Sheet-like Ultrasonic Transducer for Tactile Display Application

摘要

A sheet-like ultrasonic transducer (SUT) was proposed to realize tactile feedback on a touchscreen. Exciting normal vibration on the SUT surface, basic principle of surface acoustic wave can be applied. Prototype of the SUT was fabricated using silica glass substrate whose dimension was 60 × 60 × 0.3 mm~3 and a LiNbO_3 piece with an interdigital transducer. To show feasibility of SUT application for the tactile feedback, friction between the SUT and a slider, which is installed on operator's fingertip, was measured. The friction was reduced by ultrasonic vibration of the SUT. The prototype SUT was installed on a touchscreen and controlled to indicate roughness. Under the control, roughness sensation was experienced successfully. Additionally, a larger SUT was fabricated and tested.