Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
073862626 | Inductance or capacitance sensor | 62 |
20080282812 | Magnetostrictive load sensor and method of manufacture - This invention relates to a load sensor comprising a member composed of electrically conductive magnetostrictive material. The member is a uniform and continuous distribution of wire or strip material abutting itself between opposite ends. The magnetostrictive material is annealed and abutting portions of the member are spaced apart from one another using insulation incorporating microspheres. Terminals at different portions of the member allow the member to be electrically connected in a circuit for measuring an impedance of the member. Stress applied along an axis of the member causes a change in the member's permeability that is measurable as a change in impedance of the sensor. The configuration of the sensor can be described as coil shaped or accordion shaped. The wire or strip material comprising the sensor comprise a variety of shapes. Insulation comprises a high strength adhesive filled with high strength ceramic microspheres. A method is also taught in the present application to fabricate the load sensor of the present invention. | 11-20-2008 |
20080282813 | Force sensor - A force sensor with a force sensor chip, and a buffering device for dampening and applying incoming external force to the force sensor chip. The buffering device includes an input portion to which external force is input, a sensor mount for fixing the force sensor chip to the exterior, a dampening mechanism for dampening external force, and a transmission portion for transmitting the dampened external force to the active sensing portion. | 11-20-2008 |
20090114041 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR BASED INVENTORY CONTROL - A method, apparatus and system of capacitive sensor based inventory control is disclosed. In one embodiment, an inventory management system includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, a sensor to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, a scale formed with a set of plates having inserted between the set of plates the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface and a container placed above the scale such that an item (e.g., a liquid, a solid, a discrete part, a powder and/or a gas, etc.) of the container is weighed through the measurement. The inventory management system may further include a reference capacitor associated with the apparatus to enable the sensor to adjust the measurement based on the environmental condition. | 05-07-2009 |
20090126513 | APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING VEHICLE OCCUPANT - An apparatus for classifying a vehicle occupant to determine whether to deploy an airbag is disclosed. The classification apparatus includes a sensor which is installed in a seat of a vehicle and is supplied with AC power, the sensor having a sensing conductor and a guard conductor electrically connected to each other, with an insulator interposed therebetween. A controller compares an imaginary current value, attributable to variation in capacitance of the sensor, measured on an output side of the sensor, and a real current value, attributable to variation in resistance of the sensor, with preset threshold values, thus classifying an occupant who is sitting in the seat. According to the classification apparatus, even if moisture permeates into a seat, an occupant can be precisely classified using the real current value and the imaginary current value. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133510 | Sensor Arrangement for a Motor-Vehicle Locking Device and an Associated Method - A method for detecting the application of an operator's body part to an operating point of a locking device for a motor vehicle is performed by first detecting the proximity of the operator's body part to the operating point via a proximity sensor. A change in the pressure exerted on the operating point by the operator's body part is detected using a mechanical sensor which is arranged on the operating point. An output signal, which indicates the application of the operator's body part, is generated by an evaluation circuit as a function of the sensor output signals from the proximity sensor and the mechanical sensor. When the evaluation circuit detects the beginning of the application of the operator's body part on the basis of the sensor output signal from the mechanical sensor, a sensor output signal value which is output at approximately the same time by the proximity sensor is detected. This is used to evaluate the subsequent changes in the sensor output signal in order to be able to detect in a more reliable manner that the operator's body part has been withdrawn from the operating point. Also disclosed is an associated sensor arrangement. | 05-28-2009 |
20090151478 | ARRAY TYPE CAPACITANCE SENSOR - In an array type capacitance sensor ( | 06-18-2009 |
20090165572 | MICROELECTROMECHANICAL CAPACITIVE DEVICE - Methods and devices based on a microelectromechanical capacitive sensor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating an electromechanical capacitive device includes forming a housing of the electromechanical capacitive device using a non-conductive material and applying a conductive material on one or more areas on the housing to form one or more pairs of conductor plates. | 07-02-2009 |
