Patent ID: 6525651
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B60J,E05F,E05Y,H01H

Abstract:
A force-responsive longitudinally extending sensor arrangement, comprising:first longitudinally extending electrically conductive strip means defining a first longitudinally extending continuous electrically conductive region, second longitudinally extending electrically conductive strip means defining a second longitudinally extending continuous electrically conductive region, first and second support layers made of flexible and resilient electrically insulating material, electrically insulating spacer means comprising a plurality of discrete insulating means spaced longitudinally apart from each other along the strip means, and positioned alongside the regions and on opposite sides thereof, each discrete insulating means on one side of the regions being opposite a space between two discrete insulating means on the other side of the regions, and a force applying means for applying a predetermined force, the first and second strip means being mounted on the first and second support layers, respectively, so that the two regions are superimposed and are normally resiliently separated from each other by said electrically insulating spacer means which are situated between the two strip means, the two regions being able to be flexed against the resilience relatively towards each other in response to said predetermined force so that contact occurs between at least a portion of one of the regions and a corresponding portion of the other region, and said force-applying means being arranged to apply the predetermined force at positions clear of the spacer means for allowing flexing of one of the support layers so that the conductive strip means mounted thereon is able to move into electrical contact with the other conductive strip means.