Force sensing structure, flexible pressure sensor and electronic device

Abstract

The application discloses a force-sensitive sensing structure, a flexible pressure sensor and an electronic device. The force-sensitive sensing structure comprises a first electrode line and a second electrode line. The first electrode line comprises a first conductor and a first conductive layer. The first conductor extends along a first direction. The first conductive layer is arranged on the first conductor. The first conductive layer is electrically connected with the first conductor. The resistance of at least part of the first conductive layer changes with the change of an external force. The second electrode line comprises a second conductor. At least part of the second electrode line overlaps the first electrode line and is electrically connected with the first electrode line through the first conductive layer. The second conductor extends along a second direction. The second direction is arranged at an angle with the first direction. The force-sensitive sensing structure has the advantages of easy mass production, good consistency, stable range, high sensitivity and the like. The force-sensitive sensing structure can be easily applied to the flexible pressure sensor in a large-area array form and precise pressure measurement of a complex curved surface and a dynamic soft interface can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pressure sensor technology, and in particular to a force-sensitive sensing structure, a flexible pressure sensor, and an electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of robotics, smart cockpit, and wearable technologies, related products have brought about a large number of new pressure sensing and interaction demands. This has led to a shift in the focus of pressure sensing technology research and development from rigid interface measurement and static interfaces to complex curved surfaces and dynamic soft interfaces. However, mainstream pressure sensors often employ rigid force-sensitive sensing structures based on metal strain gauges and silicon-based MEMS, which are difficult to conformally fit with soft or complex curved surfaces, resulting in poor contact and missed detections. This makes it difficult to measure pressure on flexible interfaces such as skin and soft tissue, as well as complex curved interfaces in electronic devices such as flexible robots and car seats. Developing a force-sensitive sensing structure and a flexible pressure sensor to better measure pressure on complex curved surfaces and dynamic soft interfaces has become a pressing technical challenge. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application discloses a force-sensitive sensing structure, a flexible pressure sensor, and an electronic device. The force-sensitive sensing structure has the advantages of easy mass production, good consistency, stable range, and high sensitivity. It can also be easily applied to flexible pressure sensors in the form of large-area, high-density arrays to achieve precise pressure measurement of complex curved surfaces and dynamic soft interfaces.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a force-sensitive sensing structure, comprising: The first electrode line includes a first conductor and a first conductive layer. The first conductor extends along a first direction, and the first conductive layer is laid on the first conductor and electrically connected to the first conductor. The resistance of at least a portion of the first conductive layer changes with the change of the external force. The second electrode line includes a second conductor. At least a portion of the second electrode line overlaps with the first electrode line and is electrically connected to the first electrode line through a first conductive layer. The second conductor extends along a second direction, which is at an angle to the first direction.

[0005] Secondly, this application provides a flexible pressure sensor, including a force-sensitive sensing structure as described in any embodiment of this application.

[0006] Thirdly, this application provides an electronic device that includes a force-sensitive sensing structure as provided in any embodiment of this application; or, the electronic device includes a flexible pressure sensor as provided in any embodiment of this application.

[0007] The aforementioned force-sensitive sensing structure, flexible pressure sensor, and electronic device, firstly, through the overlapping and intersecting arrangement of the first and second electrode lines, allow the flexible pressure sensor to continuously replicate and form the force-sensitive sensing structure according to a certain pattern by arranging multiple first and second electrode lines from different directions, thus forming a large-area, high-density array of sensing and control points, thereby enabling the measurement of flexible interfaces such as skin, soft tissue, smart chairs, and smart beds; secondly, because the first and second electrode lines themselves are flexible, they can better interface with complex curved surfaces based on the formation of the array. Firstly, the flexible interface conformally fits to avoid poor contact, which could lead to missed or false detections. Secondly, due to the design of the first conductive layer being laid on the first conductor, the mechanical and electrical contact between the first conductive layer and the first conductor achieves high reliability and stability. When the force-sensitive sensing structure is subjected to external force, the force on the first conductive layer can be naturally changed, and the resistance of the first conductive layer can be changed. On this basis, since the second conductor is linearly connected to the first electrode through the first conductive layer, the current value between the second conductor and the first conductor also changes, achieving stable and reliable pressure measurement.

[0008] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of a force-sensitive sensing structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a second-view structural schematic diagram of a force-sensitive sensing structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a force-sensitive sensing structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a first electrode wire provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible pressure sensor provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a flexible pressure sensor provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 7This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a flexible pressure sensor provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the structure shown; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first substrate layer provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second substrate layer provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating the steps of a method for manufacturing a force-sensitive electrode according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a conductive wire and stranded wire fixture provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 13 for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the stranding fixture shown from another perspective; Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a conductive layer laying method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a conductor, an extrusion device, and a traction device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 16 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the steps of a method for manufacturing a flexible pressure sensor according to an embodiment of this application.

[0011] Figure label: X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, preset direction 100. Force-sensitive sensing structure; 200. Flexible pressure sensor; 10. First electrode wire; 11. First conductor; 111. First conductive wire; 112. Twisted section; 12. First conductive layer; 20. Second electrode line; 21. Second conductor; 22. Second conductive layer; 30. First matrix layer; 40. Second matrix layer; 50. Insulating layer; 51. Transmitting area; 52. Connection point; 61. Stranding fixture; 611. Strand channel; 62. Extrusion device; 621. Extrusion die; 622. Core channel; 63. Traction device.

[0012] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0014] The flowchart shown in the attached diagram is for illustrative purposes only and does not necessarily include all content and operations / steps, nor does it necessarily have to be performed in the order described. For example, some operations / steps can be broken down, combined, or partially merged, so the actual execution order may change depending on the actual situation.

[0015] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0016] It should be understood that, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. For example, "first data" and "second data" are only used to distinguish different data and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0017] It should also be further understood that the term "or" as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0018] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0019] With the rapid development of robotics, smart cockpit, and wearable technologies, new products such as robotic electronic skin and smart seats are gradually entering the market, bringing with them a large demand for novel pressure sensing and interaction technologies. Because the surfaces of electronic products such as robots, smart seats, and wearable electronic devices often have complex shapes, and some robot fingers even have flexible dynamic curved surfaces, traditional rigid force-sensitive sensing structures based on metal strain gauges and silicon-based MEMS struggle to achieve good contact and measurement. Especially for soft surfaces and complex curved surfaces, pressure measurement devices often need to possess both large-area array capabilities and good conformal fit. For rigid force-sensitive sensing structures, large-area arrays not only exacerbate the fragility of their mechanical structure but also make it difficult to maintain a stable and reliable conformal fit with soft or complex curved surfaces at all times. This makes it difficult to accurately and reliably measure pressure at complex contact interfaces in scenarios such as changes in occupant posture in soft smart seats or robots sensing and assembling electronic components through electronic skin.

[0020] Please refer to WO2023050639A1 and CN220670763U. Related technologies provide a piezoresistive layer and a flexible pressure sensor. This flexible pressure sensor includes a first electrode layer, a piezoresistive layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the piezoresistive layer, forming a sandwich-like flexible pressure sensing structure. Specifically, when the flexible pressure sensor is compressed, the piezoresistive layer can undergo compression in the thickness direction, and the internal conductive network also increases the density of overlap points due to vertical displacement. This results in good conformal fit and a large number of measurement electrical connection contact points on the flexible pressure surface, achieving accurate and reliable pressure measurement. After depressurization, each layer can return to its original state, the number of electrical connection contact points decreases, and the resistance recovers. Furthermore, the conductive lines on the first electrode layer can intersect with the conductive lines on the second electrode layer, so that the conductive lines almost cover the entire surface of the pressure-sensitive layer. The pressure-sensitive layer can sense the pressure applied at every point on the surface and transmit it outward in the form of a resistance signal, thereby improving the accuracy of pressure detection.

[0021] However, the inventors discovered that, due to the use of a piezoresistive thin film layer design, the piezoresistive thin film layer and the first and second electrode layers are essentially two separate and independent objects that need to be electrically connected through contact. Over long-term use, friction and stretching can easily cause a decrease in contact stability and reliability. If it is fixed by adhesives, firstly, it is difficult to control the bonding strength in the process, which will result in different ranges, sensitivities, and linearities at each contact point, making the measurement results very unreliable. Secondly, the adhesive layer is also prone to delamination under long-term friction and stretching, especially in environments where there is a coupling effect of body temperature and humidity, such as smart chairs and smart beds. The adhesive layer is prone to glass transition cracks. Once the bonding strength or microstructure of the adhesive layer itself changes, the range, sensitivity, and linearity of the relevant contact points cannot be guaranteed, or even open circuit failure may occur.

[0022] Secondly, the environment in which seats, smart hospital beds, etc. are used is affected by the coupling effect of body temperature and air humidity. After absorbing moisture, the piezoresistive film layer and its possible adhesive layer can easily penetrate water vapor into the conductive interface, causing electrochemical corrosion of metal circuits, forming insulation corrosion products, resulting in unstable measurement, or even failure of some contact points.

[0023] Thirdly, the substrate of the piezoresistive thin film layer is often a fiber with a certain degree of elasticity. The bonding ability between dopants such as conductive fibers and the substrate of the piezoresistive thin film layer is weak. After multiple cycles, problems such as interface slip, stress relaxation and permanent deformation are likely to occur. The resistance baseline changes, resulting in irreversible zero-point drift. Furthermore, long-term use can easily cause Joule heating, accelerate substrate aging or even breakdown, and shorten the service life of the sensor.

[0024] Fourthly, the piezoresistive film layer itself is expensive and has a high cost. Its shape is similar to non-woven fabrics. If it is placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, long-term use can easily cause problems such as moisture absorption, edge unraveling, displacement, and tensile creep, which will affect the accurate measurement of the pressure signal.

[0025] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a force-sensitive sensing structure 100. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The force-sensitive sensing structure 100 may include a first electrode line 10 and a second electrode line 20. The first electrode line 10 may include a first conductor 11 and a first conductive layer 12. The first conductive layer 12 may be disposed on the first conductor 11 and electrically connected to the first conductor 11. The second electrode line 20 may include a second conductor 21. It should be understood that the first electrode line 10 may also be referred to as a force-sensitive electrode, and the second electrode line 20 may also be referred to as a conductive electrode. Both the first conductor 11 and the second conductor 21 can be a type of conductor.

[0026] Specifically, the first conductive layer 12 can be applied to the first conductor 11 by means of coating, wrapping, extrusion, etc., and electrically connected to the first conductor 11 to form the first electrode line 10. It should be understood that by applying the first conductive layer 12 to the first conductor 11, a stable, continuous, dense, and thickness-controllable first conductive layer 12 can be formed on the outer surface of the first conductor 11, transforming the separate-adhesive / contact interface into an integral-conformal interface. Furthermore, when the first conductive layer 12 is applied to the first conductor 11 by extrusion, the molten first conductive layer 12 colloid can diffuse with the surface of the first conductor 11 under pressure, and after cooling, form a stable and reliable micro-network structure, protecting the electrical connection interface between the conductive layer and the conductor, and further enhancing the interface bonding strength, eliminating problems such as slippage and debonding from both macroscopic and microscopic structural aspects.

[0027] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second electrode line 20 may overlap with the first electrode line 10 and be electrically connected to the first electrode line 10 through the first conductive layer 12. It should be understood that the overlapping area of ​​the second electrode line 20 and the first electrode line 10 can form a force-sensitive sensing node. By overlapping the second electrode line 20 with the first electrode line 10 and ensuring the first conductive layer 12 is tightly and reliably laid on the first conductor 11, it is no longer necessary to insert an additional piezoresistive film or adhesive layer that is prone to drift and has unreliable contact between the first electrode line 10 and the second electrode line 20. Instead, electrical connection is achieved directly through the surface of the first conductive layer 12. When external pressure is applied to the overlapping area, the first conductive layer 12 undergoes elastic compression, reducing the spacing between its internal conductive particles and increasing the effective conductive paths, thus decreasing the node resistance. After the pressure is released, the first conductive layer 12 rebounds, the conductive network returns to its original loose state, and the resistance increases. It avoids problems such as contact drift and circuit unreliability caused by slippage, debonding, wire breakage or moisture absorption in traditional piezoresistive layers and sandwich structures. It also eliminates the electrical signal hysteresis that may be caused by adhesive bonding process, so that the force-sensitive sensing measurement node can maintain the consistency and reliability of range, sensitivity and linearity in application environments with long-term frequent bending, stretching, friction and humidity and heat change coupling.

