Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor Alternating Resistor Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic capacitance sensors with orthogonal electrodes face challenges in reducing thickness due to overlapping resistors at intersections, leading to increased material costs and fabrication complexity.

Innovation Solution

The electrostatic capacitance sensor design alternates resistor placement at intersections of orthogonal electrodes, allowing them to be in the same plane without overlap, reducing thickness and material usage while maintaining detection sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If resistors are provided at the connection portions of vertical electrodes and horizontal electrodes at their intersections, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the thickness of the sensor increases due to overlapping resistors requiring layered structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsensor thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a three-dimensional layered structure to a two-dimensional planar structure by arranging all resistors in the same plane. This is achieved by making the connection portions of vertical and horizontal electrodes coplanar, allowing resistors to be positioned at intersections without overlapping in the thickness direction, thereby reducing sensor thickness while maintaining detection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If resistors are provided at all intersection connection portions, then detection accuracy is improved, but material cost increases due to increased resistor material usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidresistor material amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing resistors selectively at specific intersection points rather than uniformly at all intersections. The connection portions are designed with different properties: some have resistors for detection purposes while others do not, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and material consumption based on local requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If resistors are provided at all intersection connection portions, then detection coverage is improved, but fabrication complexity increases due to additional manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidfabrication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrode structure into distinct components: vertical electrodes with connection portions, horizontal electrodes with connection portions, and selectively positioned resistors. This segmentation allows for simplified fabrication where resistors are only added at specific required intersections rather than requiring complex processes to add resistors at all intersections, reducing overall fabrication complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces the sensor's thickness, lowers material costs, and simplifies the fabrication process while maintaining detection sensitivity by alternating resistor placement at intersections.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic capacitance sensor including a plurality of vertical electrodes and a plurality of horizontal electrodes that are orthogonal to each other detects a proximity state of an operating body relative to an operation surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a proximity position of an operating body at each electrode is detected based on a ratio of a current value detected at a detecting portion at one end side of the electrode to a current value detected at a detecting portion at another end side of the electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11762520B2Electrostatic capacitance sensor and input device

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An electrostatic capacitance sensor includes first detection electrodes and second detection electrodes that are disposed orthogonal to each other. Each of the first detection electrodes and the second detection electrodes has detection faces that are linearly arranged and connection portions that connect the two adjacent detection faces. The electrostatic capacitance sensor has intersections of the first detection electrodes and the second detection electrodes, the intersections being arranged in a matrix. The intersections where resistors are provided at the connection portions of the first detection electrodes and the intersections where resistors are provided at the connection portions of the second detection electrodes are alternately arranged.