Compliant tactile sensor with fluid-filled, sponge-like material

US9080918B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SynTouch Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeremy A. Fishel · Fullerton, US
• Gerald E. Loeb · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Raymond Peck · Los Angeles, US
• Chia-Hsien Lin · Gaoshu, TW
• Blaine Matulevich · Kalispell, US
• Vikram Pandit · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2013
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L5/228
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A compliant tactile sensor may include sponge-like material, a flexible skin, and a fluid pressure sensor. The flexible skin may have a shape, absorb fluid, compress in response to force applied to the sponge-like material, and decompress and return to its original shape when the force is removed. The flexible skin may cover an outer surface of the sponge-like material. The fluid pressure sensor may sense changes in pressure in fluid that is within the sponge-like material caused by a force applied to the flexible skin. A robotic system may include a movable robotic arm, a compliant tactile sensor on the movable robotic arm that senses contact between the compliant tactile sensor and an object during movement of the movable robotic arm and that cushions the effect of that contact, and a reflex system that causes the moveable robotic arm to move in response to commands.