Proximity sensor, proximity detection device, proximity detection system

Abstract

This invention discloses a proximity sensor that can more effectively suppress electrostatic coupling between the proximity sensor and objects that the proximity sensor should not detect, without increasing its size. [Solution] The proximity sensor 100 includes an insulated wire 110 and a sandwich structure 150 having an elongated groove 159. The insulated wire 110 is located in the groove 159 of the sandwich structure 150. The insulated wire 110 is surrounded on three sides by the sandwich structure 150. The insulated wire 110 can be removed from the sandwich structure 150.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to proximity sensing technology.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a proximity sensor that senses the approach of an object (e.g., a human body) to the proximity sensor by a change in capacitance. FIG. 1 is a copy of FIG. 16 of Patent Document 1. The proximity sensor shown in FIG. 16 of Patent Document 1 includes a shielding electrode 12 that is a strip-shaped or rectangular metal plate, an insulating sheet 13 having the same shape and the same dimensions as the shielding electrode 12, a planar electrode 14 that is a bent metal plate, a linear electrode 17 that is a round bar metal wire or an electric wire, and a case 22 obtained by curing a synthetic resin liquid.

[0003] The planar electrode 14 has a shape obtained by bending a rectangular metal plate into a square tube shape, and the edge of one long side of the planar electrode 14 and the edge of the other long side of the planar electrode 14 face each other with a long and narrow gap therebetween. The shielding electrode 12 is located on one surface of the insulating sheet 13, and the rear side plate 15 of the planar electrode 14 is located on the other surface of the insulating sheet 13. The linear electrode 17 is located in the gap formed by the planar electrode 14. The shielding electrode 12, the insulating sheet 13, the planar electrode 14, and the linear electrode 17 are embedded in the case 22. The shielding electrode 12 is grounded (see FIGS. 8 and FIG. 17 of Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The proximity sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a shielding electrode 12, which is a grounding conductor, as shown in Figure 1 of this application, in order to shorten the detectable distance of the rear region of the proximity sensor, that is, the region to the left of the proximity sensor shown in Figure 1 of this application (see paragraphs 0019, 0021 and Figures 8 and 17 of Patent Document 1).

[0006] When using a shielding electrode 12 which is a flat metal plate, in order to suppress electrostatic coupling between the proximity sensor and an object located in the area behind the proximity sensor (however, this object is not the object that the proximity sensor should detect), the shielding electrode 12 needs to have a sufficiently large surface area, which leads to an increase in the size of the proximity sensor.

[0007] Therefore, we disclose a proximity sensor that can suppress electrostatic coupling between an object that the proximity sensor should not detect and the proximity sensor more effectively than prior art without increasing its size, a proximity sensing device including the proximity sensor, and a proximity sensing system including the proximity sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The technical matters described herein are provided not to explicitly or implicitly limit the invention described in the claims, nor to enable persons other than those who benefit from the invention (e.g., the applicant and the rights holder) to limit the invention described in the claims, but simply to facilitate understanding of the essential points of the invention. An overview of the invention from other perspectives can be understood, for example, from the claims of this patent application as of the filing date. The proximity sensor of this disclosure includes an insulated wire and a sandwich structure having an elongated groove. The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure. The insulated wire is surrounded on three sides by the sandwich structure. This characteristic will be described in more detail below. The insulated wire includes a long, slender first electrical conductor and a first insulator that covers the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction. The sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second and third electrical conductors. One edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. The proximity sensor of this disclosure further has a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire. However, (A) when the proximity sensor is viewed from the east, the insulated wire is visible and the first electrical conductor is visible assuming there is no first insulator; (B) when the proximity sensor is viewed from the west, the insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure; (C) when the proximity sensor is viewed from the south, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible assuming there is no first insulator; and (D) when the proximity sensor is viewed from the north, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible assuming there is no first insulator by the sandwich structure. The proximity sensing device of this disclosure includes such a proximity sensor and a controller that supplies an electrical signal to the proximity sensor. The proximity sensing system of this disclosure includes such a proximity sensing device, a first object to be sensed by a proximity sensor included in the proximity sensing device, and a second object not to be sensed by the proximity sensor. In this system, the first object is located east of the proximity sensor, and the second object is located west of the proximity sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The disclosed proximity sensor can suppress electrostatic coupling between the proximity sensor and objects that the proximity sensor should not detect, more effectively than prior art, without increasing its size. Both the disclosed proximity sensing device and proximity sensing system also benefit from the disclosed proximity sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Prior technology proximity sensor. [Figure 2]Embodiments of proximity sensing technology (proximity sensor, proximity sensing device, proximity sensing system) disclosed. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional views of the proximity sensor according to the embodiment. (a) First example. (b) Second example. (c) Third example. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional views of proximity sensors in other embodiments. (a) First example. (b) Second example. (c) Third example. [Figure 5] Other embodiments of the disclosed proximity sensing technology (proximity sensor, proximity sensing device, proximity sensing system). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of the disclosed proximity sensing technology will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are for understanding the embodiments, and the dimensions of the illustrated components are not necessarily the same as the actual dimensions. In addition, the terms “front,” “back,” “east,” “west,” “south,” and “north” are used in the following description for illustrative purposes only. Therefore, the terms “front” and “back” do not define the front and back of the disclosed object. Furthermore, the terms “east,” “west,” “south,” and “north” do not refer to the geographical “east,” “west,” “south,” and “north.” In the drawings, “front,” “back,” “east,” “west,” “south,” and “north” are represented by “F,” “B,” “E,” “W,” “S,” and “N,” respectively.

