Wearable Thermoelectric Array for Visually Impaired

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current human input devices and tactile actuator arrays for the visually impaired face challenges such as pain sensation, variability in skin conditions, and potential shock hazards due to high voltage usage, making them ineffective and difficult to apply.

Innovation Solution

A wearable thermoelectric array that creates a thermal pattern by using a plurality of thermoelectric modules or individually-controlled thermal modules with thermoelectric elements sandwiched between a pixel plate and an insulator heat sink plate, allowing for cooling or heating to generate a two-dimensional thermal pattern discernable by the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrode arrays are used to provide tactile feedback to visually impaired users, then tactile stimulation can be delivered, but pain sensation and shock hazards occur due to high voltage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile stimulation effectivenessVSAvoidpain sensation and shock hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical stimulation (electrode arrays using 300V pulses) with thermal stimulation using thermoelectric elements. This substitution eliminates the harmful electrical shocks and pain sensations while maintaining the ability to provide tactile feedback through temperature variations that the skin can safely perceive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the stimulation parameter from electrical voltage (300V pulses) to thermal temperature differences. By using thermoelectric elements to create localized heating or cooling on the skin surface, the system achieves reliable tactile feedback without the harmful effects of high voltage electrical stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electrode arrays with gel layers are applied to eliminate pain, then skin protection is improved, but device application and removal become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin protection from painVSAvoiddevice application and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gel-based electrical contact system with a direct thermal contact system using thermoelectric elements. This eliminates the need for thick gel layers, making the device easier to apply and remove while still protecting the skin from harmful stimulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If 300V electrical pulses are used for electrode stimulation, then tactile feedback can be delivered, but shock hazards and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedback deliveryVSAvoidshock hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical pulse delivery with thermal energy delivery through thermoelectric elements. This eliminates the generation of harmful electrical shocks while maintaining reliable tactile feedback through safe temperature variations that stimulate skin thermoreceptors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The thermoelectric array provides a safe and effective means for the visually impaired to discern their surroundings by creating a thermal pattern, reducing the risk of pain and shock hazards while being easier to apply and remove, with improved spatial and temporal resolution.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the individually-control thermal modules within the array include a thermal pixel element. The thermal pixel element is heated or cooled depending on current flow to create a two-dimensional thermal pattern discernable by the user.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

Each of the plurality of thermoelectric elements are configured to be heated or cooled depending on current flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 3

The thermal display module includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each of which are configured to cool or heat a pixel plate in close proximity to a user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11439567B2Wearable thermoelectric array as a graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

A thermal display module configured to create a thermal pattern discerned by a visually impaired user to determine his or her surroundings. The thermal display module includes a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each of which are configured to cool or heat a pixel plate in close proximity to a user's skin. The cooling or heating of each of the thermoelectric modules create the thermal pattern discernable by the user.