HIGH SENSIBILITY PRESSURE SENSOR

Abstract

A pressure sensor includes a first layer of electrically insulating material, a second layer of electrically insulating material superposed on the first layer, and at least one electrical switch. The electrical switch includes: at least one electrical contact associated with the first layer, and an electrical conductor associated with a flexible portion of the second layer, which is separate from the first layer and is directly superposed on said electrical contacts.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising a soft mat and a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor comprises: a first layer of electrically insulating material, the first layer being in the form of a sheet, a second layer of electrically insulating material superposed on the first layer, and at least one electrical switch, wherein said at least one electrical switch comprises: at least one electrical contact associated with the first layer, and at least one electrical conductor associated with a flexible portion of the second layer, which is separate from the first layer and is directly superposed to said at least one electrical contact, said at least one electrical switch comprises a support layer having greater rigidity than the flexible portion of the second layer, which is applied on the first layer at an opposite side from said flexible portion and aligned therewith.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is a flexible sheet of insulating material.

3. The pillow according to claim 2, wherein the first layer has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

4. The pillow according to claim 2, wherein the second layer is in the form of a flexible sheet of insulating material.

5. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of the second layer is greater than a thickness of the first layer.

6. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein the first layer has a thickness of 0.1 mm and the second layer has a thickness of 0.18 mm.

7. The pillow according to claim 6, wherein a distance between the flexible portion and the plane of lay of the second layer is between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm.

8. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical conductor associated with a flexible portion of the second layer and the at least one electrical contact associated with the first layer are obtained by a printing process with a silver-based paste or a carbon-based paste.

9. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein at least one pair of electrical contacts electrically insulated from one another is associated with the first layer, and wherein the flexible portion of the second layer is directly superposed on said at least one pair of electrical contacts.

10. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical contact and the at least one electrical conductor are in the form of conductive strips applied respectively on the first and on the second layer.

11. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the flexible portion of the second layer presents a concave conformation with its concavity oriented towards the first layer.

12. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising a third layer of electrically insulating material interposed between the first and the second layer, said third layer being provided with at least one through opening aligned with the flexible portion of the second layer.

13. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical switch is a plurality of electrical switches.

14. The pillow according to claim 13, wherein the electrical contacts of all the electrical switches are electrically connected to a first electrical terminal through a first electrical line associated with the first layer, and wherein the electrical conductor of all the electrical switches are electrically connected to a second electrical terminal, separate from the first terminal, through a second electrical line associated with the second layer.

15. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic unit electrically connected to the electrical contact associated with the first layer and to the at least one electrical conductor associated with the flexible portion of the second layer, the electronic control unit being configured to verify whether said at least one electrical switch is closed.

16. The pillow according to claim 15, wherein the electronic unit is provided with wireless communication means configured to connect the electronic unit with a separate electronic device, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to detect if a distance from the electronic device exceeds a threshold value and to transmit an alarm message to the electronic device if the distance from the external device exceeds the threshold value and if the electronic control unit detects closing of the at least one electrical switch.

17. The pillow according to claim 16, wherein the sensor further comprises an accelerometer connected with the electronic unit.

18. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising a lining configured to coat the mat.

19. A pillow comprising a soft mat and a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor comprises: a first sheet of electrically insulating material, a second sheet of electrically insulating material superposed on the first sheet, a plurality of electrical switches, and an electronic control unit connected to said electrical switches and configured to detect closing of at least one of the electrical switches, wherein each electrical switch of said plurality comprises: at least one electrical contact associated with the first sheet, and at least one electrical conductor associated with a flexible portion of the second sheet, which is separate from the first sheet and is directly superposed to said at least one electrical contact, and a support layer having greater rigidity than the flexible portion of the second sheet, which is applied on the first sheet at an opposite side from said flexible portion and aligned therewith, wherein the electrical contacts of all the electrical switches are electrically connected to a first electrical terminal through a first electrical line associated with the first layer, and wherein the electrical conductor of all the electrical switches are electrically connected to a second electrical terminal, separate from the first terminal, through a second electrical line associated with the second layer, and wherein the electronic control unit is configured to apply a voltage to the first electrical terminal or to the second electrical terminal and to detect the voltage on the other electrical terminal.

