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WO2025062594A1 - Fil de capteur, dispositif de capteur et faisceau de câbles - Google Patents

Fil de capteur, dispositif de capteur et faisceau de câbles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025062594A1
WO2025062594A1 PCT/JP2023/034384 JP2023034384W WO2025062594A1 WO 2025062594 A1 WO2025062594 A1 WO 2025062594A1 JP 2023034384 W JP2023034384 W JP 2023034384W WO 2025062594 A1 WO2025062594 A1 WO 2025062594A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wire
sensor
change
insulated
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/JP2023/034384
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
凌央 小川
文吾 横川
不二夫 薗田
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd, AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority to PCT/JP2023/034384 priority Critical patent/WO2025062594A1/fr
Publication of WO2025062594A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025062594A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
    • G01B7/16—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K7/00—Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a sensor wire, a sensor device, and a wire harness.
  • Electric wires are installed and laid in various electrical and electronic equipment, transportation equipment, buildings, public facilities, etc., and damage may occur to the electric wires as a result of long-term use. In order to prevent serious effects on the performance of the electric wires due to damage, it is desirable to detect the occurrence of damage early and sensitively.
  • a method for detecting damage to an electric wire there is a method in which a member that functions as a sensor capable of detecting damage is added to the electric wire and the presence or absence of damage to the electric wire is inspected using the member.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an electric wire in which a conductive tape or laminated tape is arranged on the outer periphery of a core wire having a conductor and an insulating coating.
  • the conductive tape is wound in a spiral shape on the surface of the insulating coating along the axial direction of the core wire, and gaps that are not occupied by the conductive tape are provided between the spiral turns of the conductive tape.
  • the laminated tape has a substrate constituted as a tape-shaped insulator or semiconductor, and a conductive coating layer formed on each side of the substrate.
  • the objective of the present invention is to provide a sensor wire as a component capable of sensitively detecting mechanical deformation and environmental changes, as well as a sensor device and a wire harness equipped with such a sensor wire.
  • the sensor wire disclosed herein has a first insulated wire and a second insulated wire, each of which has a conductor and an insulating coating that covers the outer circumference of the conductor, and the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire are bent and assembled with their longitudinal axes aligned to form a wire assembly, and a pair of the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire is regarded as one unit, and a region is formed on a straight line that crosses the wire assembly where multiple units of the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire are lined up alternately.
  • the sensor device disclosed herein includes the sensor wire and a monitoring means for inputting a differential signal to the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire that constitute the sensor wire to obtain a response signal and monitoring changes in the response signal.
  • the wire harness according to the present disclosure comprises a target electric wire composed of at least one electric wire, and the sensor device, and the sensor electric wire constituting the sensor device is arranged in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction of the target electric wire.
  • the sensor wire, sensor device, and wire harness disclosed herein are sensor wires that are components capable of sensitively detecting mechanical deformation and environmental changes, and are sensor devices and wire harnesses that include such sensor wires.
  • Fig. 1A is a perspective view showing a spiral-type sensor wire as an example of the sensor wire according to the embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 1B is a perspective view showing a coil-type sensor wire as another example of the sensor wire according to the embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 2B is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the change in state when a force is applied to the wire assembly in a direction that increases the distance between the wires, where FIG. 3A shows the state before the force is applied and FIG.
  • FIG. 3B shows the state after the force is applied.
  • 4A and 4B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the state change when a liquid is brought into contact with an electric wire assembly, where FIG. 4A shows the state before contact with the liquid and FIG. 4B shows the state after contact with the liquid.
  • 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views showing changes in state accompanying melting of a substance in contact with an electric wire assembly, in which FIG. 5A shows the state before melting and FIG. 5B shows the state after melting.
  • 6A and 6B are schematic cross-sectional views showing state changes accompanying chemical changes of a substance in contact with an electric wire assembly, in which FIG. 6A shows a state of low dielectric constant before the chemical change, and FIG. 6B shows a state of high dielectric constant after the chemical change.
  • FIG. 7 shows the measurement results showing the change in reflection coefficient associated with the elongation of the coil-type sensor wire.
  • FIG. 8 shows the measurement results showing the change in reflection coefficient caused by bending the coil-type sensor wire.
  • FIG. 9 shows the measurement results showing the change in reflection coefficient of the coil-type sensor wire due to elongation caused by heating.
  • FIG. 10 shows the measurement results showing the change in reflection coefficient caused by contact of the spiral-wound sensor wire with the electrolyte solution.
  • FIG. 11 shows the measurement results showing the change in reflection coefficient caused by the contact of a finger with the spiral-wound sensor wire.
  • FIG. 12 shows the measurement results showing the change in reflection coefficient caused by contact of the spiral-wound sensor wire with two types of rubber.
  • the sensor wire of the present disclosure has a first insulated wire and a second insulated wire, each of which has a conductor and an insulating coating that covers the outer circumference of the conductor, and the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire are bent and assembled with their longitudinal axes aligned to form a wire assembly, and a pair of the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire is regarded as one unit, and a region is formed on a straight line that crosses the wire assembly in which multiple units of the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire are arranged alternately.
  • the sensor wire is sensitive to mechanical deformation and environmental changes applied to the sensor wire and outputs it as an electrical signal. Specifically, if a differential signal is input to two insulated wires that make up the wire assembly and a response signal such as characteristic impedance is obtained, the response signal can change to reflect the mechanical deformation and environmental changes applied to the sensor wire.
  • a differential signal is input to two insulated wires that make up the wire assembly and a response signal such as characteristic impedance is obtained
  • the response signal can change to reflect the mechanical deformation and environmental changes applied to the sensor wire.
  • an electric field is generated between adjacent insulated wires, and the state of the electric field changes with the change in the distance between the insulated wires due to the deformation of the wire assembly and the change in the dielectric constant of the material present around the wire assembly.
  • the change in the state of the electric field also changes the response signal such as characteristic impedance.
  • a sensor wire is placed in the path of a target wire for which the effects of mechanical deformation and environmental changes should be monitored, and an inspection signal is input to the sensor wire to detect the response signal, when mechanical deformation or environmental changes are applied to the target wire and the assembly of the sensor wire, the mechanical deformation or environmental changes can be sensitively detected as a change in the response signal.
  • the equipment can be constructed so that mechanical deformation of the sensor wire or changes in the environment are used to input instructions or information from outside, and the input instructions or information can be read from changes in the response signal in the sensor wire.
  • the sensor wire two insulated wires are bent and assembled with their longitudinal axes aligned, so that mechanical deformation and environmental changes can be detected as changes in the response signal more sensitively than when the two insulated wires run straight parallel to each other.
  • a long insulated wire is housed in a specified length area, and the entire area along the actual length can be used as a sensor, and the change in shape of the wire assembly can be used to make a large deformation.
  • the insulated wires are bent and formed into a certain shape (swirl or helical), when an AC signal is input, a magnetic field can be formed when each insulated wire is viewed as a unit.
  • the two insulated wires are assembled with their longitudinal axes aligned and the signals input to the two insulated wires are differential signals with mutually different polarities, the magnetic fields formed by the two insulated wires cancel each other out. Therefore, the magnetic field is less likely to affect the detection results of the sensor wire or the operation of the target wire.
  • the first insulated electric wire and the second insulated electric wire may be wound around a common central axis to form the electric wire assembly.
  • an electric wire assembly in which two insulated electric wires are densely packed can be easily obtained.
  • the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire may be assembled in a planar shape in the wire assembly.
