Integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch

Abstract

The utility model discloses an integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch, which comprises a sensing circuit, the sensing circuit is a sensing device for detecting touch input and force input, and the sensing circuit comprises a first module and a second module, the first module and the second module are respectively a force driving part for outputting a force driving signal and a touch driving part for outputting a touch driving signal; a signal selection switch for selecting any one of an output force driving signal and a touch driving signal through the output end; and the input end forms a force sensing signal by detecting the force and forms a touch sensing signal by detecting the touch. According to the utility model, the contact type sensing circuit for detecting touch and the contact type sensing circuit for detecting touch are formed on one chip, and a contact type sensor and a force sensor can be realized into one circuit, so that the area is reduced, the number of required external elements is realized, and compared with the existing circuit, the circuit has the advantages that the cost is reduced; the number of pins required for input and output is reduced, and the device is economical and practical.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of sensors, and in particular relates to an integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch. Background Art

[0002] At present, the mainstream detection methods used by touch screens are resistive film, surface ultrasonic and capacitive. The capacitive type can realize multi-touch detection and has good durability, visibility and other characteristics. Therefore, it tends to become the main input method for portable mobile devices.

[0003] Capacitive touch screens recognize user input by detecting the change in charge of the capacitive sensors on the touch screen panel under user interference. They are divided into self-capacitance and mutual-capacitance according to the different ways of charge accumulation. In the magnetic capacitance method, each capacitive sensor forms a conductor, which forms a contrast surface with the reference ground outside the touch screen panel, while in the mutual capacitance method, two conductors on the touch screen panel form a contrast surface with each other to form a capacitive sensor.

[0004] Touch panels have been developed to detect single or multiple touch coordinates by objects that allow touch input, detect the trajectory formed by an object when touching the panel, and detect objects that are suspended from the touch panel. In addition, force sensors that detect the recognized force on the touch detection panel have been developed in many ways. One way to detect the input provided by the user to the force sensor is to detect it using the change in capacitance value. This is a way to detect the capacitance change generated when the cover window is deformed by the user's authorized force.

[0005] A capacitor is formed between the conductive electrode that detects touch and the electrode formed at the bottom of the device on which the touch panel is mounted. If the power supply on the touch panel is recognized, the distance between the electrodes is reduced, thereby causing the capacitance to change, which is detected as an output signal. This is a capacitive detection method.

[0006] The prior patent for this capacitive touch sensing panel is US registered patent No. 7920129. If a sensor for detecting touch and a sensor for detecting force are to be implemented on one chip, two circuits must be set up outside the chip. In order to detect touch, the sensor needs to add the necessary capacitance and elements required by the sensor for detecting force, thereby increasing the total area of ​​the circuit. In addition, more I / O pins are required for connection. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch, which can form a small-area contact sensing circuit and has a small number of pins for connection, thereby providing an economical integrated sensor to solve the problems raised in the above-mentioned background technology.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical scheme: an integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch, comprising a sensing circuit, wherein the sensing circuit is a sensing device for detecting touch input and force input, and the sensing circuit comprises: a first module and a second module, wherein the first module and the second module are respectively: a force driving unit for outputting a force driving signal and a touch driving unit for outputting a touch driving signal; a signal selection switch for selecting any one of the output force driving signal and the touch driving signal through the output end; a force sensing signal formed by the input end through detecting force and a touch sensing signal formed by detecting touch; a resistor and a resistor connection switch connected in series between the signal selection switch and the input end; and a control and operating member for controlling the signal selection switch and the resistor connection switch.

[0009] Preferably, the sensing device comprises: a detection element for detecting touch input and force input; the detection element is connected to the input end and the output end of the first module and the input end and the output end of the second module.

[0010] Preferably, the detection element comprises: a substrate; and a conductor pattern formed on the substrate.

[0011] Preferably, when a user provides touch input, the conductive line pattern forms a capacitor with an object providing the touch input.

[0012] Preferably, the detection element includes: a first detection element and a second detection element, wherein: the first section of the conductive wire pattern on the first detection element is connected to the output end of the first module, and the second section of the conductive wire pattern on the first detection element is connected to the input end of the second module; the first section of the conductive wire pattern on the second detection element is connected to the input end of the second module, and the second detection element is connected to the input end.

[0013] Preferably, when the sensing device detects force input, the conductive pattern of the first detection element, the conductive pattern of the second detection element, the resistor in the first module, and the resistor in the second module are connected in a connected form.

