Flexible Force Sensors Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Flexible Force Sensors Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

  This paper presents a 3x3 force sensor array, which is made of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), and transducers for tactile sensation to detect a distributed normal force. The transducer is designed such that it is not affected by chirping and light loss. We also present the fabrication process and experimental verification of the prototype sensors. Experimental tests show that the newly designed sensors have good performance: good sensitivity, repeatability, and no-hysteresis. The load calibration is accomplished by a verified uniaxial load cell. In order to provide a more precise measurement, temperature compensation is applied to all taxels. The force sensor array is flexible enough to be attached to a curved surface and it also has simple wiring compared with other types of small force sensors for tactile sensation.