[0028] It should be understood that the resistance of at least a portion of the first conductive layer 12 can change with the applied external force. Since in the flexible pressure sensor 200, the commonly used measurement point area is only a part of the total area of ​​the flexible pressure sensor 200, and another part is only used for wiring and signal transmission. In some large-area, high-density array-type force-sensitive sensing structures 100 applications, to ensure that there is no crosstalk, interference, or short circuit between the wiring and signal transmission lines, a portion of the first conductive layer 12 can be insulated, and the resistance of that portion can change with the applied external force.

[0029] Furthermore, the manner in which the first conductive layer 12 with insulating properties is applied to the first conductor 11 can be different from, or the same as, the manner in which the first conductive layer 12 with force-sensitive properties is applied to the first conductor 11. For example, the first conductive layer 12 with insulating properties can be applied to the first conductor 11 by wrapping or covering, while the first conductive layer 12 with force-sensitive properties can be applied to the first conductor 11 by extrusion.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first conductor 11 may extend along a first direction, and the second electrode line 20 may extend along a second direction, with the second direction and the first direction forming an angle. The absolute value of the angle between the first direction and the second direction may include 30°-90°. Typically, but not limitingly, the absolute value of the angle between the first direction and the second direction may be 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, or a range of any two values.

[0031] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The second electrode line 20 may further include a second conductive layer 22, which is disposed on the second conductor 21 and electrically connected to the second conductor 21. In this case, the second electrode line 20 may also be referred to as a force-sensitive electrode. Specifically, the first conductive layer 12 can be disposed on the first conductor 11 by extrusion, wrapping, or coating. Alternatively, the second conductive layer 22 can be disposed on the second conductor 21 by extrusion, wrapping, or coating. It should be understood that both the first conductive layer 12 and the second conductive layer 22 are conductive layers.

[0032] Furthermore, the resistance of at least a portion of the second conductive layer 22 can change with the applied external force. It should be understood that the second conductive layer 22 can be conformally laid along the outer surface of the second conductor 21 to form a force-sensitive conductive structure symmetrical with the first conductive layer 12. Through the double-layer conductive layer design, the effective sensing area at a single point is expanded, the measurement reliability is improved, and redundancy is achieved to reduce the risk of single-point failure, thus realizing long-term stable electrical connection and pressure detection.

[0033] In some embodiments, a conductive layer can be formed using a gel matrix and conductive fillers. For example, the first conductive layer 12 may include a gel matrix and conductive fillers. Alternatively, the first conductive layer 12 may be a conductive soft adhesive doped with conductive fillers. Another example is the second conductive layer 22, which may include a gel matrix and conductive fillers. Again, the second conductive layer 22 may be a conductive soft adhesive doped with conductive fillers. It should be understood that the gel matrix can provide a continuous and stable elastic matrix network, and the conductive fillers form permeation channels within the matrix. When an external force is applied to the overlapping area, the gel matrix reduces the filler spacing through elastic compression, increases the permeation network density, and consequently decreases the macroscopic resistance, achieving force-resistance conversion. Furthermore, since the gel matrix and conductive fillers are bonded through intermolecular forces and physical doping, no additional adhesive is required, eliminating the risks of interface slippage, wear short circuits, and debonding inherent in traditional sandwich structures. Meanwhile, since the gel matrix can be doped with other fillers, it helps to improve the material structure and mechanical strength of the gel matrix by adjusting its composition, so that it can be flexibly adapted to various environments such as seats and mattresses, ensuring long-term stability in a rubbery state, and ensuring that the resistance of the conductive layer changes reversibly, the range is stable, and the shape is reliable under long-term bending, stretching, and compression cycles, thereby achieving long-term stable operation of the force-sensitive sensing structure 100.

[0034] It should be further understood that, due to the use of a gel-based substrate, the overlapping arrangement and contact connection between the second electrode line 20 and the first electrode line 10 can achieve a high degree of elastic contact without additional adhesives. Furthermore, the gel-based substrate generates localized microflows under pressure, automatically filling microscopic uneven surfaces to form a continuous and effective conductive path, significantly reducing contact resistance. It also expands the effective contact area, disperses localized stress, and improves wear resistance. In addition, the flexibility and stretchability of the gel-based substrate ensure that the overlapping area maintains good electrical connection stability even under combined external forces such as tension, bending, or shearing, adapting to complex curved surface applications such as smart seats and mattresses, and ensuring a long-term reliable electrical connection between the first electrode line 10 and the second electrode line 20.

[0035] In some embodiments, the conductive filler may include at least one of a conductive polymer, graphite, carbon black, metal powder, and conductive salt. The carbon-based dopants, such as graphite and carbon black, may also include carbon nanotubes, conductive graphite, graphene, etc. The conductive polymer may include polyaniline, polythiophene, PEDOT, PSS, etc. The metal powder may include silver-coated copper, nickel powder, aluminum powder, etc. Lithium salts may also be added, and the colloidal matrix may be a polyether-based matrix, thereby achieving ionic conductivity.

[0036] In some embodiments, the gel matrix may include at least one of TPU, PP, PE and PI, thereby improving the wear resistance and weather resistance of the electrode wires and conductive layers.

[0037] In some embodiments, the ratio of the adhesive matrix to the conductive filler can range from 1:25 to 1:1, or the conductive soft adhesive can be doped with conductive filler accounting for 2% to 50% of the total mass. In some embodiments, when the conductive soft adhesive is doped with less than 40% of the total mass of conductive filler, high sensitivity of the reluctance conversion effect can be ensured; when the conductive soft adhesive is doped with more than 15% of the total mass of conductive filler, dense permeation channels can be formed in the adhesive matrix, ensuring high initial conductivity, strong resistance to electrochemical corrosion, and maintaining a stable resistance value under high load.

[0038] Typical, but not limiting, the proportion of conductive filler in the conductive soft adhesive by mass can be 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or any range of two values. The mass ratio of the adhesive matrix to the conductive filler can be 1:25, 1:20, 1:15, 1:10, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, or any range of two values.

