DE102022120259A1 - Device for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature, and a method for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature. The device comprises at least a pressure sensor, a moisture sensor and a temperature sensor, which is arranged on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a driver's seat cushion or the like, and wherein the pressure sensor, the moisture sensor and the temperature sensor are designed and intended to measure pressure, humidity and temperature between the user and the support surface. The invention is characterized in that all sensors are connected to a processing and control unit, whereby the target measuring area (area of interest) is determined by the pressure load, a moisture determination and/or a temperature development of the support surface by means of the processing and control unit a sensor area of the support surface that is larger in terms of area and/or volume can be determined, so that depending on at least one of these measured values, the user is informed about a display area, signal tones and/or haptic signals, and/or countermeasures by means of the processing and control unit after an over- or If at least one of the limit values falls below, i.e. with regard to temperature, pressure and / or humidity, at least the target area is at least partially treated accordingly in order to shift the measured value back below or above the limit value, in particular by means of cooling, warming, heating, ventilating the target area, to shift the measured value.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature and a method for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature comprising the respective preambles of claims 1 and 10. According to the invention, the device for measuring pressure, humidity and /or temperature at least one pressure sensor, which is arranged on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a vehicle seat or the like, the pressure sensor being set up and intended to detect a pressure between the user and the support surface to measure. In addition, the device comprises at least one moisture sensor, which is arranged on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, the moisture sensor being set up and intended to detect moisture between the User and the support surface to measure. The device also comprises a temperature sensor which is arranged on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, the temperature sensor being set up and intended to detect a temperature between the user and the support surface to measure.

All sensors are connected to a processing and control unit, whereby the target measuring area (area of interest) is determined by the pressure load, a moisture determination and/or a temperature development of the support surface using the processing and control unit in terms of area and/or volume larger sensor area of the support surface can be determined, so that depending on at least one of these measured values, the user is informed via a display surface, signal tones and / or haptic signals, and / or countermeasures by means of the processing and control unit after at least one of the limit values has been exceeded or fallen below, i.e. with regard to temperature, pressure and / or humidity, at least the target area is at least partially treated accordingly in order to shift the measured value back below or above the limit value, in particular by means of cooling, warming, heating, ventilating the target area to shift the measured value.

The one or more of the sensors can be so-called field sensors, whereby it can be determined whether there is an object or an object on the occupancy area. An object can be a human or another biological living being. It is also possible using at least one of the sensors to determine whether the person is a woman or a man. For this purpose, it can be determined whether it is a woman or a man based on a weight distribution in comparison to the weight distribution stored in the control device and/or on the weight itself. The same can be done accordingly when distinguishing between an object or an object.

At least one of the sensors may be mounted on or include a flexible substrate. This can ensure that surface deformations adapt to the body contour as much as possible.

According to at least one embodiment, the support surface is divided into sensor measuring sub-segments, and the target measurement area of the support surface can be determined by means of the processing and control unit, the target measurement area being smaller in area and/or volume than the support surface, in particular wherein the sensor area of the support surface is one which is formed sectionally, for example in the form of quadrants along the support surface, with the target measuring area being formed by the quadrants.

According to at least one embodiment, only such squares of the sensor area are used in the target measurement area by measurement, with the support surface being in contact with the user at least in places over a determinable period of time.

According to at least one embodiment, the target measurement area is a part of the support surface and both surface sizes of the support surface and the target measurement area are the same or substantially the same size.

According to at least one embodiment, the square selection is a first area approximation of an actual lying area and its borders.

According to at least one embodiment, at least two, but preferably several, sensors for measuring pressure, humidity and / or temperature are arranged along each quadrant in order to define only certain quadrant surface parts as the target measuring area within a sensor field.

According to at least one embodiment, a sum of the quadrant areas results share an outline area of the target measuring area, for example on which the user lies, within a contour approximation of the actual lying contour of the user on the support surface.

According to at least one embodiment, a target characteristic area generated in this way consists of at least two areas of interest (AOI), and only within these AOIs does the processing and control unit measure temperature, humidity and/or pressure.

According to at least one embodiment, within the target characteristic range, and thus within at least one AOI in response to the respective measured values, the target characteristic range is heated, cooled, dried or subjected to some other reaction treatment.

