Capacitance type sensor and method for manufacturing same

• US 20050057266A1
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hideo Morimoto
• Original Assignee: Hideo Morimoto
• Inventors: Morimoto, Hideo
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/661
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/142 using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/144 with associated circuitry G01L1/146 and G01L1/148 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/165 using variations in capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/223 to joystick controls
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0072 using variations in capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/048 having a separate central push, slide or tumbler button which is not integral with the operating part that surrounds it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/022 Application wake up; switches or contacts specially provided for the wake up or standby shift of a circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49103 Strain gauge making

Abstract

In a capacitance type sensor of the present invention, a capacitance element is constituted between a displacement electrode and a capacitance element electrode. A return-switch movable electrode is arranged above and spaced from the displacement electrode, to be placed in contact with the displaying electrode due to a displacement of a direction button. When the direction button is operated, the return-switch movable electrode is first displaced into contact with the displacement electrode. Then, the both make a displacement while keeping a contact state. When the displacement electrode is displaced to change the spacing to the capacitance element electrode, changed is the capacitance value of the capacitance element. Based on this change, a force is recognized. Herein, in the course of a transit from a state the displacement electrode and the return-switch electrode are not in contact to a state of their contact, the output signal varies necessarily beyond a threshold voltage.

Claims

1-9. -9. (Cancelled)

10. A method for manufacturing a capacitance type sensor comprising a conductive member and a capacitance element electrode constituting a capacitance element with the conductive member, and capable of recognizing a force applied to the conductive member on the basis of a detection, using a signal input to the capacitance element electrode, of a change in capacitance value of the capacitance element caused by a change in distance between the conductive member and the capacitance element electrode, the method for manufacturing a capacitance type sensor being characterized by comprising:

an insert molding process for insert-molding, with an insulating material, a part of a lead wire of a leadframe and a range of the leadframe including the capacitance element electrode, the leadframe being formed by integrally forming with a frame the capacitance element electrode and the lead wire thereof in a predetermined pattern;

a cutting process for cutting the lead wire of the capacitance element electrode off the frame; and

a conductive member arranging process for arranging, to a mold product obtained by the insert molding process, the conductive member at a distance from the capacitance element electrode.

11. The method for manufacturing a capacitance type sensor according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the insert molding process, insert-molding is carried out to form, in the mold product, a step for supporting the conductive member.

12. The method for manufacturing the capacitance type sensor according to claim 10, characterized by comprising:

an insert molding process for insert-molding, with an insulating material, a part of each lead wire of a leadframe and a range of the leadframe including the capacitance element electrode, the leadframe being formed by integrally forming with a frame the capacitance element electrode, the lead wire thereof, and a lead wire of the movable electrode in a predetermined pattern;

a cutting process for cutting the lead wire of the capacitance element electrode off the frame;

a conductive member arranging process for arranging, to a mold product obtained by the insert molding process, the conductive member at a distance from the capacitance element electrode; and

a movable electrode arranging process for arranging, to the mold product, the movable electrode to be in contact with the lead wire of the movable electrode and at a distance from the conductive member.

13. The method for manufacturing a capacitance type sensor according to claim 12, characterized in that, in the insert molding process, insert-molding is carried out to form, in the mold product, a step for supporting the conductive member and a step for supporting the movable electrode.