Textile pressure sensor array and pressure distribution mapping system
Inventors
CHONG, Yam • Xu, Tao • Fu, Li • Liu, Chenmin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11796401-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pressure distribution mapping system includes a flexible M×N textile-based pressure sensor array. with first and second electrode textile layers and a piezoresistive fabric layer with a sheet resistance of at least 60 k-ohm/square positioned between the first and second electrode textile layers. Individual pressure sensors are formed by an intersection between a row electrically-conductive path and a column electrically-conductive path along with the portion of the piezoresistive layer positioned at the intersection. A measurement system measures the resistance of each pressure sensor of the pressure sensor array. The measurement system includes a reading module with first op-amps connected to each row and second op-amps connected to each column. Plural switches switch between pressure sensor-enabled and pressure sensor-disabled positions to minimize a bus line crosstalk effect during pressure sensor reading A processor scans each pressure sensor and generates a pressure distribution profile based on a measured resistance of each pressure sensor.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a pressure distribution mapping system that uses a flexible M×N textile-based pressure sensor array. The array includes a first electrode textile layer with M row electrically-conductive paths separated by insulating regions, and a second electrode textile layer with N column electrically-conductive paths separated by insulating regions, with the ratio of the width of an insulating region to the width of a conductive path greater than two to minimize crosstalk between neighboring pressure sensors.
A piezoresistive fabric layer is positioned between the first electrode textile layer and the second electrode textile layer. The piezoresistive fabric layer has resistance that varies in response to applied physical forces, and it is a continuous piezoresistive fabric layer with a sheet resistance of at least 60 k-ohm/square to minimize crosstalk between neighboring pressure sensors. An individual pressure sensor is formed by an intersection between a row electrically-conductive path and a column electrically-conductive path, and a portion of the piezoresistive layer positioned at the intersection.
The system includes a measurement system for measuring a resistance of each pressure sensor, using a reading module with a voltage supply V1 and a voltage supply V2, first op-amps connected to each row, second op-amps connected to each column, and a plurality of switches. The switches switch between pressure sensor-enabled and pressure sensor-disabled positions during pressure sensor readings so that two terminals of each deactivated pressure sensor have equal potential and bypass current does not flow through the deactivated pressure sensors to minimize a bus line crosstalk effect.
A processor scans each pressure sensor and generates a pressure distribution profile based on a measured resistance of each pressure sensor. The described solution combines layout constraints, a continuous piezoresistive fabric layer, and sensor disabling during reading while reducing crosstalk errors.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim covering both the flexible M×N textile sensor array structure and the associated pressure distribution mapping measurement system, with inventive features that target crosstalk minimization via textile geometry, material parameters, and enabled/disabled sensor switching during reading.
Crosstalk-minimizing textile electrode layout with insulating region ratio greater than two
A flexible M×N textile-based pressure sensor array having a first electrode textile layer with M row electrically-conductive paths separated by insulating regions with a ratio of the width of an insulating region to the width of a row conductive path greater than two to minimize crosstalk between neighboring pressure sensors, and a second electrode textile layer with N column electrically-conductive paths separated by insulating regions with a ratio of the width of an insulating region to the width of a column conductive path greater than two to minimize crosstalk from neighboring pressure sensors.
Continuous piezoresistive fabric layer with sheet resistance at least 60 k-ohm/square
A piezoresistive fabric layer positioned between the first electrode textile layer and the second electrode textile layer, having resistance varying in response to applied physical forces, being a continuous piezoresistive fabric layer with a sheet resistance of at least 60 k-ohm/square to minimize the crosstalk between neighboring pressure sensors.
Pressure sensor formed at row/column intersection using portion of continuous piezoresistive layer
An individual pressure sensor formed by an intersection between a row electrically-conductive path and a column electrically-conductive path and a portion of the piezoresistive layer positioned at the intersection.
Switching enabled/disabled pressure sensors so deactivated sensors have equal potential and no bypass current
A measurement system including a reading module with a voltage supply V1 and a voltage supply V2, first op-amps connected to each row and second op-amps connected to each column, and a plurality of switches switching between pressure sensor-enabled and pressure sensor-disabled positions during pressure sensor readings such that two terminals of each deactivated pressure sensor have equal potential and bypass current does not flow through the deactivated pressure sensors in order to minimize a bus line crosstalk effect during pressure sensor reading.
Scanning each pressure sensor to generate pressure distribution profile from measured resistance
A processor coupled to the measurement system for scanning each pressure sensor and generating a pressure distribution profile based on a measured resistance of each pressure sensor.
Claim coverage centers on a single integrated system for pressure distribution mapping that minimizes crosstalk through textile layout with insulating region-to-conductor width ratio greater than two in both row and column layers, a continuous piezoresistive fabric layer with sheet resistance at least 60 k-ohm/square, pressure sensors defined at row/column intersections, and a reading module that switches sensors between enabled and disabled positions so deactivated sensors have equal potential and bypass current does not flow, followed by scanning and pressure distribution profile generation from measured resistances.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes crosstalk between neighboring pressure sensors in the textile-based pressure sensor array.
Minimizes crosstalk from neighboring pressure sensors in the electrode textile layers.
Minimizes crosstalk between neighboring pressure sensors using a continuous piezoresistive fabric layer with sheet resistance of at least 60 k-ohm/square.
Minimizes a bus line crosstalk effect during pressure sensor reading by preventing bypass current from flowing through deactivated pressure sensors so deactivated sensor terminals have equal potential.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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