Measuring system

• US 4,986,136 A
• Filed: 12/06/1989
• Issued: 01/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ludwig Von Zech, Wolfgang Brunner
• Original Assignee: Ludwig Von Zech, Wolfgang Brunner
• Inventors: Brunner, Wolfgang, von Zech, Ludwig
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruehl, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US07/446,990
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 73/862.04, 73/862.64, 73/862.68, 73/865.7, 341/33, 361/278, 361/283, 361/288, 361/291
• US Class Current: 73/862.046
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/146 for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays G01L1/148 takes precedence

Abstract

A measuring system in which flexible mats of individual cells are distributed in rows and columns of a matrix are individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of the mats, into electrical signals. Each cell constitutes a capacitor with capacitance that varies with the applied mechanical pressure. A source of voltage is connectable to each cell, and each cell has an upper surface and a lower surface. Pressure is applied to the upper surface, and a dielectric is positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper surface has a plurality of parallel strip-shaped areas with projections, whereas the lower surface has a plurality of parallel electrically conductive strip-shaped areas which extend at right angles to the first strip-shaped areas on one side of the dielectric to form a capacitor cell at each intersection. The intersections deforms resiliently under applied pressure to vary the capacitance under pressure.

Claims

1. A measuring system comprising:

flexible mats of individual cells distributed in rows and columns of a matrix and being individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of said mats into electrical signals;

each cell comprising a capacitor having a capacitance varying with the applied mechanical pressure;

a source of voltage connectable to each said cell;

each cell having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pressure being applied to said upper surface;

a dielectric positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface;

said upper surface having a plurality of parallel first strip-shaped areas with projections;

said lower surface having also a plurality of parallel electrically conductive second strip-shaped areas extending at a substantially right angle to said first strip-shaped areas on one side of said dielectric for forming a capacitor cell at each intersection, said intersection deforming resiliently under applied pressure to vary said capacitance under pressure.

2. A measuring system as defined in claim 1, wherein said projections on said upper surface comprise parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric.

3. A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said lower surface has also parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric.

4. A measuring system as defined in claim 3, wherein the parallel ribs on said lower surface are in said strip-shaped areas.

5. A measuring system as defined in claim 3, wherein said dielectric comprises an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs on said upper surface and said lower surface.

6. A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs have a triangular cross-section.

7. A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs have a semi-circular cross-section.

8. A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs are in said strip-shaped areas.

9. A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said dielectric comprises an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs.

10. A measuring system comprising:

flexible mats of individual cells distributed in rows and columns of a matrix and being individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of said mats into electrical signals;

each cell comprising a capacitor having a capacitance varying with the applied mechanical pressure;

a source of voltage connectable to each said cell;

each cell having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pressure being applied to said upper surface;

a dielectric positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface;

said upper surface having a plurality of parallel first strip-shaped areas with projections;

said lower surface having also a plurality of parallel electrically conductive second strip-shaped areas extending at a substantially right angle to said first strip-shaped areas on one side of said dielectric for forming a capacitor cell at each intersection, said intersection deforming resiliently under applied pressure to vary said capacitance under pressure;

said projections on said upper surface comprising parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric;

said lower surface having also parallel ribs tapering in towards said dielectric;

said ribs having a predetermined cross-section;

said ribs being in said strip-shaped areas;

said dielectric comprising an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs.