Load sensor, load sensor unit and insertion detection device

A load sensor comprising:

• an elastic tube, at least one part of which, in the circumferential direction, is a conductive portion;
• an elongated insertion member that has longitudinally arranged electrode members provided at a distance, and that is inserted into the elastic tube;
• and
• envelope members that are provided longitudinally, at a predetermined distance, to enclose the insertion member, and that, together with the insertion member, are inserted into the elastic tube to separate the insertion member from the elastic tube,
• wherein, while the elastic tube is in the normal state, the electrode members are so positioned, at a distance from the conductive portion of the elastic tube, that when an external load bends the elastic tube an electrical connection is established between the electrode members and the conductive portion of the elastic tube, with or without the conductive portion of the elastic tube.

A load sensor comprising:

• an elastic tube, at least one part of which, in the circumferential direction, is a conductive portion;
• an elongated insertion member, which has an electrode member provided longitudinally and which is inserted into the elastic tube;
• envelope members, which are provided longitudinally at predetermined intervals to enclose the insertion member, and are inserted together with the insertion member into the elastic tube to separate the insertion member from the elastic tube;
• and
• a metal conductive line, laid in the longitudinal direction of the elastic tube,
• wherein the electrode member is located at a distance from the conductive portion of the elastic tube while the elastic tube is in the normal state, so that when the flexible elastic tube is bent by the application of an external load, an electrical connection is established by the electrode member, through or apart from the conductive portion of the elastic tube, and
• wherein the metal conductive line is so arranged that, when the elastic tube is bent by the external application of a load, at least the portion of the metal conducive line at the load application position is capable of being electrically connected to the conductive portion of the elastic tube.