[0012] The proximity sensing system 300 of the embodiment (see Figure 2) includes a proximity sensing device 200 of the embodiment, a first object 310 to be sensed by the proximity sensor 100 of the embodiment included in the proximity sensing device 200, and a second object 330 that the proximity sensor 100 should not sense. The proximity sensing device 200 also includes a controller 210 that supplies an electrical signal to the proximity sensor 100.

[0013] The proximity sensor 100, whose structure will be described later, is a sensor that detects the approach of an object that can be electrostatically coupled to the proximity sensor 100 by a change in capacitance, and its principle is well known. The first object 310 is a tangible object that can be electrostatically coupled with the proximity sensor 100. The first object 310 is typically a movable object that can move freely within an unrestricted range. Examples of the first object 310 include a human, an animal, a robot, a wheeled vehicle, and a tracked vehicle. The second object 330 is a tangible object that can be electrostatically coupled with the proximity sensor 100. The second object 330 is typically an object that exists within a predetermined area and whose inadvertent contact may cause an accident. Examples of the second object 330 include a robot (such as an industrial robot or a service robot), an automated manipulator, a remote manipulator, a wheeled vehicle, a tracked vehicle, high-voltage equipment (such as a power supply device, a transformer, a high-voltage cable, or a high-voltage circuit), an electric motor, and a prime mover. In the proximity sensing system 300, the second object 330 is preferably a movable object that can move within the above-mentioned area, which means that the distance between the proximity sensor 100 and the second object 330 cannot be kept constant.

[0014] The proximity sensor 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) includes an elongated insulating electric wire 110 and a sandwich structure 150 having an elongated groove 159.

[0015] The insulating electric wire 110 includes an elongated first electrical conductor 111 and a first insulator 113 that covers the first electrical conductor 111 along the longitudinal direction of the first electrical conductor 111 (the F-B direction in FIG. 2). The first electrical conductor 111 has an external shape in which the length is significantly larger than the width (or the square root of the cross-sectional area), and is typically a single metal wire or a stranded wire. In an embodiment, the first electrical conductor 111 is an elongated cylindrical single wire, and the cross-sectional shape of the first electrical conductor 111 perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is a circle (see FIG. 3). In an embodiment, the first insulator 113 has an elongated cylindrical shape extending from one end to the other end of the first electrical conductor 111 in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the cross-sectional shape of the first insulator 113 perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is a ring (see FIG. 3).

[0016] The sandwich structure 150 includes a second electrical conductor 151 that determines the shape of the groove 159, a third electrical conductor 155 along the second electrical conductor 151, and a second insulator 153 between the second electrical conductor 151 and the third electrical conductor 155. The third electrical conductor 155 is a ground conductor. The second electrical conductor 151 has an elongated shape extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 110 (the F-B direction in FIG. 2). The second insulator 153 has an elongated shape extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second electrical conductor 151 (the F-B direction in FIG. 2). The third electrical conductor 155 has an elongated shape extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second insulator 153 (the F-B direction in FIG. 2).

