PERSPIRATION SENSOR

摘要

A moisture sensor includes a pair of electrode plates separated by a moisture absorbent material that forms the dielectric of a capacitive sensor. As the absorbent dielectric material absorbs moisture, such as perspiration, the capacitance of the sensor changes reflecting a quantitative measure of perspiration absorbed. The sensor can be stabilized by capacitively coupling the dielectric material to the skin of the user to improve sensor stability and noise rejection. The sensor can include a capacitive sensing integrated circuit that measures the capacitance of the sensor in close proximity to the electrodes to limit the introduction of noise.

主权项

1. A perspiration sensor comprising:
a first electrode positioned a predefined distance from a second electrode defining a dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode; a moisture absorbent material positioned in the dielectric space between the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one inlet enabling moisture from outside the dielectric space to enter the dielectric space can become absorbed by the moisture absorbent material; and a skin electrode including a surface dielectric layer for capacitively coupled to the skin electrode to a skin portion of a user, wherein the skin electrode is electrically connected to the moisture absorbent material.