A pressure sensor
By using a pressure sensor designed with flexible materials and an isolation layer, the problems of short lifespan and inability to be applied to complex curved surfaces in traditional pressure sensors have been solved, enabling efficient pressure detection on complex curved surfaces and application of multi-layer structures.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANGHAI UDEXREAL INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
Smart Images
Figure CN120740818B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of sensor technology, and in particular to a pressure sensor. Background Technology
[0002] Traditional pressure sensors typically use thin plastic films. However, this material results in a shorter lifespan and makes them susceptible to damage from forces applied to non-perpendicular surfaces (such as shear or torsional forces). Therefore, they are difficult to use on complex curved surfaces (such as skin) or in applications using silicone, a material commonly used in medical and bionic fields. Furthermore, traditional pressure sensors require direct contact with the pressure surface; in a multi-layered design, the layers other than the contact layer would malfunction, making multi-layered structures impractical. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a pressure sensor to solve the problems of traditional pressure-sensitive pressure sensors in the prior art, such as low lifespan, easy damage when measuring non-perpendicular forces, inability to detect pressure on complex curved surfaces, and inability to set up multi-layer structures.
[0004] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a pressure sensor, which includes an encapsulation layer, a base layer, and at least one sensor body fixedly disposed between the encapsulation layer and the base layer. Both the encapsulation layer and the base layer are made of flexible materials, and the sensor body is made of flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive materials. When the sensor body is multi-layered, the multiple sensor bodies are spaced vertically and an isolation layer is provided between adjacent sensor bodies. The isolation layer is made of flexible materials.
[0005] Optionally, an adhesive is further provided between the substrate layer and the encapsulation layer, and the sensor body is sealed between the substrate layer and the encapsulation layer by the adhesive.
[0006] Optionally, the sensor body includes a detection section, a wire section, and an interface section;
[0007] The conductor section includes a first conductor segment and multiple second conductor segments. Multiple detection sections and multiple interface sections are also provided. One end of each of the multiple detection sections is connected to one end of one of the interface sections via a shared first conductor segment. The other ends of each of the multiple detection sections are connected to one end of each of the multiple interface sections via multiple second conductor segments, respectively. All the interface sections are located on the same side; or...
[0008] The conductor section includes multiple second conductor segments, and the detection section and the interface section are also provided with multiple segments. The two ends of the multiple detection sections are respectively connected to one end of the interface section through the second conductor segments. All the interface sections are located on the same side.
[0009] Optionally, the encapsulation layer and the base layer are made of the same flexible material. When the isolation layer is included, the isolation layer is made of the same flexible material as the encapsulation layer and the base layer.
[0010] The detection section, the wire section, and the interface section are made of the same flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive material.
[0011] Optionally, the line width of the detection section is less than or equal to the line width of the conductor section and less than or equal to the line width of the interface section.
[0012] The detection section is generally in the shape of a long strip or an S-shaped line;
[0013] When the conductor portion includes the first conductor segment, the portion where the first conductor segment connects to the detection portion is generally arc-shaped or straight.
[0014] Optionally, when the pressure sensor employs a multi-layer sensor body, the multiple sensor bodies can be a combination of capacitive and resistive sensors spaced apart, or all of them can be either capacitive or resistive sensors.
[0015] Optionally, the pressure sensor includes multiple layers of the sensor body, each layer including at least one left tilt sensor body and one right tilt sensor body. The left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body are symmetrically arranged on the same projection plane. The detection parts corresponding to the left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body are arranged at an angle to the horizontal direction, and the interface parts of the left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body overlap.
[0016] Optionally, the pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one horizontal sensor body and one vertical sensor body. The detection portions of the horizontal and vertical sensor bodies intersect perpendicularly. The second conductor segment of the horizontal sensor body, along with its corresponding interface portion, is flipped so that the interface portion of the horizontal sensor body overlaps with the interface portion of the vertical sensor body. The flipped second conductor segment of the horizontal sensor body serves as an independent layer.
