Sensor assembly and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a sensor assembly and a manufacturing method thereof that includes a sensor layer having translucency.SOLUTION: A sensor assembly 1 includes a translucent skin material 2, and a sensor layer 4 arranged on the back side of the skin material 2, and including an insulating layer 400, an electrode layer 401 arranged on at least one of the front side and the back side of the insulating layer 400, and a first through hole 42 penetrating through the insulating layer 400 and the electrode layer 401 in the front-back direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor assembly with a skin material used, for example, in an interior part of a vehicle, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of vehicle interiors, the development of interfaces in which operation icons and the like are displayed on the surface of a skin material by a backlight during use is progressing. As an example, FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of Patent Document 1 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the sensor assembly 100 includes, from the front side to the back side, a translucent skin material 101, for example, a capacitive touch sensor 102, and a light source 103. The light source 103 irradiates light onto the touch sensor 102 from the back side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 225140 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to create a design such as an operation icon on the surface of the skin material 101, the light from the light source 103 needs to transmit through the touch sensor 102 and the skin material 101. That is, not only the skin material 101 but also the touch sensor 102 needs to be translucent. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor assembly including a translucent sensor layer and a manufacturing method thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the sensor assembly of the present invention is characterized by comprising a light-transmitting skin material, and a sensor layer arranged on the back side of the skin material, the sensor layer having an insulating layer, an electrode layer arranged on at least one of the front and back sides of the insulating layer, and a first through hole penetrating the insulating layer and the electrode layer in the front-to-back direction.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a sensor assembly comprising: a light-transmitting skin material; a sensor layer disposed on the back side of the skin material, the sensor layer having an insulating layer, an electrode layer disposed on at least one of the front and back sides of the insulating layer, and a first through hole penetrating the insulating layer and the electrode layer in a front-to-back direction; and a back-side flexible layer disposed on the back side of the sensor layer and having a second through hole overlapping the first through hole when viewed from the front side, the method comprising: a lamination step of laminating the sensor layer and the back-side flexible layer from the front side to the back side to form a laminate; and a hole opening step of opening the first through hole in the sensor layer and the second through hole in the back-side flexible layer by opening a through hole penetrating the laminate in the front-to-back direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The sensor layer of the sensor assembly of the present invention includes a first through hole. The first through hole penetrates the insulating layer and the electrode layer in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, according to the sensor assembly of the present invention, light can be transmitted through the first through hole. In this way, the sensor layer has light transmissivity.

[0008] According to the method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of the present invention, in the laminating step, the sensor layer and the rear flexible layer are laminated to form a laminate, and in the hole opening step, a through hole is opened in the laminate. Therefore, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the first through hole in the sensor layer and the second through hole in the rear flexible layer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in translucency caused by the misalignment. Also, the translucent sensor layer can be easily manufactured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of a sensor assembly according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of frame II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a transparent surface view of the sensor assembly. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a cover material of the sensor assembly. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a proximity sensor portion of the sensor layer of the sensor assembly. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pressure-sensitive sensor portion of the sensor layer of the sensor assembly. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a laser processing step in the skin material manufacturing process of the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the lamination step in the manufacturing method. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the hole forming step in the manufacturing method. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the combining step in the manufacturing method. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the melt viscosity of a polymer and the shear rate. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly according to the second embodiment taken along the front-rear direction. [Figure 14] Fig. 14(A) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cover material of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment (part 1), and Fig. 14(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cover material of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment (part 2). [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional sensor assembly taken from the front to the back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sensor assembly and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention will be described.

[0011] First Embodiment [Layout and configuration of sensor assembly] First, the arrangement and configuration of the sensor assembly of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows an arrangement diagram of the sensor assembly of this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the inside of the frame II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a transparent surface view of the sensor assembly. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the front-back direction) along the IV-IV direction in Fig. 3.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the sensor assembly 1 is disposed on the surface (upper surface) of a console box (interior part) 90 in the vehicle interior. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the sensor assembly 1 includes, from the front side (inner side, upper side) to the back side (outer side, lower side), a skin material 2, a front flexible layer 3, a sensor layer 4, a back flexible layer 5, a base material 6, and a light source member 8.

[0013] (Skin material 2) Fig. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the skin material. As shown in Fig. 5, the skin material 2 includes, from the front side to the back side, a skin layer 20, an intermediate layer 21, a design layer 22, and a plurality of recesses 23. The surface (upper surface) of the skin layer 20 is exposed to the interior of the vehicle. The skin layer 20 is made of synthetic leather and has a layered structure. The skin layer 20 is translucent and flexible. A grain pattern (not shown) is formed on the surface of the skin layer 20.

[0014] The intermediate layer 21 is laminated on the back surface (lower surface) of the skin layer 20. The intermediate layer 21 is made of light-transmitting ink and has a layered shape. The intermediate layer 21 has light-transmitting properties and flexibility. The intermediate layer 21 has a lower light-transmitting property than the skin layer 20. In other words, the intermediate layer 21 is smoky-toned and semi-transparent. The intermediate layer 21 is also colored and transparent.

[0015] The design layer 22 is laminated on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. The design layer 22 is made of opaque ink and has a layered structure. The design layer 22 is opaque and flexible. In other words, the design layer 22 does not transmit light. A plurality of recesses 23 are recessed into the back surface of the design layer 22. The multiple recesses 23 form the letters "A", "B", and "C" when viewed from the front side.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 4, the recess 23 has a side surface 230, an opening 231, and a bottom portion 232. The inside of the recess 23 is a space. The side surface 230 extends in the front-to-back direction. The opening portion 231 is disposed on the back surface of the design layer 22. The bottom portion 232 is disposed on the front side of the opening portion 231. The bottom portion 232 is disposed on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21.

