Sensor sheet

Abstract

This sensor sheet (18) comprises: an insulating insulator sheet (24); a first electrode sheet (25) that is formed of a first conductive fabric (41) having a first plating layer (44) composed of metal on the surface thereof, and is disposed on one surface of the insulator sheet (24); and first auxiliary members (50) that are provided with a first conductive material (50a), are disposed on one surface of the first electrode sheet (25) in a state in which the first conductive fabric (41) and the first conductive material (50a) are electrically connected, and form electrical conduction paths in portions where the first plating layer (44) is ruptured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a transducer in which an electrode sheet is disposed on one surface of an insulator sheet. The transducer can function as a sensor sheet that detects the contact or approach of a conductor having a potential by utilizing a change in capacitance between electrodes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above technique, the electrode sheet may be formed of a conductive cloth. The conductive cloth is manufactured by forming a plating layer made of metal on a cloth woven with yarns.

[0005] When an external force is applied to a sensor sheet formed of a conductive cloth, the plating layer formed on the conductive cloth may break. When the plating layer breaks, the electrical conduction path at that portion may be interrupted. For this reason, there is a concern that the electrical conduction path in the electrode sheet is interrupted and the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet increases.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a background, and aims to provide a sensor sheet in which an increase in electrical resistance value is suppressed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is An insulating sheet, A first electrode sheet is formed from a first conductive cloth having a first plating layer made of metal on its surface and is disposed on one side of the insulating sheet, The first auxiliary member comprises a conductive first conductive material, which is arranged on one side of the first electrode sheet such that the first conductive cloth and the first conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken. 、 The first auxiliary member is positioned on a part of the first electrode sheet in the planar direction of one of the surfaces of the first electrode sheet. It's on the sensor sheet. Other aspects of this disclosure are: An insulating sheet, A first electrode sheet is formed from a first conductive cloth having a first plating layer made of metal on its surface and is disposed on one side of the insulating sheet, The first auxiliary member comprises a conductive first conductive material, which is arranged on one side of the first electrode sheet such that the first conductive cloth and the first conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken. The first auxiliary member is located in a sensor sheet, which is formed from a second conductive cloth having a second plating layer made of metal on its surface. Further aspects of this disclosure are: An insulating sheet, A first electrode sheet is formed from a first conductive cloth having a first plating layer made of metal on its surface and is disposed on one side of the insulating sheet, The first auxiliary member comprises a conductive first conductive material, which is arranged on one side of the first electrode sheet such that the first conductive cloth and the first conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken. The first conductive material of the first auxiliary member is A conductive layer containing a conductor, The sensor sheet is a laminate of a conductive adhesive layer containing a conductive filler and a curable resin, or a conductive adhesive layer containing a conductive filler and a binder resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Aspect of this Disclosure , other embodiments, yet other embodiments According to this, even if the first plating layer formed on the first conductive fabric constituting the first electrode sheet breaks, the first conductive material of the first auxiliary member can form an electrical conduction path, thereby assisting the electrical conductivity of the first electrode sheet. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet.

[0009] The symbols in parentheses in the claims indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later, and do not limit the technical scope of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing a steering wheel to which the sensor sheet of Embodiment 1 is attached. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing the sensor sheet of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a partially enlarged plan view showing the first electrode sheet of Embodiment 1, where (a) shows a state in which the first plating layer is not broken, and (b) shows a state in which a part of the first plating layer is broken. [Figure 6] It is a partially enlarged plan view showing the third conductive cloth of the first auxiliary member according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] It is a partially enlarged plan view showing another form of the third conductive cloth. [Figure 8] It is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the sensor sheet of Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the electrical conduction path of the sensor sheet of Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] It is a schematic plan view showing the relationship between the orientation direction of the first warp yarn of the first conductive cloth according to Embodiment 1 and the orientation direction of the third warp yarn of the third conductive cloth. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view showing the sensor sheet according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing the sensor sheet according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view showing the sensor sheet according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 14] It is a partially enlarged plan view showing the second conductive cloth according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view showing the sensor sheet according to Embodiment 5, where (a) is a form in which the first auxiliary member is disposed on the first surface side of the first electrode sheet and the third auxiliary member is disposed on the surface of the second electrode sheet opposite to the insulator sheet, and (b) is a form in which the first auxiliary member is disposed on the second surface side of the first electrode sheet and the third auxiliary member is disposed on the surface of the second electrode sheet on the insulator sheet side. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor sheet according to Embodiment 6, where (a) is a configuration in which the first auxiliary member is arranged on the first surface of the first electrode sheet and the second auxiliary member is arranged on the second surface of the first electrode sheet, (b) is a configuration in which the plurality of first divided auxiliary members and the plurality of second divided auxiliary members do not overlap in the stacking direction, and (c) is a configuration in which the plurality of first divided auxiliary members and the plurality of second divided auxiliary members overlap in the stacking direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Embodiment 1) 1. Overview of the sensor sheet The sensor sheet is electrostatic and functions as a sensor that detects contact or approach of a conductor with an electric potential by utilizing, for example, a change in capacitance between electrodes. When a conductor with an electric potential comes into contact with or approaches the sensor sheet, the capacitance between the electrodes changes, and the contact or approach of the conductor is detected by detecting the voltage corresponding to the changed capacitance between the electrodes.

[0012] The sensor sheet is attached, for example, to the steering wheel of a vehicle to detect whether or not the occupant's hand (fingers, palm, back of hand, etc.) is in contact with or close to the steering wheel.

[0013] 2. Overall configuration of the steering wheel 10 First, the structure of the steering wheel 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the steering wheel 10 comprises a core portion 11, a ring portion 12, and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of connecting portions 13 that connect the core portion 11 and the ring portion 12. In the following description, for multiple identical components, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the components, while the reference numerals for other components may be omitted.

[0014] The ring portion 12 is formed in a circular ring shape. However, the ring portion 12 is not limited to a circular shape and can be formed in any shape. The cross-sectional shape of the ring portion 12 perpendicular to the axis is formed in a circular shape, for example, as shown in Figure 2.

[0015] 3. Detailed configuration of the steering wheel 10 The detailed configuration of the steering wheel 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In particular, the detailed configuration of the ring portion 12 will be explained.

[0016] The ring portion 12 comprises a core body 16, a resin inner layer material 17, a sensor sheet 18, and a surface material 19. The core body 16 constitutes the central part of the ring portion 12 and is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the ring portion 12. That is, the core body 16 is formed in a circular ring shape and has a circular cross-section perpendicular to its axis. Here, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis of the core body 16 is not limited to a circular shape, but can be any shape such as an ellipse, egg shape, U-shape, C-shape, polygon, etc. The core body 16 in this embodiment is made of a metal such as aluminum or magnesium and is conductive. The material of the core body 16 can be a material other than metal.

[0017] The resin inner layer material 17 covers the outer surface of the core body 16, both around the entire circumference of the ring shape and around the entire circumference of the circular cross-section of the core body 16. In this embodiment, the cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the resin inner layer material 17 is formed in a circular shape. If the core body 16 has a U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the axis, the resin inner layer material 17 fills not only the radially outer side of the cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the core body 16, but also the U-shaped recess of the core body 16. The resin inner layer material 17 is molded on the outer surface side of the core body 16 by injection molding and is directly bonded to the outer surface of the core body 16. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis of the resin inner layer material 17 is not limited to a circular shape, but can be any shape such as an egg shape, an ellipse shape, or a polygonal shape. The resin inner layer material 17 is molded from, for example, a foamed resin. For example, foamed urethane resin is used for the resin inner layer material 17. However, non-foamed resin can also be used for the resin inner layer material 17.

[0018] A sensor sheet 18 is wrapped around the outer surface of the resin inner layer material 17. The sensor sheet 18 is C-shaped when wrapped around the resin inner layer material 17. The sensor sheet 18 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The surface material 19 covers the entire circumference of the ring shape of the sensor sheet 18 on its outer surface (the side opposite to the resin inner layer material 17 on the sensor sheet 18). In other words, the surface material 19 also functions as a covering material for the sensor sheet 18 when the electrode portion of the sensor sheet 18 is exposed to one side 27 of the insulating sheet 24. The surface material 19 is molded by injection molding and is wrapped around the outer surface of the sensor sheet 18 and joined to the outer surface of the sensor sheet 18. The surface material 19 is molded from, for example, urethane resin. The outer surface of the surface material 19 constitutes the design surface. It is preferable to use non-foamed urethane resin or slightly foamed urethane resin for the surface material 19.

