Perspiration sensor
First Claim
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1. A perspiration sensor comprising:
- a first electrode positioned a predefined distance from a second electrode defining a dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode;
a moisture absorbent dielectric material positioned in the dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode;
at least one inlet enabling moisture from outside the dielectric space to enter the dielectric space and become absorbed by the moisture absorbent material;
a skin electrode and an adhesive layer configured for adhering the skin electrode to a skin portion of a user whereby the skin electrode is capacitively coupled to the skin portion of the user, and wherein the skin electrode is electrically connected to the moisture absorbent material;
a polymer material encapsulating at least a portion of the perspiration sensor; and
wherein the perspiration sensor includes one or more loops extending from a peripheral edge of the perspiration sensor and the polymer material at least partially extends into an opening in at least one loop.
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Abstract
A moisture sensor includes a pair of electrode plates separated by a moisture absorbent material that forms the dielectric of a capacitive sensor. As the absorbent dielectric material absorbs moisture, such as perspiration, the capacitance of the sensor changes reflecting a quantitative measure of perspiration absorbed. The sensor can be stabilized by capacitively coupling the dielectric material to the skin of the user to improve sensor stability and noise rejection. The sensor can include a capacitive sensing integrated circuit that measures the capacitance of the sensor in close proximity to the electrodes to limit the introduction of noise.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A perspiration sensor comprising:
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a first electrode positioned a predefined distance from a second electrode defining a dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode; a moisture absorbent dielectric material positioned in the dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one inlet enabling moisture from outside the dielectric space to enter the dielectric space and become absorbed by the moisture absorbent material; a skin electrode and an adhesive layer configured for adhering the skin electrode to a skin portion of a user whereby the skin electrode is capacitively coupled to the skin portion of the user, and wherein the skin electrode is electrically connected to the moisture absorbent material; a polymer material encapsulating at least a portion of the perspiration sensor; and wherein the perspiration sensor includes one or more loops extending from a peripheral edge of the perspiration sensor and the polymer material at least partially extends into an opening in at least one loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A perspiration sensor comprising:
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a first electrode positioned a predefined distance from a second electrode defining a dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode wherein; the first electrode is mounted to a non-conducting first substrate layer; the second electrode is mounted to a non-conducting third substrate layer; and the first substrate layer is separated from the third substrate layer by a non-conducting second substrate layer; a moisture absorbent dielectric material positioned in the dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one inlet enabling moisture from outside the dielectric space to enter the dielectric space and become absorbed by the moisture absorbent material; and a skin electrode and an adhesive layer configured for adhering the skin electrode to a skin portion of a user whereby the skin electrode is capacitively coupled to the skin portion of the user, and wherein the second substrate layer includes a third electrode and the third electrode connects the skin electrode to the moisture absorbent material in the dielectric space. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A perspiration sensor comprising:
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a first electrode positioned a predefined distance from a second electrode defining a dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode wherein; the first electrode is mounted to a non-conducting first substrate layer; the second electrode is mounted to a non-conducting third substrate layer; and the first substrate layer is separated from the third substrate layer by a non-conducting second substrate layer; a moisture absorbent dielectric material positioned in the dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one inlet enabling moisture from outside the dielectric space to enter the dielectric space and become absorbed by the moisture absorbent material; and a skin electrode and an adhesive layer configured for adhering the skin electrode to a skin portion of a user whereby the skin electrode is capacitively coupled to the skin portion of the user, and wherein the skin electrode is electrically connected to the moisture absorbent material; and wherein the first substrate layer includes an insulating mask that enables the first electrode to be in intimate contact with the moisture absorbent material and the second substrate layer includes an insulating mask that enables the second electrode to be in intimate contact with the moisture absorbent material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification