Resistive Pressure Sensor Structure for Uniform Load Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensors for regulating inflation pressures in therapeutic mattresses and cushions are costly, complex, and difficult to maintain, limiting their use to hospital settings due to high manufacturing costs and complexity, and they are not easily replaceable when faulty.
Innovation Solution
A pressure sensor using resistive force-detector cells with a rigid backing plate and compressible intermediate layers, placed between protective plates to distribute pressure uniformly, allowing for precise measurement and regulation of pressures applied by patients, enabling cost-effective and easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inductive sensors are used to measure penetration distance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex inductive sensors with a simple resistive force-detector cell that converts mechanical pressure directly into electrical resistance changes. This mechanical-to-electrical conversion eliminates the need for electromagnetic fields and complex inductive measurement systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability through the relationship between pressure-induced deformation and resistance change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive resistive force-detector cells that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than expensive inductive sensors. These simple resistive elements have no moving parts, require minimal maintenance, and can be manufactured at low cost, making them suitable for disposable or easy-replacement applications where high initial precision can be achieved through proper sensor placement and calibration.
2Measurement precision
If inductive sensors with thickness of at least 5 cm are used, then measurement capability is improved, but the support device thickness increases, making it difficult to achieve safe coverage by safety bars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin-film resistive force-detector cells that can be integrated into the support device structure with minimal thickness addition. These thin resistive elements conform to the device geometry and provide pressure measurement capability without requiring the 5 cm thickness of inductive sensors, thus maintaining safety bar coverage while enabling accurate pressure detection.
3Measurement precision
If complex pressure sensors are used to regulate inflation pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex pressure sensing mechanisms with simple resistive force-detector cells whose resistance changes directly with applied pressure. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages, pneumatic systems, or electronic signal conditioning circuits, making the sensor easy to manufacture and integrate into the support device while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for pressure regulation applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive force-detector cell is a self-contained element that converts pressure directly into an electrical signal without requiring external power sources, complex signal processing, or calibration systems. The pressure-induced resistance change is inherently proportional to the applied force, providing a self-calibrating measurement system that is easy to manufacture and maintain.
4Measurement precision
If inductive sensors generating electromagnetic fields are used, then measurement capability is improved, but electromagnetic compatibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic field-based inductive sensors with purely mechanical resistive force-detector cells that respond to pressure through resistance changes. This eliminates electromagnetic field generation entirely, avoiding all electromagnetic compatibility issues and interference problems while maintaining the ability to measure pressure and penetration distance through mechanical deformation of the resistive element.
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 cost-effective, simple, and robust pressure sensor that can accurately measure and regulate pressures, reducing the complexity and maintenance costs of existing systems, making it suitable for home healthcare use and easy to replace when faulty.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resistive force-detector cell applied against a rigid backing plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pressure sensor, in particular for detecting and measuring at least one bearing pressure applied to a support device, in which said pressure sensor comprises at least one resistive force-detector cell placed between at least two protective plates suitable for avoiding any pressure bearing at a point or along a line directly against a surface of the resistive cell and for converting such a pressure into uniform pressure over the entire area of the resistive cell. The present disclosure also relates to a support device including such a pressure sensor and to a method of measuring pressures applied to such a support device by an object to be supported such as the body of a patient.