Sensor and sensor manufacturing method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023349777-A1
Application number	US-202318137889-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 21, 2023
Priority date	Apr 28, 2022
Publication date	Nov 2, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sensor includes: a sensor section including a conductive structure made up of a three-dimensionally continuous unit lattices, each including a plurality of columnar beams; and output connectors that output a resistance value of the sensor section, the resistance value changing at least when the conductive structure is compressed by an external force. A method for manufacturing a sensor includes forming the sensor section by stacking using a 3D printer. The sensor and method for manufacturing the sensor enable the adjustment of the repulsive force against compression to an input member and thus appropriately setting the change in resistance value against external force according to the device, in which the sensor is to be incorporated and the mode of use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A sensor comprising: a sensor section including a conductive structure made up of a three-dimensionally continuous unit lattices, each including a plurality of columnar beams; and
output connectors that output a resistance value of the sensor section, the resistance value changing at least when the conductive structure is compressed by an external force.

2 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive structure is adjacent to a non-conductive structure, in which the unit lattices are three-dimensionally continuous.

3 . The sensor according to claim 2 , wherein the non-conductive structure intervenes between two of the output connectors from an edge of the conductive structure toward interior so that a distance of a conductive path between the two output connectors is longer than a distance of a conductive path without the non-conductive structure intervening.

4 . The sensor according to claim 3 , wherein the two output connectors are adjacent to each other on one face of the conductive structure with the non-conductive structure interposed therebetween.

5 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein each unit lattice includes the plurality of columnar beams, each radially extending from one point in the lattice toward a lattice point.

6 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein each unit lattice includes the plurality of columnar beams connecting adjacent lattice points to form a frame.

7 . A method for manufacturing the sensor according to claim 1 , comprising forming the sensor section by stacking using a 3D printer.

Assignees

• Mercari Inc
• Univ Tokyo

Inventors

• Yamamura Ryosuke
• Kakehi Yasuaki
• Han Changyo
• Sakura Rei
• Watanabe Keisuke

Classifications

• G01L1/20 Primary

  by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids (of piezo-resistive materials G01L1/18); by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress · CPC title

• G01L5/00

  Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes · CPC title

• G01L5/161

  using variations in ohmic resistance · CPC title