Bendable Position Sensor with Extensible Electrodes for Compact Framing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position detection sensors face high manufacturing costs due to the need for through holes and formation of electrode conductors on both surfaces of a board, and terminal sections outside the detection region increase the size of the outer frame, complicating mass production and connection to external circuits.
Innovation Solution
A position detection sensor with a flexible base featuring a terminal section on one surface and electrode conductors extending through a bendable region, allowing the terminal section to be positioned opposite the detection area when bent, and using extensible electrode ends to prevent electrical connection issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If through holes are formed and electrode conductors are formed on both front and rear surfaces of the board, then electrode conductors can be disposed without overlapping, but manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the terminal section from the same surface as the electrode conductor patterns and positions it on the opposite surface of the flexible board. This separation allows the terminal section to be located outside the detection region, eliminating the need for through holes and dual-sided electrode formation, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement where terminal sections would overlap with electrode patterns to a three-dimensional configuration by utilizing the opposite surface of the flexible board. This dimensional change resolves the overlapping issue without requiring complex through-hole structures
2Area of stationary object
If terminal section is formed on the same surface as electrode conductor patterns, then connection to external circuits is facilitated, but terminal section lies outside detection region increasing outer frame size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the opposite surface of the flexible board to position the terminal section, effectively moving it to another dimension (depth/thickness) rather than expanding it in the planar direction. This allows the terminal section to be accessible for external circuit connection while remaining within the overall compact footprint of the sensor, preventing increase of the outer frame size
Data Source
AI summary
A position detection sensor includes a base made of a flexible material. The base includes a terminal section having a plurality of terminal conductors disposed on a first surface of the base. The base includes a sensor pattern section including a plurality of electrode conductors arranged in predetermined patterns in an area that does not overlap with the terminal section on the first surface of the base. End portions of the plurality of electrode conductors are positioned so as to be connectable to corresponding ones of the terminal conductors in the terminal section. The first surface of the base includes a region of the terminal section, a region of the sensor pattern section, and a bendable region between these two regions. Each of the plurality of electrode conductors, which is electrically connected to each of the plurality of terminal conductors, is disposed so as to be extensible in the bendable region.