[0017] (Front side flexible layer 3) The front flexible layer 3 is disposed on the back side of the skin material 2. The front flexible layer 3 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer and has flexibility. The hardness of the front flexible layer 3 is about 20 to 30 as measured with an ASKER C (durometer specified in SRISO101 (Japan Rubber Association Standard)) hardness tester. The front flexible layer 3 has light transmissivity. The front flexible layer 3 has light diffusing properties. Therefore, light from a light source 80 described later is diffused by the front flexible layer 3.

[0018] (sensor layer 4) The sensor layer 4 includes a proximity sensor portion 40, a pressure-sensitive sensor portion 41, and a plurality of first through holes 42. Fig. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the proximity sensor portion. Fig. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the pressure-sensitive sensor portion.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, the proximity sensor unit 40 is a capacitance type (self-capacitance type) proximity sensor. The proximity sensor unit 40 includes an insulating layer 400 and an electrode layer 401. The electrode layer 401 is flexible and is disposed on the back side of the front flexible layer 3 shown in FIG. 2. The electrode layer 401 includes a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer and a conductive material containing carbon black. The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer exhibits a high thermal conductivity at a shear rate of 60 s at 200° C. -1More than 200s -1 The melt viscosity in the low shear region below is 100 Pa·s or more and 800 Pa·s or less. At 200°C, the melt viscosity in the low shear region is 100 Pa·s or more and 800 Pa·s or less at the same temperature and a shear rate of 1000 s -1 Over 1220s -1 The DBP absorption of carbon black is 300 cm 3 The thickness of the electrode layer 401 in the front-back direction is 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

[0020] The insulating layer 400 is disposed on the back side of the electrode layer 401. The insulating layer 400 includes a styrene-based elastomer and an olefin-based elastomer, which are flexible thermoplastic elastomers. The visible light transmittance of the insulating layer 400 is 20% or more and 100% or less. In this specification, the visible light transmittance is calculated by measuring the transmission spectrum of wavelengths of 380 to 780 nm using a spectrophotometer "UV3100PC" manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation in accordance with JIS A5759:2016. A control device (not shown) turns on a plurality of light sources 80, which will be described later, based on a change in the electrostatic capacitance between the electrode layer 401 and the fingertip of the user.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 7, the pressure-sensitive sensor unit 41 is a capacitance-type pressure-sensitive sensor (load sensor). The pressure-sensitive sensor unit 41 includes an insulating layer 410, a front electrode layer 411, three rear electrode layers 412, and detection units SA to SC (Figs. 3 and 4). The front electrode layer 411 and the rear electrode layer 412 are included in the concept of "electrode layer" of the present invention.

[0022] The front electrode layer 411 is disposed on the back side of the proximity sensor unit 40 shown in FIG. 2. The material of the front electrode layer 411 is the same as the material of the electrode layer 401. The front electrode layer 411 has a strip shape extending in the left-right direction. The insulating layer 410 is disposed on the back side of the front electrode layer 411. The material of the insulating layer 410 is the same as the material of the insulating layer 400.

[0023] The three back electrode layers 412 are disposed on the back side of the insulating layer 410. The material of the back electrode layers 412 is the same as the material of the electrode layer 401. The three back electrode layers 412 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval and lined up in the left-right direction. The back electrode layers 412 are in the form of a strip extending in the front-rear direction.

[0024] As shown by dotted hatching in Fig. 3, the three detection units SA to SC are arranged at the intersection (orthogonal) of the front electrode layer 411 and the three back electrode layers 412 when viewed from the front side. Detection unit SA is arranged on the back side of the letter "A" on the design layer 22 (Fig. 5), detection unit SB is arranged on the back side of the letter "B" on the design layer 22, and detection unit SC is arranged on the back side of the letter "C" on the design layer 22. The control device drives actuators (not shown) associated with each detection unit SA to SC based on the change in capacitance of the detection units SA to SC to execute a user command.

[0025] 4, 6, and 7, the multiple first through holes 42 are distributed throughout the surface direction (direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction) of the sensor layer 4 (proximity sensor portion 40, pressure sensor portion 41). The first through holes 42 penetrate the sensor layer 4 in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] (Back flexible layer 5) 2 and 4, the back-side flexible layer 5 is disposed on the back side of the sensor layer 4. The material and hardness of the back-side flexible layer 5 are similar to the material and hardness of the front-side flexible layer 3. The back-side flexible layer 5 is translucent.

[0027] Unlike the front-side flexible layer 3, the back-side flexible layer 5 has a plurality of second through holes 52. The plurality of second through holes 52 are distributed over the entire surface of the back-side flexible layer 5. The second through holes 52 penetrate the back-side flexible layer 5 in the front-back direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , the second through holes 52 overlap with the first through holes 42 when viewed from the front side. Light from a light source 80, which will be described later, passes through the second through holes 52.

[0028] (Substrate 6, light source member 8) As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the base material 6 is made of resin and is disposed on the back side of the back side flexible layer 5. The base material 6 has translucency and flexibility. The light source member 8 is disposed on the back side of the base material 6. The light source member 8 includes a plurality of light sources (LEDs) 80. The plurality of light sources 80 are distributed over the entire surface of the light source member 8. The surface of the light source member 8 can emit light over the entire surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of light sources 80 are disposed in the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 when viewed from the front side. That is, the light source 80, the second through hole 52, and the first through hole 42 are connected in a straight line extending in the front-rear direction from the back side to the front side. As shown in FIG. 4, the light from the light source 80 reaches the back side of the design layer 22 through the base material 6, the second through hole 52, the first through hole 42, and the front side flexible layer 3. The light reaches the surface of the sensor assembly 1, that is, the console box 90, through the recess 23, the intermediate layer 21, and the skin layer 20. In addition, the light source member 8 may be arranged on the front side of the substrate 6 as long as the light source 80, the second through hole 52, and the first through hole 42 are connected in a straight line extending in the front-back direction from the back side to the front side.

