A Flexible Capacitive Pressure Sensor with Adjustable Detection Range Based on the Inflatable Dielectric Layer for Human–Computer Interaction

As an essential component in wearable electronic devices and intelligent robots, flexible pressure sensors have enormous application value in fields such as healthcare, human-computer interaction, and intelligent perception. However, due to the complex and ever-changing pressure loads borne by sensors in different application scenarios, this also puts great demands on the flexible response and adjustment ability of a sensor's detection range. Therefore, developing a flexible pressure sensor with a wide and adjustable detection range, which can be applied flexibly under different pressure loads, is also a major challenge in current research. In this paper, we propose a flexible pressure sensor with a wide and adjustable detection range based on an inflatable adjustable safety airbag as the dielectric layer. This sensor uses inflatable airbags prepared using 3D printing technology and silicone reverse molding technology as the dielectric layer and achieves high sensitivity (0.6 kPa-1 to 1.19 kPa-1), wide detection range (220-1500 kPa), and flexible performance applicability by adjusting the air pressure inside the dielectric layer. At the same time, its simple production process, convenient production, fast response time (100 ms), and good stability provide the possibility for the flexible application of sensors in different pressure detection. The experimental results indicate that the sensor has enormous potential for applications in wearable devices, healthcare, human-computer interaction, and intelligent perception recognition.