Pressure Sensor Electrode Gap Variation for Wide Range Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure sensors with pressure-sensitive layers have limited measurement ranges due to insufficient sensitivity in high-pressure ranges, as the area of contact between the pressure-sensitive layer and electrodes does not increase significantly, leading to inadequate pressure measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor design featuring a common electrode and multiple individual electrodes with varying thicknesses and gaps, allowing for accurate measurement of low and high pressures by adjusting the contact points between the pressure-sensitive layer and electrodes, extending the measurement range through the use of spacers to maintain consistent pressure detection across different pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single electrode is used with the pressure-sensitive layer, then the structure is simple, but the pressure measurement range is limited and sensitivity is insufficient in high-pressure ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple individual electrodes (first individual electrode, second individual electrode, third individual electrode) with different gap distances from the pressure-sensitive layer. Each electrode segment is responsible for detecting pressure within its optimal range, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision across a wide pressure range by selecting the appropriate electrode segment based on pressure level.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode segments are positioned at different distances from the pressure-sensitive layer to create local variations in gap distance. The first individual electrode has a larger gap for high-pressure detection, while the second and third individual electrodes have smaller gaps for low-pressure detection. This local quality differentiation enables each electrode to optimize its sensing characteristics for specific pressure ranges.
2Measurement precision
If the gap between the electrode and pressure-sensitive layer is small, then sensitivity is high for low-pressure detection, but the measurement range for high-pressure detection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from a single-gap-distance electrode design to a multi-gap-distance electrode array design. By adding the dimension of variable gap distances (first individual electrode with larger gap, second and third individual electrodes with smaller gaps), the system can simultaneously detect both low-pressure and high-pressure ranges with appropriate sensitivity for each range.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap distance parameter is varied across different electrode segments. The first individual electrode uses a larger gap distance parameter for high-pressure detection, while the second and third individual electrodes use smaller gap distance parameters for low-pressure detection. This parameter change enables the system to maintain optimal sensitivity across different pressure ranges.
3Quantity of substance
If the gap between the electrode and pressure-sensitive layer is large, then the measurement range for high-pressure detection is extended, but sensitivity is insufficient for low-pressure detection
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into multiple individual electrodes with different gap distances. The first individual electrode with larger gap handles high-pressure detection, while the second and third individual electrodes with smaller gaps handle low-pressure detection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both extended measurement range and high sensitivity simultaneously by routing pressure signals to the appropriate electrode segment.
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 design enables accurate measurement of pressures across a broader range, ensuring sensitivity in both low and high-pressure conditions, regardless of the applied force location, by utilizing the varying gaps and electrode thicknesses to maintain consistent resistance changes.
Implementation Method 1
When pressure is applied to the pressure-sensitive resin, conductive particles in the insulating resin make contact with each other and hence the resistance value of the pressure-sensitive resin reduces. As a result, it is possible to detect pressure that is applied to the pressure-sensitive resin.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure sensor is disclosed. The pressure sensor includes a common electrode, a plurality of individual electrodes, a plurality of thin-film transistors and a common pressure-sensitive layer. The common electrode is formed as a layer. The plurality of individual electrodes are arranged in a matrix opposing the common electrode. The plurality of thin-film transistors are respectively located corresponding to the individual electrodes on sides of the individual electrodes opposite to the common electrode, where one or two or more adjacent thin-film transistors are connected to one individual electrode. The common pressure-sensitive layer is disposed on a surface of the common electrode on a side facing the plurality of individual electrodes. The plurality of individual electrodes include a first electrode, and a second electrode that is thicker than the first electrode and therefore creates a smaller gap from the common pressure-sensitive layer than the first electrode.