Capacitive Input Sensing Triggered by Contact Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input systems with electrostatic capacitive sensors face challenges in reducing power consumption, as they need to remain constantly active to detect changes in state, leading to increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
The input system incorporates a controller that switches the sensing operation of the electrostatic sensor between ON and OFF states, with a conduction sensor detecting electrical conduction between electrodes to trigger the switch to the ON state, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the electrostatic sensor remains constantly ON to detect state changes, then the detection accuracy is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic sensor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between ON and OFF states. The sensor is activated only when the conduction sensor detects a pressing operation, and deactivated when no pressing is detected, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy during active periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the conduction sensor's detection capability to automatically control the power state of the electrostatic sensor. The conduction sensor serves dual purposes: detecting pressing operations and triggering the activation of the electrostatic sensor, eliminating the need for external control
2Loss of energy
If the electrostatic sensor is switched OFF to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the response time to detect state changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduction sensor continuously monitors for pressing operations even when the electrostatic sensor is OFF. When a pressing operation is detected through conduction, the electrostatic sensor is immediately activated, ensuring rapid response without requiring continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The conduction sensor acts as an intermediary between the pressing operation and the electrostatic sensor. It detects the initial pressing through electrical conduction and triggers the electrostatic sensor to activate, bridging the gap between power-saving mode and rapid detection
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 power consumption of the electrostatic sensor by maintaining it in the OFF state until necessary, improving energy efficiency without compromising detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode changes
Implementation Method 2
the third electrode and the fourth electrode are electrically conductive to each other. The conduction sensor detects the conduction between the third electrode and the fourth electrode
Data Source
AI summary
This input system includes an input device, an electrostatic sensor, a conduction sensor, a controller, and a determiner. When a movable contact of the input device is pressed, electrostatic capacitance between a first electrode and a second electrode changes, and when the movable contact of the input device is further pressed after the electrostatic capacitance changes, a third electrode and a fourth electrode are electrically conductive to each other. The conduction sensor detects the conduction between the third electrode and the fourth electrode. The controller switches the sensing operation of the electrostatic sensor from the OFF state to the ON state after the conduction sensor detects the conduction between the third electrode and the fourth electrode. In the ON state, the electrostatic sensor outputs a detected value related to the electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode.