Interface Pressure Sensor Using Encapsulation for Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force sensors are bulky, expensive, and have limited precision, making them unsuitable for small form factor applications, low-cost durable devices, and high-precision applications, such as wearable electronics and medical devices, due to structural limitations and nonlinear sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
An interface pressure sensor system with a microelectromechanical fluid pressure sensor encapsulated in a rigid module enclosure and infill material, which redirects shear forces and enhances sensitivity by concentrating pressure input along a normal axis, allowing for precise pressure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional force sensors are used, then force sensing capability is provided, but device volume and area are substantially increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical force sensors with a microelectromechanical pressure sensor that uses a flexible encapsulation layer to convert force input into pressure measurement. This substitution enables force sensing capability while dramatically reducing device volume and area, as the pressure sensor can be implemented in a planar, miniaturized format suitable for portable electronics.
2Measurement precision
If conventional force sensors are used, then force sensing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible encapsulation layer that can be manufactured using standard thin-film deposition techniques, making the sensor suitable for cost-effective mass production. This approach replaces expensive conventional force sensors with a manufacturable structure using common materials and processes, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining force sensing capability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional force sensors are used, then force detection is provided, but sensitivity to small force changes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances sensitivity to small force changes by utilizing the elastic deformation properties of the flexible encapsulation layer. The layer's mechanical properties are optimized to amplify small force inputs into measurable pressure changes, enabling the detection of subtle force variations that conventional sensors cannot detect, while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes.
4Measurement precision
If high precision force sensors are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-contained sensor structure where the flexible encapsulation layer is directly formed over the pressure sensor in an integrated assembly. This self-service design eliminates the need for separate installation steps and specialized training, as the sensor can be manufactured as a complete unit ready for direct integration into the device, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
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 system enables accurate and precise measurement of pressure and force inputs in a compact form factor, suitable for various applications including biometric sensing and user input detection, improving usability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a microelectromechanical fluid pressure sensor... a microelectromechanical force or pressure sensitive structure that deforms in response
Implementation Method 2
the encapsulation material transits that force, or at least a portion thereof, to a microelectromechanical force or pressure sensitive structure that deforms in response
Data Source
AI summary
An interface pressure sensor includes a fluid pressure sensor disposed in a volume defined by a shear wall. The volume is enclosed, and the fluid pressure sensor is encapsulated by, an infill material. The infill material defines a sensing surface that, when pressed, can impart a force that is detectable by the fluid pressure sensor.