Sensor sheet

• US 20040055396A1
• Filed: 09/19/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitta Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nitta Corporation
• Inventors: Morimoto, Hideo
• Granted Patent: US 7,174,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.045
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/146 for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays G01L1/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/148 using semiconductive material, e.g. silicon
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/205 using distributed sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/165 using variations in capacitance

Abstract

In a sensor sheet of the present invention, a large number of sensor cells, each having capacitance element electrodes corresponding to an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis direction and a displacement electrode arranged to form capacitance elements between the capacitance element electrodes and the displacement electrode, are arranged in matrix. This arrangement enables measurement of a distribution of three-dimensional components of the force applied from outside over the overall sensor sheet on the basis of the components of force detected in each of the large number of sensor cells.

Claims

1. A sensor sheet wherein a plurality of sensors which are each capable of recognizing multiple different direction components of a force applied from outside are arranged on substantially the same plane.

2. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises:

a multiple of first electrodes corresponding to the multiple directions, and

a second electrode which is arranged to be opposite to the first electrodes to form capacitance elements between the first electrodes and the second electrode and which is displaceable in a direction of being close to the first electrodes with the force applied from outside, and

wherein the sensor is a capacitance type sensor that is capable of recognizing the force applied from outside on the basis of detection of changes in capacitance values of the capacitance elements caused by changes in intervals between the first electrodes and the second electrode by using a signal input to the first electrode.

3. The sensor sheet according to claim 2, which further comprises a third electrode arranged to be adjacent to the first electrodes,

wherein the second electrode is kept in an insulating state, and the third electrode is connected to ground, and

wherein the second electrode and the third electrode are arranged so that when a force is applied from outside to the sensor sheet, the second electrode and the third electrode are contactable with each other.

4. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises:

a multiple of first electrodes corresponding to the multiple directions,

a second electrode which is arranged to be opposite to the first electrodes and is displaceable in a direction of being close to the first electrodes with the force applied from outside, and

a pressure-sensitive resistance member arranged between the first electrodes and the second electrode, and

wherein the sensor is a resistance type sensor that is capable of recognizing the force applied from outside on the basis of detection of changes in resistance values between the first electrodes and the second electrode.

5. The sensor sheet according to claim 2, wherein the sensor further comprises a core member formed of rigid material to cause the second electrodes to be displaced by the force applied from outside.

6. The sensor sheet according to claim 3, wherein the sensor further comprises a core member formed of rigid material to cause the second electrodes to be displaced by the force applied from outside.

7. The sensor sheet according to claim 4, wherein the sensor further comprises a core member formed of rigid material to cause the second electrodes to be displaced by the force applied from outside.

8. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the sensors are arranged in matrix.

9. The sensor sheet according to claim 2, wherein the sensors are arranged in matrix.

10. The sensor sheet according to claim 3, wherein the sensors are arranged in matrix.

11. The sensor sheet according to claim 4, wherein the sensors are arranged in matrix.

12. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the plane to receive the force applied from outside is formed to have substantially no projections and depressions.

13. The sensor sheet according to claim 2, wherein the plane to receive the force applied from outside is formed to have substantially no projections and depressions.

14. The sensor sheet according to claim 3, wherein the plane to receive the force applied from outside is formed to have substantially no projections and depressions.

15. The sensor sheet according to claim 4, wherein the plane to receive the force applied from outside is formed to have substantially no projections and depressions.