Force-sensing resistor sensor and applications

摘要

An FSR assembly includes one or more active areas configured to respond to incident force by changing resistance. The FSR assembly also includes a test area constructed from the same FSR material as the active area(s), but for which the resistance remains substantially constant despite incident force on the assembly.

主权项

1. A force-sensing resistor (FSR) assembly, comprising:
an active area characterized by a first resistance, the active area comprising a first element of an FSR material in contact with a plurality of conductive structures, the active area of the FSR assembly being configured such that the first resistance changes in response to force applied to the FSR assembly that affects the contact between the FSR material of the first element and the conductive structures; first conductors by which a first measurement relating to the first resistance can be made, each of the first conductors being coupled to the first element by one of the conductive structures; a test area characterized by a second resistance, the test area comprising a second element of the same FSR material as the first element of the active area, the test area of the FSR assembly being configured such that the second resistance remains substantially constant in response to force applied to the FSR assembly; and second conductors by which a second measurement relating to the second resistance can be made, the FSR material of the second element being applied directly on the second conductors; wherein the first conductors include a first supply conductor and a common conductor, and the second conductors include a second supply conductor and the common conductor, and wherein the first element forms part of a first voltage divider, and the second element forms part of a second voltage divider.