A New Tactile Sensor Using the Edge Mode in a Piezoelectric-Ceramic Bar

The edge mode, whose vibrational energy is confined to the edge region of a piezoelectric-ceramic bar, is analyzed by the finite element method (FEM) and characteristics of the mode are clarified. A new tactile sensor using the edge mode in a piezoelectric-ceramic bar is proposed and its experimental results are presented. The results show that piezoelectric tactile sensors with very high sensitibity and supporting ease can be realized by the use of the edge mode.