20090165573 | Magnetometric Device for Evaluating a Physical Parameter, and Use - A magnetometric device for evaluating a physical parameter (D, K), comprising a circuit ( | 07-02-2009 |
20090178493 | Force-Measuring Element - A force-measuring element, having a series connection of at least two capacitors, the force-measuring element being designed in such a way that, under the action of force, a first capacitance of a first capacitor of the at least two capacitors increases and a second capacitance of a second capacitor of the at least two capacitors decreases, in which the force-measuring element is in the form of a connecting element, in which an application of force is provided on a long side of a sleeve of the force-measuring element, and the at least two capacitors are separated by a bar that essentially stands firm during the action of force, so that a first space having the first capacitor above the bar becomes smaller as a result of the application of force, and below the bar a second space becomes larger. | 07-16-2009 |
20090301226 | FORCE SENSOR - A force sensor comprises a force sensor chip, and a buffering device for dampening and applying incoming external force to the force sensor chip. The buffering device comprises an input portion to which external force is input, a sensor mount for fixing the force sensor chip to the exterior, a dampening mechanism for dampening external force, and a transmission portion for transmitting the dampened external force to the active sensing portion. | 12-10-2009 |
20090314105 | BALANCED RESISTANCE CAPACITIVE SENSING APPARATUS - Embodiments for a capacitive sensing apparatus with attenuated electrical interference across a plurality of routing traces are provided. One embodiment forms a first sensor electrode on a substrate. In addition, a first routing trace is formed on the substrate, the first routing trace coupled with the first sensor electrode. One embodiment additionally forms a second sensor electrode on the substrate. A second routing trace differing in length from the first routing trace is also formed on the substrate, the second routing trace coupled with the second sensor electrode. To attenuate electrical interference, the second routing trace is formed having an approximately equal RC time constant characteristic as the first routing trace. | 12-24-2009 |
20100024573 | Single Sided Capacitive Force Sensor for Electronic Devices - A capacitive force sensor ( | 02-04-2010 |
20100050787 | ANTI-PINCH SENSOR - An anti-pinch sensor ( | 03-04-2010 |
20100162832 | SHEAR FORCE AND PRESSURE MEASUREMENT IN WEARABLE TEXTILES - The invention refers to a sensor arrangement comprising at least one capacitance sensor for detecting a pressure and a shear force, wherein the capacitance sensor is integrated into a wearable textile, a method for measuring a shear force and a pressure by such a sensor arrangement, wherein the shear force and pressure is exerted on a skin of a person lying in a bed or sitting in a chair and to combinations and uses of the method. This described textile sensors allow for a simultaneous measurement of shear stress and pressure in anti decubitus textiles. This enhances risk assessment with regard to the development of bedsore ulcer. | 07-01-2010 |
20100257948 | Eccentric Load Compensated Load Cell - A capacitive load cell with an integral membrane and mechanically coupled conductive surfaces, deflected by the load, and mounted each side of an electrode carrier, where conductive electrodes are mounted on each side of the electrode carrier to face the mechanically coupled conductive surfaces to thereby form two or more sensor capacitances. | 10-14-2010 |
20100300215 | Load Cell - A load cell includes a cylindrical ring with one end closed by a membrane configured to receive a load or force to be measured. A sensor carrier plate is arranged in a cavity formed by the ring and the membrane. The sensor carrier plate is coupled to the membrane to undergo a displacement upon deflection of the membrane. The sensor carrier plate has an inner and an outer portion and carries in the outer portion at least one sensor adapted for sensing the displacement and generating a signal based on the load or force applied to the membrane. The sensor carrier plate is movably coupled to the membrane at a location between the inner portion and the outer portion. At least one further sensor is arranged in the inner portion generating a signal changing with opposite sign with respect to the signal of the sensor. | 12-02-2010 |
20110023631 | FORCE SENSOR WITH COMPRESSIBLE ELECTRODE - A sensor includes a first electrode and a second, compressible electrode. A dielectric layer separates the first electrode from the second electrode. At least one of the first and second electrodes compress responsive to force, increasing capacitance between the first and second electrodes. | 02-03-2011 |
20110023632 | SUB-THRESHOLD ELASTIC DEFLECTION FET SENSOR FOR SENSING PRESSURE/FORCE, A METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREOF - The present invention relates to high sensitivity elastic deflection sensors, more particularly related to capacitively coupled FET based elastic deflection sensors. A sub-threshold elastic deflection FET sensor for sensing pressure/force comprises an elastic member forming a moving gate of the sensor, fixed dielectric on substrate of the FET, and a fluid dielectric between the elastic member and the fixed dielectric, wherein alteration in the height of the fluid dielectric (TSENS) due to pressure/force on the elastic member varies the sensor gate capacitance. | 02-03-2011 |
