Abstract: A touch tablet is provided containing two sheets of insulating material each of which contains a plurality of spaced apart conductive lines. A resistive strip on each sheet contacts and connects electrically one end of each of the plurality of conductive lines on that sheet. Each resistive strip functions as a potentiometer. Mounted between the two sheets and spaced apart therefrom is a conductive middle sheet. The first and second sheets are mounted such that the first and second sets of a plurality of conductive lines on these sheets are orthogonal to each other. A user presses on one of the two sheets to bring all three sheets into contact. The impedence of each potentiometer is a function of the contact point. The potentiometer is used as part of an RC circuit to provide a variable time constant representative of the coordinate of the contact point.

Abstract: A tactile sensor (100) comprises a printed circuit board (102) having a plurality of spaced apart, electrically conductive foils (104) thereon, each coupled to a decoder (106) which selectively applies a voltage individually thereto. The foils are separated from each other by each of a plurality of upraised insulative portions (116) each comprised of a layer of photoresist material. An anisotropically electrically conductive rubber pad (107) having alternating electrically conductive and nonconductive strips (108, 110) overlies the substrate so that the conductive strips are supported in spaced relationship from the conductive foils by the upraised photoresist layers. Each conductive strip is coupled to a multiplexer (115). Upon the application of a force against the rubber sheet, the conductive strips are deformed into electrical contact with the conductive foils on the substrate.

Abstract: An input device for use in a display unit serving as a terminal of a computer has first and second insulating sheets and an insulating spacer sandwiched between the first and second sheets. The first sheet has first terminal leads on its both ends, while the second sheet has second terminal leads which extend in perpendicular relation to the first terminal leads. The upper surface is covered with a flexible, insulating, protective sheet. The spacer includes lattice-like conductors and consists of a material having cells of gas and elasticity and flexibility such as silicone foam. A fixed voltage is alternately applied across both ends of the first sheet and across both ends of the second sheet. When the protective sheet is depressed at a point P as by a depression pen, the position of the point is measured and represented by means of X- and Y-coordinates.

Abstract: A layer of carbon fiber materials sandwiched between two conductive layers provides a tactile feedback sensor which is particularly useful in manipulator systems for robotics and assembly automation.

Abstract: An energy conversion and transmission device is disclosed which, in its preferred embodiment, has a rigid substrate with a resistive area printed on its top surface, a spacer of non-conductive material with an aperture therethrough positioned in register with the rigid substrate resistive area, and a flexible substrate with a resistive area printed on its bottom surface in register with the aperture and the rigid substrate resistive area so that application of a force to the flexible substrate with an elastomeric actuator will move the flexible substrate resistive area to establish an electrical contact area with the rigid substrate resistive area, which electrical contact area increases and, thus, the resistivity of that area decreases as the applied force increases. Thus, when an electrical potential is applied across the two resistive areas, current flow through the two resistive areas increases as the applied force increases. Capacitive, inductive and other embodiments of the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tactile sensor for sensing an object in contact therewith. In its preferred form, the sensor comprises a plurality of layers disposed in a sandwich arrangement. A top layer is comprised of a flexible, electrically-insulating material and a plurality of parallel flexible conductive rods. A bottom layer is comprised of an electrically-insulating material and a plurality of parallel conductive rods that extend at right angles to the conductive rods of the top layer, thus forming a sensory array comprising a plurality of superimposed intersection points arranged in a grid pattern. An intermediate layer is comprised of a resilient, electrically-insulating material in which is disposed a plurality of parallel conductive posts that extend perpendicular to the plane of the three layers. These posts are comprised of a resilient conducting material.

Abstract: A bounceless switch apparatus having a junction resistance which varies inversely with the pressure applied normally thereto which includes a first conductor member, a pressure-sensitive layer including a semiconducting material covering the first conductor member in intimate electrically conducting contact therewith and a second conductor member positioned in nonelectrically conducting relationship to the pressure-sensitive layer. The pressure-sensitive layer has a first surface with a multiplicity of microprotrusions of the semiconducting material which provide a multiplicity of surface contact locations. As the normally open switch is closed in response to a pressing force applied to urge the second conductor member and the first surface together, the physical contact between the microprotrusions and the second conductor increases thereby variably increasing conduction between the first conductor member and the second conductor member.