[0020] 4. Overall configuration of sensor sheet 18 The overall configuration of the sensor sheet 18 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the sensor sheet 18 is formed in a long shape along its longitudinal direction X. The sensor sheet 18 comprises a sheet body portion 20 that is formed in a rectangular shape overall. The sheet body portion 20 comprises a pair of long side edges 20a extending along the longitudinal direction X, and a pair of short side edges 20b extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X. In the following description, arrow X indicates the longitudinal direction X of the sensor sheet 18, arrow Y indicates the direction of intersection with the longitudinal direction X, and arrow Z indicates the thickness direction (lamination direction) of the sensor sheet 18. In the following drawings, although not specifically mentioned, the thickness dimension may be emphasized for the sake of explanation.

[0021] A sheet recess 21 is formed on a pair of long side edges 20a of the sheet body 20, recessed inward in the direction of intersection Y, which intersects the longitudinal direction X. The sheet recess 21 is formed at a location that includes the overlapping region of the pair of long side edges 20a of the sheet body 20 in the direction of intersection Y. However, the sheet recess 21 may be formed on only one of the pair of long side edges 20a.

[0022] Multiple (four in this embodiment) sheet recesses 21 are formed at intervals along one long side edge 20a. However, one sheet recess 21 may be formed on one long side edge 20a. Also, two to three or five or more sheet recesses 21 may be formed on one long side edge 20a.

[0023] On one of the pair of long side edges 20a of the sheet body 20, a sheet extension portion 22 is formed, extending from the long side edge 20a in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X, near both ends of the sheet body 20 in the longitudinal direction X. The sheet extension portion 22 can be formed at any position on the sheet body 20.

[0024] The sheet extension portion 22 is formed in a shape that extends along the intersecting direction Y and then bends in the longitudinal direction X. The sheet extension portion 22 includes a connecting portion 22a that connects the sheet extension portion 22 to the sheet main body portion 20, and a wire connection portion 22b that extends from the end of the connecting portion 22a in the longitudinal direction X and to which the electric wire 32 is connected. The sheet extension portion 22 (connecting portion 22a, electric wire connection portion 22b) can be made into any shape, for example, by using the connecting portion 22a of the sheet extension portion 22 as the electric wire connection portion 22b.

[0025] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor sheet 18. The sensor sheet 18 comprises an insulating sheet 24, a first electrode sheet 25, a second electrode sheet 26, a first auxiliary member 50, and a third auxiliary member 80. The first electrode sheet 25 and the second electrode sheet 26 are conductive and formed in layers.

[0026] The first electrode sheet 25 is laminated on one side 27 of the insulator sheet 24. The first electrode sheet 25 is formed in a similar shape to the insulator sheet 24, but slightly smaller. As a result, the edge of one side 27 of the insulator sheet 24 is exposed from the edge of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the first electrode sheet 25 has a main body portion 25a that is elongated in the longitudinal direction X. Of the main body portion 25a, a recess 30 is formed at a position corresponding to the sheet recess 21 of the sensor sheet 18, which is recessed inward in the intersecting direction Y. Of the main body portion 25a, the portion sandwiched between the two recesses 30 aligned in the intersecting direction Y is a first neck portion 25b (an example of a neck portion) that is narrower than the other portion in the intersecting direction Y. Of the main body portion 25a, the portion adjacent to the first neck portion 25b in the longitudinal direction X is a wide portion 25c that is wider than the first neck portion 25b in the intersecting direction Y.

[0028] In the first electrode sheet 25, at a position corresponding to the sheet extension portion 22 of the sensor sheet 18, an extension portion 25d is formed that extends from the long side edge of the main body portion 25a of the first electrode sheet 25 along the longitudinal direction X, and along the intersecting direction Y which intersects the longitudinal direction X. The extension portion 25d comprises a second neck portion 25e (an example of a neck portion) that overlaps with the connecting portion 22a of the sheet main body portion 20, and a terminal portion 25f that extends from the end of the second neck portion 25e along the intersecting direction Y and to which the core wire 32a exposed from the end of the electric wire 32 is connected. The second neck portion 25e is formed between the main body portion 25a and the terminal portion 25f. The terminal portion 25f is connected to an external circuit via the electric wire 32.

[0029] With respect to the longitudinal direction X, the width dimension of the second neck portion 25e is formed to be smaller than the length dimension of the terminal portion 25f in the longitudinal direction X and the width dimension of the intersecting direction Y. Of the first electrode sheet 25, the wide portion 25c connected to the second neck portion 25e is formed to be wider than the second neck portion 25e with respect to the longitudinal direction X. Of the first electrode sheet 25, the terminal portion 25f connected to the second neck portion 25e is formed to be wider than the second neck portion 25e with respect to the longitudinal direction X, and is considered an example of the wide portion 25c.

[0030] The core wire 32a, which is exposed from the end of the electric wire 32, is connected to the terminal portion 25f. The core wire 32a and the terminal portion 25f are electrically connected by known methods such as soldering, brazing, or ultrasonic welding.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the second electrode sheet 26 is laminated on the other surface 28 of the insulator sheet 24. The second electrode sheet 26 is formed in a similar shape, but slightly smaller than the insulator sheet 24. As a result, the edge of the other surface 28 of the insulator sheet 24 is exposed from the edge of the second electrode sheet 26.

[0032] The first electrode sheet 25 and the second electrode sheet 26 may be the same shape and size, or one may be a similar shape but slightly larger than the other.

[0033] Since the second electrode sheet 26 has substantially the same configuration as the first electrode sheet 25, redundant descriptions may be omitted in the following explanation.

[0034] The insulating sheet 24 is formed primarily of, for example, an elastomer. Therefore, the insulating sheet 24 is flexible. That is, the insulating sheet 24 is pliable and is configured to be stretchable in the planar direction. The insulating sheet 24 is formed primarily of, for example, a thermoplastic material, particularly a thermoplastic elastomer. The insulating sheet 24 may be formed from the thermoplastic elastomer itself, or it may be formed primarily of an elastomer that has been crosslinked by heating a thermoplastic elastomer as a material.

[0035] Furthermore, the insulating sheet 24 may contain materials other than thermoplastic elastomers, such as rubber, resin, foamed resin, or other materials. For example, if the insulating sheet 24 contains rubber such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM, EPDM), the flexibility of the insulating sheet 24 will be improved. From the viewpoint of improving the flexibility of the insulating sheet 24, the insulating sheet 24 may contain flexibility-imparting components such as plasticizers. In addition, the insulating sheet 24 may be composed mainly of reaction-curing elastomers or thermosetting elastomers.

[0036] Furthermore, the insulating sheet 24 is preferably made of a material with good thermal conductivity. Therefore, the insulating sheet 24 may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer with high thermal conductivity, or it may contain a filler that can increase thermal conductivity. In addition, the insulating sheet 24 may have a foamed structure with fine air layers. Furthermore, the insulating sheet 24 may have a structure with perforations (regular physical holes represented by perforations) or slits (cuts, notches).

[0037] The first electrode sheet 25 is positioned on one side 27 of the insulator sheet 24, i.e., the upper side of the insulator sheet 24 (upper side in Figure 4), and the second electrode sheet 26 is positioned on the other side 28 of the insulator sheet 24, i.e., the lower side of the insulator sheet 24 (lower side in Figure 4). At least the first electrode sheet 25 constitutes a detection electrode. The first electrode sheet 25 and the second electrode sheet 26 are conductive. Furthermore, the first electrode sheet 25 and the second electrode sheet 26 are flexible. In other words, the first electrode sheet 25 and the second electrode sheet 26 are flexible and are configured to be stretchable in the planar direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned on the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25, which is opposite to the insulating sheet 24. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned to overlap the first neck portion 25b and the second neck portion 25e of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the first auxiliary member 50 fixed to the first neck portion 25b is positioned in a region of the main body portion 25a of the first electrode sheet 25 that includes at least a part of the first neck portion 25b. The first auxiliary member 50 fixed to the first neck portion 25b is positioned across the first neck portion 25b and the wide portion 25c in the longitudinal direction X. However, the first auxiliary member 50 may also be positioned only in the region overlapping the first neck portion 25b.

[0040] The first auxiliary member 50, fixed to the second neck portion 25e, is positioned in a region of the main body portion 25a of the first electrode sheet 25 that includes at least a part of the second neck portion 25e. The first auxiliary member 50, fixed to the second neck portion 25e, is positioned across the second neck portion 25e and the wide portion 25c, and also across the second neck portion 25e and the terminal portion 25f, in the intersecting direction Y. However, the first auxiliary member 50 may be positioned only in the region that overlaps with the second neck portion 25e.

[0041] 5. Configuration of the first electrode sheet 25 The configuration of the first electrode sheet 25 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 5(a), the first electrode sheet 25 is formed from a conductive first conductive cloth 41. The first electrode sheet 25 is flexible while being conductive. The first electrode sheet 25 is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X and the intersecting direction Y. The first electrode sheet 25 comprises a plurality of conductive first woven threads 42.

