A pressure sensor and touch screen thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a pressure sensor and a touch screen thereof, comprising: a substrate, a first sensing module arranged on the substrate, and a second sensing module of the same structure arranged on the first sensing module; the first sensing module comprises a first flexible insulating layer, a plurality of first positive electrode structures, a first negative electrode structure, and a plurality of first supporting structures, the first negative electrode structure is arranged on the substrate, the plurality of first supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the first negative electrode structure, the first flexible insulating layer covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of first supporting structures, the plurality of first positive electrode structures are arranged at intervals on the lower surface of the first flexible insulating layer and are distributed between the plurality of first supporting structures; the plurality of first supporting structures of the first sensing module are staggered with the plurality of second supporting structures of the second sensing module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of sensor design, and in particular to a pressure sensor and a touch screen thereof. Background Art

[0002] Pressure sensors based on the principle of electrical contact resistance or capacitance change and with a large touch area are becoming more and more widely used. However, unlike single-point pressure sensors, pressure sensors with a large touch area are often implemented through multiple points, and support is required around each touch point to ensure the consistency of the initial position of the film layer. However, when the user touches the support position area, the conductive positive electrode in the pressure sensor will not be subjected to pressure and will not be connected to the conductive negative electrode, and thus full-area coverage sensing cannot be achieved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a pressure sensor and a touch screen thereof, so as to solve the problem that when a user touches the support position area of ​​the existing pressure sensor with a large touch area, the conductive positive electrode in the pressure sensor will not be subjected to pressure and will not be connected to the conductive negative electrode, thereby failing to achieve full-area coverage sensing.

[0004] The first aspect includes: a substrate, a first sensing module arranged on the substrate, and a second sensing module arranged on the first sensing module; the first sensing module includes a first flexible insulating layer, a plurality of first positive electrode structures, a first negative electrode structure, and a plurality of first supporting structures, the first negative electrode structure is arranged on the substrate, the plurality of first supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the first negative electrode structure, the first flexible insulating layer covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of first supporting structures, the plurality of first positive electrode structures are arranged at intervals on the lower surface of the first flexible insulating layer and are distributed between the plurality of first supporting structures; the second sensing module includes a second flexible insulating layer, a plurality of second positive electrode structures, a second negative electrode structure, and a plurality of second supporting structures, the second negative electrode structure is arranged on the upper surface of the first flexible insulating layer, the plurality of second supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the second negative electrode structure, the second flexible insulating layer covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of second supporting structures, the plurality of second positive electrode structures are arranged at intervals on the lower surface of the second flexible insulating layer and are distributed between the plurality of second supporting structures; the plurality of first supporting structures are staggered with the plurality of second supporting structures.

[0005] In the pressure sensor designed above, two layers of sensing modules are provided and the first supporting structure in the first touch sensing module is staggered with the multiple second supporting structures of the second sensing module, so that when the user touches the second supporting structure located below the second flexible insulating layer, the second supporting structure is subjected to force and part of the force is transferred to the first positive electrode structure located in the second layer. After the first positive electrode structure is subjected to force, the first positive electrode structure contacts with the first negative electrode structure and then conducts. This solves the problem that the supporting position of the existing pressure sensor with a large touch area is a non-sensing area and cannot be sensed when the user touches it, thereby realizing full-area coverage sensing of the pressure sensor with a large touch area.

[0006] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, the first negative electrode structure includes a first negative electrode metal layer and a first elastic conductive layer, the first negative electrode metal layer is arranged on the substrate, the first elastic conductive layer is arranged on the first negative electrode metal layer, and the multiple first supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the first elastic conductive layer.

[0007] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, the second negative electrode structure includes a second negative electrode metal layer and a second negative electrode elastic conductive layer, the second negative electrode metal layer is arranged on the upper surface of the first flexible insulating layer, the second elastic conductive layer is arranged on the second negative electrode metal layer, and the multiple second support structures are arranged at intervals on the second elastic conductive layer.

