Capacitive Sensing Layer for Interactive Fluid Recipient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers, such as bottles, lack interactive functionality with users, particularly in detecting user interactions beyond simple gestures like handling, and existing solutions require significant manufacturing modifications or increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A container with an electrically conductive layer on its surface, coupled with an insulating layer, uses capacitance measurement to detect user interactions, generating control signals for transducers like lights or speakers without requiring substantial manufacturing changes or additional costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If capacitance measurement is implemented to detect user interactions, then interactive functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container integrates multiple functions into a single system: the conductive layer serves both as a decorative/protective coating and as a capacitive sensing element; the insulating layer provides both electrical insulation and mechanical protection; the control circuit handles multiple detection modes (contact, proximity, gesture) and controls various transducers (lights, speakers). This multi-functionality approach enables rich interactive capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the conductive layer and insulating layer into an integrated capacitive sensing structure where the conductive layer acts as one electrode and the insulating layer acts as the dielectric, eliminating the need for separate sensing components. This merging of structural and functional elements reduces overall system complexity while enabling capacitive detection.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If capacitance measurement is used to detect user interactions, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is designed to serve dual purposes: maintaining its traditional decorative and protective functions while simultaneously acting as the sensing electrode for capacitive detection. This eliminates the need for separate sensing components that would require additional manufacturing steps and increase costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in capacitive parameters (capacitance value, impedance) in response to user interactions without requiring changes in the fundamental manufacturing process. The existing conductive layer's electrical parameters are simply repurposed for detection, avoiding additional manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Measurement precision
If a conductive layer and insulating layer are added to the container, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film structures for both the conductive layer and insulating layer, which can be deposited as continuous coatings over the container surface. This thin-film approach maintains detection precision by ensuring uniform electrical properties while minimizing the addition of bulk material and simplifying the manufacturing process compared to discrete component assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of conductive layer and insulating layer forms a composite structure that integrates sensing functionality with protective and decorative functions. This composite approach consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate parts, thereby improving detection precision without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
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
Enables interactive lighting and responses based on user proximity and gestures, enhancing user engagement without altering the manufacturing process or incurring significant additional costs.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitance formed between the conductive layer and a close and electrically charged object is measured. This measurement is performed by means of an electrically conductive detection element capacitively coupled to the conductive layer.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a recipient (1) for storing an object, comprising: an electrically insulating container (3) intended to contain the object; an electrically conductive layer placed on a surface of the container; and a control circuit (52) comprising an electrically conductive detection element (51) that is electrically isolated from said conductive layer and capacitively coupled to said conductive layer, said control circuit being configured to: measure the capacitance between said conductive layer and an electrically charged object near the conductive layer; and generate a control signal depending on the measured capacitance.