  • mechanical deformation or environmental changes occur anywhere in the plane formed by the sensor wires, these events can be detected as changes in the response signal. This makes it easier to monitor mechanical deformation and environmental changes over a wide range.
  • the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire may be wound in a spiral shape.
  • the wire assembly can be constructed by accumulating a pair of two insulated wires in a planar shape at high density. This results in a sensor wire that can detect mechanical deformation and environmental changes with high sensitivity over a wide range.
  • the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire may each be configured as an enameled wire. This allows the insulating coating of the insulated wire to be made thinner and the distance between adjacent conductors in the wire assembly to be reduced, so that deformation of the wire assembly and changes in the dielectric constant of the material surrounding the wire assembly are more likely to be reflected as changes in the electric field. As a result, mechanical deformation or environmental changes in the sensor wire are more likely to cause large changes in the response signal.
  • the sensor wire may further include a support material that contacts the wire assembly and supports the wire assembly.
  • the use of the support material makes it easier to use the sensor wire as a free-standing member.
  • the use of the support material makes it difficult for the wire assembly to deform under small mechanical loads such as minute vibrations, and mechanical loads that should be detected as abnormal or intentionally applied can be selectively detected as changes in the response signal, while ignoring mechanical loads that are within a range that can be considered normal.
  • the support material may have flexibility that allows it to deform in accordance with the deformation of the wire assembly.
  • the sensor wire including the support material, deforms, causing a change in the response signal.
  • an intermediate material containing a substance that causes a change in dielectric constant due to a change in the environment in the area surrounding the wire assembly is disposed in contact with the wire assembly.
  • a change occurs in the response signal of the sensor wire through the change in the dielectric constant in the area surrounding the wire assembly and the accompanying change in the state of the electric field. The change in the environment can then be detected based on the change in the response signal.
  • the change in the dielectric constant may be caused by at least one of a phase transformation and a chemical change of the intermediate material.
  • a substance that undergoes a phase transformation or a chemical change as the intermediate material, the change in the environment in which the sensor wire is placed can be sensitively detected as a change in the response signal of the sensor wire.
  • the sensor device of the present disclosure includes a sensor wire as any one of [1] to [7] above, and a monitoring means for inputting a differential signal to the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire constituting the sensor wire to obtain a response signal and monitoring changes in the response signal.
  • This sensor device inputs a differential signal to the sensor wire having the wire assembly described above by a monitoring means to obtain a response signal, and when mechanical deformation or an environmental change is applied to the sensor wire, the response signal changes sensitively through a change in the state of the electric field around the wire assembly. Therefore, the sensor device can be used as a detection device for detecting the application of a mechanical load or a change in the environment. For example, by arranging the sensor wire constituting the sensor device in at least a partial area along the target wire for which the effects of mechanical deformation or environmental change should be monitored, and monitoring the response signal, when mechanical deformation or an environmental change is applied to the target wire and the assembly of the sensor wires, these events can be detected sensitively. Two insulated wires constitute the wire assembly, and a differential signal is input to the wire assembly, so that the wire assembly is less likely to generate a magnetic field when measurements are made by the monitoring means.
  • the monitoring means may determine that at least one of mechanical deformation, temperature change, and change in the material in contact with the sensor wire has been applied to the sensor wire when a change in the response signal that exceeds a criterion occurs.
  • Mechanical deformation, temperature change, and change in the material in contact with the sensor wire are all events that cause a change in the response signal obtained from the sensor wire.
  • a predetermined criterion for the change in the response signal By setting a predetermined criterion for the change in the response signal and determining that at least one of these events has occurred when a change in the response signal that exceeds the criterion occurs, it is possible to detect the occurrence of such events at a level that exceeds a predetermined level, such as a level that has a non-negligible effect on the operation of a target wire placed near the sensor wire or a level that may lead to irreversible changes in the target wire, and to take measures, etc.
  • the monitoring means may monitor, as the response signal, a change in the characteristic impedance or reflection coefficient between the first insulated wire and the second insulated wire constituting the sensor wire.
  • the characteristic impedance and reflection coefficient are parameters whose values change and sensitively reflect changes in the state of the electric field due to mechanical deformation in the sensor wire or changes in the environment. Therefore, by measuring the characteristic impedance or reflection coefficient in the sensor wire, mechanical deformation and environmental changes in the sensor wire can be sensitively detected.
  • the monitoring means may measure the characteristic impedance or reflection coefficient by a time domain reflectometry or a frequency domain reflectometry.
  • the area where the change occurs in the characteristic impedance or reflection coefficient on the response signal can be associated with a position on the sensor wire through appropriate calculations, etc.
  • the position can be associated with a position where mechanical deformation or an environmental change occurs on the sensor wire. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily and accurately identify the position where mechanical deformation or an environmental change occurs on the sensor wire.
  • the wire assembly may be impedance-matched with the monitoring means by adjusting the number of pairs of the first insulated wires and the second insulated wires arranged in the straight line.
  • the characteristic impedance can be easily changed by adjusting the number of pairs of alternating insulated wires, and impedance matching with the monitoring means can be performed.
  • the wire harness of the present disclosure comprises a target electric wire composed of at least one electric wire and any one of the sensor devices [10] to [14] above, and the sensor electric wire constituting the sensor device is arranged in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction of the target electric wire.
  • a sensor wire having an electric wire assembly is arranged in at least a partial area along the longitudinal direction of the target electric wire. Therefore, when mechanical deformation or environmental changes occur in the assembly of the target electric wire and the sensor electric wire, the sensor device can detect them sensitively. This makes it possible to detect mechanical deformation or environmental changes that may affect the operation or characteristics of the target electric wire, take into consideration their effects when using the target electric wire, and take measures such as replacing the target electric wire before the mechanical deformation or environmental changes cause irreversible damage or deterioration of the target electric wire. Furthermore, if instructions or information can be input through the application of mechanical deformation or environmental changes to the sensor electric wire and the instructions or information can be read as changes in the response signal, the sensor device can be used as an input means in equipment used with the wire harness.
  • a sensor device is configured including the sensor wire according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a wire harness is configured including the sensor device. The sensor wire and the sensor device monitor mechanical deformation and environmental changes, and in a wire harness, the sensor device monitors the target wire to be monitored.
  • terms indicating the shape and arrangement of components of an electric wire such as spiral, helical, linear, etc., include not only a geometrically strict concept but also an allowable range of error for an electric wire.
  • Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are perspective views showing an example of the structure of the sensor wire according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B show different forms.
  • Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 2B is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the wire harness according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a sensor wire 1 includes a wire assembly 11.
  • the wire assembly 11 includes a pair (two) of insulated wires, a first insulated wire 12a and a second insulated wire 12b.
  • Each of the first insulated wire 12a and the second insulated wire 12b includes a conductor 121 and an insulating coating 122 that covers the outer periphery of the conductor 121 (see Figure 3A).
  • the type of the insulated wires 12a and 12b is not particularly specified, but it is preferable that each be configured as an enameled wire.
  • a pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are bent and assembled with their longitudinal axes aligned to form the wire assembly 11.
  • the wire assembly 11 has an area where the first insulated wires 12a and the second insulated wires 12b are arranged alternately in multiple units on a reference line B that crosses the wire assembly 11, with a pair of the first insulated wire 12a and the second insulated wire 12b being one unit. In other words, as shown in FIG.
