Simple and Low-Cost Fabrication of Flexible Capacitive Tactile Sensors

Abstract

We fabricated novel flexible capacitive tactile sensors that can detect both the direction and distribution of an applied force. The sensor consists of a conductive silicone rubber as a movable electrode and fixed electrodes formed on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film with silver paste. The dimensions of sensor head are 10.4 ×10.4 ×0.8 mm3. We developed the tactile sensor using screen-printing techniques and atmospheric-pressure plasma pretreatments. We experimentally evaluated the tactile responses to the applied force. The sensor detected the input force-distribution with a force ranging up to 10 N. The flexible thin PET film substrate enables fitting to the tight space and curved surface, and this capacitive tactile sensor is applicable for low-cost controllers of cellular phones and personal computers.