Flexible Pressure Sensor with Grooved Conversion Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure sensors are large, rigid, and inflexible, making them unsuitable for personal use, and they suffer from non-adjustable pressure ranges, limited sensitivity, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressure sensing device with a conductive element sandwiched between two elastic conversion layers, featuring grooved surfaces that deform under pressure, increasing resistance, and adjustable modulating blocks to customize sensitivity and pressure range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pressure sensing technologies are used, then pressure measurement function is achieved, but the device becomes large, rigid and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible substrate as the base for the pressure sensor, replacing rigid conventional structures with flexible thin film technology. This allows the sensor to be bent and conform to curved surfaces while maintaining pressure sensing capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement function and device rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs locally varying conductive patterns on the flexible substrate, where specific regions have different electrical properties to detect pressure at different locations. This localized approach enables pressure measurement functionality without requiring a large rigid structure, solving the contradiction between measurement precision and device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pressure sensors are made wearable, then personal usage is enabled, but sensitivity and pressure range adjustability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable modulating blocks that can be positioned at different locations and heights on the flexible substrate. This dynamic adjustment capability allows users to customize the sensor's sensitivity and pressure range according to specific application needs, resolving the contradiction between wearability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter adjustment by changing the physical configuration of modulating blocks, which alters the electrical resistance characteristics of the conductive patterns. This allows the sensor to adapt its sensitivity and pressure range parameters while maintaining its flexible wearable form factor.
3Measurement precision
If conventional pressure sensing structures are used, then pressure detection is achieved, but the device lacks adjustability and has fixed pressure ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses movable and adjustable modulating blocks that can be repositioned to change the sensor's characteristics. This dynamic configuration allows the same device to detect different pressure ranges by adjusting block positions, resolving the contradiction between pressure detection capability and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pressure sensor platform where the same flexible substrate and conductive pattern structure can detect various pressure ranges by simply adjusting the modulating blocks. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple fixed-range sensors, achieving both pressure detection and adjustability.
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 device provides excellent sensitivity, durability, and adjustability, allowing for precise pressure measurement in a lightweight and flexible form, suitable for integration into clothing and footwear.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second conversion layers include at least one deformation member adapted to deform the electrically conductive element and change the resistivity of the electrically conductive element, when pressure exerts on the first and/or the second conversion layer
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure sensing device includes a first conversion layer and a second conversion layer, an electrically conductive element between the first and second conversion layers, and a pair of electrically conductive yarns connected to the electrically conductive element, wherein the first and second conversion layers include at least one deformation member adapted to deform the electrically conductive element and change the resistivity of the electrically conductive element, when pressure exerts on the first and/or the second conversion layer.