Capacitive Touch Knob Input for Wire-Free Rotation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices and input devices for display interfaces face challenges in efficiently detecting and transmitting rotation information, particularly for operations like volume adjustment and icon selection, often requiring power and wiring, and limiting flexibility in installation and icon placement.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device comprising an electrostatic capacitive touch panel with an input device featuring a rotatable knob and a conductor that contacts the touch panel, allowing for wireless communication of rotation and pressing information without the need for power or wiring, enabling improved operability and flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical, optical or magnetic detection methods are used for rotation operation, then detection capability is achieved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical, optical, or magnetic detection systems with an electrostatic capacitive sensing system. The rotation detection is achieved through changes in capacitance values between conductors and the touch panel, eliminating the need for complex mechanical encoders, optical sensors, or magnetic detectors. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conductor as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's rotation operation and the detection system. The conductor, positioned near the touch panel, creates variable capacitance that serves as the detection signal, replacing direct mechanical or optical coupling and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication is implemented without power or wiring, then ease of installation is improved, but power transmission capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the sensing element for rotation detection. The same capacitive structure that enables touch interaction also detects rotation through conductor movement, eliminating the need for separate power and signal wiring while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing electrostatic field of the touch panel for both operation and detection purposes. The conductor interacts with the panel's capacitive field to enable rotation detection without requiring external power sources or additional wiring, allowing the system to serve itself for both control and sensing functions.
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 solution enhances operability by enabling easy rotation-based operations on display interfaces, allowing for wireless operation and flexible installation, improving user interaction and device usability.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor device comprising an electrostatic capacitive touch panel, and an input device mounted on the touch panel
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a sensor device includes an electrostatic capacitive touch panel, and an input device mounted on the touch panel. The input device includes a knob rotatably disposed about a rotation axis, and a first conductor held by the knob and being in contact with the touch panel in a part of a circumference about the rotation axis.