[0017] Three examples of the shape of the sandwich structure 150 are shown in FIGS. 3(a), FIGS. 3(b), and FIGS. 3(c). In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3(a), the second electrical conductor 151, the third electrical conductor 155, and the second insulator 153 each have a shape like a channel steel. Therefore, the groove 159 has a cross-sectional shape like that of an unused staple. In the example shown in FIGS. 3(b), the second electrical conductor 151, the third electrical conductor 155, and the second insulator 153 each have a shape like an equilateral angle steel. Therefore, the groove 159 has a cross-sectional shape of a 90-degree V shape. In the example shown in FIGS. 3(c), the second electrical conductor 151, the third electrical conductor 155, and the second insulator 153 each have a shape like a slit cylinder (specifically, a cylinder having one slit extending linearly in the longitudinal direction). Therefore, the groove 159 has a cross-sectional shape like a C shape or a major arc.

[0018] One edge of the second electrical conductor 151 along the groove 159 and one edge of the third electrical conductor 155 along the groove 159 are aligned with each other. The other edge of the second electrical conductor 151 along the groove 159 and the other edge of the third electrical conductor 155 along the groove 159 are aligned with each other. Here, "aligned" means that, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sandwich structure 150 at any position in the longitudinal direction of the sandwich structure 150 (FB direction in Figure 2), if a straight line (shown as a dashed line in each example shown in Figure 3) is applied to one end face (or the other end face) in the circumferential direction of the sandwich structure 150 (i.e., the direction that circles around the longitudinal direction of the sandwich structure 150), then one edge of the second electrical conductor 151 in the circumferential direction (resp. the other edge) and one edge of the third electrical conductor 155 in the circumferential direction (resp. the other edge) are both tangent to the straight line. Since the third electrical conductor 155 is a ground conductor, if the circumferential length of the third electrical conductor 155 in the sandwich structure 150 described above is shorter than the circumferential length of the second electrical conductor 151, the probability increases that the third electrical conductor 155 will not be able to adequately perform its function as an electromagnetic shield that blocks the electrostatic coupling between the first electrical conductor 111 and the second object 330. Conversely, in the sandwich structure 150 described above, if the circumferential length of the third electrical conductor 155 is longer than the circumferential length of the second electrical conductor 151, the probability of electrostatic coupling occurring between the first electrical conductor 111 and the third electrical conductor 155 increases, and as a result, the electrostatic coupling ability between the first electrical conductor 111 and the first object 310 is weakened. Therefore, it is desirable to satisfy the technical requirement that one edge (resp. the other edge) of the second electrical conductor 151 in the circumferential direction and one edge (resp. the other edge) of the third electrical conductor 155 in the circumferential direction align with each other.

[0019] The insulated wire 110 is located in the groove 159 of the sandwich structure 150. The insulated wire 110 may or may not be removable from the sandwich structure 150.

[0020] If the insulated wire 110 can be removed from the sandwich structure 150, then by providing multiple different sandwich structures 150 for a single insulated wire 110 (for example, the three sandwich structures 150 shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) respectively), the sandwich structure 150 can be replaced as needed (for example, according to the required directivity of the proximity sensor 100). Examples of structures that allow the insulated wire 110 to be removed from the sandwich structure 150 include: (1) a structure in which the insulated wire 110 is fixed to the sandwich structure 150 by static friction; (2) a structure in which the insulated wire 110 is fixed to the sandwich structure 150 by an adhesive; and (3) a structure in which the sandwich structure 150 holds the insulated wire 110 by the shape of the groove 159. In the example shown in Figure 3(a), the width of the groove 159 is approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insulated wire 110. Therefore, the insulated wire 110 can be fixed to the sandwich structure 150 by pushing it into the groove 159 (friction is generated between the second electrical conductor 151 and the insulated wire 110), and of course, it is also easy to remove the insulated wire 110 from the sandwich structure 150. In the example shown in Figure 3(b), with the insulated wire 110 located in the groove 159, if there is no adhesive sheet, the insulated wire 110 can be fixed to the sandwich structure 150 by interposing an adhesive sheet (not shown) at the point where the first insulator 113 and the second electrical conductor 151 would touch each other. Of course, it is also easy to remove the insulated wire 110 from the sandwich structure 150. In the example shown in Figure 3(c), the inner diameter of the C-shaped groove 159 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insulated wire 110. Therefore, the insulated wire 110 can be fixed to the sandwich structure 150 by inserting it through the groove 159 along the FB direction, and of course, the insulated wire 110 can also be removed (more precisely, pulled out) from the sandwich structure 150. In this example, due to the difference between the inner diameter of the C-shaped groove 159 and the outer diameter of the insulated wire 110, the insulated wire 110 is fixed to the sandwich structure 150 by static friction, or the sandwich structure 150 holds the insulated wire 110 due to the shape of the groove 159.

