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Piezoceramic vibrotactile transducer based on pre-compressed arch
| Details |
Inventors: Lo, K. Peter; Nechitailo, Nicholas V.; Moses, Howard J.; Decker, Lawrence H.; Groger, Howard P.; Churchill, Russell J.;
Assignee: American Research Corporation of Virginia (Radford, VA)
Primary Examiner: Dougherty; Thomas M.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wray; James Creighton, Narasimhan; Meera P.
The vibration and electrical characterization of a piezoelectric tactor actuator is described. The actuator is a rectangular laminated flat plate with two opposite sides simply supported and two others free. Under an axial compression from the supports, the plate deforms into a stressed shallow shell. Electrical high frequency harmonic signals within relatively low-frequency bursts are applied to the piezoelectric layers. Depending on the axial compression and pre-deflection, frequency and magnitude of electrical input, the tunable actuator exhibits frequency/mode-controlled high-force over large area vibrations with intense displacement jumps. A single-degree-of-freedom model and simplified 1-D models are provided. The tactor provides efficient conversion of electrical energy into mechanical. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The key to an effective means of communicating tactile feedback is the actuator (tactor).
The present approach is to create a mild thumping sensation on the skin by utilizing PZT material in a unique vibratory mode.
The frequency and intensity of the sensation may be varied commensurate with the degree of danger or the desired action.
Tactors may also be closely grouped to create an enhanced effect through sensory summation.
The present invention is a transducer apparatus for exciting small areas of a person's skin.
The apparatus employs a phenomenon that involves the "buckling" of a pre-compressed, arch shaped plate.
Use of the buckling phenomenon allows the present invention to increase the energy transferred from an actuator element to a user.
By cycling the present apparatus in an on/off manner, coded information is provided to the user.
The present invention has a wide variety of applications, including, but not limited to, commercial and military applications where audio and visual information is not readily transmittable, including many diving, aviation and transportation operations.
ARCOVA designed, fabricated and tested several novel versions of the PZT tactor.
These unique designs utilize pre-compressed, pre-deflected piezoceramic transducers to increase energy transferred from the tactor elements to the user.
The final configurations were integrated into a waist worn belt (6 tactors) and a palm/elbow test box (1 tactor).
Suitable power and control circuitry were also designed and fabricated.
The PZT based vibratory design was proven to be small, reliable, and highly effective in penetrating layers of clothing to generate a skin sensation.
The signals were clearly identifiable and their position, intensity, and frequency easily recognized.
The ARCOVA efforts are significant because they prove the feasibility of providing critical safety/mission/threat information in a complex workload environment through tactile feedback.
Further, clear directions are provided as to fielding a practical system through refinements in the tactor size, voltage level, and analysis of the enhanced vibratory modes
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Ring Tones 