  • the wire assembly 11 has an area where the first insulated wires 12a and the second insulated wires 12b are arranged alternately in multiple units along the reference line B, such as the first insulated wire 12a ⁇ the second insulated wire 12b ⁇ the first insulated wire 12a ⁇ the second insulated wire 12b ⁇ ...
  • such an alternating arrangement is formed over the entire area of the wire assembly 11, except for the ends and periphery.
  • the pair of insulated wires 12a and 12b are not fixed to each other by, for example, fusing the insulating coating 122, and are movable relative to each other.
  • the wire assembly 11 may have any shape as long as the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b, whose longitudinal axes are aligned, are bent to form the above-mentioned alternating arrangement.
  • the wire assembly 11 is configured as a two-wire spiral wire 11A in which the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are assembled in a spiral shape, and the sensor wire 1 is configured as a spiral-type sensor wire 1A.
  • the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b constituting the two-wire spiral wire 11A are shown as thick and thin lines.
  • FIG. 1A the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b constituting the two-wire spiral wire 11A are shown as thick and thin lines.
  • the wire assembly 11 is configured as a two-wire coil wire 11B in which the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are wound in a spiral shape and assembled, and the sensor wire 1 is configured as a coil-type sensor wire 1B.
  • the alternating arrangement is formed along the reference line B.
  • the reference line B is taken as a line parallel to the central axis of the spiral shape, the alternating arrangement is formed along the reference line B.
  • examples of the shape that the pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b in the electric wire assembly 11 may take include a shape in which the pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b are zigzag folded, and a structure in which the pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b are repeatedly meandered in a zigzag shape and laid out in a flat plane.
  • the wire assembly 11 is a pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b assembled in a planar shape, as in the above-mentioned two-wire spiral wire 11A, mechanical deformation and environmental changes can be detected at any point on the surface of the wire assembly 11, and these changes can be monitored over a wide range.
  • the wire assembly 11 is a pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b wound around a common central axis, because this makes it easy to manufacture the wire assembly 11 and also because the insulated wires 12a, 12b can be densely packed together to increase the detection sensitivity to mechanical deformation and environmental changes.
  • the wire assembly 11 is a two-wire spiral wire 11A
  • the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are wound concentrically from the inside to the outside in a planar shape around the central axis.
  • the wire assembly 11 is a two-wire coil wire 11B
  • a pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are wound helically around a central axis from one side to the other along the central axis.
  • the sensor wire 1 further includes a support member 13, which is optional.
  • the support member 13 is a member that is disposed in contact with the wire assembly 11 and supports the wire assembly 11.
  • a plate-shaped support member 13 is provided, which supports the two-wire spiral wire 11A by making surface contact with the surface of the two-wire spiral wire 11A.
  • a shaft portion 131 that protrudes from the plate surface of the support member 13 is integrally provided at the center of the support member 13, and this shaft portion 131 functions as a central shaft for winding the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b around it.
  • a circular recess that matches the size of the two-wire spiral wire 11A is formed on the plate surface of the support member 13, and the two-wire spiral wire 11A is accommodated in the recess, so that the two-wire spiral wire 11A can be stably held.
  • a rod-shaped support material 13 is provided and is inserted into the spiral-shaped hollow portion 111 of the two-wire coil electric wire 11B to support the two-wire coil electric wire 11B.
  • This support material 13 functions as the core material of the two-wire coil electric wire 11B, that is, as the central axis around which the pair of insulated electric wires 12a and 12b are wound.
  • the sensor wire 1 By having the sensor wire 1 have the support material 13, the collective shape of the insulated wires 12a, 12b in the wire assembly 11, such as the spiral shape of the two-wire spiral wire 11A and the helical shape of the two-wire coil wire 11B, is stably maintained, making the sensor wire 1 easier to handle as a free-standing member. In addition, by supporting the wire assembly 11 with the support material 13, the wire assembly 11 is less likely to deform under small mechanical loads such as minute vibrations.
  • the support material 13 is preferably made of a non-magnetic insulator, but the specific configuration and material of the support material 13 are preferably selected depending on the change event to be detected by the sensor wire 1, as will be described in detail later.
  • the sensor wire 1 may have an intermediate material in contact with the wire assembly 11.
  • the intermediate material refers to a substance that causes a change in the dielectric constant in the area surrounding the wire assembly 11 (the area outside the wire assembly 11 and the space inside the wire assembly 11 such as the hollow portion 111 of the two-wire coil) due to a change in the environment.
  • the change in the environment refers to the temperature of the space in which the sensor wire 1 is placed and the change in the substances present in the surroundings.
  • the shape of the intermediate material and the installation form on the sensor wire 1 are not particularly limited.
  • the spiral-type sensor wire 1A a form in which a sheet-like intermediate material is placed in contact with at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the two-wire spiral wire 11A can be mentioned.
  • the coil-type sensor wire 1B a form in which the intermediate material is filled in the hollow portion 111 of the two-wire coil wire 11B, a sheet-like intermediate material is wrapped around the outer periphery of the two-wire coil wire 11B, or a tube-like intermediate material is fitted therein can be mentioned.
  • the support material 13 may also function as a medium. Specific types of medium will be described later.
  • the sensor device 2 includes the sensor wire 1 and a monitoring means 21.
  • Fig. 2A shows a configuration in which a spiral-type sensor wire 1A is used as the sensor wire 1.
  • the monitoring means 21 is a device that inputs an AC inspection signal to the sensor wire 1, acquires a response signal, and monitors changes in the response signal.
  • the inspection signal is a differential signal. That is, AC signals of mutually opposite polarities are input to the insulated wires 12a, 12b, respectively.
  • the insulated wires 12a, 12b By inputting a differential signal to the wire assembly 11, the insulated wires 12a, 12b through which AC currents of opposite polarities flow are arranged alternately along the reference straight line B of the wire assembly 11 (see Fig. 3A).
  • the monitoring means 21 inputs an inspection signal consisting of a differential signal to the wire assembly 11 of the sensor wire 1, and the characteristic impedance between the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b can be suitably adopted as the electrical parameter to be measured as the response signal.
  • an inspection signal consisting of a differential signal to the wire assembly 11 of the sensor wire 1
  • the characteristic impedance between the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b can be suitably adopted as the electrical parameter to be measured as the response signal.
  • parameters to be measured as the response signal include reflection coefficient, conductance, capacitance, etc. These parameters have a correlation with the characteristic impedance and reflect the change in the state of the electric field in the space surrounding the sensor wire 1. Measuring the characteristic impedance or reflection coefficient as the response signal is preferable in terms of high detection sensitivity to mechanical deformation and environmental changes, etc.
  • the monitoring means 21 may be configured with a measuring device capable of generating a differential signal as an inspection signal and detecting a response signal.
  • a measuring device capable of generating a differential signal as an inspection signal and detecting a response signal.
  • an impedance meter or the like may be used to measure characteristic impedance as the response signal.
  • the measurement may be performed by either the transmission method or the reflection method. From the viewpoint of ease of measurement, it is preferable to use the reflection method, since the response signal can be acquired by connecting a measuring device to only one end.
  • impedance matching is performed between the monitoring means 21 and the wire assembly 11 in order to suppress loss and noise in the response signal.
  • Impedance matching can be easily performed by adjusting the number of pairs of two insulated wires 12a, 12b arranged along the reference line B in the wire assembly 11.
  • the number of pairs of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b can be adjusted by the number of times the two insulated electric wires 12a, 12b are wound in a spiral shape in the case of the two-wire spiral electric wire 11A, and by the number of turns of the two insulated electric wires 12a, 12b in the spiral shape in the case of the two-wire coil electric wire 11B.