[0039] In some embodiments, the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 may include a plurality of first electrode lines 10 and a plurality of second electrode lines 20. The plurality of first electrode lines 10 are arranged at intervals and extend along a first direction. The plurality of second electrode lines 20 are arranged at intervals and extend along a second direction, such that at least a portion of the plurality of second electrode lines 20 overlaps with the plurality of first electrode lines 10 and is electrically connected to the plurality of first electrode lines 10 through a first conductive layer 12. It should be understood that each overlapping area between the first electrode lines 10 and the second electrode lines 20 can constitute a force-sensitive sensing measurement node. Alternatively, a force-sensitive sensing measurement node and several surrounding force-sensitive sensing nodes can form a force-sensitive measurement pixel unit. Each pixel unit can contain a force-sensitive sensing node array in the form of, for example, 1*2, 2*2, 3*3, 3*2, 4*4, 5*5, etc., which can be achieved by adjusting the spacing between the electrode lines. It should be understood that, since the sensing area of ​​force-sensitive sensors in products such as seats, wearable devices, and robotic electronic skin is not evenly distributed, using force-sensitive sensor node arrays can fully utilize limited electrode lines and arrange as many intersections and contact points as possible within a specific sensing area, thereby saving costs and effectively improving trigger sensitivity, measurement range, and other performance characteristics. It should be further understood that, since the measurement range of a single force-sensitive sensor node is limited, and the pressure distribution on flexible dynamic interfaces is often a multi-peaked form, by arranging electrode line rows and columns to group multiple force-sensitive sensor nodes into pixel units, it is possible to facilitate adaptive calibration and measurement of sensitivity within the pixel unit, as well as interference suppression operations. This includes the ability to perform differential calculations on the resistance values ​​of each node within a pixel unit, ensuring the linearity and reliability of each node's measurement, and improving the pressure measurement resolution, accuracy, and total range within the pixel unit.

[0040] In some embodiments, the multiple first electrode lines 10 can be a single first electrode line 10 formed locally through serpentine or corrugated routing, and the multiple second electrode lines 20 can be a single second electrode line 20 formed locally through serpentine or corrugated routing. It should be understood that the routing method ensures that the conductive layer is tightly wound with the substrate such as non-woven fabric, avoiding interface slippage caused by traditional printing or lamination; simultaneously, the serpentine corrugated structure provides in-plane stretch margin, allowing the routing to expand and absorb strain when the surface of the seat or mattress is subjected to tension, reducing the risk of conductive layer breakage.

[0041] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4The conductor can include multiple conductive wires, thereby enhancing conductivity stability and mechanical structural reliability. For example, the first conductor 11 can include multiple first conductive wires 111, which are connected by at least one of the following methods: winding, twisting, pressing, and welding. Similarly, the second conductor 21 includes multiple second conductive wires, which are connected by at least one of the following methods: winding, twisting, pressing, and welding. It should be understood that, on the one hand, multiple conductive wires forming an integrated bundle structure through winding, twisting, pressing, or welding can provide parallel conductive paths within the same cross-sectional area, reducing the risk of resistance abrupt changes caused by single-wire breakage. For example, when a local wire material experiences fatigue fracture due to repeated bending, the remaining intact bundle still maintains macroscopic conductivity continuity, thereby improving conductivity stability. On the other hand, the bundle structure can slide against each other under tensile and torsional loads, dispersing mechanical stress, reducing permanent deformation, and enhancing the fatigue life of the flexible sensor. On the other hand, due to the uneven surface of the bundled wires, a mechanical interlock is formed with the conformally laid conductive layer, improving the interfacial peel strength and further suppressing interlayer slippage, ensuring that the resistance curve of the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 remains stable and reliable during long-term use. It should be understood that both the first conductive wire 111 and the second conductive wire are the same type of conductive wire.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first conductor 11 may include at least one of silver wire, copper wire, tin-plated copper, stainless steel wire, and carbon fiber; or, the second conductor 21 may include at least one of silver wire, copper wire, tin-plated copper, stainless steel wire, and carbon fiber. It should be understood that the oxide layer on the surface of silver wire has excellent conductivity and can maintain low contact resistance in high humidity and high salt spray environments, making it suitable for headrest and lumbar support areas where signal stability is critical; copper wire has high conductivity and low raw material cost, enabling it to effectively handle current transmission and reduce overall wire resistance; carbon fiber is lightweight, high-strength, and fatigue-resistant, and after twisting, it can improve the tensile strength and bending life of the bundled wires without significantly increasing the linear density, making it suitable for large-area distributed sensor arrays.

[0043] The force-sensitive sensing structure 100 provided in one embodiment of this application can also achieve the following effects: Firstly, by overlapping and intersecting the first electrode line 10 and the second electrode line 20, in the flexible pressure sensor 200, as long as multiple first electrode lines 10 and multiple second electrode lines 20 are arranged from different directions, the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 can be continuously replicated according to a certain pattern to form a large-area, high-density array of sensing and control points, thereby measuring the flexible interfaces of skin, soft tissue, smart chairs, and smart beds; Secondly, since the first electrode line 10 and the second electrode line 20 are flexible themselves, they can better interact with complex curved surfaces based on the formation of the array. Firstly, the flexible interface allows for conformal bonding, avoiding poor contact and problems such as missed or false detections. Secondly, due to the design of the first conductive layer 12 being laid on the first conductor 11, the mechanical and electrical contact between the first conductive layer 12 and the first conductor 11 achieves high reliability and stability. When the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 is subjected to external force, the force on the first conductive layer 12 can be naturally changed, and the resistance of the first conductive layer 12 can be changed. On this basis, since the second conductor 21 is electrically connected to the first electrode line 10 through the first conductive layer 12, the current value between the second conductor 21 and the first conductor 11 also changes, achieving stable and reliable pressure measurement. Furthermore, by twisting conductive wires of different materials in a certain proportion, or by plating copper on carbon fiber, the conductivity and mechanical strength can be improved.

[0044] This application provides a flexible pressure sensor 200, which may include the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 as provided in any embodiment of this application. For details, please refer to... Figures 5 to 7 The flexible pressure sensor 200 may include a first substrate layer 30 and a second substrate layer 40, the shapes of which can change according to changes in external force. It should be understood that, due to the flexibility of the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40, they can better conformally fit with flexible, dynamic interfaces for pressure measurement.

[0045] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10Multiple first electrode lines 10 can be arranged at intervals on the first substrate layer 30, and multiple second electrode lines 20 can be arranged at intervals on the second substrate layer 40. The first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40 are arranged opposite each other, such that at least a portion of the second electrode lines 20 overlaps with the first electrode lines 10, and at least a portion of the second electrode lines 20 is electrically connected to the first electrode lines 10 through the first conductive layer 12. It should be understood that the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40 not only allow the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 to be easily arrayed through the wiring design of the electrode lines on the substrate layer, but also provide a stable setting framework for the force-sensitive sensing structure 100, thereby ensuring relative position stability and reducing the likelihood of problems such as wire short circuits and crosstalk. Specifically, the electrode lines can be set on the substrate layer by various methods such as bonding, threading, plain weaving, rope embroidery, and stitching.

