DE102021108701A1 - Sensor component and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor component that has a film sensor unit (10), each with a flexible film piece (12), in particular made of plastic, on which a sensor (13) is arranged, in particular for measuring a physical and/or chemical and/or biological parameter , as well as at least one contacting conductor track ending on the sensor (13), and which additionally has a conductor track carrier (16), in particular a flexible conductor track carrier (16) which is electrically conductively connected to the film sensor unit (10) and has at least one conductor track, in particular designed as a conductor track foil or as a flexible or rigid conductor Printed circuit board (PCB) on which the film sensor unit (10) is in particular releasably attached, preferably in a materially bonded manner.

Description

The present invention relates to a particularly flexible sensor component with a (flexible) foil sensor unit, a method for producing such a sensor component and a (flexible) foil sensor unit, in particular for such a sensor component.

Flexible film sensors, each with a measuring sensor arranged on a piece of flexible film (referred to below as film sensor units), are known in the prior art. They each have a piece of flexible film on which one or more sensors are arranged, and at least one (electrical) contacting conductor track that ends at the respective sensor.

The respective sensor, for example a temperature sensor, is applied to the piece of film, in particular as ink or paste or the like, as part of the production of such film sensors from suitable materials - hereinafter referred to as sensor materials - often with the application of heat by means of additive processes, in particular by means of suitable printing processes. The disadvantage here is, among other things, that the application of heat that may be required in the production process can limit the type of film materials that can be used, since these must be correspondingly temperature-resistant. This is unfavorable since various applications require the use of certain foil materials that are not particularly temperature-resistant. Similarly, the selection of foil materials that can be used can be limited in individual cases because many sensor materials do not adhere sufficiently to each foil material or to the foil material required for the specific application, certain foil materials are not sufficiently resistant to UV light, IR radiation, etc. or not are sufficiently resistant to solvents that may be contained in the sensor material.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the present invention to further develop the sensor component mentioned at the outset, the method mentioned at the outset for producing such a sensor component and the (flexible) foil sensor unit mentioned at the outset.

This object is achieved by a sensor component having the features of claim 1, a method for producing such a sensor component having the features of claim 15 and a (flexible) film sensor unit having the features of claim 26.

Accordingly, a (hybrid) sensor component according to the invention essentially consists of two core components. On the one hand, a film sensor or a film sensor unit - with a flexible piece of film, preferably made of plastic, a sensor arranged on it and at least one contacting conductor track that leads to the sensor or to which the sensor is connected - and on the other hand from an additional, in particular flexible conductor track carrier, also with at least one conductor track, to which the film sensor unit is in particular detachably attached, preferably cohesively, for example by means of an adhesion promoter, for example an adhesive or an adhesive layer, and to which the film sensor unit is electrically conductively connected.

One advantage of this structure from two separate core components can be - in addition to or as an alternative to other advantages - that the possibility is created of being able to produce a sensor component that is flexible overall, for example, in which on the one hand for the material of the foil piece of the flexible foil sensor unit a Foil sensor unit suitable - for example sufficiently temperature-stable - material can be selected (which, for example, can withstand the high temperatures required in the course of the production of the foil sensor unit), but on the other hand a purely application-specific advantageous material can be selected for the conductor track carrier, without this material being used simultaneously for would have to be suitable for the manufacturing process of the foil sensor unit.

The material for the conductor track carrier could therefore be a conductor track foil, for example, which does not tolerate high temperatures, but does not have to, since the foil sensor unit is or can only be fastened to the conductor track carrier after the production of the foil sensor unit.

In this way, an overall flexible sensor component could be made available for the medical sector, just as an example, in which the film sensor unit has a temperature sensor, for example made of platinum, which is arranged at higher temperatures on a piece of film made of a temperature-resistant plastic material, which is flexible, but for a comfortable flat arrangement on a person is too rigid, but in which the conductor track carrier is a conductor track foil made of a more temperature-sensitive, but significantly more flexible material, which for this reason can be optimally arranged on a human body.

Another major advantage of separating the sensor component according to the invention into a foil sensor unit on the one hand and a conductor track carrier on the other is of a production-related nature, which as a result leads to high cost advantages. Because with this structure according to the invention, a preferably automatic assembly process can be established, among other things, in which one or more prefabricated film sensor units can be applied to a respective conductor track carrier and fastened there with high throughput rates.

If the film sensor unit is even detachably fastened to the respective conductor track carrier, it could be advantageous, among other things, to detach the (usually more expensive) film sensor units from the conductor track carrier after the service life of the sensor component and either continue to use them if necessary or feed them separately into recycling processes. For example, the (usually more cost-effective) conductor track carrier applied directly to a body could be disposed of for hygienic reasons.

Preferably, the conductor track carrier can (also) be designed as a flexible piece of film with one or more conductor tracks (and possibly other electronic components).

The conductor track carrier and thus, as a result, the sensor component can theoretically also be designed to be non-flexible, for example as a rigid PCB. In this case, too, there are various advantages according to the invention, in particular of a manufacturing nature.

The conductor track carrier can then have one or more contacting elements via which the sensor component can be electrically contacted by an external device or an external device or can be electrically connected to such, for example by external measurement electronics for operating the sensor component.

