Detector

Abstract

To provide a liquid detecting body having a simple configuration and easily manufactured.SOLUTION: A detecting body includes an insulating base cloth, conductive fibers disposed on the base cloth so as to extend parallel to each other at prescribed intervals apart, electrode parts for electrically connecting the conductive fibers to each other at both ends of the base cloth, cutting parts for electrically cutting the conductive fibers and the electrode part at any one end in the extending direction of the conductive fibers, and a pair of output parts provided on the electrode parts for outputting an electric resistance value between the conductive fibers. Each cutting part is provided at one place on each conductive fiber. The respective conductive fibers are electrically connected to the electrode parts alternately at one end provided with the cutting parts and the end opposite to the one end, and an electric resistance value between any conductive fibers is output from the output part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor body.

Background Art

[0002] A plurality of plus contacts and minus contacts are respectively provided protruding from the end of the device body to form a detection unit, and all the plus contacts are electrically connected to each other, and all the minus contacts are electrically connected to each other. A moisture detection display means is provided on the device body that visually displays when the resistance value between at least one plus contact and minus contact becomes below a certain value, and the moisture detection display means is set in terms of the number and position so that it can be visually recognized from any direction during use. A contact type moisture detector is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] A liquid detection cloth in which conductive threads A and B are arranged in a textile structure, and conductive thread A is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in a part of the threads constituting the textile structure. In the direction orthogonal to conductive thread A, at least two conductive threads B are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and are alternately electrically connected to every other one of the conductive threads A arranged in parallel. A liquid detection cloth in which the threads other than conductive threads A and B are electrically insulating threads is also known (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] To solve the above problem, the detection body according to claim 1 is Insulating base fabric, The base fabric One aspect Conductive fibers arranged to extend parallel to each other while maintaining a predetermined interval, A flame-retardant covering material that covers the other side of the base fabric opposite to the aforementioned side, , The aforementioned Direction of extension of conductive fibers An electrode portion that electrically connects the conductive fibers at both ends, A cutting portion that electrically separates the conductive fiber from the electrode portion at either end in the direction of extension of the conductive fiber, The electrode portion is provided with a pair of output units that output the electrical resistance value between the conductive fibers, It is characterized by the following:

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is a detection body described in claim 1, The cut portion is provided at one location on each of the conductive fibers, and each of the conductive fibers is electrically connected alternately to the electrode portion at the end opposite to the end on which the cut portion is provided, and the electrical resistance value between any of the conductive fibers is output from the output unit. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 relates to the detection body described in claim 1 or 2, The conductive fibers of the base fabric are arranged The aforementioned It further features an insulating pile woven fabric on one side. It is characterized by the following:

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is a detection body described in claim 3, The aforementioned pile woven fabric is substantially permeable or breathable. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, liquids can be detected with a simple structure.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 2, it is easy to manufacture, and liquid detection is possible between any of the conductive fibers.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to prevent false detection by contact objects other than liquid and to apply a high-level design to the surface of the detection body.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 4, only liquid can be detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a plan schematic view showing a detection body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a plan schematic view for explaining the manufacturing process of the detection body. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the liquid detection function in the detection body. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the water wetting detection result in the example. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the configuration of a detection body according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a liquid and a conductive object other than the liquid are in contact with a detection body according to the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Next, with reference to the drawings, embodiments and specific examples will be given below to explain the present invention in more detail, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples. Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and illustrations other than the members necessary for the explanation are appropriately omitted for ease of understanding.

[0020] 「First Embodiment」 (1) Configuration of the Detection Body Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing the detection body 1 according to the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating the manufacturing process of the detection body 1, and Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the liquid detection function of the detection body 1. The configuration and function of the detection body 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0021] (Overall configuration of the detection unit) As shown in Figure 1, the detection body 1 comprises an insulating base fabric 10, conductive fibers 20 arranged on the base fabric 10 so as to extend parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, electrode portions 30 that electrically connect the conductive fibers 20 to each other at both ends 10A and 10B of the base fabric 10, cutting portions 40 that electrically cut the conductive fibers 20 and the electrode portions 30 at either end in the direction of extension of the conductive fibers 20, and a pair of output portions 50 provided on the electrode portions 30 that output the electrical resistance value between the conductive fibers 20.