[0021] Examples of structures in which the insulated wire 110 cannot be removed from the sandwich structure 150 include (1) a structure in which the insulated wire 110 cannot be separated from the sandwich structure 150 without damaging the proximity sensor 100, and (2) a structure in which a partial structure corresponding to the insulated wire 110 and a partial structure corresponding to the sandwich structure 150 are integrated with each other (for example, by insert molding). The examples shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) correspond to the examples shown in Figures 3(a), 4(b), and 4(c), respectively. In the examples shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), the first insulator 113 and the second insulator 153 are integrally molded as an insulator 157. In the examples shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), the first electrical conductor 111, the second electrical conductor 151, and the third electrical conductor 155 are embedded in the insulator 157.

[0022] The proximity sensor 100, which includes the insulated wire 110 and the sandwich structure 150, has a uniform structure, that is, a structure in which the shape and size of the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (i.e., the FB direction) at any position in the longitudinal direction of the proximity sensor 100 are both constant. The proximity sensor 100 may be slightly twisted in the circumferential direction.

[0023] The proximity sensor 100 can be cut at any point on the proximity sensor 100, except at both ends. The cutting direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the proximity sensor 100. Therefore, by cutting the proximity sensor 100 as needed at the site where the proximity sensing system 300 is implemented, a proximity sensor 100 with a length appropriate to the conditions of that site can be obtained.

[0024] The proximity sensor 100 has the effect of "detecting the approach of the first object 310 to the proximity sensor 100, but not detecting the approach of the second object 330 to the proximity sensor 100," and therefore, in addition to the technical requirements described above, it satisfies the following technical requirements. That is, the proximity sensor 100 has a structure that allows it to determine "east," "west," "south," and "north" in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (FB direction in Figure 2) at any position in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 110. However, the "east" side satisfies the condition "when the proximity sensor 100 is viewed from the east, the insulated wire 110 is visible, and assuming the first insulator 113 is absent, the first electrical conductor 111 is visible" in that cross-section; the "west" side satisfies the condition "when the proximity sensor 100 is viewed from the west, the insulated wire 110 is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure 150" in that cross-section; the "south" side satisfies the condition "when the proximity sensor 100 is viewed from the south, assuming the first insulator 113 is absent, the first electrical conductor 111 is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure 150" in that cross-section; and the "north" side satisfies the condition "when the proximity sensor 100 is viewed from the north, assuming the first insulator 113 is absent, the first electrical conductor 111 is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure 150" in that cross-section. It is clear that in the cross-sections of each proximity sensor 100 shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), it is possible to define "east," "west," "south," and "north" that satisfy these conditions.

[0025] In Figure 2, the proximity sensor 100 extends in a straight line, but it is not limited to this. The proximity sensor 100 has a certain degree of flexibility, and may be bent as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows an example of a proximity sensor 100 that is gently bent like a U. Figure 5 also shows cross-sectional views of the proximity sensor 100 at two locations. As can be seen from Figure 5, the aforementioned "east," "west," "south," and "north" are determined at each position in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 110. The groove 159 extends in a straight line from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 110 when the proximity sensor 100 is stretched taut without twisting, so in this state, "east," "west," "south," and "north" are determined with respect to the entire proximity sensor 100 (see Figure 2).

