Detector and steering wheel

Abstract

This prevents short circuits from occurring between the electrodes of the detection device. [Solution] A sensor 50A constituting a detection device 50 includes a sheet-like foam 52, a sensor electrode 58 arranged on the front side of the foam 52, and a cancel electrode 60 arranged on the back side of the foam 52. Furthermore, the sensor 50A includes a hot melt body 54 between the sensor electrode 58 and the foam 52, and between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device and a steering wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART It is known that vehicles such as automobiles are provided with a sensor that detects contact of a passenger's hand with the steering wheel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitive coupling sensor that includes an insulating layer between a detection electrode layer and a shield electrode layer.

[0004] In such a capacitive coupling sensor, it is preferable to be able to prevent short circuits from occurring between the electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-157937 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a detection device and a steering wheel that can prevent short circuits from occurring between electrodes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A detection device of a first aspect of the present invention has a first insulator formed of a sheet-shaped foam, a first electrode arranged on the front side of the first insulator, a second electrode arranged on the back side of the first insulator, and a second insulator arranged at least either between the first electrode and the first insulator or between the second electrode and the first insulator, and is equipped with a detection unit that detects human contact with a contact object.

[0008] In a second aspect of the detection device of the present invention, in the detection device of the first aspect of the present invention, the first insulator has a through hole formed in the thickness direction, and the second insulator is arranged to cover the through hole.

[0009] A detection device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the detection device according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the through-hole is filled with the second insulator.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the detection device of the present invention is a detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the second insulator has the property of stretching more than at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0011] A steering wheel of a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises a detection device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a rim core around which the detection portion of the detection device is wrapped, and a decorative member that covers the detection portion wrapped around the rim core. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the detection device of the first aspect of the present invention, the second insulator is disposed at least one between the first electrode and the first insulator and between the second electrode and the first insulator, so that at least the first insulator The first electrode and the second electrode are also covered with the second insulator, so that a short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode can be prevented.

[0013] In the detection device according to the second aspect of the present invention, a second insulator is disposed to cover a through-hole formed in a first insulator, thereby covering the through-hole with the second insulator. This prevents the first electrode and the second electrode from coming into direct contact with each other through the through-hole. As a result, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode through the through-hole.

[0014] In the detection device of the third aspect of the present invention, the second insulator is filled in the through hole, thereby maintaining insulation in the through hole. Therefore, direct contact between the first electrode and the second electrode through the through hole can be further suppressed. As a result, short-circuiting between the first electrode and the second electrode through the through hole can be further suppressed.

[0015] In the detection device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second insulator has a property of being more stretchable than at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, so that even when the first insulator is crushed in the thickness direction, at least one side surface of the first insulator is covered with the second insulator, thereby making it possible to prevent a short circuit from occurring between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0016] In the steering wheel of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the steering wheel is equipped with a detection device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, thereby making it possible to prevent a short circuit from occurring between the first electrode and the second electrode when an occupant grips the steering wheel with their hands. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a steering wheel according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the steering wheel according to the first embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a steering wheel according to a first embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the front right. [Figure 4] 1 is a development view of a detection device according to a first embodiment, seen from the front side. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the detection unit according to the first embodiment, showing the cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the detection unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a steering wheel according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a detection unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [First embodiment] A detection device and a steering wheel according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which a detection unit constituting a detection device 50 of the present invention is provided in a steering wheel 20 as a contact body of a vehicle 10 and configured as a capacitance sensor (hereinafter referred to as a sensor) 50A that detects human contact.

[0019] In the drawings, the front side of the steering wheel 20 is indicated by an arrow FR, the right side of the steering wheel 20 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the upper side of the steering wheel 20 is indicated by an arrow UP. Also in the drawings, the thickness direction of the sensor 50A is indicated by an arrow D.

[0020] [Steering wheel configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel 20 according to the first embodiment is provided in a passenger compartment of a vehicle 10. The steering wheel 20 is disposed behind the instrument panel 12, which is disposed at the front of the interior of the vehicle. The steering wheel 20 is disposed in a position where the front of the steering wheel 20 faces the rear of the vehicle, and the driver seated in the driver's seat operates the steering wheel 20 to steer the vehicle 10.

