Miniaturized Pneumatic Actuator Array for Multipoint Deep Pressure Tactile Stimulation
Ava Chen, Megan C. Coram, Cosima du Pasquier, Allison M. Okamura

TL;DR
This paper introduces a simple fabrication method for small, wearable pneumatic actuator arrays from textiles capable of exerting deep pressure forces, suitable for fingertip tactile stimulation and multi-point stimuli.
Contribution
A novel, scalable fabrication process for textile-based pneumatic actuator arrays that can produce significant forces at small scales without complex assembly.
Findings
Actuators exert 2.1 N at 230 kPa pressure.
Array can include actuators as small as 8 mm in diameter.
Demonstrated multi-point tactile stimulation with combined stimuli.
Abstract
Wearable distributed tactile devices aim to provide multipoint touch stimuli, but struggle to provide sufficient forces (> 1 N) at frequencies to invoke deep pressure sensation with minimal encumbrance at small scales. This work presents a method of fabricating arrays of pneumatic actuators from thermoplastic-coated textiles. By routing pneumatic inlets to a common fold line in the fabric, we demonstrate that multiple pneumatic pouch actuators can be formed in a single simple heat-pressing operation that does not require the use of sacrificial blocking layers. The method accommodates a range of actuator diameters and spacing distances, including as compact as 8 mm diameter actuators spaced 1 mm apart, which enables use in fingertip wearable devices. In a blocked force test, these small pneumatic textile actuators exert 2.1 N when pressurized to 230 kPa. With this pair of actuators, we…
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Taxonomy
TopicsTactile and Sensory Interactions · Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Advanced Materials and Mechanics
