Page 113 - Robots Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build

Switches
Momentary contact switches form the foundation of bump sen-
sors, navigation feelers, and limit sensors. There are many types of
switch configurations to choose from. Some of the more common
switches used in robotics are momentary contact lever and push-
button switches (see Fig. 5.39).
Bend sensors

Bend sensors are passive resistive devices that increase in resis-
tance as they are bent or flexed (see Figs. 5.40 and 5.41). More
commonly used for making virtual-reality data gloves to measure

92

5.39 Momentary contact switches

5.40 Bend sensor

Top View

1
4 ⁄2"
1 ⁄4"

Nominal Resistance
Flex 0 degrees 10 K

Side View Flex 90 degrees 20K
>degree of flex 30–40K
5.41 Bend sensor resistance graph

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Chapter five