According to the invention, the method for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature of a target measuring area touched by a user on and/or on a sensor field (area of interest) comprises at least one pressure sensor, which is located on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet. a bed cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the pressure sensor measures a pressure between the user and the support surface. In addition, the method includes at least one moisture sensor, which is arranged on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the moisture sensor measures moisture between the user and the support surface. The method also includes at least one temperature sensor, which is arranged on or within a support element, in particular a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the temperature sensor measures a temperature between the user and the support surface. According to at least In one embodiment, the device for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity, wherein the sensor comprises at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes, which, in particular in a horizontal direction, along one and are arranged relative to one another on a, in particular flexible, carrier material, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

The horizontal direction is preferably a main direction of extension of the flexible carrier material.

“Flexible” in this context means that the carrier material is at least partially flexible and therefore elastic.

In particular, the carrier material can be a woven fabric or another clothing material such as a polyester.

The dielectric layer thus distances the two electrodes in a horizontal and/or in a transverse direction perpendicular thereto.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer is arranged at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material, at least one, at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer, the at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer thus being in a transverse direction are arranged between the carrier material and the moisture layer, so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the liquid hitting the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up and intended to measure and / or store this change, so that a capacitive moisture sensor arises.

A capacitive humidity sensor is in principle a capacitor whose dielectric preferably consists of a hygroscopic polymer layer that absorbs (absorbs) or releases (desorbs) moisture depending on the humidity of the ambient air until an equilibrium state (diffusion gradient = 0) is reached. The dielectric constant of the polymer material changes as a function of moisture content.

The task of the processing unit can also consist, among other things, of determining the relative humidity as accurately as possible from a measured ambient temperature and the humidity-dependent capacitance value of the sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the device for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and/or humidity, wherein the sensor comprises at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes, which in particular in a horizontal direction along one and are arranged relative to one another on a particularly flexible carrier material, with at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

According to the invention, at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer is arranged at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material, at least one, at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing layer (= moisture layer), with the at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer being arranged in the transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged, so that a capacitance is at least partially changed by the liquid hitting the dielectric layer, a processing unit being set up and intended to measure and / or store this change, so that a capacitive moisture sensor arises.

The moisture layer can be formed with a dielectric material. The material of the moisture layer can be different from the material of the waterproof layer.

The sensor and/or the processing unit can be supplied with electrical energy using a battery or a landline power supply.

Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to generate electrical energy to supply the sensor and/or processing unit using so-called “energy harvesting”.

Energy harvesting refers to the extraction of small amounts of electrical energy from sources such as ambient temperature, vibrations or air currents for low-power mobile devices. The structures used for this are also known as nanogenerators. Energy harvesting avoids the limitations of wired power or batteries in wireless technologies.

• • Piezoelektrische Kristalle erzeugen bei Krafteinwirkung, beispielsweise durch Druck oder Vibration, elektrische Spannungen. Diese Kristalle können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• • Thermoelektrische Generatoren und pyroelektrische Kristalle gewinnen aus Temperaturunterschieden elektrische Energie. Diese Generatoren können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• • Über Antennen kann die Energie von Radiowellen, eine Form von elektromagnetischer Strahlung, aufgefangen und energetisch verwendet werden. Ein Beispiel dafür sind die passiven RFIDs. Diese Antennen können an oder auf dem Trägermaterial angeordnet sein.
• • Photovoltaik, elektrische Energie aus der Umgebungsbeleuchtung.
• • Osmose.

Energy harvesting options:

• • Piezoelectric crystals generate electrical voltages when force is applied, for example through pressure or vibration. These crystals can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• • Thermoelectric generators and pyroelectric crystals generate electrical energy from temperature differences. These generators can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• • The energy of radio waves, a form of electromagnetic radiation, can be collected and used energetically via antennas. An example of this are passive RFIDs. These antennas can be arranged on or on the carrier material.
• • Photovoltaics, electrical energy from ambient lighting.
• • Osmosis.

According to at least one embodiment, the sensor is additionally a capacitive pressure sensor, wherein the processing unit is additionally set up and intended to measure and/or store a change in capacitance of the capacitor caused by external pressure.

