Cylindrical Touch Sensor Radial Electrode Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional planar touch sensors face challenges when applied to three-dimensional surfaces, such as cylindrical shapes, as they restrict touch detection, increase manufacturing time, and costs due to difficulties in disposing touch electrodes effectively.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor with touch electrode lines extending outward from a central portion at predetermined angular intervals, combined with a vibration sensing element and a touch controller that calculates touch coordinates, including angle and distance, to enable efficient touch detection on complex surfaces like cylindrical shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional planar touch sensor is applied to a three-dimensional shape, then the touch sensor can be manufactured using existing processes, but the touch electrode disposal becomes difficult in some areas, restricting touch detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to three-dimensional shapesVSAvoidtouch detection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional touch sensor design to a three-dimensional cylindrical touch sensor. The touch electrode lines extend radially outward from the central axis along the cylindrical surface, utilizing the third dimension (radial distance from center) to achieve comprehensive touch detection coverage across the curved surface, thereby resolving the limitation of planar sensors on three-dimensional objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch sensor is divided into multiple independent touch electrode lines extending from the central axis to the peripheral edge along the cylindrical surface. Each electrode line operates independently and can detect touch events at different angular positions, enabling the system to handle touch detection across the entire three-dimensional surface by combining signals from multiple segmented detection elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a conventional planar touch sensor is applied to a three-dimensional shape, then existing manufacturing processes can be used, but manufacturing process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional planar touch sensor is applied to a three-dimensional shape, then existing manufacturing processes can be used, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration sensing element serves multiple functions: it detects touch events on the cylindrical surface, determines the radial distance from the central axis, and provides reference data for calibration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby controlling manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution reduces the number of touch electrode lines required, prevents restricted touch detection areas, decreases manufacturing time and costs, and enhances the yield of touch sensors for three-dimensional shapes.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration sensing element positioned at the central portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of touch electrode lines which extends outwardly from a central portion thereof at a predetermined angular interval around the central portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10514794B2Touch sensor and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A touch sensor includes a plurality of touch electrode lines which extends outwardly from a central portion thereof at a predetermined angular interval around the central portion, a vibration sensing element positioned at the central portion, and a touch controller which receives a first touch signal from at least one of the plurality of touch electrode lines, detects a touch angle between a touch position at which a touch occurs and a first direction with respect to the central portion, receives a second touch signal from the vibration sensing element, calculates a touch distance from the central portion to the touch position based on a time difference between a first point of time when the first touch signal is received and a second point of time when the second touch signal is received, and outputs touch coordinates including the touch angle and the touch distance.