20110174086 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR BASED STRUCTURE AND METHOD WITH TILT COMPENSATION CAPABILITY - A method and system of a capacitive sensor based structure and method with tilt compensation capability is disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor includes, a series of nested cantilever beams (e.g., may face each other in alternating form such that each subsequent cantilever beam is inside and oppositely facing a respective outer cantilever beam) in an upper surface of a tilt correction assembly, a spacer coupled to a contact zone of a lower surface of the tilt correction assembly, and a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, wherein the spacer to cause at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface to deflect when a force is applied to a force measuring assembly above the sensor. | 07-21-2011 |
20110296929 | LOAD MEASURING APPARATUS - A high-accuracy load measuring apparatus capable of enlarging a measurement range includes a loading section provided at one end of a long and narrow beam. A support supports the beam at a side closer to the other end of the beam than the loading section. A displacement sensor includes a capacitive sensor and is provided to measure a displacement of the loading section. The beam includes a pair of long and narrow plate-like legs arranged in parallel while being spaced apart in a thickness direction and a connecting portion connecting ends of the plate-like legs at a side of the loading section. The beam is supported on the support to have a changeable length between a supported position by the support and the loading section. Each plate-like leg includes a slot, which is a long and narrow hole formed along a length direction in a widthwise central part. | 12-08-2011 |
20120017703 | DETECTION DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ROBOT - Disclosed is a detection device for detecting a strength and a direction of an external force applied to a reference point, the detection device including: a first substrate having a plurality of first capacitor electrodes arranged around the reference point; a second substrate arranged to face the first substrate by interposing the first capacitor electrodes; a dielectric body arranged between the first and second substrates and made of an elastic body or fluid; a second capacitor electrode arranged to face the first capacitor electrodes by interposing the dielectric body between the first and second substrates; and a third substrate having an elastic projection which has a gravity center in a location overlapping with the reference point and is elastically deformed by the external force while a tip thereof abuts on the second substrate. | 01-26-2012 |
20120137791 | SENSING DEVICE FOR SENSING FORCE - A sensing device for sensing a force is provided. The sensing device includes a soft laminose dielectric structure, a first electrode, a second electrode, at least one third electrode and a measuring element. The soft laminose dielectric structure has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first electrode is disposed on the first surface. The second electrode is disposed on the second surface. The whole of the second electrode overlaps with the first electrode. The third electrode is disposed on the second surface. The third electrode partially overlaps with the first electrode. The measuring element is used for measuring the electronic characteristic between the first electrode and the second electrode, and for measuring the electronic characteristic between the first electrode and the third electrode. | 06-07-2012 |
20120144934 | Impact Detection System - A device, method of manufacture, and garment for detecting an impact is provided. In one embodiment, the garment comprises a capacitive compression sensor attached to the garment having an inner and outer layer of conductive material as well as a compressible non-conductive material between the inner and outer layers. The outer layer of conductive material may include an electrical isolation region. The garment may further include an impact detection device electrically connected to the capacitive compression sensor via a conductor that traverses the electrical isolation region; and wherein the impact detection device comprises a processing circuit configured to process a change in a capacitance of the capacitive compression sensor into a digital format representative of the impact. The outer layer of conductive material may enclose the inner layer of conductive material. | 06-14-2012 |
20120144935 | SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND SENSOR MODULE - A purpose is to provide a sensor assembly and a sensor module having a flexible sensor element that uses polymer material and having a component such as the sensor element and the like that hardly deteriorates and is superior in durability. A sensor assembly includes a sensor element and an exterior packaging bag enclosing the sensor element. The sensor element includes a sensor thin film made of resin or elastomer, and at least one pair of electrodes connected to the sensor thin film. The exterior packaging bag is made from laminate films having a metal foil and two resin layers arranged sandwiching the metal foil. | 06-14-2012 |
