IP Library Granted Patent US 12,072,215
Granted Patent B2
US 12,072,215 · App. 17/396,785 · Granted Aug 27, 2024

Capacitive coupling sensor

Inventors: Ryo Minoshima (Aichi, JP); Kazutaka Katayama (Aichi, JP); Tomohiro Fukuta (Aichi, JP)
Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
G01D5/24B62D1/065H03K17/955H05B3/16H05B3/34H05B2203/013
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,072,215
App. No.
17/396,785
Granted
Aug 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A capacitive coupling sensor ( 1 ) is equipped with a sensor unit ( 10 ) which has: a detection electrode layer ( 11 ) which generates capacitance between the detection electrode layer ( 11 ) and a detection target, a shield electrode layer ( 12 ), and an insulation layer ( 13 ) which is arranged between the detection electrode layer ( 11 ) and the shield electrode layer ( 12 ), wherein the insulation layer ( 13 ) has a cross-linked polymer obtained by cross-linking of a thermoplastic polymer. The capacitive coupling sensor ( 1 ) has high heat resistance, can be made thinner, and has an excellent tactile quality.

Claims (25)

1. A capacitive coupling sensor, comprising:

a sensor unit, comprising:

a detection electrode layer which generates capacitance between the detection electrode layer and a detection target,

a shield electrode layer, and

an insulation layer, which has a front surface and a back surface, the detection electrode layer is stacked on the front surface of the insulation layer and is embedded in the insulation layer, and the shield electrode layer is stacked on the back surface of the insulation layer and is embedded in the insulation layer,

wherein the insulation layer has a cross-linked polymer obtained by cross-linking of a thermoplastic polymer, the insulation layer has an insulation particle having thermal conductivity of 20 W/m·K or more.

2. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the insulation layer is 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

3. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of fixation between the detection electrode layer and the insulation layer and fixation between the shield electrode layer and the insulation layer is performed without using an adhesive.

4. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising a heater layer, wherein, with a lamination direction from the detection electrode layer toward the shield electrode layer in the sensor unit defined as a front and back direction,

the heater layer is arranged on a back side of the sensor unit, and

the heater layer has a heat source and a cross-linked polymer obtained by cross-linking of a thermoplastic polymer.

5. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 4 , wherein the shield electrode layer and the heater layer are fixed without using an adhesive.

6. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising a skin layer, wherein, with the lamination direction from the detection electrode layer toward the shield electrode layer in the sensor unit defined as a front and back direction,

the skin layer is arranged on a front side of the sensor unit, and

the skin layer has a cross-linked polymer obtained by cross-linking of a thermoplastic polymer.

7. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 6 , wherein the detection electrode layer and the skin layer are fixed without using an adhesive.

8. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising a skin layer and a heater layer, wherein, with the lamination direction from the detection electrode layer toward the shield electrode layer in the sensor unit defined as a front and back direction,

the skin layer is arranged on a front side of the sensor unit,

the heater layer is arranged on a back side of the sensor unit and has a heat source, and

the insulation layer, the skin layer, and the heater layer have the same cross-linked polymer.

9. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer has an olefin-based resin or an elastomer.

10. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the detection electrode layer and the shield electrode layer are made of a conductive polymer or a conductive cloth.

11. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 10 , wherein the detection electrode layer and the shield electrode layer are made of a mesh-like conductive polymer or a conductive cloth, and

at least a part of the detection electrode layer and the shield electrode layer is embedded in the insulation layer.

12. The capacitive coupling sensor according to claim 1 , which is arranged in a steering wheel.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2021
From: MINOSHIMA, RYO; KATAYAMA, KAZUTAKA; FUKUTA, TOMOHIRO
To: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057141/0518 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-059653 · Mar 27, 2019 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2019049788 · Dec 19, 2019
Related Publication 20210362767A1 · Nov 25, 2021