Smart fabric impact sensors

A pressure sensing matrix comprising a plurality of force sensing devices for detecting a location of an applied force;

• each force sensing device of the plurality of force sensing devices comprising:
• a resistive sensing element (RSE), the RSE comprising:
• a closed cell foam structure having a cavity for receiving a core portion;
• the core portion comprising an open-cell foam having carbon particles impregnated therein;
• the core portion comprising carbon black particles dispersed therein to form a semiconductive polymeric structure and piezoresistive RSE, the RSE generating a voltage signal in response to a force impacting the RSE;
• and
• a conductive foil layer disposed on each of an opposing side of the RSE for conducting the voltage signal to a conductive thread, the conductive thread in electrical communication with the respective foil layer for transmitting a voltage data to an external microprocessor device for processing.

An article of manufacture comprising a pressure sensing matrix, comprising:

• a plurality of force sensing devices;
• each force sensing device of the plurality of force sensing devices comprising:
• a resistive sensing element (RSE), the RSE comprising:
• a closed cell foam structure having a cavity for receiving a core portion;
• the core portion comprising an open-cell foam having carbon particles impregnated therein;
• the core portion comprising carbon black particles dispersed therein to form a semiconductive polymeric structure and piezoresistive RSE, the RSE generating a voltage signal in response to a force impacting the RSE;
• and
• a conductive foil layer disposed on each of an opposing side of the RSE for conducting the voltage signal to a conductive thread, the conductive thread in electrical communication with the respective foil layer for transmitting a voltage data to an external microprocessor device for processing.