Curved Capacitive Display Surface for Wide-Angle Proximity Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices with capacitive proximity sensors face interference from extraneous light and operational challenges, such as difficulty in detection due to viewing angle and lighting conditions, which affect their usability and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a light guide body, an insulating layer, and an electrically conductive layer, where the light output surface and insulation layer are curved outward, allowing for wide-angle light emission and capacitive proximity detection, enabling intuitive operation even in low-light conditions and avoiding direct conductive contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a flat light coupling surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the light emission is limited to a narrow viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The light coupling surface is designed with an outward curvature instead of being flat. This curved surface geometry allows light to be emitted and detected from multiple viewing angles, significantly improving the detectability of the light signal while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light coupling surface is curved outward, then wide-angle light emission is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light coupling surface and the insulating layer are merged into a single integrated component. The insulating layer is formed with an outward curvature that simultaneously serves as the light coupling surface, eliminating the need for separate curved surface fabrication and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer performs multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation and simultaneously forms the curved light coupling surface for wide-angle light emission. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the manufacturing process.
3Measurement precision
If the electrically conductive layer is exposed, then proximity detection sensitivity is improved, but direct contact risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electrically conductive layer and the external environment. This insulating layer has an outward curvature that maintains close proximity for sensitive capacitive detection while preventing direct conductive contact, thus eliminating the harmful effect of direct contact.
4Measurement precision
If the insulating layer is flat, then the structure is simple, but proximity detection accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer is formed with an outward curvature instead of being flat. This curved geometry maintains a smaller distance between the conductive layer and approaching objects, significantly improving capacitive proximity detection accuracy while the curvature can be integrated into the insulating layer formation process.
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 provides enhanced operability and detection capabilities, allowing users to easily activate the display device by proximity, regardless of viewing angle, and ensures safe operation by preventing direct contact with the conductive layer.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide body has a light coupling surface for coupling in the light emission and a light coupling surface for coupling out the light emission
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit is coupled to the electrically conductive layer and configured to perform capacitive proximity detection and to output a switching signal depending on the proximity detection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a display device (1) with capacitive proximity sensors, comprising a light source (4, 24) for generating light emission; a light guide body (2, 22) with a light coupling surface (14) for coupling the light emission and a light coupling surface (11) for coupling the light emission out. The display device (1) further comprises an insulating layer (8, 28); an electrically conductive layer (6, 26) arranged between the light coupling surface and the insulating layer; a sensor unit (17, 27) coupled to the electrically conductive layer and configured to perform capacitive proximity detection and output a switching signal; and a control unit (20) coupled to the sensor unit (17, 27) and the light source (4, 24) and configured to control the light emission of the light source (4, 24) based on a sensor signal. The insulating layer (8, 28) is convex towards the outside.The invention further relates to an electrical device (31) and a method for operating the electrical device (31).