Toward large-scale tactile sensor implementation: array of flexible tactile sensor using spiral inductors and magnetorheological elastomer sheet

Abstract

To address issues on conventional tactile sensors, such as low durability, sensitivity, and maintainability, we have proposed a flexible tactile sensor using a magnetorheological elastomer and a spiral inductor. To measure contact force distributions with an array sensor using several inductors, we should investigate interferences among inductors because our sensor works based on electromagnetic effect. In this study, we investigated how the inductance of the one inductor of a pair of inductors changes when another neighboring inductor is activated. The results demonstrated that the inductance increased when the neighboring inductor was activated, and that the amount of increase was reduced with a larger distance condition between the two inductors. We concluded that two inductors should be separated over 20 mm to maintain the sensor response curve obtained in a single activation condition.