Basically, a capacitive sensor is a sensor that works based on the change in the electrical capacity of an individual capacitor or a capacitor system. The capacity can be influenced by the size to be recorded in various ways, which is primarily determined by the intended use.

• - Eine Platte wird durch den zumessenden Effekt verschoben und/oder verformt, wodurch sich der Plattenabstand und damit die elektrische messbare Kapazität ändern.
• - Die Platten sind starr und die Kapazität an Sich ändert sich dadurch, dass ein elektrisch leitendes Material oder ein Dielektrikum in unmittelbare Nähe gebracht wird.
• - Die wirksame Plattenfläche ändert sich, indem die Platten wie bei einem Drehkondensator gegeneinander verschoben werden.

A capacitive sensor is based, among other things, on the fact that two electrodes, one of which can be the measuring surface, form the “plates” of an electrical capacitor whose capacity or change in capacity is measured, which can be influenced as follows:

• - A plate is displaced and/or deformed by the measuring effect, which changes the plate distance and thus the electrical measurable capacitance.
• - The plates are rigid and the capacity itself changes when an electrically conductive material or dielectric is brought into close proximity.
• - The effective plate area changes by moving the plates against each other like a variable capacitor.

In order to be able to better detect even small changes, the actual measuring electrode can often be surrounded by a shielding electrode, which shields the inhomogeneous edge region of the electric field from the measuring electrode. This results in an approximately parallel electric field with the known characteristics of an ideal one between measuring electrodes and a usually grounded counter electrode Plate capacitor.

A capacitive pressure sensor is in particular one in which the change in capacitance as a result of the bending of a membrane and the resulting change in the plate distance is evaluated as a sensor effect. For example, the membrane is the above-mentioned dielectric or the individual capacitor electrodes, which are in particular in the form of a plate can be guided. In other words, in such an embodiment, a capacitive humidity sensor is combined with a capacitive pressure sensor in a novel way, but without these components forming separate elements or two separate sensors, but in the present embodiment it is a “two in one”. -Concept in which the same sensor functions as both a humidity sensor and a pressure sensor.

According to at least one embodiment, the carrier material is a woven material, in particular into which electrical conductor tracks are woven for electrical contacting of the sensor and the processing unit.

For the purposes of the invention, a woven fabric is therefore a fabric that has been woven manually or mechanically based on individual threads.

The electrical conductor tracks can therefore be integrated into a fabric in addition to the usual fibers and fabric strands or can replace individual fabric strands that form the fabric network.

Depending on the distance and properties of the individual threads (highly twisted, bulky, etc.), very loose fabrics such as bandage fabrics or dense fabrics such as brocade fabric can be created. Longitudinal elastic fabrics are made from rubber threads used as warp threads (more tapes are used) or crimped and bulky yarns. They are tensioned, processed and contract when at rest. Bulky yarns consist of textured, i.e. crimped, synthetic fibers. The crimp changes the properties of the synthetic fibers. The yarns spun on it are very elastic and voluminous and have good thermal insulation.

For example, the carrier material can be part of a cover material for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat or an office chair. In this respect, the sensor, but preferably the entire device, can be applied to the cover material of such a seat or integrated into it.

For example, the processing unit is set up and intended to record the individual moisture and pressure values and to determine at least one respective characteristic value from a combination of the individual moisture and pressure values, from which it can be deduced which individual (with weight and / or size ) is currently occupying the vehicle seat.

For example, a weight of the respective person can be derived and determined from the pressure measurement by the processing unit. The respective moisture that the respective person releases to the sensor can also be measured, the respective characteristic value being, for example, a product of the relative moisture value times the load weight determined by the processing unit.

If such a characteristic value exceeds a corresponding limit value, the processing unit can issue a warning, in particular by means of a connection to the electronics of the vehicle. This warning may indicate that the seat is overcrowded or the driver is sweating too much. However, this warning can also be replaced by a corresponding display indicating which occupancy type is using the seat. An occupancy type can be a weight classification of a respective user, or whether the user is an animal, a person or even a thing. Preferably, the processing unit can therefore be integrated into display electronics of the vehicle, or at least connectable to such.

