Eyewear Sensor Module With Exposed Contact Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing sensor modules with capacitive touch sensors have a cover member between the touch sensor and the object, resulting in a small capacitance change and reduced sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A sensor module design where a conductive contacted section is exposed outside the casing and electrically connected to a capacitive detection pad within the casing, allowing for enhanced capacitance change detection upon object contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover member is disposed between the touch sensor and the object, then damage on the touch sensor is prevented, but the amount of change in capacitance becomes small resulting in deterioration of sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of detection padVSAvoidsensitivity of contact detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module is divided into two functional sections: a contacted section that is exposed to receive object contact, and a detection section that contains the capacitive detection pad protected inside the casing. This segmentation allows the detection pad to be protected while still achieving sensitive contact detection through the exposed contacted section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contacted section acts as an intermediary element between the object and the detection pad. It receives the contact force from the object and transmits this interaction to the detection pad, enabling sensitive detection while preventing direct contact that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the detection pad is directly exposed to the outside, then sensitivity for contact detection is improved, but damage to the detection pad occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity of contact detectionVSAvoiddamage to detection pad

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module separates the detection pad from the external environment by creating two distinct sections: an exposed contacted section for receiving contact, and a protected detection section containing the detection pad. This segmentation enables sensitive detection without direct exposure of the detection pad to harmful external factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contacted section serves as a protective intermediary that interfaces with the object while the detection pad remains protected inside the casing. This intermediary structure allows contact detection to occur without the detection pad being directly exposed to potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a cover member is placed over the touch sensor, then the touch sensor is protected from damage, but the capacitance change amount decreases reducing detection sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of detection padVSAvoidcapacitance change detection

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module structure segments the detection system into an exposed contacted section and a protected detection section with the detection pad. This segmentation eliminates the need for a cover member over the detection pad while maintaining protection, thereby preserving capacitance change detection sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contacted section functions as an intermediary that allows capacitance change detection to occur with high sensitivity while the detection pad remains protected inside the casing, eliminating the trade-off between protection and sensitivity that exists with traditional cover member designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design achieves high sensitivity for object contact detection while preventing damage to the detection pad, improving the overall performance of the sensor module.

Implementation Method 1

detect the contact of the object based on a capacitance change that occurs between the object and the touch sensor when the object comes into contact with the cover member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance change: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the contacted section is electrically connected to the conductive plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11294204B2Sensor module, temple, frame and eyewear

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 CARL ZEISS VISION INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

Provided is a sensor module that includes: a casing; a contacted part that is disposed so that at least a part thereof is exposed to the outside of the casing and that has conductivity; and a detection part that has an electrostatic capacitance type detection pad and that is disposed inside the casing. The detection part further includes a conductive plate provided so as to correspond to the detection region of the detection pad, the contacted part being electrically connected to the conductive plate. This configuration makes it possible to provide a sensor module that is highly sensitive to contact with an object, and that prevents damage to the detection pad caused by contact with the object.