[0046] Specifically, the material of the first substrate layer 30 may include fabric, and multiple first electrode lines 10 are embroidered on the first substrate layer 30; and the material of the second substrate layer 40 includes fabric, and multiple second electrode lines 20 are embroidered on the second substrate layer 40. It should be understood that, on the one hand, by using the embroidery process to form the electrode lines on the substrate layer in one step, the electrode lines can be directly sewn into the fabric according to the design pattern, and the electrode lines and the fabric substrate form a mechanical interlock, which controls the in-plane positional tolerance of the electrode lines and avoids the problems of adhesive layer creep and delamination caused by traditional bonding. On the other hand, the embroidered area can retain the original breathability and flexibility of the fabric, and does not add extra rigidity when conformally bonded to flexible interfaces such as seats and mattresses. Furthermore, due to the use of a fabric substrate and embroidery design, after the electrode lines are embroidered on the first and second substrate layers 40 respectively, only the two layers of fabric need to be simply aligned and pressed together to achieve automatic alignment of the overlapping nodes, eliminating the need for high-precision lamination equipment. Furthermore, both electrode wires can be bound to the fabric substrate, and the fabric substrates can also be easily bound together through embroidery. This prevents misalignment and displacement under repeated bending and stretching, fundamentally reducing the risk of wire short circuits and signal crosstalk. Moreover, since embroidery provides higher positioning accuracy and strength than adhesive bonding, it is easier to mass-produce. This, combined with the two substrate layers and the cross-arrangement of the electrode wires, provides a highly reliable and scalable array-type force-sensitive sensing structure 100 for the flexible pressure sensor 200. The fabric can include at least one of tie-dyed plain weave, spunlace fabric, needle-punched fabric, white peach fabric, and non-woven fabric.

[0047] In some embodiments, the flexible pressure sensor 200 further includes an insulating layer 50 disposed between the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40. The insulating layer 50 can shield a portion of the first electrode line 10 and a portion of the second electrode line 20, isolating a portion of the second electrode line 20 from a portion of the first electrode line 10. It should be understood that since the first electrode line 10 and the second electrode line 20, in addition to forming the force-sensitive sensing structure 100, also need to bear signal transmission in a portion, accidental contact of the electrode segments transmitting the signal can easily introduce a current path, leading to a short circuit or crosstalk. Therefore, by placing the insulating layer 50 between the two substrate layers, opening a window in the target measurement area used to form the force-sensitive sensing structure 100, and covering the wiring area used for signal transmission with the insulating layer 50, only the first conductive layer 12 and the second conductive layer 22 at the windowed area are allowed to directly contact to form a connection point 52, while the remaining sections are physically isolated by the insulating layer 50, blocking crosstalk current. It maintains the force-resistance conversion characteristics at the force-sensitive sensing structure 100, and ensures that the row and column lines can maintain electrical insulation between each other when transmitting signals or current at other locations, effectively reducing the risk of noise coupling and false triggering, and improving the integrity and reliability of the array sensing signal.

[0048] For details, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The insulating layer 50 may have a transparent region 51, through which at least a portion of the multiple second electrode lines 20 are electrically connected to the multiple first electrode lines 10, and multiple connection points 52 are formed within the transparent region 51. It should be understood that forming multiple connection points 52 within the transparent region 51 improves measurement sensitivity and accuracy, ensuring stable and reliable force-sensitive measurement. Specifically, the multiple connection points 52 can also be combined to form pixel units of multiple array types such as 5*5 and 3*4, further improving the measurement range, sensitivity, and accuracy.

[0049] The inventors discovered that simply wrapping a resistive layer around a conductor will still result in displacement and wear between the resistive layer and the conductor over long-term use. On one hand, the interface lacks molecular-level interdiffusion, relying solely on mechanical coating or adhesive bonding. Under cyclic bending, stretching, or shear stress, the shear stress concentration at the interface leads to micro-slippage, gradually reducing the contact points between the conductive layer and the conductor, and increasing the contact impedance. On the other hand, the elastic modulus of the resistive layer matrix is ​​usually lower than that of the conductor. After repeated deformation, the matrix stress relaxes, the coating layer loosens, and local voids appear, further aggravating wear and generating wear debris. This debris, trapped between the interfaces, forms insulating islands, easily causing signal jumps and zero-point drift. Furthermore, the slippage process is sometimes accompanied by Joule heat concentration, accelerating matrix aging, causing the resistive layer to become brittle and crack, ultimately losing its force-resistance conversion capability.

[0050] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a method for manufacturing a force-sensitive electrode. The manufactured force-sensitive electrode can be used in the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 of any embodiment of this application. It is understood that the first electrode line can be referred to as a force-sensitive electrode. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the first electrode line 10 will be described below as an example. In the relevant figures, the force-sensitive electrode can correspond to the first electrode line 10, the conductor can correspond to the first conductor 11, the conductive wire can correspond to the first conductive wire 111, and the conductive layer can correspond to the first conductive layer 12. Please refer to... Figure 4 and Figure 11 , Figure 11 This application provides a method for manufacturing a force-sensitive electrode according to an embodiment. The method may include steps S101 to S103, specifically including: S101 provides a conductor and a molten adhesive.

[0051] The conductor is linear.

[0052] In some embodiments, the conductor may include multiple conductive wires; specifically, multiple conductive wires may be provided. The conductor is obtained by processing the multiple conductive wires through at least one of winding, stranding, compression, and welding. It should be understood that the toughness and mechanical strength of a single conductor are often inferior to those of a wire harness structure. Processing the multiple conductive wires through at least one of winding, stranding, compression, and welding can enhance the structural strength and toughness of the conductor, thereby better adapting it to complex temperature and humidity environments such as aerospace and smart cockpits.