20. The pillow of claim 19, wherein the electronic unit is provided with wireless communication means configured to connect the electronic unit with a separate electronic device, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to detect if a distance from the electronic device exceeds a threshold value and to transmit an alarm message to the electronic device if the distance from the external device exceeds the threshold value and if the electronic control unit detects closing of at least one of the electrical switches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Additional characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become readily apparent from the description that follows, provided by way of example but without limitation, with the aid of the figures illustrated in the accompanying table.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 2 is the section II-II of FIG. 1.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an unattended child reminder system in cars.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a section of FIG. 2 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] The aforementioned figures show a pressure sensor 100, which is generically able to detect whether a pressure exceeding a pre-set threshold value is bearing on the area thereby defined.

[0058] The sensor 100 comprises a sensitive element 105, shaped substantially as a mat, and an electronic control unit 110 connected to said sensitive element 105.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensitive element 105 comprises a first layer 115 of electrically insulating or non-conductive material with generally planar shape and preferably flexible, which can be obtained for example in the form of a sheet or of a thin membrane.

[0060] In particular, the first layer 115 can be made of a polymeric material, e.g. of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like, and can have thickness of less than 0.3 mm, e.g. substantially equal to 0.1 mm.

[0061] Superposed on the first layer 115, the sensitive element 105 comprises a second layer 120 of electrically insulating or non-conductive material with generally planar shape and preferably flexible, which can also be obtained in the form of a sheet or of a thin membrane.

[0062] The second layer 120 can also be made of a polymeric material, e.g. of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like, and can have thickness of less than 0.3 mm.

[0063] Preferably the thickness of the second layer 120 can be at least slightly greater than the thickness of the first layer 115, e.g. substantially equal to 0.18 mm.

[0064] The second layer 120 presents a plurality of flexible portions 125, whose number and whose arrangement on the second layer 120 can vary according to the specific application needs.

[0065] Each of these flexible portions 125 is normally separate and distanced from the first layer 115.

[0066] In particular, each flexible portion 125 is preferably obtained in the form of a bulge that projects in relief from the second layer 120 in opposite direction with respect to the first layer 115.

[0067] Each flexible portion 125 can thus have concave shape, e.g. a generally cupola-like shape, with the concavity oriented towards the first layer 115. The flexible portions 125 can be made in a single body with the second layer 120 by means of any known system, e.g. by thermoforming or by molding. In some embodiments, however, the second layer 120 could have a totally flat shape and, with it, also the flexible portions 125 could be totally flat, as illustrated for example in FIG. 4.

[0068] The distance between the top of each flexible portion 125 and the plane of lay of the second layer 120 can be between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, e.g. equal to 1 mm.

[0069] In this way, between each flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120 and the first layer 115 a thin interspace is defined, which maintains the two layers locally separated.

[0070] These interspaces can be empty or contain an electrically non-conductive gas, e.g. just air.

[0071] To define and/or increase the distance between the first layer 115 and the flexible portions 125 of the second layer 120, the sensitive element 105 can comprise a third layer 130 of electrically insulating or non-conductive material with generally planar shape and preferably flexible, which can also be obtained for example in the form of a sheet or of a thin membrane.

[0072] This third layer 130 is interposed between the first layer 115 and the second layer 120 and it has a plurality of through openings, each of which is substantially aligned with a respective flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120 (aligned with respect to an orthogonal direction to the plane of lay of the first layer 115).

[0073] The third layer 130 can be made of a polymeric material, e.g. of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like, and can have thickness of less than 0.5 mm, e.g. substantially equal to 0.275 mm.

[0074] To each flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120 is associated an electrical conductor 140.

[0075] This electrical conductor 140 can be embodied by at least one conductive strip which is applied on the flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120, e.g. which is applied on the surface of the flexible portion 125 that faces the first layer 115.

[0076] The conductive strip can be obtained by a printing process with a silver-based paste or a carbon-based paste.

[0077] According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, at each flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120, the first layer 115 can be provided with a pair of electrical contacts electrically insulated from each other, of which a first electrical contact 145 and a second electrical contact 150.

[0078] Each of these electrical conductors 140 and 150 can be embodied by at least one conductive strip which is applied on the first layer 115, e.g. which is applied on the surface of the portion of the first layer 115 that faces the corresponding flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120.

[0079] In this case, too, each conductive strip can be obtained by a printing process with a silver-based paste or a carbon-based paste.

[0080] Thanks to the interspace that separates the first layer 115 from each flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120, each electrical conductor 140 remains normally separate and distanced from the corresponding electrical contacts 145 and 150 which then remain insulated as shown in FIG. 2.

[0081] However, when a flexible portion 125 is pressed towards the first layer 115 with sufficient pressure to cause its deformation and flattening, the electrical conductor 140 comes in contact with both the corresponding electrical contacts 145 and 150, connecting them electrically.

