Simple and Low-Cost Fabrication of Flexible Capacitive Tactile Sensors

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 x 10.4 x 0.8mm(3). 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 10N. 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. (C) 2011 The Japan Society of Applied Physics