Soft Pressure Sensor Array With Offset Angled Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft sensors fail to accurately detect suction strength and are prone to electromagnetic interference in underwater applications, lacking granular information and being ineffective for quasi-static pressure sensing due to limitations in materials and design.
Innovation Solution
A soft pressure sensing apparatus with a polymeric member containing conductive particles between offset angled electrodes, using a controller to calculate regularized least-squares algorithms for resistance values, and incorporating a piezoresistive film between perpendicular electrodes to create a resistor network, which is waterproof and accounts for crosstalk, enabling high-resolution pressure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional soft sensors use interdigitated electrode contact sensors, then they can detect lamprey attachment, but they do not provide sufficiently granular information such as suction strength
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple discrete pressure-sensitive elements arranged in an array, where each element independently measures pressure at its location. This segmentation enables granular detection of suction strength across different regions, providing detailed spatial information that interdigitated electrodes cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the planar interdigitated electrode configuration to a three-dimensional layered structure with pressure-sensitive elements positioned between electrode pairs. This dimensional change allows for independent pressure measurement at multiple depths and locations, enabling precise suction strength detection while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional soft sensors are made of elastomers with conductive hydrogels, then they can measure pressure and stress, but they do not respond to suction stimulus
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive elements utilize materials with specific mechanical and electrical properties that respond to negative pressure (suction). By carefully selecting and tuning the parameters of the pressure-sensitive material, including its elasticity modulus and electrical conductivity characteristics, the sensor achieves reliable response to suction stimuli while maintaining versatility for various pressure conditions.
3Reliability
If traditional sensors use multiple spiraling sensor elements with surrounding conductive traces, then they can detect pressure, but they suffer from tear weakness points and slit propagation in the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed with discrete pressure-sensitive elements rather than continuous spiraling traces, eliminating the tear propagation paths inherent in continuous trace designs. Each element is independently supported, preventing stress concentration and tear propagation across the substrate while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor structure employs an asymmetric layered configuration with pressure-sensitive elements positioned between electrode pairs, rather than symmetric spiraling patterns. This asymmetric design distributes mechanical stress more evenly across the substrate, reducing vulnerability to tearing while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to complex spiraling trace layouts.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic interference shielding layers are integrated with sensor devices, then EMI protection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pairs serve as intermediaries that inherently provide electromagnetic shielding for the pressure-sensitive elements positioned between them. The conductive electrodes act as Faraday cage-like structures, protecting the sensitive measurement region from external EMI without requiring additional shielding layers, thus maintaining device simplicity while achieving EMI protection.
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 durable, waterproof, and highly sensitive pressure detection capable of measuring small or soft external pressures, including suction, with high resolution and reliability, suitable for submerged environments and applications like sea lamprey detection.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoresistive film encapsulated between layers of substantially perpendicular electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a polymeric member, including conductive particles therein, is located between offset angled and crossing sets of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A soft pressure sensing apparatus is provided. In one aspect of the present pressure sensing apparatus, a polymeric member, including conductive particles therein, is located between offset angled and crossing sets of electrodes. A further aspect includes a controller configured to calculate at least one regularized least-squares algorithm, to reduce cross-talk between the resistive members. In another aspect, a pressure sensor apparatus includes a piezoresistive film encapsulated between layers of substantially perpendicular electrodes to create a resistor network circuit where the ability to reconstruct cell resistance from measured two-point resistance. A method of manufacturing a pressure sensor includes using a mechanical vinyl cutter for the electrodes and/or piezoelectric resistive members.