CAPACITANCE SENSOR

• US 20080211519A1
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Kikuchi, Taizo, Nakano, Ryuichi, Nagayama, Keiichi, Kasashima, Masato, Sueyasu, Hiroyuki, Kurumado, Yukinori
• Application Number:
  US12/034,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211519A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/688
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/24 by varying capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2417 by varying separation
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96074 Switched capacitor

Abstract

A code-type sensor for detecting a change in capacitance includes a plurality of detection electrodes for detecting a change in capacitance, a shield electrode surrounding the plurality of detection electrodes so as to restrict a detection range of the capacitance and having an opening in a direction of detection, and a contact detecting electrode for detecting contact disposed along a longitudinal direction of the sensor. The detection electrodes are disposed at a position close to the opening in the shield electrode and at a position far from the opening in the shield electrode. The contact detecting electrode is disposed on a back side in the direction of detection of the shield electrode. The respective detection electrodes are integrally connected to each other in such a way as to be held in a separate state, the detection electrodes and the shield electrode are integrally connected to each other in such a way as to be held in a separate state, and the shield electrode and the contact detecting electrode are kept in such a way as to be held in a separate state across a clearance in a natural state and are brought into contact with each other when the sensor is pressed in the direction of detection by contact of an object.

Claims

1. A code-type sensor for detecting a change in capacitance, comprising:

a plurality of detection electrodes for detecting a change in capacitance;

a shield electrode surrounding the plurality of detection electrodes so as to restrict a detection range of the capacitance and having an opening in a direction of detection; and

a contact detecting electrode for detecting contact disposed along a longitudinal direction of the sensor, wherein

the detection electrodes are disposed at a position close to the opening in the shield electrode and at a position far from the opening in the shield electrode,

the contact detecting electrode is disposed on a back side in the direction of detection of the shield electrode, and

the respective detection electrodes are integrally connected to each other in such a way as to be held in a separate state, the detection electrodes and the shield electrode are integrally connected to each other in such a way as to be held in a separate state, and the shield electrode and the contact detecting electrode are kept in such a way as to be held in a separate state across a clearance in a natural state and are brought into contact with each other when the sensor is pressed in the direction of detection by contact of an object.

2. The capacitance sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact detecting electrode functions as a ground electrode.

3. The capacitance sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection electrodes and the shield electrode are held by a non-conductive material and are integrally constructed.

4. The capacitance sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detection electrodes, the shield electrode, and the contact detecting electrode are held by a non-conductive material and are integrally constructed and are constructed in such a way as to be deformed.

5. The capacitance sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the detection electrodes and the shield electrode are held by a non-conductive material and are integrally constructed.

6. The capacitance sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the detection electrodes, the shield electrode, and the contact detecting electrode are held by a non-conductive material and are integrally constructed and are constructed in such a way as to be deformed.