Flexible Force Measurement Film for Direct Robot Contact Sensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion robots, particularly in medical engineering, face challenges in accurately measuring contact forces due to limitations of conventional sensors, which can be costly, susceptible to electromagnetic interference, and fail to provide direct force measurement, leading to potential harm from unexpected contact forces.

Innovation Solution

A motion robot equipped with a piezo-resistive force measurement film that includes a sensor tier with changing electrical resistance based on contact force, allowing for direct force detection and control, featuring a flexible design and wireless communication for reliable motion control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional sensors (force sensors, torque sensors, load sensors) are installed in device mechanics, then force measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient for direct contact force detection and large forces can act on users before motion is stopped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact force measurement precisionVSAvoidsafety response reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical force sensors with a capacitive sensor face that directly detects contact forces through electrical capacitance changes. This substitution enables precise direct measurement of contact forces at the point of contact, eliminating the delay and imprecision of mechanical sensor installations while maintaining safety response reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a capacitive sensor face as an intermediary between the motion element and the user. This sensor face directly interfaces with the user's body, detecting contact forces through capacitance changes before significant forces can be transmitted, thereby improving both measurement precision and safety response reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional sensors are used in medical-engineering devices, then force measurement is provided, but the sensors are susceptible to electromagnetic interference from high electromagnetic fields

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electrical force sensors that are susceptible to electromagnetic interference with a capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensor face measures contact forces through changes in electrical capacitance caused by proximity to the user's body, a measurement principle that is inherently more resistant to electromagnetic interference from medical imaging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct force sensing (prone to electromagnetic interference) to capacitance sensing. By measuring the change in electrical capacitance when the user approaches or contacts the motion element, the system achieves force measurement that is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If conventional force sensors are installed in motion robots, then contact force detection is enabled, but the sensors are cost-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact force detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive conventional force sensors with a capacitive sensing implementation that can be realized using standard electronic components and integrated circuits. This substitution maintains contact force detection capability while significantly reducing manufacturing costs through the use of readily available capacitive sensing technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sensing parameter to capacitance, which can be measured using inexpensive integrated circuit capacitive sensors. This parameter change enables contact force detection capability while reducing manufacturing costs, as capacitive sensing components are generally more cost-effective than conventional force sensing technologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 piezo-resistive force measurement film enables precise and cost-effective contact force measurement, reducing the risk of unintended contact forces and enhancing safety by allowing immediate motion control adjustments, while being less susceptible to electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

A force measurement film, in particular a flexible force measurement film (200), for detecting a contact force (KF) acting on the force measurement film (200), in particular for detecting a contact force (KF) acting on a motion element (110)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezo-resistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12558796B2Force measurement film, motion robot having force measurement film and method for controlling the motion robot using the force measurement film

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A flexible force measurement film is provided for detecting a contact force acting on the force measurement film, the force measurement film including a top tier to absorb the contact force; an attachment tier; and a sensor tier including an electrical resistance of the sensor tier that changes as a function of the contact force acting on the force measurement film, the sensor tier configured to provide at least one measurement signal based on the electrical resistance can be tapped.