Spring-Pressed Capacitive Electrode for Stable Touch Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch sensors in industrial applications, such as flow meters, face performance issues in high humidity and corrosive environments, leading to data input errors due to mechanical and infrared button malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A capacitive touch sensor design featuring an electrode disposed between a plate and a spring, where the spring presses the electrode towards the plate in a direction parallel to its longitudinal length, with a flat sensing surface, and an extending portion that interfaces with a panel to prevent movement, ensuring reliable operation in diverse environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical buttons are used for data input, then the interface can accept user input, but the buttons are prone to corrosion and performance issues in high humidity environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata input capabilityVSAvoidbutton performance in high humidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons with a capacitive touch sensor that detects changes in capacitance when a conductor (such as a human finger) approaches or contacts the sensing surface. This eliminates mechanical moving parts that are susceptible to corrosion, while maintaining the ability to accept user input through touch interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If infrared buttons are used for data input, then the interface can accept user input, but the buttons need calibration routines to operate reliably in both high and low temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata input capabilityVSAvoidcalibration routines

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces infrared buttons with a capacitive touch sensor that measures capacitance changes directly. This eliminates the need for infrared transmission and reception systems that require calibration across temperature ranges, while maintaining reliable data input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitive touch sensor automatically adapts to environmental conditions by continuously monitoring capacitance changes. The sensor inherently compensates for temperature variations and humidity changes without requiring external calibration routines, making the system self-adjusting and more reliable across diverse environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If special configurations are made for specific environments, then the interface can reliably operate in those environments, but the cost becomes prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a capacitive touch sensor that provides universal operation across multiple environmental conditions (high humidity, temperature cycles, corrosive environments) without requiring special configurations. The sensor's solid-state construction and electrical measurement principle enable it to function reliably in diverse environments using the same basic design, eliminating the need for environment-specific variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitive touch sensor operates by detecting changes in capacitance, an electrical parameter, rather than relying on mechanical or optical properties that are sensitive to environmental conditions. This fundamental measurement approach allows the sensor to maintain reliable operation across varying temperature, humidity, and corrosion conditions without requiring special environmental adaptations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 capacitive touch sensor provides reliable data input by maintaining consistent capacitance readings despite environmental variations, reducing errors and enhancing operational stability in harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (130) presses the electrode (110) towards the plate (120) in a direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal length of the spring (130)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A capacitive touch sensor (100) is provided... an electrode (110) disposed between a plate (120) and a spring (130)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10128840B2Capacitive touch sensor

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 MICRO MOTION INC

AI summary

A capacitive touch sensor (100) is provided. The capacitive touch sensor (100) includes an electrode (110) disposed between a plate (120) and a spring (130) wherein the spring (130) presses the electrode (110) towards the plate (120) in a direction that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal length (L) of the spring (130) and the electrode (110) has a flat sensing surface (112) parallel with the plate (120).