[0042] The first conductive fabric 41 has a first plating layer 44 made of a conductive metal on the surface of a fabric woven from a plurality of first resin fibers 43. The first weaving yarn 42 is formed by forming the first plating layer 44 on the surface of the first fiber 43. However, it is not necessary for the surface of all of the plurality of first weaving yarns 42 to be covered with the first plating layer 44.

[0043] The method for manufacturing the first electrode sheet 25 is not particularly limited. For example, a conductive material may be coated onto a cloth formed by weaving first resin fibers 43, or it may be manufactured by weaving first yarns 42 on which a conductive material is coated onto the surface of the first fibers 43. In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 is manufactured by forming a first plating layer 44 made of a conductive material onto a cloth formed by weaving first resin fibers 43.

[0044] Examples of resins constituting the first weaving yarn 42 include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, and polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. However, the resins constituting the first weaving yarn 42 are not limited to those listed above, and any resin can be appropriately selected.

[0045] The metal to be plated onto the first fiber 42 can be any metal or alloy, such as copper, nickel, tin, or solder, as appropriate. The first plating layer 44 formed on the surface of the first fiber 43 may be composed of one type of metal or multiple types of metal. For example, the surface of the first fiber 43 may be plated with copper only, or the surface of the first fiber 43 may be plated with nickel only, or a copper plating layer made of copper may be formed on the surface of the first fiber 43, and a nickel plating layer made of nickel may be formed on the surface of this copper plating layer. The first plating layer 44 formed on the surface of the first fiber 43 may be formed by electrolytic plating or by electroless plating.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5(a), the first electrode sheet 25 in this embodiment is formed by weaving together a plurality of first weaving threads 42. The first electrode sheet 25 has openings 34, which are gaps between the plurality of first weaving threads 42.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5(a), each first yarn 42 is formed by a single first fiber 43. However, each first yarn 42 may be composed of an untwisted bundle of multiple first fibers 43 bundled together, or it may be composed of a twisted wire in which multiple first fibers 43 are twisted together.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5(a), the orientation direction of the first yarn 42 intersects the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet. The orientation direction of the first yarn 42 is set to an acute angle of substantially 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25. Substantially 45° means that, for example, the acute angle is set to 35-55° with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0049] However, the orientation direction of the first yarn 42 may be at an angle that is substantially different from 45° in terms of the acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5(a), the spacing between adjacent first weaving yarns 42 is substantially equal. However, substantially equal spacing includes cases where the spacing is equal, as well as cases where the spacing is not equal but can be deemed substantially equal. However, the spacing between adjacent first weaving yarns 42 may be different.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, at least a portion of the first electrode sheet 25 is embedded on one side 27 of the insulating sheet 24. Only a portion of the first electrode sheet 25 may be embedded in the insulating sheet 24, or the entire first electrode sheet 25 may be embedded in the insulating sheet 24. Alternatively, the first electrode sheet 25 may be joined to the insulating sheet 24 using known bonding means such as adhesives or tacks, without being embedded in the insulating sheet 24.

[0052] A portion of the insulating sheet 24 exists inside the opening 34 of the first electrode sheet 25 as a fusion material that fuses the first electrode sheet 25 and the insulating sheet 24. The opening 34 of the first electrode sheet 25 is filled with a portion of the insulating sheet 24.

[0053] 6. First auxiliary member 50 The first auxiliary member 50 will be described with reference to Figures 4, 6 to 8. As shown in Figure 4, the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment comprises a conductive first conductive material 50a. The first auxiliary member 50 is arranged on one surface 27 of the first electrode sheet 25. The first auxiliary member 50 is arranged such that the first conductive cloth 41 and the first conductive material 50a are electrically connected. The first auxiliary member 50 forms an electrical conduction path at the portion where the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive cloth 41 is broken. The first conductive material 50a may contain the same metal as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 formed on the first conductive cloth 41.

[0054] The first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 is a laminate of a conductive layer 50b containing a conductor and a conductive adhesive layer or conductive adhesive layer 50d (an example of a conductive adhesive). The conductive adhesive layer contains a conductive filler and a curable resin. The conductive adhesive layer 50d contains a conductive filler and a binder resin (an example of an adhesive). The conductive layer 50b and the conductive adhesive layer are electrically connected, and the conductive layer 50b and the conductive adhesive layer 50d are also electrically connected. In this embodiment, a conductive adhesive layer 50d is used.

[0055] Any conductive metal can be selected as the conductive filler, such as silver or silver alloys, copper or copper alloys, or gold or gold alloys. The conductive filler may also contain conductive carbon or graphite. Any type of graphite can be selected, such as natural graphite, acetylene black, or Ketjen black. The conductive filler can take any shape, such as spherical, flake, or foil.

[0056] Any curable resin can be used, such as moisture-curing resins, oxygen-curing resins, or two-component curing resins. Any binder resin can be appropriately selected, such as acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, or rubber adhesives.

[0057] The conductive layer 50b in this embodiment is composed of a third conductive fabric 51. As shown in Figure 6, the third conductive fabric 51 has a third plating layer 54 made of metal on its surface. The third conductive fabric 51 is flexible while being conductive. The third conductive fabric 51 is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X and the intersecting direction Y. The third conductive fabric 51 comprises a plurality of conductive third woven yarns 52.

[0058] The third conductive fabric 51 has a third plating layer 54 made of a conductive metal on the surface of a fabric woven from a plurality of resin third fibers 53. The plurality of third weaving threads 52 are formed by forming the third plating layer 54 on the surface of the third fiber 53. However, it is not necessary for the entire surface of the plurality of third weaving threads 52 to be covered with the third plating layer 54. The third plating layer 54 and the conductive adhesive layer are electrically connected, and the third plating layer 54 and the conductive adhesive layer 50d are also electrically connected.

[0059] The method for manufacturing the third conductive fabric 51 is not particularly limited. For example, a conductive material may be coated onto a fabric formed by weaving third fibers 53 made of resin, or it may be manufactured by weaving third yarns 52 on which a conductive material is coated onto the surface of the third fibers 53. In this embodiment, the third conductive fabric 51 is manufactured by forming a third plating layer 54 made of a conductive material onto a fabric formed by weaving third fibers 53 made of resin.

[0060] Examples of resins that make up the third weaving yarn 52 include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, and polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. However, the resin that makes up the first weaving yarn 42 is not limited to the above, and any resin can be appropriately selected.

[0061] The metal plated onto the third fiber 52 can be any metal or alloy, such as copper, nickel, tin, or solder, as appropriate. The third plating layer 54 formed on the surface of the first fiber 43 may be composed of one type of metal or multiple types of metal. For example, the surface of the third fiber 53 may be plated with copper only, or with nickel only, or a copper plating layer made of copper may be formed on the surface of the third fiber 53, and a nickel plating layer made of nickel may be formed on the surface of this copper plating layer. The third plating layer 54 formed on the surface of the third fiber 53 may be formed by electrolytic plating or by electroless plating.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6, the third conductive fabric 51 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of third weaving yarns 52. Each third weaving yarn 52 of this embodiment is composed of an untwisted bundle of multiple third fibers 53 bundled together in an untwisted state. However, the third weaving yarn 52 may be composed of a single third fiber 53, similar to the first weaving yarn 42 described above, or it may be composed of a twisted wire in which multiple third fibers 53 are twisted together, as shown in Figure 7.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the orientation direction of the third yarn 52 intersects the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25. The orientation direction of the third yarn 52 is set to an acute angle of substantially 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25. Substantially 45° means that, for example, the acute angle is set to 35-55° with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0064] However, the orientation direction of the third yarn 52 may be an angle that is substantially different from 45° in terms of the acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0065] As shown in Figure 8, at least a portion of the third conductive fabric 51 is embedded in the conductive adhesive layer 50d. Alternatively, only a portion of the third conductive fabric 51 may be embedded in the conductive adhesive layer 50d, or the entire third conductive fabric 51 may be embedded in the conductive adhesive layer 50d. Furthermore, the third conductive fabric 51 may be laminated by being bonded to the conductive adhesive layer 50d without being embedded in it.

[0066] As shown in Figure 8, with the first auxiliary member 50 fixed to the first electrode sheet 25, a portion of the first conductive fabric 41 is embedded in one side 27 of the insulating sheet 24. The conductive adhesive layer 50d of the first auxiliary member 50 is filled into the opening 34 of the first conductive fabric 41. Furthermore, a portion of the third fibers 53 constituting the third conductive fabric 51 of the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned to penetrate into the opening 34 of the first conductive fabric 41.

