Touch sensor unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10648216-B2
Application number	US-201815988068-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 24, 2018
Priority date	May 30, 2017
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

A touch sensor unit includes a pressure-sensitive sensor and a support that supports the pressure-sensitive sensor. The support includes a first portion that is folded and overlapped with a second portion of the support to at least partially enclosed and support the sensor. One of the first portion and the second portion includes a groove, and the other of the first portion and the second portion includes a projection that projects toward the groove. The projection is fitted into the groove.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A touch sensor unit, comprising:
a pressure-sensitive sensor; and
a support that supports the pressure-sensitive sensor, wherein
the support includes overlapping portions which are integral, unitary, and one piece with the support and that include a first portion of the support that is folded and overlapped with a second portion of the support,
the pressure-sensitive sensor is at least partially enclosed by the overlapping portions of the support and is supported by the support,
one of the first portion and the second portion includes a groove, and the other one of the first portion and the second portion includes a projection that projects toward the groove,
the projection is fitted into the groove, and
the groove includes a first side surface and the projection includes a second side surface that contacts the first side surface to urge the projection against the pressure-sensitive sensor.

2. The touch sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the overlapping portions of the support include joined parts where the overlapping portions are adhered to each other, and
the projection is located between the joined parts and the pressure-sensitive sensor.

3. The touch sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the second portion is a main body including a metal insert and an elastomer that covers the metal insert, and
the first portion is a lip connected to the main body, formed from an elastomer, and free from the metal insert,
wherein the lip is folded over the main body to enclose the pressure-sensitive sensor and overlap with the main body.

4. The touch sensor unit according to claim 3 , wherein the groove is located in a surface of the main body, and the projection is located on a surface of the lip.

5. The touch sensor unit according to claim 3 , wherein
a protrusion projects from a surface of the main body, and
a distal end of the lip overlapped with the main body abuts against the protrusion.

6. The touch sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the projection further includes an inner surface that faces toward and contacts with the pressure sensitive sensor.

Assignees

• Aisin Seiki
• Nishikawa Rubber Co Ltd

Inventors

• Taguchi Tomohiro
• Koeda Hironori
• Matsumoto Michihiko
• Fukushima Takashi

Classifications

• H03K17/975

  using a capacitive movable element · CPC title

• H03K2217/96078

  Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers · CPC title

• E05F15/44 Primary

  responsive to changes in electrical conductivity · CPC title

• B60J10/273

  for enclosing or housing devices for purposes other than sealing, e.g. cables · CPC title

• H03K17/962 Primary

  Capacitive touch switches · CPC title