Resistive Touch Switch

The Resistive Touch Switch is a cost-effective, 3D printable assistive switch that is activated by gentle skin contact. The switch consists of a thin Touch Pad and a Switch Hub. This device can be used to control electronics including phones, computers, adapted toys, and gaming consoles.

The Touch Pad comes in a rectangular or circular shape, and detects contact through skin moisture, similar to how touchscreens work.

Setup:

1. Position the Touch Pad where the user can access it.
2. Connect the Touch Pad to the Resistive Touch Switch Hub using the RCA connector.
3. Connect one end of a 3.5 mm male-to-male mono extension cable to the Output jack on the Resistive Touch Switch Hub.
4. Connect the other end of the extension cable to the input of the switch-accessible device (e.g., Switch Adapted Toy, USB Switch Hub, etc.).

Usage:

1. Turn on the Resistive Touch Switch Hub by sliding the power switch to 'On'.
2. Activate the switch by touching the contact portion of the Touch Pad.

Users with low hand strength who find assistive switches hard to press may find this device suitable.

Since the contact pad is activated through skin moisture, this switch may not work for users who can't sweat due to a disability (e.g., spinal cord injury) and those with very dry skin.

Building this design involves:

• 3D printing components
• ordering a custom PCB
• soldering thru-hole components to the PCB
• stripping and soldering cables
• assembling 3D printed parts and PCB into enclosure

This build consists of printing multiple 3D printed parts, soldering components on to a custom PCB, and assembling everything into an enclosure.

Print Settings:

• 0.2 mm layer height
• 20% infill
• No Supports

A detailed assembly guide is available via the Download / Project Link (requires log-in).

CERN Open Hardware License - Weakly Reciprocal (OHL-W)