Hybrid pressure sensor combining resistive / capacitive methods using pressure-sensitive conductive fabric

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hybrid pressure sensor combining resistive / capacitive methods and using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, the hybrid pressure sensor comprising: a touch screen unit having the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, a first conductive electrode plate disposed spaced apart from one surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, and a second conductive electrode plate disposed spaced apart from the other surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric; and at least one processor which controls the touch screen unit, wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric greatly increases in resistance when deformed by an external force, and thus can improve the durability of the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be designed to have levels configured according to physical force, weight, etc., while being configured as a touch sensor circuit.

Description

Hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using pressure-sensitive conductive fabric

[0001] The present invention relates to a hybrid pressure sensor that combines a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive cloth, which comprises a plurality of conductive electrode plates on a touch screen portion and a pressure-sensitive conductive cloth therebetween, and which can check the size of pressure, etc., using a change in charge, a change in voltage, etc. recognized by the conductive electrode plates and the pressure-sensitive conductive cloth when an external force is applied, by a pressure-sensitive method or an electrostatic method.

[0002] Conventional touchscreens utilize pressure-sensitive and capacitive sensing to recognize external stimuli or contact. Pressure-sensitive sensors utilize the property that resistance changes depending on physical force, weight, etc. Furthermore, capacitive sensors are based on capacitive coupling, which can detect and measure anything that is conductive or has a dielectric difference with air. Capacitive touchscreens can distinguish and detect specific touch locations based on the human body's electrical impulses, typically the fingertips. Therefore, capacitive touchscreens eliminate the need to apply actual force to the screen surface.

[0003] However, capacitive (Touch IC) sensors operate only when they come into contact with a current-carrying conductor, and can only utilize the On / Off function without a level (step), so they cannot be applied to digital products that require a level (step), and existing pressure-sensitive sensors have the disadvantage of low sensitivity and a complex circuit configuration (added resistance).

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric having a conductive electrode plate on one side and a conductive electrode plate on the other side of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, in order to prevent a decrease in the response sensitivity of a pressure-sensitive pressure sensor.

[0005] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive cloth that can classify and process external stimuli by stages by processing a voltage value that changes as a plurality of conductive electrode plates apply pressure to the pressure-sensitive conductive cloth, so as to prevent the problem that the electrostatic sensor only determines the presence or absence of a reaction and has difficulty separating stages according to the magnitude of the reaction.

[0006]

[0007] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the purpose mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid pressure sensor using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, which includes a touch screen unit having a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, a first conductive electrode plate spaced apart from one surface of the conductive fabric, and a second conductive electrode plate spaced apart from the other surface of the conductive fabric, and at least one processor controlling the touch screen unit, wherein the conductive fabric changes in resistance as it is deformed by an external force, may be provided.

[0009]

[0010] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric including a first insulator disposed between the first conductive electrode plate and the conductive fabric and formed with a predetermined thickness along an edge of the first conductive electrode plate, and a second insulator disposed between the second conductive electrode plate and the conductive fabric and formed with a predetermined thickness along an edge of the second conductive electrode plate may be provided.

[0011]

[0012] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid pressure sensor using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric that combines a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method may be provided, wherein the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate includes a first contact sensor that generates a first contact signal when an external contact is detected on the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate and transmits the first contact signal to the processor.

[0013]

[0014] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric may be provided, wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric includes a second contact sensor that generates a second contact signal when the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric and transmits the second contact signal to the processor.

[0015]

[0016] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric may be provided, wherein the second contact signal further includes the magnitude of the pressure applied to the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric by the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate.

[0017]

[0018] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be provided with a hybrid pressure sensor that combines a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, which receives the first contact signal or the second contact signal and recognizes that there is an external contact on the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate.

[0019] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric that receives the second contact signal and recognizes the magnitude of the pressure applied to the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric by the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate may be provided.

[0020]

[0021] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor may be provided with a hybrid pressure sensor that combines a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric that recognizes the magnitude of the pressure and classifies the pressure applied to the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate into a plurality of levels.

[0022] By utilizing a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric based on an FSR (Force Sensing Resistor) pressure sensor, the durability of the pressure sensor can be improved.

[0023] In addition, since the resistance required for the circuit design of the FSR (Force Sensing Resistor) pressure sensor is not essential in the present invention, the size of the product can be made small.

[0024] Additionally, it is possible to design a touch sensor circuit configuration that configures levels based on physical force, weight, etc.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a touch screen and a processor of a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3A is a drawing illustrating a touch screen unit used in the pressure-sensitive method in a hybrid pressure sensor that combines a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3b is a drawing illustrating a touch screen unit used in the electrostatic method in a hybrid pressure sensor that combines a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Advantages and features of embodiments of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0030] When describing embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in light of their functions in the embodiments of the present invention and may vary depending on the intent or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing explaining a touch screen unit and a processor of a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3a is a drawing explaining a touch screen unit used in a pressure-sensitive method in a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3b is a drawing explaining a touch screen unit used in an electrostatic method in a hybrid pressure sensor combining a pressure-sensitive / electrostatic method using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3b, a hybrid pressure sensor (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a touch screen unit (110), a processor (120), etc.

[0036] The touch screen unit (110) may include a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), a first conductive electrode plate (112), a second conductive electrode plate (113), a first insulator (114), a second insulator (115), etc. The touch screen unit (110) according to one embodiment of the present invention may recognize a contact (or stimulus) from the outside or receive a contact and generate signals related to the contact. The generated signals may be transmitted to at least one processor (120).

[0037] A pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) can be formed between a first conductive electrode plate (112) and a second conductive electrode plate (113), and when the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113) comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), it can receive pressure due to the contact and generate current.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3A, a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include its own resistance. When a positive (+) pole of a power source is connected to one end of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) and a negative (-) pole of a power source is connected to the other end, and then voltage is applied, the voltage may decrease due to the resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111).

[0039] When the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113) comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) may be deformed, such as being pressed or bent, by the pressure resulting from the contact, and accordingly, the self-resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) may be reduced. That is, when the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) is deformed, the voltage between both ends of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) may increase as the self-resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) is reduced.

[0040] Here, the processor (120) can accept changes in voltage using the law of voltage distribution and measure current according to the changes in voltage. Accordingly, the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), the first conductive electrode plate (112), the second conductive electrode plate (113), etc. can be used as a pressure sensor.

[0041] A pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be equipped with a second contact sensor (not shown). When the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113) comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), the second contact sensor (not shown) can recognize that contact has occurred with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). At this time, the second contact sensor (not shown) can generate a second contact signal including information about the contact (e.g., whether contact has occurred, a change in the self-resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), a change in voltage, etc.).

[0042] In addition, when the voltage changes as the self-resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) according to one embodiment of the present invention changes, the second contact sensor (not shown) can recognize the amount of change in voltage and generate a second contact signal including information about the amount of change in voltage.

[0043] As described above, pressure may be applied when the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113) comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). The degree of deformation of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) may vary depending on the magnitude and duration of the pressure applied to the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). That is, the amount of change in the resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) may vary depending on the degree of deformation of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), and the amount of change in the voltage between the two ends of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) may also vary. Here, when an external force is applied to the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113), but the first contact sensor (i.e., the input terminal) does not accurately recognize the pressure due to the external force (for example, when the magnitude of the external force is weak and the pressure is not recognized), it is difficult for the processor (120) to determine whether the signal is on / off. In this case, the processor (120) can filter by cutting the input section through software.

[0044] A second contact sensor (not shown) according to one embodiment of the present invention can generate a second contact signal including information (e.g., change in self-resistance of a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), change in voltage, etc.) that may vary depending on the size of pressure due to contact.

[0045]

[0046] The first conductive electrode plate (112) can be spaced apart from one side of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) and can recognize or accept an external stimulus (or contact).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3b, an output signal is sent from a pin (send pin) at one end of a first conductive electrode plate (112) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the signal is received at a pin (receive pin) at the other end, thereby measuring the amount of charge present in the first conductive electrode plate (112).

[0048] When an external stimulus (or contact) occurs, the total electrostatic capacitance of the first conductive electrode plate (112) may increase. For example, when a person's finger touches the first conductive electrode plate (112), the human body acts as a ground, and the human body can act as a capacitor that attracts and charges electric charges. Accordingly, the human body acting as a capacitor and the capacitor on the receive pin side are in parallel, and the electrostatic capacitance may increase according to the law of parallel connection of capacitance. Therefore, the resistance component (impedance) of the capacitor increases, and as a result, the amount of current input to the receive pin may decrease.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first conductive electrode plate (112) may be provided with a first contact sensor (not shown). When an external stimulus (or contact) occurs on the first conductive electrode plate (112) and the amount of current flowing through the first conductive electrode plate (112) changes, the first contact sensor (not shown) may recognize that external contact has occurred. At this time, the first contact sensor (not shown) may generate a first contact signal including information regarding the contact (e.g., a change in total capacitance, a change in current).

[0050] In addition, the first conductive electrode plate (112) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed of a metal having a predetermined degree of ductility, elasticity, etc. The first conductive electrode plate (112) may be bent or curved by external contact, etc., and in this case, the first conductive electrode plate (112) may come into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), and when the external force is removed, the first conductive electrode plate (112) may be restored to its original shape.

[0051]

[0052] As described above, the first contact signal can be generated by the first contact sensor provided on the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113). In addition, the second contact signal can be generated by the second contact sensor provided on the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). In this way, when multiple contact signals are generated, only one signal can be transmitted to the processor (120).

[0053]

[0054] The second conductive electrode plate (113) may be spaced apart from the other side of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) and may recognize or accept an external stimulus (or contact). The second conductive electrode plate (113) may be positioned symmetrically with respect to the first conductive electrode plate (112) with respect to the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). The properties, functions, actions, etc. of the second conductive electrode plate (113) may be the same as or similar to those of the first conductive electrode plate (112), and thus may be replaced with the description of the first conductive electrode plate (112) described above.

[0055]

[0056] The first insulator (114) is placed between the first conductive electrode plate (112) and the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), and can be formed to a predetermined thickness along the edge of the first conductive electrode plate (112).

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first insulator (114) is provided between the first conductive electrode plate (112) and the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111) along the edge of the first conductive electrode plate (112), so that a vacuum state or an air gap, etc. can be formed between the first conductive electrode plate (112) and the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). In addition, when an external force is applied to the first conductive electrode plate (112), the first insulator (114) may be formed of a material having a predetermined degree of ductility and elasticity so that deformation of the first conductive electrode plate (112) can be permitted. In addition, the first insulator (114) may be formed with a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.

[0058] The second insulator (115) is placed between the second conductive electrode plate (113) and the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), and may be formed with a predetermined thickness along the edge of the second conductive electrode plate (113). The properties, functions, actions, etc. of the second insulator (115) may be the same as or similar to those of the first insulator (114), and thus may be replaced with the description of the first insulator (114) described above.

[0059]

[0060] The processor (120) controls the touch screen unit (110) and may be provided with at least one processor. Referring to FIG. 1, the processor (120) may include a multiplex panel (multiplex panel, drawing symbol omitted), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC, drawing symbol omitted), 12C logic (drawing symbol omitted), a filter (drawing symbol omitted), a current & time controller (drawing symbol omitted), a power controller (drawing symbol omitted), etc.

[0061] A processor (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention can receive a first contact signal from a first contact sensor (not shown). The processor (120) can process information included in the first contact signal (e.g., change in total capacitance, change in current). That is, when the processor (120) recognizes the first contact signal, the processor (120) can confirm that a stimulus (or contact) has occurred from the outside on the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113). The processor (120) can confirm the location where the contact occurs on the multiplex panel (not shown) and process a corresponding command corresponding to the corresponding location on the multiplex panel.