[0021] The steering wheel 20 has a rim portion 40 formed in an annular shape, a boss portion 30 arranged radially inside the rim portion 40, and three spoke portions 32 connecting the rim portion 40 and the boss portion 30.

[0022] The rim portion 40 is formed in an annular shape when viewed from the front of the steering wheel 20, and is gripped by a driver seated in the driver's seat when steering the vehicle 10. The boss portion 30 is disposed in approximately the center of the steering wheel 20 when viewed from the front of the steering wheel 20. The spoke portions 32 are formed to extend rightward, leftward, and downward from the boss portion 30 toward the rim portion 40.

[0023] 1, the steering wheel 20 is provided with a metal core 24 as a frame member. The core 24 has a boss core 24A of the boss portion 30, spoke cores 24B of the spoke portions 32, and a rim core 24C of the rim portion 40.

[0024] 1 and 3, the boss core metal 24A is formed in a plate shape and is fixed to the tip of the steering shaft 22 connected to a steering mechanism (not shown). The boss core metal 24A forms the framework of the boss portion 30.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the rim core metal 24C is formed in an annular shape when viewed from the front of the steering wheel 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the rim core metal 24C is formed in a substantially U-shape in a radial cross section of the rim core metal 24C (cross section AA in Fig. 1). The rim core metal 24C forms the framework of the rim portion 40.

[0026] 1, the spoke core 24B is formed in a plate shape and connects between the boss core 24A and the rim core 24C. The spoke core 24B forms the framework of the spoke portion 32.

[0027] A covering member 34 is attached to the boss core metal 24A and the spoke core metal 24B. The covering member 34 may be made of resin. The covering member 34 is formed to cover the front sides of the boss core metal 24A and the spoke core metal 24B.

[0028] The steering wheel 20 is supported by the steering shaft 22 so as to be rotatable together with the steering wheel 20. When a driver seated in the driver's seat grips the rim portion 40 and rotates the steering wheel 20 in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel 20, the steering shaft 22 is rotated and the vehicle 10 is steered.

[0029] (Rim part) As shown in FIG. 2, the rim portion 40 has a rim core metal 24C, an inner member 42, a sensor 50A, and a skin 44 as a decorative member.

[0030] The inner member 42 is made of a soft resin (for example, polyurethane) and is formed so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the rim core metal 24C. The inner member 42 is formed so as to cover the entire periphery of the rim core metal 24C in a radial cross section of the rim core metal 24C. The outer shape of the inner member 42 is formed to be approximately circular in a radial cross section of the rim core metal 24C.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor 50A is formed in a sheet shape and is attached to the outer periphery of the inner member 42. It is wound around the inner member 42 from the outer periphery (outer periphery) to the inner periphery (inner periphery).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the skin 44 covers the entire outer periphery of the rim portion 40 so as to cover the sensor 50A.

[0033] [Sensor configuration] 3, sensors 50A are arranged on both the right and left sides of rim portion 40. Sensor 50A arranged on the right side of rim portion 40 and sensor 50A arranged on the left side of rim portion 40 have the same configuration except that they are formed symmetrically, so the following will only describe sensor 50A arranged on the right side of rim portion 40.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor 50A is formed in the shape of a long, substantially rectangular sheet. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the sensor 50A has a foam 52 as a first insulator, a sensor electrode 58 as a first electrode arranged on the front side of the foam 52, a cancel electrode 60 as a second electrode arranged on the back side of the foam 52, and a hot melt material 54 as a second insulator.

[0035] (foam) 4 and 5, the foam 52 is formed in the shape of a long, substantially rectangular sheet. The foam 52 may be an elastically stretchable foam (for example, foam rubber). The foam 52 is made of an electrically insulating material. The foam 52 electrically insulates the sensor electrode 58 from the cancel electrode 60.

[0036] The foam 52 is formed to a predetermined thickness (for example, about 1 mm) by slicing a foam-molded product (lump). A large number of cells 52A are formed in the foam 52. The cells 52A may be open cells or closed cells.

[0037] The foam 52 has through holes 52B formed by air bubbles that penetrate the foam 52 in the thickness direction. At least one through hole 52B needs to be formed in the foam 52. The through hole 52B is filled with hot melt. Note that the foam 52 does not necessarily need to have through holes 52B formed therein.

