US 12,135,254 B2
Flexible optical tactile sensor
Edward Adelson, Winchester, MA (US); and Sandra Liu, Cambridge, MA (US)
Assigned to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/665,186.
Prior Publication US 2023/0251149 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01L 1/24 (2006.01); G01L 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01L 1/24 (2013.01) [G01L 5/0061 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A retrographic sensor comprising:
a flexible transparent structure including an interior surface, an exterior surface, and one or more side surfaces extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface, wherein the flexible transparent structure is configured to elastically deform about at least one axis;
a transparent elastomeric pad disposed on the exterior surface of the flexible transparent structure;
an at least partially reflective layer disposed on the transparent elastomeric pad such that the transparent elastomeric pad is disposed between the at least partially reflective layer and the flexible transparent structure; and
at least one light source disposed adjacent at least a first side surface of the one or more side surfaces, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit light into the flexible transparent structure.