Tactile sensor element and sensor array
First Claim
1. A tactile sensor element comprising:
- a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer;
an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces; and
a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface;
the first and the second electrodes being connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes, wherein at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tactile sensor element includes a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer, an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces, a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface, the first and the second electrodes being connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes, where at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness. Further disclosed is a tactile sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor elements.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A tactile sensor element comprising:
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a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer; an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces; and a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface; the first and the second electrodes being connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes, wherein at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15)
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11. A tactile sensor array comprising:
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a plurality of sensor elements arranged in a row and column configuration for the determination of local pressure variations over the surface area of the sensor array, and wherein the plurality of sensor elements being integrally formed in a common elastomeric body member; wherein each of the sensor elements comprises a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer;
an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces; and
a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface;
the first and the second electrodes being connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes, wherein at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 16, 17)
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18. A tactile sensor element comprising:
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a first pressure transfer layer and a second pressure transfer layer; an elastomeric body arranged between the first and second pressure transfer layers, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposed to each other, the first and second surfaces having corrugations to allow displacement of elastomeric body material in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the corrugations when exposed to a contact pressure on at least one of the surfaces; and a first electrode arranged on the first surface and a second electrode arranged on the second surface; wherein the first and the second electrodes are connectable to external means for determining the capacitance of a capacitor formed by the elastomeric body and the electrodes; wherein at least one pressure transfer layer has at least one portion of increased thickness; and wherein the electrode on at least one of the surfaces comprise a first electrode portion adjacent to the central portion of the pressure transfer layer and second electrode portions adjacent to the end portions of the pressure transfer layer, the first and second electrode portions being isolated from each other.
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Specification