Development of a Tactile Actuator with Non-Contact and Trans-Object Characteristics Using a Time-Varying Magnetic Field
Hyung-Sik Kim,
Ji-Hun Jo,
Je-Hyeop Lee,
Jin-Ju Jung,
Jin-Su An,
Mi-Hyun Choi,
Soon-Cheol Chung
Affiliations
Hyung-Sik Kim
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
Ji-Hun Jo
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
Je-Hyeop Lee
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
Jin-Ju Jung
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
Jin-Su An
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
Mi-Hyun Choi
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
Soon-Cheol Chung
Department of Biomedical Engineering, BK21+ Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of ICT Convergence Engineering, College of Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
A non-contact tactile stimulation system using a time-varying magnetic field was developed. The system comprises a control unit, power unit, output unit, and actuator. The control unit adjusts stimulation parameters, particularly the signal intensity and frequency. The power unit produces high voltages for generating the magnetic field, whereas the output unit transmits the energy generated according to the signal from the control unit to the actuator. A spiral coil actuator generates the magnetic field. To validate the effectiveness of the system, preliminary experiments on 10 male adults without neurological disorders (23.2 ± 3.05 years) were conducted. Magnetic field stimuli were presented to the right palm of the subjects at three different frequencies (10, 30, and 50 Hz), and corresponding electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were measured simultaneously. Event-related potential (ERP) analysis showed that N100 and P300 components were identified in somatosensory areas. Subjective evaluations revealed that feelings such as “tingling,” “trembling,” “tapping,” and “percussing” were induced. Moreover, as the stimulus frequency changes, differences may occur in induced feeling. The system uses a time-varying magnetic field, which not only induces tactile stimulation without contact but also has trans-object characteristics that can present tactile sensations, even when there is an obstacle between an actuator and skin.
