A new modular pin-array tactile device

Abstract

Although the haptic sensation by a vibrotactile actuator can improve the usability and immersion of a handheld device, it is a challenge to generate a detailed texture and/or a small-scale shape with the vibrotactile actuator. These haptic effects can be achieved by a pin-array type tactile device, which selectively stimulates mechanoreceptors. However, it is not easy to construct a tactile device that is sufficiently small to be embedded into a handheld device. Furthermore, it is difficult to perform maintenance and change the configuration of the tactile device. Therefore, this paper proposes a tiny modular pin-array tactile device which can minimize the time of design, can increase the number of configuration, and can take ease maintenance. To construct this modular tactile device, we first design a tiny solenoid tactile actuator based on solenoids. Then, we cover the assembled actuator with a housing after simply assembling them in the target shape. Thus, this device has the advantages of simple design, straightforward configuration, and easy maintenance. From the experiments, the result clearly showed that the proposed tactile device generates sufficient output force to stimulate human skin over a wide frequency bandwidth and conveys a variety of vibrotactile sensations to users.

A Novel Tactile Sensing System Utilizing Magnetorheological Structures for Dynamic Contraction and Relaxation Motions

“…They successfully replicated textural representations, including those of materials such as wood, paper, rubber, and fabrics. Kim et al [5] conducted research on a pin-array-based solenoid actuator to provide detailed textures in a small-scale format. The proposed device demonstrated the capability to convey various tactile sensations with a broad frequency bandwidth.…”

A 2-DOF Impact Actuator for Haptic Application

“…Such actuators typically have complex mechanical linkage structures to move the contact element, which results in heavy and large actuators. To provide localized tactile patterns, researchers have developed various types of actuators, such as pin-arrays [11][12][13] and electrotactile actuators [14]. Such an actuator typically consists of multiple sub-actuators to stimulate a user's local skin.…”

Ultrasonic wave propagation of flexible piezoelectric polymer for tactile actuator: simulation and experiment

“…In order to create a variety of tactile sensation, it is necessary to use vibro-tactile actuators that can vibrate in a wide frequency range. Many vibro-tactile actuators have been researched or on-going, and some of them have been already commercialized, including eccentric motor, linear resonant actuator, piezoelectric actuator and cellulose acetate film actuator [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”