[0053] In some embodiments, providing multiple conductive wires may include providing multiple spools; mounting the multiple spools on multiple bobbin mechanisms; and rotating to unwind to obtain multiple conductive wires. It should be understood that simultaneously releasing multiple conductive wires via rotational unwinding allows for parallel feeding of multiple wires under constant tension, avoiding subsequent strand loosening or compression defects caused by uneven tension. Furthermore, a controller such as a hysteresis brake can be configured on the upper bobbin mechanism to reduce tension fluctuations in the wire bundle and ensure consistency in the roundness and conductive cross-sectional area of ​​the bundled wires. The unwound conductive wires can converge via guide wheels and enter a stranding fixture or compression mold cavity. During stranding, a planetary stranding head can be used, adjusting the pitch and stranding direction to periodically reposition each wire along its length, dispersing bending stress. Through a tension-controlled unwinding-stretching / compression continuous process, a conductor with high mechanical strength, high bending fatigue life, and uniform conductivity can be obtained, meeting the long-term reliable application requirements in aerospace, smart cockpits, and other environments with alternating temperature and humidity.

[0054] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a conductive wire and stranded wire fixture according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 13 for Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the stranding fixture from another perspective. As shown, a conductor can be obtained by stranding multiple conductive wires. Specifically, a stranding fixture 61 can be provided; multiple conductive wires are threaded through multiple strand channels 611, with at least a portion of the multiple conductive wires passing through the multiple strand channels 611; the portions of the multiple conductive wires passing through the multiple strand channels 611 are stranded or wrapped to obtain a conductor, which has a stranded portion 112. The stranding fixture 61 can have multiple strand channels 611. It should be understood that the design of the strand channels 611 can bind multiple conductive wires to the same axis, preventing slippage, eccentricity, uneven conductive layer, and other problems. The stranded portion 112 formed by the conductor can continuously pull the stranded wire and control the direction of the stranded wire, avoiding severe friction between the conductive wires and the sidewalls of the strand channels 611.

[0055] It should be further understood that the formation of the stranded portion 112 provides a mechanically strong working object for subsequent traction and winding processes, ensuring stable, efficient, and high-yield traction and winding processes. Specifically, the stranded portion 112 can naturally form through holes, or it can provide a certain mechanical strength and be wound around the traction head of the traction device 63, ensuring smooth and stable movement of the conductor, uniform extrusion of the conductive layer, and preventing uneven conductive layer setting due to directional deviation of some conductive wires, or even problems such as cracks in the conductive layer or exposure of conductive wires.

[0056] S102. Apply the molten adhesive onto the conductor to form a conductive layer.

[0057] The resistance of the conductive layer changes with the external force applied to it.

[0058] In some embodiments, multiple conductive wires can be twisted together to form a conductor, and the conductor can have a twisted portion 112 formed. The twisted portion 112 can be wound around a winding mechanism, and the winding mechanism can straighten and pull the twisted portion 112 to move. The molten adhesive can be extruded and applied to the conductor. Finally, after cooling the conductor and the conductive layer, the winding mechanism can be used to wind up the cooled conductor and the conductive layer.

[0059] It should be understood that since the conductive wires and conductors are generally made of metal, and the force-sensitive electrodes are often quite thin, if the conductive wires or conductors shift off-center, it can easily cause some of them to be exposed to the air or result in uneven distribution of the conductive layer, leading to technical problems such as short circuits. This directly causes the measurement results of the relevant force-sensitive sensing structure 100 to be unreliable and insensitive, and may even lead to the risk of short circuits and overheating during measurement.

[0060] Therefore, by simultaneously straightening and pulling the twisted section 112 in the winding mechanism while extruding and applying the molten adhesive onto the conductor, traction and extrusion can be performed concurrently. This fully utilizes the traction direction of the traction device 63, working in conjunction with the extrusion device 62. By controlling the traction speed, it adapts to the extrusion speed of molten adhesives with different compositions or the flow control of the extrusion device 62, ensuring uniform application of the conductive layer and preventing conductor eccentricity. Furthermore, the winding mechanism also facilitates efficient storage, preservation, and transportation of the force-sensitive electrodes, making it easy to transfer the manufactured electrodes to the relevant production line of the flexible pressure sensor 200 for fabrication and assembly.

[0061] In some embodiments, a conductive layer can be formed by extruding and applying a molten adhesive onto a conductor. It should be understood that the molten adhesive extrusion process allows for the continuous and stable formation of a conformal conductive layer on the conductor surface, making it suitable for mass production. Furthermore, during extrusion, the molten adhesive can be in a viscous flow state under high temperature and shear stress, where its molecular chains diffuse and physically adsorb with the metal atoms or oxide layers on the conductor surface. Subsequent cooling forms a high-strength, high-toughness electrical interface with both thermal expansion and contraction locking and microstructure adsorption, effectively preventing relative slippage and separation during subsequent use and ensuring long-term stability and reliability. Moreover, since there is no additional adhesive layer at the interface, the internal stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the conductive layer and the conductor is low, enabling stable electrical connections and mechanical properties to be maintained under high temperature, high humidity, and repeated bending conditions, meeting the requirements for long-term reliable operation of the flexible pressure sensor 200.

[0062] In some embodiments, an extrusion device 62 and a traction device 63 may be provided to cooperate in performing extrusion and traction. The extrusion device 62 and the traction device 63 may be two parts of the same device or different devices. See also Figure 14 and Figure 15 , Figure 14 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the steps of a conductive layer laying method according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a conductor, an extrusion device, and a traction device provided in an embodiment of this application. The conductive layer laying method may specifically include steps S102a to S102c.

[0063] S102a, providing an extrusion device 62 and a traction device 63.

[0064] The extrusion device 62 may include a core channel 622 opened along a preset direction.

[0065] It should be understood that by keeping the direction of the core channel 622, the traction movement direction, and the strand channel 611 of the extrusion device 62 consistent with the preset direction, it can be ensured that the conductive wire always moves along the same axis during the processing, avoiding uneven conductive layer thickness or disordered filler orientation caused by bending or twisting.

[0066] S102b, At least a portion of the conductor passes through the core channel 622, and the conductor exiting the core channel 622 is connected to the traction device 63.

[0067] It should be understood that the constant tension provided by the traction device 63 keeps the conductor straight in the extrusion die cavity, which is conducive to the uniform coating of the melt in the circumferential direction, forming a concentric conductive layer with controllable thickness. At the same time, the traction device 63 can adjust the direction of movement and eliminate lateral forces, reducing the friction between the conductive wire and the die cavity wall, reducing the risk of surface scratches and wire breakage, thereby ensuring the consistency of electrical characteristics and structural integrity of the force-sensitive electrode in continuous mass production.

[0068] S102c, The conductor is pulled along a preset direction by the traction device 63, and the melt is extruded and applied to the conductor by the extrusion device 62.

