KR20170077514A

KR20170077514A - Chair of sensing pressure

Info

Publication number: KR20170077514A
Application number: KR1020150187460A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 박용화; 김비이; 김승진; 박현규; 윤형; 조인희
Original assignee: 엘지이노텍 주식회사
Priority date: 2015-12-28
Filing date: 2015-12-28
Publication date: 2017-07-06

Abstract

A pressure sensing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a seat comprising a first sheet layer and a second sheet layer disposed on the first sheet layer, a first sheet layer disposed between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer, A signal processing unit connected to the pressure sensing sensor for processing electrical signals generated by the pressure sensing sensor and a control unit for generating a control signal according to a result processed by the signal processing unit, The pressure sensing sensor includes a first electrode layer comprising a first conductive region comprising a conductive fabric, an elastic dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode layer, a second conductive region disposed on the elastic dielectric layer, A second electrode layer, and a flexible circuit board electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

Description

{CHAIR OF SENSING PRESSURE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a pressure sensing chair, and more particularly, to a pressure sensing chair incorporating a pressure sensing sensor in a seat of a chair.

Recently, the development of electronic technology and information communication technology has been rapidly developing the field of health care. That is, there is a demand for a health management system capable of measuring the body condition of a person using biometric information. In particular, a technique for acquiring biometric information using a chair mainly used in daily life has been developed. For example, techniques have been developed to detect the weight, age, and posture of a seated person by attaching a sensor to the pressure sensor.

However, a common chair for acquiring biometric information requires a plurality of independent sensors for measuring a large area, and a space for connecting modules for driving each sensor is additionally required. Further, since the sensor is not flexible and stretchable, it is difficult to apply it to a chair having a curved surface shape, and there is a problem that a foreign body sensed by the sensor is felt when the user is seated in a chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure sensing chair for sensing a pressure and a position according to an applied weight.

The first sheet layer may further include a groove for receiving the pressure sensing sensor, and the pressure sensing sensor may be disposed in the groove.

The thickness of the second sheet layer may be smaller than the thickness of the first sheet layer.

The thickness of the second sheet layer may be between 1 mm and 5 mm.

The modulus of elasticity of the second sheet layer may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first sheet layer.

The density of the second sheet layer may be greater than the density of the first sheet layer.

A plurality of second conductive regions having a smaller area than the first conductive region may be disposed on the first conductive region at a predetermined interval.

Wherein the first electrode layer comprises two first conductive regions connected to each other by a conductive fabric and the second electrode layer comprises a plurality of second conductive regions disposed on one first conductive region and a second conductive region And a plurality of second conductive regions disposed on the first conductive region.

The pressure sensing sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention can precisely detect the pressure according to the applied weight and can accurately detect the pressure distribution. Also, the pressure sensing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention can be large- , A foreign body feeling is not felt to the user. In addition, the pressure sensing chair according to the embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of pressure sensing points and is simple in modularization. In particular, the pressure sensing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention has good durability even if the user frequently repeats sitting and standing.

1 shows a pressure sensing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a pressure sensing device incorporated in a pressure sensing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a bottom view of a pressure sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a top view of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a seat plate incorporating a pressure sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is an exploded view of a seat plate incorporating a pressure sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms including ordinal, such as second, first, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, the first component may also be referred to as a second component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like are used to specify that there is a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a pressure sensing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a pressure sensing device incorporated in a pressure sensing chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the pressure sensing chair 100 includes a seat 110, an armrest 120, a backrest 130, a leg 140, and the like. When a person is seated on the seat 110, the pressure sensing device 200 built in the pressure sensing chair 100 can detect whether a person is seated and measure the relative pressure distribution according to seating. The pressure sensing device 200 can detect the weight, the age range, the sitting position, etc. according to the measured pressure distribution.

