Tactile sensor device

• US 4,866,412 A
• Filed: 08/11/1987
• Issued: 09/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Microelectronics Applications Research Institute Limited
• Original Assignee: The Microelectronics Applications Research Institute Limited
• Inventors: Rzepczynski, Zenon G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldberg, E. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lateef, M. M.
• Application Number:
  US07/084,306
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 338/114, 338/99, 338/47, 338/112, 338/115, 338/95
• US Class Current: 338/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04144 using an array of force sensing means position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447

Abstract

A tactile sensor device, of value in a sensor system for identifying an object by contact, in the form of a first array of parallel elongated lengths of electroconductive material, a second array of parallel elongated lengths of electroconductive material, disposed transverse to the first array so that lengths in the two arrays intersect, and a resilient piezoresistive material disposed in continuous contact with the lengths of electroconductive material in one of the arrays and located between the arrays.

Claims

1. A tactile sensor device which comprises a first array of parallel elongated flat lengths of an electroconductive metallic material on a non-conductive substrate, and a second array comprising parallel elongated lengths of an electroconductive material, which lengths in said second array are overlaid by a resilient piezoresistive material forming a laterally distortable rounded covering for each said length, the two arrays being superimposed in an intersecting orientation with said rounded coverings being in contact with the flat lengths in said first array at corresponding isolated crossing points, such that the rounded coverings contact the flat lengths of the first array at the corresponding isolated crossing points to define individual independent detection points thereat spatially isolated from each other, and upon being subjected to local tactile compression the rounded coverings undergo lateral distortion independently at each corresponding individual detection point subjected to said compression and thereby reduce the distance between the lengths of the electroconductive material overlaid by the rounded coverings and the adjacent portion of the flat lengths of the first array thereat to reduce the resistance of the isolated path through the rounded coverings between the lengths of the electroconductive material overlaid thereby and the flat lengths of the first array at each such detection point subjected to said compression.

2. Device of claim 1 wherein the first array is in the form of a printed circuit board comprising narrow parallel strips of said electroconductive material on a non-conductive substrate.

3. A tactile sensor device which comprises a first array of parallel elongated flat lengths of an electroconductive metallic material on a non-conductive substrate, and a second array of parallel elongated lengths of an electroconductive material, said second array being disposed transverse to said first array whereby elongated lengths in the two arrays intersect at corresponding isolated crossing points, said second array being in the form of parallel wires of an electroconductive metal individually contained in laterally distortable round shaped tubes of resilient piezoresistive material, such that the round shaped tubes contact the flat lengths of the first array at the corresponding isolated crossing points to define individual independent detection points thereat spatially isolated from each other, and upon being subjected to local tactile compression the round tubes undergo lateral distortion independently at each corresponding individual detection point subjected to said compression and thereby reduce the distance between the wires contained therein and the adjacent portion of the flat lengths of the first array thereat to reduce the resistance of the isolated path through the tubes between the wires of the second array and the flat lengths of the first array at each such detection point subjected to said compression.

4. Device of claim 3 wherein said piezoresistive material is a silicone rubber.

5. A tactile sensor device which comprises

(a) a first array of parallel elongated flat lengths of an electroconductive metal on a non-conductive substrate, and

(b) a second array comprising parallel elongated lengths of an electroconductive material sandwiched between a generally flat sheet of a non-conductive material and a sheet of resilient piezoresistive material which overlies the lengths of said second array to form a laterally distortable rounded covering for each said length,

(c) said two arrays being superimposed with said piezoresistive material of said second array in contact with said electroconductive metal of said first array and with the elongated lengths of the respective two arrays intersecting each other at corresponding isolated crossing points.

6. Device of claim 5 wherein said electroconductive material of said second array, said non-conductive material of said second array and said piezoresistive material are all silicone rubbers of different resistivities.

7. Device of claim 5 wherein said elongated lengths of the respective two arrays intersect at right angles.