CPC G01L 1/142 (2013.01) | 18 Claims |
1. A multi-mode compliant sensor comprising:
a signal electrode layer comprising:
an elastomeric layer;
a first sensor region within the elastomeric layer and comprising conductive material;
a narrowed region connected to the elastomeric layer and comprising a fold line region; and
a foldable sensor region connected to the narrowed region and comprising conductive material;
wherein the narrowed region is folded at the fold line region and the foldable sensor region is positioned above the first sensor region;
a dielectric interposer positioned between the first sensor region and the foldable sensor region, the combination forming a first compliant capacitor;
a second sensor region within the elastomeric layer and comprising conductive material;
a second narrowed region connected to the elastomeric layer and comprising a second fold line region; and
a second foldable sensor region connected to the second narrowed region and comprising conductive material;
wherein the second narrowed region is folded at the second fold line region and the second foldable sensor region is positioned above the second sensor region;
a second dielectric interposer positioned between the second sensor region and the second foldable sensor region, the combination forming a second compliant capacitor;
a control circuit comprising:
a microcontroller comprising at least three operational amplifiers configured to operate as an instrumentation amplifier with programmable gain;
a first resistor;
a second resistor; and
a digital-to-analog converter; and
wherein the first resistor and the second resistor convert a current charging the first and second compliant capacitors into voltage, and the instrumentation amplifier converts the differential signal into a single ended voltage output.
|