[0022] As schematically shown in Figure 3, the detection unit 1 can detect liquid L when it is interposed between conductive fibers 20 arranged to extend parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. This causes the electrical resistance between the conductive fibers 20 to decrease, changing the electrical resistance output at the output unit 50. Here, the type of liquid is not particularly limited, as long as it has a certain level of conductivity, such as water, beverages, or human or animal urine.

[0023] (base fabric) The base fabric 10 is a woven fabric obtained by weaving together multiple warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 that extend in directions that intersect each other. The warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 are made of insulating, durable, and flexible yarns, such as filament yarns and spun yarns. The fibers forming the warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 include synthetic fibers made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, aramid resin, polyester, nylon, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), semi-synthetic fibers made of rayon, and natural fibers made of cotton. In this embodiment, polyester multifilament yarn is used.

[0024] (Conductive fiber) As schematically shown in Figure 1, the conductive fibers 20 are arranged in parallel in the warp direction (indicated by arrow R in Figure 1) at predetermined intervals G during the weaving process of the base fabric 10. The predetermined interval is between 2 mm and 50 mm and is set appropriately depending on the application of the detection body 1. For example, when the detection body 1 is installed inside the seat surface to detect liquid, if the interval is too narrow, the detection body 1 may deform when a person sits on the seat surface, potentially causing a short circuit. Also, if the interval is too wide, the amount of liquid required for detection will be large. In other words, the interval is set considering the amount of liquid to be detected and the possibility of short circuits during use.

[0025] The conductive fibers 20 have an electrical resistance value that allows for the detection of a change in electrical resistance when a liquid is interposed between two conductive fibers 20, causing the two fibers to change from an insulating state to a certain conductive state. For example, if the electrical resistance value is 10 (MΩ) or more in a dry state, it can be detected when it drops to several tens (kΩ) when wet. It is preferable that the resistivity is 0.1 (Ω·cm) or less to achieve such a change in electrical resistance. In this embodiment, the conductive fiber 20 is an organic conductive fiber obtained by chemically bonding copper sulfide to an acrylic fiber or nylon fiber. Compared to metal wires or carbon fibers, organic conductive fibers are softer and less prone to breaking or snapping, making them easier to blend and weave in the weaving process of the base fabric 10.

[0026] (electrode part) At both ends 10A and 10B of the base fabric 10, conductive fibers 20 are arranged to extend parallel to each other at intervals. The ends of these conductive fibers 20 are fixed with a conductive adhesive, forming electrode portions 30 where the conductive fibers 20 are electrically connected to each other. The conductive adhesive is not particularly limited, but a conductive material such as silver paste can be used. The conductive adhesive is applied to cover the conductive fibers 20 that are folded back at both ends 10A and 10B, and then dried and hardened to form a coating film, electrically joining the conductive fibers 20 together.

[0027] (cutting part) As shown in Figure 1, the conductive fibers 20, which are electrically joined at electrode portions 30 formed at both ends 10A and 10B of the base fabric 10, have cut portions 40 formed at either end in the direction of extension of the conductive fibers 20 that electrically sever the electrode portion 30. The cut portions 40 are alternately provided at either end of the conductive fibers 20. The cut portions 40 are formed as through holes that penetrate the base fabric 10 in the thickness direction, including the conductive fibers 20, and electrically sever the conductive fibers 20.

[0028] The conductive fibers 20, arranged in parallel to the warp direction at predetermined intervals on the base fabric 10, are electrically disconnected from the electrode portion 30 at either end 10A or 10B. As a result, in a dry state, the conductive fibers 20 are in an insulating state with an electrical resistance of 10 (MΩ) or more. Then, as schematically shown in Figure 3, when liquid L is present between any of the conductive fibers 20, the conductive fibers 20 become electrically connected at either electrode portion 30, i.e., they become conductive with a resistance of several tens (kΩ), making it possible to detect the presence of the liquid.

[0029] (Output section) The electrode section 30 has a pair of output sections 50 that output the electrical resistance value between any two conductive fibers 20. The output sections 50 are formed as terminal sections that are not electrically conductive and are not coated with the conductive adhesive that forms the electrode section 30. When a predetermined voltage is applied to the output sections 50 and liquid is interposed between the conductive fibers 20, a short circuit occurs, the electrical resistance value changes, and the liquid is detected.