[0017] Optionally, the pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one set of two horizontal sensor bodies and one vertical sensor body. The interface portions of the two horizontal sensor bodies are disposed on the same side as the interface portion of the vertical sensor body. The detection portions of the two horizontal sensor bodies are both trapezoidal and can be spliced together to form a complete horizontal layer.
[0018] Optionally, the pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one vertical sensor body, one left-tilt sensor body, and one right-tilt sensor body. The length direction of the detection portion of the vertical sensor body is perpendicular to the horizontal line and is symmetrically arranged left and right. The interface portions of the left-tilt sensor body and the right-tilt sensor body overlap with the interface portion of the vertical sensor body, and the left-tilt sensor body and the right-tilt sensor body are axially symmetrically arranged.
[0019] In a pressure sensor of the present invention, the encapsulation layer and the base layer are made of flexible materials, and the sensor body is made of a flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive material. Utilizing the flexibility, elasticity, and stretchability of the material, on the one hand, the overall mechanical properties of the pressure sensor can be increased, extending its service life. On the other hand, it can be used for pressure detection on complex curved surfaces, is less prone to damage when measuring non-perpendicular forces, and is beneficial for the design of multi-layer sensor bodies. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a single-layer pressure sensor in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a double-layer pressure sensor in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor body in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor body in another embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor body in another embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a tilted grid-shaped multilayer sensor in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the inclined grid-shaped multilayer sensor in another embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the inclined grid-shaped multilayer sensor in another embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body after unfolding left and right;
[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a multilayer sensor with independent wire mesh in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a multilayer sensor with overlapping trapezoidal grids in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of two horizontal sensor bodies and one vertical sensor body after unfolding to the left and right;
[0032] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of an axisymmetric multilayer sensor in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the structure of the vertical sensor body, the left tilt sensor body, and the right tilt sensor body after unfolding to the left and right. Detailed Implementation
[0034] The following reference Figures 1 to 14 This invention describes a pressure sensor. In the description of this embodiment, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a pressure sensor, which includes an encapsulation layer 1, a base layer 2, and at least one sensor body 3 fixedly disposed between the encapsulation layer 1 and the base layer 2. The pressure sensor can be configured as a single-layer or multi-layer pressure sensor body 3, depending on actual needs. When it is a multi-layer pressure sensor body 3, the multi-layer sensor bodies 3 are vertically spaced between the encapsulation layer 1 and the base layer 2. Furthermore, an isolation layer is provided between adjacent sensor body layers 3. Figure 1 The diagram shows a pressure sensor structure with a single-layer sensor body 3. From top to bottom, the pressure sensor consists of an encapsulation layer 1, a sensor body 3, and a base layer 2. Figure 2 The diagram shows a pressure sensor structure with a double-layer sensor body 3. The pressure sensor consists of an encapsulation layer 1, a sensor body 3, an isolation layer, a sensor body 3, and a base layer 2 from top to bottom.
[0036] Furthermore, the encapsulation layer 1, the substrate layer 2, and the isolation layer are all made of flexible materials. Specifically, the encapsulation layer 1, the substrate layer 2, and the isolation layer can be one or more of the following: silicone, organosilicon, PDMS, hydrogel, silicone rubber, PI film, TPU, TPE, nanocomposite elastomer, polylactic acid, and natural rubber. Optionally, the encapsulation layer 1, the substrate layer 2, and the isolation layer can all be made of the same flexible material, such as silicone. Due to the properties of silicone, it has good resilience, thus improving its service life.
[0037] Furthermore, the sensor body 3 is made of a flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive material. Specifically, the sensor body 3 can be one of the following: liquid metal material, carbon nanotube material, conductive silver paste material, conductive polymer material, graphene material, nano-metal material, or conductive hydrogel material.
[0038] Optionally, pressure sensors can be placed on motion suits, such as the fingertip area of gloves, to detect fingertip pressure. They can also be placed on the fingertips of a robot hand for tactile sensing. They can also be used to detect planar or non-planar tensile forces.
