Abstract
This study describes a novel floor sensor network being developed to provide a competitive and universal pressure mapping technology for a wide range of medical, research and security applications. The presented sensor network consists of 16 sensor elements distributed in a 4x4 sensor matrix. The sensor elements are made of a special dielectric electro-active polymer film being capable of capacitive sensing of the surface pressure. Each sensor unit is 200x160 mm resulting in an overall sensor matrix size of 800x740 mm. A high precision and high speed sensor interface was realized to provide a differential capacitance measurement method fulfilling the specific measuring requirements of the sensor matrix. Based on the measurement results, the developed sensor network is capable of measuring the distributed weight on their surface with an accuracy of 5 kg, however, this initial measuring accuracy can be significantly increased by improving the manufacturing technology of the sensor elements.
Highlights
Pressure mapping is an innovative technology providing a solution for a wide range of applications that has been available for many years but is still not widespread owing to the high prices of the used sensor materials.A pressure mapping system is an array of sensors contained in a flexible mat that measure interface pressure, which is defined as the pressure that occurs at the interface between the body and the support surface
This study describes a novel floor sensor network being developed to provide a competitive and universal pressure mapping technology for a wide range of medical, research and security applications
The presented sensor network consists of 16 sensor elements distributed in a 4x4 sensor matrix
Summary
Pressure mapping is an innovative technology providing a solution for a wide range of applications that has been available for many years but is still not widespread owing to the high prices of the used sensor materials. A pressure mapping system is an array of sensors contained in a flexible mat that measure interface pressure, which is defined as the pressure that occurs at the interface between the body and the support surface. The surface pressure being distributed on the sensor matrix can be monitored or processed by special algorithms to make conclusions and decisions in order to trigger a control, warning or alarm signal. Pressure mapping systems are used by product designers and test engineers throughout the research, design, testing, and manufacturing cycle to verify and enhance product performance. Pressure mapping systems are used for patient care and medical researchers. Some medical studies and applications including in-shoe pressure analysis, barefoot pressure analysis, seating and positioning pressure analysis, joint pressure analysis and animal gait pressure analysis are shown on Fig. 2
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