[0008] In the two implementation modes of the above designs, when the elastic conductive layer is subjected to an external force, as the force increases, the contact area increases, thereby reflecting the change in the magnitude of the force.

[0009] In an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the first supporting structure and the second supporting structure are colloids.

[0010] In an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the plurality of first supporting structures are directly opposite to the plurality of second positive electrode structures one by one, and the plurality of second supporting structures are directly opposite to the plurality of first positive electrode structures one by one.

[0011] In an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the first negative electrode structure is disposed on the substrate by printing.

[0012] In an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the second positive electrode structure is disposed under the second flexible insulating layer by printing.

[0013] In a second aspect, an embodiment provides a touch screen, wherein the touch screen includes a pressure sensor as in any optional implementation manner in the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 A first structural schematic diagram of a pressure sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a second structural schematic diagram of the pressure sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Icon: 10-substrate, 20-first sensing module; 201-first flexible insulating layer; 202-first positive electrode structure; 203-first negative electrode structure; 2031-first negative electrode metal layer; 2032-first elastic conductive layer; 204-first supporting structure; 30-second sensing module; 301-second flexible insulating layer; 302-second positive electrode structure; 303-second negative electrode structure; 3031-second negative electrode metal layer; 3032-second elastic conductive layer; 304-second supporting structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0019] First embodiment

[0020] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a pressure sensor, which includes a substrate 10, a first sensing module 20 and a second sensing module 30. The first sensing module 20 includes a first flexible insulating layer 201, a plurality of first positive electrode structures 202, a first negative electrode structure 203 and a plurality of first supporting structures 204. The first negative electrode structure 203 is arranged on the substrate 10, and the plurality of first supporting structures 204 are arranged at intervals on the first negative electrode structure 203. The first flexible insulating layer 201 covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of first supporting structures 204, and the plurality of first positive electrode structures 202 are arranged at intervals on the lower surface of the first flexible insulating layer 201 and distributed between the plurality of first supporting structures 204.

[0021] The second sensing module 30 includes a second flexible insulating layer 301, a plurality of second positive electrode structures 302, a second negative electrode structure 303 and a plurality of second supporting structures 304. The second negative electrode structure 303 is disposed on the upper surface of the second flexible insulating layer 301. The plurality of second supporting structures 304 are arranged at intervals on the second negative electrode structure 303. The second flexible insulating layer 301 covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of second supporting structures 304. The plurality of second positive electrode structures 302 are disposed at intervals on the lower surface of the second flexible insulating layer 301 and distributed between the plurality of second supporting structures 304. The plurality of first supporting structures 204 are staggered with the plurality of second supporting structures 304, that is, the first positive electrode structure 202 corresponds to the lower portion of the second supporting structure 304, and the first supporting structure 204 corresponds to the lower portion of the second positive electrode structure 302.

[0022] The reason why the existing pressure sensors with large touch areas have non-sensing areas is that in the existing single-layer sensors, when the user touches the support structure in the sensor, the conductive positive electrode structure will not be pressed down, resulting in the conductive positive electrode structure not being able to contact the conductive negative electrode structure, and thus not being able to form a path, so that the pressure sensor cannot respond. The pressure sensor designed by the above scheme, through the design of the two-layer sensing module, makes the first positive electrode structure 202 of the first sensing module 20 and the second support structure 304 of the second sensing module 30, and the first support structure 204 of the first sensing module 20 and the second positive electrode structure 302 of the second sensing module 30 are opposite. Such an alternating arrangement makes the pressure sensor designed in the present application, when the user applies external pressure to the pressure sensor by touching the second flexible insulating layer 301, when the area on the second flexible insulating layer 301 corresponding to the second positive electrode structure 302 is touched, the external pressure causes the second positive electrode structure 302 to be compressed, so that the second positive electrode structure 302 is in contact and conductive with the second negative electrode structure 303, and when the second positive electrode structure 302 is in contact with the second negative electrode structure 303, the second positive electrode structure 302 is in contact and conductive with the second negative electrode structure 303. After the structure 303 is turned on, the pressure sensor outputs a resistance signal. As the electrical contact resistance changes, the output electrical signal reflects the force condition of the sensing area. When the area on the second flexible insulating layer 301 corresponding to the second supporting structure 304 is touched, the external pressure causes the second supporting structure 304 to be pressed down after being subjected to force. Since the second supporting structure 304 can transmit part of the force, the first positive electrode structure 202 located below the second supporting structure 304 will be subjected to the pressure transmitted by the second supporting structure 304, so that the first positive electrode structure 202 and the first negative electrode structure 203 are turned on. When the first positive electrode structure 202 and the first negative electrode structure 203 are turned on, the pressure sensor outputs a resistance signal. As the electrical contact resistance changes, the output electrical signal reflects the force condition of the sensing area.