[0069] It should be understood that, due to the coordinated configuration of the traction device 63 and the extrusion device 62, the conductive wire only needs to have a twisted section 112 made at the very beginning. The subsequent wire segments can be automatically arranged in close parallel through the process of melt extrusion and cooling treatment, so that multiple conductive wires do not need to be twisted everywhere, which greatly improves the ease of manufacturing force-sensitive electrodes.

[0070] Specifically, the extrusion device 62 may be equipped with an extrusion die 621, and the extrusion die 621 may have a core channel 622 formed along a preset direction. When extruding the molten adhesive onto a conductor, the conductor is specifically inserted through the core channel 622 and moved along the preset direction; at least a portion of the extrusion die 621 is heated, and the molten adhesive is extruded and applied onto the conductor through the extrusion die 621. It should be understood that by keeping the conductor at the center of the core channel 622 during movement, the molten adhesive can be heated to a viscous flow state, reducing the melt viscosity and ensuring a uniform annular coating at the die lip exit of the extrusion die 621. Furthermore, the internal flow channel of the die may also adopt a tapered design, allowing the melt to achieve laminar flow adhesion on the conductor surface, avoiding uneven filler distribution caused by turbulence; simultaneously, the die lip temperature can be slightly lower than the melt temperature, promoting rapid surface drying of the outer layer and reducing thickness fluctuations caused by subsequent traction and stretching. Through coaxial extrusion, the melt and the conductor complete the diffusion and coating of the electrical connection interface on the same axis and at the same speed, forming a concentric, dense and continuous conductive layer, ensuring that the force-sensitive electrode has uniform force-resistance characteristics along the length direction.

[0071] S103. Cooling process is performed on the conductor and conductive layer to obtain the force-sensitive electrode.

[0072] It should be understood that the cooling treatment of conductors and conductive layers may include at least one of water cooling, air cooling, and natural cooling.

[0073] In some embodiments, the cooling process for the conductor and conductive layer may include: flame treatment of the conductor and conductive layer; and water cooling treatment of the conductor and conductive layer. It should be understood that flame treatment may include briefly heating the surface of the extruded conductive layer using fire, infrared radiation, or hot air, causing the surface temperature to momentarily exceed the melt temperature, thereby relaxing the surface molecular chains and eliminating internal stress caused by shear orientation. Subsequently, water cooling treatment may be performed, using a cooling water bath or spray to rapidly cool the surface layer, forming a dense, defect-free, elastic, and tough skin layer, preventing thickness fluctuations caused by subsequent traction and stretching.

[0074] The method for manufacturing a force-sensitive electrode according to an embodiment of this application achieves the following effects: By applying a molten adhesive onto a conductor, forming a conductive layer from the molten adhesive, and then cooling the conductor and the conductive layer, molecules between the conductor and the molten adhesive diffuse at high temperatures, forming a tight, dense, reliable, and stable connection. Subsequent cooling of the molten adhesive forms a strong and elastic protective layer, which effectively protects and strengthens the electrical interface between the conductor and the conductive layer, ensuring stable connection of the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 and enabling reliable measurement. Furthermore, when this force-sensitive electrode is used to fabricate the force-sensitive sensing structure 100, it saves on the material and related processes of the resistive layer, and improves the strength, stability, and reliability of the entire force-sensitive sensing structure 100 and even the flexible pressure sensor 200, ensuring long-term stable and reliable function of the flexible pressure sensor 200 under complex conditions. By employing a melt-bonding process and cooling treatment, the molten conductive adhesive diffuses with the molecular chains on the surface of the conductor under pressure. After cooling and solidification, an interpenetrating network is formed, which greatly improves the interfacial peel strength and fundamentally eliminates the risk of displacement and wear. This ensures that the force-sensitive electrode and its force-sensitive sensing structure 100 and flexible pressure sensor 200 maintain long-term stable connection and reliable function under complex dynamic loads.

[0075] This application also proposes a force-sensitive electrode, the manufacturing method of which may include the manufacturing method of the force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application.

[0076] This application also proposes a method for manufacturing a flexible pressure sensor 200, which uses the method for manufacturing a force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application, or the method for manufacturing a flexible pressure sensor 200 includes the method for manufacturing a force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application.

[0077] Please see Figure 16 , Figure 16 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a flexible pressure sensor according to an embodiment of this application. The method for manufacturing the flexible pressure sensor 200 may specifically include steps S201 to S204.

[0078] S201 provides a first substrate layer 30, a second substrate layer 40, multiple force-sensitive electrodes, and multiple conductive electrodes.

[0079] The first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40 are flexible. The force-sensitive electrode may include a conductor and a conductive layer. The conductive layer is laid on the conductor, and the resistance of the conductive layer changes with the external force.

[0080] S202. Multiple force-sensitive electrodes are arranged at intervals along the first direction on the first substrate layer 30.

[0081] It should be understood that the multiple force-sensitive electrodes can be arranged at intervals on the first substrate layer 30 by means of embroidery, rope embroidery, plain weaving, bonding, etc. Specifically, multiple force-sensitive electrodes can be embroidered on the first substrate layer 30 and arranged at intervals along the first direction.

[0082] S203. Multiple conductive electrodes are arranged at intervals along a second direction on a second substrate layer 40, with the second direction being at an angle to the first direction.

[0083] It should be understood that the multiple conductive electrodes can be arranged at intervals on the second substrate layer 40 by means of embroidery, rope embroidery, plain weaving, bonding, etc. Specifically, multiple conductive electrodes can be embroidered on the second substrate layer 40 and arranged at intervals along the second direction.

[0084] S204. The first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40 are arranged accordingly, so that a portion of the multiple force-sensitive electrodes is electrically connected to a portion of the multiple conductive electrodes, thereby obtaining a flexible pressure sensor 200.

[0085] It should be understood that, due to the design of the force-sensitive electrode and the conductive electrode, by correspondingly setting the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40, a portion of multiple force-sensitive electrodes can be electrically connected to a portion of multiple conductive electrodes to form multiple force-sensitive sensing structures 100, resulting in a flexible pressure sensor 200. This avoids the problems of easy displacement, poor contact, and poor reliability in traditional resistive layer designs, and reduces material loss and process steps, greatly reducing costs. It also reduces the overall complexity of the flexible pressure sensor 200, making it thinner, lighter, and more reliable.

[0086] However, the inventors discovered that if the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40 are simply arranged in correspondence, a portion of the multiple force-sensitive structures and a portion of the multiple conductive electrodes may form short circuits in non-measurement areas, causing a large amount of signal crosstalk and other problems.

