Contact detector with piezoelectric sensor
View Patent ↗Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting contact within a monitored area. A piezoelectric sensor ( 40 ) is attached to one end of detector ( 100 ), which is positioned, for contact by passing items or individuals. The detector may correspond to plurality of parallel, rubber calendared cable or strip ( 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 ) of polycarbonate resin. Body deformations induced into the detector upon contact travel to piezoelectric sensor and detect as strain coupled to the piezoelectric sensor. The apparatus and methodology may be employed to detect vehicular traffic along travel paths, human contact with walls or floors, manufactured product with delivery system or any physical contact by animate or inanimate objects or individuals.
1. A contact detector, comprising:
a deformable detector having a first end and a second end; said deformable detector comprising a plurality of parallel spaced cables enclosed in rubber;
a piezoelectric sensor secured to the first end of said detector and coupled to the plurality of parallel spaced cables,
wherein contact with a segment of said detector distanced from the piezoelectric sensor will produce in-plane movement between the plurality of cables and induce strain via the plurality into said piezoelectric sensor.
2. The contact detector of claim 1 , wherein the parallel spaced cables comprise deformable cables.
3. The contact detector of claim 2 , wherein the parallel spaced cables comprise steel cables.
4. The contact detector of claim 1 , wherein the deformable detector comprises a polycarbonate resin strip.
5. The contact detector of claim 4 , wherein at least one slot is cut in a central portion of said polycarbonate resin strip.
6. The contact detector of claim 5 , wherein a pair of slots is cut in said detector extending outwardly from a central solid portion of said detector toward the first and second ends of said detector.
7. The contact detector of claim 4 , wherein a slot is provided in a first end of the detector.
8. The contact detector of claim 4 , wherein the deformable detector comprises:
a first portion having a first end and a second end, said piezoelectric sensor secured to the first end of the first portion, and
a second portion, said second portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second portion secured to the second end of the first portion.
9. The contact detector of claim 8 , wherein the first end of the second portion is adhesively secured to the second end of the first portion.
10. A method of detecting contact, comprising the steps of:
providing a contact deformable detector; said deformable detector comprising a plurality of parallel spaced cables;
positioning a segment of the contact deformable detector in a pathway; and
securing a piezoelectric sensor to one end of the contact deformable detector such that the segment of the detector in the pathway is distanced from the piezoelectric sensor;
wherein contact with the segment of the contact deformable detector in the pathway will produce in-plane movement between the plurality of cables and induce strain via the plurality of cables into said piezoelectric sensor.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of providing comprises providing a plurality of steel cables calendered in a rubber material.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of providing comprises providing a polycarbonate resin strip.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of providing comprises providing a polycarbonate resin strip containing at least one centrally located slot.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the centrally located slot is provided at least in an area below the piezoelectric sensor.