  • the sensor device 2 can be used alone as a device for detecting mechanical deformation and environmental changes. In other words, it can be used as an inspection device that detects mechanical deformation and environmental changes applied to the sensor wire 1 itself, thereby detecting mechanical loads occurring in the environment in which the sensor wire 1 is installed, and changes in temperature and substances present in that environment.
  • the sensor wire 1 may be incorporated into a wire harness together with other wires, and the sensor device 2 may be used as a component for detecting mechanical deformation and environmental changes applied to the entire wire harness. The use of the sensor device 2 as a component of this wire harness will be described next.
  • the wire harness 3 includes the sensor device 2 and a target electric wire 31.
  • the sensor device 2 includes a spiral-type sensor electric wire 1A.
  • the target electric wire 31 is an electric wire that is a target for monitoring mechanical deformation and environmental changes by the sensor device 2, and is composed of at least one electric wire.
  • the target electric wire 31 includes only one electric wire.
  • the target electric wire 31 includes multiple electric wires, the multiple electric wires may be bundled together with their longitudinal directions aligned with each other.
  • the sensor wire 1 constituting the sensor device 2 is arranged in at least a part of the area along the longitudinal direction of the target wire 31.
  • the sensor wire 1 has a planar structure like the illustrated spiral sensor wire 1A
  • the sensor wire 1 may be arranged in contact with or close to the target wire 31 at a part of the longitudinal axis of the target wire 31, for example, at a position that is susceptible to mechanical deformation or environmental changes.
  • the sensor wire 1 has a linear structure like the coil-type sensor wire 1B
  • the sensor wire 1 may be arranged with its axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the target wire 31.
  • the sensor wire 1 may be arranged side by side with the target wire 31, or the target wire 31 may be inserted into the internal space of the sensor wire 1, such as the hollow portion 111 of the two-wire coil wire 11B constituting the coil-type sensor wire 1B. It is preferable that the target wire 31 and the sensor wire 1 are integrated with each other using an exterior material, tape, or the like so that they do not separate from each other.
  • the sensor device 2 when mechanical deformation or environmental changes are applied to the sensor wire 1, the sensor device 2 can detect this through changes in the response signal.
  • the sensor wire 1 In the wire harness 3, the sensor wire 1 is arranged together with the target wire 31, and the entire assembly of the sensor wire 1 and the target wire 31 is subjected to mechanical deformation and environmental changes. Therefore, when the sensor device 2 detects that mechanical deformation or environmental changes have been applied to the sensor wire 1, this means that the same type of mechanical deformation or environmental change has also been applied to the target wire 31. In this way, when changes such as mechanical deformation or environmental changes that may affect the characteristics or functions of the target wire 31 occur, the sensor wire 1 can be used to detect these changes.
  • the target wire 31 can be used while taking into consideration the effects that these changes may have on the characteristics and functions of the target wire 31.
  • measures such as replacing the target wire 31 can be taken before the effects of mechanical deformation and environmental changes accumulate and cause irreversible damage or deterioration to the target wire 31.
  • the sensor device 2 in addition to using the sensor device 2 as a means for detecting unwanted changes in the target electric wire 31 and taking measures as described above, can also be used as a means for inputting instructions and information from the outside.
  • the sensor wire 1 in the wire harness 3 connected to a device, can be placed at the terminal portion or midway through the path of the target electric wire 31, and instructions and information required for operating the device can be input by applying mechanical deformation or environmental change to the sensor wire 1 from the outside.
  • a system can then be constructed in which the monitoring means 21 reads the input instructions and information in the form of a change in the response signal and inputs it to the device. Examples of methods for inputting instructions and information that can apply mechanical deformation or environmental change to the sensor wire 1 include contact or pressure on the sensor wire 1 with a finger.
  • FIG. 3A shows a schematic cross section of the wire assembly 11 cut along the reference line B for the sensor wire 1 in an initial state before deformation.
  • the first insulated wires 12a and the second insulated wires 12b constituting the wire assembly 11 are arranged alternately.
  • a differential signal is input to the wire assembly 11 as an inspection signal, so that the polarities of the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are different from each other, and in the cross section, the insulated wires 12a, 12b with opposite polarities are arranged alternately (the polarities are indicated by + and - signs in the figure).
  • the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b in the wire assembly 11 move away from each other along the reference line B, as shown in FIG. 3B. This reduces the density of the electric field lines in the space surrounding the wire assembly 11. In other words, the electric field strength decreases.
  • the increase in the distance between the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b occurs both between a pair of two insulated wires 12a, 12b that are adjacent to each other with their longitudinal axes aligned, and between two insulated wires 12a, 12b that are adjacent to each other when the pair is bent to form a wire assembly 11 of a specified shape.
  • adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b have opposite polarities, so that the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b behave as a type of capacitor, and the characteristics as a capacitor affect the characteristic impedance between the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b.
  • the characteristics of a capacitor change depending on the distance between the electrodes.
  • the distance between the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b having opposite polarities increases, and the electric field strength in the space near the wire assembly 11 weakens, the characteristic impedance measured as a response signal in the sensor wire 1 increases. The greater the deformation of the wire assembly 11, the greater the increase in the characteristic impedance.
  • the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are not arranged with their longitudinal axes aligned and stretched straight, but are bent to form a wire assembly 11 having a spiral or helical shape, making it possible to sensitively detect mechanical deformation as a change in the response signal.
  • the change in characteristic impedance caused by the change in the distance between the insulated wires 12a, 12b having opposite polarities due to deformation of the wire assembly 11, that is, the change in the overall shape of the wire assembly 11, can be utilized.
  • the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are bent and shaped, and when an inspection signal, which is an AC current, is input, they may act as electromagnets and generate a magnetic field.
  • the insulated wires 12a, 12b are spirally shaped, which makes them more likely to act as electromagnets.
  • the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are shaped into a predetermined wire assembly 11 with their longitudinal axes aligned, and the inspection signal, which is a differential signal, gives the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b opposite polarities to each other, so that the magnetic fields generated by each of the pair of insulated wires 12a, 12b are mutually opposite and canceled out. Therefore, the wire assembly 11 as a whole does not generate a magnetic field substantially. From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing the generation of a magnetic field, it is preferable that the support material 13 is made of a non-magnetic material.
  • the deformation can be detected by a change in the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal by inputting an inspection signal consisting of a differential signal.
  • the mechanical deformation can also be detected by a change in the response signal through a change in the electric field caused by a change in the distance between the alternating insulated wires 12a, 12b in the assembled shape of the wire assembly 11.
  • the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b in the wire assembly 11 approach each other along the reference line B, and the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal when the inspection signal is input decreases.
  • the sensor wire 1 when the sensor wire 1 is bent, that is, when the plane formed by the spiral-type sensor wire 1A is bent or deformed, or when the central axis of the coil-type sensor wire 1B is curved from a straight state into an arc, a change occurs in the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal.
  • the sensor wire 1 is elongated in some parts constituting the bent shape (for example, the outside of the bent shape of the coil-type sensor wire 1B), increasing the distance between adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b, and the sensor wire 1 is compressed in other parts constituting the bent shape (for example, the inside of the bent shape of the coil-type sensor wire 1B), decreasing the distance between adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b.
  • the direction of change in the response signal depends on the specific bend shape, but if a pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b are relatively densely packed in the electric wire assembly 11, the effect of deformation in the direction in which the distance between adjacent insulated electric wires 12a, 12b increases is stronger, and bending causes a change in the characteristic impedance as a response signal to increase.
