Modeling and Analysis of Multiple Electrostatic Actuators on the Response of Vibrotactile Haptic Device

Abstract: In this research, modeling and analysis of a beam-type touchscreen interface with multiple actuators is considered. As thin beams, a mechanical model of a touch screen system is developed with embedded electrostatic actuators at different spatial locations. This discrete finite element-based model is developed to compute the analytical and numerical vibrotactile response due to multiple actuators excited with varying frequency and amplitude. The model is tested with spring-damper boundary conditions incorporating sinusoidal excitations in the human haptic range. An analytical solution is proposed to obtain the vibrotactile response of the touch surface for different frequencies of excitations, the number of actuators, actuator stiffness, and actuator positions. The effect of the mechanical properties of the touch surface on vibrotactile feedback provided to the user feedback is explored. Investigation of optimal location and number of actuators for a desired localized response, such as the magnitude of acceleration and variation in acceleration response for a desired zone on the interface, is carried out. It has been shown that a wide variety of localizable vibrotactile feedback can be generated on the touch surface using different frequencies of excitations, different actuator stiffness, number of actuators, and actuator positions. Having a mechanical model will facilitate simulation studies capable of incorporating more testing scenarios that may not be feasible to physically test.