Dielectric Elastomer Spring Roll Actuators for a Portable Force Feedback Device

Author

Zhang, Rui ; Kunz, Andreas ; Lochmatter, Patrick ; Kovacs, Gabor

Author_Institution

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Center of Product Development, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland, e-mail: rui.zhang@imes.mavt.ethz.ch

fYear

2006

fDate

25-26 March 2006

Firstpage

347

Lastpage

353

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new portable force feedback device for surgery simulations. Dielectric elastomer spring roll linear actua tors for this device were manufactured, and characterized via pas sive tensile tests and active isometric tests. The actuators exhibited a maximum force of 7.2 N, and a maximum elongation of 31%. Due to the high driving voltage, electrical safety issues were also considered. The results showed that sufficient electrical safety can be provided to the user. Two prototypes were built, which practi cally showed functionalities of the actuator and the proposed force feedback concept with actuators connected between the fingers.

Keywords

actuator; dielectric elastomer; electrical safety; force feedback; Actuators; Dielectric devices; Electrical safety; Force feedback; Manufacturing; Prototypes; Springs; Surgery; Testing; Voltage; actuator; dielectric elastomer; electrical safety; force feedback;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Haptic Interfaces for Virtual Environment and Teleoperator Systems, 2006 14th Symposium on

Print_ISBN

1-4244-0226-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/HAPTIC.2006.1627137

Filename

1627137