Printed Electronic Event Sensor Circuitry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing event sensors are not capable of providing both low-cost sensors and displays in a single circuit, and they often require a separate voltage source, making them unsuitable for applications requiring flexibility and cost-effectiveness, such as non-planar surfaces and battery-free operation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a printed electronic circuit with a pulse generator and display elements that utilize a printed voltage dividing circuit to process voltage pulses from detected events, allowing for a low-cost, flexible, and battery-free solution for event sensing and display, including the integration of detectors and voltage sources within the same element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electronic device fabrication techniques are used, then sensing precision and circuit complexity are improved, but manufacturing cost and substrate flexibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor element, signal processing circuitry, and display elements into a single integrated printed electronic device. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate fabrication processes and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining functional precision through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fabrication approach from conventional semiconductor manufacturing to printed electronics processes, altering the production parameters to enable low-cost manufacturing on flexible substrates while achieving sufficient sensing precision for the intended applications.
2Ease of manufacture
If printed electronic processes are used, then manufacturing cost and substrate flexibility are improved, but device functionality and circuit complexity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printed electronic device performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure: it detects events (acceleration, pressure, light), processes the detected signals through printed circuitry, and displays the results. This multi-functionality compensates for the simpler circuit implementation, providing versatile functionality suitable for various applications.
3Reliability
If separate voltage source is used, then sensing reliability is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage source functionality with the sensor element itself, creating a self-powered device where the sensing mechanism also provides the necessary electrical potential. This integration eliminates separate battery or power supply components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable sensing operation.
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 provides a cost-effective, flexible, and battery-free solution for event sensing and display, capable of indicating event amplitude, duration, and cumulative events, suitable for applications on non-planar surfaces without the need for additional voltage sources.
Implementation Method 1
piezoelectric materials, in which strain results in generation of a charge within the material
Implementation Method 2
each display element is an electrophoretic display which changes contrast as a function of the applied voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An event sensor device comprises a detector and circuitry, connected thereto, produced by printed electronics processes. This circuitry may be comprised of fixed characteristic devices, such as a series resistive chain, or variable characteristic devices such as thin film transistors (TFTs) and the like. A pulse is input to the printed electronic circuitry. The printed electronic circuitry divides the pulse across the various devices comprising the circuitry according to pulse amplitude and pulse width. The circuitry provides an output signal which is provided to a plurality of display elements, which are capable of indicating the division performed at the printed electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, each display element is an electrophoretic display which changes contrast as a function of the applied voltage. Not only the pulse amplitude and pulse width, but the number of pulses applied to the printed circuitry (i.e., sensed by the detector) may be indicated.