Layered Sensor With Laterally Adjacent Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sleep monitors are rigid and thick due to the stacking of multiple layers with the same material and sensing mechanisms, causing discomfort and reducing user willingness to continue using them.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sleep monitor design featuring multiple substrates in a single layer, where substrates of different materials are positioned laterally adjacent to each other, allowing for interdigitated fingers to combine sensing mechanisms in a single layer, reducing thickness and material waste while increasing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers are stacked with the same material and sensing mechanisms, then each sensing mechanism can be included in the device, but the device becomes rigid and thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple different sensing mechanisms (capacitive, piezoelectric, and resistive sensors) into a single integrated substrate layer rather than stacking separate layers for each mechanism. This merging approach maintains the versatility of detecting multiple sleep parameters while reducing the overall device thickness and improving flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stacking sensing mechanisms vertically in multiple layers, the patent arranges them laterally in the same plane (x-y dimension). Different sensor types are positioned at different locations within a single substrate layer, transforming the vertical stacking problem into a lateral arrangement solution, thereby reducing thickness while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple layers are stacked with the same material, then each layer can provide its sensing function, but material costs increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal substrate layer that can accommodate multiple types of sensing mechanisms (capacitive, piezoelectric, resistive) within the same layer structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized layers for each sensor type, reducing material variety and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliable sensing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate layer is designed with locally optimized regions for different sensing mechanisms. Each region has the specific properties needed for its designated sensor type (e.g., conductive traces for capacitive sensors, piezoelectric material for pressure sensors), while the overall layer structure remains unified. This local differentiation within a universal layer reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating entirely separate layers for each sensor type.
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 solution results in a thinner, more comfortable sleep monitor with reduced material costs, improved flexibility, and simplified manufacturing, allowing for effective detection of sleep characteristics without user discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The first substrate may be formed of a first material and may be configured to generate electric charge in response to a force applied to the flexible sleep monitor
Data Source
AI summary
A sleep monitor includes a layered sensor that includes at least one substrate layer that includes multiple laterally adjacent substrates. The substrate layer may be formed by interdigitating fingers of a first sheet with fingers of a second sheet. Combining multiple substrates in a single layer of a layered sensor may allow multiple materials and/or sensing mechanisms to be combined together in a single layer.