[0029] [Method of manufacturing sensor assembly] Next, a method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of this embodiment will be described. The method for manufacturing the sensor assembly of this embodiment includes a skin manufacturing step, a sensor layer manufacturing step, a lamination step, a hole opening step, and a joining step.

[0030] (Skin material manufacturing process) In this process, the skin material 2 shown in Fig. 5 is manufactured. This process includes a skin material laminating process and a laser processing process. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the laser processing process in the skin material manufacturing process of the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly of this embodiment. First, in the skin material laminating process, the intermediate layer 21 and the design layer 22 are laminated on the back surface of the skin layer 20 by screen printing.

[0031] Next, as shown in Fig. 8, in the laser processing step, the laminate (skin layer 20, intermediate layer 21, and design layer 22) is placed upside down (so that the back surface of the design layer 22 faces upward), and a laser processing machine 91 is used to form recesses 23 on the back surface of the design layer 22. A nozzle 910 of the laser processing machine 91 is movable relative to the laminate in the horizontal direction Y3 and the oscillation direction Y4. By appropriately moving the nozzle 910, designs of the letters "A", "B", and "C" (see Fig. 5) consisting of multiple recesses 23 are formed on the back surface of the design layer 22.

[0032] (Sensor layer manufacturing process) In this process, the sensor layer 4 shown in Fig. 2 is manufactured. This process includes a proximity sensor portion lamination process and a pressure sensor portion lamination process. First, in the proximity sensor portion lamination process, as shown in Fig. 6, the electrode layer 401 is laminated on the surface of the insulating layer 400. However, the multiple first through holes 42 are not yet formed.

[0033] 7, in the pressure-sensitive sensor part lamination process, a top electrode layer 411 is laminated on the top surface of the insulating layer 410. Also, three bottom electrode layers 412 are laminated on the bottom surface of the insulating layer 410. However, the first through holes 42 are not yet formed.

[0034] (Lamination process) A schematic diagram of a lamination step of the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, in this step, the sensor layer 4 manufactured in the above-mentioned sensor layer manufacturing step and the back side flexible layer 5 manufactured in advance are bonded to form a laminate 92.

[0035] (hole opening process) Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a hole opening step in the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, in this step, a plurality of through holes 920 penetrating the laminate 92 in the front-to-back direction are opened in the laminate 92 manufactured in the above-mentioned lamination step. However, the shape of the laminate 92 when the hole opening step is performed is the same as the shape of the state in which the sensor assembly 1 is installed (installed state) in the console box 90 shown in Fig. 1.

[0036] The through hole 920 opens a plurality of first through holes 42 in the sensor layer 4 and a plurality of second through holes 52 in the back-side flexible layer 5. In this manner, in this process, the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 are opened at the same time by opening the through hole 920. In addition, the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 are aligned.

[0037] (merging process) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the combining step of the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in this step, first, the skin material 2 manufactured in the above-mentioned skin material manufacturing step, the front side flexible layer 3 manufactured in advance, and the laminate 92 in which the multiple through holes 920 (first through hole 42, second through hole 52) are opened in the above-mentioned hole opening step are combined. Next, the laminate 92 and the base material 6 are laminated. Then, the multiple light sources 80 of the light source member 8 are aligned with the through holes 920. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the multiple light sources 80 are aligned so that they are disposed in the holes of the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 when viewed from the front side. In this manner, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment is manufactured. The combining step may be performed in parallel when the sensor assembly 1 is installed in the console box 90.

[0038] [How to use the sensor assembly] Next, a method of using the sensor assembly of this embodiment will be described. First, a user brings a finger close to the surface of the sensor assembly 1 (the surface of the console box 90) shown in Fig. 1. The control device turns on the multiple light sources 80 of the light source member 8 based on a change in capacitance between the electrode layer 401 of the proximity sensor unit 40 shown in Fig. 2 and the tip of the user's finger.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the multiple light sources 80 are arranged in the holes of the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 when viewed from the front side. Therefore, when the light source 80 is turned on, the light from the light source 80 reaches the back surface of the front flexible layer 3 through the substrate 6, the second through hole 52, and the first through hole 42. The light passes through the front flexible layer 3 from the back side to the front side while diffusing in the surface direction. The light that passes through the front flexible layer 3 reaches the back surface of the design layer 22 of the skin material 2. Here, the design layer 22 has opaqueness. Therefore, the light is blocked by the back surface of the design layer 22. On the other hand, a recess 23 is opened on the back surface of the design layer 22. Therefore, the light passes through the recess 23, passes through the intermediate layer 21 having translucency and the skin layer 20 having translucency, and appears on the surface of the skin material 2 (i.e., the sensor assembly 1). Here, as shown in Fig. 5, the recesses 23 form the letters "A", "B", and "C" when viewed from the front side. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, the luminous letters "A", "B", and "C" appear on the surface of the sensor assembly 1 (i.e., the console box 90).

[0040] A specific function is assigned to each of the letters "A," "B," and "C" that appear on the surface of the sensor assembly 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a detection unit SA is disposed on the back side of the letter "A" that appears on the surface of the sensor assembly 1, a detection unit SB is disposed on the back side of the letter "B," and a detection unit SC is disposed on the back side of the letter "C."

[0041] As an example, when a user touches the letter "A," the pressing force causes the front electrode layer 411 corresponding to the detection unit SA to move down while compressing the insulating layer 410. This shortens the distance (inter-electrode distance) between the front electrode layer 411 and the rear electrode layer 412. This increases the capacitance between the front electrode layer 411 and the rear electrode layer 412. The control device drives the actuator associated with the detection unit SA based on the change in capacitance of the detection unit SA, and executes the user's command. In this manner, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment is used.

