Development of Fabric-Type of Tensional Force Sensor

We developed a tensional force sensor by applying artificial tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer (PFA) hollow fibers. The fibers were fabricated by depositing thin metal and an insulation layer on the PFA tube, and the fabric sensor was made by weaving the decorated PFA tube and the conventional cotton yarns together. The sensor was 57.0 times 4.0 mm. The sensor output linearly increased with the increase of the tension. We confirmed that the sensor output increased with applied tension at a rate of 2.1%/N.