[0082] Each electrical conductor 140 and the respective electrical contacts 145 and 150 thus define an electrical switch that remains normally open and that closes only when the weight bearing on the flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120 exceeds a pre-set threshold value.

[0083] This threshold value, which depends on the conformation of the flexible portion 125 and on the elasticity of the material, is preferably between 250 grams and 350 grams, e.g. equal to 300 grams.

[0084] To make the flattening of the flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120 more certain, each switch can further comprise a support layer 155 having greater rigidity than the flexible portion 125, which is fastened to the first layer 115 at the opposite side from the second layer 120.

[0085] This support layer 155 can have generally planar and thin shape and can be made for example of cardboard or paperboard.

[0086] The support layer 155 can be a single one for all switches or, more preferably, it can be divided into a plurality of separate support layers 155, each of which is aligned to the flexible portion 125 of the related switch (aligned with respect to an orthogonal direction to the plane of lay of the first layer 115).

[0087] The first electrical contacts 145 of all the switches of the sensitive element 105 can be electrically connected to a single electrical terminal 160, e.g. through an electrical line which can be associated with (e.g. printed on) the first layer 115.

[0088] Similarly, the second electrical contacts 145 of all the switches of the sensitive element 105 can be electrically connected to a single electrical terminal 165, separate from the electrical terminal 160, e.g. through another electrical line which can be associated with (e.g. printed on) the first layer 115.

[0089] According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the sensitive element 105 of the sensor 100 can be different from what has been described above in that, at each flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120, the first layer 115 can be provided with a single electrical contact 145.

[0090] Thanks to the interspace separating the first layer 115 from each flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120, each electrical conductor 140 is therefore normally separate and spaced apart from said electrical contact 145, with which it comes in contact only when the flexible portion 125 is pressed towards the first layer 115 with sufficient pressure to cause its deformation and flattening.

[0091] Each electrical conductor 140 and the respective electrical contact 145 thus define a further electrical switch that remains normally open and that closes only when the weight bearing on the flexible portion 125 of the second layer 120 exceeds a pre-set threshold value.

[0092] However, in this case the electrical terminal 160 can be electrically connected to the electrical conductors 140 of all switches of the sensitive element 125, whereas the electrical terminal 165 can be connected to all the electrical contacts 145, for example via respective electric lines which can be respectively associated with (for example printed on) the second layer 120 and the first layer 115.

[0093] In both cases described above, the two electrical terminals 160 and 165 can be electrically connected with the electronic unit 110, which can be advantageously configured to verify whether at least one of the aforesaid switches is closed, i.e. whether the sensitive element 105 is subjected to a weight exceeding the threshold value.

[0094] To do so, the electronic unit 110 can be configured to apply a voltage to one of the electrical terminals, e.g. to the electrical terminal 160, and to measure the voltage on the other electrical terminal, e.g. on the electrical terminal 165. If the voltage on the electrical terminal 165 is nil, then all the switches are open, if instead the voltage is equal to the one applied to the electrical terminal 160, then at least one switch is closed and hence the weight on the sensitive element 105 exceeds the set threshold.

[0095] If at least one switch is closed, the electronic unit 110 can be configured to generate a signal indicating the outcome of the measurement.

[0096] In this regard, the electronic unit 110 can be provided with communication means 170 able to connect the electronic unit 110 wirelessly with corresponding communication means of a separate electronic device 175, e.g. a smartphone or another mobile or fixed electronic device.

[0097] The communication means 170 can comprise for example one or more antennas, which are able to emit, constantly or at regular time intervals, a pre-set radio signal in the surrounding space.

[0098] In particular, the communication means 170 can be configured to constitute, with the electronic device 175, a radio communication system, e.g. a Bluetooth Low Energy radio communication system, or a Wi-Fi radio communication system, which allows the transmission and the reception of radio signals at short distances, generally a few meters.

[0099] Thanks to this solution, the signal containing the information about the measurement carried out by the electronic unit 110 can advantageously be transmitted to the electronic device 175 to be used and/or further processed. The electronic device 175 can comprise e.g. interface means 180 with the user, which can comprise at least one between a display screen, a light emitter, a speaker and a vibration generator.

[0100] In some embodiments, the sensor 100 can further comprise an accelerometer 185, e.g. a three-axis accelerometer, integrated or connected with the electronic unit 110.

[0101] In this way, the sensor 100 is able to detect and transmit also motion information which can advantageously be used together with the weight information as shall be explained farther on.

[0102] A specific application of the sensor 100 described above can be within a system 200 to prevent inadvertently leaving a child unattended in a car.