20120152036 | SHIELDED CAPACITOR SENSOR SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS AND METHOD - A measurement system for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a capacitor, a signal generator, a digital counter, counter register, a digital clock, a digital timer, and a data register. The sensor of the measurement system is the capacitor. The measurement system generates a repeating signal having a measurement cycle that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises more than one capacitor mechanically in series. Electrically, the capacitor comprises more than one capacitor in parallel. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a dielectric layer comprising polyimide. A force, pressure, or load is applied to the capacitor that elastically compresses the device. The capacitor is shielded from parasitic coupling and parasitic capacitance. | 06-21-2012 |
20120180575 | CAPACITANCE-TYPE FORCE SENSOR - A capacitance-type force sensor is provided with a fixed plate, a fixed portion on which the fixed plate is mounted, a load transmission portion, and an elastic portion through which the load transmission portion is mounted on the fixed portion. All these members are formed of materials having substantially equal coefficients of linear expansion. Further, a displacement electrode secured to the load transmission portion and/or a fixed electrode secured to the fixed plate is divided into three or more electrically independent electrodes such that the displacement and fixed electrodes form three or more capacitance elements. | 07-19-2012 |
20120222498 | Force Sensor - A force sensor having a compressible layer, an electrically grounded layer and an electrically active layer is disclosed. The electrically active layer comprises a transmitter electrode configured to capacitively couple to a receiver electrode. The compressible layer is compressible to allow the electrically grounded layer to move closer to the electrically active layer, so as to reduce the level of capacitive coupling between the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode in dependence upon the magnitude of an applied force. | 09-06-2012 |
20120297897 | Microelectromechanical device and system - A microelectromechanical device for electromechanical testing a specimen having a nano-scale dimension is formed on a multi-layered semiconductor substrate (chip) and includes an electrothermal or electrostatic actuator for applying a displacement load (force) to the specimen, a load sensor for sensing the load (force) experienced by the specimen. The specimen is disposed between first and second movable shuttles of the actuator and load sensor, which shuttles comprise electrically insulating layers so as to electrically isolate the shuttles and specimen from the actuator and the load sensor on the substrate. A four-terminal Kelvin array is provided to provide specimen electrical characterization measurements and includes first and second outer terminals connected to a current source and to opposite end locations of the specimen and first and second inner terminals connected to a high input impedance voltage meter and to the specimen at other locations between the first and second outer terminals. | 11-29-2012 |
20130008265 | FORCE-MEASURING TRANSDUCER USING AN ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION PHENOMENON - The present invention relates to a force-measuring transducer which measures forces applied to or generated by a surface of a resiliently deformable structure. Forces applied to or generated by a surface of a structure may be surface forces generated by molecules at the surface of the structure, mechanical forces/pressure generated by placing the structure between objects, forces generated by materials which constitute the structure and which have different coefficients of thermal expansion, attractive/repulsive forces among atoms, or forces generated on a treated surface by ultraviolet (infrared) rays or the like. The transducer is characterized in that it measures forces applied to or generated by the surface of the structure using electrical signals generated in accordance with variations in electromagnetic fields. | 01-10-2013 |
20130068038 | INPUT DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED DEFORMABLE ELECTRODE STRUCTURE FOR FORCE SENSING - Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first substrate and a deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure overlaps the first electrode and the second electrode to define a variable capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode that changes with the deformation of the deformable electrode structure. The deformable electrode structure comprises a spacing component configured to provide spacing between the deformable electrode structure and the first electrode and the second electrode. Finally, a transmission component is configured such that biasing the transmission component causes the deformable electrode structure to deform and change the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance can be used to determine force information regarding the force biasing the transmission component. | 03-21-2013 |
