Multisensory Flexible Braille Interactive Device Based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Abstract

Traditional electronic braille devices’ rigid and complex structure limits their portability while satisfying braille output. Main-chain monodomain liquid crystal elastomers (m-LCEs) can achieve high contraction deformation under external stimulation conditions; it has broad application prospects in the human–machine interaction with the biological tissue safety and flexibility of LCEs. A multisensory flexible braille interactive device based on LCEs is proposed in this article. It utilizes the good reversible shape-memory performance of m-LCEs to solve the problems of complex structure design, poor portability, high cost, and low control stability in traditional rigid mechanical braille readers. The fixed-point stretchable convex lattice and the nonactuation performance-based film are accurately distinguished and fabricated by compression molding. Combined with the ultrathin flexible electric heating layer, the reversible contraction of the braille point is realized, and the braille point is given the dual perception of height difference and temperature difference. Moreover, matching circuit design can realize braille input by press and braille output by convex–concave conversion. Furthermore, we try to introduce thermochromic powders, referring to the principle of light-emitting diode (LED) imaging, to transform the pattern concept of visually impaired people in minds into color information that ordinary people can observe.