US 11,852,546 B2
Systems and methods for foldable multi-mode bend sensors
Colton A. Ottley, Farmington, UT (US); Jared K. Jonas, Seattle, WA (US); Colin D. Eichinger, Salt Lake City, UT (US); Nathan Grimes, Bountiful, UT (US); and Nathan C. Briggs, Ogden, UT (US)
Assigned to Nitto Bend Technologies, Inc., Farmington, UT (US)
Filed by Bend Labs Inc., Salt Lake City, UT (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/534,297.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/118,561, filed on Nov. 25, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0163412 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. G01L 1/14 (2006.01)
CPC G01L 1/142 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.