The pressure sensing device 200 may include a pressure sensing sensor 210, a signal processing unit 220, a control unit 230, and a communication unit 240. The pressure sensing sensor 210 may detect whether a person is seated on the seat 110 and a relative pressure distribution due to seating.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensing sensor 210 may be disposed in the seat 110. [ The signal processing unit 220 may be disposed inside or outside the seat 110 and may be connected to the pressure sensor 210 to process an electrical signal generated by the pressure sensor 210. The control unit 230 is connected to the signal processing unit 220 and may generate a control signal based on the signal processed by the signal processing unit 220. For example, the control unit 230 may control the on / off state of the pressure sensing device 200 by using the result of processing the signal sensed by the pressure sensing sensor 210. As another example, the control unit 220 may generate diagnostic information on the posture of the seated person using the result of processing the signal sensed by the pressure sensor 210. [ In another example, the controller 220 may generate an alarm signal for calibrating the posture of the seated person using the result of processing the signal sensed by the pressure sensor 210.

The communication unit 240 transmits the control signal generated by the control unit 230 to the external device.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B' of FIG.

3 to 5, the pressure sensing sensor 210 includes a first electrode layer 300, an elastic dielectric layer 310 disposed on the first electrode layer 300, a second electrode layer 300 disposed on the elastic dielectric layer 310, (320) and a flexible circuit board (330).

The first electrode layer 300 includes first conductive regions 302 and 304 formed of a conductive fabric and the second electrode layer 320 includes a second conductive region 322 formed of a conductive fabric.

Here, the conductive fabric is a fabric composed of conductive fibers, and the conductive fibers may be a metal wire or a plain fiber coated with a metal film on the surface. The conductive fibers may be ordinary fibers in which metal particles are dispersed. When the conductive fiber is a metal wire, the diameter of the metal wire may be 10 탆 to 100 탆. If the diameter of the metal wire is less than 10 mu m, the strength of the metal wire may be too weak to process the fabric. If the diameter of the metal wire is more than 100 mu m, the rigidity of the metal wire may be high and the flexibility of the fabric may deteriorate. It can damage the equipment, and the user is likely to feel a sense of heterogeneity. At this time, the metal wire may be Cu, Ni, or a stainless steel alloy. The stainless alloy may be, for example, a martensitic stainless alloy, a ferritic stainless alloy, an austenitic stainless alloy, a two-phase stainless alloy, a precipitation hardening stainless alloy, or the like. When the metal wire is a stainless steel alloy, corrosion resistance of the pressure sensor 210 can be increased.

When the conductive fiber is a general fiber coated with a metal film on the surface, the metal film can be formed by a method in which the metal particles are coated on the surface of the ordinary fiber by a plating method or a vapor deposition method. At this time, the metal particles may be Cu, Ni, or a stainless alloy, and the thickness of the metal film may be 1 to 50 탆. If the thickness of the metal film is less than 1 탆, the conductivity may be low, which may cause a loss in signal transmission. If the thickness of the metal film exceeds 50 탆, the metal film may be easily separated from the surface of the fiber.

The elastic dielectric layer 310 is elastically deformed when a pressure is applied from the outside, and is a dielectric material having a restoring force that returns to the original shape when the pressure is released. The elastomeric dielectric layer 310 may be formed of any suitable combination of materials including, for example, a fibrous substrate having a random fiber arrangement such as foam, nonwoven, nanoweb, etc., a composite comprising one selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate and polyester Fibers or natural fibers, elastomers, rubbers, urethanes, and the like. At this time, the thickness of the elastic dielectric layer 310 may be 50 탆 to 300 탆.

When the elastic deformation layer 310 is disposed between the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer 320 and the pressure is applied to the second electrode layer 320, And the capacitance between the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer 320 is changed. This phenomenon can be explained by the following equation.

Here, C is the capacitance and, A is an area that overlaps the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer (320), d is the distance between the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer (320), ε _r is Is the dielectric constant of the elastic dielectric layer 310, and? ₀ is an electrical constant.

