Single dot tactile reading module driven by a shape memory wire

Details Single dot tactile reading module driven by a shape memory wire Single dot tactile reading module driven by a shape memory wire

2005-05-17

2005-05-17

Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)

Education and demonstration

Communication aids for the handicapped

Tactile reading aid

C434S112000, C434S114000, C340S407100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06893263

ABSTRACT:
Single dot tactile reading module including a tactile dot, driven by a rotation of a cam around its axis, either directly or through a pair of levers. A shape memory alloy wire is attached on one hand to a rod which ends can slide in slots cut in internal faces of the cam, on the other hand to a rod held in a fixed position at the bottom of the tactile module. The wire contraction, produce by Joule heating, rotates the cam which in turn moves the dot up or down depending on the direction of the rotation. The wire cooling, accelerated by a heat sink allows the return of the wire to its initial length with help of a spring which pushes the rod from one end to the opposite end of the slots the cam being prevented from rotating by a locking spring having two stable positions, one corresponding to the up position of the dot, the other to its down position. At the end of the wire cooling phase, the rod and the wire occupy positions symmetrical from their positions at the beginning of the wire heating phase with respect to containing the dot axis and the cam axis. Each subsequent contraction-recovery cycle of the wire reverses the tactile dot position.

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