Stretchable force sensor having undulating patterned electrodes
AssigneeTekscan, Inc.
InventorRobert M. Podoloff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A force sensor for measuring force and/or pressures disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor includes first and second layers, each layer having one or more electrodes arranged in a repeating, undulating pattern. Such an undulating pattern may include a serpentine pattern or a repeating v-shaped pattern. When arranged, the one or more electrodes on the first layer are placed in facing relationship and cross the one or more electrodes on the second layer to form a plurality of electrode intersections. When stretched, the one or more electrodes on the first layer move relative to the one or more electrodes on the second layer while creating new electrode intersections.
Claims29
A force sensor comprising:
- a first layer having one or more electrodes arranged in a repeating, first undulating pattern;
- and
- a second layer having one or more electrodes arranged in a repeating, second undulating pattern, the one or more electrodes on the second layer being placed in facing relationship with and crossing the one or more electrodes on the first layer to form one or more electrode intersections;
- wherein, when the sensor is stretched, the one or more electrodes on the first layer move relative to the one or more electrodes on the second layer while creating new electrode intersections.
A method of forming a force sensor comprising:
- forming one or more electrodes on a first layer, the one or more electrodes on the first layer having a repeating, first undulating pattern;
- forming one or more electrodes on a second layer, the one or more electrodes on the second layer having a second, undulating pattern;
- and
- placing the first layer on the second layer such that the one or more electrodes on the first layer are in facing relationship with and crossing the one or more electrodes on the second layer to form a plurality of electrode intersections, wherein, when the sensor is stretched, new electrode intersections are created as the one or more electrodes on the first layer and the one or more electrodes on the second layer move relative to one another.
A force sensor comprising:
- a first stretchable layer having one or more electrodes arranged in a repeating, first undulating pattern;
- and
- a second stretchable layer having one or more electrodes arranged in a repeating, second undulating pattern, the one or more electrodes on the second layer being placed in facing relationship with and crossing the one or more electrodes on the first layer to form one or more electrode intersections;
- wherein, when the sensor is stretched, the one or more electrodes on the first layer move relative to the one or more electrodes on the second layer while maintaining the one or more electrode intersections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.