[0042] [Effects] Next, the effects of the sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof according to this embodiment will be described.

[0043] (About the composition) As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, 6 and 7, the sensor layer 4 of the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has a first through hole 42. The first through hole 42 penetrates the insulating layers 400, 410, the electrode layer 401, the front electrode layer 411 and the back electrode layer 412 in the front-back direction. That is, the first through hole 42 penetrates the sensor layer 4 in the front-back direction. Therefore, light can be transmitted through the first through hole 42. In this way, the sensor layer 4 has light transmissivity.

[0044] Assume that the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 shown in Fig. 4 are misaligned in the planar direction. In this case, when the sensor assembly 1 is viewed from the front side, the outer periphery of the first through hole 42 and the outer periphery of the second through hole 52 are misaligned in the planar direction (see Fig. 3). For this reason, at the joint between the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52, the cross-sectional area of ​​the optical path formed by the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 becomes small.

[0045] In this regard, according to the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52 are aligned in the planar direction. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, when the sensor assembly 1 is viewed from the front side, the outer periphery of the first through hole 42 and the outer periphery of the second through hole 52 completely overlap each other. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the optical path does not become small at the joint between the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52. In this manner, the sensor assembly 1 has high light transmittance.

[0046] 5, the skin material 2 includes a translucent intermediate layer 21. Therefore, when the light source 80 is off, it is possible to suppress the appearance of the design of the design layer 22 on the surface of the skin material 2. On the other hand, when the light source 80 is on, it is possible to assist the appearance of the design of the design layer 22 on the surface of the skin material 2.

[0047] 3, light sources 80 are interspersed among the letters "A," "B," and "C" that appear on the surface of the sensor assembly 1. For this reason, if the light sources 80 stand out, the appearance will be impaired.

[0048] In this regard, as shown in FIG. 4, a front flexible layer 3 having light diffusing properties is interposed between the skin material 2 and the sensor layer 4. Therefore, the light from the light source 80 can be diffused, for example, like frosted glass or shoji paper. Therefore, the light source 80 in the letters "A", "B", and "C" that appear on the surface of the sensor assembly 1 is not easily noticeable. In this way, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has a high design quality. In addition, the front flexible layer 3 is made of an elastomer and has flexibility. Therefore, the user feels good when touching the skin material 2.

[0049] In addition, a back-side flexible layer 5 is disposed on the back side of the sensor layer 4. The back-side flexible layer 5 is made of an elastomer and has flexibility. Therefore, the user feels good when touching the skin material 2. In addition, a second through-hole 52 is formed in the back-side flexible layer 5. Therefore, the back-side flexible layer 5 has high light transmittance.

[0050] In addition, a base material 6 is disposed on the back side of the back side flexible layer 5. The base material 6 is translucent. Therefore, light from the light source 80 can be transmitted to the second through-hole 52 of the back side flexible layer 5. In addition, the base material 6 is harder than the other layers (skin material 2, front side flexible layer 3, sensor layer 4, back side flexible layer 5). Therefore, the shape retention of the sensor assembly 1 is ensured.

[0051] In addition, the light source 80, the second through hole 52, and the first through hole 42 are connected in a straight line. Therefore, the light source 80 has high light transmittance. In addition, the light source 80 is an LED. Therefore, the light from the light source 80 has a high linearity. Therefore, it is easy to introduce the light into the second through hole 52 and the first through hole 42, which are connected in a straight line.

[0052] Let us assume that a through-hole large enough to include the input section when viewed from the front side is opened on the back side of the input section (the part where the letters "A", "B", and "C" stand out in Figure 3, corresponding to the detection sections SA to SC (the part hatched with dotted lines)) on the surface of the epidermis layer 20, and that light from the light source 80 is guided through the through-hole (see Figure 3). In this case, the detection sections SA to SC of the pressure-sensitive sensor section 41 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are completely hollowed out by the through-hole. For this reason, it is unavoidable to arrange the detection section around the through-hole. In other words, it is not possible to arrange the detection sections SA to SC directly behind the input section. This reduces the detection sensitivity of the pressure-sensitive sensor section 41.

[0053] 3, in the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment, the opening area of ​​a single through hole (first through hole 42, second through hole 52) is very small compared to the area of ​​the input part on the surface of the skin layer 20. Therefore, the detection units SA to SC can be disposed directly behind the input part. This increases the detection sensitivity of the pressure sensor unit 41.

[0054] (Production method) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, according to the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment, first, in the lamination step, the sensor layer 4 and the back side flexible layer 5 are laminated to form a laminate 92. Next, in the hole opening step, through holes 920 (first through holes 42, second through holes 52) are opened in the laminate 92. Therefore, the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 can be opened at once. In addition, the planar positions of the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 shown in FIG. 4 can be aligned. Therefore, a decrease in light transmittance caused by misalignment between the first through holes 42 and the second through holes 52 can be suppressed. In addition, the sensor layer 4 having high light transmittance can be easily manufactured.

[0055] 10 corresponds to the shape of the laminate 92 in a state where the sensor assembly 1 is installed (installed state) in the console box 90 shown in FIG. 1. For example, when the shape of the sensor assembly 1 in the installed state is curved, the hole opening process is performed in the curved shape. In this respect, too, it is possible to suppress a decrease in light transmittance caused by misalignment between the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52.

