Multiple point raster for tactile display uses piezoelectric actuators which bend when energized and move knee-joint levers with flexures pushing round-headed pins from retracted to extended position

摘要

The tactile display uses a large number of piezoelectric actuators (6) which bend when energized. They bend away from a dividing wall (8) toward a deflected position in which they press knee-levers (5) against wedge-shaped supports. The knee-joint levers have flexures. Their upper ends push round-headed pins (3) upward from a retracted to an extended position proud of a flat touch surface (10). The pins slide in bores in the upper end (2) of a plastics housing (1). Modules with several pins have sidewalls (7) which can fit together to form a large regular array. The bottom end of each module has a control circuit (11) and a plug-in connection (12).