Relevant Stimuli Encoding Surface Structural Textures by Touching Plain Woven Fabric

In this paper, we investigate the relevant stimuli to SAT afferents encoding surface structural textures of plain woven fabric, via a FE model of fingertip and fabric in contact. By analogizing the neural responses of fingerpad indented by rigid bar to the case of woven fabric in a quasi-static manner, attempts are made to find the relevant mechanical stimuli to SAT units during touching fabric surface. The results show that the surface structural texture is relevant for tactile sensing, and is the invariant attribute of tactual cognition. The maximum tensile strain and strain energy density are probably potential variables of SAT units spatially encoding structural textures of fabric responsible for roughness sensation. These results can also facilitate the understanding of peripheral neural presentation of objects.