[0026] In the proximity detection system 300, the first object 310 is located east of the proximity sensor 100, and the second object 330 is located west of the proximity sensor 100. Therefore, the proximity sensor 100 detects the approach of the first object 310 to the proximity sensor 100, but does not detect the approach of the second object 330 to the proximity sensor 100. In the proximity detection system 300, the proximity sensor 100 is installed at a distance of several tens of centimeters to about 1 meter from the floor or ground, as needed. In Figure 2, the support column for the proximity sensor 100 is not shown.

[0027] The controller 210 supplies electrical signals of the same phase to both the first electrical conductor 111 and the second electrical conductor 151. Examples of electrical signals include triangular waves, square waves, sawtooth waves, and step waves. By supplying electrical signals of the same phase to both the first electrical conductor 111 and the second electrical conductor 151, the potential difference between the first electrical conductor 111 and the second electrical conductor 151 is eliminated, and the electrostatic coupling between the first electrical conductor 111 and the second electrical conductor 151 can be disabled.

[0028] <Addendum 1> The technical features disclosed in the various embodiments and their variations described above are not necessarily mutually exclusive. To the extent that they do not contradict each other from a technical standpoint, the technical features of one embodiment or its variation may be applied to the technical features of another embodiment or its variation.

[0029] The claims set forth in the claims of this application at the time of filing do not necessarily claim all inventions disclosed in this specification. In this regard, the applicant of this application should not be understood or interpreted as having waived the right to obtain a patent for inventions not claimed at the time of filing. To the extent permitted by the laws or treaties of the country or region that receives this application, the applicant reserves the right to obtain a patent for inventions not claimed in this application, the right to file a divisional application for such inventions, the right to claim such inventions by amendment, and all other rights. However, this shall not apply if the applicant of this application expresses an explicit and definitive contrary intention. An example of a summary of this disclosure from a different perspective is as follows:

[0030] A sensor based on the first perspective is a sensor that detects the approach of an object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor by a change in capacitance, The aforementioned sensor is An insulated wire comprising an elongated first electrical conductor and a first insulator covering the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction, A sandwich structure having an elongated groove, wherein the sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor, wherein one edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. Includes. The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure. Furthermore, the sensor has a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire, satisfying the following conditions (A), (B), (C), and (D). (A) When the sensor is viewed from the east: The insulated wire can be visually inspected, and the first electrical conductor can be visually inspected assuming the absence of the first insulator. (B) When the sensor is viewed from the west: The insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure. (C) When the sensor is viewed from the south: Assuming the absence of the first insulator, the first electrical conductor is hidden and invisible by the sandwich structure. (D) When the sensor is viewed from the north: Assuming the absence of the first insulator, the first electrical conductor is hidden and invisible by the sandwich structure.

[0031] The second perspective-based detection is performed in the first perspective-based detection, The third electrical conductor is a ground conductor, An electrical signal with the same phase is applied to both the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. It is characterized by the following:

[0032] A sensor based on a third perspective is, in a sensor based on a first or second perspective, The sensor can be cut at any point on the sensor except at both ends. It is characterized by the following:

[0033] A sensor based on the fourth perspective is a sensor based on either the first perspective or the third perspective, The insulated wire cannot be removed from the sandwich structure. It is characterized by the following:

[0034] A sensor based on the fifth perspective is a sensor based on either the first perspective or the third perspective, The insulated wire can be removed from the sandwich structure. It is characterized by the following:

[0035] The apparatus based on the first perspective is A sensor that detects the approach of an object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor by a change in capacitance, A controller that supplies an electrical signal to the aforementioned sensor. It is a device that includes this. In the apparatus based on the first viewpoint, the sensor is An insulated wire comprising an elongated first electrical conductor and a first insulator covering the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction, A sandwich structure having an elongated groove, wherein the sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor, wherein one edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. Includes. The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure. Furthermore, the sensor has a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire, provided that the east satisfies condition (A) when the sensor is viewed from the east, the insulated wire is visible and the first electrical conductor is visible assuming the absence of the first insulator; the west satisfies condition (B) when the sensor is viewed from the west, the insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure; the south satisfies condition (C) when the sensor is viewed from the south, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator; and the north satisfies condition (D) when the sensor is viewed from the north, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator. The third electrical conductor is the ground conductor. The controller supplies the electrical signals with the same phase to the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, respectively.

