Capacitive Button Electrode Layout for ESD-Tolerant Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive buttons face insufficient tolerance to electrostatic discharge when applied in proximity sensors, leading to potential damage and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive button design featuring a pair of sensor electrodes, a floating electrode surrounded by a grounded ground electrode, and a mesh-shaped sensor electrode configuration, which includes a floating electrode and a ground electrode that are not electrically connected, enhancing electrostatic discharge tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a proximity sensor configuration is applied to a capacitive button, then miniaturization is achieved, but electrostatic discharge tolerance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A ground electrode is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor electrodes and the external environment. This ground electrode acts as a mediator to intercept and divert electrostatic discharge away from the sensor electrodes, protecting them from damage while maintaining the compact proximity sensor configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful electrostatic discharge into a beneficial protective mechanism. By providing a designated path through the ground electrode, the potentially damaging electrostatic energy is safely directed to ground, transforming what would be a harmful factor into a controlled and useful discharge path that protects the sensor electrodes
2Measurement precision
If sensor electrodes are arranged side by side for capacitive sensing, then detection function is achieved, but vulnerability to electrostatic discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground electrode serves as a protective intermediary positioned between the sensor electrodes and the external environment. It intercepts electrostatic discharge before it can reach the sensor electrodes, allowing the side-by-side sensor electrode configuration to maintain its detection function while being protected from electrostatic damage
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
The design improves tolerance to electrostatic discharge, stabilizes detection performance, and allows integration with normal button functions without increasing size, suitable for applications like elevator call registration.
Implementation Method 1
when the configuration of the proximity sensor described in PTL 1 is applied to a capacitive button, electrostatic discharge reaches a sensor electrode
Implementation Method 2
capacitive button includes: a pair of sensor electrodes which are provided side by side; a floating electrode which is arranged on a front side of the pair of sensor electrodes via an insulating layer
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive button capable of improving tolerance to electrostatic discharge is provided. The capacitive button includes: a pair of sensor electrodes which are provided side by side; a floating electrode which is arranged on a front side of the pair of sensor electrodes via an insulating layer; and a ground electrode which is arranged so as to surround the floating electrode, and is grounded without being electrically connected with the pair of sensor electrodes and the floating electrode. By providing the configuration, the tolerance to the electrostatic discharge of the capacitive button can be improved.