A sensor device includes: a base having a recess; a force detecting element which is provided in the recess, and includes at least one piezoelectric element that outputs a signal in accordance with an external force; an adhesive which is provided between the force detecting element and a bottom surface of the recess; at least one electrode provided in the force detecting element; at least one terminal provided in the base; and at least one conductive paste which electrically connects the electrode and the terminal to each other, in which the conductive paste has a part that overlaps the adhesive when viewed from a direction in which the force detecting element and the bottom surface overlap each other, and in which the force detecting element overlaps the bottom surface when viewed from the direction in which the force detecting element and the bottom surface overlap each other.

An apparatus for handling microelectronic devices comprises a pick arm having a pick surface configured for receiving a microelectronic device thereon, drives for moving the pick arm and reorienting the pick surface in the X, Y and Z planes and about a horizontal rotational axis and a vertical rotational axis, and a sensor device carried by the pick arm and configured to detect at least one of at least one magnitude of force and at least one location of force applied between the pick surface and a structure contacted by the pick surface or a structure and a microelectronic device carried on the pick surface.

A skin for a robot includes a first composite layer structure, a second composite layer structure and a number of first insulating protrusions. The first composite layer structure is used to be arranged on a housing of the robot, and includes a base adhesive layer arranged on the housing of robot, a first supporting layer stacked on the base adhesive layer and a first silver conductive adhesive layer stacked on the first supporting layer. The second composite layer structure covers the first composite layer, and includes a second silver conductive adhesive layer stacked on the first composite layer structure, and a second supporting layer stacked on the second silver conductive adhesive layer. The first insulating protrusions are arranged between the first silver conductive adhesive layer and the second silver conductive adhesive layer, and separate the first silver conductive adhesive layer and the second silver conductive adhesive layer.

A sensor device includes a base body including a recess, a lid body configured to close an opening of the recess, a force detection element disposed in the recess and including a first element that outputs a first signal according to an external force in a first axis and a second element that stacks on the first element and outputs a second signal according to an external force in a second axis; a first circuit disposed in the recess and configured to process the first signal, and a second circuit disposed in the recess and configured to process the second signal.

A sensor device includes a base body including a recess, a lid body configured to close an opening of the recess, a force detection element disposed in the recess and configured to output an electric charge according to a received external force, and an electronic component disposed in the recess and electrically connected to the force detection element. A separation distance between the electronic component and the lid body is larger than a separation distance between the force detection element and the lid body in the thickness direction of the lid body.

A variable conductive apparatus responsive to an applied external force for use in a variable pressure sensor, monitoring system, or other devices. The variable conductive apparatus comprises a first conductive path that includes a first conductive surface; a second conductive path that includes a second conductive surface, a part of the second conductive surface having a conductive contact surface area with a part of the first conductive surface when there is no applied external force, another part of the second conductive surface separate from another part of the first conductive surface when there is no applied external force, wherein the applied external force increases conductive contact surface area between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface and results in an increase in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface.

A charge amplifier includes: an input line thorough which an electric charge signal is propagated; an integration circuit including an input terminal coupled to the input line and an output terminal that outputs the voltage signal; a reset switch configured to reset the voltage signal by closing between the input terminal and the output terminal; a leakage current correction circuit including a first resistance circuit and a first switch coupled in series in this order between a first node, which has a first potential different from a potential of the input line, and the input line; and a control circuit configured to control the first switch based on the voltage signal so as to cancel at least a part of a leakage current flowing through the integration circuit.

Methods and apparatus related to arrays of piezoelectric strands. Some implementations are directed to using an array of piezoelectric strands, along with associated driving and sensing components, to enable determination of one or more properties of external force(s) applied to the array, such as what areas of the array have external force being applied, a measure of the applied external force(s), material properties of object(s) applying the external force(s), etc. Each of the piezoelectric strands of an array may include at least a longitudinally extending piezoelectric material and a longitudinally extending conductive electrode.

A force detector includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a circuit board provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an element mounted on the circuit board and outputting a signal in response to an external force, wherein a hole is formed in the circuit board at a location where the element is placed, and a first convex part inserted into the hole and protruding toward the element is provided on the first substrate. Further, the element is placed within a periphery of the first convex part as seen from a direction perpendicular to the first substrate.

A skin for a robot includes a first composite layer structure, a second composite layer structure and a number of first insulating protrusions. The first composite layer structure is used to be arranged on a housing of the robot, and includes a base adhesive layer arranged on the housing of robot, a first supporting layer stacked on the base adhesive layer and a first silver conductive adhesive layer stacked on the first supporting layer. The second composite layer structure covers the first composite layer, and includes a second silver conductive adhesive layer stacked on the first composite layer structure, and a second supporting layer stacked on the second silver conductive adhesive layer. The first insulating protrusions are arranged between the first silver conductive adhesive layer and the second silver conductive adhesive layer, and separate the first silver conductive adhesive layer and the second silver conductive adhesive layer.