[0039] By making the encapsulation layer 1 and the base layer 2 flexible materials, and using a flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive material for the sensor body 3, the flexibility, elasticity, and stretchability of the materials can be utilized. On the one hand, this increases the overall mechanical properties of the pressure sensor (e.g., the resilience of the sensor body 3) and extends its service life. On the other hand, it can be used for pressure detection on complex curved surfaces, is less prone to damage when measuring non-perpendicular forces, and is beneficial for the design of multi-layer sensor bodies 3.
[0040] Further, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The sensor body 3 is sealed between the base layer 2 and the encapsulation layer 1 by an adhesive 4. When both the base layer 2 and the encapsulation layer 1 are flexible waterproof materials (such as silicone), the use of TPU adhesive 4 can achieve the overall waterproof sealing function of the pressure sensor.
[0041] Further, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The sensor body 3 includes a detection unit 31, a wire section 32, and an interface section 33. The wire section 32 includes a first wire segment 321 and multiple second wire segments 322. The detection unit 31 and the interface section 33 also have multiple wire segments. One end of each detection unit 31 is connected to one end of an interface section 33 via a shared first wire segment 321. The other ends of each detection unit 32 are connected to one end of each interface section 33 via the multiple second wire segments 322. All interface sections 33 are located on the same side. Having multiple interface sections 33 on the same side allows them to be routed through the detection unit 31 in one location. This means that only one circuit board is needed for all interface sections 33, thus improving space utilization and simplifying wiring complexity.
[0042] In other embodiments of the invention, reference is made to... Figure 5 The sensor body 3 includes a detection unit 31, a lead wire unit 32, and an interface unit 33. The lead wire unit 32 includes multiple second lead wire segments 322, and both the detection unit 31 and the interface unit 33 also have multiple segments. The two ends of each detection unit 31 are connected to one end of each interface unit 33 via a second lead wire segment 322. All interface units 33 are located on the same side. In practical use, sharing a first lead wire segment 321 causes the overall compressive force on sensors in different channels to tend to be consistent, thus affecting the sensor values. Removing the first lead wire segment 321 amplifies the differences between different channels, producing a clear directionality and making the sensor values more accurate.
[0043] Optionally, the detection section 31, the lead wire section 32, and the interface section 33 may be made of the same flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive material, such as liquid metal conductive ink, to improve consistency.
[0044] Optionally, the line width of the detection section 31 is set to be less than or equal to the line width of the conductor section 32 and the line width of the interface section 33.
[0045] Further, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the conductor section 32 includes the first conductor segment 321, the portion where the first conductor segment 321 is connected to the detection section 31 is generally arc-shaped or straight.
[0046] Further, refer to Figures 3-5The detection unit 31 is generally shaped like a long strip or an S-shape. With a fixed area, a smaller wire diameter results in a greater rate of resistance change under unit pressure. A longer line leads to greater accumulation of resistance under pressure, resulting in a more significant change in the electrical signal. Therefore, a smaller wire diameter and a longer line length in the detection unit 31 lead to more sensitive pressure detection. Furthermore, a larger area occupied by the detection unit 31 results in a wider detection range.
[0047] Furthermore, when the pressure sensor employs a multi-layer sensor body 3, the multiple sensor bodies 3 can be a combination of capacitive and resistive sensors spaced apart, or all can be capacitive sensors or all can be resistive sensors. When using a capacitive sensor, the dielectric layer between the upper and lower plates is made of silicone, and the upper and lower electrode plates are filled with liquid metal as the electrode material. While functioning as a capacitive sensor, each electrode plate can also function as a resistive sensor to detect resistance changes, thereby simultaneously obtaining both resistance and capacitance data for the pressure, resulting in higher processing accuracy.