The pressure sensing sensor 210 and the pressure sensing device 200 including the pressure sensing sensor 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention can sense a pressure applied on the pressure sensing sensor 210 based on the amount of change in capacitance. That is, when a constant voltage difference is maintained between the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer 320, the amount of charge between the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer 320 changes when the capacitance is changed. When the amount of charge between the first electrode layer 300 and the second electrode layer 320 changes, the electric signal flowing through the first and second conductive regions changes, (Not shown).

A plurality of second conductive regions 322 smaller in area than the first conductive regions 302 and 304 may be disposed on the first conductive regions 302 and 304 at predetermined intervals. For example, the two first conductive regions 302 and 304 are connected to each other through a conductive fabric, and a plurality of second conductive regions 302 and 304, which are smaller in area than the first conductive region 302, A plurality of regions 322-11, 322-12, ..., and 322-1n are arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and an area smaller than that of the first conductive region 304 is formed on the other first conductive region 304 The second conductive regions 322-21, 322-22, ..., and 322-2m may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

The wires 324-11, 324-12, ..., 324-1n, 324-21, 324-22, ..., and 324-1m made of the conductive fabric are electrically connected to the respective second conductive regions 322- 322-1, 322-12, ..., 322-1n, 322-21, 322-22, ..., 322-1m, and connected to the copper wiring inserted in the flexible circuit board 330. [ The wiring 306 made of a conductive fabric can also be connected to a copper wiring which is drawn out from one of the two first conductive regions 302 and 304 and inserted in the flexible circuit board 330.

The pressure sensing device 210 and the pressure sensing device 200 including the pressure sensing device 210 according to the embodiment of the present invention are disposed in the second conductive areas 322-11 and 322-12 ..., 322-1n, 322-21, 322-22, ..., and 322-2m, respectively. That is, the second conductive regions 322-11, 322-12 ..., 322-1n, 322-21, 322-22, ..., and 322-2m may function as one sensing point, and the distribution of capacitance variation on the pressure sensing sensor 210 may be obtained .

In a case where the pressure sensing device 210 and the pressure sensing device 200 including the pressure sensing device 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied to a chair, the posture of a person sitting on the seat can be analyzed.

At this time, as shown in Figs. 6 to 7, each of the second conductive regions 322-11, 322-12, ..., 322-1n, 322-21, 322-22, ..., 322-1m The wires 324-11, 324-12, ..., 324-1n, 324-21, 324-22, ..., and 324-1m drawn out from the first conductive regions 302, When the wiring extended from the second conductive region overlaps with the first conductive region, if a pressure is applied on the portion where the wiring and the first conductive region overlap, the wiring is drawn out The wiring 306 that is drawn out from at least one of the two first conductive regions 302 and 304 is arranged on the second conductive region 302. [ .

More specifically, the wirings 324-n drawn out from the respective second conductive regions 322-11, 322-12, ..., 322-1 n, 322-21, 322-22, The distance a between the edges of the first conductive regions 302 and 304 and the edges of the first conductive regions 302 and 304 is 5 mm Or more. If the distance a is less than 5 mm, it may be recognized that the elasticity of the elastic dielectric 310 causes the capacitance to change for the second conductive region from which the wiring is drawn.

Here, the wirings 324-11 and 324 (FIG. 32) drawn out from the respective second conductive regions 322-11, 322-12, ..., 322-1n, 322-21, 322-22, -12, ..., 324-1n, 324-21, 324-22, ..., 324-1m may be disposed between the two first conductive regions 302, 304. Thus, the area occupied by the wiring can be reduced. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The wiring can be formed variously if it is within a range that does not overlap with the two first conductive regions 302 and 304.

