WO2003052368A1 - Sensor mat for registering a pressure profile - Google Patents

Sensor mat for registering a pressure profile Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003052368A1
WO2003052368A1 PCT/NL2002/000816 NL0200816W WO03052368A1 WO 2003052368 A1 WO2003052368 A1 WO 2003052368A1 NL 0200816 W NL0200816 W NL 0200816W WO 03052368 A1 WO03052368 A1 WO 03052368A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensor
electrodes
electrode
sensor elements
layer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2002/000816
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Albert Edmond Holman
Original Assignee
Dutch Space B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dutch Space B.V. filed Critical Dutch Space B.V.
Publication of WO2003052368A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003052368A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L1/00—Measuring force or stress, in general
    • G01L1/20—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
    • G01L1/205—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluids; by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using distributed sensing elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
    • A61B2562/02—Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
    • A61B2562/0247—Pressure sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2562/00—Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
    • A61B2562/04—Arrangements of multiple sensors of the same type
    • A61B2562/046—Arrangements of multiple sensors of the same type in a matrix array
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/22—Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow
    • A61B5/224—Measuring muscular strength
    • A61B5/228—Measuring muscular strength of masticatory organs, e.g. detecting dental force

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a sensor mat for registering a pressure profile, comprising sensor elements distributed over the mat, wherein each sensor element has a first and a second electrode, which two electrodes interact with a resistive layer such that a pressure load changes the electrical resistance between the two electrodes relative to the resistance at zero load, wherein the sensor elements are provided on a flexible carrier in the form of a matrix and wherein the sensor elements that are placed in the same row or in the same column always share one row electrode or column electrode, respectively.
  • Such a sensor mat is known, for example, from US-A- 4,734,034.
  • the known sensor mat has a top layer and a bottom layer in which electrodes are arranged in rows or columns, respectively. Between the top layer and the bottom layer there is a separating layer. Further, the electrodes of top layer and bottom layer are provided with a resistive coating. When applying a load to the mat it is possible to determine with the aid of the electrodes where on the mat the pressure load is applied because the effect of the pressure load changes the resistance between the electrodes.
  • the known sensor mat is especially suitable for determining the pressure profile of teeth placed on both sides of the mat.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a sensor mat that is suitable for registering pressure profiles from persons and/or objects in chairs, beds or in connection with the use of medical aids.
  • the sensor mat has to meet special requirements, for example, when the sensor mat does not have a solid supporting surface.
  • a particular requirement with the applications mentioned is that the sensor mat must be able to tolerate a double bend without detracting from the accuracy of the determination, or causing folds in the carrier or a break in one or several of the row electrodes and/or column electrodes .
  • this requirement is met by embodying the sensor mat such that each row electrode and/or column electrode between the sensor elements has a meandering path.
