WO1999060357A1 - Pressure sensor - Google Patents
Pressure sensor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999060357A1 WO1999060357A1 PCT/GB1999/001601 GB9901601W WO9960357A1 WO 1999060357 A1 WO1999060357 A1 WO 1999060357A1 GB 9901601 W GB9901601 W GB 9901601W WO 9960357 A1 WO9960357 A1 WO 9960357A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- layers
- conductive layers
- sensor according
- conductive
- operable
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/045—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B7/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
- G01B7/28—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L1/00—Measuring force or stress, in general
- G01L1/20—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
- G01L1/205—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using distributed sensing elements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L5/00—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01L5/22—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers
- G01L5/226—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers to manipulators, e.g. the force due to gripping
- G01L5/228—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the force applied to control members, e.g. control members of vehicles, triggers to manipulators, e.g. the force due to gripping using tactile array force sensors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
- A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
- A61B5/6892—Mats
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
- H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
- H01H3/14—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
- H01H3/141—Cushion or mat switches
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a pressure sensor, preferably formed from conductive fabric layers, for use, for example in determining the type of pressure applied to an area.
- a sensor capable of detecting applied pressure and providing information as to the area, location and/or extent of the pressure.
- the preferred embodiment provides an electrical switch and/or sensor, of largely fabric construction, capable of detecting applied pressure and providing information as to the area, location and extent of that pressure.
- a pressure sensor including at least three conductive layers and at least two spacing layers interposed between the conductive layers .
- the spacing layers in effect provide a two or more tier pressure sensor useful in giving an indication of the amount of pressure .
- fabric layers incorporating conductive fibres or yarns, normally held apart by separator means can be brought into electrical contact by applying pressure across the layers, to act as an electrical switch.
- a practical embodiment includes at least two sheets of textile (woven or knitted) construction having electrically conductive yarns or fibres or filaments in their structure. these can be separated electrically by at least one separator layer. These layers are assembled into a sheet structure with multiple layers .
- the separator layer is of insulating material and can be in the form of raised bumps, a grid/mesh of any pattern, or stripes/bands. The thickness and spacing of the elements of the separator layer is such that when a certain level of pressure is applied across the thickness of the sheet assembly, electrical contact is made between the normally separate layers .
- the separator means may be configured such that a pre-determined pressure is required to make contact across the assembly .
- the separator means allow maximum flexibility and elasticity of the assembly in at least two axes without causing accidental bridging.
- the invention also provides a method of measuring and interpreting electrical voltages and resistance across layers in contact, in order to obtain some information relating to the area of contact and to the position and shape of that contact:
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of fabric pressure sensor
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sensor of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 shows the sensor of Figure 1 in use .
- conductive fibres are incorporated into textile structures to form upper (A) and lower (B) conductive fabric layers. These layers are separated by an open mesh (C) formed of a flexible insulating material.
- the three layers (A,B,C) are assembled into a structure.
- the thickness of the separator layer, in combination with its scale of spacing and the flexibility of the layers determine the pressure required to make contact between the conductive layers.
- Figure 2 shows electrical connections (D) which are made at one point (H) on the upper sheet (A), and at four points (E,F,G,I) on the lower sheet (B) .
- a (low) voltage is applied across two of the connections on the lower sheet, for example E-G.
- a measurement of voltage is then made at H . If the two layers are in electrical contact, a voltage will be present, which is proportional to the position of the centre of that contact along the axis E-G.
- a measurement of electrical resistance is then taken between E and H.
- This resistance (Ra) will vary proportional to a) the position and b) the area of electrical contact between the conductive sheets.
- a calculation of the expected resistance (Rp) assuming the contact between the sheets to be a single point can be made using the positional information previously obtained.
- the area of contact between the two layers is proportional to (Rp) minus (Ra) if only a single point of contact exists.
- Information regarding the shape may be used to establish ⁇ density of contact' between the two layers; i.e. the relative proportions of E to F in Figure 3. This will be proportional to the pressure applied across the assembly within certain limits .
- Testing of a prototype sensor has given an indication of the shape of the region which is subjected to pressure above the threshold pressure to cause contact of the two conductive layers .
- separators similar to above example, where at least one additional conductive layer, and separator means are added are also possible. This would normally be used with separators of different thickness and/or spacing so that contact would be made between different layers at different degrees of pressure, to provide for example incremental pressure switch outpu .
- Assemblies may also include at least two of the described layers largely created in a single pass during the weaving or knitting process .
- the conductive sheets may comprise continuous conductive fibres interwoven in both directions, as in the above example, or electrically independent stripes or threads, with electrical connection points at one or both ends.
- the separator layers may be in the form of raised lumps of insulating fabric or other material, which may also be incorporated into the structure of one or both of the conductive sheets. Alternatively or additionally, they may be in the form of raised bars or stripes of insulating fabric or other material, which may also be incorporated into the structure of one or both of the conductive sheets.
- separator layers could be in the form or could include a "honeycomb' or other grid of insulating fabric or other material, which may also be incorporated into the structure of one or both of the conductive sheets; or of "drop-threads' of insulating fabric or other material, incorporated into the structure of one or both of the conductive sheets.