[0014] Preferably, the touch driving unit comprises: an input capacitor for providing a touch driving signal; and a bias resistor for providing a bias voltage; the input capacitor and the bias resistor are connected to the first end of the signal selection switch.

[0015] Preferably, during touch input detection, the control and operating member controls the signal selection switch to make the signal selection switch output a touch drive signal, and controls the signal selection switch of the second module to be turned on, and the resistance connection switch is cut off.

[0016] Preferably, the signal selection switch in the second module is connected to the ground. During input force detection, the control and operating component controls the signal selection switch in the first module to output a force driving signal. The control and operating component controls the signal selection switch in the second module to be connected to the ground, and controls the resistor connection switch to turn on the resistance.

[0017] Preferably, the control and operating member stores the input terminal voltage of the first module and the input terminal voltage of the second module when no force input is provided.

[0018] Technical effects and advantages of the utility model: Compared with the prior art, the integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch proposed by the utility model has the following advantages:

[0019] The utility model forms a contact sensing circuit for detecting touch and a contact sensing circuit for detecting touch on one chip, and can realize the contact sensor and the force sensor as one circuit, thereby reducing the area and the number of external components required for implementation. Compared with the existing circuit, the number of pins required for input and output is reduced, which is economical and affordable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the detection element of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the detection element of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 a is a schematic diagram of the present invention in which no input force is provided, and b is a schematic diagram of the present invention in which a user inputs force with a finger;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection status of the sensing circuit and the detection element of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the sensing circuit and the detection element of the utility model to predict the detection of a touch input state;

[0026] Figure 7 It is the equivalent circuit diagram of the utility model;

[0027] In the figure: 100, sensing circuit; 110, first module; 112, force driving unit; 114, touch driving unit; 116, signal selection switch; 118, resistance connection switch; 120, second module; 200, detection element; 202, wire pattern; 204, substrate; 210, first detection element; 220, second detection element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. The specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the utility model and are not used to limit the utility model. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the utility model provides an integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch, including a sensing circuit, which is a sensing device for detecting touch input and force input, and the sensing circuit includes: a first module and a second module, wherein the first module and the second module are respectively: a force driving unit for outputting a force driving signal and a touch driving unit for outputting a touch driving signal; a signal selection switch for selecting any one of the output force driving signal and the touch driving signal through the output terminal; a force sensing signal formed by the input terminal through detecting force and a touch sensing signal formed by detecting touch; a resistor and a resistor connection switch connected in series between the signal selection switch and the input terminal; and a control and operating member for controlling the signal selection switch and the resistor connection switch.

[0030] Specifically, the sensor of the present invention includes a sensing circuit 100 including a first module 110 and a second module 120, and a detection element 200 for detecting a touch input or a force input provided by a user, and the detection element 200 is connected to the input and output ends of the first module 110 and the input and output ends of the second module 120.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 2 The detection element 200 includes a first detection element 210 and a second detection element 220. The first detection element 210 and the second detection element 220 include a wire pattern 202 extending from a substrate 204. The wire pattern 202 may be covered with a cover. When a user provides a touch input, the wire pattern 202 forms a capacitor with an object providing the touch input.

[0032] The first section of the conductive wire pattern 202 on the first detection element 210 is connected to the output end of the first module 110, and the second section of the conductive wire pattern 202 on the first detection element 210 is connected to the input end of the second module 120; the first section of the conductive wire pattern 202 on the second detection element 220 is connected to the input end of the second module 120, and the second detection element 220 is connected to the input end.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cross section of the detection element 200, refer to Figure 1 or Figure 3 When a user provides a touch input, the user's finger may form any one electrode of the capacitor Cf, and the conductor pattern 202 may form the other electrode of the capacitor Cf. In addition, the cover may also function as a genetic body of the capacitor Cf. The closer the user's finger is to the surface of the cover, the shorter the distance between the two electrodes of the capacitor, and the greater the capacitance of the capacitor Cf. Therefore, if the capacitance exceeds a predetermined value, it can be detected that the user has provided a touch input.

[0034] When the sensor device detects a force input, the conductive pattern of the first detection element, the conductive pattern of the second detection element, the resistor in the first module, and the resistor in the second module are connected in a connected form.

