Printed Event Sensor with Integrated Display for Shock Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional event sensors are not cost-effective and do not integrate a flexible display mechanism, often requiring a separate voltage source and lacking field-replaceable elements, making them unsuitable for applications requiring low-cost, flexible, and battery-free shock sensing.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing printed electronics to combine a sensor and circuitry with display elements, where the printed electronic circuitry divides voltage pulses based on amplitude and width, and integrates event detection and display functionality, allowing for cumulative event counting without a separate voltage source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional event sensors are used, then sensing functionality is provided, but cost is high and flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor, signal processing circuitry, and display elements into a single integrated printed electronic device. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and connections, reducing overall cost while enabling flexibility through the printed substrate that can be conformally applied to various surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses printed electronics on a flexible substrate, allowing the sensor to be conformally applied to non-planar surfaces. This flexible film approach provides both cost-effectiveness through printing processes and adaptability to various curved or irregular surfaces.
2Device complexity
If conventional event sensors with display are used, then event indication is provided, but separate voltage source is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor element itself generates the voltage pulses required to drive the display through its sensing mechanism. When the sensor detects an event (such as acceleration or pressure), it generates an electrical pulse that is processed by the printed circuitry and used to activate the display elements, eliminating the need for an external battery or voltage source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power generation function with the sensing function by designing the sensor to generate its own output pulses. This integration of power generation and sensing into a single element reduces device complexity and eliminates separate voltage source requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If printed electronics are used, then cost is reduced and flexibility is improved, but device functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printed electronic circuit performs multiple functions: it processes sensor signals, divides voltage pulses, and drives display elements. This multi-functional integration within the printed circuit maintains full event sensing and indication capabilities while utilizing cost-effective printed electronics throughout the device.
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 provides a low-cost, flexible, and battery-free event sensing system capable of indicating shock, pressure, and other events with a visual display, suitable for applications like package monitoring and health tracking, while eliminating the need for separate voltage sources.
Implementation Method 1
piezoelectric materials, in which strain results in generation of a charge within the material
Implementation Method 2
strain gauges, in which current through a member is a function of the strain it experiences
Implementation Method 3
The printed electronic circuitry divides the pulse across the various devices comprising the circuitry according to pulse amplitude and pulse width
Implementation Method 4
each display element is an electrophoretic display which changes contrast as a function of the applied voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A method for event sensing employs an event sensor comprising a detector and circuitry, connected thereto, produced by printed electronics processes. Operation may rely on 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 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.