[0036] An apparatus based on the second perspective is, in an apparatus based on the first perspective, The sensor can be cut at any point on the sensor except at both ends. It is characterized by the following:

[0037] An apparatus based on the third perspective is an apparatus based on the first or second perspective, The insulated wire cannot be removed from the sandwich structure. It is characterized by the following:

[0038] An apparatus based on the fourth perspective is an apparatus based on the first or second perspective, The insulated wire can be removed from the sandwich structure. It is characterized by the following:

[0039] A system based on the first perspective is: The sensor detects the approach of a first object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor by a change in capacitance, but does not detect the approach of a second object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor. A controller that supplies an electrical signal to the aforementioned sensor, The aforementioned first object and The second object It is a system that includes this. In a system based on the first perspective, the sensor is An insulated wire comprising an elongated first electrical conductor and a first insulator covering the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction, A sandwich structure having an elongated groove, wherein the sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor, wherein one edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. Includes. The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure. Furthermore, the sensor has a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire, provided that the east satisfies condition (A) when the sensor is viewed from the east, the insulated wire is visible and the first electrical conductor is visible assuming the absence of the first insulator; the west satisfies condition (B) when the sensor is viewed from the west, the insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure; the south satisfies condition (C) when the sensor is viewed from the south, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator; and the north satisfies condition (D) when the sensor is viewed from the north, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator. The first object is located to the east of the sensor, and the second object is located to the west of the sensor. The third electrical conductor is the ground conductor. The controller supplies the electrical signals with the same phase to the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, respectively.

[0040] A system based on the second perspective is, in a system based on the first perspective, The sensor can be cut at any point on the sensor except at both ends. It is characterized by the following:

[0041] A system based on the third perspective is, in a system based on the first or second perspective, The insulated wire cannot be removed from the sandwich structure. It is characterized by the following:

[0042] A system based on the fourth perspective is based on the first or second perspective, The insulated wire can be removed from the sandwich structure. It is characterized by the following:

[0043] <Addendum 2> While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made and elements can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular system, device, or component thereof to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed for the purpose of carrying out the invention, but includes all embodiments contained in the appended claims.

[0044] Furthermore, the use of terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., when used herein and / or in the appended claims, does not indicate order or importance, but rather the terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used to distinguish elements. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing embodiments and are not intended in any way to limit the invention. The terms “including” and their variations, when used herein and / or in the appended claims, indicate the existence of the mentioned features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The terms “and / or” include, if any, one or any combination of the listed elements relating thereto. In the claims and specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, “connected,” “joined,” “joined,” “linked,” or their synonyms, and all their forms, do not necessarily negate the existence of one or more intermediate elements between two that are, for example, “connected” or “joined” or “linked” to one another. In the claims and specification, the term “arbitrary” should be understood as having the same meaning as the universal quantifier ∀, if any, unless otherwise specified. For example, the expression “for any X” is the same as “for all X” or “for each X.” Expressions such as “at least one of A, B, and C” (for example in English “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and / or C”) should be understood as having the same meaning as the power set 2 of the set S which contains all the listed elements, if any, unless otherwise specified. S This means arbitrarily selecting an element from the set P obtained by removing the empty set φ from the set. In this example, S={A,B,C},2 S={φ,{A},{B},{C},{A,B},{A,C},{B,C},{A,B,C}},P={{A},{B},{C},{A,B},{A,C},{B,C},{A,B,C}}, and this example means that one element (for example, {A,C}) can be arbitrarily selected from the set P.

[0045] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be construed to have the meaning consistent with their meanings in the relevant art and in the context of this disclosure, and should not be construed ideally or excessively formally unless expressly defined.

[0046] It will be understood that many techniques and steps are disclosed in the description of this invention. Each of these has its own advantages, and each can be used in combination with one or more, or possibly all, of the other disclosed techniques. Therefore, to avoid complexity, this specification refrains from describing every possible combination of individual techniques or steps. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and claims.

[0047] In the following claims, all corresponding structures, materials, actions, and equivalents of functional elements combined with means or steps are intended to include structures, materials, or actions for performing a function in combination with other elements, if any.

