Disclosed herein is a floor contact sensor system having a data acquisition terminal and a sensor sheet assembly having at least one sensor sheet. Each sensor sheet has a base sheet and selected spaced conductive portions extending upwardly therefrom that are in communication with the data acquisition terminal. The conductive portions are a composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler such that the conductive portions can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The floor contact sensor system can be configured to provide real time dynamic contact information for overlying flooring materials during use.
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
G01G 3/14 - Weighing apparatus characterised by the use of elastically-deformable members, e.g. spring balances wherein the weighing element is in the form of a solid body stressed by pressure or tension during weighing measuring variations of electrical resistance
G01G 19/44 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for weighing persons
G01L 1/22 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress using resistance strain gauges
G01L 1/18 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezo-resistive materials, i.e. materials of which the ohmic resistance varies according to changes in magnitude or direction of force applied to the material
G01G 23/37 - Indicating the weight by electrical means, e.g. using photoelectric cells involving digital counting
2.
FLOOR CONTACT SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR USING SAME
Disclosed herein is a floor contact sensor system having a data acquisition terminal and a sensor sheet assembly having at least one sensor sheet. Each sensor sheet has a base sheet and selected spaced conductive portions extending upwardly therefrom that are in communication with the data acquisition terminal. The conductive portions are a composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler such that the conductive portions can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The floor contact sensor system can be configured to provide real time dynamic contact information for overlying flooring materials during use.
G01N 27/04 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
G01G 1/34 - Balances involving the use of a pivoted beam, i.e. beam balances with associated counterweight or set of counterweights involving a fixed counterweight, with poise-weights selectively added to the load side
Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use.
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