Measurement and valuation of tactile warmth using a PVDF sensor

Abstract

The purpose of this study is the development of a sensor system using the pyroelectric effect of a PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) film for measuring tactile warmth. Tactile warmth on fabrics is compared with PVDF sensor output. At first, warmth on each sample is collected through the questionnaire based on the paired comparison semantic differential method. Furthermore, human motion for the evaluation of tactile warmth and contact pressure applied to an object are investigated. Next, a sensor using a PVDF film as the sensory receptor is fabricated. The surface of the sensor is heated through temperature control. Then, the sensor is moved and contacted with a measurement object in order to collect pyroelectric output voltage. For the means of driving the sensor system, trajectory control of the contact pressure is introduced on the basis of the results of the examination of human motion. Finally, the measurement using the sensor system is carried out on the samples. Comparison with the results shows that the PVDF sensor system is applicable for the evaluation of tactile warmth.