[0035] Figure 4 a is an example where no force input is provided. Figure 4 b is an example of a user providing force input with a finger.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown in a, if the user does not provide force input, the substrate 204 and the wire pattern 202 will not deform. However, if the user presses the substrate 204 to provide force input, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in b, the substrate 204 will bend in the direction of the input force, and as a result, the conductor pattern 202 will also stretch.

[0037] The resistance value of the wire pattern 202 increases as the wire is elongated. Therefore, the electric signal formed by the force driving signal can be stored when there is no force input, and the force driving signal can be provided when force input is provided, and the difference in the electric signal generated by the change in resistance value can be detected, thereby detecting the force input of the user.

[0038] Figure 5 The connection state of the sensing circuit 100 and the detection element 200 is shown.

[0039] Figure 5 The sensor circuit 100 and the detection element 200 are connected together to detect force input. Figure 5 As shown, the sensing circuit 100 includes a first module 110 and a second module 120. The first module 110 and the second module 120 provide a touch driving unit 114 for providing a touch driving signal Vsig to the detection element 200 and a force driving unit 112 for outputting a touch driving signal Vin.

[0040] The touch drive unit includes: an input capacitor for providing a touch drive signal; and a bias resistor for providing a bias voltage; the input capacitor and the bias resistor are connected to the first end of the signal selection switch. When the touch input is detected, the control and operation member controls the signal selection switch to output the touch drive signal, and controls the signal selection switch of the second module to open, and the resistor connection switch is cut off.

[0041] Specifically, the first module 110 and the second module 120 include a signal selection switch 116 that can selectively output a touch drive signal Vsig and a force drive signal Vin. In the example shown, the signal selection switch 116 included in the second module 120 can output the force drive unit 112 and the force drive signal Vin or connect to the ground GND. The first module 110 includes a resistor R1 connected in series between the output terminal O1 and the input terminal I1 and a resistor connection switch 118. In addition, the second module 120 includes a resistor R2 connected in series between the output terminal O2 and the input terminal I2 and a resistor connection switch 118.

[0042] The signal selection switch in the second module is connected to the ground. When the input force is detected, the control and operation member controls the signal selection switch in the first module to output a force driving signal. The control and operation member controls the signal selection switch in the second module to be connected to the ground, and controls the resistor connection switch to conduct resistance. When no force input is provided, the control and operation member stores the input terminal voltage of the first module and the input terminal voltage of the second module.

[0043] Specifically, although not shown, the sensing device may further include a control and operating member for controlling the signal selection switch 116 and the resistance connection switch 118 in the first module 110 and the second module 120. The control and operating member may detect a signal as an input of the sensing circuit, and thereby detect a touch input and a force input.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, the control and operation member outputs the force driving signal Vin through the signal selection switch 116 of the first module 110, and controls the resistor connection switch 118 to be turned on. In addition, the control and operation member controls the signal selection switch 116 of the second module 120 to be connected to the ground GND, and the resistor connection switch 118 is turned on. Therefore, the resistors R1 and R3 formed by the sensing circuit 100 and the resistors R2 and R4 formed by the wire pattern 202 formed by the detection element 200 are connected in a connected form.

[0045] When the user provides force input, the wire pattern 202 stretches and the resistance value increases. According to the increased resistance value, the voltage formed at the input terminal I1 of the first module 110 and the input terminal I2 of the second module 120 changes as shown in the following equation 1.

[0046] Equation 1:

[0047] Among them, V I1 : Voltage at the input of the first module, V I2 : The second module input voltage, Vs:Vi n-GND.

[0048] The first input terminal I1 and the second input terminal I2 respectively provide force sensing signals formed by force input. The control and operation component can store the measured voltage of the first module input terminal and the voltage of the second module input terminal when no force input is provided, and detect the voltage formed at the first module input terminal - force sensing signal and the voltage at the second module input terminal - force sensing signal when force input is provided, thereby detecting the force input of the user.

[0049] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a state of detecting a touch input in which a sensing circuit 100 and a detection element 200 are connected together. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Diagram of the equivalent circuit.

[0050] like Figure 6 or Figure 7 As shown, the control and operation member outputs the touch drive signal Vsig through the signal selection switch 116 of the first module 110, and controls the resistor connection switch 118 to be cut off. In addition, the control and operation member controls the signal selection switch 116 of the second module 120 to be open, and the resistor connection switch 118 to be open.