  • the meandering portions of the electrodes When the flexible carrier on which the sensor elements are provided bends in two directions, the meandering portions of the electrodes will be able to move outside the plane of the carrier while actually staying intact but nevertheless allowing the sensor elements to move in relation to one another.
  • the measure in which a double bend is tolerated may then be chosen by suitably adjusting the form and dimensions of the meandering portions of the electrodes.
  • the electrodes of the sensor elements are provided on the carrier on top of each other, separated from each other by an insulating layer. This is a reliable manner of manufac- turing a very thin sensor mat.
  • resistive layer of the sensor elements prefferably be provided on the electrodes, with both electrodes on the same side of the resistive layer.
  • the resistive layer in a further aspect of the invention it is advanta- geous for the resistive layer to be attached to the electrode layer by means of a layer of adhesive , and that the layer of adhesive comprises aeration holes.
  • aeration holes promote the contact of the resistive layer with the two electrodes when a load is applied on the sensor elements.
  • the effectiveness of the sensor elements of the sensor mat may be assisted by providing each sensor element separately with a support surface. This support surface at the position of the sensor elements and between the meandering portions of the electrodes helps the electrodes at that position to be kept flat.
  • the figure shows a schematic top view of a portion of a sensor mat according to the invention.
  • This sensor mat 1 comprises sensor elements 2 evenly distributed over the mat 1, each sensor element 2 having a first electrode 3 and a second electrode 4.
  • the two electrodes 3 and 4 interact with a resistive layer provided on top of the two electrodes, such that relative to the resistance at zero load, the application of a pressure load changes the electrical resistance between the two electrodes 3 and .
  • a pressure load will produce a reduced resistance between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4.
  • the figure shows in an illustrative manner that the sensor elements 2 are arranged in matrix form.
  • These sensor elements 2 which as mentioned above comprise a first elec- trode 3, a second electrode 4, and (not shown) a resistive layer provided on these two electrodes, are provided on a flexible carrier.
  • This may, for example, be a polyester film or a carrier made from another suitable material.
  • the figure further clearly shows that the sensor elements 2 that are arranged in the same row or in the same column always share one row electrode or column electrode; see, for example, the row electrode 5 connecting a number of first electrodes 3 and the column electrode 6 connecting a number of second electrodes 4.
  • each row electrode 5 and/or column electrode 6 has a meandering path between the sensor elements 2.
  • the various electrodes 3 and 4 of the sensor elements 2 are arranged on top of each other on the carrier while being separated from each other by an insulating layer so as to avoid short circuiting. This is not (or not clearly) shown in the figure but is completely known to the person skilled in the art so that there is no need for further explanation. It is further remarkable that the resistive layer of the sensor elements 2 are provided on the electrodes 3, 4 with both electrodes together being located at the same side of the resistive layer. To conveniently accomplish this, the resistive layer is attached to the electrode layer 3, 4 by means of a layer of adhesive , with aeration holes in the layer of adhesive . These aeration holes make it possible to press the resistive layer on to the various electrodes 3, 4 of the sensor elements 2, so as to make sensitive determina- tion possible of the change in resistance caused by the pressure load between these electrodes 3, 4.
  • each sensor element 2 separately to be provided with a relatively rigid support surface to aid the measuring of the pressure load on the respective sensor elements.