However, it is also theoretically conceivable that such measuring electronics or, in general, one or more further electronic components or circuits are arranged on the conductor track carrier or are integrated into the foil sensor unit.

Last but not least, in the context of the medical applications mentioned above, but also in other applications, it can also be advantageous if the conductor track carrier—that is, regardless of the specific application—is (significantly) larger in format than the film sensor unit attached to it.

In this case, the conductor track carrier would primarily determine the overall flexibility or, in general, the "mechanical" properties of the sensor component.

Furthermore, it could be made possible in this way to equip a conductor track carrier not only with one, but with several separate foil sensor units (foil sensors) in one assembly process.

For example, it can be provided that the side of the film sensor unit (or its surface) with which the film sensor unit is or will be attached to the conductor track carrier is at least 50%, preferably at least 100% smaller than the corresponding side of the conductor track carrier on which this side of the film sensor unit is or will be attached.

As far as the contacting conductor track of the piece of film and/or the conductor track of the conductor track carrier and/or the sensor is concerned, one, several or each of these elements, possibly also other elements such as one or more contacting surfaces or one or more connecting lines, can be printed ( by means of suitable printing techniques that are well known in the prior art) or additively applied in some other way to the piece of film or the conductor track carrier.

As far as the foil piece of the foil sensor unit and/or the conductor track carrier, which is preferably made of plastic, is concerned, it can be designed in one or more layers. It is particularly preferred to use a (single-layer or multi-layer) flexible, elastic film for the flexible piece of film (and/or for or as conductor track carrier). The film, in particular one or each layer thereof, preferably has a polymer.

For example, this can be selected from the group consisting of PET, PC, PE, PP, PEN, PEEK or the like or a mixture or combination of at least two of them.

The piece of film of the film sensor unit and/or of the conductor track carrier can preferably have a thickness of between 1 μm and 3 mm, particularly preferably between 2 μm and 2 mm.

More preferably, the foil sensor unit and the conductor track carrier can each have (at least) one electrically conductive contacting surface, the two contacting surfaces being electrically conductively connected to one another. The contacting surface of the film sensor unit can be electrically conductively connected to the contacting conductor track of the film sensor unit, in particular it can be part of the same. The contacting surface of the conductor track carrier can in turn be electrically connected to the conductor track of the conductor track carrier, in particular be part of the same.

The two contacting surfaces can be (directly) opposite one another, with an electrically conductive connecting layer being arranged between the two contacting surfaces, in particular an adhesion promoter layer designed as an adhesive layer, which preferably detachably connects the two contacting surfaces in a materially bonded and electrically conductive manner and/or with the two contacting surfaces being directly Plant are connected to each other electrically conductive and in particular preferably releasably cohesively.

The sensor and/or the contacting surface of the foil sensor unit of the sensor component can be arranged on a (large-area) first side of the foil piece of the foil sensor unit, which faces a (large-area) second side of the foil piece of the foil sensor unit, in particular the area surrounding the sensor component opposite, and which faces a (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier, the first side of the conductor track carrier adjoining the film sensor unit and being connected to the film sensor unit in particular in a detachably materially bonded manner. In particular by means of an adhesion promoter layer designed as a preferably detachable adhesive layer.

Moreover, the contacting conductor track of the film sensor unit can also be arranged entirely or partially on the first side of the film piece of the film sensor unit. As an alternative to the above arrangement of the first side of the film piece relative to the conductor track carrier, it can also be provided that the sensor and/or the contacting surface of the film sensor unit is/are arranged on a (large-area) first side of the film piece of the film sensor unit, but which faces the environment is, in particular adjacent to it, and which is opposite a second (large-area) side of the film piece, which in turn faces a (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier, with which the film sensor unit is in particular detachably materially connected (again in particular by means of a preferably detachable adhesive layer trained adhesion promoter layer).

With regard to the attachment of the film sensor unit to the conductor track carrier, as already indicated above, between the film sensor unit and the first side of the conductor track carrier there can preferably be an in particular electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesive layer, in particular designed as an adhesive layer, via which the film sensor unit and the Conductor carriers are integrally connected to each other.

The adhesion promoter layer can cover the sensor and/or the contacting surface and/or the contacting conductor track and/or one or the (large-area) side of the film piece of the film sensor unit that faces the first side of the conductor track carrier, in each case in whole or in part, in particular in each case in contact with the or the same(s).

According to another development of the invention, the contacting surfaces of the foil sensor unit and the conductor track carrier can be connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner via an electrical connecting line, which extends from the contacting surface of the foil sensor unit arranged on the first side of the foil piece, in particular along an edge region of the foil piece, to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier is guided.

Furthermore, the electrical connecting line can be connected to one or both contacting surfaces either in an electrically conductive and in particular materially bonded manner, or in each case via an electrically conductive adhesive connection.

The first side of the film piece of the film sensor unit can also be covered completely or partially by an electrically insulating insulating layer, in particular as/made of an electrically insulating film or as an insulating layer that is printed on. This in particular with complete or partial coverage of the sensor arranged on the first side of the film piece and/or the contacting surface arranged on the first side and/or the contacting conductor track arranged on the first side.

