Contact sensor for measuring dental occlusion
US4734034A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L1/205
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A contact sensor for detecting points on a grid where the sensor is being contacted on opposing sides by teeth surfaces or other contacting points. The contact sensor includes two sets of parallel electrodes which are each formed of a thin, flexible supporting sheet. The electrodes are coated with a thin, resistive coating. Two such electrode structures are oriented at approximately right angles to create a grid where the intersecting electrodes cross separated by the resistive coatings. The resistive coatings may be made from conventional resisitive inks and are optionally separated by a separation material, such as talcum or mesh. In the absence of an external force, the material between the electrodes sets provides a high resistance between intersecting electrodes. The novel composition of the intermediate layer results in a structure which provides a "switching" effect such that the resistance between electrodes is very high where there is no external pressure and changes to a comparatively low value at locations where external pressure is applied by two contacting points or surfaces. The sensor output is dynamic in the sense that the resistance will change back and forth betwe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.