Paper Info
Title
Effect Of Contacting Surface On The Performance Of Thin-Film Force And Pressure Sensors
Abstract
Flexible force and pressure sensors are important for assessing the wear comfort of tightly fitting apparel. Their accuracy and repeatability depend on the sensor itself and the contacting surface. Measurements of the contact pressure on soft surfaces like human skin tend to be erroneous, which could be due to incorrect sensor calibrations. This study aims to examine the effects of human body parameters such as the hardness and temperature of the contacting surface by using a custom-made calibration setup and investigating the incorporation of rigid discs on the sensor surface. Two commercial force sensors, FlexiForce and SingleTact, and one pressure sensor, Pliance X, are used in the investigation. The findings reveal that adding rigid discs on both sides of the force sensors improves their sensitivity. Systematic calibration has been performed on the surfaces with different temperatures and hardness. The results show that FlexiForce and Pliance X tend to be affected by the changes in surface temperature and surface hardness. Prolonged testing time shows that the time dependence of SingleTact and Pliance X sensor is lower, which suggests that they are more suitable for lengthier evaluations in which interface pressure is exerted on the human body. In brief, sensor attachment and proper calibration should be thoroughly considered before using sensors for applications on soft surfaces, like the human body.
Year
DOI
Venue
2020
10.3390/s20236863
SENSORS
Keywords
DocType
Volume
pressure comfort, force sensor, pressure sensor, sensor evaluation, hardness, temperature
Journal
20
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
23
1424-8220
0
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.34
0
6
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Ka Po Maggie Tang100.34
Kit-lun Yick273.34
Pui Ling Li300.34
Joanne Yip473.34
King Hei Or500.34
Kam Hong Chau600.34