Pressure detecting apparatus utilizing electromagnetic coupling

• US 7,703,341 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xiroku, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xiroku, Inc.
• Inventors: Ogawa, Yasuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo; Lisa M
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAVIS, OCTAVIA L
• Application Number:
  US10/580,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20070214897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,999 Days
• Field of Search: 738/620.46
• US Class Current: 73/862.046
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/14 by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure detecting apparatus that is less affected from noises and can be constructed in a large size. The pressure detecting apparatus according to the present invention utilizes electromagnetic coupling. The sensor section comprises first coils 1, second coils 2 provided on the first coils such that they are superimposed to each other, and a first cushion member 3 provided between the first coils and the second coils. A drive circuit for driving either of the first coils and the second coils and a detection circuit for detecting pressure applied against the sensor section on the basis of signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling from the other of the first coils and the second coils are connected to the sensor section. The sensor sections are disposed in a matrix state so that measurements of pressure distribution can be effected.

Claims

1. A pressure detecting apparatus utilizing electromagnetic coupling comprising:

a sensor section including first coils, second coils provided such that each center axis of the second coils are superimposed with each center axis of the first coils, a first cushion member provided between the first and second coils, third coils provided at a position where the second coils oppose to the first coils such that each center axis of the third coils are superimposed with each center axis of the second coils, and a second cushion member provided between the second coils and the third coils and having a modulus of elasticity which is different from that of the first cushion member, at least one of the first, second and third coils being bent by receiving pressure,

a drive circuit for driving either of the first coils and the second coils, and

a detection circuit for detecting pressure to be applied against the sensor section based on signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling from the other of the first coils and the second coils.

2. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the first coils and the third coils are wired such that they counteract magnetic field, the drive circuit causes the first coils and the third coils to drive, and the detection circuit detects signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling from the second coils.

3. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the apparatus is constructed so that it can measure the pressure distribution by disposing a plurality of the sensor sections in a matrix state, forming the first coils into a plurality of coil rows connected in series in the direction of the X-axis, respectively, forming the second coils into a plurality of coil rows connected in series in the direction of the Y-axis, respectively, and forming the third coils into a plurality of coil rows connected in series in the direction of X-axis, respectively.

4. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the drive circuit causes the second coils to drive and the detection circuit detects the difference between the signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling from the first coils and the third coils.

5. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 4, characterized in that the detection circuit includes a differential amplifier and the difference between the signals is detected by inputting the signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling respectively from the first coils and the third coils to the input terminal of the differential amplifier.

6. A pressure detecting apparatus utilizing electromagnetic coupling comprising:

a sensor section including first coils, second coils provided such that each center axis of the second coils are superimposed with each center axis of the first coils, and a first cushion member provided between the first and second coils, at least one of the first and second coils being bent by receiving pressure,

a drive circuit for driving either of the first coils and the second coils, and

a detection circuit for detecting pressure to be applied against the sensor section based on signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling from the other of the first coils and the second coils,

wherein the apparatus is constructed so that it can measure the pressure distribution by disposing a plurality of the sensor sections in a matrix state, forming the first coils into a plurality of coil rows connected in series in the direction of the X-axis, respectively, and forming the second coils into a plurality of coil rows connected in series in the direction of the Y-axis, respectively.

7. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the coil rows other than coils row to which the drive circuit or the detection circuit is connected are disconnected or opened.

8. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the apparatus further includes a switching means for connecting the coil rows to the drive circuit or the detection circuit in turn.

9. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that one end of the respective coil rows is grounded and the other end thereof is connected with the drive circuit or the detection circuit, the drive circuit includes a plurality of current drivers for driving each of the plurality of coil rows to be driven with different wave forms, and the detection circuit includes a plurality of current amplifiers for receiving signals from each of the plurality of coil rows and a plurality of synchronous detection sections for separating the respective wave forms.

10. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that each of the coils in the coil rows is planar with a shape of polygonal, such as approximately square and octagonal, or approximately round, is divided at the substantially central portion, and each of the divided coils is connected with the neighbor coils in series.

11. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the detection circuit includes a current amplifier of which input impedance is approximated to zero.

12. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the drive circuit includes a current driver of which output impedance is rendered at a high value.

13. The pressure detecting apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that a central portion and/or a peripheral area of the coil is formed in a hollow state.