Sensor with a plurality of sensor elements arranged with respect to a substrate
First Claim
1. A sensor, adapted to conform to the shape of a surface, comprising:
- a substrate layer; and
a plurality of individual sensor elements, for measuring a desired parameter, the plurality of sensor elements defining a sensor plane, the sensor elements are arranged with respect to the substrate layer in a manner that allows each sensor element to move in a direction perpendicular to the sensor plane and substantially independent of an adjacent sensor element moving in a direction perpendicular to the sensor plane.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor for measuring a parameter applied to a surface is provided. The sensor includes at least one substrate layer, a plurality of individual sensor elements operatively arranged with respect to the substrate layer, and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate layer. The conductive trace is electrically coupled to an individual sensor element and wraps around at least a portion of the sensor element in a spiral-like manner. Further, by employing slits or cut-outs of material between sensor elements, a sensor element may move independent of an adjacent sensor element, thereby allowing the sensor to conform to an irregularly shaped surface or otherwise when subject to relatively large deflections. The sensor may be employed to detect force distribution of a seating surface, such as a seat cushion of a wheelchair.
166 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A sensor, adapted to conform to the shape of a surface, comprising:
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a substrate layer; and a plurality of individual sensor elements, for measuring a desired parameter, the plurality of sensor elements defining a sensor plane, the sensor elements are arranged with respect to the substrate layer in a manner that allows each sensor element to move in a direction perpendicular to the sensor plane and substantially independent of an adjacent sensor element moving in a direction perpendicular to the sensor plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor, adapted to conform to the shape of a surface, comprising:
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a substrate layer; and a plurality of individual sensor elements, each adapted to measure a parameter from a range of parameters, the plurality of sensor elements defining a sensor plane, the sensor elements are arranged with respect to the substrate layer in a manner that allows each sensor element to move in a direction perpendicular to the sensor plane and substantially independent of an adjacent sensor element moving in a direction perpendicular to the sensor plane.
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Specification