An electrostatic capacitance detection device is provided, which is provided with a first electrode, an insulating layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the insulating layer, the electrostatic capacitance detection device being configured to calculate a shear force applied from above an upper portion of the second electrode.

An electrostatic capacitance detection device is provided, which is provided with a first electrode, an insulating layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the insulating layer, the electrostatic capacitance detection device being configured to calculate a shear force applied from above an upper portion of the second electrode.

A strain body of a force sensor according to the present invention includes a tilting structure disposed between a force receiving body and a support body, a force-receiving-body-side deformable body connecting the force receiving body and the tilting structure, and a support-body-side deformable body connecting the tilting structure and the support body. The tilting structure includes a first tilting body that extends in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction and that is elastically deformable by the action of force in the first direction.

The present application relates to a touch sensor with multifunctional layers and an intelligent robot. The touch sensor comprises a plurality of sensor units. Each of the sensor units comprises regions contained in four multifunctional layers. The first multifunctional layer and the third multifunctional layer are higher than the second multifunctional layer and the fourth multifunctional later, and the distance from the center of the first multifunctional layer to the center of the third multifunctional layer is greater than the distance from the center of the second multifunctional layer to the center of the fourth multifunctional layer. The first multifunctional layer and the third multifunctional layer form a capacitor C1, and the second multifunctional layer and the fourth multifunctional layer form a capacitor C2.

The present application relates to a touch sensor with multifunctional layers and an intelligent robot. The touch sensor comprises a plurality of sensor units. Each of the sensor units comprises regions contained in four multifunctional layers. The first multifunctional layer and the third multifunctional layer are higher than the second multifunctional layer and the fourth multifunctional later, and the distance from the center of the first multifunctional layer to the center of the third multifunctional layer is greater than the distance from the center of the second multifunctional layer to the center of the fourth multifunctional layer. The first multifunctional layer and the third multifunctional layer form a capacitor C1, and the second multifunctional layer and the fourth multifunctional layer form a capacitor C2.

A dielectric elastomer sensor system A1 is provided with an oscillation circuit 1 including a dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 having a dielectric elastomer layer 111 and a pair of electrode layers 112 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 111, and with a determination circuit 2 configured to determine a change in a capacitance of the dielectric elastomer sensor element 11, based on an output signal from the oscillation circuit 1. The dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 changes in capacitance due to deformation caused by external forces of at least two mutually different directions. Such a configuration enables provision of a multifunctional dielectric elastomer sensor system and dielectric elastomer sensor element.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A tactile sensor has an electrostatic capacitance-type sensor portion having a layered structure in which a first electrode layer, an elastic layer, and a second electrode layer are layered.

The first electrode layer has plural first electrodes, and the second electrode layer is configured by one or plural second electrodes in a single layer. Two or more of the plural first electrodes are partially-overlapping electrodes that partially overlap with the second electrode as viewed in a normal direction of a contacting surface of the sensor portion. A number of one or plural openings formed in one of the second electrodes, or a number of one or plural island portions formed by one or plural second electrodes, is less than a number of the plural first electrodes.

A tactile sensor has an electrostatic capacitance-type sensor portion having a layered structure in which a first electrode layer, an elastic layer, and a second electrode layer are layered.

The first electrode layer has plural first electrodes, and the second electrode layer is configured by one or plural second electrodes in a single layer. Two or more of the plural first electrodes are partially-overlapping electrodes that partially overlap with the second electrode as viewed in a normal direction of a contacting surface of the sensor portion. A number of one or plural openings formed in one of the second electrodes, or a number of one or plural island portions formed by one or plural second electrodes, is less than a number of the plural first electrodes.