Here, the flexible circuit board 330 is formed on one side of the elastic dielectric layer 310, that is, on the surface on which the second electrode layer 320 is disposed, and a wiring 306 (not shown) extending from one of the first conductive areas 302 and 304 Is connected to the flexible circuit board 330 through the elastic dielectric layer 310. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The flexible circuit board extends on the other surface of the elastic dielectric layer 310, that is, the surface on which the first electrode layer 300 is disposed, and wirings respectively drawn out from the plurality of second conductive areas penetrate the elastic dielectric layer 310, Or may be connected to a circuit board. Alternatively, one flexible printed circuit board may be connected to one side of the elastic dielectric layer 310, that is, the side where the second electrode layer 320 is disposed, and connected to the wirings respectively drawn out from the plurality of second conductive areas, The circuit board may be connected to the other side of the elastic dielectric layer 310, that is, the wiring extended from the one of the two first conductive regions, extending on the side where the first electrode layer 300 is disposed. Alternatively, the flexible circuit board may be disposed on the side surface of the elastic dielectric layer 310 and extend so that one side of the flexible circuit board is connected to the wirings respectively drawn out from the plurality of second conductive areas, and the other side of the flexible circuit board And may be connected to the wiring drawn out from one of the two first conductive regions. Or a flexible circuit board is disposed on the side surface of the elastic dielectric layer 310 and extends so that one side of the flexible circuit board is drawn out from one of the two first conductive areas and the wiring lines respectively drawn out from the plurality of second conductive areas It may be connected to the wiring.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the two first conductive regions 302 and 304 are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other, and the plurality of second conductive regions 322-11, 322-12, ..., 322-1n and the second conductive regions 322-21, 322-22, ..., 322-1m disposed on the other conductive region 304 are symmetrical with respect to each other . Accordingly, the amount of change in capacitance formed on the left and right sides of the pressure sensor 210 can be obtained, and the inclination of the posture or the like can be determined based on this.

At this time, at least three second conductive regions may be disposed on one first conductive region. When at least three second conductive regions are disposed on one first conductive region, at least three pairs of left and right capacitance variation amounts can be obtained, so that the resolution of pressure sensing can be increased.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensing sensor 210 may be disposed inside the seat plate 110.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a seat plate incorporating a pressure sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a seat plate incorporating a pressure sensing sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 to 9, the seat plate 110 includes a first sheet layer 112, a pressure sensing sensor 210 disposed on the first sheet layer 112, and a pressure sensor 110 disposed on the pressure sensing sensor 210. [ 2 < / RTI >

Thus, if the pressure sensor 210 is disposed between the first sheet layer 112 and the second sheet layer 114 constituting the seat panel 110, even if the user repeatedly sits and sits frequently, the pressure sensor 210 Is not directly affected by the physical effect, the durability of the pressure sensing sensor 210 can be enhanced. In addition, the user may not feel a foreign body sensation due to the pressure sensing sensor 210 at all.

At this time, the first sheet layer 112, the pressure sensor 210, and the second sheet layer 114 may be adhered to each other. For example, a first adhesive layer (not shown) may be disposed between the first sheet layer 112 and the pressure sensing sensor 210, and a second adhesive layer (not shown) may be disposed between the pressure sensing sensor 210 and the second sheet layer 114. [ (Not shown) may be disposed. At least one of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer may include at least one of a hot melt adhesive, a PVA (polyvinyl acetates) adhesive, a PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) adhesive, and a cyanoacrylic adhesive, The adhesive may be an adhesive tape coated on both sides.

9, a groove 900 for receiving the pressure sensing sensor 210 is formed on the first sheet layer 112, and a pressure sensing sensor 210 is disposed on the groove 900 . The size of the groove 900 may vary depending on the size of the pressure sensing sensor 210. However, the size of the groove 900 should not exceed 10 mm, 10 mm and 2 mm, respectively, in comparison with the width W, the length L and the thickness D of the pressure sensing sensor 210. If the size of the groove 900 is out of this range, the pressure sensing sensor 210 is not firmly coupled to the groove 900, so that the pressure sensing sensor 210 is detached from the groove 900 during long- , There is a possibility of being deformed.

