| abstract |
Force or pressure transducer arrays (30) have elastically stretchable electrically conductive polymer threads (31), (32) disposed in parallel rows and columns that contact at intersections thereof a piezoresistive material (37) which has an electrical resistivity that varies inversely with pressure or force exerted thereon to form a matrix array of force or pressure sensor elements. The threads are fixed to a single one or pair of flexible elastically stretchable substrate sheets (33), (35) made of thin sheets of an insulating polymer such as PVC, or for greater elasticity and conformability to irregularly- shaped objects such as human body parts, an elastically stretchable fabric such as LYCRA or SPANDEX. Elastic stretchability of the sensor arrays is optionally enhanced by disposing either or both row and column conductive threads (201-1), (201-2) in sinuously curved, serpentine paths rather than straight lines. |