Electroactive Polymer Pressure Sensor for Fluid Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluidic and pneumatic systems lack local pressure measurement due to the high expense and complexity of commercially available pressure sensors.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an electroactive polymer (EAP) cartridge within a fluid connector, which includes a buffer material layer that deflects under pressure, generating an output signal corresponding to the strain imparted on the EAP cartridge, enabling local pressure measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If commercially available pressure sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure sensing elements with an electroactive polymer (EAP) cartridge that converts mechanical strain directly into electrical signals. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, moving coils, and capacitive plates found in conventional sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability through the piezoelectric or piezoresistive properties of the EAP material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the pressure sensor by using EAP material that exhibits strain-dependent electrical properties. Instead of measuring pressure through mechanical displacement or capacitance changes in rigid structures, the system measures pressure through electrical resistance or voltage changes in the flexible EAP cartridge, simplifying the overall device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If commercially available pressure sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an EAP cartridge that can be manufactured at low cost using printed circuit board techniques and flexible substrate materials. The cartridge is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that provides adequate measurement precision for its intended lifecycle, significantly reducing the overall system cost compared to durable commercial sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing expensive mechanical sensing components with EAP-based electrical sensing, the invention reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity. The EAP cartridge can be produced using standard PCB fabrication processes and flexible electronics techniques, which are more cost-effective than precision mechanical assembly required for commercial sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traditional pressure sensing elements are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidsensor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pressure sensing function, signal generation, and electrical connection into a single integrated EAP cartridge assembly. The cartridge combines the flexible sensing element, conductive traces, and protective housing into one unified component that is directly insertable into the fluid connector, eliminating the need for separate mechanical linkages, capacitive structures, or complex signal conditioning circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces unreliable mechanical contact points, moving parts, and capacitive elements with solid-state EAP-based electrical sensing. This substitution eliminates wear, friction, and mechanical failure modes while maintaining sensing reliability through the inherent piezoelectric or piezoresistive properties of the EAP material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a cost-effective and simplified method for measuring fluidic or pneumatic pressure, enhancing system functionality and intelligence while reducing complexity and power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an electroactive polymer (EAP) cartridge in operative contact with the buffer material layer, wherein the EAP cartridge is configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to an amount of strain imparted on the EAP cartridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroactive polymer: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS8950265B2Electroactive polymer based pressure sensor

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 MATELIGENT IDEAS GMBH

AI summary

A sensor including a buffer material layer configured to at least partially deflect when a force or pressure is imparted on the buffer material layer; and an electroactive polymer (EAP) cartridge in operative contact with the buffer material layer, wherein the EAP cartridge is configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to an amount of strain imparted on the EAP cartridge. The EAP cartridge may be used in a variety of sensing applications including as a pressure sensor integrated into a fluid connector. One aspect of the invention provides for selection of a buffer material layer based upon a desired pressure range.