A tension measuring apparatus includes a displacement part that is displaced in accordance with tension or a change of the tension of a wire rod to be measured when the displacement part is caused to abut against the wire rod to receive the tension of the wire rod, an elastic body that is elastically deformed in accordance with displacement of the displacement part, and a heat flow sensor that detects a heat flow caused by elastic deformation of the elastic body.

A triboelectric power system includes a triboelectric generator, a rechargeable energy storage unit and a power management circuit. The rechargeable energy storage unit is associated to the triboelectric generator. The power management circuit is configured to receive an input current from the triboelectric generator and to deliver an output current corresponding to the input current to the rechargeable battery so that the output current has a current direction and a voltage that will recharge the rechargeable battery.

A pressure array sensor module, comprising an array electrode board, a plurality of pressure sensing elements, at least one first conductive structure and at least one second conductive structure is provided. The array electrode board comprises a substrate and an electrode array disposed on the substrate and having a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern. Each pressure sensing element is disposed at a sensing position on the array electrode board, and comprises a top electrode layer, a bottom electrode layer and at least one pressure sensing layer disposed between the top electrode layer and the bottom electrode layer. The top electrode layer has a first lead. The bottom electrode layer has a second lead. The first conductive structure electrically connects the first lead and the corresponding first electrode pattern. The second conductive structure electrically connects the second lead and the corresponding second electrode pattern.

Provided is a sensor that is able to efficiently identify a variety of motions made by a user. The sensor includes: a structure body configured to be deformable by an external force; an electrode configured to be disposed at an arbitrary position of the structure body; a determination unit configured to determine a contact state of an object with the structure body based on a change in impedance measured using the electrode; and an output unit configured to output a signal based on the contact state of the object with the structure body to an external device.

A method for observing and/or monitoring strains which occur during sporting activities uses a sport shoe having downwardly extending engaging elements on a support which are pivotable about an axis perpendicular to a tread outsole. The method includes: observing how often the support is turned from its starting position within a time interval; forming a first variable which is a measure for the number of occurred turning movements of the support from the starting position observed within the time interval; and/or determining the pivot angle of the support and forming a second variable which is a measure for the sum of the pivot angles which occurred during the turning movements from the starting position which took place in said time interval, wherein the aforementioned steps are carried out by devices which are provided in or on the sport shoe; and displaying the first and/or second variables.

A sensing device including a sensor, a triggering mechanism is provided. The sensing device is attachable to a covering positioned in contact with a body such that the triggering mechanism extends between first and second segments of the body. Movement of at least one of the first and second segments activates the triggering mechanism to provide an input to the sensor, actuating the sensor to generate an output defining at least one measurement of the movement. The measurement may be one or more of rotation, translation, velocity, acceleration, and joint angle. An intermediate mechanism may be interposed between the triggering mechanism and the sensor. The sensing device may include a means to process or record measurements corresponding to movement. A system and method of measuring the movement is also provided.

A tensile stress measurement device is to be attached to an object to be measured. The tensile stress measurement device may include an IC having a semiconductor substrate and tensile stress detection circuitry, the semiconductor substrate having opposing first and second attachment areas. The tensile stress measurement device may include a first attachment plate coupled to the first attachment area and extending outwardly to be attached to the object to be measured, and a second attachment plate coupled to the second attachment area and extending outwardly to be attached to the object to be measured. The tensile stress detection circuitry may be configured to detect a tensile stress imparted on the first and second attachment plates when attached to the object to be measured.

A method for producing a sensor on the surface of a functional layer, in which suitable sensor material in the form of powder or a wire is melted in a laser beam by way of a method similar to laser cladding and subsequently is applied to the surface of the functional layer. There is provided a considerably improved method for producing sensors, and in particular in-situ sensors, wherein the sensors can also be deposited onto a functional layer that, in part, is very coarse, without having to employ complex masks, as has previously been customary. The ease of adapting the method parameters ensures broad use both with respect to the sensor to be produced and the functional layer to be detected. The sensors thus produced are used, in particular, to detect components that are subject to high temperatures or the functional layers thereof. The sensors that can be produced in accordance with the invention include, in particular, temperature, pressure or voltage sensors, as well as acceleration sensors.

A pressure sensing system and a pressure sensing setting method are provided. The pressure sensing system includes a first pressure sensing sheet, a second pressure sensing sheet, and a processing device. The first flexible substrate of the first pressure sensing sheet has a first conductive pattern; the second flexible substrate of the second pressure sensing sheet has a second conductive pattern. The second pressure sensing sheet has the second conductive pattern stacked with the first conductive pattern of the first pressure sensing sheet. The processing device outputs electric signal to the first pressure sensing sheet; the second pressure sensing sheet obtains a pressure sensing signal, which is compared with a threshold value, determining if the first pressure sensing sheet and the second pressure sensing sheet are pressed by an external force, thereby preventing erroneous signal and improving measurement accuracy.

An electronic measurement unit for a polymorphous device, comprising a number of lateral structures, each lateral structure including: a support structure; at least one sensor constrained to the support structure and generating an electrical signal indicative of a deformation of the support structure; and a coupling structure that constrains a corresponding external covering element to the support structure in a releasable manner, so that when the external covering element is constrained to the support structure and an external force acts on the external covering element, the electrical signal is indicative of the external force.