Skin-Mountable Vibrotactile Stimulator Based on Laterally Multilayered Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

摘要

Skin-stimulation technology has attracted intense attention for virtual/augmented reality applications and tactile-feedback systems. However, bulky,heavy, and stiff characteristics of existing skin-stimulating devices limit theirwearability and comfort, thus disturbing the immersive experience of users.This study presents a new type of thin and lightweight dielectric elastomeractuator for developing a skin-mountable vibrotactile stimulator. A newmethodology is suggested to enhance the operating efficiency of dielectricelastomer actuators based on a laterally aligned dielectric multilayer structure(≈900 layer) with short dielectric distance (≈10 μm) and a soft elastomer/ionic liquid composite with low modulus and high dielectric constant. Withthe improved structural/material properties, the flexible actuator exhibitshigh displacements at low operating voltage (<200 V) over a wide frequencyrange (≈800 Hz). Therefore, the finger-band type vibrotactile stimulator basedon the laterally multilayered dielectric elastomer actuators can exert indentationsthat have the ability of stimulating all mechanoreceptors in human skinover the full perception frequency/amplitude range. In addition, the actuatorshows a high electromechanical stability for long-term operation due to timeefficientand precise fabrication process using sophisticated photolithographyand secondary sputtering. Therefore, this vibrotactile stimulator shows highpromise for use in tactile-assistive devices, tactile communications, hapticfeedback, and beyond.