[0038] 4, a plurality of protrusions 52C that protrude outward in the in-plane direction can be formed on the periphery of foam 52. As a result, when wrapping sensor 50A around inner member 42, an operator can pull protrusions 52C to stretch sensor 50A, making it easier to wrap sensor 50A around inner member 42.

[0039] The foam 52 has an extension 52D formed thereon, which extends in the lateral direction from the outer peripheral edge near one end of the foam 52 in the longitudinal direction.

[0040] (sensor electrode) 4 and 5, the sensor electrode 58 is formed in the shape of a long, substantially rectangular sheet that is smaller than the foam 52, and is disposed on the surface side of the foam 52. The sensor electrode 58 is provided inward in the in-plane direction from the outer periphery of the foam 52. The sensor electrode 58 is provided inward in the in-plane direction from the outer periphery of the cancel electrode 60 in a portion excluding a first extending portion 58A described below.

[0041] The sensor electrode 58 may be a conductive cloth made of extensible fiber fabric with a metal-plated surface. The sensor electrode 58 has a first extension 58A extending in the short direction from the outer periphery near one end of the sensor electrode 58 in the long direction.

[0042] (cancellation electrode) 4 and 5, the cancel electrode 60 is formed in the shape of a long, substantially rectangular sheet that is smaller than the foam 52 and larger than the sensor electrode, and is disposed on the back surface side of the foam 52. The cancel electrode 60 is disposed inward in the in-plane direction from the outer periphery of the foam 52.

[0043] The cancel electrode 60 can be made of conductive fabric with a metal plating treatment applied to the surface of an extensible fiber fabric. The cancel electrode 60 has a second extension portion 60A extending in the short direction from the outer peripheral edge near one end of the cancel electrode 60 in the long direction.

[0044] (hot melt body) As shown in FIG. 5 , the hot melt material 54 is interposed between the sensor electrode 58 and the foam 52, and between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52. The hot melt material 54 can be arranged so as to cover the through holes 52B of the foam 52 or the bubbles 52A formed on the front or back surface of the foam 52. The hot melt material 54 is made of an electrically insulating hot melt. The hot melt material 54 may have a property of being more stretchable than the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60. The hot melt material 54 may have a property of being more stretchable than at least one of the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60.

[0045] Hot melt portions 54A are formed by filling this hot melt into through holes 52B and bubbles 52A formed on the front or back surface of foam 52. Hot melt portion 54 between sensor electrode 58 and foam 52 and hot melt portion 54 between cancel electrode 60 and foam 52 are connected by hot melt portion 54A filled into through holes 52B.

[0046] (Terminal) 4, a metal first terminal 62 is provided on the first extension portion 58A of the sensor electrode 58. The first terminal 62 is formed by riveting and crimping the first extension portion 58A of the sensor electrode 58 and the extension portion 52D of the foam 52 in a bonded state. The first terminal 62 is electrically connected to a control device 66 (ECU).

[0047] A metal second terminal 64 is provided on the second extension portion 60A of the cancel electrode 60. The second terminal 64 is formed by riveting and crimping the second extension portion 60A of the cancel electrode 60 and the extension portion 52D of the foam 52 in a state where they are bonded together. The second terminal 64 is electrically connected to a control device 66 (ECU). The sensor 50A and the control device 66 constitute the detection device 50. The control device 66 may be provided on the steering wheel 20 or on another component.

[0048] [Sensor manufacturing method] As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 50A is manufactured through a laminating step (step S101), a setting step (step S102), and a heat-pressing step (step S103).

[0049] (Lamination process) In the laminating step (step S101), a first hot melt sheet (not shown) as a second insulator is attached to one side of the sensor electrode 58. This first hot melt sheet can be a long, substantially rectangular sheet of approximately the same size as the sensor electrode 58. This allows the first hot melt sheet to cover the through-holes 52B of the foam 52 and the bubbles 52A formed on the surface of the foam 52 when the sensor electrode 58 is placed on the surface side of the foam 52. will be placed in.

