The industrial robot tactile sensor can help the industrial robot measure any physical interaction with its environment. The sensor can measure the parameters related to the contact between the sensor and the object. Industrial robots also benefit from touch. Force and tactile sensors enable robots to manipulate objects with higher accuracy and sensitivity in environments with fewer structures.
What is a tactile sensor?
The tactile sensor is designed according to its biological sense of touch, and can detect the stimulation from mechanical stimulation, temperature and pain. The tactile sensor will receive and respond to signals, which can be force or physical contact. Tactile sensors are sensors used in robots to simulate tactile functions. It can be divided into contact sensor, force-torque sensor, pressure sensor and slip sensor according to function.
What are the tactile sensors?
1. Optical tactile sensor: There are two types of optical tactile sensor: internal and external. In this type, the intensity of light is modulated by moving obstacles into the optical path. It has the advantages of anti-electromagnetic interference and has very high resolution. Low wiring is required, and the processing electronics can be far away from the sensor.
2. Piezoelectric tactile sensor: When pressure is applied to the sensing element, the effect of generating voltage on the sensing element is piezoelectric effect. The generation of voltage is proportional to the applied pressure. In this case, no external sensor is required. The advantages of this type of sensor are durability and wide dynamic range. Pressure measurement is possible.
3. Resistive tactile sensor: the sensor works based on the change of resistance between conducting polymer and electrode. This type of tactile sensor is widely used. When pressure is applied, the resistance of conductive materials will change. Then measure the resistance. The advantages of this sensor are high durability and good overload resistance.
4. Capacitive tactile sensor: In capacitive sensor, the capacitance change between two electrodes is used. This type of capacitive sensor will measure capacitance, which will change under the applied pressure. The capacitance of parallel plate capacitor is related to the spacing and area of the plates. Capacitance varies according to the load. The advantages of this sensor are linear response and wide dynamic range.
5. Magnetic tactile sensor: magnetic tactile sensor uses two methods, one is to measure the change of magnetic flux density using magnetoresistive device, and the other is to measure the change of magnetic coupling deformation between windings of magnetoelastic core. The advantages of this sensor are high sensitivity and no mechanical lag.