It can preferably be provided that the insulating layer does not or not completely cover the measuring sensor, so that the measuring sensor has direct contact with the environment. In particular, in that the insulating layer has an opening or recess in the area of the measuring sensor for this purpose.

As far as the electrical connection line is concerned, it can lie against the insulating layer and be connected to it, in particular in a materially bonded manner. The electrical connecting line can be printed onto the insulating layer, for example, particularly if the insulating layer is in the form of a film.

With regard to the adhesion promoter layer arranged between the foil sensor unit and the first side of the conductor track carrier facing it, this can—depending on which side faces the first side of the conductor track carrier is, cf. the alternatives described above, accordingly preferably on the first or the second side of the film piece of the film sensor unit (adhesively or materially connected).

1. a) Zuführen der Foliensensoreinheiten zu einer Bestückungsstation, insbesondere mit einem Förderer,
2. b) Zuführen der Leiterbahnträger zu der Bestückungsstation, insbesondere mit einem Förderer,
3. c) Anordnen und Befestigen von jeweils mindestens einer Foliensensoreinheit an einem Leiterbahnträger in der Bestückungsstation unter Ausbildung einer elektrisch leitenden Verbindung zwischen der Foliensensoreinheit und dem Leiterbahnträger, insbesondere unter Verwendung von einem oder mehreren, insbesondere motorisch angetriebenen Organen zum Halten und/oder Bewegen der Foliensensoreinheit und/oder zum Halten und/oder Bewegen des Leiterbahnträgers.

A method according to the invention for the particularly automated production of a sensor component or for the particularly automated equipping of a conductor track carrier with a film sensor unit to form such a sensor component is characterized by the following steps:

1. a) feeding the film sensor units to an assembly station, in particular with a conveyor,
2. b) feeding the conductor track carrier to the assembly station, in particular with a conveyor,
3. c) arranging and attaching at least one film sensor unit to a conductor track carrier in the assembly station, forming an electrically conductive connection between the film sensor unit and the conductor track carrier, in particular using one or more, in particular motor-driven, elements for holding and/or moving the film sensor unit and /or for holding and/or moving the conductor track carrier.

According to the invention, the assembly station is understood abstractly as an area, for example (but not necessarily) of a device or machine, in which the aforementioned arrangement and attachment of the (in particular prefabricated) film sensor units to the conductor track carriers (one conductor track carrier is equipped with one or more film sensor units) takes place.

According to the above-mentioned first alternative of the arrangement of the foil sensor unit on the conductor track carrier, it can be provided that the foil sensor unit is arranged and fastened in the assembly station, in particular by means of one or more of the aforementioned organs, on the conductor track carrier in such a way that the above-mentioned first side of the Foil piece of the foil sensor unit then faces the (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier. In particular such that the contacting surface of the film sensor unit is opposite the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier.

According to the second alternative arrangement mentioned above, the film sensor unit can (alternatively) be arranged and attached to the conductor track carrier in the assembly station in such a way that the second (large-area) side of the film piece opposite the first side faces the (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier.

To attach the film sensor unit to the conductor track carrier before the film sensor unit is arranged on the conductor track carrier, one (large-area) side of the film sensor unit, in particular the first or the second side of the piece of film, can be coated over the entire surface or in one or more areas with a particularly conductive, preferably detachable adhesive layer , in particular a preferably detachable adhesive layer, which is subsequently arranged between the film sensor unit and the conductor track carrier when the film sensor unit is attached to the conductor track carrier, forming a materially bonded connection. The adhesion promoter layer can preferably be applied in the aforementioned assembly or production process, in particular in the assembly station or in the process upstream thereof.

Furthermore, it can be provided in a similar way that before the film sensor unit is arranged on the conductor track carrier in such a way that the two contacting surfaces are opposite one another to form the electrically conductive connection between them, for the materially bonded and electrically conductive connection of the two contacting surfaces to the contacting surface of the film sensor unit and/or or a first, electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer is or will be applied to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier, in particular a preferably detachable adhesive layer.

Furthermore, a second, non-electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer, in particular a preferably detachable adhesive layer, can be or will be applied to one or more areas of the (large-area) side of the film sensor unit arranged outside of the contacting surfaces, in particular to the sensor and/or the contacting conductor track .

The insulating layer made of electrically insulating material can also be applied to the first side of the piece of film, in particular printed on or as an electrically insulating film, which completely or partially covers the first side of the piece of film, in particular with complete or partial covering of the sensor arranged on the piece of film and/or the contacting surface arranged on the piece of foil and/or the contacting conductor track arranged on the piece of foil.

On the first side of the film piece, the insulating layer, which is designed in particular as an electrically insulating film, can also be bonded to the material ger and electrical connection of an electrical connection line arranged on it, preferably connected to it with a material fit, with the contacting surface of the film sensor unit.

The arrangement and fastening of the film sensor unit on the conductor track carrier can otherwise be carried out with a material and electrical connection of the electrical connecting line to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier.

For the electrical connection of the electrical connecting line to the contacting surface of the film sensor unit and/or to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier, one or the electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer are applied, in particular a or the electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesive layer.