  • the amount of change in the response signal increases as the amount of bending increases.
  • the insulating coating 122 of the insulated wires 12a, 12b constituting the wire assembly 11 is thin.
  • the shorter the distance between the conductors 121 constituting the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b the greater the change in the electric field caused by the mechanical deformation of the wire assembly 11, resulting in a large change in the characteristic impedance.
  • a thinner insulating coating 122 makes it easier for changes in the surrounding environment to be reflected as changes in the electric field formed by the conductors 121.
  • the thinner the insulating coating 122 the more preferable it is to the extent that the insulation of the conductor 121 can be ensured, and it is most preferable to use enameled wire as the insulated wires 12a, 12b.
  • a pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b which are bent into a predetermined assembly shape with their longitudinal axes aligned, are preferably tightly assembled by reducing the gap between adjacent portions, such as between the circumference of the spiral shape or between the turns of the helical shape, due to the bending.
  • the difference between the distance between the insulated electric wires 12a, 12b paired with their longitudinal axes aligned (for example, the distance between the nth and n+1th insulated electric wires from the left in FIG.
  • n is a positive odd number
  • the distance between the insulated electric wires 12a, 12b adjacent to each other due to bending becomes small, and changes in characteristic impedance due to mechanical deformation or environmental changes occur with high uniformity throughout the wire assembly 11.
  • the insulated electric wires 12a, 12b are arranged at a high density in the electric wire assembly 11, which increases the amount of change in characteristic impedance due to mechanical deformation or environmental changes.
  • the electric wire assembly 11 is formed by arranging a pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b in close contact with each other, excluding unavoidable gaps, and then bending the pair of insulated electric wires 12a, 12b together without leaving any gaps between adjacent wires.
  • a relatively thin plate material can be used for the spiral-wound sensor wire 1A. It is particularly preferable for the plate material to be made of a resin material. On the other hand, a core material made of a hollow cylinder can be used for the coil-type sensor wire 1B. A hollow cylinder is more likely to deform due to external forces than a solid body. It is particularly preferable for the hollow cylinder to be made of a resin material. If it is desired to minimize changes in the response signal due to temperature changes in order to predominantly detect mechanical deformation using the sensor wire 1, it is preferable to use a support material 13 made of a hollow cylinder with both ends open along the central axis of the two-wire coil wire 11B.
  • the support material 13 can have a shape that is less likely to deform, such as a thick plate material in the spiral-type sensor wire 1A or a solid rod-shaped body in the coil-type sensor wire 1B.
  • a sensor wire 1 for detecting mechanical deformation may have any assembly shape of the wire assembly 11, but a sensor wire 1 having a linear structure such as the coil-type sensor wire 1B can detect mechanical deformation more sensitively than a sensor wire 1 having a planar structure such as the spiral-type sensor wire 1A. This is because a sensor wire 1 having a linear structure is prone to large mechanical deformation along the axis of the linear structure, such as expansion and contraction of the spiral shape, when an external force is applied, resulting in a large change in the response signal.
  • a sensor wire 1 having a planar structure such as the spiral-type sensor wire 1A
  • the deformation can be detected regardless of where the mechanical deformation is applied to the surface formed by the wire assembly 11, so when it is necessary to detect mechanical deformation over a certain area, it is preferable to use a sensor wire 1 having a planar structure.
  • Figures 4A and 4B show schematic cross sections of the wire assembly 11 cut along reference line B in the case where the wire assembly 11 comes into contact with a liquid.
  • Figure 4A shows the wire assembly 11 before the liquid comes into contact with it, and is the same as that shown in Figure 3A.
  • Figure 4B shows the state after the liquid L comes into contact with the wire assembly 11.
  • the electric field formed when an inspection signal is input to the wire assembly 11 depends on the dielectric constant of the surrounding material, and the higher the dielectric constant, the higher the electric field strength. In other words, the density of the electric field lines between the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b becomes higher.
  • the wire assembly 11 In the state before the liquid L in FIG. 4A comes into contact with the wire assembly 11, the wire assembly 11 is surrounded by air and in contact with the air. Since the relative dielectric constant of air is approximately 1, the density of the electric field lines is low.
  • the liquid L covers the surface of the wire assembly 11 and also enters the space between the adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b in the collective shape of the wire assembly 11.
  • the liquid L comes into contact with the sensor wire 1 itself or the wire harness 3 including the sensor wire 1, it can be detected by the sensor wire 1.
  • the wire harness 3 when a response signal obtained by inputting an inspection signal to the sensor wire 1 changes in a decreasing direction exceeding a predetermined standard, it can be determined that the liquid L has come into contact with the sensor wire 1 and the target wire 31.
  • the standard value may be determined as the amount of change in the characteristic impedance of the sensor wire 1 corresponding to the upper limit of the allowable amount of contact.
  • the performance of the electric wire may be affected, such as a decrease in insulation, due to the conductivity of the liquid if it is conductive, or due to the deterioration of the electric wire components by the liquid.
  • water from the external environment and oil from the inside of the automobile, such as engine oil may enter the part that comes into contact with the electric wire due to defective sealing parts, and it is important to detect the intrusion of such water or oil early.
  • the insulated electric wires 12a, 12b In the embodiment described above for detecting mechanical deformation in a direction that increases the distance between the insulated electric wires 12a, 12b, it is preferable to form the insulated electric wires 12a, 12b into a predetermined assembly shape without providing gaps between adjacent portions of the wire assembly 11 by bending.
  • the change in the substance in contact with the wire assembly 11 can be detected by the change in characteristic impedance as a response signal.
  • the response signal of the sensor wire 1 changes through the change in the dielectric constant of the substance present around the wire assembly 11, as in the case of the liquid substance described above.
  • a liquid substance as shown in FIG.
  • the type of material in contact with the wire assembly 11 changes from air to another liquid or solid material as a change in the material in contact with the wire assembly 11.
  • the material in contact with the wire assembly 11 is the same type and the state of the material changes will also be described.
  • changes in the state of a material include a phase transformation and a chemical change. Through a phase transformation or chemical change, the dielectric constant of the material in contact with the wire assembly 11 changes, and the distribution of the material around the wire assembly 11 changes, causing a change in the state of the electric field formed by the wire assembly 11 and a change in the response signal obtained in the sensor wire 1. The change in the response signal makes it possible to detect the change in the state of the material in contact with the wire assembly 11.
  • phase transformation is when the contact material melts and changes from solid to liquid.
  • the dielectric constants of solids and liquids are different, so when a phase transformation occurs from solid to liquid, a change occurs in the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal in the sensor wire 1.
  • the contact material in contact with the wire assembly 11 acquires fluidity by melting, the spatial distribution of the contact material changes, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, and this spatial distribution also changes the characteristic impedance.
  • FIG. 5A shows the state before the solid contact material C melts
  • FIG. 5B shows the state after the contact material C melts in a cross-sectional view of the wire assembly 11.
  • the contact material C before melting, the contact material C is only in contact with the wire assembly 11 on the solid surface, but when it melts and acquires fluidity, it penetrates into the gaps between the insulated wires 12a and 12b that make up the wire assembly 11, as shown in FIG. 5B. In this way, the contact material C is distributed near the insulated wires 12a and 12b that make up the wire assembly 11, and the dielectric constant in the area near the insulated wires 12a and 12b increases.