[0067] As shown in Figure 8, the diameter of the third fiber 53 constituting the third conductive fabric 51 is smaller than the diameter of the first fiber 43 constituting the first conductive fabric 41. However, the diameter of the third fiber 53 constituting the third conductive fabric 51 may be larger than the diameter of the first fiber 43 constituting the first conductive fabric 41, or the diameters of the first fiber 43 and the third fiber 53 may be the same.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8, the first fibers 43 of the first conductive fabric 41 are in contact with the conductive adhesive layer 50d of the first auxiliary member 50. As a result, the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41 and the conductive adhesive layer 50d of the first auxiliary member 50 are electrically connected.

[0069] Furthermore, the first fibers 43 of the first conductive fabric 41 are in contact with the third fibers 53 of the third conductive fabric 51. As a result, the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41 and the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive fabric 51 are electrically connected.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the thickness dimension of the first auxiliary member 50 is smaller than the thickness dimension of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0071] In this embodiment, the elastic modulus of the first auxiliary member 50 in the longitudinal direction X is greater than the elastic modulus of the first electrode sheet 25 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the first auxiliary member 50 is bent with a fold line in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X in the plane of the first auxiliary member 50, the bending strength of the first auxiliary member 50 is greater than the bending strength of the first electrode sheet 25 when the first electrode sheet 25 is bent with a fold line in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X in the first electrode sheet 25.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction X, and the electrical resistivity of the first auxiliary member 50 in the longitudinal direction X is set to be the same as or less than the electrical resistivity of the first electrode sheet in the longitudinal direction X.

[0074] 7. Conductive path of the first electrode sheet 25 and the first auxiliary member 50 The conductive paths of the first electrode sheet 25 and the first auxiliary member 50 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 9, and 10. As shown in Figure 5(a), the first conductive fabric 41 has intersections A, B, and C where multiple first woven threads 42 intersect each other. Three intersections A, B, and C are illustrated in Figure 5(a). As conductive paths passing through the three intersections A, B, and C, for example, conductive paths a, b, and c, indicated by arrows a, b, and c, are illustrated.

[0075] Here, at intersections A, B, and C where multiple first weaving threads 42 intersect, the load tends to concentrate when an external force is applied to the first conductive fabric 41. For this reason, the first plating layer 44 tends to break easily at intersections A, B, and C. However, the first plating layer 44 also tends to break easily at intersections that are not labeled, similar to the above.

[0076] For example, suppose that the first plating layer 44 at intersections B and C breaks, as shown in Figure 5(b), and the first fiber 43 is exposed. Then, the conductive paths b and c, indicated by arrows b and c in Figure 5(a), are interrupted. As a result, the conductive path a, indicated by arrow a in Figure 5(b), remains. This means that the three conductive paths a, b, and c have been reduced to one conductive path a. In other words, the conductor area has decreased by the amount of conductive paths b and c. This raises concerns that the electrical resistance of the first conductive fabric 41 may decrease.

[0077] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the first conductive fabric 41 constituting the first electrode sheet 25 has a third conductive fabric 51 and a conductive adhesive layer 50d laminated on it. This configuration ensures that even if the conductive path in a portion of the first conductive fabric 41, indicated by the "×" mark in Figure 9, is interrupted, a conductive path is formed by the conductive adhesive layer 50d or the third conductive fabric 51. This will be explained in detail below.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, in the first conductive fabric 41, the conductive path is interrupted between the conductive path L1 indicated by arrow L1 and the conductive path L2 indicated by arrow L2. Therefore, if the first auxiliary member 50 is not placed, the electrical resistance of the first electrode sheet 25 may increase.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first conductive cloth 41 and the conductive adhesive layer 50d of the first auxiliary member 50 are electrically connected, so conductive paths M1 and M3 are formed between the first conductive cloth 41 and the conductive adhesive layer 50d, as shown by arrows M1 and M3. In addition, a conductive path M2 is formed inside the conductive adhesive layer 50d, as shown by arrow M2. As a result, in this embodiment, current flows through the conductive paths L1, M1, M2, M3, and L2. This suppresses an increase in the electrical resistance value of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the conductive adhesive layer 50d and the third conductive fabric 51 are electrically connected. As a result, conductive paths N1 and N3 are formed between the conductive adhesive layer 50d and the third conductive fabric 51, as shown by arrows N1 and N3. Also, a conductive path N2 is formed within the layer of the third conductive fabric 51, as shown by arrow N2. As a result, in this embodiment, current flows through the conductive paths L1, M1, N1, N2, N3, M3, and L2. This suppresses an increase in the electrical resistance of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0081] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the orientation direction of the first yarn 42 of the first conductive fabric 41 and the orientation direction of the third yarn 52 of the third conductive fabric 51. In this embodiment, the first yarn 42 of the first conductive fabric 41 and the third yarn 52 of the third conductive fabric 51 are oriented in the same direction. The same direction includes cases where the orientation direction of the first yarn 42 of the first conductive fabric 41 and the orientation direction of the third yarn 52 of the third conductive fabric 51 are the same, as well as cases where they are not the same but can be considered substantially the same.

[0082] Furthermore, the metal constituting the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive fabric 51 is the same as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41. Being the same includes cases where the metal constituting the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive fabric 51 is the same as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41, as well as cases where, even if they are not the same, the difference in composition can be deemed to be substantially the same.

[0083] Even if the metal constituting the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive fabric 51 is not the same as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41, the ionization tendencies of the metal constituting the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive fabric 51 and the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41 may be the same or substantially the same.

[0084] 8. Second electrode sheet 26 As shown in Figure 4, at least a portion of the second electrode sheet 26 is embedded in the other side 28 of the insulating sheet 24. Only a portion of the second electrode sheet 26 may be embedded in the insulating sheet 24, or the entire second electrode sheet 26 may be embedded in the insulating sheet 24. Alternatively, the second electrode sheet 26 may be joined to the insulating sheet 24 using known bonding means such as adhesives or tacks, without being embedded in the insulating sheet 24.

[0085] The configuration of the second electrode sheet 26 is substantially the same as that of the first electrode sheet 25, except that the first electrode sheet 25 is replaced with the second electrode sheet 26, the first conductive cloth 41 is replaced with the fourth conductive cloth 71, and the first plating layer 44 is replaced with the fourth plating layer 74. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted.

[0086] 9. Third auxiliary member 80 As shown in Figure 4, a third auxiliary member 80 is positioned on the side of the second electrode sheet 26 opposite to the insulating sheet 24. The third auxiliary member 80 comprises a conductive second conductive material 80a. The second conductive material 80a and the fourth conductive cloth 71 are electrically connected. The third auxiliary member 80 forms an electrical conduction path at the site where the fourth plating layer 74 of the fourth conductive cloth 71 is broken.

[0087] The third auxiliary member 80 includes a fifth conductive cloth 81. The fifth conductive cloth 81 has a fifth plating layer 84 made of metal on its surface. The fifth conductive cloth 81 is formed from the same material as the fourth conductive cloth 71.

[0088] The configuration of the third auxiliary member 80 is substantially the same as that of the first auxiliary member 50, except that the first auxiliary member 50 is replaced with the third auxiliary member 80, the third conductive cloth 51 is replaced with the fifth conductive cloth 81, and the third plating layer 54 is replaced with the fifth plating layer 84 in the description of the configuration of the first auxiliary member 50. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted.

[0089] In the stacking direction Z in which the third auxiliary member 80 is stacked on the second electrode sheet 26, the third auxiliary member 80 is positioned so as to overlap with at least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50. In this embodiment, the third auxiliary member 80 and the first auxiliary member 50 are positioned so as to overlap with respect to the stacking direction Z.

[0090] 10. Effects of this form Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained. The sensor sheet 18 according to this embodiment comprises an insulating insulating sheet 24, a first electrode sheet 25, and a first auxiliary member 50. The first electrode sheet 25 is formed of a first conductive cloth 41 having a first plating layer 44 made of metal on its surface. The first electrode sheet 25 is placed on one side 27 of the insulating sheet 24. The first auxiliary member 50 comprises a conductive first conductive material 50a. The first auxiliary member 50 is placed on one side of the first electrode sheet 25 with the first conductive cloth 41 and the first conductive material 50a electrically connected, forming an electrical conduction path at the site where the first plating layer 44 is broken.

