公开(公告)号：US20180067005A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-08

申请号：US15807020

申请日：2017-11-08

Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba

Inventor： Yoshihiko Fuji ,  Kei Masunishi ,  Hideaki Fukuzawa ,  Yoshihiro Higashi ,  Michiko Hara ,  Akio Hori ,  Tomohiko Nagata ,  Shiori Kaji ,  Akiko Yuzawa

IPC: G01L1/22 ,  G06F3/041 ,  A61B5/024 ,  A61B5/00 ,  H04R19/00 ,  H04R7/00 ,  H04R1/04 ,  H04R1/02 ,  A61B5/021 ,  G01L9/00 ,  G01L5/16 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/12 ,  H04R19/04

CPC classification number: G01L1/2287 ,  A61B5/02141 ,  A61B5/02438 ,  A61B5/7475 ,  G01L1/12 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L1/2262 ,  G01L1/2293 ,  G01L5/161 ,  G01L9/0051 ,  G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  H04R1/028 ,  H04R1/04 ,  H04R7/00 ,  H04R19/005 ,  H04R19/04 ,  H04R2499/11

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.

公开(公告)号：US09902611B2

公开(公告)日：2018-02-27

申请号：US15111044

申请日：2015-01-13

Applicant: NextInput, Inc.

Inventor： Amnon Brosh ,  Ryan Diestelhorst ,  Steven Nasiri

IPC: B81B3/00 ,  B81C1/00 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/20

CPC classification number: B81B3/0056 ,  B81B2201/0264 ,  B81B2201/0292 ,  B81C1/00626 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L9/0047 ,  G01L9/0048

Abstract: Described herein is a miniaturized and ruggedized wafer level MEMS force sensor composed of a base and a cap. The sensor employs multiple flexible membranes, a mechanical overload stop, a retaining wall, and piezoresistive strain gauges.

公开(公告)号：US20170350773A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-07

申请号：US15170877

申请日：2016-06-01

Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Inventor： Siyuan Ma ,  James David Holbery ,  Anatoly Churikov ,  Flavio Protasio Ribeiro

IPC: G01L1/20 ,  C09D5/24 ,  C09D165/00 ,  G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G01L1/205 ,  C09D5/24 ,  C09D165/00 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  G06F2203/04105

Abstract: Examples for force-sensing elements are disclosed. An example method for forming a force sensor includes printing a suspension of a hollow-sphere conductive polymer in a liquid carrier over an electrode pair on a substrate, evaporating the liquid carrier, and encapsulating the electrode pair and hollow-sphere conductive polymer to form a force sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20170350772A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-07

申请号：US15538862

申请日：2015-12-23

Applicant: Haydale Graphene Industries PLC

Inventor： Davide DeGanello ,  Tim Mortensen ,  Youmna Mouhamad ,  Alexander Holder

IPC: G01L1/18

CPC classification number: G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/205 ,  H01B1/24

Abstract: The present invention relates to piezoresistive devices and pressure sensors incorporating such devices. At its most general, the invention provides a piezoresistive device, comprising a piezoresistive material positioned between an upper conductive layer and a lower conductive layer, wherein the piezoresistive material comprises carbon nanoparticles (most preferably graphene nanoplatelets, graphene or carbon nanotubes) dispersed in a polymer matrix material. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing and using such devices.

公开(公告)号：US20170285864A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-05

申请号：US15273577

申请日：2016-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James E. Pedder ,  John Stephen Smith ,  Michael Vosgueritchian ,  Vikram Garg ,  Sinan Filiz ,  Miguel C. Christophy

IPC: G06F3/041 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H01L27/32 ,  G06F3/045

CPC classification number: G06F3/0418 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L1/2281 ,  G06F3/0412 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/045 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  G06F2203/04105 ,  H01L27/323

Abstract: A force sensor is disclosed. The force sensor includes a force-sensitive structure that compensates for temperature and other environmental changes through the use of a strain-sensitive element and one or more reference elements. An array of such force-sensitive structures forms a force-sensing layer.

公开(公告)号：US20170234673A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-17

申请号：US15583350

申请日：2017-05-01

Applicant: STC.UNM

Inventor： Scott S. Sibbett

IPC: G01B7/16 ,  G01L9/00

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G01L1/205

Abstract: A pliable pressure sensitive sensor device and method of making the same is provided. The sensor includes first and second pliable protective layers, which cover sets of conductive fibers that spatially separated by an electrically conductive pliable layer, which deforms in response to a pressure event. The fiber sets form a grid pattern and are in electrical communication with sets of electrical contacts located in predetermined locations along the fibers. In response to a pressure event in proximity to the contact, the pliable layer deforms and increases the amount of surface area in contact with an electrical contact whereby an electrical resistance at an individual electrical contact decreases in response to the pressure event.

