Tactile Display Pin Array Segmentation for Refresh Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile display technologies for the visually impaired face challenges such as high costs due to numerous actuators, high energy consumption, slow refresh times, and mechanical fragility, particularly when dealing with multiple pins and complex displays.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a tactile display system with a reduced number of actuators, utilizing a resilient element and selectably actuable stoppers to control pin movement, allowing for efficient and rapid changes in pin positions with lower energy expenditure, and enabling a higher pin density array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single movable pushing plate is employed to raise the entire plurality of pins in the array, then the pins can be moved from retracted positions to extended positions, but the actuator must work against external forces R and spring compressive resistance H, requiring H>k*(R+S) and causing mechanical failure when external force exceeds a certain limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pin array into multiple independently controllable groups, with each group having its own actuator. This segmentation allows individual pin groups to be moved without requiring a single large actuator to overcome the combined force of all pins, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical failure while maintaining operational control over each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where actuators can selectively raise or lower specific pin groups based on real-time display requirements. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt pin positions without requiring continuous force against all pins, reducing mechanical stress and improving reliability compared to static or fully actuated configurations.
2Device complexity
If the number of actuators is reduced to lower costs and energy consumption, then device complexity and energy use decrease, but the ability to control pin positions precisely may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs actuators that can perform multiple functions - each actuator can raise or lower multiple pin groups within its controlled segment. This multi-functionality allows a reduced number of actuators to maintain precise control over pin positions, as each actuator serves multiple purposes rather than requiring separate actuators for each pin or pin group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the control of multiple pin groups into fewer actuator units, merging their functions into a smaller number of components. This consolidation reduces device complexity and energy consumption while maintaining positioning precision through coordinated control of the merged actuator groups, achieving the same display capability with fewer individual control elements.
3Productivity
If pins are moved rapidly to increase display refresh speed, then productivity improves, but the mechanical stress on pins and actuators increases, potentially causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pin array into smaller groups controlled by individual actuators, the patent enables rapid movement of only the necessary segments rather than moving all pins simultaneously. This segmented approach increases display refresh speed for the active portions while reducing overall mechanical stress on the system, as not all pins and actuators are subjected to full movement forces at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by moving only the necessary pin groups required for the current display output rather than refreshing the entire array. This selective movement achieves the required display refresh speed for visible content while minimizing mechanical stress on inactive pins and actuators, thereby improving productivity without compromising structural durability.
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 approach reduces costs, energy consumption, and enhances the speed of refreshing tactile images, while increasing the density of pins, thereby improving user interaction and display efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element for supporting the pin on the base between a first, extended position relative to the base and a second, retracted position, the resilient element being operative to support the pin in the first position when at rest, and being further operative to urge the pin from the second position to the first position in the presence of an opposing force
Data Source
AI summary
A tactile display includes a base; movable pins having free ends for tactile sensing by a user, the pins arranged in rows and columns and movable between an extended position and retracted position with respect to the base so as to selectively display tactilely sensible data; a resilient element for supporting each pin in the extended position when at rest, and further operative to urge the pin from the retracted position to the extended position in the presence of an opposing force; one or more reset elements for lowering the pins from the extended position to the retracted position; row stoppers for lockably engaging rows of pins when in the second position.