Tactile Display Panel for Blind Users Using Deformable Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display technologies do not cater to the needs of the blind, as they are designed only for users with normal human vision and lack a tactile interface for reading.
Innovation Solution
A display panel for the blind featuring a back plate with elastic film layers and supports that deform to project outward when energized, forming tactile projections, utilizing electrode plates or electromagnet pieces to create a tactile representation of text or images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional display technologies are used, then visual information can be displayed, but the blind cannot access the information through touch
Solution Approach 1:
The display device uses deformable supporting bodies that can dynamically change shape between protruding and recessed states. When energized, the supporting bodies deform to create tactile projections on the elastic film layer, enabling the blind to read through touch. This dynamic deformation capability allows the same display surface to present different tactile information as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional visual optical display mechanisms with a tactile mechanical system. Instead of using light and visual perception, the system uses deformable supporting bodies actuated by electromagnetic or electrostatic forces to create physical tactile projections that can be sensed through touch, substituting the visual domain with the tactile domain.
2Adaptability or versatility
If display units are designed to deform and project outward, then tactile information can be conveyed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device employs an elastic film layer as a flexible shell that can be deformed by the supporting bodies beneath it. This thin film structure allows tactile projections to be created without requiring complex rigid mechanical structures, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining the required tactile display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and isolates the tactile projection function into separate deformable supporting bodies that can be independently controlled. Each supporting body acts as an independent actuator that can be energized or deactivated individually, allowing complex tactile information to be conveyed through simple binary states of each element, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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
Enables the blind to read tactile projections, effectively providing a display device that can convey information through touch, addressing the lack of accessible display solutions for visually impaired individuals.
Implementation Method 1
the respective one of the plurality display units is configured to deform in a condition that it is energized so as to drive the accommodation cavity to change its shape and in turn to squeeze the elastic film layer to project outwards
Implementation Method 2
at least one pair of positive and negative electrode plates, the positive and negative electrode plates of each pair of the at least one pair being located opposite to each other, and each electrode plate of the at least one pair of positive and negative electrode plates being fixed on respective one of the supporting bodies and connected with respective power supply electrode
Implementation Method 3
at least one pair of electromagnet pieces of opposite N and S magnetic polarities, the electromagnet pieces of each pair of the at least one pair of electromagnet pieces of opposite N and S magnetic polarities being located opposite to each other, and each electromagnet piece of the at least one pair of electromagnet pieces of opposite N and S magnetic polarities being fixed on respective one of the supporting bodies and connected with respective power supply electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel for the blind and a display device are provided in the embodiments of the disclosure. The display panel for the blind includes: a back plate; and a plurality of display units provided on the back plate, each comprising: supports provided on the back plate; and an elastic film layer provided on top of the supports and spaced apart from the back plate; the elastic film layer, the supports and the back plate cooperate with one another to define an accommodation cavity thereamong of a respective one of the plurality of display units, and the respective one of the plurality display units is configured to deform in a condition that it is energized so as to drive the accommodation cavity to change its shape and in turn to squeeze the elastic film layer to project outwards; the display device comprises the display panel for the blind as above and a housing configured to receive the display panel.