[0050] A second hot melt sheet (not shown) serving as a second insulator is attached to one side of the cancel electrode 60. This second hot melt sheet can be in the form of a long, substantially rectangular sheet having approximately the same size as the cancel electrode 60. This allows the second hot melt sheet to be positioned so as to cover the through holes 52B of the foam 52 and the bubbles 52A formed on the back surface of the foam 52 when the cancel electrode 60 is positioned on the back surface side of the foam 52.

[0051] (Setting process) In the setting process (step S102), the sensor electrode 58 with the attached first hot melt sheet facing upward, the foam 52, and the cancel electrode 60 with the attached second hot melt sheet facing downward are stacked in this order and set in a processing machine capable of heating and pressing.

[0052] That is, a laminate consisting of a foam 52, a first hot melt sheet arranged on the front side of the foam 52 so as to cover the through holes 52B and the air bubbles 52A formed on the surface of the foam 52, a sensor electrode 58 arranged on the front side of the first hot melt sheet, a second hot melt sheet arranged on the back side of the foam 52 so as to cover the through holes 52B and the air bubbles 52A formed on the back side of the foam 52, and a cancel electrode 60 arranged on the back side of the second hot melt sheet is set in a processing machine.

[0053] In other words, a laminate consisting of foam 52, a sensor electrode 58 arranged on the front side of foam 52, a cancel electrode 60 arranged on the back side of foam 52, and hot melt sheets arranged between sensor electrode 58 and foam 52 and between cancel electrode 60 and foam 52 so as to cover through holes 52B and air bubbles 52A formed on the front and back sides of foam 52 is set in a processing machine.

[0054] (heating and pressing process) In the heating and pressing step (step S103), the laminate set in the setting step (step S102) is heated to melt the first and second hot melt sheets, and the laminate is pressed in the thickness direction to manufacture the sensor 50A. The temperature to which the processing machine heats the laminate is set to a temperature at which the first and second hot melt sheets melt.

[0055] [Operation of the first embodiment] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0056] In the steering wheel 20 configured as described above, when an occupant grips the rim portion 40 of the steering wheel 20 and the occupant's hand M comes into contact with the surface 44 as shown in FIG. 7 , the control device 66 detects the capacitance generated between the occupant's hand M and the sensor electrode 58, and detects the occupant's grip of the rim portion 40 (contact of the hand M with the surface 44). The control device 66 also controls the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 to have the same potential. This limits the generation of parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode 58 and the rim core metal 24C. This prevents the capacitance generated between the occupant's hand M and the sensor electrode 58 from changing due to the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode 58 and the rim core metal 24C, and prevents a decrease in the accuracy of detecting the occupant's grip of the rim portion 40.

[0057] The sensor 50A constituting the detection device 50 of the first embodiment includes a sheet-like foam 52, a sensor electrode 58 arranged on the front side of the foam 52, and a cancel electrode 60 arranged on the back side of the foam 52. Furthermore, the sensor 50A includes a sheet-like foam 52, a sensor electrode 58 arranged on the front side of the foam 52, and a cancel electrode 60 arranged on the back side of the foam 52. 2 and between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52.

[0058] By disposing the hot melt material 54 between the sensor electrode 58 and the foam 52, and between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52, the foam 52 and the hot melt material 54 are laminated together, and the front and back surfaces of the foam 52 are covered with the hot melt material 54. This improves insulation, and as a result, short circuits between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 can be prevented.

[0059] In the detection device 50 of the first embodiment, a through hole 52B is formed in the foam 52 in the thickness direction, and the hot melt body 54 is disposed so as to cover the through hole 52B.

[0060] By disposing hot melt material 54 so as to cover through hole 52B formed in foam 52, through hole 52B is covered with hot melt material 54. This makes it possible to prevent sensor electrode 58 and cancel electrode 60 from coming into direct contact with each other through through hole 52B. As a result, it is possible to prevent a short circuit from occurring between sensor electrode 58 and cancel electrode 60 through through hole 52B.

[0061] However, when the second insulator is an adhesive layer, the adhesive is softer than hot melt, so when the adhesive layer is pressed in the thickness direction, the adhesive moves to the periphery of the pressed part, which causes direct contact between sensor electrode 58 and cancel electrode 60 via through hole 52B, resulting in a short circuit between sensor electrode 58 and cancel electrode 60.