  • the contact material C When the contact material C is heated and melted, and then cooled, it returns to a solid state, but the spatial distribution of the molten contact material C, that is, the state in which it has entered the gaps between the insulated electric wires 12a and 12b that make up the electric wire assembly 11 as shown in FIG. 5B, is maintained as it returns to a solid state.
  • the dielectric constant of the contact material C is the same as in the state before melting as shown in FIG. 5A
  • the distribution of the contact material C near the insulated electric wires 12a and 12b that make up the electric wire assembly 11 increases the dielectric constant in the area near the insulated electric wires 12a and 12b, and as a result, the characteristic impedance obtained as the response signal becomes smaller.
  • FIG. 6A and 6B show cross-sectional views of such cases in which the contact material C undergoes a chemical change.
  • Figure 6A shows the state before contact material C undergoes a chemical change
  • Figure 6B shows the state after contact material C has undergone a chemical change.
  • the chemical change assumed is a chemical reaction that increases the dielectric constant of contact material C.
  • the electric field strength formed by wire assembly 11 increases, and the density of the electric field lines also increases. This reduces the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal in sensor wire 1.
  • the dielectric constant of contact material C decreases as a result of a chemical change, the characteristic impedance increases.
  • a chemical change in the contact material C can be detected by the change in the response signal obtained in the sensor wire 1.
  • This detection of chemical changes can be applied when a chemical change causes a change in the dielectric constant of the contact material C, or when a change in conductivity, a physical property that has a correlation with the dielectric constant, occurs.
  • detecting a phase transformation or chemical change in the contact material C it is possible to detect changes in the environment in which the sensor wire 1 itself and the wire harness 3 including the sensor wire 1 are placed.
  • the contact material C that contacts the wire assembly 11 of the sensor wire 1 is assumed to be a material that is present near the sensor wire 1 in the environment in which the sensor wire 1 is placed and is external to the sensor wire 1, but may be a material inside the sensor wire 1.
  • the sensor wire 1 may be configured with the contact material C incorporated in advance.
  • the intermediate material described above in relation to the outline of the configuration of the sensor wire 1 corresponds to the contact material C that is intentionally incorporated in the sensor wire 1 in this way.
  • the intermediate material is a material that causes a change in the dielectric constant in the area surrounding the wire assembly 11 due to a change in the environment, and the intermediate material is placed in contact with the wire assembly 11.
  • Phenomena that cause a change in the dielectric constant of the medium include phase transformation and chemical changes in the medium.
  • An example of a form using an intermediary material is a form using a water-absorbing polymer.
  • the water-absorbing polymer is a substance that transforms from a solid state to a gel state by absorbing water.
  • the water-absorbing polymer in a dry state may be filled in the space inside the wire assembly 11 (for example, the hollow portion 111 of the two-wire coil wire 11B), or may be formed into a sheet or tube shape and placed on the surface of the wire assembly 11, so that it is placed in contact with the wire assembly 11. In this state, when water is introduced into the space in which the sensor wire 1 is placed and comes into contact with the water-absorbing polymer, the water-absorbing polymer absorbs the water and gels.
  • the water-absorbing polymer that has absorbed water often has a high dielectric constant.
  • the water-absorbing polymer swells as it gels, and comes into close contact with the insulated wires 12a and 12b that constitute the wire assembly 11.
  • the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal in the sensor wire 1 increases.
  • a form using an intermediate material is a form using a functional material (gas sensing material) that undergoes a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with a specific gas molecule.
  • the gas sensing material of that type may be brought into contact with the wire assembly 11 by filling the space inside the wire assembly 11, forming it into a sheet or tube shape and placing it on the surface of the wire assembly 11, or the like.
  • the gas sensing material comes into contact with the gas molecules and causes a chemical reaction.
  • a sensor wire 1 for detecting a change in a contacting substance may have any assembly shape of wire assembly 11, but if a sensor wire 1 having a planar structure such as a spiral-type sensor wire 1A is used, the change can be detected regardless of where on the surface of the wire assembly 11 a change in the contacting substance occurs. Therefore, when it is necessary to detect a change in a contacting substance over an area that spreads over a certain area, it is preferable to use a sensor wire 1 having a planar structure. On the other hand, when it is necessary to detect a change in a contacting substance over an area that extends over a certain length, a sensor wire 1 having a linear structure such as a coil-type sensor wire 1B may be used.
  • the temperature change in the sensor wire 1 can be detected directly through a change in the dielectric constant of the surrounding material due to the temperature change, as well as through the mechanical deformation of the wire assembly 11 and through a change in the material with which the wire assembly 11 comes into contact, among the change phenomena described above.
  • the change in the dielectric constant of a material due to a temperature change that does not involve a phase transformation is small, and when direct detection is performed based on the change in the dielectric constant of the surrounding material, the amount of change in the response signal becomes small.
  • the change in the response signal can be increased by intervening the mechanical deformation of the wire assembly 11 or the change in the material with which the wire assembly 11 comes into contact.
  • An example of a form in which a temperature change is detected through mechanical deformation of the wire assembly 11 is when the sensor wire 1, in which the wire assembly 11 is supported by a support material 13, is heated and the support material 13 expands, causing deformation in the wire assembly 11, such as elongation of the two-wire coil wire 11B and expansion of the spiral shape of the two-wire spiral wire 11A.
  • deformation occurs in this way that is accompanied by a change in the distance between adjacent insulated wires 12a, 12b
  • the characteristic impedance changes as a response signal due to a mechanism similar to that described above for the deformation of the wire assembly 11 due to mechanical load, that is, due to a change in the state of the electric field.
  • a support material 13 that expands/contracts greatly with temperature changes.
  • An example of such a support material 13 is one that has a space inside and has a gas sealed in the space.
  • a core material configured as a hollow cylinder with both ends closed can be used as the support material 13 used in the coil-type sensor wire 1B.
  • the gas sealed in the support material 13 may be air or something other than air.
  • the pressure of the gas to be sealed may be atmospheric pressure, but if the gas is sealed at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, the amount of expansion when the temperature rises can be increased.
  • the intermediate material that constitutes the sensor wire 1 may be one that contains a material that causes a change in the dielectric constant in the area surrounding the wire assembly 11 due to a change in temperature. Even if the temperature of the gas in the space in which the wire assembly 11 is placed changes, the change in dielectric constant will be very small, but a large change in the dielectric constant will occur around the wire assembly 11 due to a change in state or chemical reaction of the intermediate material caused by temperature, making it possible to detect this as a large change in the response signal.
  • An example of such a form in which a temperature change is detected using an intermediate material is a form in which an adhesive-backed material is disposed on the outside of the wire assembly 11 as an intermediate material.
  • An adhesive-backed material refers to a material in which an adhesive layer made of a material (thermoplastic material) that softens or melts, preferably melts, when heated is provided on the surface of a sheet-like or tubular substrate.
  • a material in which an adhesive layer is provided on one side of a sheet-like substrate may be used as an intermediate material. The surface of the adhesive layer of such an intermediate material may be brought into contact with the surface of the wire assembly 11.
  • a material in which an adhesive layer is provided on the inner surface of a tube-like substrate may be used as an intermediate material.
  • the outer periphery of the wire assembly 11 may be covered with such an intermediate material.
  • a heat-shrinkable tube may be used as a tube-like material having an adhesive layer on its inner surface. Heat shrink tubing with an adhesive layer is widely used as a material for insulating and protecting electrical components.
  • the adhesive flows and enters the gaps between the insulated wires 12a and 12b of the wire assembly 11, as shown in the change from FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B.
