Micromachines 2012, 3(2), 270-278; doi:10.3390/mi3020270
Article

Capacitive Tactile Sensor Based on Dielectric Oil Displacement out of a Parylene Dome into Surrounding Channels

Tomokazu Takahashi* email, Masto Suzukiemail, Shota Iwamotoemail and Seiji Aoyagiemail
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 15 February 2012; in revised form: 14 March 2012 / Accepted: 16 March 2012 / Published: 28 March 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer MEMS)
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Abstract: We propose a concept of a flexible sensor array using a novel capacitive force sensor not having a vulnerable electrode on the force applied site. It has a polymer domed structure inside which silicone oil is contained. When the force is applied, the oil is pushed into the surrounding thin channels, where the change in capacitance due to the inflowing dielectric oil is measured between two electrodes on the top and bottom surfaces of the channel. Since the channel does not have a directly applied external force to it, the electrodes do not suffer from damage problems. The change in capacitance was simulated using a simplified flow model. The first trial device of the sensing element has been fabricated. A sensitivity of 0.05 pF/gf was achieved.
Keywords: tactile sensor; Parylene on liquid deposition; dielectric oil

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Takahashi, T.; Suzuki, M.; Iwamoto, S.; Aoyagi, S. Capacitive Tactile Sensor Based on Dielectric Oil Displacement out of a Parylene Dome into Surrounding Channels. Micromachines 2012, 3, 270-278.

AMA Style

Takahashi T, Suzuki M, Iwamoto S, Aoyagi S. Capacitive Tactile Sensor Based on Dielectric Oil Displacement out of a Parylene Dome into Surrounding Channels. Micromachines. 2012; 3(2):270-278.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Takahashi, Tomokazu; Suzuki, Masto; Iwamoto, Shota; Aoyagi, Seiji. 2012. "Capacitive Tactile Sensor Based on Dielectric Oil Displacement out of a Parylene Dome into Surrounding Channels." Micromachines 3, no. 2: 270-278.

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