PROXIMITY SENSOR WITH AN EDGE CONNECTION, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

摘要

A capacitive proximity sensor is described for mounting to a body for sensing external objects. The sensor comprises a dielectric film substrate (2) having front and rear major surfaces which, in use of the sensor, face respectively outward from and towards the body; a sensor conductor (6) on the front major surface, and a guard conductor (8) on the rear major surface to provide an electrical shield for the sensor conductor. The sensor is configured so that electrical contact can be made to the sensor conductor and to the guard conductor at the edge of the film substrate. In one embodiment, this is achieved through the provision of a tongue portion (5) which extends from a peripheral edge (4a) of a main part (4) of the substrate, and onto which the sensor and guard conductors extend to provide respective terminals (10, 12) by which external electrical connections can be made to the sensor.