SBIR Phase II: Affordable Braille Display Using Novel Microactuators

这个小企业创新研究第二阶段项目来自轨道研究公司。将设计和测试一个负担得起的、多行可刷新的盲文显示系统（RBDS），该系统能够显示来自硬盘驱动器或互联网的计算机屏幕信息。 拟议的RBDS将结合联合收割机国家的最先进的微机电（MEMS）致动器与尖端的电子组装技术，以确保易于制造和鲁棒性。 此外，轨道研究公司将实施一种模块化架构，通过为最终用户要求的各种应用定制盲文表面，实现前所未有的多功能性。 传统上，MEMS致动器非常小、成本有效且功率低。 然而，MEMS装置的传统封装导致大得多且昂贵得多的组件。 在该项目的第一阶段，轨道研究公司生产了一种能够产生盲文点的MEMS致动器。 在这个阶段，Orbital Research将整合一个灵活的组装过程，以克服与封装MEMS致动器相关的传统复杂性。 Orbital Research将充分利用MEMS、IC加工、倒装芯片和表面贴装技术等尖端制造工艺提供的功能，以确保最终提出的RBDS重量轻、尺寸小、成本可承受、坚固耐用、模块化，能够实现触觉敏锐度，并且“用户友好”。“轨道研究所提供的可刷新盲文显示系统将提高在工作或家庭中获得电子信息的能力。 它还将根据《美国残疾人法》的要求，为视障人士提供更多的教育和就业机会。 这一装置将为视障者创造就业和研究机会，特别是那些对数学、科学和技术领域感兴趣的人，这些领域需要经常查阅参考著作，以便有效地完成任务。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project from Orbital Research Inc. will design and test an affordable, multiline refreshable Braille display system (RBDS) able to display computer screen information either from the hard drive or the Internet. The proposed RBDS will combine state-of-the-art microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuators with cutting edge electronic assembly technology to assure ease in manufacturing and robustness. Additionally, Orbital Research will implement a modular architecture that allows for unprecedented versatility through tailoring the Braille surface for various applications requested by the end users. Traditionally, MEMS actuators are very small, cost efficient and low power. However, traditional packaging of the MEMS devices results in a much larger and much more expensive component. In Phase I of this project, Orbital Research as produced a MEMS actuator capable of producing Braille dots. In this phase, Orbital Research will integrate a flexible assembly process to overcome the traditional complexities associated with packaging MEMS actuators. Orbital Research will take full advantage of the features offered by cutting edge manufacturing processes such as MEMS, IC processing, flip-chip and surface mount technologies to assure the final proposed RBDS is light weight and small in size, cost affordable, robust, modula, enables tactile acuity, and is "user friendly."The refreshable Braille Display system proffered by Orbital Research will enhance access to electronic information on the job or at home. It will also provide for enhanced educational and employment opportunities for visually impaired individuals in line with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This device will create employment and research opportunities for the visually impaired, especially for those whose interests extend to mathematics, scientific, and technical fields that require frequent access to reference works in order to perform their tasks efficiently.