Textile Capacitive Sensor Layout for Seat Pressure and Humidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile and garment production methods lack effective integration of sensors for real-time pressure and humidity measurement, which is crucial for applications like vehicle seat occupancy monitoring, where accurate weight and humidity data are needed to ensure safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensor system integrated into flexible textile support materials, featuring electrodes and a dielectric layer with a moisture-permeable layer, allowing for simultaneous measurement of pressure and humidity changes, powered by energy harvesting methods such as piezoelectric, thermoelectric, or photovoltaic means, and processed by a unit that determines relative humidity and weight classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into textile support materials for real-time measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pressure sensing and humidity sensing functions into a single integrated sensor system embedded within the textile support material. The capacitor structure serves dual purposes: measuring pressure through deformation-induced capacitance change and measuring humidity through dielectric constant change, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously using the same basic structure. The capacitor can detect both mechanical pressure (through plate displacement) and environmental humidity (through dielectric constant variation), making the device universal and multi-functional without requiring separate sensor systems for each parameter.
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy harvesting methods are used to power the sensor system, then energy independence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system incorporates energy harvesting mechanisms that allow it to power itself autonomously. The piezoelectric elements generate electrical energy from mechanical deformation (such as seat pressure changes), enabling the sensor to harvest its own operating energy from the environment it monitors, thereby achieving energy independence without requiring external power sources.
3Measurement precision
If a moisture layer is added to the capacitor structure for humidity sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous moisture layer as the dielectric material in the capacitor structure. The porous nature of this layer allows it to absorb and release moisture vapor from the environment, causing measurable changes in dielectric constant that correlate with humidity levels. This approach improves humidity measurement precision while the porous structure's tolerance to manufacturing variations reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Enables precise monitoring of seat occupancy, providing warnings for overloading or excessive sweating, and potentially adapting airbag deployment to prevent injury, while being lightweight and energy-independent.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity, wherein the sensor comprises at least one capacitor comprising at least two electrodes... such that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the liquid at least partially hitting the dielectric layer
Implementation Method 2
at least one dielectric layer is arranged between the electrodes... The dielectric constant of the polymer material then changes as a function of moisture content
Implementation Method 3
a dielectric that is preferably composed of a hygroscopic polymer layer that, depending on the humidity of the ambient air, takes in (absorbs) or releases (desorbs) moisture until an equilibrium state is reached
Implementation Method 4
Piezoelectric crystals generate electrical voltages when subjected to force, for example, through pressure or vibration
Implementation Method 5
Thermoelectric generators and pyroelectric crystals obtain electrical energy from temperature differences
Implementation Method 6
Photovoltaics, electrical energy from ambient light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring pressure and/or humidity, and to a method for measuring pressure and/or humidity. The apparatus comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity, wherein the sensor comprises at least one capacitor comprising at least two electrodes that are arranged, in particular, in a horizontal direction along and on an, in particular, flexible support material relative to one another. At least one dielectric layer is arranged between the electrodes. The invention is characterised in that at least one at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer is arranged at least in some places on a side, facing away from a support material, of at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer. The at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer are thus then arranged between the support material and the moisture layer in a transverse direction. In this way, a capacitance is at least partially changed by the liquid at least partially hitting the dielectric layer, wherein a processing unit is designed and provided to measure and/or store this change, so as to create a capacitive moisture sensor.