Capacitive Grip Sensor Structure Without Surface Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grip sensors face issues such as exposed wires, requirement for surface deformation, specific hand placement, and sensitivity concerns due to delicate sensor elements, limiting their application and durability.

Innovation Solution

Robust capacitive grip sensors with a substrate coated with non-conductive layers and embedded conductive strands, where the conductive strands are oriented along the substrate's axis and connected to processors for capacitance detection, allowing for efficient grip presence measurement without surface deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional grip sensors are used with exposed wires along the circumference, then grip detection is achieved, but reliability and durability deteriorate due to exposed wires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor durabilityVSAvoidwire exposure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by embedding conductive strands within a flexible substrate that forms the grip surface. The substrate acts as a protective shell that encloses the conductive elements, eliminating exposed wires while maintaining grip detection functionality. This resolves the contradiction by providing durability through enclosure while keeping the device structure manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining conductive strands with a flexible substrate material. This composite structure integrates the sensing function (conductive strands) with the protective and structural function (substrate), simultaneously improving reliability through protection and managing device complexity through material integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If sensor elements are made delicate for sensitivity, then measurement precision improves, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip detection sensitivityVSAvoidsensor element robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible substrate serves as a protective shell that encloses and protects the delicate conductive sensor strands during assembly and operation. This allows the sensor elements to maintain high sensitivity while being physically protected from damage, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of conductive strands embedded in flexible substrate provides both the sensitivity of delicate conductive elements and the robustness of the surrounding matrix material. This resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If surface deformation is required to register grip events, then ease of operation improves for simple detection, but measurement precision deteriorates due to deformation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip detection simplicityVSAvoidgrip registration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical deformation-based detection system with an electrical field-based capacitive sensing system. The conductive strands detect grip events through changes in electrical capacitance rather than requiring physical surface deformation, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If specific hand placement is required to register grip, then measurement precision improves for controlled detection, but ease of operation deteriorates due to placement constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip detection controlVSAvoidhand placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the substrate with multiple conductive strands arranged to detect various hand placements and grip configurations. This allows the sensor to maintain measurement precision for controlled detection while accommodating different hand positions, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables reliable grip detection without surface deformation and enhances durability, allowing for versatile applications like barbell and dumbbell spotting, with improved sensitivity and reduced sensitivity concerns.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor system is designed in such a manner that the presence of a human hand in the detection area of the sensor device respectively causes, in comparison with a reference state, a capturable change in capacitive coupling of the sensor structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4026244B1Grip sensor

Publication Date: 2024.10.23 DAVIS BRADLEY

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide robust capacitive grip sensors that may be used in a variety of applications, including single-handed and double-handed grips, such as but not limited to barbells. Apparatus as disclosed herein and efficiently measure the presence of a human grip without requiring deformation of a gripped surface area.