公开(公告)号：US20170153153A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-01

申请号：US15367037

申请日：2016-12-01

Applicant: Sensitronics, LLC

Inventor： Franklin N. Eventoff ,  Justin M. Connelly ,  James A. Holmes

IPC: G01L1/20

CPC classification number: G01L1/205 ,  G06F3/0338 ,  G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F2203/04101 ,  G06F2203/04106

Abstract: Pre-loaded force sensitive input devices, force sensing resistors (FSR), are formed as a multiple membrane assembly that is capable of detecting low intensity pressure inputs and quantifying varying applications of pressure to the sensor surface. Pre-loading the force sensor elements results in a controlled amount of force between the two substrates causing a constant state of pre-load and eliminating the low-end or minimal pressure signal noise associated with unloaded sensors. Pre-loading the force sensing resistor sensor also enables the sensor to detect removal of low intensity pressure input such as might occur during theft of light weight articles placed in contact with the pre-loaded force sensor. Using an FSR or FSR Matrix Array will enable any handling of protected retail packaging to be detected and identified. A library of “touches” can be established that will yield cutting, ripping, twisting, etc. making the detection of a theft in progress more accurate.

公开(公告)号：US09664573B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-30

申请号：US14375459

申请日：2013-01-30

Applicant: PST Sensors (Proprietary) Limited

Inventor： David Thomas Britton ,  Margit Harting

IPC: G01B7/16 ,  G01K7/22 ,  G01K7/16 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01K1/02 ,  G01L9/04 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/22 ,  G01J1/44

CPC classification number: G01K7/22 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01K1/02 ,  G01K7/16 ,  G01K2213/00 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L1/225 ,  G01L9/045

Abstract: A sensor device comprises an array of spaced apart sensor elements disposed in a pattern on a substrate. Each sensor element is connected electrically so that a physical variable measured by each sensor element independently can be recorded and/or displayed by an external instrument. The sensing device may be a temperature sensing device, in which case the sensor elements are temperature sensing elements such as negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors. Alternatively the sensing device may be a strain or pressure sensing device, or an optical imaging device, in which case the sensor elements include piezoresistors or photoresistors. The sensor elements may be connected in a common source or write all-read one configuration, in a common output or write one-read all configuration, or in an array comprising X rows and Y columns, in a write X-read Y configuration.

公开(公告)号：US20170146368A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-25

申请号：US15335782

申请日：2016-10-27

Applicant: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG

Inventor： Matthias KUCZERA ,  Onedin IBROCEVIC

IPC: G01D5/16 ,  H03K17/96

CPC classification number: G01D5/16 ,  F16P3/12 ,  G01L1/205 ,  H01C10/10 ,  H01H3/141 ,  H01H2003/148 ,  H03K17/9645

Abstract: Safety mat for safeguarding a technical installation, comprising a sensor, a rigid supporting body and an evaluation unit. The sensor has an active sensor area and a flexible connection region for contacting the sensor area. The flexible connection region is formed at a border of the active sensor area. The supporting body has a base with a top side and a side face which adjoins the said top side. The evaluation unit is arranged in the interior of the supporting body below the active sensor area and is configured to generate an output signal depending on the actuation of the active sensor area. The active sensor area covers the top side of the base of the supporting body completely, and the connection region of the sensor is folded around the side face through 180° and guided into the interior of the supporting body.

公开(公告)号：US09642470B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-09

申请号：US14341328

申请日：2014-07-25

Applicant: Stryker Corporation

Inventor： Geoffrey L. Taylor

IPC: G01L1/22 ,  G01L3/00 ,  G01D7/00 ,  A47C27/08 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01N3/08 ,  H01L29/84 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L5/22 ,  A61B5/103 ,  A61B5/00 ,  G01L1/16

CPC classification number: A47C27/082 ,  A61B5/1036 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  A61B2562/0247 ,  A61B2562/046 ,  G01L1/16 ,  G01L1/18 ,  G01L1/20 ,  G01L1/205 ,  G01L5/228 ,  G01N3/08 ,  G01N2203/0623 ,  H01L29/84

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a force sensing array positioned thereon that includes multiple layers of material that are arranged to define an elastically stretchable sensing sheet. The sensing sheet may be placed underneath a patient to detect interface forces or pressures between the patient and the support structure that the patient is positioned on. The force sensing array includes a plurality of force sensors. The force sensors are defined where a row conductor and a column conductor approach each other on opposite sides of a force sensing material, such as a piezoresistive material. In order to reduce electrical cross talk between the plurality of sensors, a semiconductive material is included adjacent the force sensing material to create a PN junction with the force sensing material. This PN junction acts as a diode, limiting current flow to essentially one direction, which, in turn, reduces cross talk between the multiple sensors.