Curved Elastic Layer Pressure Sensor for Faster Rebound
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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, an elastic layer with a curved lower surface recessed away from the base layer, and electrodes, which increases the stiffness of the elastic layer and improves its rebound efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the elastic layer is made of polymers and flexible substrates, then the pressure sensor can be manufactured with ease, but the response speed becomes slow and creep and hysteresis occur after pressure is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the elastic layer by introducing a curved lower surface with arches instead of a flat surface. This structural parameter change increases the stiffness of the elastic layer, thereby improving response speed and reducing creep and hysteresis while maintaining polymer material advantages for ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature to the lower surface of the elastic layer by forming arches that extend in first and second directions. This curvature increases the structural stiffness of the elastic layer, improving response speed and reliability while maintaining the ease of manufacture associated with polymer-based elastic layers
2Ease of manufacture
If the elastic layer is made of polymers and flexible substrates, then the manufacturing process is simple, but obvious creep and hysteresis are generated leading to low sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the elastic layer by introducing a curved lower surface with arches. This structural change increases stiffness, which reduces creep and hysteresis, thereby improving measurement precision and sensitivity while maintaining the ease of manufacture of polymer-based elastic layers
Solution Approach 2:
The curved arches on the lower surface of the elastic layer increase structural stiffness, reducing deformation hysteresis and creep. This improves the sensitivity and measurement precision of the pressure sensor while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of using polymer materials
3Device complexity
If the elastic layer has a flat lower surface, then the structure is simple, but the stiffness is insufficient causing slow rebound after pressure removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces curved arches on the lower surface of the elastic layer, which significantly increases the stiffness and rebound speed. The arches extend in first and second directions, creating a more rigid structure that rapidly returns to its original position after pressure removal, while the overall structure remains relatively simple
4Reliability
If the elastic layer is curved away from the base layer, then the stiffness and rebound efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved arches on the lower surface of the elastic layer increase stiffness and rebound efficiency. While this does increase structural complexity compared to a flat surface, the complexity is managed by using continuous arch structures that can be integrated into the manufacturing process of polymer-based elastic layers
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 improved stiffness and rebound efficiency of the elastic layer enhance the sensitivity and reliability of the pressure sensor, addressing the issues of slow response and creep.
Implementation Method 1
when the elastic layer is elastically deformed in the direction of the base layer
Data Source
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, having a curved lower surface that is recessed away from the base layer. The curved lower surface, supporting structure and base layer define a cavity with an arched top wall. A first electrode and a second electrode are arranged on the lower surface of the elastic layer, the second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a variable resistance elastic body is arranged on the base layer, opposite to the first and second electrodes; all arranged within the cavity. When the elastic layer is elastically deformed in a direction of the base layer, the 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 elastic body.