[0091] According to this embodiment, even if the first plating layer 44 formed on the first conductive cloth 41 constituting the first electrode sheet 25 is fractured, the first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 forms an electrical conduction path, thereby assisting the electrical conductivity of the first electrode sheet 25. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0092] In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 has openings 34 which are gaps between a plurality of first woven yarns 42 constituting the first conductive fabric 41, and at least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50 is arranged inside the openings 34.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the adhesion between the first electrode sheet 25 and the first auxiliary member 50 is improved, so the electrical contact resistance between the first electrode sheet 25 and the first auxiliary member 50 can be reduced. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance of the sensor sheet 18.

[0094] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned on the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25, which is located on the side opposite to the insulating sheet 24.

[0095] The first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25 is located on the opposite side from the insulator sheet 24 and is therefore exposed to the outside. For this reason, the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25 is susceptible to external forces. In this embodiment, the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25 is protected by the first auxiliary member 50, so that the first plating layer 44 formed on the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25 is prevented from being fractured by external forces. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0096] In this embodiment, each of the multiple first yarns 42 constituting the first conductive fabric 41 of the first electrode sheet 25 is formed from a single first fiber 43.

[0097] When the first plating layer 44 formed on a single first fiber 43 breaks, the conductive path formed on this first fiber 43 is interrupted. If a single first yarn 42 is formed by a single first fiber 43, when the first plating layer 44 formed on a single first fiber 43 breaks, the conductive path formed by that first fiber 43 is also interrupted. In this embodiment, when a single first yarn 42 is formed by a single first fiber 43, even if the first plating layer 44 formed on a single first fiber 43 breaks, an electrical conductive path is formed by the first conductive fabric 41, thus suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0098] The first electrode sheet 25 in this embodiment comprises first and second neck portions 25b and 25e which are narrower than other adjacent portions, and a wide portion 25c and terminal portion 25f which are arranged adjacent to the first and second neck portions 25b and 25e and are wider than the first and second neck portions 25b and 25e. The first auxiliary member 50 is arranged in a region of the first electrode sheet 25 that includes at least a part of the first and second neck portions 25b and 25e.

[0099] The first and second neck portions 25b and 25e are formed to be narrower than the other parts, making them more susceptible to deformation by external forces. As a result, the first electrode sheet 25 positioned on the first and second neck portions 25b and 25e is also more prone to deformation. Consequently, the first plating layer 44 formed on the first conductive fabric 41 of the first electrode sheet 25 positioned on the first and second neck portions 25b and 25e is more prone to rupture than the other parts. In this embodiment, even if the first plating layer 44 of the first and second neck portions 25b and 25e is ruptured, a conductive path is formed by the first auxiliary member 50, thereby suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0100] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned across the first and second neck portions 25b, 25e and the wide portion 25c and terminal portion 25f. Stress tends to concentrate at the boundary between the easily deformable first and second neck portions 25b, 25e and the wide portion 25c and terminal portion 25f, which are less deformable than the neck portions. As a result, the first plating layer 44 of the first electrode sheet 25 is prone to fracture at the boundary between the first and second neck portions 25b, 25e and the wide portion 25c and terminal portion 25f. In this embodiment, since the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned across the first and second neck portions 25b, 25e and the wide portion 25c and terminal portion 25f, a conductive path can be formed even if the first plating layer 44 fractures at the boundary between the first and second neck portions 25b, 25e and the wide portion 25c and terminal portion 25f. As a result, an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18 can be suppressed.

[0101] The first electrode sheet 25 in this embodiment includes a main body portion 25a that is elongated in the longitudinal direction X. The first neck portion 25b is formed to be narrow in the direction that intersects the longitudinal direction X of the main body portion 25a.

[0102] Even if the first plating layer 44 of the first electrode sheet 25 is fractured at the first neck portion 25b, a conductive path is formed by the first auxiliary member 50, thereby suppressing a decrease in the electrical resistance value of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0103] The first electrode sheet 25 according to this embodiment comprises a main body portion 25a formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction X, and an extension portion 25d extending from the main body portion 25a in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X. A terminal portion 25f for connection to an external circuit is formed near the tip of the extension portion 25d. The second neck portion 25e is formed between the main body portion 25a and the terminal portion 25f of the extension portion 25d.

[0104] For example, external forces may be applied to the terminal portion 25f during operations such as connecting the terminal portion 25f to an external circuit or routing the electric wires 32 related to the external circuit. External forces applied to the terminal portion 25f tend to concentrate on the second neck portion 25e. If stress concentrates on the second neck portion 25e, there is a risk that the first plating layer 44 located on the second neck portion 25e may break. According to this embodiment, even if the first plating layer 44 of the second neck portion 25e breaks, a conductive path is formed by the first auxiliary member 50, so it is possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0105] In this embodiment, the insulating sheet 24 is formed of an elastomer, and at least a portion of the first electrode sheet 25 and at least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50 are embedded in the elastomer. This improves the bonding strength between the insulating sheet 24 and the first electrode sheet 25.

[0106] The first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment may contain the same metal as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 formed on the first conductive cloth 41 of the first electrode sheet 25. In this case, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion between the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive cloth 41 of the first electrode sheet 25 and the metal contained in the first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50.

[0107] The first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment may include conductive carbon or graphite. In this case, since the first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 does not contain metal, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion in the first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50.

[0108] The first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment is a laminate of a conductive layer 50b containing a conductor, a conductive adhesive layer containing a conductive filler and a curable resin, or a conductive adhesive layer 50d containing a conductive filler and a binder resin. According to this embodiment, the conductive layer 50b or the conductive adhesive layer 50d can form an electrical conductivity path at the site where the first plating layer 44 is fractured. As a result, even if either the conductive layer 50b or the conductive adhesive layer 50d is electrically disconnected, an increase in the electrical resistance of the first electrode sheet 25 can be suppressed.

[0109] In this embodiment, the conductive layer 50b of the first conductive material 50a is formed from a third conductive cloth 51 having a third plating layer 54 made of metal on its surface. The metal constituting the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive cloth 51 is the same as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive cloth 41. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion between the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive cloth 41 and the third plating layer 54 of the third conductive cloth.

[0110] The third yarn 52 constituting the third conductive fabric 51 in this embodiment is a twisted wire formed by twisting together multiple third fibers 53, or an untwisted bundle of multiple third fibers 53 bundled together in an untwisted state. As a result, even if one of the multiple third fibers 53 is electrically cut, a conductive path is formed by the other third fibers 53, thereby suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0111] In this embodiment, the first woven yarn 42 constituting the first conductive fabric 41 is formed from first fibers 43, and the third woven yarn 52 constituting the third conductive fabric 51 is formed from third fibers 53, with the diameter of the third fibers 53 being smaller than the diameter of the first fibers 43. In this embodiment, since the diameter of the third fibers 53 is smaller than the diameter of the first fibers 43, the third conductive fabric 51 formed from the third fibers 53 is more flexible than the first conductive fabric 41. Therefore, the third conductive fabric 51 can flexibly deform to conform to the shape of the first conductive fabric 41, thereby improving the adhesion between the first conductive fabric 41 and the third conductive fabric 51. As a result, the third conductive fabric 51 can reliably form a conductive path for backup of the first conductive fabric 41, thereby suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0112] In this embodiment, the woven yarns constituting the first conductive fabric 41 of the first electrode sheet 25 and the woven yarns constituting the third conductive fabric 51 of the first auxiliary member 50 are oriented in the same direction.

[0113] The conductive path of the first conductive fabric 41 is formed along the first weaving yarn 42 that constitutes the first conductive fabric 41. Similarly, the conductive path of the third conductive fabric 51 is formed along the third weaving yarn 52 that constitutes the third conductive fabric 51. In this embodiment, since the first weaving yarn 42 and the third weaving yarn 52 are oriented in the same direction, the conductive path of the third conductive fabric 51 is formed along the conductive path of the first conductive fabric 41. In other words, in the sensor sheet 18 of this embodiment, backup conductive paths are formed by the third conductive fabric 51 along each conductive path of the first conductive fabric 41. As a result, when the first plating layer 44 of the first weaving yarn 42 of the first conductive fabric 41 breaks, the third weaving yarn 52 of the third conductive fabric 51 can form a conductive path along the weaving yarn of the first conductive fabric 41 from which the first plating layer 44 has peeled off, thereby suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0114] The thickness of the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment is smaller than the thickness of the first electrode sheet 25. As a result, the first auxiliary member 50 is more easily deformable to correspond to the shape of the first electrode sheet 25. Consequently, the adhesion between the first auxiliary member 50 and the first electrode sheet 25 is improved, so that even if the first plating layer 44 of the first electrode sheet 25 is fractured, the first auxiliary member 50 can reliably form a conductive path.

[0115] In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction X, and the elastic modulus of the first auxiliary member 50 in the longitudinal direction X is greater than the elastic modulus of the first electrode sheet 25 in the longitudinal direction X. According to this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 can be reinforced by the first auxiliary member 50. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the first electrode sheet 25 by external forces.