[0056] If the skin material 2 shown in FIG. 5 is manufactured only by screen printing, it is necessary to use a screen mask according to the design of the design layer 22 when printing the design layer 22 on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. Therefore, when the design of the design layer 22 is changed, it is necessary to change the screen mask one by one. In this respect, the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has a skin material lamination process and a laser processing process. According to the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment, after printing the design layer 22 on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21, the recesses 23 can be arranged in the design layer 22 by laser processing. Therefore, even if the design of the design layer 22 is changed, it is not necessary to change the screen mask one by one. It is possible to respond to the change in the design of the design layer 22 by simply changing the movement of the nozzle 910 shown in FIG. 8 and the laser output. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost and downtime required for the design change. In addition, it is suitable for manufacturing a small amount of a wide variety of skin materials 2.

[0057] (Material of the electrode layer) The electrode layer 401, the front electrode layer 411, and the back electrode layer 412 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "electrode layers") have a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer as an elastomer component. That is, the electrode layers are made of an elastomer component as a base material. For this reason, they are flexible. The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer has a high affinity for carbon materials such as carbon black due to π-π interactions caused by aromatic rings. Therefore, compared with, for example, an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, it is considered to have a high effect of increasing electrical conductivity. In addition, if the softening point of the elastomer component is low, there is a problem that the electrode layers tend to stick together. In this regard, the softening point of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is higher than that of the olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and therefore it has excellent handling properties and moldability.

[0058] The styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer constituting the electrode layer satisfies the following two conditions (a) and (b). (a) At 200°C, the shear rate is 60 s -1 More than 200s -1 The melt viscosity in the following low shear region is 100 Pa s or more and 800 Pa s or less. (b) At 200°C, the shear rate is 60 s -1 More than 200s -1 The melt viscosity in the low shear region below is -1 Over 1220s -1 The melt viscosity is 4 times or less than that in the high shear region described below.

[0059] First, the relationship between the melt viscosity of a polymer and the shear rate will be explained. FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the relationship between the melt viscosity of a polymer and the shear rate. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, the melt viscosity of a polymer generally increases as the shear rate decreases. In contrast, in the case of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer of the electrode layer of the sensor layer 4, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 12, the melt viscosity is low and does not change easily even when the shear rate decreases. The above condition (a) indicates that the melt viscosity is low in the low shear region, and condition (b) indicates that the melt viscosity is low and does not change easily even when the shear rate is low.

[0060] Shear rate is 60s -1 More than 200s -1 The following low shear region corresponds to the shear rate during extrusion molding. That is, the melt viscosity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer of the electrode layer of the sensor layer 4 is low under the conditions of extrusion molding. Therefore, by using the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, the viscosity of the elastomer composition for forming the electrode layer is low. Therefore, a high-quality electrode layer can be manufactured by injection molding as well as extrusion molding. In addition, the melt viscosity of the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer is not likely to change (stable) in the low shear region. Therefore, the styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer reduces the viscosity unevenness of the elastomer composition due to conditions such as molding speed, improving moldability. In addition, the elastomer composition is manufactured by kneading predetermined materials, and even during this kneading, the robustness is improved because there is little condition dependency.

[0061] The electrode layer is made of a conductive material, DBP (dibutyl phthalate), with an absorption capacity of 300 cm 3 The DBP absorption is an index of the degree of structure development, and the higher the DBP absorption, the more developed the structure. 3 At a density of 100 g or more, the structure is well developed and electrical conductivity is easily achieved. The structure also changes during mixing and extrusion molding, but by combining it with a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer that satisfies the two conditions (a) and (b) above, the electrical conductivity becomes less condition-dependent and robust. Thus, the electrode layer has high flexibility, electrical conductivity, and moldability.

[0062] The thickness of the electrode layer is 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less. Since the elastomer composition for forming the electrode layer has excellent moldability, it is possible to continuously manufacture a uniform sheet-like electrode layer with a thickness of 500 μm or less by extrusion molding or the like. Thus, the electrode layer is suitable for continuous production.

[0063] Second Embodiment The sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present embodiment differ from the sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof according to the first embodiment in that the base material includes a third through hole and that the sensor layer includes only the proximity sensor portion. Here, only the differences will be described.

[0064] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of this embodiment in the front-back direction. Note that parts corresponding to those in FIG. 4 are indicated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 13, the sensor layer 4 includes only the proximity sensor unit 40. In addition, a plurality of third through holes 62 are distributed over the entire surface direction of the substrate 6. The third through holes 62 penetrate the substrate 6 in the front-back direction. When the sensor assembly 1 is viewed from the front side, the outer periphery of the first through hole 42, the outer periphery of the second through hole 52, and the outer periphery of the third through hole 62 completely overlap each other. In addition, from the back side to the front side, the light source 80, the third through hole 62, the second through hole 52, and the first through hole 42 are connected in a straight line extending in the front-back direction. Light from the light source 80 reaches the rear surface of the design layer 22 through the third through hole 62, the second through hole 52, the first through hole 42, and the front-side flexible layer 3. The light passes through the recess 23 , the intermediate layer 21 and the skin layer 20 and reaches the sensor assembly 1 , that is, the surface of the console box 90 .

[0065] In a lamination step (see FIG. 9) of the method for manufacturing a sensor assembly of this embodiment, a base material 6 is additionally disposed on a laminate 92. In a hole opening step (see FIG. 10), when opening a plurality of through holes 920, a third through hole 62 is opened simultaneously with the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 52. In addition, the first through hole 42, the second through hole 52, and the third through hole 62 are aligned.

[0066] The sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof of the present embodiment and the sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof of the first embodiment have similar effects with respect to the common parts. As in the sensor assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the sensor layer 4 may include only a single proximity sensor portion 40. That is, the sensor layer 4 may include at least one insulating layer 400 and at least one electrode layer 401.

