Capacitive Touch Apparatus Pressure Sensing via Electrode Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch screens lack the ability to effectively sense pressure, which is essential for enhancing user experience and functionality in portable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A touch apparatus with a detection conductor and multiple detection electrodes arranged in an array, where different signals are applied to form capacitor structures to sense touch and pressure, allowing for capacitance changes to be measured to determine pressure and touch events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional capacitive touch screen structure is used, then touch sensing is achieved, but pressure sensing capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The detection electrodes are divided into multiple groups that can be independently controlled. During pressure sensing stage, different detection electrode groups are connected to different potential levels (first potential or second potential) to form series-connected capacitor structures with the detection conductor, enabling differential capacitance measurement for pressure detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch apparatus dynamically switches between different working stages (touch sensing stage and pressure sensing stage) by changing the potential configuration of detection electrodes. The detection conductor is suspended during pressure sensing to maximize sensitivity, and the system adapts its measurement mode based on the intended function.
2Reliability
If detection conductor is connected to fixed potential, then circuit stability is maintained, but pressure sensing sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detection conductor's potential state is dynamically changed between suspended state (during pressure sensing stage for maximum sensitivity) and connected state (during touch sensing stage for circuit stability). This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize for either sensitivity or stability depending on the current operational requirements.
3Measurement precision
If separate touch sensing and pressure sensing structures are implemented, then sensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing capacitive touch screen structure is made multi-functional by implementing both touch sensing and pressure sensing capabilities using the same detection electrodes and detection conductor. Through different potential configurations and working stages, the single structure achieves dual functionality without requiring separate sensing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensing function and pressure sensing function are merged into a single integrated system. The detection electrodes and detection conductor serve both functions by being configured in different potential arrangements during different working stages, eliminating the need for separate structural implementations.
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 integration of touch and pressure sensing functions without significant changes to the device structure, improving user experience and control capabilities by detecting pressure and touch events accurately.
Implementation Method 1
The multiple detection electrodes and the detection conductor are arranged opposite each other to form a capacitor structure, which is configured to sense a touch and a pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The application provides a touch apparatus, a drive circuit, a drive method and an electronic device. The drive method includes: in a pressure detection stage, providing a first pressure sensing signal to a part of detection electrode, and providing a second pressure sensing signal to the remaining detection electrodes. The first pressure sensing signal is not equal to the second pressure sensing signal. Through detecting a capacitance change between first pressure electrodes and second pressure electrodes, distance changes between a detection conductor and the first pressure electrodes and between the detection conductor and the second pressure electrodes are detected, to realize pressure sensing.