Arched Elastic-Layer Pressure Sensor for Creep and Hysteresis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure sensors made of polymers and flexible substrates exhibit slow response speed and significant creep and hysteresis after pressure is removed, leading to low sensitivity and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sensor design featuring a base layer, a supporting structure, and an elastic layer with a curved lower surface recessed away from the base layer, creating a cavity that enhances the stiffness of the elastic layer and improves its rebound efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the elastic layer is made of polymer and flexible substrate, then the pressure sensor can be manufactured with ease, but the response speed becomes slow and creep and hysteresis occur after pressure removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the elastic layer by introducing a curved lower surface with specific radius of curvature (R1, R2) and depth (h), transforming it from a flat structure to a three-dimensional curved structure. This parameter change increases the stiffness of the elastic layer, reducing viscoelastic deformation and improving response speed while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature to the lower surface of the elastic layer, creating a spherical or arched geometry instead of a flat surface. This curvature design increases the structural stiffness and reduces the viscoelastic creep and hysteresis of the polymer material, thereby improving reliability and response speed without compromising ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the elastic layer is made of polymer and flexible substrate, then the pressure sensor can be manufactured with ease, but the response speed becomes slow due to viscoelasticity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the elastic layer by introducing a curved lower surface with specific radius of curvature (R1, R2) and depth (h). This parameter change increases the stiffness of the elastic layer, reducing viscoelastic deformation and improving response speed while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature to the lower surface of the elastic layer, creating a spherical or arched geometry instead of a flat surface. This curvature design increases the structural stiffness and reduces the viscoelastic creep and hysteresis of the polymer material, thereby improving response speed without compromising ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the elastic layer is made of polymer and flexible substrate, then the pressure sensor can be manufactured with ease, but obvious creep and hysteresis are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature to the lower surface of the elastic layer, creating a spherical or arched geometry instead of a flat surface. This curvature design increases the structural stiffness and reduces the viscoelastic creep and hysteresis of the polymer material, thereby improving stability and reliability without compromising ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

The enhanced stiffness and rebound efficiency of the elastic layer improve the sensitivity and reliability of the pressure sensor by reducing the time needed to return to the original position after pressure removal.

Implementation Method 1

when the elastic layer is elastically deformed in the direction of the base layer, the elastic body electrically connects the first electrode with the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12235174B2Pressure sensor

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 PERATECH IP LTD

AI summary

A pressure sensor has a base layer, a supporting structure arranged on the base layer, and an elastic layer disposed above the base layer and the supporting structure. The elastic layer has a curved lower surface that is recessed away from the base layer. The curved lower surface, the supporting structure and the base layer define a cavity with an arched top wall. A first electrode, a second electrode, and an elastic body are all arranged within the cavity, such that when the elastic layer is elastically deformed in a direction of the base layer, the variable resistance elastic body electrically connects the first electrode with the second electrode, so as to generate a first signal related to the elastic deformation of the variable resistance elastic body.