20130098170 | BIOCOMPATIBLE PRESSURE SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Provided are a biocompatible pressure sensor which can be implanted into a body to wirelessly measure an internal pressure of the body outside the body, and a method of manufacturing the biocompatible pressure sensor. The biocompatible pressure sensor includes a coil inductor, a capacitor electrically connected with the coil inductor to constitute an LC resonant circuit together with the coil inductor, a flexible membrane disposed while being spaced apart from the coil inductor with an internal space interposed therebetween and surrounded by a housing, and a pressure displacement member fixed to one surface of the flexible membrane facing the coil inductor. The flexible membrane is transformed by external pressure to change a distance between the coil inductor and the pressure displacement member. | 04-25-2013 |
20130152705 | MULTI-AXIS SENSOR - Provided herein is a multi-axis sensor including: a pair of electrodes positioned such that at least partial areas thereof face each other; an elasticity member having one of the pair of electrodes installed in its upper portion and another of the pair of electrodes installed in a lower portion; and a sensor unit electrically connected with the pair of electrodes, and configured to detect a change of capacitance value between the pair of electrodes and a change of resistance value of the elasticity member. | 06-20-2013 |
20130199311 | POSITION INDICATOR - A position indicator includes a capacitor having a capacitance that changes in correspondence to a force applied to one end part of a housing. The capacitor is configured by a pressure detecting chip that includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode with a predetermined distance defined therebetween to have capacitance Cv formed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The capacitance Cv changes when the force applied to the one end part of the housing is transmitted to the first electrode to thereby change a relationship (e.g., the distance) between the two electrodes. A pressure transmitting member having predetermined elasticity is disposed on the first electrode such that the force applied to the one end part of the housing is transmitted to the first electrode of the semiconductor element via the pressure transmitting member. | 08-08-2013 |
20130298699 | SEPARATION MODE CAPACITORS FOR SENSORS - A capacitor for use in sensors includes opposed first and second capacitor plates, wherein the second capacitor plate is mounted to the first capacitor plate by a flexible attachment. The flexible attachment is configured and adapted so that flexure of the attachment causes a change in the spacing between the first and second capacitor plates to cause a change in the capacitance thereacross. | 11-14-2013 |
20140013865 | Apparatus for Sensing - Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus including a first sensor arrangement configured in a first layer; a second sensor arrangement configured in a second layer; wherein the sensor arrangements are configured to vary an input signal in response to a sensed parameter; and the apparatus also including an input configured to receive an input signal and an output configured to provide an output signal that depends on each of the first and second sensor arrangements. | 01-16-2014 |
20140090489 | FORCE DETECTING MAT WITH MULTIPLE SENSOR TYPES - A flexible force or pressure sensing mat includes a first sheet of electrically conductive first paths, a second sheet of electrically conductive second paths, and a sensing layer positioned between the first and second sheets. The first and second conductive paths are oriented transversely to each other, and the locations of their intersections define individual sensing areas or sensors. The sensing layer is made from materials that have first and second electrical characteristics—such as capacitance and resistance—that vary in response to physical forces exerted thereon. A controller repetitively measures the multiple electrical characteristics of each sensor in order to produce a near real time pressure distribution map of the forces sensed by the mat. The mat can be used on a patient support surface—such as a bed, cot, stretcher, recliner, operating table, etc.—to monitor and help reduce the likelihood of a patient developing pressure ulcers. | 04-03-2014 |
20140123772 | FORCE TRANSDUCER FORMING A CAPACITIVE LOAD CELL - A force transducer, in particular a load cell, includes a spring body that deforms when loaded with a force or load to be measured. Two support parts, which are separated by a gap, are moved out of a position of rest. A capacitive displacement detector is used to detect the relative movement of the support parts, where the capacitor includes two electrode combs that are each held on one of the support parts and includes a multiplicity of electrode fingers. The electrode combs are configured designed and mounted on the two support parts such that the electrode fingers of the one electrode comb pass into the finger interspaces of the other electrode comb when the spring body is loaded so that the force transducer is resistant to overloading. | 05-08-2014 |
