Contact detector with piezoelectric sensor
AssigneeMICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A.
InventorDavid Alan Weston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting contact within a monitored area. A piezoelectric sensor is attached to one end of a detector which is positioned for contact by passing items or individuals. The detector may correspond to a plurality of parallel, rubber calendared cables or a strip of polycarbonate resin. Body deformations induced into the detector upon contact travel to the piezoelectric sensor and are detected as strain coupled to the piezoelectric sensor. The apparatus and methodology may be employed to detect vehicular traffic along travel paths, human contact with walls or floors, manufactured product contact with delivery systems or any other physical contact by animate or inanimate objects or individuals.
Claims10
1-22. (canceled)
A contact detector, comprising:
- a deformable detector having a first end and a second end, said deformable detector comprising a polycarbonate resin strip having at least one slot cut in a central portion of the polycarbonate resin strip;
- and
- a piezoelectric sensor secured to the first end of said detector,
- wherein contact with said detector will produce body deformation in at least portions of said detector and induce strain into said piezoelectric sensor.
A method of detecting contact, comprising the steps of:
- providing a contact deformable detector, the contact deformable detector comprising a polycarbonate resin strip having at least one centrally located slot;
- positioning the contact deformable detector in a pathway;
- and
- securing a piezoelectric sensor to one end of the contact deformable detector;
- whereby contact with said detector will produce body deformation in at least portions of the detector and induce strain into the piezoelectric sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.