An audio-tactile interface based on dielectric elastomer actuators

Abstract This paper presents a concept of dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) user interface (smart button) that can sense user’s touch and provide multi-sensory tactile acoustic feedbacks through single electrical input signal. The DEA relies on multi-layer layout, in which layer detects user-driven deformations (touches) via custom-built capacitance sensing electronics, the remaining layers are used to actuation (audio-tactile feedbacks). Building upon recently presented principle, combined produced by concurrently exciting different vibration modes same active membrane over frequency ranges. An integrated demonstrator setup is presented, includes DEA, an enclosure, compact driving electronics. A characterization prototype conducted, including analysis sound pressure level, force/stroke output at lower working frequencies, ability with profiles produce audio-tactile outputs. Compared previous works multi-function DEAs, system this provides largely improved performance (with voltage) features deeper level integration small-scale custom logics embedded onto scalable microcontrollers) thus specifically optimised for user-interaction applications. On end, tests users here first time, allowed evaluating subjective perception interface’s feedbacks. By means further optimisation miniaturisation power/sensing electronics structural components, layout multifunction principle might lead, future, development DEA-based smart buttons surfaces, or portable/wearable interfaces communicators.