Prepressured force/pressure sensor and method for the fabrication thereof

• US 6,032,542 A
• Filed: 06/22/1998
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tekscan, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tekscan, Inc.
• Inventors: Warnick, Thomas, Oreper, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): FELBER, JOSEPH LEON
• Application Number:
  US09/102,290
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 73/862.042, 73/862.044, 73/862.045, 73/862.046, 73/862.52, 73/862.627, 73/172, 73/862.473, 73/862.474, 73/862.68 , 73/862.625, 73/777
• US Class Current: 73/862.627
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/05 for determining occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/205 using distributed sensing elements

Abstract

A pressure sensitive element or array is provided which includes at least one first conductor on a first substrate and at least one second conductor on a second substrate, with a first conductor and a second conductor intersecting adjacent to each other at a sensor point and a pressure sensitive material being between the first and second conductors at each such sensor point. A mechanism is also provided which applies a predetermined prepressure to the substrates at least at selected ones of the sensor points. The prepressure for a preferred embodiment is provided by joining the substrates with an air-tight seal around a periphery of at least the pressure point to which prepressure is to be applied and by creating a reduced pressure area between the substrates within the sealed periphery. For preferred embodiments, the reduced pressure is a substantial vacuum, causing substantially atmospheric pressure to be applied to the sensor points.

Claims

1. A pressure sensor element including:

first and second non-conductive substrates positioned adjacent to each other;

at least one first conductor on said first substrate and at least one second conductor on said second substrate, a said first conductor and a said second conductor intersecting adjacent to each other at a sensor point, said substrates being joined with an air-tight seal around a periphery of at least one sensor point; and

a pressure sensitive material between said first and second conductors at each sensor point;

a reduced air, low pressure area being formed between said substrates within the sealed periphery resulting in a predetermined prepressure being applied to said substrates at said at least one sensor point.

2. A pressure sensor element as claimed in claim 1 wherein said low-pressure area is at substantial vacuum, causing substantially atmospheric pressure to be applied to each said at least one sensor point.

3. A pressure sensor element as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are a spaced plurality of at least one of first conductors on said first substrate and second conductors on said second substrate, there being a sensor point at each intersection where a first and second conductor pass adjacent each other, and wherein said air-tight seal is for a periphery around all said sensor points.

4. A pressure sensor element as claimed in claim 3 wherein substantially the same prepressure is applied to all the sensor points.

5. A pressure sensor element as claimed in claim 3 wherein a selected prepressure profile exists for said sensor points.

6. A pressure sensor element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pressure sensitive material is applied as a coating over at least one of the first electrodes and the second electrodes.

7. A pressure sensor element including:

first and second non-conductive substrates positioned adjacent to each other;

at least one first conductor on said first substrate and at least one second conductor on said second substrate, a said first conductor and a said second conductor intersecting adjacent to each other at a sensor point;

a pressure sensitive material between said first and second conductors at each sensor point; and

a shrinkwrap around said sensor element to apply prepressure thereto.

8. A method for fabricating a pressure sensor element including:

a) providing a first substrate having at least one first conductor thereon, a second substrate with at least one second conductor thereon and a pressure sensitive material coated on at least one of said substrates over the at least one conductor thereon;

b) assembling said substrates with at least one first conductor intersecting an adjacent second conductor at a sensor point, the pressure sensitive material being between conductors and in contact therewith at each sensor point;

c) sealing a periphery around sensor points; and

d) creating a reduced pressure in the area between said substrates within said periphery.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein, during step (d), a substantial vacuum is created in said area between the substrates.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein step (d) is performed by performing steps (a), (b), and (c) in a vacuum environment.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein step (d) is performed by performing step (c) in a vacuum environment.

12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein step (d) includes the steps of evacuating said area through an opening, and sealing said opening.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein during step (c) there is at least one opening the sealing of said periphery;

and wherein step (d) includes the step performed when said element is being used for pressure sensing of actively pumping air from said area through said at least one opening.