Development of a compliant sensor and actuator system for detecting and reducing of normal and shear forces in the support system

State of the art

A long duration pressure whose effect is increased by shear forces can cause damage to the skin and the underlying tissue. The application of special support systems with sensors and actuators should help to ensure that the shear and normal forces can be identified and eliminated in time. Currently, only a few systems are known which allow targeted relief of the body points according to a normal force measurement.
The support systems, which identify the shear forces and then eliminate them selectively, are not known yet.

Aim and approach

The aim of the project is to develop a new compliant sensor and actuator system for the detection and reduction of normal and shear forces in the support system. A further aim is to bring the potentials of the actuator part to a new level by combining them with a shear and normal force sensor system and, if possible, also to transfer them to other fields of application (e.g. seat cushions for wheelchairs, car seats, etc.). A particular challenge of this project is the development of a novel, compliant and inexpensive sensor system for the simultaneous detection of shear and normal forces. This must have sufficient elasticity for the adaptation to 3D surfaces as well as in the interaction with the user.

systemTU Ilmenau / MSys

Publications

  • Chaykina, A; Griebel, S.; Zentner, L: Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Compliant Shear Force Sensor for a Human-Machine Interface. Sensors and actuators A 246 (2016), S. 91-101

Project partner

TU Ilmenau - Compliant Systems Group

ergomed GmbH

Project duration

03/2015 - 01/2018

Acknowledgment

This project is granted by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).