3D Conductive Tactile Surface for Single-Material Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional tactile interfaces are cumbersome to manufacture and prone to inaccuracies due to the need for multiple sensors, which limits sensing area and introduces inconsistencies in force translation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device featuring an electrically conductive material with a three-dimensionally profiled surface that generates a change in electrical signal in response to movement, pressure, or contact, eliminating the need for separate sensors by integrating sensing capabilities into a single, textured material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an array of sensors is embedded under a three-dimensional input surface, then force magnitude and location can be detected, but the construction becomes cumbersome and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function into the three-dimensional surface material itself by incorporating conductive particles or traces directly into the soft resilient material, eliminating the need for separate embedded sensors. This integration approach maintains force detection capability while dramatically simplifying the construction to a single manufacturable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining soft resilient material with conductive particles or conductive traces within the same matrix. This creates a unified material that provides both the mechanical compliance needed for accurate force sensing and the electrical conductivity needed to generate detectable signals, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are embedded under the input surface, then force information can be obtained, but the sensing area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sensing function into the surface material itself rather than embedding discrete sensors, the entire three-dimensional surface becomes an active sensing area. This approach eliminates the limitation of sensor placement and allows any portion of the surface to function as a sensor, thereby maximizing the usable sensing area.
3Ease of operation
If force is translated through soft resilient material to embedded sensors, then tactile input can be detected, but inaccuracies and inconsistencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the embedded sensor configuration and integrates it directly into the soft resilient material matrix. By taking out the separation between the resilient material and the sensing element, the force is detected at the point of application without being translated through intervening materials, thereby eliminating inaccuracies and inconsistencies in force measurement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used to provide three-dimensional tactile feedback, then sensing functions are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the soft resilient material itself multi-functional by incorporating conductive elements to provide sensing capability throughout the entire three-dimensional surface. This universal sensing approach allows any region of the material to function as a sensor, enhancing sensing versatility while simplifying manufacturing to a single integrated component rather than multiple separate sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances signal detection and user interaction, providing tactile and visual guidance while simplifying manufacturing and reducing material usage, enabling complex sensing functions on a single uniform surface.
Implementation Method 1
These may operate based on piezoresistive, piezoelectric, capacitive and elastoresistive sensing
Implementation Method 2
These may operate based on piezoresistive, piezoelectric, capacitive and elastoresistive sensing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(e)
Figure 2(f)~2(j)
AI summary
A sensor device (10) is provided for generating an electrical signal. The device comprises or consists of an electrically conductive material having, at least in part, a three-dimensionally profiled surface (16). The surface is configured to create a change in said electrical signal in response to movement of a conductive object (e.g. a person's finger) thereacross. A method of using the sensor device comprises connecting the sensor device to an electrical signal output device and moving an object across the three-dimensionally profiled surface to create a change in the electrical signal detectable by the electrical signal output device. A computer program is provided that is configured to, when executed, cause a computing device to perform the method. A system is provided that comprises the sensor device and the computer program, the sensor device being electrically connectable to the computing device (24).