低周波振動触覚のためのDCモータを用いたアクチュエータの設計

抄録

Similar to Haptuator from Tactile Labs Inc. and Force Reactor from Alps Electric Co., DC motor can produce high fidelity vibration when it is driven by alternative current such as audio input signal. In our study, we developed a new vibration actuator using a DC motor that can generate much stronger vibrations than a normal DC motor and produce very low frequency of vibrations. We proposed that the stator of the motor could be used as the vibration mass by fixing the rotor of the actuator. To evaluate this design concept, we developed a prototype actuator that can be driven in two modes: stator mode (i.e., the new design concept) and normal mode. The experiment results revealed that stronger vibrations can be obtained on a fingertip in stator mode because the fixed part that comprises the rotor was lighter and the vibration mass using the stator was heavier. We also confirmed that the actuator can be driven at very low frequency (1 Hz) in stator mode.