Pressure and force profile sensor and method for detecting pressure
US6044717A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00725
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.