Miniaturised Electrostatic Tactile Display with High Structural Compliance

Tactile displays are used to provide tactile feedback in telemanipulation or virtual reality. One aim in further developments is the miniaturisation of tactile displays for incorporation into dataand/or force feedback gloves. This enables the combination of tactile and kinesthetic feedback. A main disadvantage of many tactile displays with a large number of stimulator elements is their large volume and structural rigidity. We propose the use of electrostatic actuators with elastic dielectrics as tactile stimulator. Those actuators are flexible and show a high energy density. This paper describes the construction and function of such actuators. A possible actuator arrangement in a tactile display and the controlling method is presented. Further the processing technology is shown.