Environmental Sensor Integrated in Electronic Display Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with integrated environmental sensors face a trade-off between size and sensing performance, often compromising on either the device's size or the sensitivity of the sensors, as incorporating high-performance environmental sensors increases the device's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of two distinct environmental sensor electrodes with different sensing characteristics on a display panel substrate, allowing for high substance resolution while maintaining a compact size, by using a first sensor electrode for capacitance-change sensing and a second sensor electrode for resistance-change sensing, and employing a cover with holes for chemical particle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single environmental sensor is installed to detect chemical particles, then the device size is minimized, but the sensing performance and substance resolution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple environmental sensor electrodes (first and second sensor electrodes with different sensing characteristics) into a single integrated sensor unit that can detect multiple types of chemical particles simultaneously, thereby improving sensing performance without proportionally increasing device size
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated environmental sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions by incorporating sensor electrodes with different sensing characteristics, allowing a single sensor unit to detect various types of chemical particles that would otherwise require multiple separate sensors
2Measurement precision
If multiple environmental sensors are installed to detect different types of chemical particles, then the substance resolution is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor electrodes with different sensing characteristics are merged into a single integrated environmental sensor unit, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple types of chemical particles through the combined output of the sensor electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor unit achieves multi-functional detection capability by incorporating sensor electrodes that respond to different chemical particles, allowing a single sensor system to perform multiple detection functions without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each particle type
3Measurement precision
If multiple environmental sensors are installed to detect different types of chemical particles, then the substance resolution is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor electrodes are combined into one integrated sensor unit, achieving high substance resolution through the differential responses of the sensor electrodes while avoiding the need for multiple separate sensor packages that would increase device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional detection approach (one sensor per particle type) to a multi-dimensional detection approach where multiple sensor electrodes with different characteristics operate within a single integrated unit, enabling differentiation of chemical particles based on their distinct response patterns across the sensor electrodes
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 approach enables high-sensitivity chemical particle detection with a small form factor, allowing for accurate identification of multiple types of chemical particles without the need for additional components or complex algorithms, thus achieving high substance resolution in a compact electronic device.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensing unit may sense a capacitance-change due to the chemical particles that pass through the at least one hole and adhere to the insulating layer
Implementation Method 2
the second sensing unit may sense a resistance-change due to the chemical particles that pass through the at least one hole and adhere to the second sensor electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental sensor for an electronic device includes a substrate, a first sensing unit having a first sensor electrode disposed on the substrate, a second sensing unit having a second sensor electrode disposed on the substrate, an insulating layer covering the first sensor electrode, and a cover that is disposed over the first and second sensor electrodes, the cover including at least one hole through which chemical particles pass. The first and second sensing units each sense one of a capacitance-change due to the chemical particles that pass through the hole and then adhere to the insulating layer located on the first sensor electrode and a resistance-change due to the chemical particles that pass through the hole and then adhere to the second sensor electrode.