Investigation of tactile characteristics of the piezoelectric bimorph type actuators

Simple and effective new type of tactile device is presented and investigated, which transfers 2D graphic information to the visually impaired people. It consists of piezoelectric bimorph cantilever, acting as an oscillating probe, and, when changing operational signal, could transfer information to visually impaired people, e.g. by crossing the lines/contours on the screen of tablet PC or determining the color of them. Determining the amplitude of tip’s oscillation, attached to bimorph PZT cantilever and contacting with finger, is presented. It is established that tactile device’s body and integrated bimorph cantilever oscillations and their effect on the human finger are different. The visually impaired people better percept the oscillations of Braille pins, which are attached to cantilever tip; maximum perception of tip’s oscillations are achieved, when bimorph tip generates approximately 0.5 N force

Investigation of tactile characteristics of the piezoelectric bimorph type actuators

Simple and effective new type of tactile device is presented and investigated, which transfers 2D graphic information to the visually impaired people. It consists of piezoelectric bimorph cantilever, acting as an oscillating probe, and, when changing operational signal, could transfer information to visually impaired people, e.g. by crossing the lines/contours on the screen of tablet PC or determining the color of them. Determining the amplitude of tip’s oscillation, attached to bimorph PZT cantilever and contacting with finger, is presented. It is established that tactile device’s body and integrated bimorph cantilever oscillations and their effect on the human finger are different. The visually impaired people better percept the oscillations of Braille pins, which are attached to cantilever tip; maximum perception of tip’s oscillations are achieved, when bimorph tip generates approximately 0.5 N force