Abstract
Three-dimensional tactile sensing in smart devices is witnessing an increasing demand. In this study, a three-dimensional tactile sensor is proposed according to the principle of triboelectricity by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) films. Use of PDMS-ZnO composite films increases the output voltage of the electrodes. The sensor is designed with a cross beam-shaped pressure head to enable sensing normal forces in five directions. The working mechanism of the sensor is analyzed using the finite element method. The calculation results indicate a linear relationship between the output voltage and the force. The simulation results also demonstrate that the output voltage is linearly correlated with the applied force in the range of 1–30 N. Test results show that the sensor can sense the magnitude, frequency, and direction of the force as well as measure the duration of the force. The hardness of the object has a significant effect on the output voltage. Finally, the sensor is tested on a manipulator grasping an object to demonstrate its ability to sense the contact and sliding of the object.
Highlights
With the advancement of technology and increasing demand for convenient living, human-computer interaction is gaining increasing application and the intelligent robot industry has achieved unprecedented development
SIMULATION The COMSOL software was used to simulate the potential distribution of the sensor during the contact and separation of the PDMS-zinc oxide (ZnO) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) films
This is because when a small force is initially applied to the sensor, the contact area between the PDMS or PDMS-ZnO film and the PEO film is small, leading to low amount of transferred charge and output voltage
Summary
With the advancement of technology and increasing demand for convenient living, human-computer interaction is gaining increasing application and the intelligent robot industry has achieved unprecedented development. When a tangential (Fig. 2(d)) or a normal (Fig. 2(e)) force is applied to the cross beam-shaped pressure head, the inside of the cube will be squeezed, causing the two film layers to come in contact and generate friction.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