[0062] In the detection device 50 of the first embodiment, the second insulator is a hot melt body 54, which makes the second insulator harder than when it is an adhesive layer. Therefore, even when the hot melt body 54 is pressed in the thickness direction, the hot melt does not move around the pressed area. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 , for example, when the surface of the sensor 50A is pressed in the thickness direction with a hand M, the hot melt body 54 does not collapse and maintains its shape. Therefore, direct contact between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 via the through hole 52B can be prevented. Furthermore, a short circuit between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 via the through hole 52B can be prevented with a simple configuration.

[0063] In the detection device 50 of the first embodiment, the through-hole 52B is filled with hot melt to form a hot melt portion 54A as a second insulator.

[0064] Because the hot melt portion 54A is formed in the through hole 52B, electrical insulation is maintained in the through hole 52B as well. This makes it possible to further prevent the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 from coming into direct contact with each other through the through hole 52B. As a result, it is possible to further prevent a short circuit from occurring between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 through the through hole 52B.

[0065] In the detection device 50 of the first embodiment, the first insulator is made of foam 52, which makes the first insulator more stretchable. This makes the sensor 50A more stretchable. As a result, when winding the sensor 50A around the rim core metal 24C, for example, the sensor 50A can be easily wound, and the sensor 50A can be positioned at a desired position.

[0066] Incidentally, when the driver operates the steering wheel 20, a stronger force is applied to the steering wheel 20 than when inputting information to an input device such as a touch panel. Therefore, if the sensor 50A is provided on the steering wheel 20, a short circuit is more likely to occur between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60.

[0067] The steering wheel 20 of the first embodiment includes the above-described sensor 50A, a rim core metal 24C around which the sensor 50A is wound, and a skin 44 that covers the sensor 50A wound around the rim core metal 24C.

[0068] Therefore, even when an occupant grips the steering wheel 20 with their hands M, direct contact between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 is prevented via the through-hole 52B. As a result, it is possible to prevent a short circuit from occurring between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 via the through-hole 52B. This makes it possible to accurately detect whether the occupant is gripping the rim portion 40.

[0069] The manufacturing method of the detection device 50 of the first embodiment includes a heating step of heating a laminate consisting of a sheet-like foam 52 having a through hole 52B formed in the thickness direction, a first hot melt sheet arranged on the front side of the foam 52 so as to cover the through hole 52B, a sensor electrode 58 arranged on the front side of the first hot melt sheet, a second hot melt sheet arranged on the back side of the foam 52 so as to cover the through hole 52B, and a cancel electrode 60 arranged on the back side of the second hot melt sheet, to melt the first hot melt sheet and the second hot melt sheet.

[0070] By including a heating step of melting the first hot melt sheet and the second hot melt sheet, the molten hot melt flows into the through holes 52B, filling the through holes 52B. This eliminates the need for a separate step of filling the through holes 52B of the foam 52 with an insulator. As a result, the detection device 50 that can prevent a short circuit from occurring between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 via the through holes 52B can be manufactured with fewer steps.

[0071] Second Embodiment The detection device of the second embodiment differs from the detection device of the first embodiment in that the configuration of the second insulator is different.

[0072] The configuration of the sensor that constitutes the detection device of the second embodiment will be described below. Note that the same terms or symbols will be used to describe the same or equivalent parts as those described in the first embodiment.

[0073] 8, in the second embodiment, the second insulator 154 is interposed between the sensor electrode 58 and the foam 52, and between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52. The second insulator 154 is arranged so as to cover the through-holes 52B of the foam 52 and the bubbles 52A formed on the front or back surface of the foam 52.

[0074] The second insulator 154 is formed as a double-sided tape having a three-layer structure, including an electrically insulating sheet-like base material 154A and adhesive layers 154B disposed on the front and back sides of the base material 154A.

[0075] The substrate 154A can be a member (e.g., a polymer film) that has the toughness to withstand when the surface 44 of the sensor 150A is pressed in the thickness direction of the sensor 150A and the foam 52 is crushed in the thickness direction of the sensor 150A.

[0076] In other words, the foam 52 is crushed in the thickness direction of the sensor 150A, and the second insulator 154 arranged between the sensor electrode 58 and the foam 52 and the second insulator 154 arranged between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52 are connected via the through-holes 52B. The substrate 154A may be made of a member (for example, a polymer film) that has enough toughness to prevent cracks from occurring in the substrate 154A when it comes into contact with the substrate.

