US 11,920,992 B2
Deformable sensors and methods using magnetic repulsion for modifying run-time membrane stiffness
Manuel L. Kuehner, Mountain View, CA (US); and Naveen Suresh Kuppuswamy, Arlington, MA (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., Los Altos, CA (US)
Filed by Toyota Research Institute, Inc., Los Altos, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/380,237.
Prior Publication US 2023/0021848 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. G01L 1/12 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); G01L 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01L 1/12 (2013.01) [B25J 13/082 (2013.01); B25J 13/084 (2013.01); G01L 5/0061 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A deformable sensor comprising:
a membrane coupled to a housing to form a sensor cavity;
a first magnet located on an inner surface of the membrane in the sensor cavity;
a second magnet, located at a base within the sensor cavity, configured to modifiably repel the first magnet and modify stiffness of the deformable sensor and
a base member located between the base of the sensor cavity and the second magnet.