Sensor with a plurality of sensor elements arranged with respect to a substrate
US7258026B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L1/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.