Nitto Bend Technologies, Inc.

Bend Labs, Inc.

Nathan Grimes

Jared K Jonas

Colton Allen Ottley

Nathan C Briggs

Colin D Eichinger

Disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for additively manufacturing (e.g., by 'printing' or the like) a bend sensor as a 2D structure that can then be configured into a 3D or stacked structure. Further disclosed embodiments include bend sensors with foldable sensing regions configurable into a 3D or stacked structure. A differential strain in a sensing region is linearly proportional to the displacement as measured from the endpoints of the sensing region. The differential strain is measurable as a differential change in the capacitance of the sensing regions.

Systems and methods for foldable multi-mode bend sensors

Disclosed embodiments include compliant sensors having a signal electrode layer of an elastomeric material with conducting material confined to at least one sensor region, at least one trace connected to the at least one sensor, and a perimeter electrode region. The compliant sensors also include a dielectric layer including an elastomeric material having a first side in contact with the signal electrode layer and configured to allow electrical contact to the perimeter electrode region and a top electrode layer including an elastomeric material with conducting material integrated within and in contact with a second side of the dielectric layer and in electrical contact with the perimeter electrode region. In some embodiments, the top electrode layer includes a portion of electrically conducting material configured in a hatched pattern.

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Bountiful, UT, United States of America

Nathan Grimes