[0067] Also, the sensor layer 4 may have only a single pressure-sensitive sensor unit 41. That is, the sensor assembly 1 may not have a trigger sensor for turning on the light source 80. In this case, the timing at which the light source 80 is turned on is not particularly limited. It may be always on. Also, the light source 80 may be turned on in conjunction with the vehicle's room lamp or headlight. Also, the sensor layer 4 may have a single pressure-sensitive sensor unit 41, which also serves as a proximity sensor. In this case, a single sensor can realize pressure detection and proximity detection, and the thickness of the sensor layer 4 in the front-back direction can be made thinner than when two sensors are provided.

[0068] The base material 6 includes a third through hole 62. Therefore, even if the base material 6 is made of a material that does not have translucency, the third through hole 62 can ensure translucency. Furthermore, the multiple light sources 80 are disposed in the first through hole 42, the second through hole 52, and the third through hole 62 when viewed from the front side (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment has high translucency.

[0069] According to the manufacturing method of the sensor assembly 1 of this embodiment, first, in the lamination step, the sensor layer 4, the back side flexible layer 5, and the substrate 6 are laminated to form a laminate 92 (see FIG. 9). Next, in the hole opening step, through holes 920 (first through hole 42, second through hole 52, and third through hole 62) are opened in the laminate 92 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the first through hole 42, the second through hole 52, and the third through hole 62 can be opened at once. In addition, the planar positions of the first through hole 42, the second through hole 52, and the third through hole 62 shown in FIG. 13 can be aligned. Therefore, a decrease in light transmittance caused by misalignment between the first through hole 42, the second through hole 52, and the third through hole 62 can be suppressed.

[0070] <Other> The sensor assembly and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention have been described above. However, the embodiments are not limited to the above. Various modifications and improvements that can be made by those skilled in the art are also possible.

[0071] [About the configuration] Fig. 14(A) shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a skin of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment (part 1). Fig. 14(B) shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a skin of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment (part 2). Note that parts corresponding to those in Fig. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 14(A), the bottom 232A of the recess 23A (corresponding to the letter "A" in FIG. 5) is disposed in the layer of the design layer 22. The bottom 232B of the recess 23B (corresponding to the letter "B" in FIG. 5) and the bottom 232C of the recess 23C (corresponding to the letter "C" in FIG. 5) are disposed in the layer of the intermediate layer 21. The depths of the recesses 23A to 23C in the front-rear direction are the recess 23A, the recess 23B, and the recess 23C in order of shallowness. In this way, the depths of the recesses 23A to 23C in the front-rear direction do not have to be constant. Due to the difference in the depth, a difference in the light transmittance can be provided. Therefore, the design appearing on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the degree of freedom of design is increased.

[0073] In addition, the bottoms 232B and 232C (intermediate layer reaching portions) may be disposed within the intermediate layer 21. In this way, the light transmittance can be reduced compared to when the bottoms 232 of the recesses 23 are uniformly located on the back surface of the skin layer 20. Conversely, the light transmittance from the light source 80 can be improved compared to when the bottoms 232 of the recesses 23 are uniformly located on the back surface of the intermediate layer 21. In addition, when the bottoms 232B and 232C are disposed closer to the skin layer 20, the recesses 23B and 23C become deeper accordingly. This allows the light transmittance from the light source 80 to be improved. Conversely, when the bottoms 232B and 232C are disposed closer to the design layer 22, the recesses 23B and 23C become shallower accordingly. This allows the light transmittance from the light source 80 to be reduced. In this way, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the bottoms 232B and 232C in the front-rear direction. This increases the degree of freedom in design. In addition, when the design layer 22 has translucency, the bottom 232A may be disposed within the layer of the design layer 22. The bottom 232A of the single recess 23A may have a base portion and a deep bottom portion disposed on the front side of the base portion. In this case, the deep bottom portion may be disposed within the layer of the intermediate layer 21, similar to the bottom portions 232B and 232C.

[0074] The intermediate layer 21 may also be composed of multiple layers overlapping in the front-back direction. For example, the intermediate layer 21 may be composed of multiple layers, and the translucency of each layer may be gradually decreased from the front side to the back side. The intermediate layer 21 may also be composed of multiple layers, and the color of each layer may be different. Similarly, when the design layer 22 has translucency, the design layer 22 may be composed of multiple layers overlapping in the front-back direction.

[0075] The intermediate layer 21 may be composed of multiple layers that are continuous in the surface direction. The multiple layers may have different colors or translucency. In this way, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. This increases the degree of freedom in design. Similarly, the design layer 22 may be composed of multiple layers that are continuous in the surface direction.

[0076] The opening widths of the recesses 23A, 23B, 23C (opening widths in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the recesses 23A, 23B, 23C (short-side direction)) may be the same or different. By varying the opening widths of the recesses 23A, 23B, 23C, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. This increases the degree of freedom in design.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 14B, the side surface 230 of the recess 23A to the recess 23C includes an inclined portion 2300. The inclined portion 2300 is inclined rightward at an inclination angle θ1 with respect to the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the surface normal L1 of the surface of the skin layer 20. Therefore, when light traveling in the direction of the surface normal L1 of the recess 23A to the recess 23C is incident on the inclined portion 2300, at least a part of the light may be reflected by the inclined portion 2300. Also, the light may be refracted by the inclined portion 2300. Therefore, the design that appears on the surface of the skin material 2 can be adjusted. Thus, the degree of freedom of design is increased. Note that the side surfaces 230 of the multiple recesses 23A to 23C may include inclined portions 2300 with inclination angles θ1 different from each other. Also, a part of the side surface 230 of the recess 23A to 23C may be the inclined portion 2300. Moreover, the inclination angle θ1 and the extending direction (incline direction) of the inclined portion 2300 are not particularly limited.

