Sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor for generating electrical signals indicating a positional property and an extent property of a mechanical interaction within a sensing zone, said sensor comprising a plurality of conductive layers, that comprises at least:
- a first conductive layer having a first conductive area having a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal in electrical connection therewith and configured to allow an electrical potential gradient to be established between said first electrical terminal and said second electrical terminal, in a first direction, and a second conductive layer having a second conductive area having a third electrical terminal in electrical connection therewith; and
said sensor is configured such that an electrical path is established between said first conductive area and said second conductive area during a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone;
at least one of said plurality of conductive layers is a pressure-sensitive conductive layer comprising a quantum tunnelling conductance (qtc) material, andsaid sensor is configured such that contact between conductive layers is allowed during the absence of a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor for, and a method of, generating electrical signals indicating a positional property and an extent property of a mechanical interaction within a sensing zone. The sensor comprises a plurality of conductive layers. At least one conductive layer is a pressure-sensitive conductive layer comprising a quantum tunnelling conductance (qtc) material. Contact between conductive layers is allowed during the absence of a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone. The sensor may be configured to provide a three-terminal sensing functionality or a four-terminal sensing functionality. The sensing zone may be substantially two-dimensional or substantially three-dimensional. The sensor may be substantially flexible or substantially rigid.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor for generating electrical signals indicating a positional property and an extent property of a mechanical interaction within a sensing zone, said sensor comprising a plurality of conductive layers, that comprises at least:
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a first conductive layer having a first conductive area having a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal in electrical connection therewith and configured to allow an electrical potential gradient to be established between said first electrical terminal and said second electrical terminal, in a first direction, and a second conductive layer having a second conductive area having a third electrical terminal in electrical connection therewith; and said sensor is configured such that an electrical path is established between said first conductive area and said second conductive area during a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone; at least one of said plurality of conductive layers is a pressure-sensitive conductive layer comprising a quantum tunnelling conductance (qtc) material, and said sensor is configured such that contact between conductive layers is allowed during the absence of a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification