Force feedback device with pneumatic artificial muscles and magnetorheological clutches

Abstract

Recently, force feedback devices that intuitively achieve excellent operation have attracted attention in a wide range of fields such as remote operation, virtual reality, and medical training systems. However, it is difficult for conventional devices to widely display soft and hard objects because of driving motors. Moreover, they are likely to be hazardous in the event of delayed response to an unexpected external force. To solve these problems, we previously developed a force feedback device using pneumatic artificial muscles, which are structurally flexible and have wide a range of stiffness, and magnetorheological clutches. Furthermore, we confirmed that any three-dimensional virtual object can be displayed using the developed device. However, when the operation part of the force feedback device is moved away from the virtual object, it remains stuck to the virtual object. In this study, we propose a system to reduce the sticking phenomenon and experimentally confirm the reduction rate (85%). Moreover, we displayed viscous torque as a new application of the feedback device.