It goes without saying that the aforementioned application of one, several or all of the aforementioned layers, theoretically also the electrical connecting line, can take place in the aforementioned assembly or manufacturing process, in particular in the assembly station or in the process upstream of the same.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Foliensensoreinheit, die zur Herstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Sensorbauteils verwendet werden kann,
• 2a)-c) verschiedene Phasen eines Verfahrens zur Herstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Sensorbauteils, in denen die Foliensensoreinheit aus 1 an einem Leiterbahnträger befestigt wird, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht,
• 3 ein gemäß den 2a)-2c) hergestelltes Sensorbauteil, dessen Foliensensoreinheit im Rahmen eines Recyclingvorgangs von dem Leiterbahnträger gelöst wird, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht,
• 4a)-4c) verschiedene Phasen eines Verfahrens zur Herstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Foliensensoreinheit, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht,
• 5 die Foliensensoreinheit gemäß 4c) in vergrößerter Darstellung, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht,
• 6 eine dritte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Foliensensoreinheit, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht.

Further features of the present invention result from the appended patent claims, the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and the appended drawings. It shows:

• 1 a side view of a first embodiment of a film sensor unit according to the invention, which can be used to produce a sensor component according to the invention,
• 2a)-c) different phases of a method for producing a first embodiment of a sensor component according to the invention, in which the film sensor unit from 1 is attached to a conductor track carrier, also in side view,
• 3 one according to the 2a)-2c) Manufactured sensor component, whose film sensor unit is detached from the conductor track carrier as part of a recycling process, also in side view,
• 4a)-4c) different phases of a method for manufacturing a second embodiment of a film sensor unit according to the invention, also in side view,
• 5 the foil sensor unit according to 4c) in an enlarged view, also in side view,
• 6 a third embodiment of a film sensor unit according to the invention, also in side view.

In 1 is a film sensor unit or a film sensor 10 is shown as part of an example in the 2a) and 2c) sensor component 11 shown can be used.

The film sensor unit 10 has a flexible structure. It has a flexible (in this case flat or planar) piece of film 12 made of plastic, to which a sensor 13 for measuring a physical and/or chemical and/or biological parameter is applied, namely on a first (large-area) side 14 of the piece of film 12 The sensor 13 can be, for example, a temperature sensor or a temperature-sensitive thermocouple, with which the temperature of a measurement object can be measured, or a ph sensor or an ion-selective sensor.

The piece of film 12 can consist of a single or multi-layer film with a thickness between 2 μm and 2 mm, for example, wherein the film can have or consist of, for example, polyethylene or another suitable polymer.

In the present case, the sensor 13 is designed as a sensor conductor track, which can be printed onto the piece of film 12 by means of an additive printing process, for example. Accordingly, the probe 13 may be made of a material that has a large temperature coefficient and relatively good electrical conductivity, such as platinum or nickel. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to such temperature sensors, cf. above. Rather, various other types of sensors can also be used. For example electrodes for conductivity measurements etc.

On the first side 14 of the film piece 12 there are also electrically conductive contacting side tracks 15 applied to which the sensor 13 is connected or to which it is electrically conductively connected.

Like other elements of the film sensor unit 10, the contacting conductor tracks 15 can also be printed on and consist of electrically conductive (printable) material, such as printable ink or paste, for example or based on silver, copper, carbon, carbon-based material or conductive polymer.

In order to produce the sensor component 11 according to the invention, which is flexible in the present case, the film sensor unit 10 is arranged on a separate conductor track carrier 16 and fastened to it, cf 2a)-2c) or the conductor track carrier 16 is fitted with the foil sensor unit 10 .

Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment such that the first side 14 of the film piece 12 faces a (large-area) first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16 .

This first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16 is opposite a second side 18 of the conductor track carrier 16 which adjoins the area surrounding the sensor component 11 or faces the latter. Correspondingly, the sensor 13 and the contacting conductor tracks 15 also face the first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16 .

In this case, the second side 19 of the same, opposite the first side 14 of the film piece 12, forms one of the outer sides of the sensor component 11.

The foil sensor unit 10 is arranged on the conductor track carrier 16 in such a way that in the present case contacting surfaces 20 of the foil sensor unit 10 formed by sections of the contacting conductor tracks 15 of the foil sensor unit 10 are opposite contacting surfaces 21 of the conductor track carrier 16, which are formed by sections of conductor tracks arranged on the first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16 22 are formed.

In each case one contacting surface 20 of the film sensor unit 10 is electrically conductively connected in the finished sensor component 11 to the respectively opposite contacting surface 21 of the conductor track carrier 16 .

Although the contacting surfaces 20 and 21 are formed by sections of the conductor tracks 16 and 22 in the present exemplary embodiment, this does not have to be the case. For example, there can also be separate contacting surfaces which are (indirectly) electrically connected to the conductor tracks 15 and 22 respectively.

In the present case, the conductor track carrier 16 is also designed as a flexible piece of foil (conductor track foil) or as a flexible PCB with conductor tracks 22 . Although it is preferred, but not mandatory for every application, that the conductor track carrier 16 is flexible. For example, it could also be in the form of a rigid printed circuit board (PCB).