Abstract: A power tool has an electric motor with a motor shaft having a spiral gear through which the motor drives the tool. A pressure sensor is disposed so as to be subjected to the axial thrust of the motor shaft created by the spiral gear during operation of the tool. A torque control device is connected to the pressure sensor for influencing the motor in response to such axial thrust, for example to control or limit the torque of the motor. Preferably, the pressure sensor comprises a disk of electrically conductive plastic and is located between a thrust bearing of the motor shaft and an axial support therefor. Such disk is disposed between a pressure plate and an electrode plate having spaced apart electrodes.

Abstract: A pressure sensing mat utilizes a thin sheet of semiconductor material that has an electrical conductivity generally invariable as to pressure applied to the mat material. The sheet of semiconductor material is sandwiched between sheets of copper, steel or aluminum foil which are in mechanical contact with the semiconductor sheet to define a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are connected to various circuits including a pressure (voltage) threshold detector, a learning circuit for establishing a learned threshold, a circuit for matching time-pressure patterns and a circuit for detecting pressures between a predetermined maximum and minimum level. A matrix of pressure sensing mats is utilized with various circuits to detect sequential pressure patterns.

Abstract: Variable resistance switch of a continuously-variable resistance pressure-dependent measurement sensor for triggering a switching operation of an electrical evaluating circuit through a compressive loading, including an elastic layer being formed of elastomeric material interspersed with electrically conductive particles and being deformable with increasing application of force, and a conductive surface disposed opposite the elastic layer.

Abstract: A pressure responsive, variable resistance, analog switch has first and second conductors interleaved in spaced-apart relationship and disposed on a base member. An insulative spacer ring is positioned around and rises above the first and second conductors. A resilient cover sheet is attached to the top of the insulative spacer ring in spaced relationship over the conductors to define an enclosure between the resilient cover sheet and the base member. A pressure sensitive resistive conductor composition is disposed on the resilient cover sheet or on the conductors in the enclosure to interconnect a resistance between the first and second conductors when the resilient cover sheet is depressed against the conductors. The amount of resistance so interconnected varies inversely to the amount of pressure exerted.

Abstract: A pressure responsive, variable resistance, analog switch has first and second conductors interleaved in spaced-apart relationship and disposed on a base member. An insulative spacer ring is positioned around and rises above the first and second conductors. A resilient cover sheet is attached to the top of the insulative spacer ring in spaced relationship over the conductors to define an enclosure between the resilient cover sheet and the base member. A pressure sensitive resistive conductor composition is disposed on the resilient cover sheet or on the conductors in the enclosure to interconnect a resistance between the first and second conductors when the resilient cover sheet is depressed against the conductors. The amount of resistance so interconnected varies inversely to the amount of pressure exerted.

Abstract: A pressure transducer device particularly useful in an electronic musical instrument includes a flexible base folded to define upper and lower flexible base portions, a donut-shaped first spacer between the upper and lower base portions and a resiliently deformable diaphragm attached about its periphery to the upper flexible base portion with a second donut-shaped spacer therebetween. A center region of the diaphragm laterally spaced from the second spacer is adhesively attached to a central region of the upper flexible base portion so that the upper flexible base portion moves inwardly and outwardly in response to the movement of the diaphragm. A pair of conductors are disposed on the folded flexible base member to face one another. A pressure responsive composition disposed over the conductors provides a contact resistance across the pair of conductors which varies inversely with the amount of pressure force exerted against the diaphragm.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a support member having first and second support regions and an intermediate region located therebetween, a resistive member supported on the support member at the first support region thereof and having a longitudinal dimension extending transversely of a line from the first support region to the second support region, and a resilient contact member secured to the support member at the second support region and extending over the intermediate region and terminating superjacent the resistive member.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive switch and circuit breaker comprising a body formed of a resilient, deformable inorganic insulating material such as silicone rubber having dispersed therethrough, including its outer surface, a quantity of electrically conductive discrete metal particles. The particles are so oriented in the body of insulating material when the latter is in its normal, unstressed condition that the body is non-conductive, but the particles are movable relatively to one another in response to the application of a compressive force on the body so as to effect engagement of a sufficient number of particles to establish a conductive path through the body. The resilience of the body material enables it to return to its normal condition following release of the compressive force, thereby effecting relative movement of the particles out of engagement with one another and restoring the body to its non-conductive state.