- the assembly may have a waterproof coating or casing.
- the fabric version of the sensor can be used where hard or sharp objects are undesirable, for example in toys, clothing or bedding; it is lightweight, low cost, comfortable, will conform to surfaces with compound curves (curves in up to three dimensions) , versatile, may be incorporated into other fabric structures and can be made to be unobtrusive.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)
- Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP99922372A EP1080351A1 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1999-05-20 | Pressure sensor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9811021.6 | 1998-05-21 | ||
GB9811021A GB2339495B (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1998-05-21 | Pressure sensor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999060357A1 true WO1999060357A1 (en) | 1999-11-25 |
Family
ID=10832525
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1999/001601 WO1999060357A1 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1999-05-20 | Pressure sensor |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1080351A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2339495B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999060357A1 (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2343516A (en) * | 1998-11-03 | 2000-05-10 | Univ Brunel | Fabric pressure sensor comprising conductive layers or strips and an insulating separator |
GB2350683A (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2000-12-06 | Univ Brunel | Conductive textile assembly for a pressure sensor |
US6452479B1 (en) | 1999-05-20 | 2002-09-17 | Eleksen Limited | Detector contructed from fabric |
WO2003060449A1 (en) * | 2002-01-03 | 2003-07-24 | Technoskin, Llc | An signal-emitting fabric strain gauge device |
WO2004109589A1 (en) * | 2003-06-05 | 2004-12-16 | Chasco Perez De Arenaza Juan C | Intelligent laminated pressure surface |
US7365031B2 (en) * | 2000-04-03 | 2008-04-29 | Intelligent Textiles Limited | Conductive pressure sensitive textile |
CN102002791A (en) * | 2010-11-29 | 2011-04-06 | 武汉纺织大学 | Touch electronic fabric |
DE102004025237B4 (en) * | 2003-09-08 | 2011-07-07 | Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland e.V., 07973 | Textile pressure and tension sensor |
US20120091990A1 (en) * | 2010-10-19 | 2012-04-19 | Shohei Tsukada | Contact sensor, driver device, and care bed |
US8298968B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2012-10-30 | Intelligent Textiles Limited | Electrical components and circuits constructed as textiles |
CN103054590A (en) * | 2012-12-26 | 2013-04-24 | 南昌大学 | Foot style and pressure detection floor mat device |
EP3173757A1 (en) * | 2015-11-25 | 2017-05-31 | Pilz GmbH & Co. KG | Pressure-sensitive protection device for monitoring technical facilities |
ITUB20156853A1 (en) * | 2015-12-11 | 2017-06-11 | Roberta Ciusa | CONDUCTIVE FABRIC |
CN107144379A (en) * | 2017-04-28 | 2017-09-08 | 东华大学 | A kind of resistive pressure is distributed fabric sensor |
US10519575B2 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2019-12-31 | Intelligent Textiles Limited | Conductive fabric, method of manufacturing a conductive fabric and apparatus therefor |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102006016661B4 (en) * | 2006-04-08 | 2008-08-07 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Tactile surface sensor |
US8336119B2 (en) | 2007-12-09 | 2012-12-25 | 180's. Inc. | Hand covering with conductive portion |
US9003567B2 (en) | 2007-12-09 | 2015-04-14 | 180S, Inc. | Hand covering with tactility features |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3798370A (en) * | 1972-04-17 | 1974-03-19 | Elographics Inc | Electrographic sensor for determining planar coordinates |
JPS5817331A (en) * | 1981-07-22 | 1983-02-01 | Agency Of Ind Science & Technol | Pressure sensor for recognition of object |
GB2134719A (en) * | 1983-01-31 | 1984-08-15 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Tactile sensor |
EP0194861A2 (en) * | 1985-03-11 | 1986-09-17 | Elographics, Inc. | Electrographic touch sensor with z-axis capability |
US4933660A (en) * | 1989-10-27 | 1990-06-12 | Elographics, Inc. | Touch sensor with touch pressure capability |
US5060527A (en) * | 1990-02-14 | 1991-10-29 | Burgess Lester E | Tactile sensing transducer |
DE4236187A1 (en) * | 1991-11-13 | 1993-05-19 | Iee Sarl | Digitiser pad with force sensing resistor - has FSR layer sandwiched between resistive and conductive layers, and several electrodes under electrical potential connecting to resistive layer. |
EP0855307A2 (en) * | 1997-01-23 | 1998-07-29 | Schlegel Systems, Inc. | Conductive fabric sensor system |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4520248A (en) * | 1980-08-15 | 1985-05-28 | Rogers Corporation | Keyboard assembly |
