Flexible Capacitive Sensor for 3D Surface Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capacitive touch sensors face difficulties in being easily disposed over three-dimensional objects, such as hemispheres or globes, due to the need for unique shapes and proprietary software modifications to function effectively, which increases development costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A planar capacitive touch sensor design that can be folded over three-dimensional objects, maintaining linear alignment of columns and rows, allowing existing detection and tracking algorithms to be used without substantial modification, utilizing flexible substrates like MYLAR or PET to conform to curved surfaces without gaps or creases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a capacitive touch sensor is designed with a unique shape to conform to three-dimensional objects, then it can be disposed over curved surfaces, but it requires proprietary software modifications and increases development complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to three-dimensional surfacesVSAvoidsoftware modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is segmented into multiple flexible strips that can be independently arranged and configured. Each strip contains conductive traces that form capacitive sensing elements, allowing the sensor to be customized for different three-dimensional surfaces while maintaining compatibility with standard detection algorithms through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor design allows modification of geometric parameters such as strip width, trace spacing, and electrode dimensions to optimize performance for specific curved surfaces. By adjusting these parameters, the sensor adapts to different three-dimensional geometries without requiring fundamental changes to the detection software

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a capacitive touch sensor uses a unique shape for three-dimensional objects, then it can conform to curved surfaces, but it increases manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to three-dimensional surfacesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor design uses universal components and standardized manufacturing processes that can be applied across different product configurations. The flexible substrate and conductive trace patterns can be produced using standard PCB or flexible circuit techniques, allowing the same manufacturing line to produce sensors for various three-dimensional surfaces without expensive retooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor employs flexible thin-film substrates that can be manufactured using cost-effective deposition techniques. These flexible films allow the sensor to conform to curved surfaces while being produced through standard flexible circuit board manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for expensive custom-molded components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a capacitive touch sensor is designed with curved geometry for three-dimensional objects, then it can be disposed over hemispheres or globes, but it requires custom hardware modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to three-dimensional surfacesVSAvoidhardware modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor design incorporates flexible, dynamically configurable trace patterns that can be adjusted during manufacturing to match different curved surface geometries. The flexible substrate allows the sensor to physically adapt to three-dimensional shapes while the electrical connections maintain standard configurations that work with existing detection hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables cost-effective and efficient detection and tracking of objects on three-dimensional surfaces using existing algorithms, reducing the need for custom software and hardware modifications for each shape, thus lowering production costs and simplifying development.

Implementation Method 1

When a pointing object creates imbalance because of capacitive coupling when the object approaches or touches a touch surface (the sensing area 18 of the touchpad 10), a change in capacitance occurs on the electrodes 12, 14.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10719179B2Capacitive sensor enabling row and column node alignment when disposed on a three-dimensional object

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 CIRQUE CORP

AI summary

A system and method for manufacturing a planar capacitive touch sensor that can be folded over a three-dimensional object that does not require substantial modification to function, wherein columns and rows of capacitive measurement nodes follow substantially linear designs, and wherein the algorithms used for detection and tracking objects are substantially the same as for a planar touch sensor design.