Crosstalk Reduction of Tactile Sensor Array with Projected Cylindrical Elastomer over Sensing Element

A tactile sensor array covered by a projected cylindrical elastomer has been designed and fabricated for crosstalk reduction among sensor elements caused by the lateral deformation of the elastomer. The analysis of elastomer deformation by the finite element method showed that the optimal thickness of the flat elastomer between cylinders and the substrate is 50--100 μm, because the sensor structure has not only a low crosstalk but also a high robustness. A tactile sensor array having the flat elastomer of 70 μm thickness has little crosstalk and high robustness.