[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to Figures 3-9 The pressure sensor can employ a tilted mesh-like multi-layer sensor body structure design. Specifically, the multi-layer sensor body includes at least one left-tilted sensor body 41 and one right-tilted sensor body 42. The left-tilted sensor body 41 and the right-tilted sensor body 42 are axially symmetrically arranged on the same projection plane. The detection parts 31 corresponding to the left-tilted sensor body 41 and the right-tilted sensor body 42 are both arranged at an angle to the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the interface parts 33 of the left-tilted sensor body 41 and the right-tilted sensor body 42 overlap. To make the interface parts 33 overlap, the detection parts 31 and the second guide segment 322 are arranged at an angle. Through axial symmetry, matrix detection is achieved, increasing the number of detection points. Figure 5 As shown, there are (9-1)*(9-1)=8*8=64 detection points.
[0049] Preferably, the detection section 31 is S-shaped, which makes the detection section 31 of the sensor body occupy a larger area and has a wider detection range.
[0050] Optionally, the detection units 31 corresponding to the left tilt sensor body 41 and the right tilt sensor body 42 are at an angle of 45° with the horizontal direction.
[0051] In other embodiments of the invention, reference is made to... Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 10The pressure sensor employs a multi-layer sensor body structure with independent wire layers and a mesh-like design. Specifically, the multi-layer sensor body includes at least one set of horizontal sensor bodies 51 and vertical sensor bodies 52. Each set includes one horizontal sensor body 51 and one vertical sensor body 52. The detection portions 31 of the horizontal sensor bodies 51 and the vertical sensor bodies 52 intersect perpendicularly. Furthermore, the second wire segment 322 of the horizontal sensor body 51, along with its corresponding interface portion 33, is flipped so that the interface portion 33 of the horizontal sensor body 51 overlaps with the interface portion 33 of the vertical sensor body 52. Figure 10 (The image shows the state before flipping). After flipping, the second conductor segment 322 of the horizontal sensor body 51 becomes an independent layer. That is, a silicone insulating layer is provided between the detection part 31 of the horizontal sensor body 51 and the second conductor segment 322 of the flipped horizontal sensor body 51. Flipping the second conductor segment 322 of the horizontal sensor body 51 has two advantages. First, by setting the second conductor segment 322 and the detection part 31 in separate layers, the second conductor segment 322 will not occupy the area of the independent layer where the detection part 31 is located, thereby increasing the occupancy rate of the detection area of the horizontal sensor body 51. Second, after flipping, the interface part 33 of the horizontal sensor body 51 and the vertical sensor body 52 overlaps, requiring only one circuit board, which improves space utilization and simplifies the circuit complexity.
[0052] Furthermore, in order to prevent the transverse sensor body 51 from having an open circuit at the fold of the detection section 31 and the second conductor segment 322, the isolation layer between the detection section 31 and the second conductor segment 322 should completely cover both.
[0053] Preferably, the detection section 31 is S-shaped, which maximizes the utilization of the total area occupied by the detection section 31 in the sensor body and expands the detection range. On the other hand, when the detection section 31 is pressed, the impact on the overall resistance is negligible compared to a long strip shape, making the detection more sensitive.
[0054] In some other embodiments of the invention, reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 4 as well as Figure 11 and Figure 12The pressure sensor adopts a multi-layer sensor body structure design with horizontal trapezoidal overlapping grids. Specifically, the multi-layer sensor body includes at least one set of horizontal sensor bodies 51 and vertical sensor bodies 52. Each set includes two horizontal sensor bodies 51 and one vertical sensor body 52. The interface portion 33 of the two horizontal sensor bodies 51 is arranged on the same side as the interface portion 33 of the vertical sensor body 52. The detection portions 31 of the two horizontal sensor bodies 51 are both arranged in a trapezoidal shape, and the detection portions 31 of the two horizontal sensor bodies 51 can be spliced to form a complete horizontal layer. That is, the detection portions 31 of the two horizontal sensor bodies 51 do not form a complete row, but turn into a stepped shape along the way, but can be combined into a complete horizontal row by overlapping the detection portions 31 of the same row of the symmetrical layer on the left and right.
