Dynamic Braille Display Shared Actuator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tactile braille displays are complex and expensive due to the need for independent actuators for each movable pin, limiting their availability and affordability for the visually impaired.
Innovation Solution
A tactile braille display system with a substrate and positioning mechanism featuring independent movable pins that use a write head with actuators to move pins between raised and lowered positions, reducing the number of actuators required and enabling efficient, multi-line refreshability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each movable pin has an independent actuator, then the braille display can be refreshed and updated, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuators are merged into a single shared actuator that services multiple movable pins. The actuator moves between different pin locations to raise or lower them, eliminating the need for dedicated actuators at each pin location while maintaining full refresh capability across the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared actuator performs multiple functions by sequentially serving different movable pins. It can raise or lower any pin in the array by moving to the appropriate location, making a single component responsible for what would traditionally require multiple specialized actuators.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each movable pin has an independent actuator, then the braille display can be refreshed and updated, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuators are merged into a single shared actuator that services multiple movable pins. The actuator moves between different pin locations to raise or lower them, eliminating the need for dedicated actuators at each pin location while maintaining full refresh capability across the display.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having physical actuators at each pin location, the system uses a single actuator that copies its motion and function across multiple locations by sequentially visiting different pins. This virtual replication through sequential operation reduces component count and manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If a shared positioning mechanism is used instead of independent actuators, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to move pins independently may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic, sequential control where the shared actuator moves to different locations in time to achieve independent pin control. Each pin can be individually addressed and controlled by timing the actuator's position and action, enabling independent operation despite using a shared mechanical component.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator positions itself in advance at the correct location before executing the raise or lower action on a specific pin. This preliminary positioning ensures that each pin can be independently controlled by the shared actuator through proper sequencing and timing of movements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a tactile braille display that reduces the number of actuators used to position movable pins. In embodiments, the actuators may be configured to move a plurality of movable pins at different times while also being configured to move independent movable pins.