In the present case, the foil sensor unit 10 is attached to the conductor track carrier 16 in a materially bonded manner, namely by means of two different adhesive layers 23a and 23b which are each arranged between the foil sensor unit 10 and the conductor track carrier 16 and rest on these.

The first adhesion promoter layer 23a extends in particular in the area of the measuring sensor 13 and in the area of further contacting surfaces 33 formed by sections of the contacting conductor tracks 15, which cover the measuring sensor 13 in some areas, resting on it and via which the contacting conductor tracks 15 are electrically conductively connected to the measuring sensor 13 are. In the present case, the adhesion promoter layer is a double-sided adhesive layer; for example a double-sided adhesive film, liquid glue or the like.

The second adhesion promoter layer 23b extends between the respectively opposite contact surfaces 20 and 21 of the film sensor unit 10 and the conductor track carrier 16. This second adhesion promoter layer 23b is designed to be electrically conductive in order to produce an electrically conductive connection between the contact surfaces 20 and 21, respectively. A corresponding, albeit electrically conductive, double-sided adhesive film, liquid adhesive or the like can also be used here.

In the sensor component 11 of 2 B) and 2c) and the 3 the (main) detection area of the sensor 13 is also located beyond the second side 19 of the piece of foil 12. Here, it is accepted that, for example, heat to be detected first has to penetrate the (however thin) piece of foil 12 before it reaches the sensor 13 meets. Advantageously, however, the sensor 13 is well protected in this constellation from mechanical influences, etc., since it is covered on the one side by the piece of film 12 and on the other side by the conductor track carrier 16.

The integral attachment of the film sensor unit 10 to the conductor track carrier 16 is preferably detachable (this does not have to be the case, of course).

For example, the adhesion promoter layers 23a, 23b can be designed in such a way that the film sensor unit 10 can be removed after the sensor component 11 has been used at the end of its service life in a detachment process, cf. schematically in 3 , there, for example, with the aid of a detachment wedge 24, can be detached again from the conductor track carrier 16 and, for example, can be supplied to an electronics recycling process.

For operation, the sensor component 11 consisting of the film sensor unit 10 and the conductor track carrier 16 is preferably also electrically connected to separate measurement electronics (not shown) for operating the film sensor unit 10 and in particular the measuring sensor 13 . For this purpose, for example, the conductor tracks 22 of the conductor track carrier 16 can be electrically connected to corresponding line ends of the measurement electronics, for example soldered to them.

Of course, it is also theoretically conceivable to arrange the measurement electronics on the conductor track carrier 16 or to integrate them into the film sensor unit 10 or to arrange them on the film piece 12 .

As already mentioned at the outset, the foil sensor units 10 can advantageously be (pre-)produced separately from the conductor track carrier 16 . As already explained at the outset, this has application-specific and/or production-specific advantages.

Among other things, this opens up the possibility of selecting a first plastic material for the flexible piece of film 12 if necessary, which can withstand the higher production temperatures required for the production or arrangement of the measuring sensor 13, for example, but which may be somewhat more rigid or somewhat less flexible for this reason. On the other hand, the flexible foil material of the separate (in particular separately produced) conductor track carrier 16 does not have to withstand these higher temperatures, so that other, also significantly more flexible, materials can be selected for this.

Particular advantages result in particular if the sensor component 11 is to be used in the medical field. The material of the conductor track carrier 16 can be chosen so flexibly that it can be optimally arranged on a human body. It is of course advantageous if the conductor track carrier 16 is (significantly) larger in format than the film sensor unit attached to it.

Correspondingly, the first side 14 of the film sensor unit 10 (or its area), in this case at least 50% smaller than the first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16.

However, it goes without saying that the above-mentioned use of different materials for the flexible film piece 12 on the one hand and for the conductor track carrier 16 on the other hand is not absolutely necessary. Rather, the same types of material and/or in particular the same material thicknesses could also be used.

In the 4-5 an alternative foil sensor unit 25 is shown.

In contrast to the foil sensor unit 10, in the foil sensor unit 25 the first side 14 of the foil piece 12, on which the sensor 13 and the contacting conductor tracks 15 are arranged, is not connected to the conductor track carrier 16 (not shown) or to the first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16, but the second side 19 of the film piece 14, which has a flat surface without conductor tracks (or other components) in the present embodiment.

The first side 14 of the piece of film 12, on the other hand, then points outwards or towards the area surrounding the sensor component 11.

In order nevertheless to enable contacting between the conductor track carrier 16 and the foil sensor unit 25, electrical connecting lines 26 are provided which electrically conductively connect the contacting surfaces 20 and 21 of the foil sensor unit 25 or the conductor track carrier 16 to one another. For this purpose, the connecting lines 26 are each arranged on a (lower) side of an electrically insulating insulating layer 27 embodied as a film or connected to it (materially bonded).

The insulating layer 27 otherwise forms the outside of the film sensor unit 25 in the present case.

It covers the entire first side 14 of the film piece 12, i.e. including the measuring sensor 13, the contacting surfaces 20 and the contacting conductor tracks 15.

