit board into a wide part. The lead 9 may be formed of another member such as a sheet similar to the adhesive sheet 3. May be formed by bonding.

<Advantages>
The strain sensor unit 1 a includes a pair of covering sheets 8 that are stacked to face the pair of adhesive sheets 3, so that the adhesive sheet 3 can be relatively easily and reliably fixed to both ends of the strain sensor element 2. Therefore, manufacturing is relatively easy.

The strain sensor unit 1a includes a pair of leads 9 that are connected in advance to both ends of the strain sensor element 2, so that the strain sensor element 2 can be relatively easily connected to the detection circuit.

Further, in the strain sensor unit 1a, since the lead 9 has the adhesive portion 10, the adhesive portion 10 is moved to the strain sensor element 2 side by the tension of the strain sensor element 2 through the lead 9. To prevent. For this reason, the distortion sensor unit 1a is more reliably attached to the measurement target.

[Third embodiment]
The strain sensor unit 1b according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a thread-like or belt-like strain sensor element 2 that detects expansion and contraction in the longitudinal direction, and both end portions and a central portion of the strain sensor element 2. A plurality of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3 having an average width larger than that of the strain sensor element 2 and having adhesiveness at least on the back surface, and surfaces of both end portions and the central portion of the strain sensor element 2. And a pair of covering sheets 8b stacked opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 so as to cover the side.

The configurations of the strain sensor element 2 and the adhesive sheet 3 in the strain sensor unit of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be the same as the configurations of the strain sensor element 2 and the adhesive sheet 3 in the strain sensor unit of FIGS. Therefore, in the strain sensor unit of FIGS. 6 and 7, the same components as those of the strain sensor unit of FIGS.

<Coating sheet>
The covering sheet 8b is laminated on the surface side of the strain sensor element 2 so as to overlap the adhesive sheet 3 in plan view.

Also, the covering sheet 8b has conductivity and is electrically connected to the strain sensor element 2, thereby being used as a terminal for connecting a wiring to the measurement circuit to the strain sensor element 2. For this reason, for example, a conductive adhesive or the like is used for bonding the covering sheet 8b to the strain sensor element 2.

As the covering sheet 8b, for example, in addition to a sheet-like member such as a metal foil, a metal mesh, or a carbon cloth, a sheet having a sheet-like portion facing the covering sheet 8b and a structural portion for electrical connection is used. it can. As what has the said sheet-like part and the structure part for an electrical connection, as shown in figure, the male member of a snap button etc. can be mentioned, for example. When a male member of a snap button is used as the cover sheet 8b, the female member of the snap button is disposed at the tip of the wiring of the detection circuit, so that the strain sensor element 2 can be easily wired to the measurement circuit.

<Advantages>
The strain sensor unit 1b functions as a strain sensor in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets 3 are independent by having the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 3 at the center of the strain sensor element 2 as well. That is, the strain sensor unit 1b can measure the movement of two consecutive sections of the measurement target part.

[Other Embodiments]
The said embodiment does not limit the structure of this invention. Therefore, in the embodiment described above, components of each part of the embodiment can be omitted, replaced, or added based on the description and technical common sense in the present specification, and they are all interpreted as belonging to the scope of the present invention. Should.

In the strain sensor unit, the adhesive sheet may be formed only from the adhesive layer.

The strain sensor element may be formed so that a portion where the adhesive sheet is laminated widens in a shape corresponding to the adhesive sheet.

An adhesive may be laminated between the adhesive sheets on the back surface of the strain sensor element.

The lead of the strain sensor unit may not have an adhesive part.

The present invention can be widely used to detect the movement of a human body or the like.

1, 1a, 1b Strain sensor unit 2 Strain sensor element 3 Adhesive sheet 4 Base material layer 5 Adhesive layer 6 Release sheet 7

Adhesive patch

8, 8b Cover sheet 9 Lead 10 Adhesive part

Claims

A thread-like or belt-like strain sensor element;
A strain sensor unit comprising: a pair of adhesive sheets attached to both longitudinal ends of the strain sensor element, having an average width larger than that of the strain sensor element, and having adhesiveness on at least one surface.
The strain sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the strain sensor element detects expansion and contraction in the longitudinal direction.
The strain sensor unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pair of covering sheets stacked opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet so as to cover opposite sides of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet at both ends of the strain sensor element.
A pair of leads connected to both ends of the strain sensor element;
The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lead has an adhesive portion that is partially widened and has adhesiveness on at least one surface.
The strain sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet has a base material layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on one surface side of the base material layer.
A strain sensor unit according to claim 5;
A strain measurement kit comprising: a plurality of pressure-sensitive adhesive patches that are laminated on a release sheet and that form a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer by transferring to one surface side of the substrate layer of the strain sensor unit.