Load sensor, pinch detection apparatus and load detection apparatus

• US 6,609,432 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2001
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Kume, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/029,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 738/49, 737/81, 738/624.54, 738/624.6, 738/624.71, 738/626.71, 738/626.37, 738/626.41, 738/626.42
• US Class Current: 73/862.391
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/443 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/143 provisions for avoiding the contact actuation when the elongated strip is bended
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/142 of the elongated strip type

Abstract

A load sensor is formed of first and second opposing electrode members. The members make contact to mutually conduct electrically when a load is applied to the load sensor. The first electrode member consists of an elastic tube having at least a part of the circumferential segment formed into a conductive portion. The second electrode member consists of a flexible center electrode with conductivity on at least the outer circumferential portion positioned inside the elastic tube of the first electrode member so that the conducting surfaces face each other. An insulating linear member is wound around the center electrode at a predetermined winding distance.

Claims

1. A load sensor in which first and second opposing electrode members make contact mutually to conduct electrically by application of a load, so as to detect the load,

said load sensor comprising:

an elastic tube, in which, at least a part of the circumferential segment of the tube is formed into a conductive portion having elasticity, said elastic tube being provided as said first electrode member and formed of elastic material,

a center electrode member, in which, at least the outer circumferential portion has conductivity, said center electrode member provided as said second electrode member and having a foldable elongated shape that is elongated in one direction and provided within said elastic tube, and

an insulating linear member, in which, at least the outer circumferential portion is an elongated shape having insulation properties, said insulating linear member being wound spirally about said center electrode member at a predetermined winding distance.

2. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein

said insulating linear member includes:

a first metal wire, and

an insulating coat layer applied and formed to a surface of said first metal wire.

3. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein

said insulating linear member includes:

a first metal wire, and

a resin coat formed by extrusion molding an insulating resin to a surface of said first metal wire.

4. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein

said insulating linear member is selected from a group of a string-shaped member and a fiber-shaped member formed of insulating material.

5. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein

said center electrode member includes:

a center member having a predetermined tensile strength and restoring properties to folding deformation, and having an elongated shape in which at least the outer circumferential portion has elasticity, and

a second conductive metal wire transversely wound spirally on the outer circumference of said center member.

6. The load sensor as defined in claim 5, wherein

said center electrode member, further comprises:

a conductive coat layer made of conductive resin or conductive rubber provided so as to cover the outer circumferential surface of said center member from the upper portion of said second metal wire.

7. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein

said center electrode member is constructed by twisting or bundling plural metal strands together.

8. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein

said center electrode member is constructed by a single metal wire.

9. The load sensor as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an outer enclosure tube which is formed of elastic material and encloses the outside of said elastic tube.

10. A pinch detection apparatus for detecting a pinch of foreign matter at the time when an opening portion, switched by a switching member, is closed by said switching member, by the load sensor according to claim 1, provided in at least any one of the opening portion and said switching member.

11. A load detection apparatus for detecting a load by the load sensor according to claim 1, placed in a two dimensional manner, wherein

said plural load sensors are placed in a two dimensional manner.

12. The load detection apparatus for detecting a load by the load sensor according to claim 1, placed in a two dimensional manner, wherein

said load sensor is bent and placed in a two dimensional manner.