'Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)'
Abstract
Notable advancements have been achieved in providing amputees with sensation through invasive and non-invasive
haptic feedback systems such as mechano-, vibro-, electrotactile and hybrid systems. Purely mechanical-driven feedback
approaches, however, have been little explored. In this paper,
we now created a haptic feedback system that does not require
any external power source (such as batteries) or other electronic
components. The system is low-cost, lightweight, adaptable and
robust against external impact (such as water). Hence, it will be
sustainable in many aspects. We have made use of latest multimaterial 3D printing technology (Stratasys Objet500 Connex3)
being able to fabricate a soft sensor and a mechano-tactile
feedback actuator made of a rubber (TangoBlack Plus) and
plastic (VeroClear) material. When forces are applied to the
fingertip sensor, fluidic pressure inside the system acts on the
membrane of the feedback actuator resulting in mechano-tactile
sensation. We present the design, fabrication and validation of the
proposed haptic feedback system. Our ∅7 mm feedback actuator
is able to transmit a force range between 0.2 N (the median touch
threshold) and 2.1 N (the maximum force transmitted by the
feedback actuator at a 3 mm indentation) corresponding to force
range exerted to the fingertip sensor of 1.2 − 18.49 N