US 12,270,775 B2
Sensor
Kazuhiko Sakurai, Tsu (JP); and Masaki Harada, Tsu (JP)
Assigned to NABTESCO CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 17/598,708
Filed by NABTESCO CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed Apr. 26, 2019, PCT No. PCT/JP2019/018107
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 27, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/217508, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0178857 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 27/04 (2006.01); G01N 33/28 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 27/04 (2013.01) [G01N 33/2835 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor comprising:
a plurality of detecting units each including a pair of electrodes and a detecting area provided between the electrodes, the detecting area being configured to cause a change in electrical resistance between the electrodes as conductive particles accumulate between the electrodes, the plurality of detecting units being arranged in lubricant containing the conductive particles;
a sensing unit for outputting a sensing signal if at least two or more of the detecting units experience a change in electrical resistances;
a voltage application controller unit including a power source for applying voltage to the plurality of detecting units;
a signal detecting unit for detecting whether the sensing signal is output; and
a storage unit for, if the sensing signal is output while the plurality of detecting units are in the lubricant, storing indication that the sensing signal is output, and
wherein the voltage application controller unit stops the application of the voltage by the power source while the plurality of detecting units remain in the lubricant and the storage unit stores the indication that the sensing signal is output.