Omron Corporation

Hiroki Koga

Sayaka Doi

Misato Nabeto

Hiroshi Kitajima

Naoki Yoshitake

Yukihisa Karako

Shinji Kawakami

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.

Tactile sensor

In a tactile sensing system, a sensor portion of a tactile sensor is provided at a grasping portion of a robot, and outputs plural signals respectively corresponding to plural first electrodes that face a second electrode. On the basis of all or some of the plural signals, an output section calculates respective pressure values of plural pressure detecting positions within a contacting surface of the sensor portion which contacting surface contacts a workpiece, and outputs data of a pressure distribution. Further, on the basis of all or some of the plural signals, the output section calculates one aggregate shearing force value for the entire contacting surface, and outputs data of the aggregate shearing force value.

Tactile sensing system

A tactile sensor, comprising: a cover provided so as to cover at least a portion of a base; a first force detection section configured to detect a force acting on the cover in a direction toward the base from the cover; and a second force detection section configured to detect the force acting on the cover in a case in which the cover is further displaced in the direction toward the base after the first force detection section has detected the force acting on the cover.

Tactile sensor, robot hand, and robot

A controller includes: a deformation information obtaining unit configured to obtain information on deformation of a suction portion that suctions an object with negative pressure, and that is deformed by the negative pressure; and an operation control unit configured to control movement of the suction portion in accordance with deformation of the suction portion.

Controller

A tactile sensor pertaining to the present disclosure includes a cover that is provided so as to cover at least part of a base portion, a detection unit that is disposed between the cover and the base portion and detects force applied to the cover, and a limiting structure that limits inclination of the cover with respect to the base portion.

A sensor assembly may include: a main body and one or more first proximity sensors. The main body may include a space through which a shaft of a suction apparatus passes is formed. The one or more first proximity sensors may be disposed in the main body, and may be configured to detect the suction portion that is deformed by the negative pressure. The main body may further include a fixture that has a fixed portion that is fixed to the shaft, and a support portion that supports the main body.

Sensor assembly and suction apparatus

The end effector includes a palm, a plurality of fingers capable of grasping operation, a tactile sensor unit provided with each of the plurality of fingers, and a force receiving portion that receives a force from the object being grasped when the object being grasped is grasped by the plurality of fingers, the force receiving portion being connected to each of the plurality of fingers via the tactile sensor unit. The force receiving portion includes a grasping surface that receives a force from the object being grasped, the grasping surface being placed facing the object being grasped to be able to grasp the object being grasped, and a pressing surface that is placed further away from the palm than the second end portion of each of the plurality of fingers and extends in a direction intersecting the grasping surface.

End effector and end effector device

The end effector device includes an end effector including a palm and a plurality of fingers, a drive device, a position shift direction determination unit and a position shift correction unit. Each finger includes a tactile sensor unit capable of detecting external forces in at least three axial directions. The position shift direction determination unit determines in which direction the object being grasped is position-shifted with respect to the fitting recess based on a detection result detected by the tactile sensor unit in a case where at least one of the external forces detected by the tactile sensor unit is a specified value or more. The position shift correction unit moves the palm in a direction opposite to a position shift direction of the object being grasped determined by the position shift direction determination unit.

End effector device

An end effector includes a palm and a plurality of fingers capable of moving in a direction intersecting an extending direction of each of fingers as well as approaching each other and grasping and object being grasped. At least one of the plurality of fingers includes a proximity sensor unit provided at a tip portion in the extending direction, the proximity sensor unit being placed capable of detecting approach and separation of the proximity sensor unit with respect to an object in the extending direction and capable of detecting approach and separation of the object with respect to the proximity sensor unit in the extending direction. The proximity sensor unit includes a frame shaped detection region that covers an edge of the tip portion when viewed from the extending direction.

A proximity sensor unit includes a proximity sensor section including a sensor electrode capable of detecting a capacitance value according to a distance to an object to be detected in a detection direction and a moving device capable of moving the sensor electrode of the proximity sensor section or the object to be detected in the detection direction.

Growing community of inventors

Nara, Japan

Hiroki Koga