D5.2 - Novel operation tools with compression sensors for human-machine interfaces
- Event
- AMA Conferences 2017
2017-05-30 - 2017-06-01
Nürnberg, Germany - Band
- Proceedings Sensor 2017
- Chapter
- D5 - Mechanical Sensors II
- Author(s)
- H. Böse, J. Ehrlich, D. Müller - Fraunhofer-Institut für Silicatforschung ISC, Würzburg (Germany)
- Pages
- 498 - 503
- DOI
- 10.5162/sensor2017/D5.2
- ISBN
- 978-3-9816876-4-4
- Price
- free
Abstract
A new class of operation tools as man-machine interfaces for the control of electronic devices is presented. The operation tools exploit the special characteristics of soft and flexible compression sensors. These sensors based on dielectric elastomers have recently been shown to exhibit high sensitivity for compression loads. The basic design of the sensors exhibits two profiled surfaces coated with electrode layers, between which an additional thin elastomer film with the counterelectrode is confined. All components of the sensors are prepared with silicone elastomer whose stiffness can be varied in a wide range. Beside the detection of compression, such sensors can also be used for operation tools in man-machine interfaces, which is demonstrated in three applications. In a first scenario, four sensors were integrated in an automotive steering wheel. By pressing a finger on the sensor, various technical functions can be operated. A second example shows how the sensors can also be used in fabrics to control arbitrary functions of wearable electronic devices. Finally, in another operation tool, a compression sensor is coupled with an electrical switch which also consists of silicone components. With this electrical switch, the desired adjustment of the corresponding technical function controlled by the sensor can be fixed.