The insulating layer 27 or the film is positioned in such a way that the connecting lines 26 are each opposite the contacting surfaces 20 of the film sensor unit 25 in areas of contacting surfaces 28 and are electrically connected to them. In the present case via an electrically conductive adhesion promoter or adhesion layer 29.

The electrical connecting lines 26 are routed from the respective contacting surface 20 of the film sensor unit 25 arranged on the first side 14 of the film piece 12 along an edge region 30 of the film piece 12 to the contacting surface 21 of the conductor track carrier 16 .

In 6 Finally, a further alternative film sensor unit 31 is shown, which, in contrast to film sensor unit 25, has not just one, but a plurality of sensors 13.

On the other hand, the insulating layer 27 of the film sensor unit 31 does not cover the entire first side 14 of the film piece 12. Rather, it has an opening or recess 32 in the area of the measuring sensors 13, so that the measuring sensors 13 are in direct contact with the environment.

Finally, in this exemplary embodiment, the measuring sensors 13 are constructed in multiple layers. They have a lower electrode 13a and an upper functional or sensitivity layer 13b, such as a pH-sensitive layer, applied above it.

1. a) die (insbesondere vorgefertigten) Foliensensoreinheiten 10, 25 oder 31 einer Bestückungsstation zugeführt werden, insbesondere mit einem Förderer,
2. b) auch die (insbesondere vorgefertigten) Leiterbahnträger 16 der Bestückungsstation zugeführt werden, insbesondere mit einem Förderer, und
3. c) in der Bestückungsstation jeweils eine Foliensensoreinheit 10, 25 oder 31 an einem Leiterbahnträger 16 angeordnet und befestigt wird unter Ausbildung der oben beschriebenen elektrisch leitenden Verbindung zwischen der Foliensensoreinheit 10, 25 oder 31 und dem Leiterbahnträger 16. Und zwar insbesondere unter Verwendung von einem oder mehreren Organen zum Halten und/oder Bewegen der Foliensensoreinheit und/oder zum Halten und/oder Bewegen des Leiterbahnträgers.

The sensor components 11 described above with the film sensor units 10, 25 and 31 can be produced automatically as part of a manufacturing or assembly process in which the conductor track carrier 16 is equipped with at least one film sensor unit 10, in particular by

1. a) the (in particular prefabricated) foil sensor units 10, 25 or 31 are fed to an assembly station, in particular with a conveyor,
2. b) the (particularly prefabricated) conductor track carriers 16 are also fed to the assembly station, in particular with a conveyor, and
3. c) one film sensor unit 10, 25 or 31 is arranged and attached to a conductor track carrier 16 in the assembly station, forming the electrically conductive connection described above between the film sensor unit 10, 25 or 31 and the conductor track carrier 16. Specifically, in particular using one or several organs for holding and / or moving the foil sensor unit and / or for holding and / or moving the conductor track carrier.

Those skilled in the art are aware of appropriate organs to carry out the aforementioned arranging and fastening (such as motor-driven arms, e.g. robotic arms, etc.).

If neither the film sensor units 10, 25 or 31 nor the conductor track carrier 16 are already provided with the necessary adhesion promoter layers 23a, 23b and/or 29 described above, these layers can be applied either in the assembly station or upstream of the same. The application valves or application devices required for this are well known in the prior art.

If the in the 1-3 If the sensor component alternative 11 shown, which has the foil sensor unit 10, is to be produced, the foil sensor unit 10 is handled, for example with the elements of the assembly station, in such a way that it is arranged on the conductor track carrier 16 and fastened there, so that the first side 14 of the foil piece 12 of the foil sensor unit 10, 25 or 31 then faces the (large-area) first side 17 of the conductor track carrier 16 . This correspondingly in such a way that the respective contacting surface 20 of the film sensor unit 10 is opposite the respective contacting surface 21 of the conductor track carrier 16 .

If the alternative sensor component part 11 having the film sensor unit 25 or 31 is to be manufactured, the film sensor unit 25 or 31 is arranged and attached to the circuit board carrier 16 with the elements of the assembly station in such a way that this first side 14 of the film piece 12 is the outside of the sensor component 11 and correspondingly the second (large-area) side 19 of the film piece 14 , which is opposite this first side 14 , faces the first side of the conductor track carrier 16 .

Reference List

10

foil sensor unit

11

sensor component

12

piece of foil

13

probe

13a

electrode

13b

functional layer

14

first page slide piece

15

contacting trace

16

conductor carrier

17

first page conductor carrier

18

second side conductor carrier

19

second side piece of foil

20

Contact surfaces foil sensor unit

21

Contacting surfaces conductor track carrier

22

conductor tracks conductor track carrier

23a

adhesion promoter layer

23b

adhesion promoter layer

24

peel off wedge

25

foil sensor unit

26

connection lines

27

insulating layer

28

Contacting surfaces connecting lines

29

adhesion promoter layer

30

edge area

31

foil sensor unit

32

opening

33

additional contact area

Claims (31)