US4914416A (en) * | 1988-09-01 | 1990-04-03 | Takahiro Kunikane | Pressure sensing electric conductor and its manufacturing method |
GB2331627B (en) * | 1997-11-22 | 2001-09-12 | Draftex Ind Ltd | Force-responsive detectors and systems |
-
1998
- 1998-05-21 GB GB9811021A patent/GB2339495B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-05-20 EP EP99922372A patent/EP1080351A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-05-20 WO PCT/GB1999/001601 patent/WO1999060357A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3798370A (en) * | 1972-04-17 | 1974-03-19 | Elographics Inc | Electrographic sensor for determining planar coordinates |
JPS5817331A (en) * | 1981-07-22 | 1983-02-01 | Agency Of Ind Science & Technol | Pressure sensor for recognition of object |
GB2134719A (en) * | 1983-01-31 | 1984-08-15 | Alps Electric Co Ltd | Tactile sensor |
EP0194861A2 (en) * | 1985-03-11 | 1986-09-17 | Elographics, Inc. | Electrographic touch sensor with z-axis capability |
US4933660A (en) * | 1989-10-27 | 1990-06-12 | Elographics, Inc. | Touch sensor with touch pressure capability |
US5060527A (en) * | 1990-02-14 | 1991-10-29 | Burgess Lester E | Tactile sensing transducer |
DE4236187A1 (en) * | 1991-11-13 | 1993-05-19 | Iee Sarl | Digitiser pad with force sensing resistor - has FSR layer sandwiched between resistive and conductive layers, and several electrodes under electrical potential connecting to resistive layer. |
EP0855307A2 (en) * | 1997-01-23 | 1998-07-29 | Schlegel Systems, Inc. | Conductive fabric sensor system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 7, no. 90 (P - 191)<1235> 14 April 1983 (1983-04-14) * |
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2343516A (en) * | 1998-11-03 | 2000-05-10 | Univ Brunel | Fabric pressure sensor comprising conductive layers or strips and an insulating separator |
GB2350683A (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2000-12-06 | Univ Brunel | Conductive textile assembly for a pressure sensor |
GB2350683B (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2003-05-07 | Univ Brunel | Conductive textile assembly |
US6452479B1 (en) | 1999-05-20 | 2002-09-17 | Eleksen Limited | Detector contructed from fabric |
US6714117B2 (en) | 1999-05-20 | 2004-03-30 | Eleksen Limited | Detector constructed from fabric |
US7365031B2 (en) * | 2000-04-03 | 2008-04-29 | Intelligent Textiles Limited | Conductive pressure sensitive textile |
WO2003060449A1 (en) * | 2002-01-03 | 2003-07-24 | Technoskin, Llc | An signal-emitting fabric strain gauge device |
WO2004109589A1 (en) * | 2003-06-05 | 2004-12-16 | Chasco Perez De Arenaza Juan C | Intelligent laminated pressure surface |
ES2221577A1 (en) * | 2003-06-05 | 2004-12-16 | Juan Carlos Chasco Perez De Arenaza | Intelligent laminated pressure surface |
DE102004025237B4 (en) * | 2003-09-08 | 2011-07-07 | Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland e.V., 07973 | Textile pressure and tension sensor |
US8298968B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2012-10-30 | Intelligent Textiles Limited | Electrical components and circuits constructed as textiles |
EP2444986A1 (en) * | 2010-10-19 | 2012-04-25 | Panasonic Corporation | Contact sensor, driver device, and care bed |
US20120091990A1 (en) * | 2010-10-19 | 2012-04-19 | Shohei Tsukada | Contact sensor, driver device, and care bed |
CN102538831A (en) * | 2010-10-19 | 2012-07-04 | 松下电器产业株式会社 | Contact sensor, driver device, and care bed |
US8710823B2 (en) | 2010-10-19 | 2014-04-29 | Panasonic Corporation | Contact sensor, driver device, and care bed |
CN102002791A (en) * | 2010-11-29 | 2011-04-06 | 武汉纺织大学 | Touch electronic fabric |
CN103054590A (en) * | 2012-12-26 | 2013-04-24 | 南昌大学 | Foot style and pressure detection floor mat device |
EP3173757A1 (en) * | 2015-11-25 | 2017-05-31 | Pilz GmbH & Co. KG | Pressure-sensitive protection device for monitoring technical facilities |
CN107063534A (en) * | 2015-11-25 | 2017-08-18 | 皮尔茨公司 | Presser sensor safety device for surveillance technology equipment |
US9851269B2 (en) | 2015-11-25 | 2017-12-26 | Pilz Gmbh & Co. Kg | Pressure-sensitive safety device for monitoring a technical installation |
CN107063534B (en) * | 2015-11-25 | 2020-09-04 | 皮尔茨公司 | Pressure-sensitive safety device for monitoring technical equipment |
ITUB20156853A1 (en) * | 2015-12-11 | 2017-06-11 | Roberta Ciusa | CONDUCTIVE FABRIC |
US10519575B2 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2019-12-31 | Intelligent Textiles Limited | Conductive fabric, method of manufacturing a conductive fabric and apparatus therefor |
CN107144379A (en) * | 2017-04-28 | 2017-09-08 | 东华大学 | A kind of resistive pressure is distributed fabric sensor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2339495B (en) | 2000-11-15 |
GB2339495A (en) | 2000-01-26 |
GB9811021D0 (en) | 1998-07-22 |
EP1080351A1 (en) | 2001-03-07 |
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