[0116] In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction X, and when the first auxiliary member 50 is bent with a fold line in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X in the plane of the first auxiliary member 50, the bending strength of the first auxiliary member 50 is greater than the bending strength of the first electrode sheet 25 when the first electrode sheet 25 is bent with a fold line in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X in the plane of the first electrode sheet 25. In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 can be reinforced by the first auxiliary member 50. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the first electrode sheet 25 by external forces.

[0117] In this embodiment, the first electrode sheet 25 is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction X, and the electrical resistivity of the first auxiliary member 50 in the longitudinal direction X is the same as or less than the electrical resistivity of the first electrode sheet 25 in the longitudinal direction X. According to this embodiment, the electrical resistivity of the conductive path formed by the first auxiliary member 50 can be made the same as or less than the electrical resistivity of the first electrode sheet 25, thereby suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0118] The sensor sheet 18 according to this embodiment is formed from a fourth conductive cloth 71 having a fourth plating layer 74 made of metal on its surface and comprises a second electrode sheet 26 disposed on the other side of the insulating sheet 24, and a third auxiliary member 80 comprising a conductive second conductive material 80a, which is disposed on one side of the second electrode sheet 26 in a state where the fourth conductive cloth 71 and the second conductive material 80a are electrically connected and form an electrical conduction path at the portion where the fourth plating layer 74 is broken. According to this embodiment, the second electrode sheet 26 can be used, for example, as a sensor electrode or shield electrode paired with the first electrode sheet 25, or as a heater, thereby improving the function of the sensor sheet 18.

[0119] In this embodiment, with respect to the stacking direction Z in which the third auxiliary member 80 is stacked on the second electrode sheet 26, the third auxiliary member 80 is positioned to overlap with at least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50. By forming an overlapping portion between the third auxiliary member 80 and the first auxiliary member 50 in areas where the sensor sheet 18 is greatly bent or where a large force is applied to the sensor sheet 18, an electrical conductivity path can be formed in the portion where the first plating layer 44 of the first electrode sheet 25 or the fourth plating layer 74 of the second electrode sheet 26 is fractured.

[0120] The third auxiliary member 80 in this embodiment comprises a fifth conductive cloth 81 having a fifth plating layer 84 made of metal on its surface. The fifth conductive cloth 81 can form an electrical conductivity path in the portion where the fourth plating layer 74 of the second electrode sheet 26 is broken.

[0121] In this embodiment, the fifth conductive fabric 81 is formed from the same material as the fourth conductive fabric 71. According to this embodiment, since the fifth conductive fabric 81 and the fourth conductive fabric 71 can be formed from the same material, the manufacturing cost of the sensor sheet 18 can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion between the fifth plating layer 84 of the fifth conductive fabric 81 and the fourth plating layer 74 of the fourth conductive fabric 71.

[0122] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 11. The first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment is composed of a plurality of first divided auxiliary members 150 that are arranged at intervals. The direction in which the plurality of first divided auxiliary members 150 are arranged is arbitrary; for example, they may be arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction X, or at intervals in the intersecting direction Y.

[0123] The third auxiliary member 80 in this embodiment is composed of a plurality of third divided auxiliary members 180 arranged at intervals. The direction in which the plurality of third divided auxiliary members 180 are arranged is arbitrary; for example, they may be arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction X, or at intervals along the intersecting direction Y.

[0124] In this embodiment, the third auxiliary member 80 is positioned so as not to overlap with the first auxiliary member 50 in the stacking direction Z.

[0125] In addition, among the reference numerals used in Embodiment 2 and later, those that are the same as those used in the previously described embodiments represent the same components, etc., as those in the previously described embodiments, unless otherwise specified.

[0126] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained. The first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment is a plurality of first divided auxiliary members 150 arranged at intervals. This makes it possible to form conductive paths in parts where the first electrode sheet 25 is bent significantly locally, or in parts where a large force is applied locally to the first electrode sheet 25.

[0127] In this embodiment, with respect to the stacking direction Z in which the third auxiliary member 80 is stacked on the second electrode sheet 26, the third auxiliary member 80 is positioned so as not to overlap with the first auxiliary member 50. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18 without impairing the flexibility of the sensor sheet 18.

[0128] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figure 12. In this embodiment, the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned on the second surface 29b of the first electrode sheet 25, which is located on the insulating sheet 24 side.

[0129] Furthermore, the third auxiliary member 80 in this embodiment is positioned on the side of the second electrode sheet 26 that is on the side of the insulating sheet 24.

[0130] Since the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned between the first electrode sheet 25 and the insulating sheet 24, it is less susceptible to damage from external forces. Therefore, even if the first plating layer 44 of the first electrode sheet 25 is fractured by an external force, the first auxiliary member 50 can form a conductive path. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0131] (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 14. The first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment includes a second conductive cloth 61. The second conductive cloth 61 has a second plating layer 64 made of metal on its surface. The second conductive cloth 61 is arranged on the second surface 29b of the first electrode sheet 25. However, the second conductive cloth 61 may also be arranged on the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0132] As shown in Figure 14, the second conductive fabric 61 comprises a plurality of second woven yarns 62. The second conductive fabric 61 in this embodiment is made of the same material as the first conductive fabric 41. However, the second conductive fabric 61 and the first conductive fabric 41 may be made of different materials.

[0133] The metal constituting the second plating layer 64 formed on the second conductive cloth 61 in this embodiment is the same as the metal constituting the first plating layer 44 formed on the first electrode sheet 25.

[0134] The configuration of the second conductive fabric 61 in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first auxiliary member 50, except that the third conductive fabric 51 is replaced with the second conductive fabric 61, the third weaving yarn 52 with the second weaving yarn 62, and the third fiber 53 with the second fiber 63 in the description of the first auxiliary member 50 shown in Figure 8 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted. The second conductive fabric 61 in this embodiment is configured such that the conductive adhesive layer 50d is not included in the first auxiliary member 50 described in Embodiment 1.

[0135] The elastomer constituting the insulating sheet 24 penetrates into the opening 34 of the first conductive fabric 41 that constitutes the first electrode sheet 25. At least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50 is embedded in this elastomer. More specifically, the elastomer constituting the insulating sheet 24 penetrates into the gaps between the second woven threads 62 that constitute the second conductive fabric 61, thereby fixing the first electrode sheet 25 and the first auxiliary member 50 together with the insulating sheet 24.

[0136] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third auxiliary member 80 is formed from a fifth conductive cloth 81 having a fifth plating layer 84 made of metal on its surface. The third auxiliary member 80 is positioned on the side of the second electrode sheet 26 that is on the side of the insulating sheet 24. However, the third auxiliary member 80 may also be positioned on the side of the second electrode sheet 26 that is on the side of the insulating sheet 24.

[0137] In this embodiment, although not shown in detail, the elastomer constituting the insulating sheet 24 penetrates into the opening of the fourth conductive fabric 71 constituting the second electrode sheet 26. At least a portion of the third auxiliary member 80 is embedded in this elastomer. More specifically, the elastomer constituting the insulating sheet 24 penetrates into the gaps between the fifth woven threads 82 constituting the fifth conductive fabric 81 of the third auxiliary member 80, thereby fixing the second electrode sheet 26 and the third auxiliary member 80 together with the insulating sheet 24.

[0138] The third auxiliary member 80 may be formed flush with the side of the second electrode sheet 26 opposite to the insulating sheet 24, or it may be formed by bulging out from the side of the second electrode sheet 26 opposite to the insulating sheet 24. The third auxiliary member 80 has a fifth conductive fabric 81. The structure of the fifth conductive fabric 81 is substantially the same as that of the second conductive fabric 61 described above, so a redundant explanation will be omitted.

[0139] The first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment is formed of a second conductive cloth 61 having a second plating layer 64 made of metal on its surface. In this embodiment, the first conductive cloth 41 constituting the first electrode sheet 25 and the second conductive cloth 61 constituting the first auxiliary member 50 come into contact, forming a conductive path without the need for a conductive adhesive layer 91 or conductive adhesive 92. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0140] In this embodiment, the second conductive fabric 61 is formed from the same material as the first conductive fabric 41. According to this embodiment, since the first conductive fabric 41 and the second conductive fabric 61 can be formed from the same material, the manufacturing cost of the sensor sheet 18 can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion between the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41 and the second plating layer 64 of the second conductive fabric 61.