20140150572 | TACTILE SENSOR - A tactile sensor includes a first substrate including a plurality of first electrodes, a second substrate including a plurality of second electrodes corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes, and a dielectric substance disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a second electrode corresponding to any one of the first electrodes is offset in one direction with respect to the any one of the first electrodes while a second electrode corresponding to another first electrode neighboring the any one of the first electrodes is offset in another direction. | 06-05-2014 |
20140174204 | CAPACITIVE SHEAR FORCE SENSOR AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THEREOF - A capacitive shear force sensor and a method for fabricating thereof are provided. The capacitive shear force sensor includes a first electric field shielding layer, a second electric field shielding layer, a driving electrode, a first sensing electrode, a second sensing electrode and a dielectric layer. The second electric field shielding layer is disposed under the first electric field shielding layer. The driving electrode is disposed between the first electric field shielding layer and the second electric field shielding layer. The first and the second sensing electrodes are disposed between the driving electrode and the second electric field shielding layer. The dielectric layer is disposed between the driving electrode and the first sensing electrode, and between the driving electrode and the second sensing electrode. The first sensing electrode and the driving electrode form a first capacitor. The second sensing electrode and the driving electrode form a second capacitor. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174205 | System And Insole For Measuring Information From The Foot Of A User And Related Method Of Providing Same - An insole can include: an upper conductive ground plane layer; an upper compressible insulating layer physically coupled to the upper conductive ground plane layer; a conductive sensor layer physically coupled to the upper compressible insulating layer, the conductive sensor layer comprising one or more sensors are configured to a force applied to the insole by the foot; a lower compressible insulating layer physically coupled to conductive sensor layer; a lower conductive ground plane layer physically coupled to the lower compressible insulating layer and electrically coupled to the upper conductive ground plane layer; and at least one computational unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors. The upper conductive ground plane layer and the lower conductive ground plane layer are configured to substantially electrically shield the upper compressible insulating layer, the conductive sensor layer, and the lower compressible insulating layer from the shoe and the foot. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-26-2014 |
20140230575 | PIEZO-ACTUATED VIRTUAL BUTTONS FOR TOUCH SURFACES - Systems and methods of creating a touch sensitive surface structure comprising a piezo structure in communication with a deformable surface such that the piezo structure, or any suitable pressure sensing device, is capable of sensing pressure from a touch upon the deformable surface and communicating that pressure signal to an actuating circuit. The actuating circuit, upon receiving a suitable pressure signal, sends a piezo actuating signal to the piezo structure. The piezo structure, upon receiving the piezo actuating signal, is capable of communicating a mechanical signal to the deformable surface, sufficient for a person's finger to feel a “click” and/or haptic sensation. In one embodiment, the piezo actuating signal comprises a first slow charging portion and a second fast discharging portion, sufficient for the piezo structure to communicate the click and/or haptic sensation. | 08-21-2014 |
20140230576 | Sub-Millinewton Capacitive Mems Force Sensor for Mechanical Testing on a Microscope - Most mechanical tests (compression testing, tensile testing, flexure testing, shear testing) of samples in the sub-mm size scale are performed under the observation with an optical microscope or a scanning electron microscope. However, the following problems exist with prior art force sensors as e.g they cannot be used for in-plane mechanical testing (a- and b-direction) of a sample; they cannot be used for vertical testing (c-direction) of a sample. In order to overcome the before mentioned drawbacks the invention comprises the following basic working principle: A force is applied to the probe ( | 08-21-2014 |
20140238152 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCALIZED FORCE SENSING - A device and method for operating a capacitive input device configured to sense input objects and their applied force in a sensing region, the device including a pliable component having an input surface and characterized by a bending stiffness, and first and second arrays of sensor electrodes. The input device further includes a third array of sensor electrodes and a spacing layer disposed between the third array. The pliable component is characterized by a compressive stiffness and configured to deform in response to a force applied to the input surface and to deflect the second array of sensor electrodes towards the third array of sensor electrodes, wherein the deformation of the input surface and the deflection of the second array of sensor electrodes is a function of the ratio of the bending stiffness of the pliable component and the compressive stiffness of the spacing layer. | 08-28-2014 |