  • the intermediate material is a heat shrink tube
  • the heat shrink tube shrinks, and the adhesive is subjected to a force that presses it toward the wire assembly 11, promoting the penetration of the adhesive into the space between the insulated wires 12a and 12b.
  • the adhesive solidifies while maintaining the state of having entered the gaps between the insulated wires 12a and 12b of the wire assembly 11, as shown in FIG. 5B. In this way, the adhesive enters the gaps between the insulated wires 12a and 12b that constitute the wire assembly 11, and the characteristic impedance obtained as a response signal in the sensor wire 1 decreases.
  • Various forms of monitoring using the sensor wire As described above, by using the sensor wire 1, it is possible to detect, based on a change in a response signal obtained when an inspection signal consisting of a differential signal is input, that the sensor wire 1 itself or the wire harness 3 including the sensor wire 1 has been subjected to an environmental change, such as mechanical deformation, temperature change, or change in a contacting material. For example, when a change exceeding a reference value occurs in the response signal, it is determined that one of the change events, mechanical deformation, temperature change, or change in a contacting material, has occurred in the sensor wire 1.
  • an environmental change such as mechanical deformation, temperature change, or change in a contacting material
  • the monitoring means 21 of the sensor device 2 may be configured to appropriately notify personnel such as a manager of the system including the sensor wire 1 by issuing an alarm or the like.
  • the sensor wire 1 when the sensor wire 1 is used to input instructions or information from the outside, it is possible to construct a system in which, when a change exceeding a reference value occurs in the response signal, it is determined that a predetermined instruction or information required for operation has been input in the device to which the sensor wire 1 is connected, and an operation corresponding to the instruction or information is executed.
  • the reference value of the response signal may be determined so as to correspond to the lower limit of the amount of change at which it is deemed that a change event has occurred.
  • linear sensor wires 1 such as the coil-type sensor wire 1B are particularly suitable for detecting mechanical deformation and temperature changes
  • planar sensor wires 1 such as the spiral-type sensor wire 1A are particularly suitable for detecting changes in the material with which they come into contact.
  • the sensor device 2 When the sensor device 2 receives an inspection signal and obtains a response signal, the strength of a signal of a certain frequency as the response signal is monitored, and if a certain change occurs in the strength of the response signal obtained at that frequency, it is determined that a change event has occurred in the sensor wire 1. In addition, the greater the amount of change in the response signal, the greater the degree of change in the change event is determined to be.
  • an inspection signal over a certain frequency range may be input, and the presence or absence of a change event and its degree may be determined based on the change in the response signal in that frequency range.
  • the response signal is measured using the time domain method or the frequency domain method
  • the area where the change occurred in the response signal can be associated with position information, thereby identifying the location in the sensor wire 1 where a change event such as local deformation or local contact with an external substance has occurred.
  • the time axis can be converted to a position on the sensor wire 1 based on the propagation speed of the inspection signal.
  • the response signal obtained on the frequency axis is subjected to an inverse Fourier transform, and the frequency information can be converted to a position on the sensor wire 1.
  • the time domain reflection method or the frequency domain reflection method may be used.
  • the response signal may be acquired continuously to constantly monitor whether a change has occurred in the sensor wire 1, or the response signal may be acquired intermittently so that when a change has occurred in the sensor wire 1, it can be detected with little delay.
  • the sensor wire 1 is arranged and the position where the occurrence of a change event is monitored may be the entire area along the longitudinal direction of the target wire 31, or only a partial area, such as a position where a change event such as mechanical deformation is likely to occur.
  • the wire harness 3 may have only one sensor wire 1, or multiple sensor wires 1 may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the target wire 31. For example, if there are multiple discontinuous positions along the longitudinal direction of the target wire 31 where a change event such as mechanical deformation is likely to occur, the sensor wire 1 may be arranged at each of these positions. When multiple sensor wires 1 are provided, the multiple sensor wires 1 may be connected in series with each other.
  • the inspection signal can be input and the response signal can be obtained collectively for a group of multiple sensor wires 1 connected in series. Then, based on the behavior of the obtained response signal, it is possible to detect which sensor wire 1 a change event is occurring in. For example, when a response signal is acquired over a certain frequency range, the obtained spectral shape changes depending on which sensor wire 1 is experiencing a change event, so that it is possible to identify which sensor wire 1 is experiencing a change event based on the spectral shape.
  • the time domain method or the frequency domain method it is possible to identify with high accuracy which sensor wire 1 is experiencing a change event.
  • the multiple sensor wires 1 connected in series may all be of the same type, such as those suitable for detecting mechanical extension, or multiple types of sensor wires 1 having configurations suitable for detecting different change events may be connected.
  • multiple types of sensor wires 1 having configurations suitable for detecting different change events may be arranged in parallel in one wire harness 3, and the response signal may be independently monitored for each sensor wire 1.
  • only linear sensor wires 1 such as coil-type sensor wire 1B may be used as the sensor wires
  • only planar sensor wires 1 such as spiral-type sensor wire 1A may be used, or both may be mixed.
  • the sensor wire 1 may be one that only monitors unwanted changes, one that only inputs instructions or information, or a combination of both.
  • a coil-type sensor wire having the structure shown in Fig. 1B was fabricated as a sample sensor wire. Specifically, a hollow cylindrical silicone tube with both ends open was used as a substrate, and two insulated enameled wires with an outer diameter of 0.4 mm were wound helically around the outer periphery of the substrate to fabricate a wire assembly made of a two-wire coil wire.
  • the wire assembly had an outer diameter of 3 mm, a length of 33 mm, and 42 turns.
  • a differential signal was input as an inspection signal to the sensor wire, and a reflection coefficient was measured between a pair of insulated wires as a response signal.
  • a vector network analyzer VNWA was used for the measurement.
  • One end of a pair of insulated wires constituting the wire assembly was connected to one port (port 1) of the VNWA, and the other end was connected to another port (port 2).
  • the reflection coefficient S11 was measured at port 1.
  • the measurement was performed in the frequency range of 1 to 100 MHz, and the evaluation was mainly performed on the measured value at 10 MHz.
  • the reflection coefficient S11 is expressed by the following equation (1).
  • S 11 (Z L - Z 0 )/(Z L + Z 0 ) (1)
  • the reflection coefficient is measured as a characteristic in place of the characteristic impedance.
  • Figure 8 shows the measurement results of the reflection coefficient for each bending diameter when the sensor wire is bent.
  • the figure is an enlarged view of the area around 10 MHz.
  • Figure 8 shows that the reflection coefficient is higher when the sensor wire is bent compared to when it is not bent (str).
  • the reflection coefficient is also a tendency for the reflection coefficient to increase as the bending diameter decreases and the amount of bending increases.
  • a sensor wire was prepared as a sample.
  • the sensor wire had the same structure as the coil-type sensor wire used in the above test [1], except for the structure of the substrate.
  • the substrate was a hollow cylindrical silicone tube with both ends sealed. Air was sealed in the sealed space at atmospheric pressure.
  • the reflection coefficient of the sensor wire was measured while it was being heated.
  • the measurement method was the same as in test [1].
  • the sensor wire was placed in a silicone pipe and wrapped in aluminum foil, and heated from the outside using a heater.
  • the temperature of the sensor wire during heating was measured using a thermocouple between the silicone pipe and the sensor wire.
  • the reflection coefficient was measured while the sensor wire was heated to temperatures in 10°C increments from 22°C (unheated state) to 72°C.