[0078] The design that appears on the skin material 2 by the recesses 23 is not particularly limited. For example, the design may include one or more designs selected from patterns (polka dots, stripes, checkered patterns, wood grain patterns, marble patterns, etc.), characters (alphabet, hiragana, katakana, kanji, numbers, etc.), figures (polygons, circles, etc.), and symbols (buttons for operating devices, icons showing device states, etc.). The color of the design that appears on the skin material 2 may be monochromatic or multicolored. The color may be displayed on the skin material 2 by one or more colors selected from the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22, and the light source 80. In particular, if a color is applied to the area that overlaps with the recesses 23 when viewed from the front side, the color is easily displayed on the skin material 2 by the light from the light source 80.

[0079] The translucency of the skin layer 20 and the intermediate layer 21 is not particularly limited. They may be colorless and transparent, colored and transparent, translucent, etc. The intermediate layer 21 may have a gradation in which the color changes from the back surface to the front surface. In this way, the color appearing on the surface of the skin material 2 can be changed according to the positions of the bottoms 232B and 232C (intermediate layer reaching portions) shown in FIG. 14(A). The gradation of the intermediate layer 21 may be formed by a plurality of layers. The design layer 22 may not have opacity. That is, the design layer 22 only needs to have a lower translucency than the intermediate layer 21. In this case, the design layer 22 may have a gradation in which the color changes from the back surface to the front surface, similar to the intermediate layer 21. In this way, the color appearing on the surface of the skin material 2 can be changed according to the position of the bottom 232A. The colors (hue, saturation, brightness) of the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, the design layer 22, and the light source 80 are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the brightness of the light source 80 is not particularly limited.

[0080] The type of light source 80 is not particularly limited. It may be an organic EL sheet or an inorganic EL sheet. The light source member 8 may include the light source 80 and a light guide plate (e.g., an acrylic plate). In this case, the light source body is disposed adjacent to the surface of the light guide plate in the planar direction, the surface of the light guide plate is made to emit light, and the base material 6 is disposed on the front side of the light guide plate. The light source 80 may be a phosphorescent sheet.

[0081] There are no particular limitations on the interior components in which the sensor assembly 1 is disposed. Examples include door trim, seats, floors, ceilings, instrument panels, center clusters, glove boxes, steering wheels (handles), center consoles, and cash registers. The surface of the interior member on which the sensor assembly 1 is mounted may be flat or curved. There are no particular limitations on the direction (front-back direction) in which the sensor assembly 1 is mounted. The sensor assembly 1 may be disposed in interior components of ships, aircraft, buildings, and houses other than vehicles.

[0082] The configuration of the sensor assembly 1 is not particularly limited. Among the skin material 2, the front flexible layer 3, the sensor layer 4, the back flexible layer 5, and the base material 6, another layer may be interposed between two adjacent layers in the front-back direction. The same applies to the configuration within each of these layers (for example, the configuration of the skin layer 20, the intermediate layer 21, and the design layer 22 within the skin material 2). In addition, another layer may be disposed on the front side of the skin material 2.

[0083] The configuration of the proximity sensor unit 40 shown in Fig. 6 is not limited. It may be a mutual capacitance type proximity sensor. Furthermore, the actuators driven by the detection units SA to SC shown in Fig. 3 are not particularly limited. They may be motors, compressors, solenoids, etc.

[0084] [About the material] The material of the skin material 2 is not particularly limited. That is, the material of the skin layer 20 is not particularly limited. For example, synthetic leather, resin, elastomer, nonwoven fabric, various fabrics (woven fabric, knitted fabric, etc.) can be mentioned. Specific examples of the synthetic leather, resin, and elastomer include acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. Examples of the nonwoven fabric and various fabrics include polyester, polypropylene, nylon, and cotton. The skin layer 20 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

[0085] The visible light transmittance of the skin layer 20 is preferably 50% or more and 100% or less. This allows the design of the design layer 22 to stand out more clearly on the surface of the skin material 2 when the light source 80 is on.

[0086] The material of the intermediate layer 21 is not particularly limited. Examples of the material include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. The intermediate layer 21 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

[0087] The visible light transmittance of the intermediate layer 21 is preferably more than 0% and not more than 40%. In this way, when the light source 80 is off, the design of the design layer 22 becomes less noticeable.

[0088] There are no particular limitations on the material of the design layer 22. Examples include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. The design layer 22 may contain colored particles such as colored polyethylene particles, light diffusing particles such as titanium oxide, and light absorbing particles such as titanium black and carbon black.

[0089] There is no particular limitation on the material of the front-side flexible layer 3 and the back-side flexible layer 5. For example, elastomers such as styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers, and foams such as polyurethane foams, etc. When the back-side flexible layer 5 has the second through-holes 52, light transmission due to the material is not necessary.

[0090] The material of the sensor layer 4 is not particularly limited. That is, the material of the insulating layers 400, 410 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "insulating layers" as appropriate) is not particularly limited. The thermoplastic elastomer for the insulating layer is not particularly limited. It may be appropriately selected from styrene-based, olefin-based, PVC-based, urethane-based, ester-based, amide-based, and other elastomers. One type or two or more types of thermoplastic elastomers may be used. For example, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers include SBS, SEBS, and SEPS. Olefin-based elastomers include EEA, EMA, EMMA, and other ethylene and α-olefin copolymers (ethylene-octene copolymers).

[0091] The insulating layer may be made of rubber, resin, or foam other than thermoplastic elastomer, such as rubbers such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM, EPDM), resins such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, and epoxy, and foams such as polyurethane foam.

[0092] The material of the electrode layer is not particularly limited. The electrode layer is preferably conductive and flexible. The volume resistivity of the electrode layer is preferably less than 10 Ω·cm. It is more preferably 1 Ω·cm or less. Examples of the material of the electrode layer include conductive rubber and conductive cloth.

