Dielectric geometry for capacitive-based tactile sensor

• US 9,645,019 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2014
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinova Co.
• Original Assignee: Kinova Co.
• Inventors: Duchaine, Vincent, Rana, Axaykumar
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max
• Application Number:
  US14/762,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20150355039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 73780, 73862046, 73862626, 73 78
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2417 by varying separation
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/142 using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/146 for measuring force distributions, e.g. using force arrays G01L1/148 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04103 Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]

Abstract

A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, includes a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material. The body is shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other. Some of the members includes a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface. Second features are integral with the first feature and project from the second end surface. A cross-section area of each of the second features is substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface. A height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates is substantially greater than a height of the second features. A capacitive-based tactile sensor with the dielectric is also provided.

Claims

1. A dielectric for a capacitive-based tactile sensor of the type having a pair of spaced apart conductive plates with the dielectric conductively therebetween, the dielectric comprising:

a body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material, the body being shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members adapted to extend from one of the conductive plates to the other, at least some of the members comprising;

a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface;

at least two second features integral with the first feature and projecting from the second end surface;

a cross-section area of each of the second features being substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface; and

a height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates being substantially greater than a height of the second features.

2. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein the first feature is generally shaped as a truncated cone.

3. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein the second features are generally shaped as cones or truncated cones.

4. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein the first feature is generally shaped as a cylinder.

5. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein the second features are generally shaped as cylinders.

6. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein the non-rigid dielectric polymeric material is silicone embedded with at least one of microparticles and nanoparticles.

7. The dielectric according to claim 6, wherein the silicone is embedded with at least a ferroelectric ceramic for increased relative permittivity of silicone.

8. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein the body is a monolithic molded piece.

9. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of height of the first feature to the second feature ranges between 3:

1 to 30;

1.

10. The dielectric according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of cross-section areas of the first feature to the second feature ranges between 3:

1 to 40;

1.

11. A capacitive-based tactile sensor comprising:

at least a pair of spaced apart conductive plates and adapted to be wired to a controller;

at least one body of a non-rigid dielectric polymeric material conductively received between the conductive plates, the body being shaped into a microstructure defined by a plurality of members extending from one of the conductive plates to the other, at least some of the members comprising;

a first feature shaped to have a first end surface and a second end surface;

at least two second features integral with the first feature and projecting from the second end surface;

a cross-section area of each of the second features being substantially smaller than a cross-section area of the first feature at the second end surface; and

a height of the first feature in a distance between the conductive plates being substantially greater than a height of the second features.

12. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein the first feature is generally shaped as a truncated cone.

13. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein the second features are generally shaped as cones or truncated cones.

14. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein the first feature is generally shaped as a cylinder.

15. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein the second features are generally shaped as cylinders.

16. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein the non-rigid dielectric polymeric material is silicone embedded with at least one of microparticles and nanoparticles.

17. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 16, wherein the silicone is embedded with at least a ferroelectric ceramic for increased relative permittivity of silicone.

18. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein the body is a monolithic molded piece.

19. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein a ratio of height of the first feature to the second feature ranges between 3:

1 to 30;

1.

20. The capacitive-based tactile sensor according to claim 11, wherein a ratio of cross-section areas of the first feature to the second feature ranges between 3:

1 to 40;

1.