Thin tactile sensors for nip width measurement

摘要

A thin, tactile sensor for measuring the width of a contact region between two loaded rollers. The sensor comprises an array of sensing elements disposed between two thin substrates, and including conductive traces to provide electrical connection to external measurement electronics. Relatively thin conductive electrode patterns are disposed transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the sensor through the rollers, and are positioned at predetermined lateral spacings such that activation of selected sensors provides indicia of nip width.