Polymer-based actuators for virtual reality devices

Christian Bolzmacher; Moustapha Hafez; Mohamed Benali Khoudja; Paul Bernardoni; Steven Dubowsky

doi:10.1117/12.540796

27 July 2004 Polymer-based actuators for virtual reality devices

Christian Bolzmacher, Moustapha Hafez, Mohamed Benali Khoudja, Paul Bernardoni, Steven Dubowsky

Proceedings Volume 5385, Smart Structures and Materials 2004: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD); (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540796
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2004, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) is gaining more importance in our society. For many years, VR has been limited to the entertainment applications. Today, practical applications such as training and prototyping find a promising future in VR. Therefore there is an increasing demand for low-cost, lightweight haptic devices in virtual reality (VR) environment. Electroactive polymers seem to be a potential actuation technology that could satisfy these requirements. Dielectric polymers developed the past few years have shown large displacements (more than 300%). This feature makes them quite interesting for integration in haptic devices due to their muscle-like behaviour. Polymer actuators are flexible and lightweight as compared to traditional actuators. Using stacks with several layers of elatomeric film increase the force without limiting the output displacement. The paper discusses some design methods for a linear dielectric polymer actuator for VR devices. Experimental results of the actuator performance is presented.

Citation Download Citation

Christian Bolzmacher, Moustapha Hafez, Mohamed Benali Khoudja, Paul Bernardoni, and Steven Dubowsky "Polymer-based actuators for virtual reality devices", Proc. SPIE 5385, Smart Structures and Materials 2004: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), (27 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.540796

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