[0051] Therefore, the touch driving signal Vsig provided by the touch driving unit 114 of the first module passes through the signal selection switch 116 and is provided to the detection element 200 through the output terminal O1 of the first module. The touch sensing signal formed by the detection element through detecting the touch is input to the sensing circuit 100 through the input terminal I2 of the second module.

[0052] In another example, the control and operation member outputs the touch drive signal Vsig through the signal selection switch 116 of the second module 120, and controls the resistor connection switch 118 to be cut off. In addition, the control and operation member controls the signal selection switch 116 of the first module 110 to be open, and the resistor connection switch 118 to be open.

[0053] Therefore, the touch driving signal Vsig provided by the touch driving unit 114 of the second module passes through the signal selection switch 116 and is provided to the detection element 200 through the output terminal O2 of the second module. The touch sensing signal formed by the detection element through detecting the touch is input to the sensing circuit 100 through the input terminal I1 of the first module.

[0054] The touch drive signal Vsig is provided to the wire pattern 202 through the input capacitor C in. The bias voltage Vbias is provided to the wire pattern 202 through the bias resistor Rbias. The bias voltage Vbias may be a DC voltage, which may form a standard for the signal swing formed by the touch input. As shown in the example, the bias voltage may be provided by the user for touch input, so that the output signal formed swings to at least above 0V.

[0055] Through the user's touch, the conductor pattern 202 forms a capacitor Cf. As described above, the closer the user's finger providing the touch input is to the conductor pattern 202, the greater the capacitance of the capacitor Cf. At this time, the output voltage formed is calculated according to the following equation 2. As the touch input is provided, the output voltage VOUT decreases, and the touch input can be detected by detecting it.

[0056] Equation 2:

[0057] Among them, C IN : Capacitance of the input capacitor; C f : The capacitance of the capacitor formed by touch.

[0058] As mentioned above, the advantage of the present invention is that the contact sensor and the force sensor can be implemented as one circuit, thereby reducing the area and the number of external components required for implementation. Compared with the existing circuit, the number of pins required for input and output is reduced, which is economical and affordable.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch, comprising a sensing circuit, wherein the sensing circuit is a sensing device for detecting touch input and force input, characterized in that: The sensing circuit comprises: A first module and a second module, wherein the first module and the second module are respectively: a force driving unit for outputting a force driving signal and a touch driving unit for outputting a touch driving signal; a signal selection switch for selecting any one of an output force drive signal and a touch drive signal through an output terminal; A force sensing signal formed by the input terminal through detecting force and a touch sensing signal formed by detecting touch; A resistor and a resistor connecting switch connected in series between the signal selection switch and the input terminal; and Control and operating element for controlling signal selector switches and resistor connection switches.

2. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing device comprises: A detection element for detecting touch input and force input; The detection element is connected to the input end and the output end of the first module and the input end and the output end of the second module.

3. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection element comprises: substrate; and a conductor pattern formed on the substrate.

4. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 3, characterized in that: When a user provides a touch input, the conductive line pattern forms a capacitor with an object providing the touch input.

5. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 4, characterized in that: The detection element comprises: a first detection element and a second detection element, wherein: A first section of the conductive wire pattern on the first detection element is connected to an output terminal of the first module, and a second section of the conductive wire pattern on the first detection element is connected to an input terminal of the second module; A first section of the conductive wire pattern on the second detection element is connected to an input terminal of the second module, and the second detection element is connected to the input terminal.

6. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the sensor device detects a force input, the conductive pattern of the first detection element, the conductive pattern of the second detection element, the resistor in the first module, and the resistor in the second module are connected in a connected form.

7. The integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch driving unit includes: An input capacitor for providing a touch drive signal; and A bias resistor for providing a bias voltage; The input capacitor and the bias resistor are connected to the first end of the signal selection switch.

8. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 7, characterized in that: During touch input detection, the control and operation member controls the signal selection switch to output a touch drive signal, and controls the signal selection switch of the second module to open, and the resistance connection switch is cut off.

9. The integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal selection switch in the second module is connected to the ground. During input force detection, the control and operating component controls the signal selection switch in the first module to output a force driving signal. The control and operating component controls the signal selection switch in the second module to be connected to the ground, and controls the resistor connection switch to turn on the resistance.

10. An integrated sensor capable of detecting force and touch according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control and operating component stores the input terminal voltage of the first module and the input terminal voltage of the second module when no force input is provided.

Images