Sensor component, in particular flexible sensor component, which has at least one flexible foil sensor unit (10) each with a flexible foil piece (12), in particular made of plastic, on which a measuring sensor (13) is arranged, in particular for measuring a physical and/or chemical and/or or biological parameter, as well as at least one contacting conductor track ending on the sensor (13), and which additionally has a conductor track carrier (16), in particular a flexible conductor track carrier (16) which is electrically conductively connected to the film sensor unit (10) and has at least one conductor track, in particular designed as a conductor track foil or as flexible or rigid printed circuit board (PCB) to which the film sensor unit (10) is attached, in particular detachably, preferably in a materially bonded manner. Sensor component according to claim 1 , characterized in that the film sensor unit (10) and the conductor track carrier (16) each have (at least) one electrically conductive contacting surface which is electrically conductively connected to one another, the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) also being connected to the contacting conductor track of the film sensor unit (10 ) is electrically conductively connected, in particular is part of it, and/or wherein the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16) is electrically connected to a conductor track of the conductor track carrier (16), in particular is part of the same. Sensor component according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the two contacting surfaces are opposite one another, and in that an electrically conductive connecting layer is arranged between the two contacting surfaces, in particular an adhesion promoter layer, which is preferably designed as a particularly detachable adhesive layer, which connects the two contacting surfaces to one another in a materially bonded and electrically conductive manner, and/or that the both contacting surfaces are directly connected to each other in an electrically conductive and particularly preferably releasable cohesive manner. Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (13) and/or the contacting surface of the foil sensor unit (10) is/are arranged on a (large-area) first side of the foil piece (12) of the foil sensor unit (10), which faces a (large-area) second side of the film piece (12) of the film sensor unit (10), which faces in particular the environment and in particular adjoins it, and which faces a (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier (16), the first side of the conductor track carrier ( 16) is connected to the film sensor unit (10) in a particularly detachable material connection, preferably by means of an adhesion promoter layer adjoining the first side of the conductor track carrier (16), in particular designed as a preferably detachable adhesive layer. Sensor component according to claim 4 , characterized in that on the first side of the film piece (12) of the film sensor unit (10) and the contacting conductor track of the film sensor unit (10) is arranged entirely or partially. Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (13) and/or the contacting surface of the foil sensor unit (10) is/are arranged on a (large-area) first side of the foil piece (12) of the foil sensor unit (10), which faces the environment, in particular adjoins it, and which is opposite a second (large-area) side of the film piece (12), which in turn faces a (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier (16), with which the film sensor unit (10) in particular is releasably bonded. Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the film sensor unit (10) and the first side of the conductor track carrier (16) to which it is connected, an in particular electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesive layer, in particular designed as a preferably detachable adhesive layer is arranged, via which the film sensor unit (10) and the conductor track carrier (16) are cohesively connected to one another. Sensor component according to claim 7 , characterized in that the adhesion promoter layer covers the sensor (13) and/or the contacting surface and/or the contacting conductor track and/or a side of the film piece (12) of the film sensor unit (10) facing the first (large-area) side of the conductor track carrier (16). covered in whole or in part, in particular with attachment to the same(s). Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacting surfaces of The film sensor unit (10) and the conductor track carrier (16) are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner via an electrical connecting line which, starting from the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) arranged on the first side of the film piece (12), in particular along an edge region of the film piece (12) , is guided up to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16). Sensor component according to claim 9 , characterized in that the electrical connecting line is electrically conductively and cohesively connected to one or both contacting surfaces in contact with them, or in that the electrical connecting line is electrically conductively and cohesively connected to one or both contacting surfaces via an electrically conductive adhesive bond. Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first side of the piece of foil (12) of the foil sensor unit (10) is completely or partially covered by an insulating layer, in particular made of electrically insulating foil or as a printed layer, in particular under complete or partial Covering of the sensor (13) arranged on the first side and/or the contacting surface arranged on the first side and/or the contacting conductor track arranged on the first side. Sensor component according to claim 11 , characterized in that the insulating layer does not cover the measuring sensor (13) or not completely, so that the measuring sensor (13) has direct contact with the environment, in particular in that the insulating layer has an opening or recess in the area of the measuring sensor (13). Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims 9 - 12 , characterized in that the electrical connecting line rests against the insulating layer and is in particular firmly bonded to it. Sensor component according to one or more of the preceding claims, at least according to claim 7 , characterized in that the adhesive layer arranged between the film sensor unit (10) and the first side of the conductor track carrier (16) facing it rests against the first or the second side of the film piece (12) of the film sensor unit (10). Method for the in particular automatic production of sensor components, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, which each have a film sensor unit (10) each with a flexible film piece (12), in particular made of plastic, on which a sensor (13) and at least one on the measuring sensor (13) is arranged, as well as additionally via a conductor track carrier (16) electrically conductively connected to the foil sensor unit (10) with at least one conductor track, in particular designed as a conductor track foil or as a flexible or rigid printed circuit board (PCB), on which the Foil sensor unit (10) is in particular releasably attached, with the following steps: a) feeding such film sensor units to an assembly station, in particular with a conveyor, b) supplying such conductor track carriers to the assembly station, in particular with a conveyor, c) arranging and attaching at least one film sensor unit (10) to a conductor track carrier (16) in the assembly station, forming an electrically conductive connection between the film sensor unit (10) and