Bi-directional deflectable resistor

A bi-directional deflectable resistor comprising:

• a substrate having a first surface and a second surface spaced from and essentially opposite said first surface, said substrate being bendable in a first direction away from relative to said first surface, said substrate being bendable in a second direction away from and relative to said second surface and essentially opposite said first direction;
• a first layer of electrically conductive ink on said first surface of said substrate, said first layer of electrically conductive ink having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto, said change of resistance of said first layer of electrically conductive ink reflects the amount of deflection in said first direction;
• and
• a second layer of electrically conductive ink on said second surface of said substrate, said second layer of electrically conductive ink having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto, said change of resistance of said second layer of electrically conductive ink reflects the amount of deflection in said second direction.

A bi-directional deflectable resistor comprising:

• a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said substrate having a first configuration, said substrate being bendable in a second configuration relative to said first configuration in a direction away from relative to said top surface, said substrate being bendable in a third configuration relative to said first configuration in a direction away from relative to said bottom surface and opposite said direction away from relative to said top surface;
• a first conductor means adhered to said top, surface of said substrate for predictably measuring the amount of deflection from said first configuration to said second configuration, said first conductor means able to bend with said substrate, said first conductor means having a resistance that changes predictably to reflect an amount of deflection between said first configuration and said second configuration;
• a second conductor means adhered to said bottom surface of said substrate for predictably measuring the amount of deflection from said first configuration to said third configuration, said second conductor means able to bend with said substrate, said second conductor means having a resistance that changes predictably to reflect an amount of deflection between said first configuration and said third configuration;
• a first connector means coupled to said first conductor means for interconnection to external electrical components;
• and
• a second connector means coupled to said second conductor means for interconnection to external electrical components.

A method for varying the resistance in an electrical circuit comprising:

• providing a substrate formed of a deflectable electrical insulating material, said substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first configuration, said substrate being bendable in a first direction relative to said top surface from said first configuration to a second configuration, said substrate being bendable in a second direction relative to said bottom surface and opposite said first direction from said first configuration to a second configuration;
• providing a first layer of conductive material disposed on said top surface for conducting electricity as part of an electrical circuit, said first layer of conductive material having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto, said change of resistance of said first layer of conductive material reflects an amount of deflection between said first configuration and said second configuration;
• providing a second layer of conductive material disposed on said bottom surface for conducting electricity as part of an electrical circuit, said second layer of conductive material having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto, said change of resistance of said second layer of conductive material reflects an amount of deflection between said first configuration and said third configuration;
• providing a connector means for connection to external electrical components;
• connecting said connector means to said first layer of conductive material, said second layer of conductive material and said external electrical components in said electrical circuit;
• bending said substrate and said first layer of conductive material between a first position and a second position;
• applying an electrical signal to said first layer of conductive material;
• and
• measuring a change of resistance of said first layer of conductive material to determine an amount of deflection between said first configuration and said second configuration.

A bi-directional deflectable resistor comprising:

• a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said substrate being bendable in a first direction away from relative to said top surface, said substrate being bendable in a second direction away from and relative to said bottom surface and opposite said first direction;
• a first layer of electrically conductive ink on said top surface of said substrate, said first layer of electrically conductive ink having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto, said change of resistance of said first layer of electrically conductive ink reflects the amount of deflection in said first direction;
• a second layer of electrically conductive ink on said bottom surface of said substrate, said second layer of electrically conductive ink having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto, said change of resistance of said second layer of electrically conductive ink reflects the amount of deflection in said second direction;
• a first segmented conductor positioned on said first layer of electrically conductive ink, said first segmented conductor being formed of an electrically conductive material deposited on said first layer of electrically conductive ink in spaced apart segments;
• and
• a second segmented conductor positioned on said second layer of electrically conductive ink, said second segmented conductor being formed of an electrically conductive material deposited on said second layer of electrically conductive ink in spaced apart segments.