Tactile Sensor With Elastic Member And Resistor Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile sensors lack miniaturization, high sensitivity, and adaptability in sensitivity levels for various applications, limiting their use in diverse fields such as robotics and medical instruments.
Innovation Solution
A tactile sensor design featuring a substrate with electrodes and a conductive resistor membrane separated by spacers, an elastic member with a convex surface, and an analog-digital converter to measure pressure through resistance changes, allowing for adjustable sensitivity and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the tactile sensor uses a conventional structure, then it can be manufactured with existing technology, but it cannot achieve miniaturization and high sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independent elements including a substrate, electrode array, resistor membrane, spacers, and elastic member. Each component performs a specific function and can be manufactured separately using standard semiconductor processes, enabling miniaturization while maintaining sensitivity through the segmented functional architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the electrode array is formed on the substrate, the resistor membrane is positioned above the electrodes with spacers creating intermediate layers, and the elastic member is positioned above the resistor membrane. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and enables miniaturization while preserving the sensing function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tactile sensor is designed with fixed sensitivity, then it can be manufactured with a single design, but it cannot adapt to different applications requiring different sensitivity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables sensitivity adjustment by changing physical parameters of the sensor components. The distance between the elastic member and electrode array can be modified by adjusting spacer thickness, the contact area between the elastic member and resistor membrane can be varied, and the elastic modulus of the elastic member can be changed. These parameter variations allow the same basic design to be manufactured with different sensitivity levels for various applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design incorporates universal features that allow it to serve multiple applications. The modular structure with adjustable parameters enables the same manufacturing process to produce sensors with different sensitivities, making the design universally applicable to robotics, medical instruments, and other fields requiring tactile sensing.
3Volume of moving object
If the tactile sensor uses a large contact area, then it can detect pressure effectively, but it cannot be miniaturized for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar contact to a three-dimensional structure by positioning the elastic member above the resistor membrane at a predetermined distance. This vertical dimension allows the sensor to maintain an small footprint while achieving effective pressure detection through the elastic deformation of the member as it contacts the resistor membrane beneath.
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 sensor achieves high sensitivity and adaptability by varying the contact area with pressure intensity, enabling precise pressure detection and application in diverse fields with a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The resistor membrane may be elastically deformed toward the electrodes by pressure
Implementation Method 2
The elastic member may be varied comes into contact with the resistor membrane on a contact area, which is varied depending to intensity of pressure applied to one surface thereof
Implementation Method 3
an analog-digital converter connected between one of a power supply terminal and a ground terminal and resistors formed by contact of the resistor membrane with the electrodes so as to measure pressure applied to the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A tactile sensor includes a substrate, electrodes arranged on the substrate, a conductive resistor membrane spaced apart from the electrodes by a predetermined distance, and an elastic member spaced apart from the resistor membrane by a predetermined distance.