the conductor track carrier (16), in particular using one or more organs for Holding and/or moving the foil sensor unit and/or for holding and/or moving the conductor track carrier (16). procedure according to claim 15 , characterized in that the film sensor unit (10) and the conductor track carrier (16) each have (at least) one electrically conductive contacting surface, which are electrically connected to one another. procedure according to Claim 16 , characterized in that the sensor (13) and the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) are arranged on a first (large-area) side of the film piece (12), and in that the film sensor unit (10) in the assembly station on the conductor track carrier (16) is arranged and fixed in such a way that this first side of the film piece (12) then faces a (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier (16), in particular in such a way that the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) is opposite the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16). procedure according to Claim 16 , characterized in that the sensor (13) and the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) are arranged on a first (large-area) side of the film piece (12), and in that the film sensor unit (10) in the assembly station on the conductor track carrier (16) is arranged and fixed in such a way that a second (large-area) side of the film piece (12) opposite this first side faces a (large-area) first side of the conductor track carrier (16). procedure according to Claim 16 , 17 or 18 , characterized in that for fastening the foil sensor unit (10) to the conductor track carrier (16) before the foil sensor unit (10) is arranged on the conductor track carrier (16), one (large-area) side of the foil sensor unit (10), in particular the first or the second side of the film piece (12), is or will be provided over the entire surface or in one or more areas with an in particular conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer, in particular a preferably detachable adhesive layer, which subsequently in the state of the film sensor unit (10) attached to the conductor track carrier (16) - is arranged between the film sensor unit (10) and the conductor track carrier (16), forming a material connection. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims 16 - 19 , characterized in that before the film sensor unit (10) is arranged on the conductor track carrier (16) in such a way that the two contacting surfaces are opposite one another to form the electrically conductive connection between them, for the materially bonded and electrically conductive connection of the two contacting surfaces to the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) and/or a first, electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer is or will be applied to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16), in particular a preferably detachable adhesive layer. procedure according to claim 20 , characterized in that a second, non-electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer is applied to one or more areas of the (large-area) side of the film sensor unit (10) arranged outside of the contacting surfaces, in particular to the sensor (13) and/or the contacting conductor track is or will be, in particular a preferably detachable adhesive layer. Method according to one or more of the preceding Claims 15 - 21 , characterized in that an insulating layer of electrically insulating material is or will be applied to the first side of the film piece (12), in particular printed on or as an electrically insulating film, which completely or partially covers the first side of the film piece (12), in particular with complete or partial overlapping of the sensor (13) arranged on the piece of film (12) and/or the contacting surface arranged on the piece of film (12) and/or the contacting conductor track arranged on the piece of film (12). procedure according to Claim 22 , characterized in that an insulating layer designed as an electrically insulating film is applied to the first side of the film piece (12) with a material connection and electrical connection of an electrical connecting line arranged on this, preferably materially connected to it, with the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10), or becomes. procedure according to Claim 23 , characterized in that the arrangement and fastening of the film sensor unit (10) on the conductor track carrier (16) takes place with material and electrical connection of the electrical connecting line with the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16). procedure according to Claim 23 or 24 , characterized in that for the electrical connection of the electrical connecting line to the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) and/or to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16) to the electrical connecting line (at least in sections) and/or to the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) and /or an electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesion promoter layer is applied to the conductor track carrier (16), in particular an electrically conductive, preferably detachable adhesive layer. (Flexible) foil sensor unit with a flexible foil piece (12), in particular made of plastic, preferably for a sensor component according to one or more of the preceding Claims 1 - 14 , on which a sensor (13), in particular for measuring a physical and/or chemical and/or biological parameter, and at least one contacting conductor track ending on the sensor (13) is arranged, and which has a contacting surface which is connected to a contacting surface of a conductor track carrier (16) with at least one conductor track, in particular designed as a conductor track foil or as a flexible or rigid printed circuit board (PCB), in particular detachably electrically conductively connectable. (Flexible) foil sensor unit according to Claim 26 , characterized in that the sensor (13) and/or the contacting surface of the foil sensor unit (10) and/or the contacting conductor track is/are arranged on a first (large-area) side of the foil piece (12) of the foil sensor unit (10). (Flexible) foil sensor unit according to Claim 27 , characterized in that an insulating layer of electrically insulating material is applied to the first side of the piece of film (12). is applied, in particular printed on or as an electrically insulating film, which completely or partially covers the first side of the film piece (12), in particular with complete or partial covering of the sensor (13) arranged on the film piece (12) and/or the sensor (13) on the film piece (12) arranged contacting surface and/or the contacting conductor track arranged on the film piece (12). (Flexible) film sensor unit according to one or more of the preceding Claims 26 - 28 , characterized in that the contacting surface of the film sensor unit (10) arranged on the first side of the film piece (12) is electrically conductively connected to an electrical connecting line which is routed to an area, in particular along an edge area of the film piece (12), in in which the latter forms a connecting section for the electrically conductive connection of the electrical connecting line to the contacting surface of the conductor track carrier (16). (Flexible) foil sensor unit according to claim 29 , characterized in that the electrical connecting line rests against the insulating layer and is in particular firmly bonded to it. (Flexible) film sensor unit according to one or more of the preceding Claims 26 - 30 , characterized by one or more characteristics of Claims 1 - 14 .

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