Electrical component and method of manufacturing the same

• US 7,180,281 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Ieda, Kiyokazu, Inuzuka, Katsuya, Ori, Tetsuya, Kurozumi, Takashi, Akimae, Syunichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Vincent Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/830,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20040222804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 343/867, 343/741, 343/742, 343/748, 343/868, 340/572.1, 340/545.6, 340/571, 340/572.6, 324/690, 324/609, 324/72.5
• US Class Current: 324/72.5
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/65 using means for sensing the user's hand
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3241 particular used in keyless entry systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/08 Ferrite rod or like elongated core
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes

Abstract

An electrode is made by turning a harness such that the electrode has a predetermined are for detecting capacitance. A method of manufacturing of an electrode includes step so turning a wire, and shaping the electrode with the wire. The electrode has a predetermined area for detecting capacitance.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an electric component capable of detecting-capacitance, comprising:

A) arranging a wire in a meandering configuration, the wire including an electrically conductive core surrounded by an insulation coating layer; and

B) heating and compressing the meandering wire configuration for reshaping the meandering wire configuration to define an electrode portion having a predetermined area for detecting capacitance, and wherein a thickness of a portion of the insulation coating layer of the electrode portion is reduced, wherein the electrode portion is in the form of a quasi-flat plate shape.

2. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 1, wherein the temperature of heat is less than a melting point of a raw material of the insulating coating layer of the insulation wire.

3. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 1, wherein the temperature of heat is not less than a melting point of a raw material of the insulating coating layer of the insulation wire.

4. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 1, wherein the compression of the insulation wire is established in such manner that the insulation wire is sandwiched in a first direction between a pair of opposed devices, at least one of the devices being heated up to the temperatures.

5. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 1, wherein the compression of the insulation wire is established in such manner that the insulation wire is sandwiched in a first direction between a pair of opposed devices, at least one of the devices is heated up to the temperature and is also sandwiched in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between another pair of opposed devices, at least one of the four devices being heated up to the temperatures.

6. An electrical component comprising an electrode portion for detecting capacitance, the electrode portion being produced by the method of any one of claims 1 and 2–

5.

7. A method of manufacturing an electric component capable of sending or receiving radio waves, comprising the steps of:

A) coiling an insulation wire having an electric core and an insulating coating layer surrounding the electric core; and

B) heating and compressing the coiled wire for reshaping the coiled wire to define an antenna portion having a predetermined area for sending or receiving radio wave; and

wherein a thickness of a portion of the insulation coating layer of the antenna portion is reduced, wherein the antenna portion is in a coiled configuration which is flattened and forms a one-piece, continuous planar body.

8. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 7, wherein the temperature of heat is less than a melting point of a raw material of the insulating coating layer of the insulation wire.

9. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 7, wherein the temperature of heat is not less than a melting point of a raw material of the insulating coating layer of the insulation wire.

10. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 7, wherein the compression of the insulation wire is established in such manner that the insulation wire is sandwiched in a first direction between a pair of opposed devices, at least one of the devices being heated up to the temperatures.

11. A method of manufacturing an electrical component as set forth in claim 7, wherein the compression of the insulation wire is established in such manner that the insulation wire is sandwiched in a first direction between a pair of opposed devices, at least one of the devices is heated up to the temperature and is also sandwiched in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between another pair of opposed devices, at least one of the four devices being heated up to the temperatures.

12. An electrical component comprising an electrode portion for detecting changes of capacitance between the electrode portion and a detected subject, the electrode portion comprising an insulation wire including an electrically conductive core surrounded by an insulation coating layer, the insulation wire being arranged in a meandering configuration which is flattened and forms a one-piece, continuous planar body.

13. An electrical component as set forth in claim 12, wherein neighboring portions of the meanderingly arranged insulation wire are integrated.

14. An electrical component as set forth in claim 13, wherein the integration is established by thermal welding.

15. An electrical component according to claim 12, wherein the electrical component includes a waterproof connector terminal caulked at one end of the insulation wire.

16. A door handle comprising:

a handle main body;

a handle cover covering the handle main body, the handle main body and the handle cover defining an inner shell; and

an electrical component provided in the inner shell, the electrical component including an electrode portion for detecting changes of capacitance between the electrode portion and a detected subject in response to a hand approaching or touching the door handle, the electrode portion comprising an insulation wire including an electrically conductive core surrounded by an insulation coating layer, the insulation wire being arranged in a meandering configuration which is flattened and forms a one-piece continuous planar body.

17. A door handle according to claim 16, wherein neighboring portions of the meanderingly arranged insulation wire are integrated.

18. A door handle according to claim 17, wherein the integration is established by thermal welding.

19. A door handle according to claim 17, wherein the electrical component includes a waterproof connector terminal caulked at one end of the insulation wire.

20. A door handle according to claim 16, wherein one end of the insulation wire is guided to the outer side of the door handle.