Pressure and force profile sensor and method for detecting pressure
First Claim
1. An apparatus that senses an edge pressure profile generated by an edge of a pressure source, comprising:
- at least one sensor strip having at least a resistive strip;
at least one electrical source connected to the sensor strip;
a conductive sensor membrane extending adjacent to and spaced from the sensor strip; and
at least one electrical sensor connected to the resistive strip;
wherein, when an edge pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane is deformed to electrically contact the sensor strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure sensor is provided which can detect the presence, absence or magnitude of pressure, as well as a pressure profile. The pressure sensor includes a sensor membrane and a sensor device. The sensor membrane is flexible and may be constructed of a conductive material or may include a flexible film attached to a conductive film. The sensor device includes a sensor strip, a voltage source, and an electrical sensor. The sensor strip includes both a conductive strip and a resistive strip. The conductive strip is arranged parallel to the resistive strip. As pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane distends or deforms towards the sensor strip. As sufficient pressure is applied, the sensor membrane will make both electrical and mechanical contact with both the conductive strip and the resistive strip at a point along the length of the sensor strip. Since the sensor membrane is conductive, the conductive strip and the resistive strip will be in electrical connection with each other. As the point of application of pressure is varied, the point at which the conductive strip and the resistive strip are connected will vary. As a result, the pressure profile exerted on the sensor membrane may be determined. The pressure sensor may be utilized in a variety of environments to sense a wide variety of pressures including either fluid pressure or physical contact pressure.
139 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus that senses an edge pressure profile generated by an edge of a pressure source, comprising:
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at least one sensor strip having at least a resistive strip; at least one electrical source connected to the sensor strip; a conductive sensor membrane extending adjacent to and spaced from the sensor strip; and at least one electrical sensor connected to the resistive strip; wherein, when an edge pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane is deformed to electrically contact the sensor strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification