US 11,953,351 B2
Tactile and proximity sensor
Takatoshi Kato, Nagaokakyo (JP); Hiroshi Watanabe, Nagaokakyo (JP); and Kohei Sugahara, Nagaokakyo (JP)
Assigned to MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., Kyoto (JP)
Filed by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Nagaokakyo (JP)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/347,701.
Application 17/347,701 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2019/048239, filed on Dec. 10, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-025590 (JP), filed on Feb. 15, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0310835 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. G01D 5/26 (2006.01); G01B 11/16 (2006.01); G01C 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01D 5/26 (2013.01) [G01B 11/16 (2013.01); G01C 3/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tactile and proximity sensor for sensing contact with and proximity to an object corresponding to a result of reception of light, the tactile and proximity sensor comprising:
a light source to emit light;
a light receiver to receive light and generate a signal indicating a result of reception of the light;
an elastic structure that includes an elastic body that is deformable in response to an external force and that includes a reflecting portion to reflect light and a transmitting portion to transmit light; and
a first reflecting mirror that faces the light source to guide the light from the light source to the reflecting portion and the transmitting portion.