[0141] In this embodiment, the second yarn 62 constituting the second conductive fabric 61 may be a twisted wire formed by twisting together multiple second fibers 63, or an untwisted bundle of multiple second fibers 63 bundled together without twisting. According to this embodiment, a conductive path is formed by multiple fibers. Therefore, even if the second plating layer 64 breaks in the multiple fibers constituting the second conductive fabric 61, there is a high possibility that the conductive path will remain. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0142] In this embodiment, the first yarn 42 constituting the first conductive fabric 41 is made up of first fibers 43, and the second yarn 62 constituting the second conductive fabric 61 is made up of second fibers 63, and the diameter of the second fibers 63 may be smaller than the diameter of the first fibers 43.

[0143] In this embodiment, since the diameter of the second fiber 63 is smaller than the diameter of the first fiber 43, the second conductive fabric 61 formed by the second fiber 63 is more flexible than the first conductive fabric 41. Therefore, the second conductive fabric 61 can flexibly deform to conform to the shape of the first conductive fabric 41, thereby improving the adhesion between the first conductive fabric 41 and the second conductive fabric 61. As a result, the second conductive fabric 61 can reliably form a conductive path for backup of the first conductive fabric 41, and thus the increase in the electrical resistance of the sensor sheet 18 can be suppressed.

[0144] In this embodiment, the first yarn 42 constituting the first conductive fabric 41 of the first electrode sheet 25 and the second yarn 62 constituting the second conductive fabric 61 of the first auxiliary member 50 may be oriented in the same direction.

[0145] The conductive paths of the first conductive fabric 41 are formed along the first woven yarns 42 that constitute the first conductive fabric 41. Similarly, the conductive paths of the second conductive fabric 61 are formed along the second woven yarns 62 that constitute the second conductive fabric 61. In this embodiment, since the first woven yarns 42 and the second woven yarns 62 are oriented in the same direction, the conductive paths of the second conductive fabric 61 are formed along the conductive paths of the first conductive fabric 41. In other words, in the sensor sheet 18 of this embodiment, backup conductive paths are formed by the second conductive fabric 61 along each conductive path of the first conductive fabric 41. As a result, when the first plating layer 44 of the woven yarns of the first conductive fabric 41 breaks, the woven yarns of the second conductive fabric 61 can form conductive paths along the woven yarns of the first conductive fabric 41 from which the first plating layer 44 has peeled off, thereby suppressing an increase in the electrical resistance of the sensor sheet 18.

[0146] (Embodiment 5) Next, Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15(a) shows a modified example (1) of Embodiment 5. The first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 in this modified example (1) differs from Embodiment 1 in that it does not have a third conductive cloth 51. That is, the first conductive material 50a in this embodiment consists only of a conductive adhesive layer 91 containing a conductive filler and a binder resin. Alternatively, the first conductive material 50a may be a conductive adhesive 92 containing a conductive filler and a curable resin. Alternatively, the first conductive material 50a may be a conductive paste 93 containing a conductive filler and a binder resin. The curable resin and adhesive are the same as in Embodiment 1, so a redundant explanation will be omitted. As the binder resin, any known binder resin, such as a silicone resin, can be appropriately selected.

[0147] As shown in Figure 15(a), the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment is positioned on the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25. In this embodiment, the first auxiliary member 50 is formed by bulging out from the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25. However, the first auxiliary member 50 may be formed flush with the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25. Alternatively, the first auxiliary member 50 may be arranged in a stacked manner with the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0148] As shown in Figure 15(a), the third auxiliary member 80 in this embodiment is positioned on the side of the second electrode sheet 26 opposite to the insulating sheet 24. In this embodiment, the third auxiliary member 80 is formed by bulging out from the side of the second electrode sheet 26 opposite to the insulating sheet 24. However, the third auxiliary member 80 may be formed flush with the side of the second electrode sheet 26 opposite to the insulating sheet 24, or laminated with it. The second conductive material 80a constituting the third auxiliary member 80 may be a conductive adhesive layer 91, a conductive adhesive 92, or a conductive paste 93.

[0149] Figure 15(b) also shows a modified example (2) of Embodiment 5. In this modified example (2), the first auxiliary member 50 is positioned on the second surface 29b of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0150] As shown in Figure 15(b), the third auxiliary member 80 in this embodiment is positioned on the side of the second electrode sheet 26 that is on the insulating sheet 24 side.

[0151] The first conductive material 50a of the first auxiliary member 50 in this embodiment may be a conductive adhesive layer 91 containing a conductive filler and a binder resin, a conductive adhesive 92 containing a conductive filler and a curable resin, or a conductive paste 93 containing a conductive filler and a binder resin. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18 without reducing the flexibility of the sensor sheet 18.

[0152] (Embodiment 6) Next, Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to Figure 16. As shown in Figure 16(a), a first auxiliary member 50 is arranged on the first surface 29a of the first electrode sheet 25 according to the modified example (1) of Embodiment 6, and a second auxiliary member 100 is arranged on the second surface 29b of the first electrode sheet 25.

[0153] The second auxiliary member 100 comprises a second conductive material 80a. The second conductive material 80a is electrically connected to the first conductive fabric 41. The second auxiliary member 100 is configured to form an electrical conductivity path at the location where the first plating layer 44 of the first conductive fabric 41 is broken. The second auxiliary member 100 comprises a sixth conductive fabric 101 and a conductive adhesive layer 50d. The configuration of the second auxiliary member 100 is substantially the same as that of the first auxiliary member 50, except that the third conductive fabric 51 is read as the sixth conductive fabric 101 in the description of the first auxiliary member 50, so redundant explanations are omitted.

[0154] As shown in Figure 16(a), the second auxiliary member 100 according to the modified example (1) of Embodiment 6 is positioned so as to overlap with at least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50 in the stacking direction Z in which the first auxiliary member 50 is stacked on the first electrode sheet 25. In this modified example (1), the second auxiliary member 100 is positioned so as to overlap with the first auxiliary member 50 in the stacking direction Z.

[0155] As shown in Figure 16(b), the first auxiliary member 50 according to the modified example (2) of Embodiment 6 is composed of a plurality of first divided auxiliary members 150 arranged at intervals. The second auxiliary member 100 according to this modified example (2) is composed of a plurality of second divided auxiliary members 160 arranged at intervals. The first divided auxiliary members 150 and the second divided auxiliary members 160 are positioned so as not to overlap in the stacking direction Z.

[0156] As shown in Figure 16(c), the first auxiliary member 50 according to modification (3) of Embodiment 6 is composed of a plurality of first divided auxiliary members 150 arranged at intervals. The second auxiliary member 100 according to modification (2) is composed of a plurality of second divided auxiliary members 160 arranged at intervals. The first divided auxiliary members 150 and the second divided auxiliary members 160 are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap in the stacking direction Z. In this embodiment, the second divided auxiliary members 160 are formed to be slightly larger than the first divided auxiliary members 150. However, the first divided auxiliary members 150 may be formed to be slightly larger than the second divided auxiliary members 160, or the first divided auxiliary members 150 and the second divided auxiliary members 160 may be the same size.

[0157] As shown in Figure 16(a), in this embodiment, the sensor sheet 18 may be configured such that the second auxiliary member 100 is positioned to overlap with the first auxiliary member 50 in the stacking direction Z in which the first auxiliary member 50 is stacked on the first electrode sheet 25. This ensures that a conductive path is reliably formed by the first auxiliary member 50, and furthermore, a conductive path is formed by the second auxiliary member 100. This further suppresses the increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0158] As shown in Figure 16(b), in this embodiment, the sensor sheet 18 may be configured such that the second auxiliary member 100 is positioned so as not to overlap with the first auxiliary member 50 in the stacking direction Z in which the first auxiliary member 50 is stacked on the first electrode sheet 25. By arranging the first auxiliary member 50 and the second auxiliary member 100 so as not to overlap in the stacking direction Z, it is possible to suppress an increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18 without impairing the flexibility of the sensor sheet 18.

[0159] As shown in Figure 16(c), in this embodiment, the sensor sheet 18 may be configured such that the second auxiliary member 100 is positioned so as to overlap with at least a portion of the first auxiliary member 50 in the stacking direction Z in which the first auxiliary member 50 is stacked on the first electrode sheet 25. In the region where the first auxiliary member 50 and the second auxiliary member 100 overlap in the stacking direction Z, the conductive path of the first electrode sheet 25 is ensured by both the first auxiliary member 50 and the second auxiliary member 100. This further suppresses the increase in the electrical resistance value of the sensor sheet 18.

[0160] As shown in Figures 16(b) to 16(c), the second auxiliary member 100 in this embodiment is a plurality of second divided auxiliary members 160 that are discretely arranged at intervals. This makes it possible to form conductive paths in areas where the first electrode sheet 25 is greatly bent locally or where a large force is applied locally to the first electrode sheet 25.

[0161] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from its essence.

