Capacitive Touch Panel Wet State Detection via Reference Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive touch technologies face challenges in detecting a wet state on touch panels, leading to malfunction or damage when a smart terminal is exposed to water, necessitating a method to adjust touch functions or close power supplies to prevent misoperations or short circuits.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch panel wet state detection method and apparatus that acquire reference feature data when the medium between electrodes is air and real-time feature data when wet, determining the wet state by comparing the two, allowing for selective adjustment of touch functions or power supply closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitive touch technology is used for smart terminals, then user interaction becomes simpler and more direct, but the touch panel becomes vulnerable to water damage and misoperations when wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the touch panel's wet state by measuring capacitance values before allowing touch operations. The system pre-establishes a capacitor array network and continuously monitors its electrical characteristics to detect water presence in advance, preventing misoperations and damage before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the capacitance detection system continuously monitors the touch panel state and provides real-time information to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts touch sensitivity or disables touch functions when wet state is detected, ensuring reliable operation under varying conditions.
2Reliability
If wet state detection is implemented to prevent damage, then touch panel reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional detection circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the capacitor array network serve multiple functions: it acts as both the touch sensing elements for normal touch operations and the detection elements for wet state monitoring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection circuits, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel's inherent capacitor array network performs self-detection of wet state by monitoring changes in its own capacitance values. The system uses its existing structural elements (electrodes and dielectric layers) to detect water presence, eliminating the need for external or additional detection components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If all touch functions are disabled when wet state is detected, then prevention of misoperations is achieved, but loss of information occurs as legitimate touches cannot be registered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by detecting wet state at specific locations through the capacitor array network and applying different touch sensitivity settings to different regions. Areas detected as wet have reduced sensitivity or disabled functions, while dry areas maintain full functionality, allowing legitimate touches in safe zones while preventing misoperations in wet zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes touch sensitivity parameters based on detected wet state. Instead of completely disabling touch functions, the system adjusts sensitivity thresholds and operational parameters according to the degree and location of wetness, maintaining usability in safe conditions while preventing misoperations in wet conditions.
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
Effectively detects a wet state on touch panels, enabling the adjustment of touch functions or power supply closure to prevent malfunctions and damage, ensuring safe and reliable operation of smart terminals.
Implementation Method 1
a finger of the user forms a coupling capacitor with a working surface, and a series of touch operation functions are implemented by detecting the capacitance value of the coupling capacitor
Implementation Method 2
when a medium between electrodes of each coupling capacitor in a capacitor array network is air... determining, according to the real-time feature data output by the coupling capacitor and the reference feature data, whether the coupling capacitor is in a wet state
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch panel wet state detection method and a capacitive touch apparatus. The method includes: acquiring reference feature data obtained by statistical counting of sample feature data output by a coupling capacitor when a medium between electrodes of each coupling capacitor in a capacitor array network is air; and acquiring real-time feature data output by the coupling capacitor in the capacitor array network, and determining, according to the real-time feature data output by the coupling capacitor and the reference feature data, whether the coupling capacitor is in a wet state. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when a touch panel of a terminal is in a wet state, the touch functions can be selectively adjusted, or a part of power supplies in the circuit may be closed.