  • FIG. 9 shows the measurement results of the reflection coefficient for each heating temperature.
  • the figure is an enlarged view of the vicinity of 10 MHz.
  • the reflection coefficient is larger when the sensor wire is heated compared to when it is not heated (22°C).
  • the higher the heating temperature the larger the reflection coefficient. This is thought to be because the air enclosed in the base material expands with heating, which causes the base material to elongate in the longitudinal direction, and the sensor wire as a whole to elongate.
  • the elongation of the sensor wire causes an increase in the reflection coefficient. From the above results, it is confirmed that when the sensor wire is heated, the temperature increase can be detected as an increase in the reflection coefficient through the elongation of the sensor wire.
  • a spiral-type sensor wire was prepared as a sample sensor wire. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, a substrate made of a plate-shaped insulating material having an integral shaft was prepared. On the surface of the substrate, two insulated wires made of enameled wires with an outer diameter of 0.4 mm were wound in a spiral shape around the shaft to prepare a wire assembly made of a two-wire spiral wire. For the wire assembly, the two insulated wires were laid tightly in a substantially circular area with a diameter of 45 mm, with the exception of unavoidable gaps.
  • the reflection coefficient of the spiral-wound sensor wire was measured using the same method as in test [1].
  • various substances were brought into contact with the wire assembly that constitutes the sensor wire, and the reflection coefficient was measured.
  • the substances that were brought into contact with the wire assembly included an electrolyte solution (eye drops) as the liquid, and a human finger and two types of rubber as the solids.
  • each substance was brought into contact with the wire assembly while continuously measuring the reflection coefficient, and the change over time in the reflection coefficient at a frequency of 10 MHz was recorded.
  • the finger and rubber were gently brought into contact with each other, and were not pressed against the wire assembly with such a strong force that would cause mechanical deformation.
  • FIG. 10 shows the measurement results of the reflection coefficient when the wire assembly constituting the sensor wire is brought into contact with an electrolyte solution.
  • the absolute value of the change in the reflection coefficient at 10 MHz is shown for the case where up to three drops of electrolyte solution are dropped onto the surface of the wire assembly over time.
  • the timing at which the electrolyte solution is dropped one drop at a time is indicated by an arrow in the figure.
  • Table 2 summarizes the change in the reflection coefficient for each drop amount. The position at which the electrolyte solution is dropped was changed for each drop.
  • the reflection coefficient is larger when the electrolyte solution is brought into contact with the wire assembly compared to when there is no contact. Furthermore, the change in the reflection coefficient increases as the amount of electrolyte solution brought into contact increases. It is believed that the strength of the electric field formed by the wire assembly changes when the electrolyte solution is brought into contact with the wire assembly, which changes the characteristic impedance in the area where contact with the electrolyte solution occurs, causing a change in the reflection coefficient. This confirms that when a substance comes into contact with the wire assembly, the contact can be detected in the form of a change in the reflection coefficient. In Figure 10, the gradual increase in the reflection coefficient after the electrolyte solution is dripped drop by drop is believed to be due to the electrolyte solution gradually penetrating the gaps between the insulated wires that make up the wire assembly.
  • Figure 11 shows the measurement results of the reflection coefficient when a finger is placed in contact with the wire assembly that makes up the sensor wire. It shows the absolute change in the reflection coefficient at 10 MHz over time when the number of finger contact points on the surface of the wire assembly is increased from one to three. The timing when the number of finger contact points is increased is indicated by an arrow in the figure.
  • Table 3 summarizes the amount of change in reflection coefficient for each number of contact points.
  • Figure 12 shows the measurement results of the reflection coefficient when non-conductive rubber and conductive rubber are brought into contact with the wire assembly that constitutes the sensor wire.
  • non-conductive rubber is brought into contact with the surface of the wire assembly, and after leaving it for a while, the non-conductive rubber is removed.
  • conductive rubber is brought into contact with the surface of the wire assembly, and after leaving it for a while, the conductive rubber is removed.
  • the periods during which the non-conductive rubber and conductive rubber were in contact are shown as areas A1 and A2 in the figure.
  • the figure shows the change in reflection coefficient at 10 MHz as an absolute value.
  • Table 4 summarizes the amount of change in reflection coefficient due to contact with each rubber.
  • the contact area is the same for non-conductive rubber and conductive rubber, and this contact area was approximately the same as the contact area when fingers were in contact at two places in the finger contact test above.
  • the reflection coefficient increases when the wire assembly is brought into contact with both non-conductive rubber and conductive rubber.
  • the amount of change is smaller than when an electrolyte solution is brought into contact, due to the inability of solid materials to penetrate into the gaps between the insulated wires that make up the wire assembly. Comparing the amount of change in reflection coefficient when the two types of rubber are brought into contact, the amount of change in reflection coefficient is greater when conductive rubber is brought into contact than when non-conductive rubber is brought into contact. This result confirms that when the conductivity of the material in contact with the wire assembly changes, the increase in conductivity can be detected as an increase in the amount of change in the reflection coefficient.

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  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un fil de capteur servant d'élément permettant de détecter de manière sensible une déformation mécanique et un changement environnemental, un dispositif de capteur pourvu du fil de capteur, et un faisceau de câbles.　L'invention concerne un fil de capteur 1 qui a un premier fil isolé 12a et un second fil isolé 12b chacun pourvu d'un conducteur et d'un revêtement d'isolation pour recouvrir la périphérie externe du conducteur. Le premier fil isolé 12a et le second fil isolé 12b sont assemblés par flexion dans un état dans lequel les axes longitudinaux sont alignés l'un avec l'autre pour configurer un agrégat de fils 11. Le fil de capteur 1 présente une région dans laquelle le premier fil isolé 12a et le second fil isolé 12b sont disposés en alternance dans une pluralité d'unités sur une ligne droite B croisant l'agrégat de fils 11 à l'aide d'un ensemble du premier fil isolé 12a et du second fil isolé 12b en tant qu'unité.
PCT/JP2023/034384 2023-09-22 2023-09-22 Fil de capteur, dispositif de capteur et faisceau de câbles Pending WO2025062594A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2023/034384 WO2025062594A1 (fr) 2023-09-22 2023-09-22 Fil de capteur, dispositif de capteur et faisceau de câbles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2023/034384 WO2025062594A1 (fr) 2023-09-22 2023-09-22 Fil de capteur, dispositif de capteur et faisceau de câbles

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106197252A (zh) * 2016-07-13 2016-12-07 中国计量大学 基于平行螺旋传输线的岩土变形位置分布测量模型的建立方法
JP2021162449A (ja) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-11 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 電線検査システム、電線検査方法、および電線
US20220385261A1 (en) * 2021-05-28 2022-12-01 Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc. Broadband microwave and millimeter-wave balanced-to-unbalanced transformer
JP2023536865A (ja) * 2020-07-28 2023-08-30 ディ－アイス テクノロジーズ インコーポレイテッド 除氷システムと制御

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106197252A (zh) * 2016-07-13 2016-12-07 中国计量大学 基于平行螺旋传输线的岩土变形位置分布测量模型的建立方法
JP2021162449A (ja) * 2020-03-31 2021-10-11 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 電線検査システム、電線検査方法、および電線
JP2023536865A (ja) * 2020-07-28 2023-08-30 ディ－アイス テクノロジーズ インコーポレイテッド 除氷システムと制御
US20220385261A1 (en) * 2021-05-28 2022-12-01 Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc. Broadband microwave and millimeter-wave balanced-to-unbalanced transformer

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