A flexible array of high-force and high-stroke mm-scale actuators for wearable haptics will be presented. The soft actuators are capable of both of out-of-plane motion and in-plane motion, allowing the user to feel both normal forces and shear forces from the same active bump.
Combining features of DEAs and HASEL devices, each actuator consists of an oil-filled cavity made of a metalized polymer perimeter and a central elastomer region. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the fluid is rapidly forced into the central region, forming a bump. Each actuator generates forces of up to 300 mN and displacements of up to 500 µm (60% strain), with a response time of under 10 ms.
The 5x5 array is low-profile (<1 mm thick), lightweight (90 mg per actuator) and is suitable for integration in a haptic glove, sleeve or bracelet. It can also be used as a dynamic graphical display for blind or visually impaired users.
We present a very thin, fast and flexible fluidic valve based on a hydraulically amplified dielectric actuator. A thin cavity made by bonding flexible membranes and including central stretchable region made of silicone is filled with dielectric fluid. Under an electric field, the fluid is displaced from the edges of the cavity to the central region, inflating the center of the actuator and closing a valve. The valve dimensions are less than 10x10x1mm. The valve can block a pressure up to 1Bar in less than 10ms for a 1 mm diameter inlet using a voltage of 1.4kV. Arrays of such valves are easily fabricated with inexpensive materials.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.