[0030] (covering material) The other side 1b of the base fabric 10, opposite to the side 1a on which the conductive fibers 20 are arranged, may be covered with a flame-retardant coating material AD. As the flame-retardant coating material, a coating agent consisting of an acrylic synthetic resin emulsion or a vinyl acetate synthetic resin emulsion is preferably used from the viewpoint of adhesion to the base fabric 10 and versatility. The coating agent is impregnated between the warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 that form the base fabric 10, preventing the warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 from fraying, and also suppressing the leakage of liquid that has penetrated from one side 1a where the conductive fibers 20 of the detection body 1 are located, from the other side 1b of the base fabric 10.

[0031] (Method of manufacturing the detection device) When weaving the base fabric 10 by crossing the warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 with each other, conductive fibers 20 are woven so that they extend parallel to the warp threads at predetermined intervals, thereby creating a fabric in which conductive fibers 20 are arranged on the base fabric 10 (see Figure 2(a)). Furthermore, conductive fibers 20 may be woven into already woven fabric so as to extend parallel to each other at predetermined intervals.

[0032] Next, the obtained fabric is cut to the required length (see Figure 2(b)), and the cut ends 10A and 10B are treated to make them conductive to form the electrode portion 30 (see Figure 2(c)). As a result, all the conductive fibers 20 arranged in parallel are electrically connected at the electrode portion 30.

[0033] A cutting portion 40 is provided at one end of each conductive fiber 20, which is electrically connected and arranged at the electrode portion 30, so as to electrically sever it from the electrode portion 30 (see Figure 2(d)). Then, a notch is made in one of the electrode portions 30 to form an output portion 50. This gives rise to the detection body 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0034] (Action of the detection device) Figure 3 schematically shows the electrical conductivity in the conductive fiber 20 when liquid L is interposed on a portion of the surface of the sensing element 1. As shown in Figure 3, conductive fiber 20-2 is connected to one electrode portion 30A and electrically connects with conductive fiber 20-8, which is connected to electrode portion 30A, forming a conductive circuit to one end of output portion 50. Conductive fiber 20-3 is connected to the other electrode portion 30B, forming a conductive circuit to the other end of output portion 50. When a liquid L, such as water, is dropped between the conductive fibers 20-2 and 20-3, the conductive fibers 20-2 and 20-3 become conductive, and a circuit shown by the dashed line in Figure 3 is formed on the detection unit 1. This makes it possible for the output units 50-1 and 50-2 to detect the electrical resistance between the conductive fibers 20-2 and 20-3.

[0035] (Effect of the detector) Compared to a configuration in which conductive fibers 20 capable of detecting liquids are intersected in the warp and weft directions to form a detection area, the detection body 1 can form a detection area equivalent to that of a configuration in which conductive fibers 20 are intersected by arranging the conductive fibers 20 at regular intervals only in the warp direction, while reducing the use of expensive conductive fibers 20. By arranging the conductive fibers 20 only in the warp direction, insulation treatment between intersecting conductive fibers 20 is not required, unlike when the conductive fibers 20 intersect in both the warp and weft directions. Since the conductive fibers 20 are arranged in the weaving process of the base fabric 10 so as to extend parallel to the warp threads at predetermined intervals, they can be woven on a relatively simple loom that does not have a device for changing the weft threads, and can also be manufactured as a knitted fabric without weft threads on a knitting machine that does not have warp or weft threads. • By continuously weaving conductive fibers 20 so that they extend in parallel at regular intervals, cutting them to any desired length, treating the end faces to make them conductive, and then creating cut sections 40 with through holes on each side, manufacturing becomes easy and low-cost.

[0036] "Examples" Figure 4 shows the water wetting detection results in the example. First, a base fabric 10 was woven using polyester spun yarns, which were formed to have a thickness of English cotton count ST30 (200T (decitex)) / 2 as warp threads 11 and weft threads 12. Then, a fabric was created by weaving multifilament yarn (Thunderon®, manufactured by Nippon Silk Dyeing Co., Ltd.) into the base fabric 10. This yarn was formed by chemically bonding copper sulfide to acrylic fibers, which were then formed in the warp direction to create conductive fibers 20 with a fineness of 167T (decitex) / 60F (filament) × 2, and adjusting the resistance to 10E2~10E3 (Ω / 10cm). The conductive fibers 20 were arranged in parallel at intervals of 6 mm. In addition, each conductive fiber 20 was marked with blue and red colored threads made from polyester spun yarn formed to have an English cotton count of ST40 / 2.

