Capacitive Sensor with Movable Conductive Protrusions for Shearing Force Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors require complex wiring and pressure sensing units to detect shearing force, leading to increased costs and reduced flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A sensor design featuring a sensing layer with a deformable dielectric layer and a conductive layer with protrusions that move in the in-plane direction, allowing for capacitance changes to be detected to differentiate between pressing and shearing forces without complex configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional pressure sensing units and wiring routing are used to detect shearing force, then detection capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshearing force detection capabilityVSAvoidwiring routing and pressure sensing units

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shearing force detection function with the existing capacitance sensing structure by adding a movable conductive layer with protrusions over the dielectric layer. This integration allows the same sensor structure to detect both pressing force (through dielectric deformation) and shearing force (through conductive layer displacement), eliminating the need for separate sensing units and complex wiring routing for shearing force detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor structure achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single capacitance sensing unit to detect multiple types of forces. The conductive layer with protrusions serves dual purposes: it forms part of the capacitance sensing mechanism for pressing force detection and simultaneously acts as a shearing force sensor through its in-plane movement capability, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If traditional pressure sensing units and wiring routing are used to detect shearing force, then detection capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshearing force detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shearing force detection function with the existing capacitance sensing structure by adding a movable conductive layer with protrusions over the dielectric layer. This integration allows the same sensor structure to detect both pressing force (through dielectric deformation) and shearing force (through conductive layer displacement), eliminating the need for separate sensing units and complex wiring routing for shearing force detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor structure achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single capacitance sensing unit to detect multiple types of forces. The conductive layer with protrusions serves dual purposes: it forms part of the capacitance sensing mechanism for pressing force detection and simultaneously acts as a shearing force sensor through its in-plane movement capability, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If traditional pressure sensing units and wiring routing are used to detect shearing force, then detection capability is achieved, but flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshearing force detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin film structures for the dielectric layer and conductive layer that can deform and move in-plane without compromising structural integrity. The dielectric layer is designed as a deformable thin film that responds to pressing force, while the conductive layer with protrusions is configured as a flexible thin film that can slide in-plane to detect shearing force, maintaining sensor flexibility throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor structure incorporates dynamic elements where the conductive layer with protrusions can move in-plane relative to the dielectric layer. This dynamic configuration allows the sensor to adapt to different force types (pressing and shearing) while maintaining flexibility, as the conductive layer's movement capability enables response to various deformation modes without rigid constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effective detection of shearing force without complicating the sensor structure or significantly impairing flexibility, reducing the need for extensive wiring and pressure detection units.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a change in capacitance of a pressure detection unit depending on pressing force or shearing force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a dielectric layer provided on the sensing layer, the dielectric layer being deformable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS11346727B2Sensor, electronic device, wearable terminal, and control method

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is a sensor that includes a sensing layer including a pressure detection unit, a dielectric layer provided on the sensing layer, the dielectric layer being deformable, and a conductive layer including a protrusion protruding toward the dielectric layer. The conductive layer is movable in an in-plane direction of the sensing layer.