3D Curved Woven Capacitive Sensor for Proximity and Pressure Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional biological proximity and pressure sensors are typically designed separately, leading to increased size and complexity, making them prone to damage and unsuitable for large-area sensor coverage or flexible wearable devices, and they struggle to precisely cover complex three-dimensional surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional curved capacitive sensor is woven using conductive warp and weft threads with a bendable wire core and insulating layer, forming driving and sensing channels that intersect to detect proximity and pressure through parasitic capacitance, with a method that models and converts a three-dimensional surface mesh into weaving information for precise integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biological proximity sensors and pressure sensors are designed separately, then each sensor can perform its specific function, but the overall sensor size increases and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines proximity sensing and pressure sensing functions into a single integrated sensor system. The sensor includes a first sensing element for proximity detection and a second sensing element for pressure detection, where the second sensing element is disposed on the first sensing element. This merging approach allows both functions to be performed by one compact sensor unit rather than requiring separate sensors, thereby reducing overall size and structural complexity while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, where a single sensor unit performs both proximity sensing and pressure sensing operations. The first sensing element detects proximity of objects while the second sensing element measures pressure, allowing the same sensor assembly to serve multiple detection purposes simultaneously, improving efficiency and reducing system complexity
2Reliability
If traditional sensors are designed separately, then each sensor can be optimized for its function, but the sensors become prone to damage when twisted or pulled
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating proximity and pressure sensing elements into a single unified sensor structure, the patent creates a more robust system that resists mechanical damage. The combined structure distributes mechanical stresses across both sensing elements rather than concentrating them in separate units, making the overall sensor more resistant to twisting and pulling forces
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs flexible substrate materials that can withstand mechanical deformation without damage. The flexible nature of the substrate allows the sensor to maintain structural integrity when subjected to twisting or pulling forces, while the integrated design ensures both sensing elements benefit from this enhanced mechanical strength
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sensors are structured in two-dimensional planes, then manufacturing is simplified, but they cannot precisely lay out on complex three-dimensional free-form surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the sensor design to conform to three-dimensional curved surfaces by implementing a curved array structure. The sensor elements are arranged in a curved configuration that matches the geometry of the target surface, allowing precise layout on complex 3D free-form surfaces while maintaining manufacturability through specialized curved substrate technologies
4Area of stationary object
If sensors are designed for large-area coverage, then detection coverage increases, but the sensors become more prone to damage and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large-area sensor into multiple smaller sensing elements arranged in arrays. The sensor comprises multiple first sensing elements for proximity detection and multiple second sensing elements for pressure detection, organized in a structured array format. This segmentation allows the large coverage area to be achieved while each individual element remains small and robust, reducing the probability of damage across the entire sensor array
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 sensor is resistant to damage, suitable for large-area coverage, and can precisely conform to complex three-dimensional surfaces, enabling accurate detection of proximity and pressure with distributed sensor signals.
Implementation Method 1
the capacitive nodes are configured to form parasitic capacitance with a biological body to detect proximity
Implementation Method 2
the capacitive nodes are configured to detect pressure values when the insulating layer deforms due to pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a three-dimensional curved capacitive sensor and its weaving method. The weaving method includes: modeling a shape of the three-dimensional curved capacitive sensor into a three-dimensional curved surface mesh; converting the three-dimensional curved surface mesh into weaving information readable; generating control commands from the weaving information to weave the three-dimensional curved capacitive sensor using conductive warp threads and conductive weft threads; forming a driving channel and a sensing channel. The driving and sensing channels intersect and overlap to form capacitive nodes to form parasitic capacitance with a biological body to detect proximity. This weaving method allows the capacitive sensor to accurately conform to the target surface, achieving precise mapping of the sensing signals in three-dimensional space.