[0062] In addition, the processor (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention can receive a second contact signal from a second contact sensor (not shown). The processor (120) can process information included in the second contact signal (e.g., whether contact has occurred, a change in the resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), a change in voltage, etc.). That is, when the processor (120) recognizes the second contact signal, the processor (120) can confirm that contact has occurred between the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113) and the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111). The processor (120) can confirm a location where contact occurs on a multiplex panel (not shown), and process a corresponding command corresponding to the corresponding location of the multiplex panel.

[0063] In particular, referring to FIG. 2, the processor (120) can measure the magnitude of the force applied to the pressure sensor (100), etc., through the amount of change in voltage according to the pressure of the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113). That is, a difference may occur in the amount of change in voltage of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric (111), etc., depending on the magnitude of the force applied to the pressure sensor (100). The processor (120) can classify this amount of change in voltage into a plurality of levels and transmit a signal to at least one channel among a plurality of channels, thereby processing information corresponding to each level. For example, when 12 channels are used independently, the first contact sensor provided on the first conductive electrode plate (112) or the second conductive electrode plate (113) can transmit a digital signal to one of the channels. Here, when the number of channels is 12, the first contact sensor can also be formed to correspond to the number of channels provided.

[0064] The contact sensor can convert an analog signal into a digital signal and transmit it to the processor (120) via 12C digital communication.

[0065] Also, referring to FIG. 2, VDD (drawing symbol omitted) serves as a power source, which can operate the contact sensor and expand the detection range of the contact sensor.

[0066] In addition, the processor (120) can transmit the processed information as described above to an external server. That is, the processor (120) can transmit the processed information to an external MCU (Micro Controller Unit, 200), and the MCU (200) can store the processed information or perform a command corresponding to the processed information.

[0067]

[0068] Although the above description has presented and described various embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains will easily understand that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A touch screen unit having a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, a first conductive electrode plate spaced apart from one surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric, and a second conductive electrode plate spaced apart from the other surface of the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric; At least one processor for controlling the touch screen unit, The above pressure-sensitive conductive fabric changes its resistance size as it is deformed by an external force. Hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using pressure-sensitive conductive fabric.

2. In paragraph 1, A first insulator is disposed between the first conductive electrode plate and the pressure-sensitive conductive cloth, and is formed with a predetermined thickness along the edge of the first conductive electrode plate; A second insulator is disposed between the second conductive electrode plate and the pressure-sensitive conductive cloth, and is formed with a predetermined thickness along the edge of the second conductive electrode plate. A hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric including a .

3. In paragraph 2, The above first conductive electrode plate or the above second conductive electrode plate, A first contact sensor that generates a first contact signal when an external contact is detected on the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate, and transmits the first contact signal to the processor. A hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric including a .

4. In paragraph 3, The above pressure sensitive conductive fabric is, A second contact sensor that generates a second contact signal when the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric and transmits the second contact signal to the processor. A hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric including a .

5. In paragraph 4, The above second contact signal is, The magnitude of the pressure applied by the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate to the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric A hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using a pressure-sensitive conductive fabric including a further component.

6. In paragraph 3 or paragraph 5, The above processor, Receiving the first contact signal or the second contact signal and recognizing that there is an external contact on the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate, Hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using pressure-sensitive conductive fabric.

7. In paragraph 6, The above processor, Receiving the second contact signal and recognizing the size of the pressure applied by the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate to the pressure-sensitive conductive fabric. Hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using pressure-sensitive conductive fabric.

8. In paragraph 7, The above processor, By recognizing the magnitude of the pressure, the pressure applied to the first conductive electrode plate or the second conductive electrode plate is classified into multiple levels. Hybrid pressure sensor combining pressure-sensitive / capacitive methods using pressure-sensitive conductive fabric.

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