Development of hybrid three-axis load sensor

Abstract

A thin and flexible sheet-type three-axis load sensor has been developed by hybridizing two different types of sensors, namely, a commercial sheet-type pressure sensor and a shear force sensor that we previously developed. The total thickness of the sensor was 0.9 mm. We have also developed a control circuit and a computer program for the sensor. Although seven signal lines were required in the original sensor configuration, the number of signal lines could be reduced to six by devising the circuit. The sensor response was as linear as each of the component sensors, and the responses of each of the three axes were nearly independent, without particular combination problems.