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor mat for registering a pressure profile, comprising sensor elements distributed over the mat wherein each sensor element has a first and a second electrode, which two electrodes interact with a resistive layer, such that a pressure load changes the electrical resistance between the two electrodes relative to the resistance at zero load, wherein the sensor elements are provided on a flexible carrier in the form of a matrix and wherein the sensor elements that are placed in the same row or in the same column always share one row electrode or column electrode, respectively. Each row electrode and/or column electrode between the sensor elements has a meandering path.

Description

Sensor mat for registering a pressure profile
The invention relates to a sensor mat for registering a pressure profile, comprising sensor elements distributed over the mat, wherein each sensor element has a first and a second electrode, which two electrodes interact with a resistive layer such that a pressure load changes the electrical resistance between the two electrodes relative to the resistance at zero load, wherein the sensor elements are provided on a flexible carrier in the form of a matrix and wherein the sensor elements that are placed in the same row or in the same column always share one row electrode or column electrode, respectively.
Such a sensor mat is known, for example, from US-A- 4,734,034. The known sensor mat has a top layer and a bottom layer in which electrodes are arranged in rows or columns, respectively. Between the top layer and the bottom layer there is a separating layer. Further, the electrodes of top layer and bottom layer are provided with a resistive coating. When applying a load to the mat it is possible to determine with the aid of the electrodes where on the mat the pressure load is applied because the effect of the pressure load changes the resistance between the electrodes. The known sensor mat is especially suitable for determining the pressure profile of teeth placed on both sides of the mat.
The object of the invention is to provide a sensor mat that is suitable for registering pressure profiles from persons and/or objects in chairs, beds or in connection with the use of medical aids. The sensor mat has to meet special requirements, for example, when the sensor mat does not have a solid supporting surface. A particular requirement with the applications mentioned is that the sensor mat must be able to tolerate a double bend without detracting from the accuracy of the determination, or causing folds in the carrier or a break in one or several of the row electrodes and/or column electrodes . In accordance with the invention this requirement is met by embodying the sensor mat such that each row electrode and/or column electrode between the sensor elements has a meandering path. When the flexible carrier on which the sensor elements are provided bends in two directions, the meandering portions of the electrodes will be able to move outside the plane of the carrier while actually staying intact but nevertheless allowing the sensor elements to move in relation to one another. The measure in which a double bend is tolerated may then be chosen by suitably adjusting the form and dimensions of the meandering portions of the electrodes.
In another aspect of the invention it is desirable for the electrodes of the sensor elements to be provided on the carrier on top of each other, separated from each other by an insulating layer. This is a reliable manner of manufac- turing a very thin sensor mat.
It is further desirable for the resistive layer of the sensor elements to be provided on the electrodes, with both electrodes on the same side of the resistive layer.
In a further aspect of the invention it is advanta- geous for the resistive layer to be attached to the electrode layer by means of a layer of adhesive , and that the layer of adhesive comprises aeration holes. Such aeration holes promote the contact of the resistive layer with the two electrodes when a load is applied on the sensor elements. The effectiveness of the sensor elements of the sensor mat may be assisted by providing each sensor element separately with a support surface. This support surface at the position of the sensor elements and between the meandering portions of the electrodes helps the electrodes at that position to be kept flat.
With reference to the drawing of a single figure the invention will be further elucidated below.
The figure shows a schematic top view of a portion of a sensor mat according to the invention. This sensor mat 1 comprises sensor elements 2 evenly distributed over the mat 1, each sensor element 2 having a first electrode 3 and a second electrode 4. The two electrodes 3 and 4 interact with a resistive layer provided on top of the two electrodes, such that relative to the resistance at zero load, the application of a pressure load changes the electrical resistance between the two electrodes 3 and . As a rule one thing and another is designed such that a pressure load will produce a reduced resistance between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4.
The figure shows in an illustrative manner that the sensor elements 2 are arranged in matrix form. These sensor elements 2 which as mentioned above comprise a first elec- trode 3, a second electrode 4, and (not shown) a resistive layer provided on these two electrodes, are provided on a flexible carrier. This may, for example, be a polyester film or a carrier made from another suitable material. The figure further clearly shows that the sensor elements 2 that are arranged in the same row or in the same column always share one row electrode or column electrode; see, for example, the row electrode 5 connecting a number of first electrodes 3 and the column electrode 6 connecting a number of second electrodes 4. The figure also clearly illustrates that each row electrode 5 and/or column electrode 6 has a meandering path between the sensor elements 2.
It can further be observed that the various electrodes 3 and 4 of the sensor elements 2 are arranged on top of each other on the carrier while being separated from each other by an insulating layer so as to avoid short circuiting. This is not (or not clearly) shown in the figure but is completely known to the person skilled in the art so that there is no need for further explanation. It is further remarkable that the resistive layer of the sensor elements 2 are provided on the electrodes 3, 4 with both electrodes together being located at the same side of the resistive layer. To conveniently accomplish this, the resistive layer is attached to the electrode layer 3, 4 by means of a layer of adhesive , with aeration holes in the layer of adhesive . These aeration holes make it possible to press the resistive layer on to the various electrodes 3, 4 of the sensor elements 2, so as to make sensitive determina- tion possible of the change in resistance caused by the pressure load between these electrodes 3, 4.
Finally, it is desirable for each sensor element 2 separately to be provided with a relatively rigid support surface to aid the measuring of the pressure load on the respective sensor elements. This also is quite clear to the person skilled in the art, so that further explanation is not necessary.

