Apparatus for generating an enhanced vibrational stimulus using a rotating mass motor

摘要

A low cost eccentric mass motor vibrotactile transducer provides a point-like vibrational stimulus to the body of a user in response to an electrical input. Preferably the eccentric mass and motor form part of the transducer actuator moving mass. The actuator moving mass is constrained into vertical motion by a spring between the actuator housing and moving mass. The actuator moving mass is in contact with a skin (body) load. The actuator housing is in simultaneous contact with the body load. The mass of the motor/contactor assembly, mass and area of the housing, and the compliance of the spring are chosen so that the electromechanical resonance of the motional masses, when loaded by the typical mechanical impedance of the skin (body), are in a frequency band where the human body is most sensitive to vibrational stimuli 150-300 Hz.

主权项

1. A vibrotactile transducer to provide a vibrational stimulus to the body of a user in response to an electrical input, said vibrotactile transducer comprising;
a housing having a contacting face, said contacting face having an opening; a mechanical contactor rigidly connected to at least one eccentric mass motor, said at least one eccentric mass motor having an axis of rotation; and suspension means including at least one suspension element for suspending said mechanical contactor and said at least one eccentric mass motor in said housing and constraining motion of said mechanical contactor in said housing to a vibrational motion substantially perpendicular to said at least one eccentric mass motor axis of rotation; said suspension means attached to said mechanical contactor in a plane containing the at least one eccentric mass motor axis of rotation, and connected to symmetrical positions on said housing, wherein when an electrical control input is applied to said at least one eccentric mass motor, inertial forces from said at least one eccentric mass motor cause said mechanical contactor to vibrate between a retracted position and an extended position through said opening.