Measuring and testing – Dynamometers – Responsive to multiple loads or load components
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-04-17
Noori, Max (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Dynamometers
Responsive to multiple loads or load components
C073S862041
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216546
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sensor arrangements for spatially and temporally varying measurements of force or pressure in which a support material has column and line conductor paths capable of being supplied with voltages.
Sensor arrangements having a support material which is a plastic film on which the column and line conductor paths are applied by screen printing are known. Between the conductor paths of these arrangements, a conductive link is provided which has a resistance that varies in response to application of compressive forces. One disadvantage of such conventional sensor arrangements is that they have a low bending and bulging flexibility and are especially susceptible to interference caused by crinkling of the support material. Another disadvantage of the conventional pressure sensing films is that they must be applied to the surface of an object to which the pressure or force which is to be measured is applied. Therefore the sensor arrangement alters structural and/or functional properties of the surface of specimen, for example the frictional behavior of the surface, in a detrimental manner. This is especially disadvantageous in safety experiments using anthropomorphic test figures (“dummies”) in the automotive field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor arrangement for spatially and temporally varying measurements of force or pressure which overcomes disadvantageous of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a sensor arrangement of the foregoing type which is less sensitive to interferences.
These and other objects of the invention are attained by providing a sensor arrangement having a support material which is a support fabric and column and line conductor paths which are conductive column and line fibers, respectively, and are integrated into the support fabric, in which the material of the conductive fibers is chosen to produce a contact resistance at a point of contact between a line fiber and a column fiber that is dependent on the compressive loading at the point of contact.
With this sensor arrangement, crinkling of the support material does not produce any interfering influence on the output signals from the sensor since the conductive fibers are movable, which reduces shearing stresses.
Another advantage of the sensor arrangement according to the invention is that it has a fabric-like and hence flexible structure. This provides a greater bending and bulging flexibility in an advantageous manner compared to conventional plastic sensor films so that the sensor arrangement according to the invention is especially suitable for use with test surfaces of any shape or test surfaces that will deform during the measurement.
A further advantage of the invention is that the sensor arrangement can be integrated with especial ease in existing fabrics, for example, in the fabric of an airbag or the fabric of a seat in a motor vehicle, so that a simple and economical process of production and increased mechanical sturdiness are provided compared to conventional plastic test films. This integration of the conductive fibers into the fabric has the further advantage that the sensor arrangement has little or no effect on the structural and/or functional surface properties of the test specimen.
In an advantageous refinement of the invention the conductive fibers are elastic fibers, in particular carbon fibers or semiconductive polymer fibers. This has the advantage that the elastic fibers will to a large extent adapt themselves to the form of their support fabric, even in a bowed or curved condition.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Noori Max
Volkswagen AG
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