Tactile instrument
First Claim
1. Device for a measurement by contact and a local classification of mechanical and geometric properties of an object comprising at least two sensor elements, each of said sensor elements having a first conductive layer, a second resistive layer and a third conductive layer, wherein the first and the third conductive layer exhibit a higher electrical conductivity than the second resistive layer, whereinalso in an unloaded state of the device, a direct electrically conductive mechanical connection exists between the first conductive layer and the second resistive layer as well as between the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer, whereinwhen an electric potential difference between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer is applied, electric current is flowing from the first conductive layer through the second resistive layer to the third conductive layer, whereinwhen an external force acts onto the device, the size of the contact surface between the first conductive layer and the second resistive layer and/or between the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer is changed thereby changing the size of a pathway for electric current, and whereinthe magnitude of the external force is determined according to the magnitude of electric current flowing through the second resistive layercharacterized in thatthe first and the third conductive layers mechanically deform, in case a force acts vertical to the plane of the position of at least one of the layers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The ability of a person to grasp an object and at the same time to feel, as well as to determine mechanical and geometric parameters of the comprehended object, makes him or her irreplaceable for many tasks, i.e. in production or in surgery. The translation of this ability into a technological system has often failed up to now due to lack of special adjusted sensors. The object of this invention is a sensory device, which fulfills the requirements for a tactile sensor system and at the same time affords a cost-effective and simple manufacturing alternative to other sensor principles. The layer structure of the sensor element is so constructed that by effect of an external force of the current by a resistive layer a path is disposed to narrowing or enlargement. The voltage drop over this resistive layer is dependent upon the acting external force and serves as signal sensor.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. Device for a measurement by contact and a local classification of mechanical and geometric properties of an object comprising at least two sensor elements, each of said sensor elements having a first conductive layer, a second resistive layer and a third conductive layer, wherein the first and the third conductive layer exhibit a higher electrical conductivity than the second resistive layer, wherein
also in an unloaded state of the device, a direct electrically conductive mechanical connection exists between the first conductive layer and the second resistive layer as well as between the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer, wherein when an electric potential difference between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer is applied, electric current is flowing from the first conductive layer through the second resistive layer to the third conductive layer, wherein when an external force acts onto the device, the size of the contact surface between the first conductive layer and the second resistive layer and/or between the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer is changed thereby changing the size of a pathway for electric current, and wherein the magnitude of the external force is determined according to the magnitude of electric current flowing through the second resistive layer characterized in that the first and the third conductive layers mechanically deform, in case a force acts vertical to the plane of the position of at least one of the layers.
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2. Device for a measurement by contact and a local classification of mechanical and geometric properties of an object comprising at least two sensor elements, each of said sensor elements having a first conductive layer, a second resistive layer and a third conductive layer, wherein the first and the third conductive layer exhibit a higher electrical conductivity than the second resistive layer, wherein
also in an unloaded state of the device, a direct electrically conductive mechanical connection exists between the first conductive layer and the second resistive layer as well as between the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer, wherein when an electric potential difference between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer is applied, electric current is flowing from the first conductive layer through the second resistive layer to the third conductive layer, wherein when an external force acts onto the device, the size of the contact surface between the first conductive layer and the second resistive layer and/or between the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer is changed thereby changing the size of a pathway for electric current, and wherein the magnitude of the external force is determined according to the magnitude of electric current flowing through the second resistive layer characterized in that the first conductive layer, the second resistive layer and the third conductive layer mechanically deform, in case a force acts vertical to the plane of the position of at least one of the layers.
Specification