Further, the bottom surface of the groove 900 is formed flat regardless of the surface shape of the seat, and the pressure-sensing sensor 210 can be seated on a flat surface. Accordingly, even though the surface of the seat plate 110 is ergonomically designed and has a curved shape, a certain amount of force can be applied to the pressure sensor 210.

Here, the first sheet layer 112 and the second sheet layer 114 may include urethane, cotton, polyurethane, foamed foam, rubber sponge, and the like.

At this time, the thickness of the first sheet layer 112 is different from the thickness of the second sheet layer 114, and the modulus of elasticity and density of the first sheet layer 112 depend on the modulus of elasticity and density Lt; / RTI >

That is, the thickness of the second sheet layer 114 may be less than the thickness of the first sheet layer 112. For example, the thickness of the second sheet layer 114 may be between 1 mm and 5 mm. Accordingly, the first sheet layer 112 can support the pressure sensing sensor 210 and can prevent the sensitivity of the pressure sensing sensor 210 from being deteriorated due to the thickness of the second sheet layer 114 have.

In addition, the modulus of elasticity of the second sheet layer 114 may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first sheet layer 112. That is, the second sheet layer 114 may have a lower strain rate than the second sheet layer 112. Accordingly, the weight applied to the upper surface of the second sheet layer 114 can be easily transmitted to the pressure sensor 210. To this end, the density of the second sheet layer 114 may be greater than the density of the first sheet layer 112. For example, even when the first sheet layer 112 and the second sheet layer 114 are formed of the same urethane material, the density of the second sheet layer 114 may be higher than the density of the first sheet layer 112 The second sheet layer 114 is harder than the first sheet layer 112, so that weight transfer to the pressure sensor 210 is facilitated.

8 to 9, the first sheet layer 112 has a through hole (not shown) extending from the top surface, that is, the surface facing the pressure sensor 210, to the bottom surface of the seat 110, Gt; 910 < / RTI > The pressure sensing sensor 210 may be electrically connected to the signal processing unit 220 disposed under the seat plate 110 through the through hole 910.

The pressure sensing sensor 210 and the signal processing unit 220 may be connected to each other through a flexible circuit board 330 included in the pressure sensing sensor 210 or may be connected through a wire connected to the flexible circuit board 330, ) PCB.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims It can be understood that

110:
112: first sheet layer
114: second sheet layer
210: Pressure sensor

Claims

A first sheet layer, and a second sheet layer disposed on the first sheet layer,
A pressure sensor disposed between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer,
A signal processor connected to the pressure sensor for processing electrical signals generated by the pressure sensor,
A control unit for generating a control signal in accordance with a result processed by the signal processing unit,
Lt; / RTI >
The pressure sensor
A first electrode layer including a first conductive region made of a conductive fabric,
An elastic dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode layer,
A second electrode layer disposed on the elastic dielectric layer, the second electrode layer comprising a second conductive region comprising a conductive fabric, and
A flexible circuit board electrically connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer,
The pressure sensing chair comprising:

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first sheet layer further comprises a groove for receiving the pressure sensing sensor,
Wherein the pressure sensing sensor is disposed within the groove.

3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the thickness of the second sheet layer is less than the thickness of the first sheet layer.

The method of claim 3,
Wherein the thickness of the second sheet layer is 1 mm to 5 mm.

3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the modulus of elasticity of the second sheet layer is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first sheet layer.

6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the density of the second sheet layer is greater than the density of the first sheet layer.

3. The method of claim 2,
And a plurality of second conductive regions having a smaller area than the first conductive region are disposed on the first conductive region at a predetermined interval.

8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the first electrode layer comprises two first conducting regions connected to each other by a conductive fabric,
Wherein the second electrode layer comprises a plurality of second conductive regions disposed on one first conductive region and a plurality of second conductive regions disposed on another one of the first conductive regions.