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Aids for the Handicapped: Refreshable Micro-Solenoid Operated Braille Cell Display System

Client

National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. (contract # PFR-7917739)

Problem

To design an electrically operated Braille display cell that could fit into standard Braille spacings and be erasable after each display. The ultimate goal being the production of refreshable Braille pages composed of such display cells under microprocessor controls

Solution

The development of an extremely compact Braille display cell under micros-solenoid control. A locking system through "jamming" was devised to maintain the stimulator pins in the raised position without drawing power, and an additional solenoid released all the pins to erase the display. The development of the solenoids required extreme magnetic flux densities in minimal space, and the total number of elements amounted to 140 parts per unit in the space of a little finger. The cell was designed to be plugged into a standard printed circuit socket. The contract was for an investigation but a finished system resulted.

Picture of the Refreshable Micro-Solenoid Operated Braille Cell Display System