Membrane switches configured to sense pressure applied from compliant and rigid objects
A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes a first electrically-conductive membrane, and a second electrically-conductive membrane. Contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane. The plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and the one or more columns are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more columns, which will cause the second electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane.
1. A pressure-activated membrane switch, comprising:
a first electrically-conductive membrane;
a second electrically-conductive membrane,
wherein contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close;
a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane;
one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the one or more columns are rigid and are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more columns, which will cause the second electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane; and one or more lower columns positioned on an outer surface of the first electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the one or more lower columns are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more lower columns, which will cause the first electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the second electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the one or more columns and the one or more lower columns include a same material.
2. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 1 , further comprising a mat positioned over the one or more columns and the one or more columns are positioned between the mat and the second electrically-conductive membrane.
3. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 2 , wherein the mat is a rigid structure.
4. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 2 , wherein the mat is a flexible structure.
5. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 2 , wherein the mat is configured to distribute pressure along the one or more columns.
6. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 1 , wherein the first or second electrically-conductive membrane includes polyester.
7. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 1 , wherein the first or second electrically-conductive membrane includes a conductive ink.
8. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 7 , wherein the first or second electrically-conductive membrane includes one or more of the following: carbon or silver.
9. A method for activating a pressure-activated membrane switch, comprising:
providing the pressure-activated membrane switch, including:
a first electrically-conductive membrane;
a second electrically-conductive membrane;
a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane,
wherein the plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane;
one or more rigid columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane; one or more lower columns positioned on an outer surface of the first electrically-conductive membrane; and
deforming the second electrically-conductive membrane to move between the one or more gaps by applying a pressure against the one or more rigid columns, causing the one or more rigid columns to pass through the one or more gaps, causing the second electrically-conductive membrane to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane and close an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a mat positioned over the one or more rigid columns and the one or more rigid columns are positioned between the mat and the second electrically-conductive membrane.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mat is a rigid structure.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mat is a flexible structure.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the deforming includes applying a pressure to the mat.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the mat is configured to distribute the pressure along the one or more rigid columns.
15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising deforming the first electrically-conductive membrane to move between the one or more gaps.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the deforming the first electrically-conductive membrane includes forcing the one or more lower columns through the one or more gaps, causing the first electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the second electrically-conductive membrane.
17. A pressure-activated membrane switch, comprising:
a first electrically-conductive membrane;
a second electrically-conductive membrane,
wherein contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close;
a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane;
one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the one or more columns are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more columns, which will cause the second electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane; and
one or more lower columns positioned on an outer surface of the first electrically-conductive membrane, wherein the one or more lower columns are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more lower columns, which will cause the first electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the second electrically-conductive membrane.
18. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 17 , further comprising a mat positioned over the one or more columns and the one or more columns are positioned between the mat and the second electrically-conductive membrane.
19. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 18 , wherein the mat is a rigid structure.
20. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 18 , wherein the mat is a flexible structure.
21. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 18 , wherein the mat is configured to distribute pressure along the one or more columns.
22. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 17 , wherein the one or more columns and the one or more lower columns include a same material.
23. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 17 , wherein the first or second electrically-conductive membrane includes polyester.
24. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 17 , wherein the first or second electrically-conductive membrane includes a conductive ink.
25. The pressure-activated membrane switch of claim 24 , wherein the first or second electrically-conductive membrane includes one or more of the following: carbon or silver.
26. A method for activating a pressure-activated membrane switch, comprising:
providing the pressure-activated membrane switch, including:
a first electrically-conductive membrane;
a second electrically-conductive membrane;
a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane,
wherein the plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane;
one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane; and
one or more lower columns positioned on an outer surface of the first electrically-conductive membrane; and
deforming the second electrically-conductive membrane to move between the one or more gaps, causing the second electrically-conductive membrane to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane and close an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the deforming includes applying a pressure against the one or more columns, causing the one or more columns to pass through the one or more gaps.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a mat positioned over the one or more columns and the one or more columns are positioned between the mat and the second electrically-conductive membrane.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the mat is a rigid structure.
30. The method of claim 28 , wherein the mat is a flexible structure.
31. The method of claim 28 , wherein the deforming includes applying a pressure to the mat.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the mat is configured to distribute the pressure along the one or more columns.
33. The method of claim 26 , further comprising deforming the first electrically-conductive membrane to move between the one or more gaps.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the deforming the first electrically-conductive membrane includes forcing the one or more lower columns through the one or more gaps, causing the first electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the second electrically-conductive membrane.