Claims

1. A sensor mat (1) for registering a pressure profile, comprising sensor elements (2) distributed over the mat
(1) wherein each sensor element (2) has a first (3) and a second electrode (4), which two electrodes interact with a resistive layer, such that a pressure load changes the electrical resistance between the two electrodes relative to the resistance at zero load, wherein the sensor elements (2) are provided on a flexible carrier in the form of a matrix and wherein the sensor elements (2) that are placed in the same row or in the same column always share one row electrode (5) or column electrode (6), respectively characterised in that each row electrode (5) and/or column electrode (6) between the sensor elements (2) has a meandering path.
2. A sensor mat according to claim 1, characterised in that the electrodes (3, 4) of the sensor elements (2) are provided on the carrier on top of each other, separated from each other by an insulating layer.
3. A sensor mat according to claim 1 or 2, charac- terised in that the resistive layer of the sensor elements
(2) is provided on the electrodes (3, 4), with both electrodes (3, 4) on the same side of the resistive layer.
4. A sensor mat according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the resistive layer is attached to the electrode layer (3, 4) by means of a layer of adhesive , and that the layer of adhesive comprises aeration holes.
5. A sensor mat according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each sensor element (2) separately is provided with a support surface.
PCT/NL2002/000816 2001-12-19 2002-12-11 Sensor mat for registering a pressure profile WO2003052368A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1019607 2001-12-19
NL1019607A NL1019607C2 (en) 2001-12-19 2001-12-19 Sensor mat for registering a pressure profile.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003052368A1 true WO2003052368A1 (en) 2003-06-26

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WO (1) WO2003052368A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006055731A1 (en) * 2004-11-17 2006-05-26 The Regents Of The University Of California Microelectromechanical systems contact stress sensor
EP2182339A1 (en) * 2007-07-26 2010-05-05 Nitta Corporation Sensor sheet
EP3171146A1 (en) 2015-11-17 2017-05-24 Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt EMPA Sandwich-like pressure sensitive sensor array
US10473539B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2019-11-12 Tekscan, Inc. Stretchable force sensor having undulating patterned electrodes

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5010774A (en) * 1987-11-05 1991-04-30 The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. Distribution type tactile sensor
DE4237072C1 (en) * 1992-11-03 1993-12-02 Daimler Benz Ag Resistive film pressure or force sensor for indicating occupation of vehicle seat - has conductive paths for providing series of meandering interdigitated local area transducer electrodes on polymer and semiconductor substrate.
WO2000016053A1 (en) * 1998-09-11 2000-03-23 I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering S.A R.L. Force sensor

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4734034A (en) 1985-03-29 1988-03-29 Sentek, Incorporated Contact sensor for measuring dental occlusion

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5010774A (en) * 1987-11-05 1991-04-30 The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. Distribution type tactile sensor
DE4237072C1 (en) * 1992-11-03 1993-12-02 Daimler Benz Ag Resistive film pressure or force sensor for indicating occupation of vehicle seat - has conductive paths for providing series of meandering interdigitated local area transducer electrodes on polymer and semiconductor substrate.
WO2000016053A1 (en) * 1998-09-11 2000-03-23 I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering S.A R.L. Force sensor

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006055731A1 (en) * 2004-11-17 2006-05-26 The Regents Of The University Of California Microelectromechanical systems contact stress sensor
EP2182339A1 (en) * 2007-07-26 2010-05-05 Nitta Corporation Sensor sheet
EP2182339A4 (en) * 2007-07-26 2011-10-05 Nitta Corp Sensor sheet
EP3171146A1 (en) 2015-11-17 2017-05-24 Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt EMPA Sandwich-like pressure sensitive sensor array
WO2017085123A1 (en) 2015-11-17 2017-05-26 Empa Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- Und Forschungsanstalt Sandwich-like pressure sensitive sensor array
US10473539B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2019-11-12 Tekscan, Inc. Stretchable force sensor having undulating patterned electrodes

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Publication number Publication date
NL1019607C2 (en) 2003-06-20

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