Imperceptible motion sensing device having conductive elastomer

• US 8,943,908 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2013
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seda Chemical Products Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Seda Chemical Products Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Liu, Yu-Wei, Wu, Ke-Yuan, Wang, Wei-Kuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNLAP, JONATHAN M
• Application Number:
  US13/781,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20140026682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 73862041-862046, 738/626.8, 737/68, 731/72, 738/49, 738/623.81, 738/626.32, 738/626.37
• US Class Current: 73/862.637
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/08 Elderly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1115 Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/06 by measuring the permanent deformation of gauges, e.g. of compressed bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/20 by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids of piezo-resistive materials G01L1/18; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress

Abstract

The present invention is to provide an imperceptible motion sensing device, which includes a non-conductive elastomer made of a pliable and elastic non-conductor (e.g., polyurethane) and having a bumpy side formed with at least one sunken portion thereon, at least one conductive fiber positioned in the at least one sunken portion respectively (e.g., by sewing), and a conductive elastomer made of a pliable and elastic conductor (e.g., a conductive foam or conductive rubber) and provided on the bumpy side of the non-conductive elastomer. When the sensing device is compressed by an external force, corresponding portions of the conductive elastomer and the non-conductive elastomer are compressed and deformed, causing contact and hence electrical connection between the conductive elastomer and the at least one conductive fiber. Thus, the imperceptible motion sensing device not only provides more accurate and more sensitive signal detection, but also ensures consistent performance even after long-term use.

Claims

1. An imperceptible motion sensing device having a conductive elastomer, comprising:

a non-conductive elastomer made of a pliable and elastic non-conductor and having a bumpy side forming at least a sunken portion;

at least a conductive fiber respectively positioned in the at least a sunken portion; and

the conductive elastomer made of a pliable and elastic conductor and provided on the bumpy side of the non-conductive elastomer such that, when the sensing device is compressed by an external force, corresponding portions of the conductive elastomer and the non-conductive elastomer are compressed and deformed, bringing the conductive elastomer into contact and electrical connection with the at least a conductive fiber.

2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the at least a conductive fiber is respectively sewn to the at least a sunken portion.

3. The sensing device of claim 2, wherein the non-conductive elastomer and the conductive elastomer are connected together.

4. The sensing device of claim 2, wherein both the non-conductive elastomer and the conductive elastomer are sheet-like, the non-conductive elastomer forming two sheets which are respectively attached to two opposite sides of the conductive elastomer and are peripherally sealed together such that the conductive elastomer is received between the two sheets formed by the non-conductive elastomer.

5. The sensing device of claim 4, wherein the two sheets formed by the non-conductive elastomer are sewn together around peripheries thereof with a thread.