[0077] The base material 154A may have a property of being more stretchable than the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60. The base material 154A may have a property of being more stretchable than at least one of the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60. The base material 154A may have a property of being more stretchable than the foam 52.

[0078] [Operation of the second embodiment] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

[0079] In the detection device 150 of the second embodiment, the base material 154A has a property of being more stretchable than at least one of the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60.

[0080] Because the base material 154A has the property of stretching more than at least one of the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60, the base material 154A does not break or rip even when the foam 52 is crushed in the thickness direction. Therefore, even when the foam 52 is crushed in the thickness direction, the front and back surfaces of the foam 52 are covered with the second insulator 154. As a result, insulation can be maintained. Therefore, a short circuit can be prevented from occurring between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60. Furthermore, even when the foam 52 is crushed in the thickness direction, the through-holes 52B and the air bubbles 52A formed on the front or back surface of the foam 52 are covered with the base material 154A. As a result, even when the foam 52 is crushed in the thickness direction, a short circuit can be prevented from occurring between the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60 via the through-holes 52B and the air bubbles 52A formed on the front or back surface of the foam 52.

[0081] Furthermore, because the base material 154A has the property of being more stretchable than at least one of the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60, the sensor 150A is more likely to stretch compared to when the base material 154A has a second insulator that is less stretchable than the sensor electrode 58 and the cancel electrode 60. Therefore, when winding the sensor 150A around the rim core metal 24C, for example, the winding is made easier, and the sensor 150A can be positioned at a desired position.

[0082] The detection device and steering wheel of the present invention have been described above based on the above-mentioned embodiments. However, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and design changes are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to the claims.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the second insulator was disposed between the sensor electrode 58 and the foam 52, and between the cancel electrode 60 and the foam 52. However, the second insulator may be disposed either between the sensor electrode and the foam or between the cancel electrode and the foam. In this case, double-sided tape may be provided on the surface of the foam on which the second insulator is not disposed.

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the through-holes 52B penetrating in the thickness direction are formed in the foam 52. However, the foam 52 does not necessarily have to have through-holes formed therein.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the detection unit constituting the detection device of the present invention is an electrostatic capacitance sensor. However, the detection unit constituting the detection device of the present invention can be applied to a sensor in which electrodes are arranged on both sides of the first insulator.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the detection unit constituting the detection device of the present invention was provided on the rim portion 40 of the steering wheel 20. However, the detection unit constituting the detection device of the present invention may be provided on the steering wheel 20. It may also be provided on a component other than the ring wheel 20 (for example, an instrument panel). [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 20... steering wheel (an example of a contact body), 24C... rim core metal, 44... skin (an example of a decorative member), 50... detection device, 50A... sensor (an example of a detection unit), 52... foam body (an example of a first insulator), 52B... through hole, 54... hot melt body (an example of a second insulator), 58... sensor electrode (an example of a first electrode), 60... cancel electrode (an example of a second electrode)

Claims

1. a first insulator formed of a sheet-like foam; a first electrode disposed on a surface side of the first insulator; a second electrode disposed on a rear surface side of the first insulator; a second insulator disposed between the first electrode and the first insulator and / or between the second electrode and the first insulator, the second insulator being formed into a hot melt sheet and contained in bubbles on a side surface of the first insulator; a detection unit that detects contact of a person with a contact object; A detection device comprising:

2. The first insulator has a through hole formed in a thickness direction thereof, The second insulator is disposed so as to cover the through hole. The detection device according to claim 1 .

3. a first insulator formed of a sheet-like foam; a first electrode disposed on a surface side of the first insulator; a second electrode disposed on a rear surface side of the first insulator; a second insulator disposed between the first electrode and the first insulator and / or between the second electrode and the first insulator; a detection unit that detects contact of a person with a contact object, The first insulator has a through hole formed in a thickness direction thereof, the second insulator is disposed to cover the through hole, The through hole is filled with the second insulator. Detection device.

4. The second insulator has a property of being more stretchable than at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a rim core around which the detection portion of the detection device is wound; a decorative member that covers the detection portion and is wound around the rim core metal; A steering wheel comprising:

Images