[0023] In the pressure sensor designed above, two layers of sensing modules are provided and the first supporting structure in the first touch sensing module is staggered with the multiple second supporting structures of the second sensing module, so that when the user touches the second supporting structure located below the second flexible insulating layer, the second supporting structure is subjected to force and part of the force is transferred to the first positive electrode structure located in the second layer. After the first positive electrode structure is subjected to force, the first positive electrode structure contacts with the first negative electrode structure and then conducts. This solves the problem that the supporting position of the existing pressure sensor with a large touch area is a non-sensing area and cannot be sensed when the user touches it, thereby realizing full-area coverage sensing of the pressure sensor with a large touch area.

[0024] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, if Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the first negative electrode structure 203 includes a first negative electrode metal layer 2031 and a first elastic conductive layer 2032, the first negative electrode metal layer 2031 is arranged on the substrate 10, the first elastic conductive layer 2032 is arranged on the first negative electrode metal layer 2031, and a plurality of first supporting structures 204 are arranged at intervals on the first elastic conductive layer 2032; the second negative electrode structure 303 includes a second negative electrode metal layer 3031 and a second elastic conductive layer 3032, the second negative electrode metal layer 3031 is arranged on the upper surface of the first flexible insulating layer 201, the second elastic conductive layer 3032 is arranged on the second negative electrode metal layer 3031, and a plurality of second supporting structures 304 are arranged at intervals on the second elastic conductive layer 3032.

[0025] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, the first support structure 204 and the second support structure 304 are colloids.

[0026] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, if Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the number of the first positive electrode structure 202, the first supporting structure 204, the second positive electrode structure 302 and the second supporting structure 304 can be multiple, and the number can be the same. The multiple first supporting structures 204 are opposite to the multiple second positive electrode structures 302 one by one, and the multiple second supporting structures 304 are opposite to the multiple first positive electrode structures 202 one by one. In this way, each non-sensing area can be turned into a sensing area.

[0027] In an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, a first positive electrode structure 202 is disposed in the gap between every two first support structures 204 ; and a second positive electrode structure 302 is disposed in the gap between every two second support structures 304 .

[0028] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, the width of the first positive electrode structure 202 is smaller than the gap distance between the two first support structures 204 , and the width of the second positive electrode structure 302 is smaller than the gap distance between the two second support structures 304 .

[0029] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, the first elastic conductive layer 2032 and the second elastic conductive layer 3032 may both be compressible conductors. When they are compressible conductors, the first elastic conductive layer 2032 and the first negative metal layer 2031 may be spaced apart by a certain distance, and the second elastic conductive layer 3032 and the second negative metal layer 3031 may be spaced apart by a certain distance, so that the first elastic conductive layer 2032 and the second elastic conductive layer 3032 are in contact with the first negative metal layer 2031 and the second negative metal layer 3031 when they are pressed downward. When they are incompressible conductors, the elastic conductive layer may directly contact the negative metal layer.

[0030] In the implementation of the above-mentioned design, when the conductive layer is a compressible elastic conductor, when subjected to external force, as the force increases, the contact area increases, thereby reflecting the change in the magnitude of the force.

