Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published September 2021 | Submitted
Journal Article Open

A tuned mass amplifier for enhanced haptic feedback

Abstract

Vibro-tactile feedback is, by far the most common haptic interface in wearable or touchable devices. This feedback can be amplified by controlling the wave propagation characteristics in devices, by utilizing phenomena such as structural resonance. However, much of the work in vibro-tactile haptics has focused on amplifying local displacements in a structure by increasing local compliance. In this paper, we show that engineering the resonance mode shape of a structure with embedded localized mass amplifies the displacements without compromising on the stiffness or resonance frequency. The resulting structure, i.e., a tuned mass amplifier, produces higher tactile forces (7.7 times) compared to its counterpart without a mass, while maintaining a low frequency. We optimize the proposed design using a combination of a neural network and sensitivity analysis, and validate the results with experiments on 3-D printed structures. We also study the performance of the device on contact with a soft material, to evaluate the interaction with skin. Potential avenues for future work are also presented, including small form factor wearable haptic devices and remote haptics.

Additional Information

© 2021 Elsevier. Received 26 April 2021, Revised 11 June 2021, Accepted 30 June 2021, Available online 9 July 2021. We thank Hamzeh Musleh Fahmawi and Joseph Aase for help with conducting the experiments. We also thank Dr. Maurizio Chiaramonte and Dr. Kevin Carlberg for useful discussions. Data availability. The data that support the findings of this study can be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Attached Files

Submitted - 2101.11594.pdf

Files

2101.11594.pdf
Files (3.1 MB)
Name Size Download all
md5:5be7511b6e8867e88889a50aa250ad80
3.1 MB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023