20140260690 | Capacitive Pressure Sensor With Reduced Parasitic Capacitance - System, apparatus and method for capacitive sensing, where a sensor includes an upper and lower housing, each respectively equipped with upper and lower pressure ports. The lower housing is electrically coupled to an active shield. An insulating material is provided on or near a conductive diaphragm for insulating the conductive diaphragm from the lower housing. The insulating material may be an insulator or a dielectric material, where a sensing electrode is positioned such that the sensing electrode extends laterally across at least a portion of the insulating material, and is separated from the insulating material by a predetermined distance to form an air gap. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260691 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A FORCE EFFECT AND A METHOD FOR DETECTING A FORCE EFFECT - An apparatus for detecting a force effect comprises two electrical conductors which run at a distance from one another, a deformable spacer which is arranged between the two electrical conductors, a first measuring device which is electrically connected to one end of the two electrical conductors in each case and an electrical component which is electrically connected to the respective other end of the two electrical conductors. The first measuring device is designed to detect a change in a variable which can be measured by the measuring device, which change is caused by a change in the distance between the two electrical conductors which is caused by a force effect at at least one place along the two electrical conductors, in order to detect the force effect. | 09-18-2014 |
20140326079 | CAPACITANCE TYPE SENSOR - A capacitance type sensor includes: a dielectric layer made of a polymer; an elongated front-side electrode placed on a front side of the dielectric layer; an elongated back-side electrode placed on a back side of the dielectric layer; a front-side wiring connected to the front-side electrode; a back-side wiring connected to the back-side electrode; and a plurality of detection portions formed between the front-side electrode and the back-side electrode. Each of the front-side electrode and the back-side electrode has an elongated electrode body containing a binder and a conductive material, and an extended wiring portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the electrode body and having lower volume resistivity than the electrode body, and the front-side wiring and the back-side wiring have lower volume resistivity than the electrode body. | 11-06-2014 |
20140331792 | DETERMINING MAGNITUDE OF COMPRESSIVE LOADING - An apparatus for determining a magnitude of a compressive load applied to a piston including a compliant film disposed between first and second elements is provided. The apparatus includes a first part movable with the first element in a movement direction along which the magnitude of the compressive load is to be determined, a second part movable with the second element in the movement direction and a sensor to measure a distance between the first and second parts in the movement direction, the measured distance being related to a deformation of the compliant film as the compressive load is applied. | 11-13-2014 |
20150090052 | PRESSURE SENSOR HAVING MULTIPLE PRESSURE CELLS AND SENSITIVITY ESTIMATION METHODOLOGY - A pressure sensor ( | 04-02-2015 |
20150128728 | FLEXIBLE DEVICE DEFORMATION MEASUREMENT - Monitoring deformation of a flexible electronic apparatus. Changes in space within the apparatus between at least two measurement points are detected; and degree of deformation of the apparatus is determined based on the detected changes in the space within the apparatus between the at least two measurement points. | 05-14-2015 |
20150135860 | CAPACITIVE MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL FORCE SENSOR AND CORRESPONDING FORCE SENSING METHOD - A MEMS force sensor has: a substrate; a fixed electrode coupled to the substrate; and a mobile electrode suspended above the substrate at the fixed electrode to define a sensing capacitor, the mobile electrode being designed to undergo deformation due to application of a force to be detected. A dielectric material region is set on the fixed electrode and spaced apart by an air gap from the mobile electrode, in resting conditions. The mobile electrode comes to bear upon the dielectric material region upon application of a minimum detectable value of the force, so that a contact surface between the mobile electrode and the dielectric material region increases, in particular in a substantially linear way, as the force increases. | 05-21-2015 |
20150143925 | STRETCHABLE ELECTRONIC STRUCTURES FORMED OF THIN FILMS INTEGRATED WITH SOFT HETEROGENEOUS SUBSTRATE - Stretchable electronic structure comprising one intrinsically fragile thin film integrated on or within a soft heterogeneous substrate. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such a structure. | 05-28-2015 |
20160018274 | TEXTILE PRESSURE SENSOR - A textile pressure sensor for the capacitive measuring of a pressure distribution of objects of any shape, in particular body parts, on a surface is proposed, having a first structure ( | 01-21-2016 |
