Artificial muscle actuators for haptic displays: system design to matchthe dynamics and tactile sensitivity of the human fingerpad

摘要

Electroactive Polymer Artificial Muscles (EPAM~(TM)) based on dielectric elastomers have the bandwidth and the energy density required to make haptic displays that are both responsive and compact. Recent work at Artificial Muscle Inc. has been directed toward the development of thin, high-fidelity haptic modules for mobile handsets. The modules provide the brief tactile "click" that confirms key press, and the steady state "bass" effects that enhance gaming and music. To design for these capabilities we developed a model of the physical system comprised of the actuator, handset, and user. Output of the physical system was passed through a transfer function to covert vibration into an estimate of the intensity of the user's haptic sensation. A model of fingertip impedance versus button press force is calibrated to data, as is impedance of the palm holding a handset. An energy-based model of actuator performance is derived and calibrated, and the actuator geometry is tuned for good haptic performance.