[0087] In some embodiments, when the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40 are correspondingly disposed so that at least a portion of the plurality of force-sensitive electrodes is electrically connected to at least a portion of the plurality of conductive electrodes, an insulating layer 50 is also provided and disposed between the first substrate layer 30 and the second substrate layer 40, such that the insulating layer 50 shields a portion of the first electrode line 10 and a portion of the second electrode line 20, thereby isolating a portion of the conductive electrode from a portion of the force-sensitive electrode. This isolates the force-sensitive electrode and the conductive electrode in the non-measuring area, preventing crosstalk.

[0088] This application also provides a flexible pressure sensor 200. The manufacturing method of the flexible pressure sensor 200 may include the manufacturing method of the force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application, or the flexible pressure sensor 200 may include the force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application, or the manufacturing method of the flexible pressure sensor 200 may include the manufacturing method of the flexible pressure sensor 200 as described in any embodiment of this application.

[0089] This application also proposes an electronic device that may include the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 as described in any embodiment of this application, or the electronic device may include the flexible pressure sensor 200 as described in any embodiment of this application. The electronic device may include the force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application, or the electronic device may include the flexible pressure sensor 200 as described in any embodiment of this application, or the manufacturing method of the electronic device may include the manufacturing method of the force-sensitive electrode as described in any embodiment of this application, or the manufacturing method of the electronic device may include the manufacturing method of the flexible pressure sensor 200 as described in any embodiment of this application. The electronic device may include at least one of a wearable device, a robot, electronic skin, a car seat, a flexible display screen, a medical bed, and an electronic toy. For example, the electronic device may be an electronic keyboard, on which the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 can be disposed to improve the sensitivity of the keyboard keys and achieve tone and sound quality control similar to that of a real piano. For example, the electronic device can be a car seat, and the flexible pressure sensor 200 or the force-sensitive sensing structure 100 can be installed on the backrest and cushion of the car seat to achieve occupant posture detection and precise control of the massage airbag.

[0090] Without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of the different embodiments or examples.

[0091] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A force-sensitive sensing structure, characterized in that, include: The first electrode line includes a first conductor and a first conductive layer. The first conductor extends along a first direction, and the first conductive layer is laid on the first conductor. The first conductive layer is electrically connected to the first conductor, and the resistance of at least a portion of the first conductive layer changes with the external force applied. The second electrode line includes a second conductor. At least a portion of the second electrode line overlaps with the first electrode line and is electrically connected to the first electrode line through the first conductive layer. The second conductor extends along a second direction, which is at an angle to the first direction.

2. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second electrode wire further includes a second conductive layer, which is laid on the second conductor and electrically connected to the second conductor. The resistance of at least a portion of the second conductive layer changes with the external force applied.

3. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first conductive layer comprises a gel-like matrix and conductive fillers, or the first conductive layer is a conductive soft adhesive doped with conductive fillers; or... The second electrode wire further includes a second conductive layer, which is laid on the second conductor and electrically connected to the second conductor. The resistance of at least a portion of the second conductive layer changes with the external force applied. The second conductive layer includes a gel matrix and conductive filler, or the second conductive layer is a conductive soft rubber doped with conductive filler.

4. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The conductive filler includes at least one of conductive polymer, graphite, carbon black, metal powder, and conductive salt.

5. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The ratio of the colloidal matrix to the conductive filler ranges from 1:25 to 1:1; or... The conductive soft adhesive contains conductive filler accounting for 2% to 50% of its total mass.

6. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The force-sensitive sensing structure includes multiple first electrode lines and multiple second electrode lines. The multiple first electrode lines are arranged at intervals and extend along the first direction. The multiple second electrode lines are arranged at intervals and extend along the second direction, such that at least a portion of the multiple second electrode lines overlaps with the multiple first electrode lines and is electrically connected to the multiple first electrode lines through the first conductive layer.

7. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first conductor comprises a plurality of first conductive wires, wherein the plurality of first conductive wires are connected by at least one of the following methods: winding, twisting, pressing, and welding; or, The second conductor comprises a plurality of second conductive wires, wherein the plurality of second conductive wires are connected by at least one of the following methods: winding, twisting, pressing, and welding; or, The first conductive layer is applied to the first conductor by extrusion, wrapping, or coating; or, The second electrode wire further includes a second conductive layer, which is laid on the second conductor and electrically connected to the second conductor. The resistance of at least a portion of the second conductive layer changes with the external force applied. The second conductive layer is laid on the second conductor by extrusion, wrapping, or covering.

8. The force-sensitive sensing structure as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first conductor includes at least one of silver wire, copper wire, tin-plated copper, stainless steel wire, and carbon fiber; or, The second conductor includes at least one of silver wire, copper wire, tin-plated copper, stainless steel wire, and carbon fiber.

9. A flexible pressure sensor, characterized in that, Including the force-sensitive sensing structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The flexible pressure sensor as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The flexible pressure sensor also includes a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer, the shapes of which can change according to changes in external force; The plurality of first electrode lines are arranged at intervals on the first substrate layer, and the plurality of second electrode lines are arranged at intervals on the second substrate layer. The first substrate layer and the second substrate layer are arranged opposite to each other, such that at least a portion of the second electrode lines overlaps with the first electrode lines, and at least a portion of the second electrode lines are electrically connected to the first electrode lines through the first conductive layer.

11. The flexible pressure sensor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The material of the first substrate layer includes fabric, and the plurality of first electrode lines are embroidered on the first substrate layer; or, The material of the second substrate layer includes fabric, and the plurality of second electrode lines are embroidered on the second substrate layer.

12. The flexible pressure sensor as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The fabric includes at least one of tie-dyed plain weave, spunlace fabric, needle-punched fabric, white peach fabric, and non-woven fabric.

13. The flexible pressure sensor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The flexible pressure sensor further includes an insulating layer disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer; The insulating layer shields a portion of the first electrode line and a portion of the second electrode line, thereby isolating a portion of the second electrode line from a portion of the first electrode line.

14. The flexible pressure sensor as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The insulating layer has a transparent region, and at least a portion of the plurality of second electrode lines are electrically connected to the plurality of first electrode lines through the transparent region, and a plurality of connection points are formed within the transparent region.

15. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes the force-sensitive sensing structure as described in any one of claims 1-8; or... The electronic device includes a flexible pressure sensor as described in any one of claims 9-14.

Images