Claims

1. An insulating sheet (24) and A first electrode sheet (25) is formed from a first conductive cloth (41) having a first plating layer (44) made of metal on its surface and is arranged on one side of the insulating sheet, The first auxiliary member (50) comprises a conductive first conductive material (50a), which is arranged on one side of the first electrode sheet such that the first conductive cloth and the first conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken. The first auxiliary member is a sensor sheet (18) that is positioned on a part of the first electrode sheet in the planar direction of one of the surfaces of the first electrode sheet.

2. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode sheet has openings (34) which are gaps between a plurality of woven threads constituting the first conductive fabric, and at least a portion of the first auxiliary member is disposed inside the openings.

3. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary member is arranged on the first surface (29a) of the first electrode sheet that is opposite to the insulating sheet.

4. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary member is arranged on the second surface (29b) of the first electrode sheet that is located on the insulating sheet side.

5. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of yarns constituting the first conductive fabric of the first electrode sheet is formed from a single fiber.

6. moreover, The sensor sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a second conductive material (80a) which is conductive, and a second auxiliary member (100) which is disposed on the other side of the first electrode sheet opposite to the one side of the first electrode sheet in a state in which the first conductive cloth and the second conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken.

7. The sensor sheet according to claim 6, wherein, with respect to the stacking direction in which the first auxiliary member is stacked on the first electrode sheet, the second auxiliary member is positioned to overlap with at least a portion of the first auxiliary member.

8. The sensor sheet according to claim 6, wherein, with respect to the stacking direction in which the first auxiliary member is stacked on the first electrode sheet, the second auxiliary member is positioned so as not to overlap with the first auxiliary member.

9. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary member is a plurality of first divided auxiliary members (150) arranged at intervals from each other.

10. The sensor sheet according to claim 6, wherein the second auxiliary member is a plurality of second divided auxiliary members (160) that are discretely arranged at intervals from each other.

11. The first electrode sheet comprises a neck portion (25b, 25e) that is narrower than the other adjacent portions, and a wide portion (25c) that is positioned adjacent to the neck portion and is wider than the neck portion. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary member is disposed in a region of the first electrode sheet that includes at least a part of the neck portion.

12. The sensor sheet according to claim 11, wherein the first auxiliary member is arranged to span the neck portion and the wide portion.

13. The first electrode sheet has a main body portion (25a) that is elongated in the longitudinal direction, The sensor sheet according to claim 11, wherein the neck portion is formed to be narrow in an intersecting direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the main body portion.

14. The first electrode sheet is A main body formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction, It comprises an extension portion (25d) extending from the main body portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, A terminal portion (25f) for connection to an external circuit is formed near the tip of the extension portion. The sensor sheet according to claim 11, wherein the neck portion is formed between the main body portion and the terminal portion of the extension portion.

15. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary member is formed of a second conductive cloth (61) having a second plating layer (64) made of metal on its surface.

16. The sensor sheet according to claim 15, wherein the second conductive fabric is formed from the same material as the first conductive fabric.

17. The sensor sheet according to claim 15, wherein the second yarn (62) constituting the second conductive fabric is a twisted wire formed by twisting together a plurality of second fibers (63), or an untwisted bundle of wires formed by bundling together a plurality of second fibers in an untwisted state.

18. The first conductive fabric is composed of a first yarn (42) made up of a first fiber (43), The second yarn constituting the second conductive fabric is composed of second fibers, The sensor sheet according to claim 15, wherein the diameter of the second fiber is smaller than the diameter of the first fiber.

19. The sensor sheet according to claim 15, wherein the first yarn constituting the first conductive fabric of the first electrode sheet and the second yarn constituting the second conductive fabric of the first auxiliary member are oriented in the same direction.

20. The aforementioned insulating sheet is formed of an elastomer, The sensor sheet according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the first electrode sheet and at least a portion of the first auxiliary member are embedded in the elastomer.

21. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive material of the first auxiliary member is a conductive adhesive (92) comprising a conductive filler and a curable resin.

22. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive material of the first auxiliary member is a conductive adhesive (50d) comprising a conductive filler and an adhesive.

23. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive material of the first auxiliary member is a conductive paste (93) comprising a conductive filler and a binder resin.

24. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive material of the first auxiliary member includes the same metal as the metal constituting the first plating layer formed on the first conductive cloth of the first electrode sheet.

25. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive material of the first auxiliary member comprises conductive carbon or graphite.

26. The first conductive material of the first auxiliary member is A conductive layer (50b) containing a conductor, The sensor sheet according to claim 1, which is a laminate of a conductive adhesive layer containing a conductive filler and a curable resin, or a conductive adhesive layer (50d) containing a conductive filler and a binder resin.

27. The sensor sheet according to claim 26, wherein the conductive layer is formed of a third conductive cloth (51) having a third plating layer (54) made of metal on its surface.

28. The sensor sheet according to claim 27, wherein the metal constituting the third plating layer of the third conductive cloth is the same as the metal constituting the first plating layer of the first conductive cloth.

29. The sensor sheet according to claim 27, wherein the third yarn (52) constituting the third conductive fabric is a twisted wire formed by twisting together a plurality of third fibers (53), or an untwisted bundle wire formed by bundling together a plurality of third fibers in an untwisted state.

30. The first conductive fabric is made up of first fibers, The third conductive fabric is made up of a third yarn and is formed from a third fiber. The sensor sheet according to claim 27, wherein the diameter of the third fiber is smaller than the diameter of the first fiber.

31. The sensor sheet according to claim 27, wherein the woven yarn constituting the first conductive fabric of the first electrode sheet and the woven yarn constituting the third conductive fabric of the first auxiliary member are oriented in the same direction.

32. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the thickness dimension of the first auxiliary member is smaller than the thickness dimension of the first electrode sheet.

33. The first electrode sheet is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal elastic modulus of the first auxiliary member is greater than the longitudinal elastic modulus of the first electrode sheet.

34. The first electrode sheet is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein when the first auxiliary member is bent with a fold line in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction in the plane of the first auxiliary member, the bending strength of the first auxiliary member is greater than the bending strength of the first electrode sheet when the first electrode sheet is bent with a fold line in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction in the plane of the first electrode sheet.

35. The first electrode sheet is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction. The sensor sheet according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal electrical resistivity of the first auxiliary member is the same as or less than the longitudinal electrical resistivity of the first electrode sheet.

36. moreover, A second electrode sheet (26) is formed from a fourth conductive cloth (71) having a fourth plating layer (74) made of metal on its surface and is disposed on the other side of the insulating sheet, The sensor sheet according to claim 1, comprising a conductive second conductive material (80a), a third auxiliary member (80) disposed on one side of the second electrode sheet such that the fourth conductive cloth and the second conductive material are electrically connected, and a third auxiliary member (80) that forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the fourth plating layer is broken.

37. The sensor sheet according to claim 36, wherein, in the stacking direction in which the third auxiliary member is stacked on the second electrode sheet, the third auxiliary member is positioned to overlap with at least a portion of the first auxiliary member.

38. The sensor sheet according to claim 36, wherein, in the stacking direction in which the third auxiliary member is stacked on the second electrode sheet, the third auxiliary member is positioned so as not to overlap with the first auxiliary member.

39. The sensor sheet according to claim 36, wherein the third auxiliary member comprises a fifth conductive cloth (81) having a fifth plating layer (84) made of metal on its surface.

40. The sensor sheet according to claim 39, wherein the fifth conductive fabric is formed from the same material as the fourth conductive fabric.

41. An insulating insulating sheet (24), A first electrode sheet (25) is formed from a first conductive cloth (41) having a first plating layer (44) made of metal on its surface and is arranged on one side of the insulating sheet, The first auxiliary member (50) comprises a conductive first conductive material (50a), which is arranged on one side of the first electrode sheet such that the first conductive cloth and the first conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken. The first auxiliary member is a sensor sheet (18) formed from a second conductive cloth (61) having a second plating layer (64) made of metal on its surface.

42. An insulating insulating sheet (24), A first electrode sheet (25) is formed from a first conductive cloth (41) having a first plating layer (44) made of metal on its surface and is arranged on one side of the insulating sheet, The first auxiliary member (50) comprises a conductive first conductive material (50a), which is arranged on one side of the first electrode sheet such that the first conductive cloth and the first conductive material are electrically connected, and which forms an electrical conductivity path at the portion where the first plating layer is broken. The first conductive material of the first auxiliary member is A conductive layer (50b) containing a conductor, A sensor sheet (18) is a laminate of a conductive adhesive layer containing a conductive filler and a curable resin, or a conductive adhesive layer (50d) containing a conductive filler and a binder resin.

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