Flexible Tactile Sensor Using Nano Wire Array Distance Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible tactile sensor apparatuses using metal strain gauges and conductive polymers suffer from low reliability and short lifespan due to permanent deformation under repetitive forces, limiting their sensitivity and durability in applications like robotics and biotechnology.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tactile sensor apparatus featuring an upper and lower nano wire array with a fastener to adjust the distance between them, using conductive materials like carbon nanotubes, which changes resistance measurements to determine force magnitude and direction, enhancing sensitivity and lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal strain gauges or conductive polymers are used as sensing materials, then the flexible tactile sensor apparatus can detect force, but the sensing materials are likely to be transformed permanently when repetitive weight is applied, resulting in low reliability and short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensing mechanism from material deformation (strain gauges/polymers) to geometric distance change between rigid nano wire arrays. The fastener adjusts the distance parameter between upper and lower nano wire arrays in proportion to applied force, eliminating permanent transformation issues while maintaining force detection capability through resistance changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical deformation-based sensing system (metal strain gauges and conductive polymers that physically transform under load) with an electrical resistance-based system using rigid nano wire arrays. The fastener mechanically adjusts the distance between arrays, which then translates to electrical resistance changes, substituting direct mechanical sensing with an indirect electrical measurement system that avoids material fatigue
2Measurement precision
If the distance between upper nano wire array and lower nano wire array is adjusted in proportion to applied force, then the apparatus achieves high sensitivity in detecting force magnitude and direction, but the structure becomes more complex with additional fastener mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener serves multiple functions: it maintains the distance between nano wire arrays, adjusts this distance in proportion to applied force for sensitivity, and increases or decreases the number of connected wires based on distance adjustment. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus provides high sensitivity and reliability in detecting force magnitude and direction, with improved durability and efficiency in applications such as robotics and artificial hands, by accurately measuring resistance changes based on force-induced distance adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a resistance, between the upper nano wire array and the lower nano wire array, which may be changed based on a result of adjusting the distance between the upper nano wire array and the lower nano wire array
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible tactile sensor apparatus is provided. The flexible tactile sensor apparatus may obtain information about an applied force, using a resistance between an upper nano wire array of an upper plate and a lower nano wire array of a lower plate, which may be changed based on a distance, between the upper nano wire array and the lower nano wire array, adjusted in proportion to the force.