For this purpose, it is conceivable that the processing unit connects to a receiving unit of the vehicle, for example via Bluetooth or another wireless connection, and the respective characteristic or limit value and/or the respective warning and/or the respective identification of the user is displayed on a display of the vehicle become.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that these individual values and/or identifications can also be accessed externally and/or represented externally. For example, the car can be monitored for overcrowding by an external controller.

For example, the processing unit can be connected to a triggering unit of an airbag by means of a data connection, so that the processing unit can also control and/or regulate the triggering unit, in particular with regard to a triggering time of the airbag. Additionally and/or alternatively, it is possible for the processing unit to supply a controller unit of the airbag with data, for example with regard to an occupancy type, position and/or weight of a user of the vehicle seat.

This data can result in the deployment time and sequence of deployment of the airbag being adapted to the user, so that personal injury to the user is avoided.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one electrode and/or dielectric layer is printed on the carrier material or on a, in particular water-impermeable, layer arranged on the carrier material or applied by means of a thin-film process.

This means that at least one element, preferably both the electrode and the dielectric layer, is printed on the carrier material or a preferably electrically non-conductive, more preferably water-impermeable layer applied between the sensor and the carrier material by means of a printing process.

The printing process can be, for example, an inkjet process.

For example, the processing unit is applied to the carrier material in the same way as the sensor. For this purpose, it is conceivable that the processing unit, but at least one, in particular conductive, layer of the processing unit is also printed on the carrier material, for example. Data communication between the processing unit and the sensor can then occur via the above-mentioned conductor tracks. These conductor tracks can be at least partially, but preferably completely, woven into the woven fabric or even form individual fibers of the woven fabric itself.

For example, at least one electrode is designed to be flat. This means that the thickness of the electrode is negligible compared to its surface area. Such an electrode can therefore be produced in particular using a printing process.

Alternatively, a thickness of at least one electrode can be at most 5 mm. For this purpose, the printing process can be used several times, so that at least two, but preferably more, individual printing layers are stacked on top of each other.

Furthermore, the electrode can also be arranged on the carrier material using a 3D printing process.

1. The FDM process (Fused Deposition Modeling)

Alternative names: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Fused Layer Modeling (FLM)

The process refers to layer-by-layer application (extrusion) of a material through a hot nozzle. The consumable material is in the form of a long wire (so-called filament) on a roll and is pushed through the conveyor unit into a print head, where it is melted and applied to a print bed. The print head and/or print bed can be moved in three directions. In this way, plastic layers can be applied step by step.

2. The SLS process (selective laser sintering)

In contrast to the sintering process, in which materials in powder form are bonded together under the influence of heat, with the SLS process this is done selectively using a laser (alternatively electron beam or infrared beam). So only a certain part of the powder is melted together.

For this purpose, a thin layer of powder is always applied to the printing bed by the coating unit. The laser (or other energy source) is now aimed precisely at individual points in the powder layer to form the first layer of the print data. Here the powder is melted or melted and then solidifies again through slight cooling. The unmelted powder remains around the sintered areas and serves as a supporting material. After a layer has solidified, the print bed lowers by a fraction of a millimeter. The coating unit now moves over the print bed and applies the next layer of powder. The second layer of print data is then sintered by the laser (or another energy source). This creates a three-dimensional object layer by layer.

3. Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP)

The 3DP process works very similarly to selective laser sintering, but instead of a directed energy source, a print head moves over the powder. This releases tiny droplets of binder onto the underlying powder layers, which are then bonded together. Otherwise, this procedure is the same as the SLS procedure.

4. Stereolithography (SLA)

Instead of a plastic wire or printing material in powder form, the stereolithography process uses liquid resins, so-called photopolymers. They are hardened layer by layer by UV radiation and thus create three-dimensional objects. To do this, the construction platform in the resin basin is gradually lowered. There are also variants (so-called polyjet process) without an entire basin of liquid resin. An epoxy resin is used for this applied little by little from a nozzle and immediately cured by a UV laser.

5. Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

Alternative name: Layer Laminated Manufacturing (LLM)

The process is based neither on chemical reactions nor on a thermal process. The contour is cut using a separating tool (e.g. a knife or carbon dioxide laser), a film or a plate (e.g. paper) and glued together in layers. By lowering the construction platform, a layered object is created from glued, superimposed films.

One or more waterproof layers and/or the moisture layer can be applied in the same type and/or thickness as the electrode.

According to at least one embodiment, the moisture layer completely covers the capacitor.

This can mean that the moisture layer delimits and closes off the sensor to the outside, i.e. in the transverse direction, so that the sensor is arranged between the moisture layer and the carrier material.

According to at least one embodiment, the sensor has at least one further capacitor, which is arranged in the transverse direction below or above the capacitor and spaced from the capacitor by a further water-impermeable layer on or below this further water-impermeable layer, so that a capacitor stack is created.

The further capacitor can be constructed in the same way as the capacitor and can also be arranged on the further water-impermeable layer in the same way as the capacitor.

By means of such a capacitor stack, the sensor system can be refined particularly easily, namely in the sense that it is conceivable that with two sensors forming the capacitor stack, both sensors perform the same tasks, but respective measured values are determined by the individual sensors, which, taken together, result in an average value let. For example, the (relative) humidity of the environment is measured by each of the two sensors, and the average humidity value is then determined from these two measured values. The same can be done accordingly with the pressure measurement, so that the accuracy of the entire measurement, in particular a combination of the measurements of (relative) humidity and the respective pressure, can be made particularly precise.

According to at least one embodiment, the waterproof layer and/or the further waterproof layer at least partially forms the dielectric layer itself.

This can mean that instead of separately positioning a dielectric layer next to the water-impermeable layer and/or next to the further water-impermeable layer, this dielectric layer itself is formed by the water-impermeable layer and/or the further water-impermeable layer.

Such production of the dielectric layer by the water-impermeable layer(s) therefore forms a particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing process for a cost-effective device.

Apart from that, it can basically be provided that the electrodes, the dielectric layer and the water-impermeable layer(s) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that an electrical short circuit is prevented in any case.

According to at least one embodiment, a maximum thickness of the moisture layer is at least 30% and at most 80% of the maximum thickness of the waterproof layer and/or the maximum thickness of the further waterproof layer.

This not only ensures a particularly flat sensor, but also ensures a particularly fast response time to changes in humidity. The moisture acting on the moisture layer from outside therefore does not have to travel long distances to the dielectric.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature, it being particularly noted that all features disclosed for the device described above are also disclosed for the method described here and vice versa.

According to at least one embodiment, the method for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature initially comprises a first step by means of which at least one sensor for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature temperature is provided, wherein the sensor has at least one capacitor with at least two electrodes, which are arranged relative to one another, in particular in a horizontal direction along and on a, in particular flexible, carrier material, at least one dielectric layer being arranged between the electrodes.

According to the invention, at least one, at least partially liquid-permeable and/or liquid-absorbing moisture layer is arranged at least in places on a side facing away from the carrier material, with the at least one electrode and/or the dielectric layer being arranged in a transverse direction between the carrier material and the moisture layer are arranged, so that a capacitance changes at least partially due to the liquid hitting the dielectric layer, with a processing unit measuring and / or storing this change, so that a capacitive moisture sensor is created.

The method described above has the same advantages and advantageous configurations as the device described above.

The invention described here is described in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments and the associated figures.

Components that are the same or have the same effect are given the same reference numerals.

In the 1 a device and method according to the invention for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature is shown. How now? 1 can be removed, it can be seen there that the device 100 comprises at least one pressure sensor 30, which is arranged on or within a support element 2, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the pressure sensor 30 is set up and intended to measure a pressure between the user 1 and the support surface 2. In addition, the device 100 includes a moisture sensor 30, which is arranged on or within a support element 2, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, the moisture sensor 30 being set up and intended to be a To measure moisture between the user 1 and the support surface 2.

However, the device 100 also includes a temperature sensor 30, which is arranged on or within a support element 2, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, the temperature sensor 30 being set up and intended for this purpose. to measure a temperature between the user 1 and the support surface 2.

