Robot Skin Using Insulating Protrusions for Touch Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic skins lack sensitivity in detecting touch events, particularly failing to detect non-conductor touches and experiencing high false detection rates due to low sensitivity of force-sensitive materials.

Innovation Solution

A composite layer structure with silver conductive adhesive layers and insulating protrusions is used, where the layers are electronically contactable upon force application, allowing a microcontroller to detect touch events with high sensitivity and low false detection rates, and the configuration can be adjusted for specific needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If force-sensitive material is used for touch detection, then the robot can detect touch events, but the sensitivity is relatively low and false detection rate is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection sensitivityVSAvoidfalse detection rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The skin is divided into multiple composite layer structures, each containing conductive layers and insulating protrusions. The insulating protrusions segment the conductive layers into isolated regions that only connect when pressed, enabling precise localization and reducing false detections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating protrusions are introduced as intermediary elements between conductive layers. These protrusions prevent accidental contact while allowing intentional touch detection, serving as a mediator that filters out false signals and enhances detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive film is used for touch detection, then conductor touch and human touch can be detected, but non-conductor touch cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidnon-conductor touch detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the electrical field-based capacitive detection with a mechanical contact-based system. The conductive layers and insulating protrusions create a mechanical switch that closes only when physically pressed, enabling detection of all touch types regardless of electrical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If traditional force-sensitive material is used, then touch detection is possible, but the cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameters from expensive force-sensitive materials to inexpensive conductive adhesives and insulating materials. By adjusting the thickness, conductivity, and mechanical properties of these materials, the system achieves comparable performance at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The skin uses composite layer structures combining conductive adhesive layers with insulating protrusion materials. This composite approach replaces expensive single-material force-sensitive sheets with a multi-material system that is both functional and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides high sensitivity and low false detection rates, with costs significantly lower than traditional force-sensitive material methods, effectively enabling robust touch detection for robotic applications.

Implementation Method 1

A number of first insulating protrusions 3 are arranged between the first silver conductive adhesive layer 13 and the second silver conductive adhesive layer 21. The first insulating protrusions are used to separate the first silver conductive adhesive layer 1 and the second silver conductive adhesive layer 21.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The first silver conductive adhesive layer 13 is electronically contactable with the second silver conductive adhesive layer 21 upon a condition that a force is applied to the second composite layer structure 2.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10421199B2Skin for robot

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD

AI summary

A skin for a robot includes a first composite layer structure, a second composite layer structure and a number of first insulating protrusions. The first composite layer structure is used to be arranged on a housing of the robot, and includes a base adhesive layer arranged on the housing of robot, a first supporting layer stacked on the base adhesive layer and a first silver conductive adhesive layer stacked on the first supporting layer. The second composite layer structure covers the first composite layer, and includes a second silver conductive adhesive layer stacked on the first composite layer structure, and a second supporting layer stacked on the second silver conductive adhesive layer. The first insulating protrusions are arranged between the first silver conductive adhesive layer and the second silver conductive adhesive layer, and separate the first silver conductive adhesive layer and the second silver conductive adhesive layer.