Bimorph Piezo Flexion Self-Alignment for Braille Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical relief displays require manual adjustment of multiple piezoelectric flexion members, which is time-consuming and costly, and alignment becomes critical when the flexion members are shortened for a more compact design.
Innovation Solution
The use of a bimorph flexion member with a multi-spring clip system that automatically aligns the flexion member relative to the frame, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and maximizing the bending angle and stiffness, while also preventing short circuits through conductive connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flexion member is shortened for a more compact design, then the display becomes more compact and space-consuming is reduced, but the alignment of the flexion member becomes even more critical and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting means is designed to automatically align the flexion member through its structure, allowing the flexion member to self-align without requiring external manual adjustment. The supporting means provides mechanical guidance that ensures proper alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual wire bending adjustments while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment is performed to align each flexion member accurately, then the alignment precision is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting means automatically aligns the flexion member through its mechanical structure, eliminating the need for manual adjustment operations. This self-aligning mechanism ensures that each flexion member is properly positioned during assembly without requiring skilled manual intervention, thereby maintaining high alignment precision while dramatically improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting means is pre-configured with alignment features that guide the flexion member into the correct position before final assembly. This preliminary alignment structure ensures that when the flexion member is installed, it is automatically positioned with the required precision, eliminating the need for subsequent manual adjustment operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient and accurate alignment of flexion members without manual intervention, enabling a more compact and reliable electromechanical relief display that is easier to manufacture and use, particularly for Braille cells, with enhanced tactile feedback for users.
Implementation Method 1
an oblong piezoelectric flexion member which may be bent (in a bending plane) under the influence of voltages applied thereto and subsequently flex back if these voltages are removed or if voltages with and inverted polarity are applied thereto
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the supporting members comprises spring means for pushing this supporting member against the flexion member so that the flexion member is clamped in between the supporting members
Data Source
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AI summary
An electromechanical relief display device comprising: a frame; at least one tactile member provided in said frame which is movable between at least a first position and a second position such that by feeling for said tactile member a user determines in which position said tactile member is; an oblong piezoelectric flexion member which may be bent (in a bending plane) under the influence of voltages applied thereto and subsequently flex back if these voltages are removed or if voltages with and inverted polarity are applied thereto; and supporting means for supporting said flexion member on said frame at two opposite sides of the flexion member wherein the flexion member comprises a contact-location which is coupled to the tactile member for moving the tactile member between the first and second position by bending or flexing back the flexion member, wherein the flexion member is a bimorph flexion member wherein the supporting means comprises at least a first and second supporting member for supporting the flexion member on at least a first and second location at a first side of the two opposite sides of the flexion member respectively and at least a third supporting member for supporting the flexion member on at least a third location at a second side of the two opposite sides of the flexion member wherein the first location and the second location are separate from each other and wherein at least one of the supporting members comprises spring means for pushing this supporting member against the flexion member so that the flexion member is clamped in between the supporting members and wherein the contact-location of the flexion member is separated from the first, third and second location.