[0037] Electrode sections 30A and 30B were formed by applying a conductive treatment to both ends of a fabric in which conductive fibers 20 were arranged parallel to the warp direction. For the conductive treatment, Dotite® XC-3050, manufactured by Fujikura Chemical Co., Ltd., was applied, dried, and solidified to form a conductive coating. Next, through holes were made on one end of each conductive fiber 20 of the fabric on which the electrode portions 30A and 30B were formed to form cut portions 40. As shown in Figure 3, the cut portions 40 were formed alternately on one side at a time: on the electrode portion 30A side for conductive fiber 20-1, on the electrode portion 30B side for conductive fiber 20-2, on the electrode portion 30A side for conductive fiber 20C, on the electrode portion 30B side for conductive fiber 20D, and so on. Then, an output portion 50 was formed on one of the electrode portions 30B by partially removing the conductive coating.

[0038] Using the detection body created in this way, the electrical resistance value at the output unit 50 was measured in both a dry and wet state. (Dry state) The electrical resistance value at output section 50 was 41.99 MΩ or higher. (Water-soaked condition) As shown in Figure 4(a), the electrical resistance when 0.1 ml of tap water was dropped into the center was approximately 105 kΩ. (Water-soaked condition) As shown in Figure 4(b), the electrical resistance when 0.1 ml of tap water was dropped onto the end was approximately 56 kΩ. This confirmed that even a small amount of liquid (water) of about 0.1 ml can be detected.

[0039] "Second Embodiment" Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the detection body 1A according to the second embodiment. The detection body 1A according to the second embodiment is further provided with an insulating pile woven fabric 60 on one surface 1a of the detection body 1 according to the first embodiment where the conductive fibers 20 are arranged. For this reason, components common to the detection body 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0040] The detection unit 1A comprises an insulating base fabric 10, conductive fibers 20 arranged on the base fabric 10 so as to extend parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, electrode portions 30 that electrically connect the conductive fibers 20 to each other at both ends 10A and 10B of the base fabric 10, cutting portions 40 that electrically cut the conductive fibers 20 and the electrode portions 30 at either end in the direction of extension of the conductive fibers 20, a pair of output portions 50 provided on the electrode portions 30 that output the electrical resistance value between the conductive fibers 20, and an insulating pile woven fabric 60 that covers one surface 1a on which the conductive fibers 20 are arranged.

[0041] (Pile knit fabric) The pile knitted fabric 60 is formed by weaving pile yarns 62 onto a base fabric 61. The base fabric 61 is a woven fabric obtained by weaving together a plurality of warp threads 61a and weft threads 61b that extend in directions that intersect each other. The fibers that form the warp threads 61a and weft threads 61b include synthetic fibers made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, aramid resin, polyester, nylon, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc., semi-synthetic fibers made of rayon, etc., and natural fibers made of cotton, etc. In this embodiment, flame-retardant polyester multifilament yarn is used.

[0042] The pile yarn 62 is made of a durable and elastic insulating synthetic resin fiber with a single yarn fineness of 3 to 8 denier and a fineness of 150 denier or more and 500 denier or less. If the single yarn fineness is finer than 3 denier and less than 150 denier, the pile yarn 21 will not have sufficient strength, and if the single yarn fineness is thicker than 8 denier and more than 500 denier, for example, when the detection body 1A is attached to the seat surface, there is a risk that the texture of the seat surface will deteriorate. Examples of synthetic resin fibers having durability and desired elasticity include multifilament yarn of flame-retardant polyester, similar to the base fabric 61.

[0043] The length (pile length) H of the pile yarn 62 is set appropriately according to the application of the detection body 1A. For example, when the detection body 1A is installed inside the seat surface to detect liquid, it is preferably 1.8 mm to 3.3 mm in relation to the general characteristics of the fibers of the seat cushion, and in this embodiment, it is set to 2.0 to 2.5 mm.

