Capacitive Mass Displacement Sensing Using Phase-Shift Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional haptic systems rely on mechanical components that require a sealed environment and special designs to accurately sense mass displacement and direction, which can be costly and prone to issues like rust and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensing system that uses a periodic drive electrode pattern and sensing electrode arrays to generate periodic signals, determining phase shifts and calculating displacement and direction of a movable mass on one or more axes without the need for a sealed environment or special designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mechanical sensing components are used to sense mass displacement and direction, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to sealed environment requirements and special designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing components with a capacitive sensing system that uses electrical fields to detect mass displacement and direction. The periodic drive electrode pattern and sensing electrode array create capacitance variations that directly correlate with mass position, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors, sealed environments, and special mechanical designs while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from mechanical displacement to capacitance variation. By using a periodic drive electrode pattern that moves with the mass and sensing electrodes that detect capacitance changes, the system translates mechanical position into electrical parameter changes that can be measured without complex mechanical structures or sealed environments
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical components are used in haptic systems, then haptic feedback functionality is achieved, but reliability decreases due to rust and leakage issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing components with an all-electrical capacitive sensing system. The drive electrode pattern and sensing electrodes are fabricated using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes, eliminating mechanical parts that could rust or leak. This substitution maintains reliability while actually simplifying manufacturing by removing the need for sealed environments and special mechanical designs
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensing system uses the mass itself and the existing electrical fields in the haptic system to perform sensing functions. The periodic drive electrode pattern moves with the mass, and the capacitance changes are directly measured by the sensing electrodes, creating a self-contained sensing mechanism that requires no additional mechanical components, sealing, or special manufacturing procedures
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 sensing system is robust, easy to implement, cost-effective, and accurately determines mass displacement and direction, eliminating the need for sealed environments and special designs, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of haptic feedback systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing electrode array positioned relative to the periodic electrode pattern, the sensing electrode array operable to sense a capacitance in an overlapping area between the periodic drive electrode pattern and the sensing electrode array
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive sensing system for determining mass displacement and direction is disclosed. In an embodiment, a capacitive sensing system for sensing mass displacement and direction comprises: a mass; a periodic drive electrode pattern formed on or attached to the mass; a sensing electrode array positioned relative to the periodic electrode pattern, the sensing electrode array operable to sense a capacitance in an overlapping area between the periodic drive electrode pattern and the sensing electrode array; and a capacitive sensing circuit coupled to at least the sensing electrode array, the capacitive sensing circuit operable to generate a periodic signal based on the sensed capacitance, to determine a phase shift in the periodic signal in response to the periodic drive electrode pattern moving relative to the sensing electrode array, and to determine, based on the phase shift, a displacement and direction of the mass on a movement axis.