Abstract
Force-feedback mechanisms have been designed to simplify and enhance the human–vehicle interface. The increase in secondary controls within vehicle cockpits has created a desire for a simpler, more efficient human–vehicle interface. By consolidating various controls into a single, haptic feedback control device, information can be transmitted to the operator, without requiring the driver's visual attention. In this paper electro-rheological fluid (ERF) based rotary resistive actuators are presented that will be used in haptic interfaces for vehicle instrument control. ERFs are liquids that respond mechanically to electric fields by changing their properties, such as viscosity and shear stress, electroactively. Using the electrically controlled rheological properties of ERFs, we have developed actuating elements for haptic devices that can resist human operator forces in a controlled and tunable fashion. The design of two types of ERF based resistive actuator is presented in detail. The analytical model is derived, parametric analysis is performed, and experimental systems and data are presented.
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