[0031] In an optional implementation of this embodiment, the materials of the first positive electrode structure 202 , the first negative electrode metal layer 2031 , the second positive electrode structure 302 , and the second negative electrode metal layer 3031 may all be silver.

[0032] Second embodiment

[0033] The present application provides a touch screen, which includes a pressure sensor as described in any optional test method of the first embodiment. The structure of the pressure sensor has been described in the first embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0034] In the touch screen designed in the present application, the design is obtained by two touch sensing layers, and the first conductive positive electrode of the first touch sensing layer is opposite to the second colloid of the second touch sensing layer, and the first colloid of the first touch sensing layer is opposite to the second conductive positive electrode of the second touch sensing layer, so that when the user touches the first colloid located below the touch layer, the first colloid transfers part of the force to the second conductive positive electrode below after being subjected to force, and the second conductive positive electrode is connected to the second conductive negative electrode through the second conductor after being subjected to force, thereby solving the problem that the support position of the existing pressure sensor with a large touch sensing area is a non-sensing area and cannot be sensed when the user touches it, and realizing full-area coverage sensing of the pressure sensor with a large touch sensing area.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "inside", "outside", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the application is usually placed when in use, which is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "disposed" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0037] The above description is only an embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A pressure sensor, characterized in that: include: A substrate, a first sensing module disposed on the substrate, and a second sensing module disposed on the first sensing module; The first sensing module comprises a first flexible insulating layer, a plurality of first positive electrode structures, a first negative electrode structure and a plurality of first supporting structures, wherein the first negative electrode structure is arranged on the substrate, the plurality of first supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the first negative electrode structure, the first flexible insulating layer covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of first supporting structures, and the plurality of first positive electrode structures are arranged at intervals on the lower surface of the first flexible insulating layer and distributed between the plurality of first supporting structures; The second sensing module comprises a second flexible insulating layer, a plurality of second positive electrode structures, a second negative electrode structure and a plurality of second supporting structures, wherein the second negative electrode structure is arranged on the upper surface of the first flexible insulating layer, the plurality of second supporting structures are arranged on the second negative electrode structure at intervals, the second flexible insulating layer covers the upper surfaces of the plurality of second supporting structures, and the plurality of second positive electrode structures are arranged on the lower surface of the second flexible insulating layer at intervals and distributed between the plurality of second supporting structures; The multiple first supporting structures are staggered with the multiple second supporting structures, wherein the number of the multiple first supporting structures, the multiple second supporting structures, the multiple first positive electrode structures and the multiple second positive electrode structures are the same, the multiple first supporting structures are opposite to the multiple second positive electrode structures one by one, and the multiple second supporting structures are opposite to the multiple first positive electrode structures one by one.

2. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first negative electrode structure includes a first negative electrode metal layer and a first elastic conductive layer, the first negative electrode metal layer is arranged on the substrate, the first elastic conductive layer is arranged on the first negative electrode metal layer, and the plurality of first supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the first elastic conductive layer.

3. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second negative electrode structure includes a second negative electrode metal layer and a second elastic conductive layer. The second negative electrode metal layer is arranged on the upper surface of the first flexible insulating layer. The second elastic conductive layer is arranged on the second negative electrode metal layer. The plurality of second supporting structures are arranged at intervals on the second elastic conductive layer.

4. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first supporting structure and the second supporting structure are colloid.

5. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first positive electrode structure is arranged in the gap between every two first supporting structures; and a second positive electrode structure is arranged in the gap between every two second supporting structures.

6. The pressure sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The width of the first positive electrode structure is smaller than the width of the gap between the two first support structures; the width of the second positive electrode structure is smaller than the width of the gap between the two second support structures.

7. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first negative electrode structure is arranged on the substrate by printing.

8. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second positive electrode structure is arranged under the second flexible insulating layer by printing.

9. A touch screen, characterized in that: The touch screen includes the pressure sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images