Abstract
The body's sense of touch is potentially a versatile channel for the conveyance of directional, spatial, command, and timing information. Most practical implementations of vibrotactile systems require compact, light-weight actuators that can be mounted against the body. Eccentric mass motors are widely used for this application, yet their output is limited and the effects of loading on the transducers due to the skin and mounting arrangement have been largely ignored. Conventional linear actuators are well suited as vibrotactile transducers and can provide high output, but are typically limited to laboratory research due to their large size and cost. The effect of loading on various practical vibrotactile transducers is investigated using a skin impedance phantom and measuring the transducer displacement with respect to additional mass loading. Depending on the transducer design, loading can dramatically reduce the vibratory displacement and, in the case of eccentric mass motors, also increase the operating frequency. In contrast, a new linear actuator design can be designed to be almost independent of skin loading, by considering the mechanical impedance of the load and optimizing the transducer contact area.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.