[0044] The detection body 1A may also be configured as a two-layer structure of the detection body 1 and the pile woven fabric 60 by attaching the pile woven fabric 60 constructed in this manner to one side 1a of the detection body 1 on which the conductive fibers 20 are arranged, or the pile yarns 62 may be woven into the base fabric 10 that constitutes the detection body 1. In this case, the base fabric 10 into which the pile yarns 62 are woven may be back-coated with a coating agent consisting of an acrylic synthetic resin emulsion or a vinyl acetate synthetic resin emulsion. The coating agent impregnates the base of the pile yarn 62, preventing the pile yarn 62 from falling out, and also suppresses the leakage of the liquid that has permeated the pile woven fabric 60 from the other side 1b of the base fabric 10.

[0045] (Function and effect of detection element 1A) Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which a liquid and a non-liquid conductive object are in contact with the detection body 1A. The detection body 1A includes a pile woven fabric 60 that covers one side 1a of the detection body 1, on which conductive fibers 20 for detecting liquids are arranged. The pile woven fabric 60 has insulating pile threads 62 erected on a base fabric 61, and an object P placed on the pile woven fabric 60 is supported by the pile threads 62 and does not come into contact with the conductive fibers 20. In other words, even if the object P is conductive, it will not be detected. Specifically, a person's hand, for example, is separated from the conductive fibers 20 by the pile threads 62 and will not be falsely detected even if it is wet. On the other hand, the liquid L on the pile fabric 60 travels along the pile yarns 62 and comes into contact with the conductive fibers 20, as the pile fabric 60 is substantially permeable or moisture-permeable, and is detected. In this way, a detection body 1A equipped with a pile fabric 60 on its surface can detect only liquids.

[0046] "Examples" The base fabric 61 was woven using flame-retardant polyester spun yarns, with the warp threads 61a and weft threads 61b having a thickness of English cotton count ST30 (200T (decitex)) / 2. Then, a pile woven fabric 60 was created by weaving polyester multifilament yarn, formed to have a fineness of 200T (decitex) / 72F (filament) x 2, into this base fabric 61 at a pile density of 50 threads / inch.

[0047] Then, a pile knit fabric 60, which was created by superimposing the conductive fibers 20 of the detection body 1 created in the first embodiment onto one side 1a where the conductive fibers 20 were arranged, was placed to form a detection body 1A, and the electrical resistance value at the output unit 50 was measured in both a dry and wet state. (Dry state) The electrical resistance value at output section 50 was 41.99 MΩ or higher. (Water-soaked condition) When 0.1 ml of tap water was dropped into the center, the electrical resistance was approximately 105 kΩ. This confirmed that even a small amount of liquid (water) of about 0.1 ml can be detected through the pile woven fabric 60.

[0048] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. For example, a detection circuit may be connected to the output unit 50 of the detection units 1 and 1A according to this embodiment to perform water wetting detection and issue a warning, or the detection signal may be transmitted to another external device. Alternatively, the pile woven fabric 60 may be decorated and used as upholstery material for seats. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1, 1A... Detector 10...Base fabric 11...warp threads, 12...weft threads 20... Conductive fibers 30...electrode part 40...cutting section 50...Output section 60... Pile knit fabric 61...Base fabric (pile woven knitted fabric) 61a...warp threads, 61b...weft threads

Claims

1. Insulating base fabric, Conductive fibers are arranged on one surface of the base fabric so as to extend parallel to each other at predetermined intervals, A flame-retardant covering material that covers the other side of the base fabric opposite to the aforementioned side, An electrode portion electrically connects the conductive fibers at both ends in the direction of extension of the conductive fiber, A cutting portion that electrically separates the conductive fiber from the electrode portion at either end in the direction of extension of the conductive fiber, The electrode portion is provided with a pair of output units that output the electrical resistance value between the conductive fibers, A detection body characterized by the following features.

2. The cut portion is provided at one location on each of the conductive fibers, and each of the conductive fibers is electrically connected alternately to the electrode portion at the end opposite to the end on which the cut portion is provided, and the electrical resistance value between any of the conductive fibers is output from the output unit. The detection body according to feature 1.

3. The surface of the base fabric on which the conductive fibers are arranged further comprises an insulating pile fabric. The detection body according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned pile woven fabric is substantially permeable or breathable. The detection body according to feature 3.

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