The application of force-sensing resistor sensors for measuring forces developed by the human hand

Abstract

Most attempts to measure forces developed by the human hand have been implemented by placing force sensors on the object of interaction. Other researchers have placed sensors just on the subject's fingertips. In this paper, a system is described that measures forces over the entire hand using thin-film sensors and associated electronics. This system was developed by the authors and is able to obtain force readings from up to 60 thin-film sensors at rates of up to 400 samples/s per sensor. The sensors can be placed anywhere on the palm and/or fingers of the hand. The sensor readings, together with a video stream containing information about hand posture, are logged into a portable computer using a multiplexer, analogue-to-digital converter and software developed for the purpose. The system has been successfully used to measure forces involved in a range of everyday tasks such as driving a vehicle, lifting saucepans and hitting a golf ball. In the latter case, results are compared with those from an instrumented golf club. Future applications include the assessment of hand strength following disease, trauma or surgery, and to enable quantitative ergonomic investigations.

Measurement and analysis of grip force during a golf shot

“…These regions were chosen based on areas of peak loading measured during preliminary tests and on the recommendations of previous researchers [7,8,15]. Similar sensoron-glove configurations have been used in the past to measure grip force [15,18]. Double-sided and Micropore tape were again used to help position, and secure and protect the sensitive area of each sensor.…”

Recent Advances in Biodynamics of Human Hand-Arm System

“…Several studies on the development of the measurement devices have been reported 77,78) . However, further information on the distribution of the biodynamic response is currently not available.…”

“…The major limitations of this method are that the adapter may change the hand-tool coupling relation, and that the pressure distribution cannot be measured. Wafer-thin, light, and flexible force pressure sensors can be wrapped around the tool handle 50,116,122) , incorporated into a work glove 77) , or distributed on the palm 78,123) . Electromyography (EMG) has been widely used for measuring hand forces in manual tasks 124,125) .…”

Analysis of the point mechanical impedance of fingerpad in vibration

“…An approach to overcome the mass effect is to use a thinfilm force sensor [23,24] placed at the probe-skin contact interface. The mass of such sensor is very small and it may have a negligible effect up to a certain frequency.…”