[0103] As is schematically shown in FIG. 3, the system 200 comprises a car seat 210 for children, which is intended to be set down on one of the seats of the car, e.g. on one of the rear seats, to be secured by means of the seatbelts or other fastening systems known in themselves.

[0104] In the car seat 210 is integrated the pressure sensor 100 described previously, whose sensitive element 105 can be incorporated or inserted in a padding that coats the car seat, e.g. a padding that defines the seating surface and/or the backrest and/or the armrests.

[0105] In general, the sensitive element 105 has to be placed in a position in which the various switches constructed therein are able to detect whether or not a child is present on the car seat 210.

[0106] The electronic unit 110 can also be inserted in the car seat 210, e.g. placed in the same padding, or it can remain fastened externally.

[0107] The electronic unit 110 can be connected wirelessly with the separate electronic device 175 which, in this type of application, is a mobile device able to be carried by the parent who drives the car, e.g. a smartphone or the like.

[0108] In this way, the parent does not have to carry other devices in addition to those (s)he usually possesses, inasmuch as the smartphone can be used to install therein a software application (App) which, when it is executed by the processing means of the smartphone, enables the latter to interact with the electronic unit 110 of the pressure sensor 100 integrated in the car seat 210. The operation of the system 200 provides for the electronic unit 110 to be configured to measure not only the weight but also the distance between the car seat 210 and the external electronic device 175.

[0109] It this distance exceeds a certain threshold value, i.e. if the parent has moved away from the car, and if at the same time the sensitive element 105 still detects the presence of the child on the car seat 210, the electronic unit 110 will transmit an alarm message and/or signal to the electronic device 175. To evaluate the distance between the electronic device 175 and the car seat 210, the electronic unit 110 can use the radio connection with the electronic device 175.

[0110] For example, the electronic unit 110 can establish that the distance between the electronic device 175 and the car seat 210 has exceeded the pre-set threshold when the radio communication with the electronic device 175 is interrupted or when the intensity of the exchanged radio signals falls below a pre-set value.

[0111] In some embodiments, the electronic unit 110 transmits the alarm message and/or signal not only to the electronic device 175 but also to a remote-control unit 215.

[0112] This remote-control unit 215 can be connected to the electronic unit 110 through a radio communication system, e.g. a Sub-GHz radio communication system like a Semtech LoRa or Sigfox radio infrastructure, i.e. they are respectively able to emit and to receive a radio signal with frequency below 1 GHz.

[0113] This radio connection allows the long-range transmission and receipt of radio signals, typically within a range of up to 3 km in an urban area and up to 15 km in rural areas, and with low energy consumption, making it possible to reduce effectively the dimensions of the electronic unit 110.

[0114] This type of radio infrastructures with frequency below one GHz also have the advantage of allowing, in some configurations, the geographic localization of the electronic unit 110, with no need to use an additional GPS system.

[0115] In this way, the remote-control unit 215 can in turn send alarm messages and/or signals also to other electronic devices, e.g. to the smartphone of the other parent or of another responsible person, possibly also indicating the geographic position of the car seat 210 on which the child was left unattended.

[0116] If the electronic unit 110 is also provided with accelerometers 185, the unit can be able to detect also any movements of the child on the car seat 210 and transmit this information, too, to the electronic device 175 and/or to the remote-control unit 215.

[0117] Alternatively, or additionally, the accelerometers 185 can be used by the electronic unit 110 to determine whether the car seat 210 has undergone an impact or a sharp deceleration, for example indicative of the fact that the car has been in an accident, or in such a way as to be able to transmit to the remote-control unit 215 an appropriate alarm signal and alert rescuers.

[0118] According to an alternative embodiment, instead of being directly integrated in the car seat 210, the pressure sensor 100 could be integrated in a pillow able to be manufactured and sold separately and able to be set down on the car seat 210 itself.

[0119] This pillow could comprise, for example, a soft mat provided with seats wherein are housed the sensitive element 105 and the electronic unit 110, and a lining able to coat the soft mat.

[0120] In this way, the unattended child reminder system could be applied to any existing car seat 210.

[0121] In conclusion, it should be pointed out that the pressure sensor 100 described above could be used in similar ways not only to detect the presence of a child on a car seat, but more in general to monitor the presence of a person on any type of seat.

[0122] In particular it could be used to monitor the elderly, e.g. to inform a caregiver when an elderly person rises from a chair or from an armchair, to enable the caregiver to intervene promptly if this action is hazardous for the elderly person.

[0123] Obviously, a person having ordinary skill in the art may make numerous technical/applicative modifications to the pressure sensor 100 described above, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.