[0093] The conductive rubber has an elastomer and a conductive material. As the elastomer, one or more types selected from crosslinked rubbers such as acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, urea rubber, fluororubber, nitrile rubber, and hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers may be used. As the conductive material, a suitable material may be selected from metal particles made of silver, gold, copper, nickel, rhodium, palladium, chromium, titanium, platinum, iron, and alloys thereof, metal oxide particles made of zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and the like, metal carbide particles made of titanium carbonate, metal nanowires made of silver, gold, copper, platinum, and nickel, and conductive carbon materials such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphite, thin-layer graphite, and graphene. The conductive rubber may contain a crosslinking agent, a crosslinking promoter, a dispersant, a reinforcing material, a plasticizer, an anti-aging agent, and a colorant.

[0094] The conductive cloth may be a woven or nonwoven conductive fabric. The conductive fabric may be a polyester fiber such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plated with copper, nickel, or other highly conductive materials.

[0095] The material of the base material 6 is not particularly limited. Examples of the material include resins and elastomers such as acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer. In order to ensure the shape retention of the sensor assembly 1, the base material 6 only needs to be harder than the other layers (skin material 2, front flexible layer 3, sensor layer 4, and back flexible layer 5). On the other hand, the base material 6 only needs to have a shape conformability to the installation surface of the interior part relative to the sensor assembly 1 (the upper surface of the console box 90 shown in FIG. 1).

[0096] [Manufacturing method] There are no particular limitations on the lamination method of the skin layer 20, intermediate layer 21, and design layer 22 in the skin material 2, the lamination method of the electrode layer 401 and insulating layer 400 in the proximity sensor unit 40, and the lamination method of the front electrode layer 411, insulating layer 410, and rear electrode layer 412 in the pressure sensor unit 41. Screen printing, gravure printing, inkjet printing, flexographic printing, etc. may be used. Also, each layer may be laminated by adhesion, vapor deposition, etc. The method of forming the recess 23 in the skin material 2 is no particular limitation. In addition to laser processing, photoetching, etc. may be used.

[0097] The method of fixing the sensor layer 4, the front flexible layer 3, and the back flexible layer 5 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "flexible layers") shown in FIG. 2 is not particularly limited. For example, when the installation surface of the interior part relative to the sensor assembly 1 (the upper surface of the console box 90 shown in FIG. 1) is a convex surface bulging outward, the other layers (back flexible layer 5, sensor layer 4, front flexible layer 3, and skin material 2) on the outside of the curvature radius are pressed against the base material 6 on the inside of the curvature radius of the curve. The sensor layer 4 and the flexible layer can be fixed by using this pressing force. On the other hand, when the installation surface of the interior part relative to the sensor assembly 1 is a concave surface bulging outward, the above-mentioned pressing force does not act. For this reason, the sensor layer 4 and the flexible layer can be fixed by using an adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1: sensor assembly, 2: skin material, 20: skin layer, 21: intermediate layer, 22: design layer, 23: recess, 23A to 23C: recess, 230: side, 2300: inclined portion, 231: opening, 232: bottom, 232A: bottom, 232B: bottom, 232C: bottom, 3: front flexible layer, 4: sensor layer, 40: proximity sensor portion, 400: insulating layer, 401: electrode layer, 41: pressure-sensitive sensor sensor section, 410: insulating layer, 411: front electrode layer (electrode layer), 412: rear electrode layer (electrode layer), 42: first through hole, 5: rear flexible layer, 52: second through hole, 6: base material, 62: third through hole, 8: light source member, 80: light source, 90: console box, 91: laser processing machine, 92: laminate, θ1: inclination angle, 910: nozzle, 920: through hole, SA to SC: detection section

Claims

1. A skin material having translucency; a sensor layer disposed on the back side of the skin material, the sensor layer having an insulating layer, an electrode layer disposed on at least one of the front side and the back side of the insulating layer, and a first through hole penetrating the insulating layer and the electrode layer in a front-back direction; a light source member disposed on a rear side of the sensor layer and having a light source; Equipped with an optical path for guiding light from the light source to the skin material is defined in a space within the first through hole, A sensor assembly in which, when viewed from the front side, no object is disposed in the intra-hole space that occupies only a portion of the intra-hole space.

2. The skin material has a design layer having a plurality of recesses on a rear surface thereof, The plurality of recesses form an input portion that is a design of characters when viewed from the front side, An opening area of ​​the first through hole is smaller than an area of ​​the input portion, The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first through holes are distributed in a plurality of positions over the entire surface of the insulating layer and the electrode layer.

3. the sensor layer has a capacitance type proximity sensor portion, the proximity sensor unit has the insulating layer and the electrode layer disposed on a front side of the insulating layer, The sensor assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when viewed from the front side, a portion of the first through hole penetrating the electrode layer and a portion of the first through hole penetrating the insulating layer overlap each other.

4. the sensor layer has a capacitive pressure-sensitive sensor portion, the pressure-sensitive sensor unit includes the insulating layer, a front electrode layer that is the electrode layer disposed on a front side of the insulating layer, and a rear electrode layer that is the electrode layer disposed on a rear side of the insulating layer, 3. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front side, a portion of the first through hole that penetrates the front electrode layer, a portion of the first through hole that penetrates the insulating layer, and a portion of the first through hole that penetrates the back electrode layer overlap each other.

5. the sensor layer has a capacitance type proximity sensor portion and a capacitance type pressure sensor portion, the proximity sensor unit has the insulating layer and the electrode layer disposed on a front side of the insulating layer, the pressure-sensitive sensor unit includes the insulating layer, a front electrode layer that is the electrode layer disposed on a front side of the insulating layer, and a rear electrode layer that is the electrode layer disposed on a rear side of the insulating layer, The sensor assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when viewed from the front side, a portion of the first through hole that penetrates the proximity sensor portion and a portion of the first through hole that penetrates the pressure sensor portion overlap each other.

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