[0048] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and variations are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. The selected and described embodiments are for illustrating the principles of the present invention and its practical applications. The present invention can be used in various embodiments with various modifications and variations, and the various modifications and variations will be determined according to the expected use. All such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and are intended to be granted the same protection when interpreted in accordance with the fair, lawful and equitable breadth. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 100 proximity sensors 110 Insulated wire 111 First Electrical Conductor 113 First insulator 150 sandwich structures 151 Second Electrical Conductor 153 Second insulator 155 Third Electrical Conductor 157 Insulator 159 Groove 200 Proximity sensing device 210 Controllers 300 Proximity Detection System 310 1st object 330 Second object

Claims

1. The sensor detects the approach of an object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor by a change in capacitance, The aforementioned sensor is An insulated wire comprising an elongated first electrical conductor and a first insulator covering the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction, A sandwich structure having an elongated groove, wherein the sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor, wherein one edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. Includes, The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure, A sensor having a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire, satisfying the following conditions (A), (B), (C), and (D). (A) When the sensor is viewed from the east: The insulated wire can be visually inspected, and the first electrical conductor can be visually inspected assuming the absence of the first insulator. (B) When the sensor is viewed from the west: The insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure. (C) When the sensor is viewed from the south: Assuming the absence of the first insulator, the first electrical conductor is hidden and invisible by the sandwich structure. (D) When the sensor is viewed from the north: Assuming the absence of the first insulator, the first electrical conductor is hidden and invisible by the sandwich structure.

2. In the recovery described in claim 1, The third electrical conductor is a ground conductor, An electrical signal with the same phase is applied to both the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. A sensor characterized by the following features.

3. In the detection method described in claim 1 or claim 2, The sensor can be cut at any point on the sensor except at both ends. A sensor characterized by the following features.

4. In the detection method described in claim 1 or claim 2, The insulated wire cannot be removed from the sandwich structure. A sensor characterized by the following features.

5. In the detection method described in claim 1 or claim 2, The insulated wire can be removed from the sandwich structure. A sensor characterized by the following features.

6. A device comprising a sensor that detects the approach of an object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor by a change in capacitance, and a controller that supplies an electrical signal to the sensor, The aforementioned sensor is An insulated wire comprising an elongated first electrical conductor and a first insulator covering the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction, A sandwich structure having an elongated groove, wherein the sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor, wherein one edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. Includes, The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure, The sensor has a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire, provided that the east satisfies condition (A) when the sensor is viewed from the east, the insulated wire is visible and the first electrical conductor is visible assuming the absence of the first insulator; the west satisfies condition (B) when the sensor is viewed from the west, the insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure; the south satisfies condition (C) when the sensor is viewed from the south, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator; and the north satisfies condition (D) when the sensor is viewed from the north, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator. The third electrical conductor is a ground conductor, The controller supplies the electrical signals with the same phase to the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, Device.

7. A system comprising: a sensor that detects the approach of a first object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor by a change in capacitance, but does not detect the approach of a second object that can be electrostatically coupled to the sensor; a controller that supplies an electrical signal to the sensor; the first object; and the second object, The aforementioned sensor is An insulated wire comprising an elongated first electrical conductor and a first insulator covering the first electrical conductor along its longitudinal direction, A sandwich structure having an elongated groove, wherein the sandwich structure includes a second electrical conductor that determines the shape of the groove, a third electrical conductor along the second electrical conductor, and a second insulator between the second electrical conductor and the third electrical conductor, wherein one edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and one edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other, and the other edge of the second electrical conductor along the groove and the other edge of the third electrical conductor along the groove are aligned with each other. Includes, The insulated wire is located in the groove of the sandwich structure, The sensor has a structure that can determine east, west, south, and north perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire, provided that the east satisfies condition (A) when the sensor is viewed from the east, the insulated wire is visible and the first electrical conductor is visible assuming the absence of the first insulator; the west satisfies condition (B) when the sensor is viewed from the west, the insulated wire is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure; the south satisfies condition (C) when the sensor is viewed from the south, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator; and the north satisfies condition (D) when the sensor is viewed from the north, the first electrical conductor is hidden and not visible by the sandwich structure assuming the absence of the first insulator. The first object is located to the east of the sensor, The second object is located to the west of the sensor, The third electrical conductor is a ground conductor, The controller supplies the electrical signals with the same phase to the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, system.

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