The 1 So shows that all sensors 30 are connected to a processing and control unit, whereby the target measuring area 23 (area of interest) is determined by the pressure load, a moisture determination and / or a temperature development of the support surface 2 by means of the processing and control unit a larger area and/or volume sensor area 21 of the support surface 2 can be determined, so that depending on at least one of these measured values, the user 1 is informed via a display area, signal tones and/or haptic signals, and/or countermeasures according to one by means of the processing and control unit If at least one of the limit values is exceeded or fallen below, i.e. with regard to temperature, pressure and / or humidity, at least the target area is at least partially treated accordingly in order to shift the measured value back below or above the limit value, in particular by means of cooling, heating, heating, ventilation of the target area to shift the measured value.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the support surface 2 is divided into sensor measuring sub-segments 22, and the target measurement area 23 of the support surface 2 can be determined by means of the processing and control unit, the target measurement area 23 being smaller in area and/or volume than the support surface 2, in particular where the sensor area 21 of the support surface 2 is one which is formed in sections, for example in the form of quadrants along the support surface 2, with the target measuring area 23 being formed by the quadrants.

Therefore, only such squares of the sensor area 21 are used for measurement in the target measuring area 23, with the support surface 2 being in contact with the user 1 at least in places over a determinable period of time.

The target measurement area 23 is a part of the support surface 2 and both surface sizes of the support surface 2 and the target measurement area 23 are the same or substantially the same size.

The square selection is a first area approximation of an actual lying area 24 and its borders.

In the 1 It is also shown that along each quadrant there are at least two, but preferably several, sensors 30 for measuring Pressure, humidity and / or temperature are arranged in order to define only certain quadrant surface parts as the target measuring area 23.

A sum of the area of the quadrant area parts results in an outline area of the target measuring area 23, for example on which the user 1 lies, within a contour approximation of the actual lying contour 25 of the user 1 on the support surface 2

A target characteristic area generated in this way consists of at least two Areas of Interest (AOI), and only within these AOIs does the processing and control unit measure temperature, humidity and/or pressure.

Within the target characteristic range, and thus within at least one AOI in response to the respective measured values, the target characteristic range is heated, cooled, dried or subjected to some other reaction treatment.

Tue 1 also represents a method 1000 for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature of a target measuring area 23 (area of interest) touched on and/or on a sensor field 21 by a user 1, which includes at least one pressure sensor 30, which on or within a support element 2, in particular a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the pressure sensor 30 measures a pressure between the user 1 and the support surface 2. In addition, the method 1000 includes at least one moisture sensor 30, which is arranged on or within a support element 2, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the moisture sensor 30 detects moisture between the user 1 and the support surface 2 measures. The method 1000 for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature also includes at least one temperature sensor 30, which is arranged on or within a support element 2, in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, an upholstery of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the temperature sensor 30 measures a temperature between the user 1 and the support surface 2.

All sensors 30 are connected to a processing and control unit, with the target measuring area 23 (area of interest) being determined from a surface area by means of the processing and control unit due to the pressure load, a moisture determination and/or a temperature development of the support surface 2. and/or volumetrically larger sensor area 21 of the support surface 2 can be determined, so that depending on at least one of these measured values, the user 1 is informed via a display area, signal tones and/or haptic signals, and/or by means of the processing and control unit countermeasures after an excess or If at least one of the limit values falls below, i.e. with regard to temperature, pressure and / or humidity, at least the target area is at least partially treated accordingly in order to shift the measured value back below or above the limit value, in particular by means of cooling, warming, heating, ventilating the target area to move the measured value.

The invention is not limited by the description based on the exemplary embodiment. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature, as well as every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly stated in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiments.