Abstract: Faithful replication of a drummer's hits on an electric drum, free of cogeneration of spurious signals by acoustic coupling of the drum pick-up with extraneous energy sources such as nearby musical instruments is achieved by employing as the drum hit pick-up a variable resistance transducer comprising a foamed dielectric matrix, e.g. polymer, having electroconductive particles therein, sandwiched between conductive members one of which is contiguous with the drum head.

Abstract: A multi-function touch switch apparatus has a first semiconductor composition layer disposed on top of a first conductor layer which is affixed to a first base member. A second semiconductor composition layer opposing the first semiconductor in spaced relationship thereto is disposed on a second conductor layer which is itself disposed on the bottom surface of a second support member. A third conductor layer is also disposed on the top surface of the second support member in opposing spaced-apart relationship to a fourth conductor layer disposed on the bottom surface of a third support member. The second and third support members and the affixed conductor layers and semiconductor layers are resiliently deformable in a transverse axis in response to a transverse touch force to thereby cause electrical contact between the second and third conductor layers to provide a closed switch and the first and second semiconductor layers to provide a closed switch in series with a pressure sensitive resistance.

Abstract: Anisotropically pressure-sensitive electroconductive composite sheets are provided which have a very low electric conductive resistance in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet when compressed with an adequate pressure in the direction but a high insulating resistance in all directions within the plane of the sheet. The composite sheets are constructed so that electrically conductive fibers are uniformly dispersed in the matrix of an electrically insulating substance, the average length of the fibers ranging from 20 to 80% of the thickness of the sheet, and are aligned in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. They are useful as a switching material in various miniaturized electronic circuits.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive resistor elements are provided which serve as an on-off switching device and comprise an anisotropically electroconductive sheet which is formed of an insulating rubbery elastomer as a matrix within which many electroconductive fibers are dispersed and oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, an electrode provided on each surface of the sheet, and an insulating layer interposed between at least one of the electrodes and the sheet. The resistor elements can remain insulating in the absence of a compressive force between the electrodes and contribute to electric conduction in the presence of the compressive force.

Abstract: A sensor panel for sensing the location and/or shape of a load superimposed on one face of the panel includes a plate consisting essentially of an electrically conductive material varying in electric conductivity in response to a pressure applied in the direction of plate thickness. Two groups of transversely spaced conductors elongated in respective common directions perpendicular to each other are secured to the two faces of the plate in electrically conductive contact.

Abstract: Anisotropically pressure-sensitive electroconductive composite sheets are provided which have a very low electric conductive resistance in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet when compressed with an adequate pressure in the direction but a high insulating resistance in all directions within the plane of the sheet. The composite sheets are constructed so that electrically conductive fibers are uniformly dispersed in the matrix of an electrically insulating substance, the average length of the fibers ranging from 20 to 80% of the thickness of the sheet, and are aligned in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. They are useful as a switching material in various miniaturized electronic circuits.

Abstract: A safety device specially suitable for preventing the further movement of power operated parts such as doors of trams or garage doors on contact with an obstacle for example a human being. A resilient member is attached to the edge of the door and is provided with two electrodes so that a constant small current flows between the electrodes to indicate that the safety device is operational and wherein, on contact with the edge of the door, the resilient member deforms and gives rise to an increased current between the electrodes which is used as a control signal to inhibit further movement of the door. The increased current is achieved either by allowing the two electrodes to contact each other directly thus short circuiting a resistor or by making the resilient member conductive so that its resistance decreases during compression. The resilient member is located within an elongate slot in a rubber moulding having additional airfilled elongate slots for cushioning the edge of the door.

Abstract: A switch means for electrically operating a device in a photographic camera is composed of a mechanical switch and a semiconductor switching element connected with the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch has a pair of contacts made of resilient conductive material and increases its conductivity as the pressure applied thereto increases. By the increase of the conductivity of the mechanical switch an input voltage supplied to the semiconductor switching element is raised and the switching element is turned on when the input voltage has reached a predetermined level. Thus, chattering and large consumption of electric power are prevented.

Abstract: A multi-stage switching apparatus adapted to make and break an electrical circuit comprises a first compressible body having a resistance which varies inversely according to its state of compression and a second compressible body having a substantially uniform resistance lower than that of the first body, the two bodies being so arranged that the first body is compressed prior to compression of the second body in response to making of the circuit and is decompressed following decompression of the first body in response to breaking of the circuit.