20160018275 | CAPACITIVE SENSOR SHEET AND CAPACITIVE SENSOR - Provided is a capacitive sensor sheet for use in measuring at least one of an amount of strain due to elastic deformation and a distribution of strain due to elastic deformation, and the capacitive sensor sheet comprises: a dielectric layer; a top electrode layer laminated on the obverse surface of the dielectric layer; and a bottom electrode layer laminated on the reverse surface of the dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer is composed of an elastomer composition containing a urethane elastomer, and each of the top electrode layer and the bottom electrode layer is composed of an electroconductive composition containing carbon nanotubes. | 01-21-2016 |
20160033342 | Force-Sensitive Fingerprint Sensing Input - An object can depress an input device, such as, for example, a function button in an electronic device. A resistive element having a mechanically resistive force can be disposed to resist the depression or movement of the input device. One or more electrodes can be disposed to provide a measure of capacitance based on the depression of the input device. A shield can be disposed to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the one or more electrodes and the object. The electronic device can include a fingerprint sensor operably connected to at least one of the one or more electrodes. | 02-04-2016 |
20160041046 | INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR MONITORING PRESSURE WITHIN A SOLID STRUCTURE - The integrated electronic device detects the pressure related to a force applied in a predetermined direction within a solid structure. The device includes an integrated element that is substantially orthogonal to the direction of application of the force. First and second conductive elements are configured to face an operating surface. A measure module includes first and second measurement terminals which are electrically connected to the first and second conductive elements, respectively. A detecting element is arranged in the predetermined direction such that the operating surface is sandwiched between the first and second conductive elements and this detecting element. An insulating layer galvanically insulates the first and second conductive elements. A layer of dielectric material is sandwiched between the detecting element and the insulating layer, and is elastically deformable following the application of the force to change an electromagnetic coupling between the detecting element and the first and second conductive elements. | 02-11-2016 |
20160041049 | FORCE SENSOR - A cylindrical annular detector is disposed at the periphery of the columnar body fixed at a central part of the upper surface of a supporting substrate. A space between the columnar body and the annular detector is connected by a thin flexible connection member (diaphrapm). A washer-shaped insulation substrate is disposed on the upper surface of the supporting substrate, individual fixed electrodes are formed on the upper surface thereof, and they constitute capacitive elements together with a displacement electrode which is composed of the lower surface of the annular detector. Upon exertion of an external force on the annular detector, the flexible connection member deflects to cause displacement, which is detected as change in capacitance value of the capacitive element. | 02-11-2016 |
20160122941 | CONDUCTIVE YARN, CONDUCTIVE YARN BASED PRESSURE SENSOR AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING THEM - A conductive yarn, a conductive yarn-based pressure sensor, and method for producing them are provided. A high-performance conductive yarn is produced by coating a fiber with a flexible polymer and by forming metallic nanoparticles in the flexible polymer. A high-performance conductive yarn-based pressure is produced by coating the high-performance conductive yarn with a dielectric elastomer and by arranging the conductive yarns in intersectional pattern. | 05-05-2016 |
20160178460 | PRESSURE SENSING ELEMENT COMPRISING ELECTRODE INCLUDING PROTRUSION HAVING ELASTICITY | 06-23-2016 |
20160187209 | PRESSURE SENSING APPARATUSES AND METHODS - Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure. | 06-30-2016 |
20160195439 | PRESSURE SENSOR FOR DETECTING FORCE | 07-07-2016 |
20160377492 | PRESSURE SENSING DEVICE HAVING DIRAC MATERIAL AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A pressure sensing device having a Dirac material and a method of operating the same are provided. The pressure sensing device includes a Dirac material pattern disposed on a substrate and having a band structure in which Dirac cones meet at a Dirac point. A source electrode and a drain electrode are respectively connected to the Dirac material pattern. A spacer layer including a cavity on the Dirac material pattern is disposed on the substrate. A gate electrode overlapping the Dirac material pattern is disposed on the cavity. | 12-29-2016 |
20160377497 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH A PRESSURE SENSOR - Disclosed is an integrated circuit, comprising a semiconductor substrate carrying a plurality of circuit elements; and a pressure sensor including a cavity on said semiconductor substrate, said cavity comprising a pair of electrodes laterally separated from each other; and a flexible membrane over and spatially separated from said electrodes such that said membrane interferes with a fringe field between said electrodes, said membrane comprising at least one aperture. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed. | 12-29-2016 |