Application of flexible impact force sensor to sport engineering

Abstract

We have developed a flexible impact force sensor using a piezoelectric film. The sensor is distribution type in which sensor elements with 30mm square are arranged in a matrix with regular intervals. Each sensor element is a rigid plate structure. Flexibility of the sensor is achieved by the flexible leather connections between adjacent sensor elements. There is no electrical wiring in the sensor. The output signal of the sensor element is obtained from the conductive cloth via upper and lower metal plate of the elements. The authors are challenging to make smaller the size of sensor element, make thinner of the sensor thickness and to remove perfectly the electrostatic effects. In order to realize these, we are in the current situation of repeated prototype testing. In this study, we have conducted three experiments using the prototype sensors, that is, boxing punching test of sandbag, the seating impact test of an office chair, and bamboo sword beating test of kendo forearm.