Pressure-sensitive sensor, connector and combining structure thereof

A connector for use in a pressure-sensitive sensor connecting a wire to the pressure-sensitive sensor so as to ensure conductivity, the pressure-sensitive sensor provided with:

• a tube member having a hollow portion defined by an inner wall thereof and made of flexible material, the tube member extending in a predetermined direction;
• a first belt-like electrode disposed on a upper side of the hollow portion of the tube member and extending in the predetermined direction;
• and a second belt-like electrode disposed on a lower side of the hollow portion of the tube member so as to oppose the first belt-like electrode and extending in the predetermined direction, the first belt-like electrode and the second belt-like electrode being capable of contacting each other when the pressure-sensitive sensor is pressed,
• the connector comprising:
• a housing main body;
• an insertion link portion provided on a side of the housing main body and formed so as to be enlarged gradually from a front end thereof to a base portion thereof so that the insertion link portion is capable of being inserted into the hollow portion in the pressure-sensitive sensor from an end of the pressure-sensitive sensor;
• terminals ends of which are capable of being respectively connected to the first electrode and the second electrode so as to ensure conductivity in a condition that the insertion link portion is inserted into the hollow portion;
• and
• an engagement connecting portion provided on the other side of the housing main body and capable of being fit to a mating connector linked to a terminal of the wire so that the other end of the terminal is connected to the terminal so as to ensure conductivity.

A combining structure of a pressure-sensitive sensor and a connector, comprising:

• a pressure-sensitive sensor provided with:
• a tube member having a hollow portion defined by an inner wall thereof and made of flexible material, the tube member extending in a predetermined direction;
• a first belt-like electrode disposed on a upper side of the hollow portion of the tube member and extending in the predetermined direction;
• and a second belt-like electrode disposed on a lower side of the hollow portion of the tube member so as to oppose the first belt-like electrode and extending in the predetermined direction, the first belt-like electrode and the second belt-like electrode being capable of contacting each other when the pressure-sensitive sensor is pressed, and
• a connector provided with:
• a housing main body;
• an insertion link portion provided on a side of the housing main body and formed so as to be enlarged gradually from a front end thereof to a base portion thereof so that the sectional shape is capable of being inserted into the hollow portion in the pressure-sensitive sensor from an end of the pressure-sensitive sensor;
• terminals ends of which are capable of being respectively connected to the first electrode and the second electrode so as to ensure conductivity in a condition that the insertion link portion is inserted into the hollow portion;
• and
• an engagement connecting portion provided on the other side of the housing main body and capable of being fit to a mating connector linked to a terminal of the wire so that the other end of the terminal is connected to the terminal so as to ensure conductivity.