Reference symbol list

1

user

2

Support element, support surface

21

Sensor field, sensor area

22

Sensor measuring segments

23

Target measurement range

24

Lying area

25

Lying contour

30

Sensors100 device

1000

Proceedings

Claims (10)

Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature of a target measuring area (23) (area of interest) touched on and/or on a sensor field (21) by a user (1), comprising o at least one pressure sensor (30, which is arranged on or within a support element (2), in particular a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, the pressure sensor (30) being set up and intended to detect a pressure between the user (1) and the support surface (2), o at least one moisture sensor (30), which is on or within a support element (2), in particular a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed topper, an upholstery of a driver's seat zes or similar is arranged, the moisture sensor (30) being set up and intended to measure moisture between the user (1) and the support surface (2), or at least one temperature sensor (30) which is on or within a support element ( 2), in particular a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed topper, a cushion for a driver's seat or the like, the temperature sensor (30) being set up and intended to detect a temperature between the user (1) and the support surface (2 ) to measure, characterized in that all sensors (30) are connected to a processing and control unit, the target measuring range (23) being determined by the pressure load, a moisture determination and/or a temperature development of the support surface (2) by means of the processing and control unit. (Area of interest) can be determined from a sensor area (21) of the support surface (2) that is larger in area and/or volume, so that depending on at least one of these measured values, the user (1) can use a display area, signal tones and/or haptic Signals are informed, and / or by means of the processing and control unit countermeasures after exceeding or falling below at least one of the limit values, i.e. with regard to temperature, pressure and / or humidity, at least the target area is at least partially treated accordingly in order to bring the measured value back below or to shift the measured value above the limit value, in particular by cooling, warming, heating and ventilating the target area. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature Claim 1 , characterized in that the support surface (2) is divided into sensor measuring sub-segments (22), and the target measurement area (23) of the support surface (2) can be determined by means of the processing and control unit, the target measurement area (23) being smaller in terms of area and/or volume is as the support surface (2), in particular wherein the sensor area (21) of the support surface (2) is one which is formed in sections, for example in the form of quadrants along the support surface (2), the target measuring area (23) being formed by the Quadrant is formed. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature Claim 2 , characterized in that only such squares of the sensor area (21) are used for measurement in the target measuring area (23), with the support surface (2) being in contact with the user (1) at least in places over a determinable period of time. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target measuring area (23) is part of the support surface (2) and both surface sizes of the support surface (2) and the target measurement area ( 23) are the same or substantially the same size. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the square selection is a first area approximation to an actual lying surface (24) and its boundary. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two, but preferably several, sensors (30) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature are arranged along each quadrant are in order to define only certain quadrant surface parts as the target measuring area (23) within a sensor field (21). Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature Claim 6 , characterized in that a sum of the area of the quadrant area parts results in an outline area of the target measuring area (23), for example on which the user (1) lies, within a contour approximation of the actual lying contour (25) of the user (1) on the support surface (2) corresponds. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that a target characteristic area generated in this way consists of at least two Areas of Interest (AOI), and only within these AOIs does the processing and control unit measure temperature, humidity and / or pressure. Device (100) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that within the target characteristic range, and thus within at least one AOI in response to the respective measured values, the target characteristic range is heated, cooled, dried or subjected to some other reaction treatment. Method (1000) for measuring pressure, humidity and/or temperature of a target measuring area (23) touched on and/or on a sensor field (21) by a user (1). o at least one pressure sensor (30), which is arranged on or within a support element (2), in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like, the pressure sensor (30) detecting a pressure between the user (1) and the support surface (2), o at least one moisture sensor (30), which is arranged on or within a support element (2), in particular a bed sheet, a duvet cover, a bed topper, an upholstery of a driver's seat or the like, wherein the moisture sensor (30) measures moisture between the user (1) and the support surface (2), o at least one temperature sensor (30), which is on or within a support element (2), in particular a bed sheet, a bed cover, a bed Topper, a cushion of a driver's seat or the like is arranged, the temperature sensor (30) measuring a temperature between the user (1) and the support surface (2), characterized in that all sensors (30) are connected to a processing and control unit , whereby the target measuring area (23) (area of interest) is selected from a sensor area (21) that is larger in area and/or volume by means of the pressure load, a moisture determination and/or a temperature development of the support surface (2) by means of the processing and control unit. the support surface (2) can be determined, so that depending on at least one of these measured values, the user (1) is informed about a display surface, signal tones and / or haptic signals, and / or by means of the processing and control unit countermeasures after exceeding or falling below at least one of the limit values, i.e. with regard to temperature, pressure and / or humidity, at least the target area is at least partially treated accordingly in order to shift the measured value back below or above the limit value, in particular by means of cooling, warming, heating, ventilating the target area move.

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