[0055] In some other embodiments of the invention, reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 4 as well as Figure 13 and Figure 14 The pressure sensor employs an axisymmetric multilayer sensor body structure design. Specifically, the multilayer sensor body includes at least one set of a vertical sensor body 61, a left-tilt sensor body 41, and a right-tilt sensor body 42. The detection section 311 of the vertical sensor body 61 is perpendicular to the horizontal line and symmetrically arranged, thereby achieving symmetrical pressure sensing. The interface 33 of the left-tilt sensor body 41 and the right-tilt sensor body 42 overlaps with the interface 33 of the vertical sensor body 61. Furthermore, the left-tilt sensor body 41 and the right-tilt sensor body 42 are axisymmetrically arranged. By combining the left-tilt sensor body 41, the right-tilt sensor body 42, and the vertical sensor body 61, symmetrical pressure sensing can be achieved with high accuracy.
[0056] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A pressure sensor, characterized in that, The pressure sensor includes an encapsulation layer, a base layer, and at least one sensor body fixedly disposed between the encapsulation layer and the base layer. Both the encapsulation layer and the base layer are made of flexible materials. The sensor body is made of flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive materials. When the sensor body is multi-layered, the multi-layered sensor bodies are spaced apart vertically, and an isolation layer is disposed between adjacent two layers of the sensor bodies. The isolation layer is made of flexible materials. The sensor body includes a detection section, a wire section, and an interface section; The conductor section includes a first conductor segment and multiple second conductor segments. The detection section and the interface section are also provided in multiple ways. One end of the multiple detection sections is connected to one end of the interface section through a shared first conductor segment. The other end of the multiple detection sections is connected to one end of the multiple interface sections one by one through multiple second conductor segments. All the interface sections are located on the same side.
2. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, An adhesive is also provided between the substrate layer and the encapsulation layer, and the sensor body is sealed between the substrate layer and the encapsulation layer by the adhesive.
3. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The encapsulation layer and the base layer are made of the same flexible material. When the isolation layer is included, the isolation layer is made of the same flexible material as the encapsulation layer and the base layer. The detection section, the wire section, and the interface section are made of the same flexible, stretchable, liquid, or transitional conductive material.
4. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The line width of the detection section is less than or equal to the line width of the conductor section and less than or equal to the line width of the interface section. The detection section is generally in the shape of a long strip or an S-shaped line; When the conductor portion includes the first conductor segment, the portion where the first conductor segment connects to the detection portion is generally arc-shaped or straight.
5. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the pressure sensor uses a multi-layer sensor body, the multiple sensor bodies can be a combination of capacitive and resistive sensors spaced apart, or all of them can be capacitive or resistive sensors.
6. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one left tilt sensor body and one right tilt sensor body. The left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body are symmetrically arranged on the same projection plane. The detection parts corresponding to the left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body are arranged at an angle to the horizontal direction, and the interface parts of the left tilt sensor body and the right tilt sensor body overlap.
7. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one horizontal sensor body and one vertical sensor body. The detection portions of the horizontal and vertical sensor bodies intersect perpendicularly. The second conductor segment of the horizontal sensor body, along with its corresponding interface portion, is flipped so that the interface portion of the horizontal sensor body overlaps with the interface portion of the vertical sensor body. The flipped second conductor segment of the horizontal sensor body becomes an independent layer.
8. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one set of two horizontal sensor bodies and one vertical sensor body. The interface portions of the two horizontal sensor bodies are located on the same side as the interface portion of the vertical sensor body. The detection portions of the two horizontal sensor bodies are both trapezoidal and can be spliced together to form a complete horizontal layer.
9. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sensor includes multiple layers of sensor bodies, each layer including at least one vertical sensor body, one left-tilt sensor body, and one right-tilt sensor body. The length direction of the detection part of the vertical sensor body is perpendicular to the horizontal line and is symmetrically arranged left and right. The interface of the left-tilt sensor body and the right-tilt sensor body overlaps with the interface of the vertical sensor body. The left-tilt sensor body and the right-tilt sensor body are axially symmetrically arranged.